E-Rokkian Imperial Forum
A hush falls over the crowd in the auditorium inside the Imperial palace as the lights dim. There is a collection of seven-teen men and women assembled on the stage. A man walks from the left hand side of the stage draped in bright blue robes that are accented with red, yellow, and green streamers and trim. As the man approached the podium all eyes were focused directly on him. The man tossed back the hood on his cloak to reveal a young face, a man of about 23 years in age with a neatly trimmed goatee and eyes so deep blue they were like an ocean in and of themselves.
“Ladies and Gentle Men, I am Garmm Torran. This morning I officially ascended the throne to become your Emperor after the tragic death of my cousin, your former Emperor Talamark Iffesti. Before his death, Talamark stated that he appointed me to the position of Emperor so that the goals and values he worked so hard to instate and defend would continue to thrive in our wonderful country. As of today it is my only purpose to do exactly that. I have the same dreams for my homeland that my cousin had, but I have a slightly different method to reaching this end result.
To help me realize this dream I have assembled a cabinet of people with the same common dream. Some of the members of my cousin’s cabinet will be remaining, and some members are new to the position. At this time I would like to take the time to introduce the members of my newly formed cabinet. The new cabinet is as follows:
Imperial Vizier: Torr Amo’Ssi
Minister of Foreign Relations: Judieala Marasska
Minister of Defense: Grand Admiral Helena Karissk
Minister of Justice: Azriel Wu
Minister of National Police: Koshalla D’Moni
Minister of Agriculture: Mallory Zang
Minister of The Interior: Luke Jefferies
Minister of Commerce: GoRRt
Minister of Labor: David Mishkin
Minister of Education: Zux Li Zong
Minister of State: Lelland Grazier
Minister of Energy: Barton Tumock
Minister of Transportation: Sarrat Mumix
Minister of Health and Wellness: Vale Omishia
Minister of Development: Near’Nan Vorrlish
Minister of the Treasury: Wildhelm Cauldputt
These men and women have vowed to do everything in their power to protect your interests and defend our great Empire. Thank you for your time and long live the great Empire of E-Rokk!”
From the floor of the Imperial Cabinet Chambers:
Imperial Vizier Torr Amo’Ssi stands to greet the cabinet. “Emperor Torran has asked me to get some issues resolved while he was away at Grand Admiral Zessix birthday celebration. First on the list is for Minister Marasska. Minister, as you know our relations with the other nations in the Unified Imperium have always been strong, but Emperor Torran would like to further strengthen them ten fold. As everyone is aware, it is because of the strength of the Unified Imperium that we have avoided any form of war for the last 300 years, and this is not something to be taken lightly. The Emperor is planning on establishing a international congress within the Unified Imperium and would like Minister Marasska to begin talks with the other member nations to begin formation.
Next on the agenda is an issue for Grand Admiral Helena Karissk. Admiral Karissk, while the strength of the Imperium has kept us out of war, the Emperor feels that we should be ready for it at al times. The Emperor wishes to know the current state of the “Falcon 12 Project” as soon as possible. Also he wishes to see enlistment increased but at least 200 percent. Also he wishes for war simulation games to become part of standard basic training procedures. Please write a full report on how you plan to accomplish these goals. Be sure to include a comprehensive budget, as well as a time frame of completion.
At this time I will be opening the floor for questions or concerns.”
GoRRt, The Minister of Commerce rose from his seat and pulled his hands out of the deep pockets in is robe folding them in front of him. The Minister cleared his throat to begin his speech. “ For the last several decades the Empire has required all business to obtain a trade license to sell there goods. At the time this policy was initiated it worked very well, how ever now it doesn’t seem to be as effective. This policy is based on the fact that every year the license holder is required to pay an annual fee, this fee is based on where the individual license holder’s business sits in one of three brackets. The license holders complain that this fee is not proportionate to the amount of trading they do. I propose that we still require a license for tracking purposes only, but instead of a fee, we generate revenue through a tax placed on every transaction. The percentage of the tax would be determined directly by the amount of the transaction. This would be similar to the sales tax that the end consumer pays, but would instead be paid by the license holder. My office has prepared a full proposal to present to the Emperor, and I feel he would agree with this plan of action.”
Imperial Vizier Torr Amo’Ssi stood to address Minister GoRRt. “ This does seem to be the best course of action based upon the information provided, and I will suggest it to his Excellency immediately upon his return. Is there any other business?”
After a brief pause the Imperial Vizier drew the meeting to a close.
From the floor of the Imperial Cabinet:
Imperial Vizier Torr Amo’Ssi stands to address the cabinet. “Distinguished members of the cabinet, Emperor Torran has called this emergency meeting in reference to the assassination attempt on his life last week upon his return from Avast. I will now give the floor to our esteemed ruler Emperor Torran.”
“When I became Emperor after the death of my cousin Emperor Iffesti, I vowed to continue his legacy and defend the best interests of our great nation. However I felt that the direct Imperial control that was in place at the time was far to over bearing, so I decided to give the people more political freedoms, taking a position of sitting back and only punishing those who deserved and letting the people live their lives as they chose. Now I see that what I should have done is instituted more government control than was previously in place. Now is the time for reform ladies and gentlemen.
First order of business ladies and gentle will be to emplace regional governors to make sure the rulings of this council are carried out. Minister Jefferies, and Minister Grazier it will be your responsibility to select three candidates from each region of E-Rokk, and Vizier Amo’Ssi and myself will select one from each region to control it. As this change is instituted I would not be surprised to see some form of rebellion, and I will not have my authority questioned. Minister Karissk, and Minister D’Moni the two of you will work on combining our national police forces, and our military into one program, I want the highest levels of training for all of our troops. The two of you will share joint control over the newly formed force, and submit all proposals to me directly. Minister Wu, I have a feeling there is going to be sudden influxes of political prisoners after the change, in response to this I say, eliminate them. There is no point in cluttering our prisons, and wasting our food on prisoners who despise us. You shall instantly sentence any “political prisoner” who comes before you to a brutal public execution.
I want this to be a swift and effective change, with all the new Governors and defensive forces in place by next week. I am going to rule this great land with the Iron Fist of control it demands.”
With that Emperor Torran pulled his cloak back over his head and turned to leave the podium. As he stepped down the Cabinet members noticed something they hadn’t before, fourteen fully armed body guards coming out of the shadows to surround and protect the Emperor. The guards were covered from head to toe in highly polished midnight blue armor. The battle suits conformed to the bodies of the guards making them appear larger and more menacing then the actual size of the men inside. The guards formed a tight circle around the Emperor as he exited the chamber.
From the floor of the Imperial Cabinet:
The Emperor walks down the grand entry way surrounded on all sides by his Imperial Guard. Just before stepping up to the podium to address the cabinet he removed his cloak and robes to reveal that he was wearing a full suit of body armor complete with military insignias and rank. His once blue eyes were now black and set deep in his face under the constant weight of his growing paranoia. The Emperor addressed the assembled members.
“Noble cabinet members, I thank you for gathering today. The first thing I would like to address is the great work provided by Minister Karissk Minister D’Moni in combining the departments of defense and the national police into the Department of Imperial Security. Your new I.S. Troopers are the most well trained soldiers I have ever seen. I have been working closely with Vizier Amo’Ssi and Minister Grazier to do away with the current conscription laws and put new laws in place stating that every male over age 12 must join the Imperial Security Forces for a term of ten years. In peace time females will be encouraged to join the Imperial Security forces after age 12, but it will not be required. Also Minister Zong has agreed to institute a full military education in our public school system.
Next on the Agenda I would like to officially introduce the new Regional Governors. From the Region of Saswick to the north I present Barron Xander Ammex. Barron Xander served in our military as a General leading our siege units under My cousin the former Emperor Iffestii. After fourteen years of outstanding service to his country, he answered the call of duty once more and now runs the day to day operations in the region of Saswick. From the Region of Delos, also to the north I would like to introduce Baroness Leana Glassier. Leana has been a loyal servant to our great Empire for many years. She previously served as Imperial Vizier to my cousin, and her wisdom is one of the greatest assets of our nation. From the eastern region of Oshloom Bay comes Barron Vigo Asweigo. Barron Asweigo Served for the last six years as the Minister of National Police and had an amazing career in the National Police Force before that. Also from the eastern provinces from the region of Tan’as we have Barron Zal Korrisa. Barron Korrisa has had a long career in our government and I believe he will make a great Governor. From the south from the Regions of Closa and Amanta come Barron Torrisa Folsi and Barron Con Cheeda. Finally from the west from the regions of Reshtick and Graltin come Barron Norwick Nidd and Barron Humphrey Jakrul.
The final point on the agenda as some of you may know is that we will be rearranging the hierarchy of our Government. We are doing this to make our departments more effective. The changes will be as follows.
Emperor Torran
Imperial Vizier: Torr Amo’Ssi
Barron Xander Ammex
Baroness Leana Glassier
Barron Vigo Asweigo
Barron Zal Korrisa
Barron Torrisa Folsi
Barron Con Cheeda
Barron Norwick Nidd
Barron Humphrey Jakrul.
Ministry of Administration (Formerly Ministry of Foreign Relations, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of State, and Ministry of The Treasury): Judieala Marasska, Azriel Wu, Luke Jefferies, Lelland Grazier, and Wildhelm Cauldputt
Ministry of Imperial Security (Formerly the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of National Police): Grand Admiral Helena Karissk and Minister Koshalla D’Moni
Ministry of Imperial Development: (Formerly the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Transportation): Mallory Zang, Barton Tumock, Sarrat Mumix, Near’Nan Vorrlish
Minister of Commerce: GoRRt
Minister of Labor: David Mishkin
Minister of Education: Zux Li Zong
Minister of Health and Wellness: Vale Omishia
In closing I would again like to thank the honorable Cabinet for assembling today on such short notice, we shall reconvene next week to continue discussing the reform of the Empire and formulate new laws, if you have any other issues to discuss before then please submit them to Vizier Amo’Ssi.”
After speaking his final words the cabinet expected the Emperor would put his cloak and robes back on, instead he handed them off to one of his assistants and placed a newly cast crown upon his head. The fact that he was now wearing a crown and a full suit of military body armor displaying his rank, truly set a new tone through out the cabinet. This action seemed to make everyone realize that a new order was in control, an order of strict military rule.
Upon leaving the podium the Emperor was once again surrounded by his personal Imperial guard and escorted out of the Imperial Cabinet.
From the Floor of the Imperial Cabinet
Emperor Torran rushes to the podium in full battle gear surrounded by his Imperial Guards.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the cabinet, it has recently been brought to my attention that Barron Vigo Asweigo has been assassinated by a group calling themselves, the Children of Liberty. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! Barron Asweigo’s wife Deeta has effectively kept order in the region for the time being with a detachment of our newly formed Imperial Security Forces. However, maintaining order isn’t enough. We must show these Children of Liberty who they are dealing with! From this moment forth the ISF will be assigned the duties of judge, jury, and executioner. From this moment on if a person is found guilty of any crime great or small, the punishment is death. Plain and simple.”
A member of the Ministry of Administration stands to address the Emperor. “Oh grand Emperor, I am Chief Justice Azriel Wu, I must respectfully object to this decision. I do agree that the Children of Liberty must be stopped, however, I feel
Simply killing every criminal we find from litterbugs to murderers, is not the way to handle the situation.”
The Emperor turned to Azriel and said “What about those guilty of treason? How DARE you question me.” Upon finishing his statement, one of the Emperor’s imperial guards turned and shot Azriel Wu in the chest, his corpse lay smoldering of the back of his chair.
“This meeting is adjourned!” the Emperor said as he turned and left the cabinet chambers.
Late breaking news!
This is Kimberly Grayson with WERK, your local news source through out E-Rokk. Today after the unexplained death of Azriel Wu, Emperor Torran accepted the resignations of Wu, Luke Jefferies, Lelland Grazier, and Wildhelm Cauldputt of the Ministry of Administration, Koshalla D’Moni of the Ministry of Imperial Security,
Barton Tumock, Sarrat Mumix, and Near’Nan Vorrlish of the Ministry of Imperial Development, and Imperial Vizier: Torr Amo’Ssi making the hierarchy of the Empire look something like this.
Emperor Torran
Barron Xander Ammex
Baroness Leana Glassier
Barron Vigo Asweigo
Barron Zal Korrisa
Barron Torrisa Folsi
Barron Con Cheeda
Barron Norwick Nidd
Barron Humphrey Jakrul.
Minister of Administration: Judieala Marasska
Minister of Imperial Security: Grand Admiral Helena Karissk
Ministry of Imperial Development: Mallory Zang
Minister of Commerce: GoRRt
Minister of Labor: David Mishkin
Minister of Education: Zux Li Zong
Minister of Health and Wellness: Vale Omishia
In a related story, the Children of Liberty, have claimed responsibility for the recent destruction of the Emperor’s vacation palace in Tarreg, claiming they will stop at nothing less than the death of Emperor Torran.
From all of us here at WERK hark a great evening.
Late breaking news!
This is Kimberly Grayson with WERK, your local news source through out E-Rokk. The Children of Liberty have met with and defeated the Armies of E-Rokk three times now in three major battles across the country. The man known only as The Liberator, apparently the leader of the COL made this statement two days ago. “Ladies and gentlemen of E-Rokk, I have come to release you from the grip of this tyrant calling himself your Emperor. Torran must be stopped at all costs. He claims to have the interests of Emperor Iffesti at heart, yet he has repealed every law that Iffesti personally passed. He cars only about himself diverting all funding from our public welfare and healthcare systems to his personal defense funds. We will stop him and release our people from his twisted ways!”
In a related story, yesterday Grand Admiral Zessix, the best friend of the former Emperor Iffesti, and the leader of the Confederacy of Avast, has pledged his allegiance to the COL stating that “Emperor Torran is a power hungry mad man, and who knows how long it would have been until he turned his sights on us. The Liberator is a good man and we shall offer him our support in any way we can.”
Today in WERK exclusive we have the Liberator joining us via satellite. “Liberator, time and time again you have stated the cause of your revolution, and your plan of action, but what of afterward if you are successful. What would your plan for the nation be?”
Liberator: “First of Kimberly let me say that while it was necessary to the safety of our mission for me to hide my identity, I know long feel the need to do so. So please, let me remove my mask and reveal myself as former Imperial Vizier, Torr Amo’Ssi. As you know I served Emperor Iffesti faithfully for years, but more than a servant, I was his friend. He often talked with me about how in his lifetime he wanted to transfer the control of our nation from the hands of a single man in the form of an Emperor, to that of representative government. The laws he passed during his lifetime were to help bring about this transition. He was beginning to draft the laws that would bring a senate into existence when he was struck down in the prime of his life.”
Kimberly: “Struck down? Mr Amo’Ssi, you make it sound as if his death was a murder or an assassination, rather than that of death due to natural causes.”
Liberator: “That is exactly what I am saying. He was a healthy man at the time of his death, the doctors had cleared him for international travel because as you know, he was in Avast, just before his death. I believe whole heartedly it was none other than his cousin Garmm Torran who took his life by way of a poison after he learned of Iffesti’s plan to release control of the country to its people.”
Kimberly:” I see, but what about all the men and woman serving in the armies of E-Rokk, are these not the very people you are trying to liberate?”
Liberator: “I am glad you asked. The reason I chose to wait until today to give my interview is because I wanted to wait until it was certain… all of the leaders of the ministries of E-Rokk, which compose Torran’s cabinet have sworn their allegiance to the COL, Judieala Marasska, Grand Admiral Helena Karissk, Mallory Zang, GoRRt David Mishkin, Zux Li Zong, and Vale Omishia have all pledged their support leaving only the Emperor and his precious Barons to resist us. With the E-Rokkian military under the control of the COL, they only have their personal security forces to defend them. The road to freedom will not be blocked.”
Kimberly: “Well Mr. Amo’Ssi, thank you for granting us this interview.”
Liberator: “My pleasure Kimberly, and my liberty find itself among the people of E-Rokk!”
From all of us here at WERK hark a great evening.
Late breaking news!
This is Kimberly Grayson with WERK, your local news source through out E-Rokk. After a long drawn out battle over the weekend, Emperor Torran, his Barons, and their personal defense forces were easily wiped out by the combined efforts of the COL, the E-Rokkian military, and the military forces from Avast. After four-teen straight hours of hiding in an abandon auto plant and sustaining constant shelling and sniper attacks, Emperor Torran ran up the white flag. He is now being held in a maximum security prison deep underground in the northern regions.
I a related story, Torr Amo’Ssi will be making a state address this evening on our network to lay down the groundwork for the future.
From all of us here at WERK hark a great evening.