House of Asteri

[Smowz]

There, there Zigavinos. These are indeed trying times.

I wonder really of the future for our house if we resort to accepting oaths from such conniving fiends as Nikiphoras.

[Warmaster Horus]

Nikiphoros enters the hall again. He walks up to the scribe first, to check on what happened since he left. He then looks around, mostly in direction of Zigavinos and Nevoulos. Finnally, he speaks:
"I am sorry if my acts have been perceived that way. In retrospect, I understand it, and it's very logical that you would react so.
Since I am apparently not welcome in these halls, I shall remain out of them. The situation between Tagaris and I has not evolved, and whatever I do I will be branded with my treachery for life.
May the Asteri know glory and honor, for I will most likely not."
He sighs, and leaves muttering something. Most of it is impossible to hear, but one bit was clear: "... never wanted to betray..."

[deguerra]

Nikophoros!

Stay, please. I must admit I do not agree with my two co-members in this point. I must admit I am a pragmatist and I think you are too. You saw an opportunity to right a wrong and you did. Granted, you did not do so in a gentlemanlike fashion. But in my opinion, then end can sometimes justify the means.

In any case, I would like to talk to my co-members some more before you take your final leave from us. You have stood by me at Markianopolis and I would not reject such a man out of hand.

Nevoulos, Zigavinos. I would like to hear from the two of you a more exact criticism of Nikophoros. Make points that can be debaed, and please do not reject him outright.

[rossahh]

I have no objection whats so ever to Nikophoros or what he did to Methodios (who deserved it). My objection is WHERE he chose to break his oath. Clearly his lord was never going to release him when it was clear he was joining another house. Now we have to wait several years until the oath can be accepted because Methodios will try and hold onto the one last ounce of power over Nikophoros.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I did try to warn him by pm to break his oath when he left the IK as Tristan might have accepted it then and there, as he would never have given permission when WH joined another house. Tristan has every right to be pissed IMO, which is why I posted.

However just because you went about it the wrong way doesn't mean I/we don't wont you here.

[deguerra]

Ah. Granted, that observation was quite correct.

[Smowz]

I, also have similar feelings to Zigavinos. Its all very well, Nikiphoras wishing to punish Methodias by leaving the IK, but to then return 'steal' a province and promptly run again is from where I sit not the sort of thing that is to be encouraged or cherished by House Asteri.

Ioannis, I know that you have worked with Nikiphoras and you are desperate indeed to raise our ailing financial and prestigious might by increasing the noblemen in our house - but we must retain our own dignity and pride. Had we stole the province of Scopia in this fashion it would not have gone unnoticed and we would have made an enemy for life out of the new realm establishing itself out of Egypt.

[rossahh]

I do not see it as Nikophoros stealing Scopia from Methodios. Methodios bestowed the settlement on Nikophoros, and then violated the founding rules of his own house. During the course of his punishment, the house fell apart with each going their separate ways with their own belongings. I would have preferred it though if they had sorted their differences in private, or at least not in the atrium of our house, that's all.

[Smowz]

My sources tell me different Zigavinos, Nikiphoras left the house then returned and gained Scopia and then left again.

Hell he could repeat such a procedure in all the houses of the empire and he wished us to be next - I for one do not wish for our land to passed off in such a way.

[deguerra]

Granted, Nevoulos, but the matter of the fact is we would not need to give him land if he already has it and if we are to judge him on past actions, we should note that he took the land as a result of a breaking of the law, and in accordance with the laws of the House he was in.

So the way I see it, so long as we don't break the law, and don't make silly rules we should be fine.

[rossahh]

With this new era I think it's time to write my will, just in case.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In the event of my death my cities of Iconium and Smyrna are to go to Ammonathas Kalamateros. Any senator of the Empire is free to take any one thing from my retinue.

[TinCow]

OOC: Please note that due to Aleksios ek Ikoniou's (Northnovas) actions in the Magnaura, there is currently a hole in the Asteri/Tagamata feudal structure. Due to the nature of the situation and how it occurred, I will consider Savvas ek Militou (Andres) to now be sworn to Ioannis Kalameteros (deguerra) to fill this hole and keep the structure intact. If this oath swearing is not desired, please inform me ASAP.

[Andres]

Dear colleagues.

This is a dark day.

I will put my final decision about this matter on hold.

[Marcus Agrippa]

I swear an oath of Fealty to Nevoulos ek Philadelphias and to House Astrei.
I will serve with honour, Bravery and truth.

[Smowz]

Makadonias ek Philadelphius enters the halls of the Asteri. He is carrying his brothers shield and Asteri crest.

I am sorry for entering your inner sanctum my lords. I am returning my brothers effects and invite you to ride down in a few days and attend his funeral.

Know this he died with honor.

Wiping a tear from his eye, Makadonias leaves the effects on a table nearby and exits quickly.

[rossahh]

Oh dear, the curse has struck again.

[Marcus Agrippa]

I swear an oath of Fealty to Zigavinos Vasilakios and to House Astrei.
I will serve with honour, Bravery and truth.
Let house Astrei rise to greatness.

[rossahh]

I accept your oath, and grant you control of the Castle Belgrade. Go there, raise an army and show the Venetians what the Empire can do.

[Alerion]

Sophronius Komnenos enters the halls of the House and looks around.

"I hereby swear an oath of fealty to Zigavinos Vasilakios and to the House of the Asteri. I will serve and do my best to gain glory for the Empire and the House."

[rossahh]

Ah, Sophronius, good of you to come.

I am sorry but I would now ask you to swear an oath to the son in law of Kalameteros, Andreas Dermokaitis, who like you is another new addition to the house. I think the Smyrna would be fitting of a man of your name. Once you and Andreas have sorted out the details, the city is yours.

[rossahh]

Zigavinos is about to leave but stops

Wait Sophronus. I accept your oath of fealty and give you governership of the city of Smyrna.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

you can now put Smyrna into your SOT, and promote yourself to Comes

[Alerion]

Sophronius nods and bows before leaving the Halls.

[rossahh]

I break my oath to Savvas ek Militou and swear a new oath of fealty to Magnetios Kalameteros, charmingly known as "Magnetios the Bastard".

[Zim]

I, Magnetios Kalameteros, declare my oath of fealty to Savvas ek Militou.

[rossahh]

I hereby place the castle of Markiople under the governership of Magnetios Kalameteros.

[Andres]

I, Savvas ek Militou, am sick and tired of this oath breaking.

An oath of fealthy is something very special and very important and is not to be used to lightly as a tool to let a certain senator gain a few ranks.

What has Magnetios Kalameteros ever done to obtain such a high rank in our feudal chain?

War against Venice was decided by the Magnaura and because of the tax policy of the Asteri, a tax policy set without any form of negotation with House Tagamata, there are not sufficient funds for this war and lifes are wasted.

One can disagree with certain matters, but when a decision is reached through the proper legislative procedure, then one should do its' best to allow the Megas to execute those decisions.

I do NOT agree with my vassal breaking his oath.

I never swore an oath of fealthy to Ioannis Kalamateros and I will never swear an oath to that opportunistic swine.

Those who "assumed" that I swore an oath to Ioannis are wrong. For as much as necessary: I hereby break any oath which would relate me to Ioannis Kalamateros and I am not bound to him by any oath of fealthy.

I do NOT accept Zigavinos (rossah) breaking his oath to me and every single nasty effect of oath breaking without the approvement of your Lord will come into effect.

I do NOT accept Magnetios Kalameteros' (Zim) oath.

I am disgusted by all of you.

[rossahh]

Suit yourself Savvas, but what do you know of our relationship with the Megas? Where do you think your reinforcements and your former lord's troops came from?


I trust you will enjoy being a lowly Comes.

[Zim]

Interesting take from Sir ek Militou. I quite agree that other than my name I have done little to earn such a high rank. Indeed, it seems that names and politics have as much to do with where one ends up in House chains as one's accomplishments, and not just in my own case. Anyhow, should the members of Asteri wish me to I shall join at the bottom of the House.

So, if I wish to earn for myself my own name rather than my fathers and the respect due to one wishing to achieve rank, where shall I go and who shall I fight? I would do so immediately.

[Andres]

Interesting take from Sir ek Militou. I quite agree that other than my name I have done little to earn such a high rank. Indeed, it seems that names and politics have as much to do with where one ends up in House chains as one's accomplishments, and not just in my own case. Should the members of Asteri wish me to I shall join at the bottom of the House.

So, if I wish to earn for myself my own name rather than my fathers and the respect due to one wishing to achieve rank, where shall I go and who shall I fight? I would do so immediately.

We are at war with Venice and there will be war with the Seljuks soon enough. Plenty of opportunity to prove yourself.

Achieve a victory on the field of honor and I will happily accept your oath.

Be warned though, I will never accept an oath breaking by someone who assumes that I'll agree i.e. if I don't give my permission explicitly, then don't assume you have it.

[Zim]

A war against catholic heretics? That sounds like a worthy testing ground indeed.

I admit being confused by the feudal chains, however. Are you still in the same chain as Asteri, Sir ek Militou? If so I would seek instruction from the man that would be my master, either directly as per an oath of mine ot him, or indirectly due to my being much lower on the same chain as he is. If not, then I should speak to the heads of Asteri for direction.

We are at war with Venice and there will be war with the Seljuks soon enough. Plenty of opportunity to prove yourself.

Achieve a victory on the field of honor and I will happily accept your oath.

Be warned though, I will never accept an oath breaking by someone who assumes that I'll agree i.e. if I don't give my permission explicitly, then don't assume you have it.

[Andres]

A war against catholic heretics? That sounds like a worthy testing ground indeed.

I admit being confused by the feudal chains, however. Are you still in the same chain as Asteri, Sir ek Militou? If so I would seek instruction from the man that would be my master, either directly as per an oath of mine ot him, or indirectly due to my being much lower on the same chain as he is. If not, then I should speak to the heads of Asteri for direction.

I am no longer part of House Asteri because I am disgusted by how they boycot the Empire with their tax policies.

However, if a decent explanation is given, our quarrels might be resolved soon.

In the meantime, if you would need any help from me, feel free to ask, without obligations.