Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Azthor]

The Emperor takes to the podium, his usually calm visage taking an expression of indignation.

[2+2=4] "What is it I hear from you, citizens of Hadria, would you truly go as far as to weigh a Hadrian's life by the same scales as a foreigner's? Senator Crassius, you speak of appropriate sacrifices, yet consider yourself a staunch defender of the people; surely, you realize that no unnecessary sacrifice of a Hadrian life is ever appropriate? The Empire alone is worth the sacrifice of its people's lives, personal notions of glory and honor have no room in one such a decision, for they are but the fickle whims of selfish men. Indeed, you are  called upon to sacrifice your own names for the civic duties you've taken upon yourselves as members of this illustrious chamber, for it will be your people who will place their own flesh and blood in the front of battle"

"Senator Lucullus and Senator Flavius, you speak of honor and how it is a defining feature of Hadrian citizenship, but is a true barbarian, no matter how honorable, ever as a good as a true Hadrian? Of course not, we Hadrians are superior from birth, for it is the Empire's glory that defines us and not the price that we pay as the flawed men that we are in fighting for the Empire. Civic duty and not a personal sense of valor are the staple of Hadrian hegemony, if a lion jumps a gazelle is it an offense against its majesty or an exercise of its right as natural born sovereign!? You should not offend our dwarven friend, for he, out of all of you, spoke with the Empire's interests in mind first and foremost "

"Of course we will issue a formal declaration of war, for the Empire's glory demands it, but we shall not do so in fear of angering or otherwise displeasing our neighbors, we shall not do so because some amongst you feel it'd be an offense to your immaculate honor, we shall do so because Whitepeak has wronged us we now bring rightful judgment upon them. The declaration of war is so that Whitepeak knows its wrongs and atone for their failures, whether by surrender or iron, for mercy is, indeed, the better mark of our inherent right to rule"

"We march upon their borders and only then do we declare war, so that Hadria's dignity is not offended, for they will have had the chance to surrender and admit their inferiority, nor are our men futilely sacrificed. Should they do not do so, whether because they outright rejected or otherwise ignored our courteous attempts, the subsequent invasion,  will be but the lawful exercise of justice, for they've wronged us, their betters,  and the Gods themselves dictate that we exact our price!"

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Speech effect: +1 to this vote.

[Dragor23]

Flavius stands up after the speech of the emperor, like aways, a smile on the face.

"My emperor, maybe we are superior by the blood than ourt neighbors, but acting like a good Hadrian is always better like acting than a bad one. We write history today and we are the ancestors of the future!
Should look our grandchildren and grandgrandchildern back to this day in shame? Where the lion hide itself in the gazelles skin, just so he have it easier?
non est! I say! non est!
These days are shall shine in valor and glory for Hadriankind and now blemish should diminish the brilliant rule of your kind emperor!
It's is only for the sake of the Augustus and the history.

[Shootandrun]

((Some rolls and a vote later - long story short; Az won everyone's vote except the Novi Homines and about half the Populares))

After a short and uneventful vote, with, in the end, about two thirds of the senate voting for the emperor's suggestion, the meeting was put to an end.

The Emperor may gather his legates and prepare a war plan, while the senators start politicking

[Azthor]

Emperor Septimus calls for both Legates to meet him in Fort Solon for a War Council in preparation for the war. Legio I through III are mobilized and stationed at the border forts and surroundings.

[Urist_McDrowner]

           Hetairos, sick the day of the vote and unable to debate in person without embarrassing himself, sent along his brother, a Qaestor elect, with a written note for him to give to the Emperor. It affirmed Hetairos' strong support of the war. This day, out and well again, he began to barnstorm the city with speeches. He spoke of the noble soldiery, bathing them with compliments. To the citizenry, he commanded them that they should fight for nothing (leaving out on purpose the Emperor), but love of country and country. That same love of country, he remarked, put together would burn hotter than the sun. They were the blood of Hadria. They were its legs. Without them it could not stand.  Turning away from the cheering crowds, he was ushered off the Rostra by his heavily armed guards. The public knew, as well as he did, that he had many enemies and that walking around town unprotected was suicide.
          Returning to his modest villa on the hills overlooking the city, he sat down and began to draft a bill to present at the next Senate meeting:

"Senatorial Convention Act-Sponsored by Hetairos Stagiritis of the Optimates


RECOGNIZING that the Empire is much larger than it was in years past

ACCEPTING that the biannual and emergency meetings are no longer sufficient to keep government running smoothly

PROPOSES that any Senator with Magisterial office exceeding Aedile or any Senator who once held the office of Praetor or higher to convene the Senate at anytime. He shall do this by affixing a notice in the town square. All Senators are obliged to be there in less than four weeks time unless excused by illness or a more pressing public calling (such as military service). This time is also allowed for those in the military to receive the bill at issue, read it, and send a messenger with their vote. He may call and recall the senate until a decision on his proposal is reached, but thereafter he must wait two weeks before he can call the senate again.

FURTHER PROPOSES: That the people of Hadria, by obtaining more than 10,000 signatures and submitting them to the senior senator, may call the senate, with the same criteria as before.

FURTHER PROPOSES: That the criteria also apply to emergency calls by the Emperor.

CONCLUDES: That having a more active senate is beneficial to the people, as such body is better equipped to respond to their needs and concerns faster."



He called in several literate servants, when he was done writing, to make as many copies as they could and put them all over the city of Hadria. Then, as the night wore on, he grew more and more tired as he paced around his bedchamber, nervous and biting his nails over the state of the Republic. It was here that he could synthesize, collect his thoughts, and show that charismatic, confident exterior he was famous for in the Senate and on the streets. After his foodtaster, who was mentally disabled and completely unaware of his job, ensured his food was not poisoned, he gladly partook, munching thoughtfully before setting the dish beside his door and quite literally falling on his bed, exhausted from another day of legislative philosophy.

[Caellath]

Durant, following his duty as the Praefectus and personal guard of the Emperor, followed him as the elder man left the Senate and soon left for the war council. His gaze still run across the areas they passed through, for two reasons:

First, he had to keep his eyes peeled for any threats at all times, even if such seemed paranoic to some; the Emperor would always have enemies in the scheming ranks of the Senate. Second, he was still checking if more soldiers would join the retinue any time soon. Although he hadn't left standing orders for them to do so, sometimes they felt obligated to assist his efforts and show their own devotion to the cause, unless he got them to return to their quarters, of course.

He motioned for one of his Guards - one of his most trusted ones, at that - to come closer, intent on discovering.
"Any other soldiers joining soon, kora?"

[Tiruin]

Kora saluted to the Prefect, in the custom taught to her by her father before her. She was dressed in the usual uniform - the tunic being a light shade, covered by the black armor with the auxiliary wear bearing vestiges of red, supporting her purple cape.

"Ave Praefactus! The men are ready and waiting for your command. My own compatriots are on standing orders by the gates as well. How fares our great Emperor, sir? Any personal wishes he needs fulfilled??"

[Ghazkull]

As the Emperor leaves and the Praetorians follow so do the Svebes. Rurik seeing the Praefectus and another Praetorian approaches, Gren in tow. He wore bluedyed clothes only a noble among the Svebes could afford,chainmail and a cloak from wolf fur. A seax and an axe hung in his belt.

Praefect. I hope you don't mind that i augmented the Guards at the gates by some of my own men.

[Caellath]

"The Emperor is fine, Kora. And no, he hasn't made any particular request." he answered, talking to the elven praetorian quite relaxedly. She was a warrior he could trust his life to, as far as he was concerned.

Durant shifted his gaze to the side, eyeing Rurik. "I do not mind it at all, Rurik. You are supposed to protect the Emperor, and so are we. More soldiers taking posts and standing guard usually means an enhancement of security, as far as I am concerned."

[filiusenox]

Fae politely, or as politely as he could tapped on Crassius’s shoulder, flashing a small, wry grin. “Care to have dinner with me and Kaeso at my manor tonight?” he asked, stretching his broad arms.

Then a small note was delivered to Kaeso, written in…finely ornamented gilt, somehow, at the end of the senate meeting, inviting the Dwarf to dinner at Fae’s manor. A similar message was delivered to Wulfric Bezar by way of voice. Fae stepped down the stairs, adjusting the tunic he wore, before nodding and asking the Dwarf if he wished to dine with him and two others, tonight.

[Shootandrun]

Kaeso opened the note as soon as he received it, read it carefully, and smiled. He sent back another note to Fae, written in a very different style (he used dwarven runes and the hadrian language, causing a strange mix) confirming his presence to the dinner. He sent another message at his own home, noting that he would be in Fae's estate for much of the night.

Kaeso goes to the dinner, alone and unarmed.

[Tiruin]

"I am glad to hear of his state, Prefect." Kora said happily upon receiving note from the good man before following him in his duties, ready to give aid.

[Ardas]

Fae politely, or as politely as he could tapped on Crassius’s shoulder, flashing a small, wry grin. “Care to have dinner with me and Kaeso at my manor tonight?” he asked, stretching his broad arms.

Then a small note was delivered to Kaeso, written in…finely ornamented gilt, somehow, at the end of the senate meeting, inviting the Dwarf to dinner at Fae’s manor. A similar message was delivered to Wulfric Bezar by way of voice. Fae stepped down the stairs, adjusting the tunic he wore, before nodding and asking the Dwarf if he wished to dine with him and two others, tonight.

"Why yes. it will be my pleasure."

--------------------------------------------------------------

After the votes, Crassius wanted to do a bit of work beofre he had the dinner with Fae. He went off to the market and after a short chat with some of his clients (a populares senator had plenty of plebs to see every day), he directed himslef towards waterfront, where various trades had opened their stores and offices. Crassius was eager to get on the latest business talk, and find out the prices of slaves, apart fomr the luxusries that sson will bei nhigh demand- war profits will make many of the plebs rich enough that soldierswill want to spend everything on thier families orthemsleves, indulgin in their instincts. It was olnly right that this money ended up in Crassius' purse, who looked after political interests of the people.

He did not hesitate to speak to the group of traders he knew some time now, but itnsted to get close with. Best deals can be easily got when you know the person in question.

"Gentlemen, its good to see you again! Its been a while has it not? Have you heard of the war preparations? Its been a talk of the forum ever since the morning. and we can't be found asleep, once the war money comes rolling in, hmm? I wanted to get in touch with the slave prices. You know, after the war people talk about glut of them, but what i found out is that... certain people on top are looking to buy up huge number of them, thinking that supply will outstrip demand. But provinces will be hungry for manpower, and to sell them cheaply will be at loss to you. Now, if i toldd you that I will have a certain supply of these war slaves, just for you, you will be able to make a fortune.

He paused, and looked at them mischeviously.

"I know, i know, this sounds unbelievable, but trust me on this. i only ask for good price. Now, if one wanted to open up a warehouse, just like you guys...."

Before evening dinner with Fae, talk to traders and try to get best wholesale price for slaves and inquire about best loans and buiness space for startup (+1 charisma). With that done, meet my populares colleague in his mansion, with few assisting servants.

[adwarf]

Wulfric nods as the man asked him, Fae was his name Wulfric thought, out of habit he rubs at the jagged scar upon his throat as he answers

"I'd be more then glad to dine with you, its been a while since I've dined with fellow senate members."

[Terenos]

Attend the War Council at Fort Solon.
----
Several days after the Senate meeting, at Fort Solon.

Derahoc Astralis was munching loudly on an apple and pouring over what maps of Whitepeak they had. He had been doing it for several hours in private. His first command would not be a disappointment.

"Well. Not much can really be said of plans or of necessary tactics without more information about the enemy. But we can surmise that they don't have the strength to match us in the field, hence their confederacy. A quick march on each successive city should prevent them from rallying their forces to deal us any serious blow. This should be a campaign of speed.  We will have to be aware of the possibility that they'll try to use the terrain against us, but I believe there are no major ambush spots that they can use against us.

A simple campaign. Legio I advances supported by Legio II and III. The only danger is that they out maneuver us and attempt to dispatch the Legions of myself and Senator Marcus Julius. I have doubts that such a plan will save them from their inevitable defeat but may serve to weaken the Empire in the long run."