HISTORY – CHAPTER III – MARCH 2002
The Short Reign of Shaka Naldur 
975 to 675 BC – Part One

Elections were held for the second administration, with three ppl running for President – LaFayette, MBloomIII, and Vice President Shaka Naldur. Shaka Naldur also promised to start work on some vaguely defined “building of wonderfulness” to increase the prestige of our growing nation.  Likewise, expansion was advocated, with a commitment to creating new cities on the nearby islands.  But above all, he promised to listen to the wishes of the citizenry.  This ambitious approach impressed the ppl, who perhaps did not realize the amount of work such undertakings would require of them.  The other candidates campaigned but little, perhaps feeling their reputations would stand them in good stead. 

When the dust had settled, the ppl had spoken as with one voice.  “We want Shaka Naldur!” exclaimed over 60% of them -- a veritable landslide.  MBloomIII narrowly won the runner-up position, for which he earned the post of Vice President.  LaFayette finished a close third, but alas received squat for his efforts.  A gracious loser, he seceded from active participation the Democracy Game community, choosing instead to retire to his estate and concentrate his considerable abilities on succession gaming.  Alas, LaFayette, we hardly knew ye!

The ppl seemed most pleased overall with the previous administration, with most of the High Council returning through the magic of unopposed elections.  Only the Foreign Advisor post was contested, with the legendary adamsj being re-elected over his competition, Citizen Matticus.  The High Council for the second term includes: 

Science Advisor – Gramphos
Foreign Advisor  -- adamsj
Military Advisor – shade
Trade Advisor – El Lawrence
City Planner – kassiopeia
Imperial Expansion Advisor – Frank Johnson
Historian – AlbertB (who won in his sleep)

Among his campaign promises, President Shaka Naldur had advocated the discovery of horseback riding to speed exploration, aid in contacting other civilizations, and search for huts.  He also promised a balance between technology and military, and to build infrastructure such as roads and irrigation systems.  

…and so came the month of March.  Talking to the nation, President Shaka Naldur thanked all the voters and announced the results of the early post-election polls.  The ppl have urged continued exploration, which meant more contact with other civilizations, and clearly felt that Monarchy should remain our form of government.  To ensure an adequate military presence, a long-term goal of Monotheism was tentatively established.  The advanced development committee among the Wise Men were duly informed and promised to point their researches in this direction.

At this point, the President retired to the palace and set about executing his, er, the ppl’s plans.  Triremes, manned by brave warriors, were sent out into the world.  Over the next 300 years, far did they travel and much did they learn.  Reports were dispatched of their progress, and Shaka maintained a steady hand on the tiller of society’s progress.  Speaking to the nation in 675 BC, a jubilant President Shaka informed the ppl that our explorations had indeed revealed much. 

Our brave warriors succeeded in making First Contact with two strange and foreign civilizations, the Romans, led by Caesar, and the Indians, followers of the quizzically calm and stoic Gandhi.   Working with Foreign Minister adamsj, Shaka managed to gain an exchange of knowledge with these strange ppl.  First, he kept his campaign promise by gaining the advanced technology of Horseback Riding from the Romans in exchange of the little-used art of Writing.  From the Indians we negotiated the long-desired ability to do Iron Working in exchange for the technology of Trade.

Details of these advanced technologies were quickly disseminated to the Wise Men.  After much discussion, it was decided that the course of greatest wisdom would be to begin immediate study of an advanced form of government – The Republic. 

It was El Awrence who spoke next.  “Behold, my friends, the results of our first trade route.  We have begun the flow of fresh gold into our kingdom!”  And there was great rejoicing.  Indeed, most of the High Council immediately retired to their chambers, plotting how their departments would each spend this unexpected lucre.  A new respect for the previously-ignored trade ministry quickly grew.  And the Wise Men too rejoiced, as their efforts at research were advanced through the constructive application of outside influences.

Also during this period were built roads to connect all the cities of the nation’s home island, with surrounding lands cultivated to feed the ever-growing populace.   Reports from the exploration of surrounding islands include notes on several proposed new city locations.  Several new settlements have been established on nearby uninhabited islands.  But now, Shaka feels, is the time for bold action. 

The President posts a poll proposing a settlement on the same island as Rome and India, thus providing a military presence and a remote base for trade.  The ppl vote overwhelmingly – 93 % -- in favor of this new city.  Imperial Expansion Minister Frank Johnson asks for volunteers among the ppl to boldly go where only our triremes have gone before – to seek out a new life amid the foreigners and there to settle under the flag of Apolytonia. 

The ppl mull it over.  Finally, some volunteers come forth.  They are trained quickly onto the ways of diplomacy and defense.  While carrying the laurel wreath of peace, the brave settlers know that to live as strangers between two other civilizations will be a perilous life.  Indeed, their expedition is outfitted with armaments.  The President promises them a commitment to “rushbuilding” a state-of-the-art defensive system.  The brave settlers know not whether to be encouraged or frightened at their prospects.

Part Two

Before departing on their perilous mission to foreign lands, the settlers thought it best to seek an audience with the Wise Men, seeking any wisdom that might provide them guidance in troubled times.  The advice the reap is “Go forth, brave Settlers! Just watch your backs!”  They are not encouraged.  But then, before they leave, two of the Wise Men distribute gifts of good luck among the travelers.  From the first, each receives a tinderbox. 

“In times of trouble, dear travelers, you will always need fire, to drive away the beasts of the forests, and to warm you against the chill nights.  A stout tinderbox is the best of friends and a solver of problems in such troubled times.  Learn to use it well”  The settlers accepted these gratefully.

And there was more.  Another of the Wise Men came to them, giving each citizen a small bag containing dried leaves, sweet-smelling and slightly sticky.  “Behold, travelers!  When the darkness is at its worst, when all appears lost, my friends, from these humble plants shall you take courage.  They will suffice to fuel your fires, of course.  But these leaves are not for kindling!  Behold!”
  
With that, the wise man struck a spark and, drawing a flow of air across the rank leaves, started them smoldering..  “Breathe deep of these special fires and your cares will fade, your fears become laughter, and the night will be as day. “   A smile curled across the Wise Man’s lips.  “Use the herb sparingly, and speak of it to no man.  Now go forth!”

And go forth they did, traveling across the sea to the northwest, where they founded the city of Citadel.

By this time, President Shaka is a bit frustrated.  Having already kept his primary campaign promises and, getting little input from his ministers, his postings began to betray a bit of stress.  “Start new trade routes?” he asks.  Then, “Ministers, now it is your turn.”  Then, “Just ask for whatever you want.”  With no immediate response, Naldur begins to show the strain, threatening to take the lash to the High Council if they do not do some polls and suggest the proper courses of action for their areas of expertise.  

Then, silence.  Ominous silence from the Office of the President.  A day passes.  Then two.  As  the ministerial responses begin to trickle in and plans for the next actions of the empire begin to form, so too the rumors have begun.  

“Where is the President?” begins one discussion.  Soon, the conversation takes on a more paranoid tone.  “His last post was…five days ago.”  “”When will the vice take over?”  “Who should I send the next orders?”  “…hoping for our first military coup.”  The library is mysteriously inundated with requests for the book “Revolution for Dummies.”  Questions rage.  The ppl are, understandably, alarmed. 

Leaderless, the High Council flounders, its members talking amongst themselves, each hoping desperately for a scrap of information that will unlock the door to their unknown future, a future that looks increasingly dark and treacherous..  Finally, amid the speculation, City Planner kassiopeia is heard, whispering fiercely to the rest of the High council, “Sssh!  The Prez is back!”

Walking slowly, head down, his massive right hand massaging his furrowed brow, President Shaka Naldur approaches the podium at the head of the legislative chambers.  The High Council looks to their beloved President expectantly.  The room falls silent.

Shaka Naldure speaks:  “As some of you may be aware, in recent days I have faced some crises of a personal nature.  It is most unfortunate that I have not been able to continue my governance at the same pace we maintained but a week prior.  Worse yet, Vice President MBloomIII has been sent on a delicate foreign trade mission at this same time.  Thus, the United Minds of Apolyton have been effectively leaderless during this time.”  He draws a breath.  “For this I must apologize to you, and to the ppl.”

“And lo, that is not all, for, try as I might, I cannot will my personal problems to bide their time.  Indeed, it is troubling to me that, as the man with the greatest power in all Apolytonia, perhaps in all the world, I can be brought low by such seeming trifles.  And so I come to you tonight with a heavy heart.” 

The President paused.   He drew forth a great silver quill and a scroll of papyrus.  “In the short time of our nation’s existence, we have grown quickly.  We have managed well.  But, truth be told, we could not predict the course of future events.  And thus, the events of today must be as they will be.” 

Science advisor Gramphos stepped forward.  “Speak not to us in riddles, o great one!” he implored.  “We know not whereof you speak, and seek only the succor of your leaderly wisdom.  Speak plainly to us!” 

Shaka Naldur gave a wan smile and nodded his head.  “Very well, sir.  For you are right.  The ppl elected us and deserve our best service.  I must say, however, with great regret, that I no longer have such service to give.”  The Council froze.  “Speak plainly, you say?  Very well.  Now hear this – 

“As President of the United Minds of Apolyton, I, Shaka Naldur, can no longer execute my oath of office.  Effective immediately, I must, with great regret, renounce my oath of office :surrender and secede the Presidency to my trusted Vice President, MBloomIII.”  With that, President Shaka Naldur dipped his pen in the pot of gooseberry ink, flourished his signature onto the scroll.  The High Council gasped as one. 

“I am leaving a written compendium of our goals and plans for MBloomIII.  When he returns, the nation will return to normal.  But for now, I must away!”  And with that, Citizen Shaka Naldur set his resignation scroll on the Council’s conference table, picked up his hat, and strode briskly out of the room, leaving behind a sense of apprehension and doubt.
 
For the first time in over 3,000 years, the nation was without a leader.