Brookshire is traditionally the "royal" Duchy of Shireroth, and the one that holds the most political power. Elwynn has taken that mantle from us nowadays, with the last two Kaisers and the Steward hailing from those lands. I would like to recapture political power, and in the current situation, that means money.
If Kaiser Hesan's economic proposal is successfully reinstated, money will correspond to Landsraad votes. If we can become the richest Duchy, we can regain our preeminent place. I think we can. Count Mike and Mr. Bekkenhuis have their law firm, the first business registered under this new system. I have plans to start a graphic design company. Baron Erik must have some way to leverage his status as national demigod into hard cash. And Count Krasniy: I give you official Ducal permission not to participate if you don't want to exploit anyone
I admit that I am not sanguine about the prospects for the current economic system. That is why I proposed the Kehl solution, which seems to have been rejected pretty thoroughly. I will talk to Minister Andreas and see what his long-term plans are. If they're good, I will be happy. If he doesn't have any plans, I may have to use a crazy plan of my own, just in Brookshire. But I would much rather not.
What else? I would like to develop culture. I have some long term plans for an exposition of Brookshire culture similar to the Five Woes of Ynnraile (a story I wrote in the Syrelwynn forum.) Along with that, I would like to give a Society to each of you. The Societies will be fictional Brookshirean interest groups with personally tailored agendas. For example, the Piscatores will be am Inquisition-style Society dedicated to hunting down and rooting out the Demon Fish of Balgurd. That will give you all both a subdivision and a Society to represent. I haven't developed this very well yet, but I will be introducing them along with the cultural aspect.
My attempts to get a good philosophy/religion/politics discussion/debate forum going on the main Shireroth board have failed. But! I can make whatever subforums I want in my own Duchy! So I will be turning Brookshire into the intellectual center of Shireroth. I'll be applying to Minister Ari for the subforum just as soon as I think of a culturally appropriate name.
Finally, after the discussion last night, I have decided the optimal number of citizens for Brookshire is ten: two per Barony. I realize that is an ambitious goal, but it is not impossible. Scott says he has a friend from LiveJournal whom he has almost convinced to join. Once one of us can reach Reynier, I will try to entice him over. And surely Baron Makysm will return once he sees the Duchy in better condition. If all of that works, that's eight right there. Then we just cross our fingers and pray to Ifni.
Which of these will people object to so strenuously I should forget about them right now? Which of these might people help me with? And what other projects might be worthy of our grand Duchy?
