The Republic Reborn

[LD]

[ic=Speech for the Senate]
Fellow Senators, the funding of the upkeep of Churches is not a matter for funds to be given from the treasury. The treasury is for the defense of and the maintenance of the City's roads.

The upkeep of churches is something that each Senator should look to do himself, in his neighborhoods and in an amount that he can afford. If the Treasury was used for this task, then we would need to TAX the Senators and the Equites! There may yet come to be a day when Taxation is necessary, but that is not today.

You no doubt have heard of my and my allies' trips in the Ripe et Marmote, one of the poorest sections of Rome and how we have patronized the Churches and shrines there and how we already have contributed to their upkeep and their restoration?

If only you rebuild the Churches and buildings in your neighborhoods, so too will you rebuild Rome as you no doubt have heard said I have been doing.

I invite you to build, without requirement and without force, in your own neighborhoods--the benefits will become obvious when the pilgrims come next Spring to see the grandeur. And the people will thank you if you restore the poor churches- if you restore the downtrodden to a respectable state. Since the Pope shamefully will not contribute funds to restore the Churches of Rome it remains for its Senators and its people to restore the Churches.

God does not need grandeur- God may enjoy it but God does not need things from Man. BUT- What likely angers God is when Man does not even have the necessary facilities to encourage His worship. I ask you this- as God Fearing Men- consider what God needs to do His works in your neighborhoods. We do not ask for Cathedrals, We only ask that you maintain the Houses of God. Go forth and do good, fellow Senatores!

[/ic]

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=At the Senate, in Response to Manzinni]While I encourage senators to contribute personally to the beautification and renovation of the churches of Rome, I disagree that the Treasury might not help in this matter. I am not saying it should, at this present time, but the Treasury is for stately matters, and the churches of Rome, the Houses of Gods, are indeed the affairs of the state.

The economy of Rome is propelled by the Holy Week in Spring, where pilgrims come to see this holy land on which we live. Would their christian desires be met with disgust and bad taste, they may end up choosing another destination to visit. Rome would then lose much.

While the Senate can, and should certainly voice its opinion on this matter, it is up to the Consul, Roberto Basile, to decide if the Treasury should fund the restoration of the city following the flood of last winter and the repair of the churches.[/ic]

[LD]

[ic=Privately Later to Da Vinti]
What you stated in the Senate is not incorrect. However, please weigh my words carefully. Note their potential impact on the other Senators. The Senators begged the Senate to use the Treasury, to deplete the Treasury for Church restoration. That is fine. But- the Treasury would need to be replenished eventually for defense. And how could it be replenished? Donations have not been much forthcoming- so a Tax would be necessary.

My words reminded Senators of the consequences of depleting the Treasury now- my words encouraged them to do their civic duty. I do not want them to have a crutch of the Treasury- I want the onus to be on each of us- including you DaVinti, to do their civic duty, my Friend. Through self-responsibility and this public shaming of them- I hope to encourage even greater giving- given freely, than could be done through the imposition of a tax. Save a tax for when Rome is to be assaulted and money is needed immediately- and earn goodwill now. In that way, Rome will prosper with more public wealth than it would have otherwise-AND those who give will give because of Civic Pride- a strong and valuable resource.

I wish you all the best, and I look forward to a restored Rome.
[/ic]

[ic=Private To DeRosa]
Senator DeRosa, I agree with both of your plans- the University should be located on a suitable Apex, and the Capitoline Hill could be that apex. But what of the Aventine Hill or the Palatine Hill- both are closer to our land investments. As we restore the land, property values will increase, especially with a University located nearby.

If you do cite the University on the Capitoline Hill, then I suggest that the cistern be located in (section X on the map) Castel St. Angelo, an area halfway between Ripe et Marmorae and the University and Travestere, the land of Patrician Pierleone.

The investor of whom I spoke sadly averred from assisting with construction of a University. He indicated he feared that Frederick may raze the structure and that no learned persons would dare come to Rome- after the flight of the Bologonaise scholars and the dangers of unrest that Rome faces, he fears to invest in these structures.

If the Pope could be pleased with Rome, then I believe such a deal could be made.

Between us both- I have considered the situation- if the Pope is still angered at Rome, the Consuls present when the Pope arrives will likely be punished, along with Rome- all that we have built may be sacked and taken back to Germany as spoils. But if the Consuls have recently been replaced in an attempt at rapproachement with the Pope, then those Consuls will likely survive and so too will Rome. I wonder as to if Frederick's troops are expecting spoils of war, and wherefrom they can achieve these spoils if not from Rome. I have not yet evaluated what this means in terms of actions that we should take for the greater glory of Rome, but those are my considerations.
[/ic]

[LD]

For DeRosa and anyone who already read his OOC orders. (A joke)
[spoiler]
>>, such as near the X in Y (though the executions will have to be moved else where if the University is to be built near there).

I think the executions could be quite educational.[/spoiler]

Also, will Vanetti's Villa be included on the next updated Rome map?

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=In response to Manzinni, in Private]We walk on the same path, Vittorio. And I have read between the lines of your speech. But imagine the harm your speech might have done if a witty senator, taken with madness as we've seen in past times, would have used your words to undo the Quorum. It needed to be clear to all senators that the monies in the Treasury are solely for state matters, and that the churches of Rome is a matter of the state. It is, indeed, their right to propose that we use money from the Treasury to help rebuild our image.

I will repeat this to you, but in more details. It is up to Consul Basile to distribute the funds from the Treasury, not without the consent of the Senate, that is.
If he so wishes to spend all the wealth in the Treasury, he might very well do as much. I wouldn't support such an idiotic move, but then again I supported him in the last elections because I know he wouldn't do such things.
It is my belief that, with as much as we have amassed in the Treasury, it should start to get useful.

I have done my share, and continue to do so regarding the floods. I have but only a small fortune, and cannot spread my funds to the hundreds of churches AND the flooded areas. I have to focus my efforts.
Not only that, but I have contributed to the Defense Treasury in the past, and will do so in the future as well. If one among the senatores consiliarii can boast of having contributed funds to the betterment of the city it is me indeed. Though I don't mean to say that I am the sole person able to boast of such actions.

Regarding a tax, it is not the time I agree. The floods, the riots, the churches, the senate, thought to be corrupt. The city needs peace. Only after we have peace can we levy a tax. If only the consiliarii could concentrate its efforts, this could be obtained in a short time.

I, too, wish you all the best my friend.[/ic]

[Elemental_Elf]

For DeRosa and anyone who already read his OOC orders. (A joke)
[spoiler]
>>, such as near the X in Y (though the executions will have to be moved else where if the University is to be built near there).

I think the executions could be quite educational.[/spoiler]

Too bad the study of dead bodies isn't yet allowed by the Church. We could have a ready made source of cadavers for our medical students :)

[Polycarp]

[ic=In the Senate]With several senators of influence siding with senator Sismondii, the speeches to elicit contributions to the city's churches garner at least some mild applause.  How much the senators will actually donate, however, remains an open question, and some senators question aloud whether any funds - from the treasury or otherwise - should be spent on renovating churches when the exact time of Frederick's coming is still unknown.[/ic]

[ooc=Due Date]Orders for the next turn are due Sunday, May 6th.  Note that I will be out of town from May 7th to May 14th - I will try to get you an update either before I go or finish it on the road, but if we can't get orders in or it's just too much work the update may be delayed until after I return.  I will keep you informed.[/ooc]

[LD]

Updated OOC orders above.

[ic=To Basile] I have donated the sum of 1 wealth to the Senate. I trust that you will use the donation to good purposes, either for the defense of Rome, or for the reconstruction of the Aqueduct, or for the maintenance of roads. I wish you well and I thank you for your leadership.

~Senator Manzinni.
[/ic]

[ic=To the Pope] Dear Pope Anastasius,

I hope that this missive finds you well.

It is a pity that Rome's churches have been neglected by the Papal funds that once supported them when the Pope did reside in Rome. Several of us among the Senatores have taken to spend funds to reconstruct Churches where the Papacy has fallen short in its duties--however understandable the lack of funding has been given the controversy between your office and the City of Rome. Perhaps there can come to be a time when the Papacy reconciles itself with Rome and together both institutions prosper in doing God's work. It was a grand sight to see the former Pope return to Rome in peace, with Romans and Papal representatives walking side by side.

Best Wishes.

~Senator Vittorio Manzinni. [/ic]

[Polycarp]

Only one more day until the deadline, and I am still missing some orders.  Please let me know if you need more time!

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ooc=Orders]- Using my Consular authority, use 4 WP from the City's treasury to see to the restoration and maintenance of the lesser churches of Rome.

- Lay aside the remaining funds to finish my tower house (9 WP).

- See to the marriage of my son Ricardo to a suitable daughter of a local merchant family, taking his personal preference into some consideration.

[/ooc]

[Llum]

[ic=Letter to Senator Sismondii]
Greetings Senator Sismondii

Over the last two years I have managed to acquire quite a lot of wealth, I would be willing to invest in your wool business if you are taking investments from others at this time. Please let me know if this is acceptable.

Thank you for your time,

Your friend,

Consul of the Exterior, Fortis Calafatus.
[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Senator De Vinti]
Greetings Senator De Vinti

I would be glad to have the help of your newly minted soldiers this season and will gladly give them some campaigning experience. As for the Popes request, I am not going to temp excommunication and the war will be over soon.

Thank you for your time,

Your friend,

Consul of the Exterior, Fortis Calafatus.
[/ic]

[ooc=Orders for Summer 1153]
-Invest as much WP as I can into Senator Sismondii's wool business if he agrees to let me.
-Invest enough WP to reach the next tier of income in lands+cattle. Make sure to find work for all my displaced peasants
-Raise the Roman militia, cover any costs myself.
-Bring along Senator De Vintis men under my command if he agrees.
-Have my masnada gather as much information as they can about Senator Manzinni, with a focus on his land deals in Ripe et Marmotte
-Send scouts to try and find Fredericks forces or if there are any rumors of where he is.
-Ask Arnold of Brescia what he plans to do when Frederick arrives in Rome.
[/ooc]

[Nomadic]

[ic=Response to Consul Calafatus]
Certainly my friend any investments would be most welcome. I aim to broaden the wool market in Rome and such an investure would greatly aid in making this undertaking a reality. Perhaps in time we shall give even the English a run for their money.

Kindest Regards,
Senator Arrigus Sismondii
[/ic]

[ooc]
For whatever investment Calafatus gives Sismondii:
- Put up to the first 3 wp towards acquiring people and equipment for processing, weaving, finishing, and dyeing wool cloth. For any unskilled labor I require hire first from Calafatus' upset peasants to help make up for causing him the hassle.
- Put 1 wp as necessary towards construction of a building for holding the processing equipment and workers.
- Put the remainder into acquiring more sheep
[/ooc]

[Polycarp]

Hi guys,

I'm a few hours away from getting on a plane, and while I've done part of the update, it will sadly not be complete before I leave on my vacation.  I will post it after I return on the 14th.  That said, the due date has come and gone, so if you wish to add orders or amend existing ones please PM me first.  I might get around to sending a few inter-update events while I'm gone, or not - we'll just see how it goes.  I look forward to resuming our game a week from now.  Take care!

[Magnus Pym]

...sadly...

Indeed it is.

(Have a good time! :P)

[Túrin]

Sorry for the late post guys, I've been travelling; I hope this can still be incorporated.

[ooc=Orders for Summer 1154]- Continue pro bono contributions to restoring Rome's churches' metalwork. I will spend up to 1 WP on this and vocally announce my support for Sismondii's request of funds from the personal wealth of senators.
- Attempt to leverage this pro bono work as a promotion for my business in order to acquire more clients. Invest the maximum possible amount in goldsmithing in this way (up to the 8 WP I have available this turn).[/ooc]