Taking of the Great Palace, Night of April 13

[Dirty Chai]

Further Modifiers (Higher than 10: do not surrender, lower than 9: the gates open)
Belief in Philip's words: 4

The hopes of the Greeks are dashed by the words of Philip. Soon curses flow from their mouths.
Κατάρα σας Αλέξιος! (Curse you, Alexios!)
Ο Θεός μας έχει εγκαταλείψει! (God has abandoned us!)
Πρέπει να σώσουμε τα δέρματα μας, ώστε να μπορεί να τα φτύσει κατά Αλέξιος τάφο! (We must save our skins so that we may spit upon Alexios grave)

Soon the gates are flung open as Greeks began to drop their weapons and offer their surrender to Philip and his men.

The Franks surged through the gate and past the Greeks, killing a great handful, but otherwise rushing for promised reward.
The Eunuchs were killed on sight; Franks didn't trust men who weren't really men.
Philip cut down a man blocking his way through the entrance halls, and made his way down halls and corridors, through the wings, towards the Chrysotriklinos: the Golden Reception Hall, the Throne Room.
He ordered his men as walked, telling some to take what they could from the northern wings of the Palace, and others to go secure the Seaside Palace, the Bucoleon, but not to loot it.
He told a handful to watch the western approaches, and make sure the Venetian arsonists don't come near the Palace district, using force if they needed.

As he entered the Golden Throne Room, the seat of Emperors of old, the seat of Rome stood before him, unattended.
He walked up to it, apprehensively yet casually, sword drawn, and sat his arse down onto it, relaxing.
The crowd of Franks who watched him smiled with evil grins and the Greek household servants grimaced fearfully.
Philip grinned widely, which was quite a distinct emotion on his usually indifferent face. His sword was still drawn, and he rested the tip against the ground.

--------------------------------------------------

The Franks under Philip mostly looted and found their reward amongs the wings of the Great Palace.
A handful were ordered to the Seaside Palace (the Bucoleon Palace) to secure it, and not damage it (some looting though ).
Others were ordered to protect the district from any encroaching Venetian looters, using force if necessary.

[Lucius Malfoy]

The sounds of Frankish horns were heard as a small parade of Frankish Knights, mounted upon their steeds of war, and a column of Armoured Spearmen, marched into view. The banner of de Lusignan, followed by Bohemond himself, rode forth into the main grounds of the Great Palace. His horse was taken by those few posted outside as the scion of a grand Crusading legacy dismounted. Bohemond glanced around before making his way inside with a small following of his soldiers. He heard the cries and screams of various Greek courtiers but silence fell as he approached the throne room. Bohemond came walking in, seeing Philip sitting upon the throne of many great Roman Emperors. He slowly approached the man, offering a slight smile.

Imperial ambitions gotten to you, Philip? Or just keeping the throne warm for whoever emerges as the top dog? Or just wanna feel like a Roman Emperor of old?

A murmur of laughs were heard among those present; battle-weary soldiers and hardened commanders. Bohemond gestured slightly to Philip, letting him have the floor.

[Dirty Chai]

Philip stood, and spoke in deep French, his lower Norman accent and all, a mocking smile across his face.
"Just keeping it warm for you, of course..." He then continued in Latin jokingly, "Imperator."
It was like a giant joke to them all; they were the new Roman Emperors! The envy of Charles the Great!

[Lucius Malfoy]

Bohemond glances at the throne, gazing at such a grand seat where many Emperors of great Roman lineage sat. Then his eyes turn to Philip as the Lusignan stroke his bearded chin.

Imperator Bohemond Caesar Augustus de Lusignan, Conqueror of Constantinople...got a nice ring to it eh? What do you think, boys?

He turns to those Crusaders present; hearing their roars of approval. He laughed lightly and looked at the throne, then patted Philip's shoulder.

Well let us see what the others think of that first.

[Dirty Chai]

Philip descended the steps and took a place in front of the crowd.
"Boamundus Lusignanum, Romanorum Imperatorem!" He declared, the crowd taking up the call, after which he left the hall, going off to loot or something.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Bohemond listened to the call quietly before letting the men go off. After that, the Frank gazed at the glamorous throne of the Roman legacy. He sighed contently and took a seat upon the steps of the elevated platform where the throne sat. He decided to wait for now, for the rest of the commanders and nobles. He gave leave to his troops, letting them go off and loot. Bohemond only asked that they bring back some good riches for himself.

[Celsius]

Roger de Rochechouart made it to the Great Palace, along with Simon di Napoli and Arvid Eriksson.He sighted their commander and leader, Bohemond, and bowed his head graciously.

"My lord. You can smell the victory, among other things."

Roger saw from a distance the damage the Venetians had done. He had try to spare as much of the city as he could by basically forbidding any looting. Now the city they had just attacked was theirs. The seat of their new Empire.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Bohemond looks up from his seated position. He gestures around the place.

Find a seat if you can. All I could smell was smoke and fire through the Venetian's looting. But victory was smelt at Lycus, when the forces under my command crushed the last hope of resistance for the Greeks.

He claps his hands together before looking up at Roger.

​How went the assault at Blachernae?

[Celsius]

Roger nodded and sat in a chair that was pushed against the walk. He placed it closer to Bohemond, but not too close as to intimidate or disrespect.

"Well. We had a small bit of trouble getting atop the walls, but once we did it was only a matter of time before we escalated into the streets. The Prison, Palace, and most of the residents and buildings in the district are nearly all intact as well. Some prisoners were taken as well I believe, but only 50 or so."

[The Stig]

Simon sat down on the other side of Roger, removing his helmet and wiping the sweat and dirt from his brow before speaking up.

"It was closer to one hundred, I believe. In any case, the district is in pristine condition compared to much of the city."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Well we will figure out something involving them. Only when we elect a leader among us first though.

He gestures to the throne behind him.

So that way they can sit on that throne and dictate anything.

[Celsius]

Well we will figure out something involving them. Only when we elect a leader among us first though.

He gestures to the throne behind him.

So that way they can sit on that throne and dictate anything.

"Of course, my Lord. Of course."

Roger nodded. He knew that Bohemond knew that he would be elected. Anyone who voted against him would be an idiot, or diluted.

[Adamat]

Cristoforo Soranzo made his entrance, along with five of his closest men. All the others were still busy looting the city, and Soranzo wasn't about to stop them anytime soon.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Bohemond looks up, noticing Cristoforo. He gestures to an empty space.

Grab a chair for now, Cristoforo. We still have to wait for the others. Glad to see yet another survived the carnage.

[Adamat]

The Venetian chuckled. "I have never felt more alive, Imperator," he answered. "Blood, gold and women go well together."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Blood ruins the color of gold and the smell of women however. Goes well on a blade perhaps, but not with the other two, I must say.

​Bohemond strokes his beard slightly.

[Adamat]

"It sounds like you have not enjoyed yourself on this night, Emperor," Cristoforo said, frowning. "Do you not want a woman with lips sweet as peaches? Do you not want to see the Greeks grovel in the dirt for mercy, then spil their blood? Do you not want to break down the fat Byzantine nobles' doors, and reap the riches that are yours by right of the strongest?"

[Zectorman]

Alexandros entered the great palace on the note of "Do you not want woman with sweet lips" he laughed at how ironic that statement was. He bowed his head in respect to Bohemond the Conqueror. "My lord, I believe I have not had the pleasure of congratulating you! The Heavens have surely shined upon us this day, the Jewel of the east once again in the hands of true Christians!"

[Jokern]

Arvid sat down next to Roger and Simon. He was not only tired from the intense fight, the walk from Blachernae had been very long, especially in heavy armour.

"Whatever that man dictates, the first thing should be to get the bloody Venetians out of the city. You've all seen the destruction they've caused. One could even see the smoke all the way over at Blachernae."

[m_1512]

Back in the dark corridors, Isidore heard the vile Franks boast of their victory. Bah! As if they had the gall during the days of Makedon dynasty to attempt this. They were probably still barbarians then. He kept counting the men around Bohemond to measure his chances of getting him.