- IRON SOPHIA-

The once prestigious ruling Council has suffered in recent years, as the last flowers of summer, once beautiful against the pale sky, wilt in the face of the harsh Rashemen winter. I will perpetuate the line of dignity that the Council deserves in its rightful place, as an advising body that serves the will of Sheriff Azrus Azzam. A rule of many is inefficient and wasteful, and it is not the place of bureaucrats to rule over the people. Their leadership is marked by indecision and needless debate and posturing while the people languish and suffer at the hands of our many enemies in this harsh pit.

Rest assured that if I am elected, the Council will know strength and tenacity of the ferocious Rashemi wolves, brutal and merciless to the foes of the people but protective of the just. Let this stand as a proclamation of my intentions:

- The unfaltering funding and support that the Watch needs to protect Sanctuary.

- The fires of industry shall be stoked and fed, so that our settlement may grow stronger in the face of the encroaching darkness.

- The utilization of the Machine for industrial advancement.

- Tax reductions for capitalistic enterprise and the industrious to inspire greater creativity and efficiency.

- Compulsory service for a term of one year as the children of Sanctuary step into adulthood.

- Cheaper housing, so that the poor can more easily escape the anarchy of Lower and become industrious citizens in Upper.

- A public lottery to raise greater revenue for the settlement.

A vote for Sophia Rulgakov is one in favor of strength, honor, and industry. A better Sanctuary will follow.

[An insignia displaying the snarling head of a wolf in profile graces the bottom of the poster]

- The Virtue of Industry -

The defining phrase of my campaign is ‘Sanctuary first!’ Since the earliest hunters of Rashemen wandering the frigid eastern steppes began manufacturing spears to hunt their prey, industry has led to the betterment of society. From the first days of Sanctuary, when the warrior Bresley began his noble line and called for his fellow free men to watch the night, the advancement of manufacturing has brought about fewer deaths and greater strength. Where once all men were armed with rocks and stones, every trained man now wields a sword of iron and carries himself in well forged armor. In the years to come, with the proper guidance, we may reach heights unknown of power and strength if we pursue the philosophy of capitalism with earnest.

- Taxes

Incentives are needed for skilled men to pursue their trade. The current taxes on manufacturing should be lowered if a tradesman can demonstrate that his business will lead to the betterment of Sanctuary. Manufacturers of weapons and armor, refiners of zurkhwood and other materials used for building and fortification, and farmers of rothe and fungus should not be bound so tightly by their purse strings. Lowering taxes on these industrious citizens will cause more men to go into the field, which will ultimately lower the prices and raise the quality through competition, by which more men can eat. Those who fail will work for those who succeed, and all will survive in some way, despite differences in skills.

- Trade

If more citizens go into manufacturing, the well made goods of Sanctuary will be more appealing for the many new merchants who have made Lower's canal their home. Trade with them will bring in more wealth to the Canal, and with that revenue the quality of life will rise for all citizens.

I am a realist in all concerns, and though a starry-eyed dreamer may find trading with a duergar or goblin distasteful, I believe it is worth it to strengthen Sanctuary. If they do not buy our goods, they will purchase them from a settlement that practices slavery as a virtue. Those other settlements will become more wealthy while we will grow poorer, leaving us less equiped to defend ourselves against them. So long as they require goods, we are better off enriching ourselves than letting our enemies grow stronger at our expense.

- The Machine

The Machine has long been used to better our lives. The water is made pure by an aspect of it, and through this device we may drink the pure water we have come to know rather than the fetid liquid of the Lower Canal. I will work to form a committee by which the Machine is explored for other ways that it can be used to better the lives of Sanctuary's citizens. Factories in which animatrons and strong men forge weapons and refine zurkhwood will allow more to be produced and set aide for consumption or trade. This will make life easier for Sanctuary's citizens.

- Monstrous Races

Upright men should not have to engage in the worst tasks unless they feel the cold touch of desperation. Goblins and kobolds, however, are wretched, sniveling creatures that have long been reviled for good reason. Yet even they may be put to use to stoke the fires of industry. I will work to have laws passed by which industrial leaders may make use of them for brutal and dangerous tasks that the good people of Sanctuary should not be forced to do. Captains of industry may submit the names of any monstrous creatures who wish to earn a salary to the Council, and those creatures may be escorted to factories and refineries at the industrialist's expense. They will work for the day without fear of being murdered in the streets so long as they do not stray from their work, and at the end of the day they will be escorted back to Lower.

For a better Sanctuary, wealthier and more prosperous, vote for Sophia Rulgakov this term.

[An insignia displaying the snarling head of a wolf in profile graces the bottom of the poster]

- Compulsory Service -

As the children of Sanctuary reach adulthood, they should serve their settlement for a span of one year. This may be in numerous ways, and the decision must be left to the child in question.

- Service in the Watch reserves for one year.

- A year spent working in one of Sanctuary's industries.

- Time spent as a scribe for the Council.

This will teach the young men and women of Sanctuary many things, and give them a taste of service to their settlement. Strong citizens may be more easily brought into the Watch, to guard against slavers and other ilk. The others may be drawn into industry or learn the workings of the Council, so that the most cunning will be prepared for future service. They will be paid well for their service.

- Vote Rulgakov -

[An insignia displaying the snarling head of a wolf in profile graces the bottom of the poster]

- The Noble Watch -

When I look upon the noble Watchmen who guard Sanctuary, I am reminded of the berserkers who walk the frozen steppes of Rashemen. Wild, passionate, powerful, and ever vigilant against domineering wizards and cruel slavers. They are the defenders of this place, and deserve our support and respect.

The survival of industry and strength relies on these brave men, and I will rally all the power and clout I can muster against any man who will see them weakened.

When Sanctuary becomes a true industrial power, I will work to have cheaper supplies available to them. Incentives for Watchmen to join, including reduced taxes and greater recognition as the heroes that they are, will be favored by me so that their ranks may swell.

For greater protection from Chosen, rebels, and slavers, vote for Sophia Rulgakov.

[An insignia displaying the snarling head of a wolf in profile graces the bottom of the poster]

- Who is Sophia Rulgakov -

I am often asked by discerning citizens not what I stand for but who I am and what I have endured in life. My story is one of the brutal winters of Rashemen and gleeful battles against slavers.

As a girl, I had little desire to become one of my homeland's famed witches who defend my home. My place is on the field of battle, blade in hand, fighting for what is worth defending.

By my fifteenth winter, I was fighting among the berserkers of my homeland against the insidious Red Wizards of Thay. They sought slaves and wealth, and have battled against my people for as long as I have lived. I was skilled in combat, and killed six of the crimson-clad magicians during my years in battle. So cold was my disdain for the slaving wizards that the heads of all six hung from my belt by their coarse beards. It was for my unyielding brutality against the men who sought to enslave my brothers that I earned the name Iron Sophia, a title that I love nearly as much as the crisp winter winds of my homeland.

As my twenty-fourth winter approached, my brother and I were captured by the sinister wizards. I watched as he was murdered by the wizards for blinding one of them in combat. Since that moment, I vowed to let no Thayan slaver breath in my presence. I will let no honorable man endure the horrors of slavery while I serve on the Council, and I give my word that every bit of my clout and power will be used to ensure this.

Vote for Strength

Vote for Honor

Vote for IRON SOPHIA

[An insignia displaying the snarling head of a wolf in profile graces the bottom of the poster]

- Public Lottery -

Citizens of Sanctuary, I offer for you to consider the idea of a public, state run lottery to raise funds to be put to good use by Sanctuary's leaders. Every week, citizens may speak with a soon-to-be appointed city clerk and purchase a ticket with the numbers of their choosing. A series of numbers will be read to the city, and the winner may claim his winnings.

The tickets will cost 10 crowns each, enough for most citizens to buy with their disposable income. Each week, the winner may claim a 500 crown prize if his number is drawn. It is quite a simple program, but it will bring many benefits.

If only 10% of Upper Sanctuary's 1,500 citizens buy a single ticket, minus the cost of a lucky man's winnings, 1,000 crowns will find its way into Sanctuary's treasury every week. This is a very low estimate of the number of people who will buy a ticket. I suspect that at least 500 people will buy at least one ticket every week, and even more if people buy more than one (which is also quite probable).

This will give the Council a low estimate of an extra 1,000 - 2,000 crowns per week to work with. Many things can be done with this:

More supplies and pay for the Watch to keep Upper safe.

Grants for enterprising adventurers who wish to better Sanctuary.

More upkeep of the city, so garbage does not pile in the street like it did last term.

Vote for Prosperity.

Vote for IRON SOPHIA

[An insignia displaying the snarling head of a wolf in profile graces the bottom of the poster]

As the election approaches, a haggard looking Sophia begins fixing the following posters on walls around the Last Stand, the Town Hall, and on various walls around well traveled parts of Upper Sanctuary:

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov SOPHIA RULGAKOV -- LOTTERY

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov supports a public state-controlled lottery that will raise funds for the Watch and Council. This has the potential to bring in at least 1,000 crowns per week if we all do our part and try to win a 500 crown prize by buying tickets, and the added coin will be used to make life better around Sanctuary.

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov SOPHIA RULGAKOV -- WATCH RECRUITMENT BONUSES

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov is in favor of recruitment bonuses crowns for all Watchmen who join in the month of Ches, so long as they retain a clear record for their first two months of service. This will provide employment to the jobless and encourage good conduct among new Watch recruits. The influx of men into the Watch will help keep Sanctuary as a whole safer against the dangers that surround our home.

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov SOPHIA RULGAKOV -- ILLITHID DEFENSE

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov will work with the Society of the Ordered Mind to ensure that the constant danger of illithid infestation and enthrallment. She will meet with representatives of the Society and forge stronger laws to ensure that illithids can not gain so much as a tentacle's hold on Sanctuary

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov SOPHIA RULGAKOV -- ADVENTURING GRANTS

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov supports freelance adventurers in their work if they can demonstrate a plan of action that will benefit Sanctuary. If an adventuring party believes it can secure a source of iron, map a valid route to the surface, or bolster our defenses, I believe that the Council should aid them.

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov SOPHIA RULGAKOV -- LOWER TAXES

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov supports doing what can be done to ease the tax burden on the people of Sanctuary.

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov SOPHIA RULGAKOV -- CHEAPER HOUSING

The people of Lower should not be forced to live under House Montezzi if they do not wish to. They were free to move to Lower, and they should be free to return. Too many are in poverty, and cannot afford to make the move. If they can demonstrate that they are industrious citizens, I believe they should be given tax reductions on new housing so that they can contribute to Upper's welfare.

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov SOPHIA RULGAKOV -- EXPERIENCED AGAINST SLAVERS

Candidate Sophia Rulgakov was born into the harsh winters of Rashemen, and has dedicated much of her life to killing Thayan slavers. She has the most experience at cutting down men who engage in slaving.

DEATH TO SLAVERS

Posted in the Upper Market:

IRON SOPHIA Merchants of Upper

You are among the most industrious and hard working citizens of Upper, and because of your trade the people have seen much prosperity.

If I am elected, I will work to see fewer regulations and taxes put on your trade so that more trading can occur.

- Sophia Rulgakov

[An insignia displaying the snarling head of a wolf in profile graces the bottom of the poster]

An exhausted but determined looking Sophia spends much of her free time posting her campaign flyers around town.

In between her poster hanging, she hangs around the main chamber of the Town Hall welcoming any passing citizens as they come to vote. Assuring them that IRON SOPHIA is a good choice for prosperity, and that she is a beacon of strength and honor in the darkness and uncertainty of the Underdark, she directs them to the voting chamber.

//Done a modest amount IG so far