3. Announcement from Captain-General Del'Rosa

Announcement from Captain-General Del'Rosa


  • The dock workers' chanting slowly fades out as George raises his hand.


  • After George explains what he meant with "going abroad", Vera speaks again:

    Uh… Right. Forget what I said about making me queen, mmmkay? Oop, I'm late. See ya!

    She gives George a quick hug and darts off in a random direction.


  • Having had all his questions answered Walter goes back to… whatever it is he does these days, though not without a parting chuckle.

    "Well uh… I don't know about that, I'm pretty sure the old boy's 'boys' are still going strong. Men don't work like women ehhh... uhh.. yeah shouldn't get into details with -- well... him being high nobility and all, but, I reckon it uh... yeah. More to do with the ... er... than the seed. Ehh....."

    His face bright red, and after making several gestures with his fist and his forearm, he hurriedly scarpers off.

  • ?

    a battle scarred dwarf shuffles in from the west gate, his armor covered in flecks of blood spatter. As he makes his way to the Mermaid Inn, he stops by a group of Dwarven dock workers and watches the event take place. After a few chuckles under his beard, he leans to the dwarves and says, " King? He ain't even go o' proper beard! O' shiny new crown and o' sweet young maiden teh warm his bed? Bet it didn't take much more convincin' than that teh git him up on this stage, eh? That's wut oi call o' promotion!"

    As Beorn makes his way into the Mermaid for a ale and a quick peek at Kat's cleavage before heading South, he mutters to himself,

    "Good ole Corruptarch, business as usual…"


  • Mathias shakes his head speaking sadly

    I would not envy your decision sir, were it my own wife I would refuse such a request as per the promise of the vows, but I do not hold that against you. Though I do encourage you to keep the ideals of adoption in mind. Blood is only that. It doesn't make you anything special. Its what you do with your life that makes you special. You have been a great worker on the docks, you have fought in a war and lived to tell the story. You are a friend, a husband and one day, you might be a King. Honestly, being a King will be the least important thing that makes your life special. Being a good man, a good friend and being good to your people, that will make you special before these people and before your god. Adoption would keep the blood of Peltarch on the throne, you wouldn't have to seek some mistress and as harsh as it may sound coming from me….given your age sir...there's a chance that you may not be able to have children at your age. Most men cannot impregnate a woman at your age. Why not seek something that can bless you and your wife with the sound of a child running the halls rather then leaving her for something younger. Just because she says its okay....doesn't mean she truly believes it, and I don't believe you do either...and if your heart is telling you its wrong as I believe its telling you right now, then you know it is wrong and you need to find a better path.


  • George looks troubled by this

    "She.. she's my age, sir.. we had a lengthy discussion, and it was her suggestion that.."

    He clears his throat

    "That to keep order in future, I ought seek a new wife should the vote fall on me."

    It's clearly a subject that saddens George deeply - he likely has spent countless decades with his wife. He motions with his hand

    "Next question, please."


  • Mathias looks to him confused

    I mentioned the Orphan issue ma'am, but sir in accordance with you becoming King, your wife would become Queen, why in the name of Justice would you even consider sleeping with another woman to produce an heir? I pray there is nothing barring your fine wife from producing a child? If there is not, then I say stick to your own wife, or adopt from our Orphanage. There are many children that would give their right hand to be your child.


  • George holds up his hand to stop the chanting, smiling, then the smile fades again as the subject of how to acquire a heir is presented again.

    "Trust me, I do not wish to bring a foreign ruler to these lands. I wish to pass on King Tidus' bloodline for generations to come - which is why the courts of politically favorable states are being looked at for a willing candidate to be the other half in producing the heir.As for a coat of arms, that would be the coat of arms of King Tidus.

    He turns to Mathias, a curious look on his face

    "While adopting from an orphanage seems a noble goal, friend, it might not be the wises course of action. As I said before, I carry blood of King Tidus in my veins. It is passed on from father - or mother - to the child.

    Noble blood is a blessing given by Lady Siamorphe to assist a ruler. To quote the priests; "Their wisdom and charisma are inherited from their noble ancestors."

    This is to help the heir to have better chance at becoming a resposible, wise king."


  • Hearing George's quip on choosing a ruler from neighboring countries, Vera jests:

    "Hey, I'm young and foreign, can I be queen? I'm kidding, but they're right on that one. If you wanna rule, you gotta be from Peltarch. And no shady deals like giving them citizenship today and making them kings tomorrow. Nuh uh. she then turns to the crowd Who said that? I heard something about adopting an orphan. That's actually a good idea!


  • Some of the dock workers, upon hearing George's proposals on taxes, and having known him for a long time, mistake Morris' calling for a chant and join in:
    "King George! King George! King George!"


  • Mathias looks back to the gnome speaking calmly

    Sir…one does not give a king a "try". A king is usually considered permanent. Its a rather large decision to make to make a permanent ruler over elected one. A man that has no son or daughter to take his place if he dies. This is not a small decision to make and you should be considering the consequences a lot more carefully before your so willing to determine the fate of an entire city. While I hold nothing against the man, What the Lady said is accurate. Talk of bringing in some stranger from a foreign land to rule Peltarch when he dies is a disgrace to Peltarch in itself. Why not adopt one of the local orphans right out of the Orphanage and raise that one as the next Royal? Give them a better life and keep the lifeblood of the city flowing!

  • V

    Morris Purcandel pipes up at the back. He seems to have some ridiculous dark gnomish goggles on and all of the digits on his pale right hand are supported by absurd mini-splints. His hair seems swished in all directions and his clothes are covered in black spots. It appears the poor young scribe has finally exited the city hall after many weeks of grimy census work.

    "I simply can't imagine why anyone would be against giving a king a try. Truly, what is our alternative? Hold an election for another senate? Oh, I wonder who would win? Would it happen to be the richest people in the city; or, perhaps the merchants, the other richest people in the city that half the other people in the city work for and cannot vote against for fear of starvation?

    I say, if this chap managed to live till seventy on the docks then he must be doing something right. Besides! Tell me what is worse: a few bad decisions or no decisions at all? I say out with the filthy corrupt senate, and in with the shiny new king!"

    Morris calls forth "King George! King George! What will your coat of arms be?"


  • George thinks on Walter's words for a while before responding.

    "While there is truth to your words, I do not see it as charity, self-image or vanity. There -are- families in the city that live on, worn pair of words though it may be, bread and water. Citizens that work all day long at that. I would not wish to lay blame on anyone, but those that lead the guilds do have quite a bit of resposibility in this. Hardworking citizens should not have to line up in soupkitchen.

    Yes, it is true that such a system could be abused. But so can our current system, as seen by some prominent figures apparently not partaking in the census. One cannot weed out dishonesty completely, but one can support those that do work honestly.

    Many types of government look good on paper. As an idea, I agree, it looks good. But in practice, it has not worked. The senators have always, and pardon my skepticism, always will work towards their own agenda or that of who bought their votes. Think of it as a hydra, with each head with a mind of their own. It's heads will fight with each other on who gets to eat the person before them - and before it realizes it, that person has already sinked their blade into their backs.

    A wise man listens to those around him. A wise ruler makes informed decisions. This does not mean the advisors make the decisions for him.

    King is the Head that decides what Hands, employees of the city shall do. A head cannot decide on what isn't perceived. Advisors are the Eyes and Ears. Yet without the help of Heart, none of these can act. The Heart is you, the people of the city. Each and every one of you.

    There is a saying I've heard: "The whole body suffers from a dumb head." I'm afraid that the senate is somewhat of a splitminded head."

    George turns his head to answer Raryldor calmly

    "When I become corrupt? It seems my fate is sealed then."

    The old man grins slightly before continuing

    "It is true I haven't the experience in governance. In that manner, I'm much like every other voter deciding our senators. However what I do have is patience. I do not judge candidates one way or the other on first sight. I will take time, hear of their past experiences, of their repute - everything I need to know to make the best decision I can possibly make for the city. That is what I can promise to you."

    ((I'll respond to Rith's and following a bit later, gotta work now :P))


  • Mathias looks to Rith nodding in approval

    Well said milady. I think you hit most of the greatest concerns on the head.


  • A radiant Lathanderite notices the turmoil as she arrives, her amber eyes watching as the exchange of inquiries and accusations happen. As the opportunity presents itself, she attempts to draw the attention to speak some words.

    Being native from Suzail, I see the merit in the idea of having a king. My homeland has been ruled by a single dynasty of kings and queens for pretty much as long as humans are a sentient race, and in that time you would say that Suzail has prospered and grown to be one of the richest and most beautiful cities of our world.

    George here is right… senators win their seat often through manipulations and subterfuge, buying votes and influences. I've been directly involved in one senatorial campaign with my candidature as advisor, and I've witnessed the dirt under the rug of the human conscience in all kind of campaigns of slander and defamation. There was even a company that had the only purpose or running these campaigns against anyone that did not submit a payment to them, practising this mostly accepted and legal form extortion that you could do nothing but stick to your principles and ideals, and live with it.

    Then I have witnessed as well how the senators that so actively battled each other to earn a seat, and that includes the one which I was aligned with, faded away over time, growing complacent and content in their positions, unable to act towards their people's well-being even in times of war. Sadly enough, and I say sadly because some of those senators I consider friends and people worth respect, they had not the commitment, will or knowledge to act as senators. They had only the will to be recognised as senators as a badge of honour or status, and perhaps a bunch of good ideas that they never pursued, because they had no pressure to do so. This can not be permitted. Peltarch deserves better, much better.

    Then Rith turns to George himself, her eyes look at him gently, with certain concern, her gesture much as if he was the younger one in that exchange of gazes

    But George, dear, some of the concerns raised by the people here are true. You are a very old man, without heirs. You are not trained as a ruler simply because you had no idea of all this deal until just recently. And you have no heirs to train. When you inevitably cross the river to the shores of the infinite spirit, would you leave a foreign ruler in charge of Peltarch? No, George, that won't do. Peltarch needs to belong to its people, and any rulers, be it senators or kings, need to have grown with the city, embraced it, and learned to love it as well as every citizen of it. The ruler or rulers must have passion for Peltarch.

    I am of noble lineage myself, in Suzail no less, and I truly think nobody should be born with the right of ruling over others. I left my homeland young and tired of a life of petulant gossips in the backrooms of diamond-dressed Balls. The right to rule must be earned through deed. I do not mean to offend Siamorphe's priests, but I believe a ruler and a noble are two well distinct and unrelated things, as I have known of plenty spoiled and decadent princes that led their land to ruin, and of plenty simple men that rose and led their people to prosperity.

    What I am saying is that any form of leadership is only as good or as bad as the leaders who sit at the throne of it. Senators, Pharaohs, Jarls, Kings… all of them work, but only as long as the ones in the high seat are worthy of their people and understand that being a ruler is not an act of command over their people, it is an act of servitude to their people. Selfless, wholehearted servitude.

    There is no real question that needs to be answered in what I am saying. I only wish for Peltarch to decide its fate on its own, and I would like people to really think what they want for themselves.

    At this point Rith Phoenixfeather turns towards the people

    People of Peltarch, it is your right to decide, but you must let yourselves be advised by those who hold the jars of experience and wisdom in their hands, and would too like to see the Jewel prosper. This is a crucial time for Peltarch, and you must all be intelligent to put aside any attempts of manipulation to sway your opinion towards a decision that you may regret, and also your children, and the children of your children. Much is at stake, so please, do not let the spur of a moment or the most immediate future lead your thoughts and your feelings. Sit with your families at home, gather with your friends, with your co-workers, and have a sensible, paused conversation with them, so you can make up your mind on what you really want, what does Peltarch really need to be the greatest nation of the north.

    May the Light bring you insight in these times of doubt.


  • Raryldor interjects.

    So you will chose advisors! And what experience have you in governance that your choice will be wise and equitable? Indeed, if the panel of advisors is needed to run every aspect of city governance for you, why can you not back a freely elected Senate that performs the same function? It has been the way always that the people vote to oust corruption. With you as king, what power will they have to oust you when you become corrupt? No, then you and your advisors will roll heads and pad your pockets!


  • Walter clears his throat, a frown burdening his brow - he's had a lot on his mind lately…

    "_George, er… I... can I speak? ... Yeah I just mean it's -- with the taxes and all. It sounds... well... it sound like it's easily taken advantage of. The lazy will quit their work and live free, declaring nothing that they earn. This is far from a city of sainted sons. I know that ... well you already said that... er... that you'll be speaking with your advisers. I hope they advise you against bankrupting the city on -- some campaign of, what word am I looking for? Charity? Self-image? ... Vanity?

    I sincerely apologize if I've been rude to the man-who-would-be-king... but, I believed in the Senate. Perhaps, well, most certainly not the one we've just lost -- but as an 'idea' the Senate is the only assurance of fair governance for the people. And if you're working off the advice of others, then, what real need has the city for a k..king in the first palce?_"


  • Mathias nods to the gentleman and bows his head

    Thank you for answering my questions sir, I wish you the best regardless of the outcome. May Tyr uphold Justice for you in all you do.


  • George nods at the question

    "It's a legitimate fear, indeed. I have made some plans regarding the position of spymaster, as well as establishing a "kingsguard" as it were. These individuals would be in charge of the safety of the king, as well as protecting the heir from the taint of the cyricists should time pass me before they would come of age. The choosing process for such individuals would be very strict, and I shan't go into details of it here as that might compromise the safety of such procedure somewhat.

    One thing to keep in mind when you ponder when making your opinion on Siamorphe is this; she has three main enemies, Gargauth, Bane and Cyric. Peltarch has banned two faiths from the city: Bane and Cyric."


  • Mathias continues to speak in a calm tone frowning having seen the General faint and shakes his head

    I am sorry to see the General in such poor condition. I pray he will recover soon. Thank you for clarifying this Divine Right term, it does help to clear up things. I pray you understand well the concern regarding the ideal that Cyricists may be involved in this given the false execution of the previous Senate done by them more recently. My final question stems into what is to be done about this matter should you be placed to ensure that you yourself will not fall prey to them. Your not exactly a young man sir and with no birth heir….it is understandable the populace feels....threatened at the risk of them getting into any position of power.

    Dips his head with proper respect to the man