Welcome to The Kushana Initiative, a play-by-council game.  As I play, I'll be posting regular reports and leaving the direction of the game up to those who have chosen to join the council.  The planning topic for all discussion leading up to this game and continuing out-of-character discussion can be found here: Play by committee? (Kushana Initiative Planning and Discussion)

Of particular interest is the post detailing the back story for the whole game: Back Story

A summary of gameplay:

- Regular council sessions to take place every game quarter.  I'll be posting each quarterly report and any pertinent information, including the UP vote every year, at which time the council will decide the course of action.  Essentially, I'll be playing in 12 turn blocks and coming back for direction.

- Between sessions councilors are free to request additional info and entertain any discussion.  This includes calling votes and modifying directions.

- The council is comprised of those who took part in the planning discussion.  Others may request to join the council, but please read the background material and post a request before joining in.  Requests to join should be posted in the planning and discussion thread linked above.

- This topic is for quarterly reports and in-character discussion only.  Off topic and out-of-character discussion should be posted in the planning and discussion thread.

The Current Council:

- qrtxian

- NikolaiOmega

- noctilucus

- Talonschild

Inactive Councilors

- LordCarlos

- TMS2224

- -__- (May be addressed as SarcFa)

- Mambaman

Rules of Voting:

1) The ballot should list the issues and have a place for councilors to sign either FOR or AGAINST a measure. (the council or balloteer can decide the exact terms)

2) Councilors should copy the ballot from the last person who voted and add their signatures.  No need to rewrite the ballot and no chance for it to be changed in transcription.

3) Make your arguments in a separate space.  Don't break up the ballot with comments after each item.

4) Once a vote is cast, it is cast.  No changing votes or editing the ballot.  Listen to arguments before voting and consider your decisions wisely.

5) To get an issue on the ballot, it should be proposed and seconded.  The exact wording/nature of the issue should then be established.

6) Amendments/Addenda - I see these as separate sub-issues.  Maybe list them under the main issue and vote separately?

Galaxy Conditions:

Our Competition:

A good mix of opponents.  I purposely left out the Terrans and Altarians. Not only am I kinda sick of them, but they would mess up the story.  I see the Tolmekians as more neutral, so theres 3 good, 3 evil, and 2 other neutrals.  Also note the difficulty - the AI has a 20% economics bonus.  Not only that, but I customized each opponent and made sensible ability and politics choices rather than let the computer randomize it.  I expect some stiff competition.

Custom Race - The Kushana Initiative:

You'll see that I swapped the PQ bonus for 20% morale.  Given the conditions, I want our people happy and making us money!  I also did my best to spice up the ships, but that's pretty much it.

That should be it for the start.  Now to get into it!