From the street, the house is no different from any other affluent house in the district. But if you gather the courage to open its doors and enter, you step into another world. Rich tapestries of oriental design, and statues of men with animal heads greet you. A large sphinx sits directly in front of the house gates, seeming to question your presence in this most sacred hall.
But for all these refined ornaments, the main impression you get once in the hall is that of a military power. Suits of armor stand around the room as if ready to pounce on any intruder, weapons and shields are displayed on the white-washed walls, some of a design never seen in Byzantium.
What you notice last is the great pennant falling from the vaulted ceiling which displays the arms of the House you just entered...
Circling the Sphinx, a double staircase leads to the first floor. To the left, wide double doors open on a great hall where a banquet table is set up. A door to the right leads to a map room where on a table in the center, a detailed map of the known world is laid out. Bookshelves with treatises on warfare and politics line the walls.
Passing behind the sphinx and under the staircase, you find yourself in a small courtyard, where the relaxing gurgle of a fountain can be heard amid the fragrance of the hibiscus flowers. A colonnade at the back of the courtyard leads to a wide field made of packed earth with a high wall belting it. Against the wall, you notice several racks bearing mock weapons and shields. In the distance, you notice an archery target.
Walking back to the library, you happen to notice on a lectern a large book of rich manufacture open to the first page, which you begin reading...
Charter
I) Purpose
The House of Ilios Korakas is established to restore the Empire to greatness, through military prowess and discipline and strict adherence to chivalric ideals, setting an example for all the known world to follow.
II) House Hierarchy
The House will be headed by the Captain-General, who will be seconded by the Warden-Marshal. All other members will be awarded the title Legate.
The Captain-General will hold the highest level of rank in the Feudal chain, while the Warden holding the second highest position. If the Feudal structure changes, it will reorganize so that the Captain-General and Warden-Marshal hold the first and second position, respectively.
III) House Responsibilities
The Captain-General will lead the armies and will be responsible for filling out the Legates requests for troops and structures to the Megas Logothetes. The Captain-General is allowed to maintain up to 20 units within his army.
The Warden-Marshal is responsible for domestic affairs and the defense of House lands that are undefended by a Legate or the Captain-General. The Warden-Marshal is allowed to maintain up to 15 units within his army.
The Legates will lead the armies of House Ilios Korakas, and will seek out conquest and battle with noble intention. Legates will be responsible for alerting the Captain-General and Warden-Marshal to their needs. A Legate is allowed to maintain up to 10 units within his army. In an army with 2 or more Legates, the maximum number is increased to 20.
In times of Civil War, the Warden-Marshal and Legates may maintain up to 20 units instead of their normal count.
IV) House Code of Conduct
Each member will conduct themselves with the utmost honor and nobility upon the battlefield. Members who release prisoners will be rewarded with retinue and extraneous land, and those who execute their captives will have retinue removed from them or lands taken, but not before being able to present their case before an Assembly of the Legates. Those who ransom will suffer no ill will, but will not be rewarded either.
Upon capture of an enemy settlement, Legates are required to show restraint, though seizure of enemy assets (sacking) is allowed to fund the Empire war effort. Extermination of a captured settlement is forbidden and infringement of said rule will be considered a breach of conduct punishable before the Assembly of Legates.
All settlements, retinue, and units will remain within House Ilios Korakas unless decided upon by an Assembly of Legates.
V) Assembly of the Legates
The Assembly of the Legates will be composed of all members of House Ilios Korakas. The Assembly of the Legates will be called forth in the following circumstances -
To Elect the Captain-General and/or the Warden-Marshal. The Captain-General and/or Warden-Marshal require a 2/3 vote to be elected. In the case that a 2/3 majority cannot be reached, the Legate with the most command will appoint the Captain-General and the Warden-Marshal.
To Impeach the Captain-General and/or the Warden-Marshal. The Captain-General and/or Warden-Marshal require a 2/3 vote to be impeached. If a 2/3 majority cannot be reached, then the motion fails.
To decided the fate of a breach of the House Code of Conduct. The accused will present his case to the Legates, and the Legates may then decide whether to punish him or not by 2/3 vote, and what the punishment will be.
To decide the fate of Retinue, Settlements, and Units from a now deceased Legate, Warden-Marshal, or Captain-General, if the will of the deceased violates the charter. Decisions must be reached by 2/3 vote, otherwise the will is executed as dictated.
Within the Assembly of the Legates, a majority of one will always have their motions fail. The incumbent Captain-General and/or Warden-Marshal will not vote upon their own impeachment.
House Records
Current Legates
Comes Efthymios ek Herakliou
Comes Methodios Tagaris
Strator Vakchos Tzetzis
House Holdings
Alexandria, property of Efthymios ek Herakliou Cairo, property of Methodios Tagaris
Gaza, property of Methodios Tagaris
Solomeia, property of Efthymios ek Herakliou
Last edited by _Tristan_; 02-02-2009 at 18:12.
King Baldwin the Tyrant, King of Jerusalem, Warden of the Holy Sepulchre, Slayer of Sultans in the Crusades Hotseat (new write-up here and previous write-up here) Methodios Tagaris, Caesar and Rebelin LotR Mexica Sunrise: An AztecAAR
Andf I gladly accept the oath of such a gallant and valiant man.
Last edited by _Tristan_; 02-05-2009 at 09:32.
King Baldwin the Tyrant, King of Jerusalem, Warden of the Holy Sepulchre, Slayer of Sultans in the Crusades Hotseat (new write-up here and previous write-up here) Methodios Tagaris, Caesar and Rebelin LotR Mexica Sunrise: An AztecAAR
OOC: Efthymios ek Herakliou (Dafuge) is now inactive, as per this post. As explained there, Methodios Tagaris (Tristan de Castelreng) now owns Solomeia and Alexandria.
I'm sure this House will feel just like family to you.
I gladly accept your oath.
King Baldwin the Tyrant, King of Jerusalem, Warden of the Holy Sepulchre, Slayer of Sultans in the Crusades Hotseat (new write-up here and previous write-up here) Methodios Tagaris, Caesar and Rebelin LotR Mexica Sunrise: An AztecAAR
House of Ilios Korakas III
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Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro
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