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Quote Originally Posted by Ignoramus View Post
Caesar Ioannis enters the Magnaura, looking calm as he rises to speak.

Senators, I thank you for your patience in waiting for me. With your leave, I will first respond to the concerns to Senator Ksanthopoulos.

Turning to Makedonios, Ioannis begins to speak.

Thank you for your concerns, senator. I shall do my best to allay your fears, though I fear it is a waste of time.

The treasury is indeed empty. I speak bluntly, because speaking otherwise will not suddenly bring us more florins. For years now, the thirst for war has led us to build up our armies to an enormous size. This is partly due to the anticipation of the campaign being undertaken in Anatolia, and partly due to the shame we suffered in the years following Manzikert.

As a consequence of this, we will be in debt until we have driven the Turks out of Anatolia. War is an expensive business.

The Order, very nobly, has kept its word and has not required many men from the empire. I salute their sincerity, and wish to uphold them as an example to others on keeping promises they made.

I regret to say that my royal army was illegally under strength for 30 years. As such, I took steps to fix this discrepancy, as is required in our charter. Regrettably, due to the shortage of florins, I was unable to hire any other units for your army save the two companies of peasant levies. This was due to the construction of major works around the empire.

I am suprised at your alarm over the impending war with the Fatimids. Did not you eloquently argue for this war? And now that this war is almost upon you, you begin to realise that sometimes wars should not be entered into rashly. I am only obeying the will of this august body, as is my duty. If you now agree with me and see the imprudence of such an action, then you would do well to voice it.

As for those two companies of peasantry, I will be dispatching them as soon as ships can be sent from the main fleet. You are a competent general, and should not feel their lack. Besides, they are but peasants.

The conversion of Anatolia is far more important than Syria. We are currently in a war with the infidel, and the people's morale must be boosted with the preaching of the true faith.

Turning again to address the whole of the Magnaura, Ioannis continues.

Senators, the times are not easy, but I shall guide us through them with a steady hand. Have more patience, and we will emerge stronger from this trial.

Ioannis finishes speaking and exits the Magnaura.


A letter arrives from Vissarionas ek Lesvou. It reads simply:

Point of Order. The most ancient and revered of our laws requires the filling out of private armies ahead of all non-prioritized construction. It is not a matter for debate, and any man who cannot perform these duties is flatly unfit for the office of Megas.

Due to gross negligence of his duties I call for the immediate impeachment of the Megas. The Emperor should call an emergency session of the Magnaura to accomplish this.

Gentlemen I am sure it isn't necessary to remind you all that nations are founded on the rule of law, and where the law is trampled nations fail utterly and fall to dust. Do not let this happen to the legacy of Rome.

Vissarionas ek Lesvou

OOC: Since we're confusing an OOC rules violation with IC nonsense I figured I'd throw my 2 cents in as well.