The Campaign Builder's Guild

Just a FYI, if there's an important update around July 18 through the 25th, I won't be able to reply (e.g. I may be able to check the net from the 18 through the 21st) but I will have no internet on the 22d through the 24th.

I'll push the due date for this event's orders to Friday; let me know if you need more time.

LD, I expect us to be back on the pseudo-weekly schedule by then, but I'll keep your absence in mind.  We'll wait and see how long it takes us to make it through these June Events.

[ic=At the Senate]Indeed, the Senate must be the sole legitimate governing body of Rome. As long as this is respected, along with the safety of the Roman people, the cost is worth it.
There is another matter of much concern. The good Friar Arnold left a few disciples here in Rome, understandably. The truth is that they pose as much of a problem than if he himself would be here. By decrying the ways of the Pope and the King, they risk to anger them. Needless to say what may follow.

Our allies, while honorable, may be a danger to our cause. I suggest we demand they pull out. For the benefit of all.[/ic]

[ic=At the Lesser Council]Councilmen, our allies have sent assistance, but I fear it may be perceived as a sign of hostility should it be noticed by the King or the Pope. At the same time it could prove incredibly useful, should the worst happen.
I would decline their assistance, but perhaps we could find them a niche somewhere, out of sight of the Pope and the King, but at Rome's reach?[/ic]

[ooc=Orders]Order my Heavy Infantry to persuade Arnoldist activists to cease their activities during the King's visit. They shall not use force against Arnoldists. They can patrol the whole city, but would be wise to check on the districts that the dignitaries will be passing into.[/ooc]

[ic=To the Inner Council]
Do not hide our allies out of sight if we are ashamed of them. They have stood beside Rome during our greatest trial, invite them in to the city with open arms. Barracks them someone open but defensible.

As for the delegation, I say that Senator Basile should go to continue his presence as our envoy. I will also be going myself as Consul of the Exterior
[/ic]

[ooc=Orders]
-Arrange for our allies to be barracks in defensible places, but tell them we do not forsee hostilities
-Go as part of our delegation, wear a sword but be willing to surrender it in the presence of Frederick
[/ooc]

[ooc=Orders for Event #3]- Accompany Consul Calafatus to the encampment of the King on the Field of Nero for negotiations.

- Senator Basile's proposed general terms: 1. The Senate is willing to allow for the coronation of Frederick von Hohenstaufen as Imperator Romanus Sacer by His Holiness at whichever venue they should desire. 2. The civil authority of the Senate of the Commune of Rome shall not be abrogated by the presence of the Emperor-Elect or His Holiness within the city. 3. The Senate of Rome will provide additional security should it be requested by His Holiness or His Majesty, or should civil violence threaten to occur.

[/ooc]

[ooc=Orders]
Stress to the Counsul the following:
- We should welcome the crowning of the King within our walls but that Rome should not be host to so many equipped for war. Permitting the King and Pope to bring with them a small number of honor guards and assistants as is necessary. The majority of their forces must remain behind the wall unless they are willing to set aside their swords for a ceremony that should be done in peace.
- We should also inform the pope that we are most open to receiving him for discussion on the future of the city.
- Both things should be approached humbly and peaceably but with the firmness to stand by our demands.

And of course thank the Consul and ensure him that I as always trust his wisdom in such matters and will stand by him in protecting and honoring the rights of the Romans.
[/ooc]

[ic=Event #3]The Senate of Rome accepted the King's summons, and the following day Consul Calafatus and Senator Basile set off for the Imperial camp.  They passed first through the Leonine city, where Consul Calafatus realized that he might soon regret his lack of a retinue – it was, after all, the Patrician's stronghold.  Some glares from the Patrician's guards, however, were the full extent of Pierleone's hostility, and soon the pair had left the city and approached the Imperial camp.

Very soon the delegates began to sense that this was not going to be the "negotiation" they had hoped for.  They were received politely enough by the German soldiers, but made to wait in the hot summer sun for three hours until they were finally informed that His Majesty and His Holiness would see them.  They were brought to the royal tent, where Frederick and Adrian sat upon their wooden thrones, flanked by the King's dukes and the Pope's cardinals; immediately after their introductions, they were subjected to Cardinal Enrico da Pisa reading aloud from a list of "requirements" that the Romans would now have to fulfill.  It was evident that His Holiness was not particularly interested in negotiating anything, for with the Germans by his side, he was now in a position of power.

Somewhat reassuringly, the Pope's demands did not include the sacking of the consuls or the disbandment of the Senate; in fact, he was prepared to recognize the Senate as the legitimate civic government of Rome.  The other demands listed by Cardinal Enrico, however, were somewhat more stringent than the delegates had hoped for.

Quote from: The Pope's demands

• His Holiness shall recognize the legality and legitimacy of the Senate of Rome and pledge not to interfere in their appointments or civil affairs which fall within their jurisdiction.
• His Holiness shall recognize the Roman Militia as necessary for the defense of the city, but the Senate of Rome shall not levy men from outside the city nor make war against any Papal vassal or subject.
• The Senate of Rome shall acknowledge the primacy of the canon law of the Holy Church over civil law in all matters under ecclesiastical jurisdiction, including the civil matters of marriage, inheritance, legitimacy, and contract, and the criminal matters of heresy, apostasy, adultery, murder, usury, and any theft or alienation of ecclesiastical property.  In addition, the Senate and its courts shall forswear any jurisdiction over any criminal or civil matter involving a priest, monk, or other ecclesiastic.
• The Senate of Rome shall accept the Curia's nomination of a Prefect, who shall exercise the judicial powers of the Church as the representative of the Papal Curia, and who shall possess sole authority over the collection of tithes, tolls on travelers and pilgrims, and the collection of all revenues from ecclesiastical rents and estates.
• The Senate of Rome shall allow the return of all noblemen who fled or were expelled from the city during their rule and see to the return of any property seized from them.
• The Senate of Rome shall return the Lateran Palace to the Papal Curia and pay restitution of [8W] as compensation for its plunder.
• All men with membership in the Senate of Rome or the order of Equites who hold a fief or title of nobility shall present themselves as penitents before His Holiness for their disobedience to their liege, and shall each be fined [2W].

The Romans looked in vain for any kind of support or moderation from the King, who mostly seemed bored; the proceedings were translated for him by a German bishop, but it was evident to all that for Frederick, this was simply an unwelcome interruption to his quest for the Imperial crown.  His only comment was to praise the Pope for his "most Christian charity," for he could not imagine punishing rebellious vassals with such a trivial fine.[/ic]

[ooc=Event]At present, Calafatus and Basile are still at the Imperial camp.  The Pope and King await a response; whether the delegates wish to accept these terms, argue for other terms, or reject them is up to them.  In truth, the characters who are not delegates don't really have much to do here, as they are back in Rome and not yet aware of how the proceedings are going (except that their delegates have been gone for nearly four hours now).  This event does not have a deadline; rather, I will post the next event once the Roman delegates have either reached an agreement with the Pope or have completely failed to do so.[/ooc]

[ic=In Reply to Pope Adrian]Your Holiness,

The terms you have presented are - in many respects - both generous and fair, and as His Majesty has said, speak of the depth of your Christian charity. However, it is ever the duty of the Senate of Rome to represent the best interests of the citizens for whom it is responsible. As such, there are some few small details that I must now contest. Your Holiness, you have made clear your desire that the Commune of Rome not raise arms against any other subject or vassal beholden to you. This causes some consternation, as I am left to wonder at the freedom of Rome to defend herself in the field should any recalcitrant subject or vassal bring force to bear against the City in overt hostility, or otherwise inflict significant harm upon her. Would leave be given in such instances to deliver ourselves from such threat that assails us?

Further, the office of the Prefect of Rome is one that is considered most hateful by the People of Rome, due to a perceived history of past abuse. I do not suggest, Holy Father, that you should not create such office, but it is my belief that at the least an alteration of nomenclature is necessary... As to the priority of this office in the collection of tolls and tithes on travelers and pilgrims, the Senate can agree, but it is simple fact that such travelers and pilgrims pass through the gatehouses and upon the roads of the City, and perhaps some small portion of this revenue should be bestowed upon the Senate of Rome for the maintenance of such civic edifices.[/ic]

Can I change one of my orders in the OOC a few pages back (I already made the necessary contingent edit so you can see what should be changed)

In case it slipped under the radar, the pope wants supremacy in the civil matter of CONTRACTS... that's something we may want to negotiate out if possible- it seems like the most important of his points to strike down. Otherwise our courts will be pretty bare and we won't have power over business.- The church could corner business essentially.

and "n addition, the Senate and its courts shall forswear any jurisdiction over any criminal or civil matter involving a priest, monk, or other ecclesiastic."... I don't think we can win any more concessions on that, but it's worth considering.

[ic=Pope Adrian responds]Since the pontificate of blessed Eugenius, is it not so that the city of Rome has not been once attacked, but has rather been the aggressor against Tivoli, Civitavecchia, and the monks of Farfa and Tre Fontane?  Indeed there has only been one "attack," if you must call it that, against the Senate since it was created, and this was by our predecessor Lucius II, who attempted to return to his city under arms and was martyred by the mobs stirred up by Giordano Pierleone.  How quickly the tune of the Senate changes from stubborn belligerence to meek victimhood when once presented with a force with which they cannot reckon.  Yet we have understanding and mercy enough to comprehend that the enemies the Romans have foolishly made for themselves may exhibit a desire for vengeance rather than Christian forgiveness, and it is for this reason that we have permitted the Romans to maintain their militia, even though it so far has been merely a tool of avarice and plunder in the hands of the Senators.  We do not prohibit the Romans from marching out from their walls to defend themselves from their enemies in the field if this must be done, but we will strictly prohibit any attempt to turn defense into retribution, and they shall not loot the fields or plunder the countryside of their enemies even under the pretense of supplying their troops.

As for the matter of the prefect, it surprises us that men who profess such love of the titles and manners of the ancients in their government should spurn the name of the praefectus urbi, whose title is as old as that of consul.  We do not find this issue to be of any merit or significance.  As for revenues given to the Senate, as the benefactor of Rome and its Senate alike we are willing to entertain such an arrangement, though we deem it improper for the Curia to be paying the Senate of Rome at the same time as we are requiring them to pay for the restoration of the Lateran Palace, and therefore we propose that the Prefect shall pay [4W] per year to the Senate as their stipend from our revenues, but only after the Senate has made full restitution as we have previously mentioned.[/ic]

Quote from: Light DragonCan I change one of my orders in the OOC a few pages back (I already made the necessary contingent edit so you can see what should be changed)

If you mean orders for the next season, yes, absolutely.

[ic]
You say that the Senate of Rome plunders only  out of avarice then in the same breath demand restitution in coin for every slight. It is not the Senate of Rome who displays avarice here, you prove the heretic Arnoldo's rhetoric for him. What if Rome would seek restitution from Viterbo who deceived pilgrims after the Papal Interdict was rescinded?  Then you say that Rome cannot reckon the might you bring to its door? The last Pope to attack Rome failed miserably. We do not treat with you because we fear you but because you are our sovereign lord and the great respect we have for soon to be Emperor Frederick. The terms you give tie the Senates hands in all manners of import for the sole purpose of stopping our growing influence.  The second and third demands should be open for debate, so we can forge a lasting peace.
[/ic]

[ic=Pope Adrian]The Cardinals behind Pope Adrian murmur at the Consul's effrontery, but the Pope himself retains a placid expression.

We are told that our gesture of conciliation to the Romans is merely to stop their "growing influence."  If the influence you speak of is that which is bought by the blood of Christians and the despoiling of their lands, by belligerence against our faithful subjects, then we freely admit that we wish to stop it, because this influence is more properly identified as the deadly sin of pride.  We see that the errors of Arnold of Brescia have had a deeper and more poisonous influence on the Romans than we had hoped, stirring even the most honorable and distinguished among them to words and deeds of intemperate vainglory.

There can be no peace when Rome is permitted to breach it at its will; we will not consent to turn the Peace of God into a shield for the Romans and leave our other subjects to their mercies.  On this command, that the Romans shall not make war upon any vassal or subject of ours, we shall not waver.

As for the Viterbesi, we condemn malicious falsehood, and any who have deceived pilgrims have surely sinned in the eyes of God.  Without evidence that the leaders of the commune in some way plotted to spread these malicious rumors, however, there is no basis upon which restitution can be demanded from the commune of Viterbo.[/ic]

[ic=Before the Pope]I think perhaps the relentless heat of the summer sun sets nerve on edge, and thought and word are not as they would otherwise be! The Good Consul surely intends no offense, Holy Father. Merely, we of the Senate must always strive to represent the best interests of the People of Rome in as full a capacity as we can manage, be that to you, Your Holiness, or any other. It is my opinion that the terms as they have been presented are possessed of some considerable degree of fairness, but regardless of how I or the Consul might view them it is not our prerogative alone to determine the proper course of acquiescence. We must bear these words back to our colleagues of the Roman Senate and submit them for ratification before the entire body of our fellow Senators. I foresee nothing but a favourable reception, but that does not mean procedure can be dispensed with. At this time, it is my feeling that we two representatives of the Commune have little more to add to this proceeding, and with your leave, Your Holiness, we shall at once return to the City to carry out our duty. We will make all effort at prompt assent, and you should look for our reply this coming evening.

Senator Basile bows before Pope Adrian[/ic]

[ic=Pope Adrian]It was our hope, as well as that of Prince Frederick, that the Senate would send men empowered to decide these matters here and now.  It is unfortunate that they have not done so, but if it is necessary for an agreement, it can be allowed.  Your return will be expected before nightfall.[/ic]

The delegates are dismissed and free to return to the city.

[ooc=Action]Senator Basile immediately sets out in haste to return to the City to call an emergency session of the Senate[/ooc]

[ic=Before the Senate]Senators! We gather now so that every man of this esteemed council may hear of the terms of Pope Adrian and have his voice in turn be heard! Listen well and closely:

[spoiler=The Pope's Terms]

• His Holiness shall recognize the legality and legitimacy of the Senate of Rome and pledge not to interfere in their appointments or civil affairs which fall within their jurisdiction.
• His Holiness shall recognize the Roman Militia as necessary for the defense of the city, but the Senate of Rome shall not levy men from outside the city nor make war against any Papal vassal or subject.
• The Senate of Rome shall acknowledge the primacy of the canon law of the Holy Church over civil law in all matters under ecclesiastical jurisdiction, including the civil matters of marriage, inheritance, legitimacy, and contract, and the criminal matters of heresy, apostasy, adultery, murder, usury, and any theft or alienation of ecclesiastical property.  In addition, the Senate and its courts shall forswear any jurisdiction over any criminal or civil matter involving a priest, monk, or other ecclesiastic.
• The Senate of Rome shall accept the Curia's nomination of a Prefect, who shall exercise the judicial powers of the Church as the representative of the Papal Curia, and who shall possess sole authority over the collection of tithes, tolls on travelers and pilgrims, and the collection of all revenues from ecclesiastical rents and estates. The Senate shall receive a disbursement of [4 WP] per annum for the maintenance of civic edifice.
• The Senate of Rome shall allow the return of all noblemen who fled or were expelled from the city during their rule and see to the return of any property seized from them.
• The Senate of Rome shall return the Lateran Palace to the Papal Curia and pay restitution of [8W] as compensation for its plunder.
• All men with membership in the Senate of Rome or the order of Equites who hold a fief or title of nobility shall present themselves as penitents before His Holiness for their disobedience to their liege, and shall each be fined [2W].

[/spoiler]

I know that these terms might rankle with some of you, but we simply have little choice. There is some degree of fairness here, and for that we should be thankful. It is our solemn duty to safeguard the People of Rome, and were we to defy the Pope in this the people would be made to suffer. It was made quite clear to Consul Calafatus and myself that the Pope will hesitate little to bring German arms to bear against us. While we must consider these words carefully, I see no other recourse but to accept them for now. Senators, I call upon all of you to be as paragons of that great virtue, Patience, and through its embrace allow Peace to reign in Rome.[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Patrician Pierleone]Patrician,

The Consul and I have but just returned from the encampment of the German King and our audience with His Holiness. I now inform you of the the terms as they were presented to us out of respect and due to your position as a member of this government.  

[spoiler=The Pope's Terms]

• His Holiness shall recognize the legality and legitimacy of the Senate of Rome and pledge not to interfere in their appointments or civil affairs which fall within their jurisdiction.
• His Holiness shall recognize the Roman Militia as necessary for the defense of the city, but the Senate of Rome shall not levy men from outside the city nor make war against any Papal vassal or subject.
• The Senate of Rome shall acknowledge the primacy of the canon law of the Holy Church over civil law in all matters under ecclesiastical jurisdiction, including the civil matters of marriage, inheritance, legitimacy, and contract, and the criminal matters of heresy, apostasy, adultery, murder, usury, and any theft or alienation of ecclesiastical property.  In addition, the Senate and its courts shall forswear any jurisdiction over any criminal or civil matter involving a priest, monk, or other ecclesiastic.
• The Senate of Rome shall accept the Curia's nomination of a Prefect, who shall exercise the judicial powers of the Church as the representative of the Papal Curia, and who shall possess sole authority over the collection of tithes, tolls on travelers and pilgrims, and the collection of all revenues from ecclesiastical rents and estates. The Senate shall receive a disbursement of [4 WP] per annum for the maintenance of civic edifice.
• The Senate of Rome shall allow the return of all noblemen who fled or were expelled from the city during their rule and see to the return of any property seized from them.
• The Senate of Rome shall return the Lateran Palace to the Papal Curia and pay restitution of [8W] as compensation for its plunder.
• All men with membership in the Senate of Rome or the order of Equites who hold a fief or title of nobility shall present themselves as penitents before His Holiness for their disobedience to their liege, and shall each be fined [2W].

[/spoiler]

I fear we have no choice in this matter, and must simply submit to the authority of the Pope lest the city be bathed in the blood of Romans. I trust the Senate will have your full co-operation in this matter, whatever it's decision, though I would gladly hear of your concerns should you have any.

Senator Roberto Basile[/ic]