ITALY RPG/AAR

[Forster]

Originally posted by Jeep
why do we need to have a stability hit when its just a few of you senators bickering and not problems elsewhere. i havent caused a revolution or uprisings nor do i intend to. personally i think the empire deal would uplift people more than make them worry because with an empire its something new and exciting and they would rally around their new powerful identity.

Besides forster havent you killed enough kings lately you reached your quota.

I think the nation as a whole would be upset with the idea.

Wouldn't be me this time, Brutus was Caesar's friend.

 

[Storey]

Re: The ambassador is bemused, and intervenes

Originally posted by Emre Yigit
[I
Patricians of Italy: not inherited your offices? Then, Italy is not republic. Why was declared Italy republic? In order to facilitate the conscience of the noble ones that has regulated this earth while they have legacy with against a foe common and were however little disposed to fold their knees before a monarch, same they once being.

Senator Storia stands at the back of the senate chambers and talks with the Turkish ambassador.

"Sir we do not inherit our seats in the senate. Before I took my fathers seat I had to go before the council of Verona in order to get them to consider my application to take over my father's seat. It was by no means a forgone conclusion that I would be appointed to the senate. The disgrace of my brother almost prevented me from winning over another candidate for the seat (my cousin). Thank you for your many suggestions to the senate and might I complement you on your Italian. You give new meaning to the phrase *As clear as mud*".

 

[Emre Yigit]

Et tu, Brute?

OOC: Brutus, so one rumour goes, was more than Caeser's friend: he was of an age to be Caesar's son, and had more than a passing resemblance.

I love mud.

 

[Emre Yigit]

The ambassador is appalled!

By janissary to Astorio Driver. In Latin, scrawled on the back of a copy of the Rome Gazette:

"Young man,

You have shamed yourself before the Senate and the emissaries of foreign nations, wilfully resisted your father’s chastisement, and left him in agony amongst strangers. For any of these, of old the penalty would have been perpetual banishment.

You may not agree with your father, but it is best to keep such disagreements private.

Why do in write this to you in the knowledge that you bear me or my master no good will? Because nobility is engrained in the soul, and your father is a noble man. Were he turned out of Italy in his breeches, he would still be recognised as such. And because I have four sons, though younger than you, and would prefer death to their addressing me in such a fashion.

Therefore, though you are unlikely to recognise this at your age, consider: Your father is near sixty years of age, and is unlikely to remain on this mortal soil for much longer. He is still head of your family. Behave like a worthy son to him, as well as a gentleman of Italy, and seek him out and beg for his forgiveness. For blood ties are sacred, and once severed, cannot ever be replaced by any other thing.

As you may know, I have been studying the Christian faith for a number of years now. Recall, then, the Fifth Commandment: “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

As the Exarch Mastrantonis told me just now after the scandalous scene in the Senate: “Today society promotes the separation of children from their parents. The time when Mother Nature disarms older people by taking away their talents and points of physical attraction is the time when younger people should especially show them constant honor. By doing so, their days may be long in the land as a reward from above. Their prayers should ask God's strength and guidance to fulfill this duty to their parents.”

Young man, your father needs you, and you need him. In this at least, listen to me: reconcile.

Your father’s friend, and a friend to all Italian gentlemen,

Emre, the Ambassador of Turkey”

 

[Forster]

Re: Et tu, Brute?

Originally posted by Emre Yigit
OOC: Brutus, so one rumour goes, was more than Caeser's friend: he was of an age to be Caesar's son, and had more than a passing resemblance.

I love mud.

I see you most certainly do, far be it from me to cast aspersions on the life-styles of the rich and famous.

Oh, and another thing, I don't remember such a low-life being granted free and unfettered access to our hallowed halls. How in the hell are we supposed to talk about nailing your ass on the cross when a spy is present.

 

[Xanadu]

**Letter to Giovanni Gronchi**

To whom it may concern,

I address you in this fashion for I am not sure what I should address you as. On one hand your represenation of an Empire in the eyes of the other world power are just. I also think that you are turning your back on the very people who follow your lead. I am neither for , or against your decision. I am merley trying tosay that at such a young age , and low experiance you must factor in the consequences of your actions.
Speaking of actions you must make some very impressionable , and decisive ones in order to gain the trust , and respect of your Senators. Throwing this out into the Senate Hall did exactly what I would have expected. This had caused undeserved chaos which this country really doesn't need...especially right now while a war is raging on.
I only ask you to reconsider your proclomation for the time being. After all you can shout all you want , but if nobody wants to listen...they won't. Grab their attention by leading Italy further into the grand role of leader of the world. Then come back to the Senate , and see what happens. Don't let those wide eyes become blind to which is right in front of you.

Senator By-Tor

 

[unmerged(3107)]

Originally posted by DanielMcCollum


Smiling the two McCollums parted on good terms. Somewhere, far far away, hell froze over, and pigs took to the skies in record numbers. A grown man wept tears of happiness over a glass of whiskey.

Those tears of happiness, however, would not last for long. For in a semi-darkened gymnasium in the Vatican, Pope Pius V had just finished working on his low post game with the New Ethiopian ambassador. As the ambassador took his leave, Father General Sarducci and Bishop Gotti entered the chamber. Sarducci wiped his hands with an ominously bloody rag.

"Boss, sorry to disturbs you," said Gotti sheepishly. "But we got some pressing business at hand."

"Very well" replied the Pontiff.

Gotti shifted back and forth uncomfortably, then turned to Sarducci. "Um . . . How about you tell him, Guido."

"Fat coward," muttered the Jesuit under his breath. "Your Holiness, the Anti-Pope escaped from our surveillance in Rome."

"WHAT???" roared the Pontiff. "HOW IN THE NAME OF ST. ADRIAN COULD THAT HAVE HAPPENED!!!"

"See," whispered Gotti. "I knew he’d be upset . . ."

"Silence buffoon, you’re not making things any easier . . ." hissed Sarducci. "Evidently, your Holiness, they tunneled under the building and escaped into the catacombs."

"WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF MONITORING THEM???" growled Pius V.

"Uh . . . Father Bellagio," whimpered the Bishop.

"Have him reassigned this instant to the Jesuit mission in Copenhagen to convert the Danish King," declared the Pontiff.

"Um . . . But Boss, Father Bellagio is a nice guy, see. He's on duh local bocci team with me. And you’re aware, right, that duh Dane whacked duh last eleven Jesuits you sent to convert him."

(Pope Pius V glares at Gotti.)

"Heh, heh." Gotti forced a laugh. "Right. Of course you was aware of dat . . . I guess we’ll be making it an even dozen martyrs then. (Sigh. There goes the Championships.)"

"THIS IS A DISASTER!!!" bellowed the Pontiff. "I specifically said I wanted Germanus to remain alive! ALIVE!!! Now, the torch and pitchfork brigade will tear him limb from limb when they find him!"

"In fact," confessed Sarducci. "They've already tried. Germanus’ safe house in Northern Italy was uncovered by a particularly vigilant butcher in Mantua who became suspicions about a neighbor’s requests for bratwurst. It . . .got ugly."

"HOW UGLY???" asked the Pope.

"Well," explained the Inquisitor General. "The crowd gouged out Germanus’ eyes, bit one of his ears off and crushed both of his legs under a millstone before the local priests could restrain them. We’re hoping he’ll live. But, at his advanced age . . . well . . . it’s hard to say? He is, as we speak, being returned to Rome under armed escort."

"AND WHAT OF THE HERETICS WHO HOUSED HIM???" demanded Pius V.

"Um . . . this one’s a little bit embarrassing, Boss." offered Gotti. "They was . . . well . . . bludgeoned to death by the mob and then . . .sigh . . . run through duh butcher’s meat grinder. I wouldn’t be ordering any salami from Mantua for duh next few months."

"SO, IN THE END DID WE DISCOVER ANYTHING ABOUT THE NETWORK OF HERETICS WHO AIDED IN THE ANTI-POPE’S ESCAPE??? OR WAS THIS ENTIRE OPERATION A COMPLETE AND UTTER WASTE OF TIME???" screamed the enraged Pontiff.

"Well, there’s the smallest of silver linings, your Holiness." urged Sarducci. "The Anti-Pope left one of his so-called Jesuits back at the safe-house in Rome to fool our watchmen. This Brother Otto was taken alive and I have just finished his interrogation."

"AND DID HE AT LEAST IMPLICATE McCOLLUM?" queried the Pope.

"Well . . . um . . . yes and no, your Holiness" confessed the Father General as he handed the Pope a sheaf of papers. "Here take a look at the transcript for yourself."

"Where," muttered the Pope as he leafed through Brother Otto’s confession. "On this page that begins "AHHHH! AHHHH! GOD NO! PLEASE TAKE THE SPIDERS OUT OF MY MOUTH! . . ."

"Oh, no." offered Sarducci, helpfully. "It’s a little bit after that part. It’s just halfway down the page that begins "NOOOO! NOOOO!!! FOR THE LOVE OF MARY!!! NOOOO!!! JUST WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING TO DO WITH THAT GLASS ROD!!! AHHHHH! NO, DON"T INSERT IT THERE!!! PLEASE, GOD!!! ANYWHERE BUT MY MANHOOD!!! ARRRGGGH!!! ARRRGGGH!!! OHMIGOD!!!! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THAT HAMMER? NOOOO!!! NOOOO!!! PLEASE, FATHER SARDUCCI!!! ANYTHING BUT THAT!!! PLEASE, I’LL TELL YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT!!! . . ."

"Oh yes, now I see." said the Pope. "WELL, WELL, WELL! Nothing about the General here. But, it does seem that his wife has been a naughty girl. Hmmmn. An awfully naughty girl. Hmmmn. I wonder if General McCollum knows about this?"

"About the heresy and spiriting away the Anti-Pope in the middle of the night?" inquired Sarducci. "It would be hard to establish, given that he was away at the front. But, I suppose we could rely on the lex humilis to extend her guilt to her husband. It’s a bit technical for my tastes, though . . ."

"No, no no." admonished the Pope. "I meant the adultery, Guido. The adultery. I mean . . . MOTHER OF GOD, this is some juicy stuff you’ve uncovered here, Sarducci. And with a priest, and relative, no less . . . THIS IS PRACTICALLY BIBLICAL!!! My, my, my. No wonder she tried to have Germanus spirited away! I always knew these German Catholics were heretics. But, let me tell you, evidently these boys know how to sin as well! Good heavens, I wonder if Donal McCollum has even the faintest inkling about who his true father really is?"

"So, shall I have Gretta McCollum arrested, your Holiness?" asked Sarducci.

"Oh no," replied the Pontiff. "I wouldn’t dream of putting this poor dear noblewoman on trial. I think we can safely induce the appropriate level of remorse and repentance in her with a simple Papal act. The conduct of "Mrs. McCollum" is pretty clearly subject to censures latæ sententiæ simply reserved to the Pope. It’s practically straight out of The Counsel of Trent, Sess. XXIV, c. i, De ref. matr. Oh well, let’s get to the paperwork, Gentlemen."

(As the three clerics left the room to hurl the lives of the McCollums into a black abyss of confusion and despair, Bishop Gotti mentioned to the Pontiff: "Oh yeah, and the Senators are on the verge of ousting the new Doge." "Dammnit," murmured the Pontiff "That Goat could have come in handy. I knew we should have served veal . . .")

 

[Storey]

Senator Storia and Forster are sitting in one of the many alcoves that pepper the hallways leading to the grand senate chamber.

"I want you to know that I appreciate the fact that you, one of the senior deans of the senate has spoken out against the emperor. It will take the authority of one such as yourself to make the others see that this is not just a minor disagreement between the emperor and the senate. This can possibly turn into a civil war that will tear this country apart. How long can the government continue to function when you have an emperor who can do anything that he wants? If he has a hair up his butt and wants to do something what is there to stop him? Before now we have had wise and intelligent men holding the office of Doge but no more. The worst fears of the republic have become reality. We no longer have the give and take that has made this country what it is. I feel in my bones that this will end in tragedy if we do not unite against this tyrant. All that I have heard speak out for the emperor has been the young misguided son of senator Chevy. If the emperor does not change his mind and rescind his proclamations within the next week then I believe it is incumbent that we remove him from office. It is with a heavy heart that I take this path of action but I see no other. I ask you if you can see any other way other than the removal of this emperor of ours? I think we have passed the point of simple having him say that he is sorry and it will never happen again. His intentions are clear that he plans to become our ruler not our leader. What say you? What can we do?"

 

[unmerged(3980)]

the senate grumbled as Giovanni entered the hall once more, only a few weeks into his rule he was looked on as a menace. As was the tradition the countries leader was herralded in...."All rise, Doge Giovanni Gronchi is before senate" the same honor given to By-tor and others before him...

Gio "Yes.... you have won, I will no longer claim to be emperor nor persue to change our countrys name simply to the Roman Empire. It seems the sheer shock of the changing of the name was enough to cause the most outspoken senators to plot against me before i even had a chance to show you my best intentions."

some senators grumbled as Giovanni paused for a moment, repositioning his Doges robes

Gio "I will not ask for forgiveness for i have done nothing wrong. I am a visionary man, i have a goal for our nation. do i not have the right to have a plan for our country just like those before me? Do i not have the right to show you the fruits of my plan and if they fail then and only then you can use your tongues to destroy me.

It is true, i understand i acted too quickly with my Empire idea, i thought those of the war party would welcome this but alas they are the biggest opponents, perhaps they fear their power is threatened (Giovanni locks eyes with forster and storey) but no matter, i will be what you want me to be. Just the Doge, no more no less. I will do my best for the country and rule as best i can."

"I guess to gain acceptance i shall therefore do as the senate expects me to. I will mirror your heroes and just be a puppet of the senate with no mind of my own. With no chance to show my good intentions and thus the invasion of England will end, the budget will remain as By-Tor had it, and all current wars will be won and enemies vassalized no more no less. Perhaps i should just lock myself in my Doges Palace and not express my ideas to senate, hmmm if i did share my plans i might be threatened with impeachment before my plans are even given a chance...."

(looking at his new rolex watch, pressing the date button) geee look at that, almost one month in office and the senate has successfully squashed any positive changes the Emperor might have made for the country as a whole, way to go old dudes"

Doge Giovanni then walked out of the senate hall ignoring the questions and comments the senators raised to him.

Gio "Whats this questions, i thought you were going to impeach me first then ask questions later?"

(forget about the PMs warspite, if they get their way all my plans will go up in smoke anyways)

 

[Forster]

Sen Forster, b 1518, Sicily
------------------------------------

OOC: Well, Jeep, what do you expect. We have to play our characters, and what you are proposing is right out of the history texts. Of course we will fight, and not trust you.

But don't take it personally, its just the game. I was looking forward to a verrry interesting struggle.

I don't know why you are backing off on England. She is worthy of our attention, and I would love to have the chance to, uh, supervise interrogation of the Queen.

 

[unmerged(3980)]

Originally posted by Forster
Sen Forster, b 1518, Sicily
------------------------------------

OOC: Well, Jeep, what do you expect. We have to play our characters, and what you are proposing is right out of the history texts. Of course we will fight, and not trust you.

But don't take it personally, its just the game. I was looking forward to a verrry interesting struggle.

I don't know why you are backing off on England. She is worthy of our attention, and I would love to have the chance to, uh, supervise interrogation of the Queen.

Yeah i figured the war party senators wanted a fight, but you wont get one from me. If you want to roll over me and kick me out fine, but im in here for the good of the republic ill back down and give up all my ideas for italy. who cares if they would have done good or not, seems like all most of you want is for me to conform to the norm of the previous doges and to hell with any other ideas. Yeah after all its a game, god forbid i get a chance to change it any.

Its funny though, i havent raised a finger in opposition of the senate , but my only sin was to utter in my idea with the changing of the name of our country, every other idea i posted (spoke of) never got mentioned. Hmmmm i but i cant say anything bad about the senate i might get impeached, ok ill go back to my hole now master....

and this young doge will take it personally because he was doing what he felt was right but all he got was opposition from the start, not one senator gave a serious question to what i was really up to, you just automatically lashed out as if i was a NEROS. Hmmmf old men never give the younger ones respect.

As for the invasion of england, its not worth it now, the cooperation with the catholic church with the new Empire against the reformists and muslims is useless now that the senate has pushed me into a corner. So i cant play the hero, using all the strength we have, it might scare the senate into thinking im a tyrant so i have to be careful about how i use my power. Perhaps i should just give you all my ideas and you vote on them.... will that work?

i could see it now "doge gets impeached in his first month in power"
i would understand if i started ruining the country with disastrous wars and foolish debts etc etc but all i did was change the name in anticipation for a greater plan, if i failed i could understand getting impeached after some years after i had a chance to prove myself but i was under the gun the first fricken month or week whatever.

oh well, on with the game anyways.

 

[unmerged(3107)]

Originally posted by Forster

I don't know why you are backing off on England. She is worthy of our attention, and I would love to have the chance to, uh, supervise interrogation of the Queen.

A Letter from Papal Nuncio Gotti to Doge Gronchi.

The Holy See would also be strongly supportive of a campaign against the vile heretic Elizabeth who has so cruelly oppressed good Catholics in England and Ireland.

(It's just that the logistics of conducting a campaign half-way across Europe are gonna be sheer Hell).

Yours truly,

Bishop "Honest" John Gotti
on behalf of his Holiness, Pope Pius V

 

[unmerged(3980)]

Originally posted by Meerschaum


A Letter from Papal Nuncio Gotti to Doge Gronchi.

The Holy See would also be strongly supportive of a campaign against the vile heretic Elizabeth who has so cruelly oppressed good Catholics in England and Ireland.

(It's just that the logistics of conducting a campaign half-way across Europe are gonna be sheer Hell).

Yours truly,

Bishop "Honest" John Gotti
on behalf of his Holiness, Pope Pius V

Letter to Pope Pius

Sorry your holiness, im about to get impeached so i have to be a good boy now in hopes i can survive my first month in power. Thus all plans for finally beating england will have to wait until one of the older doges take power, ill just make sure we dont lose our current wars. I will try my best to get approval from senate to prepare for our conversion of the muslims, i pray that pleases your holiness.

 

[unmerged(3980)]

thanks for the PM message Pope, but i wont even entertain them with the glory of the rest of my idea as it might make older senators jealous of me and then im really screwed. Last thing they should know now is that my plan would have worked. but how can i blame them, after all they are mostly warlike senate, should i not expect them to attack me before i can show them the fullness of my plans.

 

[Emre Yigit]

Re: Re: Et tu, Brute?

Originally posted by Forster


Oh, and another thing, I don't remember such a low-life being granted free and unfettered access to our hallowed halls. How in the hell are we supposed to talk about nailing your ass on the cross when a spy is present.

Most courts in Western Europe at this time granted ambassadors not only unlimited access to the Court (here the Senate) but great familiarity with the ruler (here the Doge). Therefore, my presence in the Senate is completely historical.

It does, of course, add a complication to your machinations against me and my dread sovereign. But such is life. Nor, in this time period, were nobles averse to letting visiting ambassadors know exactly what they thought of them and their rulers. I am glad you have all adhered to that mode of conduct.

Gentlemen, I'm here, there and everywhere in Italy. Money, sweets and mud open many doors. If you want to scheme against me in secret, have a private party or wait until I go on a trip around Italy or something. But even there, beware the footman, cook and maid. In the time-honoured tradition, my largesse will be distributed liberally.

(And as a final thought: It's not as though I can veto anything you do or even warn the a.i. that you're about to attack or something. You can always imprison me before declaring war if you're worried my pigeons will pre-empt yours.)

 

[Talmonious]

*Senator Bruno Ponce-Jones walks up to the podium with a silken purple cloak in his hands*

Bruno holds up the cloak for all to see.

THIS.....this is garbage! All your royal ideals are wrapped around archaic ideas of the thought that one man can be born better than another man. While a man may rise above other beings through his actions, no man is born of nobility.

We are NOT the Roman Empire. Our ancestors failed miserably at their attempt at glorifying Rome and made a mockery of all they sought to uphold.

Emperor...Noble....Roman Empire.... These are but words. We are the authors of our own destiny. I forsee a day when history will be reviewed in which a man is judged by his worth as a person, not by what he was born into. I forsee a day when the star of the Italian Republic shines so brightly that the former glory of Rome is but a shadow of a glimmer in comparison.

Honored Doge, i beseech you. Do not get pulled into the false glory that was Rome. The title of Doge already has much more respect in all of our eyes and in the eyes of our neighbors than emperor ever had in its day. While we may not command such vast european tracts of land as the former empire, our power is SO much more.

Forsake all the meaningless titles and ideals and take up the banner of the glory that we make. Take up the banner of our Republic's FREEDOM!

Thank you for your time honored Senators.

*Bruno looks at the cloak in disgust and casts it aside onto the floor and walks back to his seat*

 

[unmerged(718)]

Senator Chevy speaks before senate after a few days of rest.

My fellow senators, i have two matters to discuss. First is that i will be traveling to my home in Florence to try and rest my body so i will be away from Rome for several months. I pray i can also repair the damage to my family as well.

Second, i hope we can keep this spoiled brat of a Doge we have under control. Giovanni has not only tried to change the fabric of our Republic but now he tries to make the defenders of Italia feel guilty of their actions against him. Nonsence i say, go hide in your hole you spoiled little boy, you are too young to rule and i hope in the future our senate will not vote in such foolish youth again. By-tor was an exception he was a marvelous ruler but Giovanni better get his act together or he will never hear the end of our scorns.

Thank you again gentlemen, i bid you farewell for now. Keep the peace brothas

(OOC: jeep we are just playing our roles, dont take all this personally because its no use. Play your character and just that. I know this game is consuming at times but dont make it your reality, its just for fun i bet you played D&D too and you got too involved with that huh )

 

[Xanadu]

Originally posted by mosquitodriver
i bet you played D&D too and you got too involved with that huh )

Hehe..I know I did.

I collect swords , and stuff now .

 

[Carolus Rex]

I'm back.

 

[Xanadu]

So how was the tournement Mr. Rex?