The Republic Reborn

[Elven Doritos]

[ic=Letter to Hugo de Vinti]Honored colleague,
As stated in my admittedly pointed correspondence a few seasons prior, I do not bear you ill will, nor have I ever done so.  My time in the German captivity had disturbed my habit and outlook, both of which I should think are more rightly restored - nay, enhanced - in the months since.  I have found clarity amid the chaos, and have reconciled my principles with the course of our Republic.  I confess that at times I feel an outlier, an outcast, an undesirable; my stance at Roncaglia has created numerous enemies, both for myself and, I fear, for Rome.  It has therefore been made known to me that any expression of belief that runs contrary to the will of the Consulate is not especially welcome in the halls of our governance.

I say this not out of bitterness, but in acceptance of a truth: my stature among our colleagues has been utterly diminished, as a result of both my actions and my manner.  I do not blame our colleagues in the Council for ousting me from their confidence, for I was perhaps a fairweather friend in the mind of Senator Manzinni, and a liability at best to Senator Sismondii.  My relationship with Consul Basile has always been tenuous at best, to no fault of his.  The man's concerns are largely elsewhere, and I do not begrudge him that.  I am certain that my actions at Roncaglia and domestically have given him just cause to desire distance from me.

This past election has proven how much of a hazard I have become to even my closest allies.  So spurned is Senator Manzinni that he would elevate this newcomer to the Consulate as an act of protest to its utility.  So virulent are my politics that Senator Sismondii, ever my closest ally, chooses to abstain from voting than voice any support for me.  The presence of a single German is enough cause for Rome itself to treat me as if a leper, to hide me as if ashamed in the dark hour of its subjugation.

Perhaps you were right to seize upon my absence.  Perhaps, Senator, you were not wrong to seek my ouster from the august body.  I am beloved by the people, this is true; less so in the hallowed halls of governance.  I have never sought to command the mob, but only to feed them and bring them closer to God.  I have often wondered if the Senate should have stripped me of my rank, so that I may have realized this role more fully.  As it is now, I feel as though a Consilliari in name only.  Few Senators are persuaded by my positions, fewer still follow my vote.  

This papal procession is perhaps one civic event wherein my presence will not cause great offense or great volatility, and, as you suggest, may in fact be used to soothe the mob in a moment of crisis.  I hesitate only because I fear my reputation, although the Curia may be more amenable to me than the Germans, may yet anger the German King and compel him to further action against the Curia, the Papal States, and Rome itself.  While I am not possessed of such arrogance to believe that Frederick's dreams of conquest hinge upon my presence or absence in a funerary procession, I nevertheless have no desire to further inflame the Teuton hosts that linger far too close to our homestead for my liking.

If you have any particular recommendations as to what minor post in the procession that I could hold, one that places me near enough to react to any uprising, but far enough to avoid any undue attention to the liability my presence would bring, I am amenable to any such request.  My service is always to the Senate, the Council, and to Rome, and if so needed, I will heed the call.

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

[Elven Doritos]

[ic=Letter to Ildebrando Grassi, Cardinal-Deacon of Sant'Eustachio]Your Eminence,
I was compelled to make my stand at Roncaglia by my two loves, for God and for Rome.  I am not sure if it was, as you say, bravery, but it certainly has cost me much—power, prestige, popularity, none of which is of much consequence to me.  

I am salient of the threat the German King poses.  I have cautioned the Council at every opportunity of possibilities like those you suggest, of the sinister design that seems to lurk within the Teuton heart.  I regret that I have been rebuffed at every opportunity, and few true Romans would stand beside me when I made my bid to challenge the now-sitting Consuls.  

As to whether I will act on behalf of those who pledge themselves to God, or whether I will cast my lot with those who seek to don the yoke of foreign subjugation, I will only say that I see this not as a matter requiring any great courage, but rather simple devotion to principle.  No earthly bond, no German swordsman, nor any sweetened promises will cause me to falter in my pursuit of these eternal platitudes, and I will do all in my power to ensure this wayward flock finds its way back to the shepherd.  Know that I am but one man among many, however. My voice is one within a sea.  

I ask only that you pray for me and for my colleagues, and pray that love and wisdom conquer all.

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

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=Letter to Barzalomeus Borsarius]Senator,
Words are abundant in my mind on matters concerning our disgraceful ex-consul. But it will suffice to say that you should not think much of his dishonourable manner of departure, for none of it was your fault. I also think that the good Senator Sismondii, who so vehemently defended your case when I was bent on seeing you ousted from our council, did not abstain from casting any votes because of you, but because as a Vicar and Senator he threads on a very thin rope. Considering the oath Consul Basile has taken, formally aligning the Senate with the Emperor, it is not surprising the senator wishes to abstain from choosing any sides.

The German king shan't be annoyed by your presence within the procession, should the deed even reach his ears. You are an honourable member of the Senate and a senatores consiliarii. He will immediately understand your position and the need for you to participate in this holy ceremony. I'm not sure I feel comfortable recommending any position in particular, but if you desire my suggestion, then I shall risk myself doing so. The Prefect has sent me word of his concern for his safety and that of the Curia. I am currently making the necessary arrangements to ensure their safety, and I feel you are crucial to ensuring the whole event goes smoothly.

As I told you, I recognize the immense popularity that you enjoy. If you should ride near me, and I will be close to the Prefect no doubt, it shall be a symbol that even declared political enmity between popular senators can be put aside to enjoy this most sacred tradition in perfect peace. You are a model for many citizens, and they will try to emulate your deeds. The popolo will be that much more pacified and any armed intervention on my part may yet be avoided, ensuring the smooth proceedings of the ceremony. If it should come to it, you can always rain on them words of wisdom. Even if I don't agree with your actions at Roncaglia, I otherwise think you rather wise.

Senator Hugo De Vinti[/ic]

[Polycarp]

The next event will be temporarily delayed to allow everyone to wrap up their conversations and post orders.  I won't post a new due date at the moment, but if you still need to get stuff done please do so as soon as it's convenient for you.

[Nomadic]

Just wanted to pop in to say that I've finally wrapped up everything and can continue as soon as everyone else is ready.

[Magnus Pym]

Are we getting a due date anytime soon?

[Polycarp]

Sure.  Let's put our final due date on Sunday, June 22nd.

[Rhamnousia]

Sorry this took me so long. You literally would not believe the business that has been going on if I told you.

[ic=Before the Senate]
Since they have so humbly volunteered, I request that Senators de Vinti and Manzinni personally be in attendance with me during the closing of the doors, the honor of conducting which I accept with likewise humility. As for the rest of you, I have only presided as Consul for a short time and do not wish to make myself seem a tyrant, so I will not demand your presence if you do not wish to make the journey. After the procession, as Senator de Vinti has recommended, the Latin knights should be escorted out through the Porta Asinaria so that they might marvel at the splendor of our glorious city.
[/ic]

[ooc]Barlazomeus and Transmarina shall both be in attendance, along with their modest retinue of 25 masnada in ordinary dress, which should be enough to secure their immediate protection without appearing paranoid. To air on the side of caution, mobilize the militia, but keep them out of sight of the procession itself as not to agitate those in attendance. Should violence break out, they should move to secure the protection of the Senate and the Curia first. If it is a riot by the Mob, then they are only to use enough force to disperse the crowds without unnecessary bloodshed, but if the Latin knights are the source of the violence, then no such restrictions will apply. Lastly, mobilize the peasant levies to secure the rocco, in case the unthinkable should happen.[/ooc]

[Elven Doritos]

[ooc=Orders-ignore previous set]Ride near de Vinti, while being careful not to be seen endorsing or riding near any particular papal "candidate". Refuse any position of honor or speaking role in the procession if offered to me. Have my masnada in the crowd ready to escort me if trouble should arise.[/ooc]

[Polycarp]

Alright, we're in progress and the event should be posted soon.  Thanks for your patience.

[Polycarp]

[ic=Extra Omnes]I.  The Procession

The body of the late Pope Adrian entered the city of Rome on the morning of the 6th, accompanied by a great host of knights and clergymen.  They entered the Porta Asinaria, adjacent to the Lateran Basilica, where the requiem mass was to take place.  A senatorial delegation received them there, and also present were the Imperial delegates and the German and Lombard knights which had accompanied them south.

Monks gathered at the Lateran chanted the kyrie eleison as the host approached.  Imar, Cardinal-Bishop of Tusculum and the Dean of the College of Cardinals, led the ecclesiastics inside, who bore the body of the Pope therein.  Though grey-faced, the body of Adrian was not noticeably corrupted, and had been dressed in red linen with his crozier in his hands.  Cardinal Imar led the mass.  Though some estimated the crowd at nearly a thousand – knights, clergymen, monks, senators, and servants – they ably fit within the basilica.  The interior glowed with hundreds of candles, and the air was hazy with incense.  The body of the pope was placed in a wooden coffin and anointed with holy water, and the monks chanted the Litany of the Saints.  Finally, the cardinals filed past the open coffin to pay their respects, followed by the princes of Latium and many knights and potentates.

The procession formed outside following the funeral mass.  In the van were two hundred knights, led by three great banners – the Papal banner in the center, flanked by the arms of Rome and the arms of the Demetri family, whose chief representative in the form of the Prefect rode before them all.  Though mailed and armed, they were bare-headed out of respect, their helmets slung from their saddles.  Their upraised lances were festooned with red and white pennants.  Behind them were lesser clergymen on foot, bearing processional crosses and accompanying the wagon bearing the open coffin of the late Pope.  The Princes of the Church followed behind them on horseback, consisting of many of the bishops of Latium and the 30 cardinals in robes and brimmed hats.  Behind these came the remainder of the nobility, richly dressed but unarmed save for their swords.  Practically every major house was represented, with the very notable exception of the Frangipani, who were rumored to have been denied entrance into the city by the Senate.

There were some observers near the Colosseum, but the great crowds did not materialize until the procession rounded the Capitoline and entered the Campus Martius.  Detachments of the militia moved on parallel streets to the procession, ordered to be near at hand but out of sight by Consul de Morroccho.  The crowd was no disappointment – thousands crowded the thoroughfare, stretching their arms towards the funeral wagon and shouting "Papa!" as it passed.  It was difficult to hear over the din – perhaps some onlookers jeered, but if so they were drowned out by the majority.

As the procession passed south of the Pantheon, it became entirely swamped by the crowd; forty masnada stationed there were completely overwhelmed.  Some feared the procession was in imminent danger and tried to flee, but were quite unable to, being pressed on all sides.  The procession ground to a halt, and some men attempted to climb the funeral cart or grab the hem of the cardinals' robes.  The Prefect had to dismount some of his men, who held their shields in front of them and pressed back at the crowd to make room for the procession to continue.  Though it is reported that there were some injuries in this scuffle, it did not lead to escalating violence.  By the time the procession reached the Tiber, it was evident that the linen sheet draped over the funeral cart was completely threadbare on both sides, innumerable pieces having been tugged free by the populace.  Many expressed relief afterwards that the crowd, while overeager, had not been violent, and the armed men of the Senate and the Prefect had not over-reacted to the situation.  If Arnoldists or any others had been planning mischief or violence, it was not evident, though the reason for this is unclear – perhaps they had never planned anything to start with, or perhaps the Prefect's show of force had given them pause.  Some joked afterwards that any malefactors would have found it just as impossible to approach the procession through the crowd as it was impossible for the members of the procession to leave it.  Clearly this great mass of humanity had some effect on the cardinals, but whether it affected their later decisions at all is unclear.

The procession split as it reached the bridge over the Tiber.  The Prefect and his men, the senators, the ecclesiastics, and the funeral wagon itself continued on; the other nobles remained behind, along with most of the servants and a number of senatorial troops.  The noblemen were no more eager to remain in Rome than the Senate was eager to have them, and swiftly left the city thereafter.  Many of the "great men" of Latium, however, wished to stay for the results of the conclave if it was to be over soon, and those with residences in the city remained there; many without residences were hosted by Signore Oddone Colonna at his palazzo.

Patrician Giordano Pierleoni's men opened the gates to the Leonine City, and the remainder of the procession entered.  There was a crowd within as well, though the population of the Leonine City is no more than a thousand or so, and this crowd was nothing like the one in Rome's center.  The Patrician and his son, on foot, awaited the procession on the steps of Saint Peter's Basilica.  The cardinals and the lesser clergy, now bearing the coffin by hand, ascended the steps, proceeded through the basilica courtyard , and entered the nave of the basilica with the Prefect, the Patrician, the senators, and the Imperial legates, while the Prefect's knights waited in the courtyard.  As the choir chanted within, the body was taken from sight and into the catacombs, where it was said that a Christian sarcophagus from the days of Ancient Rome had been selected by the Pope to be his final resting place.

II. The Conclave

"Extra omnes," called Cardinal Imar; everyone else, out.  All save the cardinals and a number of the lesser clergy exited to the courtyard, and as Imar watched from within, the senators pressed upon the great bronze doors of the basilica until they shut.  The conclave had begun.

Patrician Giordano Pierleoni, offered the assembled knights and senators his thanks, and then asked the Prefect and his men to kindly take their leave.  The Prefect, however, seemed to have expected that his 200 fully-armed men would remain in the Leonine City to protect the conclave.  He and the Patrician soon got into a loud argument.  The Prefect said that he could under no circumstances leave the Curia unguarded; the Patrician took this as a slight, saying that the cardinals were quite safe behind his walls manned by his troops, and that the agreement made with the Senate merely said that his men could enter and not that they could remain.

The argument quickly turned into a shouting match.  The Patrician called the Prefect "Oddone's sniveling bootlick" and asked sarcastically if he and Signore Frangipani were going to "steal another conclave" as they had done with Innocent; the Prefect called the Patrician a "scheming Jew" and asked in turn if the Patrician was planning to kill another Pope as he had done with Lucius.*  The senators and noblemen present were very nearly treated to the spectacle of two gray-haired lords brawling in the courtyard of Saint Peter's Basilica before some of the bystanders physically intervened.

Though furious, the Patrician was obviously not going to attempt to evict the Prefect's men by force, and there seemed nothing for it but to allow them to remain in the Leonine City.  The Patrician, however, did get his revenge of a sort – while the senators and their men were invited to stay at the Castle St. Angelo, the Prefect and his men found their stay less than hospitable.  Unable to leave the city lest they be locked out, the Prefect's men had to sleep on straw in commoners' homes; the Prefect himself was headquartered in the munitio, the tower requisitioned by Cardinal Breakspeare, but though the Patrician had willingly turned over the munitio he had also stripped every last piece of furniture out of it down to the rushes on the floor.  While the Prefect and his men subsisted on bread and pottage bought or seized from the common folk, the Patrician dined with the consiliarii and his noble guests on suckling pig, Burgundinian wine, and fruit tortes topped with Sicilian marzipan.  It seemed a bit much, particularly during a time of scarce bread, but the Patrician did not seem to be in a mood to be hectored about austerity.

The conclave began the same day, on the 6th, and lasted until the afternoon of the 8th.  The orderly and united procession, however, was not followed by an orderly and united conclave, and the scene that unfolded on the 8th was one of great confusion.  Reports in the hours after the doors were opened have pieced together some of what took place, but the details are still unclear.

III. The Election

The senators, along with Cencio Pierleoni, approached the basilica on the third and final day of the conclave, having been told by observers that the Te Deum was being chanted within and it was believed a new Pope had finally been selected.  The doors were soon unbarred from within; a number of priests rushed out, breathlessly exclaiming that "Pope Victor" had been elected, though they were not quite certain as to which man this was.  There seemed to be a great commotion and much noise, both cheering and shouting, from within.

As the senators attempted to look within and determine what was going on, several dozen men abruptly burst into the courtyard.  Cencio asked them to identify themselves; they shoved him aside.  Cencio and the senators had not been accompanied by many guards, and it was soon evident that these new arrivals were armed.  They pushed their way into the basilica, some waving swords in the air, and joined the commotion within, drowning out all others with cheers of "Papa Victore!"

Soon emerged Cardinal Octavian.  The latter raised his hands in triumph and wore the red mantle of the Pope, though he had seemingly put it on with some hurry or carelessness, for it seemed to be the wrong way around, with the hood draped over his chest.  With a number of cardinals at his side and surrounded by a cheering throng, Octavian, now apparently Pope Victor IV, proceeded to the nearby Vatican Palace.

The affair, however, was not over.  Many of the cardinals were not with him; some remained in the basilica, and others had evidently left by another route, among them Rolando Bandinelli.  Those remaining within claimed that the Pope was not Victor, but Alexander, the name taken by the duly elected Rolando, who had fled through a side-gate when the armed mob entered the basilica.

IV. The Clash

The Prefect's men, thus far a bit late, now arrived on the scene.  They claimed that, in the name of Pope Alexander III, the usurper Octavian was to be arrested; they were confronted by some of the earlier crowd that had forced its way in, chanting Victor's name.  Within minutes, fighting erupted, with the Prefect's soldiers and "Victor's" partisans crossing swords in the courtyard of the basilica.  Cencio and the senators, ill-equipped for a melee, fled.  Outnumbered, Victor's partisans were forced from the Basilica and fell back to the Vatican Palace.  It might have fallen but for the intervention of Pierlonist armsmen, who began pouring out of the Castle of Saint Angelo.  After a sharp clash, the Prefect's men backed off, but there have been several skirmishes since then in the area around the Basilica and the Palace, as well as near the northern walls of the Leonine City.  Low-level fighting continues throughout the city, but soon one side or another may well launch an offensive.

It has been reported that Victor's partisans have been joined by a number of Imperial knights who had been guests of the Patrician over the past few days.  It is also known that Oddone Frangipani's men have been camped in the Field of Nero north of the Leonine City since yesterday.

News of this chaos has only just entered Rome proper, and those Romans still ignorant of the day's events will not remain ignorant long.  Many important nobles of Latium are also still within the city, at Colonna's palace or their own dwellings, and it is not clear how much they know or what they will do once knowledge reaches them.

Only God knows what will come of this...[/ic]

This event is intended to cover the afternoon, evening, and night of September 8th, so orders should be doable within that time frame.  This is a pretty open-ended event – there is no "goal" here like "get the conclave to Rome" or "get the funeral procession to the Vatican."  Your job is to determine what should be done in a moment of crisis.

You must choose the location of your Senator.  If you decide your senator accepted the Patrician's hospitality over the last few days, he was present for the events above, and either fled the Leonine City (and is now in Rome) or remained within it and is now at the Castle St. Angelo with a handful of NPC senators.  If you decide your senator declined the Patrician's hospitality, then he was not present, is currently in Rome, and only just now received word of the above events, probably from a loyal NPC senator who was present.

During this turn, there is a communications barrier in effect between Rome and the Leonine City.  This means that once you have chosen to be in Rome or the Leonine City, you cannot communicate with anyone in the other location during this turn, PC or NPC.  You should declare your location before you post anything else for this event.

If you choose to be in Rome, you may take part in Senate discussion and communicate with PCs and NPCs in Rome (and possibly have access to other things, like your soldiers and the militia).  If you choose to be in the Leonine City, you have only a handful (no more than 5) masnada with you and cannot take part in Senate discussions, but you are closer to the action and can potentially communicate with Pierleoni, Demetri, and so on.

Fair warning: Depending on how this event unfolds, it is possible your senator may be in physical danger if you decide he is in the Leonine City.

[Magnus Pym]

[ooc=Whereabouts]Hugo De Vinti respectfully declined Pierleoni's invitation and took his leave from the Leonine City, looking to restoring order in Rome if need be. Like it was stated in my orders, I have gone back to my estate and relied on my masnada, messengers and allies to give me an update about the situation on the ground.[/ooc]

[Elven Doritos]

[ooc=Present and accounted for]Borsarius is in the Leonine City, his personal friendship with Cencio Pierleone  having overcome his usual reclusiveness.[/ooc]

[Nomadic]

[ooc=Location]
Sismondii is in the Leonine City
[/ooc]

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ooc=Whereabouts]Edit: Basile is in Rome. I would have liked to have him in the Leonine City, but am leaving for Panama, so I won't be able to contribute at all until the weekend of the 12th. I'm not saying don't proceed with the event. You can NPC Basile if you want, PC. I'm fairly confident you have a good enough idea of how I play him.[/ooc]