Hello everyone! It’s time for another sitewide discussion!
Some time ago, we hinted that we had been taking a look at the government systems on the islands. Considering that it can take a lot of effort to create and maintain a government, we want to add more incentive and excitement. To this end, we have come up with a list of options and perks that we had considered, and we would like to get your feedback!
Our intention is to provide a perk that is unique to each style of government. To this end, we also want to provide some guidelines for how governments would function. As a reminder, here are our current government types:
MONARCHY: a single ruler exercises sovereignty through various means and is succeeded by a chosen heir.
AUTOCRACY: a single ruler has absolute power and typically rules by force and without consent.
OLIGARCHY: island governance is shared between the territory leaders and other chosen elites.
DEMOCRACY: a new ruler is chosen regularly by vote, negotiation, or discussion.
ANARCHY: each territory acts independently and the island lacks governmental control.
PROPOSED GOVERNMENT RULES
RULE CHANGES- Governments will only be considered official once they are posted on the updates board.
- When a territory changes leadership, there is a 2 week grace period for the leader(s) of the existing government to negotiate with the new arrival. During this grace period, the island still functions under the old government, but once the grace period ends, the island will return to Anarchy and lose it’s perks unless an agreement is reached. This grace period starts as soon as the territory officially changes leadership.
MONARCHY
A leader may call upon a subordinate to assist them in battles.
- This perk may only be used by the leader. However, a monarch may choose to apply this bonus to one of their subordinates, using up the perk in the process.
- This must be acknowledged prior to the battle beginning (RP) or being rolled (dice). No posts will be required from the assisting member.
- This perk would be limited to once per in-game year.
- For roleplay battles, a simple point bonus will be used: +0.25 for an unranked assistant, +0.5 for rank 1, +0.75 for rank 2, and +1 for rank 3.
- For dice battles, a 7 sided die will be used, with the 7th side corresponding with the assistant and counting as a win for the leader.
AUTOCRACY
A leader can demand something from their subordinates.
- This perk may only be used by the leader.
- They may only demand something from one subordinate herd per in-game year.
- The demand could be (but not limited to): an existing herdmember, a new herdmember, to execute a challenge or raid on their behalf, a foal, and so on. Players must gain consent of the other player before demanding something like a foal.
OLIGARCHY
Island leaders are able to block raids in each other’s herds.
- This would apply only to the leaders of the other herds, not to co-leads or sub-leads. Co-leads and sub-leads will still only be eligible to block raids in the herds they belong to.
DEMOCRACY
A leader may claim one additional herd member per week from the Commons.
- Elections for leadership may be called for by any territory lead on an island that has already established a democracy by messaging a moderator. Elections will be held on the OOC board.
- There should be at least one in-game year between elections.
ANARCHY
As this is the default state of the islands, no perks are given.
PEAK / LAGOON
Lastly, we are considering something for the Peak and Lagoon as well. We want to help make leaders have an impact on the way that the Peak and Lagoon are run so that there is more incentive to work towards becoming or removing a leader. However, we are torn between two ideas:
- IDEA ONE
Upon election, the Boss and Prime Minister may choose a single rule for members. For example, the Boss may decide that members visit other herds to try and find new members, and the Prime Minister might decide that members must practice their fighting or be at risk of demotion. These rules would be up to the leader to enforce. The rules would not be able to overwrite or change any existing rules, and would need to be given Moderator approval before being implemented.
- IDEA TWO
Upon election, the Boss and Prime Minister could choose a motto for the Lagoon/Peak during their tenure. For example, the Prime Minister could choose the motto: “Bring good into this world by doing good in this world,” and the Boss could choose the motto: “Everyone loves a villain.” This would be non-enforceable, but hopefully encourage members to embody the chosen mottos.
So let us know what you think! Do you have any thoughts on the perks themselves? Are they fairly balanced? Do you think they will encourage players to develop governments? And what are your thoughts on the Peak and Lagoon ideas? Do you like either option, or would you like them to stay the same? Maybe you have some ideas of your own?
Either way, please feel free to either comment below this discussion, email lostislands.staff@gmail.com, or message Chaos or loveinspired on Discord! We appreciate all of you and look forward to hearing your thoughts!