Palatial Audit

[Random_White_Guy]

Tabbah 7788 Palatial Audit
By Celebyuin Hui'nalyw
Scribe of the Sublime Garden
Office of Means and Measure

I pick up this quill in a curious time, both for myself and for the city of Ephia's Well. We are in the throes of War. We are amidst what many called "Barely avoiding Civil War". We are losing ground in the Southern Theater and the Eastern Theater has been stymied by the half-measure of a failed conscription.

Yesterday, during the Victory Speech of Legate Marcellus Saenus he chose to turn it into an open Forum on his co-legate and the current state of Ephian affairs. It was declared the Treasury held 13,000 dinar. By word of the Chief Scribe Frederica Ashbury, as of seven hours ago it sat at 11,794 dinar. In nine days time, with small breath given from property tax, Ephia's Well will be bankrupt.

For the next seven days, the Legate of Gold is away in Ka'esh and nothing of weight or merit to solve this crisis can be remedied. Effectively a political stalemate - while what little is had left dwindles.

If this comes to pass Vital services will be shut off. It is presumed the Astronomers still have funds, so the Shade shall stand...for a time. They tell us though not to presume to know how long such wil llast. But all of the government-sponsored programs such as the Hasheema's Hope Initiative and more will be terminated.

The Sisterhood's district funds have been implemented for purpose and expended and cannot be touched. I do not say this to alarm or ferment strife but for indisputable and factual transparency. To counter this crisis, the Chief Scribe has ordered me to conduct Audit.

The Office of Means and Measure has been raised to perform Financial Archaeology, to track through the ages past of similar crisis, the current crisis, and tabulate avenues to a possible solution before the worst can come to pass.

In the same spirit of transparency I will be using these volumes to share my investigatory notes. That while I dig into the crises of the past, in time perhaps others may come to learn.

A combination of high stakes puzzle, political gamesmanship, and situational hindrance with a hand behind one's back.

End Introduction.

[Random_White_Guy]

Tabbah 7788 Palatial Audit
By Celebyuin Hui'nalyw
Scribe of the Sublime Garden
Office of Means and Measure

The First Measure: Immediate hemorrhaging.

For a bustling metropolis that is not wholly unexpected that crime ebbs and flows and there is a lare legal system in place. It allows a coverage of day and night per the Ashfolk and Baz'eelan sleep cycle as needed by the Sultan's Janissaries who must around the clock ensure peace and order are kept.

Save three matters of concern:

Firstly, be it by gravity of the War or by distraction, there has been One trial held in Ephia's Well since Maribeh 17th, which was Maribeh 18. For context, Legate Argent Argent Argyris was not elected until Maribeh 20th. That is an entire Legate's time in Office where there was not a Trial held. In fact the Last trial was against accusations of his White League rival being a plant placed by himself.

However, This is not an Audit of the Hall of Jurisprudence, nor of the Fourth Legion's investigative efforts. This is a matter of means and measures, of weight, of abacus, of finance.

Secondly: There sit in maximum capacity of Ephia's Well Two Legates, Two Prelates, and Four Magistrates. Individuals empowered to oversee trials and assist in matters judicial. This is, under most circumstances, a good measure to have in place given the population and size of Ephia's Well. It ensures political engagement but so too that the Bureaucratic wheels are not disjointed.

However there sits a third matter, which raises the second into concern.

Thirdly: The present wage of Prelate and Magistrate is 11 dinar per allotted labor unit. Which lends to very simple arithmetic.

Legates Wage of 15 Dinar, two is Thirty.
Prelate Wage of 11 Dinar, two is Twenty-Two.
Magistrate Wage of 11 dinar, Four is Fourty Four.

It all points in singular direction: Ninety Six Dinar per allotted Labor Unit is being siphoned off from our Treasury for redundant Legal purposes. Some is forgivable in Governance, expected even, but not in times such as this.

The Legates are required to undertake many duties, risk, and orchestrate projects so such is understandable they paid so much. Bribes must be paid, and more. Prelates are often required to sit in or undertake duties the Legate cannot. Again, a somewhat justifiable wage if not one that could be slightly reduced. But at this point it is a matter of split hairs.

The Magistrates though? Therein is the first immediate solution. With the transition from Legate Balstan to Legate Marcellus, the Purple Legate has charitably agreed to forego the traditional naming of replacement Magistrates until this crisis has passed.

Two seats empty means Twenty-Two dinar is returned to the Treasury each allotted labor unit. Effectively hundreds of dinar a day saved for men and women who in practice have very little activity to partake of. Doubly so considering there are potentially still six people who can do the job.

It is the firmest recommendation of this office that Magistration be reduced to One per Legate with the rise of Prelates being authorized to sit and oversee Trial. Six individuals able to tend the lack of trials underway still is excessive, but would allow one of each Legate to name a Prelate and Magistrate to act in their stead.

After all - For 10 years time, Prelate was a non-existent posting and Magistration handled internally. It was not until 7787 these "Titles" were codified and brought into everyday life in Ephia's Well.

Such though is for debate and discussion once, if, Crisis passes.

End Volume 1

[Random_White_Guy]

Tabbah 7788 Palatial Audit
By Celebyuin Hui'nalyw
Scribe of the Sublime Garden
Office of Means and Measure

Second Measure: State-Gifted Title and Wage.

Action cannot be taken without due consideration of facts. This is the foundation of both Archaeology and Accounting.

To whit herein lay the Titles and Wages of the City of Ephia's Well during this current crisis.

Prelates: Naelin Karstwen and Gedwyr Karstcleft
Wage: 11 dinar per Allocated Labor Time Unit

Magistrates: Isaac Naught and Bruce Fanefuff
Wage: 11 dinar per Allocated Labor Time Unit

Palatial Physician: Ashley Scherwin
Wage: 1 dinari per Allocated Labor Time Unit

Palatial Architect: Zalthar Stonefield
Wage: 3 dinar per Allocated Labor Time Unit

Palatial Engineer: Cogsworth Clockhand
Wage: 0 dinar per Allocated Labor Time Unit

Vizier: Arymathras al-Almadel
Wage: 3 dinar per Allocated Labor Time Unit

Deputy Chief Scribe: Aaisha al-Samar
Wage 0 dinar per Allocated Labor Time Unit

Hakem of the Wheel: Nesilhan bint-Zuhal
Wage: 8 dinar per Allocated Labor Time Unit

Expeditionary Captain:Mirielle Rosseau
Wage: 15 dinar per Allocated Labor Time Unit

Mirliva:Emilia Laurentis
Wage: 1 dinari per Allocated Labor Time Unit

"The Dragon": Argent Argyris
Wage: 50 dinar per Allocated Labor Time Unit

"Cleverest Woman in the World": Sister Nebtu
Wage: 1 dinari per Allocated Labor Time Unit

Two Legates at 15 Dinar per allocated Labor Time Unit.

This brings our total to 156 ALTU.

Of additional note:

28 Dinar per ATLU to the Cinquefoil Rose (Expeditionary Captain 15, Magistrate 11, Mirliva 1, Cleverest Woman in the World 1)

12 Dinar per ATLU to the Apothar (11 Magistrate, 1 Palatial Physician)

And given the scope of the Monochromatic Pyramid it should come as no shock that majority of this is delivered to the Gold League's coffers.

With the average ALTU at ten minute intervals, six per hour, effectively:

Our treasury is on its worst days bleeding Nine Hundred and Thirty Six Dinar an Hour from Titles.

Per the request of the Chief Scribe the first focus shall be speaking with these individuals, of their duties, of their undertakings, of their appointment, of their wage, and potential possible avenues for budgetary cuts.

They shall not be pleasant conversations but considering the gravity of what to come - Such will be carried out.

End Volume 2