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Chapter 49: Day 112 (4) – Peace and Frustration
Chapter 49: Day 112 (4) – Peace and Frustration
Chapter 49: Day 112 (4) – Peace and Frustration
It had taken the rest of the day, but there was an agreement hammered out and written down on paper that was now available from the Store.
- There is the Triumvirate of the Guard Boss, Elected Representative, and the Champion. They are the leaders of the City of Purgatory.
- The Guard Boss is elected from the Captains and can be replaced by 2/3s majority.
B. An election is held every 25 days for the Elected Representative, the first for Day 125. Each individual has to pay 5 5-point crystals to vote to pay for election expenses. Candidates announced 5 days beforehand. New candidates have to pay 100 5-point crystals to be added. Any crystals left over after election expenses goes to the winning candidate
C. The Champion can be challenged for their position on their return from exploration by one individual to the death. No more than once every 25 days. If multiple challengers registered beforehand, they would fight it out beforehand.
- All Triumvirate members do not pay pillar taxes. This only applies to them and no one else including their businesses unless they make the purchases themselves.
- The tax rate is set at 25%
B. There is no business tax
C. 2/5 of all tax is reserved for Store upgrades
D. 2/5 goes to the Guards of the Red Dawn for pay and upkeep
E. 1/5 goes to supporting new arrivals for their first 10 days and no longer
- The Guard Boss is responsible for the following
- Auctioning off dungeon attempts, with proceeds going to Store upgrades at a full 100%
B. Resolving clearing disputes in the wilderness and to keep things stable within Purgatory
C. To foster a culture of clearing and exploration
D. To keep the plaza clean and collect taxes
E. To help new arrivals adjust to their circumstances
F. To defend the city from outside forces
G. Have a monopoly on brothels and gambling
H. To conduct a fair election once every 25 days for the Elected Representative without any interference from any other party including members of the Triumvirate beyond basic campaigning
I. Guards are paid 5 5-point crystals/day, Captains 20 5-point crystals/day, Underboss and Staff 30 5-point crystals/day, Boss 50 5-point crystals/day
J: The Guard boss has sole authority to appoint captains, but may not remove them without the Triumvirate’s full approval
- The Elected Representative is responsible for the following
- Speaking to new arrivals and working with the Guard to settle them
B. To hear disputes related every 5 days and make consistent rulings
C. To monitor the expenditure and tax collection of the Guard
D. To collect a pay of 100 5-point crystals/day for themselves and staff, from the Guard’s share of taxation
E. To collect and organize information of the arrivals and about the city, environment, and Store
F. To oversee any challengers to the position of Champion as an organizer
G. To put together a general code of laws and rules for the populace, with the understanding of simplicity and that the lack of a jail or prison means death or excessive fines will be the foremost punishments
- The Champion is responsible for the following
- To explore new areas and bring back information to be freely shared with the Triumvirate, who will decide what to release publicly by 2/3s vote
B. To have full authority to investigate and determine the threat of anything outside the city
C. To invite individuals back to the city to discuss any possible long-term agreements, requiring 2/3s vote of the Triumvirate for any inter-city agreements
D. Full authority to review taxes and expenditures of the Guard and Elected Representative
E. To not be bound by the code of laws or any other ruling they did not personally approve of beyond this document
F. To not rampage through the population for any perceived or actual slights without first speaking to the Triumvirate
- The people of the city of Purgatory have the following guaranteed rights
- The right to speak and assemble freely as long as they do not incite any violence or action against any member of the Triumvirate besides an election challenge, or a challenge against the Champion
B. The right to bring a petition or grievance to be heard by the full Triumvirate, people wasting time may be fined heavily or executed
C. To be integrated and helped for their arrival into the city for their first ten days and no longer
D. The right to defend themselves
E. The right to be free from slavery or the threat of slavery
F. The right to vote if they pay the voting fee
- Changes to this document require all Triumvirate members to approve without exception
- If there is an emergency, the Guard Boss may declare so for a period of no longer than 3 days
- If the other two Triumvirate members do not approve of the action, then the Guard Boss will be permanently removed from their position and the Guard forever
B. Any action may be taken during an emergency except those listed
C. An emergency cannot be extended unless there is the approval of all present Triumvirate members within the city
D. This charter may not be altered during a state of emergency
E. The Champion may act as they deem fit during an emergency
- No Triumvirate member may appoint a representative, but they may not be removed or prevented from attending a meeting for any reason except those listed within this document
This founding charter is signed and witnessed on day 112 in the City of Purgatory.
Michael, Roger, Ken, Ruth, Tyrese, Terrance
I sat in my home looking over my copy of the Purgatory Founding Charter. It was exhausting, but it was something that needed to be done. Each clause was dug into, it was a battle of attrition from all parties to get the thing hammered out.
Still, I was happy with it. “Surprised we finished today,” Ruth said. We both were sipping some water. I had kept the copper cup that had been brought out for the discussion.
“I suspect they want me to leave and not cause any more trouble. How bad is the loss?”
“Over 200,000 points, possibly more, with all the building ownership and upgrades that were lost,” Ruth said.
“Ouch, that is quite a bit. Sorry, I wasn’t able to get you a tax exemption,” that had been something I had to give up, to get the tax distribution I wanted.
“It is fine. You added another page to your legend.”
“What was this? The Battle of Blood Two?”
“No idea, will have to check when we get back.”
“So, you really are coming with me?”
“Unless you changed your mind.”
“No. Not after what you have done. I am not an ungrateful bastard. You think the charter will stick?” I asked.
“Maybe. Hard to say.” Ruth shrugged. “Still, the entire place is a mess and will take a while to recover. What is the plan?”
“You can clear small wolves while I go out into the shadowlands for scorpions and meerkats. Have the cart be our base.”
“You are not going to help me get a skill?”
“Shadow Concealment might work for you, but I don’t think it is that good. Acid Shot is the best. If you want to go to the slime dungeon, put in a bid at the auction.”
“I can save the skill point, though, can’t I?”
“Nope, it is a use it or lose it type of situation. Figure get lots of crystals with a heavy grind. Then come back here. You can bid on the slime dungeon, then we can explore after that.” It felt weird planning things out with another person after I had been by myself for so long.
Ruth took another sip of water. “That works.”
“You should be earning three to four hundred crystals a day from the small wolves, preferably more.”
“Will you help me with the auction?”
“Nope. That is on you. I will help with the wolf dungeon. That one can be a bit tricky. You wanted this, right?”
“Yes. I don’t want to be stuck managing a brothel or an inn. I want power to decide my fate,” Ruth said.
“So, you say. But power and danger go hand in hand.”
“True, very true. What a mess. I need to sleep. It has been a long day. What?”
“Well, I only purchased one bed.” There was a long moment of silence. “Um, no, not like that.” I let out a groan and hung my head down in my hands. Ruth let out a light laugh at my embarrassment.
“Perhaps, perhaps.” I looked up at that. “Still, not a good idea to mix business with pleasure.”
“No teasing. That is a new rule.”
“Alright, but you started it.”
“Yes, and I am ending it.” I would need to get a very cold shower now and got up. I could hear my younger self and the shouts of thousands of people screaming at me to take the opportunity in front of me.
The simple fact was that I wasn’t about to be led around by my dick. No matter how pleasurable the end result would be, I could see two steps ahead. I wouldn’t allow-
“Sorry about that,” Ruth said. She was standing at the exit to the shower room. I didn’t say anything, but put back on my clothes, I would put on my armor when I left tomorrow. “Most men would jump at the chance.”
“Most men are idiots.” I let out a sigh. “If I have sex with you now, I will want to stay here and give your suggestions more weight.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“You know it is.” Ruth looked off to the side at that. Point for me. I finished getting dressed. “You are just another temptation in my path.”
“The path to ultimate power?”
“Something like that. We are business partners. Involving sexual drama…well it will only make things worse.” I was mentally kicking myself. I had built up an image of how I should act in my mind, and for the first time I felt trapped by it.
“Or better. You are wound up tighter than spring loaded clock.” I looked to the side at that. Point to Ruth. “If you keep going like that you will snap.”
“Maybe. But regardless, it will not be a decision in the heat of the moment. No teasing.”
“You take out the fun of life, but no teasing. Wouldn’t want to get pregnant anyways.”
“So that is happening?” I asked.
“Yes, but restorations stop the menstrual cycle, but don’t stop pregnancies that have already happened. We wouldn’t have to worry here in the city.” Well that answered one question I didn’t want the answer to.
I clenched my hands. Stupid libido, stupid body. I breathed deeply and let it out. The answer was still no. “This might be your last chance before you have too many upgrades,” Ruth said and landed a critical hit.
“No,” I whispered before speaking louder. “No. My will is unbreakable. I am in control of my body and no one and nothing else will change that. Millions of years of evolution might be screaming at me, but I didn’t muster the will power to survive this long to just cave into something like this.”
“Surprised how you think it is giving in, suppressing something? Perhaps a virgin?”
“Perhaps, but you are pushing quite hard Ruth. Feeling pent up yourself?”
“Yes.” I didn’t expect such a direct answer. “So, what is holding you back?” That was a very good question. “I hope it isn’t some misguided concept of honor or something equally ridiculous.”
“The same thing that I had already said. It is a balm, comfort, a lie in this place. Take your pick. If I have sex with you, I will want more. I know my personality well enough that I wouldn’t be able to resist and try to leverage you. That is why I have never used drugs or smoked.” Also, a reason why I got fat. Once I start, I have a hard time stopping something I enjoy doing.
“I see. So not me?”
“Not you. I…thank you for offering. But I respectfully decline.”
“If you say so. Enjoy your bed.” She turned and walked away. I let out a much longer sigh. Past me wanted to strangle me, future me was sighing with regret, and current me felt annoyed.
I made my way to the bed and collapsed on it. I didn’t regret my decision, but I still had regret from the missed chance. Perhaps it was my only chance in this place. Curse that woman and the fact she tempted me so much. I screamed into my bed.