My question is who should make the poll?

@Tr ... we should wait at least a year before trying that again. For now, we need to repeal and look for some other ways to increase productivity. The bottom line that I'm trying to point out is that, philosophically speaking, we need to reward them for their sacrifices by increasing compensation. The easiest way to do that is through pay but we can also offer to help them in other ways just out of the goodness of our heart to try to earn their favor. Right now we are doing neither of those things.

@CB ... if biological warfare is on the table in your mind, you are welcome to return to the mainland and take that up with the King himself. I'm sure he would love to hear that his delegates are willing to put the empire's reputation around the world at risk because a few unorganized governors didn't do exactly as we asked. I am not going to even let it sit on the back burner. It's not an option.

My proposed counter offer:

1. New (what does this mean? Six month old children? Infants? 4 year olds?) mothers will return to their former position outside of the work force <note to councilors, this is temporary>

2. Children who enter the work force will be given more food, such as eggs and tomatoes.

3. Points will not be paid for with gold, but those assigned to the points gathering may have an extra ration, see point 2.

4. All citizens will be rewarded for their hard work with medicine.

And the HC should apologize.

Also, as most resources are held in commune, such as wheat, fish, and wood, we should hold back or own brought in stuff, such as chicken, eggs, tomatoes, and apples. We can use them as incentives.

I am in favor of KC's plan

Bo: Do you propose we give all of our ale to the Elders? I'm fine with that too.

KC's plan would require eggs, tomatoes, apples, and chicken to be a separate food store from wheat and fish. but a method of payment to the colonists.

Can we have a Royal Banner hung up on the Barn?

Yes, the HC should apologize, but all of us remaining should sign the official apology as well. If anyone wishes to abstain from doing so, please make that known so that we can remind you that there is absolutely no downside to apologizing for a mistake we made.

I think we need to talk about compensation and that we shouldn't hesitate to offer services instead of items. At the same time, I think extra rations are an excellent idea. We should ask the elders if there are any internal problems that our mason, missionary, or farmer in particular can assist with and demonstrate that we don't want to come off as one-sided invaders but as mutual inhabitants of the island.

I think the ale proposition also holds value.

@Tr ... do you know how the elders feel about drinking? I don't know how their culture operates along those lines. If they would appreciate that, then absolutely, and we can bring more in on our next six-month shipment.

TrP and his royal banners make me smile.

Agreed to all that. We should appease the Elders as much as possible. Though to be honest, in the long run it would be best to neuter their power.

So right now our plan looks like this:
1. Create a separate food store for the non-wheat and fish products to be used as payment for services.
2. retract the mothers from the workforce.
3. pay children extra food rations for their work.
4. offer 5 casks of ale to the elders in return for their graces
5.offer to have the skilled workers help with any damages or upgrades needed in town.
6. apologize.

I just realized, where do the Elders meet? Because we have the town hall, and there's only huts, storage places, and the barrack else on the island. Strange.

7. Offer for the elders to use the townhall as a office, and incorporate them into our government.

Around the meeting fire, naturally :P

Magistrate: The Elders meet where it is most convenient for them. On warm days, they will meet outside. Otherwise, they will meet in the small hut of the Eldest Elder.

@KC ... yeah, it certainly would be, but we don't have that capacity yet. We aren't even close.

Magistrate, do you mind telling us about the elders' perspective on drinking and gift-giving in general? We want to do our absolute best to keep to their customs.

I would also propose that we keep our Royal Guard out of the public eye. Having armed men walking around someone's town is no way to suck up to them.

Magistrate: Councilor bo, the Elders are not against receiving gifts, but they have already enjoyed what life has to offer and are more concerned with looking out for the next generation.

magistrate: their views on alcohol?

Can we have the Alchemist begin researching medicine? That sounds for the best.

Alchemist: Councilor Prado, do you wish for me to make my first discovery in Agriculture before moving to research Medicine?

I agree, the alchemist would be best on medicine. The farmer can take care of agriculture.

Would the Elders like us to build a special meeting place with a nice clearing out front?

But yes, he should be doing something with that knowledge first. He should make one discovery

Magistrate: The Elders are impartial towards alcohol. Adult colonists enjoy it, though.


Tasks:
Have the Farmer oversee Chickens
Recall the Lt of the Guard and have him defend the town
Issue formal apology to Elders
Attempt to recruit Elders as Advisors
Have the Alchemist research Medicine

Policies
Add new mothers (~80) to workforce and have the Elders watch over infants (TO BE REPEALED) (CONFLICT)
Lower the age of the workforce to 12 (ENACTED)

That discovery in agriculture is somewhat tempting, but medicine feels a tad more urgent.