How to Prepare to Run for a City Leadership Position

If you have any leadership experience in a gaming environment, then you know it can be as much fun as it is work. However leading some kind of political office in Achaea is more than just filling out reports and posting to the news. It means taking initiative, leading events, and interacting with members of the organization in which you serve.

Leading a city in Achaea is the next step up from leading a house. Prominent city leaders will find that this is just one more rung on the ladder towards applying of the coveted position of Celani. Unlike leading a house, which is only one small part of a city, leading the city itself means you are responsible for a larger group of adventurers.

The Election Prep Checklist

However even adventurers who are qualified for the position of an in character leadership role can fail to achieve it if they make some common mistakes. One of the biggest mistakes that adventurers make is to throw their name in the hat on the spur of the moment without thinking through the time commitment involved in holding such a position. Here are some things that can help you be elected to a city office.

• SUPPORT – If you don’t have the support of your in-game spouse, friends, family, house, and other organizations then you may not be ready for leadership. Does this sound familiar? If you find that it is then ask people how they feel you could improve your chances.
  
• CAMPAIGN – Form a committee to help you campaign during the election. If you are running for an office in Hashan, then have someone in your trusted circle sit at the Crossroads. This person can not only interject positive remarks about you during daily conversation, but they can also be your eyes and ears, letting you know the overall feeling of the general citizenship.
   
• RESEARCH – Know what issues you want to tackle, and make them part of your platform. To do this you will need to research what people want, so you can prepare to give it to them. Maybe you are tired of seeing litter in the city streets, or you feel that the list of fines for enemies needs an overhaul. The important thing is for others to want them, too. If you run for reasons that don’t matter to anyone else, then they will not care to vote for you.
  
• SLOGAN – It does not hurt to have a slogan, and once you do make good use of it. Create an election ribbon and embroider your slogan on it. Use your slogan to sign news posts, letters, and set it as your return message. For example if you play the character called Cain then your slogan might be, “A vote for Cain is not in vain!”
   
• DEBATE – If no one else suggests it, and you feel you are prepared for such an event, then offer to host a debate where citizens can ask questions and better get to know the people running for office. Plant volunteers from your family, house, and Divine Order in the crowd to ask questions that you are prepared to answer.

Boost Your Credibility

You can boost your credibility in preparing to run for city office by getting involved. Serve as an aide to a minister, or better yet serve in a ministry position. If you do a good job, then it will tell others in the city that you are a character of your word. Serving the city in a lesser office not only prepares you for the position of city leader, but it also teaches you about the city itself.

Serving in a city ministry can teach you about the needs of the city in various capacities. It gives you a prime opportunity to get to know other citizens. And it helps you learn about why the city holds its traditions, like celebrating New Year’s through self-sacrifice, or with a concert held by a group of bards. Regardless of which city you plan to take over, good luck!


About the Author

University student Emily Saunders discovered MUDs when a fellow computer lab classmate introduced her to Achaea. Whether she is leeching WiFi from a local café or home on holiday, she checks in often for messages, news, and of course all the latest gossip from Lyaeus the Bard! When she isn’t studying or gaming Emily works as a freelance photographer and enjoys singing karaoke with her friends at the local pub.