The Magnaura

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios reads the Proclamtion and ponders it carefully. He then unrolls many large maps on the table.

First off, let me say that I welcome the wise words of His Eminence Nicholas III.

Unfortunately, as I have learned today, not everyone is swayed by religious arguments.

I have looked into the neighboring rebel provinces. Here they are, plus a couple that have been mentioned in the Senate. Also, I have the approximate number of regiments guarding each place. I have grouped them into settlement types to make a point.

Village:
Durazzo: 3

Motte and Bailey:
Smyrna: 5
Adana: 6

Town:
Sinop: 4

Wooden Castle:
Sofia: 7
Scopia: 7
Bari: 6
Arta: 6
Rhodes: 3
Canakkale: 5
Trebisond: 4

Minor City:
Antioch: 7

As you can see, Antioch will become the second biggest city in Byzantium when it is captured. While the other rebel settlements are important, it will be some time before they are generating much income. While some will be kept as castles, most will have to be converted to cities, which will in itself cost money.

So this idea that taking Antioch is a waste of money is simply not true.

The Order can besiege this city with 8 units that we already have, by "turn 2". By "turn 3", we will have 2 more units in the army and 2 standing by as reinforcements. Then it is just a matter of waiting the garrison out or, if we feel we have the advantage, assault the city. If we siege, we will have Antioch by "turn 8." And that is with the units that are already on Cyprus.

We can do this.

As for defending Antioch, there are exactly 3 ways in. A river crossing to the north, a river crossing to the east, and Tortosa to the south. And Tortosa is only a wooden castle with some pilgrims and a couple of generals. And they can only recruit peasants. The rest of Antioch's neighbors are "rebels". Petty local warlords.

So not only can we take it, but we can hold it.

All we need is the chance to prove it.

[deguerra]

I must say I agree that taking both Antioch and Anatolia seems rather feasible. Indeed, by taking Antioch are we not adding much needed income to our treasuries, income which can then be used to retake the rest of Anatolia from the heathen Turks?

[Privateerkev]

Once we start getting men to preach "the word", we can raise taxes in Antioch to the point where it will become one of the most profitable cities in the Empire within a few "turns".

[Csargo]

Would not the costs of defending Antioch from the Christians, Turks, and Saracen's be more than the city will gain? If the Saracen's or another country destroy your navy, what then?

[Privateerkev]

Philippos Eirinikos,

I am confident that in the long term, the money generated will more than pay for the cost to defend it. If we move soon, we will have some time to prepare and dig in.

[Northnovas]

Aleksios ek Ikoniou walks in the Magnaura with a clerk behind carrying documents and maps. He sees members of his House sitting at the designated area and then looks over to the Basileus seat and sees that it is empty. He has been told much has been happening but relieved that he is not late.

Dressed smartly in a military attire of a number one dress he bares no arms. He notices the young Caesar seated and walks before him and gives a deep bow.

“Greeting Caesar!”

The young Comes walks to the centre of the floor.

Strators, I see the debates have started and in good fashion. There has been a lot of debate and that is good to see. I see the members of my House have been busy and I encourage them to participate. For men showing enthusiasm and hard work will be rewarded in the Tamagata House. I would ask like all members in this chamber to be respectful of members with some authority and title. Just has those in authority should reciprocate the same respect.

Nobles I am in favour of Edict 1.2 because we need to look after our borders and much has been said already. I can see the need for the brothers of the St. John Order to fulfill their mandate but they must exercise patience. Such a venture could be risky on the Treasury at this time.

I would like to remind the members that there is Catholic representation by Templar Knights in the Outremer. I would favour our Order going to Antioch but not till we have prepared ourselves from our enemies at home.

Comes Markianos Ampelashas offered some sound advice in this short session. I have not had a chance to speak with him on this precise issue. Surly we can come to some compromise completing the mandate of Edict 1.2 with the option of allowing a journey to Antioch. We need something for the Megas Logothetes to have the flexibility to work with if the conditions are right that both mandates could be achieved.

This is our first session lets try to work together by cooperating and building a consensus for future session. Let’s get the talking over with so we can get to the real action in the field.

Now one of our young legal men here can form a new edict with the wording to get a consensus.

The Comes walks to his seat shaking the hands with the members of his House.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios sees that Comes Aleksios ek Ikoniou has finally arrived. While happy at first that the Comes's presence might instill some discipline among his vassals, he is sad to hear the same tired arguments repeated yet again.

Comes Aleksios ek Ikoniou,

Since you have just arrived, I will reply to each of your points.

Why exactly should we exercise patience? We have the men, the ships, and the leaders. We can have Antioch by "turn 8" if we move now. What possible reason could there be for not moving? It's not like Outremer will become safer if we wait.

How exactly will the venture be risky on the treasury? While I refuse to do something so absurd as to "promise that it will cost zero florins", I do believe the venture will be cheap. With the plan I laid out, it will only require what is already on Cyprus.

How exactly will preparing at home get us ready to go to Outremer? I have already showed that the other surrounding rebel settlements will take years to build up. While we can have a "minor city" in just 8 "turns". I fail to see how waiting will make us more capable of taking Antioch.

There already is a compromise worked out. And that is to vote for both Edicts 1.2 and 1.4. That would put Antioch on the list of provinces the Megas can direct his early attention to. The only way to improve this compromise would be to amend 1.2 to put Antioch in to the list directly. Thus only one vote would be required.

Looking at the identities of those who have been the loudest opponents of the Order taking Antioch, it seems almost as if House Tagamata itself is against the Order. Which is regrettable. I hope we can bury our differences and work together to rebuild the Empire.

[Csargo]

Philippos Eirinikos,

I am confident that in the long term, the money generated will more than pay for the cost to defend it. If we move soon, we will have some time to prepare and dig in.

I truly hope you are right Comes Makedonios, because if not many men will die for nothing more than one man's ambition.

Philippos returns to his seat amongst his fellow house members

[Privateerkev]

I hope your not talking about our Patriarch.

I don't know if you noticed, but he just issued a proclamation to take Antioch.

This is not about "one man's ambition" and I am getting a little tired of hearing the same "red herrings" and "weasel words" over and over from members of House Takamata.

[Ramses II CP]

Vissarionas has warmed to his topic now, and speaks without restraint or hesitation. His cheeks color, not with embarassment, but with passion, and his voice rises a notch towards shrill excitement.

I am extremely disappointed to continue to hear respected men in this chamber suggest that Antioch cannot be defended. What general looking at the terrain around that city could fail to see the possibilities? I say Antioch could be held against all comers, and I intend put my sword arm in harm's way to prove it.

Why, the Patriarch himself can see the justice in our cause, and who here would gainsay God's chosen messenger?

Saying Antioch cannot be defended is a blatant political fraud. Saying one of the richest trade cities in the world is too expensive to capture is another. Saying that we should appease the Turks and let them take it is at best a poor political gambit, and at worst cowardice!

With this last comment the young man appears to realize quite suddenly where he is, and whom he has been addressing. With a brief glance at Caesar Ioannis Komnenos Vissarionas excuses himself from the Order's table and adjourns to gather his wits and control in their chambers off the Senate floor.