Appointment of an Ulor Ekanor

[Nashlan]

Ulor Nashlan had pondered what Billian, the Captain of the Guard had told him. Haloman was indeed Zekresh, and undoubtedly a Loyalist too, yet at present he was the one who handled all of the Ulor's commands. This could not be the case for long, especially when more 'sensitive' orders needed to be given.

Summoning Haloman and Billian, he addressed them in Zekresh: "I want to appoint an Ulor Ekanor to assist me in running the province. Now, this will be easier if they are Baaniferian like me, but I'm prepared to interview any suitable candidate. Get the word out and pass the applications along to me."

Dismissing Haloman, he switched to Baaniferian, "Now it is doubly important that we keep an eye on him, I have no doubt that he will try to vet out some of the applicants."

OOC: I'm guessing I don't have an Ulor Ekanor already, he hasn't shown up yet if I do. I don't mind if this person is an npc or if another playtester controls him, in fact it would be an interesting test for another player to control him, to see if the idea of allowing players into lower government positions is still as sucessful and interesting as being an Ulor.

[Gamemaster]

(OOC: No, you don't have an Ulor Ekanor. Your predecessor, Ulor Darimuk, didn't think he needed one. That's ironic since the most critical task of an Ulor Ekanor is to take over as Ulor if the Ulor dies. Even when Ulor Darimuk agreed to fight a duel, it still didn't occur to him to appoint an Ulor Ekanor. Of course, he thought he would win the duel.)


Ulor's Palace
Nassavix, Salan Nassavix

Oron 27, Salgan 10, Adonsik 40 Vylor Cledman VI
(27/10/40 Cledman VI)

Ulor Nashlan was eating his midday meal when the Chief Cook came out of the kitchen to inquire as to how the food was. He sometimes did this, but not often.

"Excellent as always," Nashlan said.

"Good, good. Let me know if there is ever any way it could be improved, your excellency. And... sorry to trouble you with this, but a man I met in the marketplace today wanted to apply for the position of Ulor Ekanor. It was my understanding that such applications are to be handed over to Haloman, but now that he's gone, I don't want to just put it on top of the pile of applications on Haloman's desk because I don't think anyone is looking at those. So, if I may, I'll just give it directly to you. The man said he was a friend of yours, but I've no idea if that's true."

With that Daan placed a scroll on the table and went back to the kitchen.

Nashlan opened the scroll and found that it was not exactly an application for the job. It was a personal letter from his childhood friend, Javaan who said he had come to Nassavix to visit and also heard about the Ulor Ekanor job and would like to have it, but would understand if it had to go to someone more qualified. The letter mentioned a certain inn in Nassavix where Javaan was staying.

Nashlan knew Javaan well. They had grown up together. Javaan was from Trayavix, the son of a scribe who worked for Ulor Tervin of Trayavix. In fact, Nashlan knew that Javaan had become an apprentice scribe working there as well.

Nashlan didn't need an application from Javaan to know his qualifications for the job. He was trustworthy, responsible, could speak and write in three languages, was experienced at working for an Ulor, had learned much about the workings of provincial governments from his father Oslan, who was also a scribe and had spent most of his life working for the Ulor of Trayavix. Also, Javaan was a Baaniferian.

[Nashlan]

"Well, this is a fortunate coincidence! He would do an excellent job as Ulor Ekanor I'm sure."

Summoning a servant, Nashlan gives him the name of the inn and a brief description of Javaan and tells him to summon Javaan to the palace.

Once Javaan has arrived, Nashlan greets him warmly.

"Good afternoon old friend! How are things in Trayavix? How is my father's business doing? I haven't had much contact from him since I arrived here."

[Javaan]

"It is good to see you too, you have done very well for yourself. Your fathers buisiness is going well and he owns a good few sea going ships. Infact it was one of your Fathers ships that brought me here." Javaan replies. "This is a fine place you have here." Javaan says.

[Nashlan]

"This palace? I know! It is very grand, I like the impression it has on visitors too. I will get to the point, I'd be more than happy to appoint you my Ulor Ekanor if you seriously want the position, I am confident you can handle it."

[Javaan]

"Ulor Ekenor eh?" Javaan wonders out loud. "Of course i'd love to be one. But i must insist that if there is someone more qualified than me that they take my place." Javaan says. *He takes a seat.*

[Nashlan]

"To be honest, I haven't read the other applications, they've piled up on Haloman's desk and I haven't got a moment to open them. So, you get the position by default, but if you do find one in there that is more qualified than yourself then feel free to fire yourself."

Nashlan winks at him before continuing.

"I don't know how long it will take you to get your things in order so you can begin work, will you return to Trayavix to leave your old job?"

[Javaan]

Javaan smiles at the joke and starts talking. "I believe I will. To be honest the life of an apprentice scribe isn't very exciting. The ship which i came on is due to leave in the afternoon tommorow so i should be able to get back and resign my position as a scribe in a short time." Javaan says. "Should I take my belongings with me or leave them at the inn?" Javaan continues, "I'm really not sure how long I shall spend back home."

[Nashlan]

"Take what you need, I will have a servant care for the rest. I will authorise some coin from the treasury to pay for your passage. Is there anything else we need to discuss right now? I am planning to visit the Imperial Army garrison shortly."

[Javaan]

"For this I thank you Nashlan, for now it appears we have nothing we absolutely need to discuss." Javaan says.
"If you are heading over to The Imperial Garrison then i will leave you be, I have to start packing soon. Is there anything you want to ask me before i leave?" Javaan stands up.

[Nashlan]

"No, that will be all. Have a safe journey."

[Gamemaster]

(OOC: You guys are doing great. You can just RP out the rest of this as you please. The ship will depart on time, and arrive at Trayavix not long after. You can calculate the travel time from the "Time and Distance" article on the main page at:

nationsandempires1.blogspot.com


After that, Javaan can either wait 8 days until Dashlon will be sending a ship again, or Javaan can buy passage on another ship and go immediately.)

[Gamemaster]

(OOC: nothing major is going to happen in Trayavix or Nassavix during the next 14 days.)

[Javaan]

Javaan stands and thanks Nashlan. "Farewell friend, and thanks again." Javaan shakes Nashlans hand before leaving.

The next afternoon Javaan boards the ship bound for Trayavix.

When Javaan reaches Trayavix he goes to see Oslan. He tells Oslan that he is to become the Ulor Ekanor of Nassavix and apolagises for not staying to train as a scribe. After a long discussion with Oslan Javaan goes to gather all his possesions.

((When the next boat to Nassavix is due.))

Javaan stands in the pouring rain waiting for his ship to depart, he uses the money Nashlan gave him for his journey to pay for his voyage to Nassavix. The boat departs.

((To anyone who has read this: Please let me know if i am doing anything wrong.))

[Gamemaster]

(OOC: you are doing fine. As you can see we have been using a playing style where players wait for a response from the gamemaster before doing just about anything. We are trying to move to a style where players do a wider range of routine actions without gamemaster intervention. Non-routine actions and especially combat, still require gamemaster responses.

Also, the article on time and distance here:

nationsandempires1.blogspot.com/2006/11/time-and-distance.html

includes a section on how to calculate travel times. Some are precalculated such as the travel time between Trayavix and Nassavix by ship which is shown as 1 1/2 days. The next ship sails from Trayavix to Nassavix on the 33rd day of the 10th month (there are 42 days in each month and 10 months in the year in the Zekresh calendar. The date of the ship's departure would be written thusly:

Oron 33, Salgan 10, Adonsik 40 Vylor Cledman VI

Or:

33/10/40 Cledman VI

The part where it says "40 Vylor Cledman VI" or just "40 Cledman VI" is to indicate that it is the 40th year of the reign of Emperor Cledman VI. Vylor means Emperor in Zekresh.)