About the Location
The Maxisterium is the political and social hub of New Berlin. Housed in the former Federal Chancellery, it serves as a neutral meeting ground for the twelve major clans—groups that share common interests but firmly reject the idea of a centralized government.
The building owes its current name to Mia Von Schöneberg. She reasoned that the term “Ministry” (Ministerium)—containing the prefix “mini”—was entirely inappropriate for such a vast structure, and thus renamed it the Maxisterium. Mia herself holds the title of Maxista—a role that functions simultaneously as an official office, a social position, and an act of self-empowerment. (No one bothers to question the arithmetic.)
Quote
Mia Von Schöneberg:
“The state is a space where everyone can sit down together one last time before doing something irreversible.”
Function
| Area | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Politics | Mediation between the twelve clans |
| Diplomacy | Receptions, negotiations, conflict resolution |
| Society | Salons, banquets, informal gatherings |
| Trade | A meeting point for merchants and delegations |
| Security | Informally supported by The Trust Fund |
| External Relations | Represents New Berlin to other cities |
The Maxisterium lacks a traditional executive branch and has little authority to issue orders to the clans. Instead, its power stems from the fact that every clan, sooner or later, finds itself in need of negotiation. Anyone looking to settle matters regarding waterways, trade rights, or security zones must inevitably turn to the Maxisterium.
Note
Mia Von Schöneberg is the founder of the Maxisterium and holds the title of Maxista. Her authority stems from her extraordinary instinct for hierarchies.
She is quick to discern who in a room truly wields influence, who is merely feigning it, and who—though they may say nothing—is being watched by everyone else. This ability makes her the primary intermediary between the clans.
Quote
Mia Von Schöneberg:
“Most conflicts are not resolved by convincing someone. You simply have to provide them with a dignified way to change their mind.”
The salons of the Maxisterium are part of this strategy. The seating arrangements, the selection of guests, the drinks served, and the encounters that take place are all orchestrated to allow political discussions to emerge—without ever feeling like political discussions.
The Trust Fund
The Trust Fund is, for all practical purposes, part of the building’s permanent inventory. It handles procurement, transport, and security—as well as tasks that, depending on one’s perspective, could be described as wealth redistribution, logistics, or theft.
In the early inventory lists of the Maxisterium, Mia actually classified the Trust Fund under “Stock.” While the legal implications of this decision remain unclear, its effectiveness as a deterrent against potential hostile takeovers is well-documented.
Note
The Trust Fund maintains neither orderly accounting records nor a clear hierarchy. By the standards of New Berlin, it is nonetheless an remarkably resilient institution.
History
Following the collapse of Old Berlin, numerous competing power centers emerged throughout the city. Mia realized early on that while the clans would never accept a central government, they did require a shared space.
She occupied the former Chancellery in the name of the Trust Fund and gradually transformed it into what is now the Maxisterium. Conference halls were converted into salons, offices into guest rooms, and formal ceremonial spaces into venues for negotiation.
On March 1, 2121, the “12 for 1” summit took place—the first occasion on which representatives from all twelve clans collectively acknowledged New Berlin as a unified political space.
Quote
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Building | Former Federal Chancellery |
| Style | Monumental state architecture, heavily altered |
| Ground floor | Partially flooded |
| Distinctive feature | Glass floor over a large fish pond |
| Interiors | Carpets, curtains, paintings, candles, torches, improvised seating areas |
| Access points | Several boat landings and elevated side entrances |
| Atmosphere | Prestigious, chaotic, inhabited |
The old Chancellery has not been restored; rather, it has been appropriated. The original architecture remains visible, yet it is overlaid with carpets, curtains, art, candles, furniture, and personal belongings.
On the partially flooded ground floor, a glass floor spans the water. Beneath it lives a large population of fish—the exact species composition of which Mia refuses to have documented.
Quote
Mia on the fish:
“As long as they are healthy and not participating in political deliberations, I see no reason for further classification.”
Daily Life
During the day, the space hosts meetings, deliveries, and preparations; in the evenings, political discussions often transition seamlessly into social gatherings and receptions. This very blending of politics and social life is characteristic of the building.
A full “Maxisterium” (the term used for the Chancellery in its current state) is generally seen as a sign of political stability. Conversely, a noticeably empty evening quickly gives rise to rumors of broken alliances, stalemates, or impending conflicts.
Note
In the Maxisterium, a vote is not considered the pinnacle of democratic order; rather, it is often viewed as a sign that no one managed to find a better compromise beforehand.
Significance
The Maxisterium is not a government in the classical sense. It possesses no sovereign power over New Berlin and no means to exert permanent control over the twelve clans.
Its significance lies precisely in the fact that it creates a shared political space without fundamentally calling the autonomy of the clans into question.
The greatest unresolved question concerns Mia herself: thus far, the authority of the House and the authority of the Maxista are virtually inseparable. Whether the Maxisterium could one day function without her remains an open question.> [!quote]
Mia Von Schöneberg:
“Most conflicts are not resolved by convincing someone. You simply have to provide them with a dignified way to change their mind.”
The salons of the Maxisterium are part of this strategy. The seating arrangements, the selection of guests, the drinks served, and the encounters that take place are all orchestrated to allow political discussions to emerge—without ever feeling like political discussions.
The Trust Fund
The Trust Fund is, for all practical purposes, part of the building’s permanent inventory. It handles procurement, transport, and security—as well as tasks that, depending on one’s perspective, could be described as wealth redistribution, logistics, or theft.
In the early inventory lists of the Maxisterium, Mia actually classified the Trust Fund under “Stock.” While the legal implications of this decision remain unclear, its effectiveness as a deterrent against potential hostile takeovers is well-documented.
Note
The Trust Fund maintains neither orderly accounting records nor a clear hierarchy. By the standards of New Berlin, it is nonetheless an remarkably resilient institution.
History
Following the collapse of Old Berlin, numerous competing power centers emerged throughout the city. Mia realized early on that while the clans would never accept a central government, they did require a shared space.
She occupied the former Chancellery in the name of the Trust Fund and gradually transformed it into what is now the Maxisterium. Conference halls were converted into salons, offices into guest rooms, and formal ceremonial spaces into venues for negotiation.
On March 1, 2121, the “12 for 1” summit took place—the first occasion on which representatives from all twelve clans collectively acknowledged New Berlin as a unified political space.
Quote
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Building | Former Federal Chancellery |
| Style | Monumental state architecture, heavily altered |
| Ground floor | Partially flooded |
| Distinctive feature | Glass floor over a large fish pond |
| Interiors | Carpets, curtains, paintings, candles, torches, improvised seating areas |
| Access points | Several boat landings and elevated side entrances |
| Atmosphere | Prestigious, chaotic, inhabited |
The old Chancellery has not been restored; rather, it has been appropriated. The original architecture remains visible, yet it is overlaid with carpets, curtains, art, candles, furniture, and personal belongings.
On the partially flooded ground floor, a glass floor spans the water. Beneath it lives a large population of fish—the exact species composition of which Mia refuses to have documented.
Quote
Mia on the fish:
“As long as they are healthy and not participating in political deliberations, I see no reason for further classification.”
Daily Life
During the day, the space hosts meetings, deliveries, and preparations; in the evenings, political discussions often transition seamlessly into social gatherings and receptions. This very blending of politics and social life is characteristic of the building.
A full “Maxisterium” (the term used for the Chancellery in its current state) is generally seen as a sign of political stability. Conversely, a noticeably empty evening quickly gives rise to rumors of broken alliances, stalemates, or impending conflicts.
Note
In the Maxisterium, a vote is not considered the pinnacle of democratic order; rather, it is often viewed as a sign that no one managed to find a better compromise beforehand.
Significance
The Maxisterium is not a government in the classical sense. It possesses no sovereign power over New Berlin and no means to exert permanent control over the twelve clans.
Its significance lies precisely in the fact that it creates a shared political space without fundamentally calling the autonomy of the clans into question.
The greatest unresolved question concerns Mia herself: thus far, the authority of the House and the authority of the Maxista are virtually inseparable. Whether the Maxisterium could one day function without her remains an open question.