A speech delivered by an exuberant gnome in bright colors in the Town Hall. Several supporters cheered throughout the speech. A copy of the speech is posted at the Town Hall with other election posters
Hello, Sanctuary! I’m Sparklegem. You may or may not have heard by now but I’m running for Council. I’ll be one of your options when you go to the ballots, and now I’ll explain why you should cast your ballot for me. Before, to the public, I’ve presented myself as a bit of a silly figures. I’ve told stories, songs, and helped out where I could! But now I see an opportunity for me to help out in a bigger way. As you will see from my plans, I have serious ideas and a serious agenda, and I hope to bring my enthusiasm and convictions I’ve displayed in public to the Town Hall.
To begin I’d like to explain who I am, and why I’m different from other Candidates! I’m not going to lie to you, like many other Candidates and Councilors have. I’m an honest, hardworking gnome. I’ve never lied about what I believe, hid my causes, or been silent in the face of challenges. I’m not a Banite, pushing for more authority, or a man crazed with desire for power. I hate those types of people. I’m a proponent of Ascension, of innovation, and of economic growth. I support business, ideas, and morality. I want the corruption in Sanctuary to be a remnant of another era! Already, the changes I’d see are taking place. New Dunwarren’s reunified, their men looking to help the Watch defend our gates. The Watch is strong, unified and alert. Our metal shortages are being solved. But there is more to do!
We must renew our search for the Surface. I will come out and say it: I don’t believe the Underdark is our place. We exist in an environment filled with creatures and enemies too horrible and powerful to imagine! Yet we survive. With that spirit of survival, we also must have hope. Just as the late Hosfyrd Reev and Adellia Tyrell came before you urging a recommitment to Ascension, I will pledge myself to the cause. Ascension cannot just be an idle thought, or an idle promise. Ascension will be difficult. Ascension will be trying, but we cannot give up. The people of Sanctuary have never given up!
For some time only a few have taken up the noblest of tasks- searching for a route, a way, a portal that all of Sanctuary may be saved but those few are not enough! On the Council, I will actively encourage pursuit of Ascension and finding the Way of Frederick Bresley. We have not forgotten, nor will we ever forget, that the Way has been found before. With dedication we will find the Surface again!
We must encourage our heroes! We’ve seen time after time that the greatest, most noble citizens of Sanctuary save the day! To honor those few and brave who fight and serve in a particularly noble way for our Sanctuary I propose the Council begin giving medals, titles, and to the bravest, plots of land. There is no reason why a hero of Sanctuary shouldn’t be given a plot of land that’s otherwise not being used! (Barak-Tor, for example) We should honor the true and dedicated in Sanctuary, and recognize them for their service, so that we inspire and encourage a new generation of heroes to take up arms, spells, service, innovation or another noteworthy pursuit for the good of Sanctuary!
We must prevent treachery and corruption from seeping into Sanctuary itself! When on the Council, I will work to give our Watch all they need to fight corruption. I will pass laws forbidding the entry of such terrible creatures as drow and duergar into our Sanctuary. For whatever good they may bring, they only bring more trouble! We can’t forget the lessons of the treacherous Ghrunstubble.
We need to change the way things are run, remove the veil shrouding the decisions of our leaders, and make the citizens of Sanctuary truly responsible for the decisions being made, that the good of us all is maintained. In a world in which resources and populace are scarce, the skills of our workers and the ingenuity of our entrepreneurs are what have to drive us ahead. I’ll continue to support Sanctuary’s businesses, institutions, and innovations! I’ll pursue making the War Academy more active in Sanctuary, and expanding the Orphanage! I’ll pursue renewing the Mausoleum’s dedication to excellence, and rebuilding a valuable bastion of trade in the Blue Mushroom! I’ll pursue the creation of the first Council-sponsored paper of Sanctuary and an expansion of the Office of Engineering! I’ll pursue any innovations, inventions or businesses that you can imagine! If you bring me an idea while on Council, it will not fall on deaf ears. Innovation is our greatest strength, and we must honor our brave and loyal innovators as we honor our valiant Watchmen.
This campaign isn’t about me. This campaign is about empowering you! Vote for Sparklegem for a future of your own choosing!