The Royal Council

**The Celtic Viking** · 05-30-2009, 10:46

"No, I haven't gained any such reports, so this comes as a surprise to me. Why wasn't new soldiers raised elsewhere and sent there as reinforcements?

As for the terms, I can't say to any certainty, because I don't know the mindset of this Makedon commander - indeed, I don't even know his name. I doubt that any of you know his mindset either, so I don't suppose you can make any clear assessment on that, either. It must be done by the diplomat on spot. If it's true that they've lost all their land in Greece - which is none too surprising, given that we have, because of these filthy rebels, been unable to send proper support to them against the Epeirotai. It is possible then that they may be striking out of desperation. It is possible that, should we give them the safe passage and support to strike at Byzantion instead, and that way gain a foothold back to their ancestral lands, that may change their minds, as I think the Makedonians would prefer to have Makedonia freed than to occupy our lands, and it would also solve the problem we have with the Epeirotes. So that offer should be put on the table.

We can talk about 'skinning them' all we want, but without the proper tools to skin them with, any such threats would be empty."

Hilarion turns to Achaikos.

"Do you seriously hold that lord Sarpedon's sympathies lie with the Makedonians rather than with himself and his own kingdom? Don't you realize how absurd it is for you to insinuate such a thing?

I am not an idiot either, nor is anyone else here in this Council. You do not need to tell us that laying siege to our cities is an act of war, because we all know this already. It is self-evident. I am not suggesting avoiding going to war against them because I don't think we have a valid reason to do so, but because we apparently don't have anything to go to war against them with. We must do all we can to solve this issue diplomatically, because with both the Lydian and the Satrapal army of Ipsos beaten, there's no military option left, unless you would have the 1st Syrian march all the way from Africa to do this - and actually think they could get there in time. All other armies are already predisposed elsewhere."

**MerlinusCDXX** · 05-30-2009, 11:11

Originally Posted by The Celtic Viking

"No, I haven't gained any such reports, so this comes as a surprise to me. Why wasn't new soldiers raised elsewhere and sent there as reinforcements?

As for the terms, I can't say to any certainty, because I don't know the mindset of this Makedon commander - indeed, I don't even know his name. I doubt that any of you know his mindset either, so I don't suppose you can make any clear assessment on that, either. It must be done by the diplomat on spot. If it's true that they've lost all their land in Greece - which is none too surprising, given that we have, because of these filthy rebels, been unable to send proper support to them against the Epeirotai. It is possible then that they may be striking out of desperation. It is possible that, should we give them the safe passage and support to strike at Byzantion instead, and that way gain a foothold back to their ancestral lands, that may change their minds, as I think the Makedonians would prefer to have Makedonia freed than to occupy our lands, and it would also solve the problem we have with the Epeirotes. So that offer should be put on the table.

We can talk about 'skinning them' all we want, but without the proper tools to skin them with, any such threats would be empty."

Hilarion turns to Achaikos.

"Do you seriously hold that lord Sarpedon's sympathies lie with the Makedonians rather than with himself and his own kingdom? Don't you realize how absurd it is for you to insinuate such a thing?

I am not an idiot either, nor is anyone else here in this Council. You do not need to tell us that laying siege to our cities is an act of war, because we all know this already. It is self-evident. I am not suggesting avoiding going to war against them because I don't think we have a valid reason to do so, but because we apparently don't have anything to go to war against them with. We must do all we can to solve this issue diplomatically, because with both the Lydian and the Satrapal army of Ipsos beaten, there's no military option left, unless you would have the 1st Syrian march all the way from Africa to do this - and actually think they could get there in time. All other armies are already predisposed elsewhere."

I can raise new soldiers and send them to Asia Minor, but they don't really do much good without a commander who takes the field now, do they? As for that lost Satrapal Army, there is no Satrap to assign them to. My reports are submitted quarterly and published for all to read, in a file called Basileus and Chancellor's reports, perhaps you've heard of this? I haven't seen much reported from the Basileus, which I completely understand, as he has been very busy, but perhaps you might read them now. Here is the report where Byzantion was taken, and this report was submitted the next quarter. I realized then that Nikarchos, who was the commander in Byzantion, was the Satrap of Ionia. Until then, because I had never actually received any reports from him where he was actually in Ipsos, I wasn't aware that he was the Satrap, since I was under the impression that a Satrap should at least spend some of his time in his administrative headquarters.

**The Celtic Viking** · 05-30-2009, 14:09

"Nikarchos is... dead? Why have I not been informed of this? Why have the proper proceedings not been taken*, why has the Basileus not been notified of the loss of one satrap until now, three quarters of a year after the fact? What of Panaitolos? Is he dead too, or have too few months passed since that you can't tell me yet?!"

Hilarion now turns to Mardakou specifically.

"Are you telling me that you have known that the western front has been completely unguarded for this long, and yet you have done absolutely nothing about it?!"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**MerlinusCDXX** · 05-30-2009, 22:21

Panaitolios Ankyrikos is not dead. He is in the city of Sinope, though I have not heard of him leaving or doing anything for a few years. Completely unguarded, no, though I suggest sending a messenger to Ankyrikos, he does have an Army. Maybe someone can get him to react to Mikra Asia falling apart around him. I would have already reinforced his army if he acted like he cared. I will do so now in the hope that he will.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Celtic_Punk** · 05-30-2009, 23:55

"These men have abandoned their posts. They are terrible soldiers. This council must find new men for the posts immediately. Further neglect will result in a repeat of Alexander's victories in this land. I'm sure Cunobelinus would fall head over heels to get to Galatia and defend Mikra Asia. But as you all should know he is currently locked into his campaign with no support from some of the men in this council, who seems hell bent on making our borders fall apart.... Speaking of which, I must return to the General, as I do not abandon my post, or disobey orders." With that the Greek about turns and leaves with haste and purpose.

**The Celtic Viking** · 06-03-2009, 09:59

Hilarion stands up and walks into the centre of the Council. He solemnly raises both hands and shouts out in his deep voice:

"The tenth Council Session will begin now! All members have three days, until the 10:00 6th of June, to propose legislations, at which point all that have passed will be held up for voting, which will end after the passing of two days. A new chancellor election is also due, so all who wish to run for the position should make their voice be heard."

Returning his hands to their normal position, and speaking with his regular tone, he adds:

"Our Basileus, lord Sarpedon Syriakos, will be a little bit late for this one, but until he arrives, I will speak for him. You needn't worry, though: he will be here in good time before the session is over."

He bows his head gently, and then makes it back to his seat.

**Celtic_Punk** · 06-03-2009, 13:27

A Greek dressed in formal attire enters the council
"honourable council members and representatives. I am Duros. I am here to represent the General Cunobelinus. Under his orders I propose the edict 10.1 "General Cunobelinus should be given temporary full authority over the Satrapy of Egypt.""

"With his close and good friend Aratos being indisposed at the moment, progress and development of the Satrapy has been slowed. Aratos will return to properly administer his Satrapy, but until this happens the effectiveness of the Satrapy has lulled to a halt. The only man who knows what things are needed is Cunobelinus. The powers given to him with the passage of this edict, he will forfeit upon the return of Aratos. As acting Satrap Cunobelinus will continue his campaign against the remaining Ptolemaic threat, and begin new construction projects in Alexandriea. And will be better able to deal with mounting threats to the Satrapy... Such as the eventual border with Carthage! These people are quite martial, and are competitive. They may not appreciate a border with us, and may be ballsy enough to attack our Egyptian border. Cunbobelinus will need as much support he can garner in order insure security along this new border."

**Ibn-Khaldun** · 06-03-2009, 13:39

Kleonemos stands..

First of all.. I am happy to get out of the desert.

Secondly, we need a new Satrap in Mikra Asia. Someone who could defend us against all of our enemies in west. And that someone is .. me!

Thirdly, what shall we do with Makedonia? I highly doubt they would just give Pergamon back to us. They know that they have an upper hand currently in this war. They have enough men to attack Halikarnassos, Ipsos, Sardis and take them without suffering too big losses in manpower!

Oh.. and those rebels in Mesopotamia?! We should slay them all!

Kleonemos takes his seat.. thinks for a moment and says...

I also second Edict 10.1

At the moment Cunobelinus is the only one who could run Aigiptos\' day-to-day life since, as you heard, I have other plans.