Court of the Tree [Prelude/ Act I]

[Wimaland]

Note: I am planning for this post to be the story arch that will drive Internal Ruthenish politics. Sometimes, I will I would like to invite people to participate (sometimes), especially when dealing with other nations, so they can have an impact on the arch (which I think would be cool). I will hit you up when that's you. Some posts will have IC Secret information, while some posts will have information that if not widely available, will be known by people familiar to Ruthenish politics. I will do my best to keep these types of information in separate posts, but note that they might overlap with each other. A good rule of thumb is if it is behind closed doors, not much of the post is likely to be known IC.

The Yldbir (Old City): 19 February, 2021

Prelude

"Here it is Lord Zgeirtan, does everything look fine?"

"Yep, that looks pretty good.", said Lord Zgeirtan as he fiddled around with the paper. "Let's put it up for a vote in the Riksroja."

The air was stiff as it was cold, and the water shivered as the morning fog descended upon the Nok river. The trees, long remaining dormant under the overcast sky, stood as statues out in the garden of the Blyvbirn. A seemingly dreary time of the year, Ruthens often occupied themselves around this time of the week with a festival often translated into English known as 'Kindtide', the Festival of the Candles. Though not a particularly important festival in the grand schemes of the many holidays Ruthens enjoy, it is three days that Ruthens have off from work-- occupying themselves in Candlemaking, if they are in a festive spirit. Candles from ruby red, to candles that matched the shade of a Uilaz festival tree, and to candles that are said to smell like the pure essence of the spirits themselves. And if were weren't in the business of making candles, there were many in Ruthund that would simply buy one or several, specifically made for the occasion and adorn the house with an old and mystical flair. And if you were even a secret admirer, surely the Spirits would favor you in kindling a fire between your future lover. Ruthens, a superstitious bunch, love to reserve these festivals for these sort of occasions. In fact arguably, that is why Ruthens have so many holidays-- because there must be a day dedicated for every thing of spiritual importance. And if you were to disregard those days that the spirits would help you, it is surely a wish for bad luck-- and no sympathy would follow.

But Zgeirtan would only see Kindletide as a 3-day period rife with paperwork as he not only had to respond to the various happenings of the Southern Realms of Europe, but also addressing an issue that long awaited to be solved: The Galpthulzo, the Mega-Corporations in Ruthund that before the 1994 Liberalisation Reforms, enjoyed privileges as formal Guilds --the effective masters of the Ruthenish economy (or the official masters, depending on who was in charge). Their support from the State made Guilds firms extremely wealthy, so much so in the later days of the Old Regime that there had to be a cap on how much one Guildmaster could make because some started to become wealthier than the nobility.

When the Guilds finally did get their privileges revoked during the reforms, it presented no ailment to many of them. Even in the newly established free market, many of the powerful families that ran the Guilds continued to go on and become some of the most powerful people in Ruthund. Some even point to the first Lord of State as a demonstration of what the power of these families looked like. The First Lord of State of course was Yldfidi Zdarhildizen, who served a long 18 years as Lord of State. While Ruthund looked like it was about to embrace a fully Southern style of government, it was Yldfidi that used his wealth and influence through both subtle and not so subtle tactics prevented policies that would challenge his power, the likes of nationalization of industries, and increased centralization of the state. Ruthund to this day still remains among the few European nations to offer basic public services such a Universal Healthcare, arguably because of him and his iron hold on power.

But Yldfidi's days of power broking were gone now, and now many Ruthens-- particuarly those of the city, where the Galpthulzo's activities were most apparent-- longed to see the likes of the Mega-Corporations removed from the face of Ruthund. Zgeirtan, something of a firebrand liberal himself, campaigned on reducing their influence on politics. Both being appealing to the city dwellers, from which he came, but also tolerable enough for the Moderative Conservatives in the hinterlands, Zgeirtan found himself on a solid oak desk. But Zgeirtan was no longer an outsider, and in fact, Zgeirtan never really hated the system, despite what the Kangiflank really wish you to believe. In reality, he just wanted the Kangiflank uprooted from Ruthenish politics and to modernize Ruthund from within the current system. With Ruthenish industry exploding, its seeming to work well, if not at least on the surface.

Zgeirtan had to make a choice: He could either try to mend his tenuous relationship with the Mutual Workers party (which he personally harbored no love for) to try to preserve his flimsy minority government, or he could he could keep the status quo and try to get by on the assistance of Galpthulzo. He will reluctantly pick the prior.

"Oh by the way, I don't want to see this out in public until it leaves the Riksroja. The fucking Feinkusomring will go batshit once the see this budget resolution. The lefties will think its a corporate bailout while the right will think that this is some sort of scheme by the UNSR."

"Not to question you Mr. Zgeirtan, but how will it make a difference if I may ask" said a Secretary.

"Ok, ok. My thoughts are if we can get the lefty councilors in the Riksroja to support this, the lefties in the Feinkusomnring will sound less reasonable and be embarrassed into supporting it so they do not discredit their own party members."

"Well, I wish you luck then Mr. Zgeirtan." the Secretary responded in a doubtful manner.

No doubt, Zgeirtan will have to make a lot of maneuvers to pull this off before the press catches wind of what he is doing. But Zgeirtan has more influence in Ruthund than many are willing to admit, especially as what some know him as an outsider.

Just as Zgeirtan was peering over a copy of the resolution, another aide rushed into Zgeirtan's office and urged him into the briefing room, "Mr. Zgeirtan, our Intelligence Officers are awaiting for you to be briefed in the Dark Room. It concerns the Ruthens stuck in the Union of Syndicates. The Riksroja are assembled too."

Zgeirtan let out an annoyed sigh, "Oh boy. Okay I'm coming."