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Hey, Claude. Looks like you had another one of those meetings. Finally finished?
link Claude volume_up
For today, yeah. But we're picking up right where we left off tomorrow.
link Shez volume_up
Ugh, that's a lot of talking. What could possibly call for that much discussion?
link Claude volume_up
Well first, we need to settle on a direction for the Alliance. And then come all the pesky little details.
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All responsibilities need to be doled out fairly, but each territory has different resources and different circumstances, you know?
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So it's tricky to figure out what's really fair. There's no one answer that works across the board.
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But you're their leader. Can't you just make a bunch of decisions and get it over with?
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No can do, I'm afraid. I may be the leader, but I'm still just one of the Five Great Lords.
link Claude volume_up
Sure, I may be the idea man, but I don't have the authority to enforce anything on my own.
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On top of all that, most nobles are experts at focusing on what's good for their own territory instead of what would benefit the Alliance as a whole.
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When priorities clash, the debates just go around and around in endless circles. Makes me wonder if we'll ever reach a consensus on anything.
link Shez volume_up
Hold on. Do you really think you'll win the war like this? You'll always be on the defensive if you can't act decisively.
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I hear you, believe me. The process works much better in times of peace, but since we're at war... It's frustrating, to say the least.
link Claude volume_up
What's worse is that it's near impossible to get a read on the situation. I don't have the foggiest idea how we're going to overcome this.
link Claude volume_up
Say... Mind if I pick your brain? What would you do in my shoes?
link Shez volume_up
What, me? Well, I guess I'd...
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Just hit 'em with the old ba-bam! Y'know? That's the way.
link Claude volume_up
Ba-bam. Right. Think you could elaborate on that a little?
link Shez volume_up
You gotta just give 'em a nice whoosh! Deal with them that way.
link Claude volume_up
Uh-huh. Whoosh. Care to spell that one out for me?
link Shez volume_up
What I'm saying is, why not just get rid of all the talking?
link Claude volume_up
You mean get rid of the Alliance's council altogether?
link Shez volume_up
Exactly. If you give yourself more authority, then it won't take as long to make decisions.
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It doesn't even have to be permanent. You could go back to the old way once things are peaceful again.
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But I guess that wouldn't go over too well with the other nobles, huh?
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Actually, I think you're on to something. Can't say it hasn't crossed my mind before.
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If folks at the roundtable just keep looking out for their own territory's interests, we'll be in a world of hurt if the Alliance is ever invaded.
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I just wish they could see that.
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Whoa, are you seriously considering it, Claude?
link Claude volume_up
Of course. Unfortunately, the possibility of it actually happening right now is basically zero.
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But you've given me a lot to chew on. Let's do this again sometime.
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Just say the word.