In the Residential District, up by the raised fountain, a painter's easel is set up and a canvas placed upon it. The wide ledge holding the canvas also holds a bottle of ink and a quill. Instead of paint on the canvas there is a small blurb of beautifully written hand writing reading:

Dear People of Sanctuary,

This impromptu forum for discussion was set up by me, councilor candidate Senestia Avarscanti. If you have any specific questions about me, my thoughts, or what I wish to see done as a councilor, please write them here and I will reply with my answer as soon as possible.

Best regards and a beautiful day to you, Senestia Avarscanti

There is ample space for many questions to be written on the canvas. //Feel free to post questions in this thread!

Candidate Avarscanti,

What is your stance on Lower Sanctuary and Montezzi rule?

What is your stance on the Watch, Spellguard, Society and Seekers?

What are your plans, in general, for Sanctuary that will improve our way of life, residency and security?

Lastly; Many in Sanctuary are dying faster than we have the power to recover from slavery... or to be born. With the possibility of our city always facing attack from outside and within from various threats, what are your intentions to bolster our numbers of residents which will hopefully lead to a swelling security force?

Canadite Avarscanti,

What of New Dunwarren?

- Private Luke Danger, Paladin of Tyr, Warden of the Greycloaks

Avarscanti,

What do you intend to do about the lack-wit, ravenous, kobold hordes that dwell so close to Sanctuary, atop the bones of brutally murdered gnomes?

When those kobolds turn their bloodthirsty eyes and slavering tongues towards this ill-conceived Sanctuary, how do you intend to stop them, will you, as previous councillors have, simply sit and wait for the inevitable day, throwing the occasional child to the petulant Shadow Death as appeasement? Or, will you rise up and lead the people of this settlement against the banner of darkness - avenging those that have been butchered, those that have been enslaved, will you take the standard of Sanctuary and impale it through the dark menace that lurks so near, and claws closer and closer with each rising tide?

Candidate Avarscanti,

What is your perspective on the Seekers and their reintegration to Sanctuary?

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure as a councilor?

Airandir

Firstly, I would like to say thank you to all who posted these questions. If you know of any other citizens who are curious and seeking answers, please direct them to this painter's canvas!

Candidate Avarscanti,

What is your stance on Lower Sanctuary and Montezzi rule?

The situation between Sanctuary and the Montezzis is, without a doubt, an extremely delicate one. The relationship between the two states is teetering on the edge of a long fall that could destroy the both of them.

This is something I would never want to see: open war, for it risks destroying everything wonderful about the city. As such, I believe that all other options, diplomacy especially, should always be kept in mind and should always be exhausted beforehand.

What is your stance on the Watch, Spellguard, Society and Seekers?

All of these organizations provide and contribute key skills and resources to the overall defense of the city and so I would like to see them to be as integrated as possible: operations planned together, information shared, and so on. They all, after all, have only one Sanctuary to defend.

What are your plans, in general, for Sanctuary that will improve our way of life, residency and security?

I have recently produced a flyer which I believe answers this question by outlining myself in general. I have attached it here.

Lastly; Many in Sanctuary are dying faster than we have the power to recover from slavery... or to be born. With the possibility of our city always facing attack from outside and within from various threats, what are your intentions to bolster our numbers of residents which will hopefully lead to a swelling security force?

Generally speaking, population increases come from two possible sources: births and immigration. Obviously, we cannot force either issues but we can influence them. A good city leads to happy people which leads to happier families. I believe that an increased birth rate would be a slow but natural result of any city that is being properly governed by good people.

Immigration in our context often means the arrival of escaped slaves from within the region. By seeing that the Seekers are reintegrated back into the city and are given proper Council support, I believe that they will better be able to guide more slaves to freedom and to us. Another thing to consider is immigration from Lower Sanctuary. Anyone from Lower Sanctuary who wishes to pursue opportunities in Upper Sanctuary should be welcomed with open arms and given as much support as possible.

In regards to bolstering the number of our security forces, I certainly wish to see these organizations as well funded as possible so that those enlisted within them feel that they are appreciated and not overwhelmed by their duties.

Luke Danger Canadite Avarscanti,

What of New Dunwarren?

- Private Luke Danger, Paladin of Tyr, Warden of the Greycloaks

I believe that New Dunwarren is a fine example of what can happen in a good city. It is a place free of crime, a place of people living in harmony and co-operation, and a place—in regards to the numerous statues, shrine, and Temple of Tyr—of beauty. I would want New Dunwarren, however, to be more than just an example. I want to see more interaction between New Dunwarren and the other districts. The high hill is an excellent place to host festivals and other public events, New Dunwarren should use such opportunities to invite more citizens to visit, if not migrate, into the district.

Thank you very much for your question, Luke. I appreciate you for bringing the issue to everyone’s attention.

Bioluminescence Avarscanti,

What do you intend to do about the lack-wit, ravenous, kobold hordes that dwell so close to Sanctuary, atop the bones of brutally murdered gnomes?

When those kobolds turn their bloodthirsty eyes and slavering tongues towards this ill-conceived Sanctuary, how do you intend to stop them, will you, as previous councillors have, simply sit and wait for the inevitable day, throwing the occasional child to the petulant Shadow Death as appeasement? Or, will you rise up and lead the people of this settlement against the banner of darkness - avenging those that have been butchered, those that have been enslaved, will you take the standard of Sanctuary and impale it through the dark menace that lurks so near, and claws closer and closer with each rising tide?

In addition to my position on open war stated above, I have to say that because of Sanctuary’s precarious position, aggressive and offensive actions against other states within our region of the Underdark is simply not an option in my eyes. If Sanctuary were to initiate and wage a war against Ssal’teesh—or Ysinode, or Chabzash, or Traensyr, all of which are possible threats to Sanctuary—I cannot imagine how Sanctuary would come out in a better overall position. As it is, Sanctuary is not a military force that could produce positive results.

In regards to your specifically targeted vehemence against the Shadow Tribe, I do think that the city can do without a close relationship with Ssal’teesh. For starters, I believe that embassy of theirs would be better suited to house a shelter instead of the old chapter house by the arena.

domare Candidate Avarscanti,

What is your perspective on the Seekers and their reintegration to Sanctuary?

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure as a councilor?

Airandir

As I said above, the Seekers are an integral part to the city and contribute to Sanctuary’s success in numerous ways. The skills of the Seekers themselves ensure that they are excellent scouts, capable of identifying and tracking threats far beyond the walls of the city. The work they do in freeing slaves and guiding them here naturally allows the city to grow and become stronger. Thus, I would fully support the reintegration of the Seekers as the work they do should be supported to guarantee success in their work.

Thank you very much for the question, Airandir. I look forward to working with you closely in the future.

If anyone else has any more questions please feel free to write them here. Furthermore, if you wish any clarification on what I have written, merely ask.

Candidate Avarscanti,

If you sever ties with the Shadow Tribe, how then do you intend to keep the city supplied with Ore? Perhaps a trade agreement could be brokered with other settlements of the Underdark?

Will you continue Dentra's policy of seceding territory to appease the Montezzi if they threaten with war - as have the current Council?

Do you support the Montezzi claims of the Canal Ward?

Berosion Candidate Avarscanti,

If you sever ties with the Shadow Tribe, how then do you intend to keep the city supplied with Ore? Perhaps a trade agreement could be brokered with other settlements of the Underdark?

I had suggested that the Shadow Tribe embassy be moved so that its current building could be used to better serve Sanctuary, not completely cut ties with the Shadow Tribe. Naturally, ending the ore trade agreement with the Shadow Tribe would do Sanctuary little good at all but I do not believe pursuing further trade with Tribe or being satisfied with the current agreement is necessary. There are other settlements in the Underdark worth trading with, Holdfast is one that comes to mind. I believe that there has been some headway made between Holdfast and Sanctuary thanks to the work of the Mithrilsouls and I fully intend to continue to pursue this option.

Will you continue Dentra's policy of seceding territory to appease the Montezzi if they threaten with war - as have the current Council?

I can only honestly say that I value life more than land. Due to distance and other spatial issues, I do believe that the current council made the best decision out of many bad ones. However, at this point, I believe Sanctuary is in a situation where life and land are too closely tied for any more such secession of territory to be acceptable.

Do you support the Montezzi claims of the Canal Ward?

I believe the claim is made on an inadequate basis which does not alone support and explain the current situation.

A fresh batch of flowers and fragrant essence decorates the painter's canvas, attracting the attention of passer-bys and hopefully enticing them to provide and write down more questions.

Senestia is seen maintaining the canvas and easel, replacing the flowers and fragrant essences with a fresh batch. She ensures that the ink pot is filled and the quill sharp.

Once she is satisfied in the state of the canvas and easel, she takes some time going door to door in the residential district, offering the home owners scented bouquets of flowers as a simple gift. She makes her visits short and quick, merely wishing the people Sune's blessings of love, happiness, and the ability to realize the beauty within the city. If any of the people show enough interest to ask any questions, she spends as much time as necessary giving them her honest answers, explanations, and reasoning.

A ((NPC)) citizen commented on a Sunite being all 'beauty pagents', and less serious. Personally, I feel the comment of lack of seriousness false, as Sune does have Paladins in her church, and, (for those whom do not know) are on the combative side of a holy church.

Your response to such a claim?

- Private Luke Danger, Paladin of Tyr, Warden of the Greycloaks

Candidate, the Montezzi have hired Duergar Mercenaries and are bringing in all sorts of monstrous humanoids to the Canal Ward.

What are you going to do to ensure that we do not simply sell out Sanctuary to slavers?

Furthermore, would you support those who wish to venture forth and establish other outposts of our city outside of it's walls in the Underdark?

And lastly, corruption charges have been rampant during this term, yet there is currently - according to many Watchmen I have spoken to - no legislation against corruption and it is apparently entirely legal to bribe Councillors into taking certain actions. What are you going to do to combat corruption in Sanctuary?

Candidate Avarscanti,

What would Montezzi have to do for you, for you to fully accept them as an ally? This depends on how deep your feelings go for them.

Do you support oppose Montezzi rule?

Luke Danger A ((NPC)) citizen commented on a Sunite being all 'beauty pagents', and less serious. Personally, I feel the comment of lack of seriousness false, as Sune does have Paladins in her church, and, (for those whom do not know) are on the combative side of a holy church.

Your response to such a claim?

- Private Luke Danger, Paladin of Tyr, Warden of the Greycloaks

Thank you again for another question, Luke.

I do agree with you that perhaps this citizen may have made the comment under stereotypical pretenses. However, it is partly true. Look to the things that I have organized within the city: the Grand Revel in the Stand, and the Passionate, my city-wide literary project and event. All of which are related to love and beauty.

However, what is more important is the results from them. Look at the people within the city. I have not seen so many smiles since I have arrived here. I have heard nothing but positive responses to both of these project and events.

Anybody who says that Sunites are obsessed with beauty and love would not be telling a lie. However, anybody who presumes to think that such things are unimportant and do not have a lasting effect on everyone around them should think through that thought thoroughly. One, after all, cannot hold beauty pageants in a desolate, destitute city.

Also, another thing to keep in mind is that both of my projects were completely funded by me without any help from the city. If this citizen is worried about what his or her taxes are going to, he or she can rest assure that beauty and love is not financially expensive.

Berosion Candidate, the Montezzi have hired Duergar Mercenaries and are bringing in all sorts of monstrous humanoids to the Canal Ward. What are you going to do to ensure that we do not simply sell out Sanctuary to slavers?

Slavery is already a capital crime according to current Sanctuary law. The only thing to do is to ensure that this law is not broken and enforced. Naturally, this is where the city's defenders come into play and I would support all of their efforts to prevent and investigate any possible instances of slavery.

Furthermore, would you support those who wish to venture forth and establish other outposts of our city outside of it's walls in the Underdark?

Most certainly. However, because of the nature of Sanctuary's position and military capability, I think these outposts would have to be well kept secrets or maintained in such a way that they can be evacuated and cleared of any information that could be compromising to the city itself. With that in mind, a presence far beyond the city walls could be conductive to increased and further trade. One idea that has been mulling over in my mind is that dock at the southern shores of the Dark Lake. Other circumstances willing, it could be a way for Sanctuary to increase its reach on the Dark Lake and forge stronger relationships with other settlements such as Holdfast.

And lastly, corruption charges have been rampant during this term, yet there is currently - according to many Watchmen I have spoken to - no legislation against corruption and it is apparently entirely legal to bribe Councillors into taking certain actions. What are you going to do to combat corruption in Sanctuary?

I have been told that there is a way to remove councilors but I do not know the exact details of this procedure but I will certainly look further into it. I can recall parts of Sanctuary's history, however, where councilors were certainly removed through or by other portions of the government, mainly Sheriff Azzam. Considering that the honourable Sheriff is the one who has dictated the current democratic electoral system that we are all participating in, I am sure he would be open to suggestions that would improve upon it by including a more formal method that the citizens can use to remove disgraced councilors.

The Crimson Magician Candidate Avarscanti,

What would Montezzi have to do for you, for you to fully accept them as an ally? This depends on how deep your feelings go for them.

Do you support oppose Montezzi rule?

Without a doubt, Sanctuary will have to deal and negotiate with the Montezzis. However, for me to actually consider them to be a genuine, real ally that I would unconditionally entrust with Sanctuary's safety and existence, Rinaldo Montezzi would have to do a very specific but far reaching thing.

He would have to rescind the following statement and every thing, every action, that has resulted because of it: "My Guards and Court have proven our rights by humbling or executing those groups who opposed us in this (the formation of the Montezzi Realm)."

Another note is left at comfortable dwarf height:

Slavery is already a capital crime according to current Sanctuary law. The only thing to do is to ensure that this law is not broken and enforced. Naturally, this is where the city's defenders come into play and I would support all of their efforts to prevent and investigate any possible instances of slavery.

Candidate, you avoid the issue. The issue is not that they may indeed be criminals - the issue, is that a large portion of our city is comming under rule of our external foes, who on numerous occassions have assaulted our city. Namely, Drow and Duergar, and the portion of the city is the Canal Ward. What are you going to do, to stop this area from totally comming under the rule of those who would destroy us?

Berosion Candidate, you avoid the issue. The issue is not that they may indeed be criminals - the issue, is that a large portion of our city is coming under rule of our external foes, who on numerous occassions have assaulted our city. Namely, Drow and Duergar, and the portion of the city is the Canal Ward. What are you going to do, to stop this area from totally coming under the rule of those who would destroy us?

Apologies for misinterpreting the essence of your question.

According to current laws, Drow are listed as enemies of Sanctuary and I expect this law to be fully enforced in the future as it is now barring any extenuating circumstances. They simply will not be welcomed, but rather turned away at the gates.

Duergar are not listed under the same law, but neither are they welcomed and if there is even any hint that any duergar within our city is involved with criminal activity, I would see that they are barred entrance from Sanctuary.

As it is, since the Canal Ward is no longer under Sanctuary's jurisdiction, there is nothing the city can do to directly influence who visits and takes up residence there. If, however, they infringe upon Sanctuary, then Sanctuary should defend itself appropriately.

If you need any further clarification, please do not hesistate to be as blunt as possible.

Again, the flowers and fragrant essences decorating the canvas are refreshed. The ink pot is also refilled.