3. Mirkali's Crusades...

Mirkali's Crusades...


  • Mirkali drags a simple heavy wooden crate, dressed in his old, slightly worn purple and gold clothing, which still has some faded glory to it, smiling to everyone… he murmurs a hymn, his voice now able to be heard by all nearby in the commons, as he makes a motion as if to speak

    My friends… it is good to see all your faces dancing with the gleam from the glorious life-giving sun above us. I beseech you to listen to a bard's ramblings, for I promise ale afterward, to say the least... I wouldn't be honoring bombadil if I didn't...

    Mirk grins a bit to everyone, as "free" and "ale" seems to catch people's attention

    Thank the gods… I am finally free... completely innocent of the crimes accused. This was not my first matter of business, mind you, but I had to... how to say... "Tend" to my fiance Lilly's needs first, after nearly a year of imprisonment. I'm sure you understand not what that does to a man in prison, but more rather what it does to his fiance.

    Mirk gives a wink to the audience, followed by a chuckle, which is followed by some laughing from those who know the needs of their women.

    But to the point, people… my ear catches the recent gossip, So and So politician donates this, So and So politician donates that. I listen and I listen, and I ask myself "Why is it that people who are running for election are quite charitible? especially around election time?". Pah! We all know the answer to that. So I sit and sit in jail, thinking of life... I met many friends in jail... many, in their teenage years, other, as young as twelve, some older. I ask them what they're in for... Always different reasons... Some got caught stealing... some mugging... others were fighting... others drunk... and some, theiving food...

    Mirkali's face turns grim as he describes the various crimes, watching the crowd's faces, he leans over further, speaking to them

    Almost always, always… all of them had a rough childhood. The story was always different, but the same. Some lost their parents in the war... others to criminals... monsters... some were even abandoned! Some had to try and get a job at the age of eight, because their parents were sick! it was the only way they could survive, to scrape enough food for not only themselves, but the people they were taking care of also. So they resorted to crime, as who has a better chance at a job? A full-grown man, strong... maybe even an educated man... but a young one? They have to get food somehow, either for themselves, or their family.

    Mirkali nods sadly to everyone, peering into everyone's eyes in the audience

    So, many… resort to thieving... instead of learning... instead of earning... it turns into a habit... it turns into their whole entire life, based on that. They go back to jail, again and again and again, for that is what they do to survive. I ask you all, what happens when a twelve year old gets caught stealing food? or something to sell later? Simply put... they get put in jail... Where, of course, they get fed, and they have shelter. A VICIOUS CYCLE, ladies and gentlemen. Steal, jail, steal, jail, steal, jail. Either way, they might scrape some food out of it, until finally, the law decides for these now accomplished criminals to be executed. And so, ends their lives.

    Mirkali lowers his head a moment mournfully… after about thirty seconds, he looks up again, the amplification spell still in effect, his soft voice being heard across all those present.

    My friends… this could have been prevented. Most criminals aren't bad people... they just know it as their means of survival in the city. What if... what if... someone came in the first time, with a helping hand. They offered food... they offered shelter... education... and most important of all... love. To make themselves feel like they were worth something... so that they could excel at their dreams.

    Mirkali flashes a sad smile to everyone, nodding once more, then lowers his head slightly, peering once again into the eyes of the audience with his own blue eyes, his voice taking that of a simple tone, as what he says next is simply that.

    Imagine that starving twelve year old boy… his family sick with a horrendous flu... unable to afford healing... unable to work... only to sit under the blankets, coughing and hacking away, in their barren apartment. What if... my friends... that boy did receive that helping hand. He was taken in... fed... educated... given love, and companionship from those who were going through a similar situation. He got a job delivering messages as a courier, making some coin, because he was educated enough to READ. He got fed by a helping hand, and used the coin to feed his family. He grows up, and gets a better job, paying him more coin. He gets his whole family healed, he has good friends from those who helped him in his situation, and the love that he recieved to make him reach for the sky. His whole family is alive now, working their jobs, a cohesive unit in this City. They're well off, people… they actually CELEBRATE holidays together.

    Mirkali smiles now, not sadly, but warmly. He stands up slightly straighter, looking across at all who listen

    There is help out there, and that's the Orphanage. People… it's underestimated how important the orphanage is.. It not only helps out children on the streets, starving and in need. It also stop the vicious cycle of the basic criminals at the core. It helps them before they start the thieving life, and even helps them get out of it… And what does that mean, ladies and gentlemen? That means young people... who turn into hardworking men and women, working to reach their dreams because of the food, shelter, love, and companionship they recieved there. Thievery is reduced. People are Happier. People's health goes up. Employment goes up, as does spending, for where there is more people working, there is more money being payed, there is more money being spent. Peltarch, my friends... benefits as a whole. Dockworkers... merchants... crafstmen... farmers... everyone... benefits.

    Mirkali warm smile now slowly spreads into a grin

    That brings to mind a man I know in the real estate clerk's office in the docks… he helped me file my real estate papers correctly... something he said is ringing in my mind. After hearing all this, and running it through his mind, he would say that this is, simply, "Good Business". The Orphanage invests in Peltarch's future, everyone, and that's why, I will invest in it.

    Mirkali's grin now turns to a simple smile

    I had the choice of donating a house I own in this city to the orphange. Sure sure, that would be good for a politician to get votes… of course it would. But I, am not running for senate. Why, should only senatorial candidates and politicians get to donate to charity, and improve the welfare of this city?. Nay nay, not one house. This city has many orphans, and possibly more to come. No...

    Mirkali's smile still simple, yet warms up a bit more

    I am donating all three of the houses that I own in Peltarch to the orphanage. I've known Ocean for a long while now, and I've seen her working on improving the orphanage and getting it set up as best as she could in its early days. Even during the civil war, she comforted the children, told them tales, and sang them songs…. I love this woman... always will. I know that the property in her hands will go to very good use, and benefit Peltarch for not just years to come, but even generations. She puts her heart and soul into it, and I couldn't ask for more. She has found her dream, in helping others reach theirs. I lived an orphan childhood in Damara, and I wish that I had had someone like her then.

    Mirkali nods down for a moment… some could have swore they saw a tear, though others tell them they were seeing things. He then looks up again, smiling, his voice returning to normal, despite the amplification

    I thank you all for listening. Now… I present you with the free ale promised, celebrating... my release from my imprisonment without trial. May you enjoy it, and may you ponder the words I said today. The children are our future, ladies and gentlemen.

    He finally gets down from his crate, he gives a swift kick to the side, the crate opening to reveal ale bottles of all sorts, some rather cheap, others of the Jiyyd Creamy Stout variety, and other types

    It was said that Mirkali left, shaking hands of some, hugging others. After which, he proceeded back to the college, only after a while later, composing himself again from his emotions, he was dragging another crate, to the docks this time. To give the speach to those there, who could not afford to be off in the commons during their work hours, presenting them with ale also, along with the same shaking of hands to some and hugging of others.


  • Rumours spread abound of Mirkali's death, some of his most firm supporters weeping at the news of his corpse not responding to raising attempts.

    ((More info in rumours section))


  • Ting doesn't really believe it

    "Since when has Mirk had three houses?"


  • smiles quietly from behind the crowd, bob the guard behind him a few more steps

    Its always a great sight to see the promise for good you saw in a man's heart finally come through. Enjoy the day mirk, and may the lady smile on you.

    He stays to the back of the crowds, remaining mostly low key, watching quietly as things go on with a small smile before finally leaving as the crowd subsides

  • S
    Council of Moradin

    Many spectators had expected yet another series of promises to be made on behalf of a senatorial campaign. They listened as the charismatic bard rambled on, but their interest was more courtesy than interest.

    That is until his talk of donating a house came up. Houses are very hard to come by even if you have a decent amount of coin. To simply give one away is an exceptional gift.

    Jaws dropped and an audible gasp was heard when he said it was not just one, but three. Several in the crowd teared up almost immediately. A small group of children were with their shepard and looked confused up to their protector from the orphanage. Thru her tears she looked down at the little faces and says, "We have a home now."

    Without hesitation, several of the little ones break free of their shepard's hug and smother Mirkali.


  • Witha smile on her face, the queen-like Clandra nods once at Mirkali's thoughts.

    This is exactly why the school was introduced. While orphanage is good place at first, the kids also need to learn things that can't be taught at the multi-age groups of the orphanage, and that is where the school steps in.


  • smiles Aye, the children and I thank yer greatly Mirk. As we also thank Richard for his recent help.

  • R

    Sir Richard Luis overwelmed and caught of gaurd of what the bard says. Comes up to him and gives him a great hug one that a brother would give another brother after hearing great news.
    "Words can not say how much I, lady ocean and the children thank you for your donation. As for your other comments of crime, eduaction and stoping the cycle that is in the works as we speak in the next few days phase two of the orphanage's agenda will commence. More information will come out in the next few days. Thank you again. Sir Mirkali"


  • Sil listens quietly and with a wan smile.

    "I never knew he had it in him…"