Hi. I’m Shane. I know many of you, I’ve fought beside many of you.

Today I’m announcing that I’m running for council, and I want you to understand why.

I was born here in Sanctuary. I grew up as an orphan on the streets of Lower. I understand the plight of the poor, as I was lucky enough to survive it. I also had to watch friends starve to death.

Sanctuary has always been my home, and I care deeply about it. For a long time, I’ve tried to help the people here, using my sword to defend and cut through our enemies, and my gold to rescue slaves. I’ve come to realize, however, that I can do more good by serving on the council.

As a councilor, I’ll work to always ensure that our home is safe from outside threats. However, I also feel that our city has an obligation to care for those inside her walls. It is a tragedy to rescue children from the hands of drow slavers, only to have them starve on our streets. We need homes for the homeless, food for the hungry, and jobs for the poor. I have already begun looking into constructing a home for the lost children of Lower.

Having grown up here, I also realize what Sanctuary was founded for. A safe haven, until the surface can be found. None of us are meant to live out our lives down here. Instead, we deserve to be and belong in the light of the sun. Our home exists to free those enslaved by evil and bring them back to the surface. We should not give up on our hope, as many have. Outposts should be established in the underdark, to aid exploration and help warn us of threats. The dark lake doesn’t have to be an unknown mystery that we cower in fear of. Open the canal gate, build a ship! Then we’ll free our families from the slaver ships and search for a way to the sun.

I know that I’m not a great speaker, and I realize that I’m not a rich, knowledgeable man. But Sanctuary is my home, and I care about it. I look forward to a new dawn for Sanctuary, and I ask you to join me.