1769-1770 : Turn 4 Results

Apologies for the delayed posting, but regular life had intervened.  

And administrative note first.  We will do 3 more turns after this one:

• 1771-1772
• 1773-1774
• 1775

Let's see where this leads!

1769- 1770

Summary

• The Royal Governor cuts off supplies of gun powder to the militias and will only issue powder to Royal officers.
• The Low Country militias, led by the planters, dressed as Cherokee Indians, overpower the meager guard force and take control of the Powder Magazine in Charles Town!  They empty the magazine and hide the gun powder supplies in various secret locations in the low country swamps.
• A month after the "Charles Town Powder Party," A full regiment of troops arrive in Charles Town, having been dispatched by parliament to enforce taxes and quell sedition.
• The back country militias watch the developing situation.  Cherokee raids are now restricted to attacking over mountain men settlements that violate the proclamation line.

Meanwhile...

• A mob attacks British troops guarding the customs house in Boston.  Nervous troops open fire, killing 5 civilians.  The Sons of Liberty immediately dub this "The Boston Massacre"
• New England colonial leaders issue a call to all of the colonies to send representatives to a "Continental Congress" in 1771 to determine what sort of collective action should be taken against "Royal Oppression."

Click Map to enlarge

Detailed Arguments and results

Royal Governor - Strong, SUCCESS

The Royal Governor will cut off access to powder from the magazine in Charles Town and will only issue powder to officers with a Royal commission. As a result the low country militia wil be cut off from powder supplies and back country militias will only recive powder if they have Royal officers attached.

This will succeed because:

• Previously, the magazine was secured by a company of regular troops under the authority of the governor 
• This action is completely within the Governor's authority
• It supports Parliament's goal of discouraging locally controlled militias

Low Country Planters - Strong, SUCCESS

The Low Country unified militia, disguised as Cherokee Indians, will seize the powder magazine in Charles Town at night, remove the powder and hide it in different secret locations in the low country swamps. This will succeed because:

• The planters control the low country and with their widespread smuggling network, can easily transport and hide the powder.
• The Low Country militia were previously unified under the command of the big planters
• The Powder Magazine is only lightly guarded by one company of troops and can easily be over powered
• The Low Country militias are angry that the Royal governor has seized the magazine.

Parliament - Strong, SUCCESS

Parliament is observing the belligerence of the Spanish and growing separatist sentiments and will begin to shore up its presence in the colonies.

A regiment of Redcoats will be sent to the colony to help deter any Spanish shenanigans. While there, they will also serve as a visible reminder of Royal authority and will assist in the deterrence of smugglers and enforcement of taxes as needed.

We will accompany this by regular proclamations of the “Spanish Threat” and calls for unity and discipline in the face of rabble-rousers and foreign incursions.

This will succeed because:

• We have ample troops available.
• The strong back-country militias are able to fend off Cherokee provocations, allowing the regiment to focus on revenue collection and internal security.
• We can improve local participation with a bounty system, supervised by the military attache’s we have provided the militia.

POTENTIAL CONFLICT

Will the Regiment arrive from England in time before the Low Country planters attack the powder magazine?  I rated this as weak, due to the communication delay between the Americas and London and roll.  It fails, so the Regiment arrives in Charles Town to find the magazine already emptied...

Back country Farmers - Status Quo

They are laying low right now, content with their own justice system and strong defense against the Cherokee.

But... Increased restriction of smuggling and more customs duties is increasing the cost of living in the back country, as all of their finished goods come via the port of Charles Town.

1767 - 1768 : Turn 3 Results

Thank you agains to all of the participants and observers.  Please feel free to post comments, I have moderation turned off, so you can use the post comments to discuss.  Note that the Royal Governor finally had a successful argument.

Also, if you are like me and too lazy to roll your office chair 5 feet to get one of your 37,387 six sided dice, I recommend you use Random.org for your random number generation needs.   Unlike most computer pseudo-random number generators, this site uses truly random atmospheric noise.   Use it to make all your major life choices!

Now, return with me to colonial South Carolina!

1767 - 1768

Summary

The colony is in flux, but despite what those Low COuntry planters would have you think, South Carolina is not the only place things happen in the world...  Here are some events of interest outside of the player's arguments.  Players, these events are now part of reality, feel free to reference them in your future arguments

• There is a rising tide of discontent in the northern colonies with increasing taxes, especially in Boston.   The Royal Governor of Massachusetts has asked for and received a contingent of redcoats to help restore order.
• The Spanish Ambassador to the court of St. James privately expresses Spanish disapproval for British settler encroachment beyond the 1763 proclamation line in direct violation of existing treaties. They are concerned that pressure on the Cherokee would encourage them to migrate west, directly or indirectly impacting Spanish Louisiana. He hints that Spain may consider supplying the Cherokee and it would be unfortunate if it came to that.

Meanwhile, back in the colony of South Carolina:

• The Royal Governor requests and receives a company of troops reporting directly to him to secure the powder magazine in Charles Town.
• Parliament dispatches additional customs agents and cutters backed up by the Royal Navy to combat smuggling and increase tax revenues.
• The Back Country militias, armed and trained by the British Army, continue to successfully defend against Cherokee raids and send letters to the Crown and Parliament petitioning for greater representation in colonial government.  They have also succeeded in establishing law and order completely separate from the court system in Charles Town.
• The Low Country planters still have a unified militia, but fail in a bid to unite with the Back Country militia and place them under command of the planters with promises of more representation and a court system.

Click Map to Enlarge

Detailed Arguments and results

Royal Governor - Strong, SUCCESS

The colony is in turmoil with increased Cherokee raids and the Low Country Planters unifying the low country militias.

The Royal Governor passes on this alarming news to Parliament, which authorizes a company sized detachment of troops to be deployed to Charles Town to secure the Powder Magazine, and be placed under direct authority of the Royal Governor.

1) While the back country militias are officially sanctioned and supported by the Crown with weapons, powder, and advisors, the Low Country's militia unification efforts have not been.  As a result, Parliament will see this as a threat to Crown authority and will want to ensure that the powder stays under Crown control. 

2) The number of troops requested to secure the magazine (a company) is small and easily afforded, but is enough to secure the magazine from any malicious action by the low country militias.  It is also small enough not to be seen as an occupation force by the locals, merely as security during the current conflict with the Cherokee, and will be welcomed by most.

3) Furthermore, it will ensure the Crown advisors and sanctioned backcountry militias have a ready access to powder for any conflicts with the Cherokee. 

Parliament - Strong, SUCCESS

Parliament is getting concerned about the decrepit revenues flowing into its coffers from the colonies.

We will begin dispatching tax officials, police officials and military men to the colonies to help shore up tax enforcement and crack down on smuggling operations.

These individuals will be granted a large degree of oversight and individual initiative to handle things as they see fit, compensating for the delay in communications.

This will succeed because:

A: We have one of the best-functioning bureaucracies in the world and extensive experience in handling far-flung colonies.

B: Up-country, we can now rely on the back country militias to help track down smuggling routes inland and outside the colony by land routes.


C: We can publicly make the case that we need additional revenues to combat the cherokee threat and to ensure safety from rampaging vigilantes.



Back Country Farmers - Strong, SUCCESS

The rising leaders among the backcountry folk are initially wary of the “guidance” offered by the young officers of the Kings Own Armed Forces, but soon find these officers to be creative and free-thinking young men who integrate surprisingly well with the backcountry ideology.  The creative military guidance and reinforcement of weaponry allow the backcountry militia to regulate the native threats, and they begin to apply a more organized system of justice to the local lawlessness.  The leaders of the backcountry also begin to more forcefully push their petitions to the Crown for representation.
They will be successful because:
1.       Parliament’s investment in the leadership and weaponry increases the might of the already strong militia and strengthens the resolve of the backcountry men.

2.       The creative and free-thinking royal officers are anxious to take advantage of their opportunities in the new world and strive to prove their loyalty to the crown through acts of bravery in the backcountry.

3.       The backcountrymen desire to establish a lawful and orderly environment within which their families and farms can prosper, and are infuriated by the seditious smuggling activity of the low country planters.  The backcountry leaders frequently share their concerns with the young officers.


4.       In their petitions, the leaders point out their obedience to the crown in defending the colony against the hostile natives.  They argue that stronger representation will allow them to prosper and provide greater support to the crown.

Low Country Planters - Moderate, FAIL
Tensions seem to be rising and we sense that the King, Parliament, and that weak Royal Governor will insist on their portion of our financial gains regardless of our demands. Therefore, the low country has decided to shake the King’s arrogance and indifference by using our combined fortunes. We will begin a champagne to woo the back country away from their most selfishly singular focus of self-protection and have them align themselves and their newly formed militia with the low countries cause. 

We will do this by promising the back country more legal representation and greater political say in the colony, if their militia will agree to fall to the command of the Low countries leadership. Thus, forming a Colonial Army. This unity will shock the King and Parliament and strike fears of rebellion far and wide. All the while we will continue to send parliament the most benign reasons for this unification. Stating that the unity of these militias is simply to support and protect the back country from uprisings and native raids.  

We will certainly succeed as the back country has long requested support from the King in the form of troops to fight the Natives, squash slave rebellions, and protect against the rising problem of bothersome gangs of thieves. Additionally, we already hold most of the power in the colonial government and can easily give up a few seats in parliament to appease them. The low country planters can finance any possible counter terms made by the back-country rabble. They will certainly bow to their betters here in the Low Country. 

1765 - 1766 : Turn 2 Results

Thanks again for everyone getting their arguments in.  A bit more conflict this time, as I observed on one of the discussion threads on The Miniatures Page, the first turn folks tend to be "nice."  But now, we are starting to see the game of power politics!

My wife judged the strength of my arguments and supervised the dice rolls, as can be seen by the Royal Governor's continued failures!

Look at the format of the arguments, the Low Country planters have baked in some f the reasons within their narrative, this is perfectly acceptable. Also, we have our first example of conflicting arguments below, take a look at how I handled it.  This is not the only way, the umpire has a lot of discretion, tell me what you think!

Enjoy!

1765 - 1766

Summary

The colony is starting to turn into something of an armed camp, with the local militias unifying, Parliament providing weapons and advisors to the backcountry, and increased Cherokee activity on the frontier.

• The Cherokee have begun raiding the backcountry and burned two farms, but are strongly opposed by the Backcountry militia
• The Backcountry militias continue to conduct organized patrols and additionally have started to act as a police force, administering justice.  There is no organized court system in the back country and they are now creating their own justice.
• The Low Country planters are unifying the low country militias, ostensibly due to the increased Cherokee threat, but actually enabling them to cover their smuggling activities. They also secretly send money to the Sons of Liberty in New England.
• Parliament sends surplus weapons and powder from the French and Indian War to reinforce the backcountry militia, as well as providing officers from the army to act as advisors.
• The Royal Governor attempts to form an extra-legal "Royal Auxiliary" made up of poor low country citizens to prevent smuggling.  They would have been paid by 50% of profits from seized goods, but no one volunteers, especially when they can sign up for the Low Country militia and be paid cash. 

Click Map to enlarge

Detailed Arguments and results

Backcountry Farmers - Strong, SUCCESS

With the native Indian threat tamped down during the last two years, the backcountry farmers continue to strengthen their network of patrols and expand their focus to include protecting homes and families from villainy among their own population.  This will happen because:

1. The backcountry farmers' militia is bolstered by the success of their network of patrols that have protected their property and families over the last two years.
2. The network of patrols has helped develop a sense of community throughout the back country as neighbors work to protect one another.
3. The backcountry farmers do not have much beyond their modest property and their families, so protecting both is crucial, regardless of who is making the threat.
4. Our strong militia is made up of well-armed men of action; quiet patrols with little-to-no Indian engagement may slowly lose its appeal.  Empowering the militia to also deal with more localized criminals - thieves, rapists, arsonists, etc. - curbs the boredom they may feel when patrolling for native American threats.
5. With the lack of interest in the backcountry by the low country farmers, Royal Governor and Parliament - the backcountry farmers feel their only recourse is making their own justice.

Low Country Planters - Strong, SUCCESS

We should probably do nothing as we are still sitting handsomely economically, socially, and of course, having the ear of Parliament... However, the full hit of the Stamp Act is upon us. Our profits, although still hardy, are being impacted not only by the requirement of a Stamp on our exports but on the increased tax of those finished goods all Southerners have come to depend upon. In fact, the natives have begun to raid having been cut off from the supplies lines by us to ensure our own are taken care of. And if that is not trouble enough, the King and parliament have not seen fit to prevent the formation of the backcountry militia and now unified those pitiful farmers are placing pressure on the Royal Government to increase military and legal representation back there in the dark corner of our colony.

Therefore, we are to call for the unification of the Low Country Militia under the guise that we were responding to the rise of those seditious back country folks in support of the King. Yet, this unification and its patrols will allow us to better smuggle in goods from other countries (AKA France) along the coast and provide a vehicle to ensure goods make it to our relatives in the back country keeping them aligned with our goals. We will also petition those Sons of Liberty in the North and begin tightening our support of their agenda by funding their movement secretly. These actions will be successful because:

1. Making a financial connection with the Sons of Liberty secretly will cover us if things go South… Pun intended.
2. The Cherokee have plenty of reasons to attack with their dependence on our finished goods and the fact that the back-country folks are violating the Proclamation Line. As a result, organizing the low country militia will seem sensible to the King, and a display of Loyalty which he would expect.

CONFLICTING ARGUMENTS

Parts of the above two arguments conflict, and resolve that, I will extract that specific part and do a roll off.  The rest of the arguments are not dependent on it.

The Backcountry Farmers argue that the Cherokee threat is tamped down while the Low Country Planters argue it is increased.  I do a roll off between the two until one fails and one succeeds.

I judge the Low COuntry argument that there is increased Cherokee activity as STRONG and the Backcountry argument that it is tamped down as MODERATE.  My reasons are:

1) As established in the player briefings, the backcountry farmers are already violating the proclamation line of 1763 and violating Cherokee territory.

2) Increased Backcountry militia activity that started last turn is concerning to them.  

After the roll off the result is the Cherokee begin to raid into the back country.

Parliament - Strong, SUCCESS

We will influence the frontier militia’s towards the crown by increasing the integration of colonial militia with the Kings Own Armed Forces (praise be).

Redcoat junior officers who volunteer will remain in the colonies to help provide training and guidance, as well as proper ideological loyalty towards the Crown. This will work because:

1. Our army, mighty as it is, can be a touch stifling to creative and free-thinking officers. Giving them opportunities in the new world will increase army loyalty as a whole and set a good example for the militia men.
2. We have plenty of leftover gun powder and muskets from the war that we’d sooner not ship home. Hand it out sparingly to entice volunteers without spending a dime.
3. Being visibly concerned with the defense and well-being of the Crown will reassure the population that we have their best interests in mind as Subjects of the Crown.

Royal Governor - Moderate, FAIL

Smuggling is still rampant within the colony and this cannot be tolerated! It flaunts the authority of the King and lawful government and it fails to bring in revenue that the government desperately needs. But, Parliament is taking a soft approach and refusing t provide more enforcement resources, so the Royal Governor must take action!

He will create a new customs enforcement organization called the "Royal Auxiliaries" recruited from the lower classes in the low country and men from the back country to patrol the harbors and inlets and catch smugglers. This will be funded by the Royal AUxiliaries keeping 50% of the value of anything they seized from smugglers. There will be no appeal for this process except to the royal Governor.

This will succeed in reducing smuggling and increasing tax revenues back to Parliment, and Parliment will tacitly approve of this by not interfering.

This will succeed becaue:
1) The men recruited will be highly motivated to sieze smuggler's good by the huge financial reward ad they will want to stick it to the planter's anyway.
2) The lower class men from the Low Country know the area and the harbors and inlets, so will be very effective.
3) Even if the "Royal Auxiliary" keeps 100% of what they seize and do not report it, their activity will encourage lawful import through Charles Town harbor
4) Parliament will not interfere and let this happen because tax revenues will increase, but the enforcement is being done by other colonists and not by direct agents of the crown or military, so the optics are better.

1763 - 1764 : Turn 1 Results

Thanks to the players for getting your turn 1 arguments in.  I know the first step in a Matrix game can be a little daunting if you have never played one before.  They were a great set of arguments and show that you guys put a lot of thought into them.

Here are the turn 1 results.  Players and observers, feel free to comment with any suggestions on format, etc.

Next set of arguments for the 1765-66 turn are due by Friday night / Saturday morning (let me know if this does not work)

A hint: If you wish, you can use results from this turn as a springboard for your arguments next turn, which will make them stronger.

1763 - 1764

Summary

As the disruption of the French and Indian War settles down, the colony of South Carolina is in a state of flux.

• The Backcountry Farmers, worried about the threat of the Cherokee, have organized their militias into a network of patrols to defend themselves
• The Low Country planters see that Parliament is going to try to increase their revenues from the colonies in order to recoup the monies spend during the French and Indian War.
• To protect their own interests, they have sent an envoy to London to use their considerable financial resources to encourage Parliament to focus any new taxes on New England
• In a bid to show their loyalty, they also privately offer to pass on any information about seditious activity in New England
• Parliament plans to take a conciliatory approach to the colonies, while at the same time slowing increasing revenues. Delegates have been sent from London directly to the colonies to hear grievances and to subtly help enforce the rules of law and compliance with any new taxes.
• The Royal Governor in Charles Town is still completely ineffective at preventing smuggling by the colonists, and as a consequence revenue collection remains pitifully low. Parliament has ignored his requests for funding to pay for extra customs enforcement officers and ships.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Detailed Arguments and results

Backcountry Farmers - Very Strong, SUCCESS

The backcountry farmers will establish a network of patrols to protect their homes and farms.  This will happen because:

1. The backcountry farmers have an established, strong militia and everyone is armed - including our younguns.
2. The backcountry farmers have the unifying interest in maintaining their independence and protecting their property and families.
3. Individual backcountry homesteads are vulnerable to Indian attacks.
4. Planters and British mucky mucks are too busy worrying collecting taxes to worry about the needs of the back country folk.

Low Country Planters - Strong, SUCCESS

Our brothers on the other side of this great pond are begrudging of our lack of financial contribution during the French and Indian War. King. George's coffers are empty and he and parliament now look to the colonies for their replenishment, after so many years of salutary neglect.  The planters of this region are glad to align ourselves with the King, as his Royal Governor shows us much favor. 

However, we must not allow for the plundering of our own hard won wealth to be depleted through the KIng's increase of taxes. Let those puritan savages in the North provide! We will immediately begin a campaign with the message that the King and parliament should focus their coming taxes and restrictions on the seditious New England colonies and assuring everyone that the Southern planters are  humble servants to the King.  

1. We have the ear of the Royal Governor here in Charleston (as we pay his salary). 
2. Britain spent little to none protecting the South Carolina colony in their war.  
3. We have connections with Boston that we can use as currency with Parliament in regards to their sedition. 
4. We also have plenty of money to use to lobby parliament to look the other way when the question of tax of planters is presented.

Parliament - Strong, SUCCESS

The Crown will solidify its hold on its colonies by sending officials to the colonies to hear grievances in an official fashion and subtly help enforce the rule of law for future taxation

1. We already have a significant governmental apparatus for such endeavours.
2. Colonial governors are likely to cooperate if it appears grievances can be heard by the crown, rather than levelled at the governors.
3. The colonists will be amenable to slowly replacing the sight of red-coats with government officials… who tend to eat less of their produce.

Royal Governor - Moderate, FAIL

Parliament will provide funds to allow the governor to pay customs officers directly, instead of having them paid by the colonial assembly.  This will happen because:

1. Customs enforcement is extremely weak as there are not enough customs officials, as a result enough tax revenue is to not flowing back to Britain
2. Parliament is desperate for more revenue and weak tax collection is hurting the ability for any taxes they pass to be enforced
3. Weak tax enforcement undermines the authority of the King and Parliament in the colonies.

Matrix Game Argument Examples

Ivan has brought up an excellent point, and asked for an example of an argument.  This is rather avant garde gaming, so I should have thought of that.  I'll add this to the player directions, but here goes...

If we were playing a game of pre-WW2 and I were Germany in 1938, I might make an argument structured like this:

"Germany will successfully annex Austria.  This will happen because:

1) There is a large, friendly Nazi party active in Austria that has laid the groundwork

2) Austria has no armed forces to speak of to resist 

3) The Western Powers are in no position, economically, militarily, or geographically to prevent me from doing so."

This one would probably be VERY STRONG.

Or, the USSR might argue:

"The USSR will send aircraft and military advisors to Czechoslovakia to help defend it against potential German aggression.  This will happen because:

1) The Czechs are frightened by German aggression in Austria

2) The Germans are in no position to prevent this from happening

3) Stalin needs to increase his reputation for resisting fascism after the debacle in Spain"

This one would probably be Moderate.

In the same game you might get these arguments:

Italy argues: 

"Italy invades Greece successfully and conquers it in 5 weeks with minimal casualties.  This happens because:

1) The Italian Army is in Albania

2) The Greek army is demoralized"

I would rate this as weak or moderate.

In the same turn, the British Argue that

"Britain reinforces Greece with troops from Egypt to defend against fascist aggression.  This succeeds because:

1) British troops are right across the mediterranean in Egypt so can move quickly.

2) The Royal Navy is dominant in the eastern mediterranean, so no one can intefere

3) The Greeks will welcome the support, as they are very worried about Italian aggression in the Balkans.

4) Greece is very defendable one British Troops arrive."

I would rate this as Strong, probably.  So, both arguments have a "roll off" until one argument succeeds and one fails, then the umpire adjudicates exactly what happens.  In this case if the British succeed and the Italian fail, then the British rush troops to Greece and stop the Italian invasion cold.  If the Italians succeed and the British fail, then the British do not arrive in time and Greece falls to the Italians.

Hope this helps. 

Introducing the players

As this is my first attempt at running a Play by Email Matrix game like this, I am keeping it small. 

Here are our erstwhile players:

Jozi: My lovely and talented wife and 8th Grade SC History teacher, but a native of New Hampshire

Julie: My lovely and talented cousin who is also a native of South Carolina.  Our family goes back pre revolution and she is also an educator from a long line of educators (her dad taught me AP US History)

Ivan: My lovely and talented, err I mean just talented, wargame designer and mastermind behind Nordic Weasel games. He is a native of Denmark, but now resides in our fair land, in Michigan.

I will also pitch in and take one of the roles, but Jozi will adjudicate the strength of my arguments. (Despite what she says to the contrary, I rarely cheat. Much)

Here are the roles I have randomly assigned:

• SC Rice Kings: Jozi
• Backcountry Farmers: Julie
• Royal Governor: Patrick
• Parliament: Ivan

The eclectic mix of players and backgrounds should give an interesting game, stay tuned!

Rules and Player Instructions

I have players lined up and am coordinating them via email. Meanwhile, if you are following along at home, here are the basic player instructions and the rules, everything needed to run the game can be found here.

Goal:

A simulation of the events and factions in the colony of South Carolina leading up to the American Revolution. The players will have a better understanding of the dynamics between  the different interests and the goals an constraints of the major groups.

Situation:

It is 1763 and the treaty of Paris ending the French and Indian (Seven Years) war has just been signed.  The British government urgently needs to recover the money spent defending the North American colonies.

You represent one of the major interested parties in the colony of South Carolina, and your arguments will steer the fate of the colony.  As you will see the motivations and goals in this quintessential southern colony differs from the more well-known events around Boston.

Preparation:

To prepare for this game:

• Read all of the player briefings, not just your own.  It will help you understand each player’s goals, strengths, and weaknesses.
• You do NOT need to have an in depth understanding of the complex event leading up to the revolution.  Playing this game will give you a better understanding of the dynamics in South Carolina, and you may privately ask the Umpire historical questions during the game.   How they are answered is at the umpire’s discretion.

How to play a Matrix Game

There are many ways to play an Engle’s Matrix Game and many types of games.  For this simulation we will use the following rules.

The game will be played in turns, each representing one to two years:

1763 - 1764
1765- 1766
1767 - 1768
1769 - 1770
1771
1772
1773
1774
1775

Each turn, the players will construct an argument as to what happens that turn and email them to the umpire by the deadline for that turn.  It will consist of:

• A statement of WHAT happens
• 2 -4 reasons WHY the argument should succeed

The argument will then be rated by the umpire as VERY STRONG, STRONG, MODERATE, WEAK, or VERY WEAK.

A d6 is rolled and the argument succeeds on the following rolls:

Very Strong	2-6
Strong	3-6
Moderate	4-6
Weak	5-6
Very Weak	6

If the roll succeeds, then the argument happens and it becomes part of reality.

Here are some tips:

• An argument can be about anything, and does not even have to be directly about your side.  For example, you could argue that the Cherokee attack or that your opponent suffers dissention in the ranks.
• An argument does not even have to be directly in the colony of south Carolina, for example you could argue “Boston patriots riot” or “France attempts to invade Ireland.”
• Building arguments on previously successful arguments makes them stronger.  For example, if one turn you argue “my side builds a spy network” and the next turn you argue, “My side steals the enemy’s plans” you have a stronger argument than if you just argue you steal plans out of the gate.

If your argument conflicts with another player’s argument, such as you both attach the same town, etc., then the umpire will assign a strength to each argument.  Then the umpire will conduct roll offs between them until one of the arguments fails.

End of Turn

After all arguments have been submitted for the turn, the umpire will adjudicate the arguments and provide an update to all of the players as to what succeeded and what did not.  A map of the colony may also be provided that shows anything of note that happened that turn.

The umpire may also provide some events that occur outside of SC that were not argued for by the players, to represent events in Europe or the other colonies, at the umpire’s discretion.