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President of the Senate Isaakios Komnenos:

The time scheduled for recess has ended and members of the Imperial Guard escort all of the senators back to Magnaura. Upon entering they notice that Isaakios Komnenos is already sitting in his armchair and that the Red Speaker stands in the middle of the Magnaura stiff and silent as if he became a pillar of salt like Lot's wife. Komnenos glances at him with anger. What a waste of time. And to think he had plans concerning this mute fool and his band!

Finally, when all senators have taken their seat, President of the Senate rises and takes the Fasces from the carrier. He steps to the centre of the Great Hall, moves and hits the floor with the iron ending of the Fasces.

- The Senate is in session.

Komnenos than turns around, waving at guardsmen to return senator Este-Ravenna to his seat while heading to sit in the armchair of the President. Isaakios looks at Vice President with grim expression on his face. Such a shame... He had no patience to deal with the aristoi who disrespect him. Still, with the Red Demes now out of the question perhaps it would be advised to turn toward the Blues. Maybe their Speaker will be more willing to cooperate..

{{ The debate ends and voting starts in 24 hours. }}
 
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Senator Philaretos Mandromenos (Red Demes):

*Mandromenos returns to his seat*

Well, esteemed Speaker, I trust that your business with the President went well. Did you learn anything of importance?

No matter. We surely had time to discuss among ourselves the current state of affairs. The causes and any secret supporters among the aristoi or dynatoi of Sophia are irrelevant, we must take action against her. Inviting her to the Synod would surely be a mistake of the highest order, for it would threaten the Church, the common thread that binds all Romans. To divide the Church would to insure the fall of the Imperium, we only need to look to the Near West to see the results of a similar disaster. The Synod needs to occur without any outside influences.

However, some of you are concerned with the Italian archons and their feelings of marginalization. Perhaps we should invite them to the trial to alleviate that. Also, I believe the Black Tagma should be given an opportunity to redeem themselves, perhaps under the orders of the Emperor and a new commander to ensure success.

What say you, my fellow Senators?
 
Senator Marius Serapis of the White Demes

Marius resumes his seat in the magnaura only to rise soon after to answer Senator Mandromenos. "I have no doubt the Synod will be able to disprove her bizarre theology and prove her to be, at the very least, misguided. As a man of the Church I am confident the united Faith and his Imperial Majesty will be more than a match for her rhetoric. Only by facing her openly and under conditions the public will consider 'fair' will we be able to save the souls of those she have misled. Not bringing her to the Synod, though, would be taken as a sign of weakness and only encourage her followers to ever greater crimes against the Imperium and God."

"Let the Italian lords come to witness the glory of Imperial justice at work, and reaffirm their loyalty to the Throne. And if the poor woman does not renounce her teachings let the Empire bear witness to her fate."
 
Senator Philaretos Mandromenos (Red Demes):

What say you, my fellow Senators?



Leon Taurinus (Red Demes)


*Returns to his seat, making sure that his mask is securely on and his gloves on tight.
He has heard the Komnenos were to be feared, but it seems as if the President of the Senate did something to strike their Speaker speechless and petrified, practically turned to stone.
He shudders as he notices the senile senator who was carried in during the recess and recalls the raving Pisan bishop, Mandromenos, and other senators who's behavior seem quite...unnatural. He wonders if perhaps the Speaker's silence is not in fact due to the President but another symptom of the madness plague spreading through the senate. *
*He notices that Mandromenos has spoken*
"Though I am certain the Emperor would send only the finest of the Black Tagma for such a mission, I fear what might happen if the plot were to be leaked to Sophia. All it would take would be a disloyal senator leaking word of the plan to her and she might raise open revolt that could spread across the Imperium. The army must be able to deal with the rebels ravaging Taurica and the other provinces. To try to arrest her would be far too dangerous, let us invite her to the Synod and when she is condemned and safely in the capital, then we can deal with her."
 
President of the Senate Isaakios Komnenos:


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 Alexios Este-Ravenna (Red Demes Speaker:)

Quietly wondering what the President was building towards, Alexios continued calmly and respectfully, not yet convinced as to the Dynatoi's intentions.
"A man of the Army is always ready to fight or die for Rome, Honorable President. I fought beneath and behind the walls of Pisa in the war. I fought again against the rabble here in Constantinople, when they deigned to assault me in my residence, though such scum barely count as men. I have killed several men during my years, president."

{{ETA: damn, missed the deadline. Been busy with school.}}
 
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 Alexius Colombo (Blue Demes Speaker):

*In the time between leaving Desmetri and Mandromenos alone, Colombo took a few minutes to think to himself. "Desmetri," he thought, "is similar to me in many ways... perhaps too many. In trusting him, I am trusting myself. And I would not trust me."*

"Now, I'll test out Desmetri's supposed loyalty."*

*Before he can meet directly with Mandromenos, the recess ends. Instead, Colombo drops a letter off at Mandromenos' desk*

I'm sorry we were unable to meet during recess, but I will tell you what I would have told you then. I think Desmetri is being a little bombastic: I have no great plot. However, I did talk to Desmetri about the importance of giving Sophia a fair playing field in the Synod so as to best refute her arguments. We are both worried about the potential for the Italian delegates to see the whole thing as a sham. We also talked about how, if her teachings are found to be truly obscene, and she continues to refuse to refute them, it will be of great import that a harsh sentence in a trial be handed down, lest her rabble get any ideas.

Feel free to communicate further with either me or Desmetri about this. However, I must warn you that Desmetri is prone to exaggeration. During our first chat, he made some jokes about.. well, let's just say they were in poor taste, physically and metaphorically.

*Alexius smirks as he turns away. Divide et impera.*

{{ Come at me, Desmetri, try and betray me now. A freshman Senator's word against that of a Faction Leader with the Dalasennos at his back? (although they could stick a knife in it whenever they wanted, lol) Good luck. I'm committed to not being burned at the stake until my heir(s) are eligible for Senatorship, which won't be for a few sessions. Speaking of which, @CzokletMuss what happens when a Senator's house is still alive but the heir isn't old enough to be a Senator? Does the house "die", or would the player just not play the character until a session where they are eligible?}}

{{ To @CzokletMuss : If you want to have interactive exchanges with people, especially in a time sensitive fashion, it might be a good idea tell them in a PM beforehand that they need to be more active this session. Or at the very least say at the beginning of the session that, say, "Faction Speakers might be called upon to speak privately" or something else as the case may be. The surprise meetings worked last time because there was less time sensitivity due to there not being something that needed to come after. }}
 
President of the Senate Isaakios Komnenos:

Isaakios was listening to the senators, deep in his thoughts. Perhaps he was too quick to abandon his plan. After all what he really needed was Red Demes, not - he glances at petrified senator Este-Ravenna - Red Speaker. He wasn't familiar with the senators but he knew well what type of people is attracted by places like Magnaura. Ambition, greed, pride, lust...

Komnenos strikes his beard.

Yes, it shouldn't be too difficult to use their vices. The new Red Speaker would surely be more willing to cooperate. Still... could he count on men like these? But if he won't do it then this snake Dalassenos will without a doubt try to tempt them with promises of power. And for this he could not allow.

Isaakios sighs.
 
{{ To @CzokletMuss : If you want to have interactive exchanges with people, especially in a time sensitive fashion, it might be a good idea tell them in a PM beforehand that they need to be more active this session. Or at the very least say at the beginning of the session that, say, "Faction Speakers might be called upon to speak privately" or something else as the case may be. The surprise meetings worked last time because there was less time sensitivity due to there not being something that needed to come after. }}
{{ Yup, you are right. But actually this is kinda fun - the character I play had to react the way he did but by doing so it I complicated my own plans :p

@Undead Martyr - don't worry about it, I actually like the direction this is going; if anyone is to blame it's probably me for not PMing you beforehand. Let's just see where this will take us :D }}
 
{{Wants the Reds, but not the Red Speaker, and meanwhile we have a Red Senator that views the members of his own faction with suspicion and seeks to avenge his brother killed by the Dalessenos. Interesting, so very Interesting...}}
 
{{ Yup, you are right. But actually this is kinda fun - the character I play had to react the way he did but by doing so it I complicated my own plans :p

@Undead Martyr - don't worry about it, I actually like the direction this is going; if anyone is to blame it's probably me for not PMing you beforehand. Let's just see where this will take us :D }}

{Yeah I guess it works that way... certainly more interesting}}
 
{{Wants the Reds, but not the Red Speaker, and meanwhile we have a Red Senator that views the members of his own faction with suspicion and seeks to avenge his brother killed by the Dalessenos. Interesting, so very Interesting...}}


{{Then we have Colombo's apprentice in the cannibal ring, Taurinus and Wedrovander who's homes are both under threat from rebels and barbarians.
Behold the saviors of the Imperium everyone! }}
 
{{ let us not forget the senile Kastelos and the old bastard monk that represents the Raoul.
Senators assemble ! :p }}
{{Well it's not like legislators are much better nowadays...}}
 
{{Sorry for not responding in a timely fashion. School, you understand.}}

Senator Belissarios Leonidos (White Demes):

"Hmm. Thank you for the information, Senator Pylaeus."

{{ @luciusmalfoy012 The only thing I want to know is if you tell Belissarios about the "alliance" with the Dalassenos. I assume you did, as it was fairly major. }}

*Upon hearing the debate being called again, Belissarios returns to his seat.*

"And once again we return to debate, good Senators. I am glad to see that most of us are in agreement in at least a Synod concerning Sophia Angelos, so let us turn the topic of our discussion: What do you all feel about tarrifing the exarchs? I feel that our adminiatration is already stretched and we should not strain it more by raising tarrifs. What say all of you?"
 
{{Sorry for not responding in a timely fashion. School, you understand.}}

Senator Belissarios Leonidos (White Demes):

"Hmm. Thank you for the information, Senator Pylaeus."

{{ @luciusmalfoy012 The only thing I want to know is if you tell Belissarios about the "alliance" with the Dalassenos. I assume you did, as it was fairly major. }}

*Upon hearing the debate being called again, Belissarios returns to his seat.*

"And once again we return to debate, good Senators. I am glad to see that most of us are in agreement in at least a Synod concerning Sophia Angelos, so let us turn the topic of our discussion: What do you all feel about tarrifing the exarchs? I feel that our adminiatration is already stretched and we should not strain it more by raising tarrifs. What say all of you?"

Senator Philaretos Mandromenos (Red Demes):

More gold for the Imperium is always a good thing. Need I remind you that a habit of deficit spending was one of the many contributing factors to this crisis. A greater source of income would be most welcome.
 
{{Sorry for not responding in a timely fashion. School, you understand.}}

Senator Belissarios Leonidos (White Demes):

"Hmm. Thank you for the information, Senator Pylaeus."

{{ @luciusmalfoy012 The only thing I want to know is if you tell Belissarios about the "alliance" with the Dalassenos. I assume you did, as it was fairly major. }}

*Upon hearing the debate being called again, Belissarios returns to his seat.*

"And once again we return to debate, good Senators. I am glad to see that most of us are in agreement in at least a Synod concerning Sophia Angelos, so let us turn the topic of our discussion: What do you all feel about tarrifing the exarchs? I feel that our adminiatration is already stretched and we should not strain it more by raising tarrifs. What say all of you?"

Senator Alexios Este-Ravenna (Red Demes Speaker):

"The exarchs were invaded by the barbarians and defended by tagmata. Surely even they can agree that it is only fair that they pay taxes to fund a war fought for their benefit."
 
Senator Philaretos Mandromenos (Red Demes):

More gold for the Imperium is always a good thing. Need I remind you that a habit of deficit spending was one of the many contributing factors to this crisis. A greater source of income would be most welcome.

Senator Alexios Este-Ravenna (Red Demes Speaker):

"The exarchs were invaded by the barbarians and defended by tagmata. Surely even they can agree that it is only fair that they pay taxes to fund a war fought for their benefit."

Senator Belissarios Leonidos (White Demes):

"Ordinarily I would agree with you, however our administration is thinly stretched and on the breaking point - and while the economy has seen better days, it is certainly better than it was a few short years ago. Perhaps our best and brightest can be better spent rooting out corruption and making our people feel safer?"
 
Senator Flavius Lucius Mojmirid
Taking his seat among his fellow senators, Flavius continues to eye the President of the senate. To him subordination to anyone other than the emperor was unacceptable, however now was not the time for rash actions. In stead Flavius would bide his time and wait for the perfect moment to bring them down.

"Although it goes against my personal standing, I would have to agree with Senator Belissarios. Raising tariffs on the Exarchs cannot be done at this juncture. Our empire is still weak and vulnerable. I find it unwise to attempt to gain a small modicum gold in the short term while harming our standing with the Exarchs in the long run. As for 'The Light Bringer', she is merely a symptom of the greater issue at large. I do agree that calling a Synod to address the issues she brings up is the most cautious route we can take."
 
Senator Marius Serapis of the White Demes

"I too am inclined to agree with Senator Leonidos. The tarrifs can be raised in a more gradual manner when the proper occasion presents itself if we are only patient. {{wait for the game events}} Putting undue strain on the administration for a small short-term gain is not advisable at this time when we must work so hard to stabilise the imperium.

"The exarchates do contribute in their own way to the overall strength of the Imperium. Taking funding from their local armies only to add it to our own would only be a marginal gain, in the long term. In the short term it would only weaken us, since our tagmata are still suffering from the effects of the bankruptsy are have a far lower combat readiness than those of our colonies."
 
Senator Marius Serapis of the White Demes

Marius leans back, eating some grapes and enjoying the peace and quiet in the Magnaura. It seemed everything that could be said had already been spoken, and his colleagues all showed a remarkable restraint from repeating themselves. The Synod would likely come to pass, but the forcible arrest of the false prophetess and her trial was still in question. How strange that so many Senators were so in awe of the Angeloi for saving the Imperium that they would allow one of them to destroy it from within. Or perhaps it was fear that held them back, fear of the punishment that had so easily been meted out the last session when others spoke out against that servant of Diablos. Certainly it was what held him back from speaking his own mind, that and his need to take a moderate stance to gather the greatest possible support for what had to be done. He shakes his head and takes a sip of wine, letting his gaze rest on the face of the President.

The Komnenos... So powerful and arrogant, with the highest offices of state in their hands and an Empress of their own blood sharing the bed of the Emperor. They and the Dalassenos, and the other so called Dynatoi (As if Serapis wasn't a dynasty in its own right!) were the true root of the sickness in the Imperium, even if they were not its direct cause. Their corruption and incompetence had weakened the Imperium and allowed economic ruination and defeat in war to cause the spiral of chaos that made the rise of heresy, in one form or another, inevitable. It was not truly the fault of the desperate and weak that they had embraced the only hope presented to them, not understanding it led to their damnation. It was the failure of the strong that no other hope had been given. The Devil needed only step trough the door noone had bothered to close.

The helpless and the damned would pay the price in the end. They had to be shown the error of their ways. But the ones truly to blame would only try to use the crisis to strengthen themselves, even as the Imperium they depended on crumbled around them. In time they too would suffer, but by then it would be far too late.

Perhaps it already was. For while the Imperium tore itself apart her enemies were stronger than ever. The sons of Timur held northern hindustan under their heel, only waiting for the last effects of the plague to pass before descending on helpless Syria and rotting Egypt once again. That they would surely put the heretics to the torch was poor consolation, but at least Islam did not call God the Devil. At least they still respected Jesus, even as they denied Christ. Serapis had survived in their lands before, perhaps it would again. Though Marius did not enjoy the thought of paying their taxes.

The mujehedeen were at least better than the ravenus savages of the north who were sweeping unhindered over Moldavia and held Poland at their mercy. Already they had stolen the northern shores of the euxine and noone in the Imperium could really hope to stop them from taking the rest.

The Xenoi at least still seemed as ineffectual as ever, too consumed by their inhuman madness to stop puny Pisa from taking their lands. One sign that God still gave some protection to the Imperium. Now, if the Imperium could only prove it would protect the house of God, perhaps it could regain his complete favour.

Marius sips on his glass and says nothing while waiting for the desision.
 
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