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

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Theo lowers his head and sighs..

Another good Senator have died..

[ULC]

Indeed...it is a terrible loss, and I shall mourn Senator Annios's passing.

[OverKnight]

Aleksios reenters the Maganura.

Annios Solomon will be missed. He paid the ultimate price for his convictions and his sacrifice serves as an example of service for the entire Empire.

His passing must also give us a lesson in caution. We are powerful and brave, but we are not immortal. A blade or axe will kill us as quickly as any other man. I know many Senators wish to make a name for themselves, and rightly so, but a live Senator is of more use to the Empire than a dead one. We must take that risk into account before throwing ourselves into a battle with poor odds.

Aleksios pauses, and speaks again:

Now, to the matter of Scopia.

This was a very complicated case. At first glance, it appears simple: Senator Tagaris gave Scopia to Senator Manouelitis after he joined Methodios's new House. However, things grow murky after this. The end result is that Senator Tagaris feels Scopia is his because it was accepted in bad faith. Senator Manouelitis feels that he is punishing Senator Tagaris by taking Scopia from him.

Senator Tagaris indeed gave Scopia away for a promise of service. Senator Manouelitis broke this oath, but he has the right to do this and keep the land he was given. However, a strict interpretation of the rules will only cause this situation to fester and lead to future conflict, though this is a result that may happen anyway despite my efforts.

My judgement is this: Scopia belongs to Senator Manouelitis. However, if he accepts it, he cannot swear a new oath of fealty or accept one until 1147. This roughly doubles the ban he is currently under for oath-breaking. If he wishes to enter or start a House before that time, he must return Scopia to Senator Tagaris. If the Senator took Scopia out of a purely selfless motivation, I'm sure this decision will not be a burden.

Despite all that has been said about Senator Tagaris's breaking of an Edict, no one has proposed legislation, despite an oppurtunity to do so, to sanction him for it. With the loss of Scopia, I consider the matter of Alexandria closed. I will vote against again further punishment of the Senator. He has served the Empire well.

I thank both Senators for their patience.

[Warmaster Horus]

"My Lord, thank you for resolving this matter.

Methodios, perhaps we can forgive, if not forget?"

[TinCow]

A scribe whispers something in the Protoasecretes' ear.

"WHAT?! It can't possibly be that time already, can it?! Ah, well... let's get it over with so that I can go back to napping."

"I hereby declare the Senate Session of 1140 AD open! It will remain open until Friday, September 19th at 02:00 GMT."


OOC: Please note that I will be out of town from Thursday, September 18th (which is before debate ends) until Thursday October 2nd (well after the next term has begun). I WILL have a laptop with me and will be online occasionally during that time, but that is because I just bought a house and need to be in touch with my agents. My interactions with the Org will be minimal. For the entire duration of my absence, GeneralHankerchief will be filling in as GM and will have all powers and abilities that I have previously held. Do try to behave.

[Smowz]

The gentle murmur of quiet chatting resonates around the great Magnaura hall. It is a quiet and difficult time around the capital, the Moorish Jihad as been pillaging and harassing the local countryside making it difficult to even make it to the Senatorial session. Despite the shuffling and general feeling of malice there is one that walks with a bright step, his name is Nevoulas ek Philadelphius. He walks in to the magnaura as he never has before, with some confidence he eagerly shakes the hand of many of the various peoples in and around the chamber.

Striding into the the main ring, Nevoulas looks around, clears his throat and says.

Senators, I bid you all fond greetings.

Whilst the capitol itself is under siege you will find the Eastern parts of the empire is strong spirits. Anatolia has been cleansed of the Turkish threat. The long work of the armies of the Komnenodoukai in the North and the Asteri in the south have conquered the land mass and wiped it clean of Turkish raiders. Further afield the Order are now the occupying force in the holy land and the crusade has proved an eventual success led by the fierce warrior Methodios Tagaris.

After some years of careful consideration I have decided to announce that I, Nevoulas ek Philadelphius, will run for the position of Megas Logothetes for the 5th term.

Some may question my credentials, I assure you that I am well prepared to take this honour and run this empire with similar panache and brilliance as those before me.

Our first duty is to wreak an mighty revenge on those that will oppose us. The mopping up operation continues in Egypt and the Turkish outer provinces, I intend to deal with these Moors in some measure also.

It is also high time that we paid more attention to our Western frontier, those treacherous catholics who enjoy our fine trade managed to allow this Moorish Jihad to slip through their territories unhindered, how dare they!!!

Finally, I am well aware of the financial restrictions of the empire and will work tirelessly to ensure not only are the books balance but our coffers are overflowing with excess to prepare for all eventualities.

I thank you my fellow senators and look forward to conversing with you all in due course.

With that Nevoulas turns to take a seat on the front row of the Asteri section of the gallary, wiping the sweat of off his brow he waits to see what the senate makes of this surprising display.