The Republic Reborn

[Llum]

[ic=Private Letter to Patriarch Pierlioni]
Greetings Patriarch

It seems that our feuding and political maneuvering has caused more harm to Rome itself than to ether of ourselves. In the spirit of christian brotherhood I say we set aside the past and reconcile our differences, at least until the matters of Frederick are dealt with. I vow not to cause problems for yourself, your interests or your family as long as you guarantee that you and your family keep yourselves away from my interests and business. What say you?

Fortis Calafatus
[/ic]

[ic=Private Letter to Consul Basile]
As you can see I have done my part. I did not flee Rome, nor even permit myself to be "liberated". My masnada called for peace during the Popes burial, I even spoke with Arnold of Brescia so that he would preach for peace as well. I regret that I was unable to attend the burial of our late Papal leader, but conditions would not have been improved by my presence.

Senator Sismondii has brought me word of your ruling on my case, in this matter you have my thanks. I fear that being unable to capitalize our gains against Farfa we will be hard pressed when we continue our campaign next spring. And I would imagine that we shall continue it? We are not in a strong enough position to bargain with them, they still do not see the future of Rome as we do. Perhaps some sort of military action could be taken? I am sure someone must have stockpiles of food for a surprise winter campaign!
[/ic]

[ic=At the next meeting with Arrigus Sismondii]
Thank you for your continued support my friend. It seems ever since your mercenaries held the line you have proven to be a true boon compatriot.  I must thank you a second time for keeping me informed on the activities in the Senate, especially Senator DeRosa's apparent fit of madness.
[/ic]

[ic=Private letter to Senator Vittorio Manzinni]
Greetings Senator Manzinni

I am flattered that you would offer such a cunning plan to circumvent DeRosa's court order. From the latest happenings it seems that Senator DeRosa  is out to depose not just myself but both Consuls. If I have need of your plan, I pray that we shall be able to implement it. However as it stands I will stand fast and await judgement, likely from Consul Basile himself. Fear not, I shall remember those who sought to aid me in my time of need.

Fortis Calafatus.

[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Senator Hugo de Vinti]

Greetings Senator de Vinti

My thanks for your kind offer Senator. As it stands I do not see myself having to leave Rome, but should it come to such a terrible fate I will keep this letter close at hand. Thank you for your continued support

Fortis Calafatis
[/ic]

[LD]

Sorry fortis... your letter came a little too late :(

[Polycarp]

[ic=To Senator Calafatus]
Senator,

"Political maneuvering" is certainly a unique way of phrasing your actions thus far.  Nevertheless, I have sacrificed for peace in Rome before and am prepared to do so again.  I have informed Consul Basile that I will accept the wishes of the Senate in this matter regardless of my personal feelings and my opposition to circumventing the law.

I have never had any involvement in your "interests and business" nor to I intend for that to change.  I will not, however, accept any vow from you nor offer any of my own, as you have given me no reason to trust your word and ample reason to doubt it.  If you sincerely want reconciliation, my original condition remains unchanged - your earnest statement before the Senate assembled that I did not attempt to "assassinate" or harm you at your estate.  These are trying times and I am willing to forgive, but falsehoods must be done away with first.

As an added inducement, I will reveal that I have bet a friend twenty pounds of silver that you will not make this statement.  If a guilty conscience is not sufficient, perhaps the thought of me losing good silver will move you to act in a way that will begin to mend matters between us.

Patrician Giordano Pierleone[/ic]

[LD]

[ic=To Basile]
I agree with your removal of Senator DeRosa from the Senate floor. It is regrettable that he had another one of his outbursts. I fear he was highly chagrined that his decision was being challenged and that he thought he had lost a great deal of face. I hope that he did not go too far with his outburst and that the situation is not irreversible. I admit shock at his challenge.

I will try to speak with DeRosa to calm him. It is regrettable that this situation has happened to Rome when our legal system is in its infancy for the precedents we set today will linger with us into the future--or else the law itself will become a laughingstock.

I will continue to support your position as Consul and I will endeavour to improve Fortis Calafactus' situation in such a way that the law is respected and that the popolo see Justice being done.
[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=The Senate Dissolves]A dispute in the senate has led to the vigili being summoned to remove Senator DeRosa from the Curia Julia.  The few who were actually mustered and present at the time, however, were unwilling to actually carry out this duty in the face of screaming and fist-shaking senators.  In protest of the Consul's "tyrannical" behavior, supporters of DeRosa and opponents of the consuls walked out of the session, taking DeRosa with them and obviating the need for force.  What was left of the senate quickly dissipated, with senators hastening to their estates and sending servants to summon their masnadas.  Though the Forum is now quiet, many fear that what could not be settled in the Curia Julia will soon be settled in the streets...[/ic]

[ooc=No Quorum]The Senate no longer has the requisite number of members to function.  Without a quorum - presently set at a majority, or 51 members - speeches to the whole Senate may not be made, nor can the Senate legally pass any legislation.  The removal of Consuls Basile and Calafatus was not voted on and the issue can be considered suspended until the Senate again meets in full.[/ooc]

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=Letter to Fortis Calafatus]Consul Calafatus,

I placed my trust in you, and you did not disappoint. We both understand that the political situation in Rome is delicate, and must be handled with care. But by now I am sure you are aware that despite our best efforts, the peace of Rome hangs precariously on the edge of utter chaos. As such, any efforts at the resumption of the Farfan campaign this season will be impossible.

In his madness and arrogance, Senator DeRosa has swayed many Senators to his side, and there is no possibility for Quorum. He calls for the abrogation of both our Consulships. Though the streets are quiet for the moment, I greatly fear that civil blood may shortly flow. The prorogation of your Consulship is still in effect, and a fine must still be levied. However, should the people become riotous, or should violence spill into the streets, I hereby lay out the conditional lifting of your house arrest and additionally allow the endowment of your person with the temporary office of Praefectus Vigilum to assist in the restoration of order.

Keep your men close, as I myself will do; we may have need of arms before this is over. I will remain in contact with you as the situation develops.[/ic]

[LD]

OOC: Could the new wealth system please be posted in the first page? (I may have just missed it if it is there right now, though...)

[ic=To Basile]

Consul Basile:

I trust that no harm will come to Senator DeRosa for the moment at least. I am in the process of attempting to negotiate with the man. My speech, which may have been drowned out, was an attempt in the Senate to reconcile both your view and his--to avoid a situation like what happened. There is yet a chance that your honor, his honor, and the Future of Rome will still be maintained.

Best Wishes to the Consul Roberto Basile,

- Senator Vittorio Manzinni.[/ic]

[ic=To DeRosa]

Senator DeRosa- First: I hope you are well. I have spoken with several in an attempt to ensure your safety and if harm is to come to you-then Rome has no justice.

I look forward to the ongoing development of our business ventures and I regret the insult that Consul Basile gave to your court decision. This is why I spoke for you in the Senate before you denounced Basile. There were better ways of going about carrying out the decision and what he did indeed did smack of being Caesar.

I admire how you stuck to your principles and levied a harsh sentence on Fortis Calafactus even though you know that to do so could cause you great trouble.

Once the decision has been made, it should be respected. And the realm of governance and the realm of the judiciary are separate. Therefore, Consul Basile had no right to reverse your decision.

Politically however, there was another option and there still is. I spoke it during the uproar after your comments in an attempt to defuse the situation- to restore your honor- your decision was righteous. There is yet chance to have peace with Basile, however, by yielding on the interpretation of your decision. It is equitable to give each man his due and given that we will have a review Tribunal in the future--but that we do not have a review Tribunal now- it is equitable to gainfully interpret the details of Fortis' punishment.

If another Senator were to interpret the words of the punishment, or even if the punishment is altered in the interim while we establish a court for review--then the decision still stands and Fortis is stripped of the Consulship--he loses power and he loses status and your decision is vindicated... You suggested that the Tribunal of Review would be a good establishment-if the first case it reviews is so important as that of Fortis Calafactus- then even if you are reversed-it would be being reversed by your own creation, which is no dishonor. I would suggest that you have a strong say on the establishment and the constitution of the Review Tribunal.

Your Fellow Senator,
Vittorio Manzinni.
[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Fortis]
Dear Consul Calafactus,

It is a pity that your letter did not reach me before matters came to a head at the Senate or else I would have remained silent. The letter reached me just as I was returning to my Estates. In the chaos that was developing after Senator DeRosa denounced Consul Basile as a Caesar, I attempted to speak words of reason-of reconciliation of views and of the honor of all involved persons. The words were drowned out as DeRosa was swept from the hall by supporters and Basile's supporters drowned out all words in shouting.

I am now endeavoring to negotiate with DeRosa on behalf of Rome's peace.

I hope that this letter finds you safe and well.
-Vittorio Manzinni.
[/ic]

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=Letter to Consul Roberto Basile, brought hastily by one of my Messengers]Signore Basile,
It is a sad day for Rome, no doubt. After all our efforts to unite all parties, it angers me that a man among our own ranks, who has done but naught to build the City we envision and has stirred quite alot of trouble, threatens to shatter our work into pieces. To be entirely honest, I am fed up with all these unnecessary disputes, and would very well like to see something done about it.

I come to you because you are a man of trust, a man of wisdom and a man capable of taking tough decisions. My question to you is; what do you intend on doing now that the Senate is divided? Because let's not fool ourselves, it -IS- divided, most unfortunately.

It might be a daring request, but should a meeting between those who agrees with our views on the recent events be arranged?

In hope,
Senator Hugo De Vinti[/ic]

[ooc=Messenger]My messenger will wait until dismissed by Consul Basile[/ooc]

[Túrin]

Name: Romolo Vannetti
Age: 47
Class: Citizen

Influence: 5
Popularity: 5
Wealth: 4
Orthodoxy: 5

Notes: Romolo was born to a poor farmer in the Campagna Romana, near Formello. Being the fourth son, he was not needed at the farm as badly as his brothers, allowing him to learn a trade in his spare time. At 15, he left the farm for Rome and became an apprentice goldsmith full-time.

He displayed some aptitude, and around the age of 25 he struck out on his own. He quickly developed a reputation as a talented artisan. A few years later, Pope Innocent II commissioned him for some ornaments for the Papal palaces, and his name was definitively established. Over the next twenty years, he became Rome's leading goldsmith. He now oversees a smithee with ten apprentices, and occasionally dabbles in trading rare metals and moneylending. This has also ingratiated him with some of Rome's most prominent families. As a result of this, he has been able to take up a place among Rome's ruling class in the Senate.

Two of Romolo's brothers still run the family farm. Another is a Cistercian monk. One of his sisters is married to a merchant/sailor in Pisa. Romolo himself got married soon after he started his business. He has three sons: Buonganni, aged 18, Simone, aged 17, and Pierus, aged 14. Buonganni has been raised to be a goldsmith. Simone has been groomed for the cloth. Pierus also spends a lot of time at the smithee, and Romolo is teaching him about Rome's politics as well. Romolo also has a daughter, Julia, 15 years of age.

[Polycarp]

Welcome to the game, Turin!  For everyone else - because the Senate is currently dissolved, there's not yet an opportunity for Turin's character to be elected to the Lesser Council.  Until the Senate is reconvened, his character is just a regular senator, which doesn't mean that much in game except that his character isn't yet privy to any post addressed specifically to the senatores consiliarii.

[Elemental_Elf]

[ic=Private letter to Manzinni]Dearest friend,

In these dark and troubled times when bigots and would-be Caesars vilify the pious and noble, it is heartening to know there is at least one beacon of reason yet remaining. I speak of you old friend. You are like the North Star - ever constant and ever vigilant.

I must, however, disagree with you. We cannot and we should not allow the judiciary to be corrupted in the name of political expedience. It is a slippery slope down, which only anarchy can be found. I agree, Calafactus is an honorable man who allowed the heat of the moment to cloud his judgment. However, even paragons make mistakes and they must be punished just as the common peasant. We cannot and we will not show favoritism for any man, no matter how good or evil he may be.

Calafactus is guilty. The courts have decided that. I will not stand for a politician to hoist himself above us and alter the decisions of the lawful and just court of this fair city. No man, not Basile and not Calafactus can change my opinion on this fact.

I have presented the Senate with a reasonable compromise that would solve all of the problems we find ourselves in. I was not the one who scoffed at such a measure and demand my own personal powers be elevated above the senate and the city's people.

I will never back down. This is a fight for the very SOUL of our city. Are we a just and moral city or are we a den of thieves and villainy? Those are the choices we are presented with today. I choose the just and moral side and, when the time comes, I hope you do as well.

Sincerely,

Senator DeRosa. [/ic]





[ooc=orders] - DeRosa scurries away, with his family, to his estate in south-eastern Latinum, which lies on the road to Palestrina.

- DeRosa's personal residence within the city can be found in the wealthier area of town, perhaps on the western side of the Capitoline Hill?

- Send a personal letter of thanks to each and every senator who walked out of the Senate chambers with me. With each letter include the line, "We are fighting to forge a just and honorable society."

- Not sure of the actual price with the new wealth system but I would like to train, arm and house a group of 100 men at my estate.

- Send some of my men to watch over my Hostels and ensure they remain unmolested.

- Send Leonardo DeRosa to stay in my Residence in Rome. From there, he can help co-ordinate our efforts within Rome.

- Ask that my daughter Elena's husband, Paolo Moro, go to Pisa and inquire gently about their leader's views on what has transpired in Rome.

- Ask that my daughter Isabella's husband, Calro Molin, go to Palermo and inquire gently about their leader's views on what has transpired in Rome.
[/ooc]

[LD]

He's quite an idealist (!) :D

[Polycarp]

[ooc=Reminder!]For those of you who have not yet done so, please remember that I would like you to give me the location of your estate within (or outside of, as the case may be) the city.  You can either use the Rome maps I've posted (there's a population map on the front page to help you out) or just describe where you want it.[/ooc]

[LD]

Near a merchant area, but not too near... perhaps the Aventine Hill? What's in that area?

[Polycarp]

perhaps the Aventine Hill? What's in that area?

Between the western slopes of the Aventine and the Tiber is the district of Ripe et Marmorate, which is what passes for Rome's port district.  The river is hardly navigable these days, but when shallow-draft boats do venture up the river, they dock here.  Most of the residents of this district are low-class tradesmen.  A lot of tanners and butchers live here because they can throw their rotten offal and noxious chemicals (tanners use a lot of lye and urine in their work) into the water downstream from the rest of the city.  It's a crowded, stinky, dirty place with a reputation for being a pretty rough neighborhood.

That's only the westernmost end of the hill, however.  The heights of the Aventine are mostly uninhabited, used only by shepherds grazing flocks of sheep and goats.  The only building of note is the Basilica of Saint Sabina, a 5th century church of moderate importance, which stands on the western heights of the Aventine overlooking the port district.