Told from the Rant Stand
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Jack glances about the stand, listening to the speakers in turn. Once they're done, he moves on, muttering something about sheep delivering their fate to the System, and how that will doom them all.
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The "Devil we Know"? What about the devil we don't know?
Aye, embrace change! Vote for a new senate!
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Nods at Lyca's speach
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Lycka takes the stand next, giving Martoushca a smile before adressing the rest of those gathered. Her voice is high and clear, ringing out across the marketplace.
"A very exciting day indeed! I find myself hopeful, proud of our city for embracing this vote with open hearts and minds, without rioting or unrest. And whatever the outcome may be, I trust in you all to accept it with the same grace.
This city has faced many hardships, but none have broken our spirits. While we stand together, the Jewel will always shine, no matter who leads her!
You know me - I have been a Cerulean Knight and Senatorial Advisor for many long years, I even filled Ronan Redralen's seat for a while after his tragic passing. I've seen how the Senate works, and how it doesn't. I know from personal experience how one person's fire and passion can drown and be lost in the slow-grinding wheels of due Senate process.
Then, I look at George. I can't help but marvel, not just at the man himself but at the opportunities for change that he represents - real change, the sort that would make a -difference- to the city!
Change can be frightening, I know. But I think we're ready for it, I think we're brave enough to take the chance that's being offered here!
You know what you'll get with a Senate - and maybe that's good and comforting in a way, the familiarity and tradition of it is something I myself find merit in. If this is the wish of our majority, I'm sure we can work with it, make it better.
But for many years now, I have heard voices cry out for change, I have felt dissent brewing. If you are discontent, then be brave enough to do something about it. Don't settle for the devil you know. Embrace change!
Long live the Jewel!"
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Bael'Enver stands quietly nearby listening to everything being said and done. His eyes glance to Marty as she speaks and he moves handing his vote to the Herald before stepping up beside him enough to keep him safe but far enough to give voters their privacy.
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BROTHERS and SISTERS OF THE JEWEL!
Very exciting day today! Today is the start of our vote - for a senate or for a king!
Form an orderly line folks! And remember, only those who have let priests of Siamorphe cast divine magic over them are permitted to vote! Citizens of Peltarch who were either uncomfortable about being rounded up, uncomfortable with monarchists casting unknown spells over them, or simply working too hard to get the time off to enroll …. just go about your business!
And remember, a vote for the senate isn't necessarily a vote against monarchy. If you'd rather see a king come in with a proper process rather than as a part of this pop vote, then vote for senate!
Thankyou.
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@2a459b22e0=Wywernywin:
"For those who would take the rant stand to cause chaos with ill-informed rumours and speculations, I can merely say; You should be ashamed!"
Once Del'Rosa has walked off Bon stands up, obviously inspired by the man's intense charisma. Bon is a half orc, but unlike the brutal looking halforc who previously spoke, Bon is well spoken and cultured. He is dressed in a bright white shirt, has well kept silver hair, and anyone close enough will notice that she smells of spice.
Indeed!
As our good General has said - Shame. The very last thing we need is for hearts to be troubled in these dark times! Del'Rosa was appointed by our Senate to Defend us. To Defend Peltarch! If we have any faith in our city then we should have faith in him! This talk against the senate, sowing seeds of fear and suspicion, to what end does that take us?
This city will have a strong government! One that will take us into a better future! We are the one's who will make it so! As Del'Rosa has just told us, we -will- be voting soon!
So let us cease useless murmuring against Peltarch and what it has stood on for hundreds of years. May everyone who seeks to undermine our way of life and government with witless words wear shame!
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Tired but ever-so-charismatic ((30 CHA)) Del'Rosa takes the stand
"Citizens of Peltarch! Today, we have achieved a great victory. The whole of the pass has been taken from the gnolls. Only one more task lies ahead of us - the troops defending your freedom to travel freely in the lands of Narfell must land the decisive blow to the heart of the gnolls. Total victory is close at hand, my friends!
I've also been informed that some have shown concern over our senate. I, too, am concerned. And for that very reason, the census is being held. There -will- be a vote once both the census and the war is over.
For now, I ask that you calm your spirits an concentrate your energy to maintaining an united Peltarch. Turning borther against brother due to petty politics is not what we need now. That's what the cyricists want!
For those who would take the rant stand to cause chaos with ill-informed rumours and speculations, I can merely say; You should be ashamed!"
Del'Rosa frowns slightly, shaking his head, before standing down and moving on, planning to return to the war camp immediately.
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What you say? Just cause me half orc me not smarts? Me no right to opinion? Some freedom fighter yous be. Yous saying peoples should listens to yous because yous fight strong. That way of bad Chieftain. Good Chieftain no says people bad because blood. Good Chieftain listens all to chooses right thing do. Good chief…tain... trails off as the redhead starts dancing
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A beautiful, wild redhead takes on the rand stand and once she draws some attention, she begins to dance and sing. Her performing skills are not the best, but boy does she put up a show…
_**You've never seen a diamond in the flesh
You've cut your teeth on wedding rrings frrom the nobles
And you're not prroud of your addrress
In this torrn up town, therre's too much envyBut everry rruler's like pale skin, smooth hands, wrrapped in velvet blankets,
titles, ball gowns, diamonds in your anklets.
We don't care, we live on floating castles in our drreamsAnd every noble's like, rrighteous pedigrree, killing in your god's name.
Mansions, class games, jousting for a little fame.
We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair.And we'll never be rroyals
It doesn't rrun in our blood
That kind of lux just ain't for us
We crrave a diferrent kind of buzzLet me be your rruler
You can call me Queen Kitty
I prromise I'll rrule, I'll rrule I'll rrule
And you'll live my fantasyOoh ooh oh
We're bigger than we ever drreamed,
And I'm in love with being queen.
Ooh ooh oh
Life is grreat without a care
We aren't caught up in your love affair.**When she is done, she bows a few times enjoying whatever attention she gets and seizing every last second of it until she finally steps down with a smile bigger than her face
//Cover for Royals by Lorde
_
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As Elidur makes his way off the stage he speaks through a dismissive laugh, as though to drive a final point through the heart of the learned merchant's argument.
"…even the things that matter in 'Cormyr' are taken to a public vote, all such a 'king' would be is another handful of coins paid to taxes so that the rich can attend feasts and games. We voted poorly 'once'. We'll not vote in another dud senate."
He turns back to the stage while he's standing within the crowd and offers a bow.
"But why listen to me, a veteran of the N'Jast wars - someone who fought for 'your' freedom, against tyrants and oppressors, I, Elidur, who has ever had the interests of Peltarch at heart; why indeed - when you can listen to a Half-Orc and a suspiciously learned marketman?"
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The crowds glance between elf and towering half-orc. Most of the people seem to agree with the elf by default, but some who make the effort to understand the big guy's argument nod to themselves. One of the merchants of the city shouts back to the stand:
There are many kingdoms out there. Some good, some are bad, yes? Cormyr has a king. Do you see anyone complaining there? Waterdeep h the Lords. They still don't get chosen, and people are still free. Same with Neverwinter. There's an emperor in Shou Lung as well, which is the ame thing. And look at us. All the senate does is delay and stall. Of course there's freedom. There's freedom not because it's your right, it's because they don't care either way! Enough with this nonsense already. We need someone in charge to do things; not a bunch of idle heads that do nothing. The only real reason anyone supports this kind of governmenr is because they of a false sense of freedom. Wake up already!
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A behemoth of an half-orc takes it to the stand himself, and speaks to whomever would listen:
Senate no works! Too many heads wait for other do job! Free is good. But me free with just one Chieftain! Me old clan protector many years. Me knows old clan. All free. All happy. Yous fear one Chieftain. But Bad Chieftain one, easy take down. Senate many. Much gold buy bad people. hard take down bad senate. Yous have 10 years bad senate. Yous do nothing. Yous have 5 months bad Chieftain, yous send him jail. Pick other. Is easy. Yous got not fear. Yous many! Yous strong! Yous fight gnoll and bad orc! Yous always free if want! So not be slave to fear! Chieftain good if Chieftain good. One. Senate good if all senator good. Many. Chieftain bad if Chieftain bad. Senate bad if senator bad. One. Is better chance Chieftain good than Senate good! Not fear Chieftain!
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Elidúr Ginen, a rare sight outside of the college these days, takes to the Rant Stand. His shirt and cloak the shades of fuchsia upon a sheened, silken cloth that hugs the body and is at the same time loose. Expensive probably, exotic undoubtedly. The Elf stands upon the platform as he might a stage, and with a sweeping gesture of his hand he addresses the crowd.
"Good people of this fair city, our most beloved and wholly respected Jewel. You, 'free citizens' of Peltarch. How many years is it since the senate has done what, now? I don't recall the city ever skipping a step along its merry way, as far as I'm aware none of the present problems are a direct result of poor governance! Why, then, would we sell our LIBERTY to a -leader-? Why then would we give up our rightful place as FREE citizens to enter serfdom under one -leader-? Who truly benefits from that, I ask? You? Haha… I doubt it, no Peltarch. No-one benefits from that outcome. We - are - the VOICE!
Our freedom, good people. Free people. Our 'Freedom' above all things from tyranny, solely exists within our PEOPLE'S SENATE! From the people, for the people. We 'must' stand strong, we 'must' hold united. We 'must' elect a new, more dedicated senate; not for the magics or gold they control, not for their influence in one district or another. But to hear your VOICE, the VOICE of the PEOPLE!
What would you have? The right to elect those who will represent you through the good times and the bad, or would you sell that right and live under military rule forever, under one ruler. One ruler, with one belief, with one ideal, one opinion, one law, one purse. The cup of the wealthy won't spill over, citizens of Peltarch, not under one leader certainly. That cup will simply grow and grow, without Senators on 'your side', your cup will only grow smaller. Think on that, 'free citizens', while you remain free. Before that man's words bring cheers from your lips."
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@b4109e890e=Wywernywin:
Change! We want change! Maybe ye don't, but we do!
half speaks, half mutters
… Yeah but change to what? Daft bastard.
Marty picks up her sack and also returns back to the lines
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_Some of the commoners nod at Marty's words, some shake their heads. It seems there are people for and against what Marty says. There are also people that still recall the hin as Mad Marty, and pay no heed to her. Still, people seem divided on the matter.
Towering figure stands in the crowd listening to Marty. When she finishes with her talk, Thom Tiller shakes his head and speaks back at Marty._
Marty, Marty.. I respect ye, I truely do. Ye always think what's best fer the smallest o' people. Ye've shown yer support fer me in me plans to provide the city with food. 'm grateful for that.
But show me when has the senate last worked? People get elected to the city through gold or promises always left unfulfilled. It hasn't worked well in tha last bloody DECADE! A decade full of silence and lack of decisions! It's been proven over and over it doesn' work.. yet ye stubbornly support it.
It didn't work when ye were in it, it doesn't work when ye're out of it. Somethin' needs te change - we need single mind with single goal. Ant nest don't survive without queen. Pack of wolves needs their alpha male.
The one with the last voice. The one that'll guide us. A -leader-. There's been one, maybe two good senators. Mildsilver and Thel. Out of how many? 20? 30?
FARK THAT!
Change! We want change! Maybe ye don't, but we do!
But this ain't the time for dividin' the city with these matters. We have a war to fight. Maybe ye care more about senate, me, ah care about the city. And with that, ah'm off to the War Camp.
The aggravated Thom Tiller makes his way out of the crowd, heading south to wage war.
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during a busy time, Marty takes the stand. She is dressed in common, yet well washed garb. A change from her usual Legion colours.
SONS and DAUGHTERS of the JEWEL!
Ever since I was a child I held the story of our fist king Tidus close to my heart.
King Tidus bravely fought against the ogres and giants and other foes to make sure the children of Peltarch would always be free.
When he was crowned as king, his first act as king was to remove his crown and to make sure that Peltarch is ruled over by her people. He gave his crown to us, and despite how our current situation may make us feel, we wear it still.
Many of us are disappointed by the city’s current leadership. We have been appalled and discouraged by their lack of activity and their displays of cruelty against our citizens. We live in a day when the wrong person can gain leadership over us thanks to their mastery of magic. The power to place a candidate in leadership belongs to the citizens of the Jewel, and should never reside in the power of a wand or the power of a holy symbol!
And those who would deny the right of the Sons of Peltarch to elect their own leadership, those who plot to destroy the crown that our fist King Tidus did nobly place upon the brow of each of us, those who seek to rob us of our freedom and to place us under their own rule unrighteously , that same person is guilty of treason.
The gallows are for those guilty of treason!
But I have great hope!
I thank the fair gods that we live in a city that is Defended! I have great hope because Del’Rosa currently stands as a Defender of the interests of the citizens of the Jewel, and a Defender of the principles that Tidus built this city on. I HAVE GREAT HOPE – That once the current crisis has passed, that an election will be called – one that is free of deception and magic. One in which we can choose our leaders NOT based on the power of the MAGIC cloaked about them, NOT based on their BLOOD line, but based on their DEEDS.
It is our DEEDS that define us! NOT magic! Not BLOODline!
pumps the air with a fist
DEEDS! Not BLOOD!
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Some mutters include questions of the new elections promised this year and that perhaps, despite the changes made to Peltarch law during the last election, the Senate has no intention of going forward with new elections.
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The audience listening to Morris isn't big - afterall, it is lunch hour and cold outside. However, those listening to him are muttering and nodding in agreement.
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Local scribe Morris Purcandel shuffles onto the rant stand one frosty midday; his hands blotted with ink stains and his skin pale for lack of sun. He flaps about a small stack of blank sheets of paper as he speaks.
"Feeling cold, citizens? I have little doubt that you are and yet I think you'll know what I mean when I say that we've been getting a lot more cold coming from high places. I speak, of course, about the senate's lack of response to that new union - yes, the Onion Union. You've all seen the poor scraping to get by on the streets, and we can but thank, I assume, the local Lathanderites for a lack of bodies piling up in the streets as they kindly serve the poor. Yet I, like you, hear of a group of farmers trying to bring more produce into the region, sure to boost the income of coin and to keep us all fed."
He pauses momentarily and shuffles the stack of papers into a neat pile.
"And what is the response of the senate? Are they looking toward the future? Have they preparations for this war against the gnolls? Will our soldiers have to skin the gnolls and wear those wretched hides to keep themselves warm?
The Senate's response seems to be this!"
Morris hurls the stack of blank paper into the air.
"Nothing! Absolutely nothing! My recent observations of the Senate of late have been thus: Not doing anything; or setting citizens on fire! Well, we would all appreciate a fire to keep us warm, but perhaps given the tools we could do it ourselves in a much gentler manner. Frankly, I find the state of the Senate to be disagreeable, useless and highly self-concerned! They ought to be ashamed, ashamed! No doubt they'll be soon trying to shuffle one of their own grubby friends into the senate to fill that new festering wound - that is after they waste all of our coin on worthless election hubbub. Seems to me we would be better off without a senate. Maybe that's something to think about!"
Morris then slaps both his cheeks "Oh my gods! My lunch break is over." He scuttles off to city hall.
