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{{ @House Doukas - use spoilers when posting such huge OT images please. }}
 
Senator Banoub ibn Mahdi Rashid (unaffiliated):
Senator Theon Muzaka (unaffiliated):

"This proposal is... interesting, senator Rashid. In past, we Muzakas prospered exactly because of our own grain. However, in last years situation worsened, as the Plague hit hardest at the coast and lowlands and killed over half of our farmers. Not to mention what this new trade link could mean our other business...
Yes, I think I could accept such a deal, for now. When our own fiels recover, we may have to work out something else."

*Banoub chuckles to himself.*

"Forgive my ignorance of the geography of your homeland, Senator. And as for your deal, after our outputs pick up, perhaps I can share with you some of the... finer things that come through Rashid. Ever since we made connections with the island of Ceylon off the coast of Al-Hind, many strange and exotic items have been streaming into the ports of the Mediterannean.

You say your house is based in the theme of Epirus. With your influence over the Strait of Otranto and mine over the Nile delta, perhaps we would both profit in this relationship."
 
{{@McGrey, who are you addressing? I'd like to finish with Rashid, and two have moved bit away from Habsburg and Hohenzollern.}}

{{Ah, I was under the Impression that you still stand together. Well, then I mostly speaking to the germans, although you can come over if you are finished.}}
 
President of the Senate Isaakios Komnenos:

Senator Alexios Este-Ravenna (Red Demes Speaker):
A sinking feeling settles in his gut. "But of course, Dekarchos. I live to serve."

Alexios turns to his fellow Reds, and says, "I ask that you consider my words as I have considered yours. We must stand together." And then follows the man.
You are escorted by the guardsmen back to the Magnaura, entering the building through the heavy door where another two members of the Guard stand. The Great Hall is now silent and empty – even the eunuchs writing the minutes of the session have left for recess. Y your footsteps echo in the chamber as you approach the seat of the President where Isaakios Komnenos sits.

You stop in the middle of the room. Dekarchos looks up at the President and extends his right arm in a salute but before he can speak Komnenos interrupts him.

- Thank you, dekarchos. Now leave us.

Dekarchos bows before the President, turns around and heads to the exit accompanied by both guardsmen. The heavy door closes and you are left with the President, alone in the Great Hall. Isaakios observes you for a while and strokes his red beard several times before speaking.

- So, senator Este-Ravenna... what is your opinion on Sophia of the Great House Angelos, daughter of Niketas?
 
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{{ Reds about to add another name to the long list of Reds executed for heresy...

And potentially the second speaker to suffer that fate}}
 
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Senator Jakov Desmerti
Jakov Looks at Mandromenos. My friend. We are fellow demes. We are fellow military men, and we are fellow servants of the Imperium. Colombo, whatever else he is, is loyal. He has told me that he has plan, free of the idiocy or intrigue of of the other parties to save the imperium.

However, I had a caveat. I told him that I could only join his plot, whatever it may be, if my honorable, capable, and intelligent friend Mandromenos approved the plan. You are the very personification of the Red Demes, better than that simpering Este-Ravenna, better then that fool Taurinus, more trustworthy, he shrugs his shoulders, then a cripple with a bad reputation.

What do you say? Is it worth hearing what he has to say?

@Mach Twelve

Senator Philaretos Mandromenos (Red Demes):

*Does he truly believe that kind words can bait me? I am not my brother Alexandros, he would have accepted this compliment and agreed to whatever Colombo had to say. But at the same time, rejecting outright would be an insult. My relation with Pylaeus, who has proven to be more honorable than my brother stated in his letter to me before he died, will be jeopardized by contact with a man that he had detained. But at the same time, a relation with another Speaker would be valuable, not only to my house's benefit, but to the Reds as a whole. What to do, what to do... I suppose words and proposals are cheap, meaningless without actions. Even if he suggests heresy, if I do not allow it to occur, it would be no evil done...*

Very well, I will listen to dear Colombo's words, and will consider what he proposes.
 
Senator Theon Muzaka (unaffiliated):
Senator Banoub ibn Mahdi Rashid (unaffiliated):"Forgive my ignorance of the geography of your homeland, Senator. And as for your deal, after our outputs pick up, perhaps I can share with you some of the... finer things that come through Rashid. Ever since we made connections with the island of Ceylon off the coast of Al-Hind, many strange and exotic items have been streaming into the ports of the Mediterannean.

You say your house is based in the theme of Epirus. With your influence over the Strait of Otranto and mine over the Nile delta, perhaps we would both profit in this relationship."

"Hindustani goods are harder for us to get." Theon grins at Rashid, revealing gaping hole in middle of is teeth, where bullet once broke trough his helm. "As I mentioned, I'm not a clerk or trader, but my cousin has not much else on his head. This connection between our seats can prove very lucrative. In return, we can supply you with wool, lumber, metals and lesser merchandise. Is that acceptable to you?"
 
President of the Senate Isaakios Komnenos:


You are escorted by the guardsmen back to the Magnaura, entering the building through the heavy door where another two members of the Guard stand. The Great Hall is now silent and empty – even the eunuchs writing the minutes of the session have left for recess. Y your footsteps echo in the chamber as you approach the seat of the President where Isaakios Komnenos sits.

You stop in the middle of the room. Dekarchos looks up at the President and extends his right arm in a salute but before he can speak Komnenos interrupts him.

- Thank you, dekarchos. Now leave us.

Dekarchos bows before the President, turns around and heads to the exit accompanied by both guardsmen. The heavy door closes and you are left with the President, alone in the Great Hall. Isaakios observes you for a while and strokes his red beard several times before speaking.

- So, senator Este-Ravenna... what is your opinion on Sophia of the Great House Angelos, daughter of Niketas?


Senator Alexios Este-Ravenna (Red Demes Speaker):

And so it begins. He had been fearing this for some time now, and Alexios remained calm and contemplative. He did not fear death; he knew, as God knew, that he was a loyal Roman and Christian. Whatever game the President was playing, he would let the dice fall as they may.

"Though I do not deign to speak ill of an Angeloi, the teachings of Sophia of the House Angelos are a direct threat to the wellbeing of the Imperium and must be met with decisive action. Her words have incited many to rebellion and treason and threaten my home province with yet more war and strife. Heretics must be cleansed with steel and fire; though the speed of the spread troubles me, and I fear it speaks to the sorry state of the Imperium, as Rome was so busy fighting for its survival to handle what otherwise might have been a brief upsurge of heresy; and so I think Sophia is in some sense a symptom of Rome's tribulations, for misery loves company. As order is restored and the heretics purged the movement will fade into obscurity."

One can hope.
 
Senator David Ignacion (Unaffiliated):

Fellow Senator, it's good to see the unaffiliated deep in discussions, doubtless of most important matters. May I inquire your opinion of the topics at hand, of the so called “Lady Angelina” and her followers?

David had heard senator's mutter "Unaffiliated" and assumed that he was being called to. He turned from his position and grabbed his attention to face the senator whom he assumed gave the call.

"If I may speak my mind Senator Melissenos, I do not agree with her preachings. That doesn't mean however that keen on the idea of simply allowing it to spread indiscriminately. It is indeed a troubling subject because letting this..." he couldn't bring himself to say heresy, so he simply skipped it "... run rampant would undermine the authority of the throne and the patriarchate. However, if we were to intervene, her followers could have cause to rebel. Frankly our Imperium has had enough rebellion in recent days. Chaos and stability, both powerful but one cannot exist with the other... can it?"

{{Sorry if I butted in inappropriately, I heard unaffiliated and it seemed like a fine time to jump in.}}
 
President of the Senate Isaakios Komnenos:
Senator Alexios Este-Ravenna (Red Demes Speaker):

"Though I do not deign to speak ill of an Angeloi, the teachings of Sophia of the House Angelos are a direct threat to the wellbeing of the Imperium and must be met with decisive action. Her words have incited many to rebellion and treason and threaten my home province with yet more war and strife. Heretics must be cleansed with steel and fire; though the speed of the spread troubles me, and I fear it speaks to the sorry state of the Imperium, as Rome was so busy fighting for its survival to handle what otherwise might have been a brief upsurge of heresy; and so I think Sophia is in some sense a symptom of Rome's tribulations, for misery loves company. As order is restored and the heretics purged the movement will fade into obscurity."

Isaakios observes you carefully while listening to your answer and you can feel that there is harshness in his gaze. When you finish silence again fills the Great Hall. After a long while Komnenos speaks.

- Amen.

He points his thick index finger at you.

- Have you ever killed a man, senator?
 
Senator Banoub ibn Mahdi Rashid (Unaffiliated):
Senator Theon Muzaka (unaffiliated):


"Hindustani goods are harder for us to get." Theon grins at Rashid, revealing gaping hole in middle of is teeth, where bullet once broke trough his helm. "As I mentioned, I'm not a clerk or trader, but my cousin has not much else on his head. This connection between our seats can prove very lucrative. In return, we can supply you with wool, lumber, metals and lesser merchandise. Is that acceptable to you?"

"Ah, yes. Those goods are in dire need in Rashid, as I am trying to expand and resupply the army and fortifications ever since the attacks of the Sons of Timur. I think, even as a man without a background in trading, that you can respect the universal demand for goods such as wool for warm clothing and timber for sturdy ships."

*Banoub calls over for paper and eunichs to sign the deal. He rubs his stomach.*

"All this talk of grain and gold is making me hungry. Perhaps we should return to the other unaligned while the eunuchs sign our buisness arrangement."
 
Senator Theon Muzaka (unaffiliated):
Senator Banoub ibn Mahdi Rashid (Unaffiliated):

"Ah, yes. Those goods are in dire need in Rashid, as I am trying to expand and resupply the army and fortifications ever since the attacks of the Sons of Timur. I think, even as a man without a background in trading, that you can respect the universal demand for goods such as wool for warm clothing and timber for sturdy ships."

*Banoub calls over for paper and eunichs to sign the deal. He rubs his stomach.*

"All this talk of grain and gold is making me hungry. Perhaps we should return to the other unaligned while the eunuchs sign our buisness arrangement."
"So be it." Theon moves his goblet on left hand and and holds out his right, to seal agreement with handshake. "I'm expecting much of this partnership, senator Rashid."
 
Senator David Ignacion (Unaffiliated):



David had heard senator's mutter "Unaffiliated" and assumed that he was being called to. He turned from his position and grabbed his attention to face the senator whom he assumed gave the call.

"If I may speak my mind Senator Melissenos, I do not agree with her preachings. That doesn't mean however that keen on the idea of simply allowing it to spread indiscriminately. It is indeed a troubling subject because letting this..." he couldn't bring himself to say heresy, so he simply skipped it "... run rampant would undermine the authority of the throne and the patriarchate. However, if we were to intervene, her followers could have cause to rebel. Frankly our Imperium has had enough rebellion in recent days. Chaos and stability, both powerful but one cannot exist with the other... can it?"

{{Sorry if I butted in inappropriately, I heard unaffiliated and it seemed like a fine time to jump in.}}

Senator Lazaros II. Melissenos (white Demes)

*Lazaros nods slowly.*

That's the dilemma we're in. One could hope, that a synod would be able to end this heresy peacefully and through argumentation, but if it comes to fighting, there are dark days ahead indeed. I hope, this senate will act with all the necessary carefulness this matter deserves.

*He nods again, before changing the topic.*

I heard you stem from Corfu, Senator Ignacion, a beautiful island, as far as I heard. Say, with all this rebellions and the remnants of the plaque, how well are you informed over the political power play of the Dynastoi at the moment? In particular between the Dalassenoi and the Komnenoi? They stalk around each other like hungry predators, always on the lookout for an advantage. With the Senate possibly such an advantage, we should really be careful lest we became pawns in a game that can be sacrificed as necessary. Though in the game of chess, a pawn can become a queen if we play our cards right. What do you think?
 
{{That's a great resource. It will be interesting to read trough them. Can we edit our House pages? Perhaps it would be good if we write what information is public knowlege and what is private or known only to our allies?}}
 
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Senator David Ignacion (Unaffiliated):

I heard you stem from Corfu, Senator Ignacion, a beautiful island, as far as I heard. Say, with all this rebellions and the remnants of the plaque, how well are you informed over the political power play of the Dynastoi at the moment? In particular between the Dalassenoi and the Komnenoi? They stalk around each other like hungry predators, always on the lookout for an advantage. With the Senate possibly such an advantage, we should really be careful lest we became pawns in a game that can be sacrificed as necessary. Though in the game of chess, a pawn can become a queen if we play our cards right. What do you think?

"Not well informed unfortunately. Hired Ships carrying goods and information from the mainland almost ceased during the plague. I only recently joined the Senate so I must confess that the squabbles to two admittedly great houses do not interest me. I must however admit... becoming a pawn in a game far larger than me can be frightening."
 
Senator David Ignacion (Unaffiliated):
"Not well informed unfortunately. Hired Ships carrying goods and information from the mainland almost ceased during the plague. I only recently joined the Senate so I must confess that the squabbles to two admittedly great houses do not interest me. I must however admit... becoming a pawn in a game far larger than me can be frightening."

Senator Lazaros II. Melissenos (White)

Indeed it can.

*Lazaros nods in agreement.*

We Aristoi are small compared to the Dynastoi, but we're numerous and if the senate works together, we're a power that has to be reckoned with. Parts of the senate, particular the whites have decided, to support the Dalassenoi for now, using the opportunity to gain ground in their wake. It's admittedly a dangerous game, but again: The more we are, the more leverage we have. Together we can play the game of the Dynastoi. And win it. Think about it, that's all that I say.
 
Leon Taurinus (Red Demes):

*With the Red's leader gone and everyone apparently focused on plotting and scheming Leon searches out Senator Wedrovander*
"As it seems our faction leader is occupied i thought now would be a good time to speak with you while everyone else seems focused on politics in the senate. While I am confident of course that the Imperium will safeguard Cherson and deal with the rebels in the countryside of Taurica and deal with the unrest in Italia quickly. However, given the uncertainty at the moment perhaps we should look into some, alternate plans such as a site in Greece or one of the islands."
 
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