Cjmate

To Edward Winter II, My political knowledge is likely faulty; neither do I profess to be a politician, nor do I carry myself among those who can gain firsthand accounts. I am a simple man, and I take my knowledge on face value. You are likely correct in your corrections, and I will defer to your wisdom. In regard to elective monarchy, it could fall into the hands of the Church to maintain that the transfer of power circulates; however, it seems that the Church has fallen out of favor as of late. You may be right in that as well. Also, I do not deny that those who have the most men and arms can rule; however, those that obtain power through said means will lose it. At least, they will not be held in high regards. We should strive for the ideal, a peaceful government devoid of animosity and hatred between the citizenry. I will remain adamant in my belief that a council composed of those most capable would serve best, even with a singular ruler. As the rulers grow old, become tired of politics and the stream of complaints, they become melancholy and make poor decisions. Some become recluse, taking to their estate and letting the world go on without them. Those that would become inactive in their duties would serve well to have such a device. Yours truly, -Sergus Therving OOC- We need some sort of check and balance for if the player ruler becomes sickly, has to tend to family, school, work ,etc. That's more of my reasoning for the proposition, which is hard to convey in character because there is no roleplay reason for it.

((This is a published document, and it is available to all who read.)) Right to Rule Sergus Therving I. Realism There is a common assumption amongst people in general, including lesser races, that there exists a relationship between morality and authority. That is, he who rules must behave in accordance to the wishes of the people; that the right to rule has direct correlation with the interest of the people, and that this is considered a tacit agreement. In contemporary Oren, particularly following the stagnation of the Horen dynasty, the right to rule has been taken at arm's length. Contemporary belief on the right to rule can be understood as follows: There is no basis on which to judge legitimate and illegitimate power; rather, authority and morality are coequal. Whosoever has authority has the right to interpret, or construe, morality in their favor. Goodness does not ensure power, and a good person has no more authority than a bad person by virtue of being good. The only concern of the ruler is the acquisition of power, the maintaining of power, and the appeasement of the ruler and his vassalage. A simplified version of the argument: The person who is popular, and who can maintain a strong military, has more right to rule than a good person. Advocating a potentially morally reprehensible ruler is not in the best interest of the state, it's people, or the Church, so we must analyze the best form of government for now. II. Nations In order to realize the ideal form of government, we must look at how other nations and cultures have attempted to govern. Elves In the past, Elves maintained a functional government in the form of a council with a secular head. This ultimately failed due to neglect and idleness. It is important to note that the council was mostly unchanging, that those who held seats were mostly confirmed that seat. In the Conclave, the Elves maintained a sort of militant state composed of mercenaries. Most citizens were unarmed, leaving protection up to their walls and guards. This grew unpopular, and some began to resent the Conclave. Recently, the state of Haelun'or has taken precedence over Conclave. They maintain a sort of loose council composed solely of High Elves. It seems to be functional, despite the lack of the representation from the lesser Elf sub-races. As a side note, the Princedom of Fenn is worth mentioning. Functioning as a semi-autonomous state within Uruguan, they have managed to maintain their state and have a relatively competent military. They seem to have a secular ruler in Prince Gundrak II. 2. Orcs The Orc nation is comprised of multiple clans which fight for supremacy, or Rexxdom. Although crude, the Orcs have maintained a hardened military dominance throughout the years. This does make diplomacy difficult, though, and it does not rule out the possibility of a poor leader. 3. Dwarves The Dwarves seem to have a traditional monarchy, with advisors and support from it's clans. The Dwarves seem to have had the least internal conflict of all nations. Although there has been civil war, it does not seem to have torn the fabric of the state. 4. Humans Human government has simply been rule through a dominant house in the form of monarchy and imperial rule. The most important being: Horen, Carrion, and Chivay. Unlike the Dwarves, Human's tend to divide power and land based on power. These are a sort of sub-state within the state itself, and they are namely referred to as duchies, counties, marches, and baronies. Border conflict has been frequent in the past, namely the civil war in Hanseti. The ruler seems to hold absolute power, though he may choose to regulate or transfer certain powers to others. Oren seems to have the most internal conflict. A micro-nation was formed under a democracy, which gave people equal say in politics. This nation ultimately failed soon after being established. III. Idealism From looking at other nations, I label the government types from best to worst, as well as their deviations, which are the worst possible outcomes of that government type failing. 1. Aristocracy (Very loosely Dwarves) - Oligarchy (High Elves) 2. Monarchy (Humans/Fenn) - Tyranny (Orcs) 3. Anarchy (Elves that live free of their state) - Democracy (Festina) The best government seems to be the Dwarves; that which still has a ruler, but it relies on the support of it's clans for advice, leadership, and support. The Human nation does not have the close ties with it's vassalage, especially that of foreign Human micro-states. Since the fall of Horen, the Kings and Emperors have neglected to maintain their relationships with the dukes and counts. In order to remedy the problem, there must be a system of checks and balances. Should the ruler fail to meet the needs of people, or fall from the grace of the Creator, it is the right of the people (and it's vassals) to rebel and dethrone the current ruler; however, in doing so it has exercised the right of might by overthrowing the ruler with arms. Rebellion almost always leads in subsequent rebellions, and it is almost always a poor choice. The only time where it would be acceptable would be if the ruler was universally disliked, and the rebellion's cause universally liked. This has never been the case. It seems that elective succession is the best solution to the Human nation's problems. If a ruler failed in his duties, he would fall in favor during the next vote. Another option would be to defer certain powers to individuals, such as martial authority, diplomatic affairs, stewardship, and Godly affairs. This would lift a burden off of the ruler, which has been the failings of all rulers between the last Horen and the most recent Emperor (who cannot be judged so soon), and leave more time for the ruler to maintain and improve his relationships with his vassalage. This seems to be the most realizable goal, and the best course of action.

Sergus Therving submits his age, 27, and then states that he is currently not ordained.

Sergus Therving bows his head in respect as Decterum begin to file out, "You were the most cordial; the most loyal anyone could dare to have. May you walk with Godanistan."

Sergus Therving casts his vote, calling out, "Jan of the Barrow."

7/10. Such hipster, such much.

Too many gifs. 7/10

Sergus shuffles around in an abandoned hovel, ordering things into piles to be moved later. The majority of the stock contains books and bits of parchment. This stockpile is what remains of the bits and pieces that peasants managed to preserve during the evacuation of Anthos; as such, it contains material from both the Raevir and people of Norfolk. Equality Demitry Solovyod In the streets of Abresi, a Flay overtook an Elf. The Elf shrieked, afraid to die, said, "It is unjust! I only want to live. We are equals!" The Flay answered, "What's that? We're not equal, but see this. If you can pin me down, I won't kill you." The Elf quickly rushed the man, heaving and pushing, trying to bring the Flay down. He sighed, wiped his forehead and said, "You have it. Kill me." The Two Strelts Yegor In Kralta, there lived two strelts. They lived to serve their Lord and till the land. Their strength, loyalty, and tribute made them famous among the common people. Over many years of service, they amounted enough minas to each buy a small house and live out the rest of their years. Iblees, annoyed by their stoicism, enthralled the two. They set off for Abresi and spent three nights of debauchery: gambling, cursing, fighting, and laying with promiscuous women. Once done, they returned home quite broke. One of them cried, gripping his forehead in dismay and saying to his fellow, "Make listen! See what we have done. In all years, we have been loyal, Godani-fearing strelts. Now the Seven Skies is lost to us forever!" The other responded, "Are you touched? Why not repent? This is not bad thing!" "Have you forgotten Abresi? Have you forgotten the women?" "I choose to accept Godani's blessings, in all their forms!" Both went silent for a while, then parted ways. The former became a recluse, staying in his hovel for weeks. The later went about his service to the Lord and Godani. Believing that the Seven Skies were lost to him, the first went back to Abresi and gave himself to a life of debauchery. After some time, he assaulted a merchant for his purse and was sentenced to death before having time to repent. He died in a ditch. His partner would go on, serving in multiple campaigns, and retire as an honorable veteran and hero of Raev. Now an old man, he spent his final days as a monk. He was to be commemorated, and his painting was hung in the Hallski for all to see. He was buried on a hill in the Brigand's Pass, standing high above that below. Did they not live alike? And yet one was lost, he who gave in. A Cobblestone's Journey Sergus Therving In the streets of Abresi, there lived a piece of cobblestone. As horses drudged through the street, a small piece became loose. The stone, baffled by this new position, said to himself, "Why should I lie in the street with the rest of these cobblestones? I will find someplace grander to be." An orphan boy came along, picked up the Cobblestone, then tossed it at the window of a nearby nobleman's house. The house was filled with trinkets, statues, paintings, fine foods, and sweet drink. The Cobblestone thought, "Is this not grand! Look at all of the things I now have." The owner rushed in at the sound of glass shattering, and the Cobblestone spoke, "You'd best get out of my way!" The owner fell. He tripped over the Cobblestone, injured his neck, then died alone. Many years passed. The house became empty. Rooms became infested with dust. Mold crept up the walls. Food became rotten, and the mice took it away. Cobblestone despaired at the situation, "Oh, how I wish to leave this dreadful place!" And no sooner had said that, an old servant came by, picked up the Cobblestone, and tossed it out into the street again. It cried, speaking to it's fellow Cobblestones, "Borsa! It is good to be meeting you! I've been at party, making entertain with nobles, but do not care much for them. Yearn to be with the common people, so came home."

Somewhere, a young Halfling girl looks up into the sky.

My friends are on vacation, so I am basically looking for somewhere to go until 4.0. I build in any style, and I can terraform. I worked on 4.0 until I had to quit, but i can't build on 4.0 anymore.))

I will be online for the next few hours. Pm me in game.))

A small peasant boy in Oren sheds a tear at the the news, impressed by the Order's decision to withdraw from a conflict that ended in the death of Kaphro.

A random Carrion builder claps his hands at such a fine example of architecture. That picture is beautiful.))

Not a single person is roleplaying a profession. I was in the human settlement, and everyone is just ooc mining and making armor and weapons. No one has a job, everyone is just sharing all of the workbenches and doing everything ooc. Which would be fine, but the plugin is too annoying and frustrating at times to not be generating roleplay.

The staircase sitting plugin. I really don't care about all of these fancy-pants magic plugin thingies. I just wants'ter sit down. My legs hurt. Also, the brewing plugin fix would be nice. I am awful thirsty.

In the Kaphro district of Vekaro, banners, streamers, and flowers have been strewn around. A plethora of food, meat, and pastries are carted through the streets. You see a flyer, one of many, on the side of the road: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KS7IlF8BLnM

Jean replies with a note, asking for the man's address so that he might buy the black disc.

A flier is pinned up in the city of Vekaro. Jean is looking to buy a disc to play in the local tavern at Vekaro. Something with a nice, up beat. If you have a disc for sale, he will buy it for 1,000 minas. Stal-c418. I want to get my jam on before the new map.))

Okay, this most important question. How long is it predicted that we will remain on this new map? In other words, about how long between this new map and 4.0. Not exact numbers, I don't need that, I just want to know if it is worth building anything elaborate on this new map, or if we should just build camps and sit it out.

Jean throws rice on the couple as they move back down the aisle.