Catanism

“Age of Enlightenment” Expansion –
“The Era of Prosperity” Theme Set

Chapter 3 of 4

Once again, some time has passed. Our scene unfolds in the reception hall of the Prince’s City Palace. “Did we finally get rid of that Bera, Chancellor? Or is she still instigating the people against me? By the Gods! After two Insurrections, half of the city has been reduced to rubble. This needs to end!“
“It has ended, Your Highness,” the Chancellor replied. “Shortly before our guards could catch her, Bera finally returned to the circle of the Princess’s court ladies.“
The Chancellor fervently hoped that the Prince would not ask him how much this had cost the state coffers.
“Good. But even so, things must change, Chancellor. The people ought to venerate me. The large Relief I recently bestowed upon my subjects in memory of the glorious past of my ancestors doesn’t seem to impress them much. We need something that makes them look up to me. We need a monument with an impressive bronze statue of me. A powerful, martial monument that would even impress the Princess’s own heroes.“

“Good idea, Your Highness,” replied the Chancellor. “However, the princely coffers are empty. How can we …“
“Whaaat!?“ the Prince screamed. “Do you have no imagination? Clearly, you do not. The magic word for filled coffers is Taxation! Don’t you know that?“
The Chancellor cleared his throat. “But Your Highness,“ he said intimidated, “that would already be the fourth special tax of this year …“
“So what? People will be proud to make sacrifices for a magnificent monument of their Prince. Get hold of a Traveling Theater if you like. Aren’t there still some actors in the dungeon? Have them put on some funny play. That will raise the people’s spirits. And distribute bread for free.“

At the same time, in the Princess’s ballroom:

“Thank you for your loyal services, Bera. It seems you gave the Prince a terrible time.“
“It wasn’t difficult, Princess,” replied Bera. “The Prince treats his people badly, and my words fell on fertile ground. Besides, I liked to contribute to building the Aqueduct.“
“Yes, finally all citizens have fresh and clean water. People are healthier and more joyful at their work. The production of fields and pastures increases noticeably and provides me with the means to build a Hospital soon.“

“The populace loves you for your deeds, Princess – also in the Prince’s land, where more and more people manage to get across the strongly guarded border, to settle in our principality. The numbers are rising since you have started Feeding the Poor regularly.“

“Everyone is welcome. There is still a lot of room for settlers in my principality.“

This is the end of the third chapter of part 12. Next week, in the last chapter, I will present the last seven cards of the new Theme Set “The Era of Prosperity.”
“The Era of Prosperity” is the first of three new Theme Sets of the “Age of Enlightenment” expansion for “The Rivals for Catan.”

Klaus Teuber

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