((Two questions from me here: How long is a turn, time-wise, and what are the expected lifespans of our characters? It'd be nice to have children ready to take Oleb I's place before he keels over from some cold or something. He's getting on in years, after-all. Plus, children make a good excuse for me changing religions to deal with the times.))
Oleb I stood in front of a small crowd of people in the clearing at the center of town, a light breeze blowing a few lonely leaves along in the gloom of the pre-dawn twilight.
"... And the two of are united once more with her mother: grandmother, mother, and daughter joined in tranquility. May they continue to guide us in peace."
The crowd resonated once, "May they join us in peace," and all save three dispersed to begin the day's work anew. Oleb I and two men solemnly picked the young woman's corpse up, her stillborn baby held to her with a piece of animal hide, and carried her to the river. There were tears in the two men's eyes as they gently placed her on a log, tied her two it, and sent them downstream.
He spoke gently to them. "They watch over you now, and smile on your crops. There is yet work to be done; go now." One man turned and left, the other murmured a few words to his departed wife before doing the same.
---Time passes---
The noonday sun harshly beat down on the square, as Oleb once again spoke to a crowd, this one roughly 30 in size, although he couldn't count them. "Few have grown into many, and life is good. Yet my father spoke into my dreams, saying that life will be still better if we follow his plan. First, we will cover this land in a great building, the like of which none have seen before1. Our ancestors have blessed our harvests with great plenty, and some may be spared from work at the fields. Ochita will be in charge of this.2
Next, few should hold the burden of what will be done. With many, we are divided, and all must think on what we do. With the selfless rule over few, we will have great focus. With great focus: Greatness." The crowd cheered. "Now, who best to rule? My father told me of a few names:
First, Ronald "Plump of Helmets," our best hunter. His skills will be needed in the days ahead, though my father would say not why.
Next, Sheb. His lands produce the most food. The ancestors smile upon him and his lands especially, and as they will broaden their smile upon us all if he is on the council.
Then, Ochita. He is among the best of our craftsmen, and his inventiveness will serve us well.
Cyrus Wolfe will also sit on the council. His talents will mix well with those of Ochita's.
Finally, I will be on this council, to interpret the will of our ancestors.
All of us shall bear the burden of deciding what most need be done. All will be followed, and the ancestors shall continue to smile upon us."
The crowd generally spoke approval at his speech, and slowly dispersed as they discussed it. Not all welcomed the change, of course, but enough agreed. With any luck, they'd spread the word, and, combined with future speeches at the more outlying farms, they would accept it. Oleb I grinned as he thought of the new power.
1 - Or large house. It doesn't take much for them to have not seen that sort of building before. Mud walls and a thatch roof, I suspect[
2 - My action is set-up an oligarchy government, because, really now, that's what it's going to be regardless. I propose that any of us may make small changes, unless another disagrees with it, at which point majority vote decides. Major changes should be left up to vote. Not sure if I want to split up any powers or not.
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Topic: Roll-to-found-a-city-state: Shit and fan's second date. (Read 15724 times)