The Tammuz Allotment

[Random_White_Guy]

The Signatory Accord, binding and at times strangling Ephia's Well in strife, but so too a warm blanket of security from the horrors beyond in the Great Ash Desert.

One of the largest points of contention among the campaign was Sol Auk's desire to see new platform. Today, that platform was put into action. Splitting the funding to a different meeting of its own, a day before the General Assembly. With promise that Future General Assemblies will be more common every month, absent of Allotment debate. At last the Voiced would not have to sit, and await, their turn to speak.

Each of the Signatories speakers, decided in advance, came forth to answer a surprise question from Legate Sol Auk.

Tell to the Legate and the Assembled, what future holds of the Fourth.
What to come, should be given favorable portion of Allotment.
It need not be some grand portent, simply what we may expect from this month to next,
as by mandate of Accord such need be dispensed only once per month.

[hide=Sergeant Rennik Colmes]Rennik Colmes: Well. As was put so...fervently by a Voiced during last Assembly, Ephia's Well suffered a grievous blow not so long ago, and the failure fer that is one that continues to occupy my mind. It is what should remain the concerns of our Legion, moreso than the petty complaints of licenses, pickpockets and so fort.

Rennik Colmes: There remains the nagging belief in the back of my mind that fer all the cultists of the Wyrm we saw ended before the Pilgrim...some remain. Those either too cunning or too cowardly to dab themselves with its mark. Those remaining behind, fer their next moment to strike.

Rennik Colmes: Coinciding with that is the rise of...incendiary rhetoric. Heretical rhetoric. Cultists writings and warning and doom-saying. The Fourth Legion will comb through the populace with a fine-toothed comb, and pluck these dissidents out one by one.

Rennik Colmes: ...Wherever they may hide.[/hide]

To the Nadiri, the same question

[hide=Nadiri Tallariel Galayn]
Tallariel Galayn: Honored Legate. We have discussed extensively amongst ourselves, and have painstakingly sought to assess a breakdown of our needs and expenses in portent of the -
Tallariel Galayn: - shape of future days. Ephia's Well stands as a sanctuary of research and refuge, and upon this oasis we ever strive to advance and push at the limits of our knowledge and power, that we can better secure a future of prosperity. Therefore, we -
Tallariel Galayn: - the Astronomers humbly seek the following: - a sum of 15,000 dinars, to maintain our payroll, operational costs, and the necessary maintenance of the Shade, the Pylons, and the Minarets, that Ephia's Well remain warded and guarded -
Tallariel Galayn: - against the Ash Storms; -
Tallariel Galayn: - a sum of 10,000 dinars, for a research thesis on the viability of conjured defences, which shall be headed by Nadiri Lojir and prove vital should Ephia's Well come under assault by our foes; -
Tallariel Galayn: - a sum of 5,000 dinars, to resupply our lost excess fuel reserves following the great Ash Storm of Hziran, which shall be vital in ensuring that should another such occur, the Shade shall endure; -
Tallariel Galayn: - a sum of 10,000 dinars, to a research project on the study of baublium and the Shade, headed by Nadiri Mae as part of her thesis, necessary for bolstering and exploring the viability of /expanding/ the Shade's operations, and indeed, explore -
Tallariel Galayn: - the possibility of lending coverage over the /Tablet/; -
Tallariel Galayn: - a sum of 5,00 dinars, to fund expeditions to better understand the provenance of the ash storms, and, more importantly, why they are appear to be trending towards becoming harsher and more destructive, which would be /crucial/ if -
Tallariel Galayn: - Ephia's Well is to survive for the decades to come; and finally -
Tallariel Galayn: ... ahem, apologies, 5,000 dinars, for the above -
Tallariel Galayn: [A gander down at his notes...]
Tallariel Galayn: - and finally, a sum of 2,500 dinars for a research project, once more headed by Nadiri Lojir, onto the celestial effects of dedicating Gellemede as Patron of the Stele. Honored Legate, we highlight that only just last eve, there were... troubling -
Tallariel Galayn: - signs in the heavens, though the details may cause unease, and we would be honored to provide a more extensive and private report after this Allotment Assembly. -
Tallariel Galayn: - Honored Legate, the Astronomers have charted the shape of the days to come, and urge that these proposals be crucial and necessary for the prosperity and security of Ephia's Well, and pray that you may view them with favor.[/hide]

To the Balestriere, the same question

[hide=Balestreire Isotta Delmare]
Isotta Delmare: Legate Sol Auk.. You have never shied away from stating that you do not Labor for partial result. For second place.. For /stagnation/.. -
Isotta Delmare: It is with this in mind that I come to you with proposal... that would see the vision you spoke of so long ago, this stone road, be rapidly paved... -
Isotta Delmare: [A glance back to Tallariel and Colmes] It.. concerns me, that my peers here still worry about the order the Holy Sultan and his garden.. the order you quickly established, is brought forth as a threat to keep the coin flowing..
Isotta Delmare: The Well is secure. The Stele has been cleansed, etched anew. Our steel is finely honed, and our bellies /rumble/ with a hunger, Sol Auk. -
Isotta Delmare: It is time to spread our influence beyond the walls. It is time to secure.. and take what is rightfully ours in campaign.
Isotta Delmare: It will begin with outposts and supply lines - securing whatever fertile farmland we might along the lone road to the south.. roards towards the caravans.. -
Isotta Delmare: Launching points, to secure the treasures of the Ash for our citiadel. The food.. the salt.. the gold. Such will be fortified by Banda Steel.. Diplomats sent with the College's finest students.. and the Sisters, of course. to provide succor and guidance..
Isotta Delmare: To this - we ask you invest fifty five thousand dinari. No doubt the treasury will flow with ever more, once routes are secured. That is... all.[/hide]

As the new experiment underway - Gone the lengthy diatribes, the mud-flinging of the Voiced anxious for their turn to speak.
Yet two of the Crowd, the most notably quiet and reserved of the aseembled, raised to speak. To rank the Proposals.

The Krak representative makes an interesting proposal, one that may pay off with an even stronger economy to come. I'd rank them first.
I'd place the other two as tied.

I've some fondness for the Rose. And I want to see it prosper. The Astronomers do fine work with the Shade. And the Garrison? Mnh. I'd give them greater consideration if it weren't for their rabblerousers.
Namely, the one with the axes who was intent on bloodying people in the Plaza. Bad look, that.

The tension in the room, but for fleeting moment, away from the Podium as each of the honored Accord Signatory Representatives, listened in silence as the Voiced of Ephia judged them.

For better or worse, after judgement raised came the verdict. It was shared among the Chamber, but so too later raised on call for the Public.

The Labor of Allotment has concluded. Of the 110,000 dinar in reserve treasury for the Monthly dispersement. To the Cinquefoil Rose with brazen promise by La Banda Rossa of strike outwards, of new wealth, of new possibility, larger share. Though too risk.

44,000 dinar. The remaining sum split to 33,000 dinar for Sergeant Colmes' ardent promise to pursue greater and broader investigation than the recent rash of petty crime. For there are still many threats. And 33,000 dinar to Nadiri Tallariel-

For offering a rare glimpse into the workings of the Tower of Q'tolip, and the research underway by particular individuals. Sharing insights previously refused by their Zenithars. May this new dedication by the Janissary, and new transparency of the Tower, lend well to our future security.

You have your Sums. The Signatory Accord honored. May the next month with new mandate bring you each success, that Ephia's Well may flourish of dinar, security, and wonders many. Live and Drink.

Mandate set by new Legate.
A very Gold mandate, some may take to say.
Janissary speaking of disregarding petty crime, for a sizeable charitable sum.
Astronomer speaking of ambitious projects, wide swath, but also secret meetings, for a charitable sum.
La Banda Rossa speaking of marching away from the Krak and into the roads, for a charitable sum.

In stark contrast to the lamentations of last evening's crows over the Stele's recarving.

There were no sonorous calls on the bellows of outrage,
There was no fury of being cheated, overlooked, discounted,
There was no swearing of grudge and there was no promise of vengeance.

...There is simply labor to be done.

The Experiment, at least in partial first half, seems to have worked.
In under one hour's time was Allotment dispensed and the Signatories sent to their works.
Time will tell what comes of tomorrow's new "General Assembly" format.