3. Told from the Rant Stand

Told from the Rant Stand


  • Clad in her usual and distinctive black and gold leathers, Black Sails captain Sabre Seesaw swaggers up to the rant stand, deftly stepping up onto a crate to hoist her modest 5.1 self up to a more visible height. She runs a hand through short-cropped raven hair, clearly not an accustomed public speaker, clearing her voice lightly before speaking up. Though a little stiff and cold initially, her voice grows in passion and conviction as the speech continues, the last sentence ringing out with heartfelt emotion:

    "People o' Peltarch! Yer attention please! On behalf o' tha Black Sails Tradin' Company, I've a short announcent ta make. First off, let it be known that th'crimes committed in Norwick were -in no way- sanctioned by Black Sails command, an' in fact against direct orders! Crewmen Jay and Jack have subsequently been stripped o' rank, pay an' membership in th'company, an' will no longer enjoy th'support or protection of th'crew.

    If ye'd bear with me, good people, I would like ta take a moment like ta share with ye th'cause o' this aggression on me former crewmen's part - not in order ta condone their actions, but rather ta give ya'all my thoughts regardin' a topic o' great debate o' late, namely Oscura. What does Oscura got ta do wi' a murder in Norwick, ye ask? Well, a murder is exactly what triggered this chain o' events, an' Oscura lies at th'heart of it. Th'murder of Jay himself in fact, cut down in a local bar by a dozen guards, th'head wizard Pyotr an' gleeful helpin' hands fer NO CRIME other than failin' ta hold his tongue when insults were flung against him. Fer nothin' but words, death was dealt, because th'life o'a "surfacer" means -nothin'- pitted against th'pride o' a blooded.

    Fer all those fine Peltarch merchants an' traders who have found a new market in th'underground city, BE CAREFUL of investin' too deeply in a city which reserves all rights ta its own citizens alone - unless they be slaves, an' no longer considered people at all. If a person workin' fer a company -based- in Oscura gets cut down like a dog fer darin' ta talk back in th'face o' blatant verbal abuse, I shudder ta think how th'wrong turn o' phrase by an outspoken Peltarch businessman may be received.

    I stand 'ere today wi' me love fer this city renewed, fer while my company was created here, while we've lived, grown an' struggled here, even bled an' died reclaimin' it's streets from th'N'Jasti scum, Peltarch law an' politics have long been a thorn in th'side o' that love. It ain't no secret several o' th'crew have seen th'inside of Peltarch's jail, myself included, an' it aint no secret we're under th' watchful eye o' that same law again. But ya know wha'? In Peltarch, we're nay EXECUTED fer bein' rough aroun' th'edges, we're nay without certain basic rights, as citizens, as persons o' whatever origin an' status.

    Th'Black Sails will not only accept, but assist th'current investigation inta our affairs, an' I cin only hope that ye, th'fine people o' Peltarch, will reserve yer judgement until th'outcome o' that, an' nay judge th'entire group on th'actions of a few enraged, misguided members hell-bent on revenge. I freely admit, th'anger an' frustration these two crewmen felt, I too share, but th'violent an' ruthless attack born from that rage is an -unacceptable- response, an' th'consequences for that is for th'two responsible ta face.

    Me own response ta an Oscura tha's increasingly hostile is quite different - I wish ta focus th'majority of th'Sails operations away from th'underground an' ta tha true jewel in th'crown o' Narfell, Peltarch. I will work towards creatin' more jobs fer Peltarch's able seamen an' women, an' while we are a small organization, in no way th'match o' th'lumberin' giant companies such as th'Seafarers, I like ta believe we cin bring somethin' worthwhile ta this city. I like ta think we cin -give somethin' back- ta th'city, ta th'docks we helped reclaim with our very lives on th'line!

    To this end, at me orders, the Sails’ve created a fund fer th'betterment of the Jewel’s poorest dockside folk: Th' Fund for the Relief of Indigent Fishwives, Fishermen and Peltarchian People. Endowed wi’ a generous store of the Company’s own capital, this fund will function both as a means ta relieve poverty by charitable donations, but also, an' more importantly, as a means ta -prevent- poverty an' indebtment by offerin' fair an' low interest loans ta good an' honest workers fallin' upon hard times. Poor folk who be oppressed b’ th’ sharks o’ credit or who wager they’ve a special case fer recognition should address their petitions ta th' fund administrator – upright Mister Aleksandr Borodin, attorney at law – on paper or if you ain’t a reader or writer - make’n appointment ta discuss yer case.

    The Black Sails Tradin' Company be committed ta Peltarch, an' I mean ta show it. Long live the Jewel!"

    With that, the petite sailor steps off her perch, hand at her hip as she watches the crowd for possible reactions.


  • Vick listens to the banishment from an obscure spot, out of site of the crowd. He nods his head and then quietly slips off through the throng, barely noticed.

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    Nods with a slight salute to Ash and walks off


  • Elder Senator Rath Ashald ascends the stand after coming directly from City Hall, flanked by guards. General Marcus Ash joins him as curious citizens look up to see what's going on. Senator Ashald produces a weighty looking parchment and reads aloud from it.

    "By edict of the Senate of Peltarch in the name of fellowship with our allies the Troff Royal Legion, and in the name of friendship with our neighbour the town of Norwick, for crimes and foul misdeeds abroad, the members of the Black Sails known as Jay and Jack are hereby banished from the Jewel of the Icelace, never to return. Should they be caught within our walls, they will be bound and handed over to the Troff Royal Legion, that justice may find them for their actions.

    In light of recent reports, it is also the edict of the Senate of Peltarch that a full investigation into the affairs and activities of the Black Sails be conducted at once by the Peltarch Guard under the authority of General Marcus Ash. All wrongs will be righted, long live the Jewel."


  • Virtually all listening to the two speakers heckle the Oscuran and applaud the Senator.


  • ::Mariston retakes the stand::

    Let us think on this a moment good people, a sentence of hard labour, is not slavery, a prescribed work regime is provided for the inmates day. This is part of their debt to society, knowing also that the statutes of the law and the sentence the Magistrate lays upon them limit their time of incarceration and work. Like all criminals they loose some rights, that of their freedom and to vote, such rights are lost when laws are broken. Yet other intrinsic principles remain intact, they are afford a level of care and of dignity we as Peltarchains would expect.
    Now a slave, there is no time limit for their servitude, there is no rights for these people who are treated as no more than chattel, whose worth is no more than the coin placed on their heads.
    The Oscuran ::indicates Vladimir:: would claim that they are indeed one and the same, yet he obfuscates the truth behind arguments based on a childlike understanding of principles of crime and punishment and rights of the individual. If one wishes to try and argue that a punishment that has a predetermined time as part of a rehabilitation is the same as life long servitude where one has no rights, no hope, and treated like a possession to be bought, sold and used as their ‘owner’: barely manages to not spit the word:: determines, then by all means vote for such a world, however if like me you wouldst see a city that stands tall above such practices, that recognises the worth of each and every person. Then I urge you to think carefully and vote wisely, for that is a freedom you all have, one to vote and know your voice will be heard. ::smiles at the crowd::


  • Elidur calls from the crowd, his words are stressed with laughter.

    "He's inciting a riot, get him off to Damara!"


  • Vladimir not having taken the stand yet walks up, and steps up giving mariston a polite smile

    "Peltarch, i know many of you are against Slavery, and up untill recently i did not know of Peltarchs "forced hard labour" as the magistrate put it..

    Now is a time for change in your city.. Think on it. If you are against slavery, which many of you are.. Do not turn and blame Oscura for it. We control Slavery, rarther than ban it.. THerefore it is able to be mointered and not just forced underground like it is everywhere else..

    Yet as your senator here says.. It is hard labour for the city. Is that diffrent from slavery? In principle.. Yes, in practice, no.

    People sent away to work, with no choice of it, no free will against it. That is slavery. there is no diffrence in practice between that and those who are traded in Oscura. Besides, many of the slaves in Oscura are from the same abckground. Law breakers.. THose who fought against the law.

    I know many of you will be angered at me for saying this. Yet i am not the one you should be angry at.. The senate.. They sentae that accuses others of such things yet hides the same thing, unknowingly, in another form..

    Ask for change.. The election is a time to right the wrongs now uccastomed in this city.. Vote for those want want the best for you.. John Isle, the slightly excentric gnome.. Not those who are just wanting their own narrow minded way.

    vladimir likely being heckled, steps off the stage quietly, in paticuler one Large Leiogn half orc waering a robe of Kelemvor shouting "Fark you Oscuran! Go raise some undead slaves!"


  • Actually enforced labour is very different from slavery, for instance, those who are required to contribute to the City for their crimes are not property. They remain their own person, with all the rights there of. They are no treated like chattel, with no rights nor dignity. To contribute back to the society one has wrong by transgression is very different than being bought and sold for no crime. If the Oscurans are seeking to say otherwise, which one rather suspects they do to ease their own minds rather than any form of rational thought.

    I wouldst presume that they shall soon argue that any form of imprisonment for a crime is also slavery, since by the rather backward logic being employed, that is slavery. Tis the words spoken by malcontents and fools.

    ::Mariston looks over the crowd::


  • The Oscuran in the crowd replys!

    "Be it from criminality, or other means… THey become slaves none the less.. Criminality is where the vast majoirty of slaves come from anyway.. It is no diffrent to slavery anywhere else just because the paladins say so"

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    Benji, not realizing that more important things are going on, takes the stage and shouts

    Does anyone want to buy some Benji Brand Crossbows?

    He leaves as he's heckled or stared at quietly


  • Celebring offers his perspective on the matter. "There is a significant difference. It is a difference involving choice. Criminals have chosen their way of life and the risks that come with it, punishments will also end, criminals go free. Slaves are given no choice, their punishment ends when their life does, they rarely go free."


  • Given that hard labour within the City is already a punishment, most of the commoners in the crowd seem baffled by the comparison to slavery and pay little mind to those making the comparison.

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    • Milith speaks directly at Elidur *

    Good to know that even you encourage slavery, SLAVERY IS SLAVERY NO MATTER WHAT, these people are not free to come and go. Only a blind fool sees no difference!!!


  • A shout is called out from the crowd, quite likely said Oscuran

    "To do forced hard labour! Slavery!"


  • Ill tempered and provoked by Oscura's constant mention wherever he goes, Elidur throws forward his opinion.

    "It's not slavery it's punishment for a crime you dolts! There's a huge difference! They buy and sell living people, innocent people. Peltarch is sending off criminals, and good-bloody-riddance!"

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    • Milith looks among the people as he listens to the young Oscuran and takes the stand as well directly speaking to the senate and those running for senate*

    sadly I agree with the oscurans, you cant say your against slavery then turn around and do it yourselves, what law says you cant speak your mind? I have heard of this city being corrupted and you are proving it all to well with your own ideals of Justice. I can assure the people of Peltarch that though we may be harsh down in Norwick, it is nothing like this. As for the future senators look what these current senators are doing? You speak of freedom and of money coming in and of happiness? Look around you, I don't think these people are happy with you sending there family's off to Slavery!! I say if you want to arrest them then do so, but DO NOT condemn slavery if you intend to do it yourself. Do I approve of slavery personally? NO, but I will say so far that Oscura seems the far kinder place to be, at least there you can speak your peace without being persecuted!!


  • The rarther cynical Oscuran noble mutters as he walks off

    "And if im not mistaken… Snding people to do hard labour is slavery..... And they condem Oscura"


  • John shouts from the crowd:

    'n since when 'as expressin' opinion been all criminal? ::he turns to the people:: Destroyin' property when yer riotin' 's one thing - but b'cause th' city's handlin' themselves piss-poorly, an' people be riotin' 'cause o' that? Who's fault 's it really?

    Give us our freedom ah say! We don' need no farkin' babysitter! LET US SPEAK!


  • Magistrate Vlana Borodin ascends the stand accompanied by Guard Captain Velhar to make an announcement.

    "Attention citizens! In order to protect you, your families and your livlihoods from the threat of civil unrest and riotous behaviour, by decree of the Senate of Peltarch, this criminal behavior is now to be treated as a serious crime.

    Those arrested for riotous behavior now face the potential penalty of Transportation, for a period of five years, to the City of Heliogabalus in the Kingdom of Damara, there to undertake hard labour until their sentence has expired!

    For those judged to be ringleaders in inciting riotous behavior amongst their peers and fellow citizens, Transportation will be to the City of Athkatla in the country of Amn by means of magic in cooperation with the Cowled authorities of that land!

    Let this serve as a warning to those of criminal intent! Your rioting disrupts the lives of your fellow, law-abiding citizens! It disrupts their livelihoods, it scares their children and puts your lives and the lives of those around you in jeopardy! For your sake and the sake of our citizens, this behavior will no longer be tolerated! If you need to express yourselves in some manner, this very stand is the place to do it legally."