Phase 2: Society & Decorum
Week 7: The Prevention of Slavery- Debt: How debt leads to the collar (Law 1.8.2).
- Voluntary: The ritual of voluntary enslavement.
- Play: The Gambler’s Daughter (A tragedy about debt).
- Capture: Rights of Capture (War vs. City limits).
- Mock Trial: A Free Woman accused of acting like a slave.
Week 7 Production Package.
This week shifts the tone from "Life and Death" to "Coin and Commerce." It is practical information for anyone who wants to sell goods, and essential knowledge for customers to avoid being cheated.
📂 PROJECT: THE CIRCLE - WEEK 7 (MERCHANT LAW I)
Theme: Licenses, Weights, & The Honest Coin Goal: Teach the rules of trade, how to get a license, and how to spot a cheat.
🔔 LOGISTICS: CRIER MACROS
Give these to the slave running the streets.
15-Minute Warning: /shout 🔔 HEAR YE! The Circle gathers in 15 minutes! Merchants, Peddlers, and Buyers! Come learn the Law of the Scale so you do not lose your gold! 🔔
Start of Event: /shout 🔔 THE CIRCLE is now in session! The Market is open for knowledge! Gather round! 🔔
📜 DAY 1: THE LECTURE (Script for Kati)
Topic: The License to Trade
[OPENING] "Tal. Welcome to Week 7. We leave the courtroom and enter the Marketplace." "Teletus is a city of trade. But trade without rules is just theft with a smile. That is why we have Merchant Law."
[SECTION 1: THE LICENSE] "Law 5.3 is the gatekeeper. 'No Merchant may conduct business... without first securing a valid Business Registration License.'" "You cannot just open a shop because you have a table. You must go to the Head Merchant or the Scribes. You must register. If you trade without a license, Law 5.3.a says: First offense is a fine. Second offense? Seizure of goods. Third offense? Enslavement."
[SECTION 2: THE TRAVELER (PEDDLERS)] "Now, for the wanderers. Law 5.3.b. Traveling Peddlers are welcome. You do not need a shop." "BUT... you have a time limit. You may trade freely for one hand (5 days). After that, you must register or leave. If you stay and sell without registering, you are breaking the law."
[SECTION 3: THE TAX] "Finally, the cost of business. Law 5.4 sets the Sales Tax at one percent. It is a small copper to keep the roads paved and the guards paid. Pay it, or face the Merchant Magistrates."
[CLOSING] "Tomorrow, our players will show you a Peddler who stayed one day too long. Dismissed!"
🎠DAY 2: CREATIVE BRIEF (For Aria/Actors)
Topic: The Peddler's Clock
To: Aria / Caste of Players From: Kati Evans Theme: Law 5.3.b (Traveling Peddlers)
The Goal: A light-hearted warning to travelers about the "One Hand" rule.
Characters:
GAVIN: A charming traveling salesman selling trinkets.
THE LOCAL: A customer.
THE MERCHANT MAGISTRATE: Sharp-eyed.
Plot Outline:
Day 1: Gavin sells a trinket. "I am just passing through! Only here for a hand!" Everyone smiles.
Day 6: Gavin is still there, selling the same trinkets. A Local asks, "Haven't you been here a while?" Gavin says, "Who's counting?"
The Bust: The Magistrate approaches. "Let me see your registration."
The Excuse: Gavin: "I am a traveler! I don't need one!"
The Law: Magistrate: "Law 5.3.b says travelers have one hand. You have been here six days. That is a fine."
The Result: Gavin's cart is confiscated or he is fined heavily.
Moral: Watch the calendar. Five days means five days.
🖋️ DAY 3: CREATIVE BRIEF (For Aria/Poets)
Topic: The Song of the Scale
To: Aria / Caste of Players From: Kati Evans Theme: Law 5.1 (Standardized Measurements)
The Goal: A rhythmic poem about the sound of commerce and the sanctity of the Standard Stone.
Key Elements:
The Stone: Reference Law 5.1: Weights are verified four times a year against the official stone.
The Balance: A scale must be even. To tip it is to steal.
The Trust: Trade relies on trust. If the measure is false, the city rots.
Sample Imagery: "A stone of gray, a bar of gold, The truth of weight is ancient and old. Let the balance swing, let the pointer rest, The Honest Merchant passes the test. But woe to the thumb that tips the beam, For the Law will shatter your greedy dream."
📖 DAY 4: STORY BRIEF (For Guest Speaker)
Topic: The Baker's Thumb
To: Guest Speaker / Storyteller Theme: Law 5.1.c (False Measures/Fraud)
The Goal: A story about consumer protection. It teaches buyers that they have a right to complain if they are cheated.
Story Arc:
The Villain: A Baker who hollowed out his lead weight so it was lighter than it looked. He sold "1 pound" loaves that were only 14 ounces.
The Crime: He made extra profit for months.
The Discovery: A customer brought their own weight to the shop and compared them.
The Law: Law 5.1.c says deviating by more than 5% is Fraud.
The Punishment: The Merchant Magistrate didn't just fine him; they revoked his license (Law 5.1.c). He could no longer bake in Teletus.
Moral: Greed destroys the business. Check your weights.
🗣️ DAY 5: THE FORUM (Script for Kati)
Topic: "The Honest Market" (Interactive Demo)
[OPENING] "Tal. We end Week 7. We have spoken of Licenses and Weights." "Today, we are going to practice." "I have a scale here on the podium. And I have a bag of flour."
[ACTIVITY: THE WEIGH-IN] (Kati places a bag on the scale) "Law 5.1 says this must match the City Stone. If you are a buyer, you have the right to ask the merchant to weigh the goods in front of you." "Never accept a pre-bagged item without checking. If they refuse to weigh it? Walk away. Or call a Guard."
[Q&A SESSION - PLANT QUESTIONS] "I open The Circle. Ask me about Trade and Coin."
Plant Question 1: "Mistress, I want to sell pies from my kitchen window. Do I need a license?"
Answer: "Yes. Law 5.3 applies to all who conduct business. Even if it is from your window. Register, or you are an illegal shop."
Plant Question 2: "Mistress, a merchant gave me a coin that looks... shaved. Is it good?"
Answer: "Law 5.2 says shaving or clipping coinage is theft. Do not accept it. If you try to spend it, you might be accused of the crime. Take it to a Magistrate immediately."
[CLOSING] "Next week, we continue with Commerce, but we focus on the tools of the trade: Contracts and Beasts. How to sign a deal, and how to keep your animal from biting a customer. The Circle is closed!"
📜 SCRIPT 1: WEEK 7, DAY 1 (THE LECTURE)
Host: Kati Evans Topic: The License to Trade
(Instructions: Stand at the podium. Wait for Crier to finish.)
[LINE 1] Tal. Welcome to Week 7. We leave the courtroom and enter the Marketplace. Teletus is a city of trade. But trade without rules is just theft with a smile. That is why we have Merchant Law.
[LINE 2] Law 5.3 is the gatekeeper. It states: "No Merchant may conduct business... without first securing a valid Business Registration License." You cannot just open a shop because you have a table. You must go to the Head Merchant or the Scribes. You must register.
[LINE 3] If you trade without a license, Law 5.3.a says: First offense is a fine. Second offense? Seizure of all your goods. Third offense? Enslavement. Do not risk your freedom for a few coins.
[LINE 4] Now, for the wanderers. I see many travelers here. Law 5.3.b applies to you. Traveling Peddlers are welcome to sell without a shop... for a limited time.
[LINE 5] You have one hand—five days. You may trade freely for five days. After that, you must register or leave. If you stay and sell on the sixth day without registering, you are breaking the law. Watch the calendar.
[LINE 6] Finally, the cost of business. Law 5.4 sets the Sales Tax at one percent. It is a small copper to keep the roads paved and the guards paid. Pay it, or face the Merchant Magistrates.
[LINE 7 - CLOSING] Tomorrow, our players will show you a Peddler who stayed one day too long. Come watch "The Peddler's Clock." Dismissed!
🗣️ SCRIPT 2: WEEK 7, DAY 5 (THE FORUM)
Host: Kati Evans Topic: "The Honest Market" (Interactive Demo)
(Instructions: This is interactive. Have a prop scale rezzed if possible.)
[LINE 1] Tal. We end Week 7. We have spoken of Licenses and Weights. Today, we are going to practice. I have a scale here on the podium. And I have a bag of flour.
[LINE 2] Law 5.1 says this scale must match the official City Stone. If you are a buyer, you have the right to ask the merchant to weigh the goods in front of you. Never accept a pre-bagged item without checking.
[LINE 3] If the merchant refuses to weigh it? Walk away. Or better yet, call a Guard. Law 5.1.c says deviating by more than five percent is Fraud. A fraudulent merchant loses his license.
[LINE 4 - Q&A OPENER] I open The Circle. Ask me about Trade, Coin, and scales.
(Wait for questions. If silence, use a PLANT QUESTION below).
(If needed - Plant Question 1): "Mistress, I want to sell pies from my kitchen window. Do I need a license?"
Your Answer: "Yes. Law 5.3 applies to all who conduct business. Even if it is from your window. Even if it is just a basket. Register, or you are running an illegal shop."
(If needed - Plant Question 2): "Mistress, a merchant gave me a coin that looks... shaved. Is it good?"
Your Answer: "No! Law 5.2 says shaving or clipping coinage is theft. Do not accept it. If you try to spend it later, you might be accused of the crime. Take it to a Magistrate immediately."
[LINE 5 - CLOSING] Next week, we continue with Commerce, but we focus on the tools of the trade: Week 8: Contracts and Beasts.
[LINE 6] We will learn how to sign a deal, and how to keep your animal from biting a customer. The Circle is closed!
◈════════════════════════════════════◈
Week 7 - To Do Items
🛠️ Immediate Setup (Administrative)
[ ] Create Notecards: Create 6 separate Notecards inside Second Life (Logistics/Crier + Days 1–5).
[ ] Distribute to Staff: Pass the relevant Notecards to your staff and talent pool.
[ ] Update the Crier: Ensure the street slave deletes Week 6 macros and installs the Week 7 versions (Topic: The Market / Law of the Scale).
[ ] Targeted Outreach: Send a specific notice to the Merchant Caste and Scribe Caste (who handle licenses) inviting them to attend. This is their "home turf" week.
🎠Creative Assignments (Delegation)
[ ] Send Brief to Aria (Day 2): Deliver "The Peddler's Clock" brief.
Action Item: Casting Note: "Gavin" needs to be charismatic and likeable, so the audience feels bad (but understands) when he gets busted.
[ ] Send Brief to Aria/Poets (Day 3): Deliver "The Song of the Scale" brief.
Action Item: Ask them to emphasize the rhythm—it should sound like a chant or a working song.
[ ] Recruit Guest Speaker (Day 4): Select the Storyteller for "The Baker's Thumb."
Action Item: Ensure the speaker understands the mechanism of the cheat (hollowing out the weight) so they can explain it clearly.
🗓️ Daily Execution Checklist
Day 1: The Lecture (Kati)
[ ] Review Script: Brush up on Law 5.3 (Licenses) and the specific "One Hand" (5-day) rule for travelers.
[ ] Tone Check: This is practical advice, not a scary warning. You are helping them make money legally.
Day 2: The Play (Aria/Actors)
[ ] Stagecraft: The script requires a time jump from "Day 1" to "Day 6."
Action Item: Decide how to show this. A simple verbal cue from the actors ("Ah, still here a week later!") is usually enough, or use a sign.
[ ] Prop Check: Gavin needs a Cart or a Table of Trinkets.
Day 3: The Poem (Aria/Poets)
[ ] Visual Cue: If you have a "Scale" prop, have it near the poet.
Day 4: The Story (Guest Speaker)
[ ] Prop Idea: It would be effective if the storyteller held up a "Lead Weight" (or a rock) to visualize the prop used in the fraud.
Day 5: The Forum (Kati)
[ ] Prop Requirement: Crucial. You need a Scale and a Bag of Flour (or similar object) to place on the podium for the demo.
[ ] Prep Plant Questions: Ensure your confederate is ready with:
"Selling pies from a window?" (Still needs a license).
"Shaved coin?" (Theft/Illegal).
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