Citizens,

I have lived within our Sovereign City for nigh 30 years, now. And I tell you that the City I once knew is dead. It has been killed by scheming politicians, and capitulation. Once, our leaders were men tough as iron. They were diplomats, when diplomacy was needed; they threatened, where threats were prudent. And when the safety and honor of our existence came into jeopardy, they were men who knew how to make the call to arms, and draw steel against the terrors of the night. Our City was built upon the backs of men like Yorrick Bresley, who knew how to govern. We are not a settlement built upon military might, nor one to be ruled under a military dictator. Nor are we a settlement of dogs, eager to roll over and expose our bellies to whatever threat crawls out of the depths. Nay, we are free men standing alone amidst slavers and nightmares, a torch shining in the black halls of the underdark.

What would our fallen heroes think, to see the City they loved and died for in it's current state? What would Earthwalker Starag say, should he be made flesh once more, and see the vast change that has wreaked havok upon not only the face of our Settlement, but in the hearts and minds of our people? What should he have to say but lament when he sees the shift in our people from a staunch, proud and powerful society to a group who is willing to roll over under threat of War from a so-called Noble, who gather monsters and slaves beneath our very -feet-.

Worse, what would Yorrick himself say to our ways. This man, who lived out his life in absolute service to the City. This man who served loyally as our Mayor for decades, eternally at the service of his people, and never once seeking to expand his duties beyond their absolute necessity. People ask why we cannot have a Mayor, without the Bresley Line? I respond to them that the day they find me a man as suited to the work as Charles, and his progeny, I will gladly hand to them the key to the City. And yet, what have we become, without them? We kowtow to Military Rule, and fear the righteous war, and opposition to injustice that our very -city- is founded upon.

But let us be gladdest that we do not have to endure the judgemental gaze of Charles and Frederick themselves. For I shudder to think what they would make of this settlement, which one brother imagined to be merely temporary, and the other imagined to be a beacon of hope and good in the darkness of the depths. For, I can assure, we fulfill neither of their dreams for our city, at present. The only thing we offer to the world is a settlement which stagnates in apathy towards evil, towards injustice, towards utter blasphemy to the ideals our City was founded upon One Hundred and Fifty Three years ago.

Citizens, do not let this continue. Do not stand idly by, whilst your Council gives away more and more of your home, until the dream of the Bresley's is fully consumed by the greed of ambitious young men, and false nobles. Put me upon the Council, and I shall be to you as Starag, as Yorrick, as Graidan. I shall be to you an Ivlysar, and a Frederick. A Charles.

Put me upon your Council, citizens, and I shall ensure it remains -your- Council, and not yet another group of legislators toiling away to give themselves a thicker purse, while selling your homes at half price.

Put me upon your Council, so that I might lead when other men have faltered. Place your blade into my hand so that I might strike out at the terrors of the night, which have crept so close

-Edward Raymus

The speech was recieved with some mixed support. Most people present greatly approved, presumeably other refugees from the Canal Ward, and strong Anti-Montezzi activists. Meanwhile a small group seemed thoroughly unimpressed.