The Magnaura

[GeneralHankerchief]

Protoasecretes:

What? Another Basileus death? Already? *Sigh* These things are all starting to blend together...

During the new Basileus Ioannis's coronation ceremonies, the Magnaura will be closed. A short time from now the Basileus will be officially crowned in the Hagia Sophia by Patriarch Nicholas III, a ceremony in which you are all expected to attend. Afterwards, I have been informed that you will all return to the Magnaura, where the Basileus will conduct the first official business of his reign.

In the meantime, if you youngsters wish to continue deliberating amongst yourselves, I suppose the Hippodrome is always open.

The Basileus is dead! Long live the Basileus!

[GeneralHankerchief]

Protoasecretes:

*The man has had a very boring last couple of days, consistently checking the time and twiddling his thumbs.*

Hmm, why do they never invite me to these things? From what I hear, this coronation is supposed to be a real big event, with lots of speeches and dignitaries and the like. Just because I haven't left this building in... well... even I can't remember... doesn't mean I shouldn't be invited!

*He checks the time again.*

I suppose they should be just about finishing up, and that means they'll all be back here and the Basileus will conduct his official business. Wonder if they'll let him be the first to speak this time.

[Ignoramus]

Ioannis Komnenos enters the Magnaura for the first time as Basileus, with the Senators taking their seats. He sits, waiting for the nobles to swear allegiance to him.

[woad&fangs]

I swear to defend Ioannis Komnenos, ruler of the Roman Empire, and to give him such counsel as he desires. I also swear not to betray his confidence, or that of the Privy Council.

Hail to the Basileus, my brother, long may he reign over this great empire.

[Ignoramus]

When Andronikos has resumed his seat, Ioannis addresses the Magnaura.

I hereby call an Emergency Session of the Magnaura. It is only fitting that at such a momentous occasion as this, that the Magnaura be able to meet and propose edicts.

But I expect all of you to swear your allegiance before proposing any legislation. If any senator is not present, then I expect an explanation by another member of his house or another senator.

[flyd]

I swear allegiance to the new Emperor of the Romans, my brother, Ioannis.

[Cecil XIX]

I swear allegiance to Basileus Ioannis Komnenos.

[AussieGiant]

Two Varangian Guards wait by the doors of the Magnaura while Apionnas continues inside.

Walking directly to the Basileus he takes a knee and in a clear voice begins;

"I swear to defend Ioannis Komnenos, ruler of the Roman Empire, and to give him such counsel as he desires. I also swear not to betray his confidence, or that of the Privy Council."

[rossahh]

I swear allegiance to the Basileus.



I am however anxious to know what the Basileus meant by "I will bring structural reorganistion to the empire"?

[_Tristan_]

While I do not believe in such spoken oaths but rather in the actions of men, I will swear allegiance to the Basileus, if that is his will.

May he serve the Empire well as did his father.

One question has been nagging me though : I have heard many here talk of a Privy Council. Is this some new body of this state that I'm not aware of ? Who are the members of this Council or is that a secret ?

[Ituralde]

I, Pavlos Chrysovergos, swear to defend Ioannis Komnenos, ruler of the Roman Empire, and to give him such counsel as he desires. I also swear not to betray his confidence, or that of the Privy Council!

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Theo smiles and says...

Well.. I heard that only House leaders and unaligned Senators must swear an allegiance to the new Basileus. In that case I have no intentions to swear something that I don't really mean.

[pevergreen]

Michail enters the Magnaura.

"I swear to defend and uphold the crown!"

[AussieGiant]

Apionnas turned to Theophylaktos Petzeas.

That is why the head of your house must swear, which he has already done.

[Northnovas]

I Aleksios et Ikoniou of the Tamagata House swear to serve and protect Basileus Ioannis Komnenos has I did his father. May your reign be long and great for the Empire.

[Smowz]

Nevoulas ek Philadelphius steps forwards in his Megas robes.

I wish to repeat out loud what I said in my report.

I, Nevoulas ek Philadelphius wish to swear an oath to serve you Basileus Ioannis Komnenus. I know that my lord Zigavinos Vasilakios has already sworn, however the leader of my house Ioannis Kalemateros has not. I have had to make several decisions for him in recent times and if he does not make it I hope that two of the three Asteri house member Oaths will be enough to convince the Basileus of our loyalty.

Nevoulas somewhat extravagantly bows...

Now, as others, I have more serious matters to attend to.


Nevoulas suddenly realises what he has said, he notices several senators are looking with shocked looks on their faces. He decided it would be best to explain his statement here and now.

I am sorry my lord, I am anxious to continue the fight - we have hounded the Muslim force of the Fatamids and the Seljuks into the deep recesses of Asia and beyond. We must not let them recover!!! I feel it is most pressing that we get back to those concerns.

I apprieciate you have concerns about the loyalties of many senators in our glorious empire, this charade will hardly allay those fears. As the Caeser rightly points out it is the actions rather than the words that these men must be judged by.

With that Nevoulas stops realising he has dug a rather large pit for himself, he knows that he can do nothing but follow through with what he has said. He exits the building hastily.

[AussieGiant]

Apionnas raises an eyebrow at the departing figure of the Megas.

I'd call an Emergency Session of the Magnaura anything but a charade.

The process is critical to this Empire moving forward as a concerted group of nobles.

And while I agree that actions speak volumes...

words bind men of integrity and honour to their actions.

Unless of course some men are comfortable with "saying one thing, while doing another."

The swearing of fealty publicly will therefore always have a place in the order of things.

[_Tristan_]

"saying one thing, while doing another."

By those nearest to him, Methodios is heard muttering while pointedly looking at the Basileus.

"Saying one thing and doing another"... That reminds me of someone...

[OverKnight]

Tiverios Indikoplefstis, at one time a backbencher, now Governor of Constantinople, enters the Magnaura. He bows to Ioannis.

I swear allegiance to the Basileus.

I am curious, besides the taking of oaths, is there any other purpose to this Emergency Session? Is there to be any legislation?

He takes his seat.

[flyd]

It doesn't look like it. So, since we haven't anything better to do, you could tell us a bit about yourself, and tell us how capable you are of adminstering the City.

[OverKnight]

Tiverios turns to Isaakios and bows his head to him before replying.

A fair question Senator Komnenos. I served under your Lord Father here in the capital as part of the Imperial Court. I undertook the administration of the City under the Basileus' supervision during the latter part of his reign. In his will, the Basileus saw fit to entrust responsibility for the capital to me.

I will continue the Basileus' policies in Constantinople to ensure that our glorious capital remains the preeminent city in all the world.

[Ignoramus]

Ioannis stands up and addresses the Magnaura.

As there are some concerns that this session is but a waste of time, I will address the issues that concern me.

Firstly, I commend Senator Tiverios Indikoplefstis for the trust he has received from my late father, in being granted the governorship of our capital. However, in the interests of the security and authority of the empire, it is only safe if the capital is under the rule of the Basileus. I therefore ask that you resign your governorship of the city, and in exchange I will grant you the governorship of Nicaea. While not as illustrious as the capital, Nicaea is currently the fourth most important city in the empire, and is a much respected position.

Secondly, I banish Theophylaktos Petzeas from the Magnaura for the rest of this session. Theophylaktos Petzeas has made it clear that he holds no loyalty towards me, and I am now giving him an opportunity to reflect upon himself. Respect for the Basileus is paramount in the smooth running of the empire.

Thirdly, I wish to propose two minor Charter Ammendments:

CA 6.1: "Varangian Guardsmen may only be recruited by the Basileus.

CA 6.2: Upon their elevation to the position of leader of a house, the senator must swear an oath of fealty to the Basileus.

The first Charter Ammendment is to simply put in law what has been the practice of several centuries. The Varangian Guard is the personal bodyguard of the Basileus, and the control of it's recruitment should be in the Basileus' hands.

The second Charter Amendment is necessary for smooth working of the empire. If the Basileus has the loyalty of all the houses, then both Basileus and Houses can work cooperatively to ensure the greatness of Rome. We must not forget how much damage civil wars have caused our empire in the past.

As the guards begin to remove Theophylaktos Petzeas from the Magnaura, the Basileus sits down.

[OverKnight]

Hearing the words of the Basileus, Tiverios raises an eyebrow, but shows no other sign of emotion. He again bows to the Basileus.

Ah, I see. Your Majesty, your Lord Father was quite clear with his instructions.

He licks his lips nervously.

I must respectfully decline your offer.

[Cecil XIX]

I second CAs 6.1 and 6.2. We need the latter to adress a gap in the logic of the Charter.

However, I protest the banning of Sergeant Theophylaktos for saying he would not mean any oath he swore to the Basileus. Firstly, how is this not merely recognition of the conflict of interest that would arise from such in act? Why else would the Basileus demand, and the CA 6.2 require, only such an oath from the heads of the house. Secondly, I worry about the precedent set by the Caesar's reasons. If the Magnaura is to function properly, it is essential that all it's members can be criticized, the lowest and the highest. We must be able to render some insults onto each other if this body is to function.

[Ignoramus]

Ioannis rises to respond.

He first addresses Indikoplefstis.

"I will let the matter drop for now. I can understand your desire and eagerness to govern the second city of the world. However, the matter will invariably come up in the future."

Turning to Grandmaster Armatos, he continues.

"Grandmaster, it is assumed that if the House leader rebels against the Basileus, his vassals should consider their highest loyalty to the Basileus. Otherwise, we will end up like the Franks, whose kingdom is constantly riven with stride and domestic conflict. I am acting early to stamp out any attempts to undermine my authority. While Senator Theophylaktos words were not in any way treason - for if they had been his punishment would have been far greater - or insults, but rather a declaration that he would not mean any oath of loyalty that he swore to me. As a consequence, I have banned him from further discussion in this relatively minor meeting of the Magnaura. Some may say that I am too harsh, but I am prepared to take criticism for my actions.

And I have no complaints about respectful and constructive criticism, but I will not bear baseless insults or challenges to my authority. In this respect, I have more admiration for you than your predecessor, Grandmaster Ksanthopoulos, who insulted me at every opportunity."

Ioannis sits down.

[rossahh]

I also second both CA 6.1 and 6.2.

Grandmaster, even though you have pointed out the apparet contradiction between CA 6.2 and Theophylaktos's expulsion, I think you will find that this statement is the one that got him into trouble - "In that case I have no intentions to swear something that I don't really mean." It seems like a slight against our new Basileus to me.

[rossahh]

Oh yes, one other thing. My Lord Ioannis apologises for his absence but he is presently on a pilgrimage with his children. He shan't be returning to the Capital until a week from now at the least, so hopefully mine and Nevoulas's vows are enough to demonstrate Asteri's loyalty to the crown.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

he's on holiday in Germany in RL

[ULC]

Nikolaos enters the Magnaura, dripping wet from what appears to be a storm from outside. He gives a nod to the two Varangians at the door before entering further. With a graceful sweep that one would not expect from a man of his size, Nikolaos bows before the newly crowned Basileus Ioannis.

"I swear to serve the Emperor and the Empire, and to uphold and protect the ideals of the Imperium and her people, and be unwavering in my sworn duty. Your will be done, your wish be my doing, your command be law. Glory to you, Basileus Ioannis Komnenos."

He remains kneeling, waiting for an answer.

[Ignoramus]

The Basileus replies.

I willingly accept your oath, and I thank you for your previous acts of loyalty.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Klimis Dokeianos:

I hereby swear fealty to my Basileus, Ioannis Komnenos.

*Klimis pauses before continuing.*

I also swear fealty to Apionnas Vringas.