3. Adrian's Campaign

Adrian's Campaign


  • _On the day of the commerce day rally, the theatre has been given added decoration, and signs are placed nearby inviting people in. Inside, college students are found displaying their creations or playing their music, and the central stage is filled with storytellers, weaving tales of Peltarch's glorious past, present and future, and the many heroes that the city has known. Drinks and small things to eat are provided for those wanting them, but everything stays simple and focused on the performances.
    Once a decent crowd has gathered, and been ushered into the main theatre hall, Adrian steps onto the stage with a bright smile, taking a bow before beginning his speech.

    "Good people of Peltarch, it is wonderful to see you gathered here today.
    I won't pull you away from what the theatre has to offer too long, but I would like to take a moment of your time to tell you more of my vision of the city.

    I have heard many of the other candidates speaking of what could be different about the city. What should change. And many of them speak the truth. The city can do with more prosperity, and the terrible war that fell on us so sudden and uninvited only outlined our need for safety and peace. These things are important to live our lives, and live them well, and I am committed to make them happen. But I will not deny my focus, nor what I choose to represent among the other candidates.

    My friends, the other candidates are committed to bringing peace and prosperity for all in the city, and I of course support this. But there is something they seem to overlook. Something that turns this city from a grey, stone refuge to a true home. Something that adds flavor, colour and spice to our daily lives. Something that few would notice, but many would miss.

    I am talking of course of the beautification of our city. There is no doubt we all see our glorious city as beautiful. A true jewel of civilisation in this often cold and dangerous land.

    But I see a city that shimmers, while it could shine! I see a city with beautiful avenues and public gardens! I see a city with colourful banners and bell towers! I see a city where bards and artists can, and do, entertain everyone.. not just the priviledged! I see a city that truly lives up to its title as Jewel of the Icelace, brilliant and beautiful!

    Ah, but of course.. many say that these are nothing but luxuries. That we should concern ourselves with taxes, and law and administration. That we should focus on oiling the wheels. But good people, I ask you.. who enjoys a wagon whose wheels turn, but are rusted and unkempt. Who enjoys streets that are filthy, cold and bare? Who enjoys buildings that are no more inviting than a cave?

    I certainly do not. And though I do agree that it may not be an immediate need, we are already well underway with restoring the city to it's former glory. The time will soon come when we will have the prosperity to support a cleaner, more beautiful city. When we cannot simply claim to be the corner of civilisation, but have the obvious evidence to show for it.

    Good people.. if you would vote me into the Senate, I will ensure that your hard work does not remain unnoticed. That your efforts can be seen on our streets, and that your daily lives truly become more pleasant.. not just more comfortable.

    That said, there is but one more thing I would share with you.
    I believe non of us can deny the importance adventurers, caravaners, explorers, sailors and freelancers hold to the safety and prosperity of the city. They ply the often dangerous trade routes to bring us their goods.
    They freely and voluntarily patrol the areas near the city for those creatures that would threaten the city. They are at the forefront of great and small battles for the continued existence and prosperity of the city. How many adventurers stood side by side with our brave Defenders during the war? How much have they done to ensure that we did in fact win? How much great stories and wonderful items do they continue to bring back from their travels? How many of you find them loyal and able customers for your own goods?

    I see adventurers as crucial to this city, and should you see fit to vote me into the Senate, I will strive to ensure that adventurers continue to draw to this city, and continue to add to that which makes our city great.

    That is all from me for now, good people! Enjoy the rest of this wonderful day, and do not hesitate to ask me any and all questions you may have.

    Thank you!"

    He then takes a bow and steps down from the stage, moving trough the crowd to talk with the people gathered, and answer any questions that may arise._


  • News and flyers spread that Adrian will soon be holding another rally, this one taking place in the commerce district.


  • _Over the course of a few days, flyers are spread and bards spread word troughout the docks district that Adrian will be holding a rally to present his points to those living there.

    On the day of the rally itself, a number of simple yet sturdy wooden stands have been raised at key places of traffic troughout the district, as well as outside the Wavebreaker guildhouse. Each stand is decorated with a few colourful banners and a stylised drawing of Adrian himself, and manned by two or three people that pass out free ale, mead and other simple drinks and small meals, as well as a small group of musicians that plays music most enjoyed by those in the docks. Rather than a lavish display, the rally seems to hold to an ideal of simplicity and familiarity.
    As the day goes on, Adrian moves between the different stands to speak to the people gathered there, as well as answer what questions there may be. He always begins with a speech however.

    "Good people, thank you for joining me here today. I'm happy to see you all here, and I'll do my best not to waste your time.

    The docks are the beating heart of the city. The lifeblood of the city, its trade, flows trough this district, and yet it is often neglected. Even before the war, there was poverty here.. there were those living in the streets, forced from their homes.

    Ah, this has always troubled me. That a city that is otherwise such a civilised and cultured place, could have such dark and untended corners. That it could have people with no place to sleep but the bare stones of the streets themselves. Clearly, within this part of the city, the division between the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless, is the most clear of all.

    I consider myself fortunate, having been blessed with comfort and opportunities that I know many do not have. But I also know this gives me the divine responsibility to use these blessings for the good of those who are not as fortunate. There are those in this city who do not see this, allowing themselves to be blinded with their greed, and lock themselves away from the hardship around them. People would be wasting in the streets, yet they would only care about their coffers. War would be upon the city, yet they would only care about their profits. Truly, the city could do without such men.

    Fortunately, however, there are those who are different. Those who see not only what the city could do for them, but what they could do for the city in return. They see people, not simply numbers. I have seen Captain Hardin of the Wavebreakers, I have heard his words and I believe he is one such a man. I have no doubt he will increase the city's prosperity, not only for himself or his own guild.. but for the whole city. I belief he will not simply remove people from their homes to make room for more profitable undertakings. I belief he will not allow people to survive on the table scraps of those in the great halls.

    No! Captain Hardin will provide a better way, a fairer way.. and I am honoured that he has chosen to support me, as I have chosen to support him. Because, good people, our beliefs in this are the same. It is simply inexcusable to profiteer on the misery of others, or to be able to improve the life of others yet choose not to do so out of simple greed.

    But we both know that we are but single men in this, and though we wil try all we can, we can only do so much. We need your support, good people. This is not simply a commitment of myself, or of the good Captain… this is something we must all work towards, together, so that everyone can benefit from it.

    Good people, give us your votes.. your trust.. provide us both with the tools, and we will provide you with a brighter future than ever before.

    Thank you for your attention. Enjoy this day and all days, and freely help yourself to some of my offerings."_


  • The Wavebreakers Guild declares its support for Adrian Petrarch.


  • _A few days later, Adrian is seen doing the same in the civic district, though he is able to spend more time on individual people and households, as the civic district is simply less crowded.

    To those who are interested in hearing what he has to say, he speaks of his own background (being born in an upper merchant class in family), his thorough education and his knowledge of politics and law. He explains all his viewpoints and goals, though he makes no secret of the belief that he comes from a fortunate background and is blessed with many opportunities to help those less fortunate. He quotes the words of Siamorphe in this, saying that those with the rescources to lead should do so for the good of all. Even if it may make him unpopular with some of the more insular families, he does not sway from this belief, though he does not press the matter further.

    He also brings a stack of pamphlets into this district to aid in explaining his points. Though their layout and stresses may be somewhat different, tailored to the high-born, the essence of it is the same as those in those spread in the commerce district, promising a greater and brighter city, to match a greater and brighter future._


  • _Over the course of the following days, Adrian sets out together with a good stack of pamphlets moving from house to house in the merchant district, and approaching people in the street. He politely excuses himself if it is immediately clear that those he approaches are not interested and leaves them be, though those who are hear of his views on the city, and his goals as a Senator, and are engaged in a series of queries as to what could and should change with the arrival of the new Senate.

    The pamphlet is written in a graceful yet clear script, outlining each of Adrian's major points and headed with such short slogans as "Petrarch for Peltarch", "Vote for Hope. Vote for Adrian." and "Peltarch Will Shine!"_


  • After hearing the speech followed by the parade and then some time after hearing the opinion from John at the rant stand, Symone seeks out Adrian to offer him a few pointers with his campaign.

    ((Via PM))


  • The parade

    _A small group of bards from the college plays uplifting music as they follow Adrian around in a walk from the theatre, around the merchant district, and into the commons, pausing occasionally to draw more people with their music. Once there, they find themselves a good public spot and continue playing for a while, before things go quiet and Adrian steps up to talk to whoever is present, relying on the music, oratory skills ((Persuade +19)) and his princely appearance ((charisma 16)), rather than empty gifts, to draw eyes and ears.

    "Good people of Peltarch!
    Who of you can say they do not enjoy excellent music? Or a rousing story? Or an enchanting play?
    These things should be easily available for all to enjoy, not simply the wealthy or priviledged! Of course, there are the bards playing in the street, and Milil bless them for it.. but there is so much more to the arts than that.

    I am sir Adrian Petrarch, knight of the Harmonious Order, and with your aid and vote, I will make the arts more easily accessable for all to learn and enjoy. I will strive to make the artist's life not a continuous financial struggle, but to be recognized as a true profession and treated as such. I will strive for those of the college and theatre, and those independent artists, to receive additional motivations and rewards to create and perform entertainment of only the highest quality, that all may enjoy. Afterall, are these not the things that colour our lives?

    Secondly, I will seek to expand the city's employment of town criers to bring you ever more news from within and without, and I will strive for the creation of a newspaper, so that those without the time to listen to our time criers will still remain well-informed.
    I will strive to expand the town criers to form a true Ministry of Arts and Beautification, including sculptors, writers, carpenters, gardeners and many others, to make our fair city ever more pleasing to the eye and ear. People in far-away places will learn and speak of the wonders and prosperity of our city.. our reputation of enlightenment and civility will increase, and with it will come more trade and prosperity for all.

    Good people, we are moving towards a brighter future than ever, and our city should reflect this. With your support, I will make this city shine as bright as Silverymoon.

    I thank you for your time."

    The minstrels then begin to play their music again, though lighter this time, serving as entertainment for passersby and as background to any questions or discussion that may follow._


  • It would be my pleasure, though I'm afraid I have yet to establish an opinion of much as I am still fairly new here.


  • "Ah, my thanks for your kind words. I will do my utmost not to dissapoint you. If you find the time in the near future, do send word to arrange a meeting, for I would like to hear of your opinon and observations of the city."


  • Symone Au'Etine whom has been speaking with other candidates approaches Adrian outside afterwards.

    A very fine speech, you are thus far the first of all candidates to show that you hold the interest of the city to be top priority, despite you being a man of faith you did not mention that your faith will determine your role as a senator, you display an understanding of the diversity this city holds and your tolerance of it, and as a man with bardic background to some degree I can only guess that you will have a good understanding of how politics work.

    I believe you will be among my top choices for the position, and I hope to see more of your campaign in the coming weeks.


  • Adrian apologizes for disturbing the temple and quickly moves just outside the temple, waiting a while for any other remarks or questions.


  • Adrian is politely informed after his remarks that the Temple is a place of worship and if he wishes to canvass to those who attend, he should do so outside so as not to disturb the faithful. Those in attendance however seemed to approve of his words.