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DELIBERATE — Discuss and Decide

Deliberate actions focus on collective decision-making, resolving internal tensions, and defining community values. These are purely social and philosophical—you're not building or defending, you're deciding who you are as a people.

When to Deliberate:

  • Open Questions need resolution
  • Serious disagreements threaten community cohesion
  • Major policy decisions required
  • Cultural direction must be chosen
  • Ethical dilemmas have no clear answer

Deliberate Mechanics:

Unlike other actions, Deliberate doesn't use dice. Instead, the table engages in actual discussion and roleplays the community's decision-making process.

The Process:

  1. Frame the question: What exactly are we deciding?
  2. Voice perspectives: Players speak for different viewpoints (not necessarily their own)
  3. Seek common ground: What can everyone accept?
  4. Make a decision: Consensus, vote, elder ruling, or other method appropriate to your culture
  5. Record the outcome: Document the decision and its implications

Important: The settlement's decision doesn't need to be unanimous among players—that's often unrealistic. But the choice to use Deliberate should be unanimous among players. If the table agrees this issue demands community attention, then you Deliberate. The in-setting outcome can reflect disagreement, compromise, or even bitter splits.

Duskara-Specific Deliberate Examples:

Cultural Identity Questions:

  • Should we continue teaching Earth languages, or let them fade naturally?
  • Do psychic talented deserve special status, equal status, or should abilities be downplayed?
  • Are we exiles longing for Earth, or natives of Duskara now?
  • How much should we preserve exact Earth customs versus adapting them?

Resource Ethics:

  • Who gets priority for scarce water during severe rationing?
  • Can we ethically mine the scorched lands for resources we need?
  • Should we accept refugees if it strains our carrying capacity?
  • How do we handle individuals who consume more than their share?

Governance Questions:

  • Should decisions be made by consensus, elected council, guild representatives, or elders?
  • How do we balance individual freedom with collective needs?
  • What crimes warrant exile from the settlement?
  • Should we align with specific neighboring settlements or remain neutral?

Adaptation Dilemmas:

  • Is it acceptable to genetically modify crops, animals, or humans for Duskaran conditions?
  • Should we bond with native creatures, or is that exploitation?
  • Do we study ancient alien structures, or leave them alone out of respect or fear?
  • How much risk is acceptable in pursuit of growth?

Deliberate Outcomes:

Consensus Reached:

  • The settlement has clear direction
  • Internal tension reduces; -1 Tension
  • Decision becomes part of community identity
  • May open new possibilities or close others

Compromise Achieved:

  • Partial agreement satisfying most
  • Middle ground found but some remain unhappy
  • Tension stays stable
  • Often creates new Open Questions

Fracture Occurs:

  • No agreement possible
  • +1 Tension as the split deepens
  • Community may divide into factions
  • This is valid drama—not a "failure"

Example Deliberate:

Open Question: "Are psychic talented honored community assets or dangerous anomalies?"

The table discusses:

  • Elder Mara argues they're precious adaptations to Duskara
  • Young engineer Tomas fears uncontrolled abilities could cause disasters
  • Weather worker Keris resents being treated as a tool
  • Thermal sensor Daylen just wants to help without being othered

Outcome: The settlement establishes a Psychic Academy offering training and community, but also regulation and ethics guidelines. Mostly consensus, with lingering discomfort from both extremes. Tension stays stable, but a new resource (trained, integrated psychics) is gained.

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