Has the game had a player jump in front a train like Fox is suggesting here in the past?  My info on game history is hazzy with obvious reason before the reboot.

As to NS being involved...  from what I have heard of some of their acts towards China it would be possible just beyond stupid...

Michael

OOC There was never any assasination attempt on the Chinese Empress. All of that was just pure Chinese propaganda, and can be verified due to the simple fact that the Swiss never hurt the Chinese Emperor when he was held prisioner. Of course IC everyone believes differently, and I can very well see NS being blamed for this, thought I strongly doubt NS would even care as to what happens in Europe..

Quote from: miketr on September 10, 2008, 08:15:48 PM
Has the game had a player jump in front a train like Fox is suggesting here in the past?  My info on game history is hazzy with obvious reason before the reboot.

As to NS being involved...  from what I have heard of some of their acts towards China it would be possible just beyond stupid...

Michael

Mike alot of the stuff with China and the NS was RPd, (this would obviously be in the previous incarnation of the sim) there were several things I never understood (Japan was in south america FFS).  I just put it off to DF and Phoenix didnt like eachother ^.^

St Peters Square Wednesday December 25th 1912

Chaos ruled the square members of the Hapsburg and Iberian Royal guards moved to secure their Royal Charges while at the same time different units of the Praetorian Guard moved to secure the Emperor Marius and others moved to secure the Pope and another moved into the crowd trying to secure the assailant.

Eventually minuets pass and finally order was restored to the Chaos that was St Peters Square.  The Pope was rushed to an Ambulance and rushed out of the Vatican City escorted by armed guards and accompanied by Emperor Marius' personal physician and the Pope's own physician.
The Crowd was prevented from leaving and the assailant was separated from the Mob.  It was obvious that whomever the assailant was its was much to late to prevent his death.

The tedius job of finding out what happened begins with the taking of statements and names of every person who was in the crowd at St Peters that day.

The Time December 26th 1912 Rome, sometime before dawn.

The Cast
Gaius Marius – Emperor of Italia
Jamie I – Emperor of Iberia
Stefan II – Kaiser of the Hapsburg Empire
Lucius Decumius - Commander of the Praetorian Guard.

The Room was dimly lit as false dawn illuminated windows at the back of the room.  Three Chairs set upon a raised dais overlook a polished marble floor.  Three men sit in those chairs the rulers of three Empires await dire news while there guards huddle in clusters about the room.  The door opens and a single man enters walks to the front of the Dais and kneels.

Marius – " Rise Lucius tell us your news."

Lucius - Bowing to the two other men in the room "My Liege, and Honored Majesties', I must first report that as of a half hour ago the Pope still lives but his condition is very grave."

Marius – "Indeed this is great news tell US what happened with the Pope."

Lucius – My, Liege and your Majesties' as I stated before the information I have on the Pope is complete up to a half hour ago.  The Pope was rushed to the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu, as it was the closest hospital with a surgical suite and it is located just outside the Vatican Grounds.  He was accompanied by his own Physician and by your own My Liege.  At this time what I know is that the bullet struck Pope Pius on the right side of his chest breaking  one rib and puncturing his lung.  The Doctors have stopped the bleeding but they say it's a miracle that Pope Pius is still alive at this time.   The bullet is still in him and while stable at this time the doctors say his condition is grave and that his recovery is in Gods hands at this time.

Marius – Crosses himself "And the Assailant what of him."

Lucius – "My, Liege and your Majesties' what we know and what we can surmise about the assailant is very limited at this time.  The bomb was crude possibly intentionally so and we have the gun he used in our possession.   As for the assailant identity, we have insufficient information to identify him at this time.  The Crowd was restraining him and several undercover agents were attempting to take him from the crowd when it was realized that Pope Pius had been shot.  The Crowd turned on the assailant and anyone not in uniform with a weapon that was within their reach.  The assailant, and one of my agents were killed and several more agents were hospitalized before the guard could calm the crowd.  What we know is that the assailant is approximately   this he was approximately 5'6" tall with dark curly hair.  He is in all likelihood of Mediterranean decent due to his complexion but at this moment even his nationality is in doubt.   He was not carrying any form of identifying papers and at the moment even his mother might have a hard time recognizing his face.  The Doctors and one of the city of Rome best investigative detectives are currently gathering all available information they can on the subject.  I understand they will be utilizing the Bertillion System of Anthropometry, and something very new called finger print identification.  If he has ever been arrested in Europe in the last 5 years we might have a chance of Identifying him. "

Marius – looking at the other two men on the Dais "My Lords have you any questions?"

Jamie I – "Lord Lucius, is there any way of identifying the assailant through his clothing, or perhaps something he said or shouted during the attack."

Lucius – "We have gathered all his clothing your Majesty and are analyzing it.  However do to the damage done by the Mob it will probably take some time.  I have roughly 250 witnessed currently in custody that were near enough to the individual to have possibly overheard anything he said and they will be questioned thoroughly.  However this will take additional time possibly days and maybe even a week.  In addition I have a large number of suspicious characters who were detained when we stopped everyone from leaving St. Peters Square they will also be questioned."

Stefan II – "Have you ascertained exactly who was the target of this cowardly attack?"

Lucius- "From what members of the guard detachments have told my your Majesties' the target at least of the initial bomb was the Royal viewing area.  I cannot accurately determine which of your Majesties' was the intended target but collectively you all were the assassins primary target!"

Stefan II – "Could this assassin have been an Ottoman?"

Lucius – "He could have been your Majesty' however it is equally like for him to have been Egyptian, Sicilian, Greek, or Jewish.  At this time I simply do not have enough information, but I will be working very diligently to discover who if anyone this individual worked for."

Jamie I – "The bomb or the Pistol is there anyway to trace its components?"

Lucius – "My investigative officers are currently working on this.  The Gun is a pattern 1873 French army pistol.   My Investigative officers will be contacting the French to try and determine to whom and when it was last issued.   The Bomb, was a simple device a wooden box filled with black powder .  Guards detailed to the front of the Royal viewing stand report seeing the burning fuse just as Lt. Aulus knocked it down and fell on it.  His actions cost him his life but they undoubtedly saved those of many others.   The bomb failed to fully explode either due to wet powder or the fact that when Lt. Aulus fell on it he broke the box.  This is why there was more smoke then explosion and why the nails glued to the box killed no one except Lt. Aulus."

Marius – "Any other questions?, No. Then Lucius you are dismissed please keep us informed."  Turns to Stefan II as Lucius bows and exits the room.  "So shall we continue our discussion while we await breakfast? Or shall we get some sleep."

January 15th The Palace in Rome.

The Cast
Gaius Marius – Emperor of Italia.
Lucius Decumius - Commander of the Praetorian Guard.

Early Morning while breakfast is being served to Emperor Marius and Family.

Lucius     "My Liege, you asked to be informed before it happened and the Doctors just an hour ago sent for the Cardinal Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals.   It could happen at any time now."

Meanwhile on the other side of City of Rome at the same particular moment in time.  The Cardinal Camerleno stands bye the bedside of Pope Pius X and his doctors.  One of the Doctors rises from taking the Popes pulse and shakes his head.

Cardinal Camerlengo touches Pope Pius X on the brow and calls forth in a solemn voice "Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto" pauses, "Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto" pauses, "Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto."  The Cardinal then bends over and removes the Ring of the Fishermen and Papal Seal hands them to a friar standing by.  "Have these broken and inform Avignon at once that our Pope is dead."

Outside of Vatican City the shutters of the Popes private apartment are closed and the massive bronze doors beneath a portico off Saint Peter's Square are closed.  Slowly the bells of St Peters basilica begin to ring slowly one by one to be taken up by all the churches of Rome.

Marius upon hearing the bells begin to ring.   "You are punctual as always Lucius now please find me who was behind this murderer this Assassin somebody is going to pay for this no matter how long it takes.

15 January 1913:  Cartagena

Gentle rapping on the door stirred Juan Cardinal Rodriguez, Archbishop of Cartagena, from his slumber.  "Enter", he called out, and slowly pushed himself up into a seated position.  It was black outside, and he suspected he already knew why he was being roused from his sleep.

The servant entered, candle in one hand, folded slip of paper in the other.  "Your Eminence", the young man began, "Pardon the intrusion.  This has come for you."  He handed the paper to Rodriguez, who in turned gestured for the candle to be set on the end-table beside him.

The telegram from Rome was simple, and to the point. 

Rodriguez sighed.  "The bells ring in Saint Peters, Gabriel."

The youth asked, "Our father...?" 

Rodriguez nodded, and swung his legs out off the bed.  "Yes.  Summon my staff, please.  There are arrangements to make - among other things, my presence will soon be required in Avignon."

Sistine Chapel Vatican City Rome – January 20th 1913


Actors:
Aristide Cardinal Rinaldini – Camerlengo of the College of Cardinals
Francesco Cardinal Della Vollpe – Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church

It was day five of the nine days of Prayers traditional for the passing of a Pope.  The two most important men at this moment in the Roman Catholic Church, one responsible for following the wishes of the Pope in his burial and the election of a new Pope, the other responsible for the finances of the church.  The two princes of the church have come together to discuss the complexities of the upcoming conclave.

Cardinal Rinaldini "Time is passing and our brothers cannot yet make up their minds about where we should meet, some are for returning to Avignon some argue that we should meet traditionally here in this very chapel."

Cardinal Francesco "As per the Holy Fathers last wishes I have prepared for his Burial here in the Basilica of St. Peter.  But what can we do and more importantly what should we do about the disagreement among our brothers."

Cardinal Rinaldini "I am unsure what it is we should do but I am firmly convinced that what we cannot do is allow another schism within the church.  We cannot go back to the old days of Cardinals meeting some in Rome some in Avignon and electing two or Heaven help us three Popes at a time.   This I am firmly resolved to prevent."

Cardinal Francesco "I agree in principle with your statement.  The problem is simple we need a precedent that we can site that will allow me to call the conclave either here in Rome or in Avignon and a precedent that all will respect.  To my knowledge if Pope Pius had made his wishes public prior to his death we would not be having this problem.  However, since his intentions remained private and known only to a few of us we have a problem.   When the church fled Rome for Avignon and the protection France offered we should have changed the rules of Election in a permanent manner but we did not.  So my most learned brother do you have a solution to our problem."

Cardinal Rinaldini "I might brother I might" Handing over a scroll to Cardinal Francesco

Cardinal Francesco reading the scroll and smiling more and more as he reads "Can this be true is our Salvation so easy then."

Cardinal Rinaldini "It might be, according to that Synopsis I just handed you Pope Gregory X was dismayed over the three years that had passed between the death of Clement IV and his own election.  The fact that the people of the City of Viterbo where the Cardinals were meeting got tired of the whole process and locked the Cardinals in a building tore its roof off to expose them to the elements and threatened to feed them only bread and water may have had something to do with it as well." Smiling "But to the point of the matter Pope Gregory X stipulated that from then on we the Cardinals should gather in the city the Pope died in.  This could be the precedent you use to end the" Cough "discussion of our brothers."

Cardinal Francesco still smiling "I see here it states that if no one is elected after 8 days Gregory himself threatened the Cardinals with bread, water, and wine. "  Thinks for a moment. "Yes, I agree I will use this precedent to call the conclave here in Rome, it is time that we sat within the walls of this chapel and cast or ballots.   But I will also at my discretion allow the maximum amount of time for all Cardinals to arrive and we must arrange special trains from Avignon to Rome for those who travel there first.  None must be able to say they were excluded because of this decision."

Per Request:  The Date is January 21st 1913

Pope Pius X had lain in state in St. Peters Basilica for 4 days guarded by an Honor Guard drawn from his Personnel Guard come from Avignon and the Italia Army and Navy.   Tens of thousands if not a million people had waited hours sometimes even days to slowly file through the Basilica to catch a glimpse of the Pope lying in state and slowly file out.

But now in the hour ordained Francesco Cardinal Della Volpe Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church placed the broken Seal and Ring of the Fishermen inside the 2nd of the three traditional coffins.  Cyprus to indicate the Pope is human and buried like common men.  Lead with his name and the dates of his rule on it. And finally Elm the most precious of local woods available in Rome.   Finally the workmen finished sealing the 2nd coffin and third as well.

While he awaited the lowering of the Body into the Crypt below St Peters Cardinal Della Volpe contemplated the proceeding days.     He contemplated the decisions made and those yet to be made in the day to come.  He contemplated those who had attended the masses and how Prince Regent Ludwig of Bavaria had attended this morning last great Mass for the dead in attendance with the Emperor of Italia maybe some good would come of that he certainly hopped so.

But now it was time to descend into the Crypt to the spot the Pope had personally chosen to be his final resting place.   In attendance were the Papal Sacristan or vicar and a few members of the Pope Pius X immediate family and a few other Cardinals. 

After returning to St. Peters a while latter and waiting the return of the Papal Sacristan Cardinal Della Volpe continued his thoughtful consideration.  Very soon or even now the burden of his office would be lifted from him.  He smiled at that thought because in truth it wasn't just himself being deprived of all his
added duties and responsibilities as a Papal appointee.  From this moment on persons holding honors or titles granted for the duration of the popes life time would loose them until either reappointed or not by the next Pope.  Soon the Novendiales the Masses for the deceased would begin and for the next 9 days churches across all of Rome and in many other places across the world would resound with prayers for the deceased.

There are discrete grunts of approval from Vienna about the Conclave being held in Rome - "as is only proper".

Sistine Chapel Vatican City Rome – February 1st,  1913
Actors:
Aristide Cardinal Rinaldini – Camerlengo of the College of Cardinals
Francesco Cardinal Della Vollpe – Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church
Leon-Adolphe Cardinal Amette – Arch Bishop of Paris

The final preparations for the Papal Conclave turned the normally serene Sistine Chapel into a virtual beehive of activity.  Monks, Friars, Priests and Cardinals mixed freely as chairs were set up protocol reviewed and quietly in many different corners a little politicking was being done.

Cardinal Rinaldini "So Francesco it appears that all is going according to plan how many have replied that they will be here on time?"

Cardinal Della Vollpe " Few have actually managed to reply directly Aristide, but I have high hopes for the attendance of as many who can actually make it." Turns to Cardinal Amette. " Leon, about those in Avignon who were holding out for the conclave to be held there.  Have they been dealt with?"

Cardinal Amette "Yes Francesco they have been dealt with that treatise on the rulings of Pope Gregory and how they applied to this situation appears to have convinced at least enough of them that they are all on there way here should be arriving by train either tonight or tomorrow.   How about those coming from South America have they arrived yet?"

Cardinal Rinaldini "Yes some arrived by liner late last night.  One or possibly two others are arriving on a Peruvian Cruiser of all things.   It is making a high speed run and unless something breaks I have reports that it passed the straits of Gibraltar late yesterday and should make it here with about a day to spare!"




OOC Notes:
I will tomorrow be posting a story concerning the Opening of the Conclave.   After that time I will be taking PM with you Cardinals Votes and writing a story as Quickly as Possible to explain the outcome of that vote.   I was hopping to get time to do this much earlier this week but ? stuff happened.

Rome Sistine Chapel Vatican City February 4th 1913.


The Marshal of the Conclave Prince Mario Chigi a grand and majestic figure like that of an old Roman Senator appeared clad in his costume of Ceremonies, a large mantle of black velvet over his shoulder with a golden sword, the lace neck-ornaments and the cocked hat with white feathers proper to a Commander-in-chief.  With the traditional dignity of his illustrious house he fulfilled his office and locked the final door into the Conclave of Cardinals from without as the Camerlengo was doing the same from within.  Now these doors would not be opened again lest a cardinal arrive late or one fall seriously ill within.



OOC Stuff:

Some people have changed the Names of thier Cardinals from the Historical so keep that In Mind but I include a historical link to the 1914 Conclave from which I have plagerized many of the names I used here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_electors_in_Papal_conclave,_1914

The number of cardinals per country has changed in some instances to reflect Navalism population changes and movements.  I hope to see your votes cluttering up my PM box in the near future and hopefully we will finish this off within the next few days or week at the outside. :o ;D

4 February 1913:  The Vatican

"Your name is being murmured around the corridors", Cardinal Rodriguez remarked to Cardinal Romero. 

"Oh?"

"Indeed.  They remember your part in bringing Cuba away from the Communists and into the Republic.  They view you as a strident defender of traditional monarchy and free enterprise."

Romero shrugged.  "I believe that a man is entitled to the bread he earns, not the state nor his fellows; I believe that while a man should desire to be charitable, it should not be mandated upon him - free will is what makes the act of charity charity."

"Exactly my point.  This has been noted", Rodriguez commented. 

"Are my views now being sought on other matters that I should be aware of?", Romero asked.

"You might consider your views on the Uniate, Eastern, and Protestent churches", Rodriguez said. 

"I will think carefully about how best to articulate them", Romero agreed.  "I assume there are other names being murmured as well?"

"Absolutely", Rodriguez confirmed.  "I do not think, however, that any Italian or French brother can claim the undivided support of his countrymen.  In my view, the initial rounds of voting will go nowhere, but supporters of less successful candidates may be too polarized to vote for rival countrymen.  They may instead look to a strong candidate who is neither French nor Italian."

"I see", said Romero.  "I suppose that I will have to consider who I am voting for, then."

For people looking for historic info on Cardinals...  this might be useful.

http://www.fiu.edu/~mirandas/a-z-all.htm

Michael

Quote from: miketr on September 30, 2008, 10:34:57 AM
For people looking for historic info on Cardinals...  this might be useful.

http://www.fiu.edu/~mirandas/a-z-all.htm

Michael

Great!
Borys