The Royal Council

[Incitatus]

Alexandros rises

Basileus, I have a few questions as well. Does one have to be a Strategos Epilektos to be appointed? And is this new rank required for promotion to Strategos Hetairos? Also, can the Strategos Chreophylax command the garrison of his city without having to ask permission?

[Ibn-Khaldun]

After some thoughts Antiochos calls one of his slaves and hands him some papers. Slave walks around and gives those to the Strategoi present.

Everything about the new rank is explained in there..

OOC:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The new rank have the same power as Satraps and this mean that they can set the tax level and set up build queue. This means that Basileus can't ask Chancellor to build there something if the local governor have set up different build queue. They can't however ask recruitment of any units (I leave that power to Basileus and Satraps only) though they can use the garrison to defend the settlement and use them against brigands without asking.
Also, you need only one management point to get this rank and you must be present in the province of that settlement that you govern. This is different from the Satraps who can leave from their Satrapies and still control it.
This should make things more interesting in my opinion. Also, this should bring people who can't lead any of those armies closer to the game if they can at least govern a settlement.

Antiochos continues...

I also want to announce that I will grant Alexandria-Ariane to Satrap Phanias Laodikeias Lydikes. He have been a good Satrap and a good Chancellor in these hard times so I trust this new settlement into his hands.

Now, if there are other question about my proposed new rank then feel free to ask them. I'll extend this Council for another 7 hours. So this means that Fourth Council Session will end GMT Dec 7, 2008
07:00.

If you can get someone to second your Edicts then feel free to propose them!

[Celtic_Punk]

"Alexandros, I'll take this time now to apologize for taking Sinope without you. You missed a good duel, my friend! The coward knew how to defend himself... Just not his kingdom. I invite you to join me on the up and coming attack against Pyhrros. If Aratos wouldn't mind another band of soldiers to join him? Cunobelinus turns to Aratos He's a good soldier... I marched with him through Judea and back... He would make a fine addition to the army."

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Antiochos stands..

I hereby declare that the time for proposing legislation has passed! Voting will begin shortly. There will be a two day period for voting. Voting will end at 09:00 GMT on Tuesday, December 9th.

[kingsnake]

"Yes Cunobelinus, he may join the Syrian Army, any addition is welcome, specially cavalry and bodyguards!

However I will take this opportunity to notice you and also propose to our emperor Antiochos I that, the Syrian Army ranks be replenished on Antiocheia and then, continue south to fulfill this army's true duty, the defense of Syria, and to expand the empire south to Petra and the aigyptian shores of the Erythraen sea.

I also wish to know the method one becomes a Strategos Chreophylax? Can I in my conquests assume that rank, as I have governing experience, and govern a freshly conquered city?"

[The Celtic Viking]

"No. You must at least have 1 point in management to be eligible for it, and then the acting Chancellor must appoint it to you before you can actually assume the rank."

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Antiochos nods...

Sarpedon have got it right..

[navarro951]

If the 1st Syrian Army is to return to its proper stomping ground, then I wish to also ask the Basileus if I should then head north from Antiocheia to fight the Epirotes to defend the area around Lydia with the 1st Lydian. I suppose it is our proper place likewise.

[Celtic_Punk]

Proper stomping ground? We are the most accomplished army, and have done so when the syrian army was called else where. Don't get upset when we mop up a mess you should clean up. The names of the armies do not matter when the Arche is at risk. I suggest the first army that can muster up and prepare itself to move out gets to campaign against the Epirotes.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

One of the Magistrates stands up and says...

Our new Chancellor is Sarpedon Syriakos!

[Celtic_Punk]

Cunobelinus stands up Congratulations... He turns to address the council We've made a grave mistake. If Phyrus has any sense he will attack us while we wait to secure the South. Speed would have been our ally. Like an infection, the Epirotes will spread across Lydia and Pontus. Pergamon will be one of their first targets, Ipsos will be a second. I bid you politicians good day, I will return to the Syrian army, and wait for Phyrus' move. Should they strike, Edict 4.3 should be overridden and we should mount a retaliatory strike IMMEDIATELY! Cunobelinus nods to the Basileus and then to Sarpedon. He makes a quick about-turn then marches out of the council

[SwissBarbar]

Galaktión stands too

I bring the best wishes for the new Chancellor from my master.

[kingsnake]

So since the new amendment I am back to the rank of Strategos Epilektos, am I mistaken?

Finally, before I leave, I wish to know a decision from the Basileus. Do you favor a quick attack on Epeiros and so send the already fully trained Lydian Army, while the Syrian moves south for retraining then to Egypt? Or do you will for a quick reinforcement of our southern borders and send the Lydian army there, while the Syrian army retrains then moves against Epeiros?

Chancellor Sarpedon, please, do summon new garrisons for the recently conquered pontic cities of Sinope and Amasseia as fast as possible, so the army under my command may move to retraining.

[GMaximus]

Mikithion rose as well, motioning for Lysimakes to get ready to leave as well.

"Indeed, I too congratulate Kleronomos Sarpedon for his reasumption of duties as a Chancellor. Although I had largely missed his first term in this position - and that was the only reason why I voted for our noble Phanias, and I hope I shall not lose your friendship because of this - its echoes have reached me; and if at least half of them are true, then I can only pray for Athena to bless your second term, may it be as great as the first one."

"Now, however, I must take my leave; I promised my men I would not waste much time after the Council is over - although I would not call spending time with such noble men a waste of that most precious thing, my men are children of Ares and I would not want to keep them waiting any longer. For the meantime, I trust young Alexander will represent me well on whatever little matters needed and carry whatever messages to me that would be necessary."

"Esteemed Basileus, great men of the Arche..." With a low bow to Antiochos and a smaller one towards the general direction of the other Strategoi, Mikithion turned around on his heel and left, followed by Lysimakes, who was obviously trying to maintain an air of mysteriousness and wisdom around himself.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Antiochos speaks..

Congratulations Sarpedon! Our first Chancellor elections and you win with just one point. Hope the next election will be as tense as this one was!

Anyway, back to business. Let's see the orders for the Armies now.

1st Lydian Army and 1st Parthian Army should try to work together. Hierosolyma, Petra, Palmyra, Bostra are open for your attacks. You can choose the right time when to attack them and whether you attack them alone or you combine your forces. BUT your first priority is to get rid of any Ptolemaic Armies that wonder in Ioudaia.

1st Syrian Army must be collect all units into one Army. Divided they will be easy pickings to our enemies. When I speak about enemies then I mean Epeiros. And they are your next target. According to the Edict 4.1 you should fight your way to Byzantium, take it and fortify Chersonesos Thraikia.

My son Sarpedon, I can not order you to send your army to anywhere since you have to protect your Satrapy but if possible then I hope you can help fighting against Epeiros.

And I will head south against Ptolemaioi and my target is..

Antiochos looks around and smiles..

.. Alexandreia!

It's time to pay back for the lives we lost!

[The Celtic Viking]

"Thank you all! It is with great pride and a prudent sense of duty that I take this responsibility once again. I will do my best to further the glory of the Arche at this important hour in our history.

To answer your request, Aratos, it shall be done. Ankyra may need a garrison as well, as I will have to pull my army out of there when I leave for Byzantion. I will let Epigenes have the last word on that, though, as he will know best."

Sarpedon turns to Antiochos.

"Yes, father, it has been decided since before that Aratos and Arrhenides will go for Nikaia while I make my way past to take Byzantion at the same time. I wish you great luck on your campaign! Remember to hit them a little extra for Aratos Mysiakes, as a gift from me. He was a good friend of mine, and if I didn't have duties elsewhere, I would have thought more than three times about joining you and dealing it out myself." Sarpedon sighs. "But I should not linger in the past. All my thoughts shall be directed forward, on what is and on what is to become. I will leave tomorrow morning. If there are any requests, questions or anything concerning my Chancellorship, you are welcome to come and see me. Otherwise I would ask that you at least wait until the morning."

Sarpedon raises his right hand and bows his head, and then proceeds out of the door.

[kingsnake]

Aratos looked confused as he eyed his representative than got up.

It has been decided the Syrian army is to siege Nikaia? Or did my representative here failed to report any strategy discussion and final decision to me, because I have not been aware of this since I have arrived. So who decided this and why wasn't the commander of the Syrian army called for this decision?

Aratos sneered.

Eitherway I will study this strategy and I'll present any objections very soon, shall they appear.

Ex Chancellor Phanias and Basileus, is there any other city where I can train the army and is in my way to Nikaia? Going south to Antiocheia could be avoided then.

The army is consisted by:

4 Pantodapoi Phalangitai
1 Peltastai
1 Sphendonetai
1 Prodromoi
1 Hippakontistai

[The Celtic Viking]

Hilarion, who had been left to represent Sarpedon in the Council while he was away, stood up.

"I believe I can answer that, Aratos. During the session that ended just now, Arrhenides, after agreeing with Sarpedon that his Royal Army should also get involved, proposed that he and the Syrian army would go and take Nikaia, while Sarpedon moves on to take Byzantion. Sarpedon agreed to this, because he thought you had allowed him to speak for you, especially seeing as you did not intervene or object. Is this not so? Should I bring him back for you?

I think I can answer your question about retraining as well. If you are stationed in Sinope right now, the only possible place for you to retrain your army that lies somewhat between you and Nikaia would be Sarpedon's satrapy. Unfortunately, no retraining outside of Sarpedon's Royal Army is allowed in Ipsos due to manpower shortages, and the only units you can retrain in Sardis are the peltastai and, perhaps, the sphendonetai. The hippakontistai should be retrainable in Pergamon, but as for the rest, there's no way. I doubt the prodromoi could be retrained there anyway, even if we had enough men to conquer the world.

So your only choice is, regrettably, Antiocheia. Trust me when I say that Sarpedon isn't doing this out of choice, but out of necessity, and has been working actively to fix this problem. I hope you understand."

[MerlinusCDXX]

Hmmm, it appears there are some logistical issues with our new battleplan. First off, congratulations Sarpedon on your election to chancellor. Maybe I can suggest that, since the Lydian army is fully equipped and ready to go, that it leave immediately to go to Asia Minor, and that the Syrian army go to Antiocheia to retrain, and then continue on south to the coast. This seems like it would cut down on the "lag time" for the Epeirote campaign that would result from the Syrian army travelling all the way to Antiocheia, retraining, and then having to go retrace its steps all the way back to Asia Minor to fight the Epeirotai. It just seems like a whole lot of extra marching to me. Since the 1st Parthian is already near the border, it could hold the border and maybe take Hierosolyma, while the Syrian travels to Antiocheia for retraining. Once the Syrian is fully retrained, possibly they can patrol the coast to clear it of Ptolemaioi armies and continue on to Petra, paving the way for the Royal Army.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

After listening what the others said Antiochos speaks..

I was not sure how much retraining does 1st Syrian need. If you say that it does need to go Antiocheia for it then I trust you. In that case, 1st Lydian Army should head towards Epeirote territories immediately!

One of Antiochos' slaves whisper something to him...

Oh.. yes.. Unfortunately, Aratos, you are back to the rank of Strategos Epilektos. I had a plan to make Hetairos rank to be more important and I had no plans of taking away it from those who have earned it fighting hard battles for the Arche. But I guess that Epeirote campaign will get to the next rank faster than you know!

[kingsnake]

There is no problem, Basileus, I just doubted if the new amendment was retroactive or not.

I have studied the battle plans, I have no objection in taking Nikaia. You don't need to call your master, Hilarion.

Yes, great Basileus, the Syrian army needs retraining. However, I believe it can take Nikaia, knowing from the vague spy reports. It is a big risk, their weak but are double our size, more less, incomming enemy reinforcements could also arrive meanwhile. If we win it will be with large casualties and units could be destroyed to the point they cannot be retrained anymore.
I advise your greatness to look personally into the plan's details.

Aratos bowed and sat.

[Hax]

Andromachos rises from his seat

"May I point out that perhaps attacking Bithynia might anger the tribes of Thrace and Getia, since they have been allied with the Bithynians for some time. Even though they might not pose a serious threat to our Kingdom, they might fund a rebellion in Bithynia. If we do attack, however, I suggest that the citizens be treated as kindly as possible. Dissenters, however, must be dealt with."

Andromachos takes his seat again.

[The Celtic Viking]

"Andromachos, the question of attacking Bithynia is no longer about "if", but of "when". I did not see you during the session, so perhaps you missed it, but we've discussed the strategy enough and Edict 4.1, which called for Bithynia and Chersonesos Thraikia to be conquered, passed unanimously. If the Thraikians would still prefer their Epeirote overlords, then Sarpedon and Aratos will just have to teach them not to take arms against the Arche! So says I, Hilarion son of Hippolytos."

[johnhughthom]

Lykikos stands

Fellows, I know I should have raised this earlier but I must have misunderstood. I am concerned at the idea of taking Byzantion, it will alarm the Greeks and be seen as a prelude to an invasion. I wholeheartedly agree with taking Asia Minor, but moving into Europe will be seen as an aggresive move by all hellenes. If we attack Byzantion our Basileus will be seen as a new Darius, a new Xerxes. We will be the new Persian Empire attempting to subdue all of Greece. Nothing would bring them together more than this.

He sits once again

[The Celtic Viking]

"With all due respect, Lykikos, how could you have misunderstood? Byzantion was specifically named in the Edict from the very beginning - an Edict which you voted in favour of.

But for what it's worth, I'm unconcerned with how tha Spartans and Athenians would see us going there. Let them whine, I say! You shouldn't forget that they used to be allies of the Ptolemaioi before, and I don't buy for a second that they were forced into it. The Epeirotes will naturally oppose it, but who cares what are enemies think? We're taking their lands, after all. As for the Makedonians, they would welcome our arrival. As is, they have been sending emissaries to Sarpedon for some while now, begging for help in a war that they're losing. Would you just leave an ally in need high and dry?

No, the Edict passed and the Edict stays. Byzantion must fall."

[johnhughthom]

My friend, I was not trying to get another vote on the edict. As you say the edict has passed and so it will stay. I did vote for it myself so cannot complain. I simply believe that we were brought together here to express our opinions, no matter how late in the day. As you say though, the fault is mine and I will not raise the issue again. Tha assault on Byzantion has my full support.

[everyone]

A stranger near the council chamber's doors speaks
"My Lord the Basileus! Fellow Strategoi! Greetings! I am Hermokrates Parthikos. I notice I might have arrived at an awkward time seeing everyone is discussing the campaign to capture Byzantion and Bythinia."
he takes a step forward towards the throne
"My Lord, do you have any orders for me? Or are there any armies that require my assistance?"

[The Celtic Viking]

Hilarion stands up and raises his right arm to greet him.

"Hail, Hemokrates! I am Hilarion, an old friend of Kleronomos Basileios Sarpedon Syriakos, whom I'm representing here in the council while he's occupied elsewhere. On his behalf, I welcome you!

As a matter of fact, there is an open spot for you in his Royal Army. After the campaign against Epeiros, Mikithion, Sarpedon's current Hetairos and second-in-command, will leave for the north-east. If you wish, you can take that spot when he leaves. If you choose to accept this invitation, there may be an opening for you to become Sarpedon's aid, once you've proved yourself trustworthy."

[SwissBarbar]

Galaktión stands up and nods to the new Strategos in the council

Welcome Hermokrates Parthikos, in behalf of my Master, Nikarchos Asterias Syriakes i bid you welcome. May your syrian forefathers watch and guard you well on your path serving the great Arche Seleukeia.

He smiles friendly, nods again and turns to Hilarion

Dear Master Hilarion, i hope your Lord Syriakos is still willing to let my Master join his army, when the campaign against Epeiros starts. He is bitterly unhappy about the fact, that he missed the campaign against pontos, to which your Master invited him, due to the long way to Ipsos. Since he was the first one in this council to recommend a war against Epeiros, he would be greatly honoured to be among the first ones who pass the borderline of the epirote empire at your side.

With that he sits back on his seat

[The Celtic Viking]

"Yes, Nikarchos is still welcome. His absence at Ankyra is understandable, and frankly what was expected. No blame is laid upon your master, friend. In any case, who would deny a true Makedonian such as your master a place in a campaign to save Makedonia itself? Sarpedon certainly would not, and if he makes his way there, he shall have a place secured in the Royal Army. Just remember that a soldier too tired to hold his sword is of no use to an army."