Alternate History: Michael's Crucible

**AntiochusIII** · 08-27-2005, 09:05

Gosh. This is harsh!

Very well, she's going down one way or the other. Disregard 1 and 2; she's certainly plotting against you.

As the first chapter provides you with the support of the army, the woman is looking to the traitorous-but-skilled general as an alternative to your support and a balance to your newfound power. She has to go; otherwise you'll go; or the civil war will ruin your chances in foreign conflicts.

So it's 3 and 4, but I know nothing of the mentality of your two supporters. Will Manuel comes to support you with his forces if he heard the situation and how you pledge your case to Caesar, or will Caesar supports you if you rally Manuel and practically besiege the palace? Both people's loyalty are, from what I see, strong. So it's quite hard to judge their actions though you can count on both ways to gain at least one supporter.

I'd go for three, however. Drastic actions may take place in the next chapter if diplomacy and influence fails. Let's hope Manuel will be wise enough to join you.

The fourth action may alienate your mentor and uncle and the court. It's not very wise to risk civil war in such dangerous times. The third will at least garner his support and probably useful advice. In fact, after you meet with John Ducas "Caesar" you may even go on rallying the troops now that he's assured that you recognize him first. This is actually the way I see as the best.

I choose choice 3, but would change if other people shows the mistake in my judgement in time. :)

I know this mother is really going to be a problem, but I can't believe it's this fast. lol, it caught our young emperor off-guard.

**King Henry V** · 08-27-2005, 11:43

1. Is a very risky strategy, if not downright foolish. Mothers have not really had a reputation for love in the Byzantine court and she could easily plot Michael's downfall at court.
2. Is likely to be uselesss. Nothing will probably come of it, however it could be a good primary plan. If it fails you can always use force.
4. Seems too blunt. Remember, subtlety is everything at court.
I would go with number three. Your uncle seems a wise man who could be able to divert the situation.

**Kraxis** · 08-27-2005, 16:09

You are yourself a courtier, so you should draw on that strength. Go with #3.

**Marshal Murat** · 08-27-2005, 22:56

3 would be a good option.
It would secure your position in the throne with your Uncles consent, as you are a lesser of two evils.

**edyzmedieval** · 08-27-2005, 23:08

3 is the best.

There's no point in convincing your mother, and your uncle's help is very good. Psellos is a very wise and clever man, and also Diogenes.

4 would be too drastic, and the army may revolt against you!!!!

**Vykke** · 08-29-2005, 09:20

You storm out of the room without a word, leaving your mother and Psellus to wonder whether you're going to meet your intended stepfather or not. You find your uncle in his quarters and quickly explain the situation to him. He'd apparently picked up a couple of court rumors about plans for "something big," but for all intents and purposes, he was as in the dark as you. Although he, too, seems upset at your mother's plans, he hesitates. "Your majesty, are you sure you want to stop this wedding? I believe we can, but not without tearing our family asunder."

Your reply: "Regardless of my mother's intentions, an error in judgement can be just as damning as a failing of loyalty. You know Romanus Diogenes. He is not the right man to save the Empire. Such arrogance can only bring foolishness, treason, and the ire of God."

John Ducas nods slowly. "You are right, your majesty. Come to the Great Hall. We won't bow to the likes of him."

As you move, he tells you that you should enter and declare yourself to be in full majority and prepared to govern without assistance, invoking the will of your father. Your mother will then be legally required to abdicate her position as Empress Regent. You can then forbid the wedding from taking place. Meanwhile, John will rally some nearby guards and bring them into the Great Hall where he will then declare his support for you. Hopefully this will be enough to get your mother and the rest of the court to capitulate.

You arrive in the Hall to find it already almost filled with courtiers, family members, civil servants, and ambassadors from nations across the known world. Romanus Diogenes stands near the the center of the gathering with the Patriarch of Constantinople. The good Patriarch, a man appointed by your father, seems not quite able to hide a sour expression on his face, leading you to wonder how your mother garnered his support. Your mother also stands nearby, apparently less interested in wedding tradition than in seeing you and your brothers greet Diogenes. You wait a minute to make sure the Caesar has enough time to get ready, then clear your throat to get everyone's attention.

"I, Michael VII, am now of a fit age to take on the responsibilites of governing the Empire. I thank you for your assistance and service, mother, but they will no longer be needed. By the authority of my father, Constantine X, I am, from now on, Emperor of Rome."

There is utter silence among all those that hear you. Those farther away continue talking for a few moments more, then gradually fall silent as they realize that something is happening. You're well aware that your legal position isn't quite as firm as John implied, because your father never left any stipulations in the will about who would decide when the regent would give up her position. He'd assumed his wife and children would remain on good terms after his death as they had in life. The look of hurt on her face is painful, but you tell yourself that you can't betray someone who has already done the same to you.

"You are not the Emperor, Michael." Diogenes looks ready to cook an ox with his eyes. "The Empress' will is law! You speak out of turn."

"You stand convicted of conspiracy and treason," you reply, "and you accuse ME of speaking out of turn? You should be rotting in your cell."

At this point, the silence ends with a number of people speaking at once. A philosopher-statesman (whose name is John Scylitzes, you recall) steps up and begins trying to mediate, calling for a peaceful resolution. A number of other people start asking each other questions. The ambassador from Kiev attempts to get everyone else to be quiet and only adds to the din. And a man rushes up to Diogenes' side. You have a good head for names, and you recall that this man's is Chatatoures, and that he's a friend of Diogenes.

You are beginning to get nervous when John Ducas' voice bellows across the hall. "Hail, Michael Ducas, Emperor of Rome!" A score of bearded men in heavy scale armor stand behind him as he drops to one knee before you.

This does a good job of resurrecting the silence that the Kievan sought so hard, but it's quickly broken again by your brother, Andronicus. "Hail, Michael Ducas!"

The Caesar's two sons cry "Hail!" as well, quickly followed by Psellus and Adrian Comnenus. Soon most of the rest of the court follows their example. Diogenes and Chatatoures stand stony-faced in front of your mother, who looks on the verge of tears. Diogenes, for one, looks on the verge of drawing his sword, and you uncomfortably realize that if he could reach you he could cut you down easily, but John Scylitzes is still between you and the usurper doesn't seem willing to destroy any remaining claim to moral superiority by cutting down the diplomat. Instead he turns to the Patriarch. "Father, tell us who is in the right! Who shall be emperor!" The priest remains silent, however. Your co-emperor, Constantine the Younger, sits in silence as well.

The Varangians close in on Diogenes and Chatatoures, finally pushing Scylitzes out of the way, and form a semicircle around them. Chatatoures seems to argue with Diogenes for a few moments, then calls to you in an Armenian accent, "You have won, your majesty. We have no choice but to submit to your authority. But I beg that you do not judge my good friend too harshly, as he sought only the hope that was offered to him, as would any man who languished in prison. Your mother, too, sought to deal you no harm."

It seems you face your first choice as ruler of Byzantium. You must decide the fates of your mother, Diogenes, and, it seems, his friend as well.

Your two mentors come to your side. "Your father avoided capital punishment whenever possible, your majesty, and you would be wise to follow in his footsteps," advises Psellus. "I suggest imprisoning Diogenes in reasonable conditions and allowing your mother to continue to live in the palace with you, albeit in a less prominent fashion, of course. She meant well, but was overcome by foolishness. Also, showing mercy will convince the court that you are not a power-hungry tyrant. As for the Armenian, his only crime was loyalty to his friend. If you won't let him go, then the worst you should do is banish him."

Your uncle takes a more firm stance. "I, too, think execution is a poor choice, but there are other ways to eliminate an enemy, and more certain than imprisonment. Have Diogenes blinded, and his companion as well. Then they will no longer be a threat. As for my step-sister, I don't know what her intentions were, but I'm afraid that keeping her at your side now would be too much risk. Have her take a nun's vows, and she will live in peace without posing you trouble."

You may decide on the fate of each person seperately. These are the options that seem to be worth considering (you can't bring yourself to have your mother blinded):

A - Diogenes:
1) Exile
2) Imprisonment
3) Blinding

B - Your mother:
1) Let her stay at the palace
2) Send her to a convent
3) Exile
4) Imprisonment

C - Chatatoures:
1) Let him go
2) Exile
3) Imprisonment
4) Blinding

**SwordsMaster** · 08-29-2005, 09:34

Diogenes: exile
Keeping him in prison would only increase his possibilities of conspiring against you in the shadow, while at the same time keeping him close to your mother which at this point is not a wise choice....
Your mother: Let her stay. You have to make the point that Diogenes was the enemy, and not her.
Chatatoures: let him go. As said, he had nothing to do with anything....