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Imperator1993

Southern Byzantophile
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Dec 5, 2010
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Basilios_II.jpg

The Throne of the Autokrator

Welcome all to my first attempt to create a forum game, as the title should tell you this game will be set in everyones favorite mideval empire. I took the idea from RedNomNoms "Saint Peter's throne" (and who's format I have also taken :D). I will be the game moderator and you the players will be members of the Byzantine nobility or bureaucracy. You, the player, shall navigate your character through the shady world of Imperial Byzantine politics.

The game begins on January 1st 1068 with the coronation of Romanos IV as Basileus. This a time of great turmoil for the Empire as the Seljuk Turks invade from the east and the nobles and officials plot against each other for the Imperial throne. Will you take the ancient throne of Ceasar and Augustus and bring the Roman Empire back to its former glory?



Rules of the Throne of the Autokrator


How to Join
Anyone can join at anytime.

All people who join must be either a noble or a court official/eunuch. For the first Basileus, Romanos IV, who ever signs up first get the choice of being the emperor. Also there is Michael VII, the junior emperor to Romanos, he will also be playable but on a first come first serve basis like Romanos. After the emperors are assigned other characters will be created, historical and non-historical players may be used.

To join use the following format.

Name:
Birth Year:
Dynasty:
Field: (Must be noblity or bureaucrat)
Biography: (Short background story for your character)

Once you create your character you automatically get a small landed estate, this will serve as your starting income. You can buy more estates and gain a salary for postions in the court. All postions are appointed by the emperor. Postions include the commander of a Theme (Imperial administrative district) or a postion at court.

If a player's character dies, the player is welcome to create a new one. Players are strongly encouraged to create a family for their character, so that when their character dies, a family member can succeed them. Players who do this will get some on the income, wealth, and influence carried over from their last character as 'inheritance.' Every character has a 5% chance of dying at 55, and increases 1% every year they are older than 55.


How the game works

The Byzantine government is famous for it's complex system of aristocracy and bureaucracy but for the sake of simplicty and to keep the game running smoothly I will try to make the system less complex. For the Themes I will be using duchies of Crusader Kings 2 to represent the Themes of the Empire. The Themes are the provinces of the Empire and where the troops are raised from when the Empire is at war. As the commander of Theme you are free to do as you wish inside the Theme, this includes corruption and provincal improvements.

The Emperor

Obviously the most important person in the game, the Emperor/Basileus is the in theory absolute ruler of the empire, in practice the empeor must be careful not to push the nobilty towards revolt or plot to despose the emperor in a coup. The emperor has many duties such as appointing the commanders of the Themes, appointing officals to postions of power, and in general leading the empire either on the battlefield or in Constatinople. The postion of junior/co-emperor is of less importance and he has much less power then his senior counterpart, but he is also recogonized as the heir to the empire should the Emperor die, this makes his postion very important for the emperor and the other characters.

Imperial Powers

The Emperor's powers include the ability to appoint and dismiss officals and Theme commanders for any reason. However to sieze wealth, estates, or to imprison characters the Emperor must have a legitimate reason, such as treason or other crimes. The Emperor also has the power to excommunicate any character from the Orthodox Church but to do so he must inform the Patriarch. The Patriarch is an NPC, so the Emperor must PM me giving the name of the character and the reason for excoummunication. If a character is excommunicated he may appeal to the Patriarch to let him back into the church. If a character is excommunicated his influence stat will drop very low and will remain that way until he is readmitted to the church. The emperor also has the power to grant honorific court titles to anyone he wishes, these titles increase a player's influence stat. The Emperor may also, if the postion is vacant, appoint his co-emperor who is the heir to the Imperial throne, normally the Emperor wants to reserve this title for his successor but in some cases the other players can force the Emperor to appoint someone else to the postion.

The Imperial Court

The court is the heart and soul of the Empire, this is where the Emperor resides along with his family and the most important officals in the empire. It is from here the Emperor may issue edicts and laws. Now the main postions of power that characters can hold are as follows, also the Emperor is free to appoint and dismiss at anytime for any reason.

Protasekretis- This postion is mainly secretarial, his duties are to make sure the orders of the Emperor and other officials are carried out, he also process requests to the Emperor and who can gain an audience with the Emperor.

Megas Domestikos- The commander in chief of the Imperial Army, below the Emperor, his duties include preparing the army for war, and raising troops from the Themes, during times of war he is free to raise troops from any Theme he sees fit, he can also contract mercenaries for the Imperial army but he must make sure there is money in the Imperial treasury to pay for the troops. The Megas Domestikos may also use money from the treasury to expand the number of troops in the Themes but to do he must first gain premission from the Emperor and the commander of the Theme.

Megas Droungarios- The commander in chief of the Imperial Navy, his jobs are similar to that of the Megas Domestikos, but in respect to the Imperial Navy.

Sakellarios- One of the most important postions in the Empire, he is in charge of the Imperial treasury and the Imperial tax system. If the Imperial treasury is low on funds he may request a loan from moneylenders to do this however requires the premission of the Emperor.

Praetorian prefect- The minister in charge of justice and the courts, his duties are to ensure the Imperial courts are running smoothly and to prosocute those who have commited crimes against the Emperor and the Imperial government


Stats

The Throne of the Autokrator has three stats: Income, Wealth, and Influence. Wealth is measured in Nomisma, and represents a character's material's worth. Income is measured in Nomisma per year, and represents the income from estates or income a character gains from salaries from the postions the character holds. Influence is measured in clout, and is representative of the sway, friends, and favors a character accumulates over time.

So what do you do with your money? Well you can use it to to buy more estates, bribe officals to further your own agenda, make imporvements to the Theme you are commanding, and virtually anything in between.


Estates

Estates are farms owned by players and they are the basis of income for players. Estates are divided into three sizes, small, medium, and large, the larger the estate the more income it produces. Estates can be upgraded into larger sizes to produce more income.

Small Estate: Produces 3000 Nomisma per year of income, costs 5000 Nomisma to purchase, costs 6500 Nomisma to upgrade to medium estate.

Medium Estate: Produces 5000 Nomisma per year of income, costs to 10,000 Nomisma to purchase, costs 15,000 Nomisma to upgrade to a large estate.

Large Estage: Produces 10,000 Nomisma per year of income, costs 30,000 Nomisma to purchase.



Orders

Orders cost wealth to carry out, and plots use influence to increase their chance of success. If you are low on wealth, you can spend Influence on orders, but not vice-versa. If you plan to do this, note it in your orders.

Every character gets one personal order per turn. This can be anything, though you may want to make it useful. For instance, if you are short on wealth, getting favor from a noble or an offical would be smart so you are granted more land. If you are looking to carry out a plot, meeting with other noble families and currying their favor would be a good idea. This should be limited to a single action, and should take up no more than four lines in the message box.

In addition to their personal order, all players get an an administrative order. This is used to carry out their duties for the Empire, such as being a diplomat, or drilling troops, etc. The (Senior) Emperor and has one of these, and he is to use it for administering the Byzantine Empire (i.e. if he wants to improve the army, build specific buildings, etc.) The administrative order can have multiple actions in it so long as they are related, and should take up no more than six lines in the message box.

Note that the personal order is for actions that help your character, and the administrative order is for doing the duties that a character is tasked with doing by the Imperial Government or other organizations. You can use an administrative order to help yourself, but you must make it reasonable (i.e. the Sakellarios can raise the salaries of the Imperial Council).

Finally, the (Senior) Emperor gets an additional Imperial order on top of his administrative and personal orders. This is used to do Imperial actions such as excommunications, appointing Theme commanders, appointing (or dismissing) Imperial officals, etc. The Imperial order can have as many appropriate actions as the Emperor wishes in it, and it will have no limit for length.


Orders should have a subject of “TTA - Your Character’s Name, Current Year”. So, for example:

To: Imperator1993

Subject: TTA - Basileus Romanos IV, 1068

Message text:
Personal Order:
Lots of fun stuff.

Administrative Order:
Even more fun stuff.

Imperial Order:
The most fun stuff.

Plots

Plots are group covert efforts, for example assassinations of any character (even the Emperor). These will be treated as a special kind of order. Players are free to secretly plot, gather influence, etc without GM approval. When the plot leader feels he is prepared to act, he must send me a PM detailing the plot goal, its plan, and those who back it. Any requests for NPC support (such as the Turks, other noble familes, etc) can be directed to me. Once I confirm the people that back the plot, it will be considered an order. A plot serves as the player’s personal order for the turn he decides to launch it, as well as for all those backing the plot. The greater the combined influence a plot has, the more likely it is to succeed. Note that any assassination of a higher-ranking Imperial offical, or the Emperor himself, will need a very powerful plot backing to succeed.



Updates, Events, and War

There are three types of updates. These will contain the results of orders, events, and other important happenings. The first type of update is a Main Update. It will cover a year in-game, and will contain the results of all the orders sent in, among other events that happen that year. The second type of update is a Mini Update. It will highlight or cover a specific event during the year. The final type of update is an Imperial Update, which will be updates relating to the Emperor and the Imperial court in general (This includes attempts on the Emperors life or coups against the Emperor).

Events are significant happenings (such as a war, a new ruler in another land, a natural disaster, or an unexpected benefit) that will usually cause a headache for the Emperor, though sometimes will bring him joy. The majority of TTA will be player-driven, but the events will provide the substance for you as a player to create this content.

In the event of war, the Megas Domestikos will use his administrative order to determine general strategy. He may raise armies from the Themes and appoint there commanders to lead the armies, army commanders will be given a special war order for determining their armys objectives in combat. I will write up mini updates for major battles, and perhaps if you are a commander of the one of the armies you will be noted in such a mini update for commendable service to the Emperor of Rome.
 
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The Imperial Government

Palaiologos-Dynasty-Eagle.svg

Imperial Net Income: -370,000 Nomisma per Year
Treasury: 7,539,500 Nomisma



Basileus of the Roman Empire: Romanos IV Diogenes (Spectre17)

Symbasileis of the Roman Empire: Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Tapscott)


Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople: Ioannes VIII (NPC)


The Imperial Council


Protasekretis: Manuel Palaiologos (Riccardo93)

Megas Domestikos: Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Tapscott)

Megas Droungarios: Anastasius Komnenos (jeeshadow)

Sakellarios: Vacant

Praetorian prefect: Ioannes Gregorios Lattakia (Dadarian)



Imperial Themes

sau1.jpg

The Themes

Theme of Athens:800 Soldiers:Doux Nikephoros III Botaneiates

Theme of Achaia:700 Soldiers:Doux Vacant

Theme of Epirus (Mobilised):700 Soldiers:Doux Vacant

Theme of Thessalonica:900 Soldiers:Doux Vacant

Theme of Dyrrachion (Mobilised):700 Soldiers:Doux Vacant

Theme of Bononia:500 Soldiers:Doux Prince Andronikos Doukas

Theme of Rashka:300 Soldiers:Doux Vacant

Theme of Moesia:800 Soldiers:Doux Ioannes Cladios

Theme of Adrianopolis:1000 Soldiers:Doukessa Eudokia Makrembolitissa

Theme of Thrace:2000 Soldiers:Under Direct Imperial Control

Theme of Karvuna:600 Soldiers:Doux Ioannes Gregorios Lattakia

Theme of Nikaea:1500 Soldiers:Doux Romanos IV Diogenes

Theme of Agean Islands:500 Soldiers:Doukessa Eudokia Makrembolitissa

Theme of Samos:1200 Soldiers:Doux Romanos IV Diogenes (Regent Eudokia Makrembolitissa)

Theme of Cibyrrhaeot:1300 Soldiers:Doux Romanos IV Diogenes

Theme of Thracesia:1200 Soldiers:Doux Vacant

Theme of Anatolia:1200 Soldiers:Doux Vacant

Theme of Paphlagonia (Mobilised):1200 Soldiers:Doux Manuel Palaiologos

Theme of Armeniacon (Mobilised):1100 Soldiers:Doux Hroðulfr af Orkneyjar

Theme of Charsianon (Mobilised):1200 Soldiers:Doux Alexandros Palaiologos

Theme of Cilicia (Mobilised):1300 Soldiers:Doux Michael Palaiologos

Theme of Crete:500 Soldiers/65 Ships:Doux Anastasius Komnenos

Theme of Cyprus (Mobilised):600 Soldiers:Doux Vacant

Theme of Koloneia (Mobilised):900 Soldiers:Doux Marakai Harant

Theme of Trebizond (Mobilised):1200 Soldiers:Doux Anastasius Komnenos

Theme of Mesopotamia (Mobilised):800 Soldiers:Doux Hroðulfr af Orkneyjar

Theme of Arminia (Mobilised):700 Soldiers:Doux Vacant

Theme of Antioch (Mobilised):700 Soldiers:Doux Vacant



Standing armies and Mercenaries

Standing Forces

Varangian Guard
Commander: Hroðulfr af Orkneyjar
Location:Theme of Thrace
Number of troops:7000
Yearly maintaince cost:150,000 Nomisma

1st Imperial Tagmata
Commander: Romanos IV Diogenes
Location: Theme of Armeniacon
Number of Troops:7500
Yearly maintaince cost:150,000 Nomisma

Mercenaries for Hire

The Bavarian Company (Under Contract)
Commander:Otto Karls
Number of Troops:3500
Cost to Hire:40,000 Nomisma

The Norman Company (Under Contract)
Commander:William de Caen
Number of Troops:5000
Cost to Hire:55,000 Nomisma

The Milan Company (Under Contract)
Commander:Luigi di Milan
Number of Troops:4000
Cost to Hire:48,000 Nomisma

The Cuman Band (Under Contract)
Commander:Könçek Adirlu
Number of Troops:2500
Cost to Hire:30,000 Nomisma

The Venitian Transport Fleet
Commander:Ubaldo di Zara
Number of Ships:150 Galleys
Cost to Hire:60,000 Nomisma

The Highland Band (Under Contract)
Commander:Donald of Glasgow
Number of Troops:3000
Cost to Hire:32,500 Nomisma

Armies currently mobilised

Army of Armeniacon, 16,550 Soldiers, Commander: Romanos IV Diogenes, Location: Theme of Armeniacon,
Yearly maintaince cost: 750,000 Nomisma

Sub units:
The Army of Mesopotamia: 10,000 Soldiers, Commander: Nikephoros III Botaneiates, Location: Theme of Mesopotamia

The Army of Arminia: 4,550 Soldiers, Commander: Hroðulfr af Orkneyjar, Location: Theme of Arminia

The Army of Antioch: 2,000 Soldiers, Commander: Valentius Kallistos, Location: Theme of Antioch

Army of Oenotria, 6,225 Soldiers, Commander: Symbasileus Michael VII, Location: Catepanete of Italy, Yearly maintaince cost: 350,000 Nomisma

Army of Apulia, 6,100 Soldiers, Commander: Symbasileus Michael VII, Location: Catepanete of Italy, Yearly maintaince cost: 160,000 Nomisma

1st Imperial Fleet, 120 Galleys, Admiral: Symbasileus Michael VII, Location: Port of Bari, Yearly maintaince cost: 350,000 Nomisma



Characters

Eudokia Makrembolitissa
Player:Noco19
Income:15,000 Nomisma per year
Wealth:27,500 Nomisma
Influence:170 Clout
Lands and Titles: Basílissa of the Roman Empire, Medium Estate in Lesbos, Small Port in Lesbos, Regent of Samos, Doukessa of Adrianopolis/Agean Islands

Nikephoros Botaneiates
Player:Tapscott
Income:13,000 Nomisma per year
Wealth:31,500 Nomisma
Influence:225 Clout
Lands and Titles: Symbasileis of the Roman Empire, Megas Domestikos, Small and Medium Estate in Athens, Doux of Athens

Romanos Diogenes
Player:Spectre17
Income:79,000 Nomisma per year
Wealth:97,000 Nomisma
Influence:280 Clout
Lands and Titles: Basileus of the Roman Empire, Small Estate in Anatolia, Two Large Estates in Nikaea, Doux of Samos/Nikaea/Cibyrrhaeot

Hroðulfr af Orkneyjar
Player:XVG
Income:22,000 Nomisma per year
Wealth:48,000 Nomisma
Influence:165 Clout
Lands and Titles: Captian of the Varangian Guard, Small Estate in Thessalonica, Doux of Mesopotamia/Armeniacon

Zoe Angelos
Player:tonkatoy5
Income:3000 Nomisma per year
Wealth:13,000 Nomisma
Influence:105 Clout
Lands and Titles: Small Estate in Samos

Valentius "Nikfour" Kallistos
Player:RepBently
Income:5000 Nomisma per year
Wealth:1500 Nomisma
Influence:105 Clout
Lands and Titles: Medium Estate in Nikea

Anastasius Komnenos
Player:jeeshadow
Income:14,000 Nomisma per year
Wealth:31,500 Nomisma
Influence:150 Clout
Lands and Titles: Megas Droungarios, Medium Estate in Sinope, Doux of Krete/Trebizond

Michael Palaiologos
Player:Sneakyflaps
Income:10,000 Nomisma per year
Wealth:27,000 Nomisma
Influence:125 Clout
Lands and Titles: Small Estate in Thessaly, Medium Estate in Thrace, Doux of Cilicia

Ioannes Cladios
Player:Comm Cody
Income:7000 Nomisma per year
Wealth:8500 Nomisma
Influence:120 Clout
Lands and Titles: Medium Estate in Armenia, Doux of Moesia

Ioannes Gregorios Lattakia
Player:Dadarian
Income:15,000 Nomisma per year
Wealth:20,500 Nomisma
Influence:170 Clout
Lands and Titles: Praetorian prefect, Medium Estate in Varna, Small Estate in Thrace, Doux of Karvuna

Marakai Harant
Player:LightsShadows
Income:8000 Nomisma
Wealth:12,000 Nomisma
Influence:105 Clout
Lands and Titles: Small Estate in Thrace, Small Estate in Koloneia, Doux of Koloneia

Zoe Doukaina
Player:Maxwell500
Income:3000 Nomisma
Wealth:7,000 Nomisma
Influence:100 Clout
Lands and Titles: Princess of the Roman Empire,Small Estate in Chios

Manuel Palaiologos
Player:Riccardo93
Income:14,000 Nomisma
Wealth:30,000 Nomisma
Influence:190 Clout
Lands and Titles: Protasekretis, Master of Imperial Intelligence, Doux of Paphlagonia, Small Estate in Corinth, Small Port in Constantinople

Alexandros Palaiologos
Player:alexander23
Income:6000 Nomisma
Wealth:19,000 Nomisma
Influence: 110 Clout
Lands and Titles: Small Estate in Sparta, Small Estate in Corinth

Alexandros Argyros
Player:Marschalk
Income:5000 Nomisma
Wealth:3500 Nomisma
Influence: 80 Clout
Lands and Titles: Medium Estate in Trabzon

Irene Kambrelolitissa
Player:Velasco
Income:3000 Nomisma
Wealth:8000 Nomisma
Influence: 70 Clout
Lands and Titles: Small Estate in Sofia

Anastasios Laikos
Player:aussieboy
Income:3000 Nomisma
Wealth:8000 Nomisma
Influence: 70 Clout
Lands and Titles: Small Estate in Corfu
 
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Eudokia_zpsa0049c53.jpg

Name: Eudokia Makrembolitissa
Birth Year: 1021
Dynasty: Makrembolites
Field: Nobility
Biography: Empress to Constantine X Doukas, bearing six children, Eudokia served as regent after the death of the Emperor, essentially ruling in the name of her children. In the face of foreign danger, her oath to never remarry was quickly renounced, with the approval of the Patriarch and Senate, choosing to take a new and strong husband, in order to preserve the state. This man was Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes, the reigning leader of the Empire, from which two more children were birthed.
 
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NikephorosIIIBotaneiates_zps466cb5b5.jpg

Name: Nikephoros Botaneiates
Birth Year: 1002
Dynasty: Botaneiates
Field: Noble
Biography: Nikephoros Botaneiates had served as general from the reign of Constantine IX. Drawn to politics, he had been an active participant in the uprising that brought Isaac I to the throne in 1057 including a prominent role in the Battle of Petroe. In 1067, he had been considered as a possible husband for the empress Eudokia Makrembolitissa, widowed wife of Constantine X, but she eventually set her heart on Romanos IV Diogenes, causing chilly relations between Nikephoros and the Emperor to develop. Nikephoros and the Romanos eventually set aside their differences, and developed a warm friendship, with Nikephoros receiving much recognition and many rewards from the Emperor. The Theme of Athens was granted to Nikephoros, as was the title of Megas Domestikos in conjunction with the marriage of the aging nobleman to the young princess, Zoe Doukina.
 
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220px-Romanos_et_Eudoxie.JPG

Name: Romanos IV Diogenes
Position: Emperor of the Roman Empire
Dynasty: Diogenes
Biography: Son of Constantine Diogenes Romanos is connected to most of the nobility of Asia Minor by blood. Romanos served for several years with distinction on the Danube frontier before being arrested and convicted of trying to usurp the throne by Constantine X in 1067. Before he was sentenced Constantine died and the regent, Eudokia Makrembolitissa, pardoned him and furthermore had chosen him to be here husband and guardian of her sons as Emperor. Her decision was met with little protest as the Seljuk Turks had overrun much of Cappadocia and had even taken the important city of Caesarea, meaning that the army needed to be placed under the command of an able and energetic general. The problem Romanus and Eudokia had in executing this plan was that Eudokia's deceased husband, Constantine X, had made her swear an oath never to remarry. She approached the Patriarch John Xiphilinos and convinced him both to hand over the written oath she had signed to this effect, and to have him pronounce that he was in favour of a second marriage for the good of the state. The Senate agreed, and on January 1, 1068 Romanus married the Empress and was crowned Emperor of the Romans.
 
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235px-Michael_VII_Doukas_on_the_Holy_Crown.jpg
Name: Michael VII Doukas
Position: Junior co-Emperor of the Roman Empire
Dynasty: Doukas
Biography: Son of Eudokia Makrembolitissa and Constantine X Doukas, Michael served as de jure Emperor during his mother's regency but was demoted to junior co-Emperor upon Eudokia's marriage to Romanos Diogenes and his accession to the throne.
 
OOC: I'm officially intrigued. I'm assuming we can create our own ahistorical characters?

IC:
Name: Petros
Birth Year:1035
Dynasty: Omnidactylos
Field: Bureaucrat
Bio: Born into an unremarkable family of middle class bureaucrats, Petros followed in the family trade by entering into the Imperial Civil Service. He broke with family tradition by rising through the ranks quickly. Unfailingly amiable and obliging to his betters, he has an uncanny ability to arrange their affairs in ways that get results while also advancing his own career. His family name, Omnidactylos, is his own invention, a play on a popular saying in certain circles of the bureaucracy that he has a finger in every pie.
 
GM note:Ok so far so good if we can get a couple more sign ups we will be good to go for the first update and I can figure out a date for orders so we can knock out the first year. Tell your friends and Byzantophiles you know on this fourm to come join. And yes feel free to create your own ahistorical characters.
 
Name: Hroðulfr af Orkneyjar
Position: Commander of the Varangian Guard
Dynasty: af Orkneyjar
Birth Year: 1030
Biography: Son of the Norse Jarl of the Orkneys, Hroðulfr decided to join the Varangian Guard when the Jarldom passed to his brother. Hroðulfr has served the Emperor well in the Varangian Guard for two decades. He has learned the Greek manners and is a staunch orthodox christian. Hroðulfr pledges to remain loyal to the Emperor in any circumstances, and is certain that he will be rewarded for both his loyalty and fierce warrior spirit.

OOC: I hope this is okay. :)
 
Name: Hroðulfr af Orkneyjar
Position: Commander of the Varangian Guard
Dynasty: af Orkneyjar
Birth Year: 1030
Biography: Son of the Norse Jarl of the Orkneys, Hroðulfr decided to join the Varangian Guard when the Jarldom passed to his brother. Hroðulfr has served the Emperor well in the Varangian Guard for two decades. He has learned the Greek manners and is a staunch orthodox christian. Hroðulfr pledges to remain loyal to the Emperor in any circumstances, and is certain that he will be rewarded for both his loyalty and fierce warrior spirit.

OOC: I hope this is okay. :)

((I was waiting for someone to make a character for the Varangian Guard :D))
 
((Looks Cool, just say if I need to change anything with my character))

images


Name: Zoe Angelos
Birth Year:1050 (18)
Dynasty:Angelos
Field: Regent of her husbands holdings
Biography: Zoe was born into poverty, but used her intelligence and attractiveness to claw her way up the social latter, eventually marrying a man who held huge amounts of land, though just months after the wedding he seemed to disappear, and Zoe claimed that he had become incapable and was named regent of his lands, though in secret many people say that her husband is dead and that she murdered him. Many also say that she is a lunatic, who sacrifices men to ancient gods, and that she performs horrific sex rites though no proof was ever found of these claims
 
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BTW Imperator we've borrowed the STP channel on IRC for this game for now since RNN is on holiday's and it isn't being used much so you can come on that if you want.
 
Totally interested here.

Name: Valentius "Nikfour" Kallistos
Birth Year: 1032
Dynasty: Kallistos
Field: Military-Bureaucrat
Biography:
The tale of Valentius Kallistos begins the day he became a soldier for the theme of Nikea. The theme of Nikea was much feared for the strength if numbers and discipline that existed within its ranks. Valentius participated in many military maneuvers of the late 1050's. He earned the reputation the "hammer" in a conflict with raiders along the Nikea coast where after his unit had been ambushed, he brutally slayed several of the enemy with a rabdia(mace). This temper has served him well in battle, but does not always win friends outside of the fray. The reputation preceedes him in the end though, as he has risen quite a bit in the themes ranks as not only a fine combatant but also a budding little tactician. If only his temper does not flare....
 
The Coronation of Romanos IV

364px-Romanos_et_Eudoxie.JPG

As the Emperor entered the Holy Church of St. Sophia with his family and other court officals, the monks and priests chanted and prayed for the his reign to be blessed and good; the Emperor walks into the center of the great church under its mighty dome.

The Patriarch grabs the Imperial crown while making the sign of the cross, a team of two eunuchs drape a purple robe over the Emperor as the entire church falls silent. The Patriarch then begins to speak, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; I proclaim thee worthy", everyone then repeats the Patriarch and says "worthy". The Patriarch then asks the Emperor to recite the Imperial Oath,

The Emperor gets one knee and looks down and begins to recite the oath, "In the name of Iesous Christos Pantocrator, Lord of the Kosmos, I Romanos Diogenes, accept the Imperial Crown from the hands of his Holyness, Ioannes VIII, Patriarch of Konstantinoupolis, and solemnly swear before the Senate and People of Rome as your Basileus Autokrator to rule with justness, fairness and divine guidance, to protect this Holy Church form all evil and, by the grace of our Savior, to never let the light of our True Faith and this Basileia Rhomaion to dim. So help me God" The Patriarch then places the crown on the Emperor's head and he stands as the people in the Holy Church cheer for there newly crowned Basileus.


GM Note: Deadline for first orders will be Wednesday, July 3rd, 23:59
 
((Hm, love the byzantine empire. Chance to be part of it... count me in))
Name: Anastasius
Birth Year: 1044
Dynasty: Komnenos
Field: Noble
Biography:
Born to the very recently extablished Komnenos dynasty, Anastasius grew up facinated by ships. He was educated in the affiars of State and Court, but was always facinated by ships. Anastasius was planning on joining the Byzantine Navy, but was unable to when his father died. Anastasius then outmanevered his older brothers, and gained control of his fathers estate. Anastasius has two older brothers, and a twin sister. Anastasius is known as an atractive man, and is also known to flirt with young women of nobility.
 
Imperial Edict
Given by our hand on this day the second of January, in the year 6576 from the Creation of the World:

In order to relieve the Siege of Bari and liberate Imperial possessions in the Catepanate of Italy; His Imperial Majesty Michael VII Doukas has undertaken to mount an expedition to protect Imperial territory and citizens in the area. In order to accomplish this; he requires that public funds be requisitioned to bear the financial cost of such a glorious venture. As his Imperial Majesty will take the lead of the expedition, the Imperial Fleet will also be requisitioned.

His Imperial Majesty Michael VII Doukas also orders that Catepan Michael Maurex be immediately be relieved of his position as Catepan of Italy; and appoints the following positions:

  • Catepan of Italy - Michael VII Doukas
  • Doux of Antioch - Michael VII Doukas
  • Doux of Krete - Romanos IV Diogenes
  • Doux of Cyprus - Michael VII Doukas
  • Doux of Athens - Nikephoros Botaneiates
  • Doux of Anatolia - Romanos IV Diogenes
As a result of negotiations with His Imperial Majesty Romanus IV Diogenes; the following policy is announced to take immediate effect within the Roman Empire unto perpetuity:

  • The Roman Empire shall be divided into two spheres of Imperial influence; running north from the Sea of Krete through Greece and Moesia, Thrace, Asia Minor, and Europa along the Adriatic coast; and south of that encompassing specifically the Catepanate of Italy, and the Duchies of Antioch and Cyprus in addition to the whole Levant
  • The area north of the Sea of Krete and previously specified shall be given as a Sphere of Influence unto the Basileus; whereas the area south of that line and encompassing Italy and other previously defined territory shall be given unto the junior Symbasileus
  • Both Emperors agree to respect the primacy of the other in their sphere of influence
  • Both will, of course, naturally co-operate as brothers and co-Emperors in common matters of Imperial defence and policy
This division going into effect immediately upon the consent of the Basileus.

Finally the properties and lands held by the Venerable Origen Angelos, Kephale of Samos; are to be seized and held in the name of the Emperor due to the infirmity of that individual leading to his inability to adequately perform the duties incumbent upon such an office; for the good of the Imperial citizens and subjects of that isle.

This being done in our name,

-Michael VII Doukas Porphyrogénnētos,
Emperor and Autocrat of all the Romans, Symbasileus of the Roman Empire, Catepan of Italy; Doux of Antioch, Cyprus, and all the Levant
 
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We see the administrative genius of our beloved Emperors, as my faithful husband Romanos and my darling son Michael have, in their great wisdom, properly delegated their jurisdictions over the Empire. With their Imperial prowess already put into action, we begin to see an even grander Empire, restored to her former glory. Watch, children of Rome, as these two man define our future, like an artist or architect would, beautifully molding our lives to form a glorious and larger image, the image of the Empire! Soon, our enemies will be vanquished, our culture thriving, and our name becoming the synonym for pure and unfazed might, God-Willing!

I shall also commend the righteous decision of my son Michael VII. The Empire must be comprised of efficient and strong leaders, ones who embody the very term Roman. This image could not be achieved under the regency imposed upon Samos, by a woman whose self is thought so lowly of, to experience the magnitude and severity of certain rumours . I need not repeat such rumours, for their content is quite crass and vile, and should not be found on the tongue of nobility in the slightest. Should Samos lack a proper leader, I offer myself in nomination, for my estates in Lesbos are quite nearby, and could easily extend the helping hand of guidance upon Samos.

- Basilissa Eudokia Makrembolitissa of the Roman Empire
 
I am honoured that their highnesses have seen fit to grant me the Theme of Athens. I vow to serve diligently, and faithfully, to prove myself worthy of the responsibility given to me. I announce that I plan to tour around the nearby themes surrounding, and including, Athens, with my task being the review and preparation the military there to be ready to answer the Emperor's call at a moments notice. As for the talks about the woman of Samos, well, suffice to say I am in agreement with her Ladyship, the Basilissa Eudokia Makrembolitissa, on this subject. Such a creature should not be tolerated, nor tolerated, and it especially should not be entrusted with the regency of an area such as Samos.

~ Nikephoros Botaneiates
Doux of Athens, Victor of the Battle of Petroe
 
Name: Michael
Birth Year: 1048
Dynasty: Palaiologos
Field: noblity
Biography: Son to minor nobles in the realm no one really thought that Michael would achieve anything, when his father died a few years ago he went out to join the imperial army and fight for his emperor. Now that he has shown himself capable both in swordfighting and in leading men, he has taken on the court aswell and also shown himself to be a natural born diplomat with great skill and some say even genius skill and mind. While he might take rash actions which doenst help him and can bring him in trouble he also has a chance of a bright future, and with his ambition and will he could one day become great.
 
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