Domus Rutuli

[chaplain118]

Salvete omnes! Welcome to my home, one of many estates that I own. Before entering, allow me to disclose my familial history, of which I believe many of you will find interesting.

The gens Rutuli were the inheritors of what was once the most powerful city-state in Italy. Yes, we are the descendants of the Rutulians, those bold men who had dared to march against the Trojans when Aeneas had landed on these Hesperian shores. We had accumulated much wealth throughout Rome's history, and always one to take advantage of a business opportunity, we have created a fine network of artists as well as houses for rental throughout the city as well as through out all of Latium.

In the year of the Coming of the Trojans, our gens was led by none other than the great Turnus, who was fated to die at the hands of Father Aeneas, thus paving the way for the rise of Rome. And we take pride in the fact that were it not for OUR gens' involvement, there would be no Rome as we know it now. For it was us that strengthened the Trojan resolve, it was us who tried their courage through fire and steel...

But enough of that now, come within my house, take an ancilla candida if you wish, and enjoy yourself!

[Lord Kal]

Caius Flavius Crassus ascends the steps to the house, flanked by two large men. At his instruction, one of the men steps forward to knock the door of the house loudly. Crassus casts a cautionary glance over his shoulder.

[chaplain118]

The doors open and Turnus stands at the hallway, his eyes scanning the two burly men around Crassus

What can I help you with senator Crassus? Come in and let us talk.

[Lord Kal]

"Good evening, Senator. Pay no heed to these men, these are simply my guards."

Caius shuffles in, dismissing his guards, removing his cloak and exchanging it for a cup of wine from a nearby servant. After sipping it fondly he turns to Saevus.

"As you know, I have not been a senator for very long and it is a profession in which one can never have too many friends. I admired your speech to the senate on Carthage today. You are quite right to make the case against such a futile war. Since we are of low rank, however, it is imperative that we stick together if we are to have any clout on the senate floor, or else we will not be heard amongst the warmongering consuls."

[chaplain118]

The consuls are only proposing what is best for Rome, what they feel is best. There are only a few men who have considerable sway over things in the senate, and that is of little concern. And now, with you having been appointed Quaestor suffectus, I daresay you have began to gather the respect of the senate. Congratulations.

[Lord Kal]

"I hope I did not overrun your own ambitions, Senator. I have strong feelings about this moment in time. I feel Rome lies on the cusp of the beginning of a journey which will lead us to the ends of the earth... or face oblivion within ten years."

Crassus looked more serious and less jovial than when he had first strolled in.

"Senator, I am considering joining the Optimates."

[chaplain118]

And a fine choice you have made. The Optimates value the traditions of our elders, not like those overzealous Populares who believe in the unruly mob.

[Lord Kal]

Indeed, I would be loathe to see the day when the great men of Rome bend their knee to an unruly and uneducated mob. We cannot, after all, expect the common man in the street or even the average man in our legions to understand the workings of state.

It is not as though there are no positions available for a wise senator such as yourself, though. Perhaps you could take command of the new army being formed to crush the Etruscan rebels. I would be happy to support your bid for the position.

[chaplain118]

Although I wish to take the fight to these rebels myself, I'm afraid my old battle wound simply will not allow me to do so.

ooc: I dont' have access to my RTW game and won't until christmas, and even then I'd have to download EB

[Kneißl]

Tiberius walks up to the door and knocks, he is wearing his toga; bloodstained and stretched but a toga nonetheless

[chaplain118]

The door opens, Turnus catches sight of Tiberius and sighs

Senator Flavius, why did you find it necessary to desecrate the halls of the senate? And what is it you have come to talk to me about?

[Kneißl]

His eyebrows raised when the Seneate comment came out

"So you have heard?" He paused " Technically, it was outside the Curia." he said with a weak smile.
"I just stopped by to ask you what are some of your political posistions

[chaplain118]

Senator, we ALL heard. Even the steps of the curia is sacred ground.

My positions? A patrician's. Class exists for a reason, and the Plebes should do well to understand it.

[Kneißl]

Tiberius thought of bashing him(OOC:verbally) but he thought better of it,he was on thin ice is it was.

"So you think merely because one was born unto a class they should be treated as such? Action show a mans true charecter." He regarded Rutulus coldy. " I am a patrician also, but we should all be treated fairly. All men are not equal, but all deserve equal treatment"

[chaplain118]

Turnus' face hardens

Some are more equal than others my senator. Give the mob bread, and they will send their sons to war. Give the mob a spectacle, and they will sell their daughters into slavery. Give the mob a few coins in the streets of the Subura, and they will fight among themselves for it. The mob cannot think further than what will come the next day. They are not equal to you and I. Our world is divided between the ones in control, the ones who seek control, and the ones who are agents to both. The Patricians, WE are in control. The Equestrians seek control, and they constantly try and find ways to ensnare the Plebes into their hands so that they may use the mob against us. And that is why, Senator, we do NOT allow Equestrians to take place in the Senate. That is why, only Patricians can hold offices.

But what of the Plebians who have made it into the Senate you ask. Well, they are but those who have separated themselves from the mob. They have become Patricians, even if their hearts remain Plebian. If one can fight one's way out of that decrepit cesspool, then one is entitled to gaze down upon the teeming masses with disdain.

Equality does not exist. If the world were equal, Troy would've never fallen. If the world were equal, there would be no rebels. If the world were equal, then we'd all be equally poor. Poverty is the great equalizer, and I don't know about you, but I'm content with my life and would not like to see it tossed away.

[Kneißl]

Tiberius looks at Rutulus with a disdainful look

" If you know so much of them, maybe you should be there savior, there messiah their christos" He said using the Greek word for savior."Or perhaps you should educate them in the ways of Patrician, maybe you should give the Equestrians a helping hand. Let non-Romans be the mob. I we teach our Citizens to rule, Rome will live forever."

[chaplain118]

Let me tell you something, homunculus. The Plebes don't deserve to be lifted to a better position, neither do the Equestrians. We fought our way to the ranks of Patricians, we paved our own fortunes. We EARNED our dignitas and auctoritas within the City. The Plebes don't have the mind to reach those, and neither do the Equestrians. All of history there will be a struggle between the classes, with a high, a middle, and a low. The Patricians, us, WE are the high, and we will do whatever it takes to remain in the high, even if it means we must oppress those below us.

The Plebes, they are but the low, merely tools to be used at will. They have no land, no property. The only thing that separates them from a freedman is a tattered toga that they wear. Take a walk to the Subura, senator, and set your gaze upon the disgusting mass that you love so ardently, and then tell me how much you love them.

[chaplain118]

Time is cruel, Turnus thought as he stepped through the limes of his house and brushed the snow from his shoulders. It's been what, three, six, months? He didn't know. He forgot the number of days he sat there by the bed. He forgot the number of agonizing nights. All he remembered was that when he had left, the songbirds were singing in the orchards. And now, dark grey clouds loomed overhead while the North Wind groans in the streets.

"Mezentius!" Turnus called out.

Master called me?

Yes, Turnus nodded, How long have I been gone?

Why, almost a year. I have tried to keep the house as orderly as possible, and handle your affairs in the city as well.

Good man, I thank you for it.

Master, may I be so bold as to ask you where have you been in these long months?

I have gone to visit my mother.

Ah, and how is she doing?

Poorly, she is on the verge of death. Turnus said as tears rolled out from his eyes

I am sorry to hear that master. Was it the sickness that she had contracted last autumn?

Yes, and she has never recovered from it. I was by her side in Ostia, day and night. I didn't want to leave, but she insisted. She insisted that I return to Rome to do my duty for the Republic.

I shall prepare a sacrifice to both Apollo and Aesclepius. She is a true Roman to have told you to return even at such a dark moment in her life. She will have earned her place in the Elysian Fields, an honor few of us will accomplish in our lives.

Turnus' face darkened.

Are you saying that she will die?! Are you!?

N-no, sir, I am merely stating that she h--

Turnus struck Mezentius across the face, sending the slave reeling to the floor.

She will not die. Not now. When the Fates have spun out her thread of life, when she is meant to be taken away, then it will be time. But not now.

Yes sir, I'm sorry master.

Turnus broke down and cried

I am sorry to have struck you, Mezentius. I am in a rather confused state of mind as of late. Please, I wish to retire to my quarters.

Very well master.

[chaplain118]

An unknown man slips quietly into Turnus' home. Unnoticed by the slaves. He sits down on the chair besides the bed. Patiently, he waits.

As Turnus strode into the bedroom, the man stands up

Salve Senator, care for a drink?

Who are you, and what are you doing in my house?

All in short time, my dear Senator

Turnus studied the man. He spoke with an accent that had a tinge of Greek quality to it, but sounded far harsher

Then how shall I call you?

You need not know my name. Drink? The man held up a glass of clear liquid.

What is that?

Something that you Romans have never tasted of.

Turnus accepted the glass

You first.

Very well. The mysterious man replied as he raised the glass and downed the entire content

Eyeing the man carefully, Turnus took a sip. The liquid burned in his throat, as if setting it on fire. The strong smell of the liquid shot through his nostrils and he felt tears welling from his eyes

Wh... what is this?

Little water, that's what we call it. It's an acquired taste

How can you drink this?

The steppes are cold, and this keeps us warm.

Why are you here?

I want to do business.

I do no business with a barbarian

But you will. I will give you an endless supply of this, and in return, you will give me a small plot of land on the Tiber.

What would I possibly do with this?

What is that phrase, in vinum veritas? Yes that's it, think of the information you can garner from the mouths of men with this at your disposal

Assuming they will even touch this.

They will, if anything I have learned of the Romans, you will try anything exotic, and that is your undoing. Do we have a deal?

You have a deal

Good, let us drink to it!

The two men raise their glass. Turnus stares in disbelief as the barbarian swallows the liquid in a gulp. As the man disappeared into the night, Turnus sat at his bed, staring into the liquid in his half-full glass. Feeling the world spinning around him, Turnus collapsed in his bed

[Normanknight47]

Numerius still fleeing the affects of....what did they call it? "little water" ye gods more like little fire! tho it did help for that cold night....

Arrgh!!!

he yelled as a passing stray yelped, he now was at villa Rutuli, as he knocked he was promptly greeted by a slave


Ah! ye gods not so loud slave call your master.



OCC hahhaha so thats what vodka means thxs but i prefer jin or brandy