07-01-2004, 15:51
OOC: I sort of got off on the wrong foot in International Incidents. Here's an actual introduction to the Commonwealth (nee Republic) of the Logarchy through the eyes of some of its best and brightest.
Night fell.
Night fell, and pinpricks of light began to dust the inky sky. The Aristoi had ordered all lights in the city extinguished for a period that night, and the stars shone as they had not since the Logarchy was founded here, here on the banks of the Reason river.
The Therapon Protarchon rose from his desk and opened the broad picture windows, newly installed by a delegation from the Poloi in gratitude for his rule. He smiled, briefly, as he rested his arms against the cool marble banister of his balcony- they were such good people, though concerned mostly with their petty lives, unable to see the greater good.
He closed his eyes, briefly, and let the cool night air wash over him. Perfect. Though of course no man could yet control the weather, the siting of this city and the placing of the Spire of Reason had been so perfect that every night, precisely at this time, breezes of the perfect temperature would gently breathe past the city and provide the perfect end to the Therapon Protarchon's night shift. It was a marvel of reason, a marvel of learning- perfection and art at every turn. His forefathers in the Aristoi had done well.
As Therapon Protarchon Aaron Potts, leader of the Aristoi and Guardian of his people gently sniffed the breeze, however, he wrinkled his nose in distaste. Beneath the aroma of pines brought in from the nearby mountains he detected an undercurrent of burnt carbon and industrial waste. The price of progress... but a disturbance in harmony, nonetheless.
A soft knock on the door disturbed his contemplation. A short man in a simple brown glided into the room and granted the Mudra of Respect Amongst Equals. Therapon Deutarchon Aristotle Lee. A good man, if surprisingly conservative for an Aristos. "Aristos Potts, a matter has arisen that requires your attention before you retire."
The Protarchon turned and stepped back into the room, closing the picture windows with a sigh. "Yes, what is it?"
"Therapon Decarchon Naki Fellow demands concessions for the 'whips, chains, and leather' community. Aristos Fellow feels that their lifestyle should be granted recognition and the opportunity to open storefronts catering to their lifestyle. Her" -here he could not suppress a grimace- "pet requests that they be allowed to go out in public in this fashion."
The Protarchon frowned. "I'm aware of this; you delivered this news to me earlier today- it is not rational to state what has already been stead and confirmed. Is there something you wish to add, or are you intentionally wasting my time?"
Aristos Lee visibly hesitated. "Well, Aristos... Therapon Decarchon Bill Mistletoe is up in arms over the matter. He feels that all such people are a disgrace to morality and should be hunted down by the soldiers... and executed."
The Protarchon sat and fiddled with a pen for a bit as he considered. Finally, he stood, and said, "Please prepare yourself as a recorder."
Aristos Lee straightened, his face blanking. "So ordered."
"It is resolved today, pursuant to a full vote by the Aristoi, that the Bondage, Domination, and Sadomasochism community shall be granted the right to exist and the right to engage in commerce, for the following reasons:
One. All men and women are, by the charter of our Commonwealth, free to do as they wish so long as they harm none. Self-inflicted or requested pain, so long as it is not destructive, is within the bounds of reasonable human sexual behavior and is not within the purvey of the Aristoi to withhold.
Two. Our industry needs continued diversification; there is sufficient excess iron and steel on the market now to support a reasonable number of whips and chains, and the elimination of surplus will drive further industry. In addition, our plastics industry will be useful to this community.
Three. There is obviously a need on the market. Allowing this need to go unfilled weakens the economy.
Be it also so ordered that persons in BDSM attire shall not appear in the streets, nor shall any person own a slave or servant for sexual or nonsexual purposes. Any person expressing a desire to do so shall be evaluated for mental illness and have their station reevaluated. The reasons:
One: Our charter forbids slavery.
Two: The desire to be permanently in bondage and the desire to hold another in bondage is not reasonable and, by the judgment of the Therapon Tritarchon Anna Miller and concurrence by the body of Aristoi, is psychologically unhealthy.
Three: Many Poloi and their children find it very disturbing and possibly damaging to witness such behavior and appearance. This is not acceptable, as weakened citizens and weakened potential soldiers create a weakened state.
So ordered, by Therapon Protarchon Aaron Potts, for concurrence by the Aristoi and distribution amongst the Poloi. Long live reason, and long live the Commonwealth."
The Therapon Deutarchon nodded, granted the Mudra of Departure-and-Fulfillment, and left quietly through the doors, closing them gently behind them. As he left, the Therapon turned in his chair, beholding the vista below. From the foot of the Spire of Reason outward, a broad swath of uniform but sturdily-constructed barracks stretched to the borders of the city, outlined vaguely in the starlight. Beneath him, many of the city's children were sleeping quietly or performing constructive tasks as punishment for misbehavior or low performance. A few, no doubt, the barely acceptable ones, would be corporally punished. Even fewer of those misbehaving few would survive until Matriculation. Overall, however, the performance was quite reasonable: at Matriculation, over a third of any Poloi or soldier's agemates would be enrolled in the military, and overall, a third of the populace was so enrolled.
Bisecting his vista was the Road of Harmony, stretching off into the distance precisely to the midpoint of the face of Mount Plato, where it turned in gentle sweeps to its east and west. On the right side of the Road, many of the city's Poloi were sleeping uneasily in their bead, unreasonably fearful of the natural dark enveloping the city. Some, no doubt, were crouched fearfully over the light switch, eagerly awaiting the turn of the hour so they could sleep, reassured by the security blanket of electricity and modernity. But it was here, meditating in the starlight, that the Therapon felt most strongly the call of the past, and the wisdom of the ancient one that foresaw his city...
OOC: I hope this gives an idea of the people of the Logarchy, and of the civilization I have created to bride Plato's Republic and Walter Jon Williams' Aristoi... with a few of my own ideas thrown in.
Night fell.
Night fell, and pinpricks of light began to dust the inky sky. The Aristoi had ordered all lights in the city extinguished for a period that night, and the stars shone as they had not since the Logarchy was founded here, here on the banks of the Reason river.
The Therapon Protarchon rose from his desk and opened the broad picture windows, newly installed by a delegation from the Poloi in gratitude for his rule. He smiled, briefly, as he rested his arms against the cool marble banister of his balcony- they were such good people, though concerned mostly with their petty lives, unable to see the greater good.
He closed his eyes, briefly, and let the cool night air wash over him. Perfect. Though of course no man could yet control the weather, the siting of this city and the placing of the Spire of Reason had been so perfect that every night, precisely at this time, breezes of the perfect temperature would gently breathe past the city and provide the perfect end to the Therapon Protarchon's night shift. It was a marvel of reason, a marvel of learning- perfection and art at every turn. His forefathers in the Aristoi had done well.
As Therapon Protarchon Aaron Potts, leader of the Aristoi and Guardian of his people gently sniffed the breeze, however, he wrinkled his nose in distaste. Beneath the aroma of pines brought in from the nearby mountains he detected an undercurrent of burnt carbon and industrial waste. The price of progress... but a disturbance in harmony, nonetheless.
A soft knock on the door disturbed his contemplation. A short man in a simple brown glided into the room and granted the Mudra of Respect Amongst Equals. Therapon Deutarchon Aristotle Lee. A good man, if surprisingly conservative for an Aristos. "Aristos Potts, a matter has arisen that requires your attention before you retire."
The Protarchon turned and stepped back into the room, closing the picture windows with a sigh. "Yes, what is it?"
"Therapon Decarchon Naki Fellow demands concessions for the 'whips, chains, and leather' community. Aristos Fellow feels that their lifestyle should be granted recognition and the opportunity to open storefronts catering to their lifestyle. Her" -here he could not suppress a grimace- "pet requests that they be allowed to go out in public in this fashion."
The Protarchon frowned. "I'm aware of this; you delivered this news to me earlier today- it is not rational to state what has already been stead and confirmed. Is there something you wish to add, or are you intentionally wasting my time?"
Aristos Lee visibly hesitated. "Well, Aristos... Therapon Decarchon Bill Mistletoe is up in arms over the matter. He feels that all such people are a disgrace to morality and should be hunted down by the soldiers... and executed."
The Protarchon sat and fiddled with a pen for a bit as he considered. Finally, he stood, and said, "Please prepare yourself as a recorder."
Aristos Lee straightened, his face blanking. "So ordered."
"It is resolved today, pursuant to a full vote by the Aristoi, that the Bondage, Domination, and Sadomasochism community shall be granted the right to exist and the right to engage in commerce, for the following reasons:
One. All men and women are, by the charter of our Commonwealth, free to do as they wish so long as they harm none. Self-inflicted or requested pain, so long as it is not destructive, is within the bounds of reasonable human sexual behavior and is not within the purvey of the Aristoi to withhold.
Two. Our industry needs continued diversification; there is sufficient excess iron and steel on the market now to support a reasonable number of whips and chains, and the elimination of surplus will drive further industry. In addition, our plastics industry will be useful to this community.
Three. There is obviously a need on the market. Allowing this need to go unfilled weakens the economy.
Be it also so ordered that persons in BDSM attire shall not appear in the streets, nor shall any person own a slave or servant for sexual or nonsexual purposes. Any person expressing a desire to do so shall be evaluated for mental illness and have their station reevaluated. The reasons:
One: Our charter forbids slavery.
Two: The desire to be permanently in bondage and the desire to hold another in bondage is not reasonable and, by the judgment of the Therapon Tritarchon Anna Miller and concurrence by the body of Aristoi, is psychologically unhealthy.
Three: Many Poloi and their children find it very disturbing and possibly damaging to witness such behavior and appearance. This is not acceptable, as weakened citizens and weakened potential soldiers create a weakened state.
So ordered, by Therapon Protarchon Aaron Potts, for concurrence by the Aristoi and distribution amongst the Poloi. Long live reason, and long live the Commonwealth."
The Therapon Deutarchon nodded, granted the Mudra of Departure-and-Fulfillment, and left quietly through the doors, closing them gently behind them. As he left, the Therapon turned in his chair, beholding the vista below. From the foot of the Spire of Reason outward, a broad swath of uniform but sturdily-constructed barracks stretched to the borders of the city, outlined vaguely in the starlight. Beneath him, many of the city's children were sleeping quietly or performing constructive tasks as punishment for misbehavior or low performance. A few, no doubt, the barely acceptable ones, would be corporally punished. Even fewer of those misbehaving few would survive until Matriculation. Overall, however, the performance was quite reasonable: at Matriculation, over a third of any Poloi or soldier's agemates would be enrolled in the military, and overall, a third of the populace was so enrolled.
Bisecting his vista was the Road of Harmony, stretching off into the distance precisely to the midpoint of the face of Mount Plato, where it turned in gentle sweeps to its east and west. On the right side of the Road, many of the city's Poloi were sleeping uneasily in their bead, unreasonably fearful of the natural dark enveloping the city. Some, no doubt, were crouched fearfully over the light switch, eagerly awaiting the turn of the hour so they could sleep, reassured by the security blanket of electricity and modernity. But it was here, meditating in the starlight, that the Therapon felt most strongly the call of the past, and the wisdom of the ancient one that foresaw his city...
OOC: I hope this gives an idea of the people of the Logarchy, and of the civilization I have created to bride Plato's Republic and Walter Jon Williams' Aristoi... with a few of my own ideas thrown in.