The Republic Reborn

[Polycarp]

Hey, I upgraded your map!  The population map of Rome on the front page is now a Regional Map of Rome, with the borders, names, and descriptions of all 14 of medieval Rome's regiones.  Enjoy, and consider using it to figure out where your estate is, if you haven't done so already!

Also hey, is that Villa Basile I see on that map!?  Someone should pay him a friendly visit.  :yumm:

[Túrin]

The lowly senator Romolo Vannetti decides that the current predicament calls for action. He has a private letter delivered to each of the senatores consiliarii.

[ic]Esteemed member of the Lesser Council,
Dear [name],

These are troubled times for Rome. In recent years we have looked to you and your fellow senatores consiliarii for guidance in such times. So far, you have not led us astray, leading to greater unity in our grand city than in previous years, as well as rising glory in Italy due to our Consuls' military prowess.

Today, strife is in our midst. Petty politics has us locked in feuds to the point that the Senate has been disbanded. I need not remind you that we can ill afford this. Rome has many enemies that will be eager to press down on us if we display but a moment of weakness. The longer the current situation continues, the more likely it is that we will see violence in the streets of Rome, whether originating from our enemies, or, worse yet, from among our own ranks.

You, most of all, as a prominent senator of our beloved city, can turn this tide. I urge you to think not of pride and personal glory, but the greater honor of serving Rome as an independent city, ruled by its people through the Senate. This is why this Senate was founded, and this is the greater good we should always keep in mind.

Please come to a resolution of the current dispute quickly.

For the Senate and the people of Rome,

I send you the warmest regards,

Romolo Vannetti[/ic]

[Elemental_Elf]

[ic=Letter to Romolo Vannetti] Dear Senator,

You are right in assuming the city stands on the brink of disaster. We all know Consul Basile and his tyrannical tendencies are to blame. I have presented the Senate with a reasonable compromise to the current debates. Consul Basile scoffed at such a solution, preferring all power rest in his own "benevolent" hands. We are a city of laws and justice, should he come to recognize this fact in the future, the city will become whole once more.

Until that day, I urge you to fight for justice in all things.

Sincerely,

Senator Domenico DeRosa[/ic]

OOC: DeRosa's in-city residence will be in IX. Pinee et S. Marci :)

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=Letter in Reply to Romolo Vannetti]Dear Senator Vannetti,
You could not find me believing what you said is untrue. It is, in fact, the ugly truth. The Senate is shattered, many Senators are astray, and those that wish us harm can only but be satisfied of the unfolding catastrophe.

Senator DeRosa has manifested ill-will and indecency many a times, and has brought the Senate near this path in the past. Unfortunately, he now has succeeded in achieving his so-ill-wished division of the Senate.

I fear he has had an hidden agenda all along. He fancies the edification of a grand sacred place in the name of King Frederick, who has done naught but threatened the Romans into submission. In the meantime, he has done nothing for the people of our fair Republic. This begs the question, is he German, or is he Roman? What are his true motives?

It's evident by his actions and paroles that he will not let go. He is zealous, and thinks he is defending a greater cause. The hard truth is that if things remain this way for long, Rome will perish.

You have spoken to me, and I reply to you; but what do you have in mind? I am disposed to discuss any possibilities, but I will only act in Rome's favor.

Sincerely,
Senator Hugo De Vinti[/ic]

[LD]

Thank you for the explanation and new map; in that case I think the Palatine Hill XII may be the best place for Manzinni. I may need a day to think about it though, but if I don't change my mind-that is where I will be.

[LD]

[ic]
Dear Senator Vanetti,

Thank you for voicing your concerns. We are all on tenterhooks as new troubles develop. Honor and Pride make fools of all men where Compromise and Coexistence cannot be assured.

It is my great hope that Rome can be united to face its troubles. When united, Rome prospers. When divided, pilgrims flee, and the city falls.

My words have always been ones of unity to strengthen Rome. Although others may stoke rivalries- I seek to breed commonalities and I am glad to hear that you too hope to encourage peace and calm so that commerce and prosperity can develop.

Sincerely,
Senator Vittorio Manzinni.
[/ic]

[ic=To Basile]
Dear Senator Basile,

I commend you for not resorting to force regarding the Senator DeRosa situation.

He has remained adamant in his position- opposing any attempts to overturn his decision or to lessen its sting.

It is my ardent belief that if my suggestion to the Senate is followed--regarding a de facto period of rehabilitation of Fortis Calafactus' character- a sense of normalcy can be maintained whilst the law is respected.

It is also my ardent belief that my word backing yours and Fortis' will be enough to sway the remaining Senators. Senators will remember that DeRosa backed my Consulatory election. They would find it awkward to oppose the Consuls if I were to support both yourself as consul and Fortis' punishment being lessened.

We should meet about the resolution of this situation. You and a contingent not to number more than seven are welcome at my Estates. Any larger assemblage may cause the popolo to come to the wrong conclusions. Alternatively, we can meet at the Curia Julia along with other Senators on the Inner Council. If the Inner Council cannot come to an agreement on this matter, then it cannot be solved. And it will be solved.[/ic]

[Túrin]

Hey guys, just a quick post with my orders since today is the deadline. I'll respond to letters soon but I've already spent too much time at work goofing off today.

Apologies if my orders aren't quite as they are supposed to be, or asking too much or too little. Still trying to get the hang of things here.

[ooc=Orders for Winter 1153]

• Attempt to increase my income base by expanding the smithee and/or hiring new apprentices and/or tying to find new customers (depending on what is currently holding back such an increase). Invest up to 4 WP in this.
• I'd like to know how many senators there are and how many of those need to be present to meet quorum (I assume this is just knowledge my character has).
• Try to find out which senators would be willing to come back to the Senate, and for those that don't, what could persuade them to do so.

[/ooc]

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=Letter to Hugo DeVinti]Senator DeVinti,

I must thank you for your support on the Senate floor. We must not bow to these troublemakers and anarchists. The Authority of the Senate must be held in respect, a fact that Senator DeRosa and his compatriots seem to have forgotten.

But we must not be hasty in our actions, lest our opponents gain ammunition with which to assail us. Though the fall of Senator DeRosa would please me greatly, we cannot yet act. If violence is to occur, it MUST NOT be initiated by our own hands. Gather such support among the Senate as you can, as I myself will do. Persuade, cajole, threaten, bribe. Whatever must be done to reach Quorum on the Senate floor and strike down the the grievous insults delivered by Senator DeRosa and his cohorts in finality.

As Ever Your Friend,

Consul Roberto Basile[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Arrigus Sismondii]Senator Sismondii,

Your support in these trying times has surely lessened the discomposure of our Great Commune, and for that you have my gratitude. We are both aware that Law, Equity and Justice must be supreme in Rome if our Commune is to thrive, and we must oppose Senator DeRosa and his cohorts whenever they should attempt the sowing of discord. Though we are in the Right, we must be so seen by the people as such. If violence threatens, we cannot be the instigators.

Gather such support among the Senate as you can. We must reach Quorum to ensure Peace rules, and to strike down these opprobrious attacks against the Consulships of Rome.

Your Friend,

Consul Roberto Basile[/ic]


[ic=Letter to Vittorio Manzinni]Senator Manzinni,

I cannot support your proposal. It is disingenuous, convoluted and would only serve to confuse the People of Rome. Senator DeRosa's continued delinquency should not influence the decisions and policy of the Senate.  

Law and the Rightful Authority of the Senate must reign in Rome, or we are lost. The greater part of the Senate is not among those troublemakers who would see civil strife in our fair city, and I am confident that normalcy will soon resume. Such a meeting between ourselves is unnecessary, as every Senator knows he must do his civic duty and appear in Council. The legitimate Consulships of Fortis Calafatus and myself will not be challenged by these agitators. If the Senate disagrees with the Consuls they have elected, they must choke down their impatience and make their voices heard come next election.

Consul Roberto Basile[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Romolo Vannetti]Senator Vannetti,

Rome is indeed wracked by trouble and discord, and you must look no further than the machinations of Senator DeRosa and his agitators to find the source. He will not abandon the madness of his course, though Rome will suffer for his arrogance. Peace and Law must be the order of the day, and any contribution made to its restoration would not be forgotten. I trust I will see you in Council, Senator.

Consul Roberto Basile[/ic]

[Polycarp]

I'd like to know how many senators there are and how many of those need to be present to meet quorum (I assume this is just knowledge my character has).

Yeah, I can just answer this now.  There are 100 senators and 51 are required for a quorum.  Everything else looks fine :)

[Nomadic]

[ic=Letter to Consul Basile]
Thank you Consul. Let it not be said that I don't work to permit for the democratic debate of all issues that trouble our fair city. Yet let it also not be said that I permit democracy to fall into childish bickering. I will not deny any senator, DeRosa included, the right to voice their opinions. Yet when such people abuse this voice to stir up hate and division they work against the interests of Rome and the will of our father in heaven. I will most gladly gather about such support as I can. This childishness cannot be allowed to scatter Rome to the four winds.

Senator Sismondii
[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Senator Vennetti]
We are in accord on this matter Senator, this chaos cannot be permitted to rule Rome. This is why I demanded that DeRosa should be removed from the Curia until such time as he has calmed himself. The senate needs rational debate, not inflammatory and baseless accusations. I fear that perhaps this was Senator DeRosa's intention, to stir up mistrust and hate. Yet as a Christian it is my duty to give him the benefit of the doubt and thus I will listen if he should return peacefully to explain himself. It troubles me though and I suspect that even now he is stirring up trouble, seeking to blame Calafatus. I hope that this does not interfere with an ability to once again gain quorum within the senate. I shall do what I can to insure that at least 51 once more fill the senate chambers and I in turn hope that you will as well. Rome cannot be without leadership. Certainly not now.

Senator Sismondii
[/ic]

[ooc]
- The senator will send out letters to as many senators as he can (placing more importance on those that didn't walk out with DeRosa) urging them to return to the Curia and re-establish a quorum and placing great importance on the dangers that face Rome if the senate remains incapable of overseeing the city. He will campaign amongst his fellow senators, meeting with them, dining with them, doing everything he can to get a quorum back in the senate.
[/ooc]

[Polycarp]

Orders are due in about 4.5 hours.  Make any changes you have to, and get them in if you haven't already!  As always, if you absolutely need extra time, drop me a PM or find me in chat (I'll be on later tonight).

[LD]

[ic=To Basile]
Senator Basile,

My proposal is no more disingenuous than yours, Consul Basile, and my suggestion is much more suitable an interpretation of the Law than to subvert the entire legal system by having a Consul overrule the courts-that sets a very dangerous precedent. If we had a legal structure like a Council of Review, or if it the Senate voted and then established that Consuls could Review decisions, then I would support your proposal.

That being said- I still retain confidence in you and I spoke in your favor on the floor. I will be at the vote of confidence and I hope that the Senate will continue its important business.[/ic]

[ic=Speech at the Vote of Confidence]
Now is a unique situation. We have had a legal decision, one that was fairly rendered by Senator DeRosa.

However, the Law has always provided for Judicial Review of decisions and at the time of the decision, we had no structure for such a Review. Our Consuls are not to be Caesars, letting politics influence their Judicial decisions and I would not have them tempted in the future. I have every confidence that Consul Basile will set up a review structure that is independent from the Executive Branch, the Consuls.

For this decision, Consul Basile has spoken persuasive words in his interpretation of the law. For this decision, and this decision alone, I can understand how the Consul would have arrived at the decision. I regret that we do not currently have a Judicial Review Board-but we should not dwell on the past- we should build a stronger Rome for the Future.

I have CONFIDENCE that Rome will be led to prosperity and that Rome will be United in strength- I have CONFIDENCE that Consul Basile will set up a Judicial Review panel for Future Cases, and I vote CONFIDENCE in Consul Roberto Basile.[/ic]

[ooc]
*See if the Reatini would like to purchase 1/2 a shipment of crossbows for 2 wealth.
*So 2 wealth to purchase land in Ripe et Marmorate, 1 wealth ostentatiously gifted to Pierleone to help "rebuild rome" in his territories, and 1 wealth ostentatiously gifted to Fortis' soldiers and allies for "holding the peace" and honoring Rome. (If he wants, that can go to his army's upkeep cost). With the gifts I speak to the public about the rewards of peace and how they cause gains for all in rome, whereas division destroys wealth and how I value peacemakers, much as God valued peacemakers in that he sent Jesus into the world and that I welcome peace, creation, and prosperity for rome and hope that these recipients of good will will multiply that good will for all to receive.
*Place DeRosa's holdings in Ripe et Marmorate under my protection. If unrest happens and it looks like a crowd might seize/sack them in anger at DeRosa; repurpose 1 wealth of investment into raising a militia to defend the investments. The militia would be to keep the peace- a bonus if no battle is had, no bonus if they run from battle or if they start the battle.[/ooc]

[Polycarp]

[ic=To Consul Basile]Consul,

I appreciate your concern for my situation and I do not doubt the effectiveness of Roman arms, but at this time I do not believe that you or I would benefit from such an arrangement.  I believe it would only aggravate certain parties and produce no real gains.  Please convey my apologies to your counterpart, Signore Calafatus.

Signore Niccolo Capocci[/ic]

*I think I have 4 wealth points- invest 4 toward the next wealth level (still not sure how this works exactly)? I invest it in hospitality acquiring the lands in Ripe Et Marmote then?

This works no differently than investing in something in the previous wealth system - that is, it works best when you describe to me what your character is doing.  Your plan with the "tourist guides" a few turns ago, for instance, was a neat plan; you don't always have to be so detailed as that, but you should tell me at a basic level what you are doing to invest.  How are you acquiring land in Ride et Marmorate, for instance (Buying? Renting?  Stealing?), and what do you plan to do with it to make money from it?

[LD]

Ok. I didn't realize we needed to specify what to invest in.
It seems silly to not do anything with the 4 WP we get each turn... I guess it just accumulates if I don't say "invest" though. So 2 wealth to purchase land in Ripe et Marmorate, 1 wealth ostentatiously gifted to Pierleone to help "rebuild rome" in his territories, and 1 wealth ostentatiously gifted to Fortis' soldiers and allies for "holding the peace" and honoring Rome. (If he wants, that can go to his army's upkeep cost)

[Polycarp]

It seems silly to not do anything with the 4 WP we get each turn... I guess it just accumulates if I don't say "invest" though.

Right.  Any wealth that isn't spent or invested is saved; saved wealth can be used later, but it vulnerable because you will lose it if your estate is sacked or destroyed for some reason.