In this game, we run through our Olympic candidates, and interview a likely candidate.
(76) Demiurge: Hmm. Where were we?
(79) Sarpedon: The Olympics!
(42) Imhotep: At the end of session 8, we were getting ready for the contests.
(76) Demiurge: Hmm. Well, there are some cool glatiator type fights. There is a baseball game. Your basic footraces. With and without hurdles. :)
(42) Imhotep: (Any outstanding contestants?)
(76) Demiurge: Well, there are a few grandstanding showboats. :)
(42) Imhotep: (Naturally.)
(76) Demiurge: There was apparently a leak. Some people got the idea that the Olympics would decide the next leader. (And not just influence it.)
(79) Sarpedon: (I wonder who spilled the beans?)
(42) Imhotep: "It seems subtlety escapes some."
(76) Demiurge: (No one in particular. It probably just slipped)
(79) Sarpedon: "Perhaps we should have been more guarded in our plans. Now it cannot be helped. Let us see who has done well."
(42) Imhotep: "It is no matter. We still may see the abilities of those who wish to lead."
(76) Demiurge: Well, there is one Indian guy. :) He is fairly popular and well-liked. He hasn't really won anything, but tends to finish consistantly second or third in most things. :)
(79) Sarpedon: (Indian as in India or Redskin?)
(79) Sarpedon: "That one looks promising."
(76) Demiurge: (India.)
(42) Imhotep: "Perhaps. Should we interview him, along with a few others?"
(79) Sarpedon: (Thanks.)
(79) Sarpedon: "Of course. Now comes the real test. Any bully may win a fight. Only a wise man can avoid one."
** (79) Sarpedon and Imhotep gather the "finalists" in the physical competitions and interview them individually. **
(79) Sarpedon: (In short, we grab anyone who did well and then give them a grilling using the Justice, Mercy, Wisdom, etc. open-ended scenarios.)
(76) Demiurge: There are a few good applicants. What kind of questions do you have for them?
(42) Imhotep: "What punishment would you have given to Goering?"
(42) Imhotep: (That's the only one I can think of...)
(76) Demiurge: Well, the answers are good, for the most part. Though sometimes you get the idea that they are trying too hard to be "fair" or "judicial"
(42) Imhotep: (That is to be expected.)
(79) Sarpedon: (We put together a bunch of scenarios last time. For Wisdom, how best to respond to an impending attack (tactical simulation). For Courage, how best to respond to 1/2 of the group captured, all of the grails captured, the stronghold burned/occupied, and everyone's tired.
(76) Demiurge: The Indian guy is the best looking choice, but you get the impression that he's not especially interested in seeking political power.
(79) Sarpedon: (For Justice, it was how to handle Goering. I can't remember the others.)
(79) Sarpedon: What is the Indian's name?
(76) Demiurge: Bhattara. :)
(76) Demiurge: (Good enough name, I guess.)
(42) Imhotep: (Not interested in political power... seems like a good candidate, but probably easily swayed by others.)
(42) Imhotep: "Bhattara, why did you enter the Olympics?"
(76) Demiurge: "It seemed like a challenge. I enjoyed the competition."
(79) Sarpedon: (At least his name wasn't Gatauma Sidtharta. Bad spelling, that, but you get the idea.)
(42) Imhotep: (Probably wouldn't have entered the contest if that were the case, Sarpedon!)
(76) Demiurge: (hehe.)
(42) Imhotep: "Were you aware that we were looking for heirs to the throne?"
(79) Sarpedon: "The purpose of the games is more serious than you imagine. We seek to winnow the seed from the chaff. You are talented in many ways."
(76) Demiurge: "I had heard, but though it was rumor."
(79) Sarpedon: (Imhotep: Heh, yeah. He would have picked a lotus.)
(42) Imhotep: "If we told you it were true, what would you think then?"
(76) Demiurge: "Is it true? I have never thought of myself as a leader."
(79) Sarpedon: "This world is strange and dangerous, despite the plenty provided by these grail-stones. We do not wish to trade on despot for another, but we cannot leave our people in the hands of a weakling, either. It is a balance between the two that we seek."
(79) Sarpedon: *one despot for another
(42) Imhotep: "If the throne were offered to you, would you accept?"
(79) Sarpedon: "And tell us of your life before this place afterwards."
(79) Sarpedon: (Upon reflection, that is the most confusing sentence I've ever written.)
(76) Demiurge: "I lived a simple life. I lived in the middle of the 20th century, in India."
(79) Sarpedon: "And afterwards, tell us of the life you lived before you came to this place."
(76) Demiurge: "I awoke here. Life was quiet. Then Goring and Hostilius began gaining popular support."
(42) Imhotep: "What would you do as a king?"
(79) Sarpedon: "And what are your plans for the future?"
(76) Demiurge: "There is not much for kings to do, to be honest. There are no roads to build, no taxes to impose. I suppose I would do my best to defend my region, and let the people find contentment how they will."
(42) Imhotep: "There are people like Goering, waiting to gain power. There are people who would gain your ear and seek to influence you for their own ends. Could you be prepared for that?"
(76) Demiurge: "I didn't listen to Goring before. It was transparent that he was trying to gain power and influence. I tried to warn people, but he was good at telling them what they wanted to hear."
(76) Demiurge: "Frankly, when people come along with grand plans for the future, I am distrustful. I would try to maintain the status quo."
(42) Imhotep: "Sarpedon, do you have any more questions for Bhattara?"
(79) Sarpedon: "And what are your plans for the future?"
(79) Sarpedon: "Beyond letting othres find contentment? Have you any questions about this world? Would you like to change things?"
(76) Demiurge: "I would like to discover the reasons for this world we are in. But I never found out the reasons for the last one, so I am not hopeful. Perhaps you will find answers on your quest upriver. Personally, I like stability."
(79) Sarpedon: "I am a warrior-king. This place beckons me to explore it. The crown would weigh heavily upon my brow here, but I love my friends here. They have fought and bled for this place and their lives here. I think that you have answered our questions. Thank you."
** (79) Sarpedon wishes to discuss things with Imhotep. **
(42) Imhotep: "Thank you, Bhattara. Go in peace, until we summon you again."
(76) Demiurge: Bhattara quietly leaves.
(42) Imhotep: "Sarpedon, what are your thoughts?"
(79) Sarpedon: "He is the best we have seen. He prefers stability. That is better than lust for power or wild ambition. He did well on all the tests. I think we could do worse. And you?"
(42) Imhotep: "I am worried. He was unable to persuade the populace against Goering's tyranny, even when he saw it coming. They will remember the lesson for a time, but people have short memories when someone new comes along with new promises."
(42) Imhotep: "I think a king must be able to persuade the people he leads. If he does not wish to lead, others will lead through him."
(42) Imhotep: "I think he would make a fine advisor, but not a king."
(42) Imhotep: "However, given the choice between him and those who lust after power, I would choose Bhattara."
(76) Demiurge: (Yeah, it's hard to find someone perfect.)
(42) Imhotep: "If he is chosen, he will not last long."
(76) Demiurge: (He wasn't able to persuade, but he wasn't easily swayed either.)
(42) Imhotep: "I will only offer advice. I am no Pharoah. It must be up to you, Sarpedon, to name your heir."
(42) Imhotep: (Ahem, Sarpedon?)
** (79) Sarpedon ponders quietly for some time. **
(79) Sarpedon: (Were there any others of note?)
(79) Sarpedon: (Or was Bhattara the best of the bunch?)
(76) Demiurge: (Not really. A bunch of jock types.)
(76) Demiurge: (A few that were good at athletics, but not really strong or decisive, personality-wise.)
** (79) Sarpedon shakes his head. "The rest think with their muscles." **
(42) Imhotep: "That is true."
(42) Imhotep: "Good soldiers, poor leaders."
(79) Sarpedon: "I see no alternative..."
(42) Imhotep: "Then let us tell Bhattara, so he may prepare himself. It will not be an easy road for him."
(79) Sarpedon: "Perhaps we can leave Bhattara in a stronger position."
(42) Imhotep: "But then, no one's road is easy."
(79) Sarpedon: "He needs advisors. Perhaps we should appoint two others as his seconds."
(42) Imhotep: "Indeed. He will need a strong voice in order to lead. A strong General for the army. He must be cautioned against intrigues, however."
(42) Imhotep: "Perhaps he will find his strength."
(79) Sarpedon: "Let us review the others--besides those who think with their muscles."
** (42) Imhotep smirks. **
(79) Sarpedon: (Are there two decent, fairly intelligent people left in the running after weeding out the jocks?)
(76) Demiurge: (Not that I have thought of. ;) They seem like mostly decent people, but none have the spark.)
(42) Imhotep: (Then we will pick the best two and name them as advisors.)
(76) Demiurge: (Sounds good.)
(79) Sarpedon: (At the very least, if they both turn out to be bastards, they'll most likely be at each other's thoats, not Bhattara's.)
(76) Demiurge: (hehe)
(79) Sarpedon: "It is not perfect, but much in life is, even here in the afterlife."
(42) Imhotep: "Much too true."
** (79) Sarpedon ordains this and publicly names Bhattara as ruler (not king) and the other two as his advisors. Sarpedon also lays down the first law--don't hurt other people or mess with their stuff--essentially it's the Golden Rule. **
(76) Demiurge: (hehe. Good plan)
(42) Imhotep: "Regent makes more sense," Imhotep tells Sarpedon privately.
(79) Sarpedon: That being done, Sarpedon invests Bhattara with a token of rule--Cerberus, his triple-pronged spear. "Long live Bhattara, Regent of New Troy. May his wisdom match his courage!"
(76) Demiurge: Nice. :)
** (79) Sarpedon makes a note to himself to make another, better spear for himself on the long journey ahead. **
** (42) Imhotep joins in the celebratory dinner. **
(79) Sarpedon: Privately, he confides with Imhotep. "I thought a symbol of authority was in order. Well spoken concerning the title of 'regent.' You are most wise, my friend."
(42) Imhotep: (Heh, calling Imhotep wise will only feed his arrogance...)
(42) Imhotep: "Now, we must finish our fleet, select our crew, and pursue other goals."
(42) Imhotep: "The question is, three ships or five? We could leave earlier with three, but five make opponents think twice before attacking."
(76) Demiurge: (Well, you have a lot of people wanting to go.)
** (42) Imhotep is anxious to be off. **
(79) Sarpedon: (Do we have enough crew for five boats?)
(79) Sarpedon: (If not, three and 90% of the Roman/Nazi boats make a pretty good fleet.)
(42) Imhotep: (I forgot about those, good idea!)
(76) Demiurge: (Well, it's a pretty large area. You can always find volunteers.)
(42) Imhotep: (I think that is a fine plan, three big boats and several others. How soon until the third boat is finished?)
(76) Demiurge: (Not too much longer. A few weeks.)
(79) Sarpedon: (When it's finished, we're off!)
(42) Imhotep: (Anything interesting happen while we're waiting on the completion of the third boat?)
(76) Demiurge: (Not really. The usual comings and goings)
(76) Demiurge: (You have the big send-off party, as per usual)
(42) Imhotep: (Oh yeah, can't miss that!)
(42) Imhotep: (Should we pick up next game with us leaving upriver?)
(76) Demiurge: Yeah. sounds good.
(79) Sarpedon: (That works for me.)
(42) Imhotep: (Good, I was getting a bit sleepy, sorry.)
(76) Demiurge: (Yeah, we started late.)