Gentlemen, this is my current draft proposal for the ballot. It is integral the Council agrees to the wisdom of opening the ballots. I believe fully that any attempt by the Council to impose a plan for peace that does not allow the people to speak their voice will lead to blood shed.

This plan minimizes the risk while addressing major concerns of the people. Suggestions to improve this plan, to make it more palatable to Upper's elite are encouraged. I think we all agree with the importance of my Knighthood in being recognized as the actors who brought this peace as it will lend strength to our claim that the nobility acts for the best interest of the people--not politicians whether they are voted from Upper or Lower.

This will put my ultimate goal of establishing a neutral, fair, unbiased aristocracy to rule the city of Sanctuary or the Confederacy of Upper and Lower. It will put the people's trust in us to do what is right, and to listen to their voices when required.

Sir Dungal

Proposal

1) Recognition of the eight elected leader's, appointed during the open elections, right to draft the specific laws and rules upon which Lower Sanctuary shall continue to operate. These elected leaders will form a temporary Lower Assembly.

2) Lower Sanctuary's elected officials will draft these specific laws and rules to build a Confederacy between Upper and Lower Sanctuary. All internal laws shall apply only to Lower, but agreement on war, defense, trade laws will be mutually reached between the Lower Assembly and Upper Council.

3) Total amnesty for those who fought the Tigereyes during the revolt.

4) The Knights of Toboerski shall maintain peace keeping forces within Lower Sanctuary to handle criminals, and maintain a guard on the Canal gates and other points of potential invasion. They are specifically barred from running, standing, or unduly influencing the Lower Assembly. The Lower Assembly will have the right to create a new peace keeping force for internal matters should they require it.

5.) The Watch will both be forbidden any jurisdiction in Lower Sanctuary. Due to the nature of the Spellguard to handle defense, rules shall be drafted by the Lower Assembly to direct their actions in Lower Sanctuary under the previous clauses requirements for cooperation in mutual defense.

6) It is strongly suggested that the Lower Assembly appoint a neutral leader who will oversee the enacting of the Lower Assembly's plan, and assure they occur quickly, fairly, and as bloodlessly as possible.

7) The Lower Assembly and Upper Council must ascertain the divided responsibility and contribution to the maintenance of mutual defense.

8) All issues not directly addressed by this proposal will fall within the jurisdiction of the Lower Assembly to determine.

A number of issues require further discussion by the Lower Assembly and are not specifically addressed in this document.

1) What will the nature of cooperation under a confederacy be? Shall the Lower Assembly and Upper Council remain disjointed bodies of eight individuals or shall these bodies each be reduced to four members to equally represent our cities in concert with each four man body responsible for its internal concerns while external are handled jointly? It is suggested that with this latter, each body be extended to five men.

2) Property ownership in Lower Sanctuary is a concern. Many Upper citizens own land or business that are now claimed by the residences of Lower. This property must either be returned, or the previous owner duly compensated for their loss.

Sir Dungal,

There are some points of yours which I find honourable, and cunning. There are others however, that I am not certain I support, or endorse.

1) Recognition of the eight elected leader's, appointed during the open elections, right to draft the specific laws and rules upon which Lower Sanctuary shall continue to operate. These elected leaders will form a temporary Lower Assembly.

I do not believe a seperate "Assembly" is very wise, however I do understand why many would view it as a necessity. Simply put, we do not need to stress a seperation of our City, but find ways in which to make it seem more united.

2) Lower Sanctuary's elected officials will draft these specific laws and rules to build a Confederacy between Upper and Lower Sanctuary. All internal laws shall apply only to Lower, but agreement on war, defense, trade laws will be mutually reached between the Lower Assembly and Upper Council.

Again, I do not believe there should be two ruling body's. A better representation of Lower, on the Council is one thing, but an entirely seperate Council for Lower is only going to further widen the rift between the two.

3) Total amnesty for those who fought the Tigereyes during the revolt.

To this point, I can agree with and endorse. So long as it means exactly what it says. The Tigereyes were corrupt, and unfit to protect them, and their subsequent downfall should not be held against the people. Crimes commited against any but the tigereyes however, should still be seen as such.

4) The Knights of Toboerski shall maintain peace keeping forces within Lower Sanctuary to handle criminals, and maintain a guard on the Canal gates and other points of potential invasion. They are specifically barred from running, standing, or unduly influencing the Lower Assembly. The Lower Assembly will have the right to create a new peace keeping force for internal matters should they require it.

You know my feelings on this issue, I believe. Your Knights have my support, however the "Lower Assembly" does not.

5.) The Watch will both be forbidden any jurisdiction in Lower Sanctuary. Due to the nature of the Spellguard to handle defense, rules shall be drafted by the Lower Assembly to direct their actions in Lower Sanctuary under the previous clauses requirements for cooperation in mutual defense.

Your Knights are more than capable of picking up the Watches Duties below, however they would be hard pressed to take on those of the Spellguard as well. They must be allowed to continue to ensure safety in the City.

6) It is strongly suggested that the Lower Assembly appoint a neutral leader who will oversee the enacting of the Lower Assembly's plan, and assure they occur quickly, fairly, and as bloodlessly as possible

If the Assembly is to take place, as unwise as I believe it to be, this is likely for the best.

7) The Lower Assembly and Upper Council must ascertain the divided responsibility and contribution to the maintenance of mutual defense.

See above.

8 ) All issues not directly addressed by this proposal will fall within the jurisdiction of the Lower Assembly to determine.

This is a poor idea. There is too much left unclear, to allow them to simply draft their own laws.

All in all, I find the idea of a Lower Assembly to be a poor, and divisive move on the part of Upper Sanctuary. It will do nothing to maintain stability, in the long run, serving only to further seperate. Instead, I believe it must be stressed to grant them better representation on the Council we already have, rather than create an entirely new one. Your men occupying, and protecting the area is however, a wonderful idea.

As for the matter of property, I believe all Land owned by those in Upper, needs to be returned to them, in order to show our determination, and force of will. Simply rolling over to a group of Cowardly Criminals, and giving them what they want, serves only to make us appear weak. If those in Upper wish to then sell their land to those men, for whatever price, that is their business.

Sir Alexander Archibald

[The Archibald Seal is set at the bottom]

Alexander,

I understand your concerns, and as an individual I agree. The truth in Lower Sanctuary though is that only bloodshed on a massive scale will allow your vision of the future to reign.

A seperate Assembly, as I intend to arrange it will require Lower Sanctuary to work with Upper Sanctuary as one body that both citizens will recognize as legitimate. With luck, reducing the possibility of radicals such as the Morgan Maddocks and Mandarin Dreagle type who utilize Lower hostility to the "Upper" establishment to foster discord.

There will be one body overseeing the major functions of Sanctuary. Only daily concerns will be handled by seperate; and may I add more flexible bodies. Notice how my plans reduce the numbers of participants, the smaller the oligarchy the quicker people will realize a single strong leader can outweigh any number of Councils from one to a dozen.

It is certainly my hope that wise individuals will further mitigate the ability of the Lower Assembly to remove my Knights from Lower Sanctuary. Indeed, I am certain you will note that at no point am I willing to surrender the Canal Gates or other points of potential invasion barring an order from the Council in charge of protecting all of Sanctuary. Infact, I expect to make it a point to see our Knights handle more and more of the civil defense.

The Spellguard is duly not noted in this plan. Agent Delgado is staunch on ensuring they have duties within Lower. I see no reason to disagree, although I do currently debate with him the nature of handling those duties. Shall the Spellguard operate quietly or seek to build a pedigree of service within Lower? The route to accomplishing this without conflict is nebulous. Therefore, the topic is best addressed at a more expedient time than during a very fragile first steps toward reclamation of Lower.

Perhaps you will fear their "drafted laws" less if you realize that primarily, no one in Lower objects to any law currently on the books to my knowledge, and secondarily and by default--in having the Upper Council engaged in this polling, it is presumed that the Upper Council must accept the Lower terms. If their laws prove unpalatable or unwise, the process must be a dialogue, not a mandate from Lower to Upper. I shall clarify this.

Do not forget though, in regards to property--the "cowardly criminals" as you put it won. They defeated a ninety druegar mercenary force. They drove out a band of well trained, murderous monsters. The pathetic sixty man milita in Upper will fare no better against them. In war, the victor takes the spoils. The best that can be hoped for is that the victor can be persuaded to repay those who lost--an honorable wereguild as you will hopefully see it. Ultimately, I can not agree with the viewpoint of a man who can not defend his property from a petty street gang has any right owning land. This is afterall, why men of virtue should sponsor their own warriors and knights as we have done.

I have also heard you have started your own knighthood. I continue to hope that our mutual goals will continue to guide us. Sadly, your current "captain" I fear is a rushed decision. The man was a fawning puppy at my heels for many weeks who insulted myself and many of my Knights. Be aware that he may embarass you if his leash is too long.

Finally, be wary of the Watch. They have taken it into their heads that knighthoods such as ours are a 'power hungry' force threatening 'their right to control justice' in Sanctuary. I already grow tired of their insipid fears of their betters. Peasants were never meant to ensure the order of society.

In Regards,

Sir Dungal Toboerski Grand Magistrate of the Toboerski Knights

Dungal,

I'd like to speak, hopefully it will be a bit longer than last. I will stop by, as soon as time permits me.

Sir Alexander Archibald

[A Black Heptagon is stamped to the bottom of the page, with a large Red "A" in the center]

Dungal,

I am currently reviewing the matter and will send you a reply within 3 days.

*signed* Operative Delgado