Zap (Rose, GM)

[Thorn Wyatt]

Elias stares back at Gaia. Oddly enough, he found Rose’s comment... appropriate, in a way, before he looks at his father.

“Like what?”

[Stigma Wyatt]

"Threats!!"

Wait, Elias was already doing that.

[Zack Asiv]

"Threats only work if you follow up. Death also only works for a little while. Eventually people don't care about being killed as long as they can keep their pride and self worth by denying you. What people really fear, is pain and suffering. Being forced to stay alive through immense trial and tribulation. In Lightning Country we cut off fingers, tongues, eyes, genitals, ears, sometimes limbs. Most of the time we make the person cut off their own parts to apologize for mistakes, or issues."

Lucien grins wide showing his teeth at the thought.

"Make it a sign of disgrace, reward those who don't have their fingers or whatever cut off. People will naturally blame the person for being so useless over time. Then they disgrace the person and not you. They stay alive, they work hard to avoid the pain and disgrace. Use peoples pride against them, keep them focused on each other and not you."

[Thorn Wyatt]

Elias' head tilts, and he considers that. It was... something. Something he was sure he'd heard somewhere before. Maybe in his dreams.

"...I see. Torture and examples, instead."

He nods.

"I made traitors bury their families alive when my territory was attacked."

[Stigma Wyatt]

"That made everyone sad." she nods.

[Zack Asiv]

Lucien would put a hand to his chin.

"Effective, betrayal is punishable only with death, even here in Lightning Country. Be sure to publicly reward those that did not betray you. Or else, that sadness will turn to spite, and anger, and everyone else will betray you as well. Then you will be the leader of no one."

[Thorn Wyatt]

Elias gives Rose a slight smile, just to reassure her, before continuing on.

"I did make Cynic my right hand man, now..."

Maybe that counted. At least somewhat.

"I also let the bandits and knights run things when I'm absent. Essentially, they're allowed to do whatever, as long as they don't go against what I want. But I've told them that the stronger the Territory is, the more they'll get the benefits as well."

[Stigma Wyatt]

Rose tries not to break out into sweat at the mention of Cynic being his right hand man.

She tried to forget that SO MUCH DEPENDED ON HIM NOT CAUSING HER TROUBLE.

"H-he's...he's doing good...right?"

Not asking for any particular reason.

[Zack Asiv]

Lucien would nod, Gaia would move to the desk to check some papers while Lucien handled this part.

"Well, it's good you have a system in place, but letting there be a difference between units under your command, like Bandits, or Knights is probably going to show problems in the long run. Full assimilation is always best. Army of Dirt. Bandit Unit and Royal Knights... Maybe some ceremony to publicly swear fealty to you... Did you reward civilians? General populace for sticking by your side? If not, are you open to a suggestion?"

[Thorn Wyatt]

"So far so good."

Elias nods to Rose.

"I've never done anything like that. But I could."

He shrugs.

"What suggestion?"

[Stigma Wyatt]

Rose gives a clap of her hands.

"Yay rewards!"

I mean technically Rose has been trying to do that for a while but if Elias will actually be on board that makes it soooo much easier.

[Zack Asiv]

"Well, if you haven't already build a wall, but just around a specific district with nicer housing, food and water options and protection from your military. Leave the rest in the worst part of the territory, outside the wall."

Lucien grins a bit at the thought.

"Have it patrolled frequently to test your military and force people to stay. Eventually they will want the luxury. It may or may not be a luxury, but everyone inside the wall will work to stay inside cause you will tell them it's worse outside the wall, while outside the wall they will think it's better inside the wall. It could, or could not be better, doesn't matter as long as they believe it."

[Thorn Wyatt]

"Like... an inner kingdom, within the territory..."

Hm...

"I like that. But how big should I make it? Large enough to bring in others, if they earn it? Or build it like layers, each ring better than the one outside of it?"

[Stigma Wyatt]

This part is over her head.

[Zack Asiv]

Lucien snaps his finger while waving his arm in front of himself.

"Yes, that's perfect. Levels of reward, so no matter what people can strive for something. Good idea."

Gaia rolls her eyes as she reads over the daily report.