[The notices appear in prominent places in Old Sanctuary, and in places near to the stairs in Lower]
Candidate Tasinth for Council!
These are darker times than usual for Sanctuary. We are coming out of an era of weak, corrupt councilors with nothing but rabble for new candidates. This is an emergency election and all Sanctuary has to offer are populists, idiots and religious fanatics.
No more will I languish in the darkness as Sanctuary crumbles around us. As all we hear are the fear campaigns of the elves, the insipid morality of the flame god and the babbling rhetoric of people pleasers.
There is no vision, no real policy.
Here are my vows to you, people of Sanctuary - judge them and vote well:
Lower will be reunified. Only the foolish would dismiss our brethren in the Lower region when we all face the threats of the Underdark beyond. They must not become a new threat to us. We can't wait any longer for the issue to resolve itself: gangs run rampant, trash and broken furniture litters the streets, collapsed buildings lay unsalvaged and monsters roam unchecked. No more.
There have been times in the past when one did not have to wield a weapon at the bottom of those stairs. If I am elected, times like that will come again. Order will be brought to Lower, or Lower will be brought to ruin.
The Kobolds of the Shadow Tribe will continue to serve Sanctuary's purposes. I have heard tell of driving them out. Is that what we of Sanctuary do to the one race that is prepared to trade with us? The one race that does not enslave. All we do to seal this deal is tolerate a statue at the Sanctuary Gates, one that is already present elsewhere inside the city. I have spoken personally with the ambassador for the tribe, who is more civil and agreeable than some of your other council candidates. Trade will flourish between our settlements if I am elected.
Sanctuary will not be a Beacon of Light for Tyr, nor a Burning Pyre for Kossuth. I will not yield to the all or nothing demands of these fanatics. Vote them in Council at your peril, for every nuance will conclude with a moral standoff where nothing is done for your wellbeing. Priests cannot compromise their beliefs for what is right for Sanctuary.
The Watch will be strengthened, and consequently be given extra responsibilities. Scouting of the perilous areas surrounding Sanctuary is on the shoulders of the Watch. The arms and armour of hostile encounters will be salvaged for every useable and repairable piece that can be construed from the materials. Citizens will be conscripted into the Watch in times of great need, these salvaged arms put to use, thus putting less stress on the budget of our protectors when we need them most.
Trade will be made easier, I will push for legislation that supports established and upcoming mercantile enterprises: especially in Lower. A strong and fluid economy will assist in reunification.
Surveying incentives will be increased and maintained at a higher level. We cannot afford any more metal crises.
Who will you entrust your security to?
The Elves, who wish you to fight and die for their vendetta against the Drow?
The Priests, who wish you to fight for their God's ends?
The Populists, who wish you to fight for no one and nothing until they're safely in council?
Or Candidate Tasinth, who wishes you to fight for your freedom, security and independence from these corrupt influences and the evil denizens of the Underdark. The choice is clear.
Who will you entrust your economy to?
The Elves, who would spend on nothing but for the destruction of the Drow(, which by extension might include your sustenance for a time)?
The Priests, who would relinquish ties with the Kobold traders and another who would likely impose a tithe on the budget to build a fire for the 'purification' of every building in Sanctuary?
The Populists, who will judge not on the merit of the investment, but on the support for it? What happens when the people demand their taxes back and the Council becomes weaker and pettier than it was before?
Or Candidate Tasinth, who will subsidise upcoming merchants, keep the trade agreements open with the Shadow Tribe, raise the surveying incentives and push for support for already established merchants. The choice is clear.
Sanctuary needs a strong Council, not puppets for churches, vendettas and unsubstantiated perceptions of the people's wishes.
No one of these candidates who claims to speak for the people truly does. I trust you - Citizens of Sanctuary - to decide who speaks for you when the election comes.
Vote wisely . . .
~ Vyrana Tasinth