Messages

[Alejandro]

Alejandro,

This shall be the final time I broach the subject, but I would be remiss to not make a final attempt.

You said if the Scholars of the College sought to raise you, you would call it duty and rally to sit as Legate.

Duty though is not a matter that may be mangopicked.

Whatever your objections you have said you are first and foremost an Archaeologist.

You yourself had said your livelihood was under attack.

You yourself said in the Souk that your hope was dwindling.

You yourself said that this though not a rational decision.

As Legate of the First Seat of Ephia's Well, in all official capacity I may muster.

Please.

Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-Marain
Of The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat

[Sergeants,]

Sergeants,

I hope to speak with one or as many of you as I may in the coming days. We near conclusion of the negotiations regarding Shaimela's Splendor, the new District to be raised at the Sand Gate.

While we await word from our northern investors, The Pyramid requires logistics of what is required from the Fourth Legion for expansion of patrol and security both during construction and once the District is completed.

Seek me, let us speak, and move this long drawn ordeal to a splendid conclusion.

Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-Marain
Of The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat

[Lyrist]

Lyrist,

Per your request I have found avenue to alleviate the debt that Balladeer Koji has incurred.

Seek Legate Akna at your leisure.

I know it may not have come how you desired, but I do honor my word.

Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-Marian
Of The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat

But one cycle of the Demon's unbearable heat after La Banda Rossa's endorsement, comes another...

Gausim al-Marain
Live. And Drink. With the Call to Prayer concluded, as we conversed on the nature of charity, of justice, of more I am moved to rejoice. For this night, indeed, when Iyar's Blossoms announce themselves, I announce news.

In the words of Seer Rebecca, who was dispatched from the right hand of the Abbess,

"I have come now because she sees in this moment a momentous, hopeful occasion; not only for we of the Sibylline Sisters, but for all of Ephia's Well..."

The Sisters of the Sibylline Sisterhood have given support for the Sand Gate to be the location for the new District. No longer named the Rose District. Moving forward it shall, as Hasheema is honored in Hope, be known as Shaimela's Splendor.

Auction is to come to see to the conclusion of the 500,000 dinar raised. Investors we await word upon. And at long last we move one step closer to this new era of Ephia's Well. Live. And Drink.

[THE FIRST SEAT'S CHARITY AUCTION]

THE FIRST SEAT'S CHARITY AUCTION

I am pleased to announce a combined charitable effort - Betwixt the Legate of the First Seat and the Priory. An Auction will be held, to be announced in coming days, providing quite a few items which may draw interest to the populace.

In the coming days Sister Selsi and others of the Priory shall be seeking Merchants who wish to charitably contribute their stock.

Proceeds shall be donated to the District Fund.

Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-Marain
Of The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat

[Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-MarainOf The Great Temple of Baz'eelLegate of the First Seat]

Esteemed Zenithar,

I have told your Apothar Three, I have told your Nadiri, I have told many. If you seek charges raised you need only speak with the Legion. They shall gladly take a report from one of your status, or you are welcome to send one of your Apothar, or indeed even Nadiri. Though as we spoke in the tower some of them are positively kulkundic and I suppose that is where the disconnect is borne.

Cases are not hard to open, investigations are not hard to request carried out. It merely is a matter of taking the time, of which many of your Apothar seem to prefer just... not. Perhaps it is rooted of past feuds with the Sultan's fourth, I could not say.

But I wish to reaffirm that if you wish to pursue a trial against anyone, even yes, Magistrate Qari - Simply see report to the Legion. None of my Cabinet are given preference or protection - as shown by the joint efforts of the Tower and Legion against that same "door-to-door furniture salesmen in the Creep".

As for license, if such is your Tower's mandate, it will not be asked anew.

Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-Marain
Of The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat

[Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-MarainOf The Great Temple of Baz'eelLegate of the First Seat]

Walked in tandem? Who are you fooling, Gausim? From our first meeting, in the name of Providence, you believed yourself above me, above any human who came before you. If I have been pushed, pressed, frustrated-- it is by perspectives like your own, all too common. Those who believe that what they possess places them above the rest.

In tandem, yes. We shared time at the Mound, we shared many nights at the Temple of the Mother, we walked the City, we spoke at length, we were as fellow Ordained of the Wheel should be. We did not see eye to eye, but there was a camaraderie. One you have systematically sought to sever in spite.

In our first discussion you lashed out "At them", my discussion on providence was in answer to your question of "Why should you get Voice and we don't.". I do not believe I am "Above" humanity, I simply believe that in this Desert my people have survived and thrived for generations and milennia while you and other newcomers arrive believing you know what is best. Because you "Feel it", because you "Believe it", and more.

These things are not to be discounted but they are not foundational bedrocks of Civilization. As proven time and again by the deeds and actions of the Refugee. The violence against one another, the harming of themselves, the feuding, the murders, the maimings, the strife. Your own... I do not even know what to call it. Commune? Your own Commune's rhetoric.

How many bellows of One Hundred Spears against La Banda Rossa. How much violence sown upon others who are not La Banda Rossa. How much talk of the Piety against the Dome. How many of the Wheel have you brutalized.

Even at my lowest point, I have placed my faith in the Wheel and the Wyld over my fellow man. I've not highlighted the 'worst' of this settlement. I've simply highlighted...this settlement. I won't allow you to squint those glassy eyes of yours and see only the parts you prefer of Ephia's Well. I'm repeating myself but seeing how you didn't acknowledge it-- society is the sum of its parts, its best and brightest as well as the ugly underbelly. You can't have one without the other; intrinsically and innately tied together.

And how long did you permit your companion to imbibe the Dretch Drink? She was a Ghuul long before the curse caught up with her. The lust for flesh, for blood, for violence. How far into Kula's teachings did you and she get, as you sought to sway her path away from damnation?

Or as so many did you merely realize, far too late, that things have gotten too far?

Jordan Clearcreek shared she knew she had gone off the cliff's edge when she felt safer hiding out in the Krak de Rose than in Ephia's Well. Her hatred, her malice, her venom twisting her.

You say the best and worst of society are intrinsically and innately tied together - and yet gaze well at this parchment.

Through my, as you so eloquently say, "Glassy eyes" of mine.

You are not exiled for your transgressions, there is no price on your head, even the demands for your capture are only by minority.

No. It is not we beating and robbing the Creepfolk. No orders have been given to Banda Rossa to fill their jars of Pitch and begin dumping them into the Sewers. No poisonous gasses have been released through the Worm Pits. No abominations wrought upon the Creep from the Astrologians. No Janissary patrols are crashing the unprotected, barricaded, defenseless hole you have chosen to hide in.

You hold no "Grand Fort" capable of stopping one Legion, let alone Multiple, let alone the Accord.

It is our mercy, our civilized nature, and our charitable hope that you may still redeem those you have allowed to fall so far from the path that has stayed hand.

Yet a handful of ill-tempered, well meaning, refugees who do not know better went after Ariel and your cabal have begun to hunt them - or so the rumors and the evening howls of Lucia say.

This is what the Sultan's hand has sowed. And we reap the fruit day by day, week by week. Everything taken from above goes below. One hand gives, one hand takes-- that is the way of Kula.

Enjoy your secular successes, Gausim. In time you'll chafe against the limits of your role. And when that time comes, I'm sure we'll speak again.

This is not what the Sultan's hand has sown. Qari bade Marcellus stay his hand at Red Hill when the Astronomers begged for the Egg. Nasreen has counseled many of the leagues to seek reformation over the blantant strife. Soldier Daoud has chosen path to see the Legion's investigative procedures improved. Magistrate Faisal has begun drafting from my ideas of a civil court the means to see to Judicial reform and civil law to aid in settling disputes amicably.

These actions, these are what the Sultan's hand have sown by the faithful of the Wheel and those who see the world through "Glass eyes" as you so brusquely sought to claim in crude and ill tempered colloquialism.

The hardship faced, the difficulties known, the agonies inflicted, the terrors wrought. This is what Humanity has sown. With majority of the Leagues attended by Humanity, with majority of the Legates having been human, the Human Janissary, the Human astronomers, the Humans of the Rose.

This is what you have sown. You could fundamentally improve the Creep at every conceivable level. But you will not, because your allies do not want that. Then they would not have their outlaw soldiers to arm, their necromancers to befriend until it was time to snap neck, the brooking that is overlooked until it is given no more leeway.

Of my own though?

Yes. I do enjoy my secular successes, as much as I have enjoyed my Ecclesiastical successes. The faith of the Dome recedes like a tide drawing back to the sea. The Legion, the Rose, and more have members taking more to the faith of B'aara, working to raise the settlement further, learning more of culture, of art, of faith, of building a future.

My role is without limits. For I sit anointed by God and Princess alike to improve this city. And piece by piece, I am.

No amount of burning this world will sate you. The amount of malice and wickedness you protect and foster in the name of "Seeing good done for the common man" is a fallacy, else you would attend the Almhouse as I and so others do.

But no. You do not fight for the common man. You do not fight for the hungry, for the weeping, for the sickly.

You fight for degenerates, for the wicked, for the cruel.

You choose violence. You choose barbarism. You choose to harm others.

The misery you spread, the pain you cause, it is a temporary salve, a fleeting quiet of your tormented soul. It compounds with every deed taken. And worst of all you seem to believe you are correct in such things.

And for that, the Mother Weeps.

Perhaps it was wrong to shame you,

Perhaps it is more proper to pity you.

Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-Marain
Of The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat

[Balladeer Siegward]

Balladeer Siegward,

I am pleased to share the fruits of our discussion have come to pass.

While it is not a law I could get enshrined to allow only the Voiced, I have no intention of empowering the Voiceless.

Seek me and we can negotiate what shall see you the first Voiced to enjoy Arms Bearing, with Authorization from the First Seat.

Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-Marain
Of The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat

[Astronomers of Q'tolip]

Astronomers of Q'tolip,

I have been informed that Legate Domnhall unilaterally declared prohibition of license upon Citizen of Baz'eel, Qari Alriyh.

As one Legate enacted such, one revokes it.

While it is known you have your scholarly debates and sparring with my Magistrate, I endeavor to seek the return of his Archaeological and Divination Licenses of which he had previously purchased through legal and proper channels.

A simple enough request I imagine considering what was garnered for you in the last day.

Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-Marain
Of The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat

[Soldier Diadys,]

Soldier Diadys,

An appointment I welcome,

And indeed, my apologies as we both it seem have let come through by ink what should be shared in person.

A great many of the Legion in the past have taken to unorthodox actions in an end-around endeavor to hoping Politics may countermand their Superiors orders. It is heartening to learn this not the case. A gift I shall prepare for your arrival, and ask your forgiveness.

Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-Marain
Of The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat

Gausim al-Marain
Good and true Voiced Citizens. Fair friends. I beg a moment of your time. When I was anointed by the Crown Princess, to sit as Legate of the First Seat, I declared let resume the rule of Governance. It brings me no small joy to announce, that this a day of days.

Of the Ecclesiastic Bureaucracy it fills me with a difficult to describe euphoria, to announce that Balestriere Vico Rasca has committed to seek the Wheel. That Recluta Dralnu, Priest of the Warrior, shall attend his Re-baptism to welcome him among the Warrior Elio l'Aquila, Hazezon, Hu Prak, and more.

But I do not bring only one piece of news. No. Of the Secular Bureaucracy, La Banda Rossa has shifted their position. They lend wholly and by contract, their support that The Gate of Sand shall be the location of the new District of Ephia's Well.

As we speak dispatches are sent northwards - To the Nadim District Ash & Sail Company, an Aviation Company. Ghalish and Sons, a Gem Mining gonglomerate, Hanahara Textiles, the largest clothing Manufacturer of Baz'eel, Gohari Heavy Machinery, a defense corporation.

Ah, forgive... my elation. It flows like the Mother's tears, I rejoice so. An Aviation Company, a Mining Conglomerate. But so too the Great Temple of Baz'eel. That we may see investments come forth, that we may at last see ground broke. I pray my Co-Legate shall agree to this news...

Aurelio d'Lyon
I congratulate Vico on taking one step towards redemption by embracing the Wheel as his pantheon. This news of La Banda Rossa turning against the rest of the Rose regarding the new district shall not go down unnoticed however.

Gausim al-Marain
But I do not require her for this progress made - One half of authorization is hereby granted to Vico Rasca for descent. And know that Legate Akna and I have received the Priory of the Sybaline Sisterhood's request for shift to the Sand Gate. We shall convene on such in coming days.

And if such affirmed, we pray the Balladeers shall seek us the same. That this matter may come at long last, to conclusion. Live and Drink.

[Magistrate,]

Magistrate,

Per our discussion, my collection of submissions from my briefest tenure as magistrate.

Help yourself to peruse but the Civil Procedure was my second Counsel to Legate Domnhall.

Therein quite a few case examples but also some suggestions for procedure and protocols, as well as limitations.

Your thoughts welcome though.

Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-Marain
Of The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat

[Honored Waterbearer Guasim al-MarainOf The Great Temple of Baz'eelLegate of the First Seat.]

Much of your letter you already know the answer to.

Water is given freely, and you know this, you have seen Hasheema's Hope. As is Food. And Bunk. But there is one line that must be addressed.

How will you treat this patient, Water-Bearer, to borrow from my earlier metaphor?

That is your choice, not mine, Jerrod. Our doors remain open to any who adhere our laws, assimilate to our customs, adhere to our paths.

There was a time we walked in tandem. Meeting in the White League, your visits to the Temple. When your cantankerous streak actually felt that it at least was coming from a place of frustrated decency. A man who was pushed and decided to draw a line in the sand.

Now though?

Where as I have succeeded in every one of my goals by placing my faith in both the institutions and the peoples of this settlement...

You? You have failed this settlement. Repeatedly. Arson, as if a child throwing tantrum gets his way. Assault and Murder, as if it brings anything but renewed suffering. Theft, as if you lack for Dinar or have ever wanted for anything working your boardwork making your fortunes. Treason, empowering and emboldening open cries for usurping.

You have not improved the Creep, nor this settlement, you've only highlighted the worst of it. Encouraged the Refugee to debase themselves with thinest veil of justification. You have not brought of Kula, you have only taken.

Selfishly, eagerly, ravenously, insatiably. Feeding your basest instinct with the belief that you do it for others so it is permissive.

Now you seek to prop yourself up as some populist figure, a man worthy of contending with the Voiced, with the Pyramid, the Chosen of the Voiceless, using the Almhouse.

I hope you appreciate the ironic gravity dripping from these words.

You have learned well. The Mango does not fall far from the tree.

But you have not learned from Dearest Kula,

Gaze upon the names etched upon those boxes in the Almhouse behind the soup table.
Recognize the footsteps you now walk,
You ganganeer who seeks to use the sanctity of the Almhouse
To cleanse your name in a mockery of peace and open communication.

You have become Riccario Cassella

Shame on you.

Honored Waterbearer Guasim al-Marain
Of The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat.

[Legislative Reform]

Legislative Reform
Gausim al-Marain

Legislation at its core is a fundamental practice. The Voiced of Ephia's Well have been emboldened with a chance most in this Great Ash desert may never consider, in the Sultan's infinite wisdom and most charitable spirit. Ka'esh? Qadira? Il Modo? You believe these rulers would be so benevolent and so gracious to allow their Penal Code to be so malleable?

To this though I say a great many of the Voiced have a misunderstanding of what, or why, Legislative reform is. To assist in this matter I will be drafting this treatise to help stoke, I hope, the Voiced to be more vocal of their legal proposals and take a more active role as is their duty in the shaping of Ephia's Well.

Part 1: The Fundamentals of Law

At its core the Stele of Law is a symbolic representation of the Sultan's presence. However as said previously it is the chance for the Voiced to be the advocates of their own future. A Voiced who runs a mercenary company will see this world with a different view than a Voiced who serves in the Janissaries, than a Voiced who attends as a Scribe, a Voiced who spends his day selling wares in the Souk.

The beauty of the Stele is that it is able to be so changed.

In Ephia's Law this comes by three matters.

Firstly - The Legates may simply agree on a matter and see it enacted.

Secondly - The Assembly may use their allotment of time with the Legates to raise proposal among their peers.

Third - The Voiced may approach the Legates and seek to convince them.

Each option presents different difficulties but so too different opportunities.

The failing is a majority seek only the Second option - Presenting a half thought out law with little consulting of the Scribes, the Legates, other Voiced, of what a truly useful law would be. The resulting actions a matter of the Voiced swiftly leading into debate, insult, conflict, and ultimately a stalling of Legal proceedings.

[close]

Part 2: The Forming of Law

To get Both Legates to agree on a matter is no simple thing. It takes time, patience, compromise, and due diligence. Our duties are manifold and getting us to weigh in on a matter at times can be distracted by Accord threat, security issue, demands of the Pyramid, demands of the Sultanate, or other presses upon our time.

It is my fundamental belief that the best course of action in enacting a Law is for a pair of Voice, of two different Leagues, to meet and discuss the merits and failings of a proposed law. Find what works, find was does not work, speak with one another. Partake of scholarly and seasoned debate. Engage in the processes to the fullest.

Then, when you have both hammered out the details - Endeavor to seek the Assembly or the Legates.

There is merit to either avenue but it would prevent the most common practice of people showing up with a half-thought law that is left to wilt on the Assembly Floor.

[close]

Part 3: The Convincing of Legates

This however presents the final obstacle. Some have in the past sought to use Voiced Assembly pressure to sway the Legates into making a decision on a matter. Others have sought more private debate and audience, making appointments with the scribes, bouncing from office of Legate to Legate in hopes of progress made. Some believe like the elections if you are able to buy, bribe, or convince enough Voiced to raise their voice it shall be a chorus too loud to be ignored. Others believe more private pleas to Legates brings swifter progress, absent of theatrics, with gracious gift and new idea.

The answer, regrettably, is that there is no one true answer to enact whatever you desire. Each Legate has different ambitions, different views of the City, and a differing idea on what ought and ought not be codified upon the Stele of Law.

Patience is a virtue all too commonly known but when it comes to legislative agenda you must be prepared to flow as the endless river Edutu. Carve the massive canyon with persistent pressure but a willingness to ebb in some areas, flow in others. This the nature of compromise. This the nature of improvement. This, the nature of convincing.

[close]

At its core though there is a need for more Legislative participation from the Voiced. It is a duty, an opportunity, and a privilege that is squandered by so many who have found their way to this once illustrious Status.

To assist I present a small list of recent legal changes and their merits.

As well as proposed laws for the future that may be worth weighing.

The Reformation of Assault - Legate Akna and I were rightly appalled by the maiming of Hamdan al-Hamdan and the eye-taking of Radislav. She proposed the law be changed to raise it to Capital charge. The Deputy Chief Scribe suggested this come from a place of clarity and also the adding of Magical Assault to the Stele. This, was a good negotiation and a fair law.

The Revoking of Accomplice - A wide sweeping, vague, authority giving law which was convoluted, poorly written, and in many ways could be used to exploit any considerations. The Legate Akna and I came to agreement that this must be repealed.

Neither of these actions were robust, overly contentious, and somewhat boring. But such is the nature of the duty.

Let them be considerations of ways current laws may be improved, the Penal Code be stripped of overly complex notions, or possible alternatives to the present way matters attended.

In conclusion a list of Laws which, while they may be contested, all have a kernel of possibility.

Let your imagination guide your hands, oh Voiced, when penning and proposing Law.

Potentially Enacted Laws

Voiced Oblige - That the Voiced of Ephia for their efforts may be permitted Two rolls in conflict of spoils.
Minor: Resistance of or ignoring of such practice by the Voiceless.

Merchant Privilege - The prohibition of those not of the Gold League in partaking of the Stalls of the Souk of Salt and Spices, ensuring those who partake of the craft are true professionals dedicated to the craft and not merely boardworking hucksters. Minor Charge.

Political Fraudulence - The proven action of misrepresentation of a Political League's sworn tenets, active duties, and set Agenda. Charge: Serious & Dishonorable Discharge from League.

Bearing Military Armament - The action of wearing Chainshirt or Heavier, Non-Accord, without authorization of al Legate, Minor Charge. The action of wielding a weapon, as a Non-janissary, without authorization of a Legate, Serious Charge.

Voiced Negligence - The act of the Voiced participating in unvoicely Actions. Minor: Excessive disruptions of Assembly or travel into The Creep. Serious: Owning property within the Tablet, Creep, or Non-Baz'eel Foreign Settlement. Capital: A proven track record and noted pattern of refusing to engage in Civil Procedure as Voiced aside from election profiteering.

Consumption of Prohibited Material - Minor: Possessing or espousing the works of notable charlatan and dissident Fornato.

Illegal Possession of Trophy - The criminal act of stripping upon the field of battle amidst active conflict, or knowingly concealing prize, secured from the villainous champion and chosen heroes of the Monstrous, malicious, or craven. Charge - Capital.

Economic Sabotage - The criminal act of knowingly undercutting established market potion rates absent of just cause, agreed contract for reduced cost, or as debt for service rendered. Charge - Serious.

Election Tampering - An active ban upon the act of raising a Voiced of Ephia's Well during time of Primary or Election, unless one is an arriving Citizen of Baz'eel. Charge: Capital.

[close]

[Legate]

Legate,

As we had taken to discussing so much legal revision tonight, as I prepared for my evening prayers I was left with a passing thought.

What if we were to codify the mercenary practices, as a means to incentivize more seeking the Voiced status?

Voiced Oblige

Per their status, donation, and dedication to Ephia's Well the Voiced are hereby granted TWO rolls in disputes over Boardwork spoils. Minor.

Minor: Voiceless who oppose such shall be guilty of Breach of Voiced Oblige.

Undoubtedly many of the Krak de Rose and others who eschew voice, will flock eagerly at the chance of future profits.

Honored Waterbearer Gausim al-Marain
The Great Temple of Baz'eel
Legate of the First Seat.