[Forum Game] The Long Winter

[Ironhide G1]

Decius put forward another qesution and proposal. "If we had one ruler, would his rule be absolute? Or would we have a council of elders, a senate, or a "Pact of Unity." I think it best we have some kind of body of representatives while one ruler rules the people. Listening to everyone, I have an compromise idea. Take into consideration this is just a proposal. I repeat I am not trying to disregard anyone's points of views. This is just a proposal. A Council/Senate/whatever we decide to call it, one representative from each clan. Their duties are to oversee the choosing of a new leader. While the leader was in place acting with the ruler they would cover the minor details and nuances of ruling, aiding the ruler. The ruler, however, would undergo a trial to prove his worth before he can lead.Again this is just a proposal. I think everyone here has excellent ideas, the hard part is finding the best one. What say you all?"

 

[Rovsea]

Tonauac stands, and regards the room in general:
Decimus' suggestion is perhaps the third time I've heard such an idea mentioned. I move that we accept it as a basic framework and move on to the specifics of implementing it.

 

[EmperorGrimm]

Ceccuetlachtli looked a bit annoyed at what he was about to say in response to a couple of concerns and this "Pact of Unity". His second son and heir, Mazatl, looked with concern to his father, but Ceccuetlachtli gave him a calm look. What he was about to say was a mouthful.

Tenoch dressed in serpent skins and twenty two feathers each from one of the plentiful bird species of the western land honoring the twenty two patriarchs of the Coaxoch bloodline stood silent and calm. Xochipili stood upright and proud examining the gathering of clan elders with a faint smile that feigned contentment. Red spear tips tattooed horizontally down the left side of his chest numbered fifty six kills in battle mostly raiders and savage beasts. Ceccue caught his eyes, a man of emotion by the expressions on his face as his father spoke in dignity.

"Clan Coaxoch, although the Cecuecacayotin would rather have a single, undoubted, strong ruler to lead our people, your Pact of Unity is still an option the clans can take. I have a problem with it though; why are there only seven on your Council? If we are to have a Council, I believe that every clan should have a member in this council should have a say. And there are more then seven clans in our tribe. If ties are a concern in your council, then simply have the head of the council break them.

"Two congregations of our greatest people shall sit according to the need for stability, the birth and cultivation of talent, the selection of the best of our tribe to serve as leaders. Coaxoch have always lived by the trail of the game herds and by following their migrations we learned the ebb and flow of this life, the Flow Toward The Falls. Through the winters and starvations we weathered the orgies of death lurking in the wildernesses and frontiers. Death follows us all until it catches us but how shall we die? Will we be made immortal by time or fade into the memory of the dirt. The Icuitlapan Altepetl "lower elders" shall represent the small clans that live in the country and who without any voice at all except through the Icuitlapan Altepetl may be calmed by their ears rather than by the spear.

But let us make it clear that a hunting party, a clan, an even a tribe requires a guide star to point the way to promised lands. The Cualcantlatlacah "morning people" which means subtly as "the people who ensure another day of life. The Cualcantlatlacah I propose should have only FIVE elders with one Tlamacatzintli "wise leader" included. High Elders shall be selected by the other high elders when a member of the high council died, was exiles, or abandoned the position. I for one support Cecuecacayotin's proposal for Trials of Character to determine the merit, value, and honor of the participant.

I suggest a series of trials, one from each of the clans of both assemblies. Only three shall be selected and the clans shall produce their trial in turn. High Elders serve for life or exile or an abandonment of the office allowed only after accepting an ascetic life in the forests.

"I will now address the concerns about the plan I have proposed. Clan Tonatepotztocah ((Luft's Clan)), the Tlatoani ((Head Speaker)) I am proposing will be a leader approved by all of the clans, and this leader will not trample on the rights of the other clans. For your trial, the prospective Tlatoani would be able to undertake it but swear that this trial will not make them the God-King that leads your clan.

"Scheming while a child of all bloodlines is born midst its mother's cries is reckless. Leave your intrigues for when the clans know peace and abundance." said Tenoch

"I understand, Atlaticquipiltzmeh ((Deagh's Clan)), about your concern with the danger in the trials. But the Tlatoani ((Head Speaker)) must have the approval of all the clans to rule. To set aside any doubts about who is Tlatoani, I have proposed that the requirements and trials of each clan be fulfilled as if they were to become clan leader. For the trials, they will have to be at their extreme in order to satisfy them, although there are a couple that will overlap and, as a result, avoid redundant grave danger. However, some clans do not have to undergo a trial to pick their leader. They instead have a way to either elect a leader or have the eldest child become heir. For these clans, I believe it would be best to let them approve which candidates have passed all the trials of the clans."

"Well said Atlaticquipiltzmeh, the proposal of trials without rules and precautions is reckless at best! Therefore I propose measures to balance the agonies and difficulty with the risk of death."

1. Trials shall focus on skill and strength of character. To die by the hand of a kinsman is such a waste when the phantom of death already devastates whole worlds.
2. Combat is allowed with the appropriate precautions.
3. Coaxoch proposes one of its own methods of testing our men. The consumption of spirit flowers which springs forth the blossoming of truth. We face one another everyday but do we ever truly face ourselves alone in the arms of the world mother sitting beside the dream father? (quite simple, a single die roll 50/50 chance of either yes or no)

 

[EnvyDemon]

As Xochipili stopped speaking and sat down, Ilhuitl Eztli walked in, like the world revolved around him, and took his seat. A voice was heard saying

"You're very late to this meeting"

However, Ilhuitl took no mind to it, and took his place. You would note that he was wearing very fine clothes, made from animal skins, presumably hunted by the Clan themselves. He then coughed and stood up to speak.

"As I assume we are disusing how to govern these lands, I came to let you know that the Eztli would gladly serve as a defense force, which would swear fealty to the new great chief. As you may have heard stories of how our fathers of fathers brutally ran into battle, wearing not even a feather, chopping up our enemies and then taking them in ourselves as power? They are all true, I only ask for something in return, which I will only discus with a new great chief."

Ilhuitl then sat down, and awaited a response.

 

[Kaisersohaib]

((Emil, I seem to have cut it from my original post by mistake, is there no possibility for me to get a building now?))

 

[Emilersej]

((Right. Since I've currently run out of buildings to distribute, your clan will get a building/business thing first thing when we've established a government.))

This is just a proposal. A Council/Senate/whatever we decide to call it, one representative from each clan. Their duties are to oversee the choosing of a new leader. While the leader was in place acting with the ruler they would cover the minor details and nuances of ruling, aiding the ruler. The ruler, however, would undergo a trial to prove his worth before he can lead.Again this is just a proposal. I think everyone here has excellent ideas, the hard part is finding the best one. What say you all?"

Tonauac stands, and regards the room in general:
Decimus' suggestion is perhaps the third time I've heard such an idea mentioned. I move that we accept it as a basic framework and move on to the specifics of implementing it.

((If the clan heads agree with the above, maybe they could do as Tonauac proposes and move on to the specifics of how exactly it would work.))

 

[Rovsea]

((Don't expect much activity from me today.))

 

[Emilersej]

((Since no-one has contributed to the discussion for over a day, I assume the summit is over.))

The meeting lasted for three long days. Many solutions were discussed, but the end result was not very concrete. However, it seemed that most agreed on a few central cornerstones of the new government:

- The clans would be ultimately led by one person, the Tlatoani or "Speaker", but he would be aided by a Xenatl ((derived from Latin Senatus)) or necentlaliliztli ((Assembly)) - there was no consensus on what to name it - composed of all the clan leaders. The exact relationship between these two institutions was never thoroughly debated ((which is quite realistic for a government in this age)), but there seemed to be consensus that the Tlatoani would rule until death unless he lost the support of the clan leaders.

- To become Tlatoani, one must first undergo a series of trials.
- Each clan sets up a trial. Every clan has their own traditions in selecting their leaders, and therefore, any future Tlatoani must pass each of the clans' trials. However, some clans do not have to undergo a trial to choose their leader. For these clans, it would be best to let them approve which candidates have passed all the trials of the clans.
- Some thought that the proposed trials were too dangerous, while others saw this as a necessity to ensure that a competent individual ended up as Tlatoani.

Trials:
Clan Achtopochtecapiltzmeh - Will accept a Tlatoani that gives a gift of precious metals.
Clan Tonatepotztocah - The aspiring Tlatoani must walk through a fire.
Clan Quallitechichic - An aspiring Tlatoani must go into the woods, survive there on his own for a month, and come back with the largest and most dangerous prey he can find.
Clan Xiuhcoatl - An aspiring Tlatoani must receive the mark of Xiuhcoatl without falling, staggering or flinching.

The rest of the clan leaders will act as judges, ruling on who have passed the trial and who haven't.

--------------------------------

Emperor Grimm wanted 2 councils instead of one, but I left it out since the other clan leaders seemed critical, and I don't think it would be realistic for them to reach an agreement on such an ornate system at this time.

If any clan leaders want to change, add to or subtract from the trials above, now is the time!

At the same time, it is also now that you must state if you will join the contest for becoming the first Tlatoani of Atlauhtipan!

P.S. Map updated

 

[Deaghaidh]

"For the Clan of Atlaticquipiltzmeh, the Sons of the spear thrower, I embrace this compact of governance, and swear to abide by it.

For our trial, seeing as there are already many trials of body, ours shall be a trial of spirit and knowledge. The candidate must climb to the top of the sacred tumulus, and recite without error, from memory, the following ancient poem about virtuous leadership.

'Let him magnify the truth, it will magnify him
Let him strengthen truth, it will strengthen him
Let him guard truth, it will guard him
Let him exalt truth, it will exalt him

For so long as he guards truth, good shall not fail him
and his rule shall not perish
For it is through the ruler's truth
that the great clans are goverened

Through the ruler's truth massive mortalities are
averted from men.
Through the ruler's truth mighty armies of invaders are
drawn back into enemy territory.

Through the ruler's truth every law is glorious and
every vessel full in his lands
Through the rulers's truth all the land is fruitful and
every child is born worthy.
Through the ruler's truth there is abundance of corn.

Darkness yields to light
Sorrow yields to joy
An oaf yields to a sage
A fool yields to a wise man
A serf yields to a free man
Inhospitality yields to hospitality
Niggardliness yields to generosity
Meaness yields to liberality
Impetuosity yields to composure
Turbulence yields to submission
A usurper yields to a true lord
Conflict yields to peace
Falsehood yields to justice.'

 

[Ironhide G1]

We fully support this and would like to propose our own trial.

Maxamotl trial- The Test of Wisdom, called the Sapientiae Probatio or xepiatael probatol.

The point of the trial is to ensure the potential leader's worthiness in mind. He must sit down and discuss with the wisest man in the Maximotl clan, the head of Pontifex Maximus branch*, matters of philosophy and high learning. Should he prove worthy to be a wise judge and ruler by answering at least three quarter of the questions soundly or correctly, should he pass the trial.

*There are three branches of the Maximii:

Maximus Rex- head of the Maximii, leaders of lost Latin society
Pontifex Maximus- branch of Maximii- the record keepers, philosophers,
Maximus Fortis- The branch famous for fighters and soldiers.

The survivors and the Maximotl clan, except the two parents, who have died- the two at the top.

 

[Galren]

The Cecuecacayotin approve of all the cornerstones of this new government and would like to see the council as the necentlaliliztli ((assembly, because we aren't Roman)). In addition, the Cecuecacayotin would also like to propose a trial.

Seeing as another survival trial is completely redundant, the Cecuecacayotin instead propose a trial where the military tactics of the aspiring Tlatoani will be tested in a mock battle. This mock battle will have two small groups of volunteers, one of them led by the aspiring Tlatoani, who will fight each other in a predetermined setting by the Cecuecacayotin. The aspiring Tlatoani's objective is to win against the other group fighting his own group in order to prove that he has a good grasp of military tactics.

((Seeing as we're trying to make our Tlatoani a well rounded leader, I figured military tactics would be a nice skill for our leader to have.))

 

[Kaisersohaib]

((I can't say much until I get a building, since we decided our government form, am I getting one soon?))

 

[barkardes]

((I said to Emilersej that I want to change having some precious metals to a board game.It will both test military capability and intelligency.))

 

[Rovsea]

((I'm pretty sure that all clans have a vote, Kaiser, so don't hold back just because you don't have a building. Every clan holds land, after all.))

 

[Kaisersohaib]

((I'm pretty sure that all clans have a vote, Kaiser, so don't hold back just because you don't have a building. Every clan holds land, after all.))

((I'm aware, I meant not having much influence over future politics by not having a building.))

 

[Galren]

((Don't worry, Kaiser, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you because my building requires a trade route before I can reap the benefits from it. Considering we are the only city we know of right now, I'm not getting jack from the Trails I claimed. I do understand how not having a building means you don't get extra resources that the other players are getting, which in turn lets them build things sooner than you can.))

 

[happycats517]

The two Amoxtlis stood silently as the other clans bickered. When the subject of trials came up they stepped aside and spook quickly and silently to each other. They finally turned to others and the male aspect of Amoxtli said, "We approve of this necentlaliliztli ((Assembly)) and also of the selection of a Tlatoani, however we must object to the fact that the Yolotli clan has not been given a trial to test that Tlatoani." The male aspect stopped and the female aspect began to speak, "While it's true that we do elect our leaders, we take our rites of adulthood very seriously. No leader would ever be chosen who has not proven themselves in our rites of adulthood. To choose a leader who has not passed these is no better than choosing a child." The male aspect took up the next part, "Thankfully many of the trials already put forward cover parts of our rites or they cover them at least well enough. However we propose one more trial that has not been covered. In the Yolotli tribe, before a child becomes an adult, they must present to us a new idea or work. It may be art, writing, a new tool, a new instrument, a new tactic for hunting or fighting, or whatever that adult is skilled in. It is how we have made our advances and this inventiveness is highly prized by our clan. This aspect of Amoxtli devised a new way to hunt in his test and the Yolotli clan has benefited greatly from the new source of food it provided. A true leader must not only be brave and strong and intelligent, but he also must be creative and imaginative to see the paths that others might not see. This trial will test that." The male aspect stopped and waited respectfully for the other clan leaders to answer. He took up the same position that the female aspect had taken when she stopped speaking, with his arms behind his back and his head slightly lowered.

 

[Rovsea]

The Tlanextic would also like to propose a test, this time of endurance, for contestants to be judged upon by our clan. This would be the rite of Ixtozoa, or the night vigil, during which those competing for Tlatoani would have to stay awake for consecutive nights, standing in the cold until there is only one left. Be warned that it is no easy trial, and that more than simple strength of will is required to truly perform the ritual. ((This is not fatal, as once a Tlatoani-elect falls, they are immediately taken to a warm fire waiting nearby.))

 

[Kaisersohaib]

NECUAMETZTLI​

The Necuametztli have decided upon a trial, Macuilpohualli (100), it is clear to us that most of the other clans have decided to focus on physical attributes; our trial will consist of solving complex numerical problems. They have a days time to solve it, and it shall not be an easy task, for you must think from the beginning to the end of the day in a closed tent.
The clan leader will have to endure this task too, as he will fight for the position of Tlatoani.

 

[aedan777]

The Cuallitechichic Clan has no further trials to add. It feels the current trials, specifically the trial of the Quallitechichic, are sufficient to test for the values of our tribe as well. Also we must ask who will be a part of the necentlaliliztli. Will it be the leaders of each of the clans?

-Elder Caliinahuac of the Cuallitechichic Clan