The EMERGENCY POWERS decree is an edict acquired from the monarch of one's city, by a citizen of extremely high rank (Prince, Prime Minister, Cardinal and head of the Baronial council). It must be conferred in the personal presence of the rightful monarch (i..e. standing in his/her location). The EMERGENCY POWERS bestows direct rule: all governmental, ministerial and military commands combined.
The decree tends to last for just one Avalon month but can be forcibly removed from a Baron (or rather a Baron-Commander as the Baron with EMERGENCY POWERS is known) by QUESTIONing the baronial seat on the city council. It can also be voluntarily given up as documented below.
Syntax: DECREES or HELP <city>.
To see all active decrees of the Crown, including the emergency powers autocracy edict. HELP followed by the city name shows active decreed emergency powers currently in force.
Syntax: DECREE and DECREE END.
If you are one of those extraordinarily high ranked citizens, you may present yourself to the monarch of your city and type DECREE if the occasion requires you to possess yourself of the totalitarian command-set: all powers and privileges of the government, the ministers and the military commanders. Use DECREE END when you wish to voluntarily surrender direct rule and rescending the emergency powers order; duly logged to ACTIONS for the city.
WARNING: use the direct rule decree with great care and condsideration for your fellow citymates. It is a special and easily abused trust - removing any democracy or dialogue - and should only be used in dire, once-in-a-blue-moon circumstances.
