YEAR 8

Kingdom of Rok

Advisor Razr: "Sir, the great warrior Groz has assembled a war party. He is rallying more men to join his cause. He wants to be independent of your rule ... and so do many others. People think you care more about yourself than about them. Foolish, of course. Still, I think it's good if you now show that you do care. Perhaps by building some homes for those without? Giving people rewards for doing jobs that benefit all? Or perhaps something else?"

Advisor Bork: "If they want to leave, they're allowed. But they must know that they cannot come back. Let's tell them that. Most of them will back down, and only the biggest troublemakers will leave. Good riddance."

Advisor Ter: "If you allow some people to leave, other people will follow. That's the nature of man. You should kill all those that dare to question your authority, your power. Kill them, and put their heads on poles for everybody to see. People will not follow the dead."

Slevadovia

Advisor Julio: "Sir, you know the mushrooms we imported from Equestria, they are being farmed and sold without authorization. I do not know whether that was your intention or not, but I do know that we lose money this way. We could build a few farms that the government will own, and sell these mushrooms for a ridiculous price. And punish all others that grow and sell these. Our people will become addicted to the government. A leader cannot ask for more."

Advisor Stojan: "Are you a true Slevadovian, Julio? In the Slevadovia I know the government would never meddle with trade. Business freedom is the foundation on which this nation is built. All trades should be unrestricted, including various fungi."

Advisor Hussime: "We should restrict the sale of this substance. No, ban it completely. Why? It is harmful to our people. It makes them weak. The people that use this mushroom are not motivated to do work, even after using any number of threats. When the effects wear off, they are motivated to do anything that provides them with the drug. Good, but when you do give them the drug - and you have to, otherwise they will revolt - they become as weak as newborns. We cannot allow weakness. Not in this time. Not in Slevadovia."

Zalfir

Advisor Aleras: "I'm sorry to tell you that Zalfir is troubled by another plague. This time it's a curse, one of boils, warts and tumors. The afflicted are weakened, and become repulsive creatures. Strangely enough, the disease is not very lethal. Preliminary research showed that an elixir containing lumnetite and fiend marrow may halt the disease. Unfortunately, it does not restore the person's appearance. Surgery might be helpful in some cases, but will leave scars, and is quite dangerous. Anyway, give me the signal, and I'll set up a mass production of this elixir, so that it can reach people as soon as possible. And perhaps you could tell people to stay home. To limit touching each other."

Advisor Maezdat: "This disfiguration curse is extremely troubling. Luckily it hasn't reached the capital yet. We can stop this if we restrict all access to the capital. And let prismatic guardsmen escort all afflicted ones to a place far away, outside Zalfir territory. And we should allow only the most necessary traffic on the streets, perhaps with a permit system. We must isolate this!"

Senior Alchemist Thanwe, completely covered with green cloth: "You can call it a curse. I call it a research opportunity. I have good reason to believe we might - after lots of experimentation - harness it to change the shape of the people on your command. You might want to grow extra arms, or horns, or an eye in your back. I think it can be done. Just send all those poor buggers to me. And a score of junior alchemists."

Equestria

Advisor Kvikke: "A nasty curse has come to Equestria. It gives pegasi and dwarves all kinds of bumps and warts. The ugly curse I call it. We should isolate all the uglies, and send them to some dark, desolated mine. Out of sight, out of mind. We must do it fast, or else you see these hideous creatures everywhere."

Advisor Moath: "I think the curse only targets those who had it coming. My neighbour Elisia humiliated me the other day, and now she's covered in warts. A coincidence? I don't think so. It's a punishment. From mother earth! We don't have to do anything about it. In fact, we ought not."

Advisor Gretel: "No this is a blessing from mother earth. And I know. For I have seen what it can do. Marilou and Mulch from Helensburgh both had it, and were fused together by ulcerous tumors on the belly, and on the back, respectively. They became inseparable, literally! Accept it together with your friend, and become one!"

Khemri

Advisor Marakugh:"Milady, some of our wraiths have gone rogue. We don't know exactly who they are, and they might even be here in the palace. This is a security threat level critical. Any day now you might be the target of an assassination; we must act! I gather that the people are less than impressed by the result of the tournament of the silver sword. People think you are losing your grip. Perhaps you should show them what the true results were of that tournament, I'm sure you will regain the trust of your people. And threaten to send them to Equestria or Zalfir, I'm sure that will stop their  violence against your Ladyship."

Anonymous advisor: "What results are you talking about? I know only of the deaths of a few wraiths, and the humiliation of another. You must show your people your strength. Let the wraiths catch some crooks, and then you can tease those nobodies a bit before you eat their testicles and ovaries, all in public. And provide the audience with free black pudding and bloodwine while you are performing. Make it a good show, and your people will support you."

Anonymous advisor: "Who says it is your fault? Clearly others are to blame. Clearly the Equestrians had the unfair advantage of flight. And who says the Zalfirians did not poison the wax on Malekith's body to make him weaker? To slow him down? And perhaps Zalfir made a deal with Equestria to let Sunglow win. Clearly the Equestrians were informed beforehand of their staged loss, otherwise they would have brought proper weapons. And that a small group of wraiths died in Zalfir is just Elvish propaganda. They are on a very secret mission somewhere."

Lienzo Republic

Minister Cayu: "The festival we had on the first year of the second age really showed how great Lienzo's cuisine truly is. How great the potential is, I should say. Most people do not have much choice in food, it's mostly black pudding and lard-covered bread. Other things are only consumed as exceptional treat. Therefore I propose we pump some money into local restaurants, so that poor people can afford great food too. Everybody should be able to have fine steak, cheese and wine every day."

Minister Hierro: "You realize we have spent a lot on health recently? I suggest we use this ongoing food-craze to fill our coffers a bit. Let's increase the tax on prize-winning food. It's only rich people buying it anyway, they'll still be able to afford it."

Minister Senagh: "I remember how it was before all these foreigners came here. All was better. I know we cannot evict them, that would go against our fundamental principles. But what if we increased the general tax for non-vampires? That way you don't force them to leave, but do give a push in the right direction. And the extra money can be spent on local restaurants, just as minister Cayu explained. So that every vampire can get a proper meal every day."

Austria

Minister Henricus: "Our nice city of Berlin is troubled by thieves. People are afraid, and business is bad. You just cannot step outside without thinking about these unlucky low-lives. Perhaps you can let soldiers patrol the streets. Authorised to use lethal force. That'll keep them in check."

Minister Gregorius: "These persons should not be killed. For Fortuna might have some purpose for them still. Bring them to the Abbey, my colleagues and I will turn them into exemplars, priests of the lot.

Minister Innocentius: "You are the upholder of our laws. Any crime against a citizen of Austria, is a crime against you. And as you are the high priest, any crime equals heresy. Execution is not the appropriate response. Not immediately anyway. They know damn well that they are not allowed to steal or to kill. And yet they act in a wicked manner nonetheless. Our goddess demands sacrifices. Demands pay back. We shall torture them using geomantic devices to choose the appropriate tool, and after each session choose whether to continue, or to end their unlucky lives."