It is a cold winter morning in the mid-1st century AD. Heavy northern snows cover the great Roman roads of northern Britain, blanketing the frontier between civilization and barbarism in a brilliant white.
Roman soldiers patrol the length of Hadrian's Wall, staring out across the wilderness beyond, ever watchful for encroaching barbarians.
To the south, outlines of Roman towns, villages, and forts dot the landscape, a comforting reminder of the presence and power of the Roman Empire.
Cavalry patrols returning from expeditions in the north report of the ever-present Pictish raiding parties, who eagerly await their opportunity to ravage the rich land south of the wall.
Across the white plains, the whispers and war cries of the Picts, carried by the winds, wash over Hadrian's Wall.
Auxiliary soldiers, drawn from across the Empire, prepare to defend their stations, their families, and their lives.
