[This speech was held in the town hall, 29th Hammer, Year 152]

People of a Sanctuary divided…

We have been through a lot. But I will not tire your ears by telling things which are of your knowledge already. The time has come for yet again to vote a new council to decide upon matters of interest.

Already, many have shown their interest for this. You have seen their posters, their flyers, scattered across the whole of Sanctuary, telling just why you should vote for them. Some of them have held speeches, I hope, for that is a part of it all. And that is what I am doing now.

Stating the obvious, again. Now if you will all listen, I’ll tell what I am going to work for. The Watch have shown their valour time and time again as our enemies closed around us. Protecting us with their lives, they continue to serve Sanctuary faithful.

But there has been situations where they haven’t shined. When such situation arise, it is mostly because of misunderstandings and suspicions. Though may we never forget, that even when such accidents happen, the Watch are only trying to do what it can to protect us.

I will not support additional fundings to them. They don’t need gold as much as they need people, and faith that they are trying to do the right things.

The Spellguard got a blow when First Citizen Bhast decided to take matters into his own hands. This was wrong, I believe, and giving the Spellguard it’s previous rights again should be in order. Although their rules of magic use are indeed harsh, they just like the Watch tries to protect us. Let them not be held down because of that.

The Spellguard should have a slight increase to find out what is happening in the Dunwarrens right now, with all those lightning bolts striking around.

The Seekers should have an increase in the fundings. I suspect this will be unpopular for many of you, but how many times have you walked into their halls and looked around?

They keep refugees there, people saved from the experience of slavery without the needed means to get back at their feet just yet. The Seekers bring them hope, in form of searching for the surface, giving them a place to be and even having a famous cook there to give them food.

Let us not crush that hope in reducing the Seekers funding for doing what they are, for it helps. It keeps the morale high, gets the refugees through their suffering and nightmares to face the next morning with a smile.

Let us help the Seekers do that, and for that I wish to see an increase in that direction.

Lower has been declared abandoned by Upper. I do not wish to see any attempt at unification between the two, for it will hurt more than it will be a boon. Trade between us is necessary, of course, but Lower shall be ruled by Lower itself. Not by any man or woman on the council.

These are the things I believe in, and will work towards. Before we can begin to look for other traders of the Underdark, let us build ourselves stronger. The conflicts between the various factions have left us weakened, and only by working together shall we become stronger than ever before. Let the Seekers offer us hope, the Watch and Spellguard protection and every individual strength to walk the edge of destruction with one clear goal…

Survive, and one day see the surface again.

I am Andrik Krown, and I am running for council.

[Posters hung in the Town Hall and the Last Stand]

Sanctuary

As the time nears for each of you to vote, considering the candidates becomes more and more important. Sanctuary’s future lies within your votes, be sure to use it right.

This is what I stand for - Increase the Spellguard’s funding. - No attempt for re-unification with Lower. - Add the proposed aberration laws to Sanctuary’s laws.

Why increase the funding for the Spellguard?

Our Watch is strong. There is no doubt about that, and they continue to keep us safe against our many enemies. But they are only one wall which protects us, our shield so to say. No matter how strong or reinforced that shield is, if the arm is weak it cannot carry it. Sanctuary is that arm. This is how we have become, with all our internal conflicts. If we are to get stronger, we need to put faith in our other organizations as well. Let the Spellguard give us the strength to hold the shield steady while the Watch poses as an impenetrable barrier for our enemies. But we cannot give, and expect nothing in return. If the organization should receive funds, we need to get results back. Otherwise, we are just wasting resources.

Why not unite Lower with Upper again?

Lower is a place where laws have no hold. I am not saying that you can do everything you want down there, for certain things are commonly unacceptable. It’s a place of chaos, but also a place of freedom. Any attempt of re-unification at this point will only weaken us.

Anti-aberration laws?

Aberrations are a serious threat against us, they should not be accepted into Sanctuary. Those of us who were once slaves to beholders and illithids should know that more than anyone else. This settlement is a place of freedom, aberrations threaten that. They have no place here, and should not be accepted. Associating with these creatures are dangerous at best. If you do make that mistake, know that with these laws you are declared dangerous to Sanctuary. But if you have become a slave to the aberrations, rejoice. These laws will make it easier for us all to help you, by allowing us to act quickly.

When you vote, place it on the one who will lead you, cherish you and keep you safe. I will not promise that I can do all that, but know that I am not afraid to act if required. Whether a councilor or not, I will do my part to keep you all safe. As we all will.

Vote Andrik Krown, for the new Dawn.

[New posters are hung up]

Krown for Council

Much have changed. This is the second time I have had to edit my poster, which reflects that. Down here change comes regulary, that change can either be refreshing or devastating. A new Council is to be formed, let us hope that change works for the better.

What I stand for - Anti-aberration laws - Two settlements - Trade

Anti-aberration laws: With the proposed anti-aberration laws from the Society of the Ordered Minds, we are better able to counter and deal with aberrations.

Two settlements I do not wish to see any attempts at re-unification between Lower and Upper at this point. Perhaps later, but not now due to the resources we will have to spend to get it to work. As new changes are made here, so is new changes made in Lower. However, I support co-operation between us.

Trade The city's coffers were running dry, I was told. Let us not make that happen again in the near future. Trade opens up opportunities which will make us prosper, gives us new contacts here in the Underdark and let's those who seek the merchant life thrive in their work. The Tribe of the Blade and the Shadow Tribe are only two among the numerous settlements here in the Underdark, there might be others willing to trade. Prospering trade will also open new opportunities for the individuals as well, since guards, scouts and other various skills are needed for each merchant. But I will not suggest opening trade with Drow, Beholders or Mind Flayers. The Duergar could be a possibility, but I would not wish to pursue that direction just yet.

- Andrik Krown