The Campaign Builder's Guild

Quote from: Light DragonWell, as Stargate mentioned, what we might like is like the old Roman "professional legions" to some degree- landowners who do professional service. I was thinking having the Popolo Grosso work on that. Thus, training in Winter, service in Spring, Summer; Harvest/work at home in Autumn. So maybe that's like your idea of an Urban Militia?

"Landowners who do professional service" is basically a knight.  Urban Militia are close to what you're describing, except that the popolo grasso who form the militia are generally merchants and artisans, not landowners, and don't have the time to train for an entire season (though the Senate has recently instituted some regular training).  If you wanted to make the Militia more "professional," presumably you could require them to train more often, but they can't simply abandon their businesses for a whole season and will probably resist training that cuts into their livelihoods.

QuoteAnother option, taking off from Stargate's comment- is arming some of the popolo minuto (the angry citizens) and training them. It would be a calculated risk and it may be worth taking.

Yes, this is possible.  It is also very expensive (because you will have to purchase all their equipment) and will definitely be opposed by the equites and popolo grasso, to whom the current Senators are indebted.  The hundred and two-hundred man private militias some players have raised are already making the equites a bit queasy; to raise an army like this en masse would probably invite a civil war.  I'm not saying it's not possible to do, but whoever supports it had better be ready to lose a whole lot of Influence.

Quote from: StargateThere's a place called Ostia, which was Rome's real-life port city. I can't seem to find it on the map, but that would be the ideal spot.

Ostia is basically Gregoriopolis.  Gregoriopolis was built right next to Ostia to protect the former residents of Ostia (at least, the few that remained) from Saracen attacks.  It suffers from the same problems of malaria and flooding that Gregoriopolis and Portus do.

[ic=Selected Equites respond to Senator Manzinni]The reaction to your proposal is largely positive.  Certainly the great men of the city are interested in acquiring land under their own names, though the nobility among the equites are slightly less enthusiastic - they would like more land, no doubt, but seem uncomfortable at the idea of non-noble equites owning estates like a nobleman.[/ic]

[ic=To Consul Calafatus]Consul,

The honorable members of the Lega Falisca welcome peace with Rome and hope that our relations will be tranquil and enduring.  Of course, there are many dangers to our members in these uncertain times, and it is only natural that we should organize for our own defense.  We see no reason to move beyond defense so long as Rome does not make itself a continuing threat to its free neighbors.  In particular, we are concerned with the recent vitriol we have all heard from the Romans regarding Formello.  Please understand that any aggression against that city will be understood by the League as an attack upon our security, and will unfortunately force us to respond.

In peace and faith,
Johannes III, Bishop of Sutri[/ic]

[ic=De Vinti's Reply to Fortis]Consul,
What I would propose is having both of them as ports under Rome's reign. We could, eventually, have Nettuno be our main port, but we are far from having the capabilities to make it ours at the present time. Bernardo's advices concerning this matter were fair, and I agree with him. What's more, last season I showered the poor townspeople of Gregoriopolis with gifts from my estate and they were most happy, so some work has already been done there. Of course we might have some trouble with Pisans if we were to take control of the area, but I'm sure we can arrange something... perhaps with the good King Roger II of Sicily?

Pardon my, perhaps biased, opinion of this situation, but since I've been working to improve our standing with the people of Gregoriopolis, their town is the one I will stand for, at the moment.

Having said that, Bernardo's idea of looking into Venice's special talents is something I volunteer to look into. I will send an agent of mine as fast I can.

*bows before seating*[/ic]

[ic=To Fortis]
You present many good arguments for a port at Nettuno, but Tusculum blocks the way. And Tusculum harbors the Pope. We will have no purchase at Nettuno unless Tusculum is to fall.

I would counsel a precise strategy to destabilize Ptolemeo and to divest him of his Papal allies, then to move in and seize his properties while his men desert and we risk few Roman souls. I have some ideas along this line, but given that the people of Rome are very wary of war, this project may need to wait until Spring or at even Summer for execution.

Whatever port we eventually construct must serve several purposes:
One, it must be defensible from pirates.
Two, it must be loyal to Rome
Three, it must be safe to transport goods from the Port to Rome. It does Rome no favors to pay for goods that it cannot enjoy and that Rome's enemies secure.
Fourth, the cost of transport from the Port to Rome must be efficient.

At this time, I will speak in the Senate for Gregoriopolis, which brings benefits of salt that could perhaps be traded to Sicily in return for protection of Rome's burgeoning population of ships; but I would speak with great honor of your plan for locating the Port in Nettuno if certain challenges can be eliminated or if we have a plan to eliminate these challenges. [/ic]

[ic=To the Senate]
*FINISH THIS ONE:
SPEAK FOR GREGORIOPOLIS BUT MENTION THAT NETTANO WOULD BE EXCELLENT IF WE COULD GUARANTEE SAFETY THROUGH THE LAND OF TUSCULUM, WHICH SHOULD BY RIGHT BE that of Rome.
[/ic]

[ic=To Senator Arrigus Sissmondii (Nomadic)]
Welcome Senator, from the ranks of merchants to the ranks of the lesser Council. You have already impressed with your plans and your willingness to serve and to contribute. I hear of your plans to help fund the relocation of the Senate at the Curia Julia; have you considered locating the Senate at a more impressive location, and more defensible location, however? The Pantheon is larger and it can hold more Senatores. The Pantheon also is more impressive a building and it is located in a more impressive location.

Regardless of the Senate's decision as to the eventual location of our new buildings, I welcome you to our ranks and I look forward to working with you and supping with you in the future.
[/ic]

[ic=To the Senate]
I note Senator Sismondii's great generosity in offering to renovate the ancient Seat of the Senate, the Curia Julia. His suggestion is a good one and if the Senate were to remain small and if it would not cost to renovate the building, then I could support it with my whole heart.

Consul Basile also suggests a grand building for the Senate, the Lateran Palace. With Frederick coming to Rome to punish those in Rebellion, I suggest we all consider long and hard what the consequences will be of seating ourselves in the Lateran. If a Pope sits in Rome, will the Pope demand the return of the Palace? Will the Senate spend great expense in relocating? Will the Senate refuse relocation and invite controversy? We must examine these questions and we must understand what we will be willing to bargain in the future, or if we will be willing to bargain at all- before we appropriate the Palace.

I will, however, speak of another option. Rome has another great building that is an icon for all of Latium--the Pantheon, the Impressive building that once stood for "all the Gods" can now stand for "all the Romans", and "all the Latins".

Some may say that the Pantheon is troublesome to utilize in the winter, when cold air assaults, or when rain does fall. I say that the center of the structure can be vaulted with leather-skin of beasts, so that rain will fall to the sides on days of rain.

The Pantheon is larger than the Curia Julia; it may accommodate more Senatores and it is currently consecrated as a church for all the martyrs of Rome- under the Senate it would remain a shrine to the Martyrs of this fair city- those who gave their lives in defense against Tivoli and the Alliance that sought to throw Rome down- and it would be a living shrine, a shrine of words and actions and destiny- the Senate should seriously consider the Pantheon as a center for its future!
[/ic]

[ic=Another Speech to the Lesser Council]
The Frangipani are growing wealthy through rebuilding the town of Tivoli. It is only by extreme discretion that I do not mention this before the Greater Senate. This action is a clear affront to Rome that the Frangipani would give solace to Rome's enemies. If the popolo were to discover this, they would be incensed. But- Rome is weary of campaign.

My question is this. Who are Rome's allies among Rome's great Houses?

I have spoken in the past in defense of Pierleoni, but I have heard rumors that he tried to vilelly assassinate Consul Calafactus. I no longer know what to think of the man. Perhaps his nephew Ruggiero can be trusted, however, I do not know. Once I would have thought to rehabilitate their clan, now I am saddened by recent events.

The Colonnas desert the city- perhaps righteously since the mob had been gathered around their door. I thank Senator Basile for negotiating a solution to that situation.

The Tolomeos who are related to the Colonnas are playing a deadly, desperate game as they descend into poverty and shield the pope.

Given the sad options before Rome, I think it may be time to look more for aid from our noble and non-noble Equites and Senators. I would like to conduct outreach to the Equites, for purposes of securing defense and agreements with them. In future campaigns, we can grant non-noble Equites land to replace the land that is taken from those who do not respect Rome. In that way, the Senate can build powerful allies who can manage how the land is worked and who can tithe to support the City.[/ic]

[IC=To the Lesser Council]
Frederick's letter threatens the City; I agree with Senator DeRosa that his letter is an item for concern.

I suggest the Consuls contact Frederick with a letter explaining that Pope Eugene III is not barred from the city!

In Fact, Rome welcomes Pope Eugene III to come to the city and we have been hard at work removing jackals from the religious orders who hated God and who sought to turn the people from His path by exploiting and hurting the Church!

The difficulty in sending this letter, of course, will be the recent sack of the Lateran Palace, which was guarded by Cardinal-Vicar Gregorio della Suburra, son of the Current Dean of the College of Cardinals. I am certain that with our minds together, we can agree upon an appropriate response to deal with difficulties raised by that situation.

Speaking of the Papacy, Eugene III is old and he may pass. I have conducted a study of the College of Cardinals.

There are around 35 current cardinals, though not all of them participate in every Papal conclave; currently about five of them are out of the country, acting as Papal legates to Germany, Lombardy, and Scandinavia, only the ones from Germany and Lombardy would be likely to return should an election be held.  

The allegiances of the members of the Papal Curia are not common knowledge.

According to a friend, with whom I spoke on this matter, rumor has it that the most likely successor at this time is the current Dean of the College of Cardinals, Corrado Demetri della Suburra, Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina, who is uncle to the Cardinal Vicar who defended the Lateran Palace. With luck, he despises his nephew.
[/ic]

[ic=Private To Console Basile]
Consul Basile, noting that you have spoken much in favor of Rome's defense in the past, and noting that you currently command Rome's fund for Defense. I have recently come into acquisition of a new technology via a shipment of arms from the south- the crossbow- which was used against Rome by Norman mercenaries in the last sack of our fair city. The crossbow is an excellent item of defense, should Rome ever be assaulted.

I can acquire more in future shipments for lesser outlays, but the risk of shipment is always great. Would the city to outlay 2 wealth to purchase this first shipment, with promise of subsequent shipments at cheaper price? Otherwise, it will not be to my advantage to make the journey in the future. Please, I await your reply. If the answer is no, that is impossible, then I would speak with you further before the issue is broached with others.
[/ic]

[ic=To the Senate]
I speak on two matters.

One, the Loss of the Senate Chambers saddens me. I have been pursuing options for the Senate's relocation and I would speak on that more at a later time; at this time, however, my heart is with the loved ones and friends of the two missing Senators. I plead those who know of their existence to free them or to keep them safe. They served not in war, but in peace- building Rome- and they, and their Senate was destroyed by a Mob! The Senate is a house of debate, a house of Peace! War may travel from the senate, but the Senate itself is neutral and wishes no ill save the ill that even our Great God would feel when Moneychangers come into the temple, when enemies come to slaughter our children and to enslave us. So, being that our Senators are men of Peace- I ask that those who are holding them treat them as the men of Peace they are!

Two, the mercenaries who Rome has captured. Those who wish to be hired by good-blooded men of the Senate, should be hired. But there are many who may be disloyal to Rome. I speak to suggest that those loyal only to the Pope, but who are children of Rome, be put to work on the Aqueduct of Consul Basile and the Aqueduct that is the lifespring of Rome. Through their labour on the Aqueduct, they will serve not only God in ensuring the life of many citizens, but they will serve Rome in building not a structure of war, but a structure of Peace! Rome is a city of greatness and a great city is both great in War and it is great in Peace! Let us Build Peace!
[/ic]

[ic=To the Public]
The Loss of the Senate Chambers saddens me, but I am even more saddened by the kidnapping and disappearance of two great Senators! Senator Giulio Franco and Senatore Pietro Sigvicchio.

My heart is with the loved ones and friends of the two missing Senators. I plead those who know of their existence to free them or to keep them safe.

They served not in war, but in peace- building Rome- and they, and their Senate was destroyed by a Mob!

The Senate is a house of debate, a house of Peace! War may travel from the senate, but the Senate itself is neutral and wishes no ill save the ill that even our Great God would feel when Moneychangers come into the temple, when enemies come to slaughter our children and to enslave us, when enemies threaten our very existence!

So, being that our Senators are men of Peace- I ask that those who are holding them treat them as the men of Peace they are![/ic]


EE- Regarding your letter to me- I like your plan about the Chainmail!

TMG- "I see by Senator Manzinni's expression that he has something he wishes to say on this subject, and so I will grant the floor to him, let us hearken to his words, Senators. " Thank you. You can assume a bow from Manzinni in your direction after you cede the floor.

PC: Updated OOC a few pages back.

Hopefully a helpful chart:
Political Positions-

1. "Lord Jesus, stop the slaughter!"
2. "The Emperor is coming!  Who will defend us?"
3. "Pierlone must pay for this treachery!"
4. "Arnold of Brescia is a great man.  We should protect him."
5. "Consul Calafatus is too bloodthirsty to lead."

We also have:
1. 2 Senators (kidnapped?)

2. Taxes and Defense Fund (more money in, spend it now, spend it on what?)
Basile- Voluntary Contributions
Manzinni- Voluntary Contributions
Stargate- Raise and institute ancient fines.

3. Aqueducts and Building and rebuilding the city
-Stargate: Focus on Defense
-Basile: Aqueduct
-Manzinni: Can't we have both?

4. Pierleoni in Western Part of City

5. Mercenary Captives (100) what to do with them?
-Basile (posted something private about them)
-Manzinni (the unrepentant ones should work on the Aqueduct if they are Roman citizens or from Latium)

6. Roman Senate Judges

7. Ports
-DeVinti: (Gregoriopolis, eventually Nettano)
-Bernardo: 1- Gregoriopolis (drain marsh); 2-Nettano if build road.
-Fortis: (Nettano)
-Manzinni: (1- Gregoriopolis; 2-Nettano if make safe.)

8. Equites (Land for Service)
Vittorio - Yes, land for service

9. New Place for Senate to Meet
Sissmondi- Curia Julia
DeRosa- Pantheon
Basile- Lateran (temp until Curia Julia is prepared) ; Then use Lateran as Consulate and Judiciary
Magnus- Curia Julia
Manzinni- Pantheon

To clarify on some things that were perhaps missed,

The two senators are currently being held by Ruggero Pierleone as an assurance of the continuance of the truce that has been declared. Roberto is fully intending to negotiate a peaceful resolution to hostilities and a reconciliation between our two factions once and if Giordano Pierleone recovers from his wounds.

Court fines are part and parcel to the institution of any court system, and I did not think it would be necessary to mention. If the courts are successfully established, I suspect fines will be levied in many instances.

As to a new Senate Hall, Roberto only mentioned the Lateran as a temporary solution until Senator Sismondii's renovation of the Curia Julia is complete. His intentions for the Lateran are for it to be a Judiciary and Consulate.

TMG- but did you tell the inner council that the senators were held by Ruggero? Vittorio doesn't know that. I may have missed that it was public knowledge, but I think that was private correspondence. ?

>>As to a new Senate Hall, Roberto only mentioned the Lateran as a temporary solution until Senator Sismondii's renovation of the Curia Julia is complete. His intentions for the Lateran are for it to be a Judiciary and Consulate.

Ah, I did miss that. Thank you for the correction.

I guess I kind of faultily assumed it was obvious that this isn't information Roberto would keep to himself. Presumably he would at least notify the families in question, which I'd imagine would get around. Is it absolutely necessary to mention all of these things IC, or even in orders? (@Polycarp)

Also to add to the list I am sending a man to Naples to look into hiring mercenaries. Not enough to field as an army themselves (since that would be expensive and probably piss off our militiamen) but enough to give professional training to our militia to bring them up to a level where they can stand against actual soldiers in a battle. Additionally such men might serve as captains and coordinators during a fight as they undoubtedly have more experience in such things than us senators.

I'm also looking at investing into rieti though that's technically for private profit. However any money made there would become available for me to put into Rome. I'm also thinking we should look at good local infrastructure projects beyond the aqueduct, mainly things that could make life easier and more profitable for the Roman population. If we enrich them we strengthen the city as a whole and also bolster our militia. Obviously a big thing here is getting a port city up and running again so I would be for the rebuilding of Gregoriopolis into Rome's port town. Additionally we might consider improving the roads and considering if enlisting a portion of the militia towards taking turns to patrol them would be needed and viable. Finally we might consider if we can utilize more of the land around Rome. Push outwards, fund more farms and such. We definitely want to invest more into the salt harvesting at Gregoriopolis if we turn it into a port. Salt is a valuable resource, in fact it's probably the most valuable thing we have easy access to right now (though a large salt market will have to wait until we have the port to ship it).

QuoteI guess I kind of faultily assumed it was obvious that this isn't information Roberto would keep to himself. Presumably he would at least notify the families in question, which I'd imagine would get around. Is it absolutely necessary to mention all of these things IC, or even in orders? (@Polycarp)

The problem is that what I consider obvious and what you consider obvious are two different things.  A letter to a character is not considered IC knowledge for other characters unless you say otherwise, but I don't think it's necessary to make an IC statement - I would settle for just writing "I'm making this known to all senatores consiliarii" or something.

If this becomes too onerous we can re-examine the issue, but I feel like this way is less confusing that having to guess at other players' intentions.

DeRosa's political positions:

We also have:

2. Taxes and Defense Fund (more money in, spend it now, spend it on what?)
DeRosa says: Donations are always welcome but institute taxes to help further fund the endeavor.


3. Aqueducts and Building and rebuilding the city
DeRosa says: Make the walls stronger and better, enlarge and straighten roads, build aqueducts and cisterns. All of this will help make Rome more prosperous and safer.

4. Pierleoni in Western Part of City
DeRosa says: Let him stew for a few more seasons before we either make a deal to force him to go away or assault him.

5. Mercenary Captives (100) what to do with them?
DeRosa says: Ransom them back to their families, taking all the wealth gained and funneling it into the defense fund. Kill all those who were not lucky enough to have semi-wealthy kin.

6. Roman Senate Judges
- DeRosa likes the idea.

7. Ports
DeRosa says: We need a port ASAP. So snag Gregoriopolis today and eventually conquer Nettano.

8. Equites (Land for Service)
DeRosa opposes this idea. Land should be kept in the hands of those who have earned it through political acumen and mercantile prowess.

9. New Place for Senate to Meet
DeRosa says: The Pantheon will serve as a good temporary Senatorial Building until a better facility can either be repaired, rebuilt, acquired or found.

------

@ Polycarp, I updated my orders. New things are in Bold.

By the way, I'm just throwing it out there, but;

My character is still waiting for an answer, or insight on Llum's part, as well as his inquire before the Senate as to how, -PRECISELY-, we will fund the Jus Politia.

My character will take the initiative, would the consuls not answer his questions.

[ic=Not so Privately to Senator Manzinni]

Vittorio, my friend! You know I always seek to defend Rome with my every action. Yes, I have heard your concerns as to how best to defend our city, as well as the concerns of other Senators. You know my priorities. Certainly, the Aqua Virgo is foremost among them, and I know you would set our captives to work on its rehabilitation. I appreciate your eagerness, but we are simply not ready to begin, but I will do my utmost to see work done before the expiration of my term. The other Senators question the use of an aqueduct, I am told, but I propose that its utility is quite obvious, and am thus confused as to the debate. They would say we must repair our walls, and find professional soldiers to walk them. The walls of Rome are enormous, and stretch for many miles! We simply could not man them, would our entire militia turn out for the defence! Indeed, I will admit, there are sections where wounds in the stonework yawn, inviting our enemies within, and I will address this to the best of my ability. But a mercenary army? Raising a Legion? Impossible. Utterly impossible. Where do our Senators expect the deniars to come from? Shall I shit them out? Shall we tax the populace into oblivion for the ugly purpose of war? No, I say, no.

Indeed, on another subject, allow me to allay your fears. I am surprised you have not heard, but at times news travels slowly to the highest of places. Our colleagues who were so villainously abducted are well, you have my assurances. Ruggero Pierleone holds them personally, to ensure the security of our truce, and I do not blame him. He has made promise that they will be treated with utmost respect and dignity, and indeed, liberated them from the clutches of the mob himself. I am inclined to trust him, until he should prove himself false.

*Roberto now lowers his voice*

As to your proposal... it is unfortunate that at the current time, I have already allocated our limited funds to return order to the streets of our city, and to prepare for the coming of our allies in the spring. But I am a true Roman, and I have heard of the effectiveness of this crossbow. Certainly, so armed, our men could unhorse even the most well-armoured knight. Thus, I propose that the two of us, as Romans, put our personal fortunes to use in this endeavour. I will contribute half the requisite funds, and you will secure the other half. Does this seem fair to you?

[/ic]

Let us assume this conversation is taking place after a senate meeting. Roberto is speaking loudly enough for the majority of the conversation that anyone nearby who wishes to eavesdrop would be quite able to from a respectable distance.

Relevantly updated my orders for this turn in regards to the crossbow proposal several pages back.

And, @LD, just to be clear, we would be ordering two wealth worth of crossbows, correct? Roberto does not want to be paying for your spears, which Rome has quite enough of.

Hi!

To clarify:
"But a mercenary army? Raising a Legion? Impossible." I don't think I ever suggested that in character. Out of character it was discussed, however. :) I suppose you were responding to others when you mentioned that.

Regarding the crossbows. The senate would be paying 2 wealth for 1 wealth of crossbows and in the future all crossbows that arrive are at 1 wealth (I take on risks in my ships bringing the crossbows to Rome- they could be sunk, etc. so essentially Vittorio wants insurance up front before ordering more). I already have the crossbows. A ship of mine with spears and a ship with crossbows arrived...

The spear ship, Polycarp has explained to me (as I understand), is essentially a ready-armed group of spears and it's in storage right now. In contrast, Fortis' milita didn't have all its spears mfged. yet when he assaulted Pierleoni, otherwise he would have been more successful. So the pre-bought spears allows a unit to be more functional in its first year. (It wasn't the best purchase I could have done in retrospect, but it's what I bought with my understanding of the game at the time).

The crossbow ship is similar, and crossbows add extra defense if rome is attacked. (The crossbow purchase is a good benefit for rome that it couldn't get from other places)

Roberto will not be paying 2 wealth for 1 wealth worth of crossbows under any circumstances. If Senator Manzinni does not wish to sell them to Rome at that price, they will not be bought.

Edit: And more correctly, I believe Fortis had all the spears he needed. It was mail hauberks that he was lacking.