The Curia

An interesting proposal. But I'm not sure you would be fit to lead men on such a mission. There will be no cusions and honey glazed meat for you, Tiberius Claudius. No slaves, dancing girls or musicians. You'd be living in the roughest of the rough. No city on Sicilia will offer Roman troops protection at night, especially just simple raiding units. The Carthaginians are in their own territory in Sicilia, guarded by money, alliances and knowledge as well as men and walls. I do not doubt your courage, Tiberius Claudius. But I say let us waste men on some other erranc. It's a pointless exbidition that would result in all the Romans' deaths. I cannot vote for that.

"Tiberivs Clavdivs, I am well aware of the problems, though I believe I could work through them. After all, Manivs Clavdivs managed to be Consul of the Legions when we were in Massalia, and when we were fighting in the Illyrian campaign. He did a splendid job, in my opinion, so I see no reason why I couldn't work through it all.

Regardless, I will have you know I stand up in this race out of necessity, not for any other reason. Besides me now, the only other contestant for the position as Consul of Finance is Cnaevs Cornelivs, and if CA 5.1 goes through, he will become a tribune - and thus ineligible for it. If no one else than him had stood up for the job, and CA 5.1 goes through, then we would've stood without any candidate for the position. That is why I waited so long to announce it.

Is here anyone who would take the responsibility, stay in Rome and devote his time to the consulship, and who would be unaffected by said CA?"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: It like the idea, but it shouldn't be necessary. A plus, at best, since we may not always have someone active enough, as well as eligible for the position, who's also not currently leading an army.

Council will go on for 24 more hours.

I second edict 5.5.

Qvintvs Aemilivs followed the debates in the house with devotion, yet did not speake due to his junior status.
Having received a weeks leave from the military arena, he had intended to spend as much time as he could in the political arena, as a man should be an able fighter in both if he wished to reach the curule chair of the consul.

For days he has watched the constant bickering. Being raised with the eminent stories any young Roman hears about the heroes that perpetrate Rome's history, this week of sitting in the senate had quickly disillusioned Qvintvs Aemilivs.
Instead of a noble body of men, amicable and respectful to a man's peers, he found the Senate more like a bucket filled with crabs. Instead of cooperating to get out, everyone who got anywhere near getting out was hauled back by the majority.
It was each man's Dignitas & Auctoritas for himself. Disgusted of the situation, he stood up.

"Conscript fathers present today, both consuls permit me these words" he said rising, waiting for a nod from the presiding consul. Whom gave one ever so slightly to one so young as Qvintvs Aemilivs.

"I do realise I am only a young man. To some I might be greener than the vast grass plains of Galatia. Nevertheless I am a Roman senator. As I have been taught, a Senator is the shining example of what a Roman should be." He gazed around the curia. He wasn't considered a great rethoric, yet he spoke an impeccable Latin.
"Intelligent. Brave. Determined. Educated. CIVIL" the last word being pressed. "The kind of senator we present to the foreign world as to why Rome has thrown out her kings, and continues to thrive nonetheless." A slight pause, his throat drying up. Being his first speech, he knew he had to make a good effort here, or his political carreer was over before it began.
"To the world, the Curia stands for the majesty of the senate. Has been doing so for centuries."With a movement of his arm, he indicated the building he was standing in.
"However, to those who actually enter the senate, the truth is revealed. The Curia is a dry, muf building, long surpassed by it's purpose. And today, I have realised it is the same for those that enter it" he finished his preoration.

"DRY. MUF. BITTERED. VENAL." he thundered. "Whereas the senate should vie for the advancement of Rome, the most of what I've seen here is for the advancement of ones self, ones friend or preventing the exact same advancing of others." He took a deep breath.

"I will not mention names, nor will I point a finger. I realise I am still young, and should not teach lessons to men more senior than me. Yet I felt it my duty to speak of what has transpired here lately, as I am brought up by my father to be my best for the sake of Rome. I would call on everyone's sense of honour here, to do the same. To conclude my speech, I owuld like to second edict 5.3."

Qvintvs Aemilivs sat down, almost panting

Cotta stands.

Ah, young Qvintvs Aemilivs, the second cousin of my good friend Avlvs Aemilivs. I have had little chance to get to know you yet, and I would take the chance now to welcome to the Curia; but it seems it is not somewhere that seems welcoming to you.

I'm afraid there is more to the Curia than the simple minds of Roma perceive it to be. Great men do indeed reside in this hall, young Aemilius, but it is a consequence of freedom that we argue. Far better to argue than to suffer in silence, do you not believe. That is why I love the Republic; any man, no matter his status or position, may speak his mind freely and without worry, and more often than not he is listened to. There are even the occasions when that man's words affect us so greatly that we completely change our perspective of something. This is the gift of freedom.

So do, please speak your mind in here, Qvintvs Aemilivs, and be sure that your opinion will always be welcomed, if not always appreciated fully. Without speakers, we are dumb to the world. Without ears to listen and eyes to see we are ignorant, and without minds free to imagine and the power to act we are useless. We, as a Republic, have all these things, and we must be thankful for it.

Qvintvs Aemilivs, my dear cousin, welcome to the Senate! Don't hesitate to say your opinion, that's the way of the Aemilii

"Your welcome warms me Caivs Avrelivs, and it is much appreciated. I do not deny that arguements are a necessity in order to reach decisions. I was merely pointing out that discussions should be about what's good for Rome, not what's good for oneself. I mean no offence to any of these august senators present here today. I just felt the comment should be made"

And that is the subject of my speech, Qvintvs Aemilivs. The trouble is, each Senator has a different idea of what is the best of Roma. Although this is not always commendable and can seem to be a vain attempt to elevate oneself above the rest, it is also out main strength above other, lesser nations of man, and certainly beast.

We can provide a wide array of questions and theories, and an equably wide array of answers to these questions with our unique and elite grouping of Senators here in this house.

"Let us not talk about the subject no more, and concentrate on what matters! My thanks again for the welcome everybody"

Council will end in one hour!

Tiberius rises from his seat and turns to face the Pinceps Senatus, trying hard to conceal the surprised look on his face.

"Cnaeus Cornelius, many thanks are owed to you for giving my proposed Edict 5.5 the necessary number of secondings, that it might reach the ballot for voting. I will admit that this is an unexpected turn of events and am greatful."

With a bow, the humbled senator takes his seat, obviously lost in thought.

Gentlemen, let us make sure we have made all the edicts we wish to, and that they have all be sufficiently seconded

"Good Tiberius, despite all political opposition, I am always open to thoughtful planning. I see your idea a sound plan, and also believe all our proposals here should at least be allowed a proper voting. And i have one last CA to propose.

CA 5.2:That if there is no standing praetor to give sponsorship, a Quaestor may start a family/house with a voting by the senate.

OOC: We have 3 players who will be Quaestors soon im sure as new conflicts will be arising. So I think it is for the best as we are now about sure where we will all stand as far has political alliances go. This CA will probably be added to the "Forming a House/Family" rule.

Tiberius quickly stands up and eagerly announces,

"I second Charter Ammendment 5.2. Come Senatores, let there be another who still remains in the chambers to support this idea."

Also on that note, the senate may hate for this, but I will support my good friend Cottas edict 5.1.

Thank you for your support, Blasio, and I also second CA 5.2

I hereby declare that the time for proposing legislation has passed! Voting will begin shortly. There will be a two day period allocated for voting. Voting will end at 2pm PAC on Wednesday, February 23 or upon the time all senators have voted.

Cotta returns from the votings, and seeks out the figure of Blasio.

Consul, I thank you for your support in Edict 5.1, but I cannot help but notice that you have also seconded Edict 5.5, that states that Legio II and I (OOC: myself, not Legio I) will not be positioned in Edpidamnos, but are to remain as a reserve legion. You seem to be contradicting several edicts that you have supported with 5.5. It would also stop 5.2 from happening for one. How can you answer this?

"Well there are two ways I would go about it. You could simply switch the plan. (OOC: Legio I is the roaming force and Legio II is the garrison.) I also had to factor in that you would be allowed a Provincial Legio as well, should it pass, meaning you would have extra forces. In the end I dont see how they completely contradict each other."

Tiberius, also having just returned from voting laughs out loud, the hearty sound echoing throughout the mostly-empty Curia

"Because by doing so he can publicly claim no favorites, thus keeping us divided. I am sure he supports your motion more than mine; but he knows the game too well. We shall see whose proposal holds the most water."

OOC: Navarro got a post in before I did.

Well, you have voted to push Legio I into Gaul, while also wanting them to go to Illyria...what with Dux Regulus' complaints at the pace I set in the Illyrian campaign, I don't think he will be best pleased with the amount of walking your giving him here

"To be honest, I am indeed seeing whose Edict holds most water. I have chosen to strip the titles of Princeps, Promagistrate, and I seconded a political opponents Edict. The senators here call me unfair, well they can chew on that. If they should both pass, the senate should simply let the commanders discuss who will do what. Mixing the plan will not make things any worse. Legio I can leave to Gual or stay in Illyria. Legio II can stay with you if you get your Provincial Governorship. We cant assume that edict will pass so we must also be aware it could be Legio II being sent to Gual should you not get your province." Blasio Smiles "Be patient my friend, let us see what the senate truly wants, and then decided what is truly best"

Should the province not be passed to me, then I will gladly draw a lot with the other commanders. This is what we have always done.

However, should it be passed, I do not want the issue of having to control a province from the other side of the world.

"yes, obviously a fine point. I think if it passes then Legio II can roam Illyria as a defense. You prov.legio can defend Epidamnos, as they are not for offensives on the most part. Legio I can also defend Illyria or go to Gual while Legio III marches to Massalia. If I am still Consul when the voting is over, I will take Legio IV to Rhegion after dealing with the rebels and watch over the Carthaginian border in Sicilia."

Tiberius returns to the chamber, several aides in tow, all of whom are laden with scrolls and parchments

"Gentlemen, Edict 5.4 is at an impasse, if there are any Senatores who have yet to cast their vote, I invite you to do so now in favor of commissioning a fifth legio, lest the legislation fail for being tied in votes."

I'm afraid I have yet to here a plausible reason for deploying another legion, besides certain young men wanting to pursue paths of glory for their own ends.

"Neither can I see a reason for emptying our coffers like that. We are not made of gold, and even with the added weight we got out of our newly conquered territories, we can't jolly well just throw it all away if we are to seriously compete with the deep coffers of Carthage. Even assuming that we had endless amounts of denarii, if we kept on raising a legion every time we got a new man eligible for leading one we would soon run out of spaces to place them, if we didn't run out of soldiers first! Some would have us arm women and children before they'd stop levying armies.

Me, I'm quite happy that it failed. Next time, at least try to justify it."

Blasio stands...

"If the senate would quiet down. I would like to extend my congratulations to still Consul Cicero, and our new Consul Regvlvs. A fine man for the job indeed. My command of Legio IV will pass to you Consul Regvlvs. And if the senate, and yourself will allow it, I will take command of Legio I. It would do me a great honor to command my good friend Consul Asina's original command along with my son."

And I congratulate my cousin Qvintvs Aemilivs to be elected as the new Tribvnvs Plebis. Thank you, senatores, that you deem our family trustworthy.