The Republic Reborn

[Polycarp]

Consular Election of 1155

Senators, it is time to decide who will lead our glorious city in the coming year!

[ooc=Election Rules]
All PCs are eligible for Consular status, though a character who wins an election may choose not to accept the position if he so desires.  All PCs are eligible to cast a ballot, though casting a ballot is not mandatory.

Each character has a number of votes equal to his Influence score.  When you cast a ballot, you must choose how these votes are allotted.  You may spend all your votes on one candidate or split votes between candidates however you wish.  A ballot should be in a red OOC box like this one, and be in this format:

[ooc=Election of 1153]Your Senator's Name

4 votes to Senator X
2 votes to Senator Y[/ooc]

The ballot is not secret.  Who voted for whom is in-character information known by all.  The whole Senate, all 100 members, takes part in this vote; our game simulates this using Influence, meaning that when you "cast a ballot" it actually represents your character and his friends and/or family actively cajoling and convincing NPC senators to vote your way.  This is a tedious process of pandering speeches, cloying flattery, empty promises, and boring dinner parties, and is by definition not a private matter.

Bribery, specifically the expenditure of Wealth to buy votes, is permitted.  Bribery will alter the final count of votes, depending on how much Wealth was spent.  Bribery works by  "stealing" one vote from a candidate of your choice and giving it to another candidate of your choice.  Stealing a vote in this way costs 2 WP.  It may be obvious that people were bribed if the final result doesn't match who players actually voted for, but there will be no direct indication of who bribed them unless the bribery is discovered.

If the bribery is discovered, there will be a scandal resulting in a loss of Influence.  The chances of a bribe becoming a scandal are 10% for each vote bought.  Note that a scandal does not mean the bribe was unsuccessful – it is still possible to win an election by bribery despite a scandal, but the loss of Influence may make it difficult to hold on to power.

If you choose to bribe, it should ONLY be done by sending me a PM indicating how much you are spending and who the bribed Senators are supposed to vote for.  If you post a bribe in this thread, it will not be accepted, and I will laugh at you.  Bribes are non-refundable!

The two players with the most votes (after Bribery) are elected Consuls.  The Consul who receives the most votes has the privilege of deciding which Consul, external or internal, he wishes to be.  Ties will be resolved in favor of who has the most Influence or, failing that, a coin flip.[/ooc]

Also...

[ic=To the Senate of Rome]Senators of the Romans,

His Holiness Adrian IV, my esteemed uncle, has placed me in charge of the administration of the Papal Curia's interests in Rome until the Curia selects someone suitable for the office of Prefect of Rome.  As the Lateran Palace is not yet suitable for our needs, I and my clerks have established ourselves at the Palazzo San Callisto in Trastevere.

In merciful recognition of the recent sufferings of the Roman people, His Holiness has commanded that any obligation by the Romans to provide soldiers to the expeditio against the tyrant William of Sicily is hereby waived, and that no fines for failing to meet this muster shall be levied upon the Romans.  The obligations of the signori, however, remain, and all men of noble rank are summoned to the service of His Holiness regardless of any position they may hold in the Roman government.

Each signore is required to present himself at Ferentino on the first day of October, and shall have with him two horses, a hauberk, sword, lance, and at least two armed and mounted sergeants; or he shall pay a fine of [1W] within ten days to pay for his replacement.  His Holiness furthermore has commanded that all Roman noblemen subject to the recent Treaty of Campus Neronius who fulfill their military obligation in person shall have their indemnity of [2W], as required in the treaty with the Roman Senate, fully waived.

I trust that the faithful Senate of Rome will encourage its equites of noble rank to comply with this lawful summons.

Boso Breakspeare, Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church[/ic]

[ic=An Imperial Proclamation]By the order of the Roman Emperor Fredericus, the Reichsacht is hereby pronounced over the person of Arnaldus von Brescia for reason of his rebellious offenses against the Empire and the Holy Roman Church.  Let no man aid this reprobate lest he be placed under the same sanction.

Otto von Wittelsbach, Count-Palatine and Marshal of the Empire[/ic]

[ooc=die Reichsacht]The Reichsacht, or Imperial Ban, is a proclamation of outlawry within the Holy Roman Empire.  The outlaw, or Geächtete, is considered legally dead; he has no rights and no property, and can be robbed, killed, or harmed in any other manner without any legal consequences.  It is the "secular" counterpart of excommunication, though less effective where Imperial power is weak or nonexistent.[/ooc]

[ic=To Senator Basile]Most Illustrious Senator,

Please allow me to bestow my fond greetings upon you and your house.  I am pleased to inform you that the business which I have been sent to conduct with the Papal Curia has been resolved most favorably.  Bishop Hadrianus has generously allowed our party to reside at Tusculum until we shall rejoin him at Ferentino later this month.  I believe that this would be an excellent opportunity to take you up on your earlier offer of hospitality if the present time is not unsuitable to you.

Perhaps you will also see to the provision of letters of introduction to your Consuls and whoever else you deem worthy of conversation.  Though of course my visit to Rome would not be made in an official capacity, I am sure that the relations between His August Majesty and the City of Rome could only be strengthened by cordial contact.

Sebastos Kosmas Bariotes
Ambassador Plenipotentiary of Manuel, by the Grace of God faithful Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans[/ic]

[ic=Crescenzio Caetani, spoken to Consul Calafatus]Signore, I appreciate your invitation, and now that there is no longer an open breach between the Senate and His Holiness, it seemed advisable for me to accept it.  I hope you will not hold my earlier refusal against me.

I shall be quite honest – I have been having great troubles with certain barons who have been encroaching on my estates near Ardea, and I hope my daughter's hand could forge an alliance that would help discourage their ambitions on my lands.  That said, I am determined to marry her with honor, and I doubt I will be able to afford a dowry that the great magnates of Latium undoubtedly deserve.  It is a predicament I am most desperate to unravel.[/ic]

[ic=To the Lesser Council]I once acknowledged Rome as a friend when they required my aid.  I hope the Romans will act as a friend to me in this hour of my own need, and afford me a suitable habitation for my family and retainers until I can regain my rightful lands.

Signore Niccolo Capocci[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ooc=Due Date]Your votes are due on Monday, July 30.  Let me know if you need more time.[/ooc]

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=Letter to Kosmas Bariotes]Lord Bariotes,

It is well that you have met with success in your mission. His August Majesty must surely be ever-pleased by such effective and diligent service. I am not one to so easily forget a promise, and I simply cannot permit that you should spend the autumn in Tusculum when Rome would undoubtedly be of greater delight. As such, you would be more than welcome.

If that is your desire, I would of course be willing to furnish such letters, but perhaps I can do better. I shall see to the holding of a dinner befitting your arrival in Rome, and will extend invitations to the entirety of the lesser council, and perhaps other personages of import. We of the Senate concur with your assessment, and greatly desire the establishment of such cordial contact with His August Majesty.

Senator Roberto Basile[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Fortis Calafatus]Senator Calafatus,

It has come to my attention that you have invited Signore Caetani of Ardea to Rome, and indeed, now host him on your own estate. I trust he is well, and that the purpose of his visit does not somehow bode ill for the peace of Latium. I would request a small favour of you, if it would not offend your guest. I would be most grateful should you provide for my introduction to Signore Caetani. For you see, my son Ricardo has reached the age where the matter of marriage is foremost in his mind, and it is known to me that Crescenzio Caetani's youngest daughter, Caetana, is as well of a marriageable age and as yet unwed. I think perhaps that they would both be well blessed by their introduction one to the other, but of course I must first sound out Signore Caetani's intentions for his daughter.

I leave the broaching of this matter to your discretion.

One matter more. Lord Kosmas Bariotes, Sebastos of His August Majesty, has sent word that he shall be arriving in Rome in the near future, and I have extended to him my hospitality. I understand that you might perhaps be departing for Ferentino quite soon. However, should his arrival serendipitously occur before your departure, I would extend to you my invitation to a dinner to be held at my estate for the purposes of introducing Lord Bariotes to Roman society.    

My thanks,

Senator Roberto Basile[/ic]

[ic=Letters of Invitation to Senators Manzinni, Sismondii, Vannetti and de Vinti]Senator,

You are most cordially invited to attend a dinner at my estate to honour Lord Kosmas Bariotes, Sebastos of His August Majesty. His arrival in our fair city is imminent, and I thought it well to provide for his introduction to our esteemed company. It would be to the advantage of Rome to cultivate the friendship of the Greeks, as they may soon hold considerable territory in the South, as we are all aware. Your company would be most welcome.

Senator Roberto Basile[/ic]

[ooc=Election of 1155]Senator Basile lets it be known before the Senate that he again seeks Consular office.

5 votes to Senator Basile[/ooc]

[Nomadic]

[ooc=Election of 1155]
5 votes to Senator de Vinti
[/ooc]

[Polycarp]

[ic=To Senator Basile]Senator Roberto Basile,

With sincere regret, I am compelled inform you of death of John of Palermo, amiratus of the Kingdom.  I, his son, Eugenius, happened to find some of my father's correspondence with you as I was settling his affairs at the royal divan.  He died last year of an ailment of the heart, for which I am afraid even the Arab physicians of King William's court could do nothing for.  His soul now rests with God, the ever-merciful and almighty.

Eugenius[/ic]

[ic=To Senator Basile]Senator,

Your offer is most generous and kind, and I eagerly accept it.  I will, of course, be accompanied by my secretaries and guards, who number fourteen in total and will require some manner of lodging.  Additionally, my co-ambassador to the Curia and my adviser in matters spiritual, diakonos Eustathios, has expressed an interest in joining me in Rome, so perhaps you would be so good as to arrange for him to share our table.

Sebastos Kosmas Bariotes[/ic]

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=Letter to Senator Basile]Esteemed Senator,
It is with pleasure that I accept your invitation to attend a dinner with Lord Bariotes at your estate.

Hugo De Vinti[/ic]

[ooc=Election of 1155]5 votes to Senator De Vinti[/ooc]

[Nomadic]

[ic=Reply to Senator Basile]
I would be honored to attend such a dinner. Lord willing we might forge new bonds of friendship with our potential new neighbors. As an aside I am always happy to meet with friends for such an event, it shall be an excellent distraction for all of us from the recent conflict and stress I am sure.

Arrigus Sismondii
[/ic]

[LD]

[ic=To Basile]
Roberto, I would be glad to accept the invitation. I would also be interested in bringing along four of my men, one of whom is my eldest son Leonardo.
[/ic]

[ic]- Send congratulations to Senator Sismondii regarding the birth of his child.[/ic]

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=Letter to Vittorio Manzinni]Vittorio, it pleases me that you have decided to attend. However, it is my intention for this small event to maintain an intimate atmosphere. As such, I must humbly request that you limit yourself to a single guest. Your son Leonardo, or another individual that you should choose, is quite welcome to accompany you.

Senator Roberto Basile[/ic]

[Llum]

[ic=Response to Senator Basile]
Greetings my friend. As it would happen I invited the good Signore Caetani here to help him arrange a marriage for his daughter, who he brought with him to Rome. I will gladly bring the Signore and his daughter to your party with me.

Fortis Calafatus
[/ic]

[ooc=Votes this Election]
4 votes Senator Basile
[/ooc]

[ic=Speech to the Inner Council]
I am not seeking re-election this term, for I will be away on campaign with the Pope. So, I hope that whoever replaces me takes good care of Rome in my absence.
[/ic]

[ic=To Signore Caetani]
I have the perfect match for your daughter. The son of soon to be Consul Roberto Basile is the perfect age to be married. The senator is hosting a party at his estate, I will happily bring you and your daughter to this event so that she may meet the young man.
[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ooc=Election of 1155]This year's consuls are Hugo de Vinti and Roberto Basile.  As de Vinti has received the most votes, he is entitled to choose his portfolio.

Orders for this turn are due Monday, August 6th.  Let me know if you will need more time.[/ooc]

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=At the Senate]*De Vinti let's it be known that he will keep the position of Consul of the Interior. Smiling at Basile before shaking his hands.*[/ic]

[LD]

[ic=To Basile]
In that event, I will be glad to attend with my son Leonardo. I also congratulate you on your recent electoral victory.[/ic]

Sorry I missed the voting; don't know how you want to handle that in-game.

[ic=To The Inner Council]
Signore Capocci, unlike Arnold, has not been made anathema to the Pope. If the Pope could forgive the Senate of Rome for appropriating the Lateran, so too could he forgive Capocci for his actions. I suggest most strongly that Rome shelter the Signore who is one of Rome's Equites.
[/ic]

[ooc]
Who is Capocci most closely allied with? Is he good friends with one of the houses? Or is he an enemy of one?[/ooc]

[ic=To Capocci]
NOTE: ONLY SEND IF he is not an enemy of Pierleoni or Colonna.
Dear Capocci,
I have spoken in your favor before the Inner Council. Deliberations are being made. May God have mercy on your family, dear Sir.
[/ic]

Nomadic/Arrigus- Its been a while, I think we had a plan in the works but I'm slowly trying to figure it out. What was our investment goal again? Something with Egypt?

[Nomadic]

You'll have to browse back a few pages I think. We both invested 1wp into getting alum from egypt through your contacts there.

[Magnus Pym]

Capocci is a noble, I think not from Rome (but near), who helped Rome back in the Via Salaria campaign. He's also already in Rome, and he's probably come a few times at my palazzo.