The Village Tree

Sent each week to all of the villages of Callisto, providing news of events, instruction in laws, and discoveries relevant to every citizen. Available by subscription to farmers, pastoralists, landowners, rural inhabitants and friends.

Harbor Improvements Progressing

Many of those who are out of work in Amalric province are now employed in the project to improve Amalric's harbor, which is making significant progress. Many of them are the nephews and cousins of the humble peasant farmers, those who would otherwise be out of work. It is hoped that the newly improved harbor will be instrumental in both fishing and in importing new sources of food.

First National Census Begins

A scientific census of the entire population as begun, with each province and district compiling a list of their inhabitants. The immediate purpose of the census is to facilitate fair and equitable distribution of food to the population. A Census Department has been established (under the aegis of the Treasury Department) and the new Minister of Citizens has already appointed several Deputies.

Local Communities Organize Local Food Distribution

Even before the census-takers descended on the provinces, the local Grange have been organizing the communities and facilitating the distribution of aid. In many communities, the census itself is being run by the Grange, which will no doubt greatly speed its implementation.

Army Morale Heightened by Food Distribution

Our troops greeted the news of the national food distribution with excitement. No doubt they will fight all the harder since they know that the families they left behind won't starve in their absence.

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The Merovian Review

All the latest, from the Capital that sets the fashion

Scientific Expedition to Southwestern Peninsula In Planning Stages

A scientific expedition to the southwestern peninsula to test "sound seeing" devices is currently in the planning stages. They expect to discover many mines of precious metals, as the national land survey indicated the strong possibility of major mineral deposits there.

Treasury Department Assures Stability

The Treasury Department has issued a statement that the country's finances are not currently falling apart.

Discontent Caused by Food Shortages and Bread Prices

The high prices and shortage of food in the capital is causing some distress and much discontent, particularly among the many laborers and humble artisans who make up so much of the population.

Archbishop to be Appointed to Address National Assembly

The Supreme Pontiff is reportedly going to send an Archbishop to address the National Assembly and review the corruption in the ecclesiastical hierarchy of the Doctrine Universal. The traditional Decade's Gift that is usually sent to the monarchy will likely be given to the nation instead, though details are as yet unclear.

Military Artwork on Display at the National Museum

On loan from the National Military Academy, these paintings are full of martial spirit.

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The Village Tree

Sent each week to all of the villages of Callisto, providing news of events, instruction in laws, and discoveries relevant to every citizen. Available by subscription to farmers, pastoralists, landowners, rural inhabitants and friends.

Army Recognizes the Old Ways

The morale of our soldiers on the boarder has been bolstered by the arrival of priests from the country parishes. Our unrevolutionary enemies

Plans to Clear the Amalric Harbor

Plans are in motion to restore and expand the harbor in Amalric. No doubt this will ease the food crisis if it is completed. And with so much of the rural workforce unemployed and turning to banditry, perhaps this project will have many benefits.

Parishes Feed the Countryside

With the Vivificia Festival and the funds of the parish, the inhabitants of the province of Amalric have, at least temporarily, been fed.

Traditional Communities Bolstered by Spring Planting

The spring plantings have been accompanied by a renewed interest in the bonds of community and the traditional religious practices. Green hats, traditional associated with the Grange, were much in evidence.

Military Adviser Sent to Defend Villages Against Bandits

An adviser from the national military academy has been sent out into the countryside to deal with the bandit problem by instructing the local villages on how best to defend themselves. Albert Franshis is an experienced instructor and intends to teach the country-folk tactics and the proper handling of weapons, including farm implements.

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From the Catalog of the National Archives

On the Polishing of the Spheres

An account (or a proposal) for handling the large stone spheres "so frequently remarked on of late". It seems to involve pairs of workers polishing the objects, searching for cracks.

On the Economix of an Unified Callistan Weights and Measures, Fortunes Found Rather Than Lost and the Advantages of Simplicity in Trade and Commercial Enterprize

Some historians regard this scholarly paper as the origin of the plan for the first national census.

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The Village Tree

Sent each week to all of the villages of Callisto, providing news of events, instruction in laws, and discoveries relevant to every citizen. Available by subscription to farmers, pastoralists, landowners, rural inhabitants and friends.

A National Census Is Proposed

The National Assembly has been debating a proposal to conduct a National Census, to set up the new Republic on a throughly scientific basis.

Villages Organize with Traditional Associations

In these times of crisis, many villages have been paying renewed attention to the old tradition of the Grange, the community-led organizations. In many villages the local Grange has begun to put together lists of local citizens.

Bandits Continue to Plague Countryside

We hear reports of continued banditry, as companies of ill-intent roam the countryside, terrorizing villages.

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After one week (and one in-game month) the game has had 47 messages sent, and everyone has gotten at least three messages. Plus, a couple more players have joined the game. You may see some letters from them soon.

As always, the game only works because of the players, and you are all marvelously inventive. Everything you've seen in the news posts has come from you: I haven't made up any of it, beyond some slight editorializing.

If you're not a player, but would like to be (or someone you know would like to join the game) just send an email to towerofcallisto@gmail.com. There's always room for more players; the game is designed to be flexible. If you've signed up but haven't heard from me, just send an email to that same address–there was an issue earlier with some of the emails entered into the form being incorrect, so it's safer just to email the actual address.

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The current state of the Republic of Equality.

It is currently Floréal - the month of flowers

Army

The National Army is:
...on the frontier with the Holy Rumi Empire
...weakly loyal to the Republic
...with moderate morale
...low on material
...few soldiers, disorganized

Places

The Province of Toussaint is calm, with high food prices, disrupted commerce, and a bad harvest. Toussaint is weakly loyal to the Republic.

The province of Amalric is agitated, with exorbitant food prices, disrupted commerce, and a bad harvest. Amalric has unclear loyalty.

The province of Adelais is calm, with high food prices, stable commerce, and good fishing. Adelais is weakly loyal to the Revolution.

Merovia, the Capital City is calm, with high food prices and disrupted commerce. The city is strongly loyal to the Revolution.
The city guard is strongly loyal to the National Assembly.

Politics

The National Assembly is:
...the Friends of the Constitution are in ascendance.
Major political clubs: Friends of the Constitution, Highlanders, Moderate Society of Revolution, Populist Children of Equality
The National Finances are rich.

Currently Debating:

• The Trial of King Martel XVII
• The Permanent Abolition of the Monarchy
• Establishing a national food distribution infrastructure
• Conducting a national census

Offices:

• Treasurer
• General of the Armies
• Department of Science
• Representatives on Mission: 1

Projects

• Fishing Fleet: ☑ ☑ ☐ ☐

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The Merovian Review

All the latest, from the Capital that sets the fashion

International News: Cassano Denies Involvement with Princess

In an official statement, Assanbrugh, the Ambassador of Cassano, has said that the flight of Princess Marguerite was solely a personal matter effected by an individual of some social standing. The flight was not acknowledged or aided by the government. Cassano's unofficial position of support for the Republic of Equality remains intact.

Schools Reopen

Not even a revolution can stop the education of our population. The schools are reopening, full of students who are ready to learn.

Revolutionaries Call for an End to the Regime

The Moderate Society of Revolution has publicly begun to agree that the time of the monarchy is over. We shall see where this debate leads.

Food Distribution Scheme Proposed

In the National Assembly, a proposal has been put forward to distribute food into all corners of the country, regardless of people's political allegiances. It will take considerable organization to pull off. A new, modernized infrastructure for a new modern Republic.

A Homily

"The Doctrine Universal explicitly supports the idea of getting involved into society; everyone should be able to act according to his Façon in order to advance this society. One can master working at a field, which others write masterfully and the third manage masterfully."

An Art Exhibit

The painting "The Martyrdom of the Saint" by Poussin is on display at the National Museum this week for the first time. It is on loan from a small parish in rural Amalric. Only a special dispensation of the Supreme Pontiff allowed it to be put on display for us in the Capital.

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From the Catalog of the National Archives

On the Use of Springs

A monograph, dated to the first year of the Revolution, on the use of energy stored in springs.

A report of an experimental "reaper" cannon

A report of a field test of a rust-proof, water-proof cannon. Test results indicate a high degree of effectiveness against stone fortifications. Includes diagrams of the machinery.

Painting: "The Return" by Anhault of Anhalt

Said to have inspired the later actions of the Friends of the Constitution.

Painting: "Calm Waters" by Anhault of Anhalt

This painting's message of unification calmed the situation in the Capital, at least for a time.

Painting: "The Martyrdom of the Saint" by Poussin

Notes mark it as being on loan from a parish in rural Amalric

Sculpture: "Eyes to the Storm" by Bartolomi Repucci

It measures 20 feet in height, and an 11 foot diameter. It has three men standing over a table and one looking away in hope but worried, the other two shaking hands in agreement over the map on the table. Commemorates a peace treaty between Merovia and Gaston.

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The Village Tree

Sent each week to all of the villages of Callisto, providing news of events, instruction in laws, and discoveries relevant to every citizen. Available by subscription to farmers, pastoralists, landowners, rural inhabitants and friends.

A discovery in the southwestern peninsula

The heavy granite deposits in the southwestern peninsula have been measured as part of the National Survey. Large granite-encased spheres were recently uncovered there, of unknown origin. It has been reported that Professor Aswale of the University has started to investigate.

Shelter for travelers

In answer to the predations of bandits, the provincial religious rectories in Amalric have opened their doors to travelers. Any who wish to stay in the secure, if humble, parish hall may remain after the close of the evening Lucerna Mass.

An amusing disease

An odd disease has been reported in the south-west: it seems that it causes hair-loss.

Growth in religious faithfulness?

Religious attendance seems to be on the rise in the provinces, with every Mass packed full. But some say it is only because of the food and watered wine the priests distribute at the end of every morning Ortus mass.

Many of the peasants are flocking to the new Cult of Reason, but openly say it is because they have soup.

Drought forecast to continue

The current academic projections show that the spring rains are late to arrive, and are unlikely to give any relief to the drought in the near future.

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The Merovian Review

All the latest, from the Capital that sets the fashion

Society Sightings

Contrary to their behavior previously, Professor Antonine of the University and Citizen Rupert of the Museum seem to be on the outs this week. Citizen Rupert's behavior at the docks seems to be at the root of it.

A popular club?

The city's laborers have organized a political club of their own. They call it the Populist Children of Equality. In between the drinking, they have loud speeches about the need for the Assembly to work toward greater equality.

Fashion News

This smart season is topsy-turvy, with so many of the nobility fled to other countries. Of course, for some individuals, that means they've decided that it's their chance to shine. And the emigrants won't be having a very grand display abroad–they've left most of their servants behind!

A Sale of Nationalized Lands

The Treasury department has drawn up plans for disposing of the lands that formerly belonged to the Pontifical churches of the Doctrine Universal, arguing that they would be put to better use by the citizens of the Republic who work them.

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The Merovian Review

All the latest, from the Capital that sets the fashion

Mechanical Marvels

New toy automated carriages were on display in the Palace of Equality today. Clever mechanical marvels are yet another of the many delightful sights in the city!

The Debates in the National Assembly

The members of the Moderate Society of Revolution have spoken at length on the need to hold a fair trial for the King. They urge the Assembly to call for his abdication and exile.

International Dispatch

The courts of Dál Riata are abuzz with rumors that the downfall of their ancient rivals in the Merovian dynasty is the perfect time to take advantage of the situation.

Princess Marguerite

The king's niece, Princess Marguerite, was not in the capital with the other royals when the king was arrested. There have been many conflicting reports as to her whereabouts, but we can now state confidently that she was at the Summer Palace near Adelais. She was last seen departing from there with a wealthy royalist from Cassano, escaping from the Revolutionaries.

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The Village Tree

Sent each week to all of the villages of Callisto, providing news of events, instruction in laws, and discoveries relevant to every citizen. Available by subscription to farmers, pastoralists, landowners, rural inhabitants and friends.

A dispatch from Amalric

We hear that the peasants in the province of Amalric are starving, reduced to eating nothing but acorns and turnips. Complaints about rents and taxes are heard frequently. The hard clay soil of Amalric is difficult to work, and the recent crop failures have caused much suffering.

Educational Corner: Aeronautics

Professor Jean-Pierre of the University in Merovia has shared with us a plan for enabling human flight. We shall believe it when we see it, professor!

Seasonal Celebrations

The rural villages are preparing for the upcoming Vivificia Festival, a time of rebirth. It is sure to lift the hearts of those who are suffering!

Educational Corner: The Touch of Evil

A terrible leprous disease: those who suffer from it are sent to the Colony of the Touched on the Island of Yeu, where a religious colony tends to them.

Fish!

The docks of Adelais are busy these days, as the fishing boats bring in their catches from the well-stocked fishing shoals.

A Lesson in Economics

By our consulting financial genius

When food is scarce but coins are plentiful, we can say that the coins have been devalued, and more coins buy less food. In other cities, with more food but fewer coins, the same coins might buy more food.

Seeing with sound?

Experiments at the University have demonstrated that it may be possible to use sound to see what is in the very ground beneath our feet. Truly, we live in an age of unparalleled wonders!

Stock Report

By our consulting financial genius

Lumber mills and stone quarries are projected to increase in value.

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Some answers to common questions and clarifications of some details:

1. Don't forget to CC the ref when you send your letters!
2. You've been given a large number of contacts. While you don't need to write everyone every week, most people like getting letters. I've found that the game runs pretty well if everyone aims to average three letters a week. Though you can often get more done if you talk to more people...
3. For this scenario, your first contact also have you as a contact. But you are allowed to exchange contact information with other characters. Or ask characters to tell others things. And you may get an introductory letter out of the blue...
4. Assume a technology level roughly equivalent to 18th century early-industrial Europe. Though someone might tell you about the exceptions...
5. Your character sheet should have everything you need to start inventing your character. Feel free to ask if something isn't clear or if you're not sure if something is allowed. (The answer is almost always that it is allowed.)
6. Narrative authorities can be taken literally. And metaphorically. As long as it's clear to the ref what you intended to invoke, it's within your authority to describe it.

If there's anything that isn't clear or that you don't understand, please ask. I'm trying to develop this scenario so that other people can use it to run Callisto, and every clarification I can make now will help many people down the road.

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The current state of the Republic of Equality.

It is currently Germinal - the month of germination

Army

The National Army is:
...on the frontier with the Holy Rumi Empire
...weakly loyal to the Republic
...with moderate morale
...low on material
...few soldiers, disorganized

Places

The Province of Toussaint is calm, with high food prices, disrupted commerce, and a bad harvest. Toussaint is weakly loyal to the Republic.

The province of Amalric is agitated, with exorbant food prices, disrupted commerce, and a bad harvest. Amalric has unclear loyalty.

The province of Adelais is calm, with high food prices, stable commerce, and good fishing. Adelais is weakly loyal to the Revolution.

Merovia, the Capital City is dissatisfied, with high food prices and disrupted commerce. The city is strongly loyal to the Revolution. The city guard is strongly loyal to the National Assembly.

Politics

The National Assembly is:
...politically balanced between factions
Major political clubs: Friends of the Constitution, Highlanders, Moderate Society of Revolution
The National Finances are rich.

Currently Debating:

• The Trial of King Martel XVII

Offices:

• Treasurer
• General of the Armies (unassigned)
• Department of Science
• Representatives on Mission: 1

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