The Magnaura

[Kagemusha]

Kantakouzinos enters the Senate and after reading through the notes his scribes have made,he turns towards the scribe of Efstathios Laskaris and says:

"You wile Wretch! How dare you lowly servant call your betters murderers and criticize the actions of noble Senators, while you are nothing but a servant with an ability to read and write. I support Senator ek Militous suggestion for Basileus to throw out you from diet and for you not to return before your master has teach you a lesson in manners with a whip.

Ioannis loos down upon the scribe with disgust in his eyes.

[Andres]

Savvas' scribe looks very embarassed now.

Dear Senator Kantakouzions, please forgive me this interruption, but I am not Savvas ek Militou. I am just his humble scribe. My esteemed master is currently on his way back to Arta.

The scribe bow deeply and sits down again.

Please forgive me for this interruption.

The scribe bows again. The poor man starts to sweat and looks very pale. It seems like he's about to pass out.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Savvas left the building a couple of posts ago, it was his scribe who suggested to throw the other scribe out of the Senate RP'ing your "social drinker" trait are you? Give Savvas' poor scribe a glass of water.

[Kagemusha]

Kantakouzinos looks at the direction of ek Militous scribe with a comforting smile in his eyes and says.

"Do not worry. It seems that there are many scribes here who does not know their jobs. But you are not one of them."

Then he turns towards his own scribes and looks at them with murder in his eyes and says.

"Maybe many in here should concentrate on their jobs."

Ioannis nods to hector, who takes a firm grip of the shoulder of Kantakouzions main scribe and takes him outside, after a while echoes of screams can be heard in the senate.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

While Kantakouzinos talked, Efstathios' scribe didn't listened him..
Once he heard the screams of Kantakouzinos' scribe his eyes almost popped out and he looked towards Kantakouzinos .. fear in his eyes...

[Warmaster Horus]

Manouelitis' own look echoes that of Efstathios' scribe. He walks out of the room, and returns a few minutes later with a servant of his own. Manouelitis declares:
"This is my assistant, Pavlos. I am leaving for Belgrade, and he shall be my proxy. For now, good day, gentlemen."
This time, Manouelitis rushes outside, and if one were to look out the Senate, one would see a horse galloping away at full speed, leaving only a cloud of dust behind.

[Dafuge]

Loukas, Stavros's scribe, who was briefly dozing off, hears screams of pain outside. He quickly whispers something to another on his table and his mouth suddenly goes dry. With renewed vigour he quickly starts writing.

[00jebus]

*Lisas looks at his own scribe, who was too busy writing what the others said to speak himself*

If Kantakouzinos' scribe is too small a man to take a little pain and has to retire my own can duplicate his notes till he finds a replacement

*the scribe looks momentaraly annoyed at the extra work*

now before this talk of scribes taking far more responsibility than their paid to do, we were talking about if its right to kill brigends who slaughter merchants, block trade and generally slow down the reconstruction of our empire...

*Lisas looks faintly amused that anyone would think its wrong*

[Kagemusha]

Kantakouzinos enters the senate and takes the stand.

"unfortunately.The Imperial bureocracy has informed me that Makedonias, the grandmaster of Knights St.John would be eglible for me to adopt him. I have to respectfully decline this offer. I have explained my reasoning for him in private in this matter and do not wish to engage in public debate about this issue, unless he wishes to engage in public debate about the issue."

Kantakouzinos sits down on his seat.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

A man enters the room followed by two guards. He turns to Protoasecretes and says something quietly. Then he turns around and looks at Efstathios' scribe..

It has come to My Lords ears that someone is trying to undermine his reputation in the Magnaura.
He have sent me here to arrest that man and apologize about everything this man have said in My Lords 'name'.

The man who was known as Efstathios' scribe started to feel uncomfortable and a cold sweat ran over his face.

My Masters name is Efstathios Laskaris and that man over there pointing towards the scribe is an impostor.

The impostor jumps up and runs through the doors, the two guards after him. Just minute later a scream echoes in the Magnaura and couple of minutes later one of the guards enters the room and reports..

The man is dead. He tried to escape by jumping out of the window. Unfortunate to him he broke his neck.

After saying that he turns and leaves the room.

My name is Ioannis.. Well.. Not very original name I have to say but..
I am one of Efstathios Laskaris' bodyguards and will represent him from now on until the crusade is over.

The man bows and takes the seat..

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios looks a little surprised that Ioannis said anything.

One point of clarification. It was for sponsorship, not adoption. The same arrangement that Kosmas and Methodios made.

Sponsorship is a relatively minor bureaucratic affair. If those among the Imperial machinery see a noble do something noteworthy, he can be invited into the upper echelon of nobility. Which allows for noble marriages, legitimately recognized 'noble' children. And even the possibility of being named heir to the throne.

All that is required is a sponsor. Either the fates, or Imperial bureaucracy, decided to pick Ioannis as my sponsor. Again, him accepting would have been a relatively minor affair. Simply checking off a form. We never would have had to speak again on the issue.

But, unfortunately, partisan politics have yet again gotten in the way of simple smooth functioning of a government. Some people's hatred for me has grown so strong that they will throw every legal roadblock in my way. Some in here, looks at the Caesar have even broken the law to hurt me.

While I admit my time in here has given me quite a thick skin, even I was surprised to see Ioannis basically refuse to put a mark on a piece of paper just so he could hurt me.

It's expected that people in here disagree on policy and the direction the Empire should go. And it's expected that passions will rise and the debates will get heated. But the absolute cold-blooded attitude of some in here is getting to be a little much.

Charges that I "fell asleep while my army killed" and "touch boys" are not only completely false, but they do absolutely nothing to help the discourse in here.

Of course, my comments on some of you "licking the Caesar's backside" haven't helped.

Basically, Ioannis's refusal to sponsor me woke me up to just how vitriolic and harsh it has gotten in here. Many of us, including myself, are guilty of this.

Well, I'm tired of it. I'm done with these petty political games. Those who want to keep playing them will get ignored. Those who wish to engage with me on a real debate on what the Empire should do, are welcome. I'm sorry for helping the mood in here sour and I will do my part to raise the level of discourse in the Senate.

Like Ioannis said, this matter is settled, but I wanted to clear the air on some finer points of it as well as address the larger issue of rampant incivility that has been allowed to fester.

[AussieGiant]

Apionnas nods appreciatively at the words of Senator Makedonios while standing at the back of the chamber. Glancing sideways he sees a saged look on one of the Varangian Guardsman.

"He is very good, don't you think?"

The stunned guardsman looks shocked that he's been spoken to and starts to stammer something in reply.

"No need to answer soldier, I was really just talking to myself."

At that point a page rushes in and hands Apionnas a note. He reads it carefully, a raised eyebrow the only sign of emotion. The Varangian Guardsman tries to look uninterested and fails miserably.

Showing him the note Apionnas says quietly.

"You might want to inform the Captain of the Guard, and the Basileus while your at it. It seems we have a small situation developing."

He says to the back of the rapidly departing Guardsman's just loud enough to carry across the chamber.

"The Egyptians have just called a Jihad on the very ground we stand on..."

[00jebus]

I trust we wont have any opposition to kill these defensless and oh so misguided souls... pehaps we could give them stuffed animals and food and sit around and talk about our feeling about relegion.... whilst they try to stab us?

*Lisas says scathingly looking around for Efstathios Laskaris' scribe, notices he isn't there and continue's normally*

no? good, do we know how many and where the eygptian armies are?

If there at sea could our own navy or even crusade fleet intercept them in time?
If we are able to get a message to them of course.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios reads reports and consults a map on his table.

It looks like the Caliph is striking back. I can't yet find any Jihad armies forming but they will be coming. If any from Egypt come our way, the Order will bleed them on the river crossings and mountain passes.

Of course... glances at the Caesar this would be easier if we could get our 2nd army off of an island. As a point of bureaucratic paperwork, my army has been officially transferred to Armatos. He now has his army. I'd like mine sent to me in Antioch with all due haste. If possible, I'd like some stronger infantry than peasants for my army. Even spear militia from Antioch would be preferable. With the Jihad most likely heading through Antioch, we need to be prepared.

Speaking of being prepared, I am still quite concerned with the lack of development around the Empire. I've noticed the Order's and Asteri's settlements sit idle except for prioritized builds. Currently, except for Belgrade, the only settlements building anything belong to the Caesar's House (Nicaea, Sinop, Trebizond), Emperor (Sofia, Constantinople), and those who are most publicly supportive of the Caesar (Arta, Bucharest). Regardless of the political affiliation of the nobles that govern provinces, all people are citizens of the Empire. While it is very kind of you Caesar to reward the nobles who support you breaking the law, I worry about the long term economic effect this will have on the Empire's infrastructure.

I also still worry at the lack of priests in the Order's provinces. Multiple priests sit on the border of Adana but will not cross it's border despite the fact that Adana is only 27% Orthodox. The Order's territories have a chapel and an abbey so at least 3 priests should be sent back to spread the word across the Levant.

And finally, would the Caesar be so kind as to tell us why, while a Jihad has been called on Constantinople, he has taken himself, Pavlos, and a relatively large army and marched them into Tibilisi with almost no supplies?

I look forward to the Caesar's answers. And to any debate that develops. I just hope that we can keep it civil this time.

[GeneralHankerchief]

*The Representative's head snaps up, as if the endless debates he had been tuning out were now suddenly interesting him.*

Jihad, eh? Right while our Crusaders are conveniently inaccessable? Yes, that is something the Caliph would do, dirty scoundrel that he is...

Fear not, though. His Eminence is preparing a statement urging us all to come together in this time of need. It should reach the Magnaura shortly.

[deguerra]

Having briefly left the Senate, Ioannis returns with a woman in tow.

I would ask that the Magnaura forgive my bringing a "visitor" into its halls, but this woman, Veronica, is of vital importance to the investigation into the organisation.

I have some questions to her myself, but I would like to allow others to inquire first as I am sure this is a matter that concerns us all greatly.

Speaking of which, I of course do not wish to overshadow the grave matter of the Jihad having been called against this fine city. While the notion of any Muslim army making it this far seems laughable at this present time we should none the less be wary.

The borders of the Empire need to be defended, and Asteri will provide all the support it can.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Ioannis, Efstathios' bodyguard, looks through some of the parchments in front of him and then stands..

Edict 3.4: The Megas Logothetes must keep at least one priest stationed in every region that has less than 60% Orthodox and where a church is built.

This is the law! Proposed by My Lord, Efstathios Laskaris. If Megas Logothetes will not send priest to Adana then this is the second time he have gone against the law! One starts to think how much longer we can stand this!

After saying that Ioannis sits..

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios raises an eyebrow.

While I fully agree that the Caesar has broken the law, he actually has not broken this particular law. See, Adana doesn't have a chapel. Because the Caesar has never authorized anything to be built in Adana. So, he actually isn't in violation of Edict 3.4 with regards to Adana or Aleppo.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

If so, then I must apologize to Caesar. My Lords info about the buildings in those settlements are a bit sketchy.
So, Caesar haven't broken the law, my mistake. But the Order can blame only themselves for not prioritizing building in these settlements, especially chapels and churches. Although looking our financial situation I doubt that Caesar could afford building anything new.

Ioannis starts looking through his papers and trying to find out other mistakes in them..

[AussieGiant]

Being the former governor of Constantinople has certainly meant he is better informed than others. Another note is handed to Apionnas by members of the administration.

Shaking his head, there is a total lack of emotion in his voice, however it carries across the room clearly.

My Lords, an initial report I have here from the Imperial information service indicates that Caesarea has fallen to the Turks and that Senator Ampelas may have perished. Neither point is confirmed at this time, but if true, then the Islamic response has begun in earnest.

[Warmaster Horus]

Pavlos, Nikephoros' scribe, receives a missive. He stands and speaks:
"Senators, my Lord Manouelitis is returning to Constantinople. It seems it's the news of the Jihad that troubles him."

[Northnovas]

The Duke of Corinth comes to the chamber and takes his seat it has been some time since he has been here. He now looks more scholarly then a military general with his years of self study. He reads some documents and talks with his scribe. He addresses the senate..

Fellow Romans I have received the news of the Jihad directed towards our great city. I have come to defend her. I will not tolerate such action against and will use all my resources to her defence.

To quote our Patriarch “war with religious implications is to be taken quite seriously, for its combatants are always more motivated. As such, this is why I fear the called jihad more than any political incursion into Byzantine territory.”

This is a concern but the situation is not grave with proper planning and execution we should be able to stop this incursion. We must remember our men are sailing for their lands and this could significantly hamper their resources for a Jihad. The only concern is other nations joining their cause. The Seljuk Sultanate has already tasted our blade and any other nation wishing to join must travel a great distance to get here. It is important to keep our neighbours to the west pacified and not try to interfere or take advantage of the situation. We must be aware of our resources in the treasury but now is the time to put our agendas aside and concentrate on total war aginst the Calipahte with our Crusaders and Defenders.

Let us work together and arrange for the defence of our city. It is time to mobilize an army the Defenders of Constantinople and put this Jihad to rest.

[deguerra]

It is with great sadness that I too confirm the great loss of Caesarea but the even greater loss of Markianos and his army. I did not have the pleasure of knowing him long, but our relationship these past years was a good one and he was a man of honour and courage, whose term as our Megas speaks for itself I think.

Gentlemen, this only proves what we knew already. Anatolia is far from secure and the Turkish threat is equal to that of the Jihading Fatamids.

Strator Savvas' suggestion is an excellent one. It would seem House Asteri has lost half its men under arms in one swoop, but I will not have it said we have no courage. Our second House Army, under my command will march East from Iconium. I will attempt to engage the Turkish army where I find it and regain that city. Once I am convinced it is secure, I will head to wear the threat of the Jihad is greatest.

I think it is time we nip these issues in the bud, rather than waiting for them to come to us. I will welcome any who wish to join me.

Also, the feedback of Strator Apionnas would be most appreciated, as he is still the man with the most knowledge of fighting the Muslims.

[Andres]

Savvas' sribe takes note of the rumors about Caesarea and calls a servant.

He gives a hastily written letter to the servant and orders him to get it to his master asap.

He then adresses Ioannias Kalameteros.

Forgive me Senator, but my master, Comes ek Militou, hasn't arrived yet. It was his Lord, Aleksios ek Ikoniou, who made a suggestion on this matter.

The scribe sits down, seemingly embarassed that he had spoken in the Magnaura.

[deguerra]

Ioannis stands and bows to Strator Aleksios

My humble apologies, friend, it has been a long time since your wise voice was heard in these halls and I confused you for your comrade.

[AussieGiant]

Bowing his head towards Ioannis.

It is a sad day to see someone lose their life so needlessly. I am surprised as to why Markianos Ampelas would sally against such overwhelming odds. It was a tactical error of the gravest kind.

Be aware my lords I will not be speaking niceties or words that you will find comfort in.

The military doctrine of the Turks and Egyptian is similar. Sadly we are not well equipped to defeat them with troop quality or quantity.

Our own Skythikon Horse Archers and Spear Militia cancel out their current regimental composition.

Our current advantage is four fold. Scattered regiments of Trebizond Foot Archer, our excellent heavy cavalry, Dismounted Byzantine Lances and Spearmen. The issue is that all these forces are only available in Corinth which is in no real position to reinforce the expected line of march on Constantinople.

Therefore we must begin troop quality increases immediately. At least two castles should be the focus of serious infrastructure increase. One for the recruiting of missile regiments and the other for infantry. Strategically these two castles should be Adana and Aleppo.

Apionnas pauses, clearly considering his next words.

I have been part of Jihad.

At this comment more than a few Varangian Guardsmen narrow their eyes at the Officer.

You can expect heavy levels of missile equipped forces. A hail of arrows is standard procedure for any Turkish or Egyptian Amirs. This will be followed by a solid number of spear equipment regiments.

When it comes to holy war you can expect fast moving lightly armed forces that will rely heavily on missile superiority and shock. Therefore my final recommendation is that elements of the Crusading forces land on the coast north of Jerusalem and head towards Alexandria and Cairo overland. This will hopefully mean any large Jihad armies can be intercepted and slowed while we prepare ourselves at home.

[Ramses II CP]

A letter arrives from Vissarionas ek Lesvou to be read into the record:

Nobles of the Empire,

Word has just reached me of the Caliph's call to jihad. I have but one bit of advice.

Put your faith in God!

Clearly the Caesar has failed us, in the most blatant of manners, by violating the good and necessary laws of the land and ignoring the most basic dictates of strategy. His gross incompetence, brought to power by your hands, is a matter of no small concern, but I say again,

Put your faith in God!

God and Patriarch will see us through this crisis. Those beloved of God, and devout in their beliefs, he will shelter through the trying times. Those whom he finds lacking, those who cower behind the lines and send armies of peasants against the might of the jihad, they will be rooted out and cast down. A time of winnowing is coming, a time when the weak and faithless are burned out of our ranks while the holy are gathered up in God's arms. Even to the last extreme I admonish you,

Put your faith in God!

Do not let faithlessness drag you down. Stand strong and fight on no matter the cost, and God will grant our great Empire victory!

When I reach Egypt, when I and my fellow crusaders drag down the Caliph, I will advocate treating him with mercy and having him sent to Constantinople in chains, there to greet any jihad army that might reach the city. Think on that, while the debate over the handling of the jihad swirls.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Ioannis stands up..

A letter have arrived from My Lord. He thinks that Empire needs to go through it's finances and collect all available forces under some able general. Perhaps an Emergency Senate Session should be called to discuss how to defend our Capital and our lands from this Jihad.
He also is sad to hear about the death of Markianos Ampelas. My Lord understands why Lord Ampelas sallied out to meet the foe. He probably would have done the same thing.

[00jebus]

Speaking of being prepared, I am still quite concerned with the lack of development around the Empire. I've noticed the Order's and Asteri's settlements sit idle except for prioritized builds. Currently, except for Belgrade, the only settlements building anything belong to the Caesar's House (Nicaea, Sinop, Trebizond), Emperor (Sofia, Constantinople), and those who are most publicly supportive of the Caesar (Arta, Bucharest). Regardless of the political affiliation of the nobles that govern provinces, all people are citizens of the Empire. While it is very kind of you Caesar to reward the nobles who support you breaking the law, I worry about the long term economic effect this will have on the Empire's infrastructure.

I dont speak for the ceasar on this grandmaster, but it may be something to do with the fact that those newly won provinces didn't have the privalage of a working economy and were far less developed than those taken by the order, so will natrually need more investment before there profitable. Trebizond for instance, only had a basic range, no farms, no roads, nothing else!

Settlements taken by other houses were largely taken under previous megas', and have basic infastructure in place thanks to their actions, with more time to develop, they need less attention during the current term and the Asteri took two of the turks prized provinces, both comparitivly well developed if my memmory serves.

As for not spending more in our beloved capital, well, are you mad? its the trade capital of the world! who wouldn't try to exploit and secure that!

You have to spend money to make money grandmaster, your house isn't being neglected or deprived, though if I were in the ceasars position, I certantly would give in and ensure it was ill-equipped and prepared, given that you attack him seemingly without reason every other day, clearly the ceasar is a better man than I.

Pehaps you should find another hobby, I can teach you how to hunt if you'd like to try.

[Northnovas]

Aleksios acknowledges Ioannis......

No need to aplogize my friend my absence embarasses me I should be the one apologizing to the chamber. The news of Markianos Ampelas death is regretful. A settlement can be retaken but a man like him cannot be replaced. His tireless efforts will not be forgotten.

Can I ask for a moment of silence......

Thank you now to continue the debate we cannot bicker about the defense of the capital. Apionnas offers words of wisdom to defeat this enemy. We have Crusaders providing an offensive. We must coordinate our efforts to fight the enemy before the gates and defeat them soundly. There is no need for an emergency session. Let us put our personal agendas aside and work on defeating this enemy.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios observes a moment of silence.

May Markianos Ampelas rest in peace. He was a good Megas. No matter how much he politically disagreed with the me, he treated the Order fairly. When there was not enough money to build in settlements, he made sure everyone went without at an equal level. And when our supply situation hit a crisis point, he did all he could to rectify the situation. While not friends, I learned I could count on him to put the Empire first.

Glances over at the Caesar.

Amepelas's Megas term was an example all here would do well to study.

Looks at Lisas.

I'm afraid your assessment of the Order's provinces is out of date. Aleppo and Adana were not bustling and vibrant communities. Adana was, and is, just a wooden castle. And Aleppo was simply a motte & bailey. It is only now a wooden castle because my rank gives me one prioritized build a term.

So, when you add the fact that my army is still largely stuck on an island, the Order is ill-prepared to meet the Jihad. And we only have the Caesar to blame. His partisan politics have clouded his better judgment and endangered everyone.

The Order isn't, and hasn't, asked for much. Just the basic infrastructure that is now developing across the Empire. And the use of the army that is legally mandated to us.

Armatos and I will take up positions on the two river crossing near Antioch. Let this Jihad come and we will at least give them a good accounting before we fall.