Romani Council

[m_1512]

Aventine hill, behind the temple of Diana.

Behind the Temple of Diana, a lane leads in a maze of buildings. There is one decrepit building which no one uses. A building always locked with a key, and is now used by some men who come to meet there. Only the key holder and people are invited can enter.

[m_1512]

Lucius Julius Libo opens the door and enters the building. He waits for the people he has invited to the place.

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus arrives under a cloak of darkness, raps twice on the door of the decrepit building and announces himself...

[m_1512]

He is led inside by Libo after checking who it is.

"Welcome Gnaeus. Have a seat, and there is some wine in the amphora."

[Dark Storm]

"Thank you Libo, I trust you are well this evening,"

his eyes darted around the room,

"and that this place is secure?"

[m_1512]

Libo nodded.

"I am well. And this building is secure, although people think it is going to fall off."

[Rhapture]

Lucius Valerius arrives at the designated meeting place. He was wearing a tunic with a hooded cape. He knocked and was allowed entrance.

[m_1512]

Lucius pours wine into another goblet. He had just finished arranging the chairs in a circle around the pool. This intended to send a message, that everyone here was as equals and for a purpose.

"Welcome Valerius. Do you think any more would come?"

[Rhapture]

"I am not sure, Libo. I do not know exactly you else you invited here."
He looks around the small room and sees Gnaeus Tranquillius, he nods, but offers no words.

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus noticed the crumbling masonry warily,

"aye, I don't doubt that those worries are misfounded!"

as the newcomer entered, Gnaeus noticed it was the man he'd almost come to blows with within the senate,

"Good evening Valerius, I trust you can forgive my words in the Senate, public appearance must be kept lest those we stand against realise my true alignments..."

[Okmin]

(I'm assuming this is the place you meant with the letter)

Consul Aquila arrives as discretely as possible.

[Rhapture]

"Ave. Gnaeus. That incident is behind us."
he turns towards Aquila.
"Greetings, Consul."

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus nodded in the direction of the Consul,

"Evening Aquila"

before turning back to Valerius,

"Let us hope so, for while I speak of patrician supremacy in the Senate, my heart stays a different course."

[Okmin]

Aquila raised an eyebrow. He had suspected as much the instant he saw Gnaeus here.

"What course might that be?"

[Dark Storm]

"Rome stands stronger united, Consul, I myself can hold no grievances against the plebeians when without them Rome would be weak."

Gnaeus sighed,

"Though it is true that I am a patrician, I do not put much stock in breeding, a man can come from the finest family and yet be weak and unfit to serve Rome, whereas a man can come from the lowliest background and yet be the mightiest of men. That is what Rome is, it is a brotherhood, an idea that one people can come together and achieve what no others have achieved before. Yet can we do that where the elite prey upon the weak? Every man is equal in the eyes of the Gods, just as every citizen is equal in the eyes of Rome. I do not serve faction or fancy, I serve Rome. Non enim rei publicae!"

[Okmin]

"These are wise words, friend. Too many disputes divide us when we should be working together."

Aquila thinks for a moment before grinning.

"But I must admit, Gnaeus, your animation in the Curia was particularly amusing."

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus chuckled,

"Small minds need big theatrics to sway, and I am certain Silanus is now firmly on side..."

A wry smile appeared on his face,

"Of course a pair of eyes and ears within the republican party would not go amiss, would they?"

[Rhapture]

This meetings seemed interesting judged Valerius.

[m_1512]

Having made all arrangements, Libo bade all to take a seat, and started promptly.

"Welcome senators. We all have gathered here mutually, to put it very plainly, to protect the balance that holds the republic. As you all know, and would have got invites to it too, there is a group of people who call themselves the republican faction. Although they claim that their motto is noble, they have a collection of wild people who will plunge Rome into chaos. You all saw how they nominated Maximus for Pontifex Maximus, a mere boy of 18 who is not even a senator. I feel that their erratic actions to gain their own ends will be the ruin of Rome. But here is where we can step in. To be an obstacle to every erratic action of these men. And our group needs to be a secret, any new people will be from invitation only."

He put a key on the dias.

"We will have a keeper for the keys, who will summon the meetings. And this needs be a person who does not hold too much imperium. That is, it will be a senator not holding any magistracy, or who holds the junior most magistracy."

He takes a tablet and chisel.

"First in our agenda is to list out the names of the people, who are very erratic and dangerous to the republic. I think one is Silanus, unfortunately my brother in law. But fortunately, as a praetor I can veto any erratic designs."

[Rhapture]

Valerius intrupts.
"Excuse me Libo, but what do think we should be doing to these Senators on this list you are preparing?"