>>5398522>>5398517>>5398484>>5398267>>5397491>>5396247>>5396015>>5395951>Art: Stable Diffusion. Prompt: A traditional Indonesian palace, under construction, in an ancient city at night.“Eko is correct, the material is an easy and simple way to give tribute, and paying people for labor is far more humane than accepting human bodies as payment. We can’t build the Great Peace on the backs of forced labor.”
Kaori: I agree with your spirit, but Kais raises concerns. This material forms weapons far beyond our current capabilities. Funneling it into the Hall of Peace not only gives The Axeholder immense power over the rest of The Island but is against the spirit of the Great Fleet, which was meant to enrich all the tribes, not just the Hall of Peace.
Eko: Don’t you see, by enriching the Hall of Peace, everyone benefits. Roads, security, ships, these resources will let the Axeholder serve The Island in a way never possible before.
“We can compromise here. The Material can be one option of many for tribes to volunteer for their tribute.”
Kasi: That only increases inequality. Tribes like the Chantou can afford to pay the tribute with the fruits of forced labor. Then they can hoard the material to increase the wealth and power of people like Norodom. Meanwhile, tribes like the Ponni will be forced to give up their material to avoid having their land or people taken.
Agana: I have decided.
The council turns to Agana who has been passively observing so far.
Aganna: This council is meant to advise and show me the will of the Island, but for the rest of the year, the people have chosen *me* to ensure the Great Peace. By my order, the Tribute will be taken from *all* tribes in the form of this material. Poorer tribes will be required to give less of it, but this material will be the foundation of our nation.
Norodom: Axeholder! This is extreme, the nobles of the Chantou are counting on this material to-
Kasi: Build better chains? I served with farmer castes in The Great Fleet, I know how your kind treat their “employees.”
Norodom: You speak on what you don’t know, thug.
Agana: This isn’t up for debate, you swore before the Loa to follow the laws decided here and this is my discussion.
She scrapes her axe along the wooden table and stares every representative int eh eye, daring them to buck back.
Eko: The wisdom of the Axeholder is grand, thank you for accepting the way of the future.
Aganna: With that, we are adjourning for the day, get some rest.
Agana walks out the hall, not even speaking as she passes you.
Today felt like the longest day of your life, The longest since... the sea. But you have an opportunity to regroup and plan your next move. What do you do?
>Talk to one of the other Councilors (name who)>Meet with the Great Fleet to discuss strategy.>Venture into the City to gain intel on the situation on the ground.