The Magnaura

[OverKnight]

Aleksios leans forward and speaks quietly from the Throne.

Any Senator who seizes Durazzo without my permission will be denied any sort of command during my term as Logothetes as well as my personal ire.

I admire the passion that many of the Senators possess. However, such energy needs to be focused. I will not allow one person's outlaw action to endanger the good of the Empire.

Also, my name has been dragged into various debates within this body. If you have an argument to make, please do so without mentioning my supposed wishes.

The matter of who will take Durazzo is still open, I have not made my decision. Once the campaign season begins, and I have a clearer idea of our resources, the choice will be made.

[Zim]

Kosmas stands, bowing deeply to the Basileus before addressing the Senate.

I share the sadness Comes Ksanthopoulos and Strator Anastasios have at the spiritual state of the Emprie when such a proclamation by the Patriarch is necessary.

Now that the Basileus has spoken, I will instruct all of my House members to obey his command concerning the village of Durazzo.

[pevergreen]

Michail rises, a slight smile on his mouth
"In this announcement, it seems as though Edict 1.7 is now useless, as half of it is disallowed by the Basileus. Perhaps the Edict should be amended...Yes, I think so:

Edict 1.7a: The Basileus shall attempt to conquer Arta using any combination of the Senators Michail, Efstratios and Anastasios and support troops.

Hopefully, if passed, this will provide a home to the house of the Tapeki.

My thanks Senators."

[Zim]

I second Edict 1.7a, as it seems a more than reasonable request for a House yet to gain land. I might advise Strator Michail to revise it to limit the options for taking Arta to himself of Efstrafios, however, as Anastasios remains a member of the House of Asteri.

[_Tristan_]

Edict 1.7a: The Basileus shall attempt to conquer Arta using any combination of the Senators Michail, Efstratios and Anastasios and support troops.

Hopefully, if passed, this will provide a home to the house of the Tapeki.

I will second Edict 1.7a, just to silence who accuse me of wanting to deprive any House of acquiring lands.

[pevergreen]

Michail hears Kosmas' words and has a slight shocked expression on his face.

"I am unaware of this! I shall talk to Anastasios at once! Regardless, Anastasios is a good friend, as is the House of Asteri."

Michail leaves the Magnaura, intent on finding Anastasios.

[Askthepizzaguy]

I second edict 1.7a, and now I retire for the evening gentlemen. I have sustained massive headwounds that require treatment.

[Andres]

Savvas stands up, his face showing no emotion.

I am strongly opposed to Edict 1.7 (a).

I will not support this blatant quest for personal glory from the Senators Michail, Efstratios and Anastasios.

This is outrageous.

What is wrong with you, my fellow Senators? This is the second time I see such a selfish and opportunistic proposition of an Edict. I am utterly disgusted by the attitude displayed here in the Magnaura.

I demand this Edict to be withdrawn.

Savvas sits back down and stares at Michail.

[_Tristan_]

Strator Savvas, I understand your point.

It is the same logic which drove me to rewrite my Edict to strike my name from it and leave the opportunity to the Basileos to choose the most suitable general for the task.

I would prefer that said Edict was redrafted along the same lines though I understand our fellow Senators need for a seat for their House, hence my support to their Edict.

My support will remain should it be redrafted along these lines.

Some other House may have some vested interest in capturing Arta, leading to another race to catch this new prize, though the matter of Durazzo is still unresolved.

[Ignoramus]

Ioannis Komnenos stands up after Strator Savvas sits down.

Strator Savvas speaks truly, this is but a self-serving edict, not one seeking to help the empire.

I am disappointed that the ambition of these two generals is greater than their love of the empire.

The Caesar angrily resumes his seat.

[Zim]

At the Caesar's statement, Kosmas begins to drum his fingers nervously on the table in front of him. He had thought the Edict harmless enough, presenting an unestablished House with a chance to gain their first settlement. Now even the Caesar opposed it. Perhaps he supported it too hastily. Ah well, what was done was done, and his second could not be taken back.

[pevergreen]

"Gentlemen, Gentlemen. I have said it and I say it again. I speak for the good of the Empire! My actions are for her. I merely requested a home province for my house! Is that too much to ask! The Order fights for their right to take Antioch, but that will go to them. If you take it to that level, Senators, is not every person looking to take land for themselves? In naming three Senators, I have simply named three who have expressed their desire to travel in that direction, now that Durazzo is off limits. Only Efstratios is in my House. Think about my actions as a whole Senators, and you may see the truth. I merely hope that my Saracen friend reappears soon."

Michail sits down, once more, no emotion on his face.

[Askthepizzaguy]

On his way out the door, Efstratios shakes his head.

Truly, after the bloody stench some made about a God-forsaken villiage, did you seriously not see this coming?

Apparently it's treason if anyone but certain factions declare their intentions to serve the Empire via expansion and declaring the need for a place of residence.

The haves wish to take away any hope from the have-nots from advancing. Thr blatant partisanship and greed of it all... such a shame. But no longer unexpected in this senate.

[Andres]

"Gentlemen, Gentlemen. I have said it and I say it again. I speak for the good of the Empire! My actions are for her. I merely requested a home province for my house! Is that too much to ask! The Order fights for their right to take Antioch, but that will go to them. If you take it to that level, Senators, is not every person looking to take land for themselves? In naming three Senators, I have simply named three who have expressed their desire to travel in that direction, now that Durazzo is off limits. Only Efstratios is in my House. Think about my actions as a whole Senators, and you may see the truth. I merely hope that my Saracen friend reappears soon."

Michail sits down, once more, no emotion on his face.

Once your "House" has proven its' loyalty to the Empire and the Basileus, I am sure the Basileus will grant you some troops to conquer a settlement of your choice. After all, don't we all know him as a fair and just ruler?

With Edict 1.7 you are demanding the Emperor to let you conquer the settlement of your choice. Nobody should give the Basileus orders like that, and certainly not one of the lesser Houses! One might even think that you are delibaretely insulting the Emperor and his authority!

Also, the Senate is a legislative body that works in the interests of the Empire as a whole, it should not be an instrument for one particular "House" to serve its' own, selfish desires.

Your behaviour is regrettable and I am deeply disappointed by it.

Savvas shakes his head and sits down.

[Ituralde]

"Antioch, Durazzo, Arta, what's next? An Edict about bloody Canakkale? Smyrna perhaps? We have not conquered anything yet and already you start haggling over conquered territories as though this were some kind of bloody market!

This is the Senate of the Roman Empire and we are Senators not bloody fishmongers. Loyal service to our Emperor will see to it that everyone will recieve their due share, according to their bloody services to the Basileus and the Empire!

Don't you remember what led to our current situation, have you not listened? Since Manzikert four nobles have claimed the throne and that battle was only lost, because the generals were more concerned with gaining the crown than with defeating our enemies. Don't make that bloody mistake again! Already you are occupied with in-fighting and rivalries, while we should focus on the true threats that border our Empire right now!"

Scowling at the assembled Senators he turns towards the Basileus.

"Maybe now would be a good time to declare your intentions on our various frontiers, oh great Basileus. So that we can prepare for the coming campaigns against our true enemies instead of spending our powers on petty in-fighting?"

[Andres]

It pleases me to see that there are also intelligent and honorable men among us, who didn't forget the lessons of the past.

Savvas nods respectfully to Senator Pavlos Chrysovergos

Our colleague, Pavlos Chrysovergos is right. We should pay attention to the threats on our borders and I hereby repeat that the most important threat right now are not the Muslims, but the Catholics. We have to prepare ourselves against a possible crusade against our beloved city of Constantinople.

[deguerra]

Ahem. While I would agree with Savvas ek Militou in principle, I should very much like to hear how he defines a "lesser" House!

[Andres]

Ahem. While I would agree with Savvas ek Militou in principle, I should very much like to hear how he defines a "lesser" House!

A House with no Comes to lead them, without land nor tradition, that accepts clowns among its' ranks and whose meetings are held in a comon Inn.

[deguerra]

Well, Strator, while I will reserve such judgment to people obviously better qualified to give it than my lowly self, I would say that, given the current situation, I would find it undesirable to judge a House on its having a Comes to lead it or similar material things. With time, they may apply, but it is a bit early, no? Furthermore, I must wonder at your judging House Tepaki over not having land and a Comes, while at the same time so vehemently, albeit correctly, opposing their edict of acquiring such land.

[Ferret]

It is clear that Strator Savvas is motivated for personal glory as well. Is it not true that your house claimed Arta already? It is also highly likely that it was promised to you, thus why you are upset. The House of Tepaki has my support, every House needs land and yours, Savvas, already has some.

[Ituralde]

Pavlos shakes his head and watches the proceedings with a dsigruntled expression on his face.

[Andres]

Well, Strator, while I will reserve such judgment to people obviously better qualified to give it than my lowly self, I would say that, given the current situation, I would find it undesirable to judge a House on its having a Comes to lead it or similar material things. With time, they may apply, but it is a bit early, no? Furthermore, I must wonder at your judging House Tepaki over not having land and a Comes, while at the same time so vehemently, albeit correctly, opposing their edict of acquiring such land.

I am not opposed to House Tepaki acquiring some land some day, but Edict 1.7 is disrespectful towards the Basileus for the reasons I stated before.

I would have expected a more humble attitude from a homeless House...

The Emperor is a fair and just ruler and even House Tepaki should know that. If House Tepaki shows its' loyalty and is worthy of having a territory of their own, then the Emperor will certainly grant them the means to obtain such territory.

One can only hope that with more experience, the attitude of House Tepaki will grow and that they will prove themselves to be true Romans.

It is clear that Strator Savvas is motivated for personal glory as well. Is it not true that your house claimed Arta already? It is also highly likely that it was promised to you, thus why you are upset. The House of Tepaki has my support, every House needs land and yours, Savvas, already has some.

I hereby swear by the Allmighty Lord himself, that I never claimed a territory for myself and I never asked the Emperor to be given a certain settlement. This is the truth and nothing but the truth. May my eternal soul be damned if this would be a lie.

I hope this takes away all your doubts, my dear Colleague?

[pevergreen]

"Such a bad attitude from one who until recently wished to be among my ranks. You have a few incidents behind you in your already short career Savvas. I chose an inn as the headquarters for my house as it is a common place area, one which all are equal in. Apparently the Senate is not the same. My edict has no disrespect intended towards the Basileus, but if he takes some, I am happy to do penance."

[Smowz]

Looking tired from many sleepless nights and placing various papers to one side young Nevoulos ek Philadelphias nervously lets out a yelp of anguish as one of the scrolls falls down on his foot.

Cursing to himself he has been half listening to the current discussion with interest, as he has remianed undecided on his vote for the discussed Edict 1.7a).

He adjusts his robes appropriately and standing behind Ioannis, Hypatios and Kommos he shouts rather loudly...

I to will openly support the House of Tapeki in their quest for land as outlined by edict 1.7a)

With that breif statement over with he sits down and wonders aloud when the edicts will come to vote - he is eager to escape the stress of the senate

[deguerra]

I accept Savvas ek Militou's answer as it was given. I too am a little wary of the wording of Edict 1.7a, and for the same reason as him. It was a good discussion, Strator. Perhaps I can buy you a drink sometime?

[Andres]

The mask drops and Savvas looks at Michail with sincere affection.

Michail, my dear friend. Please, for your own good, withdraw your Edict.

I'll repeat the words of our Caesar:

Ioannis Komnenos stands up after Strator Savvas sits down.

Strator Savvas speaks truly, this is but a self-serving edict, not one seeking to help the empire.

I am disappointed that the ambition of these two generals is greater than their love of the empire.

The Caesar angrily resumes his seat.

The Caesar is the son of our Basileus, ergo it has to be assumed that your Edict highly displeases our Emperor.

It is not wise for House Tapeki to oppose the Basileus, my dear friend.

Withdraw your Edict, apologise to the Caesar and repeat your oath of fealthy to the Basileus. Act as a true Roman, pay attention to the bigger picture, the overall good of our Empire and the serious threats at our borders, and our just ruler will certainly reward his loyal Sons of Rome with more then just one settlement.

The most important thing at hand right now is the preservation of our Empire against the Catholic threats.

I accept Savvas ek Militou's answer as it was given. I too am a little wary of the wording of Edict 1.7a, and for the same reason as him. It was a good discussion, Strator. Perhaps I can buy you a drink sometime?

I would be honored

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC:

[Ferret]

The Ceasar may be the son of the Basileus but he is not the Basileus. Should the emperor voice an opinion on the matter then he could go either way, gaining land for the Empire is not a quest personal glory.

[pevergreen]

"Are you suggesting father and son are the same?

Now my dear Savvas, I can only speak of my own childhood, but my views are not my fathers.

If you wish to prepare for a crusade, then we not only need territories, but a buffer line between. Arta gives us that.

I'm sorry to say I can not take Savvas at his word anymore. His offer to me involving treachery to his own house has made me doubt his every word.

I live and die for the Emperor, Savvas. Are you willing to?"

[Ignoramus]

At the mention of his father, Ioannis hastily stands up.

Strator Savvas misunderstands me. I speak independently of my father, just as my father speaks independently of me. I do not know what my father thinks of that edict, but I am sure if he desires it to be made known he he will do so.

The Caesar resumes his seat.

[Andres]

"Are you suggesting father and son are the same?

Now my dear Savvas, I can only speak of my own childhood, but my views are not my fathers.

If you wish to prepare for a crusade, then we not only need territories, but a buffer line between. Arta gives us that.

I'm sorry to say I can not take Savvas at his word anymore. His offer to me involving treachery to his own house has made me doubt his every word.

I live and die for the Emperor, Savvas. Are you willing to?"

Savvas looks very disappointed.

You will remember that I refused to join your petty organisation of the "Silver Hawks".