A Place Of Law

With the town hall completed, and the town growing it was time for some order to come to the growing chaos. Early one morning the inhabitants could hear hammering loud hammering coming from the center of town. those who looked could see a signpost planted in front of city hall, with a single large piece of paper nailed to it. Those who seek to discuss some basic rules of our new town meet within at mid-day. All who wish to productively input are welcome.

Ellie, walking back to her room at Metal Masterpieces, passed by the town hall, noticing the sign. "As long as they stay basic. I don't need a town guard to chase me out of town over superstition." She continued on and went up to her room. At mid-day, she returned to the Town Hall and entered. She needed to see this for herself.

Viggo sees the construction and wonders if this 'town' is turning into his new home. 

Raven grumbles after reading the sign, I better show up or we are going to get too many rules for this place to be fun to live in.

Prytania stumbled across the sign: (" Oh, interesting ")   - Prytania thought. - (" I better get ready for the occasion "). At mid-day, she shows up perfumed, and dressed in her good cleric robes, all black and silver, ready to see what all of this is about, and accompanying her, Álmos and Henry.

Making a late entrance, Kellen arrives next, wearing red silken robes. Following close behind him is SCOURGE the massive insect, wearing matching robes. After squeezing SCOURGE through the door, they both take a seat. 

     Ren was just going to get some herbs for some more poultice when he came across the sign. We finally going to work some rules out? I should probably show up to that.       Mid day Ren arrives along with Page and Jason whom had met up with him yesterday. Jason walked ahead of the other two, seemingly chipper as Ren followed behind, Page walking next to him with her head down. Jason looked happier to know there was some sort of rules being worked out. "So err.. Ren. You got any friends here yet?" Looking around Ren saw Prtania and her crew as well as Kellen and a ... large creature walk in. He motions Jason towards them. 

Kellen looks up from his conversation with SCOURGE, and waves Ren and his friends over to have a seat.

As Frerin passes near the town hall on his way to the inn for luncheon, he notices the unusual crowd gathering there. Learning what this was all about, he decides do enter and learn what he can. Bah, better see to it that there won't be any stupid laws made. As he enters, Frerin looks for an inconspicuous place to seat, preferably close to a door or a window.

Fizziwik and Poppy arrive wearing some very nice clothes.  Not a single piece matches any of the other pieces, but all of them are very well made.  They are gibbering away with each other in Gnomish (( talking about some new contraption that they want to make, if you speak Gnomish )).  Seeing a spot near the front open, they head over and have a seat.

Sometime during the beginning of the day Zordlon happens to find the sign, though he seems to pay it very little attention. Despite that he slips in during mid-day and takes a post near the corner as though he's just there to watch and little else. (And of course he doesn't dress up or anything. I mean why would he do that?)

Issachar walks in wearing his travel stained leathers, a scowl on his face.   Who decided we were ready for this?  

     Jason seemed to not want to lead anymore so Ren walked up to them with Page, Jason lagging a little behind. "Say Ren, you make friends with big guys like this? .... Not that I don't approve, it's like you, .... or what I think. Or maybe crazy enough uhh...." Jason continued to stammer on, Ren and Page generally filtered out his words.      "Hello Kellen, I see you've made a new friend." Facing the Trox Ren looked him over. The young girl by Ren's arm spoke up as well. ((In Terran: Once Again Greetings.)) Ren looked a little surprised that Page was greeting the newcomer but decided not to comment.      "Who decided we were ready for this!" Looking back Ren noticed that Issachar and Zordlon had walked in as well. 

"Does anyone know when the meeting officially starts or is it more of a when most everyone is here kinda thing?" Zordlon seems generally disinterested in what people are saying and just wants the meeting to start.

I thought it was about time SOMETHING was at least discussed. Since the town is beginning to grow we will need something to base future decisions on, and we should get it now while we have the chance.  Kellen speaks up from his seat nervously. I'm not exactly sure how to go about this, but i think its something that needs to be done, and don't worry about the timing, people may come and go as they wish while everything is discussed. The Trox nods in agreement from behind him.

Why does it need to be discussed?  Raven called from the side, where he stood. We have Agela in charge as she is the benefactors representative.  She is the one looking after the majority of the town, it's people and who comes and goes.  Why change that?

     With some degree of confidence Jason speaks up. "I'm a bit new, but from what I've heard it seems that Agela and the benefactor haven't set any rules in stone." He looks back at Ren for confirmation. There aren't really any set rules are there.  Ren gives the confirmation with a nod. "I understand there are many... unique individuals here but some of us normal folk would feel safer if we knew there were set rules...." Jason sat back down.      "Normal folk..." Ren murmurers. Page laughs a little at her brother. 

A single person cant be responsible for all of this, and I for one would like a say in what happens to my home. Agela is no more in charge than the captain, shes just a voice for some unknown entity. We have no idea what the benefactor wants with us or the island. What we do have is  an opportunity to influence how this place grows, and throwing it away because "Agela has done it fine so far" is a huge waste of potential. Kellen seems a bit frustrated with the question. And yes, normal people may not see things the way we do. We have done fine so far, but with the town growing more and more citizens are arriving by the week. We cant self-police the way we have been.

Really you would say that the person that is paying almost all the bills here isn't in charge here?  You take her missions, her items and her gold and then turn around and say "Hey thanks for everything and make sure that gold keeps flowing our way, but your not in charge here anymore" smacks me as not only arrogant but more than a little foolish as well. Your the same as me no more no different.  We all signed up to come here and start fresh in a new world.  We are taking their gold to build new lives and while we take that gold all of us are beholden to them.   If you don't like that then why are you still taking it?   Except for what we loot off the monsters here and keep, everything else comes from them.  Gold from the items we sell to her at her store.  Gold we get get for doing little job for her workers and all the items and food we sell to them during the month. Why would you want to mess with a system that works?  And just as important why do you want to risk offending the person that, despite what you say to yourself, is in charge?  Why isn't she here?  If she shows up and joins in then maybe you could convince me that we need to be having this discussion. Raven looks pointedly around the room. To be honest Kellen, it looks to me like your just trying to do a power grab here.

"How about we vote on it? If you want to keep it as it is go over to one side of the room or something. If that doesn't take then I guess we vote on a new leader. That said, Kellen can you go into why we shouldn't keep it as it is or are you just making a power grab like Raven suggests." Zordlon seems to not quite beileve that and mostly said that just to get Kellens side.

The point i am making is that the system will not work forever. Alot of us left the old world to get away from ruling factions, and if we dont figure something out soon, thats exactly what will happen. And what im proposing would give no more power to me than it would to you Raven, all im asking is that we discuss it. The idea is to set rules to keep people safe, and im not sure why you think that would put me into any position of power, but I  agree with zordlon for once, if we all think everything is fine as is, then we can continue with our lives as is. 

Everyone that wants to keep the system we have come to my side of the the room.  Raven looks pointedly around the room. Remember that voting for something different with out the approval of Agela and her benefactor runs a very high risk of us being cut off here.  After all who do you think owns the Iron Kelpie and pays the captains wages?

We should focus on surviving. We are not prepared if the ships stop arriving. Be honest, we don't know what happened to the previous settlers and we dont know why this place is even accessable now. These questions need answers and might be the only way to survive. A vote for leadership is nonsense. Viggo stops speaking and sits almost before the last word is even spoken. 

     "Foolishness." Page tugs at Ren's clothes. "Ren, I don't think this is going to be productive, can we leave?"      "No, let's see where this goes first." Ren stands up, some people are already shuffling about. " If I may, I would like to point out this conversation shouldn't be about overthrowing the benefactor, in fact that concept right now is ridiculous, we need them to continue surviving in the town. The ships and supplies are quite vial for now. I would like to also point out that the benefactor hasn't set any town rules ." Looking around Ren continues, " I had hoped this would be for discussing town rules. For example, what kinds of magic do we consider acceptable in the town? What is to be done to a murderer, exiled, executed? If someone disappears for a long amount of time, when are they considered dead? The mission system is fine, but if we dislike it we can deal with that later . "     I should probably cut this short, I'm not really the most inspiring person. " These questions may not be the best examples, but issues like this were what I was expecting, not changing the system itself. I've been to more than enough meeting in my life, if you would like to discuss and offer opinions that is good, but if you are here to argue with each other than I will show myself out ."           Jason looks around for a moment. " Uhh, yeah. What he said !" Page yawns.      Honestly, I don't think we can get anything done till Agela get here...

Zordlon has remained where has always been.... standing on Ravens side of the room "You know, when I came in here I expected us to set down a foundation with a few laws. Yet, it seems I came so we can talk about some sort of revolt and whether or not it'll actually happen. I'm sure betraying the benefactor who brought us here and helps make sure we have food and supplies and other tools will have n negative effects at all." Zordlon seems to be dismissing the very idea using sarcasm..... well he is for now. 

That was the original intention of this meeting, I had never planned to "overthrow" anyone. Like I said, were here to make sure the town is safe, not put anyone in a position of power. You bring up good examples, and I think they would be a fair starting point. We can begin on the topic of magics, although I am not magically apt, many in town are. We should begin with those who have knowledge of such things.

Don't put magic on a pedestal. It is used by people who need to follow any rules just like the rest of us. We only need two rules. Don't harm the living Don't harm the dead

Prytania, Henry and Álmos discussed matters in whispers while the first opinions came through. At last there was an impasse, so she coughed a bit, and stood up: " Listen... We do need some internal laws, if only to regulate things a bit. As some of you may know, I came here in the first ship. We were few, probably not more than twenty men... Two months later, we are closing the hundred... We are lucky that there hasn't been any major incident yet. Everybody is walking around town with hired guards already, because they probably feel threatened, but we cannot maintain peace like that, with bands of mercenaries. We NEED laws, and we need to have them ready before we actually need them ". Álmos took the word - " The gal's right, now, if you'll excuse me... I'd like to share some long-lived life experience with you " - The old man groaned a bit as he walked up to the center of the room and started to march in front of the crowd, just as he did with his soldiers - " You can see right now what's happening, first decision we make, and we already have parties LITERALLY dividing the room between left and right... And we haven't even started discussing the matters... ". - He makes a disaproval sign with his head, looking at Raven - " Now, trust me , this is going to end badly, and without some rules, it can get even WORSE". "Even if it somehow didn't, and one of the parties end up imposing their will without a fight, the other is going to resent the decision. Soon more people will come, and we won't have just two parties, we will have five, six... " - Álmos sighed as he gathered breath for his conclusion: " In the army I learned many things, war, friendship... But first of all is order. United, we stand, without order, we are nothing" . - After a fitting stop, he added: "Thank you for listening, I'll let you youngsters discuss about that magic stuff"

     Ren sat back down, satisfied with the result. But once again the young man couldn't keep his mouth shut.       Jason was once again ready to speak. "Hey! I think there needs to be some rules for magic and stuff! I think don't kill people and no necromancy are rock bottom. We gotta come up with better rules than that!" Jason had jumped up to speak. "Like how about not magic after sundown.... or ..." Page kicked him  in the leg. "Ehehehe, right. How about everyone's gotta be open about their magic? Anything wrong with that? Like what they can do and stuff, ya know? It can be scary."     Ren looked up at this statement, not really the happiest. This guy... needs to keep his mouth shut. How the hell is he page's brother.  

Ellie doesn't move to either side of the room. "I came to make see how things would shake out. To make sure that magic wasn't going to be vilified. That said, trusting unequivocally in the benefactor and his agents wouldn't be in my best interests. I'd rather see us take some of the power over our own fate. Nothing ridiculous mind you, and if you want to be blind sheep you certainly can, but I would be wary of anyone who is against some basic rules. What do you plan to do around here that some common sense rules would impinge upon? You can argue against a revolt, but even if you just say you need two rules in 'Don't harm the living' and 'Don't harm the dead' those rules need some sort of formal clarification. Harm can come in many forms, and some people may not agree what type of harm one is responsible for." Ellie pointedly remains in the center of the room, not playing into infantile games of picking teams.

A figure wreathed in crimson approaches with conviction from the back of the hall.  Destra is dressed in her finest robes, her freshly polished black leather boots echo faintly off her surroundings. "I know some of you came to this place to escape laws, not create them.  I cannot say what harm may have come to you and your loved ones in the past at the hands of the authorities in your homelands.  It is... unfortunate... that unworthy charlatans often use the rule of law as a blunt instrument to subjugate and extort those who are less fortunate." Destra pivots, turning back to the crowd. "However, a narchy is a tyranny all its own!  I have seen the atrocities the ignorant masses are capable of when there is no one there to lead them. How long until this growing settlement holds its first witch hunt? How much longer can this place be free from mob justice?" She lets her questions linger. "Those who are accused of wrongdoing are owed due process, proper representation and wise judgement!"

Aye, well spoke lady.   Fizziwik says as he hops up.  Those closest to the pair of gnomes can overhear Poppy hissing, No stories Fizz . Fizziwik moves to the center of the room and then resumes talking.   The Lady Agela, wise though she may be, can't be expected to do everything.  Take a moment the next time you are in her presence to really look into her eyes.  What you will see is black circles and red eyes.  She is pulled thin here, and having every new person bring every little problem to her will only serve to exhaust her further.   I agree that we don't want to give one person too much power.  And I agree that we don't want to cut the Benefactor out of our proceedings.  So what if we form a council, a small group.  Agela would certainly be welcome to have a spot in that group, but we would elect others to serve our community.  They could take some of the burden of the petty squabbles off of Agela's shoulders.  They could help prioritize expansion of our settlement and it's defense.  They  could.....I don't know, do some other things too.   Fizziwik seems to be loosing steam on his thoughts.   I mean, it's, well...*cough* it's like this one time.   From the back Poppy makes a very loud very fake cough. Ah yes, well, just an idea.  

Kid hangs back the entire time watching people argue with each other. After a good while, he start talking. Good people, it seems we're thinking to far into the future. Our number still a few, and people here know each other. We just need some basic rules to make a decent community. Like no murder allowed and no theft allowed. No one here want to cut the Benefactor. They too have a say in this lawmaking business.

Don't harm the living, don't harm the dead? What nonsense is that. If the dead start walking around I fully plan on harming them.  With a statement like that it sounds it sounds like you know something you need to be sharing with the rest of us. Raven looks pointy at him. The only good dead are the ones you cremate so those damned necro's don't keep raising them.  And what's wrong with walking with your friends? Just because they have lots of armour and weapons doesn't make them groups of mercenaries.  Looking at Raven and the twinkle in his eye and the curves at the ends of his mouth he seems to be trying hard to keep down, your not sure what part he's not serious about.....

I think Fizziwik has the right idea, and is much better at saying it than I. I'm glad others here see the reasoning behind this. Destra brings up a fine point, weve already almost had one battle within the city, how long will it be until something like this happens again? And the newcomer brings up a good point, Im quite surprised Agela hasn't arrived. I discussed this with her a few days ago and she seemed amicable. Kellen speaks from his seat, looking relieved others had spoken up

Prytania didn't like that comment... She got up, with her eyes shining deep blue, and spoke with her confident voice. " Do you have a problem with necromancers? Because that kind of prejudiced behavior is the one that leads to problems, in my opinion. Not all necromancers are obsessed with raising the dead, you know?... " - Prytania was visibly offended at the comment- " I think that at this point, it is no surprise that I am, indeed a necromancer. But don't worry, if there is someone desecrating a corpse I'm the first that's going to put it to rest... I already did". - Turning to the crowd, she continued: "Some of you may remember we had an issue like that with the whole Timothy story... He is now buried in our cemetery, under consecrated so no one can raise him anymore". "Now, I don't doubt that YOU - Pointing at Raven, as he likes to do - know more about burning things out of fear or prejudice than I do... But I know about death and undeath a LOT more than you, and as far as I'm concerned, I'm the moral and intellectual authority here. Also, I'm one of the few that has shown to actually care for the wellbeing of the dead... While everyone built their houses, I built a cemetery to bury Timothy, while I was sleeping on the ground on a friend's house" "Necromancy, like the rest of schools, can be used for good... or for bad, we can't just outlaw it. Or are you going to outlaw evokers because they can blow up things with fireballs?... Or soldiers because they can use their superior skills to kill someone with their weapons? ".

Raven picks his helmet off the floor next to him and shows it to Prytania.  See the skull here? He taps the front of his helmet where the only part of his armour that isn't deep black seems to be made from bone..... It's from the necromancer that almost wiped out the province I'm from.  He started out with good intentions, making sure the dead were buried in consecrated ground and they where treated with respect.   What happened you ask?  Well in the end he desiccated all the graveyards and brought them all back to life.  Only 7 people survived that mess.  And this helm has been passed down as a reminder to always burn the dead so they can't come back and never to trust those that claim to speak for the dead. Raven turns to leave the room. Seems to me that you all have made up your minds as to what your going to do anyway so I will not waiste anymore time here.  Good luck convincing yourself that all you have is good intentions when it's as plain as day what is really going on. after replacing his helmet Raven leaves the room whistling to himself as he heads back into the hills.

"Of course we should and while we're at it lets outlaw builders because they could build a house that might fall on top of us." Zordlon is clearly being sarcastic and looks like he barely even sees it as something little more than hearsay let alone something that would actually happen. (siding with Prytania on this matter)

     "Uhh, I'm sorry Elf sir, but I don't think that you can compare necromancers to builders..." Jason wasn't really liking where this conversation was going and he obviously did not know there were necromancers among them. Page also seemed a little alarmed by it. "You know, I don't think it's so unreasonable to dislike necromancy. I don't know too much of the magic stuffs but aren't undead evil things?"      Ren decided to speak up. "I believe it would be unwise to start judgement this early. We all have differing personal feelings with the undead, however none of us can deny Prytania's contributions to this outpost wouldn't you agree? Raven, I understand you have a personal grudge with necromancers and if you cannot let that go, you do what you feel you must. I however do not believe we should make such a judgement so quickly." Sitting back down Jason mumbled to himslef a bit. 

If noone is being serious why are we having this discussion?  A pharasmin cleric claiming to be a necromancer?! Completely disapointed A mercenary who babbled on incoherently! Viggo is most upset that his words were intentionally misrepresented. Zordlon, being him self.  Comments about a rebellion against someone who has no power here and has never asked anything from us. Baffled about why someone would want this  What madness is this? Did i misunderstand everything? Viggo sits back down, giving time for people to explain, perhasp he was misunderstanding something, his emotions flashing across his face bare dwarven face, still no scruff or beard has grown in.

Zordlon smiles lightly at Viggos' comment "Glad to see I'm being myself. That's always a good thing to be. Also, I'm pretty sure you understand it pretty well. We just seem to be on the more insane side of things." Zordlon is very clearly amused by this.

Destra closes her eyes and rubs the bridge of her nose as the discussion turns into an esoteric argument on the moral ambiguity of necromancy. Now isn't the time for this. We won't get anywhere at this rate... Let's try to focus on the matter at hand, shall we? It seems most of you are in favor of a council of some sort. How many should serve in this body? Who would you nominate to such an important position? These councilors would have to be willing to compromise and regard their peers without prejudice, after all...

I agree, i fear that there is a distinct lack of trust when it comes to certain individuals. That may make it difficult to decide on individuals. 

The sign said this was to discuss common rules. Not set set up a governent.

The plan was not originally to set up a government, but with the way people have responded to any attempt at a reasonable discussion, we need to select a group of people that can calmly and fairly discuss those rules. That is the purpose of the council.

Ok, I have no problem with selecting people to propose a set of rules with out distraction. Seems way better than continuing with this.

"I think we can all agree Agela should be on the council to represent the Benefactor, but how will we decide the other members some sort of election? How would we decide how people are eligible to get on the council anyway?"

It is a difficult proposition. I think we should exclude the new arrivals from the list, seeing as we don't know much about them yet, but they are welcome to join in the vote. If one of them insists on being included for consideration, we will of course oblige. I agree Agela should be included, but who else is a difficult choice, one that we should all have a part in deciding upon.

Fizziwik stands up on his chair, to be better seen.   Let's start with how many should be on the council, I think 5 is a good number.   Fizziwik sits back down.

5 sounds perfect, as we would want an odd number to break ties, but a small number so as to make decisions quickly.

Viggo nods consent.