The Campaign Builder's Guild

Well... never mind about the crossout then... I guess I did send to Tolomeo. Just saw your reply.

I had poster's remorse, contemplated during the day because I remembered that wait a second... we kicked the pope out... he didn't leave of his own accord. ... silly stupid old Vittorio.  :angry: His mind is gone, what with all the VDs he's picked up over the years.

Also made a slight modification to the ship orders based on your clarification.

[ic=Speech in Response to Arnold of Brescia]
I, Fortis Calafatus, Consul of the Exterior would ask of a simple man of God to do what he does best. Care for the souls of men. Come with us to Tivoli and care for the souls of our militia. Bring your followers! You need not be as Ceasar, that worry will not fall upon you. More so, by the charity of others you shall have your own Honor Guard, so you need not fear for your own safety.
[/ic]

[ooc]Objective: Raze
Troops: Rural Levies: 70% + Arnold's Followers  Urban Militia: 65%  Urban Cavalry: 35% (Honor Guard for Arnold of Bescia drawn from this, cavalry not that useful in siege)
Commander: Fortis Calafatus, calling on known competent veterans of the Second Crusade (particularly the Siege of Damascus and other Siege battles) as aides.
Duration: Summer of 1152.
Conditions:If Tivoli surrenders before more than half the season is finished, Sack instead of Raise and must pay tribute to the Roman Senate of the value of [appropriate wealth value, nothing unsustainable] every season, to be put in the Senatorial treasury.
Note: All costs will be funded by Fortis own wealth, and thus he will take the lions share of the wealth if successful.
Note: Assure that Arnold of Brescia has his Honor Guard with him at all times.
[/ooc]

[ic=Response to Fortis Calafatus - Speech #2] You would so freely give the hospitality of Rome to that German Wolf? Consul Calafatus, King Frederick is no gracious man. He would take all we have to offer and more, and make a gift of our bones to our enemies. Frederick claims lordship over all of Italy, and yet he has no right to any of it, let alone our fair city. Would you have some German as our Caesar? Rome is for the Romans! Any man who sets himself against the good of the city is no Roman. If Pierleoni is one of us, as you say, why then does he hide behind his walls? Why does he not come out and speak plainly? People of Rome, I will tell you why! He colludes with our enemies only to enrich himself! He is a greedy man who would set himself above all others, if he could. He will reap what he has sown, as will any who defy our City. As Tivoli will suffer as the strength of Roman arms overcomes her. Consul Calafatus, I pray to God Almighty that you find wisdom on the battlefield, when you are faced with the spite of those who would see us fall.[/ic]

[ic=A Private aside to Senator Di Fontane] Bernardo, do not take too harshly my words on the floor. I understand your heart is in the right place, and indeed, I agree with you. If a scheme can be enacted to accrue funds for the betterment of the City in a way that does not unduly burden the citizens, you will have me at your side. You are a wise man, if a touch eager. But I think your youthful energy is something our City needs. Our Consuls are wise men too, but the burden of their offices hangs heavily on their shoulders, and perhaps they are not so suited as they once were. Indeed, if ever you seek to relieve them of their burden you would also find me at your side. I will always do what is best for Rome, Bernardo, and I see that so too will you. Think on what I have said.[/ic]

The update is largely complete and will be posted sometime tomorrow afternoon/night if there are no objections.  If you are making any sizable changes to your orders past this point, please PM me or post here so that I'll see them, because I will no longer be re-reading old orders posts.

Answers to letters will be posted sometime after the update, possibly the next day (not sure yet).

I have decided that updating the population figures each season is somewhat of a chore, so I will do that annually* instead.  The population figures on the first page, therefore, will not change with the update.

Thanks!

[spoiler=oops]*I initially wrote this with one "n" only and I only noticed at the last minute that I had spell-check-corrected it to "anally."  As for how that would work, well, I'll leave that to your imagination.[/spoiler]

FYI: I PMed Sarisa a few hours ago so he should know turn I's almost over. Just for the record to save you time so you don't need to send him anything Polycarp! (in the event you were considering).

I'm not going to get into the practice of sending reminder PMs; if someone is out for a turn (or longer), it's really not a big deal.  That said, I don't mean to discourage people who have still yet to post orders or want to edit their orders, I was just stating that if they do this, it's best to post or PM instead of editing previous posts because I might miss those.  It is absolutely acceptable to change orders right up to the deadline.

No problem, that's a great policy; I just figured it would be a good idea to notify for the first turn, seeing as how it is the first turn.

Anno Domini MCLII - Turn 2
Summer has passed into Autumn…
In autumn, laborers take to the farmlands to plow the fields and sow the winter wheat, while in the hills grapes and olives must be picked and pressed.  This is a busy time in Rome, for much work needs to be done between the withering summer and the onset of winter.  The wealthy return to the city from their country estates this season, and the Church prepares for the celebration of All Saints’ Day.  On the water, merchants hurry to complete their routes before the winter storms make the sea treacherous, and citizens watch the Tiber warily, for floods come most often in autumn.

Our Consuls: None (elections pending)
Our Pope: Eugene III
Our Rage: Simmering

News from Abroad

Travelers from Sicily report that the Moors are on the move in Africa, and that some infidel prince of the west has taken the port city known as Bugia.  Now Saracen fights Saracen - would that all our unbeliever enemies be led to such folly!

Manuel Komnenos, the Emperor of the Greeks, has brought the Serbs to heel in the conclusion of a campaign against the Serbian Grand Prince Uroš II and his Hungarian allies.  Uroš has accepted Greek vassalage, and Manuel’s army has returned from Hungary with a fortune in spoils and plunder.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of France, has had her marriage with the King annulled and has quickly remarried Henry FitzEmpress, Duke of Normandy and Count of Anjou.  Through his new wife’s inheritance, Henry now controls more of France than the French King, and is known to have designs on the throne of England as well.

News of Latium

Disaster has fallen upon the Tusculani.  It has been revealed that Count Tolomeo II of Tusculum is utterly bankrupt, his family’s wealth squandered.  He has sold the fortress of Tusculum, the family seat for centuries, to Pope Eugene III, and has been forced to sell or mortgage many of the house’s other properties.  Many have been bought up by the Frangipani.  Never has the star of the Tusculani been so low.

The markets and courts of Latium are aflame with the news of the fall of Tivoli, which was sacked and ruined by Romans and Subiacans in August.  Though most of the citizenry took refuge within the citadel, the people of Tivoli are left with a town of ashes and fields burned to cinders just before harvest.  The communes of Latium have been shaken, alarmed by this sudden and savage assault.  Will there be retribution for this act?  Who can explain the total failure of the Papal alliance to lift the fateful siege?  Regardless of the answers, the people of Tivoli have a hard winter ahead of them…

News of Rome

Consul Fortis Calafatus has made a triumphant return from Tivoli, bearing costly trinkets from the Cardinal-Bishop’s own palace.  His deed has emboldened the Romans in a time of great uncertainty – Roman arms are again victorious!  Nevertheless, some of Rome’s more thoughtful citizens have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of Rome’s mob-army in the field, questions that must surely be addressed.  Fortis Calafatus has gained 2 Popularity and 5 Wealth.  See the campaign report below for details.

The attempts of House Calafatus to put Tre Fontane under protection came to an abrupt halt when the monks refused to let the met-at-arms into the abbey.  The Abbot himself, Hugo of Beauvais – also the Cardinal of Ostia and one of the Pope’s aides – was absent, residing at Tusculum with the Pope, but the senior monks refused to let any armed men from Rome in their compound.  Though not quite a castle, the abbey’s strong walls dissuaded the armsmen from proceeding any further, as surely storming the abbey would run contrary to the claim of “protecting” it.

The construction of a chapel in the Basilica of St. Mary Major has been undertaken by Senator Domenico DeRosa.  Rumor has it that some foreign artists of high stature have been hired for the project.

Mob violence has been mostly absent over the summer, not so much because of cooling tensions but because the dreadful heat makes civil disorder very tiring business.  Riots are expected to pick up after harvest.  An abortive attempt was made by some residents to seize the Lateran, but they were quickly driven off by Papal mercenaries and pro-Eugene sympathizers.

The Gates of Janus Open!

Rome was at war this season past, and herein are detailed the accomplishments of Roman arms.

[spoiler=Siege of Tivoli]Commune of Rome
Commander: Consul Fortis Calafatus
40 Urban Cavalry
1060 Urban Militia
4055 Rural Levy
1200 Roman Mob

Abbey of Subiaco (allied)
100 Feudal Levy
300 Rural Levy

Commune of Tivoli (enemy)
400 Urban Militia
200 Rural Levy
400 Angry Mob

Quote from: Battle ReportThe Senate of Rome ordered a general muster of the city militia, the first in three years, to strike a decisive blow against the hated Tiburtini.  Tivoli, a fief of the Cardinal-Bishop Guido “the Maiden” of Pisa (the origins of this nickname are perhaps best left unexplored) had long feuded with Rome and contributed troops to the attempts of various Popes to crush the city since 1149.  The feud is older than that, however, with armed hostilities dating back to at least 1128 and a rivalry lasting far longer.

The Roman army that set out from the Porta Tiburtina in late June did not look much like one.  Though it was a numerically impressive force, more than six thousand strong, little more than a thousand of these were equipped in a manner beyond clubs, bows, and pitchforks.  A number of the urban lower classes accompanied the army as well, largely due to the presence of Arnold of Brescia and the exhortations of Consul Fortis Calafatus, but a substantial number of these were women and paupers dressed in rags, women and the poor being two of the monk’s most faithful demographics.  The march of this force to Tivoli was slow; the journey took six days in the heat of the Roman summer, and the levies had to fan out around the banks of the Tiber to raid local farms for food.  By the time the mass had arrived at Tivoli, it had lost much of its cohesion.  The Militia still formed an orderly column, but the levies were spread over miles and some of the city folk had already turned back.  Hundreds deserted over the course of the march, and the Consul had no ability to stop them.

On June 26th the city of TIvoli was reached and invested, with the Romans camping to the west and south of the city (the other sides covered by a bend in the river).  Attempts at a parlay proved fruitless; the most positive response the Consul managed to get was “eat shit, Roman swine.”  Soon after arrival, thousands of Roman peasants began ransacking and wrecking anything in sight, taking a special relish in looting Tiburtine hamlets, tearing down mills, and setting fire to croplands full of nearly-grown wheat.  The well-forested area around Tivoli coupled with the smoky haze of numerous fires made the situation even more disorderly and confused than it already was, but the Consul and the Equites managed to organize a group of peasants to begin cutting down trees to prepare for a siege.

The army may not have been much of a fighting force, but in labor it proved adept.  The Consul and his aides, wary of a relief army and conscious of the disaster at Damascus during the Crusades, ordered palisades to be constructed around the Roman camp and facing Tivoli’s walls.  These went up in record time, for those who could not fight could certainly build.  Even “Arnold’s brides,” as the Equites jokingly called the female camp followers, drove stakes and split logs.  By the second week of July, the camp had become a fortified area nearly the size of Tivoli itself, nicknamed “Palazzo Calafatus” by the militia.  A makeshift church was even built where Arnold gave mass.  The Consul worried as the “army” seemed to be acting like it was a picnic outing - it was difficult to enforce much discipline.  Though the peasants caroused with stolen wine and Roman women by night, however, by day the Militia was generally capable of rounding up enough men to press on with the siege.

The primary Roman avenue of attack was against Tivoli's western gate.  Peasants approached the gate with a movable roof on a wooden frame in an attempt to lay hay and oiled rags against the gate to set fire to it.  The Tiburtini shot flaming arrows and dropped great rocks upon it, while the Romans shot arrows and hurled stones back at the walls.  The Tiburtini managed to set it alight on the first attempt, and continued to fend off these assaults as the weeks dragged on.  As the end of July approached, little headway had been made.  The catapults the Romans had managed to build were too feeble to do serious damage to the walls, though they were employed along with bows and staff-slings to suppress the Tiburtini archers on the walls.  The Consul grew concerned, but he was also curious – no relief army had been spotted.  Three days before the end of the month, however, a column of several hundred men approached their encampment from the east.

They turned out to be friends.  Four hundred men, mostly peasants and local militia, had been dispatched by the Abbot of Subiaco to assist the Romans in their siege.  They were led by a “captain” and several friars of the Abbey.  The Abbot was Pietro Tusculani, a member of the great Tusculani family, who despite his family allegiance nursed a grudge against the Tiburtini for encroaching on villages and pastureland along the Aniene River that rightfully belonged to him.  The reinforcements were not many, but they were valuable as a significant morale boost for the besiegers, whose enthusiasm had started to fade as each foray against the gate was bloodily repulsed.

August seemed to go no better for the Romans.  As harvest approached, the Consul’s levies began steadily melting away into the woods.  A tower of sorts had been constructed, only to be destroyed in a night sally by the Tiburtini.  On August 14th, however, the Romans succeeded in bringing their “gallery” against the gate and setting it alight.  Whooping and hollering, the Romans surged forward with slings and bows, this time managing to fill the air with so much shot that the Tiburtini could not manage to put it out in time.  At the cost of several dozen men, the gallery was stacked with more and more hay and wood until it was a mass of flames pressed up to the gate.

Though the Tiburtini were surely doing all they could from the other side to stop the fire, it had charred and weakened the gate too much to hold.  The Romans forced the gate with rams on the 19th after several costly attempts.  A shoving match between spearmen broke out in the ruined gateway, but the surging mass of a thousand Romans shoving forward broke the Tiburtini and the Romans poured in.  A desperate fight between the city militias lasted for several hours until the Equites, tired of being glorified bodyguards for a poor monk, left Arnold and took to the front themselves.  With sword and mail, the dismounted Equites gave strength to the Roman line that the Tiburtini could not match.  As dusk approached, the defense collapsed and the Roman peasants beat down the fleeing Tiburtini with clubs and stones.

Tivoli’s fall was not complete.  Once the gate had caught fire, most of the city had fled to the acropolis, the city’s fortified citadel on a rocky hill above the river, and had taken their most valuable possessions with them.  The empty town, however, was spared little.  The Romans took special glee in looting the palazzo of the Cardinal-Bishop (who was apparently absent from the city) and burned whatever they couldn’t take.  After three days of looting and burning, the Romans abandoned Tivoli and gradually streamed back to Rome in a totally disorganized mass.  With harvest time upon them, the peasants had no desire to try and tear down the walls or breach the citadel, and even the militiamen decided that they would prefer to abscond with their loot rather than waste any more time in the ruined city.  The Consul's army abandoned him, but by that time their job had essentially been done.

But where were the reinforcements?  The Tusculani and Colonna certainly had towns and soldiers in easy reach of Tivoli, but none were ever sighted.  The siege was hardly a secret if the Abbot of Subiaco knew of it.  The Consul breathed a sigh of relief – despite the extensive palisades and earthworks, the Roman rabble showed little discipline and may well have been scattered by any serious opposition.  By the time the gate was breached, nearly half of the Roman levies had deserted.  Arnold loudly proclaimed the mysterious lack of Papal support to be God’s will, but the Consul could not be so sure.

Your expedition has been victorious!  The city of Tivoli has been sacked and razed, though the walls and the citadel remain.

The costs of this campaign were 1 Wealth, paid for by Consul Fortis Calafatus.  The spoils of this campaign (aside from what was taken by Roman and allied soldiers) amount to 6 Wealth, which goes to Consul Calafatus.

Rome has suffered 660 casualties:
90 Urban Militia
460 Rural Levy
110 Roman Mob

Subiaco has suffered around 50 casualties.

Tivoli has suffered around 600 casualties.

The following units have been encountered for the first time and will be added to the Unit Library: Roman Mob, Feudal Levy, Angry Mob.

Consul Calafatus gains 2 Popularity and 5 Wealth.[/spoiler]
Senatorial Inquests

Senators that requested information or launched endeavors have the results of their efforts listed here.  This information is private, but you may certainly choose to share it with the Senate.

[spoiler=Simone di Fontane]Taxes

Senators and officials under your influence have completed an inquest into the potential tax base of the city; unfortunately, the city’s present disorder and the fact that whole districts are off-limits to Communal officials hampered this effort considerably.  Some general issues were identified, however:

- A variety of tithes that existed under the Prefectural government have lapsed since the founding of the Commune, particularly on rural peasants whose ecclesiastical landowners are no longer able to collect on their dues.  The same is true of peasants who were paying rents to the nobility that has been expelled from Rome.  Given the chaotic state of the countryside, it is difficult to determine exactly who is paying what, and to whom, but some peasants are surely enjoying their extended tax holiday.
- Communal governments sometimes levy taxes on citizens (that is, the popolo grasso) in exchanged for their enhanced legal rights; no such tax exists in Rome, though it is unknown if the people would tolerate it or not.
- A considerable amount of urban property that was once let out to renters by church officials, such as the workshops and flats of the Colosseum, has been left in limbo by the expulsion of the Prefect.  If these properties were appropriated by the Senate, a modest income could be collected, or the properties could be cleared for other purposes (though this would certainly anger the former tenants).
- Most communes depend on a steady income from fines levied by the city courts, but there isn’t really a legal system in place any more, nor courts to run it – the courts were all run by clerics.  Reinstating this system would probably draw approval rather than complaint, and would produce some civic income.

Investment

Rome is not a great producer of wealth save in the spring, when pilgrims flock to the city for Holy Week.  Investing in the city itself seems to be a risky business with meager returns.  West of the city, however, the few residents of the village at Gregoriopolis make a steady income producing salt from the tidal salt bets east of the ruins of Ostia.  Expansion of the salt industry there could mean a great windfall, but it would first mean controlling the site.  Malaria is also a serious and constant problem there – must be the marsh vapors.

“Investing” in other peoples’ industries is generally impossible, because they are generally controlled wholly by their lords and are not available for others to take a share in.  The only places to “put one’s money to work” in another’s business seem to be the great port cities – Venice, Pisa, and Genoa – where wealthy men are welcome to invest in voyages and trade concerns.[/spoiler]
[spoiler= Vittorio Manzinni]Your purchases have been made.  The weapons have been ordered and will arrive sometime in autumn, but purchasing grain to arrive in winter is difficult because the winter storms keep most merchants from sailing.  Unless you were willing to pay extra to hire a very brave captain, you will have to move your purchase up to next season or delay it until spring.

Most of the weapons you bought were spears and arrows, but the Neapolitans also offered the “crossbow,” a weapon which is known to you but not very widespread in central Italy.  Apparently the Normans swear by them, for they are of great use in attacking and defending fortifications.  There is still time to alter your orders if you should desire this new weapon instead of spears and arrows (or would like a mix of both).[/spoiler]
[spoiler= Domenico DeRosa]Chapel

The work on your chapel has begun and the artisans have been hired.  Your sum allotted for painting has secured the services of some very fine craftsmen, including a Neapolitan Greek painter who has done work for the King of Sicily and a Milanese sculptor who has an intriguing, more naturalistic style.  Their services might have been more expensive were it not for the fact that working on a chapel in a major basilica in the capital of the Latin church is a very prestigious assignment indeed.  Though the chapel itself will probably be completed by spring, the painting, sculpting, and other interior work may take until the autumn of next year or longer.

Defenses

The Aurelian Walls of Rome are in a rather sorry state.  The Goths razed nearly half the city’s wall in the 6th century, and though many repairs have been made there are still numerous weak points and damaged sections, some of them even caused by the Romans themselves who used wall stones for building materials over the years.  Even if it were repaired fully, however, the essential problem remains that the wall perimeter is huge; even if every man of Rome was under arms, they could not possibly defend every section of it.  An enemy force might well scale an undefended section and seize the city that way.  The walls certainly serve a purpose, but they may be more valuable as a delay against a serious attack rather than an absolute defense.

The Leonine City, in contrast, is exceptionally secure; the Castle of Saint Angelo acts as the keystone of an excellent system of defenses in this walled quarter, built several centuries ago to protect Saint Peter’s Basilica against the Saracens.  Even the river there is protected by chain towers that can keep any ship from passing.  Unfortunately, the whole district seems to be firmly in the hands of the Pierleonists.

No serious steps have been taken to organize any kind of food storage against invasion.  The city has relied on the Tiber for its water since the barbarians cut the Roman aqueducts in distant antiquity, but the Tiber banks are not very healthy and malaria is endemic there.  Fouling the river further would presumably be possible, and there is no real alternative source.

The militia is generally enthusiastic and equipped in an adequate manner, but training and discipline seem to be lacking, as one might gather from the recent assault on Tivoli (see battle report).  It is highly doubtful whether the militia in its current state could stand up to real, professional soldiers in a field battle.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Roberto Basile]Your agent met with representatives from several Pisan trading houses, and toured their warehouses and facilities.  Unfortunately, by now it is too late in the sailing season to buy into ships bound for Egypt and the Levant, but your agent did discuss a venture with a captain Ruggiero Bedello who proposes to take grain and wool to the Pisan-allied city of Olbia in Sardinia, there purchase silver, and then continue to Tunis and Palermo to trade for gold, silk, and sugar before returning to Pisa in advance of the winter storms.

Though the route itself is shorter and less dangerous than the route to the East, it is a bit late in the season and there is still the danger of Saracen or Genoese raiders, particularly near Sardinia where Genoa contests Pisan authority.  What say you, Senator?

If accepted, the outcome of this venture will be randomly determined and revealed to you in the Spring 1153 update.  Profit and loss are both possible, though not equally possible; the real probabilities will remain unknown to you.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Fortis Calafatus]Congratulations on your victory, Senator.  The people both grasso and minuto clamor for your re-election, but it remains to be seen whether popularity in the streets will translate into power in the Senate.

Unfortunately, your other ventures were less successful.  Tre Fontane resisted your offer of protection, and Patrician Pierleoni declined to meet with you, countering your offer with a proposal to meet a senatorial delegation in the Leonine City (an area firmly under his control).  It seems the Patrician is reluctant to join a secret meeting in Communal territory.[/spoiler][ooc=Notes]

• If you believe an error has been made or an order has been ignored, PM me.
• This is an election season.  Please do not post in this thread until I have made my subsequent election post.  You may now post.
  
• The maps and units lists on the front page will be updated tonight; please be patient. Done.
• Responses to letters will be posted when I get around to it, either tonight or tomorrow. All responses have been posted.  There may be more letters for the Consuls once they are chosen.

Senators, it is time to decide who will lead our glorious city in the coming year!

[ic=A mob approaches...]
A crowd of people, including many veterans of the Siege of Tivoli, have gathered in front of the Senate's meeting-place.  They demand the re-election of Fortis Calafatus![/ic]

[ooc=Election Rules]
All PCs are eligible for Consular status, though a character who wins an election may choose not to accept the position if he so desires.  All PCs are eligible to cast a ballot, though casting a ballot is not mandatory.

Each character has a number of votes equal to his Influence score.  When you cast a ballot, you must choose how these votes are allotted.  You may spend all your votes on one candidate or split votes between candidates however you wish.  A ballot should be in a red OOC box like this one, and be in this format:

[ooc=Election of 1152]Your Senator’s Name

4 votes to Senator X
2 votes to Senator Y[/ooc]

The ballot is not secret.  Who voted for whom is in-character information known by all.  The whole Senate, all 100 members, takes part in this vote; our game simulates this using Influence, meaning that when you “cast a ballot” it actually represents your character and his friends and/or family actively cajoling and convincing NPC senators to vote your way.  This is a tedious process of pandering speeches, cloying flattery, empty promises, and boring dinner parties, and is by definition not a private matter.

Bribery, specifically the expenditure of Wealth to buy votes, is permitted.  Bribery will alter the final count of votes, depending on how much Wealth was spent.  One point of Wealth “steals” one vote from a candidate of your choice and gives it to another candidate of your choice.  It will be obvious that people were bribed because the final total won’t match who players actually voted for, but there will be no direct indication of who bribed them.

If the bribery is discovered, there will be a scandal resulting in a loss of Influence.  The chances of a bribe becoming a scandal are 10% for each point of Wealth spent.  Note that a scandal does not mean the bribe was unsuccessful – it is still possible to win an election by bribery despite a scandal, but the loss of Influence may make it difficult to hold on to power.

If you choose to bribe, it should ONLY be done by sending me a PM indicating how much you are spending and who the bribed Senators are supposed to vote for.  If you post a bribe in this thread, it will not be accepted, and I will laugh at you.  Bribes are non-refundable!

Until the vote is complete and the Consuls are elected, you may not post OOC orders.  You may still talk to PCs, makes senate speeches, and write/respond to letters to NPCs.

The two players with the most votes (after Bribery) are elected Consuls.  The Consul who receives the most votes has the privilege of deciding which Consul, external or internal, he wishes to be.  Ties will be resolved in favor of who has the most Influence or, failing that, a coin flip.

Final Caveat: This system is totally untested.  If it turns out to have obvious problems or bribery turns out to be hugely overpowered, I reserve the right to retcon the election and try again with better rules.  I promise I will only do this if it becomes a complete clusterfuck.[/ooc]

[ic=Bernardo DiFontane; Speech to the Senate]
Esteemed Senators!

I have returned, as I promised last season, with the results of the inquest regarding the funding of our great city. Unfortunately, the ongoing unrest inside the city, the continued disorder has made this accounting incomplete. But, from this disorder may arise the seeds of our soon-to-be-great empire, the base of a united Italy once more!

My first proposal is that we immediately appropriate the abandoned commercial lots and buildings which the papacy and their dogs have been renting. They are no longer here to collect the rent, and with God's help, they shall never be again in a position to do so. If the Senate appoints a senatorial prefect for these matters, we may once again have wealth flowing into our coffers.

On the matter of prefects, this brings me to my second point. For too long have the courthouses and judgement seats of the city been laying abandoned beneath the heel of the clergy. I propose we bring back the Roman Law, from the twelve tables to the Corpus Juris, along with the judges, prefects, and law-keepers that entails.
[/ic]

[ic=Bernardo DiFontane, speech to the public]
CITIZENS! Who among you knows the sting of a back-pedaled agreement? The annoyance of a blocking, abandoned cart in the roadway? The injustice of an assault gone without retribution?

The sacking of Tivoli has shown us one thing; that Romans can take care of Romans! But good people, as effective and as respected as the mobs are, you have families, you have work, and lives! The mob cannot last forever. Who shall take up the mantle of keeping the law once the brave fellows from the Tivoli siege return to their families?

Bring back the judges! Bring back the courts! Restore the handling of the law of the people to those to whom it belongs. To ROMANS![/ic]

For Fortis Calafatus' Eyes Only:
[spoiler][ic= A sealed, unmarked letter]Fortis,

Congratulations on your victory, and a pre-emptive congratulations on your continuance as consul. With the backing of the people such as you have, there is no doubt you will win the election by a landslide. Given your victory, I can only assume you would become the consul of external matters.

But what of your compatriot? He has done little in his season and, as I might modestly point out, I have plans and aspirations for the betterment of the Rome we have. I am not the one to expand our control, but neither do you seem to be the one content to solidify what we already have. Perhaps together, we could achieve more for Rome as Consuls?

I will, of course, back you completely. All I ask is that you publicly support me for the other seat.

With Warm Regards,
Bernardo Simone
[/ic][/spoiler]

[ic=Domenico DeRosa's response to Bernardo DiFontane; Speech to the Senate]
I must agree with my right and honorable colleague Bernardo DiFontane - the Pope's lands should be the property of the right and just government of Rome epitomized by our glorious Senate. However, I must point out that the former master of Rome allowed the defenses of the city to languish in poverty and ruin. Our military, though gallant and right-hearted, has also languished from years of neglect. With this in mind, I ask, nay beseech, the good and noble Senators assembled here to appropriate twenty percent of the revenue collected from the (new) rents and place the monies in a special fund that will help the government improve the defenses of the Eternal City. We, as the duly appointed leaders of Rome, must ensure that none on the Peninsula will ever contemplate attacking our glorious city - for the only  conclusion of such an endeavor would bring ruination upon the attacker. We must begin today and ensure the safety of Rome!
[/ic]

[ooc=Election of 1152]
Roberto Basile

5 votes to Senator Basile

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*will post other stuff here when appropriate*

Germany is far away, and replies from there will not come until next turn - if any replies are sent.  All other letters are here, save those for the consuls, because we don't have any (yet).

[ic=A Letter to Roberto Basile]Roberto,

I am pleased to hear that you are well, and have not been among the casualties of Roman lawlessness.  Truly you chose a poor time to make that city your home, unless your love of intrigue is now far greater than your love of the sea!

I grow old, as does my liege, but both of us have the comfort of sons now grown to adulthood.  Alas, the King has lost his three eldest, but as you may know the fourth was crowned as his heir last year over the bitter words of your dear Pope Eugene.  As for the German, my King believes that he does not intend to stop at Rome, but will continue southward to invade our own lands.  Robert Drengot, once Prince of Capua, has fled to the German court; it was he who convinced the Pisans to put Amalfi to the sack, and he will doubtless try to convince the Germans to help him back to his estates.

I have conveyed your words to His Majesty, but he has not wished to scribe a reply as of yet.  I do not think he sees the friendship of the turbulent Romans as the asset you imagine it to be.  He does not consider you much more than a pack of peasants and peddlers pretending at sovereign power, and does not treat your overtures seriously.  Nevertheless, I believe he is listening to the news from Germany carefully, and perhaps in the years to come his plans will include you.

John[/ic]

[ic=To the Senate of Rome]Honored Senators,

We have heard the good tidings of your victory over Tivoli and thank God for your success.  The people of Rieti have not forgotten the dark year of 1149 when the vicious Normans burned our city, but neither have we forgotten that your Commune and the generous and wise Patrician Pierleoni helped us rebuild our homes and our livelihoods.  Our beloved city would still be a memory without Roman aid.

We pledge our continued friendship and pray that God will frustrate the evil designs of the enemies of the Roman people.

May God protect eternal Rome,
The Honorable Rectors of the Commune of Rieti[/ic]

[ic=Arnold of Brescia addresses the masses]Yes, Romans, I was there at Tivoli when the Consul's army stormed the gates, and I saw the blood shed by Tiburtini and Romans alike.  A Christian cannot love war, but a Christian must fear God and obey His commands, and respect the worldly power of man's authority vested in our ancient Senate.

But I say to you - What shocked me more than any bloodshed was when I walked into the palace of the Cardinal in that city, and saw his silken sheets and gilt furniture, his silver slippers and gemmed tiara, and all the accoutrements of his den of hedonism and vice!  A man of God indeed!  And where was this Cardinal, this Prince of the Church?  Gone, fled from the city, not a finger lifted to its defense.  This man gorges himself on roasts upon silver platters and then tells us, his lips stained with French wine, that we must be charitable and moderate and chaste, that we must live for the glory of God.  But where is the charity and moderation of such a man?  Where is his chastity, his bravery?  Who can believe the falsehoods, the ridiculous lies of a man like this who claims to give the sacraments of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit?  Such a man will never receive eternal life in Christ, but will be thrown into the Lake of Fire.  Let him repent of his sins and walk beside me, in the poverty of Christ and the Apostles, and forsake the evils that Satan has inspired in the clergy.  Let him cast his net as Christ did – cast his net for the souls of men, and not for their coins!

And the crowd goes wild...[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Fortis Calafatus]Herr Calafatus,

I remember your service and wonder why you commit yourself to the cause of these shopkeeper-senators I have heard about – the cities of Italy take far too much liberty with the rights of the Emperor.  Verona, the greatest city of this land, constantly and illegally gnaws at the lands and properties of the Church and my own vassals.  The Italians are filled with headstrong pride, and it will take a strong hand to rein them in.

I have heard only tales of this Brescian monk but they are not at all positive.  It is said he has been exiled and condemned in council, and his writings are to be burned by the decree of the Church.  I know nothing else of him, but that is enough – you should chase him from the city at once, if he cannot be handed over to proper authority.

I have of course heard the rumors of the King's intentions to cross the mountains, and I strongly believe them to be true.  I do not know whether you witnessed the King's deeds when he was on crusade – he was the Duke of Swabia, then – but it was his determination and bravery that caused his uncle Conrad to choose him as his successor over Conrad's own young son.  He will not abandon this crown he wishes for anything.

When the King comes southward, which he shall, I will speak to him then and tell him that there are those in Rome who are loyal and of good character.  I encourage you to aid him when he arrives, for the King rewards loyalty and may grant you great favors if you can end this rift with His Holiness and get rid of this noxious heretic.  Certainly I will vouch for you.  My family and I have always been true servants of the Hohenstaufen and I pray that you will follow this just and godly course as well. 

Hermann von Baden, Markgraf von Verona[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Vittorio Manzinni]"Interesting" is perhaps not the word I would use.  I am certain that the Pope will try to entice Frederick to invade my lands, together with those traitors that have defected to his court.

I am always set upon the acquisition of wealth for my domains and I welcome your gifts.  I wonder, however, what it is Rome really offers besides insurrection and malaria.  You show us pottery, and it is well enough, but I have the pottery of Athens and Cairo.  If you wish a trade deal, here is one: if the Romans can trade something which will put new gold in my coffers each year, I will put the ships of the Romans under the same protection my own merchants enjoy, warded from harm as they are by the reprisals of my mighty fleet.

Roger, King of Sicily[/ic]

I'm going to set the deadline for the election on Wednesday, February 8th.  Of course, if all the votes are in sooner (or at least enough of them to know the result), then the election will be finished sooner, and we'll be able to get on with Turn 2 sooner.

I didn't mention it explicitly, but yes, you can vote for yourself.

Some people have been asking me of how things like the the siege of Tivoli are decided.  There's a lot of randomness involved; the Romans failed their rolls to breach until the very last week before they would have abandoned the siege, for instance.  The units do have some stats, the most important ones being morale and discipline, but these are heavily affected by conditions like leadership, motivation, training, even the weather.  Unit "quality" is important but it doesn't mean that superior forces will always win.  History is full of battles that turned around on some fluke or misfortune, and the same will happen here.  Sometimes these misfortunes will favor you, and sometimes they won't.  The essential point is that war in this game is not a science, and there is always a considerable element of risk involved when "the Gates of Janus open."

Working on a response here: [spoiler]This talk of taxation troubles me; I could be persuaded to support such talk if I knew where investments were being made...Only in fortifications, or also in arms?[/spoiler]

[ooc]Regarding the Food, Polycarp-From my experience, what return would 1 wealth investment in food give when sold in Winter in Rome? This will help me decide regarding the expenditure of 2 wealth to get the food home... (very expensive Captain).
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