[IC] Our Dark Star

[rush99999]

[FOURTH POST]
Magus Nilrem
Ethereal codex lesser memory archive
Thoughts on the other councilor's ideas so far
Current stat readings: Assets(5) Power(5) Production(3) Influence (1) Charm(0)

Magus Nilrem remained silent, listening to one councilor putting up an idea, only to have it shot down by another councilor who then put up an idea of their own, before having that idea shot down to be replaced by another idea, thus repeating the cycle. Nilrem had thought of his own ideas, but like the other councilors were doing right now, Nilrem had found flaws in his plans and deemed them unworthy to be submitted for council approval. After an hour of not being able to think of anything, Nilrem had decided to just go to the meeting and support the good ideas that were put by the other other councilors. So far, Nilrem liked the idea put forward by Jarvis the most, the noble made some very good points on how a worker's guild would benefit Dakhen.

[Skylar]

[Fourth Post]
Madame Katherine Evangeline Greywind
Stats:Assets(5), Power(0), Production(5), Influence (4), Charm(2)

Katherine listened to the plans of agriculture and work unions with a vague curiosity. Matters of agriculture were an admitted failing on her part, but topics raised of decreased work hours, unionization and centralization were ringing alarm bells in her mind regarding the kind of men sitting on this council and their ultimate agendas. Yet she could already tell she would be standing alone if she raised serious objections at this early junction of the council against three of her fellow councilors with obvious socialist agendas. So she would have to take a different tack to bring sense to the vapid idealists appointed to council positions. That, and this Workers League idea did have some merit to tie up laborers in agriculture and grunt work, away from fields of industry that needed more "sensitive" types of labor that was her business to provide for.

"Fine words mister Pentaphraxis, and an apt summation of the core problems of the agricultural sector and our general workforce." Meaning the non-biosynth workforce in her views. "Although while I raise my voice in support of a plan to give the masses productive work for the good of Dahken, I must also question how to avoid opportunism and wastage in such a vast social system you intend to set up. Yes we need labor and crops alike, but we need order as well to keep workers who we will be entrusting the maintenance of vital infrastructure and resources to. As you state yourself, we will likely be recruiting from the most potentially violent demographics of our populace for such a workforce, and will practically be putting meals into their mouths our of our reserves and treasury until the new fields become productive and the workers trained. It would be prudent to take measures to ensure we obtain a....return on our investment.

Mandatory ID tagging and creation of a central database of workers tied into this Worker's League program would be a good start towards identifying problem workers and abusers of the system. A reward system of competition between work groups to strive for more meals of meat or script for the pleasure districts would also make for a good carrot for the commoners to encourage productivity. And should the working citizens refuse to recognize the full value of what is being offered to them....well we need to get around to rebuilding our military anyway, so why not start with the military police corps? Surely these are sensible policies to follow up upon in conjunction with such a grand social endeavor to guarantee the stability of Dahken as well as its growth?"

[Zamiel]

"Indeed, that is a very well founded concern Madame Greywind. In fact, I have put some thought towards this inevitable issue myself."

"There exist several social vectors to consider and balance in this situation. These are: bureaucracy, scapegoating discontent, and decline of work effort per capita."

"One must accept from the onset that wastage and inefficiency is not possible to fully eliminate. In any industry, one comes to a point where increase in efficiency would cost more in upkeep than the increase would generate in profit - that point is where you stop and say: 'Good enough". This is indeed a basic tenet of commerce and industry and I apologize for repeating it to you. I merely seek to bring it to the foreground of this discussion as a governing rule to how much control can be applied to the operation of the Worker's League."

"Building effective organizations is very much like building a house. Each component reinforces another, which in turn does so to another, which then supports the original component. Walls hold aloft your roof, while the weight from your roof holds the walls vertical. Bureaucracy, is analogues to conscripting a hundred men to take shifts holding a roof over your head, or propping up your collapsing walls due to lack of roof. Components of an effective organization reinforce each other, without the need for active support to prevent collapse - the same goes for governance as it does for construction. Our aim is to build a self regulating structure whose parts keep each other accountable without the need for layers of surveillance."

"Scapegoating is another rather straightforward human tendency. When something goes wrong, most seek a target for ire. The grand sleight of hands is directing blame to an ultimately replaceable individual who is ideally a representative of the party you are puppeteering. All that remains for higher command to do is remove the faulted individual from office and punish to the satisfaction of those who blame him. This is understood to be the fundamental principle of the governance structure known as 'democracy', where figureheads are paraded before an uneducated public to absorb their scorn to be throw away only to be replaced by another."

"Decline of work per invested capita of a workforce in an environment where such decline increases standard of living is inevitable. If you give someone leeway to be lazy, rest assured that they will seize it all and more. This is also a well-understood social axiom although with slight over-generalization. Prevention of this social tendency is directly proportional to efficiency of the operation of the Worker's League. This must be done without layered bureaucratic oversight that defeats the purpose of its use - increasing efficiency. We can not knowingly sew the seeds of our own defeat. The Worker's League will function and keep itself accountable through a renewable cycle of scapegoating."

"I have several times come a hair's width of revealing the simple principle under which the Worker's League can be near-fully self regulating. Some of you may have been able to guess, but I am obliged to elaborate. Our command and representatives - the garrison commanders - will be the agents of reward and good. Inside each garrison will be a pseudo-democracy under command of our appointed commanders. Speaking in military terms, men will be arbitrarily assigned to squads of about ten each with one 'elected' representative. Three squads select a representative of their platoon, and three platoons subsequently elect one to represent their company. Most garrisons will contain two companies that have no further commoner leadership."

"I will emphasize, these 'elected' leaders are no more than figureheads - our scapegoats. They receive boons and advantages for holding their 'position' to the extent of company commanders having their own quarters, three meals with meat each day and access to vices. The intent of this is for all men to covet such luxury and attempt to hold it for themselves as best they can. Company commanders whose company does not complete projects on deadline are removed and replaced. The company commander, to retain his boons becomes forced to hold elected representatives below him accountable and working efficiently - otherwise he loses his coveted position. This commander has the right to dismiss platoon commanders only - who in turn may dismiss squad leaders. Thus each tier must complete their quota of labor allotted them by a higher tier of command or else be removed from office by those above who are doing so to keep themselves from being removed."

"What exactly is the result of all this you may ask? In brief terms, the commoners choose their own overseers and glorified slave drivers who are either removed for not meeting our quota, or because their constituency comes to hate them for brutal efficiency in which case our man, the garrison commander swoops in and punishes them as an 'enemy of the people'. In other words, punishment will always come from the hands of those who commoners elected - our scapegoats. Meanwhile, our own appointees distribute rewards, and other such gratification. The cycle continues until positions eventually become filled by commoners who can balance meeting our quota and appeasing those beneath them thus both satisfying our need for efficiency, and keeping happy all members of the Worker's League."

"Several more advantages of the Worker's League become more apparent under this closer examination". Jarvis nods to Madame Greywind. "By this structure, men of the Worker's League will be primed and conditioned for military service both physically and psychologically. As I mentioned before, garrisons are capable of filling diverse roles in their regions. Response to emergencies may very well include localized response to crime in addition to fire and other such events".

[Skylar]

[Fifth Post]
Madame Katherine Evangeline Greywind
Stats:Assets(5), Power(0), Production(5), Influence (4), Charm(2)

Credit where it was due, this guy knew human resources and marketing. Katherine mentally bumped Pentaphraxis' respect/threat rating (she made no differentiation between the two) up significantly. Of the two other nobles here, she was immediately coming to see the younger man to be the greater economic mind, and the way he worded his sales pitch on contingencies was well refined salesmanship to say the least. And left very few grounds for objection. Very well played.

"The benefits are obvious." She said after Jarvis finished his speech. "I vote in support of the Worker's League, and will work on my end to smooth out any wrinkles that may interfere in its establishment once protocols of its foundation are set." The unspoken reference to Katherine's connections amongst the aristocracy and industrial elites, while her mind worked away at how to profit herself from this setup given its clear overlap with some divisions of base-level genejack production.

The answer of course lied in what it didn't cover, namely certain fields of industry and social "services", and Katherine pulled out a stylus to begin tapping and drawing out notes on her dataslate to begin drafting plans of her own. None that would interfere with the worker's league, but still beneficial for her company regardless. And as much as the councilor's may disagree with her work, it was there, and it was too essential to allow to weaken. They would come to realize this in due time. For now, she would play along.

"Is there any who oppose?" She continued, her fingers dancing on the tablet while her eyes never left her fellow councilors. Gauging their next move. For the moment she had to play low and to the confidence of the others, lest she unite them all against her prematurely. That, and the policies she intended to bring up were more industry than labor, something to bring up later. Not to mention the unenviable question of who was the shoulder the government's electricity bill.

Voting

Katherine Greywind votes in support of the Worker's League

Season 1 Spending

Invest in new genejacks to invest in Madame Vol's engines for economic stimulus and to earn goodwill from Madame Vol. (2 Assets)
Begin retargeting future genejack production away from agricultural work to industrial and social sectors. (2 Assets)
Chip in on the power bill (1 Asset)

[rush99999]

[DISREGARD THIS POST]

[DELETED324324]

[Third Post]
Sir William
Current Status: Assets(5) Power( 3) Production(1) Influence(3) Charm(2)

William had been tuning out from the meeting the matters of agriculture did not concern him, but at the mention of his military structure the soldier in him spoke out. "I don't agree with your methods." He said quite bluntly "The commanders of our former kings army were fat and decadent because of their rewards and spoils. They did not care about their soldiers, all they cared about was the extra food and a whore to warm their beds. So your workers would be forced to work grueling hours with slave drivers at their backs so these slave drivers can take food out of their mouth. If you wish i can put the militia to work with the workers, it would give both sides a better understanding of how the other works, but i will not let them lord over them." He said, he was all but yelling by the end of it.

Vote Casting

William disagrees with the workers guild.

Season One Spending

None

[rush99999]

[FIFTH POST]
Magus Nilrem
Ethereal codex lesser memory archive
Vote casting and season spending
Current stat readings: Assets(5) Power(5) Production(3) Influence (1) Charm(0)

"I agree with Sir William" Nilrem chimed in, rather cross at Jarvis for suggesting such an outrageous idea "Scapegoat or not, I won't support any form of mistreatment towards the people of Dakhen. And furthermore, whose to say that any of the scapegoats become fair while meeting the quotas simultaneously?".

Vote Casting

Magus Nilrem votes against The Workers Guild idea.

Season spending

Chip in on government expenses (2 assets)

[mpjama2]

[FOURTH POST]
Lord Green
Stats: Assets(5) Power(0) Production(4) Influence (4) Charm( 3)

Lord Green calmly listened to Lord Pentaphraxis's proposal, and once everyone else was done talking, he said his piece: "Lord Jarvis, using the word 'slave-driver' may have cost you this vote. However, I am under the impression that since each part of the management requires support from their underlings, the 'drivers' will not mistreat their workers. You have my support."

Vote

Lord Green votes yes.

[Zamiel]

Jarvis Pentaphraxis
Stats: Assets 5 / Power 0 / Production 1 / Influence 5 / Charm 5

"Sir William, that is indeed the unfortunate way our militia was handled, and I hope is no longer the case. I reiterate that unlike in a military situation, the Worker's League has a very sturdy baseline on which to see which commanders are pulling their weight. A construction project must be completed, and men under their command kept happy as they do so - those who can walk that fine line deserve the spoils of their position as they continue to perform to our high standards. Twelve hours is a standard work day for a vast majority of those few who in fact have a job at this time for less than what the Worker's League would provide. Spare a moment to speak to them yourself - ask them, is starvation preferable to honest labor? At present, benefits I have proposed are in fact far more generous per work hour than those of any factory you can find. In fact, factories may eventually become forced to improve conditions and pay drastically to remain in competition with the Worker's League for employment."

Jarvis paused, considering whether he had removed enough subtlety for this muscled oaf to catch the drift of the matter under discussion. Having been to this point very patient in speech and appearance, Jarvis now slightly narrowed his eyes and added a measured amount of chill to his voice. Looking directly into the man's passionate eyes, he added:

"... and with what I hear currently of the state of discipline in our militia, many have come to question whether we have any competent commanders left to teach our, [pause] soldiers to stand at attention, much less how to handle their weapons. It would not come as a great surprise if a reshuffling of militia leadership were to be not much further down this council's list. I would advise to do the utmost to convince your superiors that we require results, which as of late are less than apparent if we are to continue to invest assets. I expect many young, capable commanders to emerge from the folds of the Worker's League and turn our militia into a military force to be reckoned with."

Jarvis now swept his gaze around the rest of the members, addressing them all.

"In times long past, The Councils of Six were always governed by the understanding that the councilman who proposes does not vote on its passing. Three of the remaining five must be agreeable for a measure to pass. As it stands, it up to Master Lanc to tip the scales in favor of one or the other. I believe you will make the correct choice in favor of developing our infrastructure, providing honest labor to the unemployed and training them in all manner of skilled occupation to create the most robust middle class that Dakhen has ever seen."

Season Spending

- Pay our militia, making sure the Sir William hears this, since he neglected to do so (1 asset)
- Expand crystpaper manufacture significantly into a factory nearby the keep because reasons, hehehe (2-3 assets)
- Donate to the Knighthood of Tallus with a note of appreciation and assurance that they have someone with them in mind on the council (1 asset)

[Skylar]

Madame Katherine Evangeline Greywind
Stats:Assets(5), Power(0), Production(5), Influence (4), Charm(2)

As Lanc silently tapped his own vote on the table's checkboxes, Katherine tallied the votes.

"2 opposed, 1 abstention (Lanc), 2 in support plus the proposer counted in matters of a tie. The motion carries, the worker's league will be implemented with all due process." She announced with slight smugness. She hadn't had to do anything yet, and already she was achieving several of her goals. The council was split, the socialists forced to deal with the reality that half of the council did not support their aims, and that if they intended to get more of their agenda passed, they needed her vote to get around the knight and magus.

"Onto more current issues before proposing further law: our government's expenses. Namely the matter of paying the wages of the militia and our power bills. Union Laborworks will foot some of the bill to Madame Vol, but I can't foot all the burden of government on my own." Nor do you want Madame Vol to think I'm the only one she can count on to be reliable.

[mpjama2]

[FIFTH POST]
Lord Green
Stats: Assets(5) Power(0) Production(4) Influence (4) Charm( 3)

Lord Green drummed his fingers on the table as he waited for the rest of the council to speak their piece, once they were done, he spoke up: "If necessary Madame Greywind, I will chip in for the utility bills. *cough* Someone has to do it."

Season Spending

1 asset for utility bills.

[Zamiel]

< deleted >

[Rhymer]

Season 2, of the year 3901,Turn 2

Our High Council

Minister of State: None!
Minister of War: None!
(You haven't elected any)

Councilors:
Magus Nilrem
Sir William of Dakhen
Lady Katherine Evangeline Greywind
Master Alexander Lanc
Lord 'Duke' Jarvis Pentaphraxis
Lord Robert Green

Finances

Office of the Coin
The Office of the Coin reports directly to the council on the state of our economy.

Taxes: 0 assets paid to the Office of Coin
City Assets:0
Allocated Funds: Magus Nilrem (2,power), Lady Greywind (1,power), Lord Pentaphraxis (1, militia), Lord Green (1, power)

Expenses:-5 total
Militia , 1 per season
Energy, 3 per season +1 paid to Estate Power for a total of 4
Our bills are paid this season!

---

Laws Enacted by Council

WOL

// The Workers League Act of 3901 //

Men over the age of 16 shall be eligable for enrollment in the Workers League-A nationalized union of skilled/unskilled laborers dedicated to bolstering the economic and industrial infrastructure of the city. Enrollment is mandatory voluntary.

The WOL shall garrison groups of no more than 200 men at designated spots around the city wherein they shall set to work building farms, factories and any infrastructue as deemed appropriate by the aforementioned authorities. The High Council shall have executive powers of veto in project designation.

The WOL shall provide:

• two meals a day for every WOL member, except every seventh day where a third meal containing meat shall be provided


• A sleeping cot, and WOL uniforms


• Minor medical attention not requiring surgery or sorcerous procedures shall be provided


• Clothing shall be provided


• one day, or 12 days per season of rest


• A minimum of a 12 hour work day

A regimental system of organization shall be mandatory for each garrision. 'Commanders' shall be responsible for performance of their respective garrisons. WOL workers shall be eligable for positions of leadership only below that of Commander- A quota of production will be maintained by each garrison.

// Office of the Coin estimates WOL initial costs to be 3-4 assets (Construction Raw Materials, Textiles, Garrison Organization, Appointment of Officials, Propaganda, Security. This cost will be accounted for in next seasons expenses.//

---

News of the Greater Lands

King Nestor, our ally and king of Pillar Neln has offered to resume trade with our city. His neutrality in our war with Pillar Malka was a 'necessary evil' as his royal ambassador has stated. Their terms are reasonable and will provide the city with +1 asset income in trade.

King Prospero, of that loathesome city Malka has sent troops to Fort Algerin, a mere 400 miles across the Tempest Sea! Knights in War Machines (mechs) have been spotted among the some 1000 regular soldiers. This is a clear violation of our treaty agreement!

News of our city, Dakhen

This seasons top news:

1. We're Hungry!


2. The Workers League will give us jobs!


3. The Workers League will ruin us all!


4. The Arena is open again! Hooray!


5. Malka soldiers have taken Fort Algerin! Soon they will come for us!

Media

Civil Unrest

Protestors associated with independent labor consortiums have begun to demonstrate outside Workers League construction zones. Violence has broken out in isolated locations. City militia have been dispatched by order of Sir Izar Maxim, for extra security at high-risk zones. WOL units have reported the demonstrations are slowing the initial construction phase.

Residenz News

...spokesman Steward Fitzroy has reported that the High Council has convened the first official session of the newly formed government. Amidst rising tensions in the Industrial Sector, some are questioning the appointment of three of Dakhens most famous industry captains....
...In other news, The City Arena has reopened it's portcullis for the first time since the end of the war with Pillar Malka, several seasons ago. A spokesman for the private-owned mega-entertainment company called this coming years spectacles as some of the 'bloodiest, garrish and disturbing entertainment you will ever see!'...the company reports sold-out shows for....

---

Report for Madame Greywind
Stats:Assets(0, -2 engines, -2 investiture into workforce reorganization,-1 city power bill), Power(0), Production(5), Influence (4), Charm(2)

---

Engine Duty

You began investigating the possibility of locating and repairing Pre-Descent Engines for use by the city. A report compiled by the Engineers Guild confirmed your hip-shot assesment of the radiation levels in the most subterranean levels of the city. You ran any number of scopic scans to try and locate potential Engines for reconstruction but the concentrated levels of radiation have distorted the images. Nonetheless, you believe you have located 2 Engines worthy of reconstruction.

The Labor of Labor

You began studies on how to create more jobs for the mob. The recent war has devestated the economy; industry was geared towards weapon and ammunition production for many seasons. These factories could be repurposed for simple, tradeable commodities quickly, efficiently and at low cost.

Also in short supply are teachers, engineers and medical staff, but these specialized services would require several seasons of training and a commitment of a large amount of assets, but would lay the foundation for a much stronger economy.

You allocated 2 assets to shift your companies biosynths production away from agriculture and focus on industrial and social sectors. Your teams got started immediately, but with no specific task in mind they haven't produced any results yet. The infrastructure is present, management is needed. Carry on in this task and you will surely see your production increase.

ULW analysis

Union Labor Works continues to turn a profit and has seen a positive market impact with your election to the High Council. 3 out of 5 citizens in a poll of 2000 use Union Labor Works brand products. The company image is positive despite some minority opposition to biosynth engineering.

Message From Madame Larimar Vol

...the power game is my business Kat, but you play it well. I will see what my engineers think of your plan to re-ignite some of those old Engines using your "RADjacks". Send your drones over and I can get started as soon as the credits clear...I've heard about your little socialist work plan you and what's his name concocted. How ever did you push that garrish law through the council so quickly?! I'm jealous Kat, for all the wrong reasons. The other industrialists might not see this WOL project as such a great idea...especially when it nationalizes the industry...

---

Report for Sir William of Dakhen
Stats: Assets(5, you spent 0 this season) Power( 3) Production(1) Influence(3) Charm(2 )

---

You have made no plans this season.

---

Report for Magus Nilrem
Stats: Assets(3, 2 spent on city expenditures((power))) Power(5) Production(3) Influence (1) Charm(0)

---

You have made no plans this season.

---

Report for Lord Robert Green
Stats: Assets(4, -1 city power costs) Power(0) Production(4) Influence (4) Charm( 3)

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Fitzroys report on Food Distribution

Dear Sir, I have made inquires into the necessary funds required to begin distribution of food-stuffs. Sir Izar Maxim has suggested I use his tiny force of militia to help distribute the food. I have also spoken with the Priests at the Temple of Tallus and they will lend a hand in distribution. A contact of mine in Pillar Neln has informed me that his city has a surplus of food available for purchase. These supplies can be sent to Dakhen with due haste. Together we estimate a total of 3-4 assets to completely assuage our hunger problems with a seasonal upkeep of 1-2 assets. Anything less will only give temporary subsistence to the truly desolate.

It is a good thing you suggest councilor, I would surely follow through.

Yours, Fitzroy

---

Report for Duke Jarvas Pentaphraxis
Stats: Assets (1, 1 asset paid to the militia, 1/2 to expand company operations,1 asset in donation to the Priesthood of Tallus) / Power 0 / Production 1 / Influence 5 / Charm 5

---

Militia Payed

You sent an agent with the payroll for the city milita this season. The agent made sure to display the Pentaphraxis colors on his cloak when he called upon Sir Maxim. You also copied the Nets Invoice to Sir William along with Sir Maxim, so your fellow counselor will see what you have done.

Message from Sir Izar Maxim

Many thanks my lord for your wages paid this season. It has been many seasons since we've had a proper pay check. The men will toast your honor tonight at supper.

Factory Woes

You scoured the Dao'Min slums for suitable locations for factory expansion. Unfortunately, your engineers assure you the neglected structures in the slum would be of little use to expanding your operations. They suggest instead demolishing the abandoned factories around your existing factories and starting from scratch. This would of course eject thousands of destitue squatters from these buildings. You saved 1 asset in this endeavour. The proposed project would take one season and add 1 production to your statistics (for a total of 2 production::8 assets per year)

Donation Accepted

The Priesthood of Tallus was shocked at the generosity of your donation. They immediately commisioned a new War Machine for their armory, dubbed "Legacy", a light-armored mech used for scouting and patrols armed with a long-range high velocity bolt rifle and a side-arm phaseblade. The knights have pledged to toast house Pentaphraxis at supper for a whole season.

Message from Sir Ben Pella

Blessings of Tallus the Merciful upon you good Lord. My name is Ben Pella, a simple knight in service of our lord Tallus. On behalf of our humble priesthood, I extend my gratitude to yours and your house for your overwhelmingly generous contribution to our cause. My comrades have convened on how to spend these monies and we can only justify this expense by commisioning a new War Machine. We have named it "Legacy" in honor of your most ancient and regal bloodline. You have friends at Temple good lord.

Sincerely, Sir Ben Pella, High Guardian of the Temple of Tallus

---

Edit Log

11/17: (Fixed production numbers for Jarvis)

[Skylar]

[First Post]
Madame Katherine Evangeline Greywind
Stats:Assets(5), Power(0), Production(5), Influence (4), Charm(2)

Joy, joy, and damnation. Just as soon as things were looking up, another crisis was descending upon Dahken. Katherine sipped at a glass of wine served by an attractive biosynth maidservant in her private chambers as she pondered the news on the screens before her. The worker's league reforms were underway, with not quite unexpected unrest resulting from them. She would let Jarvis pay for his own project, Union Laborworks was busy reshuffling its assets to adjust for the labor pool disruptions it would cause. The Pillar was still quite dependent on goods made with biosynth labor, so they would have little reason to protest her focus.

But none of that would matter if they were invaded yet again. Scowling and ordering her wine refilled, Katherine pondered her options. First and foremost, the Knight had to be roused into action. It was clear he had little mind for administration (indeed, his militia were paid by Duke Pentaphraxis last season), but perhaps a immediate threat to face would give him something to focus on. But as for her.....options, she needed to determine her options.

First, to follow up on the actions she had taken before. The engines, the biosynth reallocations....yes. She had plenty of options.

"Shannon, my memo pad and speak-writer."

Direction to Biosynth R&D

My commendations to section six for their preparations for market reallocation. Production line shifting is no easy task for biosynthesis, and I am glad to have such able staff to make such corrections readily.

Priority for biosynth development for the next three seasons is to be in the industrial sector, particularly engineers and skilled labor for precision industries. The priority for the new model engineering biosynths is rapid adaptive learning. Our new workers must be able to learn on the job with the assistance of expert systems and help programs, and be easily retrainable into new roles on the assembly line. Loyalty programming is a must-have second priority, we must uphold Union Laborwork's trademark of quality in this era of dissident workers.

A secondary production line we must open up is the development and mass-production of radiation-hardened genejacks for work in the Pillar Engines and military surface combat. Emphasis is on mass production. Either adapt existing brute-type genejacks to be radiation hardened, or devise a similar low-cost, high-production worker that has a longer lifespan under radioactive conditions. First five companies of RADjacks are to be delivered to Madame Vol for training in Pillar Engine mechanics, further production are to be shelved to reserve storage.

Such has been ordered, so it shall be done. If it cannot, alert me immediately with alternative plans. Union Laborworks cannot afford any delay in capitalizing upon current market conditions.

Madame Katherine Evangeline Greywind, CEO of Union Laborworks

Message of Madame Vol

I am glad we can work together towards mutually profitable actions Lari. Once the RADjack's finish initial development, I will have work crews prepared to join and learn from your workforce to prepare for work and the possible resurrection of two Engines my engineers deem fit for repair. I am open to joint-work and ownership between our two companies to bring them back to life. Feel free to dispatch your own engineers to the engines to make your own judgments and assessments of their condition while we negotiate terms of ownership and output allocation before beginning rebuilding. As you have said, the power business is your business, and I wish to consult with an expert before making any moves. I am certain we can come to a mutually beneficial deal. I need power for my genejack and biosynth factories, and you can surely make use of more power in ways I can't think of.

As for the Workers League, it is no major threat to our major industries. Look at how the poor masses argue and dissent against the very measures meant to aid them! It would almost be hilarious if their demonstrations weren't so destructive. While it will certainly do them some good in low-density agriculture and low-tech industry, the WOL ultimately cannot replace skilled workers trained by our companies in our factories and grand industries, nor replace our unique assets towards Dahken. And if they do attempt to encroach on our essential pillars of industry in any real sense, I will oppose them by any means necessary. I'd be the first on the firing line afterall, seeing how desperate the council is for reliable labor.

Message to the Council

Alright, we have an invading force closing in and not a lot of a military to meet them with. What are we going to do about it?

I am willing to defer to the judgement of Sir William in military matters such as this. Union Laborworks is willing to contribute industrial biosynths to any relevant military-industrial complex as required, or provide cannon fodder if necessary to pad out our militia. I advise making use of our restored trade income to shore up our military and defenses.

Like it or not, the enemy is coming once again. We need to be ready.

Turn 2 Spending

2 Assets towards engineering biosynth and RADjack R&D and production
1 Asset towards opening negotiations with Madame Vol over the two repairable Engines to discuss how to manage their repairs and possible joint-ownership. Also begin training RADjack's in engine maintenance and repair.
1 Asset investing in the City Arena to extend the length of the games and buying a season-pass VIP booth for the Council. Will invest errant or violent biosynths and genejacks on request of the arena masters.

[Zamiel]

[First Post]
Jarvis Pentaphraxis
Stats: Assets 2 / Power 0 / Production 2 / Influence 5 / Charm 5

Narrative Notes for Familial Posterity
I had expected nothing less. Obstinate, waffling officials who could not provide no more than token effort towards a solution. They throughout history have acted as a gripping morass, pulling those with innovation in their minds into their depths of mediocrity. I was prepared for my proposition to have been defeated. Failure would only have meant I would get my way later rather than sooner, and under a different guise. Just as with young kittens who refuse to drink milk from a plate, these councilors would have to be shoved face-first into the drink until they realized that what I offered was in fact good for them. The doting old lord retained enough economic sense and large scope view of society to see how it would benefit the general populace. So much so as to overlook the twelve hour work day which I had expected him to voice protest to first - merely as bait for concession so as to keep more important components untouched. Not only did he not bite, he accepted the entire package without so much as a complaint.

Kathy voiced her support quickly and enthusiastically, which revealed much more than she suspected. With those such as her, a certain degree of unpredictability has to be accounted for. Given her clear economic and social standpoint, it could only be assumed that she had come to this meeting not expecting to accomplish much to her own desire. There were multiple ways that such shifts in workforce patterns as the Worker's League could be exploited by an industry such as hers to very lucrative ends. Acceptable. In this council, I have the initiative. I shall not assume that she does not posses the art of finesse - yet in not revealing this, she displayed possession of enough wisdom to keep her mouth shut against a socially united council. Insofar as I steer council in a path that spoon-feeds, or withholds progress towards her own desires - those which she could not attain alone - I will make her dance to my strings, without her realizing that she is only a rook in a game far more ambitious than her own.

---

Personal Appearences

Throughout this season, Jarvis will make the utmost effort to seem to be everywhere at once in the public eye. Central to this publicity will be his constant appearances at key WOL garrison construction sites where he gives passionate speeches on various topics. From elaborating on the good living conditions and hearty meals any man may acquire for honest work - to the glorious future of Dakhen, and the well being of their children to which they would be contributing towards in WOL. Jarvis places emphasis on the democratic model under which the organization operates and points out that this is exactly the kind of representation that these commoners have long desired and it was their chance to be part of a group that is not overseen by greedy, heartless overlords. All across the Dao'Min slums, small loaves of bread are being distributed to the poor with the Pentaphraxis crest and Worker's League insignia baked into them (see expenses). At his appearances, bushels of tomatoes also are passed to the gathering crowd in addition to the aforementioned loaves by Jarvis's even-handed entourage.

On many evenings after campaigning is such a manner, Jarvis attends dinner parties and balls hosted by nobility indiscriminately to rank, riches, or authority. In doing so, he does his best to win respect, affection and support for himself of the smaller families - while skillfully advocating the advantages of the Worker's League and playing up the belief that this council with the extensive skill of its members and his leadership would be capable of revitalizing Dakhen's economy when at the estates of wealthy and powerful families.

Jarvis has promised a candid interview with Residenz News later in the season to speak further on how he supposedly intends to bring an unprecedented degree of democratic self-governance to Dakhen through the Worker's League.

Message to Sir Ben Pella

Contribution is the least I can do to repay the centuries of the Temple's pious service to Dakhen and its people. As of the morrow' all across Dao'Min, I shall use the entirety of my families meager wealth to distribute alms of bread to those who need it most in these trying times. I would be greatly humbled if the representatives of Tallus would join me in this endeavor to provide food for the soul in conjunction with my distribution of food for the stomach to the poor who seek it. Together we may lift the eyes of every man, women and child from the ground to the bright future ahead.

Your's truly, Duke Jarvis Pentaphraxis

Message to Family Head Proctor

It has fallen unto my interest to ponder the humanity of Biosynth beings as many before me have done. As you full well know, the mind is an incredibly complex organ than not even the pre-descentionists could claim to fully understand. It is my prime projection and wish that we liberate several of these beings from their mental prison. Be it an issue of genetics, or indoctrination, we are in a position of great understanding of how to gently circumvent these mental obstacles. The human mind is far more flexible and adaptive than Biosynth engineers could even suspect - they believe that genetic manipulation can control the destiny of a human while we know the opposite with certainty. I have commissioned an under-the-table purchase with a minor company for a high price (guarantee silence) to take several beings off their hands for a significant price. Childhood mentor, I have confidence that since you managed to educate such a hard-headed youth as myself, you will be capable of breaking the mental barriers that were placed on these men and women. They will be treated as part of our family - with respect and kindness. I expect this to be a long term project, as such deep-seated blocks will certainly not be quick to remove. Raise them to the best of your abilities, friend.

Request to Steward Fitzroy

My good man, may I depend on you to meet a small request? The population statistics of Dakhen has long been neglected, and now comes a time when we require these numbers for our analysis and subsequent stimulation of the economy. I do not ask for exactitude - merely a rough, yet reasonable estimate as to the population of our glorious pillar.

Turn 2 Spending

Provide a meal and basic clothes to the destitute squatters ejected from the factories to be demolished. (1/2 asset)

Distribute alms of bread baked with the Pentaphraxis crest and Worker's League insignia to the poor of Dao'Min and a minor amount of Tomatoes during my addresses to crowds - possibly with the administrative aid and manpower from the Temple of Tallus if they deem my invitation to provide spiritual support side-by-side with our food distribution to be worthy. (1 asset)

In a secret deal with a company which has many industrial Biosynths, we purchase 4 men and 2 women for a disproportionately large sum. (1/2 asset)

[rush99999]

[FIRST POST]

Magus Nilrem
Ethereal codex lesser memory archive
Season Two of the year 3901
Thoughts on the Malkan army and plans on defense against possible attacks
Current stat readings: Assets(3) Power(5) Production(3) Influence (1) Charm(0)

So it seemed that Pillar Malka planed on coming for us once more. Even from Dakhen, Nilrem could sense the evil in Lord Prospero, a man like that is hard to discourage once his mind is set on something, and it appeared Prospero had his mind set on leveling Dakhen. Nilrem however, had his mind set on stopping Prospero. The Malkan army prepared to strike at Dakhen from across The Tempest Sea. To halt any possible advances Nilrem had devised several defensive measures.

Defensive measures

1. The Malkan army will most likely travel across The Tempest Sea to attack Dakhen. To prevent or at least slow down any advances, I will summon a terrifying sea monster referred to by pre-descent sailors as The Kraken, and release it into The Tempest Sea. To prevent any attacks on any non-enemy vessels, I will alter The Kraken's mind so that it will only attack Malkan military.


2. If the Malkan army manages to land on Dakhen ground, they will be met with a magical barrier, that keeps any metal forged by Malkan hands from passing through, this will mean that the attackers will have to abandon their war machines and anything else they have that's made of metal.


3. If the Malkan army can somehow bypass the first two obstacles, the enemy will then have to go through a rune field that surrounds Dakhen. If an ordinary person enters the rune field, the runes will do noting. But if a person with bad intentions for Dakhen enters the rune field, their minds will be filled with unimaginable fear.

Nilrem planed on putting these measures into place immediately. Nilrem would not spend a single asset on hiring help, he was perfectly capable of setting up these defenses himself. Nilrem did not plan on consulting with the rest of The High Council on this matter. Current circumstances required action now rather than later.

Echos of past events nudge the tiller on my present course, I await it's reflection in the future.

-Magus Nilrem

[Skylar]

Madame Katherine Evangeline Greywind
Stats:Assets(5), Power(0), Production(5), Influence (4), Charm(2)

Mess and tangle. Transitioning from one line of biosynthesis production to an entirely new one was never an easy task, but was now merely a matter of management and direction than serious innovation now that a profile for production had been locked in.

Which still meant obscene amounts of paperwork crossing Katherine's desk she had to read and sign off on. If she didn't have her trusty maid-biosynths to serve on her around the clock, she didn't know how she'd have managed to get it all done within the span of days instead of years. Aaaand now she was giving into unsubstantiated hyperbole, not a good sign for her sanity at this point.

Cradling a glass of fine wine, Katherine waved away a maidservant with another pile of papers as she endeavored to refocus her mind. She needed a break, damn what the other councilors may say, she needed a break before she started acting and ordering irrationally and undermined both herself and Dahken with a ill-timed execution or something.

She blinked. Execution. Thats right, the city arena had just opened up again recently. She almost forgot to reserve her usual booth! Scrambling for a pad, she rapped out a message directed to the Master of the Arena to reserve a VIP booth at the arena so she could get a clear first-hand view of the bloodshed and combat. A few thoughts later, and she decided to send invitations out to her fellow councilors to join her if they wished. Wouldn't hurt to be polite and show off some wealth, unlike the pauper Jarvis was driving his family to be with his current rate of charity.

And if they chose not to drop in, she could invite Madame Vol and some of her fellow tycoons instead. Best to make arrangements sooner rather than later.

A letter to the City Arena entertainment company

Sir,

Union Laborworks expresses an interest in investing in the city arena games to ensure a sufficiently awesome spectacle for the Pillar to behold, both in financing for extending the duration of the games and the contribution of genejack "contestants" to fill out the ranks of gladiators if casualties exceed available supply of fighters. I am certain you can find plenty of uses for brutes without pain or laborers receptive to many kinds of chemical or hypnotic conditioning.

I also wish to reserve a first-order private VIP observer booth for the duration of the season's games to personally attend the show with some personal guests. I have a deep respect for the arena arts, and look forward to the events scheduled for inspiration and amusement to the masses and nobility alike.

From,
Lady Katherine Evangeline Greywind, CEO of Union Laborworks

Message to the Council

Tickets to the arena anyone? All work no play makes for a dull council. And I find the stimulation and setting of a violent arena to be quite conductive to hard questions of life and governance. Or a good place to confer with the city's elite on amicable terms.

[mpjama2]

[FIFTH POST]
Lord Robert Green
Stats: Assets (4), Power (0), Production (4), Influence (4), Charm (2)

In a dusty old office that may have been extremely fashionable and sleek back in it's day, sat Lord Robert Green typing away on a datapad. He had quite a few restless nights over the past season, and was plagued with self-doubt. Angered that he let, nay supported a law, that violated his principles was not excusable in his eyes. "For the good of Dahken.", he thought to himself as he gave his support for the Worker's League. He knew something needed to be done, that was certain. Lord Green was not willing to leave the council chambers without passing some sort of law. At least the Worker's League would help stimulate Dahken's economy, even though it is the rich using the poor for their benefit once more. Perhaps he would have been more up to the task of councilor if he was younger. "I would be little more the male-version of Greywind, but then again even at my worst I never made those Biosynth abominations", the lord mused. His typing was interrupted by a flurry of coughs, as was not an uncommon occurrence. What was not common however was a splattering of blood on the table. The old lord's eyes widened, but then he resumed his typing as he muttered: "Get the job done." The phrase reminded him of his time in the underclasses when he worked the assembly line himself. One of his peers lost his middle finger while fixing the conveyor belt, as most factory owners refuse to turn off malfunctioning machines as they are being repaired, as that would slow down production. As his friend screamed in pain while he clutched the bloody stump where his finger used to be, a manager tersely told him to get the job done. His friend worked the remaining 7 hours with his shift with a bleeding hand, he died of infection a week later. Such is the work-ethic of the underclass, you get the job done or you lose yours. This work-ethic is one that Lord Green has retained. The typing stopped, and he clicked send on his letter to Fitzroy. Lord Green sighed, and was about to grab his cane as a hologram of his secretary's head appeared on his desk with a quick chirp. The secretary was an woman twenty years younger than the Lord, but still had hair white as snow, she spoke with a hoarse voice: "My Lord, Madame Greywind requests a council meeting at the arena."

The Lord slowly rose from his seat with help from his cane: "A bit more macabre for my tastes, but this is important. Send a reply that I will be there. Oh, and call for a doctor."

"Yes, my lord.", the secretary croaked, and with a chirp the hologram dissipated. The Lord hobbled to the door, while his cane tapped along the ground.

Message to Fitzroy

Greetings Steward Fitzroy, I will grant you the funds to distribute food throughout the city. Since I am funding this venture, I will detail a few requirements in the organization for the distribution of food. Firstly, the distribution of food will be done through electronic meal-cards. These meal-cards will contain a Photo-ID of the subject, and the funds on the meal-cards will be renewed weekly as the subject requests it for a weeks worth of meals. Secondly, I do not want men subsisting on meal cards rather than on the fruits of their labor. Any man who obtains employment while they have a meal under their meal card will obtain double rations for a week. Any man who loses their job who applies for the program will not get any meals for a week. Thirdly, the priority of who is accepted into the program will be as follows; children first, then unemployed men and women based on who has been unemployed the longest. Fourthly, I will not support criminals and their ilk, anyone who has a committed a crime that is more severe than a parking/speeding ticket and does not involve stealing food is not permitted into the program. Lastly, all utensils, meal cards, and etc. will be provided by Green Industries. I will leave the rest of the organization of this program up to you Steward Fitzroy. I will give a speech on the morrow about this plan at the Arena. After this speech, quite a few people will be applying for meal cards so you should alert the Priesthood of Tallus and the Militia beforehand.-Lord Robert Green.

The old lord drafted a quick message to the owners of the Dahken Arena, detailing that he requested to give a speech before the fight, while they were angry that the Lord asked on such short notice and they had quite a few plans made already, a small donation and the leverage of a council member shut their mouths. Afterwards, he sent out the production order for the various items required for the project. The old lord chanted in his mind: "I will fix Dahken, I will make it better..

Season Spending

Bribe the Owners of the Arena to let him make a speech: .5 Assets.
Mealcard Initiative: 3.5 Assets.

Message to Madame Greywind

Madame Greywind, I will attend the Arena match. -Lord Robert Green

[DELETED324324]

[First Post]
Sir William of Dahken
(5) Power( 3) Production(1) Influence(3) Charm(2)

The streets were alive with the sound of gunfire, William and the newly created platoon he sarcastically dubbed "Jarvas' Honor" were pinned down in a shop for a training exercise, peaking his head out a shop window William took the situation in, another platoon of enemies had them pinned down, but their position could be flanked. "Easy squad, hit the back door and go around in that toon in the tail. The rest of you provide covering fire." William shouted, Easy squad did as they were told and went the long way around and ended up behind the enemy, who could either hold position or rush into the street, both were detrimental to their health. They took the latter option to try to find a new batch of cover but they were gunned down before they could even move to a new position. "Clear." William shouted, Easy squad answered back and they moved out of the shop.

They secured the rest of the fake practice street and set up a watch, and they waited William knew at some point the enemy would come through here at some point. What came next nobody wanted but they had been training for this moment. "We got a war machine Inbound." A soldier shouted before hopping down from his watch post, the war machine was a basic Malka walker, something a newly anointed knight would be in, nothing like The Judge or any higher up Knights machine, apparently pillar Dahken had a few lying around for practice. "You know the drill." William shouted and they did they were already in position, a thin but powerful wire stretched out in the mechs path, when the mech hit it, it fell and fell hard, the next part was storming the back hatch and spraying the pilot inside with a volley of paint rounds. After that process was done the order came through from on high that the "Enemy surrendered." and just like that Sir Williams company won.

Enemy losses 110 out of 135, William's platoon inflicting 40% of those losses, William's losses 27 out of 135, and those were mostly in parts where Jarvas' Honor could not reach. Training had paid off and if that wasn't enough William payed both the militia and bought them new equipment so that if Pillar Malka did decide to attack they would be in for a treat, something they would never forget.

After training, William grabbed his data pad and read over the messages he had missed. Lady Kat offering her help to William was nice, but he would not need Biosynths in the militia, not after the way both sides had trained and shown how well they performed. Training over the last season had been intense, due to Jarvas poking at William who after his comment at the last meeting drove him to run the militia through the ringer, there were rumors that some died in the training but those were only rumors and if some did die during training it was because they were weak and needed to culled out anyways. The next message was about the arena and how it had reopened. William smiled and sent a message to the arena master about wanting to join the games, he could use the winnings to better provide for the militia and the council, and sent a reply to Lady Kat's message.

To Lady Katherine

Dear Lady Katherine

Thank you for your concern Lady Katherine and your charity to the militia will not be forgotten, but after looking over the training and the progress the militia has made over the last few weeks, I believe that your biosynths will not be needed. But if you know someone who can provide the militia with better armaments, for a cheaper price that would be greatly appreciated. Also I regret to inform you i will not be able to join you in watching the games.

Sir William Of Dahken.

Message to the Arena master

Dear Sir and or Madame

I Sir William of Dahken, wish to participate in the fights, as long as the cut is good. I promise i will put on a show the crowd will never forget, in addition to this who doesn't want to see someone from the council put their life on the line to entertain the people. Just send me a list of what is fair and what is not fair in these fights and i will be happy to oblige.

Thank you
Sir William of Dahken

Asset Spending

Buying better arms for the Militia (2 Assets)
Militia pay (2 Assets) Make sure Jarvas get's the receipt (0 Assets)
Arena contestant entry fee (1 Asset)

[rush99999]

[SECOND POST]

Magus Nilrem
Ethereal codex lesser memory archive
Season Two of the year 3901
Greywind's invitation to the arena
Current stat readings: Assets(3) Power(5) Production(3) Influence (1) Charm(0)

Nilrem had came back from setting up the defensive measures he had devised when his loyal underling Deeds approached him. "Master" Deeds said "I have a message from Madame Greywind".
"What does she want?" Nilrem asked.
"She has invited The High Council to attend the arena's grand reopening fight" Deeds replied.
"Has she now?" Nilrem said with a raised eyebrow "Well seeing as I'm not busy, I guess I'll attend". Nilrem had always found arena fights quite boring, they only used people, biosynths, genejacks, and war machines in the fights, never any monsters or eldritch creatures. But seeing as the rest of The Council were coming, Nilrem decided to go for the conversation instead. Nilrem then looked at his ethereal codex and said "Codex, send the following words to Madame Katherine Greywind".

Message to Madame Greywind

Madam Greywind
Seeing as I have nothing better to do at the moment I shall accept your offer and join you at the arena.
-Magus Nilrem