Your settlers are unskilled debtors mostly men with few women. 25% women and 75% men. few children will be on the first trip. There will be 50 not including the councilors and experts. Also the king would like to introduce vashtanuerotic as a councilor to the group.

@ Jamie: Lord Byron the Reliable

75% of 50 leaves us with half and 37.5 men. I know Vash is half man-half amazing, but you said the councilors don't count towards those numbers. So, 38 or 37 men?

*75% of 50 leaves us with 37.5 men.

So, what are the tenets of our religion?

Dear councilors,

I do not have much time to contribute right now but I will do what I can when I can. For now, this is my opinion and you may take this to be my official vote on this matter.

Experts:

Sir Charles - First Aid would be a huge addition to our cause. It could easily save us or one of our experts. He would also be capable of providing us information about first aid were he to succumb to an illness or his age on the way. Even if this occurs, he can help us stay safe and provide us a safer passage in the future.

Father Julius - Again, it would be extremely important to bring on first aid, but it would be reckless to allow preaching of an unfamiliar faith, particularly if he prefers to think of these people as "barbarian heathens." They are unlikely to be welcoming to paternalistic thought. They believe their ideas are better just as we believe ours are better. Father Julius' preaching could endanger us all.

Farmer Franz - His expertise will be valuable, and I have no issue allocating him space for his own crops. I also have no issue with him bringing his family along. I see no downside.

Admiral Banton - He does not ask for payment, but I expect that that will cause just as many problems as it would benefits. Because he doesn't expect payment, where is his loyalty coming from? Having already shown that he has a lust for power and does not appreciate the idea that we will preside above him to the King, payment would be the way to keep him on our side. With his added benefits will almost certainly come added problems and if we plan to take him, we should also find some way to appease him preliminarily without forgoing our own power.

Lieutenant - I would love to bring a young soldier but I feel that his services will not be useful right away whereas the Admiral will allow us to create long-term plans. The fact that he needs to be paid more to do less makes it utterly clear to me that we should take the Admiral instead unless it becomes obvious that the Admiral will become a greater problem.

Rancher Ross - I do not like the idea of bringing someone who will likely not live very long. Plain and simple, we should leave him behind.

All told, I would prefer to bring Sir Charles, Farmer Franz, and Admiral Banton on our voyage.

(I am rounding up on men. Sorry should have clarified. My spreadsheet has the numbers and I have the notes on starting points but I didn't write if I rounded up or down. Apologies)

@coucilor vash- our faith is one of righteousness. The king, he who is closest to God, has lead our faith for centuries. We follow many tenets of his word, and we follow them without fail. (Consider it a monotheistic faith, in which the king is closest to God. The faith is very western, consider it a close faith to Catholicism.)

In our religion, does God speak directly to the King/does the King speak for our God?

Esteemed Councilors,

I believe that we should select the following experts:
1) Father Julius
2) Admiral Banton
3) Rancher Ross

I would recommend selecting Father Julius because the good father can commune directly with our lord and savior the God of Classica! Having high spirits, morale, and faith will be very important for our trip to the New World and the primitive, primordial, horrors that we may confront there. Affirming our faith shall be an important task and Father Julius can help with this task. Likewise, Admiral Banton is an experienced military commander. The Admiral can help us construct the first wall around our settlement and I believe it will be important to fortify our settlement in the New World before expanding outwards. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Rancher Ross will be an invaluable ally in our venture. Rancher Ross will supply us with foodstuffs and allow us to replenish our forces. It will be important to take an esteemed rancher with us because if we fall into dire times his aid will be invaluable. Just imagine if there is a harsh winter, flood, or global calamity! What if there is a war in the homeland while we are away and no merchant vessels can cross the great sea? We may starve without an esteemed ally such as Rancher Ross.

Now, the blueprints pose an interesting question. Should we prepare for fortification, settlement, and future prosperity in the new world? Or shall we rush to find the precious ore in the ground? I say that if our venture is to be a long one then we should prepare first for food. The iron ore and silver will be there when we are better prepared for it. First, we should concentrate on establishing a well, defended, and supplied settlement. This settlement will survive based on Rancher Ross and our own research into food production.

The charter of our colony should be one that accomplishes two aims. First, we must prepare a charter that establishes “majority rule” but also preserves the rights of the “minority.” We must make sure that the minority and their views are protected and enshrined in the charter, but that business and our ventures can also proceed through a simple majority vote. Second, we must prepare a charter that establishes a strong central authority. The central authority will be key as the central authority, preferably an elected High Commissioner, Viceroy, or Military Governor will be in direct contact with the King and Priesthood of Classica. The central authority will handle the executive day to day of the colony while we the council handles the legislative matters. The central authority will be elected to a non-consecutive term and have the option of being reinstated after another authority is chosen. The judiciary, while important, should be handled by the central authority as our colony is too small to give powers of the judiciary over to the people. For now, we should let this strong, central authority, run the judiciary and make those decisions in accordance with the by-laws and laws at home in the same manner as our King wields them.

-Councilor ND

councilor trip- our people view the king as the mouthpiece of God speaking the words of our father and enforcing the will of God.

Any soldiers coming with or will we have to create our own fighting force?

Here's a run down.

Experts:

Sir Charles
Pros: First Aid, possibility of training soldiers?
Cons: Old

Military training will absolutely be important at some point - but is it worth the risk of him dying?

Father Julius:
Pros: First aid, religion
Cons: Religion

Unsure here. Religion is a two edged sword. We could come into struggle with the locals over it, but it can also be a powerful weapon of persuasion. Religion is very good for controlling people, which is what we want.

Farmer Franz:
Pros: Farming benefits
Cons: Illness, loss of first field

Franz is more of an investment. We will have lower growth at first due to the loss of our second field, but overall it will be profitable. Food will be the most important resource to grow our colony. Watch out for his sick mother - could it spread?

Admiral Banton:
Pros: Defense, leadership, training
Cons: Treason?

A very good choice, but one to be careful of. Leadership and defense are important, but we must take him seriously, yet be firm. If we are going to take him on, I recommend a strong representation on our military side. The last thing we need is a coup.

Lieutenant Troop:
Pros: Defense, training
Cons: Silver

I'm not thinking the first thing we need to be doing is paying off our soldiers. Better to go with someone relatively maintenance free.

Rancher Ross:
Pros: Husbandry, production
Cons: Health

I feel like Ross is a glass cannon. Lots of risk and lots of reward. Personally, I don't feel inclined to risk on a long journey.

My vote:
Father Julius
Farmer Franz
Admiral Banton

Blueprints:
Food Production- Barn (Increases food production by 2%)
Wood Production- Axe (Increase wood production by 2%)
Medicine- First Aid (Decrease Mortality by 1%)

Unsure of these first three. Our biggest priorities are setting up a basic infrastructure and keeping our citizens alive/growing. I'd focus on the more refined productions later as they are not immediately useful.

Have we appointed a scribe?

If not, I volunteer.

What would the scribe do per-say?

My votes for advisors would be
Sir Charles
Father Franz
Admiral Banton

I personally don't feel that religion is the way to go immediately with our new colony

@ ND: From the GM's first letter / notice, I quote:

"Your first order of business as councilmen will be to establish your governing charter. The king wishes to give you autonomy, and as such had only one condition for your initial charter- It must be agreed upon by a majority of your peers. I will ask one of you to volunteer as temporary scribe to record your charter for me to deliver to our esteemed king."

I would second Jamiet's appointment to this position.

My fellow Councillors,

How I look forward to beginning this adventure with you into the unknown.

To begin, I volunteer to scribe for the writing of our Charter. I have had previous experience in establishing the Constitution in a small country near Classic. For the most part, I agree with the current propositions. Anyways, here are my own propositions.

~System of Governance~
Governing Council (us) that makes all decisions of the colony.
-A simple majority is required to accept new Councillors.
- A super majority (2/3 or 34/4) is required to forcibly remove Councillors, or they can resign.
The Council is lead by the Speaker, who informs the King of our decisions. They also makes decisions in times a crisis requiring immediate action.
- The Speaker is elected by the Council in a multi-ballot simple majority.
- Speaker's term lasts for two cycles. No limit on reelection.

The Council makes decisions by a simple majority. (50% +1)
-Outline how to vote, to distinguish real votes from brainstorming.
No Councillor's vote is worth more than an other, except in the case of a tie, where the Speaker's vote counts as two.
Advisors have input, but no voting power on the council.

Perhaps include an outline of rights and law for the colony?

A super majority (perhaps 2/3?) is required to change this charter.


I think that we should keep our government structure as simple as possible for the first few cycles. To get going, we shouldn't be hampered by overly complex systems. While multiple houses or councils may prove to be useful later on, for now, we are not completely sure what to expect. That is also why an article in the Charter to online changes should be included.


~Experts~
[Quick question to CB: if we hypothetically decided to allow experts into the governing council, how would their decision-making process be made? Or should it just not be done?]

Currently I would say:
Father Julius- offers the same tech as Sir Charles, but also is younger, and his clergy training can be good for the morale of our people. However, attempts to concert the "barbarian heathens" should not be made.

Franz Heinrich- food will be vital in the colony's success. His health is much better than Ross' so he is probably the better long term choice. Bringing his family should not pose a problem, and the additional population is good.

Admiral Banton- Long term defense is good. His experience and Leadership would work well in building up the colony. Not needing to be paid is nice, though the potential political threat is not ideal. However, if we ensure that the military is clearly under council control, and have definite bounds to his power, he shouldn't be able to pose a problem.


~Blueprints~
Wood Production- Ressources for buildings will be very important. We will require wood for the wall, as well as houses for the colonists.

With the choices I am promoting, we would have a good spread of skills.
First aid and morale from Father Julius
Wall boost and long term military defense from Admiral Banton
Significant food production boost from Franz Heinrich
Wood production boost from blueprints.

I look forward to building a great colony for Classica with you all.
May good fortune and wisdom guide our path,
-Councillor Peregrine Falcon

If Jamie would like to be scribe, I am fine with stepping aside.

Thanks for picking that up Jamie.

Thank you, Councillors Peregrine, ND, and Trip. Any objections, then?

@ Falcon: I agree with your idea of a simple form for our government, and going with the Wood Production Blueprint so we can get structures built quicker.

In fact I'll second the following:

~System of Governance~
Governing Council (us) that makes all decisions of the colony.
-A simple majority is required to accept new Councillors.
- A super majority (2/3 or 3/4, [*over 70%]) is required to forcibly remove Councillors, or they can resign.
The Council is lead by the Speaker, who informs the King of our decisions. They also makes decisions in times a crisis requiring immediate action.
- The Speaker is elected by the Council in a multi-ballot simple majority.
- Speaker's term lasts for two cycles. No limit on reelection.

The Council makes decisions by a simple majority. (50% +1)
-Outline how to vote, to distinguish real votes from brainstorming. [## vote _____]
No Councillor's vote is worth more than an other, except in the case of a tie, where the Speaker's vote counts as two.
Advisors have input, but no voting power on the council.
Perhaps include an outline of rights and law for the colony? [and a way for settlers to bring their issues to the court to be settled]
A super majority (perhaps 2/3? [over 66%]) is required to change this charter.


*[my additions to Falcon's idea]

If you are happy for me to be your scribe, fellows, then my first task shall be to compile the current proposals for the ADVISORS, which are as follows:

Sir Charles: 3 nominations (Pjmansfield, Jamiet99uk, bo_sox)

Father Julius: 4 nominations (Peregrine, KingCyrus, Trip, ND)

Farmer Franz: 6 nominations (Peregrine, Pjmansfield, KingCyrus, Trip, Jamiet99uk, bo_sox)

Admiral Banton: 8 nominations (Peregrine, Pjmansfield, KingCyrus, Trip, Jamiet99uk, TrPrado, bo_sox, ND)

Rancher Ross: 1 nomination (ND)


No councillors are currently supporting the selection of Lt. Troop.

Therefore as it stands we are currently proposing to take ADMIRAL BANTON, FARMER FRANZ, and FATHER JULIUS with us on the voyage.

I specifically second Councillor Trip's suggestion that we use the ## mechanic (as used in Forum Mafia) to signify a valid vote.

The system of governance will be toughest part to iron out I think. We should take it bit by bit and vote on various governance systems one part at a time. What do you all think of that method?

I agree with ND's suggestion. Each item in our charter should be subject to a separate vote.

I agree to what ND said too; there no sense taking the time to set up systems before we know if they'll fit our situation.

Also I agree with Jamie that each item should be voted for individually unless it's specifically stated otherwise; and then it passes and fails as a whole (sometimes it can't be helped that one change will necessitate another that can't be separated)

(If you were to include the councilors I will have to make their votes on what I would imagine the character would do. Example: let's say you ask father Julius to vote whether to allow religious freedom, I'd make him vote no.)