Faction Summit

[*Cadence]

The chamber door opens abruptly and a towering half-orc enters. He stands at the height of one and a half (tall) human males with shoulders at least twice as broad. Initially one thinks that he dons a breastplate of standard Harmonium armor, though upon closer inspection it slowly becomes clear that a crimson silken shirt adheres to the rolling muscles over his torso and arms in a way quite similar to those of fitting armor pieces. He is far too large to fit into a regulation suit of Harmonium armor and likely would have had to gone to a blacksmith to have his custom-made. At the center of the torso of his flowing shirt is a large, golden, oval emblem - one of a downward pointing sword superimposed on a shield. Two tusks emerge from his lower jaw, pointing up towards the ceiling. He appears to be almost a caricature of the many stationary Harmonium officers guarding various posts throughout the city. One of them is chipped, and seems to be continuous with a large scar that spans the entire left half of his face.

He strides over quickly to the Harmonium chair, his posture confident and erect with shoulders rolled back and chin angled up. He noisily pulls the seat back, and plops down, just barely fitting into the chair. The four wooden legs beneath him creak in mild protest. Clasping his arms in front of him, he sits in a formal, polite manner which appears incongruent ... even comical ... given his rugged appearance. A deep, booming, authoritative voice breaks the brief silence afforded by his brusque entry.

"A THOUSAND apologies for the delay! I had to lecture a loiterer about not loitering." He pauses and leans forward dramatically. "SUPPOSEDLY she was some buffoon from the Transcendent Order looking for a..." he makes quote marks with two fingers from both hands... "Faction Summit." He snickers derisively. "Of course I saw right through the act. Fear not delegates, no buffoons will be interrupting THIS meeting!" A smug half-smirk crosses his unpleasant facial features. He then abruptly turns towards the halfling Xaositect and points: "Nice shirt!" His head then returns towards everyone else at the table.

"Now, for formality's sake, I shall introduce myself, though as I understand .. my reputation precedes me in this fair city. I am, of course, Junther Xeamunblood, Measure 2 of the Harmonium" It seems as if he's going to stop speaking, but he continues..."...slayer of the basilisk in the Undercity, record-holder for most arrests in a shift by a Notary in the Greytower's section of the Lady's Ward, and multiversally known diplomat and peacemaker! Indeed my ascent through the ranks of the Harmonium has been rapid, some would even say.. METEORIC." His eyes widen and he theatrically sweeps an open palm in an arc across the front of his body with an outstretched arm. "Indeed, it is why my faction has appointed ME with the EXTREMELY important task of attending this meeting."

[*Viper901]

While the debate rages (in which Garen makes no attempt to quell the noise, he seems content with permitting it to rage on) he instructs one of the aides to bring the Measure up to speed on the topics and current situation. He then sipped his tea and continues to watch

[*MimiFearthegn]

Sasha coughs in the awkward silence, and then pipes up:

"So. . . does this mean we're done arguing about the Hive?"

[*Darkrob]

///I was waiting for the Harmonium representative to weigh in...

[*Cadence]

As Junther Xeamunblood is brought up to speed by one of the aides, his reaction is quite varied. At some points he nods thoughtfully, at others he squints in utter confusion, and at another time he seems like he's about to break out laughing. When finished with the update he folds his hands and resting on the table, then slightly leans forward and begins in measured tones devoid of much of the pomp with which he introduced himself.

"Maintaining harmony in the Hive is indeed a priority, though I'm not sure if throwing jink at it will make the problem go away. The Bleakers have done a remarkable job providing services to the indigent and quell much of the unrest. Yet so much remains. Having done undercover work in the Hive myself, I know that they do not take kindly to newcomers or new initiatives - obviously they're hostile to Harmonium but aside from that - new Trade schools may not be the wisest idea. They will probably be seen as unwelcome outsiders and easy targets. Even a well-armed faction like mine has much difficulty maintaining any sense of safety or peace in the Hive, and our Outposts are considered under constant siege and numerous Outposts have been destroyed in the past not just by the many who hate us by also by opportunists just looking for something out of place. That's why there's been a more recent shift towards undercover work in the Hive by my faction - so that we can promote Harmony without being targets. Fitting in is important in the Hive."

He makes firm eye contact with just about everyone at the table, not giving any one person much more attention than the other.

"For this reason, and if it is insisted that money is to indeed be invested in the Hive, it should be invested in the Bleak Cabal such that they may expand their numerous ongoing operations. They have had the most experience with dealing with the Hivers and are certainly not seen as outsiders, having commanded a healthy degree of respect from much of the Hive. Soup kitchens, workforce trainers who create jobs, infirmaries, orphanages and the like already being run by the Bleakers - those are the places which are truly the oases of hope and renewal."

He looks up at the moderator briefly with a nod of finality.

[*Xndar]

Maelfina sat for a long while in silence as the topic turned to the Hive. She listened to the arguments thrown back and forth, with varying degrees of approval and disapproval. When the Harmonium Measure finishes speaking, she speaks up from her recumbent position sprawled across the arms of her giant chair.

"I'm in agreement wit' much o' wha Measure Basilisk-Slayer here had ta say. If resources are ta be levied an' directed toward efforts ta make quality o' life in tha Hive slightly less abysmal than it is now, it shoul' be directed toward the efforts o' existin actors in tha area.

Tha' said, I'd respectfully disagree wit all tha nonsense bein bandied 'bout needin a war or purge o' some sort in tha area in order ta restore order. Me business has existed in tha Hive fer many turns o' tha Wheel now, and 'as thrived an' kept tha peace 'round me part o' tha Hive. Sure we've gotten tha odd bombin now an' then, but tha Lady's ward aint exactly been bomb free o' late 'as it?"

She smirks slightly at that.

"If such matters were brough' 'fore an official Council meeting, I'd support tha creation o' a smaller sub-commission, funded an' authorized by tha Council wit tha mandate o' dolin out funds ta Faction an' Non-Faction activities deemed beneficial ta tha order an' quality o' life o' tha Hive."

[*Darkrob]

Garen would speak up. “

Well, it would seem we have a multitude of suggestions for the troubles in the Hive. From charity, to support of the current systems to outright cleansing of the Ward. Do we have anything further to add to that topic? If not, I will include all those suggestions with my final report and end this session for the day to pick up again tomorrow.”

[*Hydra]

- I'm also in agreement, with what my fellow Factor and Measure Xeamunblood said, working with the local actors is probably the best and most pragmatic way to do this effectively. However I'm not certain we should massively vote for funds to be given to the Bleak cabal, how effective their work may be. We need multiples poles of influences, like the weary spirit infirmary to be sustained as well.

[*DarkArc]

"I voiced my suggestions and concerns. I believe Factor Maelfina's suggestion is good as well."

[*Selebius]

The necromancer consults his notes then speaks without getting up this time.

"I suggest that an independent commission is founded to decide about who gets the money and where it is used best. Also it shall be temporary- just to give the hivers a chance to build something, to start to sustain themselves and by doing so justify the investments.

Also I think there shall be noone in thhis body who might profit from the money- just to make corruption as hard as possible. Every coin will be accounted for so that none of the money just.. vanishes there.


As for ensuring security... I doubt undercover actions can be used for this. There must be a visible presence on the street, someone people can adress in case of emergency, someone who can- through mere presence- dissuade at least some troublemakers from making trouble. "