Babylonian Statecraft

Seeing how many people support Beltashazzar Damman, I, in order to not divide our great nation, withdraw my nomination and put my support behind him.
 
To round off the near-unanimous nominations, I too will support Beltashazzar Damman for the Kingship.
 
Seeing that the debate phase is ending, with only one candidate that is quite clearly supported by nearly everyone, I'll make it an executive action that we're moving on.

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Beltashazzar I

The council fire was dying as the assembled men cast their votes for the Kingship, although they all knew that it was a foregone conclusion. Beltashazzar Damman stood with a satisfied grin to the left of the ballot box, waiting for the end of the formality so that he could be crowned King of Babylon and begin his rule.

At last, the voting ended, the votes were counted, and the shaman who had opened the meeting approached Beltashazzar with the Crown of Babylon, one of the few relics recovered from the ruined palace. Beltashazzar fell to his knees before the shaman as the ritual words were recited. "Under the witness of Anu, god of heaven, lord of constellations, king of gods, spirits, and demons, creator of the stars, and dweller in the highest heavenly regions, with the power to judge all, I proclaim thee, Beltashazzar Damman, Beltashazzar I, King of Babylon and heir to the Atlandizite Empire. May the gods look favorably upon you, and grant you a bounteous life full of triumphs. Now rise, oh King, and command us."

Beltashazzar I Damman, King of Babylon, heir to the Atlandizite Empire, rose to his feet with a smile and began to give his first commands...

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Jehoshua, I'll need your orders for the Babylonian civilization in-game, as well as any you have for the forums part of the game (handing out tiles, appointing ministers, etc).

For everyone else, I'll need your orders no later than 24 hours from now (1 PM EST, Sunday, December 27, 2014). This can be increased to 2 days if you need more time.

ORDERS LOCK IN 24 HOURS
 
People of Babylon, heed me. Invoking Anu, Lord of Heaven, I proclaim that that which I have ordained to be done, shall be done, and that the restoration of our people the scions of Atlandiz is near at hand.

I ordain that the lands beyond the walls, shall be distributed to the mastery of lords, who shall be tasked with overseeing these lands and casting out any disorder in them in return for the privilege of receiving offerings from these same lands.

I likewise ordain that Hammurabi, peace to him, shall lead the scouts I have ordered trained into the wilds when the time comes. For this has been agreed between us as fitting and proper. Furthermore I appoint as Ensik, Adrahasis Shamash, let him be my vicar before the gods when I am unable to personally enact the sacred rites, and let him maintain the sacred things of Babylon before Anu, the Lord of Heaven and Absu, the deeps, and all the gods heeding the oracles of the shaman of the lords of brightness that their wrath might be appeased and favour obtained for the good of all the people.

I decree a 10% tax on income (beyond the 2 shekel stipend, which shan't be taxed and of course the Kings income which is exempt from taxation seeing as monarchy entails me having to pay for lots of things off of my own back) with the funds from this tax being used to pay for a security force in Babylon, to assist in maintaining public order by detaining criminals that they might be brought before the throne for judgement. Let they protect the people from thieves, and the innocent from vagabonds and ruffians under the watchful leadership of Nabonidus Larazid as Constable of the Kings Peace. I entrust to him the task of ensuring that this security force remains within its ordained purpose

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NATIONAL ORDERS

construction: scout > monument > worker

technology: mining > bronze working > pottery

warrior/scout orders: warriors are to head to the forested hill northwest of Babylon to observe what lies immediately beyond our borders, they are then to return to Babylon and garrison the city. The scouts at the first opportunity should head northeast, unless the warriors observed anything interesting that merits (at tambiens discretion) investigation. These scouts are to be led by Hammurabi Sin-Muballit (Christos).

Social Policy: Tradition > Oligarchy

Land Distribution: A1-Magnive, A2-cpm4001, A3-Christos, A4-PortugalPower, A5-Filli_Noctus, A6 Horseshoe_Hermi: Marble tile (A7?) shall go to Jehoshua upon it being included in our borders.

Positions: Christos (Scout Leader), Filli Noctus (Ensik). Magnive (Constable)

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ooc notes

Spoiler :
On Offices: I'm not creating ministries or a big council thing at the moment. But as I noted in the electoral phase, all are free to seek an audience with the King and making obeisance speak their mind before the throne. (you're all free to make your opinions known, and I'll consider them). As to the jobs I have given out, Filli Noctus' is wise man, Magnive the police chief, and Christos the explorer-guy. I'm not going to pay them a salary for these jobs (they have land I gave them, and whatever else they come up with to cover that).

On Tax: excluding palace income and base stipends, the tax for the security force would only at present net 2.8 shekels from land (any business income tax, or NPC related tax returns are unknown at present) so to be safe about it I'll be personally pitching in funds for the security force, at least for the time being. As I said, monarchy entails a slew of financial obligations for the common good (justifying making myself exempt from tax :p )

On the Water Tile: Since one obviously can't own land when said land is actually a plot of ocean. I'm going to presume that PortugalPower's allocation constitutes fishing rights. Sort of like a system they have in the south pacific where people have fishing rights over plots of sea, and anyone else wanting to fish there has to have their permission to do so (hence you could say PP's funds come from fishing fees)
 
(I don't know what to make of having a tile at this juncture. Will every player get one? What if there are more than seven players? Why does Bullludhu own a whole tile for whooping at a kingsmoot? An NPC could own a tile just as well; the pious shaman is at least a good start.)

Assuming that gameplay will be straightened out in short order, I will address this ic.
 
ooc: You didn't get it because you whooped at a Kingsmoot, you got it because a) I didn't want to give it to myself and b) because I literally flipped a coin to see which of the two reasonable alternatives [you or silverman] would get it [et absoluti has yet to formally enter the game so he's was out, and aaronius' character is a female and hence he was excluded since if his character marries another players character the husbands heir will end up with the land once Jezebel kicks the bucket meaning that in all likelihood I'd effectively be giving an unknown person two tiles]

Incidentally on the matter of NPC's, the GM hasn't manifested any specific characters (the shaman is nameless) of importance yet so I couldn't just hand it off to one as you suggest (I see the shaman as sort of a spirit medium where filli as ensik is a true priest, as is the King following Mesopotamian precedent). It would have been facetious to make it state land as well considering that at this point my character is basically the living embodiment of the state. All that said, the general rule I like to go by in the early stage is to have each player character obtain at least one tile of land (or fishing rights) in the early stages of the game to make things interesting and so that the players can claim nobility, and so silverman will most likely get the next tile we obtain after the marble.
 
Oh wise king, I humbly accept the responsibility you have endowed upon me and will endeavour to repay the trust you have placed in my abilities.
 
My King, I am honored to be able to serve you. I swear before the Gods that I will follow all your orders, even if they lead me to my death.

Loyalty to the King! Serve the People, Protect the Country!
 
<>
[Bulludhu]
Bulludhu is speechless for some moments after learning of his appointment.

". . . K- King, a—!"

He falls to hands and knees, unable to look up from the earth (which he tries a few times). Eventually he forms some words.
"... Babylon... I shall honor Babylon and my king all my days."

 
I thank you for bestowing this honor upon me, my KIng, and I shall do my utmost to ensure that our city remains a place of peace and prosperity.
 
ooc: I believe Tambien has already done that. I have cleared my unique Phoenician mechanism with him. The whole purpose of this rather unorthodox mechanism is to spice up this game a bit. If you want to make this game unfriendly and unwinnable to female characters go ahead and try.
 
ooc: Dynastic sensibilities... recoiling ><

I wouldn't say the traditional patriarchy is unfriendly to female characters, it would merely compel them to use their feminine charms to a) win power kudos through the old pant-wearing wife/figurehead husband combo and b) find other avenues other than inheritance of land to accrue influence and stable sources of wealth (of which there are many) [wealth of course being divided equally between the children of a given character]. That said, its not like Beltashazzar has heard of modern feminism or women's rights, nor is fairness the ruling principle of this game if I want to rig succession/inheritance laws so that they work in a way that keeps wealth-land-holdings within the boundaries of a given family lineage (women being considered to become part of their husbands families obviously) :lol:
 
Jezebels Dream
Spoiler :


So much talk of marriage, so many interested suitors, Jezebel thought to herself. But how many of them seriously seek to build strong ties with my Phoenician people? How many have the strength to build a successful alliance? I want to marry for love, but duty must come first.

No sooner did her head hit the pillow did her thoughts vanish into the thickening mists of sleep. After what seemed no time at all, a shimmering light like that of the moon appeared in the mist, coming ever closer. It was Anath, goddess of love and war. What an honor to receive a visit from Anath, and at such an important time!

"Anath, what should I do? Should I marry Hammurabi? He is clearly taken by me, but he is young and impulsive. The new king Baltashazar is unwed and may welcome a Phoenician alliance. Should I propose marriage to him on behalf of my people?"

A series of images passed through the mists. The first showed young Hammurabi leading a scouting party into the wilderness, beset on all sides by unknown dangers and barbarians. The second showed a powerful and orderly reign growing over young Babylon, the reign of Baltashazar. Would there be love there? Would there be warmth and generosity? Would Baltashazar honor the Phoenician custom of allowing Jezebel's wealth and property to pass to her first born daughter? The mists revealed little on this count.

Jezebel awoke in the dead of the night. No better rested than before, but knowing what she must do.



Jezebel, followed by close family and friends approached the town council, now being occupied and renovated by King Baltashazar and his staff, and asked for an audience.

"On behalf of myself and the Phoenician community, I do humbly and honorably offer myself, Jezebel, to the newly crowned King Baltashazar in marriage. I, and my people seek to serve the crown, and to build a mighty Babylon together."
 
Beltashazzar scratched his intricately braided beard as he sat upon the throne of Nebuchadnezzar in his palace. This Jezebel had strange ideas but she was undoubtedly the most recognised woman in Babylon.

"We shall consider your proposal and give a definitive answer in due course once the oracles have been consulted, but we assuredly favour a marriage between us and shall consider you intended for our side until such time as it is determined whether the gods bless our union."

ooc:

Spoiler :
I'm using my movement for something else at the moment, but I tentatively accept. If only your movement is necessary than this marriage can proceed immediately, if not than i'll commit to the movement the next available movement-set presuming I still favour the match.
 
ooc: I believe Tambien has already done that. I have cleared my unique Phoenician mechanism with him. The whole purpose of this rather unorthodox mechanism is to spice up this game a bit. If you want to make this game unfriendly and unwinnable to female characters go ahead and try.
All I've set in stone is that your wealth will be distributed equally among all children. Lands and titles will be distributed among children as the player parent, or parents in the case of multiple players being married, so desire, until such a time as actual inheritance laws are put in place.

I'm using my movement for something else at the moment, but I tentatively accept. If only your movement is necessary than this marriage can proceed immediately, if not than i'll commit to the movement the next available movement-set presuming I still favour the match.
You must both use your movement.
 
Hammurabi bowed before the King and said: "Your Awe-inspiring, wise and always victorious Majesty, whose reign is sure to go down in history as the single greatest reign the world has ever seen, I am more than pleased to hear the news of your future wedding. For this reason, I want your permission to gift you half of all my wealth next turn as marriage gift. Long live the King!"
 
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