The Magnaura

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios walks into the Senate. He is clearly not happy. He walks to the center of the room while his aids hand out copies of a document.

Senators,

A very disturbing letter fell into my hands this morning. Copies of the letter are being distributed to you by my aids. This letter was sent to Pavlos and Kalameteros by the Caesar. While the sender begged me to keep it quiet, I simply can not. For years I've been trying to prevent a civil war while the Caesar has apparantly been hell-bent on starting one. If I kept this quiet, these things would just continue behind the scenes. Now that it is out in the open, the Caesar will be forced to do his evil in the open. Instead of in the dark like a snake.

Greetings, dear friends.

I will soon ascend to the throne. The Order have insulted me and the royal family flagrantly and yet we have been powerless to bring them to account.

What is more, the Order have shown themselves increasingly disloyal as a whole.

For the good and stability of both the empire and the nobles, I have a proposal I wish to offer to the both of you.

It is simply this:

As soon as I ascend to throne, we three form a Triumvirate. The Order's insults are a legitimate and just causus belli for us to declare them traitors and their land confiscated. Once we have defeated them, we shall be able to redistribute the land of the empire amongst ourselves. If the independent nobles, such as Methodios and Micail remain out of the conflict, then they shall keep their land. If they cast their lot with the Order, then their land shall be forfeit too.

As a result, the Asteri would control the western half of the Empire, the Komnenodoukai the East, and the Imperial family the centre plus all the patriarchates.

This would require some exchanging of land between House Asteri and House Komnenodoukai, but I'm sure negotiations could be entered into.

Imperial Provinces:
Constantinople
Rome
Nicaea
Dardanellia
Antioch
Jerusalem
Alexandria

House Asteri:

Athens
Thessalonica
Corinth
Arta
Dyracchion
Belgrade
Bucharest
Rhodes
Zagreb
Sofia

House Komnenodoukai:

Sinop
Caesarea
Smyrna
Adana
Tblisi
Yerevan
Nicosia
Diyarbakir
Aleppo

We would then control the Magnaura and be able to propose legislation which would change the structure of the empire.

War may only be declared by the Basileus.
All new provinces are at the disposal of the Basileus.
The cities of Rome and Constantinople can never be held by anyone but the Basileus.
The Basileus army consists of a minimum of 8 infantry units, 2 missile units, 2 heavy cavalry units, and two artillery units.
The Imperial Fleet is under the command of the Basileus.
The Imperial Fleet consists of a minimum of 8 ships.
The Caesar’s army consists of a minimum of 6 infantry units, 2 missile units, 2 heavy cavalry units, and two artillery units.
A member of the House Asteri is always the Lord High Chancellor
A member of the House Komnenodoukai is always the Lord High Steward
The Caesar always holds the Privy Seal.
The leaders of the Asteri and Komnenodoukai are on the Basileus’ Privy Council along with the Caesar.
Constantinople alone can recruit Varangian Guards.
The House Asteri commands the Western Legion, which consists of 12 infantry units, 2 missile units, 3 cavalry units, and 2 artillery units.
The House Komnenodoukai commands the Eastern Legion, which consists of 12 infantry units, 2 missile units, 3 cavalry units, and 2 artillery units.

What say you, my loyal friends?

Ioannis Komnenos,
Caesar of the Romans.

I am as of now announcing certain things. I am freezing the building and recruitment of every member of House Komnenodoukai. Unfortunately this letter reached me after I had already authorized certain buildings and troops in Komnenodoukai settlements. Rest assured those will be the last you see. If any of them want to benefit from the Empire's coffers, then they need to break their oaths to Komnenodoukai. Or Komnenodoukai as a whole needs to break from the Caesar.

If I so much as catch a whiff of other people's armies heading to the Levant, I will boost the Order's armies to immense strength. If I feel threatened, I will declare war on those I feel threatened by so I no longer have to provide certain legal support. If there is war, I will pump up the armies of my allies, and do everything I can to retard those of the enemy.

I had sent both the Emperor and the Caesar an 'olive branch'. Now I know why the Caesar never replied. I have been working behind the scenes to support the Royal Family and protect it's members from the Organization. I have even provided the Caesar with the names of two spies in his House that I am aware of. I have been loyal to the current Emperor and have done what he has asked. The Caesar's move is nothing more than a blatant power grab at our expense. While we are at war with no less than three kingdoms, the Caesar is more concerned with killing his own people.

Now, let us have a very public debate about this. Civil war would be absolute madness. Our enemies would rejoice as we busy ourselves killing each other. They would be waiting on the edges, looking to take advantage of our weakness. We can achieve great things if we all stick together. But if we turn on each other, we risk losing everything.

[OverKnight]

Aleksios goes pale and appears thunderstruck.

[AussieGiant]

Apionnas raises and eyebrow, leans back in his chair, places his hands behind his head and lets out a long even breath.

I'm certain I could produce letters that were equally damaging to certain persons here in the Chamber.

How is this not anther attempt to frame people for things they have not done?

[Privateerkev]

Then let the Caesar come in here and refute it.

[AussieGiant]

So playing along with this, what happens after he comes in here and says: "I refute it."

[Privateerkev]

Addresses Apionnas.

Then I think some very interesting conversations will result. If he refuted it, then he is basically saying that the person (or persons) who sent the letter to me is a liar. That person(s) would be put on the spot.

Civil war is not something that should be plotted about in the dark shadows. If there is to be one, let it be out in the open.

I will take the chance to say the letter is in his handwriting with his seal. (OOC: which means it was a forwarded PM.)

His handwriting and seal are a matter of public record. It would be most difficult for someone to fake. Plus, it fits with all of the other actions he has made over the decades. The threatening letters. The criminal neglect during his Megas term. The sinking of resources into a shiny new army for himself that he refuses to get dirty.

No, I believe the letter is his. And I believe he means what he says. If he wants war, let him come in here and declare war. Instead of being a coward...

Addresses the Emperor.

I will fulfill my duties as Megas. In the case of the Caesar's House, I will only fulfill them to the letter and not one inch more. Until I am satisfied that Pavlos has rejected the Caesar and his proposal.

[OverKnight]

Summoning his reserves, the Basileus is able to calm his features. He speaks very, very quietly:

I too would like to hear my son's explanation.

His gaze shifts to Makedonios.

This is alarming, however I expect you to fulfill your obligations as Megas Logothetes. (OOC: Keep to the OOC rules and remember the case of the French Prince.)

He slowly looks over the entire chamber.

If I catch even a whiff of insurrection from anyone, I will not hesitate to act.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

If Caesar starts the Civil War then I will side with Makedonios.. I always knew that he is a shady character.. Unfortunately he still has his head on his shoulders..

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios glares.

Efstathios, do not forget yourself...

There will be no threats made. I want civil war averted, not provoked.

[OverKnight]

Aleksios speaks very quietly.

My son never had a better defender in this chamber than myself, but I have grown very tired of doing so.

I must remind the Caesar of what I said when his letter came out and tempers were high.

I too would like to hear my son's explanation.

His gaze shifts to Makedonios.

This is alarming, however I expect you to fulfill your obligations as Megas Logothetes.

He slowly looks over the entire chamber.

If I catch even a whiff of insurrection from anyone, I will not hesitate to act.

Sheath your sword Ioannis, preserve peace inside the Empire, or I will act. You may still inherit the Empire, but if you declare this war, all you will have is ashes.