Oh, Myrlene didn't like how her mother grinned at her. She swiped another fry and chewed on it mulling over the difference of existing structures versus no existing structures during a kingdoms start up.

If the kingdom had existing structures, I wouldn't need a large war chest of funds to build the whole kingdom from scratch. Anyone who is with me would already have good selection on housing, possible guild and governmental buildings and early defense would be easier from within buildings or a partially destroyed wall. But what if the buildings are all in a poor state of upkeep? I'd be back to square one with nothing to give me people to reside in. What if the structures were tainted with a lasting sickness, cursed or be-spelled with something very nasty? Again, my people would be out of a residence. If other inhabitants of the land came to attack us, would they have prior knowledge of the structures through trade and other activities?

If the kingdom is a blank slate though, any structure needed could be built, assured of it's quality and stability as well as made to order instead of renovated or modified. It would be expensive but the long term sustainability would be there. Jobs would be abundant during the building phase, and quite possible the trade economy would go up while the kingdom required and thirsted for building materials and furnishings. However, until a defensive wall was built, most of the workers and citizens would be vulnerable unless I had an army which is also very expensive to fund and run. But that would be an advantage if the troops were also part of the future populace. The kingdom would have a built in defense force.

Though this whole decision would depend on how the prior inhabitants were run out of the existing structures....

Ammy watched Myrlene chew on the first problem posed and snapped her fingers. A bag appeared by her side and soon, two crochet hooks were held in her hands and snaking trail of mint green yarn flowed from the bag. Snicker snack of hooks weaving the yarn into the beginnings of a scarf prodded Myrlene out of her deep thoughts.

Myrlene finally spoke. "This is a tough decision. Either option has appeal while having many problems. Is there any hints to help me decide between taking over an existing town over breaking ground for a new town?"

Ammy gave a slight nod. "I am glad you are giving my questions some serious thoughts. Remember what you told me about your kingdoms location. It'll be cold like winter, most likely covered in snow most of the year and high in the mountains. Out of that, what would be the biggest concerns to consider?

"Hmm. Well for one, the cold would be a factor for anyone not used to that climate or magically immune to it. So my kingdom could be a quick, painful death by freezing to death if one didn't have shelter or rock slides. Oh, rock slides, I forgot that mountain terrain can be very unstable. So if I broke ground for a new city, I'd really need a good location that isn't unstable. Though if a city is already built in a certain area, odds are good that the terrain is mostly stable. Being so cold and isolated would also mean lots of diseases wouldn't be present or thrive.

I think I'll choose starting a kingdom with existing structures."

Ammy smiled and clapped her hands once when they were untangled from the yarn. "Excellent choice. Either choice really would be acceptable but noting the differences is the real test of the question. Now then, your fabled kingdom to be has existing buildings and maybe a city wall. How do you propose to claim the area as your kingdom if it is occupied? How do you claim the area if it is not occupied?"

"How will I rule it? That's a simple question mom. I'll rule over the kingdom and run things." Myrlene said with pride.

"A large ego makes a very appealing target to usurpers or anarchist within your kindgom." Ammy chided. "Even though you're a deity, Myrlene, you're still young and learning your powers. Elder deities who appear to run kingdoms and realms by themselves have in fact a support staff. You'll have to deal with squabbles among your citizens. Preside over hearings and matters of justice. Arrange and manage your kingdoms finances, economy, trade and taxes. Insure health and protection of your people as well as provide them ways to worship you if you wish. Jobs will be needed and you will have to make sure the kingdom is hospitable to living creatures. This is not even taking into consideration occasional border wars, raids on your people, marauders and bandits, natural disasters and famine."

Myrlene winced hearing the long list of logistics to ruling. "Yet that never overwhelmed you, brother or father when rulling Den City."

Ammy smiled. "That is due to a well picked and functioning government staff, Myrlene. When governing the city we often held meetings with people who are knowledgeable in the various areas of need the city has. No one person is strong in all the leadership roles. By having a pool of talents at your disposal things can be delegated, monitored and even dealt with without you direct involvement. Even a king has staff and a council. Those who often try to rule something alone either die young from stress or assassination or they run the kingdom into the ground and are often overthrown by its own people in revolutions."

Myrlene listened and sipped her soda. "So my desire to do it all is the wrong way to go about ruling. How would one go about finding trusted people to help rule a kingdom and how many people would I need for my staff?"

Ammy nibbled on another burger and swallowed before speaking. "The size of your support staff can vary depending on the kingdom, but most kingdoms and cities have enough staff to cover the important areas of ruling. These would be the areas of Law, Security, War, Treasury, Maintenance, Public Health, Public Concern, Trade and Foreign Diplomacy. Some staff will even include Agriculture, Wildlife Wardens and General Council. Though before you start looking for staff, another facet to consider. Will this staff be under your direct rule and only acting on your orders or will they be a governing body, taking votes on issues not needing your direct attention but coming to you with matters that are urgent to your kingdom?"

"Mudrah..." Myrlene muttered poking her cold fries.

Ammy's ears flattened just slightly. "Myrlene. Rulers of a kingdoms do not swear in public. They keep such words behind closed doors."

Myrlene blinked at Ammy. "I've heard you cuss many times in public as governor. Even Mirius has."

"True. Usually when outraged or injured but those are the only exceptions to the rule. Leaders are to set examples. So your staff; independent or directed by you? Ammy prompted.

Myrlene leaned back thinking a moment then grinned showing teeth. "Both."

Ammy arched an eyebrow at Myrlene though a smirk touched her muzzle. She had a good guess at the answer.

"My staff will be in two stages. The first stage will be a small staff directed by me personally as the kingdom will be small and still being settled. As time goes on and we grow, my staff will increase, I will delegate more authority to them as feel they are fit to handle certain things until they are a ruling council and I am just in background focusing on my people and being the supporting and protecting deity I want to be." Myrlene said smugly.

Ammy grinned and gave her an approving nod. "Dear gods, if you ever thought of running Den City again as an adult, I would say people would be hard press to oust you as a governor."

Myrlene held up her hands. "Been there once as a child in ruling. Don't wish to repeat it. Besides, the city needs more leaders that are not related to the same family. I saw the article in Rhy'Din Magazine about the gossip going around concerning large families ruling territories. Frost is capable of leading for years and I'd rather start a fresh city. Not that I don't love my kinsman in this city but..... there's been enough problems here in the past that has left me wanting distance and freedom to start new."

"Well I can't fault your logic there. So what would be the main reason for people to come to your kingdom?" Ammy asked.

"Aw, c'mon mom, those are questions with a ton of answers to give." Myrlene said.

Ammy's brows ticked up a fraction. "Is that whining I am hearing? Hmm, perhaps you should spend a few years with your father dealing with the chores of Winter before you get a kingdom." She said.

Myrlene's ears flattened as if her mother had given her a physical correction for a mistake a child would do. "Well I would.... defend them like any kingdom. Military power, walls.... allies and give them rules to live by." She said.

Ammy layed her knitting back into it's bag and sighed. She looked at the decimated remnants of lunch and smiled satisfied for a fleeting moment; the lot drawn for a pregnant woman's appetite. She'd slowly stand on her feet and left 20 Silver Crowns to pay for their meal. Myrlene would stand as well, the meal obviously at a close but she seemed apprehensive about there sudden departure. Had she irked her mother with a poor answer? Ammy waved her hand casually for Myrlene to follow her out of Cafe Lupe. Myrlene followed, her mothers knitting bag in tow tucked by her small elbow to leave Ammy free of clutter.

Ammy waited a few minutes enjoying the snow covered sights of a sleepy Den Circle and the warm inviting lights of the shops when the days got shorter. "Laws.... Have you ever considered what a law is, Myrlene?"

Myrlene thought about that odd question as she flapped wings to stir up warmth in muscles made dormant from sitting. "Well there is the legal sense of a law and I suppose a tribal sense of a law. The legal sense would be a series of binding words upon paper and community that transgressions against those set words or actions result in finite reaction and punishment, yet tribal sense of a law is whether or not the ruling leader feels a persons actions are wrong or right."

Ammy clicked her teeth together as she gave Myrlene's answer a bit of weight her mind. "You have two valid grasps on law, but what is lacking is how your people view laws. I am sure you've seen from your short time working for the DFLEA as a forensic officer that one side of life view laws as something good and solid; like an invisible shield of promises and words that willl take a blow like any real or solid metal shield. You've also run into the other side of life that views laws as oppressive, unneeded and a complete violation on freedom of will and freedom of life. How would you feel that your people, a collective group of isolationists and weathered citizens, would take to a list of stringent rules or a case by case judgement by you?"

Myrlene was silent for most of the walk into the Den Circle. How indeed would they take to laws or a ruling chieftain?