Editing Obs in the Dramaturge


'''''Obs''''' stand for '''''Ob'''''ligations. As the currency of the Dramaturge they act as a symbol of enjoyment between performer and spectator.

An '''''Ob''''' is a unit of entertainment.  Mandalay is a place that draws performers from shadow in a subtle way.  Its a type of ideal place for performers; a place where the effort they put into their art is enjoyed for its own sake. The ease of subsistence in The Dramaturge makes currency of little value.  But the receiving of an '''''Ob''''' for an effort, and the donation of an '''''Ob''''' for an effort is a symbol of pride and respect between viewer and performer.

The currency in the Dramaturge is a fluid thing based on a general concept of '''''Ob'''''ligations and time performing efforts.

The '''''Ob''''' is a small ceramic pod the size of a pea. Receptacles are available in a variety of places and the general practice is the take a handful on a regular basis.  Fresh '''''Obs''''' are clear until used at which time they become milky white. Many have stippling or waves of black and grey. They have a hole in them and are often strung and worn. Made of a material identifiable as a form of marble immune to damage under normal circumstances while in the realms of the Mandalay Sway.  They are created as a function of the Mark of Mandalay and their permanence fades as they are taken further from Mandalay.  There is no exchange value and the ease of acquiring them makes them of little value in themselves.

[[File:Obs.jpg|100 px]]

'''Lords of the Mark''' have the power to know what venues an '''''Ob''''' was contributed to and they may cleanse them back to their clear appearance. 


The Dramaturge is a collection of Venues or performing spaces.  Some are as small a corner of a park large enough to stand in to a massive stadium able to house a hundred thousand to watch a gigantic performance.  

It is easy to survive in the Dramaturge without a means of support.  Access to entertainment venues are free.  Hub Platers are available in most domiciles. Housing venues are required to have 5% of their apartments available for Non-'''''Ob''''' residency.  There are many cafeteria style restaurants. Most lower scale venues survive on word of mouth.

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The term "'''''Ob'''''" also is used in the meaning of '''''Obligations''''' in the sense of favors given and favored owed.  The saying "You have a card in the deck" to refer to a political favor would have a confusing meaning in Amber due to the use of Trumps.  Terms like "chip in the Game" or "There's an '''''Ob''''' owed", and "an Obs worth" are used instead.

=='''<div class="center" style="width: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">The Living is Easy in the Dramaturge. Currency and the '''''Ob'''''</div>'''==


Currency in the Dramaturge is a complicated subject that requires the willing cooperation of everyone who lives and visits.

''''''''''Ob'''''''''' or ''''''''''Obs'''''''''' stands for '''''Ob'''''ligations. As the currency of the Dramaturge they act as a symbol of enjoyment and appreciation between performer and spectator.

An '''''Ob''''' is a unit of entertainment. Mandalay is a place that draws performers from shadow in a subtle way. Its a type of ideal place for performers; a place where the effort they put into their art is enjoyed for its own sake. The ease of subsistence in The Dramaturge makes normal forms of currency of little value. But the receiving of an '''''Ob''''' for an effort, and the donation of an '''''Ob''''' for an effort is a symbol of pride and respect between viewer and performer.

The currency in the Dramaturge is a fluid thing based on a general concept of '''''Ob'''''ligations and time performing efforts. It is an expression of the honor system that one accepts that they will give an '''''Ob''''' for an '''''Ob''''''s worth of effort.  What an ''''''''''Obs''''' worth of effort''''' is varies by individual but has come to have a general expression of value as residents live under these conditions longer.  '''''An '''''Obs''''' Worth''' is a common expression rather then a strict monetary value.

* The Ob itself: 
Physically the '''''Ob''''' is a small ceramic pod the size of a pea. Receptacles are available in a variety of places and the general practice is the take a handful on a regular basis. Fresh '''''Obs''''' are clear until used at which time they become milky white. Made of a material identifiable as a form of marble immune to damage under normal circumstances while in the realms of the Mandalay Sway. They are created as a function of the Mark of Mandalay and their permanence fades as they are taken further from Mandalay. There is no exchange value and the ease of acquiring them makes them of little value in themselves. Lords of the Mark have the power to know what venues an '''''Ob''''' was contributed to and they may cleanse them back to their clear appearance.

==='''The Dramaturge'''  or  ''' The Dramaturgy'''===
The Dramaturge is a collection of Venues or performing spaces. Some are as small as a corner of a park large enough to stand in to a massive stadium able to house a hundred thousand to watch a gigantic performance. Some are a push carts that carry everything from food to artwork, jewelry, handicrafts, clothes, etc.

It is easy to survive in the Dramaturge without a means of support. Access to entertainment venues are free. Hub Platters are available in most domiciles. Housing venues are required to have 5% of their apartments available for Non-'''''Ob''''' residency.

*'''Automats:'''

Automats are businesses designed to produce certain types of goods using Energy to Matter conversion units. Energy to Matter replicators are common in the Dramturge. They are found in many Automat locations publicly as well as being available in nearly all residences and businesses. Matter like refuse can be placed in them and transmuted into nearly anything. Programming them can be as easy as placing an item in the replicator and directing it to produce a duplicate of the item and store its replication matrix.

Some Automats are specific to producing food. Some allow individuals to place an order and take their food out to be eaten on the premises or to be taken and eaten elsewhere. Some are cafeteria style where a person walks through a line choosing items produced by replicators. These often provide examples of other restaurants and are essentially advertisements designed to entice a diner to seek out the actual venue that produces the meal freshly rather then replicating it.

'''*Business Venues'''
Many goods stores, similar to walmarts, have basic materials available for no charge, created by replication. Basic clothes, furniture, craft equipment, and all matter of objects are available for free.

'''*Trash Collection'''
In a realm with such easy matter creation there can become an issue of an abundance of general trash.  Finished food containers, waste products, packaging.   So the Dramaturge deals with this by Matter Conversion trash receptacles.   Public ones are distinctive vase shaped with a large upper hole.  Matter is dropped in, held for a moment to detect living organisms, then rendered into energy that is transferred to storage batteries.  A single '''Ob''' is dispensed for having successfully used the container.  

Collection trash is a common activity on many levels. It is considered contributing to the society of the Dramaturge and the One received are fairly earn.

Home trash cans work similarly but do not dispense '''Obs'''.

==='''Examples of Ob use and Venue Shares'''===
===='''Dandaro's Quilia Theater'''====
'''Impresario Dandaro Alaguilla''' is a famous theater owner on the shadow of Quilal. He ran theater companies for 90 years before he lapsed into dementia at the age of 103 and was preparing woefully for death. One night he rose and in a delirium slipped family and friends and wandered off in his hometown. The forces of Mandalay called to him and unknowingly he followed a shadow trail that brought him to the Dramaturge. Once there he was assisted by residents knowledgeable with the way Mandalay drew people.  He was entered into a medical clinic where he was rejuvenated to the age of 80, at which point his mental condition was cleared and treated and he could discuss his situation.  He chose to be fully rejuvenated to the age of 21.

He began working as a Capri Cart driver reciting poetry and monologues to his customers. 

In time he worked in other venues and performed in various plays, and eventually decided to open a venue himself

First he found a Venue space. Finding a 400 seat theater suited to the small cast plays he was famous for in his world, he made plans for a new career. He negotiated with the Block Manager for a 5% '''''Ob''''' donation from his shares in appreciation of the use of the space. The Block Manager oversees a number of Venues within a defined space. (The Block Manager has to juice up to the Sector Manager, who juices to the District Manager, who juice to the Regional Director or Mayor.)

He established 7 Tier '''''Ob''''' level structure. This is a fairly typical grouping for a medium sized Venue. This means everyone on his staff fits into one of the 7 levels. A person at a tier level gets one share of the total '''''Obs''''' taken in for a performance each level. At the end of a night the total gathered '''''Obs''''' will be divided according to the total shares of the venue company.

For the <big>'''Quilia Theater'''</big> the tiers are as follows:

*'''7-Venue level:''' Dandaro as venue '''Owner''', Rukana Shalm '''Theater Manager'''. Dandaro has the final say in nearly everything but is not necessarily in charge of the day to day functions of the Venue, For that he hired Shalm to over see such things as maintenance, cleaning, upkeep, renovation, non-production staff.
*'''6-Director Level:''' '''Event Director''' oversees the performance of the play itself. '''Staff Director''' and '''Treasurer''' manages company staff and dispenses '''''Obs''''', Musical Director oversees incidental and performance music.
*'''5-Technical Level:''' '''Technical Director''', '''Costume Manager''', '''House Manager''', '''Main Cast Members'''(If the show highlights a main cast member), '''Main Band Leader'''
*'''4-Manger Level:''' A great many people overseeing senior elements; '''Cast manager''', '''Production manager''', '''stage manager''', '''Floor Manager'''. '''Cast members'''. '''Read director'''.
*'''3-Staff level:''' '''Actors''', '''makeup artists''', '''crew members'''. '''Senior Janitor'''. '''Musicians'''.
*'''2-Support level:''' many active members below decision making level: '''Extras''', '''chorus''', '''Ushers'''
*'''1-Venue Maintenance Staff:''' '''Janitor'''. '''Foot Publicity'''.
For a Production of "The Red Hatted Fox" there are two people at Tier 7, 5 at Tier 6, 5 at tier 5, 20 at tier 4, 25 at Tier 3, 30 at tier 2, and 12 at Tier 1. The Venue Staff including Event performers is 99 people with a total of

This is a total of 296 total Shares.
One night the show is particularly good. The venue seats 400. 
*80 contribute no '''''Obs'''''. 20% is not uncommon for non-contributing viewers. 
*100 contribute 5 '''''Ob'''''-a fairly typical contribution that says, "Thanks for the effort" 
*140 contribute 7 '''''Obs'''''
*30 contribute 10-a typical contribution that says I enjoyed the evening and its worth my time to attend. 
*10 contribute 15, 
*10 contribute 20, 
*10 contribute 25(another typical amount) 
*The remaining 20 represent various amounts.

For a total of 4700 collected '''''Obs''''' for one night's performance.

This gives 4700 '''''Obs''''' divided by 296 shares giving 15 '''''Obs''''' per share. 15.87 but Fractions are rounded down to the benefit of the venue manager.
So: Nightly Payouts.

*Tier 7 individuals (2) get 7 shares at 15 '''''Obs'''''/share = 1O5 0bs. 2 for 210 '''''Obs'''''.
*Tier 6 individuals (5) get 6 shares a 15 '''''Obs'''''/share = 90 '''''Obs'''''. 5 for 450
*Tier 5 individuals (5) get 5 shares at 15 '''''Obs'''''/share = 75 '''''Obs'''''. 5 for 375
*Tier 4 individuals (20) get 4 shares at 15 '''''Obs'''''/share = 60 '''''Obs'''''. 20 for 1200
*Tier 3 Individuals (25) get 3 shares at 15 '''''Obs'''''/share = 45 '''''Obs'''''. 25 for 1125
*Tier 2 individuals (30) get 2 shares at 15 '''''Obs'''''/share = 30 '''''Obs'''''. 30 for 900
*Tier 1 individuals (12) get shares at 15 '''''Obs'''''/share = 15 '''''Obs'''''. 12 for 180.

4400 '''''Obs''''' of 4700 are distributed by Shares. 300 are given to the Venu Owner above his Share Cut.. The Run of a the Play was contracted for 90 performances spread over 120 days.

Considering the above the average for the run, the total '''''Obs''''' gathered over 90 performances is 423,000 '''''Obs'''''

Over the course of the Run

*Tier 7 individuals (2) get 9450 '''''Obs'''''. 2 for 18,900
*Tier 6 individuals (5) get 8100 '''''Obs'''''. 5 for 40,500
*Tier 5 individuals (5) get 6,750 '''''Obs'''''. 5 for 33,750
*Tier 4 individuals (20) get 5,400 '''''Obs'''''. 20 for 108,000
*Tier 3 Individuals (25) get 4,050 '''''Obs'''''. 25 for 101,250
*Tier 2 individuals (30) get 2,700 '''''Obs'''''. 30 for 81,000
*Tier 1 individuals (12) get 1,350 '''''Obs'''''. 12 for 16,200

For 399, 600 '''''Obs''''' dispersed by shares for the run of the show. 23,400 to the Venue Manager. The Venue manager owes 5% of the total take in '''''Obs''''', or 19,980, to the Block Manager and might pay that out of the 20k he got from the rounding down of fractions, or may pay it out of his portion. Often the Venue Manager awards bonuses beyond the Shares given. Since it is a principle of the Dramaturge that people come there and serve in roles they enjoy, even the janitors are pleased with the '''''Obs''''' they receive.

===='''Gasita's Boutique'''====
'''Dame Alita Gasita''' is a potter. She was famous for her work in her home shadow of Drisala before coming to the Dramaturge by the Jeweled Road.

She opens a Venue near the Jeweled Road that crosses the Dramaturge from the Hub of Mandalay into shadow. A prime location in a center near a park. It is surrounded by other creative artists venues.

She negotiates a Small Venue on the ground floor of a residential building. She also secures a single bedroom apartment in the same building. Originally she secured a studio apartment but over time the popularity of her work made her decide to upgrade in the same building to a one bedroom apartment facing the Jeweled road.
She negotiates a 10% deal with the Venue Manager of the Apartment building for the street level boutique in a prime location. 

After a time she ups that to 12% to include the better apartment. 

The boutique is a 4 room affair with a large front display area which she split to include a working studio for visitors to watch her work. A back room includes several kilns and storage shelves. There is a replicator in this back room The last two rooms are a small office and a bathroom, including a shower. 

The Apartment has a living room and a balcony, a galley kitchen with replicator and refrigerator, a bedroom, a large closet and a bathroom with spa amenities.

Having brought with her from her home world the type of pottery clay she likes, and many of the powders and paints she uses for glazes, she puts them in the boutique's replicator and logs the materials. She may from time to time import clay from home but in general does not need to.

At any given time she may have 500 pieces of various sizes on display. Since her work is not replicated, even if the cay and glazes are, the custom is to always pay in '''''Obs'''''. A small item like a small pot for a house plant might return 5 '''''Obs'''''. Large works, like custom dish sets might bring 100 '''''Obs'''''. Fine detailed sculpted pieces of artistic value might bring 1000 '''''Obs'''''.

She is known for making Clay pipes, both plain and elaborate. Plain ones fetch 20 '''''Obs'''''. Elaborate ones run 100 '''''Obs'''''. These are suggested prices of course and the actual returns may vary.

In a month she might clear 5000 '''''Obs''''', mostly in sets and small items and pipes. A detailed piece will sell at least once a month. She pays 600 '''''Obs''''' to the venue Manager for her boutique and Apartment.

She has frequently will make a deal with a Cabri Cart Venue Manager to set up his cart in front of her store. For this she pays on average 100 '''''Obs''''' a month, depending on who she likes and what they sell. These carts mean walk-in trade. It also means she does not need to eat from the replicator and she might spend 30 '''''Obs''''' a month on lunches.

She spends her evening crafting but also likes to take in a play a few times a month. She particular enjoyed "The Red Hatted Fox" for which she left a 100 '''''Ob''''' contribution.

She has hired a Sword Dancer her to fencing. he world was peaceful but although the dramaturge is a peaceful place also, there is a current crazy for non-lethal rapier combat and she enjoys the exercise. she pays him 25 '''''Obs''''' a session usually, trying to get 5 sessions in a month.

She visits other boutiques in her park to acquire unreplicated goods such as clothes, artwork. She spends close to 500 month on such things. Like many small places her business has a corner for resale of others works she has tired of, in her case usually clothes.

===='''Lagal Jall'''====
Lagal Jall is a gardener. He serves in the park that Gasita' boutique and Quilia Theater both open onto. He is an incredible tender of plants and is knowledgeable in design and construction. He knows many artistic plant styles and seems to have an encyclopedic knowledge of plant and animal life.

Jall is a [[Non-Born]] of Mandalay. He came into being at the time of the creation of Mandalay fully adult with his originally vast store of knowledge. He has no parents or siblings. He is fairly single minded and does not like talking about being a duplicate of a person in shadow. He has the memories of having had a family growing up but knows he personally was not the person who experienced those memories. This is typical of Non-Borns.

The Block Manager For the park and the various buildings in the area, including both the above businesses, gives Jall 250 '''''Obs''''' a week to work his park. He has a gardener's area and shed out of site where he grows plants for future planting in the park. His area includes 3 greenhouses. He has a small resting area in one with a restroom and a replicator and he usually sleeps there. 

The block manager arranged for him to get a studio apartment where he keeps his personal possessions, such as they are. The 250 '''''Obs''''' a month is small for a talented non-born gardener but the location is good for him and he has been given a reasonably generous amount of space for greenhouses and breeding. He raises tulips and marijuana.

Jall is talkative about plants but is only mildly interested in anything else. He buys a new clay pipe each week because he seems to loose them. He rarely attends the theater though he did see The Red Hatted Fox, and gave 10 Obs. He eats at the Cabri Cart in front of Gasita's daily. He travels frequently to other gardens on his time off but can almost always be found in the park somewhere every day.

While the general maintenance of open spaces could easily be managed automatically, and in many places it is, most block residents want personalized care for their area to give it a unique and attractive appearance.  Since people who manage open spaces, like Jall, are also drawn to the Dramaturge in the way Artists and performers are, the people who are drawn to this work, or in Jall's case, born to it, are usually of a high caliber and skilled in their craft.

===='''[[Anasagal Towers]]'''====
[[File:Anasagal1.jpg|600 px]]

The Anasagal Towers is an example of a typical apartment structure in any segment of the Dramaturge. The Venue is designed for comfort and convenience.
*For more on a typical residential tower visit [[Anasagal Towers]].