Today in the forum, a senator by the name of Terentius gave a speech that was very well received. It appears his family is growing to prominence among the senatorial class.
Terentius (20) is added to the forum. (Edit: Details now edited into the game state. He’s not the best.)
@scottagibson: it’s your initiative first.
After some recent lavish parties, some senators (mostly those who weren’t invited) grumble that Fabius is almost as rich as the state itself. Still, the schmoozing appears to have borne fruit.
@Juan_Raigada: you have a new card in hand and it’s your initiative.
Ok, so to start with…
Fabius will try to persuade Junius. Who has been seen grumbling about debts in the forum. Maybe a higher pay can convince him the Eastern Grain Company will be a good company indeed.
They that sow the wind, shall reap the whirlwind
@rho21, I think if I spend 9 talents I get the maximum 9 target number? Anyway, I want to spend the amount that brings the target number to 9.
Fabius’ (Oratory + Influence) - Junius’ (Loyalty + Personal Treasury + Alignment Penalty) = (2 + 11) - (8 + 0 + 7) = -2
So I make it 11 talents to reach a base number of 9.
Any player may make a counter-bribe to resist this persuasion attempt from their faction treasury. Only @Kolbex has a faction treasury right now.
The Kolbexarii will spend all 8 talents in their treasury to counter-bribe Junius.
This is madness.
Ok, we raise our bid to 19 talents to bring it back to 9.
I’m pretty sure the Panzehians were the manipulating hand behind all the prosecutions and assassination attempts.
Also, I’m missing the drama.
No more counter-bribes are possible, so let’s see what the fates decide.
Junius was the particular focus of Fabius’ recent parties. He was lavished with many gifts, too valuable even for his status as a former consul, and many of his characteristics and accomplishments were lauded in front of Fabius’ friends.
Fabius was no blushing ingenuus though: when the offer came to join the Eastern Grain Company he was hardly surprised. Nor did the other factions fail to notice what was going on. Fabius received some quiet words (and bribes, it’s rumoured) from the Pontifex Maximus himself to dissuade him from switching his allegiance. In the end though, his venal nature came to the fore. He had plenty of money now, but think what he could do with the sort of budget the grain magnates offered.
Roll was a 5, Fabius joins the Eastern Grain Company.
His personal treasury is now 27 talents.
@Juan_Raigada: any further actions?
Junius will spend 5 talents to attract a knight
No more actions after that.
We consider the Panzehian affront paid for, at least for now.
Also, just consider: had you agreed to the 50 talent contribution deal, this would not have happened.
Rome will not be ransomed. The contribution deals are simple greed.
Honestly, they were not.
Claudius is looking a little short of supporters in the forum today, but perhaps he has others not so visible.
@Panzeh: you have a new card in hand and it’s your initiative.
If you wanted to help Rome, you would’ve contributed the money. You’ve declared war now. I intend to fight it to the end.
To all others-
I propose we form a coalition to prevent EGC from ever getting any political appointments until he meets certain conditions that involve the removal of all concessions from Papirius.
The amount of money he has guarantees that he can steal all of your senators until he has total power. That is his goal.
And so the circle of hatred continues…
Sigh
Claudius spends 1 talent to attract a knight.
I don’t believe so.
Claudius rolls a 1 and fails to attract a knight.
I’m done.
Typically you consent to a minor prosecution to do that.