Mandate - Revision history

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

2026-01-15T21:29:39Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:29, 15 January 2026
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Severin von Holberg.jpg\|caption=The Mandate of the Imperial Synod can have far-reaching implications<br>for the Empire.\|align=left\|width=350}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Severin von Holberg.jpg\|caption=The Mandate of the Imperial Synod can have far-reaching implications<br>for the Empire.\|align=left\|width=350}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	[[Liao]] is a powerful substance - the auras it creates last a full season or more and they can motivate citizens to great acts of virtue. Without clear direction, such actions are often personal and individual - they are significant to the individual that receives the aura - but the effects may not be visible on the grand scale. But when combined with a direct mandate from the [[~~Imperial~~ Synod]], citizens tend to act in a concerted and determined way that can produce significant change. The [[Senate]] may decide [[Imperial law]] and allocate the [[Imperial treasury\|treasury]], but it is the Synod that leads the soul of the Empire.		[[Liao]] is a powerful substance - the auras it creates last a full season or more and they can motivate citizens to great acts of virtue. Without clear direction, such actions are often personal and individual - they are significant to the individual that receives the aura - but the effects may not be visible on the grand scale. But when combined with a direct mandate from the [[Synod]], citizens tend to act in a concerted and determined way that can produce significant change. The [[Senate]] may decide [[Imperial law]] and allocate the [[Imperial treasury\|treasury]], but it is the Synod that leads the soul of the Empire.

	Due to the potential impact, the right to use large quantities of liao, as part of a campaign, crusade, or simply to proselytize, is carefully controlled by the Synod. A priest may only act with the backing of the Synod once they have receive a formal mandate to do so and only using the wording provided for them by the civil service.		Due to the potential impact, the right to use large quantities of liao, as part of a campaign, crusade, or simply to proselytize, is carefully controlled by the Synod. A priest may only act with the backing of the Synod once they have receive a formal mandate to do so and only using the wording provided for them by the civil service.

Hailmur: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

2026-01-15T13:13:12Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:13, 15 January 2026
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Severin von Holberg.jpg\|caption=The Mandate of the Imperial Synod can have far-reaching implications<br>for the Empire.\|align=left\|width=350}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Severin von Holberg.jpg\|caption=The Mandate of the Imperial Synod can have far-reaching implications<br>for the Empire.\|align=left\|width=350}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	[[Liao]] is a powerful substance - the auras it creates last a full season or more and they can motivate citizens to great acts of virtue. Without clear direction, such actions are often personal and individual - they are significant to the individual that receives the aura - but the effects may not be visible on the grand scale. But when combined with a direct mandate from the [[Imperial Synod]], citizens tend to act in a concerted and determined way that can produce significant change. The [[~~Imperial~~ Senate]] may decide [[Imperial law]] and allocate the [[Imperial treasury\|treasury]], but it is the Synod that leads the soul of the Empire.		[[Liao]] is a powerful substance - the auras it creates last a full season or more and they can motivate citizens to great acts of virtue. Without clear direction, such actions are often personal and individual - they are significant to the individual that receives the aura - but the effects may not be visible on the grand scale. But when combined with a direct mandate from the [[Imperial Synod]], citizens tend to act in a concerted and determined way that can produce significant change. The [[Senate]] may decide [[Imperial law]] and allocate the [[Imperial treasury\|treasury]], but it is the Synod that leads the soul of the Empire.

	Due to the potential impact, the right to use large quantities of liao, as part of a campaign, crusade, or simply to proselytize, is carefully controlled by the Synod. A priest may only act with the backing of the Synod once they have receive a formal mandate to do so and only using the wording provided for them by the civil service.		Due to the potential impact, the right to use large quantities of liao, as part of a campaign, crusade, or simply to proselytize, is carefully controlled by the Synod. A priest may only act with the backing of the Synod once they have receive a formal mandate to do so and only using the wording provided for them by the civil service.

Twiggy at 15:05, 21 August 2025

2025-08-21T15:05:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:05, 21 August 2025
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	The judgement must identify a single named priest who will be issued with the mandate. They will be expected to take the lead role in spreading words of the edict or decision of the Synod - using their skills to motivate citizens and apply auras to judicious individuals who are most likely to support the cause. If no priest is named in the judgement then the mandate will apply to the priest who raises the judgement.		The judgement must identify a single named priest who will be issued with the mandate. They will be expected to take the lead role in spreading words of the edict or decision of the Synod - using their skills to motivate citizens and apply auras to judicious individuals who are most likely to support the cause. If no priest is named in the judgement then the mandate will apply to the priest who raises the judgement.

	The judgement must state how much liao is permitted to be used. The civil service will identify how much liao is needed to achieve an outcome. In some cases using different amounts of liao will produce different results; consequently a mandate must specify the quantity of liao the priest is ~~authorized~~ to use.		The judgement must state how much liao is permitted to be used. The civil service will identify how much liao is needed to achieve an outcome. In some cases using different amounts of liao will produce different results; consequently a mandate must specify the quantity of liao the priest is authorised to use.

	Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and identifies what possible judgements could address it. They use various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.		Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and identifies what possible judgements could address it. They use various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.
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	If the judgement passes then the priest who has been identified in the judgement has the mandate of the Synod. They may then choose to enact that mandate or to ignore it. They may not enact a different mandate - they cannot use more liao than is stipulated in the mandate nor may they use a different message to the one passed by the Synod. Their options are to do nothing - or to enact the mandate given to them by the Synod.		If the judgement passes then the priest who has been identified in the judgement has the mandate of the Synod. They may then choose to enact that mandate or to ignore it. They may not enact a different mandate - they cannot use more liao than is stipulated in the mandate nor may they use a different message to the one passed by the Synod. Their options are to do nothing - or to enact the mandate given to them by the Synod.

	If the judgement fails, then no priest is ~~authorized~~ to act. The effects of this are identical to the situation in which no attempt was made to pass a mandate.		If the judgement fails, then no priest is authorised to act. The effects of this are identical to the situation in which no attempt was made to pass a mandate.
	<div style="float:right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">Every field looks green from a distance, even a cemetery.</quote></div>		<div style="float:right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">Every field looks green from a distance, even a cemetery.</quote></div>

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	==Competing Mandates==		==Competing Mandates==
	If a single [[opportunity]] offers the potential for two or more competing mandates - either because there were two or more possible outcomes identified or because a member of the Synod submits an alternative mandate for consideration - then the Synod may only choose one of the options to endorse. In any situation where two or more different mandates relate to the same opportunity, whichever judgement passed with the greatest margin is considered to be successful and all other competing mandates fail. If two mandates tie for the greatest margin, ''then all mandates fail''; the Synod is considered to have been unable to choose which mandate should be ~~authorized~~.		If a single [[opportunity]] offers the potential for two or more competing mandates - either because there were two or more possible outcomes identified or because a member of the Synod submits an alternative mandate for consideration - then the Synod may only choose one of the options to endorse. In any situation where two or more different mandates relate to the same opportunity, whichever judgement passed with the greatest margin is considered to be successful and all other competing mandates fail. If two mandates tie for the greatest margin, ''then all mandates fail''; the Synod is considered to have been unable to choose which mandate should be authorised.

	==Limited Opportunity==		==Limited Opportunity==

Twiggy at 21:34, 10 July 2025

2025-07-10T21:34:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:34, 10 July 2025
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	{{Synod Judgement Summary\|Any Assembly\|Lesser Majority}}		{{Synod Judgement Summary\|Any Assembly\|Lesser Majority}}
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Severin von Holberg.jpg\|caption=The Mandate of the Imperial Synod can have far-reaching implications<br>for the ~~Empre~~.\|align=left\|width=350}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Severin von Holberg.jpg\|caption=The Mandate of the Imperial Synod can have far-reaching implications<br>for the Empire.\|align=left\|width=350}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	[[Liao]] is a powerful substance - the auras it creates last a full season or more and they can motivate citizens to great acts of virtue. Without clear direction, such actions are often personal and individual - they are significant to the individual that receives the aura - but the effects may not be visible on the grand scale. But when combined with a direct mandate from the [[Imperial Synod]], citizens tend to act in a concerted and determined way that can produce significant change. The [[Imperial Senate]] may decide [[Imperial law]] and allocate the [[Imperial treasury\|treasury]], but it is the Synod that leads the soul of the Empire.		[[Liao]] is a powerful substance - the auras it creates last a full season or more and they can motivate citizens to great acts of virtue. Without clear direction, such actions are often personal and individual - they are significant to the individual that receives the aura - but the effects may not be visible on the grand scale. But when combined with a direct mandate from the [[Imperial Synod]], citizens tend to act in a concerted and determined way that can produce significant change. The [[Imperial Senate]] may decide [[Imperial law]] and allocate the [[Imperial treasury\|treasury]], but it is the Synod that leads the soul of the Empire.

Responsible1: /* Judgement */

2025-06-11T19:04:18Z

Judgement

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:04, 11 June 2025
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	Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and identifies what possible judgements could address it. They use various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.		Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and identifies what possible judgements could address it. They use various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.
	<div style="width: 500px; float:right;"><box>There is a small window of opportunity for players who wish the Synod to consider a different option for a mandate to the ones presented. The deadline for submitting alternate ~~mandtes~~ tends to be Monday evening so we have a chance to discuss them and update the relevant winds before we move to site. If a player emails [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk plot@profounddecisions.co.uk] with wording they would like to use then we will assess that. If the new wording will produce a substantially different outcome to those presented on the wiki, then we may edit the plot opportunity on the wiki to include the new possibility. If we do this the new option will state the name of the priest who has requested the additional opportunity - at that point the request is considered to be an in-character request from the character - not the player. The deadline for any changes of this kind is the Friday before the event begins. We will not have the time needed to assess any alternative judgements after this date.</box></div>		<div style="width: 500px; float:right;"><box>There is a small window of opportunity for players who wish the Synod to consider a different option for a mandate to the ones presented. The deadline for submitting alternate mandates tends to be Monday evening so we have a chance to discuss them and update the relevant winds before we move to site. If a player emails [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk plot@profounddecisions.co.uk] with wording they would like to use then we will assess that. If the new wording will produce a substantially different outcome to those presented on the wiki, then we may edit the plot opportunity on the wiki to include the new possibility. If we do this the new option will state the name of the priest who has requested the additional opportunity - at that point the request is considered to be an in-character request from the character - not the player. The deadline for any changes of this kind is the Friday before the event begins. We will not have the time needed to assess any alternative judgements after this date.</box></div>

	==Alternative Mandates==		==Alternative Mandates==

Hailmur at 16:50, 21 July 2024

2024-07-21T16:50:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:50, 21 July 2024
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	The judgement must state how much liao is permitted to be used. The civil service will identify how much liao is needed to achieve an outcome. In some cases using different amounts of liao will produce different results; consequently a mandate must specify the quantity of liao the priest is authorized to use.		The judgement must state how much liao is permitted to be used. The civil service will identify how much liao is needed to achieve an outcome. In some cases using different amounts of liao will produce different results; consequently a mandate must specify the quantity of liao the priest is authorized to use.

	Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and ~~identify~~ what possible judgements could address it. They ~~using~~ various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.		Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and identifies what possible judgements could address it. They use various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.
	<div style="width: 500px; float:right;"><box>There is a small window of opportunity ~~that ends ''two days after the last wind of fortune is published''~~ for players who wish the Synod to consider a different option for a mandate to the ones presented. If a player emails [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk plot@profounddecisions.co.uk] with wording they would like to use then we will assess that. If the new wording will produce a substantially different outcome to those presented on the wiki, then we may edit the plot opportunity on the wiki to include the new possibility. If we do this the new option will state the name of the priest who has requested the additional opportunity - at that point the request is considered to be an in-character request from the character - not the player. The deadline for any changes of this kind is the Friday before the event begins. We will not have the time needed to assess any alternative judgements after this date.</box></div>		<div style="width: 500px; float:right;"><box>There is a small window of opportunity for players who wish the Synod to consider a different option for a mandate to the ones presented. The deadline for submitting alternate mandtes tends to be Monday evening so we have a chance to discuss them and update the relevant winds before we move to site. If a player emails [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk plot@profounddecisions.co.uk] with wording they would like to use then we will assess that. If the new wording will produce a substantially different outcome to those presented on the wiki, then we may edit the plot opportunity on the wiki to include the new possibility. If we do this the new option will state the name of the priest who has requested the additional opportunity - at that point the request is considered to be an in-character request from the character - not the player. The deadline for any changes of this kind is the Friday before the event begins. We will not have the time needed to assess any alternative judgements after this date.</box></div>

	==Alternative Mandates==		==Alternative Mandates==
	When the civil service ~~release~~ details of a mandate, it is common for members of the Synod to approach the civil service to ask them to consider the impact of a different mandate to address the same opportunity. If the civil service are able to confirm that the wording of the new mandate will produce a substantially different outcome to those already presented, then they will attempt to communicate that information, along with the name of the priest who requested it, to every citizen travelling to Anvil provided that there is sufficient time to do so.		When the civil service releases details of a mandate, it is common for members of the Synod to approach the civil service to ask them to consider the impact of a different mandate to address the same opportunity. If the civil service are able to confirm that the wording of the new mandate will produce a substantially different outcome to those already presented, then they will attempt to communicate that information, along with the name of the priest who requested it, to every citizen travelling to Anvil provided that there is sufficient time to do so.

	Only a recognised [[Member_of_the_Synod\|member of the Imperial Synod]] may request a mandate in this way. The civil service will discuss different possibilities with a priest to try to help them identify what the possible effects might be, but each citizen may only request that a single mandate be formally published in this way.		Only a recognised [[Member_of_the_Synod\|member of the Imperial Synod]] may request a mandate in this way. The civil service will discuss different possibilities with a priest to try to help them identify what the possible effects might be, but each citizen may only request that a single mandate be formally published in this way. A good rule of thumb is to aim for your alternate mandate to be no more than 40 words long.

	==Outcome==		==Outcome==

Hailmur: /* Judgement */

2024-04-23T10:30:33Z

Judgement

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:30, 23 April 2024
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	Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and identify what possible judgements could address it. They using various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.		Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and identify what possible judgements could address it. They using various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.
	<div style="width: 500px; float:right;"><box>There is a small window of opportunity that ends ''two days after the last wind of fortune is published'' for players who wish the Synod to consider a different option for a mandate to the ones presented. If a player [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk ~~emails us~~] with wording they would like to use then we will assess that. If the new wording will produce a substantially different outcome to those presented on the wiki, then we may edit the plot opportunity on the wiki to include the new possibility. If we do this the new option will state the name of the priest who has requested the additional opportunity - at that point the request is considered to be an in-character request from the character - not the player. The deadline for any changes of this kind is the Friday before the event begins. We will not have the time needed to assess any alternative judgements after this date.</box></div>		<div style="width: 500px; float:right;"><box>There is a small window of opportunity that ends ''two days after the last wind of fortune is published'' for players who wish the Synod to consider a different option for a mandate to the ones presented. If a player emails [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk plot@profounddecisions.co.uk] with wording they would like to use then we will assess that. If the new wording will produce a substantially different outcome to those presented on the wiki, then we may edit the plot opportunity on the wiki to include the new possibility. If we do this the new option will state the name of the priest who has requested the additional opportunity - at that point the request is considered to be an in-character request from the character - not the player. The deadline for any changes of this kind is the Friday before the event begins. We will not have the time needed to assess any alternative judgements after this date.</box></div>

	==Alternative Mandates==		==Alternative Mandates==

Hailmur at 15:10, 25 May 2023

2023-05-25T15:10:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:10, 25 May 2023
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	Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and identify what possible judgements could address it. They using various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.		Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and identify what possible judgements could address it. They using various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.
	<div style="width: 500px; float:right;"><box>There is a small window of opportunity that ends ''two days after the last wind of fortune is published'' for players who wish the Synod to consider a different option for a mandate to the ones presented. If a player [mailto:~~civil.service~~@profounddecisions.co.uk emails us] with wording they would like to use then we will assess that. If the new wording will produce a substantially different outcome to those presented on the wiki, then we may edit the plot opportunity on the wiki to include the new possibility. If we do this the new option will state the name of the priest who has requested the additional opportunity - at that point the request is considered to be an in-character request from the character - not the player. The deadline for any changes of this kind is the Friday before the event begins. We will not have the time needed to assess any alternative judgements after this date.</box></div>		<div style="width: 500px; float:right;"><box>There is a small window of opportunity that ends ''two days after the last wind of fortune is published'' for players who wish the Synod to consider a different option for a mandate to the ones presented. If a player [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk emails us] with wording they would like to use then we will assess that. If the new wording will produce a substantially different outcome to those presented on the wiki, then we may edit the plot opportunity on the wiki to include the new possibility. If we do this the new option will state the name of the priest who has requested the additional opportunity - at that point the request is considered to be an in-character request from the character - not the player. The deadline for any changes of this kind is the Friday before the event begins. We will not have the time needed to assess any alternative judgements after this date.</box></div>

	==Alternative Mandates==		==Alternative Mandates==
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	==Implementing a Mandate==		==Implementing a Mandate==
	Any player whose character is providing liao for a mandate, must put the cards representing the liao that they are committing [[Downtime#Hand-in_Baggies\|in the bag that they hand in at the end of the event]]. The liao needs to be in the inventory of the priest named in the mandate. If the mandate the Synod has passed meets all the conditions identified in the plot opportunity then we will remove the liao from the named priest's inventory before downtime opens. If the correct amount of liao is not present in the ~~charater~~'s inventory before downtime opens, the mandate will not be enacted. Please do not include a note when you hand in your liao as it is impossible to process these notes at the point where your bag is processed.		Any player whose character is providing liao for a mandate, must put the cards representing the liao that they are committing [[Downtime#Hand-in_Baggies\|in the bag that they hand in at the end of the event]]. The liao needs to be in the inventory of the priest named in the mandate. If the mandate the Synod has passed meets all the conditions identified in the plot opportunity then we will remove the liao from the named priest's inventory before downtime opens. If the correct amount of liao is not present in the character's inventory before downtime opens, the mandate will not be enacted. Please do not include a note when you hand in your liao as it is impossible to process these notes at the point where your bag is processed.

	A character may be named in multiple mandates - but they can only implement a single mandate in a downtime. Any mandate which is not implemented in the season following the judgement of the Synod automatically lapses.		A character may be named in multiple mandates - but they can only implement a single mandate in a downtime. Any mandate which is not implemented in the season following the judgement of the Synod automatically lapses.

Emmanovi: /* Judgement */ email update

2022-09-19T14:51:14Z

Judgement: email update

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:51, 19 September 2022
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	Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and identify what possible judgements could address it. They using various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.		Other than this, the judgement must use the wording prepared by the civil service. It is not possible to submit a judgement of mandate without using the specific wording prepared by the civil service. Before each summit, the civil service assess any developing situation and identify what possible judgements could address it. They using various divination rituals to help them assess what the impact of a mandate would be. This information is then presented to all Synod members attending Anvil, so that they can make an informed judgement on the matter.
	<div style="width: 500px; float:right;"><box>There is a small window of opportunity that ends ''two days after the last wind of fortune is published'' for players who wish the Synod to consider a different option for a mandate to the ones presented. If a player [mailto:~~plot~~@profounddecisions.co.uk emails us] with wording they would like to use then we will assess that. If the new wording will produce a substantially different outcome to those presented on the wiki, then we may edit the plot opportunity on the wiki to include the new possibility. If we do this the new option will state the name of the priest who has requested the additional opportunity - at that point the request is considered to be an in-character request from the character - not the player. The deadline for any changes of this kind is the Friday before the event begins. We will not have the time needed to assess any alternative judgements after this date.</box></div>		<div style="width: 500px; float:right;"><box>There is a small window of opportunity that ends ''two days after the last wind of fortune is published'' for players who wish the Synod to consider a different option for a mandate to the ones presented. If a player [mailto:civil.service@profounddecisions.co.uk emails us] with wording they would like to use then we will assess that. If the new wording will produce a substantially different outcome to those presented on the wiki, then we may edit the plot opportunity on the wiki to include the new possibility. If we do this the new option will state the name of the priest who has requested the additional opportunity - at that point the request is considered to be an in-character request from the character - not the player. The deadline for any changes of this kind is the Friday before the event begins. We will not have the time needed to assess any alternative judgements after this date.</box></div>

	==Alternative Mandates==		==Alternative Mandates==

Emmanovi: /* OOC Design */

2022-03-12T13:27:12Z

OOC Design

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:27, 12 March 2022
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	There are two core design themes that are pertinent to the plot. The first is the idea of no hidden numbers. As far as possible in Empire, we try to ensure that players know what will happen if they take an action. There is a massive amount of uncertainty in Empire - you don't know how your political rivals will act - you don't know how the Conclave, Synod or Senate will vote, and nobody knows what will happen on a battlefield once 400 PCs and 400 NPCs are fighting. But what we try to make sure is not in doubt is what game effect will ensue if you pass a judgement, motion or declaration.		There are two core design themes that are pertinent to the plot. The first is the idea of no hidden numbers. As far as possible in Empire, we try to ensure that players know what will happen if they take an action. There is a massive amount of uncertainty in Empire - you don't know how your political rivals will act - you don't know how the Conclave, Synod or Senate will vote, and nobody knows what will happen on a battlefield once 400 PCs and 400 NPCs are fighting. But what we try to make sure is not in doubt is what game effect will ensue if you pass a judgement, motion or declaration.

	Empire is intended to be a game in which players can make decisions that are momentous and significant - decisions that are meaningful. To be meaningful - a judgement needs to be an ''informed'' decision. This precept is the one of the most crucial elements of the game design. Opportunities, particularly Synod plot opportunities are specifically designed to present the player base with difficult ~~politica~~ and ~~morall~~ decisions. They are meant to be contentious - they are intended to have the potential for conflict. This is why the wording is crucial. The liao is important - but it is not sufficient to pile up enough liao to get the game effect - you have to get the Synod to agree to the ''wording'' of your mandate to get a game effect.		Empire is intended to be a game in which players can make decisions that are momentous and significant - decisions that are meaningful. To be meaningful - a judgement needs to be an ''informed'' decision. This precept is the one of the most crucial elements of the game design. Opportunities, particularly Synod plot opportunities are specifically designed to present the player base with difficult political and moral decisions. They are meant to be contentious - they are intended to have the potential for conflict. This is why the wording is crucial. The liao is important - but it is not sufficient to pile up enough liao to get the game effect - you have to get the Synod to agree to the ''wording'' of your mandate to get a game effect.

	Watering down the sentiments identified in the plot opportunity is the single most certain way to ensure a mandate will fail. If the General Assembly has an opportunity to achieve a game benefit for Wintermark by issuing a mandate calling for the Varushkan territory of Miekarova to be ceded to the Thule - it is likely that that will be a controversial decision. In that situation you can't get the benefits outlined in the plot opportunity by passing a mandate calling for the Varushkans to consider whether they would like to give Miekarova to the Thule. If you can't achieve the political support needed to pass a mandate with a contentious political message - then you can't get the benefits.		Watering down the sentiments identified in the plot opportunity is the single most certain way to ensure a mandate will fail. If the General Assembly has an opportunity to achieve a game benefit for Wintermark by issuing a mandate calling for the Varushkan territory of Miekarova to be ceded to the Thule - it is likely that that will be a controversial decision. In that situation you can't get the benefits outlined in the plot opportunity by passing a mandate calling for the Varushkans to consider whether they would like to give Miekarova to the Thule. If you can't achieve the political support needed to pass a mandate with a contentious political message - then you can't get the benefits.