The Magnaura

[OverKnight]

Aleksios nods to Methodios.

Thank you Senator Tagaris, we shall see what Senator Manouelitis has to say.

[Warmaster Horus]

Nikiphoros, after listening intently to Tagaris' statement and reading the records a couple of times, stands, and bows to the Basileus.

Basileus, Caesar, Senators...

If I understand correctly, I am to first make a case for myself, after which Tagaris will rebute my statement. Finally, after all this, I will rebute Tagaris' first speech.

I will say first that the Empire has a problem. The problem of law. Law-breakers now fall under a noble category: Senators. We know the story of the Caesar, we know how Caesaria was exterminated, and we now know the Sack of Alexandria. Of the events at the Hippodrome, I will not speak, since it is not useful here.
In any case, there is a problem of law. And to solve that kind of problem temporarily, until a clear-cut solution is found, we must base ourselves on facts. This is what I will do.

Scopia was inherited by Methodios Tagaris from Kosmas Mavrozomis, who was also my sponsor (OOC: the one who adopted Nikiphoros). Tagaris went on, open the House Korakas, gain me as a vassal and to conquer Alexandria. To sack Alexandria.
The legality of such a move was contested. Unfortunately, the Caesar was planning some form of treason, and Tagaris' act was temporarily forgotten. All seemed to be well since he was "repenting", trying to help keep Cairo in order.

But there's an adage, I believe, which goes: "Pardon one offense, and you encourage the commission of many". Well, in this case the Magnaura has forgiven two acts: the Caesar's mishandling of the Order and the extermination of Caesaria. I will not suffer many offenses. The Magnaura must draw the line somewhere, and I wished to draw the line with the Sack of Alexandria.

That apparently was not to be so. Tagaris, realizing I might condemn him, released me of my Oath, and thus threw me out of the House Korakas. I was not going to suffer that. I used subterfuge, I connived, I conned and cheated my former Lord to regain membership in that House. I then used the law of Ilios Korakas to punish Tagaris.

The law of Korakas, written by Tagaris himself says two things pertaining to this case. Firstly, it mentions:

D) Members joining the House that are already in control of a province will be asked to release their hold on it to the House. The Captain-General may choose to let them keep the control over the said province. The said province is considered House property for all purposes.

Thus, we can believe that Scopia became property of House Ilios Korakas. Alexandria as well, since Tagaris conquered it sometime after opening the House.
Then:

4) Expulsion:

It will consist of the subject's lord breaking fealty with him, as well as the subject's vassals breaking fealty with the subject. Anyone who refuses to break fealty with the subject will be expelled as well.
The expelled subject will be asked to leave the House's lands and to give back any land to the House. Refusal to return lands to the House will be considered a declaration of war with the expulsed member considered the declarer. Lands returned will become the automatic property of the expulsed member's lord.
The feudal chain will re-organize itself to take into account the expulsion.

Therefore, if Tagaris were to be condemned to expulsion, the following things would have to happen:
- My Oath of Fealty would be broken,
- Scopia and Alexandria would be returned to the House.

Once back in House Korakas, I used my power to judge Tagaris. I put forth expulsion, with all that measure entails. He accepted that punishment, except for Alexandria. I decided to let him have Alexandria. Thus, another circumvention of the law; I should have ownership of Alexandria, but I do not. I will let that offense slide out of respect. Tagaris is an honorable man, and I respect honor.
However, the fact is that he agreed to being expulsed. He lost the leadership of the House and governorship of Scopia. I then closed the House Korakas, giving Tagaris the possibility to have it back. I had never wished for the responsibility that accompanies the leadership of a House.
At this point, then, Tagaris accepted his expulsion, but kept Alexandria and had the possibility of being leader of House Korakas once more. The things he lost are a Vassal and Scopia.

I tried to start anew, in House Asteri. After I swore Fealty to one of its members, Tagaris comes in and declares:

I accepted my "expulsion" from the House... This doesn't mean that I accepted you breaking your oath... The only way I could accept this would be if you returned Scopia to me, you sneaky thief...

Either that or you will suffer the consequences of your oath-breaking...

Your new oath is void.

From this, he basically asks that the punishment is cancelled. If I agreed, he'd have the House, Scopia and Alexandria. Senators, to be in that situation is not to be punished.


My claim is this: Tagaris was punished by House Korakas. Such punishment included giving his cities to the House and releasing me from my Oath. He asks for Scopia, thus refuses punishment. That is a fact.

Finally, Basileus, Caesar, Senators...
The case of Scopia is much more than that of a town. It is much more than the case of vengeance. It is a case of law, and respect of the law. Without those two, the Empire would be in chaos. Noble and Great Basileus, please remember that.

Thank you all for listening. Let us hope that this debate truly decides the ownership of Scopia."

Nikiphoros bows to the Basileus, sits, and begins to chew his nails, while waiting for Tagaris to answer.

[Ignoramus]

Ioannis Komnenos rises to stand.

I am interested how the top bun of the Order wishes to explain the extravagent amount of money spent on hiring mercenaries for his forces.

Did not he whinge and complain that the Komnenodoukai had recruited mercenaries that were draining the empire's coffers? But of course, that rule doesn't apply to the Order, because obviously they are so incompetent to not leave a decent garrison in Antioch.

Ioannis resumes his seat.

[Privateerkev]

I'm not quite sure why the Caesar is talking about my rear end. Maybe he has something about himself he wishes to share with us...

But I had to recruit mercenaries because the Levant was left so woefully neglected last term. Not just woefully neglected. But criminally neglected. Without decent recruiting centers, and with only a barebones army that was criminally delayed, we have had to play catch up.

And our armies have suffered horrendous attrition since we keep fighting off Fatimid Jihad armies. Unlike the Caesar, we have done our part to protect the capital.

So yes, when the Templars attacked with almost 2000 men, I had to do something. I only had 600 or so men inside and outside the city. So, I recruited mercs. After the battle, I then disbanded them all.

If 2000 men marched on any of your cities, and there was inadequate defenses, I would do the same for you.

So, yes it was incompetence that left Antioch defenseless. But the incompetence was not ours...

[_Tristan_]

Methodios waits for the Basileos to speak and allow him to continue with the proceedings towards resolving the case of Scopia.

[OverKnight]

Aleksios speaks:

Now that both Senators have presented their case, each may pose a rebuttal to the other's claim if they wish. Once that is done I will render my judgement.

[TinCow]

*The Protoasecretes wakes suddenly from his napping. He stares around wide-eyed at the room, looking suspicious and wary. His head jerks back and forth for a while, searching for something which he does not find. Eventually he relaxes.*

I have had a vision from God! Yes! He appeared before me in the form of a monstrous elephant, the size of the Hippodrome itself! He spoke to me and said that his name was Arnold, and that he was displeased with the governance of the Empire. He made some comment about his... ah... 'big brass ones'... which I think he referred to as Brom and Gain, then he told me that I must listen well for he would tell me exactly how to fix our problems.

*The Protoasecretes looks confused for a moment and scratches his head.*

Problems? Do we have problems? Oh, yes... we must have problems! Arnold-God and his Brass Prophets said so in my dream! He told me to wake immediately and propose the following Charter Amendment.

Charter Amendment 5.1:

Rule 4.1 – Private Armies is deleted.
Rule 4.2 – Royal Armies is deleted.
Rule 4.3 – Army Replenishment is deleted.

New Rules will be added as follows:

4.1 – Armies: Except as stated in Rule 4.2, all Senators own all army units that begin a turn in a stack led by their avatar, in the garrison of a settlement they own, and in the garrison of a fort inside a province they own, regardless of how the units got there. Senators instantly own any Captain-led stack that their avatar moves onto. No one may move or disband any units owned by a Senator without his permission.

4.2 – Seizing Armies: Any Senator may move his avatar onto an army owned by another Senator from the same feudal chain. If this occurs, the Senator with the highest feudal rank instantly owns the entire combined army. If both Senators are of the same rank, the eldest Senator will own the entire combined army. The Basileus may instantly seize any army his avatar moves onto, regardless of the status of the Senator that previously owned it. A Senator may not move his avatar onto an army owned by a Senator from outside his feudal chain unless both Senators agree to the move beforehand. If there is a subsequent disagreement about who owns the units in the army, where the army is to move, or who commands the army, the Basileus will decide. This Rule does not apply to garrisons of settlements or forts. Avatars may never be seized.

4.3 – Naval Fleets: All Senators own all fleets that begin a turn in the port of a settlement they own, regardless of how the fleet got there. Otherwise, naval fleets are owned by the Senator with the highest feudal rank who is onboard the fleet. If there are multiple Senators of the same rank, the eldest Senator will own the fleet. No one may move or disband any ships in a fleet owned by a Senator without his permission.

The following line is removed from Rule 5.2 – Civil War through Oath Breaking:

If a Civil War begins in this manner, any Senator who would lose the right to own a Private Army as the result of the breaking of the Oath of Fealty will be allowed to retain ownership of his Private Army until the Civil War ends.

Rule 1.4 – Game Management is re-written as follows (changes in bold):

1.4 – Game Management: At the start of each turn, the Megas Logothetes will post an annual report on the events of the last turn, including a save game file for the new turn. After the annual report is posted, players will have 24 hours to download the save, and make their personal moves. Players can move their avatars, move any unit or fleet their avatar owns, and fight any battles against the AI that they are capable of fighting with their avatar’s army. Player may also move any unit, fleet, or avatar they have been given specific permission to move by the respective owner, as long as that permission is posted in a public thread. The Megas Logothetes may extend the time limit beyond 24 hours at his discretion, but all players are encouraged to act as swiftly as possible to keep the game moving. Players may not move avatars or armies into the territory of a neutral or allied faction without the permission of the Basileus. Nor may they attack the settlements or armies of neutral or allied factions without a declaration of war from the Basileus, a Megas Dux/Exarch or an Edict.

Penalty 1 is deleted from the rank of Strator.

Penalty 1 is deleted from the rank of Comes.

The rank of Domestikos gains the following Power:

If this rank is held during a Normal Senate Session, can Prioritize a total of 2 units per full 10 turn Megas Logothetes term, unless the Domestikos is loyal to another Senator.

Power 4 is deleted from the rank of Hypatos.
The rank of Hypatos gains the following Power:

If this rank is held during a Normal Senate Session, can Prioritize a total of 4 units per full 10 turn Megas Logothetes term, unless the Hypatos is loyal to another Senator.

Power 4 is deleted from the rank of Antypatos.
The rank of Antypatos gains the following Power:

If this rank is held during a Normal Senate Session, can Prioritize a total of 6 units per full 10 turn Megas Logothetes term, unless the Antypatos is loyal to another Senator.

Power 4 is deleted from the rank of Patrikios.
The rank of Patrikios gains the following Power:

If this rank is held during a Normal Senate Session, can Prioritize a total of 8 units per full 10 turn Megas Logothetes term, unless the Patrikios is loyal to another Senator.

Powers 5 and 10 are deleted from the rank of Dux.
The rank of Dux gains the following Power:

If this rank is held during a Normal Senate Session, can Prioritize a total of 10 units per full 10 turn Megas Logothetes term, unless the Dux is loyal to another Senator.

Powers 5 and 12 are deleted from the rank of Megas Dux/Exarch.
The rank of Megas Dux/Exarch gains the following Power:

If this rank is held during a Normal Senate Session, can Prioritize a total of 12 units per full 10 turn Megas Logothetes term.

Power 4 is deleted from the rank of Caesar.
The rank of Caesar gains the following Power:

If this rank is held during a Normal Senate Session, can Prioritize a total of 2 units per full 10 turn Megas Logothetes term. This Power is cumulative with the ability to Prioritize units under any other rank held by the Caesar.

Powers 4 and 14 are deleted from the rank of Basileus.
The rank of Basilues gains the following Power:

If this rank is held during a Normal Senate Session, can Prioritize a total of 15 units per full 10 turn Megas Logothetes term.

Power 2 and Limitation on Power 4 are deleted from the rank of Megas Logothetes.
The rank of Megas Logothetes gains the following Powers:

(2) The Megas Logotheses is responsible for all monetary expenditures in the game. The choice of what to build/recruit and where is entirely up to him, except as stated in the Limitations on Powers.
(3) The Megas Logothetes can move all armies that start a turn led by a Captain except as stated in Rule 4.1.
(4) The Megas Logothetes can move all fleets except as stated in Rule 4.3.
(5) The Megas Logothetes can move and use all agents.

The rank of Megas Logothetes has Limitation on Powers 2 is re-written as follows (changes in bold):

(2) No money can be spent on any construction until all Prioritized Buildings have been funded, unless the Senators who Prioritized them agree otherwise. If there are multiple Prioritized Buildings, and not enough funding for all of them, the Megas Logothetes may choose which to construct first. Prioritized Buildings cannot be funded until all Prioritized Units have been funded.

The rank of Megas Logothetes gains the following Limitation on Powers:

(4) Prioritized Units – No money can be spent on any recruitment until all Prioritized Units have been funded, unless the Senators who Prioritized them agree otherwise. If there are multiple Prioritized Units, and not enough funding for all of them, the Megas Logothetes may choose which to construct first. Senators may specify the Type of Unit to be recruited and the Location for the recruitment. The Type of Unit is restricted to the broad classifications of infantry, foot missiles, and cavalry. Artillery and Mercenaries cannot be Prioritized. A unit may be retrained instead of recruited if the unit is already located in a settlement where it can be retrained in some fashion. Except for the Basileus, the Location is restricted to any settlement owned by the Senator requesting the Prioritization or any settlement owned by a vassal in his feudal chain. The Basileus may specify any settlement in the Empire as the Location.

Rule 1.6 - Game Balancing is deleted.

The following line will be added to Rule 3.3:

Edicts are only binding on the players to the extent that the Senate chooses to enforce them.

A new Rule will be added as follows:

3.4a – * Amendments: Rules marked with a * can be permanently modified via an Amendment if TinCow gives his approval for the modification.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios walks into the chamber and strides to his new place at the Order's table. He sits down and it looks like a million pounds have been lifted from his shoulders. An aide shows him the transcripts of what has already been said this session.

Senator Nevoulas,

You speak of people possibly questioning your "credentials" to be Megas.

What you need to be Megas is the ability to read and write at a frantic pace. You also need impeccable book keeping because you being sued for breaking the footnote of an addendum to an index of an amendment to a law is not a matter of 'if', but 'when.' If you have any friends or loved ones, you must say good-bye to them for 15 years. I'd also give up on the notion of 'sleep.' If you think you've read through our laws, best to read them at least 8 more times before your term starts. You will also need a picture perfect memory. It would also help if the idea of dreaming about people's SOTs doesn't bother you. And finally, you need to reconcile right now with the fact that, no matter how hard you work, or how much you do for others, you will receive no thanks, praise, or recognition what-so-ever.

If you can understand, accept, and internalize the above paragraph, then in my opinion your as ready to be Megas as anyone can be.

Protoasecretes,

I find it regrettable that we are getting inspiration for legislation from pagan Gods. I have never heard of this Arnold God but he sounds like a whiner.

Despite that, I do see merit in the CA itself. Private armies are turning into a legal nightmare. And the possibility of 'garrison dumping' is just an accident waiting to happen.

I'm not sure if legislation inspired by heretical whiny elephant Gods need to be seconded, but I will do so anyways.

I second CA 5.1

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC:

To AG:

[AussieGiant]

Senator Apionnas Vringas stands abruptly, throws his head back, raises his hands to the ornate ceiling of the Magnaura. A faint red glow of his eyes is a disconcerting sight to those in the chamber.

With a physical blow his voice fills the chamber...deep...resonate...foreboding.

HEAR ME MEN OF THIS PLACE...!!

The shock wave of his voice brings all movement to a stand still. A few moments pass as every eye trains itself on what should be the figure of Senator Vringas.

HEED THE WORDS OF YOUR AGING DECREPIT, ADMINISTRATOR...WHILE I DEPLORE MEN OF HIS ILK, THEY ARE NECESSARY FOR THEY GIVE STRUCTURE AND ALLOW YOU TO LIVE OUT YOUR LIVES AND DREAMS ON THESE SACRED GROUNDS.

PASS THIS LAW...

OR I SHALL STRIKE YOU DOWN!!

...I AM THE DREAD LORD. I SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO CAN NOT.

The room is silent, Senator Vringas slumps back into his chair and is immediately attended to by members of the administration. He's taken from the chamber with help from a few guardsmen.

[_Tristan_]

I also second CA 5.1

Muttering to himself :"Seems like I'm not the only heathen in these halls..."

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios hears Apionnas's strange possession.

Why do I suddenly have the urge to strut around in obsidian armor, kick puppies, and stick the heads of Hungarians on pikes?

He shudders and goes about listening to the Senate session.

[_Tristan_]

Hearing the words of the Basileos, Methodios stands up and walks down to the center of the hall. He then addresses the assembly.

Basileos,
Caesar,
Fellow Senators,

It seems my adversary has finally agreed to plead guilty about the theft of Scopia.

I quote from memory :

Originally Posted by Nikiphoros Manouelitis

I used subterfuge, I connived, I conned and cheated my former Lord to regain membership in that House. I then used the law of Ilios Korakas to punish Tagaris.

And we all know what that punishment was destined to be : the theft of Scopia and the attempted theft of Alexandria.

See, the rules that were drafted on the creation of House Ilios Korakas were written among men of good faith : Kosmas and I among them… We knew we could trust each other and thus never would our rules be used among us to prejudice one another.

What we had not envisioned was that some untrustworthy fellow would be using those same rules, without regard to their value, for his own advancement.

But those rules were private rules, a gentlemen’s agreement if you prefer, and have no force of law per se. They are only designed to point the way to our House members as to how they should behave and for the day-to-day working of the House.

So here we are faced with a case of theft pure and simple. Though it is not necessary to the case at hand, for theft exists solely in the intent of acquiring what belongs to another, let us dwell on the motives behind such a move.

Here again I quote Manouelitis from memory :

Originally Posted by Nikiphoros Manouelitis

I will not suffer many offenses. The Magnaura must draw the line somewhere, and I wished to draw the line with the Sack of Alexandria.

So Manouelitis was motivated by his will to see justice rendered. But on whose authority ? Did this august body at one time declare him our legate in dealing with whatever was deemed necessary after the sack of Alexandria ? No, it did not…

Manouelitis appointed himself judge, jury and executioner in this and even more, he benefited from it. We might take him at face value on his will to clear his conscience by punishing me for my deeds, if only he hadn’t taken profit from it.

The people have confidence in the law and the judges because they are deemed to be impartial and incorruptible. Manouelitis is nothing near impartial (when was I given a chance to explain myself and plead my case ?) nor incorruptible (as demonstrated by the way he made Scopia his own after rendering judgment…)

Had he truly been what he professes to be, he should have deprived me of Scopia and made a gift of it to the Basileos to do with it as he saw fit, even returning it to him if such was his will… That he kept to himself shows that he had ulterior motives in acting this way.

This is why I call this theft and as far as I know this is also a crime against our laws, which Manouelitis seems so willing to uphold.

Thank you for hearing me, My Lords, fellow Senators…

Bowing to the Basileos.

My liege, I await your decision.

[OverKnight]

Aleksios turns to Nikiphoros.

Senator Manouelitis, do you have a rebuttal to Senator Tagaris's originial statement?

[_Tristan_]

Those seated next to Methodios can hear him grumbling.

Seems like he's not in too much of a hurry to do that...

[Warmaster Horus]

Pointedly ignoring what he thought he heard, and after ordering his scribes to pass copies of Tagaris' statement to the other Senators, Nikiphoros stands. Bowing to the Basileus, he takes the floor:
"Indeed I do, my Lord.

Basileus, Caesar, Senators...

I pledged to Ilios Korakas for its noble ideals. It was a new venture, but upon reading the Charter, I felt it was what I needed. Unfortunately, events soon proved to go against it. I speak of course of Alexandria. However, I entered Korakas before Alexandria. I could not know what was to come to pass. I held no ulterior motive. My wish was to become a man of Noble character, of deeds that benefited the Empire as a whole.
The Sack of Alexandria was terrible. It was the consequence, as my opponent says, of his rage. While we are all Men, and thus can make mistakes - errarum humanus est (to err is human) - we Senators are in charge of the Empire. An Empire! Thousands upon thousands of people! Can we truly allow ourselves to act through so much passion? Rather, if we are to act out of passion, can it be this kind of passion? Rage, choler... Negative emotions that bring the worst out of us all. And if we act badly, so suffers the Empire. If we punish such emotions, I feel future Senators can hold their anger. And so the Empire would benefit.
But let's not turn this to philosophy.
Tagaris tries to repent by going to Cairo. I mentionned in my first statement; I feel that is no excuse, and should not even be in relation to this case. Tagaris is near a Cairo in chaos. I ask, what Senator, what protector of the Empire would not go and defend its cities and citizens, even if it is from themselves? It is our duty to serve the Empire, and thus what the Megas asked of Tagaris was normal. All the Megas asked was to fulfill his duty.
Tagaris points out that he released me of my oath. This much is true. But Senators, I tell you to read the records of Ilios Korakas. You will see that I had been threatening Tagaris with punishment before he released me. Doing that - letting me go - was just a way for him to flee before the storm. Admittedly, perhaps I was not smart in mentionning what I might do publicly. But if Tagaris was such an honourable man, he would not have released me. He would have faced the storm straight on.
Tagaris is correct in his next words. I did cheat. I did scheme. But all I did was reply in the same manner. Had he not thrown me out of Ilios Korakas, I would not have done that. I would not have grovelled. Circumstances forced me to.
However, Tagaris is wrong about one thing he mentions next. I cared about Ilios Korakas. That is why I left afterwards. That is why I left it for Tagaris if he wishes it.
I may have cheated you out of a settlement, Tagaris. But you did not win it. You gained it through inheritance. You cannot say that "your" men gave their blood for. They are the men of the Empire and Emperor. Delusions of grandeur, perhaps? Or just a craving for power?

Basileus, Caesar, Senators...

I feel my speech is getting long enough, so I will try to hurry the end.
I did lie. I did cheat. I acted in a most dishonourable manner. I will plead guilty to that. But that is not the case here.
Finally, I would like to applaud Comes Methodios Tagaris. For a man who says he is no man of words... He does speak quite well. My esteem for him has indeed increased.
Thank you again for listening, Basileus, Caesar, Senators.

Bowing once more to the Basileus, Nikiphoros takes his seat. He seems less nervous this time - he's not chewing his nails, for one.

[OverKnight]

Aleksios speaks:

Thank you Senators. I will review your claims and then give a judgement. There is much to sort through, so please be patient.

He exits the Magnaura.

[woad&fangs]

A blood stained journal is delivered by a solemn looking man

February 11th, 1138

Moving inland towards Medina. The roadways built for religious pilgrims are serving me well. Saracen mercenaries have been hired to assist us.

February 12th

I am now within sight of Medina. Scouts report a small Fatimid army outside of Medina.

February 13th

The Fatimid field army is estimated at just over 400 men including 50 light Arabian cavalry. Garrison of Medina has been estimated at just over 300. It is governed by a man who’s name is impossible to describe using good Latin letters. Both armies are comprised of poorly equipped troops aside from their cavalry contingents. We will march on Medina in broad daylight. The Moslems would rather risk battle in the open field than see their holy city besieged. Once they are defeated, Medina will be helpless.

February 14th

The attack has begun. The enemy are choosing battle in the open field, just as I have planned.
.
.
.
Death befalls all men
But mine was my own doing
Lord forgive my sins

Here ends the life of Solomon