To Synedrion (The Royal Council)

[/Bean\]

Theophilus Diokletes stands.

The way I see it, gentlemen, we have three choices:

1: Let Korinthos, and the Basileus' brother, fall, while concentrating our forces on Athens


2: Try and draw the besieging army away from Korinthos by attacking Athens will full force

or

3: Combine both our armies and attempt to lift the siege on Korinthos before it is assaulted.

Personally, I do not like to think that our kingdom will abandon our loyal generals so easily. This war may take longer than we want it to, gentlemen. But is it morally right to sacrifice our friends in order to finish it quicker? Because at the moment some of you are preparing to trade Athens for Krateros' life.

Now, the way I see it is that we have a fourth choice. Or, rather, an expansion of one of our previous choices. Our armies are, for the moment, underdogs on the battlefield. Therefore we need to utilise strategy and cunning to win this war. I propose a new plan. While Antigonos' army attempts to draw the Greeks to defend Athens by besieging them there, Alexandros and his forces will march, not to Korinthos, nor Athens, but to Lakedaimon itself. With such small forces, the attack is unlikely to succeed, at least to the point where we can think of occupying Sparta. But it may be enough to shake the Spartan king now in command of the army besieging Korinthos into pulling his forces back to defend the country that has never been invaded.

It is a bold plan indeed, gentlemen, and unlikely to succeed. But it may just give us the time we need. We need all the time we can get at the moment. So, what are everyone's thoughts?

[JbG]

I believe we must try and draw the besieging army away from Korinthos at all costs necessary. Then we must sue for peace! We cannot win a war with the southern states with our current military, yet alone occupy and hold their vital cities. I have said before and will say again peace must be established with all the Hellenic nations before we can think of starting a war. I think Korinthos can be sacrificed, but the Basileus Grammateus must be allowed to escape.

[/Bean\]

You are aware we are in debt as it is. Now you want us to sacrifice all our holdings in the Peloponesse and not take any other land in return? I hope your paying tonight...

[JbG]

I meant that if there is no other way of getting Startegos Argeades out of Korinthos before the assault then the loss of that city is a small loss indeed.

[/Bean\]

I have intention of allowing the Greeks access to Korinthos! I would leave Pella now and fight them tooth and nail myself were it not for my extended age, and my new employment standing in for the young Alexandros.

[JbG]

Then I have absolute faith that Korinthos can and will be defended properly, but with our current debt, how will we defend our borders whilst our troops will have become depleted, especially as we have no idea of Pyrrhus' location or his strength.

[The Celtic Viking]

"At this point, peace with the Southrons is unlikely in the least. They started this war after all, and with no exchange of land and they still having a superiority in arms, and even besieging Korinthos, which is likely to fall. If you were them, would you have signed peace with us? It would take a lot of money to do that, money that we do not have. Nor do we have the luxury of land to give to them, if we were so desperate for it. I just don't see an end to this war at this stage.

As for attacking both Athens and Sparta, it would be a bold attempt. Perhaps we have a better chance dealing with two separated lions than we do with one hydra? It is an interesting proposal, no doubt."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I have intention of allowing the Greeks access to Korinthos!

OOC: I hope you didn't actually mean that!

[JbG]

Maybe they don't desire peace, maybe they do, but imagine that an important city is cutting your lands in two, stopping prosperous trade, whilst your nation had a larger army. I think no one in here would have second thoughts about taking this city. Peace with the Southrons can be established but it must be handled with the right choices in regards to the ownership of Korinthos. Perhaps they can be puersuaded, if we manage to defend Korinthos, that we arn't as weak as we seem.

[/Bean\]

Defend it with what, exactly? Krateros has but some 40 odd companions in there! The population is only recently turning to his side. They won't offer much of a fight against the Greeks!

And am I the only one thinking of trying to save Krateros here? Cities can be lost and taken back, but lives only reach the former. Agathangelos, I am sure this strategy can work, if we act immediately. Alexandros can take what forces he has now, without wasting the reinforcements, which can meet him on his return. His current forces will be enough to grab the attention of the Spartan king, without dragging too many of our men away from the north.

[JbG]

As I have said before, Korinthos is expendable as long as the life of the Basileus' brother can be saved.

Turning to an aid he looks through his notes. Finding what is needed he tears the piece of scroll off and hand it towards the Strategos.

I think Korinthos can be sacrificed, but the Basileus Grammateus must be allowed to escape.

[Iskander 3.1]

As for our funds, I would be willing to have one more fleet dismantled for the time being. But it must be rebuilt when we are able to do so! In the meanwhile, I should stress again the idea of allying ourselves with the Carthaginians. Why? Well quite simply, they control much of the seas. Both the Koinon Hellenon and the Egyptians (our enemies, mind you) have great fleets. Allying ourselves with a power such as Carthage will keep our enemies in check, even if we cannot challege them directly. What say you, friends? I can personally lead the envoy to Carthage, if you would like.

[JbG]

I have no argument but how safely and of more importance, how quickly will you be able to transport myself to and from Sicily, (as that is where I'm supposing we are going) as I wish to talk to other factions as quick as possible.

[Iskander 3.1]

We can leave immediately, if the council wills it. Otherwise, I can act as envoy and your can stay here, should they need you to remain. (OOC this can be done by recruiting a diplomat using my avatar's personal funds and keeping him aboard my ship). It will likely take several seasons to travel there and back, and there is always be the chance of pirates.

With permission, I will take one fleet and leave the other for the council. You may use it for troop transport and then disband it, if you would like.
(OOC: I'll take one fleet to Carthage, and the other can be left to transport troops to Korinthos, and then be disbanded.)

[JbG]

I have no problem with that, however I would rather go myself;

Thus I propose Edict 2.1 - Karpos Aiginios is to be transported by 1 fleet to Carthage and back to propose an alliance and trade rights.

[Iskander 3.1]

I Second Edict 2.1

[Hotseat_User]

The tall shadow raise itself for a second time asking with a piano voice ...

Synedroi!
Even if it's winter, we are no animals and therefore need no hibernation.
There are things to discuss but if this takes more time, I have to leave to prepare further steps of my master.
Please send me a summoner - I have to meet some tribesman from the north. At least, if they made it over the passes.

The person takes a look and some can see a bright smile beneath the long grey cape.

[The Celtic Viking]

Agathangelos stood up, and went to the middle of the floor. With a straight back (as always), he looked around and then began to speak.

"First of all i would like to point out to Karpos Aiginios that it is only the Basileus who propose edicts. You may join in the voting progress and you may second any motion I make in Antigonos Gonatas' name, but you may not make any edicts of your own, which is why the one you proposed is invalid. Do not take it personally; it is just how we run things here.

As a last thing before I propose the edicts, I would like it if anyone who has a sum of their of two loan, to make their offers. I will then make sure that every realistic proposition makes it into an own edict. I will be making an offer from Antigonos' personal fortune last. If you wish to make a proposition, do not linger though, for we must be as speedy as possible with our decisions here. You will not have an infinite amount of time."

Agathangelos bowed and sat down again.

[Hotseat_User]

Noises of a horse reach the synedron while the tall shadow enters the place for another time.

Fellowers,
even if our band of spys don't have the knowledge to lead troops as our Stateges can do, we can evaluate things clearly. As my master is hopefully in the good hands of Poseidon, I could only speak for our group here in Pella - not for the Archikataskopos himself.

First thread is to face the military problem in the south. Many possibilities were discussed through the last days. Me for myself think, that an attack on those attic Southrons would be the best solution. While our basileus would besiege Athenai, Krateros and Alexandros would have to pull off the charges from those Lakedaimonians with their short spears.
But as one mentioned already, Attica is barely defended and the Basileus couldn't reach Corinthos in time, they would have to sit out the next season anyway - so a siege on Athenai is the right decission.

Second thread is the current status of affairs with Quarthadast(sp?) - this should be done by the Archon Basilikou Stolou and the Archiproxenos in their own way, to hurry things up.

Third thread is the immediate need of another kataskopos - as I mentioned earlier, Antipatros can't observe the activities of those Molossians while there IS a dire need of informations regarding those activities in Hellas.

I hope, my or as you may like our valuation of the threads Makedonia has to face help out.

And while some synedroi may wonder, what accent came lightly out on top, the shadow kind of hoover in one of the dark edges of the synedron.

[mini]

"Agathangelos, as i already told my father in a letter, I'd be willing to lend im from my own purse.

Of course, I expect to see a return for my sacifice, besides a refund when this war is over."

[The Celtic Viking]

"Naturally - so would we all. I was simply hoping that people could come with such proposals so that we all could together, through the 'magic' of the supply and demand relationship, quickly nail down the fairest deal, but the time for that has run out. We cannot wait for it any further, so I will simply skip ahead and make the edict proposals for now."

To relieve our financial crisis and keep our economy going, the national treasury should take a loan. The Basileios Grammateus will be responsible to propose the deal/s with the indivuals who would supply the money.

Basileus Antigonos Gonatas should take his Basilikos Stratos and besiege and capture Athenai. The phalanx from Pella's garrison should, transported by the Royal Navy, move to reinforce him.

Alexandros should take the army under his control and besiege Sparta, in hopes of drawing away the besieging party of Korinthos.

An alliance should be established with the Carthaginians in hope of naval support.

Trade rights should be established with the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Keltoi.

In order to ease the burden on our economy, and save us from having to take too large loans, another fleet should be disbanded for now.

A peace treaty should be signed with the barbarians to the north (OOC: Getai), and trade should be established with them.

"Unless there is something I have forgotten, I think those are the edicts we should vote on. Second them as you will."

[/Bean\]

Theophilus Diokletes stood.

Bah! It is with regret that I must support this agreement of trade rights with the Romani. Far from being friends of Greeks, these good-for-nothing aristocratic snobs are stupid, rich and abnoxious. However, in this current economic crisis, I must agree that we should take any opportunity for money.

I therefore second all the edicts.

[vartan]

Axios Anaxagoras, somewhat tired, arises:

I second all edicts as well.

The man sits himself down, trying not to draw attention to his sickness.

[mini]

"I second all edicts"

[Maion Maroneios]

I, Antisthenes Pellinios, announce that I second all Edicts.

[HunGeneral]

I, Philadelphios Teleochos second all edicts. Although I find an allaince with the Karchedoi for not worth it unless they pay us to defend there traders in Hellas.

[Hotseat_User]

One can see that the shadow for itself would like to announce it's seconding of the edicts but in Antipatros abscinence won't decide anything what may be against it's masters favour.

[The Celtic Viking]

"With the results from the voting in hand - all edicts past - I shall now, on the 18th of Decembre, close this session."