//I've decided to settle on 1 turn = 1 week.
XV.V.MCDLXXVII (Turn 2)
It is time for the Tower Council to gather again. Senex, the Named Ones, and Towers have sat down at the low benches of the council building. Senex looked over those who have gathered, then began to speak:SENEX: "Councilmembers, welcome. Today we shall discuss and vote on two Issues, one about Sea Customs Tax, and other about Cult of the Black Sun. Let's begin with the former."
SENEX: "A group petition from numerous traders and their guilds have been brought to my household just few days ago. They are collectively asking that we lower the Sea Customs Tax from 4% to 3.5%."
Master of the Coin stood up.MASTER: "Fellow Towers, this is fourth time the merchants have been asking for the Sea Customs Tax to be lowered in last two years. We agreed to do that twice already, all the way from 6% tax, let me remind you! We have been lenient enough, councilmembers - with our last week's agreement on construction of the new Aqueduct, I would like to keep the tax income at the rate it is now. Especially that Sea Customs Tax is bringing us lately quite a lot of cash, what with the recent surge in spice and perfume trade."
He sat down, and the Senex nodded in agreement. Then he spoke again:SENEX: "The second Issue is that the clergy of the Cult of the Black Sun is asking for a permission to build a Temple inside the city walls. Currently, there are only few private houses of worship, and they're all located outside the city walls. Just five years ago, these weren't even there. We must consider carefully if we want to let this Cult spread into our city so easily, so fast."
Chief of the Centuria quickly stood up.CHIEF: "Their rites are directly clashing with the worship of the old gods that was always with us, fellow councilmembers! I've been always against such sudden spread of influence in our beloved Ragona, and I'm still against it! Last year, two more houses of worship, now they want a Temple - dare I say that half a year from now, they will want another, or maybe that we give them equal rights? Proud cities with centuries of tradition and prosperity have fallen victim to the spread of the Cult's influence in the east, and now they're puppets in the hands of their theocratic leaders. I say no to their schemes."
Senex began to speak after the Chief sat down.SENEX: "Do we lower the Sea Customs Tax? Do we let foreign religion to take deeper roots in our city? It is now time to discuss these matters."
Senex struck the marble floor of the building with his iron staff three times.//DAY phase of the Tower Council has begun. It is now 4:44pm local time, and this phase shall end about 4:44pm tomorrow. I can of course extend the time if you need to discuss these matters more.