An Official Declaration - All Read

[Templar Raeflyn]

Greetings citizens and allies of Dasaria,

I am Brigadier Raeflyn E'Doras, commander of the Redboot Brigade, loyal and faithful Dasarian citizen and patriot, as are many of you. I'd like to first take the time to commend all of you who has fought Varana tooth and nail, never stopping to take more rest then you required, never stopping for matters of irrelevance or conflicts that you knew below you. You, who honour me with your presence.

I am sure that I am not the only one to observe the recent problems that our quaint little village has been experiencing. I have served in the Brigade for a long time, nearly it's entire existence, and I have never seen our beloved town in such disarray. You cannot deny that fact. Things have changed from how we use to manage ourselves with regard to one another. I think that what I'm about to declare will give us all an opportunity to secure our Dasarian spirits, and change our village back to how it use to be.

The Council is in disarray. We have tried to develop a degree of organization and efficiency, to create laws that needed to be created and to manage the town the way it needed to be managed. I can say with some truth that we have been doing that. But it is not enough, three active lords sit on the council. Lord Palequine Callous, Lord Nobby Underfoot and myself. That is not enough to manage the entire town, let alone the entire nation. Changes need to be made, laws need to be amended, and with the current chaos settling on our land, we haven't the resources nor the time to make those changes with out current protocols in mind.

I will not lie to any of you, I feel that a number of things need to be changed 'lest we lose control of this village hand it over to chaos’ hands. When Daris was settled, it had begun as a good and just society. A Temple of Ramman was erected, and soon following a Temple of Anu was also established. It had been the home to many a good follower, and the laws of the land and the way we had conducted ourselves was based on such morals and attitudes. This has changed. The Undead walk our streets, and I've seen the paleness in Sal’s cheeks, the suspicion and depression in the late Captain Ayloman, and now the Captain Notter. Our front lines tremble, our offensive line is all but destroyed, and even now we are recovering from a dreadful and terrible destruction of Daris. We are in a sad mess, my friends.

I will get to the point, as you all are probably anticipating the decision I have made. I will begin with stating the Redboot Brigade's primary and most important, sacred objective: The protection of Daris, the safety of her citizens and the preservation of her existence. That one objective lies above laws, above our protocols, our procedures. Should any of us choose between anything at all, the maintenance of the safety of this town is top priority. It has been awhile since I have revisited that one important and crucial point, and now I have come to a decision.

The Council is not fit to rule at this moment, therefore as of now the Redboot Brigade will be taking the reigns for awhile to insure a more efficient and just leadership in the interest of a just and good society. The newly created Senior Staff of the Brigade will insure that the decisions are not for one man alone, and that opinions from different people will be offered in order to maintain an unbiased decision. The voice of the people will never be ignored, any concerns or questions are freely encouraged to be taken to myself or any member of the senior staff. We are here to serve you, and to do that we have to make sure that a few things are taken care of here.

I ask for your patience and your support. Daris will change gradually, yet we will not tarry.

I can tell you right now that as of now, the Undead in Daris are no longer welcome. I was told recently by a trusted comrade to visit the Crypts, and if I were to do so I would find myself alone. He speaks true, the undead that walk our streets are unearthed and disturbed Dasarian heroes and patriots who deserve their rest and peace, and to desecrate that honour is an affront to our integrity. No longer shall undeath linger in our village, if not for the sake of our honour, then for the sake of our children who cower in question and fear of these atrocities.

I can guarantee that Daris will not outlaw evil altogether. I can understand that we have differences, yet we are allies against the coming tide that is Varana. We have tried hard to live together, but that isn't possible. Daris is a town of good morals rather then that of evil, and it shall remain so.

It is my hope that people can understand my decisions, and that we can peacefully rebuild our defences and offences, and soon regain our feet against Varana. That is my primary concern.

I bid you good night, and hope for a morning of peace and renewed focus,

- Brigadier Raeflyn E'Doras

[Holly]

The Kingseekers will support the Redboots in this edict.

[NebUnderfoot]

Who are YOU to declare Martial Law ? I won't stand for it or the slander you throw at the Heroes of Dasaria, Living and Dead...

For what greater Love is their for one's country that death itself cannot, WILL NOT, dissuade you from protecting that land which you love ?

I have sent many to the grave with my blade... And my life and the lives of my fellow counrtymen have in turned been saved by the corporal bodies of those who had once fallen... Fallen only to RISE ONCE MORE in service to the land - Just as Dasaria itself has fallen, and will once more Rise Again !

How many times have you fallen yourself Commander ? I saw you die myself... And yet you have too have cheated death if only by the grace of the power of the Portal Stones which the ancients have blessed us with... And yet you walk, returned from cheating death... Why is THAT not an abomination to your God ??? Why are you not spurned from "Grace" by cheating the natural laws of death to return your foul presence to our land ?

You have thwarted the Council with your indecision and failing support, and now it is painfully obvious as to why. You seek power, the power to rule by the Sword with your precious and misguided Brigade.

The Knights of the Hin Fist at your side no doubt, claiming a number of two thousand strong, yet with such a force where were they when Citizens like myself were spilling our blood in the Claw Sanctum fighting and dying for the land which you now think you can take with blade in hand ???

No Commander, you are deluded. Those of you who are blinded by narrow definitions of "Good" are deluded... I had thought better of you last eve when you stood against the Knights of the Hin Fist who were attempting to wage genocide in our village, but I see that the madness of the zealots has claimed you too.

You have brought madness and Civil War when you could have used your presence to strengthen us... I defy you and I stand by the Council and Dasaria... I will defend this Land from invaders, foreign or domestic and I will rally all I can to the cause.

It is a sad day when the Paladins of our Land turn their swords on the weak, when they inflict rule by the sword... No Sir, I defy you with every breath and fiber of my being... Evil done in the name of Good is the foulest, most loathsome treachery of all... And you have chosen to carry its banner into chaos and madness.

I pray you find the world you seek, and when you are struck down one more time, that the power of the Stones fails you, and Death itself claims you and rots your flesh in a shallow and unmarked grave.

Lord Nobby Underfoot, Defiant Patriot of Dasaria

[Templar Raeflyn]

Who are YOU to declare Martial Law ?

I am a Dasarian patriot of many years and Brigadier of the Redboot Brigade. Martial Law has been declared. Whether you agree with it or not.

For what greater Love is their for one's country that death itself cannot, WILL NOT, dissuade you from protecting that land which you love ?

The men and woman risen from the grave by Necromancers have no free will to choose whether they wish to serve or not. They have fallen for the final time, and they should remain so. To do otherwise dirties the honour of their name and takes free will and shoves it in their face as false.

How many times have you fallen yourself Commander ? I saw you die myself... And yet you have too have cheated death if only by the grace of the power of the Portal Stones which the ancients have blessed us with... And yet you walk, returned from cheating death... Why is THAT not an abomination to your God ??? Why are you not spurned from "Grace" by cheating the natural laws of death to return your foul presence to our land ?

I don't worship a one god, Nobby. I'm in fact, a godless man. I've been brought back from the brink by the portal, I have never been risen by the powers of necromancy such as those who reanimate corpses agianst their will and command them as such.

You have thwarted the Council with your indecision and failing support, and now it is painfully obvious as to why. You seek power, the power to rule by the Sword with your precious and misguided Brigade.

I seek power? Sir, I seek Dasarian freedom. If you think I am a tyrant seeking power and control, you certainly do not know me. I had hoped my actions have proven myself to you. Your actions have proven yourself to me. You planted a crossbow bolt in my back a week or two after we had returned from Daris in defiance of myself upholding the law of Daris! You have stolen from the pockets of Dasarians as well, and for that I will see you removed from the council soon enough. You are not fit to bear the title "Lord".

Palequine has voiced his support to me in this endeavor, and the other Lords and Ladies of the Council are inactive as far as I'm concerned. Since the sacking of Daris I have yet to see a Lord of the council. Only you, Palequine and myself. The Council is hardly in a shape to make any decisions.

No Commander, you are deluded. Those of you who are blinded by narrow definitions of "Good" are deluded... I had thought better of you last eve when you stood against the Knights of the Hin Fist who were attempting to wage genocide in our village, but I see that the madness of the zealots has claimed you too.

I slew knights of the first for breaching the law, and I will do so again should they march in and again, attempt to break our laws. Duty and Law is more important for a soceity to thrive, and the way things are now, lawlessness runs rampant, some of that contributed to you and your 'Ling Death Squad.

You have brought madness and Civil War when you could have used your presence to strengthen us... I defy you and I stand by the Council and Dasaria... I will defend this Land from invaders, foreign or domestic and I will rally all I can to the cause.

Defy me then. Rally your kin. What I do is in the best interest of Dasaria. Either Rally against me, or rally with me so that we can straighten the mess that is Daris out. If not, then we have a problem. Martial Law has been declared.

- Brigadier Raeflyn E'Doras

[Templar Raeflyn]

There seems to be a misconception here.

People are in belief that the Redboots will be staying in power. That is incorrect. We only wish to be an efficient and quick leadership rule until Daris is back on her feet, the buildings are complete, the military is re-armed and things are straightened out. Then the reigns of power will be returned to the newly re-organized and re-staffed Council of Lords (which has been in the works, it's been difficult ruling the nation AND reorganizing for them) or the ruling heir to the kingdom.

Hope that clears something up,

- Raef

[Rego Blin]

For what greater Love is their for one's country that death itself cannot, WILL NOT, dissuade you from protecting that land which you love ?

The men and woman risen from the grave by Necromancers have no free will to choose whether they wish to serve or not. They have fallen for the final time, and they should remain so. To do otherwise dirties the honour of their name and takes free will and shoves it in their face as false.

Brigadier, I must strongly disagree with you on this, though I cannot speak for others I had Lord Maelstrom revive me from dead, so I could fight again. Fight for this village, which has yet again shunned many of its defenders due to a group of over zealous knights. Becomming "Undead" has not affected my honour, and I have as much free will as you do, I am of my own mind, not a mindless slave as you seem to think.

The Council is not fit to rule at this moment, therefore as of now the Redboot Brigade will be taking the reigns for awhile to insure a more efficient and just leadership in the interest of a just and good society.

As to Martail Law?
This judgment seems rather one sided.
I would like to know who else supported this idea, other than Palequine which you stated. The citizens of Daris have been allowed to participate in many less important matters, I say let them vote on this, the public will not follow the Brigade's orders if they are aginst this. All I gather from what I read is that the Redboot are taking over, kicking the Council out, and doing things their way. You say you wish to improve realations with the followers of Nergal, yet you will not allow "Undead" to be in the village, it seems more you are trying to single us out...get rid of us, however you want to say it.

As far as I am concerned can be seen as an act of treason, a way for the Brigade to gain more power, and aid these "Knights" with their problems ie the Nergalites.

Just my two cents

Rego

[Templar Raeflyn]

I will reiterate,

This decision was not made without considering all possibilities. Such a decision like this one has never been made before, therefore I did not want to make it in error.

The Council is hardly "kicked out". You make it seem as though we've occupied the town under a military dictatorship, and while it may not be too far off from that, it's hardly such a cold definition as how you describe.

The Council of Lords is still a Dasarian organization, when I spoke to Palequine about this it was my intention to take hold of the running of the nation. We both saw that during the rebuilding process and the re-intergration with the Village, that people were still bickering amongst themselves, thieves were on the rampage, and the rebuilding process has been hampered because of this.

The Council will be handed back the reigns once things settle own, the Redboots will slide back into their normal role as Military and Law Enforcing agency. We've decided to step in, because no one else seems to be doing so.

This is not permanent. We don't intend to run things forever.

Daris is a just and good town, Rego. That is the way it is. It has always been like that, it has always been shaped and formed to fit that image and I was trained to uphold that image.

This town is not a dominantly evil town, therefore we will not have corpses shambling and striding back and forth throughout the village, while our children look on. I can't see that as proper. I have respect for the dead, not the living dead.

I am not a zealot, nor a overly religious man as perhaps some of the Knights may seem to you. I'm a man that has watched our townspeople and children pale and sicken in the sight of corpses rising from the grave.

I have been brooding on this issue, and upon recieving council from many a friend I have decided that in order to restore some sort of balance and peace to the village, this needs to be enacted.

[Rego Blin]

Then I believe you have made your point Brigadier, you have no respect for me, or your allies.

You say you explored all possible actions, yet, from what I gather many of the populace were unimformed until now, which brings up yet more questions to your motives...

I will not sit back and let your Brigade do as they wish...take that as you wish for I have said what I fell I must, I will say no more

Rego

[Templar Raeflyn]

You say you explored all possible actions, yet, from what I gather many of the populace were unimformed until now, which brings up yet more questions to your motives...

Many of the populace was engaged in these civil conflicts, Rego. It is my duty to protect my people, even when they can't even protect themselves. The Brigade only wishes to steady the unstable and stumbling order that is Daris so that it can remain suitable in fighting against Varana.

That is why we're all here, isn't it? To fight Varana?

[Namtar]

You appear to be running a fine line commander - in my dealings with you I have felt that you are an honourable man true to your calling. I hope to believe that this action is for the greater benefit of all citizens of Dasaria however your decision threatens to throw our land into the complete chaos that you claim to seek to avoid.

You have angered many of the faithful of Nergal by denying a number of our faithful entry into the village - we do not expect on even seek to be welcome with open arms but most of us have given our lives.. or existence to the causes of Dasaria... we have honoured the treaty not to attack the Knights in Dasar - we have offered help in rebuilding Daris and out trades people have offered help where it has been requested.

You have angered Lord Nobby Underfoot - who has a strong voice within the village - I suspect it would not be just the 'Lings that will follow Lord Nobby should be defy your ruling.

I would request the following: Those Knights who broke the laws of the land they swore to uphold and neglected their scared duty to protect the City of Dasar - they should be stripped of their rank and forced to renew their vows until they are purged of this madness.

That the ruling on the ban from entering the village on those who have been granted an eternal existence be amended to account for a small yet significant number such as Lord Maelstrom and Rego Blin.

That you hold council with Lord Nobby Underfoot and see if some agreement can be reached to avoid more conflict with both his Lordship and the many who follow his often wise words.

At this moment I can not offer more than my own guarantee of continued assistance and a promise that I will not summon any undead whilst in the confines of the village. However I am sure that should you take action as requested then the council of Nergal will be glad to negotiate further and come to agreements beneficial to all of the citizens of Dasaria.

I have so far stood by whilst many words and actions have been made against the faithful of Nergal. I cannot and will not stand for anymore attacks upon any of those of Nergal within the village unless with the confines of the law. Any attack that I witness will I assure you result in the perpatroters swift demise.

[Trinny]

I worry here that you have decided to attempt to enforce this martial law, which it is regardless of how you want to describe it, without a majority vote of the council.

When were you given the right to rule over Dasaria on a whim? I think this situation illustrates concerns that have been expressed recently that the Redboots are an arm of the military rather than answerable to some form of democratic process, IE the council.

I do not wish to argue the choices you have made as head of your new organisation, I wish to express my concern as a Dasarian over the mechanisms by which you have assumed power. It seems, you feel you are able to assume comand when you feel things are not fitting with your vision of how the vllage should be.

What guarantees do the citizens of Dasaria have that you will not do the same should the new council turn out to disagree with you? What guarantee do we have that any new council will be fairly chosen, and not filled with lackey's of your approval? What guarantee do we have you will relinquish this great new power you believe you hold? I have yet to see a human give such things back willingly.

I think you have illustrated the fact that Dasaria as a people need to have a greater say in how they are governed. The early times of the village are past, and there are voices enough that some form of democratic process can be effective - even if this takes the form of a council that at least listens to open debate from the people. I believe the people should move to creating a Dasaria that removes this all-encompassing power the military holds and bring them under the control of a ruling council. I do not feel comfortable with the power in military hands. It has shown itself to be dangerously close to a dictatorship, when it decides a 50/50 split of the council is enough to assume power and remove the councils authority.

We do not need a military to guide us as we rebuild dasaria and a new council. We need the people to come together with those of the council who survived the war and debate what must be done next, and then put the conclusions of such a debate into action.

Now, one small comment on your faux ruling against the undead of the village. And it may surprise you. I feel you make a very good point regardig the fear such animations can cause within the village and amongst the children, and this is something that should be avoided. But rather than criminalise the leaders of the village's strongest allies, and incite violent rebuke toward them, perhaps it would be better to simply come to an understanding. That the undead are welcome allieas of Daris against Varan, and that they should make every effort to reduce their presence within the village during daylight hours. That communications between the undead and the council should take place in such a way as to keep ther physical presence away from the ordinary citizens and children we strive to protect and inspire. I feel this would go a long way to remove the current deep running feelings that you are simply pandering to the arrogant and fanatical Knights of the Fist.

[The G Elle]

Tin))

*Chuckles Coldly*

The webs we weave

*smiles*

[GM Marduk]

martial law n.
1. Temporary rule by military authorities, imposed on a civilian population especially in time of war or when civil authority has broken down.
2. The law imposed on an occupied territory by occupying military forces.

Who are YOU to declare Martial Law ?

He's the leader of the military.

As to Martail Law?
This judgment seems rather one sided.
I would like to know who else supported this idea

Kindly note the "imposed upon a civilian population" part of the definition. If he had the support of the people it wouldn't be martial law.

I worry here that you have decided to attempt to enforce this martial law, which it is regardless of how you want to describe it, without a majority vote of the council.

Once again, martial law means the military is taking over because, in the eyes of the military, the civilian authorities have let the situation degenerate into chaos. If he had a majority vote of the council it would not be martial law, it would simply be enforcing the laws of the Council, which is what he has always done.


I am neither condemning nor condoning his actions, merely clarifying what "Martial Law" means, so you know what you're arguing about.

[Daelian Di'ren]

Trinny your lying tonge has gone too far this time!

The dark army of Nergal infests occupies our capital and you DARE to call yourself an ally of Dasaria?! An entire battalion of the army death is stationed in the capital with orders to attack citizens of Daris and Daser on sight.

Allies you say? Is is you who have declared war against Dasaria!

[Loki]

yeah people get yer arguments straight! Next time yer speak to the Commander of all unfree - oppressed - subjugated - enslaved - peoples of Dasaria ensure that you refer to him with his new full title -

His most Exulted, Lordship, Worshipfulness, Highness of all Dasaira, Scourge of the common man, Brigadier Raeflyn E'Doras


Please feel free to correct me if there are any of his Grace's titles official or otherwise missing.

Are the redboots now allowed to OFFICIALLY abuse their power?