The Council Elections.

[channe]

It begins --

The temporary meetinghouse on Haberdashers' Row is triple-guarded inside and out by both Janerio and militia, with aides sworn to secrecy; this time, the voters have been summoned, and security measures taken.

And they make quite a show of it, don't they, in their gorgeous carriages -- on their majestic horses -- in their clothes that would make the regretfully ill Lord of Lothbury himself emerald with envy. They come, one by one, filing through the door of the Meetinghouse, and leave, one by one, their vote recorded and their plea made for posterity.

Commoners gather around, dirt-scrubbed and suspicious, whispering to one another; there is little they can do but trust, can they not?

And abide, as always, in rumor?

----

Election Rules:

1) All players registered on the forums may vote. One vote per player; if you have numerous character accounts, you still may only vote once. Please vote not as your 'normal' characters would, but in the guise of a voter; see below.
2) Choose three of eight: either Spier, Rameriz, or Soulhunter; Treadwell or Llylendiren; and either Goldenhair, O'Cynen, or Demonsbane.
3) Polls are open for seven days. At the end of the seven days, the polls will close and winners will be announced.

Most of Broken Dagger's player characters would not be eligible for voting, so put yourself in the brain of one of the voters before you go hit the tickyboxes -- that's who you will be playing for these few seconds. According to the wiki, voters are "male, of sound mind, in good standing amongst his peers, and of noble birth," although "it is an unspoken rule that this final requirement may be waived in the cases of landowners and the independently wealthy."

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Councilor of Trade and Commerce, temporary

Mr. Rondeau Spier, 53, is a well-off merchant specializing in luxury items, and has had much experience, obviously, in the area of trade. This has also lead to him forming many connections outside of Myrken Wood, as this is also essential to conducting a profitable trade organization. His skill in this matter has lead to a substantial growth of the business he inherited from his father - no doubt these skills could be put to work for the good of all Myrken as well.

Mr. Eduardo Rameriz, a newcomer to Myrken Wood, is the eldest child of a Collingford merchant family with a good reputation, and has the education for such a position.

Mr. Jaden Soulhunter, son of infamous landowner Va'alen Kainn, whose qualifications come from his family background: he has experience in finance and commerce working for his father in various ventures, and experience in the mercantile and tourist industries working for his mother.


Councilor of Administrative Sanctions, permanent

Mr. Aloisius Horatio Treadwell, 61, has has been involved with politics back in his home town of Westenford, Amasynia, as something of a family affair ever since birth. In addition, the portly, poofy-bearded old man is no newcomer to the Myrken Wood Council, having had past terms as stand-in Governor and Councilor of Administrative Sanctions. However, he has fallen on a bit of bad luck, brought on by one certain fairy king, Richard Aengus; being put to sleep for over a year by the "miserable pink excuse for lunch meat" had disastrous consequences for Treadwell, ranging from the dissolution of his marriage to the confiscation of his properties to the loss of his jobs of tax collector and toymaker.

Mr. Kehlyrith Llylendiren is a seeming newcomer to Mykren Wood, or simply not a creature often found in taverns. The man does own a plot of land within the forest, along with a large home built with his own hands. In his youth, he aided a lord in running his large demesne, often taking care of the books and accounts. When that lord passed away, being only human for his years, the elf moved on to a more military existance, along with small bouts of adventuring. Having traveled a great deal and seen many things, he is world-wise and patient, if not even gentle, though quite capable of putting his foot down and getting a job done despite obstacles.


Councilor of Agriculture, temporary

Mr. Vanidor Goldenhair has been a resident of the Myrkenwood area for longer than it has been called Myrken by the Kingdom of Amasynia, and he has tended to the forest as best as he could over the years. Yet now there is a chance to do it hand in hand with the human inhabitants of the province. He does, indeed, own a parcel out in the forests, but this is currently limited to an aging stone-walled manor house and it's adjoining lands. He is considered a lord amoungst his people, and can quite possibly bring some of his elven kinfolk back into the territory to assist with the reclamation of land from the 'wood and in the hunting of game to better feed the populace. Once captained the Myrken guard before they were reformed into Straka. Also has a number of ties to the Darkblayde family that were once prominant land owners in the region.

Ms. Ariel O'Cynen, daughter of the late Councilor of Agriculture Joseph O'Cynen and native to Myrken Wood, has lived all her life on a farm. But she is no simple farm girl - she, like her father, has spent much of her adult life building and bridging relations among the farmers and crop-growers and those who do business with them, earning a fair amount of respect aside from the O'Cynen name (though there's a fine helping to that, too). She's already had experience with the Judiciary Council, having sat in some meetings in place of the late Councilor and joined others, always championing for the people - even on deaf ears.

Mr. Ignas Demonsbane, 38, is technically qualified to run for government since he owns a section of land. Also, he's very wealthy and is not afraid to share it with the people! He's also better at doing things than his son and definitely deserves to be elected because not only will he promise to kill any and all outside threats to the people of Myrken Wood, especially demons, but he will also kill corrupt councillors, and will offer free martial training to those who ask for it.

[Biske]

The town was almost in a festive mood this day, despite all the rumors and undercurrent of unease; people needed a reason to celebrate, and while many could care less about the outcome of the elections, very few would pass up the opportunities such an event presented. People gathered in the main square, bundled away from the cold; vendors their wares, and hot ciders and chestnuts warmed in fire would sell for a mere pittance - while folks chattered away about the past year.

Anticipation rose to fever-pitch, but soon enought he appointed time came - onto the impromptu stage stepped a crier, waving his arms; those who did not first take notice would soon fall silent at the urging of his fellows. A pause was taken, theatrical flair - and then the man was bellowing, his words like to be repeated among the crowd to spread them even further.


"The new Councilor of Trade and Commerce - Eduardo Ramirez!"

Ramirez, a name often spoke by many - usually, however, concerning Helstone's missing guard, Rosamaria. Perhaps it was this notoriety that aided him to victory among Myrken's higher class, or that connections had proven his education and experience.


"The new Councilor of Administrative Sanctions - Aloisius Treadwell!"

Ah, but this! A collective *groan* emerges from the crowd - and who, indeed, could blame them! Back in office was the fat, bizarre tax-collector, long-missing - no doubt he'd grow even fatter off the taxes of the poor folk, or so the grumblings say.

"The new Councilor of Agriculture - Vanidor Goldenhair!"

A buzz rose at that; an *elf* name, wasn't it? Why not Miss O'Cynen? But the overall tone of discussion was more of mild interest, with some disappointment and heated words throughout. After all, elves were miracle-workers, were they not? Perhaps this Vanidor, with a twiddle of his fingers, could cause the crops to grow in mere days.

Thus was the announcements made; already runners and criers were scattering throughout the town, posting notices and telling the news; and to each of the new Councilmen, a letter was mailed with the distinctive horse-seal of Eriks - odd that it was not the Governor's seal.



Gentlemen;

Congratulations on your appointments; hopefully, when Her threats are destroyed, Myrken can finally prosper. We have needs to meet at the first available time.

By my hand and seal,
General Eriks DeMord Sleipner

[Treadwell]

After a celebratory one-man feast, Treadwell found himself reading the General's note with grease-stained fingers--and writing one with the same in his usual sloppy, heavy script.

= = = = =

To General Eriks DeMord Sleipner, acting governor of Myrken Wood
24 November A.R. 206

I do indeed wish to meet. We've a governorship to vote on properly, fellow Council members to get to know more about, and issues at large to discuss concerning Myrken Wood as a whole. Do reply to me in the morning, if not sooner, to let me know when and where we might meet most effectively.

Aloisius Horatio Treadwell, Councilor of Administrative Sanctions (again!), Myrken Wood

= = = = =

[Biske]

Ser Treadwell;

A vote on the governorship, as I am sure I have told you, would be highly disrespectful to Ser Helstone, who is still the official Governor on Myrken's behalf, and was quite legally elected by what was left of the previous administration - myself included. Furthermore, such a vote at this time would only serve to destabilize what minute peace I have been able to maintain.

Know that your obvious bids for a power that you are neither authorized, experienced, nor qualified for will be blocked at every turn. If you continue to press the matter, I shall be forced to call a vote of no confidence in you and your abilities - a messy way to start your re-jumped career.

I am quite certain that I had explained this rather well, but I understand that my accent, slight as it is, can be so confusing at times.

Allow me to confer with your fellow councilmen as to times and dates for our meeting.

'Ta.

General Eriks DeMord Sleipner

[Treadwell]

General Sleipner,

Here I do make an apology for any particularly rash statements made concerning these aforementioned desires to press a vote for a new Governor. There shall be no need for any messy resolution of the matter; instead, I shall serve faithfully and accordingly for the post to which I have been elected.

The question is raised, though, out of concern for the future of Myrken Wood and not for any political ambitions: by what criteria shall the Council determine Governor Helstone capable of resuming his duties?

In trust, subservience, and friendship,

Aloisius Treadwell

[channe]

A message is delivered under the door to the home of Mr. Rondeau Spier the next day, imprinted with the Governor's seal:

To the estimable Mr. Rondeau Spier:

Due to unforeseen complications, Mr. Eduardo Rameriz has had to step down from his position as Councilor of Trade and Commerce; you, sir, nearly tied him in votes, and due to this, you have been named by the electors of Myrken Wood to fill that Council seat.

Congratulations, Councilor, and I look forward to meeting with you soon.

Sincerely,
Coriolanus Helstone, Governor, Myrken Wood.

(The letter is slightly creased and smudged, and the corners are balled up, as if it went through quite a bit of abuse in getting to the Spier manse.)

[Jirai]

The letter returned was neatly penned on sturdy paper.

To Coriolanus Helstone, Governor of Myrken Wood,

I am honoured by this appointment to Myrken Wood's Council. My condolences to Mister Ramirez, and I hope nothing ill has befallen him.

Let me know how I may be of service.

Rondeau Spier, Councilor of Trade and Commerce