Rebuilding the Council.

[Cinnabar]

To the Judiciary Council of Myrken Wood: Giscard Guillaume, Councillor for Defence and Civil Security; Rondeau Spier, Councillor for Trade and Commerce; Vanidor Goldenhair, Councillor for Agriculture; Aloisius Treadwell, Councillor for Administrative Sanctions

Councillors

Following the recent unexpected alteration in the membership of the Judiciary Council - primarily the unfortunate resignation of Lord Aldred and the welcome return of Councillor Guillaume - it seems a sensible time to implement a few more considered changes to the Council's organisation.

Firstly, I would like to propose that Mr Sylvius Duquesne of the Aithne Estate be invited to join the Judiciary Council. Mr Duquesne is a scholar of profound erudition and a gentleman of impeccable standing, and I feel that Myrken Wood could benefit greatly from his educated insight and keen intellect.

Secondly, it is my opinion that the current distribution of duties does not represent the best use of our Councillors' considerable talents, some of whom currently hold posts quite at odds with their actual interests and abilities. As such, I would like to propose the following redistribution of Council positions:

Councillor Vanidor Goldenhair, to become Councillor for Forestry and the Wilderness.
Councillor Giscard Guillaume, to become Councillor for Trade and Commerce.
Councillor Rondeau Spier, to become Councillor for Agriculture and Industry.
Councillor Aloisius Treadwell, to become Councillor for Revenue and Finance.
Mr Sylvius Duquesne, to become Councillor for Culture and the Arts.

Some of these positions are based on existing posts, some of them are entirely new. You will find the details of these revised Council titles and their associated responsibilities briefly explained in the document accompanying this letter. The new Councillor for Defence and Security is currently undecided, but I am prepared to attend to the responsibilities of the post myself in order to ensure that Myrken Wood does not go unprotected - at least until a more suitable candidate might be found.

In closing, I feel that this arrangement comprises the best distribution of responsibilities among the Council, with each Councillor attending to matters in which he has the aptitude, interest and experience sufficient to properly serve the interests of Myrken Wood's citizenry.

If you have any questions or concerns relating to this proposal or feel that you are ill-suited to the position suggested, please do not hesitate to contact me at my office, in writing or in person.

In the meantime, I feel it appropriate to wish you all an auspicious new year, and look forward to the progress that the coming months will undoubtedly bring.

Sincerely

Cinnabar Calomel

--*--

Accompanying the letter is indeed a short pamphlet setting out the nature of the revised Council positions,

The Councillor for Forestry and the Wilderness is to be responsible for safeguarding the woodlands which cover the majority of Myrken Wood, and from which the territory draws its name and a significant fraction of its wealth; the Councillor is expected to coordinate policy with other Councillors such that Myrken might continue to usefully harness this rich natural resource without placing too great a burden upon it.

The Councillor for Trade and Commerce is to be responsible for the regulation of business transactions of all varieties both within and across Myrken's borders, and for fostering an atmosphere of fair trade and profitable commerce that increases the prosperity of Myrken Wood as a whole.

The Councillor for Agriculture and Industry is to be responsible for tending to the interests of Myrken Wood's producers of foodstuffs and raw materials, and is expected to coordinate policy with other Councillors to ensure that the wheels of industry are allowed to turn as smoothly as possible while maintaining a fair balance between the interests of employers, workers and the general public.

The Councillor for Revenue and Finance is to be responsible for matters relating to the Council's finances, including the acquisition of funds in the form of taxes, tariffs and duties, and overseeing government expenditure in order to prevent any malfeasance or misallocation of public funds.

The Councillor for Culture and the Arts is to be responsible for promoting Myrken Wood's cultural flowering, and is expected to coordinate policy with other Councillors in order that scholarly endeavour and artistic expression in all its forms might thrive within Myrken Wood.

Additionally, there is a proposal for the formation of the Office of Public Records, under the Council's authority but independent of any one Councillor; this is intended to relieve some of the workload formerly associated with the role of Councillor for Administrative Sanctions, and to provide a central repository for information relevant to the business of government. The Office is to be responsible for organising and maintaining the Council's archives, including documents pertaining to acts of legislation, agendas and minutes of meetings of the Judiciary Council, deeds of property ownership, records of births, deaths and marriages, and so on and so forth.

[Vanidor]

This letter would be delivered in the same manner as all the others that ever came from the strange and almost mystical councilor. A female elf appearing where the Governor currently held his offices, almost as if stepping out of the shadows in order to make this delivery. Only a smile as she did so, and the letter would be handed towards whomever would be there to collect it. She would smile again, bow in that curious manner that her sort managed to do, and then step out and around into an alley.

If aught tried to follow her, she'd be gone by the time anyone turned that corner to ask a question, only a faint shimmering left in the air.

Governor Cinnabar Calomel,

If it is your decision to change the laws and traditions that have held within Myrken for several centuries, then so be it. This appointment of Master Duquesne to the Council is indeed a move that suggests such a break with tradition. However.

I can be the first to say that tradition has a way of biting you in the backside when you least wish it too. Sometimes tradition can be too demanding, and withhold that which needs to be done. It is for that reason that I shall uphold this decision of yours to allow Master Duquesne to this council, as well as the decision to rearrange the positions in the manner that you suggest.

I only recommend that you poll the ranking nobles and townsfolk who have been traditionally allowed to vote upon those who enter the council in one way or another. Their opinions may be of no matter in this situation, but having them behind you is a good way to keep this province behind you.

One other thing. I have heard of the request made by young Mistress Kaczmarek. I would only suggest that you take advantage of this measure, as does a man finds himself residing within my Enclave. There is a belief that taking her under your wing may mold her in a certain manner. It is always good, yes, to turn an enemy into a stalwart friend. One way or another.

If there is nothing else, I shall remain within the Enclave and prepare for the coming of the planting season. You may have decided to remove that from my area of control, but there is still the new seed-stock that must be readied.

Vanidor Goldenhair.

[Cinnabar]

To Councillor Vanidor Goldenhair, Councillor for Forestry and the Wilderness:

Councillor Goldenhair

I thank you for your cooperation in this matter, and hope that you will find your new responsibilities to your liking. However, I must confess my confusion with regard to certain points raised in your letter, specifically regarding the matter of tradition.

From what I have managed to learn of Myrken Wood's traditions by speaking with those present at the time, it would appear that in the sphere of Council politics there is little evidence of the long-standing traditions to which you allude. Governors and Councillors have been variously appointed or elected in recent years, some by Governor's fiat, some by Council agreement, some with the support of the gentry, some with the support of the populace, some by strength of arms and violent overthrow of their predecessors. As such, I do not feel that a concern as nebulous as tradition should be allowed to take priority over measures that are of practical and tangible benefit to the people of Myrken Wood, such as this redistribution of Council positions. Indeed, from your letter it would appear that we are in agreement upon this point, which is most heartening.

If this reorganisation still seems unsettling, it is worth considering that prior to Governor Phuri's term it would appear that there was in fact no Judiciary Council in Myrken Wood at all for an appreciable length of time - some span of decades, at least. In this absence of any real government Gad Phuri simply declared himself Governor and appointed Councillors as he saw fit; perhaps it might help to view recent measures as following Phuri's precedent - perceiving a deficiency, we do what is necessary to address it.

On other matters, word has also reached me of Miss Kaczmarek's petition for the position of Councillor for Defence. While I appreciate her enthusiasm in putting herself forward and recognise that she has a great deal of potential, I must say that at present I am not convinced that she is suited for the role of Councillor. However, given her eagerness to act in Myrken's defence I am sure that some alternative position can be found for her where she might find room to demonstrate her skills.

In the meanwhile I have also received a letter of self-nomination from Sir Malaroth Deucalios of the Shepherd Knights for the same post, and I feel he stands as a much stronger candidate; his actions since arriving in Myrken Wood have demonstrated him to be a capable commander and staunch champion of Myrken's people, and I feel it would do the Council credit to have him as a member.

In closing, my thanks for your continued efforts with the improved seed-stock, and I trust that you will carry this commendable diligence over to your new role; in the meantime, please make what efforts you can to advise Councillor Spier of the current state of affairs with regard to agriculture in order that he might in turn carry out his new duties to the best effect.

Sincerely

Cinnabar Calomel

[Cinnabar]

The wheels of Government grind slow, it seems; time passes, seasons change, and crisis after catastrophe assails Myrken Wood and its people. Only now, as the dust from the latest such trouble settles, are bills posted up around town, with criers disseminating the news in the market square for the crowds of buyers and vendors who flock there.

A matter-of-fact announcement describing the restructuring of the Judiciary Council, the allocation of posts and duties, and the induction of a couple of new faces to what passes for the corridors of power in Myrken Wood - for all that the corridors of the Meetinghouse remain as-yet incomplete, the building still swathed in scaffolding and swarming with masons and carpenters.