The Royal Council

[LeoCordis]

I would ask who would command this regular army, Basileus?

[The Celtic Viking]

"I have not decided that yet. Leontiskos Thraikikos is my first choice, but I expect him to take command over my son's Royal Army. If my son actually shows up and declares this will not be, then he will take command of it. Otherwise, I believe you would be the best choice, comrade.

If this edict passes, then this would mean that the heir's Royal Army would have to leave less men behind, strengthening our positions everywhere."

[LeoCordis]

It is a good proposal. I will leave my edict standing however, on the basis that it will be the will of the council for what choice we make.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Eunostos discusses something with one of his scribes and then turns towards the Council..

My scribe told me that Edicts E1.6, E1.7, E1.8, E1.9, E1.10 and Law E1.1 do not have enough seconds. That means, when the voting starts you can't vote over them.

[Myth]

"You are right Basileus, I spoke rashly, the eagerness for battle has made me hotheaded. I took offense in your words, where I though it was implied I would steal troops from your Royal Army, but It appears I was the one who did not understand. But what of the siege of Tarsos?"

[johnhughthom]

Leontiskos returns to the chamber.

"I have checked with my scribes and I can give 1500 gold to start production on a unit on Triereis to combat the Seleukid fleet, the other 4000 would need to be met by the rest of the Council, and we would need to share the upkeep. The 4000 wouldn't necessarily need to be paid this season, we can spread the cost over most of the year. Do I need to propose an edict for us to do this, I am unsure of whether the Basileus' edict 1.11 over-rides the previous fleet related edict. We need to ensure we have enough money pledged before we begin, this would be a very costly venture and running out of money halfway through would be unnaceptable.

Though I am honoured by your faith in me my Lord, I feel we should give your son time, he has been ill and perhaps he is not ready to participate fully in state affairs. I have no desire to usurp his title, even temporarily, I have enough on my hands teaching my older brother the meaning of respect.

I'm not sure on any of the edicts, or the law, needing seconds so I will not be seconding them.

My dear Bothos, I am confused, if you are from Sidon why did your father name you as a Cypriot? Nevertheless, my point still stands, if anybody is to take a detachment to retake Paraitonion it should be me. In no way did I call the army mine, I stated I have held it in readiness for our future Basileus, I wish to hand it over to him. Still, I may have spoken harshly, I would welcome you as second in command in the event Eurgetes is unable to take his command and I lead his army in his stead."

[LeoCordis]

Strategos Leontiskos, my family comes from the town of Side, not Sidon, as I have stated. We are Asiatikons, though the family name comes from one generations old, like your own uncles I believe. The edicts shall speak the truth, for it shall decide who commands what and where the Royal Armies shall go I believe.

[The Celtic Viking]

Philadelphos Ptolemaios sighs.

"You are right, Leontiskos. I've spoken too rashly about my son and in a way he doesn't deserve. Let the record show that I apologize for it. If you do not wish to be the Kleronomos Basileios, even if only to ease the beurocratic process, then I will respect that position. Lets hope that the scribe's silence means that I can hold temporary control over it while my son is incapacitated by his illness."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

(OOC: I was thinking of you, I-K. )

"On the matter of the fleet, you speak wisely. The kingdom is stressed for money so we all need to chip in. This includes me, though I have none to offer immediately. I shall make up for it by putting in extra as soon as my trading investments have paid off. I don't think my Edict E1.11 has any implication on ships or ship building at all, beyond Law 4.3. I, however, will allow the Chancellor to ignore this rule and order the construction of Trieries, so it shouldn't be a problem."

Philadelphos now turns to Alexandros again.

"I see. For the sake of being clear, I was not accusing you of planning the theft of any soldier from my army; I was merely enquiring where you planned on getting those 6-8 phalanxes your edict speaks of, when there are no phalanxes in the area to get hold of, save those who belong to me or the enemy. I'd still like to know.

In regards to the siege of Tarsos, I had thought that my... was it the first or second edited edict? I forget. In whatever the actual number might be, I proposed that the heir's Royal Army would go by ship to relieve that siege. That remains my position even now."

[The Celtic Viking]

"Actually, I think we need an edict for the ships. This way it will be official: it will assure that everyone pays their bit, and if they don't, they will have the law against them. So, as you have already offered the healthy sum of 1500 - an act I assure you that I will remember - there is, as you have stated, 4000 left to pay. There are then 11 others who should pay for it, if we go by those who have spoken in the Council plus my son. This means that each of us will have to pay about 364 mnai each to cover the construction cost. When they are finished, the upkeep will cost us about 142 mnai each, you included. However, I don't think you should have to pay for the upkeep for these ships, at least not for the 8 first seasons. That is the time it would take the upkeep to level out your initial investment; during this time, the rest of us will pay 155 mnai for it. So, here it is:

Law E1.2: A navy of Trieries shall be constructed in Alexandreia. To this end, Leontiskos Thraikikos will initially pay 1500 mnai for the construction, while the remaining cost of 4000 mnai should be shared equally among the rest of the Council. This money must be paid within the first 6 months after the end of the first emergency council. Once the ships are constructed, every member of the Council will pay an equal share of the upkeep. An exception will be made for Leontiskos Thraikikos, who will pay no upkeep for the first 8 months. The cost of any repairs and/or reinforcements shall also be paid equally by all Council members.

If my son's illness hinders him from giving his necessary approval to taking money from his coffers, then I shall pay his part until he becomes healthy enough to give his consent again."

[Zim]

Of course I will be leading my army where you or the Council wishes, father. No need to appoint a proxy.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

"I have not decided that yet. Leontiskos Thraikikos is my first choice, but I expect him to take command over my son's Royal Army. If my son actually shows up and declares this will not be, then he will take command of it. Otherwise, I believe you would be the best choice, comrade.
If this edict passes, then this would mean that the heir's Royal Army would have to leave less men behind, strengthening our positions everywhere."

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Eunostos looks towards Euergetes being a bit surprised how the Heir managed to get into the Council chamber so undetected..

It's good to hear your voice here, Kleronomos Basileios!

Turning towards Meleagros..

True, the Basileus can give this position to anyone. However, a Law that gives specific provinces to the Nomarchy could prevent any Nomarch in the future claiming more land than he is allowed. And you know where that leads us? Into the Civil War.

[The Celtic Viking]

"It's good to see that you're healthy and present, my son."

The Basileus turns towards Eunostos.

"Apparently I am suffering of the terrible affliction known as incompetent servants. 'Permanent Edict' is the old word for 'Law', the one we had before the reformation which you might be too young in this Council to know about. My servants apparently didn't change the word in my papers, so I used the old word instead of the new. I've now had the scribes correct it for me, so the same mistake shouldn't happen twice."

[Myth]

"These phalanxes I wanted to form out of the garrisons of the city I govern and the city where you currently reside Basileos, though you have wished them to go conquer elsewhere. Who will lead them then?"

[Skullheadhq]

I support law E1.1, given that the nomarchies will be permanent.