The Royal Council

**The Celtic Viking** · 08-16-2011, 19:54

Basileus Philadelphos Ptolemaios:

"I have raised men in those cities as well as Palmyra itself to see to it so you can go and deal with this Sarpedon Syriakos. Should you feel the need for it, I will authorize the hiring of one band of mercenaries to accomplish this task on the Kingdom's payroll. In fact, I authorize you to leave Palmyra to its fate and take the garrison soldiers with you if you need it; Antiocheia is by far more important than a small, desert town."

Philadelphos' face now turns grave and his voice turns low, filled with sadness and disappointment.

"There is another problem that we're facing, and sadly that problem has a name. Lysimachos Ptolemaios. My son. I sent him a warning as soon as he broke the holy law of our kingdom, stepped onto foreign land without my permission, and attacked a neutral faction, the Kretans, without ever even seeking permission to do so from either me or this Council. I told him to immediately break off the siege and to leave the island, or he would have to be punished. He summarily ignored this warning, and instead assaulted and occupied Kydonia.

As he is my son, some may fear partiality from me if I made the sentence myself, and so I invite you, members of the Council, to voice your opinion. How shall we deal with my son's crimes? I shall of course send for him to explain himself, as you may want to hear him out before you judge him."

**Folgore** · 08-16-2011, 20:55

Originally Posted by The Celtic Viking

"I have raised men in those cities as well as Palmyra itself to see to it so you can go and deal with this Sarpedon Syriakos. Should you feel the need for it, I will authorize the hiring of one band of mercenaries to accomplish this task on the Kingdom's payroll. In fact, I authorize you to leave Palmyra to its fate and take the garrison soldiers with you if you need it; Antiocheia is by far more important than a small, desert town."

I fear my army is no match for that of Sarpedon. I have no heavy cavalry and my phalanx is down to three quarters of its strength. It will be difficult to deal with his cavalry. The garrison troops are of little help, though some heavy, hard-hitting mercenaries could turn in balance in our favour. Additionally, our spies report that he has already finished enough siege equipment to attempt an assault this winter.

But, if this is your wish, your highness, I will free Antiocheia or die trying.

Originally Posted by The Celtic Viking

Philadelphos' face now turns grave and his voice turns low, filled with sadness and disappointment.

"There is another problem that we're facing, and sadly that problem has a name. Lysimachos Ptolemaios. My son. I sent him a warning as soon as he broke the holy law of our kingdom, stepped onto foreign land without my permission, and attacked a neutral faction, the Kretans, without ever even seeking permission to do so from either me or this Council. I told him to immediately break off the siege and to leave the island, or he would have to be punished. He summarily ignored this warning, and instead assaulted and occupied Kydonia.

As he is my son, some may fear partiality from me if I made the sentence myself, and so I invite you, members of the Council, to voice your opinion. How shall we deal with my son's crimes? I shall of course send for him to explain himself, as you may want to hear him out before you judge him."

Your son has proclaimed Kydonia and Kreta in your name, your highness, and he has used only his personal ships and troops. Yet, interfering in the affairs of the Greeks may bring unforeseen problems for our empire in the long term and holding Kreta may cost the empire more than it is worth. And of course, the law is sacred. This is indeed a troublesome affair...

**The Celtic Viking** · 08-16-2011, 21:29

"It's not just that he first broke the sacred law, but that he got a warning for it which he completely ignored. To let him off now would effectively be saying that following the law is entirely optional, in which case it ceases to be law and we would now be living in an anarchy. That is what I want to avoid; I do not take any pleasure in seeing my son being punished.

As for the Antiocheia situation..." Philadelphos sighs heavily. "It is regrettable. You and your soldiers have done a lot, and a heavy fight is upon you. Maybe it is not winnable, but at least it should be easier take on them now, outside of the walls, when you have the aid of our men in Antiocheia, than it will be to take them on when they have the walls to protect them. Should you fail, though, I would rather you escaped with your life so you could come back and fight again. Then we would have the time to gather a stronger army to really see it through."

**Folgore** · 08-16-2011, 22:29

Your highness, may I have permission to use our spy in Edessa to assess the strength of Sarpedon's army?

**The Celtic Viking** · 08-16-2011, 22:50

"You may."

**Paul D** · 08-18-2011, 16:32

A message arrives from Lysimachos Ptolemaios, regarding past events:

It has been two years since I have seen any of you in person. I have spent much time abroad, and have spent much time learning the customs of the western Hellenes. As you know, embarked on what was originally a diplomatic mission to our allies in Greece. What transpired here on Krete was manifestly not a diplomatic mission, but it was based on diplomatic discourse. While visiting our allies in Sparta, they told me of their long conflict with the numerous pirates and villains on Krete, who had been harrying their, and other regional powers's merchant flotillae. In addition, their king, Areus Agiados, had been unpleasantly holding out in Krete for almost a decade- A sea storm scattered his fleet, and none had heard from him for a long time. On my journey back, My ships were attacked by the Kretans, and many of our sailors and marines were injured. So, I landed on Krete to try to find our allies and help them defeat the Kretans. Originally, I intended for our allies to take possession of the town of Kydonia and the surrounding country, and that is why I have sent this message to you. I realized that in my impetuosity I ignored orders. But I did not do so out of selfish vainglory. I wanted to prove to our allies that we are not entirely lost in our war with the Seleukids, or other eastern ventures. That we still wished to see them prosperous and safe, and that we have not abandoned them due to our other ambitions.

My occupation of Kydonia is assuredly provisional. I request that we send a Diplomat to Greece to arrange for Kydonia to be transferred to the Hellenic League. Once this has been done, I will sail back to my father's lands.

**Folgore** · 08-18-2011, 17:00

Your Royal Highness, honourable council members and family.

I have retaken the city of Antiocheia from the Seleucid invader. Our domination of the eastern Mediterranean is once again assured. They have seriously damaged some of our buildings in this city when they assaulted it however and they require immediate repairs. Additionally, I would recommend the Galatians I hired to be sent away again. They have done their duty and they have done it well, but they are too expensive to keep around for garrison duty.