::New rumours heard in the Mermaid::
-
Chuckles listening to it all
Bloody hell, starting already. Well, guess I got enough gold to run another campaign, if you know…no hugely threatening forces outside my control want me to not be voted in yet again.
-
Chaevre' listens to the long winded garble of the prospecting senators and smirks thinking to herself that they are getting way ahead of themselves, as though they seem to want to rush something that has to be taken through the steps of due process to have an effecient campaign, she can also be heard muttering about how she has no idea what the woman just spoke and that she ought to voice her policies rather then voice a bunch of winded nonsence no one cares to try and understand
-
_Amidst the different women all running for Senate, Elissa takes her time to visit the docks and spends some time with the people that knew the recent suicide victim. For a while she listens to their worries and then offers her usual view on how to approach it. Sometimes she leaves a few simple charms to ward of minor accidents, like tripping or getting knocked up, in the care of these people.
It is also said that Elissa spoke to a Senator about his duties and seemed to have shown an interest in what he could achieve. When asked if she's planning to run for Senate, too, she just shrugs and answers that she's already serving the people and doesn't need another title and responsibility for it which would just be in conflict with her more important work._
-
Rumor spreads through the mermaid of a speach given today in the Commons. It seems Anna Sigerlson walked into the Commons wearing her armor and addressed the crowd briefly
Citizens of the City of Peltarch, I stand before you today as a servant of the lady of tactics and strategy. I stand before you as the daughter of a poor farmer who was himself murdered by the Red Wizards of Thay. I stand before you a proud citizen of this fair city willing to serve if you see fit as your Senator…your representative. I am Anna Sigerlson, Priestess of Red Knight. I have a history of civic service even before my path led me to the City. I served as Minister of Defense to Norwick, led the armies of the Red Fellowship on the plains of Akanx in Chessenta, and now, I serve the City as Advisor to Senator Mildsilver. I ask for your support in granting me the opportunity to serve you as a Senator of the City of Peltarch.
We consistently have adhered to the principle that the will of the people is the paramount consideration. Our goal today is to reach the result that reflects the will of the voters…. The laws are intended to facilitate and safeguard the right of each voter to express his or her will in the context of our representative democracy. Technical statutory requirements must not be exalted over the substance of this right.
All to often in this city, we have seen the effects of the subterfuge of the body politic through patronage and pork barrel projects. And today, I ask you what is politics save the strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. We must stand opposed to politics and in favor of true principles. The hard work of the crafters and tradesmen, the support of the family, and the other principles we, as a people, have held so dear.
The government of the absolute majority is but the government of the strongest interests; and when not effectively checked, is the most tyrannical and oppressive that can be devised. No free system was ever farther removed from the principle that the absolute majority, without check or limitation, ought to govern. You are the rulers of Peltarch. The people through the election of their representatives are the sole proprietors of their electoral states.
The freedom to express varying and often opposing ideas is essential to a variety of conceptions of democracy. If democracy is viewed as essentially a process – a way in which collective decisions for a society are made – free expression is crucial to the openness of the process and to such characteristics as elections, representation of interests, and the like. The best weapon of a dictatorship is secrecy, but the best weapon of a democracy should be the weapon of openness. We must strive to be a government where the people are apprised of the actions and political endeavors of their representatives as the Senators are to answer to the people not vice versa. The most certain test by which we judge whether a state is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities.
We must be willing to be a voice for those who have none. We must be willing to step up to the challenge of addressing those issues, which may not be popular but are in the interest of the people
People of Peltarch always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost. I look forward to the opportunity to be your voice and to serve you.
It is said she spent a great deal of time afterwards discussing her positions with curious merchants and others
-
::Nate Wingates stands among a tiny crowd in the commons, speaking clear and rythmic, looking very calm, collected and intent::
''Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Peltarchians, …''
::Clears throat slightly, before stepping up on a soap box and lifting a finger, looks left and right at whatever people that stop to watch::
''Hundreds if not thousands of children are homeless and without parents after the horrifying civil war. Those who've got the slim lick of luck of having mothers or fathers still alive barely have enough food to survive. Then there are those forced to beg on the streets. There are those who havent got a choice to to resort to stealing – to survive.''
::His calm blue eyes scan the crowd a moment, his face serious, voice ever calm::
''This isn't the only grim tid-bit of information, fellow Peltarchians. People are murdered every day within the docks, why? Because of the lack of guards posted in the district. Think of the poor old merchand lady, wanted to earn a coin for her starving grand children, picking up her stock at the docks – Only to get mugged of all her belongings because she was headed home through the docks district late at night.''
::He takes a breath, exhaling slowly before continuing::
''Perhaps it is time for a change. Perhaps. Rumours are circulating that there will be a re-election of one or multiple places on the senate. Think of those starving choldren, think of the homeless widows in need of food for there families. Think of the security of our people, fellow Peltarchians.''
::Slowly takes another breath, his face serious, eyes intent::
''If you vote Sierra Ju'ent for senate, these things can be changed. You can vote, you can make a difference.''
::Pats himself off, nodding to himself, satisfied. He steps off the soap box and collects his things before setting off, nodding to and shaking hands with whatever crowd attracted::
-
"Another one, Registrar."
Without comment, the gaunt figure stands from her desk, walks across the morgue, and begins to prepare a slab.
"Prostitute, they said."
"I see."
A winding sheet is laid out, along with a decanter of water, a knife, a razor, and several jars.
"Hung herself."
"I see."
A book is produced, a quill and inkstone as well.
"Found by the docks, so shouldn't be long."
"I see." A pause, as if considering something. "Please be alert for any requests from other departments."
"Foul play, you think?"
"A pattern of deaths is likely to be investigated. I do not speculate on anything else."
An awkward knock at the door, as if from someone carrying an burden, ends the conversation. Such as it is.
-Lagermane
-
Amid the burning of incense and whispering of prayers, slippered feet paced the temple's marble floors. Word came from the city, as it always did, by way of timid heralds and runners in Tyrran livery, all too young to appreciate the value of their information. It was good that they got out of the temple once in a while. Receiving the news with his usual pat on the shoulder and a handful of coins, the grizzled paladin added yet another to the list of innocent victims in the docks. As innocent as a prositute could be, anyway…
-
As sun rises over the docks, the white lights bathes on a smooth pale skin of a girl dangling in the morning breeze. Her head lulls in movement to her swaying body, a rope tight about her throat, her red hair fluttering over her still dead features. "Suicide.." a guard murmurs, they have become particularly common these days, and not much can be done about it, it seem. "..she was a prostitute" a worker comments as he helps in hoisting the corpse down.
-
_:: A tiny young man in brown livery that smells something like a moose cheerfully discusses both the cleric of Bane and the paladin of Tyr in glowing terms.
Sitting in the Mermaid with a pair of his hin pals they slosh their half-pint tankards and laugh merrily about the day when the paladin and cleric will put aside their clearly forced animosity and finally succumb to the unbridled passion that no doubt lurks beneath the surface of their pretender-rage. Possibly while eating figs. ::_
…and, unrelated to the little happy hinfolk...
:: a pair of shaved men in grey robes openly denounce the paladin's use of trial by battle to prove her righteousness, citing examples of mighty yet warriors of tales past, such as the black orc Kuuzu, who tried to use their strength and skill-at-arms to lord over phyiscally weaker men and women. ::
…and still yet, down by the docks...
:: a tattoo-ed man wrestles with some heavy netting, prying the tiny hooks from his arms and chest where the little bastards have decided to catch. A couple of his shipfearing buddies, already done with their labor, sit nearby laughing, drinking, and enjoying the salty air. "Oi think we aught to visit them clerics 'o Justice 'fore we sets off…The Big Feller's always looked out fer us" the man hears one of his companions say in support of the temple of Tyr. The man scowls and chucks the netting into a heap on to the deck. Since when have the pompous, self-righteous paladins ever cared about the REAL men of peltarch? The men who toil all day every day? Who don't sit in pretty basilicas with blessings from their gods keeping them cool and comfortable? "But then", he thinks to himself, "a pompous self-righteous paladin is, at worst, a hassle to deal with". He grimaces, recalling with clarity each and every time he and his shipmates had encountered the dark Clergy of Terror, the Banites. He mutters a dirge of rememberance for souls lost and relinquished to Umberlee's hands, and continues about his work ::
-
_Zanetar's defense – when Natanya's false rumors reach his ears -- is that the headstrong (and foolish) paladin twice challenged him and twice failed to set a time or place.
He also (for reference) makes a point about the separation between fear and foolishness. He will not fear a dragon, but he'd be fool to try to slay it._
-
Through the crowds stories filters, some says that when Zanetar the priest of Bane, first arrived to Peltarch, he fled from to Lady Natanya and Senator Roland when met in the wilderness, bartering that if they spared his life he would take citizenship elsewhere and he returned only once he had gained company of his cronies.
Tales of how the young Paladin has twice challenged the Banite priest to honorable duals -to the death- circulates with heated excitement, and how the Banite priest either chose to flee, or not attend at the appointed time.
Those that question these rumors questions how a Tyrrian can lie, and some question if this is true, how Zanetar can "Fear none but Bane".
-
There was a period when Natanya was seldom seen in public, but times has changed.
The tall charismatic blond has taken to do rounds about the city, almost moving in a militant and erect manner with her polished golden temple plate and "bless" cast upon her enchanted blade, glowing white at her hip.
The Paladin persuades the crowd to listen where she can, reminding them that "patience" and "justice" often are united, and if they have concerns or fears the temple of Tyr provide guidance and aid both for spirit and mind, something the High priestess Daisy in her greatness has shown repeatedly during the cities most difficult times.
"I was once like you, I too felt alone, depressed, abounded and frightened -but not anymore- I have felt no fear since I turned to mylord Tyr, and you too may join in his compassion as has I and the high priestess."
She lecture those uncertain, that they whom turn to darker faiths are usually insane or weak minded individuals drawn by the cheap promises of simple solutions and supposed power, where evil gods corrupts people for their own selfish gains.
She adds that Tyr is a father figure with open arms there to teach, aid and shelter all who turns to him, and much like a parent he will punish those who wrongs his people, citizen or cities.
After giving the location of the temple, she finishes the speech by shouting out in an almost fanatical tone as if there is no doubt in her heart
"There will be Justice!" and "Evil will one day vanquish and a new greener Toril will one day arise!"
-
While sharpening her axe in the commons, Corana catches wind of the growing women's movement in Peltarch. She is said to be heard commenting:
"I must find this Sierra. This is far too good an opportunity to pass up."
-
_Nicahh hears Sierra's idea to form a political party and is seen talking to a variety of women throughout Peltarch. Rumor has it she wishes to see a uniting of women for the up coming election and perhaps the creation of a party thats main platform consist of women and children's affairs. She suggest that all women who love and truly respect the future of Peltarch will come together and nominate an individual to represent their voices. She tells them she has a few ladies in mind who she believes would benifit the city the most. It appears she has grown tired of tyrant men controlling everything.
On a side note, Nicahh is seen sitting in the commons less and less with her known lover Zanetar. When she is seen with him she appears to have grown even quieter when he is around than before._
-
_Sierra Ju'ent stands in the commons, leaning against her post near the Dancing Mermaid as is her usual wont and inclination, whistling the popular song "Kissin' Cousin's".
She is bored.
She has been out of trouble for far too long.
But then she remembers a conversation she had the night before in the Peltarch Commons about equality between men and women, and which side had taken the pros and the cons.
She gets an idea.
Running into the Mermaid, she cups her hands over her mouth, and shouts from the top of her lungs:_
"Hey ya'll! Whadya'll think 'bout me runnin' for the Pel-tarch Sen-ate?!"
Shortly there after, Sierra can be seen running around Peltarch with the intent to seek out Idym with the idea of forming a political party, in which the Badger would be the symbol set against the shape of a mushroom…
Trouble is afoot.
-
(( ehh… probably shouldn't post this here ))
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_The troll and umber hulk rumored to have been ravaging the Eastlanders to the south of Peltarch seem to have reappeared, or so rumors would have it. They appear to have redoubled the intensity of their attacks against the bandits, taking no prisoners and showing no mercy whatsoever.
One night not long ago, someone looking out from the city walls might have noticed against the setting sun the silhouette of a huge humanoid creature holding aloft a human head as if in triumph… or warning..._
-
Rumors trickle down about a possible senate election and that the Cerulean Knight and Merchant Chaevre' Vaelen intends to have a run at it, when asked about her current status in the knights and the possible conflict of interest she would state that she will continue to faithfully serve the knights until the election and will remain a knight if she does not get elected
-
_The Nars pass just outside of Peltarch is littered with the bodies of at least 50 dead bandits, all in a large clusters, as if they charged a single foe in groups.
Zanetar's shield looks slightly dented._
-
Rumour has it the Playwright Eowiel Senella is sequestered in the Bardic College working on another play, after the hugely successful production she and the infamous bard Meril starred in, "Antonia", word has it her new play will utilise more of the College's talent and abilities than the previous work did, and won't even feature any Senators!
