Nikolaos Stephanos:
Nikolaos heard a knock at the door and grumbled as he got up from his work. He had been reading a report from a trader in Lisboa. Rhodes is not a big island and he'd been in the business for a while. The other merchants seemed to look up to him as a kind of elder statesman. A knowledgeable master of the art.
He chuckled at the thought as he opened the door. At the door was a man in the uniform of The Knights. The man said in a gruff voice, "Is this the residence of Nikolaos Stephemaos?" Nikolaos answered, "Yes, it is. Why do you ask?" "You're wanted at the Palace. By the Grandmaster himself."
Nikolaos thanked the man and shut the door. His heart was beating hard. A meeting with the Grandmaster? This could be his chance for power; real power, not his status as advisor to these peddling merchants. He quickly got dressed and left for the Palace.
When he arrived he was told to wait until the Grandmaster was ready to recieve. After a short wait he was admitted to the Grandmaster's hall. Grandmaster Philibert de Naillac was a very noble and well-respected man. He had only become Grandmaster 3 years ago but was already very much adapted to his position. He ran The Knights efficiently.
Nikolaos kneeled and murmered, "You called for me Grandmaster?" The Grandmaster grimaced and said, "Oh rise, come on." Nikolaos hurridly got to his feet as the Grandmaster continued talking, "Yes I sent for you. I need you for an important matter of state." He gestured to the guards. "You may leave."
Nikolaos trembled as the guards left. Something too important for even the guards to hear? The Grandmaster noticed and chuckled. "Don't worry I only told them to leave so I wouldn't have to keep in form." His posture relaxed significantly and he stretched his arms. "You wouldn't believe how stiff you get!" He sat down at a table in the corner. Nikolaos stood still, a confused look on his face. The Grandmaster motioned and said, "Come take a seat and let's talk business."
Nikolaos carefully took a seat opposite the Grandmaster. As Grandmaster began to speak his voice took on a much more serious tone, "Our Order operates mainly on cash reserves from the Crusades but they are dwindling fast. The Pope seems to have decided that the heathens can keep the Holy Land." He grimaced and continued. " If we're to continue to operate we're going to need to start making money somehow. These Orthodox heretics on the island don't pay too much in tax so we've decided to focus on trade. You're to gather a large caravan and travel to Venice. They have always been our friends and so they will recieve you well. Your goal will be to set up a permanent trade route with them."
"Of course I'd never ask you to do this without the promise of payment. I'm willing to finance the whole expedition as well as allowing you and anyone you bring with you a certain degree of freedom from regulations and control. Do we have a deal?" Nikolaos had been running through a mental list of who and what he'd have to get before he departed but stopped when he heard the question that was directed at him. "Yes. Yes I can do that for you Grandmaster. Thank you so much for the oppurtunity. I won't dissapoint!" He shook the Grandmaster's hand and hastily departed to start to organize this expedition.
(We moved one step towards Free Trade and sent two merchants to Venice)
Bene Grassi:
"Yes that's coming along quite nicely. It'll look wonderful hanging in the grand hall." Bene Grassi was visiting the workshop of the artist Ferdandus di Rachii. Hanging in the workshop was a half-finished tapestry detailing the history of the Order.
"Remember though that I need this done for next January. I need to show it at my ball. It will be my first and I intend to make an impact." Di Rachii smiled and said, "Don't worry it will be done and it will be magnificint!" Bene, already halfway out the door, muttered, "It better be for what I'm paying you..."
(We commisioned a tapestry)
Lucus Alexyo:
"Lucus, Lucus, come quick!" Lucus was sleeping on the grassy hillside, when his best friend Pavlos came running up. "Wake up Lucas wake up!"
Lucus slowly opened his eyes and mumbled, "What, what's going on? Are the Ottoman's invading?"
"No, the next best thing! There's a ship battle! C'mon!" The two boys raced to the nearby cliffs and stopped at the edge, amazed looks on their faces.
Seven huge galleys of Byzantium were attacking a small cog flying the flag of Ramazan. One of the galleys had managed to pull up right beside it and there was an duel raging between the archers of both boats. The Ramazan archers had managed, despite being outnumbered, to drive the Byzantians below deck. But while they were cheering their victory, the other galleys were manouvering.
It was dangerous to sail this close to shore, rocks jutted up everywhere. The Ramazans were probably counting on the Byzantians sinking themselves. But the battle had bought them the time they needed to shift into position. Now one of them had a clear run at the cog.
The boys cheered as the galley smashed into the cog sending it down to the bottom. The archers on board picked off the sailers as they swam for the island. None made it away.
"That was amazing! Thanks for coming to get me Pavlos! Too bad The Knights weren't there or the battle would have been over way quicker!"
(There was a battle off the coast of Rhodes)
Theodoros Raptis:
Theodoros banged his mailed fist on the table, "I don't care what you say, we should be there supporting our Pope!" He was sitting at a table with serveral senior knights.
"Look Raptis, you're going to have to see this our way. The Pope has more than enough forces at his command. The battle's already won, he's just sieging the city now! Surely we are of better use here, watching over the people of the island? These Orthodox heretics are seeming mighty rebellious as of late."
Theodoros thought to himself, how dare these people even call themselves Knights! They had no appreciation for honour and glory. But he knew that if he did not buckle to their will than he risked expulsion from the Order. He smiled tightly and said, "You are right, of course. The role of Knights is to watch over peasents, not siege castles. Thank you for the conversation." And with that he walked out the door of the barracks, still dressed in his armour.
(The Papal State, our ally, went to war with the neighboring city of Urbino)
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Topic: Let's Play EU3, The Knights will rule! (Read 9689 times)