"Understanding the importance of a just and fair government, accountable to the people whom it serves, we draw upon the wisdom of our forebearers in the lands above, who knew that only rulers drawn directly from the people can truly preserve justice and liberty, prevent misery and corruption, and work unhindered on behalf of the common good. On behalf of all who reside in this Sanctuary, it is hereby established that a Council of equals, chosen by the people in open elections, shall be vested with the powers and the responsibilities of Government. This Council shall henceforth serve as guardians of the public weal, laboring on behalf of prosperity and freedom, striking at the roots of oppression and corruption, eternally vigilant against the spectres of domination and slavery that haunt these depths."
This is the first charter of the Sanctuary Council, probably unfamiliar to most. It promised the newly freed people of Sanctuary representation. It promised them justice. Most of all, it promised them lasting freedom. Your representation was taken away from you, when the enthralled sheriff towered over those you put in office. Your justice was taken, when corrupt Councillors let it fall to the side for personal gain. And your freedom was never truly had at all.
There are none so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free.
Since the earliest days of Sanctuary, the aberrant, alien creatures that lurk beyond the rim of sanity, have toyed with our illusions of security and freedom. The first Sheriff of Sanctuary fell victim to Thool'oon, the Sublime Visionary. Now, over a century later, the lesson still unlearned, Sheriff Azzam, many of his men, and unknown others fell prey to the predations of the Illithid Phandiates. Will we continue in the same way, letting this mortal lesson slip by again? Some will warn you of the Drow, and they are a danger, and one we must look to. But, when your liberty is taken away by force it can be restored by force. So long as we do not shrink from our duty to fight, Sanctuary can never be defeated by such enemies. Not so, if we relinquish our freedom, as we do when we do not take heed of the constant and terrible threat that creatures such as the Illithid pose. If we relinquish our freedom to such aberrations, it can never be recovered.
People of Sanctuary, you have before you many choices, perhaps for the last time. This Council term Citizen Indira stands for your freedom, and a vote for her is a vote for it.
That means Freedom of Association:
The Shadow Tribe is Sanctuary's one and only ally, constantly have we imposed on its goodwill, we have grumbled privately, and attacked openly. At the same time, Sanctuary must never be beholden to a foreign master, whether it claims friendship and benevolence, or strikes at our hearts in the black. We are enslaved to the Shadow Tribe by our reliance on it for our basic needs, but this is not a malevolent act by them, but rather a failing of our own. Citizen Indira will push for a Sanctuary able, but not forced, to stand on its own. This means making sure we can provide for ourselves, with new and sensible initiatives in food production. This also means ensuring good relations with the Etorix, and the Shadow Tribe. Whether we choose to associate with them or not, having that choice is imperative.
Freedom of Will:
A Sanctuary that never again has its people infiltrated, perverted, and corrupted by the taint of the aberrant. Citizen Indira will, through her close ties with the Society of the Ordered Mind, ensure Sanctuary does everything it can to protect against the aberrant menance. Newly arrived in Sanctuary, she was personally involved in the attack that dealt death to the Illithid Phandiates, the Illithid that caused so much harm to Sanctuary by enthralling the Sheriff and many Watchmen. Building on the momentum of that great stride, she will ensure funding for the Watch and Spellguard specifically targetted against this threat, and the passage of long overdue laws for regular thrall testing of people in key positions.
And lastly, Freedom of Action:
To live in this city as you see fit, so long as you do not impose on or threaten another. This means individual freedom to trade, whether it be with the Shadow Tribe, or Duergar if you so choose. It also means the freedom not to, if that is what you personally wish. Citizen Indira stands for your right not to be drafted into conflict you do not wish, as some candidates want. That is what the drow do to slaves, to the fodder they throw before them into battle. Citizen Indira will not allow any citizen of Sanctuary to be enslaved so callously. She stands for your right to leave Sanctuary, to return to the sunlight lands if you so wish, and she will restore Seeker funding to what it once was. She stands for your right to swift and fair judicial action, without malice and without corruption. Citizen Indira represents your right to have a strong Watch, an adept Spellguard, and above all your right to the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they are above dangerous outside influences.
People of Sanctuary, it's long past time for real action on protecting Sanctuary from aberrants, for real action on making a secure and truly self-sufficient Sanctuary. This election, vote for Citizen Indira. Vote for a free Sanctuary, forever.