Locations: Educational Hall, bakery, Tea House, Magistrate Office, and upstairs Scribe meeting room in Turmus.
Times: Early morning through late afternoon, SLT.
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I began the day by giving the Educational Hall a new look. I worked on the furnishings and seating, hoping to make the room more comfortable and welcoming for those who come to learn. There is satisfaction in preparing a place where scrolls may be studied and questions asked.
Laela stopped by early in the morning. I told her that I was adjusting my lesson to reflect my work as Legal Clerk and updating material I had written months ago. She wished me well with the class. It would be good to teach again, and I hoped people would come.
Later, Carola and I went looking for breakfast pastries, as Odette had not set out fresh ones. A cheese and nutmeg pastry caught my attention. Carola offered to make tea or black wine so that we could take our pastries back to the Tea House. While we were near the bakery, Lothar passed with Alva, whom he struck and pulled away after she stopped to greet us. It was an unpleasant interruption to the morning.
I also spoke of a beautiful classroom that Cassian had told me I could use. Later, Kaellaed visited the Educational Hall and complimented the new design. I explained that I had nodded off after a short night and had not meant to leave him unanswered.
Before the noon class, I welcomed Carola, Kaellaed, Orion, and Storm. Carola mentioned that the inn was being renovated to include an office, and we spoke of the city's need for an innkeeper. I invited everyone to help themselves to a beverage and asked about the new cushions, hoping they were more comfortable than the old seating.
At noon, I taught “Tribute, Taxes, and the Wealth of Cities.” We discussed the authority behind public charges, receipts, custody of treasury holdings, authorized spending, emergency repairs, and the preservation of accurate records. Orion, Carola, and Storm contributed answers and questions throughout the lesson. Their participation made the subject a conversation rather than simply a reading of my notes.
When we discussed urgent repairs, I suggested bringing the need to the Ubara and following whatever emergency authority Turmus recognizes. Storm raised the possibility of a caste fund, something I had not considered. I enjoy teaching because I learn as well. The class concluded shortly after the hour, and the students offered kind thanks.
In the afternoon, I attended the Scribe Caste meeting. Before it began, the Magistrate Office bell rang, and I volunteered to answer it. Lothar requested an ownership signature for a slave named Dina. I returned quietly to the meeting afterward; the record does not show that his paperwork was completed.
Kelli welcomed the new Scribes and spoke about the importance of correct paperwork as Turmus grows. The meeting addressed the census, residence and Home Stone questions, seals, and our purpose as Scribes. When we discussed that purpose, I added that we are here to serve the citizens. Kelli agreed, reminding us that the citizens themselves are the city.
Jessika announced her plans for a Turmus newspaper and asked for news, sources, and contributions. Kelli also announced my appointment as Legal Clerk and explained that I could help with the correct and timely filing of legal scrolls. Aries offered kind words about the appointment.
I quietly offered to make seals for the Scribes, as I had done for the legal officials. After the meeting, I again asked Kelli whether he had given me access to the files and added me to the Legal Team. He also sent me the incident report filed by Cherry Audax that day. These are matters to carry forward in my work.
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Class Summary — Tribute, Taxes, and the Wealth of Cities
Location: Educational Hall
Time: Noon–approximately 1:04 p.m. SLT
Participants recorded: Carola Aromata, Orion Pastorelli, Storm, and Kaellaed Rhode; Niki Sjostrom arrived during the opening portion.
The lesson distinguished public levies from ordinary prices and emphasized the authority required to impose, collect, hold, and spend city resources. Discussion covered receipts, treasury custody, reconciliation, competing civic needs, warning signs in financial records, and the effects of charges on trade.
Carola emphasized receipts as evidence of payment and identified important receipt details. Orion asked about emergency procedures and which caste maintains treasury records. Storm contributed to the discussion of spending authority and emergency funding.
I explained that original records should be preserved during an inquiry and that discrepancies justify investigation without establishing who is guilty. The students thanked me afterward.
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Meeting Summary — Scribe Caste of Turmus
Location: Upstairs Scribe meeting room
Time: Approximately 3:15–4:56 p.m. SLT
Led by: Kelli, with Aries and Ubara Selia present.
- Caste duties: Kelli welcomed the new Scribes and asked members to assist with ordinary Scribe work and assignments from him or Aries while awaiting individual meetings.
- City security: Kelli stated that Turmus was not at war with Selnar, while visitors remained subject to its laws. Selia confirmed this and warned that northern declarations of war against southern cities required vigilance.
- Merchant matters: Kelli confirmed that he would handle Merchant Magistrate duties when needed during Ramius's absence.
- Census: Scribes should review the census form and have new citizenship applicants complete it alongside their application. Completed forms may go into the scribal mailbox in front of the library or be handed to Sphere.
- Residence and Home Stone: A person may reside in Turmus while retaining another Home Stone. Aries explained that applications to swear Turmus's Home Stone may be made, with ceremonies usually following city meetings. Kelli clarified that the household-name field refers to the household rather than a rented building. Selia offered help with house rentals.
- Document authentication: Kelli instructed that signatures require seals under Turmus policy. If no known seal is available, a Scribe should record that fact beneath the signature and sign and seal the statement. He confirmed that recognizable generic caste seals are acceptable. Selia described stopping an ownership claim supported by an unsealed bill of sale.
- Scribe seals: Kelli told Lilly he could provide a seal after she had been in Turmus for two weeks. I offered to prepare seals for the Scribes.
- Purpose of the caste: Members discussed preserving knowledge and records, maintaining trust, and providing guidance and stability. I added service to citizens, which Kelli affirmed.
- Newspaper: Jessika announced a Turmus newspaper and requested news, sources, stories, advertisements, and other contributions.
- Legal Clerk: Kelli announced my appointment and my assistance with filing legal scrolls. Aries expressed his support.
- Future meetings: Kelli said meetings would be held weekly and encouraged members to bring questions and ideas.
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To Dos / Follow-up
- Follow up with Kelli about access to the files and membership in the Legal Team; confirmation is not recorded.
- Review Cherry Audax's October 6 incident report received from Kelli, note any missing information, and refer questions requiring a decision to Kelli, Aries, or Marcus.
- Follow up on Lothar's request for an ownership signature concerning Dina; completion is not recorded.
- Review the census form received from Kelli and use the stated submission procedure when assisting citizenship applicants.
- Apply Kelli's seal instructions when preparing or reviewing documents.
- Follow up with Kelli on my offer to prepare Scribe seals.
- Consider news or educational contributions for Jessika's newspaper.
- Review the class pacing, as the noon session concluded a few minutes after the scheduled hour.
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