EN World City Project: Government Affairs Submissions

[jdavis]

I've sort of unwittingly cubbyholed myself as the voice for a strong Military (beginning to sound like the Ronald Reagan of Mor's End). I'm going to start working on a military budget soon.

 

[Krug]

Ok Jdavis, thanks. Minister of Military affairs for you?

Another suggestion; The dwarves have stationed a bunch of their men in Mor's End. It is vital to them that the city thrive as it provides an opportunity for trade and exchange of ideas, and quite a number of dwarves have settled in Mor's End, and they wouldna trust its defense to mere humans. Dwarves normally serve a period of two years before returning to Kul Moren, though some stay on and become citizens of the city.

Other groups that might have military ties: merchants could obviously sponsor a number of mercenaries. Of course, these men are more loyal to coin than the city, but some of these mercenary companies do have their reputation at stake.

Also, certain outlawed military orders might have taken roost in the politically independent city-state. Think Templars, who were banned from Europe from 1307 to 1500. Robert the Bruce, who was excommunicated from the Catholic church, gave shelter to the fleeing Templars. Lady Kelvin might have just such an order of warriors in her ward.

Finally, various tribes and clans might have received aid from Mor's End in fighting battles against Orcs and other monstes, and might supply the city with small number of their warriors as a 'tribute'.

 

[jdavis]

I guess I need to start a thread. I'll put one together tonight, I have a night class I have to get ready for, when I get back I'll put a thread together. I assume once everything is nailed down I'll save it all as a word doc. and post it (somewhere else?) as a permanent record. I am assuming there will end up a larger archive file eventually, with maps and descriptions and plot hooks and such?

 

[jdavis]

I guess I need to start a thread. I'll put one together tonight, I have a night class I have to get ready for, when I get back I'll put a thread together. I assume once everything is nailed down I'll save it all as a word doc. and post it (somewhere else?) as a permanent record. I am assuming there will end up a larger archive file eventually, with maps and descriptions and plot hooks and such?

 

[Krug]

I guess I need to start a thread. I'll put one together tonight, I have a night class I have to get ready for, when I get back I'll put a thread together. I assume once everything is nailed down I'll save it all as a word doc. and post it (somewhere else?) as a permanent record. I am assuming there will end up a larger archive file eventually, with maps and descriptions and plot hooks and such?

Yeap, that would be the aim.

 

[Khorod]

150 years of sapphire rushes and a monopoly on a luxury item... and the city is only 10,000 people? Why?

That's wealth and time enough to attract a lot more residents.

 

[Lalato]

150 years of sapphire rushes and a monopoly on a luxury item... and the city is only 10,000 people? Why?

That's wealth and time enough to attract a lot more residents.

That's a good point. Perhaps the sapphire rush should come a little later... or not at all...

My thinking was that the city could only grow at a certain pace because the surrounding countryside couldn't support the rapid growth. A lot of people might have come for the sapphire rush, but grew disheartened by the sheer number of folks already panning for gems. Instead, they decided to squat some land in Enheim. That's what spurred the development of independent villages. Some people might have come, but returned home after they didn't make their fortune. Some people might have died trying. Some would have died from random humanoid raids. Some might have died of starvation.

I'm just pulling all of that out of my head... so if it doesn't sound right let me know.

--sam

 

[Conaill]

Re: Re: Re: population and levels

The actual army was 200 soldiers; 100 on the wall, 50 to keep the peace in the town, and 50 soldiers who are personal guards for Lady Kelvin.

Just to annoy jdavis , here's the corrected stats on guards for the average city of 10,200, based on the MMS tables (I had to correct for the number of adults in the population):

Guards (private): 140
Guards (city, governmental): 70
Mercenaries: 70

I agree that we probably should have more than that, but three times more seems a little much, especially if we are going to have a roaming force outside the walls as well.

50 personal guards for Lady Kelvin: what, she need her own personal army now? How many personal guards does the leader of a small city need anyway? I would say 2 dedicated guards would have to be with her at all times. Let's say 3 shifts of 8 hours. The more personal guards we give her, the more chance of sneaking in a spy or assasin among them! The number of personal guards must be small enough for Lady Kelvin to develop a personal rapport and trust with them. I would say 10 at most.

The actual citadel where Lady Kelvin resides (I'm assuming she'll be on the reinforced island in the middle of the river?) should probably be manned by the regular city guard.

Mor's End has 4 city gates right now. Let's say each has 4 guards on duty at all times (plus at least one clerk at each gate as well). Another 4-5 guards to patrol the city wall (at night there would be fewer men at the gates, and more patrolling the wall) and 10 guards for the Citadel. Add a few extras "on call" at the citadel or temporarily unavailable (training, sick, etc). Two shifts, that makes 80 city guards. That sounds fine.

No need for 3 shifts at the gates or citadel, because they're stationary: at any one time they can have one man taking a nap, eating, etc. The City watch patrolling the streets probably does need three watches. Let's stick with your 20 guards per watch, for a total of 60. That includes the occasional off-duty time for training, sick leave etc. (IIRC, days off are a relatively modern invention!)

Total:

10 Elite Guard for Lady Kelvin
80 City Guard for the gates, wall and citadel
60 City Watch

The number of Outland Rangers would probably be kept well below the City Guard. Perhaps no more than 40.

 

[Tonguez]

That's a good point. Perhaps the sapphire rush should come a little later... or not at all...

--sam

Actually as the sapphires have magical properties it is likely that the Government/Mages would quickly move in to take control of the resource and create a monopoly (the Glistening Brotherhood) who hold a Guild Patent from the 'Central Authority' to be the sole buyer and distributor of Mors End sapphires. Because of this many of the small stakeholders either had to abandon their claims and leave or else became Clay diggers and became the towns peasantry.

 

[wizardoftheplains]

Actually as the sapphires have magical properties it is likely that the Government/Mages would quickly move in to take control of the resource and create a monopoly (the Glistening Brotherhood) who hold a Guild Patent from the 'Central Authority' to be the sole buyer and distributor of Mors End sapphires. Because of this many of the small stakeholders either had to abandon their claims and leave or else became Clay diggers and became the towns peasantry.

I agree with this thinking. Glittering Brotherhood has a strong control over the sapphire collection and cutting.

Someone also suggested that the Lady Kelvin really controls the city with her wits. I'm for that also. Her power can be supplimented by a bit of magic, but the power of intrigue and political savy should win out here. (my opinion only

A comment on the city size. There is some back and forth on just how large the city. Through the want of having many, many things in the city, it could easily become a huge metropolis. But try working it with these suggestions. (which have appeared elsewhere.)

The city is a few hundred years old but is only 10,000 people. Why? Work in a reason for the size being what it is. Perhaps periodic raids by BLANK or illness keep the population down. The trade is good, but if the area is frontier land...what keeps it a frontier land? Was it once bigger then it went through a war that knocked the population down? Also, the sapphires could have only recently been discovered...say 6 years ago. The reangers could have other reasons for working with the city. they could be decendants of the first rangers in the area...whjen it was first settled, etc. They could patrol the area out of tradition only.