Letter To Malin's People #1

[Dry Crackers 268]

*notes are placed on signposts and notice-boards about the city*

 

To whom it may concern-

 

I write to bring to the attention of Malin's People certain doings which be

harmful to all Elves in this great Nation (being the Holy Princedom of Malinor)

which ought to be resolved most immediately.  This being, of course, the great Issue: new Currency which is being

issued by the Council.  This "Malin" is of course just a glorified type of scrip, and is therefore subject to all the issues commonly associated with scrip, those being the ease of counterfeiting, the susceptibility of the currency to inflation, and, in our case specifically, how the Malin is not accepted as legal tender in other Nations.  These are a number of issues which must be resolved most immediately, and could be resolved most easily through the building of a Mint, in which the production of Minas could be undertaken and completed.  This would resolve the issues rapidly, yet for unknown reasons the Council has elected not to embark down this path.

 

          Yet another issue with this system of scrip is that it makes everyone paid in is completely dependent on the
government for sustenance.  What would happen if there is an event that would hinder the government's production of food?  There is no private economy to shore the system up.  In all my wandering through the town, I have found all of ONE tavern in the whole city of Leumaelin.  Not only that, but it appears to be not-for-profit.  This is the most ridiculous idea I've heard since Darion's day, and the situation ought to be rectified immediately, if not sooner. 

         Our currency makes us dependent on the Council for everything, weakens our economy in respect to the other nations', and is highly susceptible to counterfeiters.  Minas have value, and always will.  There is nothing but empty promises shoring up the "Malin," which, if I may note, is most definitely intended to have a most patriotic ring to it to encourage the acclimation and acceptance of the system (a most crass tactic on the part of the Council, to be sure.)

         The Malin makes us and our citizens uncompetitive for goods in the larger world, and
I have no doubt the other nations (who, may I note, are most definitely taking advantage of our weakened military as well) are most defiantly ready to capitalize on this removal of Malinor from the worldly economy.  Therefore, I offer this solution:  Build a mint, pay government workers in Minas, not scrip, and encourage private business to grow.  If we do this, we may once again become the economic power that we once were, many years ago.

Yours Truly, this Day and every Day:

O. Sylvanus Treemail~

[TwilightWolf 901]

Reads the long note, chuckling as she reaches a certain point

 

         Our currency makes us dependent on the Council for everything, weakens our economy in respect to the other nations', and is highly susceptible to counterfeiters.

She scribbles a side note at this part, in bold red ink

"You imply that the mina is not subject to the same problem, llir. Sure, malins can be counterfeit, but it is alot more difficult than going out and slaying a few monsters to collect enough for whatever you wish. I'll have you know that my husband and I went out on a hunting trip and collected over one hundred and fifty minas collectively by simply slaying monsters. As far as I am concerned, that is no different than counterfeiting money. If you must know, the purpose of the Malin system is to try and give the more hard working individuals what they deserve, rather than taken money that could have been earned without any work. I would rethink what you are tying to prove, llir. I see little to no strong points in your arguments."

[Dry Crackers 268]

Reads the long note, chuckling as she reaches a certain point

She scribbles a side note at this part, in bold red ink

"You imply that the mina is not subject to the same problem, llir. Sure, malins can be counterfeit, but it is alot more difficult than going out and slaying a few monsters to collect enough for whatever you wish. I'll have you know that my husband and I went out on a hunting trip and collected over one hundred and fifty minas collectively by simply slaying monsters. As far as I am concerned, that is no different than counterfeiting money. If you must know, the purpose of the Malin system is to try and give the more hard working individuals what they deserve, rather than taken money that could have been earned without any work. I would rethink what you are tying to prove, llir. I see little to no strong points in your arguments."

*a small note is pinned to the bottom with a sharp piece of flint*

You may have a point as the counterfeiting goes, yet there are still many other problems that need to resolved. Even so, I have noticed a shortage of monsters in this new world and, if I recall correctly, recovering minas from their corpses is even harder than it once was.

Your argument regarding hard workers cuts no ice, as the Malin only cheats those same workers you claim it protects.  Their buying power is unfairly limited in the larger world, as Malins are not accepted universally, and therefore disadvantages those you argue it protects

O. Sylvanus Treemail

[EminentFate96 7]

*Igne'ibar see the notes, she pulls out of her book a blank page and begins writing with a half empty quill*

I am for and against these opinions. But I believe I have a solution that would solve this matter.

Workers still receive Malins, and use Malins to pay for rent and things inside Malinor. But can travel to a Mint and convert their Malins to Minas. For example: 1 Malin = 2 Minas

That way, our citizens are not powerless against purchasing from other nations, yet still get their fair share in Malinor.

*Igne'ibar finshes writing, she signs it and walks away*

The opinion of a farmer - Igne'ibar

((Typed from iPod))

[Enyahs V. 173]

Enyahs comes back and attaches a note to Owls reply.

 

"Simply put. No. I would give a reason, but how I feel this should be settled is a meeting with everyone at town square to educate on why we have chosen to do such things. But we in the councils have agreed that the governors of Malinor will not offer an exchange of malins to mina."

[ski_king3 0]

Chirr'ceru reads the various notes over, pursing his lips. He removes a sheet of paper from his pack and posts it below the others, scribbling a note quickly.

 

This decision by the Council dooms us to international failure. Restricting our ability to trade, and forcing us to work for the government of Malinor is a foolish concept. Perhaps if there were an exchange rate of some kind, there could be an advantage to this, but the reality is the government of Malinor does not have the minas to back this false money. Unfortunately, the Council wishes to infringe on the freedoms of the people and force a valueless money on us in order to make us its dependencies and allow them to maintain power. This must stop.

 

The note remains unsigned as Chirr'ceru walks away.

[Dry Crackers 268]

Chirr'ceru reads the various notes over, pursing his lips. He removes a sheet of paper from his pack and posts it below the others, scribbling a note quickly.

 

This decision by the Council dooms us to international failure. Restricting our ability to trade, and forcing us to work for the government of Malinor is a foolish concept. Perhaps if there were an exchange rate of some kind, there could be an advantage to this, but the reality is the government of Malinor does not have the minas to back this false money. Unfortunately, the Council wishes to infringe on the freedoms of the people and force a valueless money on us in order to make us its dependencies and allow them to maintain power. This must stop.

 

The note remains unsigned as Chirr'ceru walks away.

You have indeed summed up my arguments most concisely and I agree with you most fully.  Some distant friends (and often critics) of mine have informed me that they may be creating a petition in opposition to the Malin.  If those of you who agree with me would give your support, I would be most obliged.

 

O. Sylvanus Treemail~

[Lord_Sauron_ 43]

*reads all the notes and shakes his head, pulling out a quill and paper*

Why does it appear that Malinor seems increasingly out of touch with its citizens?
Again and again, the High Council has a majority enact things like this 'Malin' that the citizenry does not support or even have much knowledge of before it is enacted.  Malinor is made up of parts, not a whole - and the parts work independent from each other, tolerating but not cooperating.

Perhaps I assume to much, however.  I thought that the people of Malinor had a say in their government - was I incorrect? If I am, then please disregard this and continue on with a rule of those who care not for the will of the people.

 

*tacks the note by the others and strides away, grumbling to himself.* 

[meg 1994]

Chirr'ceru reads the various notes over, pursing his lips. He removes a sheet of paper from his pack and posts it below the others, scribbling a note quickly.

 

This decision by the Council dooms us to international failure. Restricting our ability to trade, and forcing us to work for the government of Malinor is a foolish concept. Perhaps if there were an exchange rate of some kind, there could be an advantage to this, but the reality is the government of Malinor does not have the minas to back this false money. Unfortunately, the Council wishes to infringe on the freedoms of the people and force a valueless money on us in order to make us its dependencies and allow them to maintain power. This must stop.

 

The note remains unsigned as Chirr'ceru walks away.

 

Elene stops, as she passes, removing the note from the board and stuffing it into her bag, mumbling. "Could prove useful..."

[Rhonir 16]

Rhonir Draug notices the post of notes and scribbles one-

 

My biggest problem with this currency system is that it isolates Malinor from the rest of the world. We will be more or less cut off from trade, unless the High Council has some secret treasury of Minas hidden somewhere. If one nation capitalizes on a Mine, we would be forced to simply attack them, or pay them with goods. That would create more problems. We are also making ourselves self sufficient, unable to request or receive aid from other nations when we would need it. We are also forcing our people to work for the government or starve. Previously there was a choice weather free enterprise was a path to take or not, but we have now made it impossible. The message is plain and simple: work for the government or starve. Free enterprise would be a myth, as would entrepreneurship. And working for the government would reward them with a currency that only Malinor uses, so that they may pay rent from the government, and receive food from the government. Any excess money would not really be used for much else, really. It would basically be an endless loop of money, and nothing would ever really happen. Wealth wouldn't mean much either, due to the money being worthless. This money has nothing to back it. It has no value, for there is nothing of actual value, such as Minas, to give the currency any real value, unless of course, the High Council is hiding a hoard of Minas. The only thing this currency does is make people dependent on the government for everything. The workers would have to depend on Malinor for all of their needs, because free enterprise is gone, and international trade is impossible. Unless a mint is created, or we switch back to Minas, Malinor is doomed to economic isolation and disaster, possibly culminating in depression. This risk far outweighs the reward and benefits no one but the Government. Malinor citizens would be reduced to people dependent on the government for their basic necessities, and would have no way to get help from the outside. I hope I have made my point clear.

 

-Rhonir Draug

 

 

Rhonir pins the note to the post and walks away.

[Tahar Dwineplith (Endmine) 2]

Tahar reds the notes on noticeboard and begins to write one himself.

 

"Yes one of main disadvantages of having Malins is that we are completely dependent on our councils. I myself do not have great trust in them as they change quite often. Old people go away, new people come and with them polices can change drastically which I do not like. You somehow only see disadvantages of Malins but they bring a lot of good things too.

Firstly our economy becomes more stable and independent on other nations. When other economies my be on brink of collapse our will be able to function without much of a change. Also it allows only Malinor workers to get housing, which is great as rich people from other nations will not be able to outbid our own people and everybody has fair chance of getting housing. Furthermore I do not seen need for Malinor citizens to have minas as all their needs are fulfilled by having a job inside Malinor. I do not see why elfs should go outside Malinor and live inside other nations, unless you are a merchant, but most population is simple workers not merchants. In the end merchants can simply do item trade. In the end as far as I know there is no restriction to sell collected goods outside Malinor for minas if you really need them, nobody ask you to only get Malins...

- Tahar"

 

Tahar finishes writing the note and pins it to the noticeboard.

[Lithimis 3]

Assistant Foreman Lithimis strolls by the board on one of his many trips around the city to check on things and glances over to see a note. He stops to read it. "Hmmm, yes, constant change on our policies is a bad thing I must agree, continued change within our Councils does make things difficult. Yes, yes. It was hard on everyone to pick up and leave for a new home, change was expected though. These last few weeks have been a bit rough and tiring for all. Both Councils have put in many many hours trying to make things suitable for the citizens. I am hoping things start to stable out in the very near future." He begins to read the bottom part of the note, stopping half way and looking to the bottom for the signature. "Finally, someone gets it."  Lithimis' tired face turns to a brief smile for a moment. "Tahar, hmm, I know that name. Yes, he is one of our harder workers in the Hall. Indeed, a stout laborer and intelligent too it seems. He might just find himself with a bonus from my own coin purse indeed." He finishes reading the note and then turns and continues his trip ending up at the Hall of Labor. He stops for a moment to look around at how much for the good it has changed in a short time here, but quickly hears the footsteps of so many starting to arrive, all of them ready to collect their wages that they have been paid just recently. "Today will be a good day."   

[ski_king3 0]

Chirr'ceru returns to the place where he'd left his note after some time. After reading the several new additions, an look of annoyance appears on his face. He scrabbles through the various postings in search of his notice. By the time he realizes his post has been removed, his annoyed expression turns to one of anger. He quickly removes his pack, opening it vigorously and removing two new sheets of paper. He hastily writes a note, pinning it to the board, then copying it, placing the second version in his pack, just in case.

 

Well, it appears that the Council is acting even less appropriately towards its citizens than I assumed. Not only has there been no change to this system of economic enslavement, yet my posting of concise criticisms has been completely removed. While I have no evidence it was by the Council, the only logical assumption would be that it was a member of the Council. It is fully within my right to criticize whomever I please within Malinor, so long as I do so logically. I was wholly logical in my criticisms, and therefore they must be tolerated as stated by the law the Council is supposed to uphold.

 

And in response to the posting by Tahar, what makes you think other economies will reach the brink of collapse? As far as I know, there has never been a point where any of the larger nations' economies have been close to a collapse. It is not reasonable or logical to proclaim that the currency used by four of the five races will collapse. However, it is logical to believe there is some chance that a collapse used by a smaller group, such as Malinor, will fail.

 

Even if this currency does not fail, it will greatly hinder our ability to trade with the other nations. Last I checked, most weapons and tools of high quality come from the dwarves. Given the fact that Malinor seems to be plagued with more violent crime than any other nation, I think it would make far more sense to make efforts to deter criminals. We do not need a new currency. We need safety and security.

 

Instead of wasting your time and alienating your citizens by creating this worthless currency which will eventually be abandoned, I implore the Council to act in a way which benefits all the Mali. Improve and reform the Sentinels, or create a new force which actually holds power to actually punish criminals, rather than let murderers and disturbers of the peace go free with mere minor punishments. Improve relations with the short-lived Valah, so we can deter their ignorance from harming our citizens, especially those of the White Rose. Lastly, improve relations with the dwarves. Their alliance could prove longer-lasting and more beneficial than the fickle humans, if we simply take the effort to make a base for a long-standing relationship.

 

All in all, we should not be cutting ourselves off from the outside world. On the contrary, we should be improving our relations with the outside world, while at the same time, working to strengthen to protect our citizens from domestic crime and violence. If the Council of Malinor fails to realize that this is the will of the people of Malinor, and that these changes are necessary for the betterment of Malinor, then I hold doubts for our nations future.

 

Chirr'ceru grins slightly as he posts the notice before leaving once more, allowing the note to remain unsigned.

[Lord_Sauron_ 43]

*Vanir reads the latest letter and grumbles to himself, the words "communes" and "idiocracy" being heard*

((Seriously, I cannot be the only one to notice how the latest actions are pushing us towards socialism))

[Rhonir 16]

Tahar reds the notes on noticeboard and begins to write one himself.

 

"Yes one of main disadvantages of having Malins is that we are completely dependent on our councils. I myself do not have great trust in them as they change quite often. Old people go away, new people come and with them polices can change drastically which I do not like. You somehow only see disadvantages of Malins but they bring a lot of good things too.

Firstly our economy becomes more stable and independent on other nations. When other economies my be on brink of collapse our will be able to function without much of a change. Also it allows only Malinor workers to get housing, which is great as rich people from other nations will not be able to outbid our own people and everybody has fair chance of getting housing. Furthermore I do not seen need for Malinor citizens to have minas as all their needs are fulfilled by having a job inside Malinor. I do not see why elfs should go outside Malinor and live inside other nations, unless you are a merchant, but most population is simple workers not merchants. In the end merchants can simply do item trade. In the end as far as I know there is no restriction to sell collected goods outside Malinor for minas if you really need them, nobody ask you to only get Malins...

- Tahar"

 

Tahar finishes writing the note and pins it to the noticeboard.

 

Rhonir Draug looks the post on the wall, and nods. He scribbles another note.

 

Tahar,

 

You brought up a very good point, that is that we have been only looking at the bad. But your statement about Malins making our economy independent and stable does not ring true to me. First of all, you are right. We will become completely independent. But our independence is basically being cut off from the world. If there was a form of mint, it would mean something, but otherwise, economic independence would not bring good to us. Say we had a shortage of food, or wood? What would happen then? And about being stable, economic independence does not guarantee stability. Being cut off from the world does not guarantee stability. All it guarantees is that we would be separate. That wouldn't mean we wouldn't fluctuate. And to your other points of how if the economies of other nations fall, we would stay the same... We are cut off. We wouldn't be affected. That doesn't mean that we wouldn't change in anyway. Like I stated before, economic isolation does not guarantee stability. It just means that other nations wouldn't play a part in our fluctuating economy. And you also make a valid point: only Malinor workers get houses. But why should all Malinor citizens work for the government? You are basically reinforcing the vibe that we are all getting: This is to get us to work for the government. The private sector is basically destroyed now, as is any economic flow. Any economic flow is replaced with this: Government pays you, you pay government. And so on. If we are heading down that route, why even use a currency? Or is this a transitional phase for that system. And you say that most elves have no need to go to different nations, and that only merchants would have to. You also say that most of the population are simple workers. They are. But that is because they are practically forced to by the government. Free Enterprise is heavily discouraged, therefor it is practically nonexistent. And having a job in Malinor is different than working for Malinor. But unfortunately, that is the only option presented. If free enterprise was a viable option, there would probably be more mali participating in it. 

 

In the end, Tahar, I do not wish to make you angry. I am simply giving my opinion, and my ideas towards the arguments you presented.

 

Rhonir Draug

 

Rhonir Draug pins the note to the board with a shard of bone from a recent hunt. He walks away, happy knowing he got his point across.