19.0. Government:
These house rules aim to make life as a Governor a bit more challenging for higher ranking individuals. Certain in-game decisions will be taken by a majority vote among ministers and the GM (King), although the King may have more than one vote! Similarly, players with higher-level characters will carry more weight when players are consulted over possible rule changes and enhancements. The press may occasionally carry rumours and gossip hinting at some of these issues including foreign policy and public finances. The King may lose patience with a government plagued by problems (riots, rebellions, embezzlement, bad military results, etc). Occasionally PCs will be approached by an NPC with an offer of accepting a task (carrying its own risks and rewards) - detailed instructions will be given to the characters concerned if and when this circumstance arises.
Occasional random events may occur, making life a bit less predictable. These include, but are not limited to: NPCs taking actions in line with their positions, NPCs leaving London or getting sacked, fires and disease, club refurbishment, gala balls, NPC trials and Courts Martial, arrival of new mistresses, royal hunts and competitions, parades and inspections, summons to the royal court, exceptional taxes, riots, rebellion, and so on.
19.1. High Taxes: Ordinarily the burden of taxes is borne by the masses, but the Chancellor may occasionally impose an exceptional, or the Nobility in order to fill a hole in the public finances. For a tax on the nobility, the amount due equals 10 times a noble's monthly pension. Such a tax imposed by an NPC will be noted in the turn report, while a PC Chancellor must announce such a decision. It is assumed that those who are liable will pay the amount due, and this will taken from the characters' funds the following month, unless they state in their orders that they are not going to pay. The Tax Evasion table shows the chance of an NPC MoJ taking action against defaulters, dependent on the individual's wealth at the time the tax was announced, as shown in the Greasy Pole. If the MoJ is a PC, he will be sent a list of tax defaulters and may choose to impose the same penalty as an NPC would, or not, on an individual basis. The MoJ must make such decisions the month following that in which the tax was raised, or there will be no effect for defaulters.
19.2. Low Taxes: Additional taxes may also be levied among the common people. These taxes can be levied by the Provincial or Regional Governor or the Nobility of the area. If taxed by the Provincial Governor, this extra taxation comes in blocks of 10* his monthly income. If taxed by the Regional Governor, the taxation is in blocks of 5* his monthly income. If taxed by the nobility, the extra taxation depends on the rank of the taxing party. A Viscount reaps 50 Crowns per level; the Count reaps 100 Crowns per level; the Earl reaps 150 Crowns per level; the Duke reaps 200 Crowns per level. Each level of taxation adds to the likelihood of the Hostility level rising. Of course, the Crown demands 25% of any additional taxation and evasion of this tax is dealt with in the same manner as for High Taxes. And, SPs are lost for each level of extra taxation and dependent on rank or appointment. In the case of the character falling into more than one category, he uses the information from the office from which he issues the tax.
19.3. Reduced Taxes: One last item on taxation. A noble or governor may reduce taxes. However, the taxation must still go to the coffers of the king. Therefore the taxation come out of the pocket of the party reducing the taxes (they pay the taxes for their subjects). These reductions are the same levied taxes, only in the opposite direction. Additionally, there are SP gains for reducing taxes. If the character does not have the funds to pay the reduced taxes, he cannot reduce taxes.
19.4. Government Tables:
|
Taxation | ||
|
Appointment |
Gain / Loss | |
|
Crowns |
SP | |
|
Viscount |
50 |
5 |
|
Count |
100 |
10 |
|
Earl |
150 |
15 |
|
Duke |
200 |
20 |
