The Magnaura

[Smowz]

A rich Genoase merchentman hands a scroll to one of the speakers at the magnuara

Nevoulas ek Philadelphius regrets that he cannot be here to offer his sorrow in person, he is unfortunately stranded on Rhodes. He paid a Merchentman a large sum of his personal wealth to bring a short message here.

The House of the Asteri for so long a shining hope for the empire has now suffered grave misfortunes losing good men in honor for the empire. I owe Kosmas a great debt for bringing me into the fold and allowing me to be part of what I hoped would be the great resurrection of the empire. The ideals have been severly tested recently and I believe the deaths of the great men of the Asteri is divine punishment for the gross display of incompetence and despicable behavior of others.

I pray for all of our souls.

Nevoulas ek Philadelphius

[OverKnight]

The Basileus speaks.

The loss of Senator Mavrozomis is a bitter one. He lead his men on Crusade with panache, outpacing his fellows. It is a terrible shame that such fervor may have contributed to his demise. He was a good man and a selfless leader. I will miss him.

Aleksios pauses respectfully for a moment.

I wish to congratulate the Senate on recent victories against the Egyptians. Senator Ksanthopoulos and the Order have performed valiantly in the Levant helping to shield this very city. I hope the Megas Logothetes quickly and fully replenishes their armies.

I am also grateful to Savvas ek Militiou. With my army needed here, he managed to repel an invasion in the west with the few resources he had with assistance from the Asteri. His victory is a testament to his skill and to constructive cooperation between the Houses.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios gives a report to the Senate.

I have looked over troop reports and I am not happy with what I see. The Order's two armies are supposed to number 12 total units. Because of losses against the Jihad, we only have 8 and most of those are severely depleted.

By law, the Caesar must recruit to replace and replenish these units. Do you know how many units he recruited for us this year? One... Just one. A unit of archers in Nicosia. But I know for a fact the Caesar has recruited elsewhere. Looking at records, Trebizond added two archers and put them in a fort nearby. Those archers were not needed for any private army owned by the Caesar's House.

Therefore, since the Caesar recruited for a non-legally mandated army before finishing recruitment for legally mandated armies, he has, yet again, broken the rules.

I ask... again... that we impeach this man. This term has only served to benefit him and his House at the rest of our expense. He has poured all of our resources into building in his own settlements and raising himself a large army in Cannakkale.

Meanwhile he has simply let Jihads wander around the Empire. The Turkish one is somewhere in Anatolia. He could have taken care of it by now but it was far more important to stretch his holdings out as far as possible.

How long will we let his rampant law-breaking stand?

[Ferret]

For once I agree with you Makedonios, the man is an incompetent fool. But the only man with authority enough to call a session is the Emperor and he would hardly impeach his own son. I dread the day this man becomes our ruler, this Empire may well collapse...

[OverKnight]

Aleksios raises an eyebrow and fixes Hypatios with a stare.

Do not speak so lightly about what would be a horrific event. The Empire has lasted over a thousand years and survived much worse than our current problems. It would require something quite. . .catastrophic to make it fall.

The Basileus pauses, weighing his words.

I am disappointed that the Order's armies have not been fully reinforced. The Levant may be at the end of a tenous line of supply, but surely some troops could be found, even locally recruited.

However, with a new Senate Session drawing so close, I do not see the utility of an Emergency Session.

Concerned Senators will be free to propose any safeguards they see fit then.

The Basileus returns to his silence, looking old and careworn.

[Andres]

Savvas enters the building, helped by Kristophoros.

I shouldn't travel in this condition, but oh well, here I am.

Thank you for your kind words, dear Basileus, fellow Senators.

Savvas bows. He raises a goblet of wine to Ioannis Kantakouzinos.

And thank you for your gift, Ioannis. Your wine made the pain of my wounds bearable.

He sips from the wine and puts down the goblet.

We lost important men and I'd like to personally offer the House of Asteri my condolences.

I also want to thank House Asteri for letting me use the Athens garrison. It warms my heart that in these terrible times, the Asteri still manage to look further than personal glory and aid other Houses for the sake of the Empire.

House Asteri is an example for us all, dear Senators!

Savvas looks at Makedonios.

I understand your concerns, dear Grandmaster, but I'm sure our Caesar doesn't bear ill will towards the Order. Don't forget that we are going through a turbulent period and this is not a "normal" Megas term.

In these turbulent times, our current Megas succeeds in protecting the Empire. Allthough we are confronted with various threats, the Empire is still growing!

Please, Grandmaster, look further than legal technicalities and be fair in your judgement: while it is threatened by Crusades, a Jihad and the Seljuks armies, the Empire becomes even more powerful and all of this while our Caesar holds the office of Megas Logothetes.

As a true leader, he knows who needs what and who he can trust and from what I can see, the Empire didn't collapse, it is stronger than ever!

It seems like you didn't need the additional troops and the Caesar's trust in your capabilities has proven to be correct: the Order has done very well and I'd like to congratulate you in public for your military achievements!

Keep up the good work! Don't forget that we already cut of the Fatimid serpents' heads: both their Sultan and Crown Prince have been slain in battle! We already broke their morale and nothing will stop us from prevailing against those Fatimid dogs!

[Rowan]

Vartholomaios Ksiros' clerk who has been sitting and faithfully taking notes while his master is crusading raises his head at the activity in Magnaura. Hearing Savvas address Makedonios he first looks incredulous then loses his composure and bursts out laughing. Blushing at this most unusual outburst he lowers his head again his quill furiously scribbling on paper, trying to behave as nothing had happened.

[ULC]

Iakovos had finally been able to wrench himself away from Adana for a time, and had been going over several files while other Senators talked. But the ride and continued stress seemed to have taken their toll, and Iakovos soon slumped into unconsciousnesses. He sprang back up at the tail end of Savvas's and wiped the spit away from his mouth when Bart's scribe laughed.

"Did I miss anything of meaning? Something about not enough troops to eat the Fatimids dogs?"

[Andres]

Iakovos had finally been able to wrench himself away from Adana for a time, and had been going over several files while other Senators talked. But the ride and continued stress seemed to have taken their toll, and Iakovos soon slumped into unconsciousnesses. He sprang back up at the tail end of Savvas's and wiped the spit away from his mouth when Bart's scribe laughed.

"Did I miss anything of meaning? Something about not enough troops to eat the Fatimids dogs?"

I think we have enough troops for that.

With men like our Grandmaster, a living legend, protecting the Empire, there's no need for more troops!

With a small army consisting of two spearmen, one archer and a stable master, he managed to defeat the Sultan and his elite troops!

I'm sure that if we would insist long enough, Grandmaster Makedonios would defeat the whole Fatimid Empire on his own, just carrying his walking cane!

Cheer up Grandmaster! The people will be calling their new born sons "Makedonios"!

[ULC]

Iakovos snorts. "I'm sorry, come again? Defeat the entire Fatimid Empire? Forgive me for being brutally honest, but I think one, your mistaken about the Orders goals, two your ability to grasp logistics and numbers seems lacking, three there is a difference between fighting off an army while still having an army left, and I am sure you have heard of Pyhrrus? Yes, our victory was something like that. Unless you wish to insinuate the Grandmaster is akin to Belisarius, in which case we should all take the preventive measures necessary before you decide to stab him in the back."

[Warmaster Horus]

Where are the toilets? I'm sorry, but I feel sick after hearing such sycophant drivel.

On a more serious note, who would you support, the Caesar or the Grandmaster?

[Andres]

Why this lack of confidence in the military capabilities of Grandmaster Makedonios?

Of course he will hold the line, no matter what. And from what I have seen in the latest report of our Caesar, the troops he's been asking for, have been recruited.

I've heard the words "incomptent fool". Are you points at Nikiphoros and Iakovos now going to call the Caesar a liar?

How many more insults addressed at the Royal Family do we have to accept? This is outrageous!

[ULC]

"Oh, I don't doubt the military prowess of my Grandmaster Savvas, but when you must ask for army replenishment after each engagement, one begins to wonder at the quality of troops such a man is given. And If I remember correctly, I said nothing about the Caesars competence, or ability to tell the truth. I do hope the Caesar doesn't take offense to the idea that the thought he may even lie enters your head."

[Warmaster Horus]

Not a liar, no, but someone who doesn't do what he's supposed to do. The only reason impeaching him is stupid is because his term ends next year.
I'll be sure to propose something along the lines of: "The Caesar must never be allowed to run for the Megas Logothetes position again".
I do not insult the Royal Family, I insult the Megas Logothetes. And even if I were insulting them, remember that there can be some "bad eggs". If you remember our own illustrious Roman history, a few of the first emperors were madmen. Nero and Caligula, I believe...

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Ioannis stands..

Well.. My Master Efstathios have called the Caesar "incompetent fool" and I'm pretty sure that he really meant it!

[Andres]

Not a liar, no, but someone who doesn't do what he's supposed to do. The only reason impeaching him is stupid is because his term ends next year.
I'll be sure to propose something along the lines of: "The Caesar must never be allowed to run for the Megas Logothetes position again".
I do not insult the Royal Family, I insult the Megas Logothetes. And even if I were insulting them, remember that there can be some "bad eggs". If you remember our own illustrious Roman history, a few of the first emperors were madmen. Nero and Caligula, I believe...

You say that you do not insult the Royal family, only the Megas.

Well, I've got news for you: our current Megas is a member of the royal family. So if you insult the current Megas, you are in fact insulting a member of the royal family who also happens to be the heir of the Throne...

Please Senator, voice your opinion as many times as you want, but refrain from insulting our Royal Family. It is highly inappropriate.

[Warmaster Horus]

I insult a member of the Royal Family in his capacity of Megas Logothetes. To me, it is inconsequential that he is our Prince. He chose to be Megas, he assumes the role. If he does not assume it, then he has to be prepared to be insulted.

[Andres]

I insult a member of the Royal Family in his capacity of Megas Logothetes. To me, it is inconsequential that he is our Prince. He chose to be Megas, he assumes the role. If he does not assume it, then he has to be prepared to be insulted.

You can explain it away as much as you want, but you cannot deny that your latest statement came accross as if you were comparing the Caesar with Nero and Caligula and hinted at him being a "bad egg".

[Warmaster Horus]

Hinting maybe, but I was not saying that. I was just saying that it was possible for a noble of royal blood to not be as ... good as his ancestors.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios watched the debate go back and forth.

I thank you for your words Comes Savvas. Unfortunately, we are being worn down by attrition. True, we have won many victories. But both armies of the Order are hollow shells.

Both armies are supposed to have 3 infantry, 2 archers, and 1 cavalry. Infantry is 90-112 men a unit. Archers are 90 men a unit. And cavalry is 60 men a unit.

Now look at my army currently: unit of 25 Turcopoles, unit of 88 peasant archers, unit of 44 peasant archers, unit of 53 town militia, and unit of 46 peasants.

And look at Armatos's current army: unit of 31 Turcopoles, unit of 22 Treb archers, and unit of 16 spear militia.

This is pathetic and evidence of abuse and neglect by the current Megas. Both of these armies are "combat ineffective." The only reason we win battles is because of the fighting prowess of the members of the Order. Our army runs away with alarming regularity. But who can blame them? They aren't professional troops. And with units so small, they can't take a charge from the enemy.

And what has the Caesar done? He has recruited exactly one unit on an island. The unit has 90 men. That doesn't even come close to replacing our losses. By law, the Caesar has to recruit more units for our armies before he can recruit for any non-private/royal army purpose. He has recruited other units that do not belong to private armies. Therefore, he has broken the rules.

Rules, mind you. Not Edicts. Things that should not be up for debate or interpretation. So, while I will not join in with the distasteful practice of insulting the Royal Family, I will make something clear. The Caesar's actions this whole term have clearly broken the law. What he has done, on multiple occasions is illegal.

He built prioritized buildings when he should have created a private army. He built non-prioritized buildings before recruiting for a private army. And he has recruited for non-army formations before finishing recruitment for a private army.

These things are... illegal. And still people keep covering for this man. We rake Hypatios over the coals for breaking and Edict but the Caesar has gotten a free pass for breaking the Rules on multiple occasions.

Because of this rampant lawbreaking, the Caesar is either woefully incompetent or criminally neglectful.

[Andres]

Are your armies currently in a settlement where they can be replenished?

[Privateerkev]

Yes they are now both sitting in Antioch. The spear militia and town militia could be replenished this year. But I rather have the whole units recruited first since that will bolster our forces quicker. If the Caesar had recruited the new units when he said he would, then he could replenish the battered ones this year. But, for some reason, the recruitment for new spear militia in Antioch got lost in the Caesar's paperwork and he simply didn't do it. I hope he gets to it this year.

[Andres]

So, the matter will be resolved?

The solution probably doesn't meet your standards, but it is a solution, isn't it?

Are there other problems besides the replenishment of your victorious armies?

[Privateerkev]

Well, the complete lack of building in Order and Asteri settlements is unsettling. The lack of priests in this area of the world to spread the Word. The lack of merchants to make money. The lack of a stable navy in these parts. The lack of roads. The lack of watchtowers on our borders. The sinking of our resources into one corner of the Empire and a shiny new army for the Caesar while the rest rots from neglect.

So no, the criminal neglect of our armies is not my only concern. It is my most dire concern however since without proper armies, we can not defend the Empire or even our subjects in the Levant.

I will say that the Order served exactly the purpose I promised it would back in 1081. We were the flank of the flank. We met the Fatimid Jihad and kept them from the great city of Constantinople. While House Asteri generously offered to help us, we were able to do without it which freed them up to retake the settlement of Caesarea.

Unfortunately the wily Fatimids showed us that they can sail across the sea and strike at our heartlands. Comes Savvas was able to defeat the Fatimid Prince but he had to do so without a proper army. He had to scrape together various militias and units from other settlements.

My point is, we've all had to make due with what little we have while the Caesar makes his House fat and rich. And while we have been successful, that is not a strategy for governing an Empire. That is basically rolling the dice. The Caesar gambled that he could pursue his personal agenda and that the rest of the Empire could basically just "hold on."

Our subjects deserve better...

[Askthepizzaguy]

The previously nameless senator from Durazzo, Taranto Giovinazzo, simply rolls his eyes at the one known as Makedonios. Finally, he speaks.

Such partisan grandstanding flows easily from one who does not bear the weight of leadership, and stands only to gain from undermining a leader, purely for his own political career.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios eyes the "senator" from Durrazzo curiously.

Who are you?

As far as I know, the Senator from Durrazo is Efstratios. But he had a tirade over the Crusade and left.

I have no idea who you are but your sitting in his seat. Now, if your his aid, that is one thing. But your basically trying to be a Senator yourself. Sorry, but I do not recognize your authority and therefore will not be answering your questions. I talk to Senators and the aids and guests who know their place.

Looking at the Emperor.

I ask that Taranto Giovinazzo be removed from the premises. He is not a legal Senator of the Magnaura. Efstratios or his representative belong in that seat, not some random peasant who feels like pretending he is a Senator.

[Askthepizzaguy]

I assume this to mean that the province of Durazzo is to have no sitting Senator, then?

As you yourself mentioned, Efstratios is no longer a Senator of the Byzantine Empire. The people of Durazzo have a right to a new representative. As a formal delegate from Durazzo, and Monomachos' aide, I am finishing the former Senator's term in office until a new senator is elected.

Perhaps Makedonios is simply afraid of being criticized, as he criticizes others, and that is why he calls for my removal. Silencing your critics will not fill the holes in your arguments.

[Privateerkev]

Efstratios is still on the rolls as being a Senator. He can come himself or send an aid. But a totally different Senator is not allowed as far as I know.

Follow the laws of our land and I will dignify your words with responses.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Taranto departs from the Senate permanently, in a manner which can be only described as awe-inspiring.

[Ferret]

Hypatios watches the depature with delight, taking great relish in every ounce of pain the man suffers.