ZPNESVI: Nesse, the Chosen City

[erez87]

OOC
NM


IC
If no elite will speak of which political elite will do the diplomacy we shall take a group of Iadamos and do so ourselves. As a mix of all cultures and together with Iadamos scribes we believe we could handle diplomacy well.

Also ALYA is worried of the declining trade because of gate fees that go personally to the gate keepers.

 

[germanicus12]

The Clan of Wolves

If a National Army is created, Thadeus Wolf, current commander of the Wolf Army is willing to merge his with those of the Fire Clan, for the protection of Nesse, but he desires to know who will command this army.

OOC: By my army, I mean those who chosen to remain in base and not go home, meaning my own army and those of ordinary citizens who answered the call. Not the assassins or those clans who offered their services to our army and decided to go home.


Thadeus Wolf addresses the troops following the battle: (Including the Assassins before they left)

Soldiers, I call you soldiers, not citizens because you shed blood for your city, for your country. You fought with vigor, with heart, and with brothers. We may have been encircled, trapped, and surrounded, but we fought like we never fought before, and many of you were never even fighters. After today, there will not be a single bad word uttered to any of you, you fought valiantly for your city, even the Barbarians we fought were impressed. They approached us thinking we would be easy to crush and shake off, we proved them wrong, we held them back for hours, killing hundreds, if not thousands of their troops before they finally beat us after our heroic General fell fighting on the front lines. Even our militia citizen-soldiers fought like demons.

I have received word that our brothers fighting in the west were likewise defeated, they were not surrounded, no rather they were stopped at a river crossing and failed to get enough troops across to combat the Wolf Barbarians, they likewise put up a good fight, but remember this, they had better troops, better equipment, and more numbers, and still they lost, we were outnumbered, inadequately equipped and we did not have the training or discipline they had, but we held the enemy much longer, more brutally and with vigor that would terrify the leader of Hades himself. I am proud to call everyone of you my brother, and am equally if not more proud to have served with you. You are what make Nesse what it is, if we go to war again, I would like to fight next to you again.

*As the speech ended, Thadeus turned to hide a tear, as his troops cheered*

 

[Bil]

The Fiddling Conclave

On the Issue of Drafting:

While we would not oppose it if it were enacted, as we are certainly loyal citizens, the Conclave does not see the creation of a drafted army out of the population of the Houses as being wise. We are guilds, and each ply a trade, which takes a life-time if not longer to fully learn. Even taking a few years (and, arguably, the best years) from the members of any House, whether Nessers or Elites, is a poor idea at best, and an economic disaster at worst. What good would a blacksmith or a scribe be if, instead of learning how to forge or write, they learned to drill and march? They would lose out on most of their instructional years, and then be left to pick up the slack at a point in which they should have already been skilled and competent members of that trade. We aren't opposing the formation of this draft just to protect we Fiddlers, no, but all the Houses. There are plenty of citizens in this city that do not belong to a House or Guild, and most of whom could probably use quite a bit of discipline and training in some fashion, lacking either as they lack a Clan. Free Nessers should be drafted, not the folk who fill your coffers and provide every craft and service that runs this city.


On the Issue of Fiddler Expansion:

What with the success of our development of laminate leather armor and composite bows, and the lack of sufficient skilled craftsmen in the city, we would propose a request from our benefactors that a further infusion of money be provided to the Conclave in order to expand our holdings and to purchase and establish a manufacturing wing onto the Laboratory. We have enough skilled Fiddlers to provide ample work in this new facility, while not taking too much away from our future research efforts, and very likely the added jobs will attract new additions to the Clan. If our manufacturing wing is constructed and stocked with wood, leather and glue, we could very likely begin manufacturing of our new armor and weapons to fully equip your missile troops within a matter of months. Beyond this, our efforts could go to provide equipment (at a modest price, of course) for the entirety of the Nessian Army (whatever form it may exist in), as well as other manufacturing tasks that might arise as new creations leave the labs and enter the factory.

 

[Circuit]

House Challoan votes:

YES on creating a city-army. We believe that a high command be established, consisting of generals from the fighting clans.

ON THE ISSUE OF DRAFTING: The only time a draft is justified is in a dire emergency. Outlanders are critical to the war effort, but not necessarily as soldiers. Where would we get our horses or food without the Outlanders? However, we would advise that the Outlanders send some of their young men to serve in the military, since the military lifestyle and the discipline imposed would be beneficial to your clans and would make your young men better workers. But as for making this mandatory...again, only in a dire, life-and-death situation, which currently is not the case.

Wolf Clan should not be punished for their foolishness. Reprimanded, maybe, but not punished. If we were to punish everyone for a bad decision, no decision would ever be made.

War against the Golden Horde should be postponed, with a cease-fire at the moment, so we may strengthen the offensive against the Wolf Barbs and wipe them out. Then a united front against the Golden Horde could be done.

War with Wolf Tribe: We should not sign a peace agreement, but perhaps strengthening our forces and not engaging in new offensives would be wise.

Captured land: The land should be given to the Outlanders. However, the method of giving it to them should be decided soon. Perhaps auction (the funds would go to the city)? Application process?

We are willing to pull our forces out of the main offensive to protect the newly-acquired lands while the Outlanders develop it if peace with the Wolf Tribe is not made.

Sea Kingdom: we should not let Sea Kingdom infringe on our sovereignty, or we might as well be their colony. If we were to buckle, what would be next? Would they demand we cede the Outlands? Would we have to follow their religion? Would we have to follow their laws? We strongly advise against acknowledging their threats. But at the same time, we won't build a fleet just to smite them, and at the moment, there is no need for a fleet.

And we would like to be involved in diplomacy in the South.

TO: Hippus Clan
Do you have a draft of your proposed Code of Laws? We would like to see them. We are intrigued by the idea of a Code of Laws guaranteeing rights.

TO: House Iademos
Why have you engaged on this campaign against us when we have supported your agenda? You asked for a Customs House, and we supported the idea. We supported creating a better writing system. We wanted you in our Senate. And you seek to undermine us? Some thanks. Don't expect any favors from us anymore. And you can forget about any more support for a customs house.

TO: Nesse
The propaganda efforts against us are false. We do not recklessly fraternize with Exiles.

TO: Dicchus
We know you did it.

TO: House of the Horned King
We may contribute some of our private funds to the construction of your temple.

OOC: I had to judge a Congress round in debate, so I wasn't able to engage much in this NES last night. We have not disappeared.

 

[c&cciv3]

If it not to late to join I like to.

Your Clan: The Stonehide Clan
Type: Outlander
Speciality: Mining
Description: It is said once Stonehide clan was the largest clan and richest of the Outlanders clans and that they supply all the stone for the great city walls of Nesse as well as supply all the metal for the armies of the kings of old Nesse.
However during the lead up to overthrow of the great tyrant king the clan suffer a split as about half of members wish to support king, while the other half supporting the Elites. The lost life and funds between the two sides during their our infighting and during the war between the Elites and the Tyrant King had greatly reduce the Stonehide influential among Outlander clans and they fell into obscurity soon after. It is not known what happen to splitters but it assumed that they been Exiled.
Now Stonehide are back and wish to regain that what the lost, and by doing what they do best, by supplying metals, stones and other treasures which earth hidden underground to the people of Nesse.

 

[erez87]

from ALYA

to Challoan
Then it is agreed, you will handle diplomacy with the wolf barbs while we will handle it with the sea empire and northern colonies. We agree with your view that the sea empire threats are a horrible things, but right now we lack the unity and power to do anything about it.
To help we will send one of our members whose ancestors are wolf barbs so he could help with translation and cultural mechanisms.

to ALL
What about the growing forces of the south? A new army has shown ready to conquer everything. Should we discuss with them, or fight them before they kill us?

 

[Circuit]

from ALYA

to Challoan
Then it is agreed, you will handle diplomacy with the wolf barbs while we will handle it with the sea empire and northern colonies. We agree with your view that the sea empire threats are a horrible things, but right now we lack the unity and power to do anything about it.
To help we will send one of our members whose ancestors are wolf barbs so he could help with translation and cultural mechanisms.

to ALL
What about the growing forces of the south? A new army has shown ready to conquer everything. Should we discuss with them, or fight them before they kill us?

Challoan: Sure. We will work to ensure that the foreigners do not threaten our lands. That is our priority.

 

[Shadowbound]

The House of the Horned King votes nay on universal conscription. The mass recruitment of all men, 16-25, would devastate our city's commerce and industry, while the employment of the dregs of society as soldiers has been clearly demonstrated to be folly with the Wolf Clan's disastrous expedition.

We instead recommend the formation of a militia, with mandatory service, but not permitted to be deployed outside the borders of Nesse. Maintaining a trained fighting force, with several years of training before being thrown into battle (unlike the Wolf Clan's plan), can supplement the War Clans and Outlanders if Nesse itself is attacked. This would be especially important if the Golden Barbarians or these new Southron invaders set their eyes on our city.

The House of the Horned King opposes new taxes. We will pay for our own temple, instead of being a parasite on the people of the city.

OOC: I tried to warn you, Germanicus.

 

[erez87]

No new taxes indeed.

Actually we should lower one kind of tax - gate tolls. This hold our city back and lowers our trade hurting the economy of Nesse by hurting inner and outer trade. How can merchants trade when they have to constantly pay high tolls on entering and leaving Nesse? Why would outsiders come trade with us if they pay in tolls what they could possibly make out of trading with us?

We vote to lower, or even cancel ALL tolls on entering or leaving the city. The Gate keepers can survive on taxes just like other Elite clans.

 

[Thlayli]

From: House Ìademos
To: House Challoan

House Ìademos is not personally responsible for any material we are paid to publish. As a totally impartial House, we would be pleased to serve the Challoan if they wish to have any material printed. As for the customs house, it would be terrible if the Challoan were not to pay their taxes.

Peace With the Wolf Barbarians:

Peace - Alya Clan, House Askani (Dependent on tribute)
War - Wolf Clan, House Challoan
Abstain - Fire Clan

We have yet to hear from the Gelioners, House Dicchus, or the Ninticus Clan.

---

House Ìademos proposes:

-Envoys be sent to Nabar, requesting their submission to Nesse. If Nabar were to pay taxes to Nesse, the profits could go to lowering our own trade duties.

---

As Scribes of Nesse, we call for official votes from the Elite and Outlander Houses and Clans on the following question:

Should a Formal Army Be Established?

AYE, In times of war only
AYE, In times of war and peace
NAY, we accept the current system

If one of the AYE options succeeds, we shall put further questions to the Houses and Clans regarding army organization. We shall consider calls for expanding the watchmen or for a Nessan Militia to be NAY votes.

---

We call for official votes from the Elite Houses and Clans on the following question:

Should Gate Taxes Be Lowered?

AYE, taxes should be lowered
AYE, taxes should be eliminated
NAY, taxes should stay the same

 

[tuxedohamm]

From: House Tuxenius

To: House of the Horned King

We are willing to devote labor to providing your temple with a magnificent altar. If the materials can be aquired, we will work diligently. We can do both large pieces of metal for flat surfaces, and tiny intricate details such as the strange symbols that your priests use.

 

[Shadowbound]

The House of the Horned King believes we should end the war with the Wolf Barbs, with or without tribute. The war was foolish to begin with, and it has not given us any appreciable gains beyond embittering a potential ally.

We do not believe we can realistically petition Nabar for submission, as we have no fleet and our land campaigns have both been failures.

We will consider House Tuxemius's services.

We would like to see all taxes lowered, though gate tolls should not be eliminated.

 

[Thlayli]

House Ìademos further proposes that the Scribes and the Temple should be allowed to vote upon questions proposed to the Elite Houses and Clans.

House Ìademos would be pleased to donate to the construction of a new temple for the Horned King.

 

[Anonymoose]

The Drezden would like to request that the Tuxenius clan make a cart full of the finest ax heads. They will be paid for with some of the tribute monies from the first wolf barb ambassador and a large supply of firewood/woodchips of the hottest burning woods, if that is suitable. (If not, PM me or something.) We also request that one of the Fiddlers come to the lodge to research ways to fireproof the lumber harvested here. We know only that dense woods are difficult to burn, but we wish them to be non-flammable. The knowledge gained for you could be very profitable, but of course, knowledge is its own reward. We also ask the Rouge clan for some hunters to aid in the defense of the lodge. Our families work in the forests, and are tied to one another in a way that most families are not. Your hunters have stopped by the lodge for a night or two before, but we ask for something more tangible. Bow-quality lumber is available and the home of the Drezden is always welcome to your fascinating hunters.
Edit: The Drezden do not care to vote about the goings-on of the city. If we dislike your laws or principles, we will ignore them.

 

[erez87]

While the clan of Alya wishes to see more equality. Until the senate is officially opened to all Nessers we cannot allow some to vote and others not to.

So another vote:
Should Nessers be allowed to vote in the senate?

 

[Shadowbound]

The House of the Horned King is concerned that making the Senate too large will simply turn it into a bunch of clans shouting at each other in the market square. The Elites, and, as House Iademos suggested, the scribes and clergy (to represent common Nessers), should suffice. If it grows any larger than this, to include both Nessers and Elites, then only Outlanders will be excluded. As it would not do to exclude them from the decision-making process, they would have to be included. And then the Senate would include everyone, and be pointless.

While we're on the subject of common Nessers, we move that the Fiddler Clan be required to create standards for its dissections, to ensure it is not defiling the graves of our honored dead or taking bodies off the street.

 

[Thlayli]

We concur with the House of the Horned King. Common Nessers are busy with their trades, and the majority of them cannot read. Placing them in a Senate meant for literate men would simply confuse them.

The Scribes and the Temple can hold seats in the Senate as the conduit between Nesse and the Elites.

 

[Bil]

The Fiddling Conclave

The Drezden ... request that one of the Fiddlers come to the lodge to research ways to fireproof the lumber harvested here. We know only that dense woods are difficult to burn, but we wish them to be non-flammable. The knowledge gained for you could be very profitable, but of course, knowledge is its own reward.

While we have conducted no such research previously, the topic has caused some excitement among a few who have already volunteered for the envoy to your Lodge. They have been instructed to pack their things and prepare for a long-term stay among your Clan, until this research is completed (whether a success or failure). Already, they speak of possibilities, and will be bringing a barrel of our ever-plentiful glue with them, believing that an adhesive will possibly be needed as a component.

We understand that your Clan is already quite burdened with work, but as a return for our cooperation, we would like to receive a modest priority toward the acquisition of lumber for our future bow-making industry, amongst other things. Our two Clans will likely enjoy a long-lasting and overly positive future relationship from this endeavor, I can tell. Good luck to us all!

Signed, 'Galigus Fiddler, Speaker of the Conclave'

While the clan of Alya wishes to see more equality. Until the senate is officially opened to all Nessers we cannot allow some to vote and others not to.

So another vote:
Should Nessers be allowed to vote in the senate?

The opinion of the Conclave is that Nessers should have a vote as well, preferably one of significance, for it is our lives as well that the Senate will have power over. Besides, from a political standpoint, the equal representation of the Nesser Houses will do wonders to improve political morale across Nesse, and hopefully lead to numerous great judgments for the whole city to enjoy.

While we understand that the Elites feel that they might deserve the only votes, it would be suggested that this belief be silenced, for many Houses across Nesse would find themselves ill at ease accepting decisions made for them after this length of time in a partial state of self-determination that each Clan has existed with. In following Anarchy, a centralized Aristocracy would not find itself in high favor.

Signed, 'Galigus Fiddler, Speaker of the Conclave'


EDIT:

While we're on the subject of common Nessers, we move that the Fiddler Clan be required to create standards for its dissections, to ensure it is not defiling the graves of our honored dead or taking bodies off the street.

While we have no such standards defined, we do follow a certain general course of practice that ensures that the handling of corpses does not spread disease or the stench of rot. As it stands, we have only taken the bodies of those presented to us, largely from the Banner of the Eagle in their efforts to attempt to find the cause of death on many mysterious investigations, though also the dead of the unclaimed and the unwanted. Our anatomical research is still small in scale, though we shall nonetheless open our doors to the House of the Horned King for inspection, as we have already done with the Hooded Order. If your clergymen feel uncomfortable about our practices, they are entirely welcome to visit the Laboratory and pay witness to our study of the human body to ensure that our practices are not foul or blasphemous.

Signed, 'Galigus Fiddler, Speaker of the Conclave'



EDIT AGAIN:

We concur with the House of the Horned King. Common Nessers are busy with their trades, and the majority of them cannot read. Placing them in a Senate meant for literate men would simply confuse them.

The Scribes and the Temple can hold seats in the Senate as the conduit between Nesse and the Elites.

As it were, the Conclave is entirely literate. It is unlikely that the goings-on of a Senate would confuse us, if we are able to comprehend the movements of the heavens, the functions of the elements, and the basic workings of the human body. It is unquestioned that the Clans of faith should be represented, but if the Scribes are given a voice merely on the grounds of being able to read and write, we find this entire concept unsound.

Signed, 'Galigus Fiddler, Speaker of the Conclave'

 

[TaylorFlame]

I have received word that our brothers fighting in the west were likewise defeated, they were not surrounded, no rather they were stopped at a river crossing and failed to get enough troops across to combat the Wolf Barbarians, they likewise put up a good fight, but remember this, they had better troops, better equipment, and more numbers, and still they lost, we were outnumbered, inadequately equipped and we did not have the training or discipline they had, but we held the enemy much longer, more brutally and with vigor that would terrify the leader of Hades himself. I am proud to call everyone of you my brother, and am equally if not more proud to have served with you. You are what make Nesse what it is, if we go to war again, I would like to fight next to you again.

The Army in the South hardly lost. It wasn't an amazing victory, but it was a victory none-the-less.

 

[tuxedohamm]

We do not have time for debate unless you wish to do it in our workshops. However, we do appreciate the idea that those with the time to sit and chat be allowed in the senate. We agree that the scribes and temple should be allowed.

To: Drezden
Our finest shall begin work on the sharpest and most solid of axe heads. You offer appears reasonable to us.