Emergency Session Of The Hall Of Speakers

[*MimiFearthegn]

On the appointed day, the session once more convened. The representatives of twelve of the factions gathered in the Hall to vote on the fate of the Doomguard, and the bazaar. The hall was much quieter than it had been in the emergency session; tension filled the air.

The Xaositects were not in evidence as the Speaker approached the podium; a matter which seemed to be of note amongst the assembled Doomguard, but which everyone else seemed to take as perfectly normal. They were, after all, Xaos.

"Respected factols, citizens of Sigil, you have had time to consider your positions on the matter before us today. The Doomguard have accused the Triad of unlawfully attacking them in Undersigil; they demand that the prisoners held by the Harmonium be returned to them, and that the Harmonium be removed from the Bazaar. The Harmonium in turn have demanded that the Doomguard pay reparations, loose their weapons trading privileges and their right to vote in the hall for one year, and have their weapons trade be taxed doubly for the next ten years, as reparations for their attempted att-"

A protest arose from where the Doomguard were seated - "Alleged!"

The Speaker looked less than pleased at the interuption. There was a twinge of irritation in his voice as he continued - "Alleged attack on the bazaar.

"Where do the factions of Sigil stand?"

Without hestiation, Factol Rhys rose and spoke, "The Transcendent Order calls for sanctions against the Doomguard. The balance of the city must not be disturbed."

The Speaker noted her vote down for the Harmonium, and then looked expectantly in the direction of the Fraternity and Mercykillers. Both factions remained silent; the Fraternity administrators were, however, keenly watching the proceedings and taking notes.

Then the raspy voice of Factol Skall floated from the ranks of the Dustmen. No one had seen him come in, and in fact, he didn't really seem to be there. Instead, there was a black robe floating amidst the seated Dustmen delegation, with the symbol of their faction for its head - "The voices of the Free League must be heard. The Dustmen vote for the Doomguard's proposal."

A weary voice from the Bleakers sounded out soon after, not bothering to say more than - "Same."

At that moment, the morose air of the Hall was shattered by a fanfare of instruments in various states of tuning, and the entrance of a variety of brightly dressed persons. They proceeded to seat themselves in no particular order among the Doomguard, Bleakers, and Dustmen, possibly to the chagrin of all three factions. In the middle of the shuffling of persons, someone who may or may not have been Factol Karan yelled out - "Yes! I agree!"

Those nearby the Speaker might have heard him mutter, "Why couldn't they have just forgotten. . . " as he put down Xaos support for the Doomguard.

He looked around the rest of the hall expectantly. There were whispered discussions, and a dispute over a chair in one corner, but no one else seemed to be in a hurry to say anything.

"The Doomguard have a majority of the vote so far," the Speaker reminded everyone, "But at least six votes are required for their motion to pass."

Factol Darius, seated behind the Speaker's Podium, spoke up, her soft voice somehow carrying through the Hall, "Neither the Harmonium, nor the Doomguard proposal, are acceptable to us. The Sign of One abstains."

Erin Montgomery of the Sensates indicated that she abstained, as did Duke Darkwood of the Fated. With a few glances in the direction of the Doomguard, the Athar and the Godsmen, also, abstained.

Then Factol Hashkar of the Fraternity stood. He adjusted the glasses on his nose, and cleared his throat, before speaking: "The Fraternity of Order has reviewed the evidence of the Doomguard plot, and the fighting in Undersigil, and I am adequately convinced that the Doomguard are in the wrong. Thus, the Fraternity votes with the Harmonium."

There was an audible sigh of relief in the Hall as Hashkar re-seated himself. It hadn't been a long speech.

Last of the factions, Factor Arwyl Swanson of the Mercykillers stood - "The Mercykillers are convinced of the guilt of the Doomguard, and stand with the Fraternity and Harmonium. Justice demands that the Doomguard answer for their actions against the city. However, if the respected Speaker will allow such, we would like to abstain from the vote in favor of a new proposal."

The Speaker took a moment to review his notes - it was clear that no faction had any claim on victory - and then indicated that the Mercykiller was free to speak.

The paladin bowed slightly to the speaker in thanks, and continued: "Members of the Doomguard attacked the city, and they must be punished; but the punishment must fit the crime. We ask that the council require the Doomguard to relinquish the ringleaders of their attack, particularly the Doomlord Ely Cromlich, to the Triad for trial. If found guilty, he will be punished in accordance with the laws of the city.

"Secondly, we demand that the Doomguard pay fines to the Triad in compensation for our losses in equipment and casualties, as well as a fine for property damage caused to Sigil by their bombs detonating in Undersigil.

"Thirdly, the Doomguard should pay a security tax for compromising Sigil's defenses in time of war. I am sure I do not have to remind you all of the chaos which the . . . fey situation. . . has already visited on the city."

Without further ado, the Mercykiller took his seat.

[*MimiFearthegn]

"All in favor of the Mercykiller proposal?" the Speaker asked. There was immediate assent from the Harmonium and Fraternity, followed by votes from the Signers, Sensates, Godsmen, Athar, and Fated. As soon as the seventh 'yea' was heard, the side of the council chamber occupied by the doomguard erupted into angry protests; certainly other factions voted, but future records would be spotty on who exactly had said what.

"Order! Order!" the Speaker demanded, but it was some time before order was restored. Hateful glares were cast by the Doomguard in the direction of the Godsmen and Athar.

"There is a clear majority." The Speaker stated. "The Council has settled the matter; this meeting is now adjourn-"

"Honorable Speaker!" Duke Darkwood of the Fated rose. "There is one more matter which must be attended to. I have a secondary proposal for the Council."

The Speaker was perhaps the most shocked looking person in the room at this turn of events, though some of the Sensates looked a bit perturbed. The Fated Factol walked down into the center of the Hall, and paced back and forth as he gave his lecture.

"The Harmonium representative informed us a few weeks ago that they are the servants of the law, and by extension, this Council. But is that truly how they have acted in the past few months? Nay, years? Would we be here, today, if they were as benevolent as they claim to be? The Doomguard may have overstepped, but the Free League asked for their help. The Free League was so desperate under the thumb of the 'honorable servants of the law' that they sought the help of a faction devoted to destruction to keep themselves safe. They were desperate!

"The Free League cannot come here to tell us of their hardships. They do not have a voice in the Council. But we have all seen the Harmonium overstep the bounds of the law. Our factioneers have suffered, at one time or another, from the heavy handedness of the Harmonium. How much worse it must be for the Free League, who cannot bring their concerns before this council.

"They made their voice known in the only way they could; we must address their concerns, or the same thing will happen again."

There were a few guffahs, and jeers from the assembled.

"The Heartless suddenly have hearts?"

"Since when did you speak for the Indeps!"

"Who cares about the Free League?"

The Speaker called for order again, and the Duke continued.

"I propose that we give the Bazaar back to the Free League. They are merchants; not dangerous criminals. They are hard working people striving for better lives; People who, like many of us, believe in the will of the individual. They do not require outposts and checkpoints. They require the freedom to earn their livelihoods in peace. They would rather protect their own shops from thieves than suffer the abuse of the law."

Darkwood finally paused for breath. A brave Fraternity administrator addressed the Speaker,

"May I ask for clarification?"

The Speaker gave the administrator leave to continue.

"Does the Fated Factol wish to remove the Triad's jurisdiction entirely from the bazaar? Is the Factol aware that the Bazaar suffers from an unusually high number of violent events which require regular military presence? Without the aid of the military force of the city, how does the Factol propose to keep the bazaar from becoming the foothold for the next invading force? And finally, is the Factol aware that there are multiple Harmonium investigations in the Great Bazaar at this time, and that pulling out immediately would likely impede the due process of law, as well as the Fated's own ability to collect this month's taxes?"

The administrator sat back down. The Duke looked amused by the tirade of questions.

"Of course, the Fated have no wish to put the Bazaar outside the law. But minor matters can surely be dealt with internally. If the Bazaar truly needs a guardian, then I humbly offer my own faction-"

Boos and hisses erupted from the audience. The Duke held up his hands.

"But it is not important.

"The Great Bazaar does not enjoy the legal rights of faction headquarters. Nor can it. In times of emergency, the protectors of the Cage must be able to protect the city. But surely a short walk will not prove an insurmountable task for the Harmonium soldiers in the case of an emergency.

"I will grant that the transition must be smooth. A month should give the Harmonium enough time to finish their investigations and withdraw."

The Duke returned to his place, looking rather pleased with himself.

//OOC: I'm going to link here again to the OOC discussion thread for this topic, where in a moment I will be posting a few notes.

[*Krayt]

Seemingly unmoved by the revalations of the speaker and Factol Darkwood's proposal Mauric was speaking loudly. His long strait black hair covering most of the backside of his tattered robe.

Facing the Harmonium his posture and tone revealed no signs of defeat or lack of confidence.

"A fair trial that is good enough. To clarify things Cromlich is a mere Factotum and no Doomlord or even commander in any sense. It is not his position to command troops, he run the forge that is his prime function. You have a very weak case here and will present yourselves as fools by directing blame so erroneously and blant. We will gladly face you in the Courts."

He turns to looking at those nearest to him with a speedily shifting gaze


"The Honourable speaker forget that we need never fear a invasion here we all know what happened to the fiends that tried with quite the force yes? A few rampant elves with frosty glacing? Don't ridicule yourseleves by fearing they could ever pose a true danger to the city. The Harmonium should be careful to expand beyond the bounds it presents a far greater danger than any external threat."

"As for the matter of the Bazaar and Factol Darkwood's proposal . Yes the Fated could do this alone and would probably do a far better work of their task than those that currently hold it. Make no mistake the Harmonium and yes the two other thirds of the Triad will still be investigating crimes and the such, it is the guardianship alone that is be to transferred. But the question is would this be the most benefitial of situations for all gathered here? I called for a simple vote of shared guardianship but as I can see the Factions are not willing to make that undertaking at least not yet. The Doomguard can assure that the new guardians will recive only the best of equipment for their new task and training in how to use it. The Fated will lack nothing."

"Let me remind you that the ever dimmening voice of our Indep friends are a concern as valid to all of you. Why not add the clause that every guardsman and woman from the Fated ranks must be approved by a Indep of renown to acertain their interests are kept?"

[*Darkrob]

From his seat behind the Fated members, Charles would applaud Maurics speech. He would then clasp his comapions hand tightly and kiss it. He appeared to be exceptionally happy about the current situation unfolding before him. Something he had been fighting for years ago was actually being debated by the council. Too bad Hildmor wasn't here to see it.

[*Viann]

Notary three Nica would step in next to speak for the Harmonium, granted would allow herself to be stopped if there was a Harmonium member to stop her. She didn't seem the slightest put off about the absence of sanctions, infact she seemed rather content of the direction things had turned.

"I would like to remind the Doomguard that the Hall of Speakers is not a court room, while there was a petition for factional sanctions and jurisdiction, any and all individual legal cases will have to wait for correct procedure."

Turning to face the Doomguard directly.

"Also I understand that it's not in the best interest of the Doomguard for Harmonium and its allies to react to threats, internal, or external, properly. Including the Fey matter, but it is, as has been established several times over, the Harmoniums main purpose here in Sigil. So far the Fey may have posed only small danger, but many have died from these skirmishes and there's increasing chances of the matters escalating to greater scales. However it is also the Harmoniums belief that we should prepare it in proper scales rather than let it consume all of our focus."

She then turned toward the Fated, to address their suggestion properly. Making sure to title their factol respectfully as she did so.

"Factol Duke Rowan Darkwood, you suggested that the Harmonium is acting oppressively against the merchants of the Great Bazaar. But my observation has been dissimilar to what is suggested, naturally being a member of Harmonium would make me say that. Thus allow me to explain; Two major legal aspects which cause friction with merchant matters are taxes and permits. I believe these two core matters are infact Fated responsibilities, although there has been an increasing amount of Fated trying to get us, the Harmonium, to do your job at those. But I trust it's not an insurmountable task for the Fated to do some of it on their own, we can watch from a walking distance."

It was a jab at how they hadn't managed to do their job, and a reminder of the possible causes of the absence of Harmonium presence. She then addressed the entire hall.

"I suggest the Factions to think long and hard on this matter, never be quick to swap the rule of law to the rule of the strong. Laws bind all sides, not only those who are weaker. Court of Law will judge those who are caught by the Harmonium and waiting to be punished in a fitting way by the Mercykillers. Including members of the very factions themselves, if found in the wrong side of the law. How many factions are willing to act in this conjunction for indefinite amount of time? Harmonium has only one purpose. And we already have the numbers. Better yet, the Harmonium can implement a new training protocol to better cover to the councils concerns over Harmoniums behavior within the Great Bazaar territory.

Then another point. divide the Great Bazaar into jurisdiction of yet unspecified group and the Harmonium creates a convolution to the security. A criminal dashing outside the Great Bazaar forces a cease of chase by its guards, but there simply can't be all around Harmonium check points to stop them or continue chasing. Such is unrealistic and only would cause more ire against the Harmonium. It would create an all too easy to abuse criminal element causing even more work for everyone involved."

Notary three Nica returned to her seat.

[*Hydra]

Kala listened, without a word nor a glance for anyone. The speeches made her sigh a few times and she started tapping her fingers before she wrote something. She then started to fold a paper, breaking her usual seriousness as she flew an airplane towards the Mercykillers ranks, the plane miraculously ending up just in front of Factor Andor. A second plane was sent to Ra'Zeth.

[*MimiFearthegn]

Duke Darkwood looked pleased at the Doomlord's offer of arms for his men, though several of the Fated around him looked rather miffed at the idea of the Indeps having to approve their Fated guardians. How dare an approval process be required for something that was theirs by right?

A few shouts of protest and boos arose from the ranks of the Heartless, however, at the Notary's suggestion that they were the root of the problem in the Bazaar.

One of the Movers leaned over to say something quietly to Nica as she re-took her seat.

[*Taurus Daggerknight]

Dace considered speaking, though the paper plane and its message made him pause. Instead, he penned a response, sending it along to the Godsmen via the more traditional Namer.

[*Mausman]

"Sounds like the Triad want a convenient excuse to remove the Doomguard. How funny how they don't stick to their own laws."

The Drow Sensate quipped from his seat.

"Last I checked, battles fought in places not protected by Harmonium law were by no means under their jurisdiction, the 'lawfulness' of this decision is ridiculous. In fact, I'd go as far to say as this is simply an orchestration of blame to see the Doomguard dismantled. Absolutely ridiculous.

*Ea'raldor is interrupted by the unnamed speaker; allows him to finish then continues*

"This is the Hall of Speakers no? So I am allowed to voice my opinions without interruption, regardless of my rank within a Faction or otherwise. Regardless whether this point has been adjourned, I have concerns with its ultimatum. Thank you very much for reminding me of my rights."

*he cleared his throat and since the continued interruptions of the speaker did not allow him to finish his declaration, he left looking rather miffed*

*Kelth moved to thwap the Drow, rather harshly, on the back of his head* "Shut yer fokkin' gob, namer." " Ye come crawlin' from wha' e'er pool ye were rottin' in an' suddenly claim t' know shite? Didn't see ye at th' meetin', lad. Best nae spew shite ye nae know a fokkin' thing 'bout, eh? Let yer s'periors handle this."

*Kelth shook his head in sheer disbelief at the namer's former behaviour*

[*MimiFearthegn]

At the continued noise from the Sensate corner, the Speaker once more addressed Factol Montgomery -

"Factol, if your representatives cannot abide by the rules of the Hall, they will be escorted out."