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[Ardas]

Crassius was still massaging the side of his jaw, after earning a solid punch from someone. This was the peak of disorganisation. Damn dwarves and damn hotheads of his own party.

"Lucullus can blare about investigation all he wants." He thought silently.
With Basilica looking like a roadside tavern in Palkis*, it was no wonder that emperors arose to power. No investigation would help, because no one would be interested, sepecially the short ones. Either dwarves would have to go or Kaeso would have to make big sacrifices to keep his place in the senate.

Call for a meeting of all Popular senators in Crassius' baths.
--------------------------------------------
At Fae's dinner...

Led to the dinner, Crassius asked for a goblet of wine and a metal spoon dipped in ice water to put on the side of his jaw where he earned the fist.
"Where is your master? and has the empror arrived yet?" He asked anxiously.

*Small town on the Hadrian- Whitepeak border, notorious smuggler outpost

[Urist_McDrowner]

Letter to Kaeso

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Illustrious Peregrinus,

I don't know what I'm going to do yet. I do want justice, and if it becomes apparent to me that justice will not be served by waiting, I will press charges.

Sincerely,
Hetairos

[Urist McBeanie]

After leaving his letter to the emperor with one of Flavius' messengers, Gragrar Jynson left his study to speak with the elves in the camp.

Recall what I can remember about the elves' culture.

Spoiler: Letter to the Emperor (In Case It Was Missed) (click to show/hide)

Emperor Septimus,
    I am Gragrar of the Jynson family, I left Hadria five years ago seeing as my two brothers were to succeed my father before I would have such an opportunity. I left to seek knowledge and potential fortune at distant lands. But having heard from my mother that my father and brothers had all unfortunately died. I took a ship to return. I arrived in Cystem, unaware of how much tensions had raised in these past five years between Hadria and the Confederation. Upon learning of it, I settled here amongst the elves' outpost as they requested no money, which I had all but spent in order to return on such short notice. I waited until people would be allowed within the capital of Hadria without suspicion, seeing as I did not intend to be searched and interrogated upon returning to my home. Now, I humbly request that you allow me back into Hadria so that I may rejoin my mother and take up my fathers title.

Sincerely,
Gragrar Jynson

[Sheb]

Justice was one of the Emperor's prerogative. Lucullus needed to talk to him.

Ask for an audience with the Emperor.

[Shootandrun]

After a time of deliberation, during which a rather angry Kaeso had a chat with the master of the assembly, [3 vs 1] it was decided that the senators who had fought against Hetairos were not to blame. It had been explained that they were trying to defend Fae; having seen the man's bodyguard attacking another senator, they had drawn their own conclusions. Further investigations would be lead to see whether or not the bodyguard had been justified in his actions, but for now the senators would be allowed to participate in the voting as usual.

Overall, the political balance of the senate had not changed, but many dwarven senators looked across the chamber at Lucullus with a certain anger - he had, after all, tried to have them suspended.

Senatorial votes

In a rather massive confusion, the senators returned to their seats and were called to vote by the master of the assembly one by one. Yes, there had been a brawl; yes, the emperor had apparently fled the senate; and yes, a senator had been stabbed, but that was no excuse to delay the votes, since multiple senators had been so hasty to bring the senate back to order!

[3 vs 4, 5 vs 2, 4 vs 4, 5 vs 5+2][3 vs 4] In an incredibly narrow vote, the motion put forward by Kaeso to go to war was refused, although it was only a matter of a few populares, whose faction had been divided.

[6+1-2] As the vote was ending, the same dwarf who had put forward the motion got up and walked up to the podium. He spoke in a confident voice, and although most senators could guess what he was about to do, they allowed him to speak - such were the laws of the senate.

"Senators! I know the master of the assembly has already decided to keep the session going, despite the recent events. However, I must ask him to reconsider his decision; after all, the vote was very narrow - if the emperor and the wounded senator had been present, the outcome could have been changed. While it is most unusual to vote twice for the same motion, we cannot allow one of high importance such as this one to be refused on the basis of an overly quick vote profiting from the absence of two prominent members of the senate.

That is all I had to say, senators - as per usual, I thank you for your time."

Although everyone in the assembly knew he would have done no such thing if he had won the vote narrowly, the master of the assembly was forced to acknowledge that he had a point. After a long hesitation and numerous glares sent across the room, it was decided that there was wisdom in the dwarf's words, and that the session would be delayed by a week for the circumstances.

The votes are delayed by one week. During this time, the senators are free to do as they please, although staying in the city in order to be present for the session would be wise.

Call for a meeting of all Popular senators in Crassius' baths.

[4] Most of the senators of your faction show up right after the session's end at your baths, but they are quite curious as to why they were invited.

[Eктωρ]

((This is my first post, so disregard if I make mistakes regarding where my character is or the situation it stands))

Andros looked at the scene: An agitator trying to disturb peace in the region that had been conquered. This mildly irritated him, but he would not allow his emotions to get ahead of his objective there. He was but a tribune, and if he expected to rise in the ranks of the army, he had to make powerful friends.

He calmly walked to the Legate, noticing that him too had been angered by the insolence of that man that insisted in defending mere barbarians; he walked besides him and whispered in his ear:

Hail, Legate. I am Tribune Andros Polemophilos; as a servant and man under your rule, I have noticed that you might be in need of a strong hand and a loyal officer. These recent events with this agitator seem to disturb you, know that if you need someone to deal with this, I won't hesitate to take your orders or even to advise you if so you see fit. This is all I have to tell you, I shall disturb you no more.

Andros then saluted and tried to walk away casually, trying not to induce suspicion of anything he had done.

Introduce myself to Marcus Julius Flavii and try to earn his trust.

[Ardas]

Crassius looked at gathered men. They shared his views and his mindset, but they were clearly not feeling the situation, if they were willing to give into fights.

"Gentlemen, I gathered you here to ask, what in the hell were you thinking in gving in to that stupid brawl. We need to act united and calm in the interest of the people if we are to make an impact!"

His brief annoyance turned into determination when he spoke again.

"I do not claim to be your leader, but I can consider myself a man of high standing among our group and I think it would be about time if we united our efforts under oen person, instead of giving in to those ridiculous brawls with dwarves! If I may say so, I am the man with most legal initative, most contacts and as far as we are concenred, with most imperial attention. I suspect it would be only natural if you would allow me to guide our party. If anyone has an counter-argument, I stand and wait for it."

Speak to my party. Try to obtain leadership over it to prevent further disruptions and to ensure our position in the senate.

[Shootandrun]

Speak to my party. Try to obtain leadership over it to prevent further disruptions and to ensure our position in the senate.

[4-1][2-1] After a short discussion, the members of your faction give you a nearly unanimous answer: no. The reasons varied, but it generally orbited around "Why you and not me?" or "Why you and not that one?". The faction is too divided to choose a single man to represent them. [5] This does not seem to affect your relation with them, however: thankfully, they saw the wisdom of your idea if not of your suggestion, and still hold you in high respect.

Promise that at least the half of the elven settlement will stay in the city as the populance slaves.

[5] After much discussion, the citizens reluctantly accept... And the hunt begins.

[5] From that point on, the entire operation goes surprisingly well. The elves offer little to no resistance (the brave ones were all killed by angry mobs decades ago) and mostly comply to their unfortunate destiny.

4 units of slaves are caught. Two go to the citizens (no city growth), and you are free to do as you please with the other two.

[Dragor23]

Pick out the prettiest young elf girls from the two units of slaves and send them to Lucullus.

Get the smartest elf as personal slave.

Gift the emperor 2 units slaves. Lucullus personal regiment will act as guards.

[Ardas]

Crassius left his baths. These people were too disorganised to do any real business. They failed to apprecieate the gravity of the situation and they would pay. but that would be later.

In a true popular fashion however, he intended to open his doors to the less well-off citizens and help them out. He wanted to make an impact and extend patronage to those who had to fend for themselves for so long. He was looking forward to cases and problems he could fix and ingratiate himself to the people of those areas that were looking for a protector.

Open my doors and offer patronage and help to people in lower district and slums (city influence)

[Taricus]

Aftermath of the senate brawl:
Titus and his unit silently left the senate roof after the brawl started, being uninterested in the standard politics of it. They did leave with a diminshed view of the emperor, his cowardise was jarring to say the least...

Titus intercepts the slaves being sent to the capital, commanding the first cohort to aid him

[Urist_McDrowner]

Supported by a bodyguard, with two other heavily armed fellows flanking him, Hetairos walked, as proudly as he could with one arm around the shoulder of a bodyguard with support, all the way to the door of the master of the assembly. It had been an even more difficult horse ride, but he figured it was rather important to get this message to him now.


Knock on the door, see if the master of the assembly or any of his servants are home.

[filiusenox]

A meal, much less lavish than the one cooked earlier for a simple luncheon, was set onto a table, and the emperor and guard were politely brought in, as well as Crassius and Kaeso. Fae hurriedly excused himself, slipping out the door and getting dressed in a thin grey tunic and blue robe/cape combo, the edges of which were lined with a golden type of fur.

“Sorry for he lack of expense on dinner,” Fae started, the dinner obviously very expensive and lavish, “But I expected you earlier, and I happened to have gave most of the scraps from the lunch to the poor and needy.”

[thatkid]

Pick out the prettiest young elf girls from the two units of slaves and send them to Lucullus.

Get the smartest elf as personal slave.

Gift the emperor 2 units slaves. Lucullus personal regiment will act as guards.

Aftermath of the senate brawl:
Titus and his unit silently left the senate roof after the brawl started, being uninterested in the standard politics of it. They did leave with a diminshed view of the emperor, his cowardise was jarring to say the least...

Titus intercepts the slaves being sent to the capital, commanding the first cohort to aid him

[?-1] The prettiest and youngest (ech) of the elven slave girls arrive at Lucullus' estates in due time, with no difficulties along the way.

[?] You pick out an elven slave who appears to be rather well-educated, to serve as your personal assistant. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

[4-2] The first cohort moves as quickly as it can to try and intercept the slaves, however despite their best efforts, they always remain a step or two behind. [1] Until, however, a band of cloaked figures descend upon Lucullus' Personal Guard in the middle of the night, bearing not weapons, but the chaos born of fire and noise. [6] They are quickly driven away, and all reports later indicate that none actually bore any weapons, but they strike again and again throughout the next several nights, slowing the guard down and giving Titus' band time to catch up.

Spoiler: Lucullus' Group (click to show/hide)

1 Infantry (2/2)
General Not Present

Spoiler: Titus' Group (click to show/hide)

1 Heavy Disciplined Infantry (6/2) - Exhausted from Forced Marching
General: Titus Severus
No Relevant Skills

[2 vs 2] Without hesitation, Titus commands his cohort to assault the guardsmen. Arrows rain down, even as the guards charge Titus' position. For a brief moment, the battle is a draw.
Guardsmen Health: 1
Cohort Health: 1

[2 vs 3] Finally, however, by dropping off into the shrubbery along the side, the Skirmishers are able to outmaneuver, and then destroy, the Guardsmen- Though not without heavy losses on their own end.

Lucullus' Personal Guard has been wiped out. Titus' Cohort (1 Disciplined Heavy Infantry from the 1st Legion) is destroyed as well. Titus commandeers 2 Units of Elven Slaves to do with as he likes. He is 2 Days from the Capital.

Crassius left his baths. These people were too disorganised to do any real business. They failed to apprecieate the gravity of the situation and they would pay. but that would be later.

In a true popular fashion however, he intended to open his doors to the less well-off citizens and help them out. He wanted to make an impact and extend patronage to those who had to fend for themselves for so long. He was looking forward to cases and problems he could fix and ingratiate himself to the people of those areas that were looking for a protector.

Open my doors and offer patronage and help to people in lower district and slums (city influence)

[4+1][?] You're lucky. Very lucky, in fact. Not many people actually come to you seeking help, but those who do bring problems which are easily fixed. For your generosity and support of the lower classes, you quickly begin to garner even greater favor with the poorer members of the city. It quickly becomes clear, however, through your work, that crime has begun to grow rampant within the lower district and slums. It's hard to come across someone who isn't involved, in some small way, with the local criminal element...Most of whom seem to be elves.

A meal, much less lavish than the one cooked earlier for a simple luncheon, was set onto a table, and the emperor and guard were politely brought in, as well as Crassius and Kaeso. Fae hurriedly excused himself, slipping out the door and getting dressed in a thin grey tunic and blue robe/cape combo, the edges of which were lined with a golden type of fur.

“Sorry for he lack of expense on dinner,” Fae started, the dinner obviously very expensive and lavish, “But I expected you earlier, and I happened to have gave most of the scraps from the lunch to the poor and needy.”

Several Days After the Dinner...
[3] Shortly after leaving your Private Study, the room begins to burn, destroying several key documents as well as the study itself. Luckily, you were not present at the time. [5] With even greater luck, a passing servant notices the smoke and then the fire. As such, it is quickly put out before any greater damage is done to your estate or the people within. [2] While the fire was clearly started by someone (the scent of burning lamp oil hangs heavily in the air), your bodyguard, and the servants, are all adamant that the only person who was anywhere near the study at that time of night was yourself.

[Sheb]

Bad news kept coming in. The Emperor had ignored his demand for an audience, and Marcus Flavius had sent him two elven slaves. This wasn't bad news per se, but it meant rumors were going on. He couldn't allow his reputation to be tarnished. And last but not least, his slaves' handlers told him his whole Lictors' regiment had been killed when defending a tribute of slave to the Emperor. Apparently by men of the Legio Hadria. The Emperor's legion stealing the Emperor's tributes? It just didn't make any sense. Either Septimus had gone mad, or rebellion was afoot.

The slaves were dispatched to the country to work on one of his farm to quell any rumor. Now he had graver things to attend.

Go to the Imperial Palace and request a meeting. Do not leave until I meet the Emperor, grave things are afoot. Bring one of the slave guard as witness.