Ahead in the Polls

Mage of Mist · #31

Thorn had arrived to see what was occurring, wondering why she and everyone else had been called out... Elect a mayor? It is true that the town did need to be more organized. She listened quietly, looking to the nominees... Normally she'd say Drusus, but she knew how busy he was as of late, and being a mayor of a town would only add more to his burdens, she looked to Tom, who would make a good mayor- Then her eyes darted to Eltra and the Floran did a surprised squeak.

"Floran vote Thorn. Thorn bessst mayor!"

"I s-second that! Thorn for mayor!"

"F-Floran?" She eeped to Eltra, then heard Seiatni and meekly shrank in her chair... She already was managing a lot as of late, and the whole other thing... Why her? She then listened to the rest, Woody... Who then ran away, then listened to Zerexe... Thinking quietly to herself as she tried to make a decision on who to vote for, still rather concerned that she had two votes herself.

"Well put. Thorn?"

Snapped out of her thoughts, she looked around awkwardly... Speech, oh no, why speech, why... She had nothing planned, caught off guard that she was even being nominated in the first place. She took a shaky breath to compose herself and headed over, trying her best to keep calm.

"... Um... Isss Thorn-Dancer, a Knight of Insssanity and, uh... Isss good with tech and... Ssstuff, like biotech." Thorn started, really wanting to flee at the moment but refrained. "Floran work hard to protect, though um, not ssstrongesst, or sssmartessst, Floran do bessst to better ssself to asssissst othersss, Floran go on regular patrolsss to find thossse new who end up on Ana and Floran try to sssee if they good and bring to Encampment where sssafe, and defend them along way if needed." She smiled shyly.

"Floran... Kind of agree with Zerexe in lot of thingsss in what need to be done... And ssshe ssstronger and sssmarter than Floran, and older... Ssso uh, nominate her... Pleassse." Thorn giggled timidly, before then darting back to her own seat.

sadisticnerd · #32

Nirasema and Liara applauded to Thorn's speech, Nirasema herself now wishing she could vote for Thorn instead of Woody. Liara herself was somewhat surprised too, applauding. "A sweet, kind temperament, and at the same time humble." Liara said, as if analyzing her speech, wanting her as a mayor too.

"Yup! And she's a good girl too! She has my vote on the elections." Nirasema stated, happily, not hearing the last words of the floran's speech of her begging to vote for Zerexe too.

"I'm not part of the encampment, but she has my vote." Arisu stated, knowing the floran's temperament of always wanting to help others, but conveniently forgetting the fact she doesn't wants to be on the spotlight.

#33

Ariel gave Thorn a little nod and a smile before moving things along.

Ariel: Moving along, next would be Drausus

Jent · #34

"Moving along, next would be Drausus."

The Jentil knew he eventually be requested to speak. Two previous speeches showed obvious reluctance in the position, with Zerexe being the only one that appeared to want the job. Understandably, Drausus would likely vote for the golden woman out of the three. Her responsibilities wouldn't change all that much, apart from having to listen to advisors-as he doubted she enjoy any paperwork...

"Why thank you Ariel Marie," the Distortionist gave a short bow in her direction before standing up for the crowd. "I very much agree with points mentioned by my fellow candidates. Improvements to the current stability must be commenced to maintain the peace we had these recent months."

Surprised at himself at how calm he managed to be so far, Drausus manifested orb of ice in his hand. With so many simulacra and other thought processes, the Jentil continued his momentum.

"That is why I will push force massive infrastructure overhaul: a Prime Deal. There are pockets of high technological advancements both within and nearby the Encampment. With my connections, they will promoted to my highest priority to improve your security and quality of life. New roads, upgraded buildings to handle chaotic disruptions that would otherwise leave many of you without home. Establish a town-no-city wide pumping system. The Encampment no longer will be just a notable village... I will make it into its own country!"

#35

Ariel: Thank you Drausus. And Finally, we have Tom.

::Tom looked at his drink, swirled it a bit, took a nice long swig, then set it down. He looked at it a minute before standing up.
Unlike the others, he didn't go up to the front of the room. These were his people, he'd address them as one of them.::

You've heard plenty of good things from everyone here. Defense is good. Technology is also good. Many of these things are things we are lacking, and can definitely use. But let me ask you this. What is it we really need?

My friend, Drausus mentioned roads. But would roads help the next time a dragon who breath turns things to gold attack?

My colleague Zerexe mentioned Walls. But what good is a wall against a giant millipede I've seen scale a sheer cliff.

So again, I ask, what is it we really *need*?

We need shepards who can rest easy knowing a Horsecat isn't going to eat their flock. We need farmers who know their crops won't be ruined by bowling balls raining from the sky. We need blacksmiths who can get iron to forge without worrying about if they will be coming back alive. We need peace to know the plans we put in place won't be wiped out the next time whatever being gets bored.

You all know me. I've been out there, day in and day out. Trying to keep the worst this world can offer from ruining out town. Sometime's I'm successful - as our new stockpile of gold can attest to. Sometimes I'm not - as this leg can attest as well. But I am one man. Now you ask me to lead you. You don't need me behind some desk. You need me in town training people. You need me out on patrol detering any monster that decides our town has had it too easy.

I can't say you should vote for me. Heck, I could have prevented one of this town's greatest tragedies, and didn't. Yeah, none of us had any clue - but that's no excuse. But, you have a choice. I suggest you think long and hard, about what you really need. And then decide who's ideas will best get you what you need.

::With that, Tom grabs what's left of his whiskey and lifts it up.::

To the Encampment, may it ever be a safe harbor against the storm!

sadisticnerd · #36

Arisu looked at Tom for a few moments, paying attention to his request, and noticing his...willingness to help. He was right.

"...May I ask something,Tom? Did Ariel ask anybody for their opinion on this? Or even made a coherent legislation system with other members of the encampment before trying elections for mayor, to make sure it does not devolve into a monarchy...nor have the title act as a restraint, like how the membership of pantheon acts?" Arisu asked, calmly sipping on her drink.

She was too angry at first,but now she was angrier, at herself for not noticing the flaws.

Nirasema stayed quiet, as if she just realized that.

"...I second that. A system established by outsiders without people from the inside agreeing beforehand os tyranny, especially when the vote for mayor lacks an opt-out. Currently there is no way for Woody and Tom to reject their position, should they be elected. Except by passing to others or removing it, both of which would make this pointless." the ice demoness said, sighing.

#37

Zerexe slowly stood up, crackling with energy before she punched the ground. As she did, the force was sapped away into an alchemical reaction that left a large flower of metal beside her.

"As true as it is, I do feel we need something to bind the groups that form in this town into a group. To take the knights, the guards, the hunters, the smiths, everyone, and bind them together, not under someone's orders but under direction. Someone, or someones, to help bridge the selfish gaps that inevitably arise. Groups will work for their own benefit, but people can be blind to the forest for the trees. Helping others helps you. We need those who can fight to work with those who build. Guards to protect miners, who provide to smiths the tools to protect. We need someone to act as the social glue to unify those who have the desire to help, more than we need some legal boss. What we ultimately need is someone everyone can feel they believe has a good enough image of what needs done and the knowledge or either how to get it or who to get to achieve it. Otherwise, we'll never get anywhere. We'll be stuck in this spot forever, until something comes too strong for us. We need to gather together, band together, to prepare and grow, so that should a storm come, we can not only weather it, not only survive, but thrive in it. In nature, those who can not adapt will die. That that can not overcome will die. The strength of mortals is their unification, the feats they achieve together. We must do that."

With that, the woman sat down on the top of the table, grabbed a cup of blood, and raised it before chugging it all. "To the Encampment, may it ever draw out the best in those who reside within, and may it never falter to rise to the challenges of the world!"

#38

"You know what, they're right" Russel spoke up from where he'd been brooding over his mug. "Frankly, who decided there would only be five candidates in the first place, hm? None of us" he gestured at the rest of the room "people who live here did. You" he pointed at Ariel "did. You decided this should happen, you're the one who's telling us to take candidates, to give you our votes, like you own the place or have any reason to be here, and want us to think you of all people will be impartial? Hah! Why I've sat down here this long and haven't noticed this overt attempt at exerting power over us I don't know. Whilst I still stand by what I said-Tom would be a good leader-he obviously doesn't want it and should be allowed the freedom to refuse-and so should Woody. If people here want to lead, I say let them step up of their own accord. Whilst Zerexe is right, we do need a leader, it's not right to force people into it. Secondly, before we do anything I think first we need to decide who among us we all agree would be suitably impartial to count votes for candidates and it's definitely not any god whom have the ability to change anything into anything that they like. So as Nirasema made a good point of demonstrating, how about we give our votes to Woody? We know he's got no bias and has always been impartial, right?"

Russel paused for a breath and to see if anyone had any objection to that before he looked over at everyone "As for the rest of it, who wants to run? Certainly it's a big responsibility that's going to require a lot of tact and communcating, negotiating skills that won't rub people the wrong way"

#39

Ariel sputtered responses, though she seemed in shock. Finally she composed herself into a response.

"Can't you see I am just trying to help you!"

This caused another uproar in the room - that is, until a loud "Hey" from Tom caught everyone's attention. He then turned back to the Mad God.

"Ariel, no offense, but you are not one of us. You hide so much in that grove of yours that you don't see what we have, and what we need. Maybe it's time to continue that fine tradition..."

Ariel of course took offense. With a huff, she turned and left, disappearing into a mist as soon as she crossed the threshold of the door. This was met with loud cheers before Tom once again said "Hey" to get everyone's attention again.

Tom: "As much as I hate to admit it, she is right about one thing, we do need to be more organized. However, we are a small town. We can fit almost all of us in a tavern. Back when my country was nothing but the very first colonies, the towns were governed via direct democracy in weekly town halls. Anyone can propose an idea, and the entire town gets a say. What say you all to that idea?"

Jent · #40

"... As problematic Ariel became in discussion of the Encampment's future, her basic premise still is vital. We all need to organize a system to suit our needs."

Drausus rose back up to continue Tom's line of reasoning. The town couldn't let their history with the Mad God(dess) or other immortals confound this meeting. "Given the concept of is new for Pax, focusing on this current election is vital. No one man or woman, of any race, could properly handle the complexity of government alone. They requirement a cabinet of sorts to assist in regulating the numerous tasks that will pile up on their first day. Zoning laws, ownership of land, determining a bill of rights for all citizens who dwell in the Encampment... And those who arrive afterwards in the creation of this order."

The Jentil took a brief pause, assessing the crowd. Murmurs, whispers of confusion bounced between mouth to ears.

"... As such, if anyone is deemed incompetent in the mayor's pick for cabinet roles. We the people should have the power to override their decision in order for someone suitable to take that job. Whether it be treasury, regulator of agriculture, or an appointed sheriff to manage the guards."

#41

Russel just sat there, looking incredibly confused.

Abi just quietly sipped at her wine and watched.

Viktor however had a huge grin after watching Ariel leave.

sadisticnerd · #42

"I don't know about that." Liara stated, even under the glares of Arisu trying to keep her from talking. "I propose instead, to have elections similar to this one for each of the roles instead of the mayor appointing them in the first place. I came from other worlds, and most of the government became...somewhat corrupt. The ideals reversed, and the population served a small group of people, rather than a small group of people helping the population to organize themselves. Similar to the guard system we currently have, where each guard can arrest people at their own discretion due to the lack of laws." She stated: Even if she could not run for a position, she wished to give her own advice while avoiding Ariel's mistakes.

"While it would take longer, any sort of government or law must be done with the long term in mind. While it might be a long time until it, and we can probably fix it before it can get problematic for the encampment, we need to think for when it grows ten thousand times bigger. Maybe more. We need to think of hundreds of years ahead. I do not wish to be a prophet, but one day when there is nothing standing in the encampment's way, people who live here might not be as united as they are now. This place is beautiful, even if it has dangers, the honesty and friendship we, citizens of the encampment, have is more than enough to make it worth living here." She added, and now as an afterthought...

"To the Encampment, and may it bring peace and prosperity for this generation, and for those who come after! May the encampment of tomorrow have greater prosperity than today's!" She shouted, as if trying to proclaim she was a citizen of the place now, rather than how she acted previously.

Arisu just sighed deeply. "Well, that's her opinion. Mine is that...why those who are immortals, yet live amongst us are unable to be candidates? I am not saying vote for me. No, I do not live in the encampment, and I even consider my presence here unjustified. But there are immortals in the encampment, who wish to treat it fairly. To make it a better place. It is up to the people of the encampment's discretion, to decide on who to vote, but what exactly would prevent an immortal to help everybody, not as an immortal. But as a mayor. As a treasurer, or a minister of education. Not as somebody strong, but as another mortal, another person who wishes to be useful and helpful. I shall not move forward to any of these positions, but I wish to, at least, get a proper justification of why this is the encampment's choice, and not Ariel's law." The demoness asked, now that Ariel was gone, she felt like she could speak slightly more freely.

#43

Oddly enough, it was Russel who spoke up again. "Before we start talking about who should be allowed to be in charge because of why, how about we talk about whether or not we like Toms idea? This may not be the intention, but it seems to me the idea of someone being 'in charge' excites some of you a lot more than the idea that we should work together for our own long term survival-and that worries me greatly. If I understand right, direct democracy means everyone gets a say in what's happening, is that what direct democracy is Tom?"

#44

Tom: Correct. If we as a people decide to hire a sheriff or other such official to handle day to day tasks, that's one thing, but policies, laws, etc would be done by Everyone, with no elected officials there to propose laws for us.

#45

Zerexe nodded, sitting down on a table by Drausus and slowly crackling with excess energy.

Eltra was just watching. He might also be trying to get intoxicated. Silly Florans.