ITALY RPG/AAR

[Emre Yigit]

An OOC note on early modern embassies

Embassies prior to the 18th century were largely temporary, with no permanent representation except in unusual circumstances (e.g. occasionally between Spain and Austria). In keeping with this, my embassy is here for a single stated purpose, and I shall depart when I deem my mission a success or failure. Of course, if the Poles, who, as far as I know, never sent an ambassador except to Moscow, Vienna or Constantinople until the 17th century, wish to make their representation permanent, that’s their business).

On the subject of precedence: this was a tricky subject. As late as 1812, a French ambassador fought a duel (possibly in Rome) to preserve the honour of his sovereign. I shall likewise take this very seriously.

Precedence was determined by a number of factors.
1. Who sent the embassy? Kings had precedence over princes, who in turn had precedence over dukes, etc. The exception was Venice, whose duke was treated as a king. Therefore, my ambassador has precedence over the Polish one, who is sent by a mere committee of nobles.
2. When was the embassy sent? In the 18th century there was a move to give precedence to earlier arrivals. But I think it is way too early for that.
3. If both ambassadors were appointed by sovereigns of equal rank, the following entered into the equation:
a. Which sovereign was more powerful?
b. Did the state to which they were sent wish to insult the ambassador?

I would argue Turkey for the first (though, not having conquered Egypt by 1566, the Turks seem to be quite far behind here), and – given that 78% of the senators wish for continued good-ish relations with the Ottoman Empire, I would suggest no in this instance.

4. Representatives of the Pope and HRE took precedence over all others. As emissary of the Sultan of Sultans, etc, I shall of course challenge this if the need arises.

Why all this fuss? Well, two reasons:
1. Ego trip, as with most mid-16th century ambassadors;
2. As most senior ambassador, I wish to have the right occasionally to speak on behalf of the entire diplomatic community. (You may need it if your “BB” rises any further)

….with my apologies for monopolising the board over the past few minutes.

PS, the strange colour is to make this as inoffensive and unobtrusive as possible

 

[Forster]

Don Forster receives the message from Gen Bragadin. He tells his assistant to have the messenger wait, and to offer him wine and food.

After looking over the letter, he is mildly amused. The Gen is not bright enough, nor stupid enough to do this on his own. This stinks of Calabresi. He yells for his lieutenant. Marius, I want that runner drunk, then you and a couple of the men take him out and slit his throat. Put this letter in his pouch and leave it with the body. Make it look like he got drunk,then robbed. Leave the pouch open so it looks like it was dropped by the killer once he found nothing of worth.

This way, he thought, I will never have received the letter,and the world will soon know of "Bragadin's" plot. Lord, how could you let such an evil man become the pope?

 

[Forster]

Luca,I want you to go to Sen Gandalf. Make sure no one sees you, do you understand, NO ONE. Slip into his house and give him this message -

My dear friend, please do not use written messages such as you have just sent, if it were to be intercepted, we would see our houses collapse around us. My men are ready, do nothing to even hint what we are planning. You must convince the other bon veri to see it our way.

Let us hope this finishes soon, and without too much bloodshed.

Do you have that Luca. Repeat it back to me. Not word for word, but you have the correct message. Good boy. Now, leave out through the tunnel exit so you are not seen.

The Don thinks, we will soon know if Italy will survive or fracture into civil war. My men must succeed, to fail will be unthinkable. May God have mercy on our souls.

 

[Forster]

Don Forster is worried about his family and those under his protection. Word is sent for his men to move everyone into the mountain hideouts, leaving a skeletal crew to watch over the estates and work the vinyards.

I can protect them from almost anything, but an army would be very difficult to stop. The Pope is just cruel enough to sent one to get the senatorial families under his control.

As soon as the verdict is made, we strike. It is nice to know that Bragadin's aide-de-camp is still one of my men. It will make that part of the problem so much easier.

After the verdict, three of my men will attack and kill Sarducci on his way back to the Vatican. He is so supremely confident of his power, he still refuses a guard. Fool. The Pope won't be able to save him this time. That poison is too fast and too effective. Only a miracle would work, and I don't think the Pope can pull that off.
The assassins were brought in from England, and they are to talk to each other when they kill Sarducci. Once done, we move them out of Italy right away by boat to Portugal. After that they will return to England. They are posing as minor English gentry touring Italy. Two birds with one stone, I love it.

 

[Warspite]

Happy Fourth of July everybody,

Gandalf, mighty fine writing there, wow, you are kicking this thing into high gear

Forster, make sure you PM me if you have some extra devious plans. remember i have bad memory hehe.

emre yigit, nice touch friend, you have started a great idea here that i hope takes off nicely.

Talk to you all tomorrow.

 

[Carolus Rex]

Originally posted by warspite

I have also thought how is it possible ariels england thread had so many views, when i started this aar he had i think 13000 views if i remmeber right, within a month it jumped to 30,000, either his aar was an extrememly popular read or someone got drunk and pressed the F5 key one too many times.

Uhm, yeah... My bad.. Sorry 'bout that.

 

[Carolus Rex]

Originally posted by warspite
PLEASE HAVE A SAFE FOURTH OF JULY,

ENJOY!

Like, you want us to use protection??

 

[Misha]

General Bragadin wrote:

Now is the time to prepare for your dream conquering the holy lands. The Pope has issued a law of crusade against the muslims, I will lead this charge against the heathens, we will conquer them together. But the republic and its senators stand in our way, you know as well as i do the difficulties of politics, that is why the Pope is driven by the only true force, GOD ALMIGHTY. Forget about general Mccollum and the republic, the doge is weak, the pope is rightfully the ruler of all. Join me and the Pope now, we will rule the Roman Empire together and this world will be ours.

The retired senator for Umbria reread the message again. He shook his head. Why had Bragadin sent him a copy of this message? He was no longer an active senator, instead he was a retired statesman. Yes, he had been a supporter of an eventual crusade against the Turk, but he was also known to support the Doge By-Tor's policy of delay, believing that the time for such a crusade was not yet ripe given the Republic's dubious reputation abroad. And yes, he was a passionate Catholic, but he had never called for direct papal control of the day-to-day administration of the affairs of government. While Misha didn't reject Pius' bull "In Cna Domine", he didn't think it was the final word on the subject either.

The whole situation reminded the old man of the machinations of the long-dead senator Neros, leader of the Imperial Party, who in Misha's early years in the Senate had called for an end to the Republic & the refashioning of Italia into a reborn Roman Empire. Misha, along most of the other most vocal senators, had opposed Neros then, & he saw no reason to change his position now. Italia may be an empire in fact, Misha thought, but she should never become one in name. The imperial dignity in the west had fallen upon hard times just as it had a thousand years ago. Better to forget about it like Odoacer & create something new & better, than to continue to venerate a corpse of a tradition.

And the Republic was undoubtedly something new & better. Misha had seen her grow in his lifetime from little more than a rough idea into the most powerful nation in the world. It had been a bumpy ride assuredly, but the result was worth the trip. A nation where (albeit indirectly) the people had a voice in the governance of their affairs - now that was something worth fighting for! The Republic was facing its sternest test yet in this heresy trial, but Misha had faith that the good sense of the people of Italia would shine forth, & the end result would be a Republic grown even stronger because of the adversity. Now this was a consummation devoutly to be wished!

 

[Sharur]

Meerschaum, please try to wrap the trial up, I'm leaving in a couple of days.

Originally posted by Gandalf
"Nay, Vincent, I do not yet accuse the Pope. As I say, perhaps this is of Bragadin only. And yet, it would make sense when I see how persistent Sarducci is on condemning McCollum. In fact, it even seems that he is willing to let Sharur off the hook if only Sharur would be traitorous enough to give them McCollum in exchange. I all fits together. This trial is all about removing an obstacle (McCollum) in the path of the Pope's crusade. Curse it! We now stand on the brink of civil war because he was not patient enough to allow politics to take their course. We had a powerful contingent in the Senate supporting the Crusade, and I myself was on the track to potential Dogeship. Now we're flying apart at the seams."

Hmm, I think I like that idea: he's going after me just to get McCollum. But I don't think it's the case.

 

[unmerged(4493)]

Great AAR

I like this kind of merge between you guys, actually I would like to take part of it but it seems you all have already taken it very far, wouldn't want to interrupt.

Great story, great work, hope to se new exploits soon.

 

[Brad1]

Re: Great AAR

Originally posted by Argael
I like this kind of merge between you guys, actually I would like to take part of it but it seems you all have already taken it very far, wouldn't want to interrupt.

Great story, great work, hope to se new exploits soon.

You could be a ambasador from some country. we need some ambasadors.

 

[unmerged(3107)]

(In the midst of the trial, Nuncio Gotti hands Pope Pius V a brief letter describing Bragadin's actions. The Pontiff crushes the note in anger and whispers to Gotti.)

"Has this Senator Dude poisoned the drinking water of the entire Italian army with his psychedelic herbs from South Vespucci? First Lombardi's lunacy. Now this? I am considerably displeased by this train of events . . .

Send a message to the Doge that we had best accelerate our hitherto secret negotiations. It is time for both the Vatican and the Doge to reign in all of Italy's increasingly wayward Generals.

As for Bragadin, summon him to my apartment immediately. It's time the General and I played a little one-on-one . . ."

(Pius V slowly dribbled the rock with a menacing, but controlled fury.)

 

[Forster]

Luca had returned, no one had seen him and he had given Sen Gandalf the message.

The runner dies relatively quickly, but messily in an alley mid-way between Bragadin's quarters and the Don's Villa. Rumors were spread that he had been drinking and bragging about how important he was.

It had been pure luck, but an old priest tending to the poor had found the body and saw the letter under the pouch. When he had read it, he wondered if the Pope might want to know about it, and he took it to the Vatican. The Don had hoped the letter would become common knowledge, but with this turn of events, it was unlikely.

 

[unmerged(3107)]

(Sarducci paces before Sharur, appearing resplendently evil in his white Inquisitor's robe and black hood while holding the Wallachian Bone Cutter in one hand. "Hey," whispers Gotti to Cardinal Guerro, "I gotta get me one of them Inquisitor outfits. I'm tellin ya, I would cut a pretty damn mean figure in one of them getups."

"I'm sure that the Inquisitor General has cut a few mean figures in the flesh of his victims while wearing it too" gibed the Columban Abbott. Sarducci continued his interrogation of Sharur.)

"Senator Sharur, I thank you for your answers.

One thing, however, troubles me, Senator. You have twice testified to this Court of Inquisition under the most solemn of oaths that a good Christian can utter that you have "absolutely" never advocated tolerance for the teachings of Islam or the spread and practice of that pagan faith.

Yet at your first meeting at McCollum's villa you have been explicitly quoted as saying:

Originally posted by Sharur
*The Senators continue their discussion at McCollum's residence.*

"I concur with Senator Gandalf," Sharur begins. "This is exactly what we need to push our proposal through. And I believe that we can afford tolerance towards both the Orthodox and, though I am loathe to say it, the Muslims, so long as we show no mercy to the Protestans. (OOC: in other words, Catholic tolerance at full, both Protestant tolerances at 0, and Muslims and Orthodox should both be around 75%, unless we'd rather keep one higher than the other). *

Indeed, then on the very next day did you not boldly proclaim in the Senate Chamber:

Originally posted by Sharur
*I suggest, Doge By-Tor, that you introduce a plan for a new law: the "separation of church and state". To start with, this would this enable us to treat the Muslims in the lands we may conquer however we pleased, without being forced to listen to that madman of a Pope. *

Why would you blatantly break your oath, to protect your secret support for Islam? I wonder . . .

Don't you also find it exceptionally strange that a Senator who proclaims himself to be a sworn enemy of the Turk, would be exchanging pleasantries in correspondence with one Emre Yigit, AN AMBASSADOR OF THE SULTAN, HIMSELF!

(Sarducci now theatrically holds up a letter to Sharur bearing the Turk's seal. The crowd suddenly draws in it's collective breath in astonishment. Could this be true?)

So, Senator Sharur I put it to you that your heretical proposal for this so-called "Separation of Church and State" is nothing more than a smokescreen for your insideous plot TO SELL OUT THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC AND CATHOLICISM ITSELF TO YOUR DESPICABLE TURKISH PAYMASTER!!!

Indeed, Senator, with the Papacy out of the way and the General Inquisitor of the Catholic faith out of the way, what spiritual defense would our Republic and Europe itself have had against the encroaching cancer of Islam?

Yes, it all comes together now, Senator, doesn't it! Like some terrible jigsaw puzzle! Your call for the removal of the Pope, your support for the Separation on Church and State, your bungled attempt to have the Inquisitor General murdered and your bald-faced lies to (poorly) conceal your support of Islam! They all make perfect sense now, don't they. Your seemingly random and naive acts of heresy were all part of a larger, dastardly conceived plot . . . TO SELL ALL OF CHRISTIAN EUROPE INTO TURKISH SLAVERY!!! YOU, SIR, ARE THE JUDAS OF OUR ERA!!! NEVER BEFORE HAS CATHOLICISM FACED AS DANGEROUS A HERESY AS YOURS!!!

ADMIT TO YOUR TREACHERY, SHARUR!!! CONFESS!!! CONFESS!!!"

(And with that the Inquisitor General seated himself, as all around him the crowd cried "Burn him! Burn him! Burn him!"

"Gee," muttered a saddened Gotti. "I never figured duh kid to be a traitor. I wonder what he'll say to that?")

 

[unmerged(2952)]

Robert sat on the bench in his cell, weakly. He slouched forward and was having trouble. The greatest chanckle, the one that rally weighed down upon his mind however, was the realization that he had been right. It seemed now that the Pope was using Sharur as a pawn in order to get to him. Of course he'd suspected that from the first, but he had overheard the line of questioning as he was dragged from the room, and those questions seemed to confirm it.

There was still hope, of course, there was always hope. The Jury was still out, and might find him innocent of the charges, or somehow get him out of this with face as well as breath in his lungs. But the chances of this were dwindling with every hour.

That the Republican Gaurd was located outside the walls, waitign for news upon his weel being, McCollum had no clue. Nor did he know that the Holy Legion was preparing to declare a New Roman Empire. Had he known, these incidents would enrage him. He did not want a civil war, had not all of his actions been tempered as to increase stability in the realm?

He would not stand for this blatant attack on the Republic, and he would have to punish Lombardi, officially at last, for his actions. That is, had he even know about them, which he did not. No news was allowed into his cell except for the trickel that he overheard from the gaurds. He's not slept in days....

"Lord", he mutters to himself, "Lord God, I beg you. If I must die, as it seems that I must, please at least allow me to die with some small measure of dignity, and do not allow my actions to cloud my son's reputation. You know that I did msot everythign to help my country. I was not as selfless as I should ahve been, I was arrogant at times, and I know I have sinned as do all men. Lor,d pelase take pity on me"

Having finishedh is prayer he passed out in a corner into a deep sleep that would be broken a few minutes later by his gaurds. LIttle did he know, that soon, all hell would break loose.

 

[unmerged(3107)]

(Pius V quietly congratulated Sarducci on the stirring closing to his interrogation of Sharur.)

"Brilliant work as always, Father General. Of course you, I and the rest of the Cardinals doubtless all recognize that the evidence is wholly circumstantial . . . but, still you wielded that circumstantial evidence with considerable style. We will most certainly have to increase the ticket price for courtroom seats in the future."

(His Holiness then made his way to his apartment where Bragadin waited for him, ominously wearing Nikes and a headband . . . Pius V began to dribble slowly left then right along the perimiter of the key, carefully gauging Bragadin's defensive mobility.)

"General Bragadin, I am outraged by your actions in trying to privately rally the warhawk party Senators in favor of an immediate Crusade against the Turk. While the Holy Office wholly supports such a Crusade, I have personally promised the Doge that the Church will not directly interfere in Italian political matters unless questions of heresy or a spiritual nature are involved. Therefore, like it or not, the Holy Legion will only engage in an offensive military campaign when that campaign is supported by the "civil power." You may not "go it alone" General. To do so would be a colossally stupid blunder. An effective offensive against the Turks will require a considerable number of legions, as well as the Republic navy, just to maintain effective lines of support. If you go off on your own, you'd lose half your troops to atrittion within a year. Then where would our Holy cause be?"

(General Bragadin defended the Pope closesly, but a fast pump fake by his Holiness had Bragadin off his feet as the Pontiff quickly slashed inside him and towards the basket for an uncontested layup.)

"Nice first step, your Holiness. Real lucky."

"Thanks, General."

(General Bragadin now had the ball. The Pontiff was giving his Tribune some room, almost daring him to take the long range jumper.)

"But, your Holiness, the Doge is weak now. He can hardly control his own forces. Lombardi is acting without orders. Now, is the opportune moment to strike."

(With that the General let fly with a 15 footer. But alas, Pope Pius with his unholy vertical had gotten a hand on the ball, which clanged harmlessly against the rim.)

"You could use some work on the shooting, General."

"So could your momma, Papa." the General trash talked back.

(Pope Pius now had the rock back. He began testing the General's lateral movement again with his quick ballhandling.)

"And that's another thing, General. You will kindly stop referring to the Doge as being "weak" in your personal correspondence. That sort of comment is hardly going to improve Church/State relations now, is it?"

(The Pontiff tried driving inside to the lane. But the cagey General had other ideas and forced the Servant of Christ to the baseline. )

"Why should I refrain from insulting the Doge, when his Senators routinely call your Holiness a "monster"? Pretty nice footwork, huh?"

"Because, General . . . I AM A MONSTER!"

(And with that the Pope executed a perfectly timed baseline spin around the hapless, flailing General for a big time stuff.)

"A monster dunker . . . don't you forget that, Tribune."

"Yeah, well maybe your memory's gonna get pretty spotty after I dunk over you a couple of times. Girly-Pope."

(Bragadin had the ball again, and began to posting up on the Pontiff, edging the Holy man back into the key.)

"You and what army, General?"

(As Bragadin pivoted left for the hook, the lightning fast Bishop of Rome stripped the ball from his General. Now, it was the Pontiff who would try his luck with the post-up game.)

"Notwithstanding your quite understandable desire for a crusade against the heathens, General, I must now order you to keep your troops stationed within the Vatican, proper. My reason, is that our spys have reported that a massive Turkish fleet may now lie off of the Western coast of Italy. We understand that they may be planning an audacious amphibious assault against Rome, or more likely the Vatican itself to rescue their agent Sharur. Worse still, we understand that these Turks may attempt to disguise themselves as members of the Republican guard, to slip past our defenses. General, your Church desperately needs you to remain here guarding the Vatican. Now is no time for a crusade. Place your men on maximum alert. Let no Republican Guardsman or anyone else who might be a disguised foreigner near the Vatican's walls. We must be prepared for a seige at any moment! This is a dangerous time, General. I must also command you to keep word of the imminent Turkish attack a complete and utter secret, known only to yourself - otherwise the City will panic and the chaos and looting will likely do more damage than the Turks. General, this is the greatest threat that the Church has faced in Centuries. The spiritual freedom of Europe rests upon the shoulders of the man who would bravely guard the Vatican from these vile Turks. The times requires more than just a leader, Bragadin. The times require a hero. A hero with absolute discipline. A hero with uncompromising vigilance. General, will you be that hero?"

(Moved by the Pontiff's words, the General immediately stands to attention and salutes . . . leaving the Pope with an easy path to his final basket.

After Bragadin had left, Sarducci handed the Pope a Gatorade.)

"So, your Holiness, do you think he bought it?"

"I have no idea, Father. We can only hope this keeps our erstwhile General pre-occupied long enough for the trial to end and myself and the Doge to reach some agreement that will keep the Republic from hopelessly spiraling into civil war. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to lead a requiem mass in honor of the passing of Italy’s favorite novelist.

You know, Sarducci, it always seemed inexplicable to me that a cantankerous, old, misogynistic, cigar-puffing jew from Montreal could so endear himself to hearts of the Italian people."

"It makes perfect sense to me, your Holiness" said Sarducci. "Barney Panofsky is exactly the sort of character that the unreconstructed Italian male can sympathise with."

"Good heavens, Father General! Next thing I know, you'll turn from the Inquisition to literary criticism."

"They are not entirely dissimilar, Papa . . ."

In memoriam. Mordecai Richler 1931-2001.

 

[Emre Yigit]

The ambassador attempts to interfere in the trial

On his horse, on the way back to Rome, the Ambassador dictates yet other letters to his secretary. Sighing about the necessity of helping the Italians help themselves, the ambassador still thinks that the best policy is one of goodwill, for did not the Prophet Isa say that good begat good (or something to that effect)?

To senators Driver and Gandalf:

“Honoured Senator,

Distressing news of the continued trial of the esteemed senators McCollum and Sharur has reached me. While it is true that some may have professed enmity for the Abode of Felicity in the past, yet it grieves me that noble servants of the state may be called to account for professing opinions in private, or indeed in the councils of state. What hope is there for a country if her leaders cannot give honest advice?

I am sending this letter with the remainder of my trusted men to forestall the possibility of interception, as I am so near Rome that I feel the possibility of attack is limited.

Anyway, since this “Inquisition” will no doubt bring up the Turks (the present Bishop of Rome seems besotted with the idea), I thought you might do well to recall the following instances of collaboration between the Papacy and our Empire.

1. Pius II was the first to engage in correspondence with the Sultan, Mehmed the Conqueror, though here the aim was, shall we say, innocent. In 1460-1462, elaborate arguments were presented to that monarch in favour of converting to Catholicism, but the reason given was that there could be no mightier defender of Christianity.
2. Innocent VIII, for a yearly payment of 40,000 ducats, kept the Sultan’s brother, Prince Cem in close confinement in Rome, thereby averting civil war in our realms.
3. His successor, Alexander VI, did not cavil about asking the assistance of the Sultan when Charles VIII of France invaded Italy; the price was to have been the port of Otranto, but the Turks were delayed.
4. Paul III (whom some of you may remember) proposed that the Turks should take Vienna.

As some of you may know, my recent trip brought me to Assisi, among other places, and I was interested in learning from one of the priests in charge of the library there, that Francis of Assisi, who was, I believe, declared a saint, had announced:
"The Saracens are our brothers and friends, and we should love them dearly: amici nostri sunt et nos multum diligere debemus".

If this is indeed the case, unless the Pope wishes to revoke Francis’s sainthood and posthumously declare him a heretic, then I can take comfort in the fact that mere advocation of friendship with my Master or tolerance for our faith cannot be a valid reason to use against the honoured prisoners.

Please use this information if you see fit, though it might still be wise not to reveal the source of the reminder.

I remain, Sir,

Your friend,


Emre, Ambassador of Turkey”

The ambassador leans forward and thinks back to his devotions in the morning, after which he had read from the Holy Book, and had chanced upon the Baqarah section:

Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans - whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.

I just hope this means that I won't be treated as a heretic and too friendly to the Italians when I return home, he prays. Am I turning native? Allah preserve me!

With a grim smile on his face, the ambassador re-adjusts his adequate frame on his tired horse, and sets his eyes upon the city of Rome, whose domes and spires appear in the distance, and fears that the next few days should be most interesting.

 

[unmerged(3743)]

Gandalf pens a quick thank you letter to the Turkish Ambassador for his assistance; and then writes another note, to be delivered to Sharur's cell (hidden in a chocolate cake sent by his mother) telling him of the useful bits of historical data concerning Papal relations and such with the Turks, but of course leaving out the true source where Gandalf got this information from. (Sharur, you may want to use some of the stuff from Emre's last post in your next response. Especially the quote from St. Francis.)

 

[Emre Yigit]

A Turkish fleet

A few hours later, as the ambassador approaches Rome, a rider is seen galloping towards him. It is one of his men! After the briefest of salutations, the rider hans the ambassador a letter, which he reads with growing satisfaction. Finally, a broad smile breaks out on his bearded and yet cherubic face. Hastily, he summons his scribe, and dictates a further letter.

To senators Driver and Gandalf:

“Honoured Senator,

Since my last message, I have received some excellent news. I have a letter from Piri Reis, one of our ablest naval commanders and explorers, that, in command of one of our principal fleets, he should be expected off the coat of Rome tomorrow.

He is escorting a treasure galley, with gifts for the Doge and the Senate, therefore the reason for this unusual strength.

However, such strength may cause some misapprehension during the trial. I await your answer: shall he stay moored out of sight, or would you have any use for him and any soldiers he might have?

In haste, I remain, Sir,

Your friend,


Emre, Ambassador of Turkey”

iacta alea est

 

[unmerged(3743)]

Re: A Turkish fleet

Originally posted by Emre Yigit
Hastily, he summons his scribe, and dictates a further letter.

To senators Driver and Gandalf:

OOC: Emre, I'm not quite sure who you mean to be addressing these letters to. You keep saying Driver and Gandalf, but if your intent is to send them to the boni veri the other one besides myself and Dude is Antonio Storia, not Chevy Driver. I could be totally wrong about your intent so if you really do mean for them to go to Driver please disregard this post.