Alternate History: Michael's Crucible

**AntiochusIII** · 08-30-2005, 02:19

Any mercy for Diogenes on your part is folly; blind him. I support choice 3. He challenged you openly - others may try in the future if they think they may get away with it with possibilities for future attempt.

Send the empress to the Convent - effective and reasonable. She shall be removed from the political field, but you won't bring the ire of God (in the eyes of the people

) by mistreating your own mother. Choice 2.

As for the Armenian, you need to show that you're not a tyrant to the court; and he is powerless on his own. Banish him, to show that law and order still works in the empire, but that you are merciful in judgement. To let him get away with that freely defies legal justice, and therefore your own Imperial authority, even if it is an honourable choice. Choice 2: Exile.

**Geoffrey S** · 08-30-2005, 15:52

Basically what everyone else said. Blind Diogenes, send the mother to a convent, and the Armenian should be exiled; whatever happens Diogenes should not be exiled, as he is certainly capable of seeking foreign backing for his claims to the throne. In this way Diogenes is punished and sets an example for others, the mother can't be used by political enemies any longer, and the Armenian's freedom shows the emperor's mercy and as he's a minor noble doesn't offend the Armenians like a harsher punishment might.

**SwordsMaster** · 08-30-2005, 19:55

But he doesnt actually have any claims to the throne whatsoever. Specially now that the court have officially recognized you as the new emperor. Besides, you know that right now he doesnt have the support of your court. If you blind him, he might get that support (he suffered for his ideas, etc...)

Similarly for the Armenian. You want to reward loyalty, not punish it with exile...

As for your mother, it doesnt make much difference if you lock her up in a convent or not. I just thought that it would be a nice move to show that Diogenes was the enemy, and not her, and that her decision to marry him was just a momentary weakness...

**Vykke** · 08-30-2005, 20:18

Just as an FYI (because there seems to be a little bit of confusion), Diogenes did not actually marry your mother, she didn't want to start the wedding until you showed up, and when you did you stopped the ceremony from happening. My fault, I should have made that more clear.

********

Your uncle is right - imprisonment will not suffice for a man as ambitious as Diogenes. At your command, the Varnagians seize the usurper and hoist him before you. "The words of your friend are well-spoken, but you did more than seek reprieve from your sentence. You seduced my mother and plotted to overturn the Empire itself. You have now proven yourself a traitor twice over, and deserve no reprieve. However, I shall take only your eyes, and not your life." You turn to a captain of the Varangians who arrived only seconds ago. "You will take this man to the dungeons. If he has any family in the city, allow them to be the last thing he gazes upon in this world. Carry out the sentence at sundown."

After the captain leaves with Diogenes in tow, you turn to his friend. "You have violated no law, Chatatoures, and are therefore free to go. I suggest, however, that you do not cross me in the future." Chatatoures bows stiffly, watching Diogenes go. Once his friend is out of sight, he turns and walks from the hall without a backward glance.

Finally, only your mother is standing before you. However, the days events weigh on you, and suddenly you find that passing judgement on her now, after all that has happened, is just too much. You can't find the words. Instead you send her to her quarters. After a few hours pass, you write an order that commands her to pack up her things and vacate the Imperial suite that she shared with her father: you will now be residing there, and she will retire to a nunnery on the island of Patmos where she may find peace and communion with God.

Days go by, and as you pick up the reins of government, you begin to realize just how much work your mother did in managing the Empire. The responsibilities of rule now rest squarely on your shoulders; you'll just have to get used to them. Formal letters congratulating you on your ascension begin to arrive as you grow accustomed to all of the little day-to-day decisions.

You are told that Romanus Diogenes has sickened from his wounds, and is expected to die within a week.

However, you have more pressing concerns. Now that you are the one everyone reports to, you realize why your mother had been willing to take desperate measures: Turcomen have begun crossing the border into Cappadocia in huge numbers, both warriors and civilians, and are driving your citizens from their homes. Botaniates is helpless to stop them all with the forces under his command. Whether or not this is being supported by the Seljuk Sultan is unknown - he has notoriously poor control over those nomads. Your mother probably believed that she needed a military man in charge who was willing to act boldly. Obviously, this does not present a flattering opinion of your martial prowess.

Regardless, a military solution seems to be in order. You seek counsel, and get four opinions.

John Ducas urges patience. "We need more time to prepare," he says. "Our army's eqipment is old and needs replacement, and the new recruits need more time to hone their skills. We have a bit of money in the treasury; if we start using it to equip our regulars we will have new equipment for most of our regulars and we will have finished training the recruits in a month or two. In the meantime, we can send some of our mercenary divisions east to help Botaniates."

Manuel also gives his advice, as is becoming customary. "I, too, think we should wait and train, but instead of rearming our troops, we should hire more mercenaries, preferably cavalry. In this instance, we will need to cover a lot of territory in order to protect our citizens, so sheer numbers are critical, and mercenaries are the only way to increase our numbers rapidly enough to suit our needs."

Psellus disagrees with the notion that we must react with overwhelming military force. Instead, he gives a relatively novel solution. "We can incorporate the Turcomen into our Empire, as we have done with many other people since Antiquity. Once pacified, they will offer valuable skills that we could draw upon. To do this, we should temporarily grant money to the themes that are under attack to help them build up sufficient strength to stop the violence. They will be better able to act at a local level than an Imperial army, and that's what is needed. Of course, we will need to send priests to convert them and educate them in our ways. If we cannot stop the violence, we can turn to the army later."

You've begun speaking with John Scylitzes since he came to your attention at the wedding, and found that he sometimes offers fresh insight different from that of your traditional circle of advisors. After you tell him about the situation, he does so again. "Do not hesitate, your majesty. I think your mother believed we should act immediately - why else marry our most aggressive general? - and I believe she was right. The longer we wait, the more invaders will cross our border, and the more wealth they will take from our people." If you go with this option, it might be wise to reserve that money sitting in the treasury for logistical support.

**SwordsMaster** · 08-30-2005, 20:30

3. Psellus' advice. If you can't win them, make them join you. You can always gather an army of mercs to crush them if needs be.... And you would be weakening the Sultan at the same time.

**Vykke** · 08-30-2005, 20:31

Oh, in case you're wondering, it's now late March, 1068.

**edyzmedieval** · 08-30-2005, 20:43

We are nearing Manzikert.

We need to attack fast. But for now, we have to wait. Constructing forts along the main keys in Cappadocia is very important. The best horses, especially to equip Kataphraktoi and Klibanophoroi, are bred in Cappadocia. Cappadocia must be defended at all cost, but for now, wait.