The Campaign Builder's Guild

[ooc=Due Date]By request, I have extended the due date to tomorrow, the 26th.[/ooc]

[ooc=Orders]
-Find out as much information about Pierlionis interests outside of Rome.
-Find out as much information about Ruggero Pierlioni
-Find out as much information about Senator Deomenica  DeRosa, including any property/Interests outside of Rome, interests inside Rome, interests abroad etc...
-Send a messenger to every location from which a write of property was obtained over during the previous campaign. Ask them to send a representative to negotiate the return of the write from Rome.
-Hire 100 lightly armed men to be used as scouts and marauders (1 WP)
-Begin raiding into Farfan territory, strike at villages and agricultural lands. Avoid direct conflict with superior force. Capture any cattle/horses whenever possible and send to the Calafatus estate outside Rome. Gain some experience on my men, put HUGE focus on proper scouting my the 100 new men to avoid being entrapped.
-Send ambassaor to Farfa as Consul of the Exterior asking them what they would offer Rome for peace. Hinting perhaps control of Civitavecchia and free passage to Rieti would be a good start.
[/ooc]

re: Turin: Can non-Jews lend money at this point in history?

Elemental Elf- Should I take it that DeRosa has returned to Rome? if so:

[ic=To DeRosa]

Welcome back, Senator. As you can see, my men protected your investment in hospitality. Thankfully the people of Rome appear to have not dared to violate the sanctity of your walls. I also turn over all profits from those months you were absent to you, partner.

On another note. I have heard word from another investor who wishes to join our efforts in improving Rome. I indicated to him that an investment into hospitality was unnecessary, as we have acquired land, but I suggested to him that if he could acquire raw materials, like leather, salt, or iron, then he would be welcome--he indicated that he preferred to invest in the city itself.

Do you have ideas on an internal investment that could aid us both?[/ic]

Speaking of turns... if DeRosa replies to this, then could I please have until Friday to respond?

Thanks!

Quote from: Light Dragonre: Turin: Can non-Jews lend money at this point in history?

But of course.  They just can't charge interest - at least, not legally.  There, are, however, ways to get around this restriction if you're smart.

So the Christians could do a type of Islamic banking? e.g. trade cattle for sheep, etc. instead of money- and gain interest that way?

[ic=To Manzinni] Dearest friend, I thank you for guarding my residence and in doing so, protecting my son son, during those awful months.

Your investor is wise to seek an effort to help the Eternal City. My current project is to build large cisterns of clean water throughout the city, so that in times of need, the masses can partake without fear of drinking bad water, and the bad air that accompanies such water.

I believe an effort could also be made to reconstruct the aqueducts of ancient Rome, though that would be a herculean undertaking, most likely beyond our means.

The plight of the people concerns me. I fear they are left to live in deplorable conditions, I have often wondered what I could do to help them. Any task to relocate the masses out of flood prone areas would most likely be met with a dreadful amount of push back and seeing as how I am a controversial figure as is, I would prefer to avoid more trouble. Giving it thought, I believe we could establish a few orphanages across the city, well funded orphanages that could see those poor children educated and given a trade, or at the very least a dry place to sleep. However, I do not believe we would see any large scale returns on such an investment.

Education is quite profitable.  We could found a University here in the city that would oversee the training of the next generation of lawyers, doctors, philosophers and Senators. We could use the University as a tool to bring prestige to the City and attract the sons of noblemen from across the peninsula to learn and gain the skills they will need in life. From this, we could create a number of side industries that would prove even more profitable, from Taverns, to book makers, to tailors, to dormitories to places of entertainment (such as theatres and sporting fields). Parents would often come to Rome to visit their children, and in doing so, would need places to stay and would, most definitely, desire guides to tour the city's ancient ruins! Why, I believe we have struck upon a unique idea, one that will most assuredly attract the interest of your investor. [/ic]

EDIT: Updated my orders

Quote from: Light DragonSo the Christians could do a type of Islamic banking? e.g. trade cattle for sheep, etc. instead of money- and gain interest that way?

There's some similarity there.  Right around this time, Christian goldsmiths and merchants were just beginning to pioneer ways of getting around the prohibition on interest.  Most of these techniques relied on playing tricks with collateral.  The act of loaning money was not illegal in church law, nor was it illegal to accept collateral as security on a loan.  But how do you turn collateral into profit?

Quote from: The Knight and the MerchantKnight: I need to borrow 100 pounds of silver.
Merchant: Ok, but I'm going to need some collateral – like, say, that castle of yours.
Knight: Fair enough.
Merchant: Great.  Say... since you're still going to be using that castle – the one you're giving me as collateral – I think it's only fair that I charge you rent.  How does 10 pounds of silver per year sound?
Knight: Alright, but isn't that just like charging 10% interest?
Merchant: Of course not!  Rent's not illegal, is it?
Bishop: Nope, not illegal at all!

Quote from: The Knight and the Merchant 2Knight: I need to borrow 100 pounds of silver.
Merchant:  Ok, but I'm going to need some collateral – say, 10 pounds of silver.
Knight: Fair enough.
Merchant: By the way, it says here in the contract that I keep the collateral if you take more than a month to repay the loan.
Knight: A month?  I won't be able to do that.
Merchant: Don't worry, I don't expect you to.  I expect you to "default" so I can keep the collateral.
Knight: Isn't that pretty much the exact same thing as charging 10% interest?
Merchant: Of course not!  Seizing someone's collateral because they failed to repay a loan on time isn't illegal, is it?
Bishop: Nope!  God bless legitimate commerce!

In later centuries, more elaborate means were developed to make loans profitable, until the traditional non-Christian moneylenders were pushed out of the business entirely and the prohibition on usury became irrelevant.

If there's a way to make money, people will find the quirkiest ways to get around the laws which are designed to prevent people from making money in that manner.

[ic=Letter to Consul Calafatus]
My good friend, I hope this letter finds you well. I find myself in a curious situation wherein I have all the resources required to expand my ventures save for one. I lack the necessary land. I would prefer not to seize more, even in the name of Rome. Those nobles who I have talked to however have been unwilling to rent land to myself. This is critical for my plans if I am to boost the Roman wool market and make us an economic power beyond Latium. So then I come to you as a brother Roman who values are kinship and would like to fund a business venture with you. If you will offer me some of your land (equal to the amount you're renting out for [1 wealth per season]) for the expansion of my wool business I will be willing to pay you [2 wealth per season] for its use. I hope this offer is acceptable and that we can both better the position of Rome and ourselves through our mutual effort.

Your faithful friend,
Arrigus Sismondii
[/ic]

[ooc=Orders]
- 3 wealth towards the construction of my Rocca (focusing of course on the curtain wall).
- If Calafatus agrees to my proposal pay him 2 wealth and invest an additional 1 wealth into the sheep business. If not, invest 3 wealth into the acquisition of additional resources (rent of more land, planting of trees, etc) towards the expansion of my olive business.
- Investigate the Roman wool market, discover who's who, the kind of volume of wool being put out, what it's being used for locally, who if anyone is moving it to foreign markets, and anything else of value. If there are any other big wool merchants in and around Rome take the time to talk with them, invite them to dinner, and get to know them in general.
[/ooc]

[ic=To the Patrician]
I have given some thought to an investment inside Rome that can improve conditions for its people and for the city.

One potential investment is the creation of a Schola, a Universitas. Rome could employ Monks and holy men, thus rebuilding a relationship with the Papacy, and train students in writing and in engineering principles, to build better and stronger buildings. We could use the University as a tool to bring prestige to the City and attract the sons of noblemen from across the peninsula to learn and gain the skills they will need in life. From this, we could create a number of side industries that would prove even more profitable, from tailors, to dormitories to places of entertainment (such as theatres and sporting fields). We still need to research how much this project would cost in total, but it seems to be one that could in the long term benefit all of Rome.
[/ic]

[ic=Response to Senator Sismondii]

It is always a pleasure to help a fellow senator, especially one who has shown that he supports my best interests. I will arrange for some land to be cleared for your use with your shepherds. I will also keep it in mind when I return to campaigning.

Your friends,

Fortis Calafatus
[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Vittorio Manzinni]
Vittorio,
Something interesting has come to my attention. Someone in Rome has been acquiring crossbows, a deadly weapon. Would you happen to know more about this?

I might be interested in the procurement of such arms for my men, would quality training be available. Of course, all in the interest of the security of Rome.

Your friend,
Hugo De Vinti[/ic]

QuoteIndeed. I am gladdened to hear of your interest. I invested in the purchase of crossbows with the aim of using them for Rome's defense. Given financial constraints, I could not equip my own army for the use of the Republic. I however, would be glad to offer you, an upstanding Senator, the purchase of crossbows now at 2 wealth for the equipment of 50 men or 4 wealth to equip 100 men. I may have another interested investor for 50 crossbows, so I will await your reply with interest. Whatever you decide, I wish you well.

(If Da Vinti procured them himself through shipping them- my understanding is the going rate would be 1 wealth for 50 and 2 wealth for 100- and it would take him 2-3 seasons (?) and the possibility of losing the crossbows due to shipping issues. Please correct me Polycarp if necessary)

[ic=A Lettered Response to Manzinni]
Vittorio,
I thank you for your timely reply, though I must admit that your offer has put me off a bit. I'd need to know more about the capabilities of this weapon if I was to conclude a deal at the present time. Also, do you know people who can teach others how to effectively use this weapon?

Obviously, you do not make these weapons, but rather import them. For the security of Rome, I would ask that you to tell me where you get these from. Of course, unless you are dealing with our enemies, which I don't think you do, I would keep the matter entirely between us.

Your friend,
Hugo De Vinti[/ic]

[ic=To Da Vinti]
If you wish to import them yourselves, you are welcome. I acquired these crossbows through a transaction with my late cousin, King Roger of Sicily, who as far as I understand, is the only person to produce crossbows, although the Norman Mercenaries who razed Rome in the past also have a great deal of crossbows amongst themselves. If you would like to run the risk to transact with them, you are very welcome to do so. It is also true, however, that you would need to invest wealth and risk in transporting the materials from them, whereas these crossbows are already located in Rome.

Regarding their use- crossbows are excellent for defense. If the walls of your castle or of Rome are rebuilt, they would provide excellent defense. They could additionally be good defense for a redoubt on the sea, to defend a Roman outpost, for example, from pirates. As the Normans demonstrated, crossbows can also be useful for assault.

(As a bonus- if you buy 50, then you only have to pay for upkeep of 50- from what I understand these are very useful defensive tools).

[From what I understand, after 1 season you can be trained to effectively use them-when I bought them I asked about training also].
[/ic]