Scanning the crowd carefully he didnt see the man attempting to sway things but when he heard Krogge's words he moved quickly torwards the boxes a scowl on his features.
"You there, open up your hands."
He began as he approached.
The crowd stares and guffaws at Krogge's buffoonery. The foreman feigns indignation, and Kreed begins hurling accusations of assault as Rrruh and Sweet Pea also accost his man.
However, Jack and Sheriff Baleson both step forward to intervene. Jack helps Krogge back to his feet while the sheriff insists that the foreman open his hand. Again, the foreman hurls vitriol and suddenly behaves as though he believes in Andoren liberty if only to claim that his is being violated.
However, you suddenly find support voiced by Miss Gebre, Lady Cirthana, and a few other locals strongly swayed to Jack's side - or at least against Kreed's side. Still he refuses, forcing the sheriff to pry open the foreman's clenched fingers - leaving you to discover nine stones for Harg.
"Not even just one or two extra votes?" Jack's rhetorical question comes, veiled by the thinnest hint of sarcasm. "When you try to countermand democracy, you don't take half measures in deceit, do you?"
Jack plucks the eight extra stones from the foreman's hand and returns them to the bowls set out for the townsfolk.
"You get one vote, the same as anyone else, regardless of how much more highly you think of yourself," Jack declares.
Krogge stands up, Hot headed and draws his dagger, "Eight extra stones? Howsabout I take 8 fingers from you!! One for every extra stone you craven cheat!!!!" he roars trying to hide his embarrassment.
Sweet Pea grabs Krogge’s legs, pushing him away from the foreman. “Hey hey! It’s all done, we don’t need to start a fight!”
Randu drawls "Maybe we should find out if anyone put that notion in his head."
In addition to the public humiliation of the offending foreman, the party's response also has an effect upon the assembled Valers, albeit from different approaches. Krogge's righteous indignation, quickly overcoming his previous embarrassment, reaffirms the importance and sanctity of this process for many of the citizens. On the other hand, Sweet Pea's innocence as she tries to maintain the peace appeals to Valers of milder temperaments.
You suspect that other Consortium cads will be far less likely to try any trickery now that it is abundantly clear that vigilant eyes are watching.
Randu's suggestion also has merit, though, and the idea occurs to you to be more proactive in policing the election proceedings.
Sweet Pea positions herself near the voting table, and greets everyone who comes to cast a vote, making friendly, yet intense, eye contact.
And still has no idea if anyone is cheating.
Krogge stands tall and square at the voting table, looking over everyone who comes to cast a stone for any tell that they might be cheating.
but not being from the village and not knowing most of the villagers, this was little help. He also kept his eyes out for bulging fists with too many rocks and his ears focused on the container that they rocks were dropped in, listening for more than one rock.
While the others post themselves near where the votes are collecting Rrruh instead moved torwards the bowls of the stones to begin with. Quietly and casually there he watches for any whom try to sneak more stones than is needed.
The proceedings continue smoothly, albeit in a solemn quiet, for another hour or two.
The doings of the townsfolk remain almost alien to Sweet Pea, and she finds it almost impossible to guess what they might be thinking as her eyes dart around the veritably overwhelming amount of stimuli in the marketplace.
Krogge, however, finds the greater share of the residents still act coldly towards him. Although certain residents - such as Jak Crimmy, Miss Laurel, and the sheriff, for instance - have been more welcoming, on the whole the people of Falcon's Hollow ably demonstrate the paranoid mindset of those who live in Darkmoon Vale. They strongly distrust strangers, and even once they get to know someone, that just means they find new reasons for suspicion.
Despite how long he has lived in the area, Krogge is bitterly reminded how his isolation among the Wolfrun Hills leaves him the subject of nearly bogeyman-esque rumors among the Valers. Although he manages to shrug it off, certainly not for the first time, this also serves as a reminder of the biggest hurdle that Jack faces. In this election, in a superstition-laden town, the Valers essentially see it as a choice between two devils: one they know, and one they don't.
This distracting introspection is interrupted, though, when he and Rrruh spot a rough-looking bunch lurking on the edge of the Low Market. They look liable to start a brawl.
Perhaps they are being turned loose in hopes of inciting a riot and disrupting the election, souring the locals' opinion on the voting process and disinclining them from trying it again.
"Anyone notice anything?" He asks quietly
He let out a sharp whistle trying to catch his friends eyes... and in this case also the sheriff's. He pointed out the potential trouble... literally before calling out in a loud voice.
"You there, yes you. Its too early to be this far in cups... You have a deviant look about you. If you are here to vote, the line starts over there. If you are looking to disrupt things, Im sure the sheriff wont mind if we help guide you to some place nice and cool until you sober up."
He began trying to sound pleasant all the while moving closer and closer trying to get to where he had a clear path to intercept them if anyone tried anything dumb.
Sweet Pea, entirely bored now with watching rocks, decides to wander over and see what her friend Rrruh is shouting about.
Krogge saw the men too, but hesitated They already think me a wild beast...Maybe Rrruh will keep them at bay with is words... he thought as he stayed put keeping an eye on the stones and Rrruh.
The sour smell of ale hangs about them, but they are not truly as drunk as they act. They betray their ruse by straightening their postures and steadying their steps. However, they do not take up an aggressive posture.
Rrruh's polite approach catches them off guard, although perhaps they were not expecting to be noticed so quickly. His diplomatic overture seems to sap the fighting spirit right out of them, and the combination of namedropping the sheriff and Sweet Pea's sudden arrival only serves to further cow them.
Their eyes also cross the crowd to find Krogge staring right at them. Rrruh can read their faces now: they recognize that this is the only friendly caution they will receive, and if they press their luck any further...
The quelled men turn and shuffle up the street, away from the market. They disperse among the leaning wooden buildings, with several of them retreating back to the liquid comfort of the Sitting Duck.
.....
No more surprises hatch out upon the election proceedings.
However, you do notice Gavel Kreed's face increasingly contorting in frustration as the day continues without further incident. Perhaps whatever other flunkies he had lurking on the edge of the market have all lost their nerve after witnessing the other failures. The prospect of a fair, honest election leaves him fuming in silence, and soon enough he stomps off towards his manor on the edge of town.
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"Hey! Doncha wanna vote? It's your Civic Doody!" Sweet Pea calls after the departing ruffians. "Hehe, doody."
Glad that went down the way way it did Krogge thinks as the men begin to disperse.
He stands vigil for the rest of the day until the election is over, Then will stay by Jacks side until the results are revealed.
The race proves tighter than you would have hoped. Out of fear of reprisal, distrust of outsiders, or perhaps merely a sluggish comfort with the familiar hand of the Consortium, a surprising number of residents cast their votes for Harg.
Nevertheless, the final count brings hope and vindication as Jack Callahan, the man from Almas, earns enough votes to bring an indisputable victory.
Once the results are confirmed and announced, most of the locals who stuck around to hear leave without much fanfare, although it is clear that almost everyone is pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Some notable locals, such as Laurel and Lady Cirthana, offer subtle expressions of relief. Others, such as Jasin Greatoak, loudly cheer and praise the victory.
Sheriff Baleson remains stoic, and Magistrate Harg breathes a heavy sigh.
Surprisingly, it is not dismay that seizes the halfling magistrate who just lost the election, but rather he breathes a sigh of relief. In defeat, he seems to feel that a great weight has been lifted from his shoulders.
Now that your man, Jack, has been elected mayor of Falcon's Hollow, a new era will begin in Darkmoon Vale. Of course, as this is an unprecedented direction for the town, you and the rest of the Valers will soon find yourselves deciding what the role of the mayor will be. It will be a difficult transition, too, as no one believes that Kreed and the Consortium will relinquish their hold on the town without a fight.
Randu is stunned. They ..won? they wwon. A smile breaks across the halfling's face. the first sarcastic genuine smile he's had in.. a long time.
Krogge notes as many reactions as he can once Jack is declared the winner. Laurel and another lady seemed pleased, as well as the Greatoak. No surprises there, Splint was right though, Harg seems downright relieved and the sheriff too.
Once the anouncment has been made and the crowd begins to clear, Krogge approaches Jack, "Good election Jack. Harg seemed happy to have lost. Kreed will not give up though, Rrruh and I will keep you safe though." he says, looking at Rrruh and nodding.
He smiled again all teeth. He wasnt sure whether he should inform Krogge that the real work was just beginning. After a moments internal debate he decided perhaps he should.
"Well the easy part is done, now to the real work my friends."
He began giving Jack a congratulatory hand shake and Krogge a pat on the back. to start.
"I doubt we have seen the last of Kreed as well, you are correct Friend Krogge we will have to be vigilant yes yes."
Jack's election as mayor does not magically transform the town overnight, perhaps much to Sweet Pea's dismay in particular. Over the next two days, life goes on in Falcon's Hollow as it has for generations, with the in-town loggers marching off to camp, the shopkeepers sweeping the sawdust out of their doors, and the ever-present droning of the sawmill continuing unabated.
However, on the third morning after the election, Jack invites you all to accompany him to a meeting at the Lumber Consortium Headquarters.
"We've been invited by Gavel Kreed to review and ratify a draft for a town charter that Magistrate Harg has written up," the new mayor explains, skillfully disguising the skepticism in his voice with his urbane manners. "He'll likely have a, ahem, strong delegation on his side of the table to try and intimidate me. While I would never give them the pleasure of watching me squirm, I would, nevertheless, feel much more comfortable with you, my friends, at my side."
"Sure!" Sweet Pea agrees, despite being a bit confused by some of the bigger words, "We'll come help you with the rats or whatever."
"Hmmmph... might want a copy of it made too, because mar my words, letters will change over night otherwise." Randu maybe happy the consortium look a blow, but he still has a healthy dose of cynicism "And yes I'll be there"
Reassured by your companionship, Jack leads you out of Jak'a'Napes after breakfast. Two women stand outside, on the edge of the Low Market, waiting for you. One is very tall with striking red hair, but dressed in the simple clothes of a farmer. The other looks very short by comparison, and she wears a leather apron over the ripped, smeared clothes of a craftsperson.
"Miss Aiba represents the Farmer's Alliance," Jack explains, gesturing to the tall woman. And Miss Gadsel represents...um"
"Call me Deveera, and we don't quite have a name for our group yet," she answers. "For weeks I've been kicking around the idea of forming a guild for the local artisans and artists, to protect ourselves from Salk and Vorshin. With Mr. Callahan's encouragement, we've finally done it."
A smile crosses Jack's face hearing such optimism, but a more serious aspect returns as he speaks again.
"For a town charter to mean anything, it will need the support of the citizens. Unfortunately, since almost everyone in Falcon's Hollow is an employee of the Consortium, Kreed claims the legal right to negotiate on their behalf, though certainly not in their best interests. With Deveera and Miss Aiba representing the few citizens who do not work for the Consortium, we'll have some clout to negotiate for an equitable charter."
Politely he waited for Jack to say his peice of course, he was the mayor now and it would be rude otherwise. He tilted his head to the side offering the non toothy version of his smile and gave both woman a very low bow his tail just barely swaying even as his ears flit forward a time or two.
"I am called Rrruh, It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, yes yes. If you have guild meetings and dont mind Myself and perhaps Mr. Krogge and the others occasionally sitting in just to learn about the town let me know."
He began gracefully offering them perhaps muscle hanging about if they were worried about Kreed's lackeys interupting them with violence. At least he hoped they realized what he meant. Sometimes he was too clever for his own good, at least that is what he father had always claimed.
"HI! I'm a Sweet Pea! Are you here to help with the rats, too?"
The two delegates are pleased by Rrruh's manners, but Deevera is utterly taken by Sweet Pea's innocent charm.
"What an adorable little thing you are!" she squeals. "When we are finished, I hope you will stop by my workshop. I would love the chance to make a wood carving of you."
Jack takes a moment to assure Sweet Pea that Deevera means to create a likeness of the Gathlain, rather than literally carving her up, before ushering the party forward. Together you ascend the dusty, winding road that climbs the hill of the Perch. The halfling inspector Kilarin Salk stands guard as usual: judging not just the goods brought to the High Market but the customers, as well. Her small, scrunched face makes it clear that she would relish the chance to turn you all away, but Jack's newly earned station, combined with the support of Rrruh and Krogge, keeps her silent in her bitterness.
You pass the slate-roofed houses of the clerks, merchants, security bosses, and other Consortium allies that make up the influential residents of the town. The cornices, wainscotting, mullions, and other pieces of decorative woodwork upon the buildings have received far better care than those of the rest of the town below.
You march into the walled courtyard of the Lumber Consortium Headquarters, which crouches against the back of the hilltop neighborhood. Once upon a time, this was undoubtedly the most impressive building in all of Falcon's Hollow, displaying the best of Andoren woodworking, but now the offices have fallen into disrepair. Although still palatial by comparison to the hovels that the majority of the townsfolk live in, the unkempt grass, the cracked roof tiles, and the dust coating the window panes all bespeak a long neglect.
Krogge let a smile slip when Jack called him friend. "I will be by your side Jack. Whenever you need me." he said solemnly.
When Jack took them to meet the 2 ladies, Krogge kept a quiet demeanor, nodding politely when they were introduce. When Rrruh brought up the idea of learning more about the town though, " I would be honored to learn about your trades." He said, letting slip another smile.
When they passed by Salk he gave her a glare,Now that Jack is Mayor I don't need to hide my feelings for you halfling. he thought to himself. As they walked through all the Allies of the consortium houses, his face turned into a grimace. "All this for so few?"
The interior of the Consortium Headquarters is in somewhat better condition, perhaps owing to the efforts of the cleaning girl you find as you enter. Her straw-colored hair is bound in a tight braid and covered by a faded scarf. She pushes along on her knees, scrubbing the dirt and dust from the scarcely-trod floor of the little-used building.
A lacquered wooden statue dominates the entrance hall of the headquarters, and it stands pristine - in contrast to the layer of dust elsewhere on the tables and windowsills that the cleaning girl has yet to conquer.
Thuldrin took to heart his father's lessons on power and breaking the spirit of opponents, and the statue of his father is the only part of the Consortium offices that he keeps regularly cleaned. In fact, if the statue is not properly cared for, Kreed is known to dole out especially harsh punishments to his servants.
"Welcome, good sirs," the cleaning girl says demurely, daring not look up from her work. "The Gavel be waiting for you in the meeting room."
"Thank you kindly, miss." Randu says to the cleaning girl
The subtle differences on the grandeur of the inside vs the outside are lost on Krogge, he merely nods with a hard expression when the girl welcomes them.
Sweet Pea has found another new friend!
“Hi! I’m a Sweet Pea! Did you clean all this by yourself? You did a really good job!”
The cleaning girl nods politely to Randu and Krogge, but a full smile grows upon her dust, dirt, and sweat-streaked face as Sweet Pea offers her enthusiastic praise.
"Why, thank you," she says, turning aside her eyes to suppress a blush. "The Gavel pays for cleaning out of 'is own pocket, so I'm usually the only cleaning help he brings in. Me name's Jillia. It's nice to meet you, Sweet Pea."
The door to the meeting room bursts open, and Gavel Kreed swaggers out with Boss Teedum at his heels.
"Miss Apta! You better not be harassing the new mayor and his associates!" Kreed bellows down upon the cleaning girl. "They have important business with me."
For a moment, you fear that Pay Day will strike the cleaning girl to reinforce "Mista' Kreed's" authority. However, the pig-faced thug looks between Jack, Krogge, and Rrruh and quickly thinks better of it.
With surprising professional courtesy, Kreed gestures to invite you into the meeting room. You find Magistrate Harg and Kabran Bloodeye already seated at the long, freshly polished darkwood tabletop. Furthermore, a Consortium bodyguard stands in each corner of the room, and they eye you with wary contempt as you file inside and take your seats.
"Actually sir, your cleaning girl here was proffesionally greeting us. Her work ethic is very commendable."
The lithe feline fellow began offering a shallow bow. He quietly studdied the cleaning girl for several moments doing his best to memorize her features. If she ended up someone on the morrow with fresh bruises or the like he wanted to be able to tell.
At Kreeds 'polite' gesture the feline monk offered a respectful head nod and proceeded into the room first, ahead of Jack. He made no effort to hide his careful long glances looking about the room, It did appear more a matter of curiousity than worry.
Sweet Pea stands and turns towards Kreed at his shouting, her wings extending slightly to block his view of the cleaning girl. She simply stares up at the angry man, a curious blank expression on her face.
She follows everyone into the next room in uncharacteristic silence, averting her gaze from the gavel only once to wave and smile at Jillia as the door closes. She takes her seat opposite Kreed, her stature leaving only her narrowed, staring eyes visible above the edge of the table.
Krogge meets Paydays eyes with a solemn stare and curled lip, revealing his pointy teeth, as they head into Kreed's office, trying to intimidate the man.
When they walk in and see that Kreed's men not only outnumber them, but he brought guards, he begins to looks around the room for any exits, or anything strange that might indicate a trap.
This just doesn't feel right... he thinks as his eyes flit all over the room. He will not take a seat unless all of Kreed's men are sitting as well, including the guards.
A raspy chuckle rattles in Payday's throat, amused by Krogge's attempt to scare him. The Consortium guards keep their hands upon thick-headed spears, and each man has either a hatchet or broad-bladed knife at his hip. Kreed has a finely made rapier at his side, while Payday shows no apparent weapons.
"I bet you're expecting some kind of throwdown, eh? Hah!" Kreed laughs. "You wound me. I'm no monster. I'm just a businessman, and we're going to be doing business from now on, it seems," he says with a predatory grin.
With a snap, Kreed beckons to Magistrate Harg. The halfling hurriedly retrieves a weathered old scroll case leaning against his chair. With some difficulty, he lifts it up and retrieves its contents. He unfurls a broad sheet of fresh parchment and lays it upon the table. Many lines written in sharp, black ink canvas the sheet.
"I had Magistrate Harg burning the midnight oil - not literally, of course, that stuff costs money - to draft up a town charter for us to...what's the word? Oh yes, ratify. I will speak on behalf of the Consortium's loyal, hardworking employees, and I invited Mr. Bloodeye to attend as he is one of our town's most prominent business owners. I see you've done likewise...Mayor Callahan."
The Gavel's voice grows low, betraying his distaste not only for having Deevera and Miss Aiba present, but for simply having to refer to Jack as "mayor."
"As you can see, this charter clearly lays out the powers and responsibilities of the mayor's office. Matters of law and defense will be within your hands, and you'll have the right to levy a tax upon residents to pay for such expenses. In addition, in what I'm sure you'll see is a generous concession, the mayor'll now be the one who regulates access to both marketplaces."
"You'll undderstand, of course, if the mayor, indeed, all here reserve the right to sort over this charter before anyone signs anything? Wouldn't want misunderstandings to arise later." He eyes Harg. Fellow halfling or no, he's not likely to trust anyone so chummy with Kreed.
He looks over the material, not just what it says, but what it's made of and the type of ink use.
Something in kreed's eyes makes him realize he's on the right track, "Yes, definitely best to make sure we go over every detail."
However, you also notice something in Harg's eyes: something far more sympathetic. He's afraid to speak, yet he's trying to tell you something.
Even a cursory look leads you to strongly suspect that the charter upon the table is the densest piece of writing in all of Falcon's Hollow, if not the entire Vale. The writing is Common Taldane, yet the phrase work and word choices are nigh alien. The legalese invested into the provisions and articles ensures that few of the residents whom it would govern could possibly understand it.
Sweet Pea is too dazzled by the twisty words to notice anyone’s demeanor. She sits back, uncrosses her eyes, and says “I think, that if regular people’s lives are gonna be affected by this, then maybe regular people should be able to read it. Just sayin’.”
Randu suspected the look of hate. He wasn't surprised by the sadism in the gaze. But it is the confidence the man still possesses, that, THAT is alarming.
He hopes to use Sweatpea's words as a distraction... and casts a message spell to Haarg. He hopes Kreed doesn't speak Halfling even if he manages to hear it
Krogge shuffled his feet as he stood. words and letters are hard enough on a sign... how can that many words even exist? he thinks as he looks at the large contract.
"Little fey," Kreed says to Sweet Pea, all semblance of hospitality draining from his face, "You are lucky I tolerate your presence here at all. We have been at war with your kind for ages, and you dare tell us how to conduct our business?"
The Gavel's irritation distracts him from the magic conversation between the halflings. His cronies seem likewise focused on their boss's venting, as well.
"War?" Sweet Pea pouts in indignation, "I never fought any wars."
"Maybe if you listened to their kind, there would be less problems instead of stripping the land like a locust. But that is not why we are here now is it?"
He began calmly staring at Kreed with his big yellow unblinking eyes.After a moment however he took a long hard look at the document, trying to see what terrible things Kreed had tried to hide in there... because he didnt trust him at all.
Rrruh manages to make sense of the charter and identifies some of the key provisions
Matters of law and defense are now under the supervision of the mayor, and this includes the sheriff and his deputies. Nevertheless, private businesses (such as the Consortium) are still allowed to employ their own security.
Furthermore, in order to fund the local defense, the mayor has the power to levy a tax upon residents living within two leagues of the town's walls. However, the mayor does not have the power to levy or exact any sort of tax, expense, fee, or other payments from private businesses.
The Tribunal and Magistrate's office will be an independent, third party entity operating alongside the mayor's office and private security.
To avoid a conflict of interests, the mayor and those affiliated with his office may not reside in buildings owned by private businesses. (There are very few buildings in town not owned by the Consortium, and this provision would preclude you from staying at Jak'a'Napes, since Crimmy technically rents the building from the Consortium).
Lastly, the charter also stipulates that all powers not expressly stated are outside the mayor's authority, and the mayor may not modify the charter in the future to include additional powers.
A dubious look. Dare he trust the Magistrate?