The Royal Council

[The Celtic Viking]

"Arrhenides, you unfortunately never become an aid as my father died making me the Basileus before you had the chance to accept. But for what it's worth, satraps inherit neither the position nor the aids. Had you been an aid, you would've had to swear loyalty to the new one before becoming it again.

As I announced to the Council when you were gone, I am heading down into Aigyptos to capture Alexandreia. If you can stand the heat there, I want you with me. I need experienced men like you down there. I will think about your request as well. I may have something in mind, but I don't think I should speak of it yet."

[The Celtic Viking]

Sarpedon stands up, eyes the council and then pronounces.

Members of the Council, I hereby declare the Council Session open! It will stay open for debate and legislation until 16.00 GMT on Friday, January 2nd, at which point there will be 48 hours allowed for voting.

[SwissBarbar]

Galaktión rises

My Lords, we must discuss the situation at the ptolemaic borderline again. The first Parthian Army seems to be leaderless - again. We could have won that war a long time ago, but the gods cursed us for some reason! We must find out, how to smooth them.

[GMaximus]

A small, skinny man with dark brown, slightly balding hair and a face reminiscent of a weasel, dressed in the traditional Hellenic fashion, quickly walks into the Council Chamber, nervously bowing to the Strategoi before proceeding to Alexander, Mikithion's makeshift messenger. A bit hesitantly, he pokes the sleeping soldier, then silently instructs something after the young man moves his helmet up from his eyes. Alexander quickly nodds, stands up, bows to the Strategoi and leaves, the relatively tiny Hellene taking his place.

"My Lords, I am Alkaios of Byzantion, Lord Mikithion's new representative in the Council outside of sessions and while he's busy on his way to Alexandreia-Ariane like instructed by Lold Phanias." With another nervous bow, the Byzantion Hellene takes Alexander's seat and quietly waits for someone to speak, ready to write down anything important.

[The Celtic Viking]

"The first thing I will have to do is assign a new commander to the 1st Parthian Army. If there is anyone in the area who feel they're up to the job, now is the time to speak up."

[Hax]

Andromachos rises

"The first Parthian you speak of, Basileos? Should no other person stand up, I'd be more than happy to serve the Arche as Strategos of this army."

Andromachos bows and is seated again.

[YouHaveRecieved]

I am wondering Basileus, will you claim your term as Chancellor during this session or did the last couple of years already count as that?

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Old Magistrate stands up...

If I may then I answer to that question myself. And the answer is simple - No. He was elected and it doesn't matter that he became Basileus during his term as Chancellor. So, Basileus Sarpedon can still use the power to automatically assume the post of Chancellor.

Bowing towards Basileus and Strategoi he resumes his seat..

[YouHaveRecieved]

Ah, that is what I thought. Thankyou Magistrate. This leaves only one question, Basileus. Will you take the reign of Chancellor once more because I for one think it should be so.

[Roka]

Nikanor enters bloody and dusty

"What is this I hear of the 1st Parthian being leaderless?"

He turns to the Basileus

"Have I been relieved of command? Not that it matters as I am hear to resign my command...."

He takes a breath to compose himself

"Those men died because I couldn't command them right...."

"However I do wish to avenge them, will any Strategos accept me into their army?"

[SwissBarbar]

What happened exactly, My Lord? Galaktión asked

[The Celtic Viking]

"I may do so, Phormion, but I'm not sure. But thank you for your support, and you do remind me.

Yes, that's right: whether or not I will have to use it, and if I will if I have to, I will run for a third term as Chancellor."

Sarpedon turns to Andromachos.

"You are quite far away, and it would take time for you to get to it. I'm not sure it would be a good thing to have the 1st Parthian grounded until then. But it does need retraining and with the reputation it has gained I may have to accept what I can get anyway. Very well - but I will expect results this time. Use this opportunity to prove that you can be trusted again, and do not fail."

"Oh, and Nikanor, I didn't say it was leaderless, I said I needed to find a new leader. You haven't done the duty that was laid upon you, and that's the chief reason why I am, indeed, relieving you of the command: the battle was just the final straw."

[MerlinusCDXX]

Phanias walks into the council chamber, only to find it empty save for a Magistrate. Oh, good, I won't have to make a speech. Walking over to the Magistrate's desk. Could you enter into the record that I am running for chancellor.

[navarro951]

Panaitolos catches the magistrate...

"Sir, I would like to also put my name in the records for the running of chancellor."

The Council eyes the young general

Panaitolos shrugs, "Hell, its a long shot, but id do the job as good as any other you can believe that gentlemen."

In confidence, through the awkward silence, he seats himself

[Incitatus]

Alexandros rises to speak

I am aware that this was discussed to some extent during the last Council session, but now that we have a new Basileus perhaps something has changed. In any event, there is no other topic on the table.
I would ask Basileus Sarpedon what his plans are for the coming attack on Egypt. Are we going to play it safe and limit ourselves to Alexandria, or does he plan on a more aggressive attack down the Nile? I believe it is known that I am in favor of hurting Ptolemy as much as we can (within reason, of course), and knowing whether the Royal Army would be willing to support such actions is obviously important.

[The Celtic Viking]

"Edict E1.2 states quite clearly that after Alexandreia is taken, we must demand that the Ptolemaioi become our protectorate. It passed, so there can be no equivocation. They must accept. If they do not, we can take Memphis - but chasing after them beyond that would be futile, and foolish. They would have no chance of threatening us anyway, and it would only cost us in men, money and time. We don't have much of either."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Since you can pretty much bet your life the Ptolemaioi won't just accept this demand because, well, it's programmed to be a stubborn idiot, is this one of those times we can use FD? I mean, if it even went as far as that in real life, I would bet they'd take what they could get.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Old Magistrate raises..

Basileus, I do have to remind you that ALL Edicts are in effect until the next Council Session comes along. So, after this one here ends all the last Edicts from the previous Council Session and Emergency Council Session will loose it's legitimacy. Actually they already have when a new Council Session was called.

OOC: We can use FD only if a diplomatic proposal have passed as an Edict. Other than that it can not be used.

[Celtic_Punk]

Do not forget its the Nile itself that funds Ptolemy. We must break his spine!

[navarro951]

"Well if their is no legislation ill start it off, my edict is to simply reenact the old plans for taking Alexandriea.

Edict 4.1: That Alexandreia be taken, that peace be proposed to the Ptolemy after its taking, and that its inhabitants are treated fairly and humanely.

[The Celtic Viking]

"In that case, magistrate...

Edict 5.2: Alexandreia must be taken.

Edict 5.3: After Alexandreia is taken, the Ptolemaioi should be demanded to become our protectorate."

Charter Amendment 5.1: a new sort of permanent edicts should be created that will be in effect until it is either fulfilled or taken out of effect by a vote in the council. It should be added to rule 3.3."

[MerlinusCDXX]

Second E4.1

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Wait a minute...shouldn't that be 5.1, navarro951, could you renumber your Edict so that it won't get dropped on a technicality.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Strategos Ankyrikos, I think you wanted to propose Edict 5.1 and not 4.1.

With the powers that the late Basileus Antiochos gave to me I propose this CA..

CA 5.2: If CA 5.1 passes then the following lines will be added to the Rule 3.3

3.3 Edicts

Edicts require a simple majority of votes to pass and remain in effect until the next normal session of the Council.
Tied Edicts fail. If contradictory Edicts are passed, the one with the most votes takes priority.
Everyone can propose Permanent Edicts (PE) the same way as normal Edicts. PE's will stay in effect until an Edict that changes them passes, they are fulfilled or taken out of effect by a vote in the council.

[SwissBarbar]

In the Name of the Satrap of Ipsos whose authorisation I enjoy, I second Charter Amendment 5.1 and 5.2, and also Edict 5.2

[everyone]

Hermokrates stands,
"I Second Edicts 5.2, 5.3 and CA 5.2"
He then takes his seat abruptly, after pausing for a moment appearing to think of what more to say

[kingsnake]

One more second is needed so I second CA 5.1.

I have a question for the magistrate. Once one becomes Strategos Hetairos and gets his 2 extra bodyguard units, can he keep these units, if he decides to become a Strategos Chreophylax?

[The Celtic Viking]

I 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 18:00 GMT on Sunday, January 2nd.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

(OOC: Polls will be up soon! )

[Mjolnir]

Strategos Parthiakes strides into the council chambers.

Greetings fellow Strategos, I apologize for my tardiness. I grow weary of mediating disputes between sheep herders in Arbela; and as I understand that the Ptolmaios remain a thorn in our sides in the south and wish to offer my services to the Basileus should there be any open spots in our Arche's armies.

Strategos Parthiakes takes his seat.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Magistrates turns towards Strategos Parthiakes...

I think that You, as the first Commander of 1st Parthian Army about decade ago, will get some good position from Basileus Sarpedon! It's good to hear that a man like you have decided to rejoin this Council!

Magistrate bows and smiles..

[The Celtic Viking]

"Indeed. In fact, I think it's best if you reclaimed command over the 1st Parthian. I had given that position to Andromachos, but as you have more experience commanding men into battle, and have led the 1st Parthian itself before, I now give it to you instead. You should head west as soon as you can. The army is currently in a fort down by the southern border, but it is badly wounded and will have to make its way back up north to Antiocheia for retraining."

Sarpedon turns to Andromachos.

"I hope you don't take this as an insult, for it is certainly not for any personal reason that I do this. I still wish for you to join the 1st Parthian. See battle with him, and make sure that what just happened to the 1st Parthian doesn't happen again."