The Magnaura

[Dafuge]

I declare my netriality.

[AussieGiant]

Again I will day this.

I understand the personal aspect of the situation.

But, as it applies to the law there is simply no room for that to be considered.

[OverKnight]

Tiverios nods to Pavlos and speaks.

It is unfortunate that the new Megas Logothetes has to assume his postion under such difficulties. I believe him a good man and I have no ill will toward him, indeed I voted for him.

However, the Basileus has acted in a polarising and aggressive manner. He has once again helped to propell us towards Civil War. Barring an Emergency Session, an option available to only a few in this Chamber, there are only so many ways that Senators such as myself can legally protest these events; I have decreased my taxes and closed Constantinople for outside recruitment. I understand these actions are not precise and will effect the Empire on other levels besides this nascent Civil War.

Still, the voices of those who desire peace must be heard! If we merely speak in the Senate, we are easily ignored, but we have taken action as well. Taxes will be fully restored to the Empire once the Basileus begins acting as a leader and not as a bullying tyrant.

[Northnovas]

Aleksios stands looking over Tiverios...

Senators, wise words have been spoken by Tiverios. I feel the same towards our newly elected Megas Logothetes and it is an unfortunate situation. The law has been broken but the means are unjustified at this time.
I have long waited for a war with the west it is now here and I feel I cannot go and fight because of the concerns for my lands. Our enemies must be laughing at us with such pettiness.
I will support Tiverios's action and close all outside recruitment in Corinth till a better decison is made regarding this matter.
There is a more just way to punish this individual instead of every Noble in the Empire. If an emergency session is required then those men that have the power must act now.

[Ignoramus]

The Varangian Guard enters the Magnaura and immediately flanks the Basileus, who rises to speak.

AS they have disobeyed my commands, I will do as I have promised.

I hereby declare war on the Order of St. John, for completely ignoring my calls to declare their hand.

I also declare Michail Arianitis a traitor for renouncing his oath of allegiance to the Basileus, which he swore in this august body. I also hereby declare Durazzo confiscated to the empire, and anyone who brings this upstart to account shall be granted Durazzo as a reward.

I also strongly rebuke Aleksios ek Ikoniou and Tiverios Indikoplefstis for closing their provinces from the Megas. I hope that reason will soon rise over petty politics.

Senators, you may have wished to ignore my calls to chose sides before, but you cannot do so now. Choose you this day whom you will serve.

The Basileus leaves the Magnaura, escorted by the Varangians.

[deguerra]

Ioannis nods approvingly and finally stands to speak himself

I agree entirely with Alexios and Tiverios. That said, I hereby declare war on Methodios Tagaris. I do so entirely unconvinced that war is in any way, shape or form the best course of action and with the strongest appeal to both parties to solve this conflict in a diplomatic fashion. We are Romans, after all, not barbarians or heathens.

I declare war because I believe in the laws of this Empire, and the laws of this Empire, as Apioannas has correctly stated, were broken by Methodios Tagaris. Basileos Ioannis does not have a clean track record with regards to laws, but that is not a matter that needs consideration now. Nor are matters of love and emotion, as Savvas correctly pointed out, even though I too suspect that they are the underlying currents of this conflict.

But I will not judge matters on suspicion and I will not apply law on personal feelings. I will apply law to facts, and the fact is that Methodios' actions were illegal under the laws that we, the Senate of the Roman Empire created. Without these laws there is no Roman Empire and if we start letting emotions and personal grudges get the better of our judgment then we are crafting our own downfall. As far as my application of law is concerned, Methodios is guilty and my declaration of war is the correct response.

Beyond that, however, the law requires naught of me, and I remain increasingly hesitant to follow my declaration with deeds, encourage others to actively wage war or even support those who will seek to do so.

Rather, and this is my initial point, I would like to instruct Nevoulas as the man in charge of Asteri building and recruitment to notify the Megas Logothetes Pavlos, and may I congratulate him on his victory and voice my support in these difficult times, that neither Athens nor Thessaloniki will be available for recruitment of soldiers for the duration of this war and that their taxes should be set to low until further notice. Furthermore, I encourage the other members of House Asteri, our close allies in House Tagmata and indeed all other land-owning Senators to do the same.

With regards to an Emergency session, I have to say I do not think that anybody has the power to call one, nor do I really deem one necessary at this point in time.

Upon hearing Ioannis' latest words, Ioannis (:P)frowns

Basilos, with all due respect, let's not have this get out of hand. And I would like to be included on the list of those rebuked.

[flyd]

Ha! Now who didn't see this coming?

Let's see then. The Order of St. John, and old rival of our dear Emperor, gets a war declared on them. Their leader has not stated his position on this issue, the rest have been neutral, and Basileus' most vocal detractor has declared for him.

Meanwhile, the other people who have declared neutrality get "rebuked". Senators who have pledged to starve the war of resources (a move against the Basileus, since his follower is the Megas Logothetes) get a warning, while the Order, who have not even taken that action, are enemies.

Oh, what were we talking about before? Was there some princess or something? I forget. It doesn't seem to have much bearing at all.

[deguerra]

Quite, Isaakios. Whoever said politics couldn't be fun.

I have addressed, I think, the issue of the Princess, of love, of old allegiances and grudges in this matter. If you would like to discuss it further, I can only encourage this.

However, you are quite correct on the matter of neutrality. I would like to make it very clear that I do not declare war on the Order of St. John and as far as I am concerned see these two wars as quite separate. If I am wrong in my interpretation, then I will immediately seek peace arrangements. Furthermore, I sharply condone the declaration of war on the Order for its neutrality, as well as any verbal attack on those who show their neutrality otherwise, a group to which I have tied myself, I might remind you.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Klimis Dokeianos:

Let me first reaffirm my undying allegiance to Byzantium and thus its leader, Basileus Ioannis Komnenos.

I hereby declare war on Methodios Tagaris, the Order of St. John, and Michail Ariantis.