Magna Graecia: Titanomachia (A City State Quest)

Cavalier said:

I mean TBH if this ends with Alexander the Great spreading the word of the Divine Marriage across Asia and irrevocably altering cultural history that's a bigger win to me than maintaining control of the cult.

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That's just a values difference then, I guess. I have no interest how different this history goes. The GM post on states as character is a good reference point for my perspectives; I don't care about characters that have never been introduced.

Kipeci said:

Our very first great work pick was the culture option of building a gigantic temple to the Divine Marriage and restructuring our hill, we even spent an extra year making it more fancy, so I don't think our cultural influence is nil. I find it rather unlikely that one ramshackle just created city would yank that carpet out from under us just because they have a converted oracle. I'm perfectly fine with spreading out a bit so that we can influence people near us and get more buy-in on our strange oaths in the future, anyway, it doesn't matter how built up in dedication you are to the one idea if no one else cares.

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Not right now, sure, but Kymai can build temples too.

Interesting update that truly is a welcome change of pace to previous updates. Nice to see an example of how women can be a political force in even a fairly patriarchal society though I find the accusation do cowardice to all survivors a bit distasteful (even if it is entirely believable behaviour). The news from the Peuketti are kind of worrisome and likely present an additional issue to deal with which could complicate future expansions and shows that nothing in politics is ever truly complete. Still might be a nice opportunity to introduce our own observers, especially if we couple it with the Messapi. Though I wonder what exactly makes them so unhappy since the last news we heard suggested rising prosperity, might it be that they are running out of arable land?

In regards to our foreign officer I will go with the second option and probably a focused foreign policy. I am firmly on the side of fearing the effects of rivalries and the like and think a stremlinsed plan not only leads to a more effective foreign policy but also leads to more entertaining reading and discussion in the quest.

In regards to Kymia the lure of snatching the Sybil is to much to resist even if I like the sound of the second prophecy more and I would argue for including the oligarchs in the end settlement since not only do I like effects it seems to have on their internal politics but for me at least gaining a solid core of experienced and wealthy people was one of the lures of the whole evacuation in the first place.

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Tree of Stone, growing in a newly planted grove upon the ashes of ancient monuments [-250 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, -70 talents, Sibyl will go to Eretria Eskhata, Eretria Eskhata will gain an oracle and cultural influence].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

I will try to have a post up on my reasoning some time tomorrow, but this is how I intend to vote.

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Tree of Stone, growing in a newly planted grove upon the ashes of ancient monuments [-250 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, -70 talents, Sibyl will go to Eretria Eskhata, Eretria Eskhata will gain an oracle and cultural influence].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

Erandil said:

Though I wonder what exactly makes them so unhappy since the last news we heard suggested rising prosperity, might it be that they are running out of arable land?

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From the sound of it, its the Oxen trade. The nobles are hungry for Eretrian Talents, so they drain their people of their cattle so that they can make more money by selling to us, which is slowly but surely starving the Peuketii rural population.

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Tree of Stone, growing in a newly planted grove upon the ashes of ancient monuments [-250 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, -70 talents, Sibyl will go to Eretria Eskhata, Eretria Eskhata will gain an oracle and cultural influence].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Sapling of Wood, growing in a primordial forest looming over waves lashing the crags of a rocky coast [+1000 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, Sibyl will go Nea Kymai, Nea Kymai will become a new center of the Divine Marriage].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

[X] [Motion] Leander's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have two deputies explicitly subordinate to them drawn from the two losing candidates.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Tree of Stone, growing in a newly planted grove upon the ashes of ancient monuments [-250 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, -70 talents, Sibyl will go to Eretria Eskhata, Eretria Eskhata will gain an oracle and cultural influence].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Sapling of Wood, growing in a primordial forest looming over waves lashing the crags of a rocky coast [+1000 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, Sibyl will go Nea Kymai, Nea Kymai will become a new center of the Divine Marriage].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

In this manner, I feel we might appease the existing Adriatic cities while still welding them to the oath of the Divine Marriage. With the Sybil making her home in Nea Kymai, she will hopefully spread awareness and bring the people of the cities into worship of the Divine Union. We should also allow the oligarchs to bring their money to strengthen the fledgling colony's economy. Hopefully, between the Sybil's religious influence and Eretria's political and economic influence, we can keep the oligarchs from attempting anything untoward. With respect to the issue of the xenoparakletor, I am in agreement with Phokion, and would have lifted his rock had I been in the ekklesia that day.

So speaks Eutychion, son of Eutychos, who is now seeking a wife.

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Tree of Stone, growing in a newly planted grove upon the ashes of ancient monuments [-250 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, -70 talents, Sibyl will go to Eretria Eskhata, Eretria Eskhata will gain an oracle and cultural influence].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

A chance to acquire an oracle? That is going to be a huge boost to our prestige and ability to act. As well as cementing our place in the league instead of setting up a rival cultural node down the line.

@Cetashwayo , will the Sibyl be honoring the Divine Marriage if she comes to Eretria, or honoring Apollo only?

Cetashwayo said:

When some Daorsi chiefs questioned Mnemnon, they were pleased by his demeanor and jokes, which transcended barriers of language, as when he wrestled one of their chiefs to the ground in a bout of brawling, his most common form of diplomatic greeting.

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Never change, Mnemnon. Never change.

Mnemnon was even caught flirting with one of the younger men among the Daorsi, and was promptly pulled back from a potential collision course with the man's wife, herself a chieftain's daughter by Obander, who warned Mnemnon that this was not elysium. The Daorsi still warred and fought, and although peaceful their lives were not idyllic. They were people, and should be respected, not sought out as images of alien virtue in the midst of nature. Mnemnon, embarassed, agreed, and swore never to be adulterous with anyone but his two Eretrian lovers. Obander sighed and said he wished Mnemnon was Pygmalion, so that the only thing he loved was stone. Mnemnon responded that the only one who likes stone in such a way is Obander, and Obander resented the accusation, riposting that he loved trees of fig more than stone, which only muddled the matter further. The two agreed to leave it at that.

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Obander confuses everyone.

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Hm. Well, I'm no longer greatly moved by need to be more generous to the Kymaians.

I favor letting the oligarchs go to Nea Kymai. The increased wealth will help them jumpstart their mercantile interests and turn them into a worthwhile trading partner, and a bit of political instability... frankly is probably just as well.

Now, if we're going to make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear their oaths by the Divine Marriage, and continue to insist on the Divine Marriage as a cornerstone of the Epulian League, then we need to strengthen the Divine Marriage's cultural authority one way or the other.

Honestly, either vote choice seems to accomplish this. Having the Sibyl come to Eretria turns Eretria into a major religious center- probably not on the level of Delphi, but one step short of it. This gives us credibility in insisting on the Divine Marriage... but only if the Sibyl is fully united with it.

But having the Sibyl go to Nea Kymai and promote the Divine Marriage there will also strengthen its prestige, and make it more likely to spread far and wide up and down the east coast of the Adriatic, where we already see that it has little currency among two of the new cities we're integrating into the Epulian League.

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[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Tree of Stone, growing in a newly planted grove upon the ashes of ancient monuments [-250 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, -70 talents, Sibyl will go to Eretria Eskhata, Eretria Eskhata will gain an oracle and cultural influence].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Sapling of Wood, growing in a primordial forest looming over waves lashing the crags of a rocky coast [+1000 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, Sibyl will go Nea Kymai, Nea Kymai will become a new center of the Divine Marriage].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Tree of Stone, growing in a newly planted grove upon the ashes of ancient monuments [-250 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, -70 talents, Sibyl will go to Eretria Eskhata, Eretria Eskhata will gain an oracle and cultural influence].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Tree of Stone, growing in a newly planted grove upon the ashes of ancient monuments [-250 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, -70 talents, Sibyl will go to Eretria Eskhata, Eretria Eskhata will gain an oracle and cultural influence].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

[x] [Motion] Leander's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have two deputies explicitly subordinate to them drawn from the two losing candidates.
x] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[x] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[x] [Prophecy] A Sapling of Wood, growing in a primordial forest looming over waves lashing the crags of a rocky coast [+1000 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, Sibyl will go Nea Kymai, Nea Kymai will become a new center of the Divine Marriage].
[x] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[x] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

Simon_Jester said:

@Cetashwayo , will the Sibyl be honoring the Divine Marriage if she comes to Eretria, or honoring Apollo only?

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She'll be pro-Divine Marriage either way.

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Sapling of Wood, growing in a primordial forest looming over waves lashing the crags of a rocky coast [+1000 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, Sibyl will go Nea Kymai, Nea Kymai will become a new center of the Divine Marriage].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

Chimeraguard said:

She'll be pro-Divine Marriage either way.

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If that's so, I think I'm flipping my position on the oracle, for now at least.

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Focused diplomacy prioritizing a clear direction and coherent strategy over flexibility [3 missions from winning Demos per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Tree of Stone, growing in a newly planted grove upon the ashes of ancient monuments [-250 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, -70 talents, Sibyl will go to Eretria Eskhata, Eretria Eskhata will gain an oracle and cultural influence].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Sapling of Wood, growing in a primordial forest looming over waves lashing the crags of a rocky coast [+1000 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, Sibyl will go Nea Kymai, Nea Kymai will become a new center of the Divine Marriage].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

My thoughts on the colonization issue is that we should try to make Kymai capable enough to be useful. We invested quite a bit in the rescue mission, and it would be a shame to do it for less than the full amount. And keeping the oracle will make them share our religious views, since she's now convinced about them. Meanwhile, the same probably applies to the cities we're recruiting. We should give them the room to grow, but keep them tied to us and the league.

Oligarchs are the only ones I'm unsure about. More wealth is good, but trouble could be annoying if we have to babysit them.

I would advise against a sampling of wood as it looks to eventually create a East/West split in the Epulian League. The religion and culture will diverge and with how strong we've already made Kymai, we could see them arising as a focal point of separation. An Oracle is a such a rare and powerful force in this time that it could very well lead to us planting the seed of Epulian separation even as we go above and beyond for Kymai.

However with the Tree of Stone, we continue the building of Eretria and further incentivise immigration which can decide to stay or depart for the colonies if they desire citizenship. The city and the League need this cultural boost but we need it in the right place which is at the center of the league in Eretria.

[x] [Motion] Leander's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have two deputies explicitly subordinate to them drawn from the two losing candidates.
[x] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[x] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[x] [Prophecy] A Sapling of Wood, growing in a primordial forest looming over waves lashing the crags of a rocky coast [+1000 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, Sibyl will go Nea Kymai, Nea Kymai will become a new center of the Divine Marriage].
[x] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[x] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

I'm fine with us dominating the league economically and letting the religious and cultural influence be more of a collective effort.

afterthought53 said:

I would advise against a sampling of wood as it looks to eventually create a East/West split in the Epulian League. The religion and culture will diverge and with how strong we've already made Kymai, we could see them arising as a focal point of separation. An Oracle is a such a rare and powerful force in this time that it could very well lead to us planting the seed of Epulian separation even as we go above and beyond for Kymai.

However with the Tree of Stone, we continue the building of Eretria and further incentivise immigration which can decide to stay or depart for the colonies if they desire citizenship. The city and the League need this cultural boost but we need it in the right place which is at the center of the league in Eretria.

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Why would they want to separate from us?

[X] [Motion] Phokion's Amendment. The Xenoparakletor will have one deputy chosen at their leisure and approved by the Popular Tribunal.
[X] [Missions] Flexible diplomacy prioritizing breadth and the ability to address multiple issues over focus. [2 missions from winning Demos, then ability to choose 1 more from the losing slates per term].
[X] [Oligarchs] Kymai must be made anew and bury old hatreds [+400 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, city may have more wealth and political conflict in early years].
[X] [Prophecy] A Sapling of Wood, growing in a primordial forest looming over waves lashing the crags of a rocky coast [+1000 Kymaians go to Nea Kymai, Sibyl will go Nea Kymai, Nea Kymai will become a new center of the Divine Marriage].
[X] [Oaths] Make Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros swear oaths to the Divine Marriage [Cities will be unhappy but Epulian League oath will be preserved].
[X] [Lands] Grant additional lands to Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros [Both cities will be granted new lands by Eretria and grow in population, both will be very happy].

"I stand by my earlier proposal regarding the deputy xenoparakletor. The office already exists, so let us fill it. The oversight of the Popular Tribunal will insure talented members of a demoi will be chosen, if there is no coalition of demes in place. In this way we can avoid the risks of divergent interests sabotaging the conduct of our foreign affairs. But as for the matter of the nature of our policy I favor our current system. It has proven useful to us in allowing the city to address a wider range of problems. This flexibility allows us to intervene before a problem becomes a crisis, even if it does not allow us to solve all the problems that face us. But if to seize an opportunity with one hand is inferior to seizing with both, it is still better than doing nothing and allowing it to flee. And we should not forget that this system has contributed to the stability of our policy by offering a means whereby the losing demes may yet advance their interests.

But aside from the citizen motion there is another, far graver matter before us. The future of the Sibyl of Kymai is a trust given to us by Apollon himself. We dare not betray that trust or act from base motives. And in that regard I believe it right and proper for the Sibyl to accompany her polis in its relocation. It was Kymai that nurtured and defended the Sibyl, so that it might grow so renowned. It was Kymai that Apollon blessed with her presence in the first place. And if Kymai is a child of Old Eretria then it would not be fitting to take from them. A parent does not inherit from a child, for such is unnatural and against the way of the world. So should we demur in humility and understanding and allow the Sibyl to take root in Nea Kymai as she once did in Old Kymai. As the worship of the Divine Marriage spreads so will Apollon and Athene bless us for our service to their Oracle.

However I know men are swayed by interest as much or more than morality. And I believe it is in our interest that the Oracle of the Sibyl, of the Divine Marriage, be established in Nea Kymai. It will immediately insure the prominence of the Divine Marriage among the citizens of Nea Kymai, where previously they had been reluctant to acknowledge it. This will bind them to our League in addition to our generosity. Furthermore such a powerful influence will surely establish the marriage among Melaina Kerkyra and Epidauros, who enter our League mostly ignorant of the Divine Marriage. In such a way we can insure that the southern Adriatic becomes tied to our polis as the home of the Divine Marriage, and we will come to share similar customs and oaths. But there is another, greater opportunity.

At one time the Divine Marriage spread rapidly through Sicily. The Sicilian metics that our fathers wisely allowed to find sanctuary in our city adopted our practice and spread it to their Ionian brothers at home. It was a means of resistance to the tyranny of Gelo and the hubris of Syrakouse to set up mercenaries as a settler class over citizens. The Divine Marriage was itself married to a manful resistance to tyranny, oligarchy, and mercenary rule; it was the symbol of a mature demokratia that, as Eretria has done, resolved conflicts between classes and orders to advance the common good. Now to our southeast, in Hellas proper, we see great instability and the abandonment of sacred custom in favor of brutality and conquest of other Hellenes. There is an opportunity to establish the Divine Marriage in Hellas itself as an alternative to the Spartan oligarchy and the tyranny that Athens is pursuing over its Delian League.

We see to our immediate concern the city of Epidamnos. They were good friends to our fathers, and owed their democracy to our example rather than conquest or coup. Now they labor under the yoke of Corinth. Their oligarchy will grow more unstable by the day as their trade is cut off by Athens. Perhaps the time will come soon for the people of Epidamnos to reclaim their freedom, inspired now by the Sibyl bringing the Divine Marriage to the far side of the Adriatic. And perhaps we might even see Kerkyra, reduced from a proud equal to a prostrate tributary, seek again to reclaim its pride and dignity. We know the Divine Marriage aided the Sicilians in doing so, and we might very well hope the same for these people we have reason to wish freedom for. And perhaps having secured their freedom with the blessings of Apollon and Athene, they will look to the home of the Divine Marriage for further guidance and protection.

But the Divine Marriage is not a cult of Eretria. It is a truth of the divine and an independent Oracle will help establish it as such. And the success spreading word and belief in the Marriage in these trying times will grant it respectability in Hellas proper. Colonists coming to the Adriatic on the far side will have heard of the Marriage already from the famed Sibyl. They will come having already bought in to the common ethos of the League without our having to specially recruit them. That, I believe, will be the greater good than to keep the Divine Marriage for ourselves.

Naturally it follows that we should retain our oaths to the Divine Marriage for the good of our League. But we are generous and moderate in our leadership and so should allow the Melaina Kerkyrans and Epidaurans to settle territory we have not done so already. They will see their prosperity comes from the League and from the Divine Marriage and will be tied closer to us despite their early ignorance of our customs. I do not think this is a matter of controversy for it is an obvious good.

But for the oligarchs of Kymai we are somewhat split over. I feel it best to allow them to come. Perhaps it will take time for Nea Kymai to reach the accord of classes that our city did so quickly after the Founding. But they will, with our example to guide them. And we need for all Hellas to see that this is possible. For the Spartans and Athenians have taken to resolving their political disputes with impious bloodshed within the community and against others within their power. We should demonstrate our superior arete and rebuke them for their brutality with an example of new accord built in a new frontier. This will enhance the prestige of our Epulian League and perhaps guide Athens away from its terrible path of late; but in any case the gods will reward righteousness and punish violations of their laws however long it takes for justice to be done."