The Campaign Builder's Guild

If there is anything I can do on this turn (beside voting, it would seem... opportunistic and perhaps precipitated), please let me know.

Actually, you can do anything on this turn besides vote - I've asked people to not bother with OOC orders until the election is over, but that's only because some orders depend on Consular authority and we don't yet know who has that authority until the Consuls are chosen.

[ic=A Letter to Senator Manzinni]As I suspected, the Romans are capable of dealing only in threats.  Well, two can play at that game - I hold my estates from the Emperor, not your Senate, and if the Romans decide that they would like to try their fortunes against my castles I will gladly inform Frederick of your treachery as soon as he sets foot in Latium.  And not this alone - I will open my doors to the Imperial army.  Every one of my fortresses on the way to Rome will be his to utilize, that he may rest and resupply as he wishes, that he may more deftly crush your insolence into dust.  Every ally, every spy that remains to me will supply him with everything he should need to bring about your downfall.

I have no interest in seeing the German assert his authority in my domains, but should the Senate lay a single greedy finger on my possessions you can be assured of my retribution.  Inform your "Consuls" of this, and tell them that they should keep a tighter leash on their councilors so I will not have to receive any more idle threats from the likes of you.  Though your Consuls may not be gentlemen, perhaps at least they are capable of playing the part.

Tolomeo, Count of Tusculum, Prince of Latium[/ic]

[ic=Private Message to Vittorio Manzinni] Though I am humbled by your offer, I do not feel the time is right for myself to seek election as a Consul. I have expended a sizable amount of money constructing the Chapel of the Blessed Godfrey of Cappenberg within the hallowed halls of the Basilica of St. Marry. Furthermore, there is much work to be done with bolstering the defenses of the city and bringing forth a secure future. For now, I will do my part out on the floor of the senate, content to allow other, worthier candidates, vie for Consulship. However, if in the future such candidates prove less decisive, or less defense-minded, then we should work to rectify such a situation, if only for the continued glory and prosperity of the Eternal City.  [/ic]

[ic=Private Letter to Fortis Calafactus]I have chosen this year to support you for your bid of consulship of Rome. Your ventures in Tivoli have proven your right mindedness and your decisive nature. I pray such qualities will continue henceforth into the future. I beseech you, dear Consul, if you are (God willing) elected, that you should put more emphasis upon the defense of our fair city - from aqueducts, to the walls, to the militia - Rome has the much potential for improvement. With your stewardship, I believe you could lead Rome to a new golden age, one full of hope, prosperity and joyousness.

- Senator Domenico DeRosa  [/ic]

[ooc=Winter Election 1152]
Fortis Calafatus: 6 Influence[/ooc]

[ooc]Consular Votes
Roberto Basile - 4
Fortis Calafactus - 1 (my personal vote goes to him)
[/ooc]

[ooc=Current Tally]Election of 1152
Total votes: 27
Votes cast: 27
Votes remaining: 0

Senator Calafatus: 17
Senator Basile: 7
Senator DiFontane: 3

This is the current tally for the election of 1152, before bribery is applied.  Total votes include currently active players only.  The deadline continues to be Wednesday, February 8.  The election may also end by consensus, meaning that one of the current candidates withdraws from contention and declares their support for another of the current candidates, leaving only two in contention.  Until the election ends in either of these two ways, you may still change your votes or communicate a bribe to me.[/ooc]

[ic=To the Senate]
Greetings esteemed colleagues,

I would like to express my concern about the state of our fair city, Rome. Frederick is due to arrive someday and God knows he intends to subjugate Romans to his rule, perhaps worst. We are surrounded by foes... and allies are a rarity. We have to remedy to that situation as soon as possible.

I will be working my contacts as much I can, to create strong bonds between Rome and them and to ensure our prosperity as well as our security. At the same time, I will give generously to the improvement of our defenses, be it in the training of a disciplined armed force or the construction of fortifications, or both.

This winter shall prove a great opportunity for us Romans to strengthen our position in the region. While everybody else sits on their laurels, let us work actively to boost the morale of our fellow people, the hearty Romans and demoralize those who would see our great Republic fail.

*Bows to the crowd of Senators*[/ic]

[ic=To the Lesser Council]
My signores,

I have been subtle lately, observing from a distance the unfolding events. I must admit I am concerned with the state of Rome. People that would see the Republic fail are not only surrounding us, but also have taken territories inside the city. We must not let them achieve their goals.

That being said, I already took a few precautions to ensure the safety of our Republic. I hope others will join in on my endeavor to make Rome a better place.

I would also like to point out that it is possible for us the delay the coming of Frederick even further. If arrangements would be made for rivalries to intensify on Germany's southern border, we would strengthen our position here in the south and our northern neighbors would be rendered weak, allowing us more leeway in future negotiations, and other endeavors.

*Bows politely to the council*[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Francini Benedito, given with a figurine of marble depicting a praying man]Dear friend,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. It has been too long since I last saw you, but my being appointed senatores consilliarii in the Republic of Rome does not give me much time to travel abroad. Please accept this gift as an apology for my absence. I know you are a man of good faith and hope this gift will be well suited for your taste.

I have an important thing to ask of you. I know very well that Sicily is on a construction binge and that they might be looking for the finest marble and the best dealers. You know very well that my estate holds many connections in such business and would like to let you know that I am seeking trade agreements with your fair city, or another of your realm would the demand be insufficient in Naples. Would you help me find an interesting investment? You would have Rome's most sincere thanks.

Of course, I would select a few gifts from my personal collection to be sent your way in a show of gratitude for your help. I feel a man of your tastes would enjoy such additional decorations.

Your friend de Vinti[/ic]

[ooc]- Send an agent to Naples to study the prospects for investment opportunities in which I would spend no more than 1 Wealth of my estate
- Send a delegation to Gregoriopolis with 1 Wealth worth of goods and necessities from my estate to bolster our influence in the port city
- Spend 1 Wealth for the recruiting, arming and training of militia for Rome. (1 Wealth that would be given to Roberto Basile, like my IC comment suggests on p.8)
- Investigate the defenses of the city of Rome (EE has already answered me)
[/ooc]

Hugo de Vinti has been chosen to enter the ranks of the Lesser Council and join our esteemed senatores consiliarii.  We congratulate him.

For the enlightenment of all players, the Map of Latium has been enhanced by the addition of some basic information on the regions of Latium right below the map (on the first page).  Check it out!

[ooc=Current Tally]
Election of 1152
Total votes: 27
Votes cast: 27
Votes remaining: 0

Senator Calafatus: 14
Senator Basile: 8
Senator DiFontane: 5

This is the current tally for the election of 1152, before bribery is applied.  Total votes include currently active players only.  The deadline continues to be Wednesday, February 8.  The election may also end by consensus, meaning that one of the current candidates withdraws from contention and declares their support for another of the current candidates, leaving only two in contention.  Until the election ends in either of these two ways, you may still change your votes or communicate a bribe to me.[/ooc]

[ic=Private to DeRosa]
If it is your wish to stand back from election, then I respect it and I respect the courage it takes to stand aside while others seek glory. I wish you success regarding your endeavors with the Chapel. As a caution from one of age, though- while there is great wisdom in holding back from election, beware of being too humble. Other candidates may be worthy, but it may hurt one's opportunities to rectify others' wrongs if one has already publicly said others are worthier than you.

I will watch your career with joy and approval. If in the future candidates prove less decisive, or less defense-minded, then I would be glad to work with you to rectify that situation for the continued glory and prosperity of the Eternal City. For now, though I will stand with Fortis and with Roberto- two Great Men of Rome.[/ic]

[ic=Private to Manzinni]
Would you be able, by any chance, to notify your cousin Roger II of Sicily of my efforts to promote a trade agreement between Rome and Sicily? I have already sent agents to Naples to meet with old acquaintances of mine, and more... I am also working arduously to win the hearts of Gregoriopolians to further secure the Tiber mouth, even thought that might not mean much now, those who have the Pope's best interests at heart can be surprising, at times.

If he'd agree to supplying Rome with contracts in exchange for, say... marble imports, we would already be in a much better economic state. Of course, this is an idea... there might be other possibilities as well. Though, I am aware that they have been building intensely lately.[/ic]

[ic=Private to Hugo de Vinti]Thank you for seeking my council. I am certain, Hugo, that Roger II will be interested in trade if Rome can provide him with something that he does not already possess in weight. In fact, I have already been in contact with my cousin and he has informed me of a particular deal that I hope to bring before the Consuls once they are elected. I regret that I cannot inform you of the particular details at this moment, but I can confirm that Roger II is very interested in pursuing lucrative potentialities with Rome and he has promised a very interesting deal if we can bring him something of which he does not already have a surplus.

What sort of trade deal were you seeking; that is, what items were you pursuing to trade? The deal which you seek may serve Rome better than the one that I am negotiating? [/ic]

Essentially, OOC- were you looking to get certain goods from Rome, or are you trying to improve Rome's wealth in general by 1... as in for the Senate's funds.

Polycarp- Can we have a running total of how much money the Senate has in its defense/construction fund from our own contributions and from the other Senators' donations?

Also, I was discussing this with Magnus- as a possible idea:
What if each character had an additional stat- a type of income that would refresh in one season for each year.
For example--- Magnus may gain a popularity every spring from an unveiling of his statues; I might gain a wealth every year in Autumn due to my trade; Fortis may gain an influence every Summer from his ownership of a theatre, etc. (Influence should not be gained in a voting quarter though) Or something along those lines to represent accumulation of things from each Senators' private businesses. Each Senator could choose what bonus they may receive and in which month they would receive it. Events outside players control could sometimes result in no bonus being received, etc.

Quote from: Light DragonPolycarp- Can we have a running total of how much money the Senate has in its defense/construction fund from our own contributions and from the other Senators' donations?

As soon as there is Wealth in the treasury, a treasury will be established.  No Wealth has been put toward any defense/construction fund because all the orders were conditional ("IF a defense fund is set up...") and no defense fund was set up.  The treasury and all "common" Senatorial funds are the domain of the Consul for the Interior, and when that Consul orders such a fund created, it will be.

QuoteWhat if each character had an additional stat- a type of income that would refresh in one season for each year.

This actually already exists for Wealth, you just haven't reached the proper season yet.  Non-nobles gain 1 Wealth in Spring (Holy Week!) while nobles gain 1 Wealth in Summer (Harvest!).  Influence, Popularity, and Orthodoxy only change with actions, which can include building great civic projects or churches and such, but I'm very reluctant to give any kind of "Stat income" on stats that you don't "spend" like you do Wealth.

In retrospect, perhaps I should have stated that yearly income bit sooner, but I just figured we'd get to Spring and Summer soon enough.

Speaking of which, do your election stuff, people!  Tomorrow is the cutoff point.  I will announce winners sometime tomorrow evening and then all characters may post OOC orders and get this turn done with.

1. Thank you for the clarification.

2. I'm pretty sure a defense fund was set up-the Interior consul isn't playing yet so I thought Roberto and the other contributor set one up? Am I the only one with this misconception?

3/ Question about the turn: I want to have some discussions with the Consuls and I want to do some other things after the speeches are given... is the season going to be over on Wed? Or will we have another week for the season to be completed and for debate to happen?

Quote from: Light Dragon2. I'm pretty sure a defense fund was set up-the Interior consul isn't playing yet so I thought Roberto and the other contributor set one up? Am I the only one with this misconception?

If it was a misconception, it's not really a big deal.  We'll be getting new Consuls tomorrow and they can set it up then.  I didn't subtract from anyone's Wealth for the non-existent fund last turn, so they are welcome to contribute again this turn.

Quote3. Question about the turn: I want to have some discussions with the Consuls and I want to do some other things after the speeches are given... is the season going to be over on Wed? Or will we have another week for the season to be completed and for debate to happen?

Wednesday is just the deadline for the vote, not the turn.  I hope we don't need an entire extra week to get Turn 2 orders in - I was thinking a Sunday or Monday deadline for Turn 2 - but if people need a whole week we can do that too.

OOC -  I was looking for a steady stream of Wealth per Season. Since they are on a construction boom, they'll need materials, maybe more than they have available (though that I'm far from certain and is why I'm only inquiring about opportunities for this turn). The Wealth return, of course, I'd want it to be as high as possible, but 1 Wealth will suffice and further deals could increase this amount. And to really answer your question. It's not only about increasing Rome's Wealth, but Rome's reputation with a potential ally against Frederick I. If Frederick or his Papal allies would decide to descend upon Rome, Sicily's interests might be in jeopardy. You get where I'm going. Of course one deal wouldn't set the sort of reaction I'm expecting, but in life, we start at the low of the ladder and go up. If you catch my drift. :)

[ic=Private to Manzinni]
I am overjoyed to hear that another amongst us is pursuing economic avenues with the good Sicilians. And you have contacted His Majesty, no less... and have had an answer already!

When you say that we should offer him something he does not have in surplus already, did you imply that marble was out of the question? If that is the case, perhaps our proficiency with it would be a better proposal?

I have, in my career, built a few estates in Sicily. I am sure they would greatly appreciate Roman help on that matter. Of course, you already know of this, but the de Vinti are great marble workers and have been in the business for decades. Our contacts are many, as well, and span across the great lands of Italy. If you would caress his ears with the prowess of our fine people, perhaps he would be enticed in benefiting the good works of our marble masters? If you are to do so, I beg you to tell me so that I may also send gifts his way. Then he can witness true Roman marvel.

Of course, the prospect of sending our good Romans abroad might seem terrifying, but if it's for the good cause of Rome, nothing is too harsh. Besides, Vittorio, I am sure His Majesty, the King Roger II of Sicily would be generous with the Republic of Rome if we were to dispatch some of our greats. Such are the Sicilians.

I have sent one of my agent in Naples to study the prospects for economic opportunities in that city, but also in Sicily in general, so perhaps I can truly answer your question at a later time?[/ic]

Thank you again Polycarp.

Regarding the recent marble discussion- would marble count as a special resource that Rome has for purposes of Roger II? Or is that something to be found out in-game after a marble deal is proposed to Roger II?

Also, Do we actually have marble mines or is all of Hugo's marble essentially skimmed off of decaying buildings?