The Republic Reborn

[Polycarp]

[ic=The Senate Responds]The Senate bursts into loud argument almost before the Consul can finish his speech, with opponents of Fortis Calafatus calling the trial a "sham" and Consul Basile's announcement a "conspiracy" while Fortis' supporters try to shout them down.  The Consul abandons the podium, finding it impossible to control the crowd; an eques is struck in the face by a thrown sandal.  Decorum is eventually regained, but tempers are still hot, and the proponents of the motion to strip Fortis Calafatus of his consulship and replace him with Senator Manzinni vow to continue (though they have dropped the demand that he lose his status in the equites).  They argue that even if the sentence has been reduced, he has still been convicted of a crime and should not lead the Commune.  If they cannot muster any support from among the Lesser Council, however, the motion seems likely to fail.[/ic]

More Updates:

• I have added a Glossary to the third post (1st page) to help you remember all those names of the various people we've met.  If there are other names you'd like added, let me know.
• The Italy map has been slightly updated.  I fixed some graphics inconsistencies and added a few cities in the north.
• With the new interest in construction, it has become necessary for players to provide me with the locations of their estates, whether in the city or outside it.  Please try to indicate this to me before next turn.  For your convenience, I have made an alternate map of the city with some population information that you can use to make this decision.  Pink shading is used to indicate populated areas, with dark indicating dense population and light indicating... well, sparser population.  Unshaded areas are generally either uninhabited or inhabited only by a few herders or shepherds grazing their animals there.

[Polycarp]

[ic=To Consul Basile]Consul,

I am eminently satisfied with the relationship between myself and the Romans at this point, but if you or your Senators have a specific suggestion, I will entertain it.

Signore Niccolo Capocci[/ic]

[ic=To Consul Basile]Consul,

Though I disagree with overturning a court verdict arrived at legitimately, the thought of challenging you in this matter never crossed my mind.  I will accept your decision as necessary expedience.  I fear only that others may see your compromise as an attempt to undermine the due process of the Curia Senatus.  Rest assured that I have no desire to upset the peace of Rome, only to protect my family and my good name from those who, through no hostile action of my own, seem intent on making themselves into my enemies.  I will not pursue the matter further, and will always be open to reconciliation with Signore Calafatus should he reverse his ill-considered commitment to my ruin.

It would be most unfortunate if Senator DeRosa came to any harm as a result of the faithful execution of his duties, and I trust the Senate will do its utmost to shield him from the retaliation of those who are not so practical or forgiving as myself.

Patrician Giordano Pierleone[/ic]

[LD]

Polycarp

Regarding the request to me: "Would you be amenable to the sale of half of your supply for a sum of [1 wealth point]? Come, surely you could do such a favour for a friend? "

Can I sell half of a supply for 1 wealth? How would that be reflected in the new system?
Also 1 wealth point seems very low in this new system? Is that correct? It seems 10 WP = 1 wealth in the old system?

[TheMeanestGuest]

I was under the impression 1 WP is about 1/2 an old wealth point in some respects, going by the fact that our existing wealth was basically doubled into wealth points.

[Polycarp]

Regarding the request to me: "Would you be amenable to the sale of half of your supply for a sum of [1 wealth point]? Come, surely you could do such a favour for a friend? "

Can I sell half of a supply for 1 wealth? How would that be reflected in the new system?
Also 1 wealth point seems very low in this new system? Is that correct? It seems 10 WP = 1 wealth in the old system?

1 WP is much less than 1 Wealth was before, yes.  There is not, however, an... exact ratio between WP and old Wealth.  Part of this is because I deliberately increased people's effective income across the board for game reasons.  Some things, like savings and investments, needed to be tweaked at different rates to make things work out the way I wanted them to.

Basically, in terms of savings, 2 WP = 1 old Wealth, though in some investments the ratio is more like 4 to 1 because investments are somewhat less effective here than they were going to be in the old system.  There was some wealth inflation for projects as well, because otherwise some old projects would have been worth an unacceptably low amount of WP.  I'm confident it all works out and has given every player a fair shake, but the result is that it's not a perfect ratio across the board.

TMG's request to you is probably based on that 2:1 savings ratio; he is assuming that 1 Wealth worth of crossbows equals 2 WP in the present system.  The real answer is that depending on the thing in question, the ratio is somewhere between 2:1 and 4:1.  Ultimately, what I would recommend is that you disregard the past and consider, in the present, how much WP you are willing to accept for half the crossbows (something which can be done, by the way).  The amount purchased is about a hundred, IIRC.  I realize this may not be the most satisfying answer, but it is a necessary kludge I made in order to achieve certain goals in the new system.

[LD]

Spoiler is not to be read yet. Note to fortis is to be read.
[spoiler][ic=To DaVinti]
Dear Hugo,

Rome has been placed in an awkward position. Law must rule in Rome and law is quite flimsy given our recent investment in its creation. If this decision of DeRosa's is overturned, then I fear that Rome's will cannot be trusted. But also, if Fortis is sentenced to exile, I fear that our armies and our stature will suffer.

There have been words calling for my placement in Fortis' place as Consul in Rome. It is an honor to hear my name spoken as such. It is also to place myself in an awkward situation. I would welcome the position, but it is well known that DeRosa and his allies voted for me in the recent election. To so soon usurp the popular Calafactus' position would not sit right with me, nor would it sit right with the popolo.

What I suggest is that another worthy may deserve my support.

You, Da Vinti, have wide contacts in external affairs. You, Da Vinti, have wide plans for strengthening Rome in the oncoming arrival of the Emperor. I admit forthrightly that your plans are not always the same as mine, but your plans could work--especially with refinement.

What I ask in return is your ear, and what I ask in return is [invited to have word heard on consul business- e.g. pass on the 'secret consuls only' information to me].

Now, to speak of the Consul. I have plans for a speech, in which I endorse a worthy to guide Rome, or if none are willing, myself, and in which I solve the Fortis Calafactus situation. The legal decision DeRosa made will be upheld--but it will be upheld in a manner that will placate the supporters of Calafactus.
[/ic][/spoiler]

[ic=To Fortis]
Congratulations Consul Calafactus and welcome from one who is violating the prohibition on speech to you because I believe you are a great man and an asset to Rome.

Congratulations Consul Calafactus on being so popular as to merit the hatred and revile of many a personage-only great men can be hated so and only great men can suffer so.


I have analyzed DeRosa's court decision and I believe I have a solution that both respects the fledgling laws of Rome and that respects your honor. I will proffer it if you wish.

In the decision, you were stripped of your rank. There is little to be done of the loss of the consulary position, but a position on the Inner Council may yet be retained... follow my future reasoning:

You were stripped of your wealth. There is no limitation on the period of the stripping or whereto the wealth will go. I would suggest you can identify the person to whom your wealth goes and I would suggest that they could re-gift the wealth to you. I am sure that you have friends you can trust.

You are to be cast out of the Eternal City and exiled for a period of no less than ten years. There is naught to state that you cannot live on Estates outside the Eternal City. Provisions can be made or arranged on this matter and I have no doubt that an exile can be commuted after a year or two.

A potentially troubling provision, but ultimately one that will be overcome is that: No Roman is to aid him or have contact with him for the duration of his exile. There is no penalty given for this. DeRosa also does not have to sit to interpret the penalty on this matter.

I would be wrongheaded to not mention that Basile has spoken out another solution before the Senate- that solution has led to great consternation among the Senators, the Equites, and the Popolo. It is my belief that my solution holds less risk for shattering Rome before the coming of the Emperor while still guaranteeing your safety, your wealth, and your honor. Time will bear out truth and truth will see that you have served Rome with Distinction.

I would also be wrongheaded to not mention that the Senators speak my name as a successor to your Consularship. It could be, however, seen as bad form for one who competed against Calafactus--even though we both know the decision to compete was driven by DeRosa's need to present a third option and to seem neutral in your trial--to succeed Calafactus on more than a temporary basis when his major supporter placed Calafactus in difficulties. If my plan as outlined above is supported by you, I have considered approaching another Senator about lending him my word and supporting his candidacy so as to prevent Rome being plagued by yet more controversy. If Basile's decision or a third option is taken, I may take another option as certain events develop.  Ah, it is a sad day for Rome when Rome's citizens quarrel amongst themselves. And all will miss Calafactus' shrewd generalship when the Emperor comes calling.

You have done great good for Rome. If it is your will, my solution can be proffered. If it is not your will, then that is also well.


[/ic]

[Magnus Pym]

OOC: I'd like to just put it out there that I don't read other's private interactions (letters, talks, actions), or at least I try my best not to. I won't know if Fortis answer is positive or negative, so I would suggest that people don't make pre-letters or pre-speeches. Of course I'm not saying this is a rule, this isn't -MY- game, but I think it's fair and logical to go about the game that way. It will also prevent a s*** load of confusion.

I, for one, would like this to be made an actual "rule". Just putting it out there. Oh and... no offense meant, of course. Just thought it had to be said, that's all. :P

[LD]

OOC- ah, you read it before realizing it was a pre-note. I sort of need to make pre-notes, otherwise I'll lose them... however, I can mark them in the future to merely state (DO NOT READ) and not indicate what the note refers to.

[Magnus Pym]

OOC: Well, you can always do that, for sure. What I do, personally, is I have a RR File on my computer, with different word documents meant for many different things. I can record things. I can draft speeches and letters, and in the end I copy/paste the finished material and put it in here. I guess it's all just a matter of personal preferences. :)

And no, I didn't read it before realizing it was a pre-note. It was pretty obvious from your above statement (above the IC note itself) that it was. In fact, I haven't even read it, because it's useless since you're not getting any answers and even then, I won't know what the answer is because I don't bother reading other people IC-private-interactions.

[LD]

OOC- Ok. Well my issue of a file on my computer is that I access this site from multiple computers from time to time, so a text file is not useful. Now, a text on USB would be more useful, but I can't use a USB on certain computers (physically I can; practically I cannot). The other option is to email myself my notes- but they tend to become lost if I do that.

[Polycarp]

A Happy Easter to all my RR players!



An 18th century enamel copy of a 12th century "dove of peace" mosaic in the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.  The original Basilica, and much of its ancient artwork, was lost when the building was torn down and replaced with the modern basilica in the 16th century.  The rebuilding of the Basilica was an expensive project, one financed chiefly by the sale of indulgences.  It was ultimately one of these indulgence-peddling preachers, Johann Teztel, whose crass salesmanship and dubious doctrine spurred Marin Luther to write his "95 Theses."  The current "dove of peace" was given to the United Nations by Pope John Paul II and now hangs in the UN General Assembly building in New York.

[LD]

Llum... will you be responding to my post?

[Nomadic]

Llum... will you be responding to my post?

IIRC Basile already took care of what your post is addressing :)

http://www.thecbg.org/index.php/topic,209500.msg215690.html#msg215690

[LD]

Yes, and Vittorio didn't like that solution. So if Llum is ignoring me on purpose (for in game reasons), Vittorio may have something to say publicly. I'll need to meditate on what exactly Vittorio may do, but Vittorio doesn't like the overruling if indeed Appeals are not allowed usually in this legal system.

[Elemental_Elf]

[ic=To The Senate]Friends and Senators, we all know the Consulship is a trying position to hold. It is a position that forces one to make several difficult decisions each and every day. One such difficult decision was to countermand the verdict in the case against Signore Calafactus. I commend the Consul on his diligence but I must remind him that the Consulship has no power, and no precedence, to change the verdicts of the courts. The Consul's defense will be that he is acting in the best interest of the city but I contend that he is in fact acting AGAINST the best interest of the state. If we allow one man to be set free then we are opening PANDORA'S BOX. We may as well throw out the codex of laws and arm ourselves for we are inviting anarchy and strife into our city.

Now I understand my statements will be seen as divisive and I make no excuses for this fact. However, I am a man of action and a man of reason. If the Consul does not have the power to review decisions, and neither does the Senate, then it is obvious that the City requires a new, higher court to review the decisions of lower courts and ensure all law is interpreted correctly and justly. I am thus proposing we create an Court of Last Resort, a Grand Court, if you will. This Court will have the complete trust of the senate and the people to interpret the acts and laws of the state. Additionally, the Grand Court shall have ultimate authority, in Law and Equity, in cases dealing with matters of both a criminal and a civil nature. Their decisions will be final and will be respected by all citizens of the Eternal City.

This Grand Court will have 7 members, chosen by the Senate, to serve for a period of five years. Each Grand Judge will have a single vote in every case the court deems worthy to be heard. A simple majority of four votes is all that is necessary for a decision to be rendered. As a addendum, anyone who is currently, or becomes during his tenure as a Grand Judge, a Consul then he shall be barred from serving until his tenure as Consul has ended. I propose that this court be enacted IMMEDIATELY and have the power to hear cases that have had verdicts rendered within the last six months.

The Grand Court will, even in these troubled times, ensure peace and harmony in the city. [/ic]