Category: Bulletin

A notice is posted at major notice boards and criers are set out to spread the declaration:

Upon my word, I, Sir Renatus of the Most Vigilant Order of Templars, do swear to journey to the front lines, to Blood Field province again (Province 83) and bury more soldiers slain by the forces of the Triumvirate, to give them peace, and so prevent their souls from rising as maelific or be raised by Lazarene forces as reinforcement. This deed shall be completed by the conclusion of the season of Winter and the onset of Spring.

Deus Vult!

Sir Connor Rosewood seeks laborers for the deconstruction of a structure in the coming weeks.
Two strong backs or equivalent is needed in this one upcoming period.
Coin amount negotiable.

Additionally, Master Performers sought for the commissioning of works.
Song, poem, or painting, or any other mediums are all worthy.

Please reach out as soon as possible for these opportunities via my usual messenger; Faye Se’Book

The Church District has openings for the following positions:

A steward for an estate. Requires a competent understanding of the finer points of manners (Etiquette 3)

An impresario for the theater. Requires competency in a wide range of performing arts and the basics of mercantilism (Performance 3, Mercantile 1)

A stock keeper for the warehouse. Must be of good health and endurance (Grit 2)

A jail keeper and executioner, both for the jail and related gallows. Must be capable of inciting fear to maintain order (Intimidate 2 for both)

A paper miller for the paper mill. Must be knowledgeable in the production of paper. (Papermilling focus).

Contact Lady Gale if interested. Terms negotiable.

Stragosa City Rulership
Reichgrafin Sir Hezke Heidrich
Seneschal Dame Kirsa Blackiron
Master of Coin Lord Emich Volksnand
Lord Marshal Lord Reinhardt Sonnenheim

District Magistrates
Princess Loredonna diLaCorvo, Market District
Prince Korma Araga, South District
Lord Pietro Giotolli, Well District
Lady Alexandra Gale, Church District
Lady Patricia Underwood, Guard District

Silbran Rulers
Reichgraf, Baroness Evelyn Drake
Master of Coin, Corvo di Talmerin
Eparch, Brother Aretreus

January Forum Events
Friday Evening
9 PM, Council Meeting (Invitation only)
9 PM, Spirit of Stragosa celebration

Saturday
11 AM, Convocation
12 PM, Public Market
12 PM, Warfare Meeting (please speak to Lord Marshal to attend)
2 PM, Tournament

City Announcements

Sir Hezke Heidrich, Reichgrafin of Stragosa, reminds all citizens that the Miracle is to remain locked at all times, and any use of the Miracle must be approved by the Reichgrafin, Seneschal, Lord Marshal, or Eparch.

Common Law of the City
Murder, treason, rape, theft from the city or a member of the nobility, and large scale burglary are considered major crimes, to be arbitrated by the Reichgrafin and Seneschal or Lord Marshal.

Common Crimes such as petty theft, drunkness, and disputes among the common people will be arbitrated by the Constable. The full text of the laws will be posted for the public in the tavern.

The City of Stragosa continues to seek labor both skilled and unskilled both at and between forums. Speak to a District Magistrate if seeking work. There is a particular need for laborers to help build gathering villages to ensure the needs of the people are met.

Events of Fall 604LA
William II de la Marck

Death of Baroness Drake: Near the beginning of the forum, Baroness Drake was killed and revived with the Miracle. Due to the circumstances, we’ve been asked to refrain from questioning further.
Rash of Deaths: Before dawn on the second day of the Forum, three herb hunters were killed by a Bear Spirit with a sword. Father Renatus, Luca, and Salem were found dead. At some point it was discovered that the Bear Spirit would leave you alone if you spoke in rhyme or if you gave it an offering of meat.
Story Teller of Stragosa: In the early afternoon on the second day of the Forum, if someone was wandering near the lake, a story teller could be found sitting near a campfire there. They stayed until past dark before making their way away.
The Unfortunate Death of the Undying: During an archeological excavation on the property of Balthazar, Freydis was killed when they were ambushed by ghouls. Unfortunately they were unable to recover the body until later. However they did manage it after some time had passed.
The Beggar Kings released their newest song, a heroic tale featuring Stragosa’s own Balthazar.
However when night fell, Freydis returned as Malefic. Balthazar offered himself up as payment to resolve her spirit’s pain and they returned to God together.
Return of the Kaurlites: As the Night Lord’s Feast began to draw to a close, more and more malefic seemed drawn to the doors of the Farmer’s Daughter. Eventually, the fighting became so intense that the tavern was forced to evacuate to the church, during which time the prospective prosecutor, Sybil, was killed. After a banshee was sighted with the heretic, the defenders of Stragosa beat back the malefic and the crowd returned to the tavern for a well deserved round of drinks.
The Miracle: On the third day of the Forum, after a ritual had been performed to honor the wishes of Luca and Salem, it was decided that Father Renatus would be the recipient of the Miracle.
The Ritual of the Hearth: Lead by the Mother Superior, those farmers preparing for the final harvest of the season paraded through Stragosa, gathering those who might help them. It was a source of much joy following the events of the previous night and was a good way to finish the gathering.

New Arrivals by William II de la Marck

Sooirse Kellibairn, most recently of the Parlimentary University, who has come to Stragosa to investigate the Miracle and to establish herself as a brewer and tea maker. She has recently been hired by the Farmer’s Daughter.

William II de la Marck, of Le Sorelle, Hestralia, who has come to Stragosa seeking new markets and better opportunities.

Khala of Sha’ra, who has come to Stragosa to find new opportunities and seeking personal freedom.

Hekte of Aquilla has recently arrived in Stragosa bearing messages from Hestralia and has decided to stay for a while. He swiftly found a place in Stragosa delivering messages for many different people and factions.

Daciana Silvian of Berceau de Artere Capaccione, who came to Stragosa to seek her fortune. She’s recently found a place among the Fraternis Sanguine.

Public Announcements

Prince Korma Araga will be purchasing fathered goods throughout the weekend. Payment available in coin or food.
l be purchasing gathered goods throughout this forum. Payment in food or coin available.

Lion’s Oasis College open for students. Curriculum this Season includes the core principles of Faith, Resolve and Intellect. Prices start at 10s/student. Free instruction in Aldersabin available. Inquire with Azzam for additional options and services.

Guard wanted – seeking reputable, skilled individual to lead College campus guard. Compensation negotiable.

Niall MacCraig is hosting a party celebrating the spirit of community within Stragosa Friday night. There will be dancing and music and frivolity. Come welcome new arrivals and meet your neighbors.

The Church District has employment opportunities available for the Impresario of the Theater, Steward of an Estate, Stockheeper of a Warehouse, and Jailer to staff the Prison. Please speak to Lady Alexandra Gale if you are interested.

The Metalli are seeking workers from apprentice to master including smiths, engineers, carpenters, and others. Crafting services are available. Seek Master Borso.

Master Eloi is taking orders for Masterwork items of Light Armor and Outfits. Feel free to speak with him about how these items would be advantageous to you no matter your station. Goods and labor accepted in payment as well is coin. Schedule is determined by demand.

Master Eloi is seeking needleworkers to volunteer time and effort to help the city. He has 100 linen that he is donating and wishes to turn into bandages to be given over to the church for the greater good of Stragosa. This could be done at forum or in between. Every little bit helps.

The Many Hands is available to help coordinate those whose time is available for labor with those who are seeking labor. Seek Sir Marius or Allegra.

The Mille Delize seeks performers or those wishing to learn. Seek Master Alonzo.

Lady Alexandra Gale offers her services in hosting and negotiation.

Lady Alexandra Gale is seeking to engage the ongoing services of a hunter, forester, or farmer.

Open Letters to the Forum

On Lord Emich von Volksand
(from an anonymous contributor):

Lord von Volksnand has recently taken on a most difficult and thankless position as Master of Coin. While many of us may gripe about taxes, the reality is, we all enjoy the things those taxes bring, like sewers and security. Lord von Volksnand has been serving in this position, taking our endless complaints and problems with good humor and humilty, as he has undertaken all of his previous service to the people of Stragosa-he has even toiled in the fields to ensure we all have what we need!. What better definition of service to mankind can be found than that? Though he is high born, he approaches all his interactions with those both great and small with modesty and impeccable leadership. He brings a breadth of knowledge to his position, and has worked industriously to better the Stragosa Valley (and I hear the ladies find him most charming as well!). So, I say, raise a glass to the Master of Coin, for his hardwork ensures we will all be safe and secure here in this city!

Advice

Lady Alexandria Vosslyn will provide advice in the newsletter to advise and amuse the community.. Please write her for her well educated advice.

People of Stragosa,

As you may know, Juleis is upon us, and with it the Longest Night of the year. The Hearthwise of Stragosa are seeking assistance in watching over the yule fire for the duration of Saturday night. Please contact Sir Lysander Freiheit at the Monastery in Province 69 or at forum to volunteer.

Silbran Financial Plan
Lion Age 605

Penned by Master Corvo di Talmerin
Effective as of New Year’s Day, Lion Age 605

Article I: Land Parcels and Provinces-
-I.A: Recognition and Declaration of Authority-
All provinces within the Valley of Stragosa are property of the Empire, the Throne of God on Earth. Silbran recognizes the authority of Stragosa’s rulership to all provinces within the Stragosa Valley with notable exception to those provinces in the Stragosa Valley which are granted by His Eminence and Imperial Majesty Siegfried von Herkheist to the Baroness, Lady Evelyn Drake. These lands, held under the banner of House Drake and the city of Silbran are to be considered right and lawfully under the rules, laws, and edicts of both His Imperial Majesty and those agreed upon by Rogalian Parliament which are agreed to hold affect over all provinces of Rogalia without exception.

-I.B: Stewardship and Management of Provinces-
Any Noble Vassal to House Drake or HIghborn citizen of the city of Silbran may petition for or be granted Stewardship of the provinces controlled under the banner of House Drake at the discretion of Her Grace, Baroness Evelyn Drake. Her Grace shall reserve the full right and authority to remove these lesser nobles or vassals from their positions of Stewardship at her discretion. Any gathering or production done within the provinces held by Silbran, unless explicitly negotiated otherwise with the Master of Coin shall be split 30/70 in favor of the Provincial Steward except in regards to precious metals and stones which will be split 20/80 in favor of the Provincial Steward.

-I.C: Taxation of Provinces-
All Provinces under the banners of House Drake and the City of Silbran, including those which are held in stewardship by vassals or other lesser nobility, shall pay all due taxes to the city of Silbran by way of the Master of Coin. In the absence of the Master of Coin, Taxes may be paid to the Seneschal, or to Her Grace, Baroness Evelyn Drake.

Taxes shall be due no later than the second forum of each season (Late Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter) at the close of Market on the second day (Saturday, no later than 4 bells). The Rate of Taxation is thus:
-Fifteen Silver Pieces per Province
-10% of all Gathered, Produced, or Manufactured Resources, Goods, Commodities, or Supply Units.
-60% of all Precious Stones and Metals, (Gold, Silver, and Jewels)

Article II: Cities and Districts-
-II.A: District Magistrates; Responsibility and Authority-
At the will of Her Grace, Baroness Evelyn Drake, any Highborn citizen or citizen of Silbran in good standing may serve as Magistrate of a district. District Magistrates are responsible for managing and administering their district. They are authorized to accept payments for use of city lots, administer the issuance and execution of warrants and administer justice in the form of levying and collecting fees and fines on behalf of the Master of Coin and/or the Lord Marshal. It is the responsibility of the District Magistrate to see that all such fees and fines collected in this manner are reported to both the Master of Coin and Lord Marshal. Additionally, District magistrates are authorized to collect taxes from the citizens of their district on behalf of the Master of Coin. District Magistrates are also responsible for making certain that any fees, fines or taxes collected in this manner are reported and delivered to the Master of Coin as soon as possible.

-II.B: Lots; Property Lease, and Management-
Each district is separated into lots. City Rulership reserves the right to claim and utilize lots for any purpose deemed necessary. Barring reservations placed upon a lot by city rulership, any district lot may be leased by any lawful citizen of Silbran and further developed for the purposes of housing, business, or both. All requests for lease of a lot shall go through the local magistrate of the district for initial consideration and all such petitions shall include a plan for the development of each leased or rented lot. After the local magistrate has approved the petition for lease of a city lot, they shall forward that request to the Master of Coin and Seneschal. All such requests must receive final approval from both the Master of Coin and Seneschal. At any time, and for any reason, Her Grace, Baroness Evelyn Drake, may revoke or otherwise deny the leasing of any city lot as is her right as ruler. It should be noted that while Her Grace, through the proxies of her Seneschal and Master of Coin grant citizens permission to do as they will upon the properties that are leased to them, Her Grace maintains full rights and ownership of the land. All lots have an initial Leasing fee of 20 Silver +the assessed value of any pre-existing buildings or structures. The assessed value of these buildings or structures is based solely upon the value of materials used to construct the building plus/minus any additional improvements or defects.

-II.C: District Taxation-
As each district is further divided into lots, each lot is taxed based on its individual value as well as taxes levied on any business in the form of both monetary taxes and a tax on goods. District Magistrates are responsible for the collection of all taxes, fees, and dues within their district. All taxes, fees, and dues thus collected are to be recorded and delivered to the Master of Coin no later than the second forum of each season (Late Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter) at the close of Market on on the second day (Saturday, no later than 4 bells). Tax rates for all lots and businesses are thus:

Lot: 5 Silver/Lot
Coin: 20% Coin Revenue
Goods: 20% of goods produced

Article III: Guilds-
The city of Silbran recognizes the necessity of guilds and encourages their existence and enterprise. Any citizen of Silbran may petition the Master of Coin to recognize and establish the monopoly of their guild’s trade. Like other businesses, guilds pay taxes but there are certain addendums or changes
-III.A: Guild Requirements-
Any founded mercantile organization may apply for guild status. In order to be considered for guild status and granted recognition, the prospective organization must meet the following criteria:
-One Master for each Craft the Guild Seeks to claim a Monopoly on. (This may be one individual who’s mastered all relevant crafts or several people who have mastered a single craft)
-One Executive Officer to act as a liaison between the Guild and other organizations such as the city or other guilds. This individual also serves to break ties in diplomatic voting processes and to mediate disputes between members within their organization.
-One Contract Officer who is, at the very least able to understand the terms and conditions of contractual trade agreements and mercantile contracts, and who is responsible for the wording and negotiations of such contracts. This individual may or may not also fulfill the role of Guild Executive
-The prospective Guild must demonstrate an ability to meet the needs of the city of Silbran in terms of service and production regarding every monopoly which they seek.
-The prospective Guild must submit a leasing proposition to the Master of Coin outlining their plan for the construction of a local guildhall or meeting place (or renovation of any such existing buildings) and any other buildings which they shall require to produce their goods or provide services.
-The prospective Guild must be willing and able to pay the annual fee to secure the monopolies they seek to claim.

-III.B: Guild Monopolies-
Each guild who meets the above criteria will be granted a monopoly on the crafts or trades they seek, provided that another guild does not already claim a monopoly on that craft or trade. In certain special circumstances, two guilds may agree to share monopolies to better stimulate local trade and economic growth. As a result, the Master of Coin may grant them special compansations with the permission of Her Grace, Baroness Evelyn Drake. Each guild must pay an annual fee of 40 Silver for each monopoly they wish to claim. Each monopoly will be clearly outlined in the guild charter (a specific contract that each guild maintains with the city), and will be subject to review each year in Early Winter. Upon this review, either the Master of Coin of the Guild Executive and Contract officer will decide if the charter is to be renewed, renegotiated, or revoked and canceled. The city maintains the right not to renew each guild’s contract. Should the city end it’s term and choose not to renew a guild’s contract that guild may continue operating, but does so without it’s monopoly. The only exception to this is if the monopoly is granted to another organization. Any individual found in violation of a guild monopoly shall face a punitive fine of 100% per transaction. 20% of the illicit sale revenue shall go to the city of Silbran while 80% shall go to the guild who’s trade monopoly was infringed upon.

-III.C: Guild Dues and Taxation-
All guilds shall, in some form or another, collect dues from their members. What an individual guild chooses to charge as dues and how those dues are paid are a matter for the guilds to decide. Guild dues are not taxable, however all other revenue, goods, and services the guild generates for sale are. In addition to paying for monopolies, Guilds pay the same lease rates on property that any other business pays. Furthermore, guilds also pay taxes in goods and coin to the Master of Coin no later than the second forum of each season (Late Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter) at the close of Market on on the second day (Saturday, no later than 4 bells).
Guilds are taxed thus:

10% of all goods harvested and/or produced
20% of all monetary revenue.

Article IV: Legal Notice-
-IV.A: Alternate Authority-
In the event that the Master of Coin is absent, all taxes, fees, fines, or dues may be transferred to the Seneschal or Her Grace, Baroness Evelyn Drake for deposit into the city’s treasury.
-IV.B: Tax Exchange-
At their discretion, the Master of Coin may alter the method of tax collected; In this case the Master of Coin shall collect goods in exchange for their monetary value or may collect additional coin in tax, not to exceed the value of the materials owed in tax.
-IV.C: Crime and Punishment
Any individual who is found to have willfully failed to pay taxes, fees, fines, or dues owed shall be charged with theft against the Empire and shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of Imperial law.

For the benefit of the new faces making their way into our fair city Niall MacCraig will be hosting a ‘Spirit of Stragosa’ mixer on the first night of this coming forum at the Farmer’s Daughter tavern. Enjoy snacks and drink provided by the host and make the most of your first forum night. Don’t pass up this excellent opportunity to make connections and forge friendships. As representatives of the community Sir Lysander Freiheit and the city census taker Eloi will be in attendance to speak on life in the city and offer any assistance in getting situated that might be needed.