The Magnaura

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios nodded to the Emperor and said some things in a low voice. Satisfied that Iakovos was being cared for, he addressed Savvas's platform.

Mischaracterizing me already Savvas?

As I have stated, I will treat all fairly. No group will get favored over another. I guess you had to make that up about me to try to set your platform apart from mine.

I will operate in full transperency as Megas. If there is favortism, it will show. And then I am confident all of you will voice your displeasure.

Savvas offers nothing different, except the promise to slander me and my goals. How noble...

[Andres]

Makedonios nodded to the Emperor and said some things in a low voice. Satisfied that Iakovos was being cared for, he addressed Savvas's platform.

Mischaracterizing me already Savvas?

As I have stated, I will treat all fairly. No group will get favored over another. I guess you had to make that up about me to try to set your platform apart from mine.

I will operate in full transperency as Megas. If there is favortism, it will show. And then I am confident all of you will voice your displeasure.

Savvas offers nothing different, except the promise to slander me and my goals. How noble...

Did I ever complain about being mistreated?

You, dear grandmaster, blatantly complained and demanded for resources to be allocated to your House, in a period where resources were scarce and when the Empire was more important than strictly following the law with all its' comma's.

You have shown that you lack the flexibility and the open mind that is an absolute necessity in order to succesfully accomplish the task of a Megas.

You live in a dream world outside reality where you think everything will work out fine if you just follow rules.

You, dear Makedonios, do not have a vision nor an open mind.

You are a great general and a brave man, I will grant you that, Grandmaster, Savvas nods at Makedonios, but you do not have the necessary qualities of a good Megas.

Being a good leader means much more than just following a few rules.

[Privateerkev]

Can you tell me how sinking all of the Empire's resources into one corner of the Empire was good for the Empire?

I promise to restore balance. That means all the corners get resources. Again, you are mischaracterizing my stance.

Oh what will you say next to win...

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Let me just say one thing..

Who ever becomes Megas can't be worse than the previous one...

Looking towards the Caesar...

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios looks at Efstatios.

You have a point young Senator.

While I have not approved of Comes Savvas's debating style, I will admit that he can not possibly do a worse job than the Caesar.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Efstathios writes a small message and gives it to one of his assistants who walks to the Grandmaster and gives the message to him..

[woad&fangs]

Ah Laskaris, there you are. Luckily for you, your murder attempts were conducted on the open sea where our laws don't apply so you have nothing to fear from me while we are here.

Again I ask the senators, what is our policy with regards to the Seljuks and Fatamids? Do we wish to eradicate them or to force a ceasefire out of them?

[Ferret]

That means all the corners get resources.

What about the middle?

Hypatios chuckles at his joke

[Privateerkev]

We don't really have a middle. Every single province is either on or near a border.

If you wish, I'll find some other way to explain it from now on. "All parts" might be more accurate.

[Andres]

Savvas enteres the Magnaura.

15 years of self imposed exile hadn't change his handsome features at first glance.

A closer look at him however revealed a certain sadness on his face, as well as bitterness and well hidden anger.

Senators, I didn't think I would ever say these words: I've missed this place. I really did.

I still have to read all the reports, but I already learned that over the past 15 years, the Order has grown and has become very powerful, just like I predicted.

Makedonios, a long time ago, you asked the Caesar this question:

Can you tell me how sinking all of the Empire's resources into one corner of the Empire was good for the Empire?

Makedonios, can you tell me how sinking all of the Empire's resources into one corner of the Empire was good for the Empire?

I'll await your response. In the meantime, I'll catch up on the reports of the last couple of years.

Savvas walks to his chair, hesitates and stops.

Oh, and I've noticed that the vassal of my vassal will run for Megas. Obviously, he has my blessing. But I also consider the Caesar a personal friend. I must be getting old and melancholic, but to me, friendship is important and it does influence my political stance.

Therefore, I will abstain in the next election. I have full confidence in both candidates and I wish them both the best of luck.

Savvas sits down and starts to read several documents.

[rossahh]

I see one problem with your CA, dear Theo. What if the Basileus is the one who breaks the law? He has no house to be thrown out of and any lands he is stripped of will be promptly returned to him.

[ULC]

Nikolaos returns to the Magnaura with a bottle of wine in hand. He sits back down and pours himself a glass, muttering under his breath.

"If I have to listen to everyone bicker about the past before we get anywhere, then might as well pass the time well...anyone else for a drink?"

[Ignoramus]

Ioannis Komnenos stands up and bows courteously to Nevoulas ek Philadelphius.

I thank you for your acknowledgement of the service my generals have made to the empire, especially Pavlos Chyrsovergos, who has been exemplary in his service to the empire. I would like to return the favour, seeing how valiantly the men of the Asteri have fought against the Seljuks of Iconion and Caesarea, now honouring the fallen Markonios Ampelas.

I apologise for any sadness my running has caused you, and I wish to indicate that it is not that I disrespect you, but I desire for a healthy contest between two or more candidates. I believe you would manage the empire very well, and would have no hesitation voting for you myself, if I were not running.

Ioannis resumes his seat.

[Andres]

Savvas looks up, and whispers something to one of his scribes. The scribe gives him a document, which Savvas starts to read.

If Senator brakes the law his Oath of Fealty shall be considered invalid and he will be thrown out of his House. He can not swear a new Oath until 5 turns have passed. His land will become the property of his Lord. If he doesn't have a Lord then his land will become the property of Basileus.

Our ancestors had a saying: necessitas frangit legem.

Sometimes, gentlemen, necessity forces one to break the law...

I can think of many examples, but I'll give just one: let's assume that during the invasion of the Fatimids in Corinth, I was not allowed to use the garrisons of Aleksios and Ioannis Kalameteros, because both Senators were not able to communicate with me (e.g. the messenger gets killed, they were too far away, they were wounded and not able to write a message, etc. (OOC: they were offline)).

I can tell you that I would have taken both garrisons anyway to defeat the Fatimids.

Obviously, my action would have been illegal. If the proposed charter amendment would have been valid, I would have been kicked out of my House for breaking the law...

And for acting as a prudent Senator and preventing the people of Corinth to suffer under a Fatimid siege...

The Charter Amendment as proposed is too strict and doesn't take into consideration exceptional circumstances.

Let's try to put some more common sense into our legislative work, shall we?