17. World Congress: On the Flip of a Coin

As the second vote nears, Miranda secures binding agreements to ensure herbs are selected for the Limited System Store. Discussion among factions shifts demand away from raw wood and stone because inter-faction selling will be possible, prompting logistical questions about what the System recognizes as “items.” Jake also muses on Identify/Appraisal differences and merchant advantages.

Neil arrives, and Jake asks about a teleportation network. Neil explains a plan using synchronized “spatial radios” (fixed teleportation circles) aligned to precise frequencies, stabilized by planetary factors, and linked via items sold through the System Store with encoded spatial signatures. Power remains a hurdle, requiring space mages, consumables, and later catalysts to convert regular mana to spatial mana.

As voting begins, Jake, Miranda, Lillian, and Neil commit their votes to herbs. The results list ores/metals first, herbs second, and a tie for third between stone and foodstuffs. System prompts designate Jake, as the highest-ranking noble, to break the tie within ten minutes.

Amid pressure from multiple factions, Jake asserts control and chooses a fair method: a coin flip decided by a random City Lord’s heads/tails call. The call loses, and Jake declares foodstuffs the third category. Protests rise, but the System confirms the outcome: the store will include ores/metals, herbs, and foodstuffs, available after the Congress.

The announcement of the third and final Congress vote—on an upcoming System Event—silences objections and sets the stage for the next decision.