Villa Mariorum Aquilarum

[Okmin]

The Villa of the Marii Aquilae

Gaius Marius Aquila

Titles Pontifex Maximus Consul Points Patrician: 5 Plebeian: 0 Gravitas bonuses 5 (consul) 2 (ex-consul) 2 (Pontifex Maximus) Traits Infantry Commander: +1 to infantry rolls In Defense of the Homeland: +1 to personal battle/duel rolls, +1 to battle rolls History Pontifex Maximus Consul - 342 BCE

Household

Gaius Marius Aquila (pater familias) - 32 Lucia (wife) - 30 Titus Marius Aquila (son) - 14 Maria (daughter) - 10 Maria Maior (sister) - 24 Maria Minor (sister) - 21

Assets

2 farms 50 slaves 1.5 modii grain

Income Information - 340 BCE

Start: 16,125 Senatorial Income: 2500 Farm Income: 50*75*2 = 7500 Building Income: Misc. Income: ----- Expenses Slaves: 50*150 = 7500 Farm: 5000 Gross Total: 13,625

Income Archive

Income Information - 341 BCE Start: 10,750 Senatorial Income: 2500 Farm Income: 25*75*2 = 3750 Building Income: Misc. Income: ----- Expenses Farmhands: 25*35 = 875 Gross Total: 16,125 Income Information - 342 BCE Start: 5375 Senatorial Income: 2500 Farm Income: 25*75*2 = 3750 Building Income: Misc. Income: ----- Expenses Farmhands: 25*35 = 875 Gross Total: 10,750 Income Information - 343 BCE Start: 5000 Senatorial Income: 2500 Farm Income: 25*75*2 = 3750 Building Income: Misc. Income: ----- Expenses Farm: 5000 Farmhands: 25*35 = 875 Gross Total: 5375

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lucius Atilius Regulus had left his villa shortly after lunch. He walks with a couple servant boys trailing on either side. The male's right hand placed upon the right side of his tunic as he pauses for a moment, gazing at a villa. The home of Marii Aquilae. Lucius smiles slightly and approaches the villa. One of his servant boys approaches the entry and knocks upon the doors. While waiting, Lucius takes note of a strange elephant statue that was being brought into the villa via one of the gates.

[Okmin]

Gaius Marius Aquila lay on a couch with his son, Titus, enjoying a post-lunch wine-drinking session. The senator was in the process of discussing his consular bid with his son when a group of servants entered, carrying a detailed marble sculpture of an elephant. One spoke.

"Dominus, Senator Lucius Atilius Regulus is here to see you."

Gaius pondered this.

"Put the statue in the gardens, by the African trees. But for the love of Minerva, keep it away from that one of the... Hellenic giraffes. And someone show our guests in."

The servants shuffled off. Someone fetched more wine and some fruit for the visitors.

[Lucius Malfoy]

If there was one thing about the one known as Gaius Marius Aquila was that he was an exotic collector. And by exotic, some would call weird. However, for a Patrician, one had to spend their money somewhere and Gaius knew where to put his. The door opened to Lucius and his two servants. The one sent to fetch Lucius takes the Senator inside while the servant boys remain by the door quiet as mutes. The Roman walks into the area where Gaius and his son was. Lucius bows his head.

Senator Aquila, I am thankful you allowed me into your humble, yet exotic home. Whereas others could visit all over ocean, one just simply needs to come to your door, gain an audience and see the wonders of the world within the comfortable limits of Rome.

[Okmin]

If there was one thing about the one known as Gaius Marius Aquila was that he was an exotic collector. And by exotic, some would call weird. However, for a Patrician, one had to spend their money somewhere and Gaius knew where to put his. The door opened to Lucius and his two servants. The one sent to fetch Lucius takes the Senator inside while the servant boys remain by the door quiet as mutes. The Roman walks into the area where Gaius and his son was. Lucius bows his head.

Senator Aquila, I am thankful you allowed me into your humble, yet exotic home. Whereas others could visit all over ocean, one just simply needs to come to your door, gain an audience and see the wonders of the world within the comfortable limits of Rome.

Aquila laughed. "Thank you, Regulus, for your praise. Though I doubt my home is a substitute for the wonders of the wide world. I hope, one day, it may be. But this is not that day. Now, what brings you to my home? I hear you are a competitor of mine in this election. If you're hear to try and convince me to withdraw, you have wasted your time."

Aquila smiled wryly as servants offered wine and fruit to Regulus.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lucius grins slightly at the mention of the elections. Straight to the point it seems. Quietly, the male shakes his head and takes a seat that had been prepared for his sudden visit. The Roman glances over to see a glass offered to him which is taken. He quietly takes a sip of the wine before speaking.

Good Gaius, I dare not try to persuade you. Instead, I have come to be an ally. A colleague. Better we stand together against all, better we join hands instead of using them to build a wall between us. Else, who will prevent those Plebs from gaining more than what they already have. Our noble rights are being intruded by them after all.

[Okmin]

"Yes, the plebeians are a growing nuisance. We can all use allies in that regard. But..."

Aquila thought for a moment.

"If we are to be friends, I must ask for a guarantee from you. I understand your sister is married to our mutual opponent of the year. I do not wish to see him sitting on one of our chairs, so to speak. Still, he would be a good ally for the both of us and I'd rather not offend him too much. Maybe he could be praetor -- we only have one of those so far."

[Lucius Malfoy]

He will a strong ally, but also hard competition. His ancestry details five Consuls that served the Republic, enough history to turn any Roman. Reason why my father arranged the marriage of my sister to him. My sister may be wondering why I haven't gone to him yet to garner support.

Lucius grabs his cup and takes a bigger gulp out of it.

[Okmin]

"Hmmm...."

Gaius sipped thoughtfully.

"Let's say I support you in this election, and you support your brother-in-law. I would expect a praetorship and a promise of your support for my future consular bid. And if your brother could be convinced to support me while he is censor. Then perhaps we can still be friends."

[Lucius Malfoy]

You make a good bargain, good Gaius. I will venture to speak with my brother-in-law about this deal of yours. From my side, you have my support. I will, if elected Consul, ensure the Senate appoint you as Praetor by majority agreement. As agreed upon, you will expect my future support for any consular bid. I shall see what I can do involving my brother-in-law, Agrippa.

[Okmin]

Gaius raised his cup.

"To Rome and friendship."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lucius raised his as well and smiles.

To Rome, to friendship and to us, Patricians.

==============

Later that evening, a servant boy brings a messaged to Gaius Aquila from Lucius.

Noble Gaius,

My brother-in-law, Agrippa Menenius Lanatus, has agreed to our proposed idea. For this term, he and I will become Consul and ensure your rise as Praetor. Within a couple years, when of the age of 40, Agrippa will seek the Censor's chair. All of us will get our time to shine, my friend. We will support each other as good colleagues, Patricians and friends.

Signed,
Lucius Atilius Regulus.

[Okmin]

Gaius arrives with his friend Aelianus. On the way over, he explains the arrangement he has made with Regulus, that Gaius will be praetor this year, in exchange for the two consuls' future support.

[removeduser_456328]

Aelianus would nod slightly as they arrived, having finished listening to his explanation of the coming political alliance.

"Such is good, very good for us. It seems to me that most of the younger patricians on the political scene are mostly interested in securing votes for positions, and that all that is needed to appease them is minor elections, and as such I believe we could easily form a powerful bloc of patricians. As well as this, I have had a plebeian visit me requesting for my support in his running as Tribune, if he were to succeed having a Tribune of the Plebs could prove very good for us, holding both consulates and the tribunate allows for almost total power; and this year seems set out to be important."

[Okmin]

"Hm... Who is this plebeian? A tribune in hand is a valuable asset, especially with the plebs as restless as they have been lately."

[removeduser_456328]

"I believe his name was.. Gnaeus Rutilanus? Anyhow, having him in hands should prove well. So, show me this new sculpture of your's! I hope it is as excellent as the giraffes."

Aelianus would smile as he spoke.

[Okmin]

"Very well." Aquila smiled coyly and led Aelianus to the gardens.

"I am very proud of my collection of plants. You can see they come from all corners of the sea -- well, all that I've been able to get ships to, anyway. And here is my sculpture, a beauty, and the new pride of my gardens. I'm told this pose is how the larger African ones challenge one another to combat."

He waved an arm at a piece of white marble, as tall as a man, carved with great detail into the form of a trumpeting African elephant, reared on its find legs.

"By the way, I have not heard anything of an organized faction of plebs or populares so far. I'm not sure whether to be pleased for their disorganization or concerned for their great secrecy."

[removeduser_456328]

Aelianus would examine the garden in detail as they walked through, looking at the various plants and statues that it was made up of.

"Indeed, I recognise many of these from my uncle's much smaller collection, yours has far more variety."

He would look upon the elephant for a few minutes, examining it in detail.

"Indeed, I have seen an illustration of one as such, they are mighty beasts. I would fear for us if someone managed to deploy them against Rome. And, as they are the plebs I would suggest that it is the former, I have not seen a concerted movement from them for a long while."

[Okmin]

"True. But we should be guarded against any hint of organized populist movement. Having influence over a tribune causes division; a good start. But we must ensure he wins."

[removeduser_456328]

"Quite right, I have already cast my vote for him, division amongst the plebs should allow us to gain patrician glory for the coming campaign. Speaking of which, do you plan on perhaps partaking?"