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| Old News cuttings re Antigonus
Courtesy of Zeus Quote:
ANATOLIA, HEXOBER 108.
The rightly feared military intelligence officer, Sheerluk, has been seen in Alansberg and it is known that his agents have been despatched to the provincial capitals. Watch this space for unsavoury revelations about those deaths.
The Public Commissioner, Pontic Law and Order Department, is also investigating the deaths of the Royal Twins.
And written upon the wall: "Use Daz: washes whiter than white: as used by Lady Macbeth."
The 4th army returned to Alansberg escorting Tontodates' body: despite much questioning morale remains fairly good.
In Alansberg when Roxane's death was reported, Shapur was proclaimed heir and Mithraces was confirmed as Regent. The guard on both has been increased!
The funeral of the noble Tontodates took place on Hexober 25th with all due ceremony etc and this was followed on the 26th by a full meeting of the Council...those who were unable to attend because of the short notice and long distance were represented by friends or suitable emissaries: they will doubtless pay their respects over the coming months...at which Shapur was formally invested as heir with Mithraces as Regent.
Worryingly, Ate was not present and has not been seen for a week or two: no official explanation has been offered and rumours of abduction circulate.
The noble Daz sent an ambassador to the Council, with apologies etc that the seriousness of his master's wounds precluded his making the journey. Mithraces was not best pleased. On the 27th this ambassador handed over to Antigonus those intercepted messages. Antigonus surprise at being the recipient of these documents..."why not to the Council?"...turned to dismay when the ambassador declared that Daz recognised Antigonus as the rightful heir and declared him Emperor.
Whatever his private hopes and aspirations Antigonus Gonadus, Civil Governor of Alansberg, is no fool. He immediately took the ambassador into protective custody and then took him and the documents to Mithraces for examination. Mithraces was not best pleased.
The ambassador pleaded "I do but carry out my instructions, noble lords: when my master learned of the death of the Princess Roxani whom he had loyally proclaimed successor to her noble brother, he instructed me to assure the Prince Antigonus of his support, he being the only son of the God Mithradates who is in his majority. He had no way of guessing that Shapur, a minor with very little experience of matters of state, would be chosen as our next Emperor." "No my lords, the suggestion that Shapur has been chosen by cynical and power-mad men with despicable ulterior motives did not emanate from me or from the noble Daz who languishes yet upon his sick-bed, wounded in the defence of our late Emperor etc etc"
But someone is spreading nasty rumours!
| Quote:
ANATOLIA: WINTER 109-110.
Alansberg
Antigonus' marriage to Vashti was a sumptuous affair, well attended by notables from both Empires. Mustasha, who gave away the bride, gave an unusually splendid dowry...gold, pearls, slik and spices etc.
Daz was taken into protective custody by Mithraces men just before the meeting of the Pontic National Council. Antigonus was appointed satrap of Van by Mithraces.
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NOTES FROM ALANSBERG, WINTER 111-112.
Following the PNC meeting Kemal announced that he would continue to use the title of Lieutenant Governor in preference to PLODDict or Lord Protectusor. Mithraces is to have sole responsibility for the protection of the Imperial Family with the title Guardian of the Heir (PLODGotH). Antigonus Gonadus expressed great alarm that Mithraces' protection might be extended to him and put his bodyguard on extra pay and high alert! All satraps, generals, and admirals have been confirmed in their posts.
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VAN, FUNFLY 114.
Antogonus claims throne...
Antigonus Gonadus approached Rugaces to inform him, the first to know, that he, Antigonus, was about to take his rightful place on the Pontic Imperial Throne and that he would therefore be travelling to Alansberg and would be honoured if Rugaces were to accompany him.
...and chooses his bride
Antigonus then picked up a trivial chance remark of Rugaces and 'agreed' with him that it would be most beneficial to both Royal Houses if he, Antigonus, were to marry Renia, ensuring continued and vigorous Pontic support for Rugaces' just and rightful claim to the Achmenid throne.
Flattered, Rugaces granted Antigonus leave to marry Renia and agreed that the wedding should take place as soon as possible in Alansberg. Plagiar was persuaded to accompany them in force to Alansberg.
By the 10th Plagiar had assembled the bulk of his forces...the Royal Guard and the Van Guard and 1st Division...at Tug. Hari accompanied Nonobenines having been promised an escort to Alansberg and Shapur joined the gathering, still escorting Rugaces and Renia to assure their safety.
When all were gathered Antigonus publicly announced his betrothal and then called a meeting of all senior officers.
...and prepares to take his birthright...
Antigonus reviewed recent events and a few relevant facts: Kemal's inadequate protection of the Imperial Throne: the damage to Alansberg for which he is blamed: his illegal cancellation of the PNC meeting: Seljux' death and El Cid's odd mishap: the failure of the Sassanidians and New Persians to help and the odd fact that OTH knew the Pontic plans (known at the time only to Kemal, El Cid and Plagiar) whilst the information Kemal supplied about OTH and about troops in the Kura was wildly inaccurate.
Now we hear that Kemal and OTH have been in secret talks: Ptelnet moves two Sassanidian armies into Pontus: and Brennius, again invited by Kemal, celebrates El Cid's 'accident'
...with the armies' support
So Antigonus announced that he is to take his rightful place upon the Pontic Imperial Throne and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity. He did not need to remind his listeners that no-one known to be alive has a better claim; indeed the Imperial Throne, in so far as it is occupied at present, is occupied by his younger sister.
Antigonus' rebellion
Antigonus' seizure of vacant throne
Antigonus' acceptance of his birthright
He arrived outside Alansberg on the 28th at midday and was welcomed with great ceremony and obsequiousness by Artakan, the popular but debauched Bey of Alansberg.
Our reporter noted that the venerable Cyrodates, now 96 years old (How did the program miss him? Z) but alert though physically infirm, was particularly warmly greeted by Antigonus. Ate welcomed her brother with cautious affection.
The PITHOff did not, of course, welcome Antigonus at the city gates.
Plagiar ordered west
Safely established in Alansberg Antigonus has ordered Plagiar and the Van army west "...to help our loyal cousin Manolos against those merchants and their mercenary minions."
Rugaces and Renia and indeed Hari have been much impressed by the welcome.
"I thought he was rebelling!"
"Shhh!"
Alansberg, Dujuly 114.
Arrangements for the marriage are going ahead though no date has yet been fixed and local wags are saying that it may have to be cancelled as the Emperor of Achmenia may refuse his permission!
Rugaces has been presented to various dignitaries but has been heard expressing anxiety about the news from Achmenia.
It is rumoured that Renia is finding it difficult adapting to the less sheltered role of women in Pontus. Ate has expressed quiet doubts about her suitability.
Antigonus has allocated extra guards to Ate and continues to treat her kindly.
New Emperor's proclamation
Antigonus Gonadus, being the true scion of the Royal House of Pontus, and aware of the many perils that face Pontus, has, at the request of the Honour of Pontus, assumed the Protectorship of Pontus.
By Royal edict the role of Regent will cease with immediate effect, to be placed before the PNC at its next meeting, whereupon account will be called for the suspicions and accusations laid against the role.
The Pontic Law and Order Department (Finance Division), PLODFinD will investigate the current finances of the Empire and will report all irregularities as soon as possible. It will also prepare a full statement of the needs of the Empire (mining, provisions, etc)
For the furtherance of the security of the Empire the following appointments are decreed:
Noble Cambyses, conqueror of Sarmatia, is named Supreme Commander Pontic Strategic Forces, with the security of the Empire in his hands.
Manolos of Thrace is named Commander of the Western Forces, to be reinforced by Plagiar and Cardaces, with the specific duty of maintaining the peace with Pontus' western neighbours, unless aggressed upon.
Kemal Atapont is named Commander of the Eastern Forces with the specific duty of maintaining the peace with Pontus' neighbours unless aggressed upon.
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A REPORT FROM THE MITHRASMAS 114 MEETING OF THE PNC
Despite protests the PITHOff insisted that the Lieutenant Governor should take the chair, until such time as an Emperor was agreed. The PITHOff then insisted that, as Chairman, Kemal could not exercise the Lieutenant Governor?s vote!
Prayers led by the PITHOff, with an appropriate chant. Manolos asked why no Royal Toast and above all why no brew!
Votes of thanks
a) GKJ was thanked for his helpful participation in the cavalry training programme.
b) GKJ was thanked for his help in regaining the Crimea for Pontus.
c) GKJ was thanked for his help in consolidating Pontic power in Sarmatia.
The members of the PNC affirmed their commitment to the Constitution. Cambyses was absent during this vote.
The office of Regent was not deleted from the Pontic Constitution; the majority was not 75%.
The office of Lieutenant Governor was not deleted from the Pontic Constitution. Manolos spoke strongly in favour of Kemal continuing in this post and continuing his good work keeping the armies supplied and procuring recruits, particularly cavalry.
No alteration to the office of Lieutenant Governor was made.
Shalman?s fate is to be investigated by all available means & reported to the PNC
Antigonus Gonadus was not confirmed as Emperor of Pontus. Manolos stressed that whilst supporting Antigonus? claim he believes that Kemal should keep the job of managing the Empire?s finances, leaving Antigonus free to lead the Pontic armies on campaign: only with an Emperor leading the armies can Pontus hope to keep on expanding. Cambyses said that Antigonus? should not be accepted as Emperor until the PNC confirmed Shalman?s death. Antigonus thanked Manolos for his kind words and for his support but demanded the right to stay in Alansberg to await the result of the search for Shalman, though privately expressing the fear that Kemal or some other ambitious man may have killed him and that anyone could pull any urchin from the street and claim him as the lost heir.
Ate was confirmed as Princess Royal
The protection of Pontus is to be offered to both Rugaces and Renia
It was agreed that Antigonus Gonadus should not marry Renia
It was agreed that money be made available though the sum and the mechanism were not agreed
| Quote:
THE PNC AND ITS REPERCUSSIONS, WINTER 116-117.
The meeting took place on Printemps 1st at Antigonus? request at Gerze. With so little notice no-one was present except of course for Antigonus, so all decisions were unanimous. Manolos and Philip sent aides to vote on their behalf but they arrived too late to do so.
However, if their votes are counted the decisions are unaltered but some are not unanimous.
It was agreed that Pontus should not surrender to OTH; should not fight a purely defensive war; should not have its objective the re-acquisition of all the territory occupied by OTH; should not seek peace with Gawain.
It was further decided that the Imperial Treasury be moved from Alansberg; that Kemal and Ate should be moved from Alansberg for their safe keeping; and that the defence of Alansberg should be handed over to Macalix.
It was agreed that efforts be made to acquire grain and armour; that Manolos be appointed Quartermaster General, and that Cambyses should take overall field command against OTH.
It was further decided that the post of Lieutenant Governor be abolished; that Antigonus be appointed Regent with all Imperial powers whilst Shalman is sought and formally identified.
At this point Antigonus produced a wretch who knew Shalman?s whereabouts. ?No. I do not know; I told you, not me, my?Aargh.?
Ate was informed of some of these decisions by Imperial messenger, but her sympathisers and agents had already informed her. She told Kemal (?Oh, that?s interesting.?) and sent a messenger to inform Macalix.
The repercussions?so far.
Ate summoned Paciartes, the PITHOff and Kemal to an urgent meeting and angrily told them what she knew and confirmed that neither she, the Satrap of Anatolia, nor the PITHOff had been invited to the PNC, nor had any Satrap been present save Antigonus himself, though it is reported that Manolos and Philip sent aides authorised to vote on their behalf.
?Is that legal??
?Yeth, normally. But if the meeting wath legal, ath Antigonuth had thpethifically thaid that any who declined to attend were deemed to have abthtained, he himthelf had invalidated the voteth catht by their aideth.?
?Do you always lisp? What is a quorum??
?Yeth, I do. I?m not thure but it?th normally more than one unleth that one ith the Emperor; but if the meeting wath legal then a quorum wath thothe who attended, namely Antigonuth himthelf.?
?Was the meeting legal??
?No!?
?Well then they do not have the authority to remove the Treasury. And they certainly do not have the authority to remove me?nor you my poor old friend?from Alansberg. And much as I like Macalix and Weelix, I would not have their men in this city to defend it; after a week it would not be worth defending. I shall inform my beloved brother that what he seeks to achieve illegally by stealth he had best not try to achieve by force; we shall have the rule of law here. I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman??
?You are joking! Ouch! Sorry.?
?You?ve ruined my speech.?
?Sorry.?
?Paciartes, is the city secure??
?Yes my lady. But I shall bring men back from the Upper Kimil.?
?You should let the treasury?the Imperial Treasury, not the Anatolian Treasury?go. To refuse could be interpreted as an act of treason. Is that not so??
?Yeth?
?But it would not be legal to remove you from your capital, nor indeed move me against my will without due legal process. Is that not so??
?Yeth, you are correct.?
?Very well. Paciartes, hire some wagons and provide an adequate guard; I shall have the contents of the Imperial Treasury audited and prepared for transport. But Paciartes, allow no armed men within the city walls, no matter who they may be, save only my beloved brother and an appropriate personal guard.?
So wagons were duly filled with the Imperial wealth and were then escorted under heavy guard down the road until they were handed over to Antigonus? men.
On Antigonus? instructions the PLOD departments are being run down. Our constitutional expert says that Alansberg will soon be but a provincial capital as regards the Empire?s administration, though of course it will remain the cultural and historical centre for longer.
Alansberg, funfly 117.
Antigonus has publicly stated that Ate?s safety is of paramount importance to him but that as long as the peace with OTH holds and Paciartes guards her, he (Antigonus) will make no attempt to move her to a safer location.
Ate has publicly stated that if her beloved brother seeks a civil war he is going about it in an efficacious manner and if not he should keep a civil tongue and stop even thinking of ?removing? her ? from her capital, from her Province, or from Pontus?
Ate has ordered her guards to gouge out the eyes of anyone staring speculatively at her abdomen. ?...except that nice Macalix.? ?Oh, and not Weelix but you couldn?t anyway.? ?No, not old uncle Kemal either: but anyone else!?
She has also been out hunting on a number of occasions with Paciartes, probably in an effort to dispel those rumours.
The Lady Scythonia has just arrived with a small retinue. When apprised of her visit Ate insisted that Scythonia stay in her palace.
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ANATOLIA, WINTER 117-118.
Amasra PNC & acts.
Antigonus and Plagiar were the only members of the PNC to arrive on time for the 117 (Amasra) meeting which Antigonus duly announced aborted.
He stated that there would be no change to last year?s votes and expressed some satisfaction that his decisions would be uncontested.
Antigonus was particularly critical of the lack of communication from Ate, particularly as regards the rumoured impostor, so convenient to Ate and her friends, whose claim could not yet be investigated: a silence that throws doubt upon the already very doubtful claim.
Despite this Antigonus announced that those heroic Galatians were to be despatched to Ate as a gift.
Antigonus has arranged for supplies to be made available to the forces in Greece. He left Amasra with Plagiar and the EHC to join the forces in Thrace, accompanied by a small supply train.
Philip had sent a representative who spoke to Antigonus before the latter went west. Antigonus let it be known that Philip would be allocated the slaves at Amasra plus funding for those warships which he could crew. Further funding would be contingent upon the acquisition of further slaves, perchance from Cambyses or from the Greek expedition. Unfortunately the Imperial income has so far been insufficient to permit even this scant allocation of cash to Philip.
Philip?s representative was just about to leave to rejoin Philip when, rather to his astonishment, he met Shalman with his entourage and after some discussion he returned to Alansberg with them.
Alansberg PNC & acts.
Shalman had travelled to Amasra; there he opened the meeting of the (Alansberg) meeting of the PNC and the following summary of the minutes has been released.
1. As eldest surviving son of the senior wife of the great Mithradates, Shalman is pleased to accept the support of all the satraps (present or otherwise engaged) in acknowledging him as the Pontic Emperor.
2. All those present would like to thank PITHOff for his hard work and effort in his efforts during the past few difficult years.
3. Alansberg was, is, and shall always remain the capital of the Pontic Empire.
4. The meeting is hereby adjourned to the capital.
(A break of a few days horse riding)
5. Confirmation of satraps and their rights and responsibilities:
Cambyses is in charge of the northern theatre. Aim - continue to subdue Gawain and northern barbarians, secure and hold the Crimea.
Manolos in charge of the western theatre. Continue war in Greece, co-ordinate with Cerdic.
Macalix in charge of the southern theatre. Continue war in Sassanidia, co-ordinate with allies in that area (Fibula, Kublai, Mustasha et al.)
Philip in charge of all naval operations. Support Cambyses, co-ordinate with Fibula.
Antigonus with the Van army and parts of the Royal Guard will support Manolos and Cerdic.
6. The importance of the PLODs to the efficient running of the empire is recognised. The PNC confirms they are to be return to Alansberg and be re-vitalised, particularly the important PLOD of the mines and armouries.
7. Iberia will not be required to submit its tax income this year. Instead this will be used to help in the re-building of Iberia.
8. Support of the navy is a high priority. Philip will submit a report outlining his requirements in this area.
9. Approval of Ate's wedding to Macalix.
The meeting is hereby adjourned to Macalix's stag night.
Alansberg, other bits & bobs.
Eumenes held a great feast to celebrate the start of the new year; he invited the aged Cyrodates, though they are hardly close friends because of the tensions over the Military Academy, and introduced him to Shalman, who Cyrodates had of course known well as a lad some years ago.
Cyrodates, now in his 100th year (I continue to worry about my ?Death? spreadsheet; how does it continue to miss him? Will it soon think that he is zero years old and entitled to start again? Why didn?t he catch the Hunnic ?flu??) and obviously infirm none the less still enjoys a good feast and unless stopped, his reminiscences can last until day-break.
Well, Cyrodates, introduced to Shalman said ?No, I think not.? and insisted that his bearers be recalled to take him home immediately.
Eumenes who has said that he is absolutely certain of Shalman?s authenticity, was mortified.
But all else goes well
The auspices were outstandingly good and the wedding on the Ides of Printemps was lavish. The guest list was all-encompassing though a number of the invited with major military commitments were unable to attend in person from more distant lands.
Shalman has announced that Ate?s dowry is to be Iberia (Pontic Iberia, not Celtic Iberia) though we assume that Kemal will continue to administer the province on her behalf and is already looking forward to receiving Ate?s orders and instructions. Anapholis is unenthusiastic in the extreme!
The blushing bride was given away by Shalman: Macalix had asked Antigonus, as the eldest of Mithradates sons, to give her away but he was unable/unwilling/unaware. Weelix acted as the groom?s champion which perchance accounted for the relatively good behaviour of the Galatians during the ceremony and indeed even afterwards there was little trouble with only a few hostelries destroyed and a couple of statues toppled from their pedestals.
Macalix has given the PITHOff a finely boxed collection of scrolls by the long-dead radical prophet Wlayg who perished resisting the changes imposed by Abla?ir the Pragmatic.
Macalix has also sponsored the refurbishment of the Alansberg temple dedicated to Moduk, with magnificent mosaics showing scenes from Pontus? glorious history.
A brief honeymoon in the hills north-west of Alanya; bed, food, drink, hunting, chariotry and bed again.
It is rumoured that Ate is to accompany Macalix in the field and that she has been measured for a suit of armour?with, in view of all that bed, gussets, the wags have muttered.
Macalix has ordered all Galatian leaders to ensure that town fortifications are in a proper state of repair. Most Galatian leaders will of course ignore this order.
Weelix has hastened to Tarsus where the Galatian levy is gathering. Soghibix and Argsix have hastened back to the Tigris Vale where Argsix is to raise a levy.
Shalman has abandoned use of the Course 101 Basics of Empire Administration in favour of M1298: Mastering Distributed Empire Design using LC & MI. His advisers have recommended the expensive EHC & HI upgrades.
He has toured Anatolia?s cities, holding court, feasting, etc.
Shalman has indicated that in keeping with custom the Royal Army will be paid a bonus when he ascends to the throne and they swear their oath of allegiance to the emperor.
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04-12-06, 01:16 PM
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