What council?

[Ránëwén Lossëhelin]

Echoing ayes, and promises of servitude dotted several droll minutes. In that time, several persons stepped forward, yet none spoke. She had to admit humans were certainly fascinating, and nonetheless more than the creatures that were drawn to them. Charismatic and bold he was, to gather such a diverse crowd and have them eat out of his palm; frankly, she was impressed, but still unmoved, she sifted silently around, nudging gently by a few, and passing an alleyway off to her right. Taking place with a better view, she once more waited patiently, leaning up and against a stone banister that served as an entrance-way into a shambled building. Between stone was a dusty pathway and an arch that led into it properly.

He reminded her of Roland, a crafty human trader that could sell anything; unfortunately time caught up with him as it does to all humans and similar beings in existence. Like flickering candles their lives were. They burn bright, but in a blink and a harsh wind, they are no more. The curse of mortality. A curse that she also shared in a way. Away from her kin, she could never truly live a fulfilling life. Those she'd pursue, those she'd call friends would pass before her eyes like specks of sand in an unending hourglass. A gift immortality was, but it was also a great suffering.

She sighed; she wanted this gathering to disperse into the many streets and back alleys. Then whomever remained might be able to help her. However, as long as they were still focused on the formation of a governing body, none would pay her the mind of day. While she understood the need for law in a lawless state of living, unlike those present she had seen the corrupting presence of power. Just because the Council was formed by good intentions, did not mean that those serving would not extort their positions for wealth and glory. Words were pretty, but actions defined a person.

[Alec]

Hesitantly, Alec steps forward. "I would put myself forward for the interests of those academically inclined."

[Skulldon]

And I will volunteer to lead any of those not willing to submit.

Skul spoke wryly, somewhat quietly.

[Grayell]

Grayell chuckled and approached Skul.

A dissenter huh? Guess we'll have to banish you then.

He laughed.

Look, you don't have to like laws and rules and so on and so forth. But so long as you can operate within the constraints of the law, then you don't even have to acknowledge a council. I don't want to know your business and don't much care.

But this town can't continue in this manner - unless you're fond of a wasteland ghost town. And if that's the case, I wouldn't assume you were a criminal but instead an unfortunate fellow.

I would offer we don't split hairs. You'd do better to be an activist and voice your opinions and thoughts whenever there is a need, in fact; I would encourage it. But looking to divide the populace will only make matters far worse eh?

[Grayell]

(Zane, if you want to be eligible for vote just pipe in when you can.)

Grayell then turned to face the nominees. He studied them for a moment and was quite surprised so many were keen. It spoke volumes of this town sharing the same concerns though.

Alright then, I might suggest you speak up and tell us all why you feel you would best serve this towns interests. Many of us are strangers here.

[Jerevan Languorem]

Daenien shrugged and spoke up. "I run a black market store, which sells thieving implements and poisons. I have no more to do with what people use them for than a blacksmith does with what his clients use their swords for."

"Looking at the other nominees here, we don't really have a representative for the, ah, less savoury side of this town. And while I don't particularly like the idea of a council, I don't want to put myself and my business at risk because we have no representatives in the council." He paused. "That's why I'm putting myself up for election." He stopped, bowed slightly, and took a step backwards, indicating that he was finished.

[Zaedus]

Zaedus took a step forward.

I am an experienced battle master in my Clan, I can also provide training and supervision of the Town Guard. Bring any man, or woman who is capable and I can teach them the ways of combat to serve this town. With my leadership over them you can assure this town will stand safe and secure.

He balled his fist and put it to his chest.

[Serenity]

Serenity turned to face the crowd, panning them all slowly as if to look them in the eye.

"I will admit that I was raised in a manor, I was given things just by asking, while many of you probably fought for the right to live. I was given an treasures, education, advanced magic training, so many other things."

She stomped at the ground and an earth pedestal raised her high over the crowd.

"I was raised as a princess, and learned to wield the one thing that people of my former status valued above all else. Power. The power to control; manipulate; and tear apart at the seams. Such is the political world from which my family hails in. I forsake my gifts in the pursuit of true happiness and then had it taken away from me."

The lady mage clutched the locket that hid under her blouse, as if to honor the memory of that brief moment and then continued.

"And then I was nothing, I was shunned from my old world and became as anyone else in the real world. The world where people fight to survive and work to live. I was brought down..."

She stomped her foot again and the pillar came down slowly from whence it came, bringing Serenity back to eye level.

"I was brought down and saw through the eyes of true individuals, people like all of you, who showed me what they saw in people like me; Tyrants, opportunists, leeches of your labors. I was given power by the kings of high society, and learned when to wield it by humble men of the land. And through my own eyes I could finally see that good men and women weren't born in castles, but raised by the fearful; wise; humble; and experienced."

"If you choose to raise me into power, I will carry you all with me. I will work so that your labors turns into fruit. Wistvale is a seed that only need nurturing for it to bear for its people. Our sweat will make it so."

"I once had all the servants in the world at my heel, allow me now to serve you all instead."

[Alec]

Watching Serenity's display, Alec steps toward the crowd with hands out, palms up. "I've never had a say in my life - I was raised in an academy, forced day in and day out to learn magic and perfect the martial arts." His hands fall to his side. "I found refuge in academia - if it was written down, I read it. It's my only true passion, and as such feel it important that people sharing my interests be represented." He sighs once, and looks at the ground. "Much as I resent my own abilities, I would also gladly represent mages and warriors."

[Legault]

Each of these four seemed very logical choices for the council. However, their are at least two more who have not spoken yet. This may be a difficult choice. Simeon carefully considered what the nominees said. So far he was quite impressed, especially with the noble lady.

[Grayell]

Grayell nudged Serenity gently and shot her a grin that he now reserved for her.

You should have just sung love.

He chuckled but his words were sincere, would have sold him on anything she had to say.

With that same smile he looked at the crowd and waited til the others had done talking. He then spoke up.

Our neighbors here speak well. They have valid concerns regarding a council and valid interests and backgrounds that would undoubtedly serve us all well.

I too will accept nomination, but I must warn you all.

I have no such history. No life of opulence, no academia, no black market ties and no proud clan as my legacy. I have none of these things, I am no one of importance.

A nobody. A ruffian, a recluse, a braggart and a bastard.

But I am a good friend. I am a good neighbor. I am a good soul, so I have been told. Perhaps I myself am not convinced, only time will tell for you all know me not.

What I know is the land and the people who call it home. I was not raised in a city, or even a town. We had no tavern and no market. We had a fire pit and huddled in the dark to stay warm through the long winters. We all had duties, tasks that we would perform were our families to live through the seasons. We had to hunt, to gather and to trade for what we needed in order to survive. We would move across the land to find what we were lacking and we would leave it able to renew for the next such tribe.

We cared for one another as we cared for our mother, the land; because we had to. To not do so was to invite death, our demise. We had little choice in the matter but it was what we knew and we grew in love and in friendship. Our tribe was small. None of you have heard of it. But for a time we lived. Until someone took that, all of that away.

Now, I won't bore you all with my past. But here, in even such a small town as Wistvale; you have choices that I did not. You don't have to love one another. You don't have to be friends and to respect each other and you don't have to fend for yourself if you have the means to pay someone else. This little town, besmirched as it is; affords no luxury upon such a scale as others have witnessed... but to others it is a piece of heaven. It is an easy life.

Now I know full well that it's not. Truly, your hands are bloody and your backs broken and you strive to make ends meet. You face adversity from within this town and without and it is a hard, hard life. Many of you have families, families that afford you less luxury as it is your duty to provide for your pups in a town that is so harsh to us fully grown. Your children deserve better and as concerned citizens, so do we all.

But why do I talk of this? Why do I care?

I could tell you I am a nomad, passing through a town of no consequence, but this is not true. I have a humble shop to hawk my herbs which cost me nothing as I toil for them in the woods. I have a run down home with no creature comforts but it keeps me from the sun and the rain - most days.

Grayell laughs a little.

I am not passing through. I have business in Wistvale and as such, will be calling this town my home as long as it will have me. And as it is my home, then I have standards.

You all, as adults can choose to live in squalor. You can choose to just get by, to simply make ends meet. You can choose to go hungry and turn a blind eye to the waste that walks through this town uncontested.

But what you cannot do is put that on the children. You have no right. You, if you so choose to be so lax with your standards, will condemn a whole generation to the steady degradation of society. I aspired for my son......

Closed eyes, a hard swallow. A breath.

... I aspired for my son to be nothing more than a talented hunter and a good family man. You all, each and every one of you, can afford the children of Wistvale every fantastic opportunity if you simply demand better. Stand up and demand more. Take it from those who keep it from you.


And THAT, is why I am prepared to serve Wistvale if you see me fit. I have no education, but I have morals. I have demands. I will take what is right. And by hell or high water, I will end the corruption that threatens this town.

If you would have me represent you, I can swear my sword and my heart that my all will be given to this town and you people. My talents may be of no consequence, but gods damn it, it WILL be a better place to live.

[Skulldon]

Skul rolls his nonexistent eyes and flaps his hand in a mockery of the speeches they were giving, but said nothing.

[rhogarus]

Aye, I will also throw in my javelin as a part of the security. I've never been a book worm, but I can be an army ant. I will promise you all that I will be one of the best security members you have.

[Orp Boon]

"I am a merchant and run the General Store down in the residential district. Come by if you need any goods! I am thrifty with moneys and good at record keeping. It would behoove the council to have an experienced trader on board."

Orp sees his short speech as succinct and pointed.

[Legault]

Simeon was getting used to Grayell's platform by now. Yet... This was different. Earlier Grayell spoke from his mind and from his gut. This time--this time Grayell opened up his heart. It was refreshing to see one's character displayed so clearly to the public. If the whole city could be so open perhaps things would be different... His thoughts then turned south. Although, not all of the hearts in this city desire peace. I suppose that's why we need this council in the first place.

Simeon was slightly disappointed in the other two candidates. The beetle might have been a good choice had the wolf-man not outranked and out-qualified him. As for the merchant, Simeon had expected rousing logic. Instead, all he received seemed to be an advertisement. Sure he would make a good secretary and he'd keep both good minutes and good money--but the council wasn't going to be issuing taxes. If they ever did, then it would be time for a wiser council.

Now came the difficult part... deciding how to vote.