The Royal Council

[Ibn-Khaldun]

The Royal Council

Some magistrates are entering to the Council Hall and one of them steps forward and starts to speak..

"Strategoi of Arche Seleukeia! Welcome to the Royal Council. I must first start off by paying proper homage to the Basileus Antiochos Syriakos. May he live a long and prosperous life! Let no Strategos forget that we are assembled here to serve his will and aid him in the governance of Arche Seleukeia!"

"Now, since some of you are newly risen to the rank of Strategos, let me remind you of the basic rules of this Council. First, Edicts and Amendments can only be proposed while the Royal Council is in session. You can conduct business in here whenever you wish, but legislation itself is restricted to formal sessions. I will notify you when sessions begin and end and my word on the matter is final!"

"Second, do not bother proposing legislation that you are not qualified to propose. To prevent us from being paralyzed by pointless paperwork, our wise ancestors have previously decreed that various amounts of seniority of rank are required to propose certain numbers of Edicts and Amendments. Any Senator who exceeds his allocated quota will have his excess submissions stricken from the record, regardless of their nature!"

"Third, with few exceptions, all legislation must be seconded by two
Strategoi before it can be put to the vote. Do not come whining to me if your prized Edict does not end up on the ballot because you were too lazy to gather supporters before you proposed it!"

"Fourth, make sure your legislation is formulated in the proper manner! It is hard enough to keep track of the mass of paperwork that goes on in this building. For our own sanity, please format your legislation in the following manner: Edict/Amendment X.Z: Text of Edict/Amendment. (X = Number of the Senate session, Z = Number of the Edict/Amendment within the Senate session.) For example, the third Edict proposed at the fourth Senate session would look like this: Edict 4.3: All Strategoi will drink bear instead of wine. The numbers of all Edicts and Amendment proposed during an Emergency Session will be the same, but with an E preceding the numbering (i.e. Edict E4.3).

"Finally, violence will not be permitted in the Royal Council! Limit your attacks to verbal sparring only! Any Strategos bringing a weapon into the building, or raising his fist to a fellow Strategos, will be forcibly removed by the guards. We are not barbarians!"

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Basileus Antiochos Syriakos stands and says..

"I am glad to see all of you here! Our Empire is in troubles so you have been summoned to give advice and to lead our glorious armies to victory against our enemies! So without further delay..

I declare the First Council Session open! It will stay open for debate and legislation until 6 pm EST on Friday, September 12th, at which point there will be 48 hours alloted for voting."

Antiochos smiles and continues...

"Now.. Before you propose your laws I have to say the following..

I use my power and declare myself as the new Chancellor. I have reasons for that since none of you have the required rank to become Chancellor.

Secondly, I create three Satrapies. First one in Persepolis, second one in Ipsos, third in Hekatompylos. Who will become a Satrap will be revealed later during this Council Session.

Thirdly, I will move the capital from Antioch to Seleukeia where I reside at the moment.

Fourth, I propose the following Edict:

Edict 1.1: "Following Regular Armies shall be created: 1rst Syrian Army(in Antiocheia), 1rst Lydian Army(in Sardis), 1rst Parthian Army(in Hekatompylos)"

So.. what are your thoughts?

Antiochos sits back on his throne..

[kingsnake]

There was 5 second interval. Then Aratos spoke:
"Greetings!"

He hesitated, then rose.

"Greetings, Great Basileus and fellow Strategoi! I am Aratos Arathousas Syriakes, I praise this reform it will prove to be a wise decision... But I and many others here, I'm sure, were caught unsuspecting, and haven't prepared any Edict or Amendment for this Council.

Propositions may surge in the following days when the Strategoi have reflected, so I will ask some questions about the state of Arche Seleukeia, I do receive very few news from our eastern territories... If you don't mind please update your fellow patriots, Basileus, about the situation on the Baktrian territories, the nomadic threat and our current diplomatic relations with the western peoples.
Also how will the Basileus choose the rulers of each Satrap?

Thank you."

Aratos sat down and scratched his beard.

[Warmaster Horus]

One of the Magistrates, an official who liaises with the Library officials, speaks up:
"Strategoi, I believe this is partly the fault of the Library. It had fallen into disuse, and much like you men of the Council, was caught unawares. The Library will require a couple of days to get all the relevant information in.

I can however mention the fact that we are at war with the Ptolemaic dynasty, and their allies the Greeks of Sparte, Athenai and Rhodos. For information on our country, some scrolls mention our financial, military, production, population situations. It is a place to start looking for information."

[The Celtic Viking]

Sarpedon Syriakos rises from his seat.

Aye, barbarians are forming in the north, but the main threat is, as it ever has been since Megas Alexandros' death, Ptolemaios in the south with his Aigyptian hordes. If we are to keep our mighty empire for ourselves, we need to act against them quickly, and with force. I second Andromachos' proposal to make for Sardis, and propose that this should be the task given to the 1st Syrian Army, and whomever may get the honour to command it.

But lets not forget that Ptolemaios and the barbarians to the north aren't the only threats to us. Pontos is growing ever stronger, and though they don't threaten us yet, only a fool would stand idling by. However, I do not propose that we should move against them yet, but are not Pamphyria and Kilikia still under Ptolemaic control? It is for that reason that I, Sarpedon Syriakos, propose that I should be given control over the 1st Lydian Army, and with it take control over these territories in the Great Basileus' name. It would not do to risk having two fronts in Mikro Asia alone, especially not when we already face that problem with Ptolemaios and the barbarians to the north.

Sarpedon sits down while Hilarion, who had been sitting next to him during his speech, whispers something in his ear.

[Hax]

Andromachos Syriakos rises and looks at the King

"Hail, brother-in-law, and hail, fellow councillors. I would like to stress the point that at this moment, Lydia and the rest of Mikra Asia are no real threat to us and neither is the so-called Kingdom of Pontos. However, the Arsacid incursions to our north are a problem indeed. Our next main problem are the Ptolemaioi in Aigyptos. Securing their holdings in Mikra Asia and the Sinaï will boost our economy as well as it will give us a chokehold between the lands of Aigyptos and Asia.

Furthermore, to deal with this Arsacid threat from the north, I request that I will be granted the position of satrap of Persepolis and the rest of the eastern provinces. Most of our trade stems from the far Indos of Sandrokottos and even farther to the lands yet unknown to us. If I was to be made satrap, I could control the trade and root out things as corruption. Do not forget that our armies have to be paid by gold, and the east is rich in gold."

Andromachos clears his throat and is seated again.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Antiochos says to the Magistrate quietly..

I apologize to open this Council Session so early. If you and others need some time to get the Library up to date then I can extend this current Session.

Turning towards Andromachos...

I will think about you becoming Satrap of Persepolis. Since your management skills are known then this could most likely to happen.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Andromachos have 2 Management points. According to the rules he can have 1 additional province in his Satrapy. If he will have one.

I had a plan where our Lydian Army from one side and our Syrian from the other side will attack the Ptolemaic holdings in Mikra Asia and conquering them. Me myself, with my Royal Army, will come from Seleukeia to Syria to defend our borders while our 2 Regular Armies are taking care of the Ptolemaic threat in Mikra Asia.

In the same time our 1rst Parthian Army will try to hold our eastern provinces until we can send there more men.

And perhaps then we can go south and take care of the rest of Ptolemaic settlements like you suggested.

Turning to Attalos..

How will I choose the rulers for each Satrapy? Simple. You have to be near the capital of the Satrap and have some Influence or Management skills.

And what are our relations to our neighbors? Bad would be kind word. Pahlava will attack us soon I'm sure. Baktria declared itself independent and broke Alliance with us. We are at war with Saka Rauka. Hayasdan broke the Alliance as well. We are at war with the Greeks just like Magistrate told you..

Antiochos nods towards the Magistrate and smiles..

Our eastern settlements are rioting. More than 600 people have died. Buildings have been destroyed or damaged. This is most likely the work of Baktria and Pahlava.

So anymore questions?

[Warmaster Horus]

The Magistrate hurriedly says:
"No problem whatsoever my Lord. We act by your Will.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: this is the Will of the Basileus, after all.

I'll just tell the Librarians to redouble their efforts."
And mutters under his breath:
"Tell them to start working, rather..."

[Hax]

Andromachos rises once again and bows before Antiochos

"Thank you, my lord. Furthermore, I propose the following edict:"

Edict 1.2: "Send envoys to the steppe nomads of the Sakae tribes, to propose a complete cease-fire."

"We could learn from these men, friends. Even though they are indeed barbaroi, they know the way how the Arshkanig fight. We can defeat the poorly-armed levies of the eastern settlements, but these steppe-nomads may bring new ways of fighting that we need to learn to adapt to."

[LordofUmbar]

Bithys Nisaias Parthiakes stands up to address the assembly:

Great Basileus, I salute you.

Our great nation is faced with war on many fronts. And considering the danger the Ptolemaios present, I would expect that that theater would need much attention. However, the eastern front cannot be abandoned. We cannot let thousands die before nomads and treacherous Baktrians. I have live for many years on our northeastern border and have seen many a good soldier die for the Basileus.

Considering my long dealings with the east and knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses, I ask that I be given the Satrapy of Hekatomylos so that I may better serve you with my knowledge.

Irregardless of whether I receive this post, I would suggest that I be given command of the 1st Parthian army as I am situated on the border with the treacherous Pahlava.

I also agree that we cannot fight all our enemies in the east at once so I also second Edict 1.2.

Sits down

[kingsnake]

Aratos rises.

"No questions here my lord. I agree in seizing the egyptian Mikro Asian holdings, I myself crossed Kilikia on my journey here and met some of our scouts... They report that these lands, that Sarpedon Syriakos mentioned, have lowered their defenses. I fear they are strenghting their syrian armies. A quick strike could do the job with both regular armies, each on one city. Then I propose another quick strike. The 1st Lydian army seizes the independent city of Halikarnassos, and the Syrian Army conquers Kypros in its way back to Syria. All this time the Royal Army defends Syria, and the other regular armies defend their positions.

What will be the timing between Council Sessions? I believe we can decide the next steps on the next Council, no?

Also I think we should improve our relations with Baktria, let them fight and weaken both themselves, the enemy barbarians and even the Indians, if they dare invade them. When we are finished with Mikro Asia - we seize these weakened lands!" he pounds his fist on the stone soundlessly.

"The Aygiptians and the western hellenes are already strong, I don't believe they can get anymore with our constant military and financial pressure and their local wars... So I say after Mikro Asia, includind Pontos, we control the Baktrian and Parthian problem, why not conquer the indians if we have the chance." Aratos' eyes narrowed and his voice grew louder. "Finally Aygiptos and Makedonia can be taken care of!"

He calmed down, laughed and looked around at each Strategos. "I am probably going beyond what we can achieve in our mortal lifes. However we must remember Megas Alexandros, remember is deeds and remember his dream, for it is also this empire's dream and we must prove it, as did Alexandros!"

Silence. Aratos remained standing.

"Finally, Basileus, will each Satrapy be awarded with an army?"

He then sat.

[The Celtic Viking]

Father, I have come to a decision: for my cavalry regiments, I would like another unit of Prodromoi, as well as a unit of Asiatikoi Hippakontistai, if possible. Thank you.

[Chaotix]

Hail, Basileus! I have just returned from Side, which I captured from the Ptolemies and occupied with our own forces. The citizens are not happy, however, and we can only tax them lightly lest they rebel. If Your Excellency wishes it, I will return there to keep the peace. If I may suggest it, roads from Side to Ipsos would make travel in the region much faster.

In addition, the First Lydian Army has taken light casualties (see the battle thread for full details), and I would humbly relinquish it unto Your Highness' control for it to be retrained, if necessary. Then, if Your Sagacity would again deem me worthy, I would lead it to battle against whomever Your Wisdom decides on. I myself would humbly suggest that the city of Halikarnassos is a fine target.

Thank you for listening to my words, mighty Basileus.

And to the noble Panaitolos Ankyrikos:

I apologize for not being here to answer the question you posed, but I was busy with the siege, and alas, I had no servant ready to receive or send messages. (OOC: I haven't checked this thread in a while, sorry). I would be most honored if you accompanied myself and the First Lydian Army. Right now, I believe it is going to be retrained, although that is the Basileus' decision.

[The Celtic Viking]

Hilarion raises his hand and waves it towards Antiochos.

"Great Basileus, first of all I would like to apologize for Sarpedon's absence. He is currently indisposed at the moment, and couldn't come himself, so he sent me to speak for him in his stead.

The message he's bidden me to give to you, milord, is that he feels that he has proven himself as a very capable satrap, and that he has earned the right for a bigger responsibility. He would like to ask that Side and Mazaka should be added to his satrapy, so that they could prosper under his wise rule."

"Not that they fared ill under your rule, of course!", Hilarion quickly added.

There's another thing that he has noticed though: the government in Tarsos is still loyal to the Ptolemaioi! How can this have been tolerated? Surely you must agree with lord Sarpedon when he says that it should immediately be dissolved and replaced by one loyal to us, not our greatest enemies! Also don't forget to do the same in Side as well, now that it is under our control."

Hilarion bows low.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Antiochos smiles..

I will think about Sarpedon's request. He have the skills I must say!

The government 'type' in Tarsos will change soon. So, people don't have to worry about that anymore(OOC: Will change it the next time I take the save. That is probably tomorrow 12-13 GMT)

Also, Sarpedon, I will recruit those cavalry regiments to your Royal Army as you requested.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Antiochos says to one of his scribes..

Message should be sent to Parthiakes and the First Parthian Army. They should move near Asaak and build a fort there. Soon another Council Session will be opened and then we will see what will be the next mission for the Parthian Army.