Shadowdale Republic

I large poster is pasted up by the Captain of the Militia.

Poster wrote:

The time has come for a new age of Shadowdale.  We have time and time again been failed by those appointed leadership over our home.  Now that the war brews to an end we must look forward to better leadership.  One shared with the people and the leaders of the communities that make up our home.  A republic formed from a council of representatives from each guild in the town.  I have voiced this idea with Commander Vorik and he agrees that the time of leading the town with military rule has passed.

My proposal is this:

The council will be made up of eight ( 8 ) of the following community groups.

Shadowdale Militia
Earth Mother's Garden
Shadowdale Hospital
Old Skull Inn
Shadowdale Mage's College
House of the Moonmaiden
House Blake-Aspeth
House Tentacus

Each group will hold a chair on the council that can be seated by any representative of that community group.  Each chair will hold a single vote per issue raised.  Should a chair be empty during a council meeting the group will lose their right to vote for that meeting.  One chair per person, no one person may ever hold two(2) or more chairs granting additional voting powers.

Additionally there will be one further chairs for the speaker ((DM NPC)).  The speaker is whom all you fair folk will voice your concerns to.  The speaker will call forth a council meeting and every issue will be voted on.  A tally of five (5) votes will be required from the council to proceed or deny an issue.  Should this number fail to be reached due to circumstance a motion to delay the issue will be declared by the speaker and the issue will carry over to the next council meeting.

Chairs will be added to the council for each and every new community group that builds a house or hall within the town and contributes toward the prosperity of our home.


This proposal can only become reality if you fair folk of the communities listed above agree to it.  What do you say, is Shadowdale ready to enter a new age of governance?  Leave your word publicly so all can read.

Milo leaves a reply:

I, Milo Rolston, stand firmly behind this idea and I have the utmost confidence in those chosen to lead.

I would, however, like to request that an additional seat be added: The Church of Kelemvor. It is the ambition of myself and my brothers and sisters in faith to clear and cleanse the remains of the Twisted Tower and convert it to a temple to the Lord of the Dead, so that we have an officially recognized place of worship in the area.

With this seat, the Church would govern matters of death and funerary rites within the town. We would handle the legal matters regarding the passing of citizens and handling their estates. Additionally, we would undertake the task of clearing the crypt on the Old Skull mountain of its undead residents permanently so that the town once again has a peaceful place of rest for its citizens.

The work has yet to be done in converting the Twisted Tower, but once it is complete I believe that our order can provide a beneficial addition to the Council. I would be more than happy to speak with you as well as the other proposed leaders on this addition, if you would so wish.

If such a seat is not necessary, I still give my full support to those who will hold seats.

Regards,

Milo Rolston

The post is concluded with a wax seal of the symbol of Kelemvor.

Shaking his head, Thal'aer leaves a reply of his own; the symbol of Siamorphe is branded into it, close to the signature.

Citizens!

This motion is downright foolish.

Why would anyone decide to be ruled by commoners?
Many of the adventurers scoff about Nobility, but they forget that we spend many years refining our education,
with the purpose to lead and direct those of lesser birth.

To lead is the divine right of noble blood; to act in the best interest of those in our care is our obligation.
Even when personal desires would lead us down a different path! Yet you propose that such
without proper education or conviction were to command this village. They might be passable
advisors in some situation or another, but can you truly trust each and every one of those
mentioned to only have the interests of the peasantry at heart?

The captain of the militia is one of Tentacus; The Mages will always be attracted to dangerous magic and it's uses.
Neither the Temple of the Earth Mother, the House of the Moon Maiden nor the Hospital have the capacity to lead,
too devoted to their own cause. Do you truly wish for tavernfolk to rule?

Come to your senses and abandon this absurdity,
lest you be governed by a Hydra that is fighting it's own heads,
prone to exploitation by those of less honourable intentions.

May you yet be blessed by the wisdom of the Divine Right!

Thal'aer of House Sorel of Waterdeep

A old man wearing no shirt seemingly accidently burned half of Thals reply, blaming low quality waterdeep cigars.

A reply is written with a heavy hand.

To the people,

This is a mockery of a republic, this is a plutocracy, not a republic. Is wealth what determines how you live, or do you all decide how you live? Does rank supersede the needs of the people?! No, I say. Take a stand now, or simply give into those who are wealthier and more powerful.  

Only the gods are worth fearing, don't let fear stop you from speaking! Speak up, let your voices be heard.

For this to be a true republic, every living soul in Shadowdale deserves a seat on this so called council. We all deserve a say.

Important Note: If this is to continue, all groups formed in Shadowdale deserve a representative. That means a collective of farmers, priests of Kelemvor, a collection of furies, or a monastic order of Tyr, should all have a representative. If one is accepted, all should be accepted.

-Gruum

Thal'aer sighs, writing up a copy of his text, and posting it over the burnt one.

Public replies are left:

Quote :

Milo, the Knights of the Church of Kelemvor stood by this town in its darkest hour.  One of those Knights, a man by the name of Icarus, was with me when we rescued Elder Dorn and gave last rites to my fallen men.  My opinion is biased in favor of giving a seat to the church but I am a man of rules and fairness.  In the interest of absolute fairness to those listed the order would only receive a position once they are firmly settled within the infrastructure of the town with a temple to your faith.  Gods willing you will have that temple soon.

Quote :

Thal'aer you speak of education yet you barely understand my proposal believing that Tavern Folk will rule the town.  But let us look at the track record of the nobles that have run the town.

Eldars Harl, Loryn & Mororn have not been seen in years, they fled the city to other towns and have not returned nor sent any indication of their return.

Elder Dorn was rescued by Hawkley, a memeber of the circle, Icarus, a knight of Kelemvor and myself, Captain of the Militia.  Our last words to him after his rescue were 'earn this'.  He decided to retire instead!

Eldar Farl, the one true leader most of us believed we could stand behind committed suicide when his will failed him.

Elder Torst & Elder Rory, due to their corruption and greed of coin lead to the ending of our alliance with Myth Drannor.  Their choices brought mercanery foreigners here from Amn, who now attempt to start logging the forests.  This will lead to a war with the Elves and the Druid circle.  Alone the town will have nowhere to turn but back into the clutches of the Zhentarim.  

But that's what you want isn't it, Thal'aer the Zhentarim Sympathizer.

Quote :

Gruum, your manipulation is clear as day.  It is all but common knowledge that you have contacted Commander Vorik in private in an attempt to pollute his mind with your falsehoods.  He see's through you as do we all.  You seek to build a temple of furies in this town where you are not welcome.  You know that if this republic were to form now, not only would you completely fail to get your temple but you and your like would end up banished from the town and shot of sight if you approached.  Your days of causing trouble for this town are numbered.

Lucent would raise an eyebrow upon reading said proposal. A few things felt off and wondered what happened to the original plan.

Quote :

House of the Moonmaiden, in the person of Chancellor Mayer of the Temple of the Silverstars, stands for the townsfolk and their prosperity by promoting self awareness and education at any level.

As of now, the House has not been personally reached to discuss this plan and is thus forced to disassociate from it until further discussion, all the while remaining available to explore and support new forms of government as long as they provide benefits for all the community.

A letter is posted up over the response to Gruum's original post.

Believe what you wish, but the fact here is that you are advertising power to the people but are manipulating the system to suit your own needs.

I will be honest, as we furies are not cowards that hide behind lies. I reject this because, I am a Tallasan firstly, and secondly because I have defended Shadowdale and risked my life to defend it, from storms and it's enemies alike.

By your argument, your council will kill or banish anyone they don't like. This sounds like Zhentarim, and frankly is religious discrimination. Me and mine deserve to be here just like anyone else, and to have our voices heard. If not, do not advertise as a republic because it's not. It is a blatant oligarchy.

-Gruum

With a frown, the half-elven noble leaves a reply.

I was of the belief that everyone who calls himself a inhabitant of Shadowdale is allowed to respond;
Why am I now forced to answer to slander against me? Cease this nonsense. Let the people speak
without discrediting them, lest you conjure up all the dark deeds people attribute to you.

If you will hold the faults of those that came before against those that might come in the future,
then the same will have to apply for everyone. Can anyone bear this weight?

It is simply not Just to deny Nobility the right to rule, based on the faults of some old men.
Shadowdale was always lead by a single man, before those elders; not always a noble, true,
but always one to bear the Pendant of Ashaba.

As for the Zhentarim: I have no sympathy for them.
I have tried to make them see that there is no need for war;
for that, they made me rot in their prison for a month.

I was willing to risk imprisonment or death,
for the sake of a village that I had no allegiance with.
Is this not proof of my conviction?

Siamorphe shall crush me where I stand, should I slander her divine grace with foul lies.

Thal'aer of House Sorel of Waterdeep

An old man writes an answer

"Why don't you all people shut up and let the "commoners" have a say? Priests of Selûne, furies, nobles... I haven't read an answer from someone that is affected by this yet. For all of you who have answered living in Shadowdale is a matter of laziness, you have the means to go anywhere you want but there are farmers here that can't survive a trip to Myth Drannor on their own that I think deserve to be heard since they are the ones that are going to be affected by this."

Ilsa takes a short note out and pinds it up by the postings*

I've been talkin with the merchants and workmen round here for a while now sice we all been helpin and a suggestion i hope can be taken in without too much trouble is this.

have the townsfolk elect four folks, one of religious nature, one of military, one of magical do-hikery and one of civil life, these folks will act as the final say and top of the line, beneath em and those dealin with smaller more daily tasks, elect a small council of 12 members, three of each of the aforementioned top posts.

this'll give everyone a fine word for the top brass regardless of numbers and each can talk to others about issues risin up.
no one gets too much say and no one gets too little this way. Now we jus need to find the right folk.

*signed* Ilsa Smitzen, tinker, inventor, smith of small renown.

Quote :

Chancellor Mayer, this is the first public proposal for this initiative.  It is not set in stone and thus not inevitable.  I invite you to seek us out and discuss this in greater detail at your own leisure.  As a final word, we do need a change.  For what is inevitable is that Commander Vorik now leads the town and I am his second in command.  This town must return to some sense of normality and not through military means.

A reply is given to Vargas's old man.

Have you not read my replies whelp? I am for the people, being the commoners, the citizens of Shadowdale. Don't speak ill of my words or anyone's for that matter if you can not read.

Thank you.

-Gruum

The old man writes again
"I would use my time to elaborate a funny and satirical sentence pointing out the irony of a known follower of Talos declaring to be a citizen of Shadowdale but I am too old for that crap so I am going to say this directly.
I don't want someone speaking for the commoners I want the commoners to speak up for themselves instead of this bunch of people that could buy half of Shadowdale with the change they have in their pockets."

The old man doesn't bother signing the answers, just walks away cursing "Calling me whelp, I have more hair in my arse than he has on his beard!"

Elektra posts the following response:
" As a follower of the Red Knight and student of strategy, it is clear that the form of government is best when it can change to meet not only the needs of the people, but also the changes in challenges and situations that the government must handle.
In Peace - a representative republic
People will support any form of government that hears their voices and responds to their needs. One additional seat could be added to the current plan - the Seat of Commons ( Dm Npc)
The Seat of Commons would represent the farmer, laborer, shop keeper, craftsmen, rancher , and all who are not in guilds who provide service to the town.
In War - speed of decision and action is critical to survival in war time. A Lord Commander should be appointed by the members of the representative council to take temporary control of the government when danger looms, and the term of service of The Lord Commander remains subject to the members of the representative council, who may vote to cease said term.

Elektra Mysteria
Member of Shadowdale Mages Guild
High Juducator and Law Giver of Misty Falls "

A hooded and cloaked individual stops to look at the long string of tacked up posts about some sort of republic and adds a short message before he goes on his way.

Quote :

'Or you can find the Pendant of Ashaba and restore the rightful and traditional ruler of Shadowdale'

~Anonymous.

Quote :

I was under the belief that the Earth Mother's Garden, the Church of Chauntea, the Grain Goddess, is the voice of the farming community!  When the farmers have difficulties in the fields do they not attend the house of faith and pray for better crops?  Wouldn't the church know what is ultimately best for the farming community at whole!

Replies to Vargas's post

Don't put words in my metaphorical mouth. I have no desire to speak for the commoners, but only for everyone person residing in Shadowdale to have a say. This includes commoners, they are obvious majority after all. Therefor your argument matches mine, and I ask you again, read before you spew your words.

-Gruum