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Alea Iacta Story Hour: A Mythic Rome Campaign (Baby Announcement: 8/17)
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<blockquote data-quote="Orichalcum" data-source="post: 1552653" data-attributes="member: 3722"><p><strong>Alea Iacta VII: Lux et Veritas Chp. 7: The Defense</strong></p><p></p><p>Interesting ideas, all of you. Fimmtiu, you're correct about the identity of Jove's sisters. Mortepierre, great knowledge of Roman history, but keep in mind that the game is both alternate history and roughly situated around the early 2nd century CE; the mid 3rd-century disasters are still very much in the future, and, of course, dependent on what happens in the PCs' present. </p><p></p><p>For the record, it's currently a few days after the beginning of June, for the PCs.</p><p>***</p><p></p><p>With the prosecution having concluded its case in a hurry, the half-hour water-clock is turned over. Lucius Verrius Glaucus, Salonianus' advocate, leisurely strolls before the judges. He is a sleek, elegantly groomed older man, with a toga made from the finest opaque Egyptian linen.</p><p></p><p> "Honored judges, this entire case has been a terrible misunderstanding, furthered by the greedy desires of those [glances at Publicola] who wish to deprive my poor, foolish but innocent client of not only his livelihood but his life itself. Here are the facts. Memmius Salonianus is, as has already been established, a fearful merchant. He's lost his wine harvest before, and he's understandably concerned about it. As a means of reassuring his empty fears, he visited Perthinos the Soothsayer. He didn't want to know anything about the fate of the Empire - why would a humble wine merchant be interested in lofty politics? All he cared about was his wine. </p><p> </p><p> Unfortunately, when he went to ask about his harvest, the soothsayer, Perthinos, uttered some strange words - which we've heard some of today. Who knows if these are true words, or more than the drunken ramblings of an elderly Greek? I certainly don't. They didn't sound very significant when read out just now before the court. And more relevantly, Memmius Salonianus didn't think they were important. If he had thought this was a prophecy about the Empire, would he have gone home and not told anyone except his neighbor Marcia? Of course not! He would have gone straight to the vigiles or his patron. He didn't, because he didn't think this was worth wasting the time of anyone important. This has all been blown far out of porportion by people anxious to create scandal and drama in the slow summer season.</p><p></p><p> I would like to first call my client, Memmius Salonianus. Memmius, why did you go to Perthinos?"</p><p></p><p> "Well, I wanted good news about my wine harvest. Because, well, I worry, and I know the gods will watch over us, but..."</p><p></p><p> "So you just wanted reassurance, right?</p><p></p><p> "Yes."</p><p></p><p> "Did you know seeking a prophecy was illegal?"</p><p></p><p> "Well,yes. I'm very sorry about that, and I promise I won't do it again, and I'll pay any fine required," the terrified Memmius recites, almost as if he's been carefully coached.</p><p></p><p> "Did you think the prophecy concerned the fate of the Empire or the Imperial family?"</p><p></p><p> "No, I thought it concerned my wine harvest! Except I couldn't really understand any of it, except for the bit telling me to pray. Which I've been doing day and night ever since."</p><p></p><p>Glaucus dismisses Memmius Salonianus, and examines Perthinos and Quintus Rutilius in quick succession. From Perthinos, he draws out a confession that the soothsayer drinks regularly, and that he receives complaints about false prophecies. He forces Quintus Rutilius to concede that there is legal ambiguity about the aspect of hearing an unintentional prophecy, and ends with plenty of time for his summation, having carefully neglected any chance to hear more of the prophecy from Nikos' notes.</p><p></p><p>"Honored judges, you can surely see that this is all a terrible mistake. Not only did my client not intend to receive a dangerous prophecy, it's unclear he received a prophecy at all from this drunken charlatan, let alone a true foretelling concerning the fate of the Empire! Furthermore, the legal questions in this case certainly suggest that you should not condemn Memmius Salonianus of high treason based on his careless failure to report possible danger to the vigiles. This is a frivilous charge, and I ask you to dismiss it."</p><p></p><p>The judges concur for a few minutes, and return to the courtroom. Metellus announces, glancing carefully at his fellow judge, that "We find the defendant, Memmius Salonianus, innocent of high treason. For seeking illegal soothsaying on repeated occasions, however, and for possible negligence in reporting potentially valuable information to the authorities, we fine him 5000 sestertii, and sternly admonish him to avoid soothsayers, witches, and other magic-workers in the future."</p><p></p><p>Glaucus looks exultant; Publicola depressed at having lost his first case. Memmius looks confused, as if he can't decide whether to be glad that he's alive or horribly upset about the large fine. Before the court is formally dismissed, the other judge makes a final announcement.</p><p></p><p>"Nikos Perthinianus, you will be kept in the custody of my lictors until you have produced a full and accurate translation of the prophecy, which will be delivered to the appropriate Imperial authorities through me. " He leans over to Metellus - "Sounds like entertaining reading? Do you want a copy? It's all going to leak anyhow, after this trial is over." Metellus nods, startled but not willing to miss the chance.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Orichalcum, post: 1552653, member: 3722"] [b]Alea Iacta VII: Lux et Veritas Chp. 7: The Defense[/b] Interesting ideas, all of you. Fimmtiu, you're correct about the identity of Jove's sisters. Mortepierre, great knowledge of Roman history, but keep in mind that the game is both alternate history and roughly situated around the early 2nd century CE; the mid 3rd-century disasters are still very much in the future, and, of course, dependent on what happens in the PCs' present. For the record, it's currently a few days after the beginning of June, for the PCs. *** With the prosecution having concluded its case in a hurry, the half-hour water-clock is turned over. Lucius Verrius Glaucus, Salonianus' advocate, leisurely strolls before the judges. He is a sleek, elegantly groomed older man, with a toga made from the finest opaque Egyptian linen. "Honored judges, this entire case has been a terrible misunderstanding, furthered by the greedy desires of those [glances at Publicola] who wish to deprive my poor, foolish but innocent client of not only his livelihood but his life itself. Here are the facts. Memmius Salonianus is, as has already been established, a fearful merchant. He's lost his wine harvest before, and he's understandably concerned about it. As a means of reassuring his empty fears, he visited Perthinos the Soothsayer. He didn't want to know anything about the fate of the Empire - why would a humble wine merchant be interested in lofty politics? All he cared about was his wine. Unfortunately, when he went to ask about his harvest, the soothsayer, Perthinos, uttered some strange words - which we've heard some of today. Who knows if these are true words, or more than the drunken ramblings of an elderly Greek? I certainly don't. They didn't sound very significant when read out just now before the court. And more relevantly, Memmius Salonianus didn't think they were important. If he had thought this was a prophecy about the Empire, would he have gone home and not told anyone except his neighbor Marcia? Of course not! He would have gone straight to the vigiles or his patron. He didn't, because he didn't think this was worth wasting the time of anyone important. This has all been blown far out of porportion by people anxious to create scandal and drama in the slow summer season. I would like to first call my client, Memmius Salonianus. Memmius, why did you go to Perthinos?" "Well, I wanted good news about my wine harvest. Because, well, I worry, and I know the gods will watch over us, but..." "So you just wanted reassurance, right? "Yes." "Did you know seeking a prophecy was illegal?" "Well,yes. I'm very sorry about that, and I promise I won't do it again, and I'll pay any fine required," the terrified Memmius recites, almost as if he's been carefully coached. "Did you think the prophecy concerned the fate of the Empire or the Imperial family?" "No, I thought it concerned my wine harvest! Except I couldn't really understand any of it, except for the bit telling me to pray. Which I've been doing day and night ever since." Glaucus dismisses Memmius Salonianus, and examines Perthinos and Quintus Rutilius in quick succession. From Perthinos, he draws out a confession that the soothsayer drinks regularly, and that he receives complaints about false prophecies. He forces Quintus Rutilius to concede that there is legal ambiguity about the aspect of hearing an unintentional prophecy, and ends with plenty of time for his summation, having carefully neglected any chance to hear more of the prophecy from Nikos' notes. "Honored judges, you can surely see that this is all a terrible mistake. Not only did my client not intend to receive a dangerous prophecy, it's unclear he received a prophecy at all from this drunken charlatan, let alone a true foretelling concerning the fate of the Empire! Furthermore, the legal questions in this case certainly suggest that you should not condemn Memmius Salonianus of high treason based on his careless failure to report possible danger to the vigiles. This is a frivilous charge, and I ask you to dismiss it." The judges concur for a few minutes, and return to the courtroom. Metellus announces, glancing carefully at his fellow judge, that "We find the defendant, Memmius Salonianus, innocent of high treason. For seeking illegal soothsaying on repeated occasions, however, and for possible negligence in reporting potentially valuable information to the authorities, we fine him 5000 sestertii, and sternly admonish him to avoid soothsayers, witches, and other magic-workers in the future." Glaucus looks exultant; Publicola depressed at having lost his first case. Memmius looks confused, as if he can't decide whether to be glad that he's alive or horribly upset about the large fine. Before the court is formally dismissed, the other judge makes a final announcement. "Nikos Perthinianus, you will be kept in the custody of my lictors until you have produced a full and accurate translation of the prophecy, which will be delivered to the appropriate Imperial authorities through me. " He leans over to Metellus - "Sounds like entertaining reading? Do you want a copy? It's all going to leak anyhow, after this trial is over." Metellus nods, startled but not willing to miss the chance. [/QUOTE]
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