The Republic Reborn

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=A Letter to Hugo De Vinti]Consul De Vinti,

My first thought as a Senator, a Roman, and a Christian is that now is not the time to be levying any tax. The popolo would not tolerate it, I do not think, unless our prosperity were to increase proportionally. Perhaps in future, when Rome is in a more stable position, would a tax be suitable. Our vigili have so far performed their duties adequately, but without again possessing a functioning judiciary I do not know that more would be of use to us.  

As to the formation of this court.. I do not think any amount of toil and labour on your part or the part of any other could undo the damage Senator DeRosa has done do our nascent judiciary. The honoured Doctors of Bologna likely think us fools who little deserve the blessings of Justice. To find other experts on the law of Justinian so as to begin again... I do not know of a place in all the world that we could find them. I will wish you luck on such endeavour.  

As to any cache of books so seized... of military knowledge, only a single book of note. De Re Militari, on the ancient methods of warfare. I made a gift of it to the good Consul Calafatus. Perhaps you should inquire further with him.

By the time this message reaches you, I will be on my way out of Rome and to Tivoli to treat with the noble College of Cardinals. I will pray for your good health and that wisdom should never abandon you.

Senator Roberto Basile[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=To Consul Da Vinti]Consul,

Congratulations on your election.  Naturally I will do what I can to ensure good relations between my house and the Commune continue.  Senator Basile was a credit to his office and I am sure you will do your utmost to follow in his footsteps.  Please let me know if I can be of service to the continued peace and prosperity of Rome.

Signore Pietro Colonna, Lord of Palestrina, Castrum Colonna, Tusculum, etcetera and so forth[/ic]

[ic=To Senator Manzinni]Indeed, I have not missed the irony of the situation.  I told the Romans that a rapprochement with the Pope was unavoidable if we were to retain our civic liberty, and those who deposed me for saying it now repeat the very same words.  Still, I cannot fault the Senate for coming around to my point of view, even if it has taken them the better part of two years to do it.

I am not very familiar with His Holiness, although my father knew him when he was Cardinal-Priest of St. Pudenziana during Pope Paschal's reign.  His family, the Demetri, no longer has much of a presence in Rome since the death of his father Benedictus de Suburra.  The core of his father's estate was in the neighborhood of Formello, and one of his cousins is the present signore.  His most famous relative is already known to you - Cardinal Gregorio della Suburra, the nephew of His Holiness, whom Senator Basile fought against near the Lateran.  As for the views of His Holiness on Arnold, I cannot say; the monk has been inoffensive lately, but my understanding of Arnold is that he speaks loudest precisely when one wishes him to be the most quiet.  Some new pronouncement by Arnold might well force the Pope to pronounce him a heretic openly, which would be a disaster for the Senate.  I believe that ultimately the Senate will be forced to exile the monk, though I do not know who would have the nerve to accept him.

Perhaps the silver lining of my deposition from office is that I no longer have the responsibility for solving these intractable issues.  Truly, I wish you my best.

Giordano Pierleoni, Patrician of Rome, Magistrate of Trastevere[/ic]

[LD]

[ic=Inner Council]

I speak on the Court of Last Resort. I speak against having Consuls sit on it- there is to be a division of powers and the Consuls are members of our Legislative and Executive branch, making laws and enforcing them. We would be laughingstocks if we gave the consuls all the powers- they may as well be Caesars. On top of the imposition of taxation, such a creation would anger the popolo.

I speak for a panel of three consuls to serve as the Court of Last Resort, only on appeals from decision of one Judge. The Judges should be selected at random, as they are currently selected as judges.
[/ic]

[Llum]

[ic=Letter to Abbot Anselm II]
Greetings,

Your terms are agreeable with the caveat that the Roman and Rietani military will also have unfettered access to these roads, as we are no longer at war and now at peace.

Consul Fortis Calafatus
[/ooc]

[Llum]

[ooc=Orders]
-invest as many WP as possible in to my land outside Rome and acquire more adjacent land
-Try and acquire land to the south-east and north-west of Rome as well
-Return to Rome with all my personal honor guard and any militia still in Civitavecchia
-Send agents to find out what Senator Manzinni is up to, who he is talking to and what his plans are.
-Send agents to do the same to Senator DeRosa
-Give an agent 3 WP and send him on a mission to the Crusader states to find more information on this Byzantine trebuchet and other siege machines. Make sure they are familiar with what we already know
-Give an agent 3 WP and send him on a mission to the Greeks to find more information on this Byzantine trebuchet and other siege machines. Make sure they are familiar with what we already know
[/ooc]

[Polycarp]

[ooc=ORDERS]Hey, only four people have posted orders so far!  Today is the due date, so if you haven't posted orders yet, get them in or let me know you need an extension![/ooc]

[ic=To Consul Calafatus]While I will accept this access on the length of the Via Salaria that runs within our lands, the only portion of the Via Aurelia which lies in our territory is that immediately adjacent to Civitavecchia, and I see no reason why the Romans would have need of moving troops there unless intending to attack our lawful fiefs.  

Abbot Anselm II[/ic]

[Túrin]

[ic=At the Inner Council]I would like to offer my humble opinion on the matter of the Court of Last Resort. To my mind, such a Court should try to represent as faithfully as possible the diversity of viewpoints, whether political or philosophical, and interests that is present in the Senate, while retaining the vitality and responsiveness of small numbers that is sometimes missing in the Senate. I, for one, can see no better way to do this than to name as judges on the Court of Last Resort all of you, my esteemed colleagues senatores consiliarii.

Whether, as Senator Manzinni suggests, it is reckless to name the Consuls to the Court; I am not so sure. I will leave this matter for wiser men to debate. But at least, I would urge, we should make sure to name all five of the other senatores that sit on this distinguished Inner Council on the Court of Last Resort. This, I feel, is our best bet at guaranteeing a fair, unbiased Court.[/ic]

[ic=Private to Senator Manzinni]Esteemed Senator,

It appears that we and others have successfully coordinated to vote Consul De Vinti into office. Time will tell if we made a wise decision. Until then, I remain happy, not only because I feel optimistic about De Vinti's capabilities, but more importantly because we, the Senators, came to a strong consensus, thus lending weight to De Vinti's election and sending a message to those who would see harm come to Rome.

In the spirit of cooperation that has now been created between us, I would like to offer a business proposal. It is commonly known that you are working on a grand project to honor our Lord Jesus Christ, and His mother, the Virgin Mary, by improving the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. Surely such a project could not be complete without some exquisite gold furnishings and ornaments. As I am sure you are aware, all the best goldsmiths in our grand city work for me, and they are second to none between Aosta and Syracuse. The products of these talented hands can be yours at a fair price. If that in itself does not seem worthwile to you, remember that with economic friendship often comes political friendship. I would be surprised if any of the other craftsmen you will employ in this project came with such a friendship. So let us come to an agreement, in the spirit of mutual benefit!

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Senator Romolo Vannetti[/ic]

[ic=Private to Senator DeRosa]Esteemed Senator,

I hope you are as satisfied by the recent election as I am. Not only because I feel optimistic about De Vinti's capabilities, but more importantly because we, the Senators, came to a strong consensus, thus lending weight to De Vinti's election and sending a message to those who would see harm come to Rome. Let us hope that we are at the dawn of a new age of peace and prosperity for our beloved city.

Speaking of prosperity, I hear you, in particular, have taken Rome's spiritual prosperity to heart. Your efforts in honoring our Lord Jesus Christ and Saint Prisca, by improving on the latter's Basilica, have not gone unnoticed. Would not such a work be the grander, honoring our Lord and Savior, as well as Saint Prisca and not least yourself, if it were topped with some beautiful golden ornaments and furnishings? As I am sure you are aware, all the best goldsmiths in our grand city work for me, and they are second to none between Triest and Trapani. Perhaps a deal can be made to our mutual advantage? If the expert craftsmanship and fair prices that I stand for did not already convince you, let me remind you that unlike other craftsmen you may consider, I also carry some influence in the Senate. Surely an economic agreement will also make it easier for us to come to political agreements in the future.

I look forward to your reply.

Senator Romolo Vannetti[/ic]

[ooc=Orders for Autumn 1154]1. Take advantage of any business opportunities that become available through Senatores Manzinni and DeRosa. If that means making some money, great, but if it is feasible to set this up rather as an investment to improve my goldsmithing business, by all means invest. I will invest up to the maximum possible amount in this (5 Savings + 4 Wealth Level = 9 WP), spreading it equally over the two projects (or other similar projects, see LightDragon's post directly below this) if they end up competing for funds.
2. Investigate the competitive situation of the goldsmithing market. In particular, I want to know whether:
a) buying up, undercutting, or otherwise getting rid of local competitors in an attempt to corner the market and then drive up prices seems like a valid business plan (I assume that I would already know most of what I need to know for this, but otherwise spend up to 1 WP to investigate, if available);
b) expanding my business into non-local areas (either by buying up smithees or starting new ones) seems like a valid business plan (this may require more work, spend up to 3 WP to investigate, if available).
3. If I still have funds after the above and see an opportunity to do so, expand my goldsmithing business through conventional means (hiring, PR, etc.).[/ooc]

[LD]

[ic=To Romolo]
I welcome your invitation to hire goldsmiths. I gladly will hire those who are necessary to do repairs to existing portions of the chapel and of other chapels that I am restoring. However, to craft more ostentatious creations would risk the ire of the Arnoldists who would tear down the grand creations. I would however, be glad to employ goldsmiths as contractors for a non-religious project that I am considering, if you are interested.[/ic]

[ic=At the Inner Council]
I still speak for three senators to sit on the court rather than the full number of the lesser council; but if Romolo's interesting idea is adopted, then I would ask that we consider a few potential situations that could occur. First, our number could fluctuate. There may become six rather than five and the vote would align in deadlock. We would need to solve that issue. Second, one of our number may be rendered ill or unable to vote and then we become four, and the vote could align again in deadlock. While Romolo's idea does much for the cause of unity on the Council, I fear the bureaucratic problems it may unleash if we do not address them before it is implemented.

With the establishment of three senators on the Court- if one could not serve, then another would be appointed.

And once again, I caution against placing too much power in the hands of the Consuls- the Judicial determinations should be separate from those who practice Legislative and Executive power. Recall you not Rome's anger when Spiritual and Temporal power were executed by the former Pope? That anger could just as easily be turned against a Senate or Consuls that are seen as biased or corrupt.
[/ic]
[ooc]So if this merits sending any of my WP related to the restoration to Romolo, feel free to do that Polycarp[/ooc]

[Túrin]

[ic=To Manzinni]The extent of my involvement in any of your projects - religious or otherwise - is of course completely up to you. I will be happy to contribute in any way I can. Please, if you will, tell me more about your other project.

In the meantime, may I compliment you on your excellent speech at the Inner Council. Your measured words address and encapsulate both my own concerns and others'. I find I have nothing to add to your considerations, and I am convinced our final decision will be the better for them.[/ic]

[Llum]

[ic=Letter to Abbot Amselm II]
Greetings

You need not fear from Roman troops, but access to the Via Salaria only will be sufficient when paired with a donation to the city coffers worth [4 WP]

Consul Fortis Calafatus
[/ic]

[Elemental_Elf]

[ooc=orders]Sorry guys, I have been suuuuuuper busy IRL.

- Stop putting money into the kitty for the Church.
- Spend 2 Wealth to raise some troops and another 2 to equip them. Have them stay in my villa out of Rome.
- Invest 1 Wealth into getting a Messenger hawk, Dove or Pigeon, if possible. I will need to Send messages to my villa during these troubled times.
[/ooc]

[Nomadic]

Sorry about that, completely forgot. I swear I'm almost done with blasted school :S

[ooc=orders]
- 2 wealth into my rocca
- 2 wealth to calafatus for rent
[/ooc]

[Polycarp]

No worries, Nomadic.

I've begun the update, so please don't edit any orders.  (I've already copied and posted them elsewhere, so if you do, it won't change anything.)

[Polycarp]

Anno Domini MCLIV
Autumn has passed into winter...
Winter seldom brings snow to Rome, but the cold winter winds are accompanied by sudden storms.  Floods are still a danger, and only the most reckless mariners try their luck at sea this time of year.  In the countryside, vines are pruned and firewood is gathered, while craftsmen huddle indoors making and maintaining tools and equipment for the coming year.  The people fast through Advent before feasting at Christmas, upon a pig slaughtered in late autumn if they can afford it, and on wild game if not.  Epiphany is celebrated in January, and the date of Easter is announced to the people.

Our Consuls: Hugo Da Vinti and Fortis Calafatus
Our Pope: Adrian IV
Our Rage: Apoplectic!

[ooc=This Season's Top 5 Popular Issues]
1. "The Emperor is coming!  Who will defend us?"
2. "Down with the English Pope!  Death to the foreigners!"
3. "Arnold of Brescia is a great man.  We should protect him."
4. "The Senators and their Courts are corrupt."
5. "All these riots are bad for business." [/ooc]

News from Abroad

Frederick von Hohenstaufen, King of Germany and Emperor-elect, has presided over an Imperial Diet on the plain of Roncaglia, attended by representatives from communes and lordships all over Imperial Italy.  He summoned before him the four distinguished doctors of Bologna, including Bulgarus and Martinus Gosia, who together affirmed before the King his God-given rights to all of Christendom, as well as the revenues and privileges in Italy which, though neglected since the days of Otto the Great, are rightfully and lawfully his.  Frederick heard the grievances of the communes of Pavia, Como, and Lodi, as well as many noblemen and bishops of Lombardy who charged that the communes of Milan, Tortona, Asti, and Chieri had usurped their territories and privileges.  The king solemnly condemned the alienation of fiefs from their lawful lords without consent, and furthermore retroactively declared all such alienations to be null and void.  The Milanese and their allies refused to make any compensation and rejected the king's proclamation before the entire assembly.  Most other cities were not so bold - the powerful maritime republics of Venice, Genoa, and Pisa submitted themselves to the king, assuring him of their loyalty and promising him the use of their mighty fleets in his endeavors.

Manuel Comnenus, Emperor of the Greeks, seems to have finally resolved the conflict in Serbia between the brothers Uroš and Desa, princes of the House of Vukanović, which had become a proxy war between the Greeks and Hungarians for control of Serbia.  Desa has agreed to renounce his claim on the Principality and recognize his brother Uroš as the sole Prince of Serbia in exchange for a generous grant of land around the city of Naissos.

With the aid of the Hungarians, Borić, Ban of Bosnia, has ejected Greek troops from his small border principality and declared himself the ruler of the first independent Bosnian state.  How "independent" he really is from the Hungarians, however, is debatable.

News of Latium

Christians, we have a new Pope!  Pope Anastasius IV took ill in November and passed away in Tivoli on December 3rd at 81 years of age.  It is said that the College of Cardinals took only one day to unanimously elect Cardinal-Bishop Nicholas Breakspeare, recently returned from serving as a Papal legate in Scandinavia, our new Pope.  He has taken the name Adrian IV, and is distinguished as being the first Englishman to ever become Pope!

Many wild rumors have spread throughout Italy concerning the coming of the King of Germany, but one of the most persistent claims that the German King, the Pope, and the Greek Emperor have signed a secret alliance against the Kingdom of Sicily.  Some claim that several disgruntled Sicilian nobles, expelled from Sicily by King Roger, are traveling with the Imperial army.  Both commoners and nobles of Latium alike fear that their province will soon become a battleground between world powers.
[note=Timing]Normally the winter turn is assumed to start at the beginning of December, but I decided to stretch it by a few days to include the death of Anastasius in this turn instead of making it happen early next turn.  You can assume that the election of Adrian has only just happened as this turn starts; right now, word has only just spread to Rome, and certainly nobody outside of Latium has heard of the Pope's death yet.[/note]

The City of Civitavecchia, conquered by the Romans during the summer, has been returned to the Abbey of Farfa as part of a truce between the Commune and the Abbey.  The Romans relinquished the city in exchange for a guarantee of free access to the Via Salaria and an indemnity of [4 WP] in silver.  Having little faith in the city council which failed to even offer token resistance to the Romans, the Abbott Anselm II has granted the city as a fief to Signore Pietro Latro, a local baron.

News of Rome

Rome mourns the loss of Pope Anastasius IV, who – even if he didn't accomplish all that much in his brief reign – was a member of a Roman aristocratic family.  The loss of a native Roman in the Papal throne and his replacement with an English barbarian has caused widespread rioting over the past few days.  Unable to find any Englishmen to take their anger out on, mobs threw rocks at various foreigners, burned down a Burgundinian's house, and beat a French monk to within an inch of his life.  Dozens of foreign families have fled Rome or taken refuge in the Leonine City, and Rome's clergy – many of whom are foreign-born – fear a coming wave of violence.

The Arnoldists seem to be enjoying a significant rise in popularity, perhaps fuelled by uncertainty over the German advance and the very recent Papal situation.  Though Arnold himself seems to be keeping a somewhat low profile, others have argued against the clergy and the Pope in his stead, chief among them a disciple of Arnold named Wetzel, a Bavarian-born clerk and former Benedictine monk.  Wetzel has called for an alliance between the city and the Emperor and claims that the Donation of Constantine (a document supposedly authored by Constantine the Great granting the Papal States to the Papacy) is a fraud.

Finances

Treasury: 12 WP

Income: 2 WP

• Duty, Patrician Pierleone: 1 WP
• Tribute, Tre Fontane: 1 WP

Expenditures: 1 WP

• Vigili Upkeep: 1 WP

[spoiler=Personal Finances]
Arrigus Sismondii
Wealth Level 4 [10/16]
Savings: 3 WP
IP: 22 Wine, 2 Olives, 10 Wool
Projects: Rocca [8/15]
Assets: Estate

Fortis Calafatus
Wealth Level 4 [2/16]
Savings: 15 WP
IP: 26 Farmland
Projects: None
Assets: Estate, De Re Militari, 150 Heavy Infantry (3WP)

Vittorio Manzinni
Wealth Level 4 [7/16]
Savings: 11 WP
IP: 24 Egyptian Trade (Glassware, Linens), 7 Hospitality
Projects: None
Assets: Estate, Spears, Crossbows, Grain [3], Land in Ripe et Marmorate

Roberto Basile
Wealth Level 4 [0/16]
Savings: 7 WP
IP: 14 Sicilian Privateers, 10 Oranges
Projects: Tower House [15/15]
Assets: Estate, 100 Masnada (1WP)

Domenico DeRosa
Wealth Level 4 [7/16]
Savings: 11 WP
IP: 24 Farmland, 7 Hospitality
Projects: None
Assets: Estate, Hostels, Land in Ripe et Marmorate, 100 Masnada (1WP), Chapel

Hugo de Vinti
Wealth Level 4 [13/16]
Savings: 12 WP
IP: 14 Marble Trade, 10 Sculpture, 13 Flax Production
Projects: None
Assets: Estate, Palazzo [10], 50 Heavy Infantry (1WP)

Romolo Vannetti
Wealth Level 4 [7/16]
Savings: 9 WP
IP: 23 Goldsmithing, 8 Moneylending
Projects: None
Assets: Estate[/spoiler]
Senatorial Inquests

Senators that requested information or launched endeavors have the results of their efforts listed here.  This information is private, but you may certainly choose to share it with the Senate.

[spoiler=Fortis Calafatus]Land
Bringing new land into cultivation is a laborious process.  Your peasants must cut down woodlands and then dig up rocks and stumps before ploughing the land.  The work is hard, long, and expensive.  You have managed to invest 1 WP in bringing uncultivated land in your fiefdom into service, and what remains is even more marginal – rocky hillsides that will never yield anything useful, and mosquito-infested marshlands that your tenants lack the technical knowledge to reclaim.  Any further expansion of your profits will probably require expansion of your estates.

Most of the areas you are interested in expanding into are already owned by other barons or church estates; those that aren't, primarily west of Rome, are currently too marshy to farm.  Your inquiries, however, have resulted in a contact with a rather distinguished landowner.

Raino Tusculani, younger brother of Gionata, Count of Tusculum, has sent you a messenger informing you that the Tusculani family owns a sizable estate east of Rome that went largely uncultivated during his father's later life.  The late Count Tolomeo had apparently leased the land out to a prominent Roman Senator – Raino either did not know which Senator, or did not wish to say – but Tolomeo's recent death has caused the agreement to fall through.  Raino has offered to lease this land to you for two years for an up-front payment of [10 WP].  He estimates that the land, if fully exploited, could yield [2 WP] per season (meaning a profit of [6 WP] over the course of two years).  His offer has only one caveat: that you not publicly mention this deal, because it might damage the family's standing with the Pope.  Raino also said that the family may be interested in selling the estate entirely at some point, but that since the land is technically a fief held from the Pope, the Pope would have to approve its transfer.

Naturally, to preserve their anonymity, the Tusculani have sent you no letters and dealt entirely by messenger.

Spies
Senator DeRosa appears to be raising an armed force at his estate outside the city.  You are unaware of the exact number or composition of this force, but it appears to be a few hundred strong at most.

Senator Manzinni is, to your knowledge, engaged only in Ripe et Marmorate, expanding his holdings there and getting in the good graces of the local churches by funding continued repairs and restorations.  The purpose which he has in mind for this land is still unclear to you.

Missions Abroad
Autumn is a poor time of year to be starting a voyage to the East, and it seems wiser to postpone your missions to the Greeks and Crusader States until next spring.  Please feel free to re-issue your orders then!

You spent 3 WP this turn and invested 1 WP.  You gained an additional 2 WP in rent from Senator Sismondii.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Romolo Vannetti]Goldsmithing
Your competitors – of which there are fairly few – are suffering in the same manner you are from the lack of Church contracts, though the recent flow of money towards repairs and restorations has helped all of you in a modest way.  You lack the funds to buy them up outright; the best way to control the market would seem to be to control supply.  Rome's silver, in particular, comes almost exclusively from one source: Sardinian mines controlled by Pisa, from which silver is shipped to Civitavecchia and bought by your agents there.  A deal with Pisa could cut your competitors off from their material entirely, but Pisa would have to have some reason to make such a deal.

You have done business outside of Rome before, usually when the Popes were building some palace in the Alban Hills, but no new Papal palaces have been built in some years.  Until that changes, it doesn't seem very profitable to try to expand your business into nearby communities.  Hopefully this new Pope will have an interest in the finer things, but who knows if those barbarian English have any kind of taste in art.

One potential lucrative opportunity, if an agreement with the Pope can be reached, is the Lateran Palace.  Historically it has been one of the Church's most decorated structures, but everything valuable was stripped by Basile's troops when they sacked it.  If it is reoccupied by the Pope, contracts for its restoration would surely follow, and the goldsmith who could scoop those up would stand to make a great deal of money indeed.

Speaking of Basile, as Rome's new ambassador to the Pope, he might have connections to the Church that you could use for commercial gain.  Maybe it's worth speaking with him on the subject...?

You did pull in an extra 1 WP in profit this turn from Senator Manzinni's restoration work, but this is merely a one-time windfall, not permanent expansion of the business or its profitability that would constitute an investment.  In that regard you were only able to invest another 1 WP.  Further expansion seems impossible until new opportunities arise or Rome and the Papacy come to some kind of resolution.  Until then, it may be wise to seek profit in other ventures.

You saved 4 WP and invested 1 WP this turn.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Domenico DeRosa]Troops
If you only wish to spent 2 WP every season, you can afford 200 men equipped as Masnada or Urban Militia, or 100 men equipped as armored Urban Militia.  4 WP will, of course, buy twice that number, but you will have to spend 4 WP each season for their maintenance.  Armored troops may take several seasons before their equipment is entirely ready, though paying extra might help accelerate that process, as some of their gear can simply be purchased outright rather than manufactured.  Please let me know what you would prefer.

Birds
While homing pigeons were in use in some parts of the Arab world at this time, they were unknown to Christendom (except, perhaps, the Crusader States).  You must resort to having your messages carried by hand, concealed with some manner of subterfuge if you find it necessary – particularly in Rome, a city filled with holy men, sending messengers disguised as monks is a favorite.

You have spent 1 WP and saved 3 WP this turn. (This does not include your new troops, as I need to know the specifics first; see above).[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Roberto Basile]The Papal Curia
The journey to Tivoli was short and uneventful.  You were admitted to the city without any difficulty, perhaps because the presence of a Roman ambassador went unnoticed for some time.  The Papal Curia, wherever it holds court, is the legal center of the Christian world; clerics, aristocrats, and common men from all dozens of realms come to plead cases before His Holiness, the ultimate judge in matters of canon law.  It is hardly unusual, then, for prominent men to visit with their retinues at all times of year, and it was only several days later that the people of Tivoli became generally aware of your presence in their city.  When they did, there was a considerable riot, though it did not come close to threatening your life – even the mob had sense enough not to try and burn down the Episcopal palace, where you and your men were staying.

This was the same palace which Consul Calafatus' troops had gutted two years ago; it had obviously been rebuilt and now housed the Curia, though not in the same splendor that it presented before the Romans looted it.  It seemed to suit the current Pope, however, an old Roman who dressed quite simply in white robes quite unlike some of the gilded cardinals in his company.  You presented yourself before the Holy Father and were recognized as Rome's delegate to the Curia.  Anastasius seemed genuinely interested in a reconciliation and showed a greater understanding of the situation than previous high clergymen, being himself a member of the Roman aristocracy and quite familiar with the nature of Roman politics and society.  He did, however, chastise you personally in front of the Curia for your part in the plundering of the Lateran, and said that relinquishing control of the Lateran to the Church and restitution for the treasures plundered from it would be a precondition to any settlement with the Senate.

The Cardinal Enrico da Pisa had been appointed as the Curia's negotiator with the Romans, but Enrico was teaching canon law in Bologna at the time, and it was not until October that he arrived in Tivoli.  You spent your time up to then conversing with various Curial potentates and fellow ambassadors.  One of the most notable was an Apulian Greek named Cosmas Bariotes, an ambassador of the Greek Emperor to the Papal Curia, who had arrived in Tivoli in the summer with expensive gifts and a well-armed retinue.  Lord Bariotes gave few hints as to his purpose in Italy, but was extremely interested to hear anything you cared to tell him about the politics and trade of Rome.  Lord Bariotes noted that he may be visiting Rome personally in the near future, and expressed his hope that you would provide him with the necessary introductions to Rome's elite.  Perhaps as a means of persuasion, he gave you an extraordinary gift – a paludamentum [a Roman/Byzantine style of cloak pinned at the shoulder] made of crimson silk brocade and embroidered with gold thread.  You couldn't possibly guess the worth, but it likely costs more than Pietro Colonna's entire wardrobe.

Cardinal Enrico, once he arrived, proved to be most formidable.  He argued articulately for the widest possible interpretation of Papal authority in Rome.  In your initial discussions with him, his terms seemed favorable enough – he claimed to be willing to offer the Senate wide latitude over the governance of the city, and said the Pope was prepared to officially recognize all the senators as Papal "beneficiaries" and grant them generous stipends for their administrative work.  The salaries of Roman senators, however, were small change compared to the massive revenues brought into the city by the pilgrimage, and it was clear that the control of this revenue was Enrico's central aim.  He insisted that the office of Papal Prefect (much despised by the Roman people) had to be reinstated with all its attendant powers of revenue collection.  He likewise insisted that the Papal Curia would have to regain its monopoly on justice within Rome, thus acquiring all the legal proceeds that might otherwise go to the new curia senatus (were it actually functioning).  The matter of Arnold seemed less important to the Cardinal, and his opinion was that once the Pope was restored in Rome, the "errors" of the Arnoldists would be quickly forgotten.

These preliminary and informal discussions, however, were suspended in November, not because of any deadlock but because of the sudden illness of the Pope.  He had been known to be in somewhat fragile health when he was elected, but he abruptly vanished from the Curia in mid-November, sequestered in his chambers by his physicians.  You lingered on at the Episcopal palace, discussing fruit cultivation with an Aragonese monk and current trends in piracy with a Provençal nobleman seeking to have his marriage annulled, until the Dean of the College of Cardinals made the solemn announcement on December 4th that Pope Anastasius IV was dead.

It took the College of Cardinals, which by December was fully assembled, only one day to choose a new Pope.  Shortly after you had arrived in Tivoli, Cardinal Nicholas Breakspeare had returned to the Curia from distant Scandinavia, where he had been a highly successful Papal legate.  Anastasius showered him with praise upon his return, and the College was evidently so taken with him that they elected him unanimously to succeed Anastasius as Pope Adrian IV.  Cardinal Enrico has informed you that negotiations must remain on hold until the new Pope makes his policy vis-à-vis the Commune known.

Fishing
Fish is not a staple food of most Romans, but the fishing industry remains important because of seasonal demand during spring – specifically, Lent – when the Church prohibits the faithful from eating meat, eggs, and dairy.  Unfortunately, fishing in the Tiber has been declining over the last few centuries, with traditional freshwater fish (mostly bass and carp) seeming to get progressively smaller and more scarce.  The Church's demand is still great, however, which means many monks and priests rely on eel, which can be found in both brackish water and local streams; it's considered a low-class food, but at least it meets religious requirements.

At the mouth of the Tiber, near Gregoriopolis, the water is brackish – precisely why the area has such rich salt flats.  The brackish part of the Tiber is rich in eel as well as mullet, enjoyed by the Romans in ancient times.  Rome's fishermen are certainly capable of changing catch, but it does require some retooling – eels, for instance, must be caught with trumpet-shaped wicker traps, not with the usual freshwater fishing nets.  Out at sea, other kinds of saltwater fish can be found, but "blue fish" – sardines and anchovies, the primary export fish of coastal fishing villages  – require finely made and quite expensive nets to catch.

Fishermen are among Rome's poorest residents (fishermen's wives repair damaged nets over and over to keep their husbands from having to buy a new one) and are unlikely to be able to afford this retooling by themselves.  Since they lack Roman citizenship and own no land, however, they are potentially receptive to moving, particularly if the rent is cheaper.  Some money could be made by renting boats and equipment, as well as victualing fishing boats (sea fishermen are on the water all day and take bread and wine with them).  The profit margins of renting things to poor people, however, are always small.

There is a much more attractive possibility, however.  Fish can be caught year-round, but are mostly in demand during the spring, making preservation important.  Clergymen and monks of wealthy abbeys like Tre Fontane and Farfa pay well for good-quality salt fish, but common fishermen can't afford salt.  Anyone with access to both fish and salt might stand to make quite a bit of money in the sale of preserved fish to the clergy, but this would likely require a significant expansion of Gregoriopolis' salt-making industry.

Docks would indeed have to be built near Gregoriopolis, for the town is not directly on the river and currently has no facilities for fishing or maritime trade.

You spent 1 WP this turn and saved 3 WP.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Hugo de Vinti]Civitavecchia and Ostia
Your extra funding for peace in Civitavecchia turned out to be unnecessary, for in mid-September the Consul announced that a peace agreement had been reached with the Abbey of Farfa and all Roman troops would withdraw from the city.  Nobody was happier than the Civitavecchians, who had grown quite upset about the Romans drunkenly carousing through their streets and stabling their mules in the town church.

Within a week of the Roman departure, a dozen cavalrymen arrived under the banner of a local baron, Pietro Latro, who announced to the people that the Abbot of Farfa had bestowed him with the title of Signore of Civitavecchia, and that the town council was hereby dissolved.  Your spy said that there was some grumbling among the populace, but that most of the residents seemed to be relieved to have some manner of law and order restored after the Roman occupation.

Soon, the Pisans renewed their work in Ostia with new vigor.  It is possible that the Farfan war and Roman occupation caused them to suspend their activities for a while, but in early October Pisan ships were sighted from Gregoriopolis – wide, shallow-keeled cargo ships suitable for heavy loads.  They carried little cargo to Gregoriopolis save some wool cloth and silver coins, which they used to hire some of the Gregoriopolitan locals to help them load ancient marble upon rafts.  Without a proper port, the operation seems to be rather difficult – the large cargo ships must remain a ways offshore (to prevent them from running aground) while the stone is rafted piece by piece out to them.  The Pisan sailors are certainly armed, as is their usual practice, but the expedition is in no way a military one.  Though he was unable to gain access to the Pisan quarter of Civitavecchia, your agent there reports that these same large cargo ships are probably storing the stone at a warehouse in the port city, as they often proceed directly back to Ostia after landing at Civitavecchia.  The operation ended in mid-November as the coming winter winds made the sea too rough for the rather awkward cargo ships to remain in place offshore.

The Lateran
You have spent 1 WP cleaning up the place, though it remains quite spartan since everything of value that wasn't nailed to the floor (and some things that were) was taken by Basile's men.  The Lateran used to be the grandest palace in Rome; it will take a great deal of work and a considerable fortune to restore it to its former grandeur.

Flax
You spent 1 WP on seeing to the needs of your flax workers, particularly their thirst, and this has been well received.  They go about their usual work and there is nothing out of the ordinary to report.

Drainage
Your test work in Pontis et Scorteclariorum was able to continue this season, albeit with considerable difficulty.  Pontis is one of Rome's most heavily populated districts, and even when it is ruined by a flood the natives don't stay away for long.  Shacks and market stalls have already sprung up right on top of the ruins of the previous edifices, making the orderly digging of drainage ditches very difficult.  There is, after all, no "urban planning" in 12th century Rome; the streets are narrow and crooked, and the locals fiercely resist any attempt to relocate their hovels to dig a trench.  Your endeavor has not been without purpose; you and your men have learned about applying De Re Rustica's knowledge in the field, and have gained some experience that may prove useful later.  Proper drainage of this district, however, would require clearing most of it out first, and having it remain clear far longer than the residents would tolerate.  Even then, the whole Field of Mars is a natural flood plain; even the best drainage would not prevent seasonal floods from sweeping over the land as far as the Pantheon.

Naples
Your agent reports that Naples is becoming a rather tense city.  The news of the German king's coming has reached them too; in addition, there is a rumor there that the former Prince of Capua, Robert II – a Norman nobleman who rebelled against King Roger and was forced into exile – is traveling with King Frederick along with other rebellious Norman barons.  It must be remembered that Naples was the last holdout against the Normans in southern Italy, and surrendered to the Kings of Sicily only 14 years ago; since then, they have lost their independence to the Norman Count-Palatine who rules them on behalf of the King and the foreign merchants from Pisa and Genoa to whom the Normans have sold off most of the city's trade and industry.  The urban upper classes are still largely Greek-speaking people who follow the Greek religious rite, dress in Greek fashion, and hold their "uncultured" Norman overlords in contempt.  Your agent reports that if the Germans attack Sicily, the Neapolitan upper class may well favor the invaders.

This unease is not yet felt in the countryside, however, where the peasants and village artisans have little interest in the pride and aspirations of the Neapolitan urban elite.  As such, recruiting for your operations remains largely ineffective - for now.

You have spent 3 WP and saved 1 WP this turn.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Vittorio Manzinni]Basilica
You made significant repairs and restorations to the Basilica of Santa Prisca this turn, but in the past few days your work has become endangered.  Ripe et Marmorate has been one of the centers of the recent anti-Papal and anti-foreigner riots, and the French monks of Santa Prisca have locked themselves inside the basilica for fear of their very lives; one of them was savagely beaten and left for dead when he left the church to go fetch water.  The monks feel the mob is planning to attack them and have begged for your protection against the wrath of the Romans!

Building
Space is not difficult to come by in Rome, but large buildings are rarer.  The largest are primarily ancient Roman buildings, but many of them are either churches or are in significant disrepair.  One possibility, however, is the Theater of Marcellus.  Centrally located near the Foro Piscium, the Theater was turned into a fortress by the Pierleoni family, and was surrendered to the Senate as part of ex-Consul Basile's deal with Patrician Pierleone last year.  So far, the building stands empty, as the Senate has yet to do anything with it, but it could house a significant number of troops, animals, and supplies.  If you can gain control of it or convince the Senate to let you use it for the purpose you have in mind, you might not have to pay anything at all.

You have spent 2 WP, saved 1 WP, and invested 1 WP this turn.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Arrigus Sismondii]The construction on your rocca continues.  One hopes that at least the curtain wall will be completed by the time the Germans arrive, but that depends largely on when the King decides to make his march south.

Please remember to let me know (when you have time, of course) where you would like the housing structure for your weavers and wool-workers (see previous update).

You have spent 4 WP this turn.[/spoiler]

[ooc=Update!]You know the drill - check over your finances, and let me know if I've made any mistakes or missed any inquests that I owe you.  The front page should be fully updated within a few hours.[/ooc]

[Polycarp]

[ic=Letter to Senator Basile]Senator Basile,

His Holiness Adrian IV has informed me of his desire to be consecrated at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, which his predecessor Anastasius did not attempt due to the outstanding issues between the Romans and the Holy Church.  His Holiness has also stated that no such consecration should be attempted while the notorious heretic and excommunicate Arnold of Brescia continues to reside within the city, for the existence of such grievous error and rebellion against the Holy Church within the city's very walls would surely make a mockery of the solemn consecration of His Holiness.  It is therefore the command of His Holiness that Arnold of Brescia be immediately banished from the City of Rome.

Mindful of the many misguided people who have been deluded into following this demagogue, I have advised His Holiness to delay any announcement of his intent in this matter that I might first inform the Senate through you, its representative to the Papal Curia.  Nevertheless, it is incumbent on the Senate to effect this banishment with due urgency, for it is the opinion of His Holiness that the Romans have coddled this Master of Errors far too long to plead mere ignorance and cannot begin to reconcile themselves with the Holy and Apostolic Church while they permit promulgators of pernicious heresy to flourish under their own roof.

Enrico da Pisa, Cardinal-Priest of St. Nereo ed Achilleo[/ic]