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Kingdom: Fear and Loathing in Emporopolis (Updated June 20, 2013)
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<blockquote data-quote="The Shadow" data-source="post: 6141702" data-attributes="member: 16760"><p>Kerdizo relaxed in the Golden Goblet after a long day of wrangling the bureaucracy. Being rich and successful had manifold rewards, but somehow it just wasn't as... fun... as being young and hungry with a big idea and scarcely two coins to rub together. Still and all, he wouldn't go back.</p><p></p><p>Oh, there was that Ekbiasmos fellow. Odd duck. Sells books, doesn't he? Good customer. He beckoned Fylakas over. "Greetings, my friend. How's the book business treating you? Need any more Jewel Cities incense?" Fylakas strolled over and took a seat. "It's been better, friend Kerma. And I'm set for incense and simples for now, but I always know who to call upon!"</p><p></p><p>Kerdizo laughed. "Well, you can still afford to drink at the Goblet, so it isn't all bad, eh?" How <em>does</em> he afford it? No matter, a customer's private life is no concern of mine. They fell to chatting about the latest scandal, the horrible murders.</p><p></p><p>Kerdizo shook his head. "A nasty business that, no question. People are afraid, they want the matter closed." [Being Touchstone, he formalized this as an Attitude.] As they talked, a young man rushed in, full of panic. "Master Kerma!"</p><p></p><p>A runner from his accounts man at the Governor's palace. "What is it, lad, I haven't all day?" The youth whispered urgently in his ear and Kerdizo groaned, smacking his forehead. He therefore didn't notice Fylakas deftly slipping the boy a few coins. [JoJoz introduced the runner, I included the payoff just to emphasize how sneaky Fylakas can be. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />]</p><p></p><p>Fylakas asked sympathetically, "Trouble?" "Oh yes. That Eumanios twit is trying to convince His Mildness to declare martial law over the whole Spitha business. That would be disastrous for trade!" The bookseller shook his head sadly. "Some people just don't understand the important things in life." "Indeed they don't! I have a mind to attend court and urge the sensible side of the matter. ... Care to come with? The Governor seems to like you."</p><p></p><p>Fylakas smiled. "I should be delighted." While he could easily wangle his way into court, it would cause less talk if he arrived as someone's guest.</p><p></p><p>The governor, being a man of the people, opened his court even to commoners at least once a week. Of course, it certainly moved one up the attendance list if one were appropriately dressed, showed evidence of education and good breeding, and gave gifts to the right people. What could be more reasonable than that?</p><p></p><p>The two men were both dressed well (though Fylakas skirted the edge), both were clearly educated and well-bred, and Kerma had long since loaded down the right palms with grease. (And those in the know would rather fall on their swords than fail to accommodate Fylakas in any event.)</p><p></p><p>At court, the Governor was busy 'hearing all voices' (one of his trademark phrases) on the subject of martial law. When he had the chance to speak, Kerdizo urged the onerous burden on trade that martial law would inflict, adding that "Trade is the lifeblood of Emporopolis, the people won't long bear it's interruption." [Another Attitude.]</p><p></p><p>Milos fluttered his hands. "Oh, indeed, Guildmaster! Nobody could be more sensitive than I to the necessity of commerce to our dear people! Our resources are few, our coffers are filled by the buying and selling of goods, plus an ever-modest amount of taxation, of course! And yet... I do fear that if firm steps are not taken against crime, our beloved city will descend into chaos!"</p><p></p><p>[Another Prediction. I'm not sure why SuentisPo included this one... We were all still very new to the game. At a guess, he could see which way the wind was blowing and didn't want me to have it all my own way. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> And I don't recall what Price he had to pay for giving another Prediction so soon after his first one... At this point in the game the Prices were pretty mild. Later, as things heated up and we got a firm grip on how things worked, they got very cutthroat indeed...]</p><p></p><p>Court concluded, and Milos had someone discreetly send Fylakas a message requesting his presence in one of the less-formal audience chambers.</p><p></p><p>----------------------------------</p><p></p><p>Fylakas bowed as he entered his Governor's august presence. "My Lord."</p><p></p><p>Milos smiled and waved a hand. "Oh, my friend, we need not stand on ceremony in private! Think of me simply as your friend Milos."</p><p></p><p>Fylakas smiled. "As you say, Milos." He did harbor some fondness for his erstwhile ruler. To be sure, the man was a fatuous oaf, but he did genuinely seem to care for his city and try to do the right thing... a rare enough trait in politics.</p><p></p><p>Milos rested his head in his hand. "Oh, my friend. You have no idea of the burdens of rule! This whole murder business is simply dreadful. If I let Eumanios have his way, the nobles will rejoice but my dear people will suffer. If I do not, who knows if the Watch will ever find those responsible? And if crime is allowed to flourish, where can it all lead?"</p><p></p><p>Fylakas told him gently, "Surely, Milos, your first instinct - to protect your people - is sound. You have a City Watch precisely to deal with these matters, do you not? The Strategos does not truly care about catching those responsible, nor does he really have a plan to do so... He is simply interested in expanding his own power."</p><p></p><p>"How well I know it! And yet the Eumanioi are a powerful family. If I slight the Strategos in this, who knows what plots he will foment against me?"</p><p></p><p>Fylakas said firmly, "You must not permit him to do so. If you slight him once, you must be resolute and slight him twice: Remove him as Strategos."</p><p></p><p>[This was a pending use of Authority, from my role as Power: If martial law is not declared, the Strategos will be removed. SuentisPo's reaction was to laugh and say, "You bastard! Now I don't know which way I want it to go!"]</p><p></p><p>Milos sucked in his breath. "Oooh! Do you really think so? How will his brother the Patrikios respond?"</p><p></p><p>Fylakas replied judiciously, "He will be displeased, of course, but he will do nothing for now." He'd better not if he knows what's good for him, he thought grimly. "Your firmness in this will confuse him and he will feel the need to reassess."</p><p></p><p>Milos shook his head wonderingly. "You never fail to amaze me with your grasp of these matters, friend Fylakas! I've never known you to be wrong... Anyone would think you were a noble yourself, so well do you predict our actions! How do you do it?"</p><p></p><p>Fylakas smiled and demurred in self-deprecating tones, "We of the lower orders, friend Milos, are strongly motivated to assess the actions of our betters, don't you think?"</p><p></p><p>"Oh, true, true, to be sure. And yet truly, you have a gift."</p><p></p><p>--------------------------------</p><p></p><p>[There followed a quick scene I don't recall many details of, in which Fylakas ordered Maldark to have the Guild lie low for a week or two, and to let the Watch make some progress in their investigation. (The fact that Watch Commander Frouros was Fylakas' creature clean to the bone helped here, of course!) This was my (successful) attempt to undo Milos' Prediction of chaos in the streets.]</p><p></p><p>[Maldark also strung Mathitis along a bit about the dagger, saying it was in a city to the north.]</p><p></p><p>[At that point, the Crossroad resolved, and the Crisis level was still fairly low. I won't go into detail about the mechanics of either one, as Crossroads and Crises are the very heart of the game. Suffice to say for now that Crisis is something that all players can influence, but that players of Touchstone characters do so disproportionately. In fact, it would be fair to say that Power and Perspective specialize in influencing Crossroads, and Touchstone specializes in influencing Crises. Oh... and while I haven't mentioned it explicitly so far, it is definitely possible to change Roles in the midst of the game. As shall be seen!]</p><p></p><p>[This one resolved pretty smoothly and predictably. Martial law was not declared, and the Strategos was removed. Milos did not end up looking good to the noble classes, to say the least. On the bright side, the people were not oppressed, either.]</p><p></p><p>[Now it was my turn to create a Crossroad...]</p><p></p><p>Mathitis was shopping for his master in the market square when he saw a white-robed Logos priest on a soapbox haranguing the crowd.</p><p></p><p>"What sort of government do we have, good people, that allows such vile crimes as the murder of men, women, and innocent children to pass by unpunished?! What sort of 'nobility' do we suffer to rule over us, which practices ignoble vices, turns a blind eye to such crimes as this, and lives in indolence and sin? If they will not punish even the murder of their own, how will they respond to crimes against simple folk? The True God sees, brethren, and has uttered his Word of judgment!"</p><p></p><p>A Logos priest going on (and on) about vice was nothing new. What was new, Mathitis saw to his dismay, was that people were actually listening to this one - crowding around, shouting in agreement, even throwing money. The master would have to know about this.</p><p></p><p>[And I asked the question: "Will Emporopolis silence the Church of the Logos?"]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="The Shadow, post: 6141702, member: 16760"] Kerdizo relaxed in the Golden Goblet after a long day of wrangling the bureaucracy. Being rich and successful had manifold rewards, but somehow it just wasn't as... fun... as being young and hungry with a big idea and scarcely two coins to rub together. Still and all, he wouldn't go back. Oh, there was that Ekbiasmos fellow. Odd duck. Sells books, doesn't he? Good customer. He beckoned Fylakas over. "Greetings, my friend. How's the book business treating you? Need any more Jewel Cities incense?" Fylakas strolled over and took a seat. "It's been better, friend Kerma. And I'm set for incense and simples for now, but I always know who to call upon!" Kerdizo laughed. "Well, you can still afford to drink at the Goblet, so it isn't all bad, eh?" How [i]does[/i] he afford it? No matter, a customer's private life is no concern of mine. They fell to chatting about the latest scandal, the horrible murders. Kerdizo shook his head. "A nasty business that, no question. People are afraid, they want the matter closed." [Being Touchstone, he formalized this as an Attitude.] As they talked, a young man rushed in, full of panic. "Master Kerma!" A runner from his accounts man at the Governor's palace. "What is it, lad, I haven't all day?" The youth whispered urgently in his ear and Kerdizo groaned, smacking his forehead. He therefore didn't notice Fylakas deftly slipping the boy a few coins. [JoJoz introduced the runner, I included the payoff just to emphasize how sneaky Fylakas can be. :)] Fylakas asked sympathetically, "Trouble?" "Oh yes. That Eumanios twit is trying to convince His Mildness to declare martial law over the whole Spitha business. That would be disastrous for trade!" The bookseller shook his head sadly. "Some people just don't understand the important things in life." "Indeed they don't! I have a mind to attend court and urge the sensible side of the matter. ... Care to come with? The Governor seems to like you." Fylakas smiled. "I should be delighted." While he could easily wangle his way into court, it would cause less talk if he arrived as someone's guest. The governor, being a man of the people, opened his court even to commoners at least once a week. Of course, it certainly moved one up the attendance list if one were appropriately dressed, showed evidence of education and good breeding, and gave gifts to the right people. What could be more reasonable than that? The two men were both dressed well (though Fylakas skirted the edge), both were clearly educated and well-bred, and Kerma had long since loaded down the right palms with grease. (And those in the know would rather fall on their swords than fail to accommodate Fylakas in any event.) At court, the Governor was busy 'hearing all voices' (one of his trademark phrases) on the subject of martial law. When he had the chance to speak, Kerdizo urged the onerous burden on trade that martial law would inflict, adding that "Trade is the lifeblood of Emporopolis, the people won't long bear it's interruption." [Another Attitude.] Milos fluttered his hands. "Oh, indeed, Guildmaster! Nobody could be more sensitive than I to the necessity of commerce to our dear people! Our resources are few, our coffers are filled by the buying and selling of goods, plus an ever-modest amount of taxation, of course! And yet... I do fear that if firm steps are not taken against crime, our beloved city will descend into chaos!" [Another Prediction. I'm not sure why SuentisPo included this one... We were all still very new to the game. At a guess, he could see which way the wind was blowing and didn't want me to have it all my own way. :) And I don't recall what Price he had to pay for giving another Prediction so soon after his first one... At this point in the game the Prices were pretty mild. Later, as things heated up and we got a firm grip on how things worked, they got very cutthroat indeed...] Court concluded, and Milos had someone discreetly send Fylakas a message requesting his presence in one of the less-formal audience chambers. ---------------------------------- Fylakas bowed as he entered his Governor's august presence. "My Lord." Milos smiled and waved a hand. "Oh, my friend, we need not stand on ceremony in private! Think of me simply as your friend Milos." Fylakas smiled. "As you say, Milos." He did harbor some fondness for his erstwhile ruler. To be sure, the man was a fatuous oaf, but he did genuinely seem to care for his city and try to do the right thing... a rare enough trait in politics. Milos rested his head in his hand. "Oh, my friend. You have no idea of the burdens of rule! This whole murder business is simply dreadful. If I let Eumanios have his way, the nobles will rejoice but my dear people will suffer. If I do not, who knows if the Watch will ever find those responsible? And if crime is allowed to flourish, where can it all lead?" Fylakas told him gently, "Surely, Milos, your first instinct - to protect your people - is sound. You have a City Watch precisely to deal with these matters, do you not? The Strategos does not truly care about catching those responsible, nor does he really have a plan to do so... He is simply interested in expanding his own power." "How well I know it! And yet the Eumanioi are a powerful family. If I slight the Strategos in this, who knows what plots he will foment against me?" Fylakas said firmly, "You must not permit him to do so. If you slight him once, you must be resolute and slight him twice: Remove him as Strategos." [This was a pending use of Authority, from my role as Power: If martial law is not declared, the Strategos will be removed. SuentisPo's reaction was to laugh and say, "You bastard! Now I don't know which way I want it to go!"] Milos sucked in his breath. "Oooh! Do you really think so? How will his brother the Patrikios respond?" Fylakas replied judiciously, "He will be displeased, of course, but he will do nothing for now." He'd better not if he knows what's good for him, he thought grimly. "Your firmness in this will confuse him and he will feel the need to reassess." Milos shook his head wonderingly. "You never fail to amaze me with your grasp of these matters, friend Fylakas! I've never known you to be wrong... Anyone would think you were a noble yourself, so well do you predict our actions! How do you do it?" Fylakas smiled and demurred in self-deprecating tones, "We of the lower orders, friend Milos, are strongly motivated to assess the actions of our betters, don't you think?" "Oh, true, true, to be sure. And yet truly, you have a gift." -------------------------------- [There followed a quick scene I don't recall many details of, in which Fylakas ordered Maldark to have the Guild lie low for a week or two, and to let the Watch make some progress in their investigation. (The fact that Watch Commander Frouros was Fylakas' creature clean to the bone helped here, of course!) This was my (successful) attempt to undo Milos' Prediction of chaos in the streets.] [Maldark also strung Mathitis along a bit about the dagger, saying it was in a city to the north.] [At that point, the Crossroad resolved, and the Crisis level was still fairly low. I won't go into detail about the mechanics of either one, as Crossroads and Crises are the very heart of the game. Suffice to say for now that Crisis is something that all players can influence, but that players of Touchstone characters do so disproportionately. In fact, it would be fair to say that Power and Perspective specialize in influencing Crossroads, and Touchstone specializes in influencing Crises. Oh... and while I haven't mentioned it explicitly so far, it is definitely possible to change Roles in the midst of the game. As shall be seen!] [This one resolved pretty smoothly and predictably. Martial law was not declared, and the Strategos was removed. Milos did not end up looking good to the noble classes, to say the least. On the bright side, the people were not oppressed, either.] [Now it was my turn to create a Crossroad...] Mathitis was shopping for his master in the market square when he saw a white-robed Logos priest on a soapbox haranguing the crowd. "What sort of government do we have, good people, that allows such vile crimes as the murder of men, women, and innocent children to pass by unpunished?! What sort of 'nobility' do we suffer to rule over us, which practices ignoble vices, turns a blind eye to such crimes as this, and lives in indolence and sin? If they will not punish even the murder of their own, how will they respond to crimes against simple folk? The True God sees, brethren, and has uttered his Word of judgment!" A Logos priest going on (and on) about vice was nothing new. What was new, Mathitis saw to his dismay, was that people were actually listening to this one - crowding around, shouting in agreement, even throwing money. The master would have to know about this. [And I asked the question: "Will Emporopolis silence the Church of the Logos?"] [/QUOTE]
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Kingdom: Fear and Loathing in Emporopolis (Updated June 20, 2013)
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