A Speech in the Commons
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Dentin watches the speech and the crowd's reaction quietly, standing somewhat to the side, neither agreeing nor disagreeing for the time being, it seems.
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A few frowning lines twist across the young man's normally unchanging face as he is met with an initial wave of rejection.
_"You are correct. Those on trial were released. However, they were released not on the basis of their innocence but on the stations they held. They should have been exonerated or punished according to the evidence of their guilt or lack thereof.
Never before have the actions of my own people brought me to self-reproach. Never before today was I shamed to be a Peltarchian. And I hope that today shall be no different. We come to a difficult crossroads, my fellow citizens.
One path that you might take is that you stand up for yourselves and make your voices heard. You act, and make Peltarch the city that it should be.
The other path is that you take the man in blue over there up on his offer and thereby allow the politicians of this city to purchase years of complacency with an hour of free drinks.
I will not abide a Peltarch that is content to live in oppression. I will not abide a Peltarch where the voice of the common people is drowned out by the will of only a few."_
He pauses to allow what he has said to sink in.
_"Now, I would hasten to remind you that each and every one of you has a voice. And that this speech does not go out only to those adventurers and various members and aspiring members of the aristocracy that seem to have gathered around, slinging objections and dry looks.
Every shoemaker, wainwright, cobbler, potter, dockhand and stable keeper has a voice. Each and every one of you is free. To keep that freedom you need only refuse to give it up.
By Gond, do not give up your freedom, and do not stop thinking in exchange for an hour of free drinks. For then they would surely be as dangerous as poison."_
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Maya walks by, then stops a moment to listen to the speech. Some confusion seems to register on her face as she tries to make out what he’s saying, with words like “hubris” and “fallibility” going unrecognized. She furrows her brow trying to pick out the words and take some meaning from it, and eventually just shrugs.
She’s about ready to leave when Zyphlin steps up, speaking in an animated fashion. This immediately draws Maya’s attention, and she stands riveted by his presence. Her face lights up in a grin, and then she nods her head sharply.
“Is good! Have to go to Bard college anyway!”
Then Maya strides out of the crowd, speech forgotten.
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A fellow in gray and black armor stops long enough to listen to both speeches, and after the second, chuckles and mutters something about 'bread and circuses' then continues on his way
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Zyphlin rolls his eyes and then gives a slow clap as the speech ends, clearing his throat and jumping onto something of decent height. He uses his items of illumination to bring light about him as he gives a charming smile, attempting to catch the crowds attention.
"I don't know about you fine folks of Peltarch, but personally I am tired of every person arrested deciding to make a long winded political speech, eh?
So I offer an alternative. All of you that would enjoy to listen to the man droll on about how bad everything is in Peltarch, feel free to stay. For the rest of you, drinks will be free in the Theater for the next hour and I will be having a few bards playing some festive mustic. Any of you fine folks that would wish to come and enjoy yourselves come on by…
...or if you prefer long winded rants, feel free to stay."
With that Zyphlin gives a wink and a smirk, and hops off the stool, heading to the theater
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Nearby the dwarf, a woman in black and gold armor shakes her head at the speech, then turns to follow him back toward the southern battlements. As she leaves, she is heard to say:
"I told him so."
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_A dwarf sits on the bench taking a respite from his post on the Norwick battle lines.
He listens to the speech with an expectant smile that slowly fades as the speech goes on and on without a joke._
<d>Dis bard suck.. Werst performance me e'er saw. Nae joke, nae jugglin, nae rpestige…. Bah!
Somewhat irritated he grabs his battle gear and heads south.</d>
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_Senator Senella, passing by during the speech simply shakes her head, no doubt also getting weary of plumped up fools laying all kinds of claims of corruption and misdemeanour at the officials of the city.
With a somewhat condescending tone she remarks to those listening to the speech;
"Would he have us go and live in shackles in Thay, or bend the knee to some occult witch in Rasheman, or under some King as in Damara? Fools like him don't realise how good they have it here in the Jewel. Shameful behaviour."_
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::A few commoners seem to stop and listen to Alvah as he starts his speech, they look at each-other, but as his preaching goes on and on, most grow bored and wanders off. One Commoner shouts "If the Magistrate actually did his job, we wouldn' be listenin' to nutters like this all tha time" There is a distinct impression that people are growing tired with people standing up and shouting long-winded stories and does not get straight to the point. "This one is like tha.. other fellow.. tha crazy blacksail one tha seem to rant on and on.. for tha gods knows what reason" a man remains standing until the end and shrugs his shoulders. "..so tha government, guards, magistrate and law system is corrupt, No shite Elminster." A couple look at each-other as they pass him, giving Alvah a funny look. "I heard the people at the trial had been freed of all charges!" the woman says before the man snorts. "I think they should all have hung, the magistrate was far too leniant if you ask me."::
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Sudoc replies on Alvah's behalf, asking why Alvah in his right mind would wear cloth to a fight with kobolds when he has a suit of full plate.
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Mecizq can be heard sniggering something about 'And he took the time to get the kobolds to scuff him up and get all dirty before delivering this speech, how thoughtfull of him' then strolling off with the remark of 'for people not permitted to defend themselves, they sure were found not guilty anyway'
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Grubrod listens a little to the speech, his small face pert, and unamused. He beetles his brows deeply before shuffling off, a small but tidy bottle of wine under arm.
"Idiot boy."
