Mariston's Election Campaign
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Mog quietly suggests to Mariston that the untrained use crossbows as they are easier weapons to learn then the longbow and provide greater punch.
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Mariston speaks to a group of folk gathered in the streets by the commons. A group of targets for bows set up and various longbows are set aside. Those that wish are welcomed to fire a bow and test their skill. Mariston speaks with each person as they do so offering any advice he can.
Fellow citizens of Peltarch, I again come to speak with thee all regarding policies upon which I stand. With war upon us, I wouldst speak with thee of defence of the city. I spoke before regarding the series of towers to be built and the increase of defenders and guards. These will certainly aid us against most foes and the skills and courage of these loyal troops and watchmen is beyond reproach. Yet we must not become complacent, the defenders require greater numbers, with the kobold and ogre threat to the west and now the war to the south. Training is therefore a priority and most importantly the facilities to do so. The recent extension of the harbour has seen to many of these needs. I would also propose that those of young to mid years spend some hours each tenday practicing with a longbow. Thus in times of need the city can man its walls with a great force of archers. The wood from these bows will come from the lands claimed to the west which can be forested and harvested as needed for the cities needs. This will also create many jobs from land management to the crafters required to cut the bows.
The walls of the city are strong and can stand against many foes….let us give the walls greater reach and thus provide us all with a safer more secure city.
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In the civic district in the square outside the temple and the smithy another rally is held. Many folk gather and again there seems an air of festivity at the gathering. Before the speech the crowds are entrained by skilled bards and entertainers of all kinds.
Mariston stands before the crowd and speaks to those gathered.
“Fellow citizens of Peltarch, at this time the city requires to be allowed to prosper under safe and secure conditions. The present system sees costs set far too high and this impacts upon all the folk of the city. For as goods are set at an artificial price this impacts upon all merchants. This leads in turn to a down turn in the market and the jobs of fine craftsfolk threatened.
To remedy this, when I am elected I will speak with mine fellow senators and work with them to aid the folk of this fair city. Monopolies aid the few and harm the many, let this practice stop for the good of Peltarchs people. Let the goods of our fine crafters be sought throughout the realms and may we in return be open to goods out with our city that will aid the quality of life of our citizens.
I was asked recently what good art the towers in the border lands? These sets of defences allow early warning and provide a secure and defensive position for the city’s brave defenders to be stationed as they keep our walls safe. The southern tower for many years has proven greatly effective at this and the newer western tower has also proven its worth. Let the defenders be adequately outfitted and protected to do their difficult jobs in the safest way possible. With a network of these towers around the lands the city will have true and proper warning of most attacks. The towers can easily signal the main defence to warn and also hold at bay most attackers. As most know the standard ratio in a siege of a defensive building is at minimum around twenty attackers to each defender. And with the Defenders of this good city I am sure that number will be much higher. This holding action allows for defence of the city and also counter attacks to be launched into the flanks of any attackers.
The guard also requires aid with its number increased and resources allocated to fight organised crime. Thus honest folk can rest easy knowing that a well equipped and trained guard art securing the streets. And this in turn will aid the goodly folk in the guard to do their jobs with greater security and safety.
How some wouldst ask would these increases to the safety of our city, defenders and guard be paid for. With the increased revenue created by a more buoyant market some of the earnings can be ploughed back into the city to ensure that Peltarch is always the jewel of the Ice Lace.
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Mariston speaks quietly with Barrim answering the questions posed to him. The young knight seems quite at ease as he puts forth his policies. Mariston is seen often speaking with the folk of the city, he spends some time speaking to those who visit his clinic and answers any questions they ask. He can be found laughing and speaking with many of the citys peoples. Always with a kind word to say about the other candidates he goes about the city.
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One of the wittier heralds laughs and remarks that if anyone would know about such things, it would be the man who resigned from the Senate to spend more time with his mistress. The others joke and smile at Nico, suggesting that he had his chance at city politics already, but everyone is glad he decided to drop in for a visit.
Apparently, someone has gone to the trouble of hiring a lot of talented heralds for Mariston.
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Nico Black is still seen chuckling and commenting on -Sir- Mariston's campaign ploy in the Marketplace that started the new elections. He's often discussing the show that involved a naked woman and makes comments such as… "Now that is the way to get votes I say. Mothers everywhere will want to have someone who advocates public nudity in the Senate..."
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The Magistrate Barrim, a well known steadfast combat ally of the Knight on a number of occassions goes to speak to Mariston. He asks him at one of his public gatherings where he would intend to expand Peltarch's territories as he menioned this in his last speech; if he was made senator?
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"Mariston holds a dinner for merchants and shopkeepers during which he discusses his plans to strengthen the city's economy. The dinner is held in the Dancing Mermaid Inn; the tables booked for the evening. He speaks of the necessity of reforming the trade laws and stamping out corruption in order to reduce the cost of imports and raw materials. Free trade will mean a fairer and more profitable system for merchants and, indeed, the whole city. He says that business will be bad so long as the city cannot feed itself or provide affordable raw materials for its many skilled artisans. If elected, he will work with others on the Senate to see that new laws and programs are enacted to deal with these problems and lead the city into a prosperous future for all of Peltarch’s peoples.
As a well-known defender of the city, Mariston says he will also work to protect Peltarch from foreign threats. He will ensure the military remains strong enough to defend the city's lands and resources as it expands, ensuring stability and healthy growth that will foster trade. Internally, he will work to end the smuggling and theft that rob honest merchants of their livelihoods and pray on the city’s most venerable folk.
Also Mariston is seen speaking with each merchant privately learning of what they feel would aid the economy of the city. Also later that same tenday Mariston meets with Lisa of the guards, and spends much time in conversation. He seems quite at ease with all the folk he speaks with regardless of class.
Welcoming those that approach him with questions Mariston indicates why he feels these changes are required.
With news of the war, Mariston speaks with the defenders and and seeks to learn what he can do to aid. He speaks of the need for all Peltarchians to stand ready to defend the city and the lands against the threat now posed.”
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Elena Arguyle has been seen more often in the temple of Tyr in Peltarch, tending to the sick and invalid. If payment is offered, she smiles and says that a portion of it will be diverted to sir Mariston's campaign, aside from the donation to Ilmater. If the person presses further on the subject, she would then explain why she supports sir Mariston, citing amongst other examples how he came to her and her husband's aid when she was kidnapped after her wedding.
If she is serving at the soup kitchens, she would be noticeably stationed near a Mariston election poster: "If you are satisfied with my service, please vote for him."
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_Various heralds in blue and gold livery go about the city praising Sir Mariston Thel. Some buy rounds of ale in pubs and taverns, others are followed in the streets by men pulling wagons full of loaves of bread which they pass out to commoners. Yet others are seen with performers from the group led by the famous blade-dancer Elash. They speak to any crowds that gather while assistants place posters all over the city, depicting a scene with Mariston in his armor alongside a well-dressed merchant and a simple commoner.
In the commons they are heard shouting that Sir Mariston is the only candidate to have the support of merchants, soldiers and common workers, the only one supported by the Guards, Defenders, Wavebreakers and the temple. Sir Mariston: a man who stands for all citizens of Peltarch. A fearless war hero. Someone who will bring peace and stability, free trade and good work. A man who has proven his loyalty by deeds, not words; who will not bow before foreign lords and would-be kings that seek to enslave Peltarch._
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The magistrate Barrim is seen to go to speak with Maristons wife Anna while her husband is speaking, the subject of the Red Knight was heard to be among the subjects discussed.
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Many of the guards and defenders cheer Mariston on.
Many of the merchants in the area nod alot during his speech, but also listen to Nyda.
The commoners eat alot and don't seem to understand the big words Nyda uses looking confused at times.
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Anna Sigerlson is seen standing beside Mariston Thel in the Armor of the Shining Phoenix applauding and smiling and occasionally wiping schmutz from his face when he stops talking. Their son Matee is seen in the commons as well a fine and endearing boy become man. Orphan of the Civil War and Son of Thel and Sigerlson.
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Nyda looks around at the hugely expensive rally and raise a pale eyebrow at the opulence and waste. Refraining from comment however she stands and speaks to any inclined to listen.
"Citizens of my home. I bear Sir Thel no malice. Quite the reverse. I have stood with the guard and defenders many many times and understand how such a shining example of a warrior of his god can inspire them to greater effort at times of need. I cannot agree with a policy of open and uncontrolled trade, and nor has he suggested exactly how he intends to tackle the organized crime he himself has admitted his policies will engender. I am also confused as to how having more manned guard towers will reduce the manpower needed to guard the city, rather than increase it, and free men up to guard other things. And I have never heard it said that a devout follower of a god should not be a Senator.
I would imagine the people would be reticent indeed to vote for a man or woman who was not diligent in their worship of their patron deity.I am not speaking to you to promote other policies even, these will be promoted by their candidates in their own time. I merely wish you to think through the words spoken here today and decide on their merits or lack whether one of the votes you will cast should be cast for Sir Thel. Do not be blinded by jugglers and free food. For it is not free, it was paid for somehow, and such monies as have been spent I feel would have been better spent. If money is to be given to the citizens of the city in an effort to buy votes would it not be better done in some productive way.
I acknowlege that this is only one woman's opinion, though a warrior, a priestess and decorated by the City itself for her defense of it. And I acknowlege that Sir Thel is a worthy servant of his faith and may well make a very good Senator, when his policies are explained in enough detail to be understood by all, and when delivered to a crowd not befuddled by profligate spending.I would be happy to meet personally with Sir Thel, if he is willing, to address the issues I see arising from his most eloquent speech. I am not in any way averse to him or his policies, not even, I suppose, to his extravagent campaign style, assuming he can reassure me that the money is being matched somehow in charitable donation to the City's true needs. I am merely a slightly confused citizen in need of reassurance that the good Sir Thel claims he can do for the City can be achieved by his roughed in, as yet, policies.
I apologise for interrupting your entertainment of course, every City needs Festival, I simply thought we only just had one.'
With that she looks to Sir Thel with a warm smile, and indicates that she would like to meet some time and have her fears put to rest.
//Scared to think how much Sera will charge for a full blown rally Eoden
