The Magnaura

[pevergreen]

"I refer not to my previous idea of a group before a house but the offer you made to me and another Senator, who may or may not want to reveal himself, about staying on as a spy in your house until such time as you could leave and join me! I want no spies Savvas! Even so, I still feel pity for you. If you would care to pass me a private note, detailing a plausible reason as to why I should withdraw Edict 1.7a, and your actions, I may publicly apologise. Until then, I shall not listen or respond to any points you make."

EDIT:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

If you didnt read, my house's name is in greek for "Silver Hawk"

[Andres]

I am not denying you the right to have your own territory, but you shouldn't force the Emperor to give you the means to let you conquer the territory of your choice.

It's simply not done. When the time has come, the Emperor shall grant you the necessary means to take a settlement. There's no need pushing him with legislation that seems to be created for your own personal interests. The Senate is not meant for the creation of such legislation.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I don't speak Greek

And as for you absurd accusations...

Savvas sighs

[pevergreen]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I dont read greek either, It just makes it look cool. Im having fun, you?

[The Lemongate]

Anastasios looks up from a map of Italy he was consulting.

Though I fully support Michail Arianitis in his quest to establish his House and respectfully hope that the Basileos will chose him and his allies for the job, I must insist at least my name be removed from the edict. I would also suggest that his retainer and him remove their names from the edict as well. It was one of my main points of contentions with Senator Tagaris, and though he and I didn’t manage to come to a perfect accord, his rewording at least made the minimal effort of removing any partisanship from his edict. Then again, seeing the useless politicking going on here, I don’t blame my friend Michail from wanting to make sure he would have land to establish himself. Maybe making an arrangement with the Basileos would ease the process however.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Efstratios returns, this time in the proper attire deemed fit for a Senator.


Anastasios, that would seem reasonable.

If I might attempt to understand my political opponents in this debate, their point of contention is not that my house expands, but that the Basileos will be "forced" to accept expansion at our demand.

I would be willing to see my name and others removed from the edict, so long as the other houses would kindly make a gentleman's agreement to declare which provinces they seek to claim for the emperor so we can all expand without stepping on one another's toes, and actually cooperate as brothers for the good of the Empire.

My house seeks to claim the settlement indicated in edict 1.7a. Does anyone have any just cause to dispute that claim?

Also, it would be fair if all houses made a list of territorial claims, that we might discuss them honourably instead of resorting to this petty bickering which denigrates the august body assembled here today.

Would that we do this, my faith in the deliberative process might be restored, and we all might be blessed and multiply our holdings for the Empire.

Would the other houses understand that the Silver Hawks perhaps do not even require the specific settlements here in question, and that if they might cooperate in our taking of the settlement, and we expand further elsewhere, they might even be able to negotiate for the settlement in question? The point is cooperation.

I'm sure that we would wish to have contiguous territories, so it makes sense that down the road certain houses would wish to trade their land titles. Or am I being naive in my assumption that diplomacy and cooperation can win the day here?

[The Lemongate]

My friend, Monomachos, your suggestions make much sense. I am not sure, however, if everyone present is ready to be so open about their aims as some of us have been.

[Askthepizzaguy]

MY point is that none of us can afford to be such rivals at this point in our history. No one here even holds more than a single province, I believe. So none of the houses are all that mighty.

We need to act as one nation if we are to survive. Or we can squabble until the Catholics put us out of our misery and the Turks turn Constantinople into a center of Islamic thought. It's your choice, Senators.

I for one don't want to see the Roman empire fall.

[Ferret]

Wise words, at least coming from a clown they are, Hypatios smiles to show he is joking, I fail to understand how people are seeing this as personal glory. If they are truly loyal to the Empire before themselves then they will not care who the settlement falls to, so long as they are from this Empire. That is my thinking on the matter and if we are to be successful then we all need to think this way, lest our own bickering be what is keeping us from becoming strong rather than bickering with other nations!

[TinCow]

*The Protoasecretes stands and stamps his foot loudly on the stone floor.*

The time for proposing legislation has now passed! Voting will begin shortly. There will be a two day period allocated for voting. Voting will end at 3:30pm EST on Saturday, June 7th.

[Smowz]

Having cast his votes a weary looking Nevoulas ek Philadelphios looks forward to his ride back to Athens. It has been a trying week for the young nobleman and he longs for the simpler joys of campaigning.

He turns at the entrance and once more looks on the splendour of the place and relives some of the heated debates in his mind. Reflecting that it was a huge learning experience he wonders if he shall live to see another one of to see another Magnaura...

Agggggh

Nevoulas clamps a hand over his mouth and notices none have paid him too much bother, he rushes out the door and towards his lodgings where he will pack and quickly make his way out of Constinantinople perhaps for the last time...

[_Tristan_]

A messenger enters the halls of the Magnaura, unrolling a parchment.

Basileos,
Noble Lords of the Empire,

Being true to his word, Methodios Tagaris wishes it to be known that he surrenders the village of Dyrrakhion to the rule of our benevolent Basileos.

He proposes to remain in the town for the once until a garrison can be provided and act as his governor for the time being.

For the greatness of our Empire,

Signed Strator Tagaris

The messenger the bows and exits.

[Ferret]

Correct me if I am wrong but did the edict not state that the settlement could only be taken with the Emperor's permission? Handing it over to him now hardly excuses this disobedience.

[_Tristan_]

Just as he was making his exit the messenger hears Mchonios words

Stand corrected then my Lord because Strator Tagaris received permission for such a capture if you had checked our Megas' reports.

[Ferret]

Excellent, I do love it when I am corrected, thank you for clearing that up for me.

[OverKnight]

A pair of Varangians in full mail open the doors to the Chamber and take up flanking positions by it. The Basileus strides in behind them, armed and with a travel stained purple cloak the only mark of his rank. Marching to the middle of the room, he addresses the Senators.

I congratulate the Senate on our recent victories. The reclamation of the Empire proceeds at a much faster pace then I anticipated. Rebels have been put down and settlements lost to us have been restored to their rightful place. There is much to celebrate.

Aleksios pauses, his gaze sweeping the chamber.

However, we must temper this head-long rush for land with restraint. We have now plucked the lowest hanging fruits, further conquest and holding what we have reclaimed will present difficulties. The bloody massacres at Belgrade and, to a lesser extent, Antioch, along with the rioting at Zagreb, show the challenges we will face in the future. Lands outside the sway of the true faith will resent our restored sovreignty. As our frontier expands, these new conquests will be further away from our heartland, making supplies and soldier more difficult to bring to the front or garrison restive settlements. We have also pushed out our borders next to more organized kingdoms rather than rebels playing petty despots. They will present more of a challenge.

In order to hold our new lands and prepare for further expansion, I believe the Empire needs to prioritize pacification, proselytization and construction over conquest for now. Roads must be built to connect the frontier to the core of the Empire. Churches must be built and priests recruited to convert heathens and schismatics. Our castles must start building stables, bowyers and barracks so we can have proper armies. Trade must be emphasized so that we can fund further expansion.

I know the temptation exists to keep up a frenetic pace of expansion, to keep going forward and let pillage and blood fuel a never-ending cycle of conquest. It is even possible that we could do so. Yet, there is more to the restoration of the Empire than just conquest or settling old scores, though that is a part. Our task is to bring Roman civilization, Roman order, Roman prosperity and Roman peace back to the blighted places of the earth that so badly need it. We must bring the light of Orthodox Christianity back to those who have shunned it. We may conquer by the sword, but we will rule with justice, as exemplified by Marcus Aurelius and Justinian the Great. In the places we reclaim we will build new monuments, new churches and new roads, for not only were our ancestors the greatest soldiers on earth, but the best builders as well.

This is our task, this is what we must restore. Not just in taking back land, but in rebuilding a way of life: A new Empire, a new Pax Romana. I will not live to see it completed, but I ask for the help of the Senate in laying the foundations.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Efstratios Monomachos marches back into the Senate, dressed for war.

Great Emperor, I speak on behalf of the House of the Tepaki. My feudal lord seeks the settlement of Bari, and I would seek permission from your grace to obtain passage via ship across the sea to take this settlement for the glory of the empire.

I will gladly halt expansion for the Empire if that is your bidding, of course. We of the Tepaki have restrained ourselves from seeking to claim Ragusa from the Venetians, because war with the Italians is not your wish at this time.

I would thank Strator Methodios Tagaris for his conquest of Durazzo on behalf of the empire, and the Emperor for assigning that settlement to the Tepaki who were without land.

My request on behalf of our house is simple, we seek Bari and Ragusa (at some future date) for the glory of the emperor, and for my lord Michail Arianitis. Whether these settlements fall immediately or at some later date, it matters not. With the Fall of Bari, we would be most pleased to sit tight and await further instruction from the Emperor in matters of the west.

So long as our humble house is not forgotten in the midst of the greater matters of the Empire, we of the Tepaki are keen on patience. If it serves the interests of my lord and my emperor, I am willing to wait.

In the meantime, I was wondering if anyone had seen a fair and noble lady at the hippodrome... I must confess I find myself most distracted by her. She was seated with the Royal family, and left before I had a chance to meet her. Before I travel off to Bari, I would like to learn her name...



I formally petition the Senate and the Emperor for one unit of garrison infantry and passage to Bari to claim it in the name of the Empire.

[OverKnight]

After another season of campaigning the Basileus returns.

Senator Monomachos, Bari is now a Venetian settlement. Any move against it would trigger a war with Venice. Such an important decision should wait until the next Senate Session.

[Ituralde]

I report the town of Sinop to be back under Imperial control!

I congratulate my fellow generals to their swift successes in reestablishing the boundaries of the Empire! It seems these rebels are easily succumbed, but our real enemies are already lying beyond. It could have been a mere matter of days before the Turks had lain their heathen hands on Sinop! Not long and our brethern there would have to live under some Sultan or whatever they call themselves! Our Christian brothers yearn for the protection of our Patriarch and with reconquest an important step his done, but we should not forget those who do not enjoy the benefits of living in our Empire. As much has the faithful struggle near Sofia, Antioch or even Sinop, they struggle even more in the central parts of Anatolia not yet under our control.

That's why sending Priests to Caesarea was so important and this body agreed with me. I'm sorry to see that instead Priests are sent off to many different areas, ignoring the advice of this body! If we ever hope to reconquer Anatolia we must help protect our faith, or we will just find ourselves ruling an Empire filled with heathen fanatics, ready to betray us to the next Mullah that comes along!

[OverKnight]

Aleksios responds:

Congratulations on retaking Sinop, Senator Chrysovergos. Given time we will restore all of Anatolia to the Empire.

Before we begin missionary work beyond our borders we must bolster the strength of the true faith in territories already reclaimed. Otherwise we will be plagued with revolts.

However, with so many churches being rebuilt within the Empire we will soon be able to do both.

[Andres]

8 servants enter the Magnaura. They are carrying four big barrels.

After the barrels have been put down, one of the servants takes a parchment out of his sleeve and starts to read:

" Dear Basileus,
" Dear Caesar,
" Esteemed Colleagues,
"
" Life in Arta is good. The sun is shining, the beach is near, the women are beautiful and the wine
" is of an outstanding quality.
" The next Senate session is nearby. All the talking will make us thirsty. Because I'm concerned
" about the throats of the noblest inhabitants of the Empire, I decided to send to you four
" barrels of this fine wine they produce here in Arta.
" Feel free to take a drink at my expenses whenever you feel like it, but leave something for me,
" since I'll be with you soon.
" Yours truly,
" Savvas ek Militou.

[Ituralde]

Pavlos walks up to one of the barrels, takes a wine goblet standing nearby and drowns it in the wine. Lifting the now filled cup, wine dripping from his hand he raises it

To Comes ek Militou!

[pevergreen]

Michail enters the Magnaura once more, clothed in his ever present black robe and silver brooch.

In the years past he seems to have gained only two things, some dust and patience.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Efstratios Monomachos rises and speaks:

My lords, with Venetian encroachment on what is rightfully Byzantine lands, and with their holding of Iraklion, I propose that the West be mobilized in the near future to deal with this immediate threat.

The House Tepaki requests that the Western houses assemble what forces they can spare into one coalition army, and that some few ships be made available for transport purposes.

Iraklion, Bari, and Ragusa are our top priorities in the West, and we should act as such. The House Tepaki fully endorses such a plan, and from what I hear, other western houses do as well, but I will allow them to speak for themselves.

We do not wish all-out war against all Catholics, but Venice is a real and imminent threat. Do we wish to be the first to be struck, or do we wish to strike first?

I request that all Senators who support arming for defense against venetian encroachment to please make their voices heard, and all those Senators who support a more hawkish first-strike policy to also rise and make their opinions heard. I ask those Senators who support the pacifistic ideal of appeasement and waiting for the invasion to appear at our doorstep to abstain from voting, or reconsider their position.

The empire as a whole must rebuild, but the West must be ready for an invasion, either we prepare to defend against one, or we must prepare one of our own. I say that offense is the best defense.

Who stands with me?

[deguerra]

With all due respect, Efstratios, you talk nonsense.

I am no friend of the Venetians, who have, as you say, taken Roman lands and the past when we were weak.

But, firstly, their current threat is hardly greater than that of the Sultanate of Rum, whose armies are constantly reported within Roman lands, and who still hold a much greater amount of rightfully Roman territory. It is my opinion that this threat is much greater than anything Venice can throw at us.

Secondly, however, it is obvious that your intent is at least partially the expansion of your house. Which is a fine and noble cause. To call Strators who might oppose such a move pacifists and appeasers, however, is absurd and outlines the populist undertones of your little speech.

This is the Senate of the Roman Empire. We are concerned with honest and sincere, critical and open discussion. If you want to promulgate populist propaganda, I suggest you turn your attention to the masses of Konstantinopolis, or better yet, those of your native Durazzo.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Efstratios makes note of Ioannis' comments.

I could do without the condescension, sir. You can maintain your own opinion without belittling mine.

We will see how much of a threat the Venetians are in due time. With our claims to Zagreb and Durazzo, it is only a question of when the Venetians will assault us, not if.

the Senator takes his seat, looking mildly annoyed.

[BananaBob]

With all due respect, Efstratios, Ioannis Kalameteros point is a solid one. While I would like to congratulate everyone on the conquest of Greece and the Balkens, our great empire is still very weak on its eastern front. I think it should be the first priority of the next term, eastern expansion and development to combat and contain the muslim forces.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Nathanail ek Korinthou, I agree that the empire has a threat to the far east. I will even agree that the Turks make for a more worthy target than our fellow Christians to the West. I would even agree to put Western expansion on hold until we have secured the east.

My only points were, if we do not do something immediately to counter a possible Venetian or Sicilian landfall with their main forces, we might as well give our newfound conquests back to the rebels.
And also that Ioannis could have phrased his opinions in a more respectful manner. Simply adding the words "with all due respect" does not necessarily mean that what follows is respectful.

My wishes for the empire, if anyone cares to hear them, are that the empire as a whole is safe, secure, and expanding; that all the houses continue to prosper, that the good fortune of some may be had by all; that the Emperor need not worry about further territorial losses to the Catholics, rebels, or Muslims during his reign or any other.

It is only prudent that the Western houses work together to repel any possible Venetian threat, or Sicilian threat. Whether that be defensively or offensively, I care not. But if we stand around congratulating ourselves at our newfound conquests and make no effort to defend them, then we have no right to call ourselves an empire. I am open to alternative strategies for defending our Western frontier, but none have been proposed. And so, with humility, and perhaps a bit of enthusiasm, I do propose that we do something about the Italians, whether it be preparation alone, or more aggressive action, anything is better than nothing.

Gentlemen, perhaps my exuberance is overshadowing the soundness of my plan. Leaving an entire western frontier undefended, or defended with scattered forces, is unwise. The West should formulate a plan. If mine is undesirable, I implore you all to propose a counter-plan.

As for matters east, it would tickle me beyond words to see the end of the Turkish Sultanate. Let them all perish by the hands of good Byzantine men. I have no qualms about eastern expansion, or prioritizing the east. Let us not forget about the west, and let us not be caught unprepared by our Catholic "friends", lest more evil befall our mighty empire.

[deguerra]

Efstratios your dedication to the Empire is not in doubt, nor is the soundness of your opinion that our holdings in the West must be defended. I respect and indeed agree wholeheartedly with these points.

What i do doubt is that the best strategy in the West is some sort of pre-emptive strike and that the best strategy to win over Strators is by drawing a line in the sand and labeling those not of your opinion as cowards. That is all.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Those who would not support either an aggressive defense or an offensive, and offer no counter-proposals of their own, are indeed cowards. However, you were the first to use that term, not I.

I have to question why you would put such words in my mouth. I would think the label "pacifist" does indeed apply to those who would neither strike first nor prepare adequate defenses. Is that an unfair label?

I have no wish to quibble with you over my phrasing, especially if you seem unclear of what my phrasing actually was. I may be combative over important issues, but this particular discussion is pointless. Since we seem to agree on the main issues, why are we still talking?

Let's draw up a plan and put it into action. I would ask that the floor be opened to discuss our actual defense plans. My suggestion, an assault against the fringe settlements of the Venetian Republic, may well be rejected, as it would seem to go against the Emperor's decree and it would be unpopular. However, my other suggestion, an active defense, hasn't even truly been discussed. I feel it's the best option.

[deguerra]

The reason I began this rather pointless discussion, is because I dislike attempts at making boxes and sorting Strator's opinions into them, most especially when one such box is intentionally belittled, if not in exact words then by implication.

As for your thoughts on an "active defence" I would be most interseted in hearing them.