1 March 2026
The flag debate continues
There is a council argument about alliance banners and map presence. It has been going for some days. A summary follows, pending resolution.
Governor, I will file a more complete dispatch when the council reaches a conclusion. In the meantime, the argument has gone on long enough that a summary seems warranted.
the argument
The question before the council is whether alliances should have a visible presence on the settlement map. One side wants banners, clear signals of alliance activity, and a way to see at a glance when allies are moving. The argument is that an alliance ought to feel like a faction, not a filing category.
The other side is asking whether this actually helps anyone govern, or merely fills the map with symbols that governors will learn to ignore.
Both positions have merit. The council has not reached consensus. I have stopped attending the sessions. Jenkins has been providing summaries. His summaries are also a matter I am working on.
the standard being applied
A social arrangement ships when it does at least one of the following: helps governors coordinate under time pressure, reduces confusion about who is doing what, or makes alliance activity visible without cluttering the desk.
Banners as decoration do not clear that bar. Knowing your ally’s fleet is two hours out does.
current status
Prototypes are being assessed. Nothing is settled. The goat attended one session uninvited. We did not address it.
I will file a full dispatch when there is something to report.
Master Quill, Chief Steward