Term 2 - Ministry of Domestic Affairs

It is my honor to serve you as Domestic Minister for Term 2.

There will be many challenges in this term, but with the assistance of Deputy-Elect/Outgoing-Minister Noldodan, and of course of yourselves, I am sure we will come out of the Storms that threaten in good standing.

These are the goals I wish to accomplish in this term:
A: Establishment of multiple Provinces, and a method of doing so in the future.
B: Striking the proper balance of Hard Cash, Research, and special needs, as the Domestic Ministry is tasked with the "power of the purse."
C: Continuing aggressive settlement whenever and wherever possible.

With your help, I hope to be successful.

Sincerely,

Sir Donald the Third, Domestic Minister-Elect.

P.S. Though I do not "take office" until Wednesday, I want to get the ball rolling ASAP. So report on our state in 1025 BC will follow this post.

Presently, we have 161 Gold in our vault.

We have a Gross income of 30 GPT, 7 of which is being lost to corruption.

Outlays:
-23 from Science (100%)
-2 for Maintnence of 2 Temples
0 for Unit Costs
0 for International Deals
0 for Specialists

Net GPT: -2

We currently have 3 Settlers outstanding (about). Of these, 1 is tasked to settle at Site 8E from this map . For Reference, the Settler is currently placed on 8C on the same map. The other 2 are at Fanatikku and Immo awaiting deployment.

Because of the high Science requirement for Monarchy, I intend to poll on the Slider usage for the next TC. Link will be forthcomming.

EDIT: Forgot to add that we are still in Despotism.

good job on making domestic sd3, i hope you enjoy your stay in the one of the dg's most powerful positions

I suggest lowering science all the way down to 10%. This would get us a tech in 39 turns and gain us 18 gpt. having the slider anywhere above 10% is a waste (same turns to research) and at 100% is draining our treasury of needed funds for upgrading, embassies, etc.

blackheart said:

I suggest lowering science all the way down to 10%. This would get us a tech in 39 turns and gain us 18 gpt. having the slider anywhere above 10% is a waste (same turns to research) and at 100% is draining our treasury of needed funds for upgrading, embassies, etc.

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i have to look at the save, but currently the science department is against anything slowing research

Any drop in the science rate is temporary while 6 of our citizens are otherwise occupied walking across the land towards their new settlements. Once they reach their destinations, you can expect the amount of gold we apply to science to rise, and the timeframe to lower accordingly.

Turnchat Instructions, 2 September

Slider Settings:
Maintain Lux Slider at 0%. Request use of Specialists to quell Civil Disorder in individual cities as needed.
Use of Science Slider to be governed by this poll. Note the "two phases". If no non-abstain option in the linked poll attains at least 25% of the vote, then the default instruction is: "100% until all 3 Active Settlers either found their cities or are captured/killed. Maximum Science while maintaining non-negative GPT after this point." In case of a tie, choose the option closest in theme to the default instruction.

Purchases:
Current Instruction is to allow 1 Embassy at a cost of up to 55 Gold. Location of Embassy to be determined by this poll by the Foreign Ministry.

Settlement:
The Settler Pair SE of Epolenep will move 1 Tile East of current location and Establish a new City at Site 8 East as depicted in this picture. This is a continuation of Previous Instructions.

The two settlers at Fanatikku and Immo will move to new city sites based on the results of this poll.

Any future settlers will be placed in sites designated by the order set in this poll. The specific placement is subject to this poll.



I show this so that you may have a say in some of the instructions that I have made unilateral decisions on. For example, say you wanted 2 embassies or none instead of the 1 I allowed. Tell me here. If I receive enough "feedback" within the next 12-18 hours, I may post a poll, with the condition that a proposed option MUST gain a majority to "Veto" my instruction.

Now, the last only applies to my instructions that are not already polled. It does not apply to "Previous instructions" or instructions with polls already attached.

And now... to bed...

Ammendment to Domestic Instructions for 2 September

Due to the fact that I have Work Commitments, I have enclosed below a list of "Settlement Contingencies" should certain... things... happen during the chat. These colors correspond with the arrows on the map below.

1. If (and only if) Elippi's (Bab Grape City) borders expand in the upcomming Interturn, the DP may relocate the settler slated for "three Cows" to another site anywhere in the vicinity that has a clear "1-tile radius". This contingency is valid only if Elippi expands next turn. Otherwise, it is void.

2a. If a site in Sector 6 is chosen in the "Settlement Polls" linked to in my first post and a settler is tasked to go there, and a foreign power settles within 1 tile of the chosen site, then the settler tasked to that site will be relocated to Site 7W should it be unsettled/unocuppied.
2b. If a site in Sector 7 is chosen in the "Settlement Polls" linked to in my first post and a settler is tasked to go there, and Neapolis' border expands, then the settler tasked to that site will be relocated to Site 6 should it be unsettled/unoccupied.

3. If a site in Sector 1 is chosen in the "Settlement Polls" linked to in my first post and a settler is tasked to go there, and a foreign power settles within 1 tile of the chosen site, then the settler is to be redirected to "Sector 0" as defined by my statement in the second poll.

4a. If a site in Sectors 4 or 5 is chosen in the "Settlement Polls" linked to in my first post and a settler is tasked to go there, and a foreign power settles within 1 tile of the chosen site, then the settler tasked to that site will be relocated to Site 3SW should it be unsettled.
4a1: Should Sector 3 be Settled/Occupied, but Sector 2 not settled yet, retask the settler to Site 2W.
4b. If a site in Sector 3 is chosen in the "Settlement Polls" linked to in my first post, and a settler is tasked to go there, and a foreign power settles within 1 tile of the chosen site:
4b1: and a site in sector 2 has not yet been settled, then reasign the settler to site 2W.
4b2: and sector 2 has been settled but Sector 4 has not, then redirect the settler to the winning choice of sites in Sector 4 that has a free "1-tile radius".
4b3: and sectors 2 and 4 have already been settled and/or occupied, then redirect the settler to the DP's choice of Sector 5 sites.

5. If Sector 8 is chosen in the "Settlement Polls" linked to in my first post and a settler is tasked to go there, and a foreign power settles within 1 tile of the chosen site, then:
5a. If the settler has not passed the Elippi-Neapolis-Antium arc, then the DP can redirect the Settler to the nearest unoccupied site on this map.
5b. If the settler has passed the Elippi-Neapolis-Antium arc, then end chat to determine what to do with the settler.

If there is a situation not covered by these contingencies, and Deputy Noldodan is present, defer to him. Otherwise, stop the chat.

Applicable Polls: Initial and Specific Sites, Future Order

I guess it might be better to just look at the map. Again, this only applies if you are unable to follow the mandates in the linked polls.

EDIT: New City Queues
If the Governor (or Lt. Gov) posts no instructions for newly-created cities, then the Domestic Ministry recommends initial construction of Temples in all new cities Except for Sector 2. In Sector 2, the Domestic Advisor recommends a Barracks. If the Governor (or Lt. Gov) posts instructions for the new cities, either general or specific, then this section is null and void.

Minister SD3,

I would like to point out another reason the Iroquois might have fortified within our borders -- to discourage us from moving a settler that direction. I wonder if the other two units in the area could be a settler and escort?

For the settler in the area of the cattle to the south, I recommend moving the escort first. If that reveals a settler about to plant, then build our town in place (not at 8E as instructed) to get there first.

Honored and powerful Minister SD3,

In the future when polling about city locations could you reduce the options and choose from among the top picks of your own opinion?

Blackheart: Well, given the current situation, this time I will have to. While it probably would've been less ambiguious in the long run, I remember how I felt in the first polls when my sites were snubbed in favor of Chieftess'.

Speaking of which, there have been some complaints from the veterans about my request of "clowns". The reason why I did that was because I felt that the problems of individual cities should not need to hamper the entire economy.

In fact, looking at the current settings, increasing Lux to 10% would add a Happy Face in only Fantikku, Furuyama, and Immo. Cities which are already connected to the Gems. Now, I do not doubt that an increase to 20% would add the at risk Odawra to the smily queue, but the overall gold loss of 4 Gold matches that of a "specialized worker" at worst. Now, when we get to Monarchy, that creates a different situation. Sometimes it would be better, and sometimes we will have 2 extra Smilies in Fanatikku for 1 needed one in a frontier town. (Though, by then, we should have enough people in Fanatikku for WLTK, so the extra smilies could help with that instead.)

Now, for my Report.

Presently, we have 124 Gold and are still in Despotism.

We have a Gross income of 34 GPT, 6 of which is being lost to corruption.

Outlays:
Science: 28 GPT (100%, Monarchy in 27)
Maintnence: 3 GPT (2 Temples, 1 Barracks)

Net loss: 3 GPT

We curently have 2 Settlers outstanding. One is headed for the Northern River site designated "1 South" and will reach it in 3 turns. The other is at the site designated "2 West".

The Domestic Advisor will allow a Gold outlay for the upgrading of the Warrior currently stationed in Zojoji once it can be moved to the Barracks at Furuyama. If the Upgrade Cost is low, and the need exists, the DA would entertain a request for an Embassy with Babylon (30 Gold +/-2,) or extra upgrades (i.e. run a poll between Embassy, Futher Upgrades, and Neither (Default)). In any event, cash expendatures should not go below 60-70 Gold.

First of all Honored Minister Sir Donald III, I am a Veteran Player that whole-heartedly agrees with your very intelligent use of entertainers to calm the masses. Some of our lazier Vets would rather slide the lux scale up and ruin our Research percentage at the same time. You have done well in this regard.

Also, I am attempting to change the production in Zojoji from an unwanted regular Spearman to a Barracks. That way not only can the Warrior be upgraded right there in Zojoji, but if attacked by the Barbarians to the North (might they have a dozen Horses?) the Barracks will allow for quick healing. So we probably don't want to send the Warrior to Furuyama until we hear from Governor Zarn.

Text of a memorandum sent from the Domestic Minister to First General Provolution:

There are only 2 columns of land open from which the Iriquois can attack. Currently, the Romans do NOT have ROP with the Iriquois, but we do not know about Babylon. As a citizen, I recommend that we fight a Partisan War and not go beyond the Babylonian/Roman Borders. Of course, if any of our cities are captured, we should make all efforts to recapture them. Even with the Mounted Warrior, the supply lines will be streched thin, especially since within these open columns are hills or forests. If we violate these boundaries, then it will be our supply lines that will be streched.

Now, if Rome also declares War, do with them what you will, with what we can.

The Department of Domestic Affairs will assist you by allowing the upgrade of the Warrior currently stationed at Zojoji. This can be accomplished by either waiting for the Spearman in queue to relieve it so it may trek to Furuyama, or, if Governor Zarn asceeds, by the construction of a Barracks at Zojoji at the Mayor's Request. Further upgrades will depend on WOTP.

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Slider Settings
Science: Maintain 100% Science until both active settlers either settle or else are captured/killed. After this point, reduce Science so that we can maintain non-negative GPT at 0% Lux. If Lux Slider is raised to 10%, then try to maintain current level of Science, regardless of GPT Loss.

Luxury: Lux Slider is to remain at 0% except if our Gems near Furuyama are pillaged, in which case, the Lux Slider can be raised to 10%, regardless of GPT Loss.
"Clowns" should be used to quell individual Civil Disorders in all other cases.

Purchases
The Domestic Ministry will post enough Gold to upgrade the Warrior currently stationed at Zojoji to Swordsman once an opportunity presents itself.

Options under debate in this poll are whether to upgrade another Warrior (if possible in the TC), build an embassy with Babylon, or make no other purchases. The winner of the Poll will be in force. In case of a tie, the DM advises that we Upgrade 1 additional Warrior if possible, and against establishing a Babylonian Embassy this TC.

Settlement
If we produce settlers this TC, they should be located in the order specified by this poll, so long as an individual option (includes each separate "other") has at least 2 votes. If all "2 Vote +" options have been exhausted and a settler appears, end chat.

Settlement Contingencies:
If the Active Settler going to the Northern River discovers that the Zulu have settled on the river in that area, that team will travel down-river to settle in the "Zulu Coast" site.

The Department of Domestic Affairs hereby makes this request of Governor Zarn of the Province of Zarnia.

The DDA respects the current circumstances and the required changes to the build queues therein. However, the DDA would also like to advise the Governor that we still have a few choice city sites which we need to nab quickly. Please consider making room in the build queues of the more quickly growing cities (i.e. Immo and possibly Odawara) for Settlers when the population becomes unmanagable. And sooner if at all possible.

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I humbly request that the Science Slider be lowered to 90% as we will still discover Monarchy in 11 turns, but only lose 3 gpt instead of -6 gpt.

Also known as 240 Pre-(Rough-)Monarch Date.

Currently, we have 100 Gold in our Treasury Our Gorss Income is 50 GPT, 11 GPT of which is lost to Corruption, netting us 39 available GPT.

Outlays:
Science: 39 GPT
Maintnence: 6 GPT

Total Deficit: (6) GPT.

We have 21 units currently, which is below Despotism's threshold of 40 (4x10 Cities.) When we switch to Monarchy, however, Unit upkeep will become a factor, especially with the current build queues.

We are currently in Despotism. While we probably won't make Monarchy by the end of the next chat, we should be VERY close (within 1-4 turns.) We should try to decide now whether to let our projects finish, or else absorb the 1-turn penalty the instant it happens. (By the Red Sun, it's good to be Religious )

We have 10 Cities. In a Large Map, the Optimal Number of Cities is 24. So we should be able to build the Forbidden Palace after 2 more Settlers have founded towns.


Slider Tallies
Science Slider:
Fu = -6 GPT, 11 Turns
90 = -3 GPT, 11 Turns (3 beaker savings per turn)
80 = +2 GPT, 13 Turns
70 = +6 GPT, 15 Turns
60 = +9 GPT, 17 Turns
50 = 11 GPT, 18 Turns
40 = 18 GPT, 26 Turns
10 = 30 GPT, 26 Turns
0 = 33 GPT

For some reason, our Victories are causing a great wave of Happiness to flow throughout our border towns. All of our Citizens are content. (Or Happy.)

Lux Slider:


Embassy Costs:
Babylon: 31
Zulu: 43
France: 46

Upgrade Costs:
Warrior->Swordsman: 40 Gold per.

Civanator said:

I humbly request that the Science Slider be lowered to 90% as we will still discover Monarchy in 11 turns, but only lose 3 gpt instead of -6 gpt.

Click to expand...

Not necessarily. The income is continuing to increase, so lowering the slider now simply to save money without slowing research is premature. In particular, some reallocation of citizens in certain cities could lower the turns needed to 10 (which, of course, may still be more than the final number). That reminds me to inform governor Zarn of the possible citizen allocations.

One consideration, of course, is "How will the Workers and settlers (by their removal alone) affect the net economy?"

Shall we drop to 90, and risk not getting it until 12-13? Or shall we keep at 100 and possibly get it in 10?

This is one of but many questions Domestic has to deal with.

I would have to agree with TimBentley about lowering the slder. It may not be advisable, but if we decide to do it, we should check the percentages each turn to find out if increasing Science will save us a turn.

Also, TB, when you mention the "citizens" to Governor Zarn, you might want to refer to them as "the laborers". That's the Demogame lingo for citizen placement on the City Screen Map.