The Republic Reborn

[Nomadic]

[ooc=Consular Election]
Considering the political implications of voting either for Basile or for someone else and how they might be construed as supporting or opposing the Emperor or Pope Sismondii feels that he is forced to abstain from voting in this election.

I will leave it to Polycarp to decide how those under his influence vote.
[/ooc]

[Polycarp]

[ooc=Current Tally]Election of 1159
Total votes: 28
Votes cast: 17
Votes abstaining: 5
Votes remaining: 6

Senator Basile: 13 votes
Senator Borsarius: 4 votes

This is the current tally before bribery is applied.  The deadline is Sunday, May 25th.  The election may also end earlier by consensus if there are only two candidates with votes after all votes have been cast.[/ooc]

As the rules state, "All PCs are eligible to cast a ballot, though casting a ballot is not mandatory," so abstaining is perfectly acceptable.  The only difference between formally abstaining and just not voting is that if you declare yourself to be abstaining, your vote will not impede a victory by consensus, as abstaining votes are counted as "cast," just not cast for anyone.

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=A Letter to Barzalomeus Borsarius]Senator Borsarius,

I understand that you have particular reservations concerning any oath of allegiance that the Emperor demands of our city, and trust in me when I say I possess my own. But the Senate can no longer afford to remain aloof from this decision, and neither can we afford to refuse the Imperial party. I have spoken against Imperial power in the past, but in truth I would have spoken so of any power that should have thought to subject our Commune to utter subservience. The Curia does not look kindly upon our liberty, and they are in truth the greater threat. Signore Demetri has not made his return to Rome, and has sent no word. I can only see this as an ill omen. There have been great movements of Frangipani knights in the countryside for months now, and this has weighed heavily upon my mind. It is no secret to me that Oddone Frangipani counts Rome among his great desires, and he is a man of wealth and influence, and he has bought the ears of many Cardinals. This past season the specter of excommunication again reared its ugly head, and if the Curia should even contemplate this measure then it would be a small step to bring the force of arms against us.

To side with the Emperor will not be so onerous upon us as to remain bound by Curial dictate. The Emperor's power is far away, and will fall lightly upon us - of this I am sure. Barbarossa entreats our loyalty, and we should do his cause a great service to grant it to him. He has sent us his ambassadors with promises in hand - promises that may easily be multiplied in their value. We are Rome, Senator, and he holds the title Roman Emperor. Let him have it, so long as we have the City.

This is a matter of honour for you, and of the law. The Senate too must abide the law, and on this we agree. But let it not be said that the Imperial position is unlawful, for it was indeed the Emperors that bequeathed His Holiness the Patrimonium, and it is the Imperial prerogative to maintain its terms. Barbarossa claims the Pope oversteps his authority, and he may or he may not. In this matter we have little say, and we must ensure the security of our Commune's future. I know you will not swear this oath, so let me swear it in your stead, and in Rome's stead. You need not besmirch your honour. I know that you seek the Consular office, and in any other season I would have supported you, but know that the Emperor should not be satisfied if only one among Rome's consuls should swear such an oath, particularly if the other is yourself. I would beg you for the good of the City not to force this issue. The Imperial Marshal is not an accommodating man, and to refuse the oath would chill any relation we might have with the Empire. Our Senate will not last long if both the Emperor and the Pope make themselves our enemies.

Senator Roberto Basile[/ic]

[Elven Doritos]

[ic=Letter to Consul Basile]Esteemed Consul,

I appreciate the courtesy of your correspondence at such a sensitive time as this.  Know that though I disagree with you on this matter, I find your spirit to be persuasive and know that you always act according to what you think is best for Rome.  Your patriotism and civic service are beyond reproach, and Rome is undoubtedly grateful for your many years of dedication.

As to the matter at hand, it is an understatement to say that I hold reservations about the Oath.  Rather, as in Roncaglia, I flatly deny the jurisdiction of the German King over any territory within Latium, and further reject any attempt by the Germans to compel Rome to its sphere of influence.  I recognize that there has always been tension between the Curia and our beloved city, but I do not believe it is within our interest—nor are we within our rights as representatives of the Commune—to behold ourselves to the Imperial dictate.  Should we accept this new annexation by the Germans of our liberty, the Holy Father will have all the pretext he needs to annihilate us. 

The German monarchy is an unstable, irascible thing.  Though they think themselves the heritors of the legacy of Caesar and Charlemagne, the fortunes of a particular Kaiser may rise and fall within a single generation.  To align ourselves with a nation in perpetual flux will be to tie ourselves to the tide of Barbarossa; tides come and go.  Rome, conversely, must remain Eternal.

You speak of the threat of excommunication, and the Curia bringing force of arms against us.  Will not such a process be accelerated by our allegiance with the Emperor?  The matter remains that we have pledged ourselves as leal vassals to His Holiness, and accepting the overlordship of this man, who swings through Italia like some swaggering conqueror, shall render us in breach of that pledge.  Do we, as representatives of our people, even have the capacity, nay, the right to enter into such a relationship?  If the Holy Father thinks of it as treason, I cannot say I would disagree with his interpretation.

As you say, the Imperial power is far away.  Its reach will fade.  The Papacy's will not.  Should we break our vows, the sacred covenants our Commune has shed blood to endow and protect, we will be inviting the very disaster you hope to prevent, be it a year from now or twenty.  The Church has a long memory, Consul.  The Germans, it would seem, do not.

And you need not warn me the Marshal.  I will remind you that I was the Emperor's prisoner and am well acquainted with the man, who, given his own prerogatives, would have cut me down in Roncaglia without hesitation or thought, had the German King not found my death to be impolitic and indiscrete.  Even now, the man leers at me with every passing.  I know only that should he seek my death, I will die as a martyr of Roman liberty.

You say this is a matter of honor for me, but I deny this.  Honor is so closely linked with pride, and pride is the vice of the conceited or the delusional.  I see this, rather, as a matter of principle.  Your support for my run for the Consulship touches me, though it is apparent that those who could support me cannot do so when it is inopportune. 

The price, it would seem, of my principles and conviction is that, when the enemies of Rome's liberty are present, Rome must hide me, as if ashamed.  Perhaps I will never be Consul, and perhaps that is my own doing.  But I cannot cast a vote to subjugate myself to the German yoke, and I will not withdraw my votes to allow for a unanimous election, as in previous years.  Were I you, I would worry after Consul Manzinni, for if he were to come out against the Marshal, my vote—against my own frustrations and personal advancement—would go to him.

But rest assured, I will not embarrass the Consulships by speaking to the German envoy.  I have had far enough of German hospitality for one lifetime, and have no desire to be surrendered yet again.  Were I elected Consul, however, it would be a vindication of my principles on this matter, and a mandate to escape the bonds the Germans so desperately yearn to clasp upon us.

With the utmost respect,
Barzalomeus Borsarius
Senator of Rome[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=A New Consiliarius]Since Fortis Calafatus retired from the Lesser Council to take the mantle of the Templars last season, the nobility of Rome have been without any representation on the Lesser Council.  While the equites make up only 22 out of 100 seats in the Senate and noble equites only a portion of these, Rome's loyal nobility still command influence and possess resources out of proportion to their number, and have been pressing behind the scenes all summer for someone to serve as a new noble consiliarius.  They have finally found that man in Barzalomeus de Morroccho, a nobleman with estates west of the city.  Handsome and charismatic, Signore de Morroccho is popular among the Roman nobility - unlike the significantly more controversial Signore Calafatus - though some say his political ambitions are chiefly stoked by his formidable wife Transmarina (née de Corvaria), who is considered unusually well-educated and outspoken for a woman in Roman high society.  The noble equites have finally managed to gain sufficient votes for their candidate despite the misgivings of the more populist senators, and the signore will soon sit among the senatores consiliarii.[/ic]

[spoiler=Transmarina de Morroccho]Player: Superbright
Age: 34
Class: Noble

Influence: 6
Popularity: 5
Orthodoxy: 6

Born in 1125 to Iohannes de Corvaria, the eldest son of an old Roman family whose father Piero had won much acclaim fighting the servants of Apollyon during the First Crusade, Transmarina de Morroccho has always been cleverer than she knew what to do with. She learned to read with Greek texts her grandfather had brought back as trophies and her father had the wisdom to foster this intelligence rather than try to snuff it out, going so far as to contract a Spanish monk to give her the sort basic scholastic education normally reserved for boys. For most men, such a learned and willful young woman would have to bring quite a hefty dowry before they would consider marrying her, but Barzalomeus de Morroccho was not most men. He was the scion of another storied noble family heavily invested in the fishing trade, whose natural charisma and dusky good looks were matched only by his complete lack of wit or ambition. The two proved to be eminently compatible, with Transmarina managing the family estates, handling correspondence, and writing down speeches for her husband to deliver. For his part, Barzalomeus blessed her with four healthy children: Giannis (age 17), Clara (age 14), Piero (age 12), and Orlandina (age 10).[/spoiler]

Superbright will be joining us this season; we're doing something a bit new in that while Signore de Morroccho sits on the Lesser Council, his wife Transmarina is considered to be the "main character."

Superbright will not be able to participate in the current election, because the Signore will not actually accede to the Lesser Council until the present election ends.  As LD has noted (in chat), there are no limits on who may be nominated for a consular position, so it is still technically possible to vote for Signore de Morroccho though he commands no votes of his own at the moment.

All senate-only information from this update is considered to be known IC information for Superbright (e.g. the delegations from Rieti), but the Lesser Council-only information (Otto von Wittelsbach's speech, the messenger from Pandolfo Cassi) will not be known IC information until Signore de Morroccho is formally seated in the council at the conclusion of the present election, when he (and thus his wife) will be brought up to speed on matters facing the Lesser Council (though the consiliarii may choose to disclose Lesser Council matters to de Morroccho, or anyone else, as they see fit).

[ooc=Current Tally]Election of 1159
Total votes: 28
Votes cast: 17
Votes abstaining: 5
Votes remaining: 6

Senator Basile: 12 votes
Senator Borsarius: 4 votes
Senator de Morroccho: 1 vote

This is the current tally before bribery is applied.  The deadline is Sunday, May 25th.  The election may also end earlier by consensus if there are only two candidates with votes after all votes have been cast.[/ooc]

[LD]

Manzinni's not running. He came into the position mostly to defend his interests and because I thought it would be fun as a player; as a player I still find the position quite intriguing, but as a character, I really can't justify putting him in it and it was a bit stressful trying to reconcile the two desires and difficult to play him in a consistent fashion. Also, for reasons Nomadic states above. :o.

[ic=Before the Senate]
Responsibility and accountability but no authority. The position of Inner Consul has become but titular and honorary. A worthy honor, but one in which I do not choose to serve when the Commander of the Sentinels marshals more power than the Consul of the Interior, but with less responsibility and with questionable reason to ensure that the Consul's authority is enshrined.

The Inner Consul assumes a leadership position, but in all things, the power is equal to that of a common senator, and the real power resides in the Exterior.

The Inner Consul does not mint coin- that is delegated to the able Vanetti; the Inner Consul does not even apparently disperse coin- time after time, the Exterior Consul has authorized dispersal of coins for state projects, has spent the treasury without need for the Inner Consul's approval, and even in the creation of the Sentinels- the Consul authorized the expenditure for a force to defend the city when it was clearly not within his portfolio to do so- that was a grave overstep of the positions' bounds and a challenge to the position of the Interior and its authority.

Additionally, the Judiciary is watched over by able jurists; Foreign affairs are not part of the portfolio, and apparently even citizens are beyond the portfolio- the situation wherein a citizen of Rome was accused of harassing a prefect was dealt with by the Exterior Consul.

Even barring all these insults, I endeavored to address needs that had to be met. I ensured the city was fed last year, while the Exterior consul was away. I arranged for defense, reaching out to allies for aid, I released my grain to feed the people, I entreated friends of Rome to open their hearts in largess to the people, I protected the people from raiders and my men defended the people-none were killed by raiders within the walls of Rome- although many were marshaled in opposition to a Rome mostly empty of fighting men, they dared not come against us due to their fear of my organization of defenders.

But a final insult came when even protection of citizens has now become muddied, and a Consul is no longer in charge of that defense. A senator possesses power over internal defense. As Interior Consul, I would have power to recommend, but no power to command--and in a time of crisis, the Commander will have greater power than does the Interior Consul to protect the people. Rome cannot take the risk that my authority will be questioned by this Commander, especially when the Commander has been the person in the Senate who speaks out the most against his Consul. Whether or not the Commander's decision is a good one--it cannot be the right decision to have a Commander and a Consul quarreling when Rome is threatened by crisis and its defense must act as one. Although I am willing to work with the Commander- I object first to the arrangement, and I once again console that what Rome has done here is create a third position, one with more power than the Consul of the Interior, but with less responsibility. And second, I object to at this time working with one who has constantly spoken out against me in the Senate and who seems to have deep, deep disagreement with my opinions on how to best serve Rome--I fear that the city will be ill served if his quarreling will result in a potential dispute when Rome is greatest in need, and so I step aside.

Now, for a time at least, I think it is time for another to take the lead.

I leave you with a memory of how I saved Rome's citizens from starvation in its time of deprivation during the siege. I also leave you with a mint to project the power and authority of Rome. I leave you with a flag system for warning of danger and better responsiveness to avoid riot. I leave you with the Sentinels to defend Rome. I leave you with a catalogue of properties of Rome and several proposals for making money from these properties- I will present that information in the Inner Council.

Ultimately, I am voting here to make a statement. The statement is twin. One, I do not stand as a protest for the dangerous erosion of authority in the position and two, I show my support for the nobility of Rome, the equestrians, who have long stood by and behind this city and who now fail to have one of their house as a representative on the inner council. By not running, and by voting for this man in opposition to the other candidate, I speak with faith that the equites have chosen well and that in political functions, their representative will bring honour to Rome and avoid embarrassment. I vote for Senator de Morroccho.
[/ic]

[ooc]6 Votes to Senator de Morroccho[/ooc]

[Polycarp]

[ooc=Current Tally]Election of 1159
Total votes: 28
Votes cast: 17
Votes abstaining: 5
Votes remaining: 0

Senator Basile: 12 votes
Senator de Morroccho: 7 votes
Senator Borsarius: 4 votes

This is the current tally before bribery is applied.  The deadline is Sunday, May 25th.  The election may also end earlier by consensus if there are only two candidates with votes after all votes have been cast.[/ooc]

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=Before the Senate]Senators,
We can certainly appreciate the difficulties of the office which the senator now describes as being merely honorary. Having been consul myself, I know I do. Perhaps it is that the matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the consul of the interior need to be defined. Perhaps not. A consul must be strong and inspire confidence, so that his authority might be respected by his consular and senatorial colleagues.

In Autumn 1157, the then-consul proposed to have two ministers of the treasury, and himself appointed Senator Borsarius as the first minister. Today, he complains that it falls under his jurisdiction to manage the treasury. Isn't this a blatant contradiction?

Furthermore, he speaks of a commander who holds a grudge against him, but why was that even mentioned? It is my understanding that the law discussed during the previous spring has not been ratified. There can be no candidates for a position that does not yet exist, and thus no commander.
I believe many senators feared that, having a considerable force already at his disposal, if the consul was given even more military power -sanctioned by the Senate at that-, he would use it for personal gains. Maybe it wasn't that they did not trust the consul, but that they had no idea who our future consul will be and acted merely to protect themselves from tyranny.
It should be noted that the commander would be responsible for maintaining order in the city and nothing else. Therefore, the commander cannot marshal more power than the consul, for his duties are clearly defined, while the consul, not so much and he holds ultimate power in civic matters, thus making his "recommendations" impossible to ignore.

The consul's manner of departure might be the most exciting initiative he has ever taken, but in doing so he proceeded to lay blame on innocent men, which in turn denigrates the sacred office he once occupied, and that saddens me.[/ic]

[LD]

>>Furthermore, he speaks of a commander who holds a grudge against him, but why was that even mentioned? It is my understanding that the law discussed during the previous spring has not been ratified. There can be no candidates for a position that does not yet exist, and thus no commander.

In that case that's a player error.
Very sorry; would not have said that particular line otherwise.

[ic=Before the Senate]
It may indeed be a capital idea to delineate the duties of the position to a greater detail. I am glad to be in a position where speaking in favor of delineating the duties will be seen for what it is, an action taken for the good of Rome to ensure that its stability continues far into the future. I am glad to discuss at length what duties should be delineated.

I admit to some confusion regarding your comments related to the treasury; I do not suggest that the treasury be managed by one other than the able Vanetti because he has expertise in the matter. It is far better for Rome to have an expert overseeing the matters. I merely note that because we have wisely vested direct supervision of the mint in the able hands of an expert in the mint, that the Interior Consul has the same oversight that the Inner Council does over the matter-therefore, other than in taking a leadership interest in the supervision of the mint, the Interior's actions are limited.

As a Consul, I always sought Rome's stability. As a member of the Inner Council before my consulary service, I always sought a careful separation of power between the consulships. As consul of the exterior, I did not intrude upon the Interior's portfolio. And, I will nod toward Consul DeVinti, in my recollection, during his duties, he did not intrude upon another consul's portfolio and for that he should be commended. Perhaps it is the fact that the powers are not delineated that has led to stress and difficulties--perhaps Consuls do not know what they may and may not intrude into. This would be an artful matter of study both for what Rome desires and for what the judiciary, the experts in the law, divine was done in past legal systems. In my current position, I cannot order this study, but I would suggest to whoever becomes consul of the Interior, that such a study could be fruitful.


[/ic]

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=Before the Senate]Senator, please allow me to dispel the confusion. Since we both agree that the establishment of a treasurer is a non-issue, for "it is far better for Rome to have an expert overseeing the matters", why did you bring it up? Rather than keeping with the true threats against the office, you fumbled into non-issues and jeopardized any chance at taking your word seriously. You said Romolo Vanetti was an able treasurer, and I concur, but the fact that you brought it up in your speech makes it obvious that it is a source of frustration for you. I was merely remarking that it should not be, for the proposition was also yours, and as consul you were empowered to make that decision as you saw fit.

If the only matter, then, is that your consular colleague took from the treasury to see to our northern defenses and the war with the Tusculani, if that is what you implied by state projects, then this Senate should not bother giving much attention to this current discussion and proceed with the more important issues that are casting their heavy shadows upon our council.[/ic]

[Polycarp]

The election will end at 6:00 PM CDT on Sunday, May 25th, which is about 16 hours from now.  If you wish to change your vote or submit a bribery PM, please do so before then.  Election results and some important news will be posted subsequently.

[LD]

[ic=Before the Senate]
To the contrary, it is vastly important to bring up the situation of the treasury when discussing the relative duties and importance of the Consul of the Interior. As it is, the entire Senate and Inner Council observes the running of the treasury and of the mint- which seems to be appropriate and is how it was established while under my watch- however, it does relegate the Inner Consul's oversight to a more redundant or ceremonial role.

Similarly, I do not begrudge the expenditures that Consul Basile made- they needed to be made during war. However, I do begrudge that I was not consulted on many of them--and the argument that time is of the essence is not one that should be made--there was time for my review of the matters. I begrudge that the Exterior Consul has the power to spend all of the treasury should he so wish, leaving nothing for the Interior to spend. I begrudge that the Exterior Consul has authorized expenditures on internal matters--apparently the Interior's approval was not even necessary.

This is not a criticism of Basile, but of the institution and the structure-I could not say that I might not have been tempted to have done similar would I have been in his position.

Some may say that in my position, I could have halted the expenditure. I could have barred the treasury. But even if that was a possible decision, would that not have been worse? Would that not have heartened our enemies that Roman leaders were opposing Roman leaders in a time of struggle. I made my decision to not oppose or alter his requests for expenditure to show unity and to show strength. And that decision should not have needed to have been made--For internal matters at least, only the Interior Consul should have power to authorize the expenditures. For external matters, the Exterior consul should request the authorization through the interior consul. If the interior consul does not disperse- then it should be the exterior's decision to publicize the matter to the senate and a matter for the senate to decide the outcome. I would welcome research and inquiry from the judiciary on this matter to see how other communes have historically resolved these difficult issues. You speak many times, Senator, of how you believe the law is important, so I would be surprised if you would not share some interest on this matter.j

I strongly believe that if this Senate wishes the Interior Consul to have a more than honorary purpose, the Senate should fully understand the limits that have been imposed on the position. I also strongly believe that my words in favor of my position regarding delineations of authority have stronger weight now that I am not running for Consul.

Ultimately, the deciding issue in my decision to not run...the most important issue- is that the Interior Consul does not have power over to actually oversee the Sentinels who defend the city. All other issues are matters that demonstrate the breadth of the concern, but the Sentinels demonstrate the depth of the concern, for any Interior Consul going forward will have only his personal resources to enforce his authority-say to bar the treasury's door, but because the Sentinels can act even against a Consul and they are not commanded by a Consul, the Interior Consul is at the mercy of their leader's judiciousness. And further, the Sentinels are commanded by a Commander who apparently has power to determine where they patrol, how they train, and more- the Commander has been set up as a third Consul.

Perhaps that, a third consul, is what this Senate wants, but that is not what the Senators discussed, and so, as I place my votes for someone who I trust, someone with honor, with judiciousness, someone who will represent Rome well in an honorary fashion and as a leader in discussions and negotiations and trends, and who might help re-make and re-assert the power of the Interior Consul, with aid from a disinterested party who is now a Senator. Therefore, I express my concerns and I express my hope that Rome will survive and thrive for many, many centuries.
[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ooc=Election of 1159]The election of 1159 has ended.  Our consuls for the next year are Roberto Basile and Barzalomeus de Morroccho.  As Senator Basile received the most votes, he is entitled to choose his portfolio, either exterior or interior consul.  He has opted for Consul of the Exterior, and thus Signore de Morroccho is invested with the position of Consul of the Interior.  Congratulations![/ooc]

[ooc=Autumn 1159 Events]

"The Season Finale"

Back in the Summer 1155 season, the soon-to-be emperor came to Rome, and I needed the Senate to make a number of sequential and important decisions within just a handful of in-game days.  While one-per-season updates work well for us in general, for that season we used a series of mini-update "events" to give the senate the opportunity to make a number of critical decisions within the season.

The senate is about to be faced with another series of critical decisions, and so we are going to have another series of events similar to what we had in 1155.  Treat events sort of like smaller updates – you can post both IC statements and OOC orders following an event, just as you would post after an update.  Bear in mind, however, that these events may only be days or even hours of in-game time apart from one another, so for the most part you should only post orders concerning the event itself that can be accomplished within that time frame.

Each event will have its own due date for orders and statements, after which a new event will be posted, until they're all over.  Once the events conclude, you will be able to post normal orders, letters, and so on for the autumn season.

**********

1159 in general, and this season in particular is something of a climax in our story just as 1155 was.  In part this is because of historical events that have been planned for some time, but player actions have also contributed to where we are today – while the events to follow are based on historical events (at least, initially – you the players always have the opportunity to throw things off the rails) the situation that Rome finds itself in in our game is different than the situation it was in at this time in reality.  A lot has changed in Rome in the seven game years (and almost two and a half real years!) that we've been playing, and we're at a point in the game where a number of decisions taken by the player characters in the past few years are going to have more serious and visible repercussions in the wider world around them.

In the spirit of this new chapter of the game, this season's events are going to be the final act of this thread.  The Autumn 1159 update will not be posted here, but in a new thread with a better-organized and fully up-to-date OP, which will include a few new goodies – finally implemented ship rules, a comprehensive list of major noble families, their origins, and their past politics, and a digest of what's happened in our game so far (eventually, if I can manage it).

We've rotated through a few players and waited through a few hiatuses in RR, but we're still going strong.  I'm excited for the future and very grateful to everyone that's participated in making RR a reality.

The first event in our "season finale" will be posted tomorrow.

[ic=On the Romans]Show me a man in the whole city of Rome who welcomed you as Pope without having his price, or hoping to get it. Even when they profess to be your very humble servants, they aim at being your masters. They pledge their fidelity only that they may more conveniently injure the confiding. Hence it is that there can be no deliberation from which they think they ought to be excluded; there will be no secret into which they do not worm their way. If the doorkeeper keeps one of them waiting a minute or two, I should not like to be in his shoes.

- Saint Bernard of Clairvoux, "On Consideration," written to Pope Eugene III in 1152[/ic][/ooc]

[spoiler=By the way]

Sadly these games seem to peter out rather fast. I hope to enjoy it while it lasts :)

:P[/spoiler]

For the time being you're welcome to continue Senate discussions, give acceptance speeches, and so on as you like.

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=Before the Senate]The interpretation and execution of the law is, indeed, a matter dear to my heart, and to the hearts of those that serve our Commune with distinction through this August body.

Do I understand your statement correctly that the Consul of the Exterior should ask, or beg, to arrange the appropriate funds for the conduct of Roman diplomacy? If the treasury sees no difference between matters of inside and outside, then wouldn't this drag the consul into the same predicament that you now decry? Surely, having experienced some frustration over the matter, you wouldn't want this for your honourable colleague?

You mention that the consul not only allowed, but arranged for expenditures concerning matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the Consul of the Interior. Might you remind this Senate of these expenditures?[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Consul de Morroccho]Consul,
I first wish to congratulate you on your election as consul. I am confident you will serve honourably in your office, and represent the interests of the Roman people. It is appeasing that the nobility of our fine City shall again have a representative among the consiliarii.

While honest congratulations were in order, it is by no means the sole purpose of this missive. Your predecessor had harsh words for the office you now occupy, but in reality his frustration is due to his own shortcomings. Perhaps he thought that by laying blame on the title, his lack of achievements would escape notice. Alas.

It would be false to assume that the days ahead of you will be without obstacles, but likewise to assume that being Consul of the Interior grants you no authority. We have chosen you, and with reason. Your word matters.

Sincerely,
Senator Hugo De Vinti[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Magister Rogerius]Magister,
I take your recommendations seriously, and know that I still endeavour to find suitable dictatores to assist you.

It has come to my attention that la crème de la crème in the domain of letters might be found in Orléans. Interested as ever in quality, rather than quantity, I will pursue this avenue in hopes that an able man from this far away city might be convinced to educate our students in the relevant field of study. I fear, however, that any positive result will take time to achieve, and as such I come to you asking for some help.

It did not escape my notice that there are also able dictatores in Bologna. Are you familiar with any of them?

Hugo De Vinti[/ic]

[Nomadic]

[spoiler=By the way]

Sadly these games seem to peter out rather fast. I hope to enjoy it while it lasts :)

:P
[/spoiler]