The Magnaura

[Kagemusha]

"And exactly how serious is to accuse the heir of Roman empire of being murderer without any proof? People make mistakes and it is relatively easy to make one in a financial crisis, like one which was over the empire during Caesars reign as Megas. But that is nothing compared to accusing a member of royal household and heir to the throne from being a murderer, without any proof."

[Privateerkev]

We're going in circles...

The Caesar didn't make a "financial error." He neglected us, by his own admission, and broke the law to do it. Don't confuse one thing with another.

As for what Vissa said, take it up with the Emperor if you don't like what was said. I have spoken with him multiple times. But I refuse to take more action at this time since he techincally hasn't broken any rules. From his point of view, the Caesar is a murderer. You can disagree with him, but you have to admit that he believes it.

Therefore, any further action against Vissas will have to be instituted by the Emperor himself. If you do not like how the Emperor is handling the situation, I suggest you bring it up with him.

[Kagemusha]

"And you call yourself a chivalrous man. Braking some letter of law, which did not even result into anything serious is such a huge crime, while your underlings run around insulting people and spreading lies. Calling people murderers is not matter of opinion. If one holds such opinions without any evidence what so ever, one should be intelligent enough and have some manners and should not go running around spreading lies. In my personal opinion Basileus is far too lenient towards your underling and towards you, who should be able to control your own men, but maybe this is just another proof that you are you something very different then you act. Chivalrous servants of God should act bit different then you do. It seems that your order is just a lawyer masked as monk warrior, leading rabble that act like a street crowd."

[Privateerkev]

You keep saying "underlings" in the plural. While many in here have had choice words for the Caesar, only Vissa is my vassal. The rest I have no influence over. You'll have to talk to their lords or the Emperor.

And I disagree that the Caesar's criminal neglect "did not even result into anything serious is such a huge crime."

His neglect put the city of Antioch at risk because we were ill-prepared to deal with the enemy. And it put Constantinople itself at risk because we were ill-prepared to deal with the Jihad. So, the Caesar put tens of thousands of Imperial citizens at risk for petty politics.

I would call that a "huge crime." Which is why I asked, repeatedly, for the man to be impeached from the office of Megas.

[Andres]

Exactly what part of the Caesar's criminal neglect is "hypothetical?"

He really did neglect the Order. And he really did break the law to do it. I fail to see what part is "hypothetical." My men are really dead because the Caesar really did withhold reinforcements by really breaking the law.

Oh, here I was, thinking it were the Egyptians who killed your men...

Silly me, it was the Caesar disguised as a Sultan...

And since you killed the sultan, our Caesar is a zombie?

Well, well, what fascinating developpements.

[Privateerkev]

The Caesar starved my armies of troops when the enemy was coming. Sarcasm and strawmen will get you nowhere.

*edit*

OOC: Fine with me. :D

[Andres]

The Caesar starved my armies of troops when the enemy was coming. Sarcasm and strawmen will get you nowhere.

And you are a Comes until the session is over. How can you expect to be Megas if you can't read the rules?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: I'll edit out the comment about my rank, maybe you can do so as well, until TC made a decision?

[OverKnight]

The Basileus reenters the Magnaura. Oddly, his shoes are a bit dirty.

Balance has been a recurring theme presented in this Session. Yet there seems little of it to be found among accussations and wordplay.

We must find a way to go forward. To keep what we have gained intact. To make sure we do not repeat the mistakes of the past.

Aleksios pauses, he looks very tired.

It is clear that Makedonios Ksanthopoulos was the selection of the majority of Senators, if not the most powerful. Now it appears we also have some unorthodox manuevering of oaths as well in order to influence the second round of voting, which I'm not sure is legal in this situation.

With all this in mind, I intend to change my vote. I endorse Makedonios Ksanthopoulos for Megas Logothetes. The Empire would be best served by a Megas who has the support of the majority of the Senate behind him.

I mean this as no insult to Senator ek Militou. His repulsion of the Egyptian invasion was masterful, and I value his service to the Empire.

I hope the Grandmaster can live up to his rhetoric.

[Kagemusha]

Kantakouzinos mutters to himself with a voice others cant hear.

"Now we will see what the Grandmaster really is."

He sips the rest of his wine with one swallow and raises his voice.

"Congratulations Grandmaster!"

Ioannis looks at the last rays of light shining through a large window of the Senate and building and then leaves the senate, without waiting for an answer.

[Motep]

Andronikos looks around, unsure as of what to do. he had many messages strewed about his person, all giving conflicting advice. Sighing, he stood.

Though I may not agree with his methodes, The Caesar is my brother, and I will support him with my life. That does not mean that I will support those he supports, or condone his selfish actions. And I wholeheartedly agree with the Basileus, we must successfully consolidate the holds we currently have before we do anything too drastic. Hold what we have, overcome our current enemies, and stop our useless babbling about past matters. What is done is done.

Sitting back down, Andronikos busied himself with organising the papers he had disturbed by standing.

[OverKnight]

The Protoasecretes dozes in a corner of the chamber, blissfully unaware that he should have opened up voting hours ago. A timid looking aide tries to wake him, but the old man groggily brains him with his staff of office and falls back asleep. Whimpering, the aide makes his way to the Basileus and whispers something. Aleksios rolls his eyes but speaks:

Very well, I will close debate. Voting may now commence on the second round of the Election for Megas Logothetes.

The polls will be open for 48 hours.

[Andres]

The Basileus reenters the Magnaura. Oddly, his shoes are a bit dirty.

Balance has been a recurring theme presented in this Session. Yet there seems little of it to be found among accussations and wordplay.

We must find a way to go forward. To keep what we have gained intact. To make sure we do not repeat the mistakes of the past.

Aleksios pauses, he looks very tired.

It is clear that Makedonios Ksanthopoulos was the selection of the majority of Senators, if not the most powerful. Now it appears we also have some unorthodox manuevering of oaths as well in order to influence the second round of voting, which I'm not sure is legal in this situation.

With all this in mind, I intend to change my vote. I endorse Makedonios Ksanthopoulos for Megas Logothetes. The Empire would be best served by a Megas who has the support of the majority of the Senate behind him.

I mean this as no insult to Senator ek Militou. His repulsion of the Egyptian invasion was masterful, and I value his service to the Empire.

I hope the Grandmaster can live up to his rhetoric.

Savvas looks perplex when he hears the words of his emperor.

There is nothing unorthodox with the changing of oaths and it has nothing to do with the current elections. The oath switching you are mentioning, is the result of long negotations, which were conducted with the interests of the Empire in mind.

Mylord, I am very, very disappointed.

Savvas leaves the Magnaura, an angry look on his face.

[Andres]

Savvas re-enters the Magnaura, and speaks, his voice trembling with anger and rage.

Years, no, not years, decades of loyal service. Decades! My whole life!

I have always (Savvas screams the word) defended you and I have always defended the actions of your son! Out of loyalty and out of love for the Royal family.

And what do I get in return from you, Basileus? Disrespect. Yes, my emperor, I feel disrespected! I will remain loyal to the Royal family, as I have always been, but I will never forget the insult and the ungratefullness of Emperor Aleskios Komnenos.

I am utterly disgusted!

[OverKnight]

The Basileus sits stone faced through Savvas's tirade and then responds:

It is unfortunate that you feel disrespected, that was not my intent.

[Andres]

The Basileus sits stone faced through Savvas's tirade and then responds:

It is unfortunate that you feel disrespected, that was not my intent.

Not your intent? That's all you have to say?

Well, thank you mylord. It was a pleasure serving you for many, many years and it seems like it will be even more pleasant to continue my loyal service.

Savvas shakes his head and continues with a soft voice, filled with anger and rage.

You are giving your empire in the hands of a man who despises your son and who lets his vasals insult the Caesar without consequences!

You give the inheritance of your own son in the hands of his greatest enemy, a religious nutjob who lives in an ivory tower and has no feeling whatsoever with reality.

Why don't you just adopot Makedonios and make him your heir?

Bah!

With all due respect, but your vote for Makedonios is foolish, my emperor.

By making Makedonios the next Megas you make the biggest mistake in your live.

[ULC]

A booming voice is heard from the rear if the Magnaura. A man in red and white, with long black hair tied back, a scar across his left eye, and a piercing gaze of sky blue steps forward.

"Foolish? IN what way Savvas? Foolish is the man who would insult the Basileus without knowing half of what goes on. You think the Basileus took such a decision lightly? Were is your loyalty? Does it evaporate when you don't get what you want? Yet another reason Makedonios makes a better Megas then you."

The man walks further into the light, his voice strong, demanding the attention of everyone in the Magnaura.

"But I think I err here, now is not the time to hurl petty insults. Now is not the time to let personal ambition get in the way of what is right, what is good, and what must be done in the name of the Empire. I know none of you would see what we have all strived for, all built, what all of you put your lives, work, time, effort, blood, sweat and tears into, but the Empire will burn just as surely through neglect, incompetence, short-sightedness, and simple ignorance."

"I can promise you this, things are coming to a head. We are facing a crisis, but not one that many of you seem eager to acknowledge. Civil war is upon us all, whether we like it or not, and we will either take the steps to prevent it, or be consumed by our own egos. Even now, many of you are being manipulated into a course of actions that will rend the Empire a sunder, with you completely ignorant of your part until it is to late and you weep as you have lost everything."

"We must work together, here and now." The man looks over at Aleksios. "I am sorry for forcing our hand so early, but I have lost one of my contacts, and I fear I am next. Better that I speak now, then be silenced so the world may burn."

[Andres]

Savvas looks at the perpetrator.

What's this? Trying to influence the Emperor by making him fear things that are not there?

Civil war?

Ha!

There won't be no civil war if the Houses don't grow too powerful and if they all stay more or less equally powerful, now would there?

Can't you all see, you bunch of blind morons?

The Caesar was busy preventing civil war! As long as the Houses don't grow too powerful, there won't be no civil war. At best there will be some petty House with a small army that will be crushed soon enough by the imperial forces!

Now you have given the Empire in the hands of the Order, which has close bounds with another powerful House, the House of Asteri.

Civil war? You are talking about civil war?

By giving so much power into the hands of the adversary of the heir of the Throne, you will indeed get civil war.

Take your petty conspiracy theories out of here, you raging fool.

You are all just too blind to see that the Caesar had a vision. He didn't make the Empire instable during his last term. No, he ensured that the royal family will stay strong and that alone will bring balance.

By making the Grandmaster Megas, you destroyed all he has worked for.

Conspiracy theorists and religious nutjobs running the Empire... Bah.

OOC: since I used the word "morons", I'll add the obligatory to ensure you that it was meant IC. I still love you all

[pevergreen]

Michail calls out

"Savvas my man, sit down you are making a fool of yourself. This 'ere dagger entertains me when I am angry, perhaps thou should find a similar hobbey? Make no mistake, I do not support Makedonis. I will not go as far as to say I despise him, but safe to say I would choose Lucifer himself before Makedonis. You have proven in the past to be an honourable man Savvas. As a relative independant party here, owing no allegiance to any major house, I can say that the cause of the Empire would most likely be served by Savvas, no disrespect to Aleskios intended. Too bad this is all I have to say, my mind has been distracted as of late, my chariot team grows lazy."

Michail has a sly grin over his face, while cleaning his nails with his now ever present dagger.

[ULC]

OOC: Just for Clarification, that speach was not made by Iakovos, for those of you that maybe confused. If it was Ike, I would have named him, not simply call him "man". I do have to admit though, they both look really similar

[ULC]

The man wheels on Savvas

"Do you even know who I am, Savvas? I thought not, so do not presume to lecture me on conspiracy, civil war, and fear. Would you have the knowledge I posses, you would not be so inclined about the Caesars policies."

[Sultan II. Mehmed Han]

bizansı unutun artık bizansı sultan mehmed tarihe gömdü

[pevergreen]

Michail glances up at the odd intrusion as well as the odd man

"Good question Sir, who are you? I must be losing my perception for what Civil War do you speak of? Apart from bickering between the two Megas candidates and Senators berating the Ceaser, I see no Civil War."

[ULC]

The man turns his head to look sternly at Michail. "I am Aleksander Echter ek Kallipoleos, former head of the Organization, Imperial Noble, and Informant for the Basileus. As to your question of civil war, I never once said one was going on, I send it was imminent, meaning it will happen, if we do nothing but continue down on the same road we have before."

[Andres]

Blahblahblah.

Petty schemes to influence the Basileus.

To prevent civil war, all we need is strong leadership.

The Caesar was on his way to ensure this strong leadership and to protect his future empire.

All you did was hindering his efforts.

The Grandmaster, the greatest foe of the next Emperor, becoming Megas is the first step towards civil war.

Dear Basileus, don't let yourself be influenced by conspiracy theorists and religious nutjobs all striving for personal glory and gains. You are much wiser than that. Don't let yourself be misguided and focus on the most important thing: stability in the empire, which can only be obtained by strong emperors.

[rossahh]

And just what sides will there be in this supposed civil war?

[pevergreen]

"Savvas you are tempting me to come over there and reason with you...outside. You do realise that at this point it is a lost cause. To you though Zigavinos, I presume it will be the throne versus all those who are unhappy with the royal family and it's members actions. From the Order no doubt..."

[Kagemusha]

"Calm down everyone. Who is this man coming here and talking to us as if we know him, while associating himself with the "Organization"?. Reveal everything now or maybe the Varangians should just slip your head from your shoulders, for proclaiming yourself as traitor in public, by calling yourself the former leader of this so called organisation."

[rossahh]

What, Makedonis against the Basileus? I simply cannot believe that. Surely you are mistaken?

[pevergreen]

"I disagree good sir, everything I have seen points towards Makedonis being a spawn of Lucifer himself. Truly Makedonis has had veiled interests behind everything he has done for the Empire. I do, however, recognise that my opinion is, rightly so, just mine. So I shall shut my mouth for the moment."

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios raises an eyebrow when he hears the mention of civil war.

Civil war is madness. Killing your own people is madness.

I believe people are letting their fears get the best of them.

If anyone is stupid enough to start a civil war, I will use every legal means if elected to put an end to it peacefully.

People... we might all disagree on many things... but I hope and pray that we are above such... despicable acts. We have enough enemies surrounding us. Searching for them in here is foolish.

I might vote against edicts that the Caesar or Savvas present, but to physically strike them? No. If they lunged at me I would of course block their sword. But I can not raise my hand towards another Byzantine any more than the cows can call the sun to come up at midnight.

If I hear of anyone stoking the fires of an imaginary conflict, I will be most unhappy...

Now I suggest everyone calm themselves, regain composure, and move on to more pertinent topics.