“Forgive me for not rising...”

“Forgive me for not fully rising, but I am undressed.” You declare sitting up and looking at the six women who are your royal counsel, who bow their heads in acknowledgment. “I will take each of your reports now on the state of my realm at this time: starting with the High Priestess, and moving sunways.” You state and they begin giving their reports.

“Your people's faith is vague and unformed noble leader, there is a melange of practices and traditions among your people which are more magical thinking than a real religion, we do not even have unified **** customs. I would recommend you start the researchers working on Ceremonial Burial.” She states, shaking a string of bones attached to the top of a staff, her amethyst eyes concerned but proud to have been chosen first.

“The People are content noble leader, they entertain themselves in traditional ways and reproduce at a normal pace. However, we have no luxury resources and devote no funds to entertainment: I recommend you increase the percentage of taxes devoted to entertainment.” Your entertainment adviser states bowing her head and beating her hand on a drum.

Your Diplomacy/Espionage Adviser raises her head next and smiles. “My talents go to waste noble leader: let us send forth our explorers and find other lands!” She declares, gesticulating broadly.

“I concur your excellency!” The Military adviser chimes in, in a smoky contralto.

“There will be no further outbursts from other advisers during the briefing portion of the proceedings!” You state forcefully holding up a hand for silence, always having found that part of high council meetings annoying.

“The Treasury is strong my lord and taxes are adequate to our current needs. We have roughly enough reserves of grain and goods to provide for 100 days of directed work from 1000 people, the whole free population of the city that is not under arms, but there is nothing presently to spend it on. I would recommend raising more military units to explore.” Your economic adviser states, dressed in luxuriant furs.

“Excellency, I have calculated the science rate out to the third bead of my abacus and I am dismayed at what I find! Please raise the Science Rate!” Your scientific adviser states, she has strange eyes, where all the others save the High Priestess are brown hers are green, and you 'remember' this is why she is a specialist instead of common individual, considered 'Spirit Touched'.

Lastly, your military adviser speaks: “Give me more soldiers Excellency; that we may send them forth to explore the world and discover the secrets of other tribes!” She declares, brandishing a dagger.

“You have not briefed me on the current state of our military...” You declare.

“Forgive me your Excellency: my 'army' currently consists of a band of ten Jaguar Warriors who are barely adequate to maintain order and a corps of one hundred Workers who have no work. I NEED more men.” She states, sheathing the dagger.

“Very well. This meeting is adjourned, leave me to don my garments, but await me at the end of the passage to my cave and we will continue with the meeting in the great cavern.” You declare 'remembering' the layout of the 'palace'.

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