The Campaign Builder's Guild

TO DOS:
[spoiler]
Re: Food. Would like to write something on this but at the moment... I've got nothing. Pisa and Genoa seem like the best bets.

[/spoiler]

[ooc=Question]

Question-

QuoteRE: The Senate may send a delegation of any size it sees fit, but His Imperial Majesty requires that those men sent be themselves witnesses of the events in question; or, if this is impossible, that they bear written statements, countersigned by trustworthy men, giving an account of the events in question.

So would being a "Witness" disqualify Manzinni from claiming to be a witness since he lit out after the group started calling for Victor as pope and violence began? (I recognize that I could bear written statements regardless, but I would like to know exactly what my real stance happens to be? [/ooc]

[ic=Before the Full Senate]
Homelessness

On the homeless whose number have grown since the burning of the districts, I suggest that the Senate open the halls of the Theatre of Marcellus and the Colosseum. Let us offer them this relief for a year and a day until their fortunes can improve. Let them not be displaced and suffer unduly due to their bad fortune to live within those districts.

**NOTE: If the Colosseum is currently entirely filled by renters, the above should only apply to the Theatre of Marcellus which as I understand is currently overrun with squatters anyway.
[/ic]

[ooc]
[spoiler=For Polycarp]

QuoteRe: "The famine and chaos in Egypt has interrupted all trade so far this season, which means your storehouses dealing in Egyptian linens and glassware are empty and unprofitable.  They have made you no income this past season, though hopefully they should resume normal production in the spring, assuming the Egyptian government can regain control of the situation..."

I was wondering when this would start becoming an issue. :o.
[/spoiler]
[/ooc]

[ic=Inner Council]
We are in a good position to make demands from Pope Victor, should we choose to recognize him. In addition to receiving permission to strike coins from past Papal coins, we may be able to demand the surrender of some lands to the commune of Rome.

The best ecclesiastical land surrounding Rome lies to the east, southeast towards the Alban Hills and northeast between Rome and Capocci's lands. These lands can produce grain in great supplies for the people of Rome. It would be right for the Commune to possess these lands so that in the event of future supply disruptions, we may better be able to succor and suckle the commoners. We could request the lands as a goodwill gift from the Pope, a gift that allows us to protect his interests in ensuring a quiet rather than restive populace, and a gift that allows us to increase our influence and our ability to aid the people.

Will our Consuls be bold to make these demands in order to aid Rome in a time when Rome could gain much advantage? If not, then I pray that the Consuls will judiciously make similar good calls to improve the lot of the Commune and I would invite them to share those ideas with the Council.[/ic]

[ic=To Pope Victor]
Salutations to His Holiness Pope Victor.

With great honor and respect, I write to you in order to seek an audience at which we could discuss how I, a former Consul of Rome and a current member of the Inner Council, could help secure your best interests and to ensure your longevity as the Senate and the Inner Council debates. I would enjoy the opportunity to spread I seek that God's will be done and that those who aid God be given their just reward.

-Senator Vittorio Manzinni.
[/ic]

[ic=Inner Council]
I move that we ratify Cenci Pierleone's rights and duties under the same terms enjoyed by his valiant father. Unless we have any great reason to increase the duties, no reason that I know exists, I suggest that the ratification be made with the utmost haste in honor to his father's sacrifice and to his family's steadfastness.
[/ic]

[OOC=Orders]

Armies
-1 WP Upkeep

FORGE MILL:
-20 Palatini defend Forge Mill. Two act as runners to bring assistance in case there is a threat. Also, raise flag if threatened.

PATROL:
-20 Palatini (on patrol through through my holdings in X, XI, XII. Patrol ones will respond to unrest in my districts and will send a runner for assistance to Senator Basile and DeVinti; if the disturbance is an another district where I do not have interests, then just give me an intra turn PM, please.) Patrol will also respond to reinforce my home if necessary. If my home is assaulted, send a runner to Basile and DeVinti. If someone else is assaulted, please PM me. Patrol will respond to disturbances at the Forge Mill, if necessary.

MANZINNI VILLA:
-10 Palatini (or the balance remaining of Palatini, if I miscounted) at or near home. Half of these Palatini will respond to disturbances at the Forge Mill, if necessary.
-All Masnada at home. Raise flag if threatened.

Notes
Due to forge mill bonus, my masnada are considered armored.

Bonus:  If you own at least one Forge Mill, upkeep for armored soldiers is reduced by 1 WP for every 3 WP in upkeep you pay (that is, reduced by 33%).  Your 25 free masnada are also considered armored at no extra cost to you.  In addition, for each Forge Mill you own, you can equip up to 100 soldiers with armor in a single season; normally, producing that amount of armor can take up to a year.  You may "lend" this last ability to other players who are raising armored forces.

Construction/Purchases
* On the Subject of Dice and Gaming (hopefully all these combined may result in a +1WP):

1. "Il Papa" for the Popolo
   Have special dice made and carved with the likeness of the false pope made along with a ONE pip (the lowest pip). Have the SIXTH pip also bear the face of Pope Victor. Make a decent number of these, like 150. Then have them sold to partisans on the side of Victor, let them know that in their version of the game, rolling three of the false Pope they hate will constitute a loss, losing their opportunity to continue in their stake.
   Masnada in groups of 3 (for protection and promotional effect).

   Game description of Il Papa (The Pope): Players put coins in a Pot. Then they put coins in a secondary pot. Players take turn rolling three dice. The player to first roll two of their favorite pope wins the primary pot. The second player to roll all three of their favorite pope wins the secondary pot. If a player rolls three of their enemy pope, then they cannot roll again and they are "out" of the Primary and Side pot.

I fully recognize this could backfire against Victor- the point is more to gain money by capitalizing off this opportunity than anything else unless he responds positively to my proposition.

   Start this project now.

2. Improved Tables

   Modifications to the finely wrought tables that were designed- add a rim to prevent the dice from rolling off the table; add a higher backboard to roll against.
Offer the better tables for sale to persons who are interested in having good tables. If the endeavour seems as though it may lead to greater returns (like 2 WP in return for 1 WP in investment, make the investment. Otherwise, keep it in lower quantities with the goal just of being known as making better gaming tables, stamped with the Manzinni logo on them as a symbol of fine artisinal work).

   Start this project now.

3. Tavern Game- Against Satan

   In this game of skill- a backboard is made and behind that backboard is an image, drawn in characterature by one of my house patron artists. A Characteratures is visible through a hole. One hole contains Satan. The House charges 1 coin for each person to play the game.

Each player throws three dice on a turn. When a set of dice is thrown successfully through the Satan hole, different things happen. If the total of the dice as rolled and thrown successfully through the Satan hole equals 12, representative of the 12 apostles, the winner gains double his money. If the dice equal 18, which is 6-6-6, then the person who throws the dice should buy the house a round because he is unlucky. If a person throws a 14, for the 14 districts of Rome, they gain back the money they wagered.

   So, prototype the game, and prepare it for use during the Spring pilgrimage season.

4. Tavern.

   -Are any taverns for sale? Or can influence in them be "bought". Presumably, some may be willing to sell in the fire-damaged districts? Authorize up to 4 WP to purchase land in the destroyed districts or for sale taverns (Please check with me on specifics first though- I may not want to buy taverns after hearing their descriptions). (If possible, I would like to purchase taverns during this season).
   -Research upper lower class or middle class taverns for investment/purchase. Try to diversify by finding and investing in ones that are in different districts than the ones that I already have hospita investments.
- Or, would this be integrated with my already existing hospitality investments? If so, start work on integrating it.

Inquiries
*

Council
* Continue promotion, as described IC, of sheltering the homeless in the Colosseum (if it is not already completely occupied by renters) and the Theatre. Agitate for it if necessary as a demagogue, to raise Popularity.

* I have no great opposition to Capocci's plan to seize the Poteranum. If asked, Manzinni will counsel caution and not clearly be in one camp or the other. When it comes time to vote (if it does), he will vote to permit the use of the troops as part of a necessary police action.

* Still no strong feelings with respect to Rieti, but Manzinni desires the situation to be resolved so that Rieti can provide arms and aid if necessary and because the longer that it drags on, others will gain influence by donating grain and other goods to Rieti, once our allies. We likely need to pick a winner.

* Ratify Pierleone's rights and duties, unless we have good reason to increase them?

* Annibaldo: vote for him to be granted a title and welcomed back into the city in return for grain.

* Cassi: Refuse to vote either way on his inclusion as his request is unbecoming.

Policy
* Neutrality in the Northern Conflict unless the Imperial representative makes a promise.
* Choose either side in Rieti, no strong opinion at the moment.
* della Suburba Burial: I would hand the body over at the gates of the city.


Total Expected Expenditures
1 WP
and
4 WP authorized for Tavern related expenditures contingent on events above.
=5 WP

[/ooc]

[ooc=1159 Orders (Winter)]Pay upkeep for palatinii [1 WP]
Hugo will ready his men with horses and dark attires with no insigna, crossbows and light melee weapons in hand for an assault on Castle Potenarum and join Capocci at the specified location when it's time to assemble.

While in the city, Hugo will maintain order where foods are being distributed. Those who violate the peace, either by stealing, brawling, hampering the duties of lay officials or murdering will be arrested and will face the full force of the Roman Law. Rowdy crowds will be dispersed swiftly in order to prevent violent riots from emerging.

Before maintaining order in the city, Hugo will take the opportunity to confiscate any valuables still in Demetri's estate and other vacant noble houses or ecclesiastical holdings that were strongly associated with him. Valuables that are confiscated in this way are to be sorted in two piles, lay and ecclesiastical, and guarded by Tomas in my estate.

Also while in the city, Hugo's brother, Tomas, will have command over ten masnada and maintain the safety of the family estate and all its residents and retainers, as well as taking care of minor senatorial duties in Hugo's name.

I have sent my Neapolitan agent to Naples back in the spring of 1159. I still haven't received any news. If it's intended, send another agent to investigate the previous one's disappearance and make progress into the original inquiry, which was to see if any Neapolitan flax expert, that could perhaps make my current assets more productive, would accept employment in my fields. He should assuage any fear that Rome isn't safe; the famine is relieved, order is restored and the Cardinals away with the Emperor.

Hugo expects to hear from the agent he sent to Genoa to look for dictatores and masters of rhetoric.

Through agents find Bernardus, the deposed vicar of ad Gallinas.

Through agents find out if Raymond des Arènes has any material or sentimental desires, a weakness of some sort that could be used to compromise his integrity and thus, threaten his position as cardinal-deacon of Santa Maria in Via Lata. Weaknesses among his associates/dependants would be relevant information as well.

Hugo will employ men to clear the area in the Market of Trajan. Not only applicable with the Trajan Market operation, but if manpower is low, it could be interesting to see if minor offenders sentenced to pay a fine instead plea to help the Senate, as community service. For example, under the tutelage of an official of the Senate which might need manpower for infrastructure projects. Limit spending at [1 WP]

Hugo will hand his witness statement for His Imperial Majesty to Senator Sismondii personally.

Hugo will oppose granting a pardon to Pandolfo Cassi.

Hugo will remain dissatisfied, but silent concerning Signore Annibaldo.

Hugo will support Cencio Pierleone's request unequivocally.

[/ooc]

[ooc]Would it cost the same to fortify the Forge Mill as it would cost to fortify my house, or would fortifications of the location be like fortifying a tower, or would it cost more/less/have other issues?[/ooc]

[spoiler=To Do]
- Look into Rieti situation
- Look into viability of restarting the election issue
- Back extending the patricianship rights granted to his uncle to Cencio
- Continue work on the road from Antium
- Pay the usual fees
[/spoiler]

[ooc=Winter 1159, Take 2]Let's officially declare this round open.

Last season's update, which describes what's going on currently, is here.

Regarding the maps: The blackened area on the Rome map is the area affected by the recent fire.  The shields on the Latium map indicate the known position of our two popes – Victor IV has the Crescenzi arms (three gold crescents on a red field) and Alexander III has the ever-impressive Bandinelli arms (gold, just gold).

Enterprises for the new senators are here:

[spoiler=Personal Finances]Sanguineus Viviani
Income: 17 (0/11/6/0)
Enterprises:
4 Croplands (+4 Summer)
3 Grist Mills (+7 Summer)
2 Vineyards (+2 Autumn)
1 Wine Press (+4 Autumn)

Savings: 5 WP
Costs: None
Projects: None
Assets: Estate [0S/0O]

Falco Bocca
Income: 17 (0/5/12/0)
Enterprises:
2 Croplands (+2 Summer)
1 Grist Mill (+3 Summer)
4 Orchards, Olive (+4 Autumn)
2 Oil Mills (+8 Autumn)

Savings: 5 WP
Costs: None
Projects: None
Assets: Estate [0S/0O][/spoiler]

Letters and the political summary will be reposted here, as well as some introductions...[/ooc]

[ic=Our New Councillors]Under pressure from the Roman nobility, the Senate has appointed two of its high-born members to the Concilium Minus, the Lesser Council, the select committee which serves as the executive body of the Senate.  This noble victory, however, could only be won by compromise with the more numerous factions in the Senate.  Sanguineus Viviani seemed like a safe choice for all – though his past is somewhat murky, his lack of any objectionable acts on his record made him more palatable to the common senators, and the nobles seem confident that he shares their general ethos.  To secure his election, however, Falco Bocca was also put forward as part of the compromise – that rarest of breeds, a nobleman who is also a well known Arnoldist sympathizer.  Whether his blue blood or his revolutionary sympathies will prove dominant is as yet unclear.[/ic]

[ic=On the Senate Floor]December finds the Senate in a state of near panic.  While many of the Roman elites had been most concerned about the recent Papal schism a few months ago, their very positions now seemed seriously endangered by the anger of the popolo minuto.  The Roman people can be quite politically astute, but when there is no bread on the table, their thoughts dwell on little else.  Attempts to purchase local grain over the autumn were woefully inadequate, and the Romans seem to increasingly blame the Senate for this crisis.  It was the Senate, they say, that precipitated the war with Tusculum; it was the Senate that, having gone to war, failed to protect Roman fields; and it was the Senate now that embroils itself in the politics of Popes and Princes but hardly exerts itself to feed its own citizens.  More than one senator has observed with trepidation that the people were far less irate than this in 1152, the last time the senate was overthrown and replaced in the coup that created the current body.

The situation is dire.  While Rome is not broke, its immediate neighbors simply do not have food to sell.  War is on the wind in Latium, and in such times cities are inclined to hoard their grain, not peddle it away.  The lords which are subject to Roman dominion have exhausted their supplies.  Little help can be expected from the Church – though many Romans malign the ecclesiastical bureaucracy that for centuries has taxed the people, the Curial magistrates do know how to organize, and have done rather well keeping the diaconiae full even in the worst years.  Now they are in complete disarray owing to the schism, the death of the Prefect, and Arnoldism, which holds the sympathies of many of Rome's lesser clergy but has disrupted the relationships between Rome's priests and its Curial government.

Some have suggested that Rome plunder its way to a full belly, but the season poses problems.  Winter is near at hand – the fields will be empty, meaning that no mere contado raiding will yield much food.  Seizing another city's supplies might be possible, but because of the barren fields, the Roman army in the field would have nothing to eat during the siege, and as the Emperor has demonstrated at Crema a siege may drag on for many months even with the greatest of armies and engines.  Even if a quick capture were possible, Rome's neighbors are far smaller than Rome itself – it is unlikely all the cellars of Tivoli, even if they are full to bursting, could see thirty thousand people through the winter and well into the following year.

Owing to the political situation, even importation abroad may be difficult to engineer.  Sicily is well known for its great production of grain, but King William is understood to be a strong supporter of Pope Alexander and his anti-imperial party; the Alexandrine faction of the College of Cardinals is often called "Sicilian" for a reason.  While nobody is sure, it seems unlikely that William would be in a great hurry to be the savior of a city that chased out his favored pope with fire and sword.

The maritime communes, particularly Pisa and Genoa, might be more amenable – they have not officially taken any side in the schism and did recently swear their fealty to the emperor.  These cities are not rich and powerful because of their charity, however, and it can be presumed that even if they are able to assist, the price they will demand for their services will be steep.

Other matters are of secondary concern, though they are not absent from the floor.  The Senate continues to be fairly strongly pro-Victor as a consequence of its pro-imperial stance, but it has become evident that the Roman people themselves are more divided.  Caring little about grand politics, many scoff at the idea that a Roman nobleman is "one of them" and sneer at Octavian's buffoonery at the conclave; men throw their tunics over their heads, aping his backwards mantle, and shout "Behold the pope!" to raucous laughter.  That scorn is being stoked by anti-Victor rhymes and rhetoric, of which the anonymous "Britto" is the largest source.  If the peoples' laughter has died down of late, it is only due to the looming famine.

To be fair, Alexander engenders no great love among the Roman people, who are at best ambivalent about a foreigner who until the conclave was the Chancellor of the Curia that the Romans have long resented, but at least he has not besmirched himself by such conduct as Victor.  For the moment, that makes him the clear (though far from absolute) favorite of the common people.

There are certainly those in the Senate who see wisdom in the words of Niccolo Capocci, who has counseled an attack on a nearby Papal fortress, but that issue is already all but tabled for another season when other demands are less pressing.[/ic]

[ic=A Papal Bull]For attempting by force to usurp the Chair of Saint Peter, for illegally and arrogantly crowning himself Pope in opposition to the college of cardinals and canon law, and for causing schism within the Holy Church, we separate OCTAVIANUS, Priest of Santa Cecilia, together with the clergy who give him obedience and all his accomplices and abettors, from the precious body and blood of the Lord and from the society of all Christians; we exclude him from our Holy Mother, the Church in Heaven, and on earth; we declare him excommunicate and anathema; we judge him damned, with the Devil and his angels and all the reprobate, to eternal fire until he shall recover himself from the toils of the devil and return to amendment and to penitence.

ALEXANDER, Episcopus, Servus Servorium Dei[/ic]

[ic=A Papal Bull]For engaging in conspiracy and simony in vain pursuit of the Chair of Saint Peter, for contempt of the rules and strictures of the conclave, for crowning himself Pope whilst neither bestowed with the mantle nor insignia of Saint Peter, and for causing schism within the Holy Church, we separate ROLANDUS, Priest of San Marco, together with the clergy who give him obedience and all his accomplices and abettors, from the precious body and blood of the Lord and from the society of all Christians; we exclude him from our Holy Mother, the Church in Heaven, and on earth; we declare him excommunicate and anathema; we judge him damned, with the Devil and his angels and all the reprobate, to eternal fire until he shall recover himself from the toils of the devil and return to amendment and to penitence.

VICTOR, Episcopus, Servus Servorium Dei[/ic]

[ic=Spoken before the Lesser Council]Distinguished Senators,

His Holiness Victor IV has asked me to express his regret to the Romans that he was unable to remain longer in Rome.  His Holiness has a deep appreciation for the Romans and their Senate and praises their bravery and resolute faithfulness against the excommunicate Rolando Bandinelli.  Nevertheless, the Holy Father has been forced to concur with his advisors that Rome's position is at the moment too exposed to be able to ensure the safety of the Curia.  The city is menaced on multiple sides by Frangipani holdings, and is alarmingly close at hand to certain other powerful lords whose true allegiance is not yet known.  His Holiness has deemed it most prudent to direct his efforts to mend this abominable schism from Farfa for the time being.

Having heard of the recent hardships which have beset the city and mindful of his own position as Bishop of Rome, His Holiness has authorized me to give [6 WP] to the Senate for whatever needs the Senate finds greatest.  Regretfully the present condition prevents His Holiness from contributing more at this time, but he is committed to the prosperity and restoration of Rome and the city is in his thoughts and prayers.

Giovanni Morrone, Cardinal-Priest of SS. Silvestro e Martino, Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church[/ic]

[ic=A Letter to the Roman Senate]His Imperial Majesty and Sole Augustus of the World, the Emperor FREDERICUS, sends his greetings to the Roman Senate.

Noting the precedent set by his predecessor Constantine the Great, who held indisputably the authority as Roman Emperor to summon episcopal councils of the Church, His Imperial Majesty has ordered that a council be convened on the Octave of the Epiphany [January 13th], its chief business being to determine the genuineness of the claims of the two men who have each claimed the Throne of Saint Peter as rightfully their own.  Both claimants to this most holy office have been summoned and prelates from both their parties shall be received and allowed to present their evidence.

To that end His Imperial Majesty summons a delegation of the Roman Senate to appear before this council to give an account of the events transpiring in Rome during the recent conclave, so as to ensure that every fact of the matter is known to the bishops of the Church on whose shoulders this weighty decision rests.  The Senate may send a delegation of any size it sees fit, but His Imperial Majesty requires that those men sent be themselves witnesses of the events in question; or, if this is impossible, that they bear written statements, countersigned by trustworthy men, giving an account of the events in question.

Let all men know that any man who waylays or impedes this delegation, be he a nobleman or commoner, acts in contempt of the Emperor's Peace and shall suffer the Emperor's Ban.

Rainald von Dassel, Archbishop of Cologne, Archchancellor of Italy[/ic]

[ic=Niccolo Capocci addresses the Senate]Senators, I am grateful to once again be able to set foot in Rome, something denied to me by the late Prefect.  I do not celebrate his death, but I will say that when I see God's will at work in securing the liberty of Romans and the ruin of their enemies, well – I do not question it!

It is of Rome's enemies that I am here to speak to you today.  With the aid of this august Senate I have rebuilt the fortresses that guard Rome's roads and secure its connection to its allies.  But one vulnerability yet remains near at hand – the tower of Poteranum.  This castle, mine by right, was also mine in fact several years ago, but it was seized from me by the actions of Hadrian, who forced the Emperor into acting against me as the price for his crown.

Poteranum sits directly on the Via Nomentum between my castle and Rome.  It is also, like Nomentum itself, only a bowshot from the territory of the Frangipani to the east.  If the Frangipani or the Tiburtini were to hold it, they could easily use it as a launching point for an attack on Rome or the plundering of its countryside.  It guards the flank of the Via Tiburtina.  With it, any attack from the east can be harried and delayed; without it, it will act as a shield the passage of our enemies.  Those are the stakes, senators – we speak of the security of the road by which an attack from Monticellorum or Tivoli is most likely to come.

Now, senators, is the time to act.  The castle is held by a garrison belonging to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, which owes its obedience to Cardinal Giovanni Conti, one of the cardinals now in Rolando's camp – or should I say Oddone Frangipani's camp!  In the disorder and uncertainty of these past few months, no effort has been made to bolster its defenses, but it will not be long before our enemies realize the importance of this fortress in keeping Rome subjugated.

Your options, as I see them, are these: to wait, allowing our foes to entrench themselves more deeply and delivering a potent weapon into their hands – or to act, and aid me in taking this fortress.  When last I marched upon Poteranum, the garrison surrendered without a fight, and the garrison that holds it now is scarcely stronger.  With my armsmen and Rome's might, we may take this castle, and under my protection it will be a shield to your citizens and a blow to your enemies.[/ic]

[ic=Report to the Lesser Council]Senators,

My presence in Rieti, as requested of me by Consul Basile, was not sufficient to effect a reconciliation.  While there may be room for compromise in theory, there is no trust between the two parties.  The consuls insist that any Rector or other episcopal representative will act in bad faith and attempt to subvert their independence, while Bishop Dodone makes clear that, being "thieves," the consuls will not respect any agreement to accept some modicum of oversight by the diocese.  While I was treated well by both parties, it proved difficult to even get their representatives to be in the same room together.

The military situation does not greatly worry me.  The bishop currently resides at the Rocca di Sopra in the foothills northeast of Rieti; it is one of a number of such towers, rather modest but decently constructed, which the bishop holds in the contado.  The bishop's forces are not strong.  While Dodone is owed fealty by a number of local barons, many of those barons were subjugated under his joint rule with Rector Damianus, compelled to do homage to the diocese and maintain a residence in the city where they could be more easily controlled.  With the city and the diocese now at odds, a fair number of them have conveniently forgotten their oaths or made varying excuses to stand aloof, no doubt enjoying the bishop and the consuls being at one another's throats.

The position of the consuls is little better.  Their militia, which was trained by my father, is adequate for their defense, but the consuls are men of trade and have no military experience.  Rather timid men, they fret that sending the militia forth from the city would risk too much at one stroke.  I believe that the fact that there has been no fighting so far is less because of restraint or morality than because both sides are too weak to take the offensive.  Of course, while this weakness seems to guarantee peace, it also guarantees that Rieti – both the diocese and the city – will be useless allies to Rome as long as this conflict lasts.

I had wondered when I first arrived how it was that Rieti was supplying itself with food, as many of its surrounding fields are largely in the hands of the diocese.  I assumed that they were importing it from elsewhere in Latium.  This proved to be true, but I had not expected the source – in fact the city is receiving most of its grain supplies from the castellan at Rocca Sinibalda, who is loyal to the Abbey of Farfa.

It is possible that Farfa is in some substantial way involved in this matter.  Their dispute was always with the diocese, not the city of Rieti as such.  As long as Damianus and Dodone worked together, the interests of the city and the diocese were one, but with the city and the diocese now at odds, the city of Rieti is unlikely to take such an active interest in championing the bishop's claims against Farfa.  With the city in rebellion and his nobles largely ignoring his summons, Dodone, once Farfa's mortal enemy, has now been effectively neutralized.  I cannot prove their involvement other than the fact that the consuls have been buying reasonably priced grain from one of their vassals, but I certainly would not rule it out.

I should also mention that I heard multiple rumors alleging that the rector's riding accident was a product of foul play, but I found no man able to produce any evidence to support them.  I suspect these are the usual rumors that circulate when an important man comes to an unexpected end.

Signore Gerardo Calafatus[/ic]

[ic=Letter to the Senate of Rome]Out of respect for my uncle's agreements with the Senate and with the understanding that these are chaotic times in which many important matters weigh upon the Senate, I have gladly paid the duty this season which my uncle the Patrician agreed to remit to the Senate in exchange for his titles and privileges.  I believe I am within my rights, however, to ask that the Senate ratify these same titles and privileges for myself if they wish this payment to continue, or otherwise that the Senate should propose alternative terms and submit to negotiations if they are not satisfied with such a grant.

Cencio Pierleoni[/ic]

[ic=A rhyming pamphlet distributed in Rome]
Octavian, by what aberration
Do you seek to bring Rome to damnation?
How were you ever enticed
So to sunder the tunic of Christ?
You too will be dust by and by;
As you lived, so tomorrow you'll die.

- Britto[/ic]

[ic=Arnold addresses the crowd]Brothers, sisters, I have been asked by earnest Christians who it is that rightfully holds Saint Peter's chair and ring.  Surely there is, and must be, a rightful pontiff; every good Christian must surely know that the Church ought to have a Pope, and that his chair bestows upon him the right to our respect and reverence.  As Christ said to Peter, 'on this rock I will build my church,' and to the Word of God we remain ever faithful.

Yet I will tell you this – while we must revere our Holy Father, we must also know in our hearts and minds that the church which Christ built is in mortal peril.  We acknowledge the supreme and peerless power of the Holy Father, the Pope, and we know that this is not a worldly power, not a temporal power, not a power of gold and silver, but a power over yet greater things.  Why is it a Pope, given the keys to the gates of heaven, should concern himself more with the keys to his coffers?  Oh, how far so many of our priests have fallen from the true goal of salvation into the fires of iniquity and greed, all because of a vain pursuit for things of this world, and not of the world to come!

Remember always that no matter how lofty the honor or exalted the title, those clergymen who soil themselves with property and regalia are ever in danger of damnation, and the church that is built upon such a crumbling foundation is ever in danger of ruin.  Whoever is the rightful Pope, we shall ask of him no less than we have asked of his predecessors – that he must, for the sake of all Christendom and the salvation of many, abandon his property and all these worldly goods which corrupt the Holy Church, and thus regain God's grace and the promise of salvation.

As always, the crowd roars its approval, but there are murmurs as well... more than a few yearn for Arnold to simply tell them the name of the true Pope.[/ic]

Quote from: Light DragonSo would being a "Witness" disqualify Manzinni from claiming to be a witness since he lit out after the group started calling for Victor as pope and violence began? (I recognize that I could bear written statements regardless, but I would like to know exactly what my real stance happens to be?

Rainald is basically just asking that the Senate provide some proof of whatever account its delegation provides; the delegates themselves can be witnesses, or they can have the statements of witnesses with them, or both.  Whether Manzinni witnessed some, all, or none of the proceedings is not important (nobody witnessed everything, after all), Rainald is just asking that the Romans arrive with evidence in some form or another.

QuoteWould it cost the same to fortify the Forge Mill as it would cost to fortify my house, or would fortifications of the location be like fortifying a tower, or would it cost more/less/have other issues?

Enterprises themselves cannot be fortified (I don't want to see any fortress-bakeries).  If you want to protect an enterprise outside the city walls, your best bet is to build a tower/castle nearby, though that can get quite expensive.

You seem to have copy/pasted what was originally written below the update. Am I to conclude that whatever I said or did between page 1 and this post doesn't count? If it's the case, I will simply delete my previous posts, after I've saved them.

Furthermore, what is to happen with the "empty" consul's seat? Honestly, I would prefer elections, but if we're aiming for something smooth that doesn't require us to spend time playing it out, then I guess giving it to either Llum or Steerpike would be suitable. Being more closely associated with the Church these times, though, I don't think I would've given a vote to a straight out Arnoldist during the elections.

Quote from: Magnus PymYou seem to have copy/pasted what was originally written below the update. Am I to conclude that whatever I said or did between page 1 and this post doesn't count? If it's the case, I will simply delete my previous posts, after I've saved them.

I was just re-posting them for everyone's benefit, so they're right there.  Previous replies to those posts still exist, and those that need answers from me will get them.  If you'd like to delete/repost senatorial statements you made earlier, you're welcome to do that, though it's not required.

QuoteFurthermore, what is to happen with the "empty" consul's seat? Honestly, I would prefer elections, but if we're aiming for something smooth that doesn't require us to spend time playing it out, then I guess giving it to either Llum or Steerpike would be suitable. Being more closely associated with the Church these times, though, I don't think I would've given a vote to a straight out Arnoldist during the elections.

I'm sort of in a bind right now.  Steerpike has declined for IC and OOC reasons, Llum's character is problematic because as you say a number of the consiliarii probably wouldn't have voted for an Arnoldist, and ElDo, who actually got third place in the last consular election, has not yet re-joined us.

We could just have a snap election for interior consul only, I suppose, reasoning that the last one died naturally in office or something - though technically there's no precedent for what happens when a consul dies during the consular term.

I'm open to suggestions/opinions.

If it would make everything easier, I can be interior consul; it seems unlikely to me that Sanguineus would be elected, but I'm sure I could handle it if push came to shove...

If we need to have an election I'd be fine with that. Perhaps though just to get things started we can all simply submit our votes for the next consul without all the IC banter this one time so that we can get the game going again.

If we do that I'll put my vote forward for manzinni (or de vinti if manzinni doesn't wish to run this term).

Steerpike has agreed to take the interior consulship, so that's what we'll do.  Our interior consul is presently Sanguineus Viviani.

I think we should be ready to go!  I'll set a deadline soon.

[ooc=Due Date]The new due date for this season is Saturday, January 17th.  Please have your orders in by then.  If you need additional time, feel free to let me know by PM, on IRC, or in this thread.[/ooc]

Well now that I've had time to get myself back up to speed I will try and start us off right (by of course giving pc lots of reading to do :D ).

[ic=To Cencio Pierleoni]
I will certainly support the transfer of your late uncle's titles to you. Your family has shown itself as honorable and devoted to the peace and prosperity of Rome. Indeed I wish that we could re-negotiate the terms of the title. Unfortunately with the chaotic situation we find ourselves in I feel it would be better to simply insure you get the title in the first place. Therefore I will be offering my support in transferring the title as your uncle held it, to you. Perhaps when this papal business is behind us all we can reconsider the terms. I hope that you understand and wish you and your family good health.

Best Regards,
Arrigus Sismondii
[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Senator Guillelmi]
I am in agreement with you on the matter of Rieti. Quite apart from its impact on Roman merchants, Rieti has had a close relationship with our fair city and their stability should certainly be held as important by Rome. I am only a single senator though and one with only limited connections to the Rietini. I shall do what I can though I fear to be too involved. I think perhaps the best I can do is to work with the consul of the exterior to make sure proper attention is given to the situation and that aid is offered as needed. I shall put thought to what might be done, if you have any ideas of your own don't hesitate to make me aware of them. I, like you, am eager to see Rieti stable and prosperous again.

As to the matter of elections this is something I have indeed hoped for. This in fact was my initial hope when I broached the topic of codifying senate law. Unfortunately my work was twisted by certain members of the nobility resulting in the less than perfect situation we have now (though I still maintain that we are much improved from when we had no code at all). If you truly feel this is inevitable then you will have my support on it. I would like nothing more than fair and public elections. The citizens of Rome should have a say in who represents them. If you see an opportunity to press for such a democratic amendment without causing a deadlock with the nobility I will certainly throw my support behind it.

Kindest Regards,
Arrigus Sismondii
[/ic]

[ic=At the Lesser Council]
Firstly I would like to warmly welcome our two newest members to this most esteemed council. I wish that you could have joined us in more peaceful times. Yet, few are so lucky to be able to decide such fate. I pray that God will grant you strength and wisdom (indeed as I pray he will grant it to the rest of the council).

On the matter of Cencio Pierleoni and the Patricianship I will second this motion, that the full title and all its rights and responsibilities as held by the Late Giordano Pierleoni be transferred thus to his nephew Cencio.
[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Consul Basile]
Unfortunately much has been going on and it is hard to keep up with the myriad plots and threats swirling about our fair city. Still I am doing what I can bit by bit. Having said that I wish to approach you on the matter of Rieti. I am concerned for our allies there as they have a not-insignificant impact on Rome (both her merchants and her political stability). I am curious to know if you have heard of any developments and if there is any aid I might offer in helping the matter.

P.S - I also wished to inform you that progress continues to be made on the road between Antium and Rome. I am sure it shall not be too long until your family will have a safe passage between their torre and your home here in Rome.

Your Friend,
Arrigus Sismondii
[/ic]

[ooc]
- Investigate what sort of revenue stream could be pulled in through taxing the Schola of Weavers in exchange for official senate recognition and protection of their guild.
[/ooc]

Magnus Pym- Sorry, I did a search through the PRINT page of the old thread for "schola" and "weavers" and I could not find what you are talking about. I seem to recall that Manzinni offered Sissmondi some advice and may have mentioned something in the Inner Council, but I cannot locate it. The other things he did were private with Sissmondi.

Not really sure what to say in character to the 2 new players, so I just wrote a somewhat generic prompt to Steerpike... but if they have something to say to Manzinni, they are welcome.

[ic=To DeVinti]
I hold no grudge against the schola of weavers. I do however wonder as to their necessity, since the Senate represents all Romans. Since they have no legal enforcement power and the Senate has its judiciary and its policing powers, it seems that they are somewhat redundant and should be under the city's purview- the Senate can even better ensure that the best interests of all its citizens are pursued. I still hold to my preference for a  a 'scholam senatus' and believe that it is in the best interest of the Roman populace rather than having another center of power. If Senator Sissmondi and you wish to pursue such a proposition as I explained it previously, that idea would have my support. The proposition would create work for our guard to enforce the law, but it would also lead to payment from the guild and fines gathered in enforcing that law.

I have no strong involvement in the wool trade unlike some here present-I merely wish to see that the city itself is strengthened.
[/ic]

[ic=To Consul Viviani]
We all look to you for guidance now regarding the bread situation. In past seasons, as organized and arranged by myself through personal contacts, Genoa provided bread, but it is unclear if that venue will be open to us this season or even if it was, if it will result in enough grain. [OOC: I think it was a one-time thing]. The local granaries are depleted; this past year I gave away my last stored bread, as did many others. The larders of the Church may burgeon- perhaps an arrangement could be made, since our watchman to the north has exhausted his supply.

Also, what say you regarding our watchman's call for battle?[/ic]

So, how are we handling the Consulship issue- Viviani was always Consul during the period that Superbright was? Or did he step into the position after the chaos of the battle. I think I prefer the former, so as to minimize the amount of necessary retconning.

[ic=Letter to my Mercantile Contacts]
What news have you of Egypt? What chance for stability? Is this but a moment's wind, or Has the trade moved farther ashore? If so, where to? Is there anything that I, a mere grain of sand amidst the winds of the world can effectuate?[/ic]

Quote from: Light Dragon
Magnus Pym- Sorry, I did a search through the PRINT page of the old thread for "schola" and "weavers" and I could not find what you are talking about. I seem to recall that Manzinni offered Sissmondi some advice and may have mentioned something in the Inner Council, but I cannot locate it. The other things he did were private with Sissmondi.

Actually, you didn't just mention it in the Lesser Council. You brought the matter before the whole Senate after Holy Week. Here's the link.

Quote from: The Matter Brought Forth To The Senate[ic=By Polycarp]Following Holy Week, Consul Manzinni made a proposal to the Senate:

[ic=Vittorio Manzinni]"We propose before the senate the concept of a 'scholam senatus' or that of an officially recognized Roman guild. The schola is to be a collection of like skilled tradesmen who are acknowledged by the senate which shall offer them legal protection from unregistered members in place of their practice of hiring thugs. In return they shall pay a yearly fee to the senate and abide by senate law. Furthermore the senate may set minimums and maximums on quality and price. Any schola outside the senate shall be seen as illegal and disbanded for the security of the republic. They may either form a new sanctioned schola for the appropriate fee or join an existing schola."[/ic]

The senate seemed largely ambivalent at first, but there was a growing opposition lead by pro-Schola elements in the senate that has overtaken much of the senate's middle-class ranks.  Its opponents have described the proposal as "extortion," an attempt to aggrandize the equites and impoverish the citizenry by forcing common artisans to pay protection money to the senate or be legally harassed.

In a dramatic turn of events, one senator and Schola member, Francisco Guillelmi, delivered a fiery speech against "collusion and conspiracy" by the consiliarii Manzinni and Sismondii against the people of Rome.  Guillelmi claimed that Sismondii was even now attempting to subvert the Schola of weavers, a loyal Roman institution, whose members had fought and died for Rome; that he was doing so merely to replace them with his own organization, out of simple greed; and that he had been in contact with "foreign powers" to attempt to bring foreign workers into Rome to bankrupt and destroy Roman tradesmen.  Most senators do not care very much about the Schola as such, but this last accusation sent murmurs through the notoriously anti-foreign senate.

Guillelmi went on to claim that Manzinni and Sismondii were now attempting to strip the liberties from Roman artisans in a cynical ploy to consolidate the power and wealth of Rome for themselves, to turn Rome into a Pisan client state, and to overthrow the liberty of the people.  He called for Sismondii and Manzinni both to be sacked and replaced in the consilarii, which sent the chamber into an uproar.  The Arnoldist element of the senate was not particularly pro-schola, but was certainly anti-Sismondii, and joined with Guillelmi's faction to try and derail the legislation; the Consul's supporters chose to avoid the potential indignity of a defeat and withdrew the proposal to try and regroup.  It is unclear who actually holds the majority, but in the war of words, the Consul's opponents seem to be winning.

Though this matter has been somewhat overtaken of late by the Terni affair, it has not gone away, and has the potential to throw the senate into a bitter struggle once again.[/ic]

Some time before that, Sismondii had sent a letter to all consiliarii. Here's the link.

Quote from: By Nomadic[ic=Letter sent individually to each of the Lesser Councilmembers]Greetings my friend,

I pray that life finds you well. As you know I am shifting my focus towards the greater Roman economy. On the matter of trade you may or may not have heard I have unfortunately been unable to negotiate an agreement with the weavers guild. Forces in Rome under the schola of weavers have served to interfere with the possibility of any agreements that might have enhanced the Roman textile market. This is most unfortunate as it would have served as a foundation for uniting the Roman merchants under one cause to the benefit of all. The schola is a potent force in Rome. Unfortunately it seems that it is a force driven by greed and pride which looks out for itself, sometimes at the expense of other Romans. I am sure that you are aware of their penchant for violence against anybody who might compete with them.

I ask then, why we allow such a selfish and potentially violent faction to exist within Roman walls free from senate oversight. I understand that there are more pressing matters with news from abroad as it is. Still I request that if you are able you might take the time to consider the ramifications. Might we look then to our neighbors such as those in Pisa who regulate their guilds to great effect and great profit for their city. Compare it now to how it is in Rome. I have only just rebuffed their attempts to strip me of all coin to sate their greed and pride and yet I already hear murmurs from those workers in my employ of threats of schola thugs. Such things do not frighten me, what concerns me is the future of a Rome where large groups might run free and potentially challenge the rule of the senate through the use of brute force. None but the senate should wield ultimate military sway over Rome lest we court anarchy and ungodly chaos. These threats of violence and this mass use of hired thugs must not continue.

If this concerns you as it does I, I encourage you to join me in discussing the possibility for the regulation and control of these dangerous, yet potentially profitable guilds.

Senator Arrigus Sismondii[/ic]

My letter concerned this whole affair.