A Macedonian Delegation to Epirus

**Lucius Malfoy** · July 11, 2014, 03:42 PM

News of the Epirus's Pro-Macedonian attitude has reached the ears of Leonnatus in Pella. As such, he sends a delegation to the city-states in Epirus, desiring to learn of their opinion and perhaps strike a bargain with them. The delegation is led by Leonnatus's cousin, Peukestas, by his Uncle's side of the family. Peukestas decides to congregate the city-states of Epirus at the famous city of Argos. With permission from the city's ruler, he sends out a call for a meeting of the Pro-Macedonian tribes and city-states of Epirus.

(The City-States of Epirus are Pro-Macedonian, that has been rolled. Its a matter of discussing with them and seeing what Leonnatus can gain from them.)

**PilgrimStans** · July 11, 2014, 04:02 PM

A small, but well equipped body of horsemen ride into Argos. They are heavily armed and ride horses that are clearly well bred. Companions. At the front of troops is a small, lithely, agile looking Greek, at odds with the armoured hulks that follow. He has come for the delegation.

**Lucius Malfoy** · July 11, 2014, 04:07 PM

Peukestas blinks at the sight of the emissaries from the realm of Cleitus of Thrace. What were they doing here? He turns to his own delegation who are unsure as well. Were they here to seize their own piece or to join the delegation of Leonnatus?

**PilgrimStans** · July 11, 2014, 04:17 PM

The small man walks into the meeting, grins and raises his arms out in greeting to the gathered delegates.

Greetings, one and all. I come to this meeting of Argos on behalf of Cleitus of Thrace. I am Nikon. I have no words for you yet, I wish to hear the opinions of Leonnatus's esteemed dignitary and of course, of you fine people before I speak my piece. However, I have one thought to leave you with before you begin. Macedonia is not united and one ruler does not speak for all the country.

Smiling, the lively Greek takes a seat and starts to examine his nails.

**Ace_General** · July 11, 2014, 08:27 PM

An Athenian Delegation heads to Aeotlia, the very greek southern 1/3 of nominal Epirote territory(This is where Delphi is) to meet with the heads of the Aeotlian League

**Lucius Malfoy** · July 11, 2014, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Ace_General

An Athenian Delegation heads to Aeotlia, the very greek southern 1/3 of nominal Epirote territory(This is where Delphi is) to meet with the heads of the Aeotlian League

OOC: Err, Ace? Remember the City-States of Epirus are Pro-Macedonian. They don't want to deal with the league. I would think you would go for neutral Ahkaia.

Edit: Wait, then again, the Athenians could try to ensure the city-states don't submit to the Macedonian rule, but instead remain independent. Cause they won't join the league, but better they don't side with the Macedonians. Alright they can stay.

**Jokern** · July 12, 2014, 01:46 PM

All three delegations are brought before the King of Epirus, Admetus II, together. With the king sits a council of minor kings, chiefs and tyrants representing the city states and the tribes of the kingdom. King Admetus is a large man, fat and sweating. He is eating and drinking, much to the dismay of some of the council members dressed as warriors. The king nods to the dignitaries.

"Welcome to my court, honored guests. It is not often that I have the pleasure to speak with several states at once, especially the ones I see before me. Athens, Macedon and Thrace, such powerful names I shiver with excitement. Please, tell me how I can help you."

**Lucius Malfoy** · July 12, 2014, 01:52 PM

The delegates from Macedon stand up first. Peukestas clears his throat before beginning to speak.

Honorable King Admetus II, I am the delegate and cousin to the King of Macedon, Leonnatus of Amphipolis. As your northern neighbor, we wish to first extend a hand of friendship and possible alliance just as Philip II did when he married one of the Molossians, the mother of Alexander the Great. We are aware of your continued Pro-Macedonian attitude and wish to ensure these cordial relations between the King of Macedon and your own country of Epirus.

We do not seek to subjugate you, good King, only to offer what I said before; friendship, alliance and mutual benefits. As your northern neighbor and closest to you, Leonnatus wishes to reassure past treaties between Macedon and Epirus and build up them. Leonnatus would greatly desire this and hopes that this can be achieved. Please consider these words and its benefits.

With that, he withdraws and allows whoever wishes to go next to step forth. While waiting, Peukestas looks to the Thracian delegate and lowers his voice so that only the Thracian can hear him.

Lets ensure the Athenians are driven away from this or at least gain nothing from these talks. We cannot let them interfere in our affairs just as we do not interfere with theirs.

**PilgrimStans** · July 12, 2014, 02:29 PM

Nikon beams at the words of Leonnatus's delegate. However, he makes no move to rise from his seat and seems content to wait for King Admetus's reply.

**Ace_General** · July 12, 2014, 03:16 PM

OOC: The athenians purposely choose not to meet with the Epriote king, who they consider a barbarian, instead they were far to the south in the greek cities of the Aetolian league. And that was more just feelers to gauge the Aetolian mood and to make contacts that may or may not be used later

**Jokern** · July 12, 2014, 03:21 PM

Admetus intently listens to Peukestas' words, still eating and drinking. When the Macedonain finishes, the council starts to murmur and confer between each other in whispers. It is clear that many would like to accept the offer at once, but a few of the men from the south seem less positive. It takes some time to get a close on the discussion, but finally one of the chiefs rises and walks up to the king, whispering in his ear. Silently nodding, King Admetus turns to the dignitary.

"Yes, we remember our friendship with King Philip and Alexander the Great fondly. He was a glorious king, his Epirote blood made him strong and clever, the best traits of a prominent warrior. We all wept when the news of his gravely untimely passing reached our ears."

"Now, don't misunderstand my words, Eprius has always been close to Macedon... but we all wonder where Queen Roxanna is, as she carries the heir to Alexander's great empire. We would gladly swear our allegiance to this child of Molossian and Macedonian blood, but your master is not him, unless the gods are playing tricks on us all. Yes, he does control the heartlands, but the empire has been shattered in thousands of smaller pieces. We are all worried if King Leonnatus would be able to keep his promise. We have heard that he has marched to war against a vicious horde of Thracians, counting 100,000 barbarians in their ranks. If Epirus finds itself facing such an enemy... well, I shudder at the thought."

**PilgrimStans** · July 12, 2014, 03:35 PM

Nikon jumps quickly out of his seat and quickly makes his way to the floor to speak his piece.

King Admetus, it seems we are of a similar mind. The heir to Macedonia is in the Queen's womb and my master is more aware of this than anyone. Of all the realms that have formed after the tragic death of our beloved Basileus only one is still loyal to the Argead dynasty and that man is Cleitus, Strategos of Northern Macedon and Thrace. He alone is sworn to serve Alexander's heir who shares the blood of Epirus.

Why do I tell you this? Cleitus seeks closer relations and even alliances with other realms, in order to rebuild Alexander's empire for his heir. This dignitary of the so-called King of Macedon offers you protection and promises. However, can he protect you from the barbarians at your gate? No, he has to ally himself with my master to defeat the Thracians. He offers you words, King and I offer you something much more tangible. I offer you blood. Blood of the Thracians that we shall stop coming south and the blood of a marriage pact. Cleitus is unmarried. He grew up in the home of Philip as a childhood friend of Alexander and he knew his mother well, he knows the strength of Epirote blood and he would bind you and him together, King and Strategos.

**Lucius Malfoy** · July 12, 2014, 03:54 PM

Peukestas stands up after Nikon speaks. He looks at the delegate before turning to the King.

Honorable King, while Cleitus offers you much, his realm is far away from your own lands. Protection that he grants may easily be achieved by the King of Macedon who stands directly north of Epirus in the way of any threat. He believe it his duty, as the King of Macedon, to protect the Greek lands as well as the Macedonian ones. That it is his duty to be the northern protector of Macedon's long term ally Epirus and of the sacred site of Delphi.

Yes, the Princess Roxana is missing, but who knows if she will return. Who knows if the child within her is a boy or girl. Like Philip III, she could be dead or lost forever. The Empire cannot wait that long for the Argeads to return. Yet a King of Macedon, a man who wishes greatly to reunite the Balkans into a collection of cooperative and cordial states, stands ready and close to offer protection, friendship and alliance to Epirus.

He will even offer marriage as well. Leonnatus has three sons and a daughter. His heir is not promised to any nor is his daughter. Such a binding would be like Philip II and Olympias. With Macedon closest to the heart of Epirus, it would be easy march for both to come to each other's aid.

And let I remind the Thracian delegate, as well as notify the honorable King of Epirus, that not only did the King of Macedon believe he was not strong enough to defeat the rebels, but also the noble Cleitus believed this as well. They knew they needed to work together to defeat a common foe. Or else all of Greece and Macedonia would be under the threat of a great menace if such cooperation was not fostered.

**PilgrimStans** · July 12, 2014, 04:21 PM

Nikon stands again, clearly used to the spectacle of rhetoric and public speaking.

While it is true that our realm lies a while from the lands of Epirus is that not true of any enemy of the King? The Athenians and whatever schemes they concoct are as far to the south as my master is to the north. There is only one power that could threaten Epirus without Cleitus being able to arrive before a foe and that is Leonnatus.

This delegate speaks of duty. Duty to protect Greeks and Macedonians alike. But what of his duty to his King? What of his duty to Alexander's child? A child with the blood of a God. Zeus himself is grandfather to this child and his grandmother comes from Epirus. Yet he abandons his true King at the first sign of trouble and proclaims himself King with no legitimacy. It seems Leonnatus's duty is to himself and children, not to Greeks.

He offers Epirus an heir or a daughter. But how old are these whelps? The empire is in chaos, pretenders lurk in every shadow and marriages of children serve no one. Tie yourself to the only loyal man left and he will not fail.

**Lucius Malfoy** · July 12, 2014, 04:47 PM

You speak of Alexander's heir, being the grandson of Zeus and with a grandmother of Epirus. And then ask how old the children of my King's are. Yet let us remember that Leonnatus's children are much older than the child within Roxana's belly and that Leonnatus has three sons, while this child within the Princess's womb is of an unknown gender.

If the child was born now, you would have a regency and even more hungry men seeking the babe's downfall. It would only delay what is inevitably happening. Look at Egypt, Anatolia, Greece, Persia, Syria, all over the Macedonian Empire. There is nothing that this child can rule with everyone forgetting their loyalties and declaring themselves King, Pharaoh, Satrap, Hegemon and all sorts of titles.

If Leonnatus had not come to Pella, another may have come. Another who may have been more tyrannical or pompous than the wise Leonnatus or noble Cleitus. And Epirus may have not had a friend in Macedon if neither of our masters were there.

With that, the delegate silences himself and looks to the King of Epirus to await what he had to say.

**PilgrimStans** · July 12, 2014, 04:56 PM

OOC: Does the roll that gave Epirus a pro-Macedonion opinion apply to Cleitus? Obviously he isn't Macedonian and doesn't own any traditional Macedonian land but he is in the Macedonion AOR, so I was just wondering.

**Lucius Malfoy** · July 12, 2014, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by PilgrimStans

OOC: Does the roll that gave Epirus a pro-Macedonion opinion apply to Cleitus? Obviously he isn't Macedonian and doesn't own any traditional Macedonian land but he is in the Macedonion AOR, so I was just wondering.

OOC: Good question. Lets just say it does apply to you as well cause that would be unfair to you and then have to disregard all of your arguments which are pretty well done.

**Jokern** · July 12, 2014, 05:21 PM

The king looks on with interest on the delegates arguing with each other. Once the hall fell silent once more, Admetus excused himself as he and his council left for the inner sanctum. They stayed inside for nearly an hour before emerging. King Admetus speaks up.

"After some... heated discussions, have I, King Admetus II of Epirus, decided that we will remain neutral for the best interests of our own people and lands. With the chaos splitting the empire, there is just too much uncertainty for Epirus to tie itself to one of the many new kings. We will await the coming of Alexander's true heir for the time being. I am sorry, but you must return to your masters empty-handed."

With that were the meeting over and the Epirotes retreated to their chambers while the dignitaries were shown to their guest quarters until they were asked to leave come morning.

OOC: this was decided with a roll which ended with a clear decision to stay neutral.