Phase 1: The Foundations of Teletus
Week 1: Authority & The Home Stone- Structure: The Ubar & High Council (Who rules?).
- Symbolism: What is the Home Stone? (Why we die for it).
- Play: The Traitor’s Folly (A play about treason).
- Treason: Detailed breakdown of Law 1.4 (Maps, Keys, Forgery).
- Ceremony: How to properly Swear Allegiance (Interactive Demo).
📂 PROJECT: THE CIRCLE - WEEK 1 (FOUNDATIONS)
Theme: Authority, The Home Stone, & Citizenship Goal: Establish the rules of who rules and how to join.
🔔 LOGISTICS: CRIER MACROS
Give these to the slave running the streets.
15-Minute Warning: /shout 🔔 HEAR YE! HEAR YE! The Circle gathers in 15 minutes at [Location]! Come hear the Word of the Law so the Law does not break you! 🔔
Start of Event: /shout 🔔 THE CIRCLE is now in session! Citizens, Residents, and Slaves—gather round! The Hearth is lit! 🔔
End of Event: /shout 🔔 The Circle is closed! Go in peace and obey the Law! 🔔
📜 DAY 1: THE LECTURE (Script for Kati)
Topic: The Chain of Command & The Home Stone
[OPENING] (Wait for Crier to finish) "Tal, Citizens, Residents, and travelers. Welcome to the very first gathering of The Circle. Look around you. We do not meet in a stuffy classroom. We meet here, in the open air. Why? Because the Law belongs to everyone. In Teletus, ignorance is no defense. So, we are bringing the Law to you."
"For the next 13 weeks, The Circle will appear throughout the city. Today, we start with the foundation. The ground we stand on."
[SECTION 1: WHO RULES?] "First, the head. Law 1.1 states clearly: The Isle of Teletus is governed by the Ubar. He is the final word. But he rules with the counsel of the High Council—the Heads of the High Castes and the Head Merchant. They ensure that one man’s will is balanced by the wisdom of many. Respect the chain of command."
[SECTION 2: THE HOME STONE] "Now, the heart. Law 1.3: The Home Stone. It is more than a rock. It is the soul of Teletus. If you are a Citizen, you defend it. If you refuse, it is Treason."
"Law 1.4 lists the crimes that get you killed. Theft of the Stone. Selling information. But listen closely to Subsection G: 'Making unauthorized maps or key copies of Ubarate buildings.' Ignorance is no excuse. A map to find your way? Treason. A copied key? Treason. The punishment is death."
[INTERACTIVE] "Raise your hand if you have seen the Home Stone with your own eyes. (Wait). It is rare. But whether you see it or not, you sleep under its weight. Respect it."
[CLOSING] "Tomorrow, our players will perform 'The Traitor’s Folly,' showing what happens when a man forgets these laws. Thank you for attending The Circle. You are dismissed."
🎠DAY 2: CREATIVE BRIEF (For Aria/Actors)
Topic: The Traitor's Folly (Maps & Keys)
To: Aria / Caste of Players From: Kati Evans Theme: Law 1.4 (Treason)
The Goal: A short play (15 mins) teaching that "Treason" isn't just assassination; it includes small crimes like copying keys or drawing maps.
Characters:
DRUSUS: A greedy/foolish citizen.
THE STRANGER: A spy with gold.
THE WARRIOR: The enforcer.
Plot Outline:
The Offer: The Stranger offers Drusus gold for a "simple sketch" of the Council hallways or a copy of a back gate key. Drusus thinks, "It's just a key, not an army," and takes the gold.
The Hand-Off: Drusus hands over the item.
The Arrest: The Warrior catches them. Drusus pleads ignorance: "I didn't hurt anyone!"
The Verdict: The Warrior recites Law 1.4(g): "Making unauthorized maps or keys is Treason."
The End: Drusus is dragged away to execution. The lesson: Ignorance does not save you from the Home Stone's justice.
🖋️ DAY 3: CREATIVE BRIEF (For Aria/Poets)
Topic: The Weight of the Stone
To: Aria / Caste of Players From: Kati Evans Theme: Law 1.3 (Defense of the Stone)
The Goal: A stirring, emotional poem or recitation. While Day 2 was about fear of the law, Day 3 is about pride.
Key Elements:
Reference Law 1.3.1: All must protect the Stone.
Use imagery of the Stone as an "Anchor" in a chaotic world.
Contrast the safety of the walls with the chaos of the wild.
Call & Response: Ideally, include a line where the audience can shout back (e.g., "For the Stone!").
📖 DAY 4: STORY BRIEF (For Guest Speaker)
Topic: The Man with Two Faces
To: Guest Speaker / Storyteller Theme: Law 1.6 & 1.4(f) (Falsely Pledging Allegiance)
The Goal: A storytelling monologue about a man who tried to keep loyalty to his old city while living in Teletus.
Story Arc:
Tell the tale of a merchant who moved to Teletus and swore the oath loudly.
However, he kept the seal of his old city hidden in his trunk.
When conflict arose, he hesitated. He could not serve two masters.
The Scribes found the old seal.
The Moral: Law 1.4(f) says falsely pledging is Treason. You cannot give the Home Stone only half your heart.
🗣️ DAY 5: THE FORUM (Script for Kati)
Topic: The Ceremony of Allegiance
[OPENING] "Tal. We have reached the end of Week 1. We have spoken of the Ubar and the Stone. But today, we answer the practical question: How do you become one of us?"
"Law 1.6 says: Citizenship requires a formal pledge. It is not enough to just live here. You must Swear."
[ACTIVITY: THE PLEDGE] "I need a volunteer to demonstrate the oath. Step forward." (Guide them through the lines): "I, [Name]... Swear my life and steel... To the Home Stone of Teletus... Above all others."
"Once spoken, you gain rights: Trial by law. Trade rights. Protection. But you also gain the burden of Treason."
[Q&A SESSION] "I open The Circle to you. Ask me your questions regarding Citizenship or the Ubar." (Use plant questions if silence: "Do Residents vote?" (No). "Can I enter Council chambers?" (No).)
[CLOSING] "Next week, we discuss The Castes. Why you must have one, and the danger of being an Outlaw. The Circle is closed!"
📜 SCRIPT 1: WEEK 1, DAY 1 (THE LECTURE)
Host: Kati Evans Topic: The Pillars of Teletus (Authority & Treason)
(Instructions: Stand at the podium. Have your Crier run the "Start" macro first.)
[LINE 1] Tal, Citizens, Residents, and travelers. Welcome to the very first gathering of The Circle. Look around you. We do not meet in a stuffy classroom, and we do not meet in the dark archives of the Scribes. We meet here, in the open air of our city.
[LINE 2] Why? Because the Law belongs to everyone. In Teletus, ignorance is no defense. You cannot tell the Magistrate, "I did not know," and expect mercy. The Law is the air we breathe. If you do not know how to breathe, you suffocate. So, for the next thirteen weeks, we are bringing the Law to you.
[LINE 3] Today, we start with the foundation. The ground we stand on. We must understand the Head and the Heart of this city. First, the Head. Law 1.1 states clearly: The Isle of Teletus is governed by the Ubar.
[LINE 4] He is the final word. The Captain of our ship. But he does not rule in silence. He rules with the counsel, vote, and support of the High Council. This Council—the Heads of the Initiates, Scribes, Builders, Physicians, Warriors, and Merchants—ensures that one man’s will is balanced by the wisdom of many.
[LINE 5] Remember this chain of command. If you have a grievance, you go to your Caste. Your Caste goes to the Council. The Council goes to the Ubar. Do not try to skip links in the chain, or it may snap back on you.
[LINE 6] Now, the Heart. Law 1.3: The Home Stone. It is more than a rock. It is the soul of Teletus. It is the difference between a civilization and a campsite. If you are a Citizen, you have sworn your life to it. If you are a Resident, you sleep under its protection.
[LINE 7] And this brings us to the darkest word in our language: Treason. Law 1.4 lists the crimes that will get you killed. Not fined. Not whipped. Killed. Theft of the Stone. Selling information to enemies. These are obvious.
[LINE 8] But listen closely to Subsection G: "Making unauthorized maps or key copies of Ubarate buildings." This is where the foolish die. You think, "I just want a map to find my way." If that map is unauthorized? That is Treason. You think, "I’ll make a copy of this key for my friend." That is Treason.
[LINE 9] The safety of the Home Stone is absolute. There is no middle ground. There is no "I didn't mean to." There is only loyalty, or there is death.
[LINE 10 - CLOSING] That is your lesson for today. We have an Ubar to lead us, a Council to guide him, and a Home Stone to unite us. Tomorrow, at this same time, our players will perform a short play titled "The Traitor’s Folly." You will see exactly what happens when a man forgets the laws of Treason. Thank you for attending The Circle. You are dismissed!
🗣️ SCRIPT 2: WEEK 1, DAY 5 (THE FORUM)
Host: Kati Evans Topic: The Ceremony of Allegiance (Citizenship)
(Instructions: This is interactive. Be prepared to pause and wait for the audience to type.)
[LINE 1] Tal, everyone. We have reached the end of our first week at The Circle. We have spoken of the Ubar. We have watched a traitor fall for selling maps. We have heard the poetry of the Home Stone.
[LINE 2] But today, we answer the practical question: How do you become one of us? I see many faces here who are Residents, or perhaps visitors from Ar or Turia. You ask, "How do I gain the protection of the City?"
[LINE 3] The answer is Law 1.6. It says: Citizenship requires a formal pledge of allegiance to the Home Stone. It is not enough to just live here. You must Swear. And once you Swear, you gain rights: Trial by law. The right to trade. Protection from foreign slavers.
[LINE 4] I want to demonstrate the seriousness of this oath. I need a volunteer from the crowd who is brave enough to stand on the podium and recite the pledge with me. Who will step forward?
(Wait for a volunteer to walk up. If no one does, point to a specific person or a plant.)
[LINE 5 - TO THE VOLUNTEER] Stand tall. Raise your hand. Repeat after me. "I, [Say Your Name], do here and now..." "...Swear my life and steel..." "...To the Home Stone of Teletus..." "...Above all others, until death take me."
(Wait for them to finish)
[LINE 6] Good. If this were real, the Scribe would now mark your name in the Great Ledger. From that moment on, the laws of Treason apply to you. But so does the protection of every sword in this city.
[LINE 7 - OPENING Q&A] Now, I open The Circle to you. We have discussed Authority, Treason, and Citizenship this week. Who has a question for the Chair?
(Wait for questions. If silence, use a PLANT QUESTION below).
(If needed - Plant Question 1): "Mistress, if I am a Resident but not a Citizen, can I still vote in the High Council?"
Your Answer: "No. Law 1.2.1 says only Heads of Caste vote. Residents may live here, but they have no voice in the government."
(If needed - Plant Question 2): "Mistress! What if I accidentally walk into the Council Chamber looking for a bathroom?"
Your Answer: "Ignorance is dangerous. Ubarate buildings are restricted. If you are found where you do not belong, you may be accused of spying. Ask a guard first."
[LINE 8 - CLOSING] You have survived Week 1. Next week, we discuss The Castes. Why you must have one, and what happens if you don't. We will also have the Sorting Hat ceremony for those looking for work.
[LINE 9] Go forth. Defend the Stone. Obey the Ubar. The Circle is closed!
◈════════════════════════════════════◈
Week 1 - To Do Items
🛠️ Immediate Setup (Administrative)
[ ] Create Notecards: Create 6 separate Notecards inside Second Life (one for the Logistics/Crier, and one for each of the 5 Days).
Thinking of doing Week 1 Day 1,Week 1 Day 2, Week 1 Day 3, Week 1 Day 4, Week 1 Day 5, then start the next week with Week 2 Day 1, etc. Probably need to assign a tentative date to each so that things will sort correctly. Could make them be Week 1 Session 1, but will leave for now and see what group says.
[ ] Distribute to Staff: Pass the relevant Notecards to your staff and talent pool.
[ ] Assign the Crier: Designate the slave or citizen responsible for the street calls.
For the city crier I was thinking of using the bell that rings the whole sim to alert people that something is about to happen.
[ ] Program Macros: Ensure the Crier has the specific 15-minute, Start, and End shouts copy-pasted into their viewer or gesture list.
🎠Creative Assignments (Delegation)
[ ] Send Brief to Aria (Day 2): Deliver the "Traitor’s Folly" brief.
Action Item: Confirm she has actors for Drusus, The Stranger, and The Warrior.
[ ] Send Brief to Aria/Poets (Day 3): Deliver the "Weight of the Stone" brief.
Action Item: Remind them to include the "Call & Response" line for audience engagement.
[ ] Recruit Guest Speaker (Day 4): Select the Storyteller for "The Man with Two Faces."
Action Item: Send them the Story Brief/Moral requirements.
🗓️ Daily Execution Checklist
Day 1: The Lecture (Kati)
[ ] Review Script: Familiarize yourself with the text on Law 1.1 (Chain of Command) and Law 1.3 (Home Stone).
[ ] Prep Interaction: Be ready to scan the crowd for the "Raise your hand" segment regarding seeing the Home Stone.
Day 2: The Play (Aria/Actors)
[ ] Rehearsal Check: Verify the actors know the blocking for the "Hand-Off" and "Arrest" scenes.
[ ] Prop Check: Ensure Drusus has a "map" or "key" prop, and the Stranger has "gold."
Day 3: The Poem (Aria/Poets)
[ ] Tone Check: Confirm the poem focuses on Pride/Safety (Law 1.3.1) rather than just fear.
Day 4: The Story (Guest Speaker)
[ ] Content Check: Ensure the speaker hits the specific moral: You cannot give the Home Stone only half your heart.
Day 5: The Forum (Kati)
[ ] Secure a Volunteer: Pre-arrange for one person in the audience to step forward for the "Pledge Demonstration" to avoid awkward silence.
[ ] Prep Plant Questions: Have a confederate ready to ask, "Do Residents vote?" or "Can I enter Council chambers?" if the audience is shy during Q&A.
No comments:
Post a Comment