The Magnaura

[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?

[Privateerkev]

I think for the long term, we need to work towards a full conversion of Seljuk and Fatimid lands to the Orthodox faith.

In the short term, we need to protect what we have and develop it. If we can make measured gains against them, we should do so.

[Andres]

Before we can invest in conversion, we need money.

Why not combining two things: sack the Fatimid and Seljuk settlements, use the florins to a) invest in money making buildings b) send priests.

I'd like to propose a simple Edict:

Edict 4.2.: Each settlement conquered upon a non Orthodox faction should be sacked by its' conqueror.

[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.

[Privateerkev]

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 didn't sink all of the Empire's resources into one corner of the Empire. I fear your exile has left you unable to read basic Megas Reports. After you read those, feel free to get back to me.

If you were so outraged Makedonios, why did you not even attempt to punish the Caesar?

I did try to punish him. I asked repeatedly for an emergency session. It seems your own absence has left you unable to read Senate transcripts. After you catch up on those, feel free to get back to me.

Holding on to this petty hatred is not the way you would want history to remember you, is it?

I don't give a good !@#$ how history remembers me and nor should you or anyone in here. And how dare you call my feelings "petty hatred." Do you claim the ability to look into my soul and know my thoughts and feelings dear Ziga?

And yet again, the Asteri are white-washing the suffering the Caesar caused. I propose that both Nevoulas and Ziga go and talk to the widows and families of the soldiers who died because the Caesar did not give us a legally mandated private army that the law demanded he create, and not only create, but deliver in a prompt fashion. Not to mention the fact that it was very much AGAINST THE LAW to break this law. And he did it no less than THREE MOTHER!@#$$'ing TIMES!

Now, does anyone else want to even attempt to tell me that criminal neglect is just fine and dandy?

[pevergreen]

Michail's laugh rings out around the Mangaura

"Oh yes he broke the law Makedonis, we are aware of that. I like to forgive and forget in most cases. What I find hilarious is you harping on about it every time it is brought up! Law this and Law that! You make me laugh. I'd also like to keep the language civil, I dont envy the amount of editing you are making the scribes do."

[Andres]

Savvas has an amused look on his face when watching Mak's show.

Ah, Grandmaster...

Yes, I know you're no longer the Grandmaster, but to me you'll always be "Grandmaster"...

And what's with all the swearing lately? Why are you upset? Is it old age which causes your bad temper? Your pneumonia perhaps?

Or is it because you don't like being in a House that holds roughly one third of the entire territory of the Byzantine Empire?

Or are you a bit frustrated because you're no longer the leader of the Order?

You know, dear Grandmaster, you should have a few drinks with me once this session is over. It'll do you some good.

Savvas raises a large goblet of wine, sips on it and puts it down again.

Anyway, dear foe, I see you still like a good bit of slander, eh? What is it now... Oh yes, I can't read.

Well, well, well.

"Basic Megas reports"? I don't need no "basic megas reports" to see that the Order has expanded excessively under your reign, dear Grandmaster.

I'm glad we have now two capable and more trustworthy candidates running for Megas. I urge whoever wins the elections to keep a close eye on our friends of the Order. I'm sure the Order won't mind a bit of "assistance" and "special attention" during the next Megas term...

With such a large empire, sorry, territory, they surely won't mind somebody watching a bit over their shoulders...

[_Tristan_]

Methodios stands up and claps his hands slowly.

Congratulations, My lord Caesar...

Truly masterful...

In two short sentences, you've managed to recall to our attention the successes of your House and those you wanted as your allies in your "civil war". Maybe I'm becoming paranoid after having been too long in these halls but I can't help thinking that there is a lot of double-entendre in that speech of yours... It sounds almost as if you are trying to send Asteri a message... Plotting another civil war, My Lord ?

Masterful also, how, while flattering Nevoulas and wishing him the best in the upcoming election, you manage to tell us that you will be running against him.

I cannot but think that this is only some sly way to impress upon us the need to vote for the right person... That is you...


Truly masterful...

Clapping his hands once again, Methodios sits back down.

[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?