You got hired to be a figurehead... (Poll)

[minacia]

So in a particular isekai universe, humans are a minority. There are many other fantasy races (elves, demons, dwarves, beastkin), yet humans are a minority that are terribly discriminated against for having no good traits. Humans also have zero magic, making them useless in a variety of other capacities.​

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Due to the poor ability of humans, humans make up 90% of the poorest populations, and predominantly live in slums. Humans struggle to get even farming/labor jobs because there are a lot of other races that have much higher physical strength than humans. The are also many races (i.e. elves, wizards, dragonkin) who are far more intelligent than humans and occupy many of the upper class jobs (many of which require magic).​

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In recent years, the Emperor (a high elf) decided to create a Minister of Human Affairs as part of his cabinet. You were hired for that new position.​

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In theory, the Human Affairs Office is supposed to advocate for human issues (and improve human circumstances) in the Empire.​

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However, in practice, it is a figurehead position that has no real power. The main reason why the Emperor created the position was as a publicity stunt to show that the Emperor "cared about the poor". Consequently your department has zero budget apart from your modest salary. You have a small office in the Imperial Capital, and you have no employees or political leverage.​

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Since you have a fancy title "Minister of Human Affairs", it is possible for you to arrange meetings with important people.​

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However, there is literally nothing else you can do, and you have no authority to make any changes.​

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On your first day on the job, the Emperor meets with you and blatantly tells you to sit quietly and don't try to do anything.​

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He warns you not to cause any trouble, and it's better for everyone if you stay out of everyone's sight.​

1. What do you do with your job?

2. If your boss told you not to do any work, would you be happy to do nothing?

3. Would you feel any desire or urge to try to do something to improve things for humans?

4. Suppose you unravel a conspiracy in the capital that involves the imperial police kidnapping poor humans in the slums, and delivering them to be food/slaves for demons. How would you react? What if this government program is sponsored by the Emperor?

 

[UYScuti]

This one... is tough

1. I don’t want to be executed, so I probably collect my salary.
2. Ha, don’t have to tell me twice. I’m the right man if you’re looking to pay someone to not do anything.
3. Eh, I’d improve things for my family. Also, I’d teach them about crop rotation and rice.
4. Well... as long as I’m not for dinner

 

[Deleted member 29316]

1. What do you do with your job?
I'd resign immediately.

2. If your boss told you not to do any work, would you be happy to do nothing?
Nope. I'm not a display.

3. Would you feel any desire or urge to try to do something to improve things for humans?
Yep. I'd gather followers and lead a revolution.

4. Suppose you unravel a conspiracy in the capital that involves the imperial police kidnapping poor humans in the slums, and delivering them to be food/slaves for demons. How would you react? What if this government program is sponsored by the Emperor?
Yep. TO THE BARRICADES WE GO!

 

[AdLeto]

I would start the first humankind rebellion

 

[UYScuti]

Yep. TO THE BARRICADES WE GO!

I would start the first humankind rebellion

Humans are a minority, are weaker than other races, have no magic, and they’re dumber than other races.

You guys are gonna get us all killed.

 

[Deleted member 29316]

Humans are a minority, are weaker than other races, have no magic, and they’re dumber than other races.

You guys are gonna get us all killed.

Well, humans are pretty resilient, and it doesn't say that they're not able to learn how to fight.

It's actually favorable they're dumb. Easy to manipulate into fighting. Mwahahahaha!!! But yeah, WE"RE GONNA DIE!!!

 

[Milk.Milkan]

1. What do you do with your job?

2. If your boss told you not to do any work, would you be happy to do nothing?

3. Would you feel any desire or urge to try to do something to improve things for humans?

4. Suppose you unravel a conspiracy in the capital that involves the imperial police kidnapping poor humans in the slums, and delivering them to be food/slaves for demons. How would you react? What if this government program is sponsored by the Emperor?

1. So my job is to just sit, do nothing and get ma money? Great, its da same as irl so good.

2. Surely.

3. Not really. First of all all i can do is to arrange meetings with important people. as being said but...rnt all the other important people r not humans who dont give a shit? Dey sure dont so whe should i care. Empror said dat he hared about the poor. I was poor but now me not so technically he no lie so me do as Emperor say.

4. I guess id ask about it someone i could ask as maybe dere will be someone i might become friends with but id most likely just hear da reason and say "oh, dats reasonable". If its a program sponsored by Emperor dan eeh. He cares about poor so dey wont die in da slums so he still technically no lie so me no complain.

 

[UYScuti]

doesn't say that they're not able to learn how to fight.

I’m just gonna keep my comfy figurehead job while the emperor sends you guys off. I mean, I can learn how to fight, but I’m not gonna start wrestling grizzly bears cause I learned a few takedowns and arm bars.

Don’t worry. As the advocate for human issues I’ll convince the Emperor and other races that it is a good thing to not cull our numbers too much. After all, demons gotta eat. Sewers need to be cleaned, ditches need to be dug, don’t worry, I got this. Leave it to me. I’ll make sure our species survives.

 

[Deleted member 29316]

I’m just gonna keep my comfy figurehead job while the emperor sends you guys off. I mean, I can learn how to fight, but I’m not gonna start wrestling grizzly bears cause I learned a few takedowns and arm bars.

Don’t worry. As the advocate for human issues I’ll convince the Emperor and other races that it is a good thing to not cull our numbers too much. After all, demons gotta eat. Sewers need to be cleaned, ditches need to be dug, don’t worry, I got this. Leave it to me. I’ll make sure our species survives.

Lead a part of the humans to safety, comrade. I'll organize a revolution outside the palace walls.

I think my story's MC got into my head...really.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

I would do as much behind the scenes as possible.

 

[Yorda]

Humans are a minority, are weaker than other races, have no magic, and they’re dumber than other races.

You guys are gonna get us all killed.

There is one area where human beings are possibly equal or superior in compared with other races. Time to out-breed our opponents. With numbers, not quality, we shall prevail!

 

[Discount_Blade]

1. What do you mean what do I do? I get paid to do nothing!!! Hells yeah!!


2. Is this a joke? Hells yeah!! I get paid to do nothing!! This is a dream come true!!!

3. Considering I don't like people? Nope. Get my money and go home. Probably spend only a little until I have a massive amount saved up for retirement. Good stuff. Goooooood stuff.

4. And I'm supposed to care why? As long as it isn't my people I care about (and since I'm a necessary publicity stunt, the Emperor will make sure to avoid anyone I care about because then his publicity stunt, meaning me, would become more a burden than a boon. So yeah) then I don't care. I'm not a hero and I don't want to be.

 

[UYScuti]

There is one area where human beings are possibly equal or superior in compared with other races. Time to out-breed our opponents. With numbers, not quality, we shall prevail!

Oh great, you guys are really putting me on the spot as ambassador. Did you see the part about humans being captured and given to demons as a food source?

Demons are gonna be eating well I guess. Maybe we’ll kill them with obesity.

 

[Discount_Blade]

Oh great you guys are really putting me on the spot as ambassador. Did you see the part about humans being captured and given to demons as a food source?

Demons are gonna be eating well I guess. Maybe we’ll kill them with obesity.

Finally getting some use out of 'em XDDDD

 

[minacia]

I think I would try.

Even if there’s not much I would be able to do, I sort of believe that having power comes with responsibility. If I’m in a position where I can help people who can’t help themselves (I.e. an advocate for humans), I feel like I would have a certain amount of pressure to advocate for people who don’t have the voice that I would have in that position.

It’s still a very privileged position, and just a voice alone has a lot of power.

Wasting that opportunity is something that doesn’t sit as well with me, I guess?