Count Talomar Longden read the missive that had arrived in the morning's mail. He leaned back in his large leather executive's chair and smiled. Whoever this "Merchant Mariner" was, he liked him. The guy was obviously a businessman and with some decent education " two things that were in short supply in Rhy"Din. This mariner didn't catch on that his recent speech was done in mockery of the mudslinging and the non-issues of his opponents, but that's okay; it was deliberately subtle for those outside his camp. He asked not to be disturbed, then picked up his pen and wrote.

- - - -

Dear Merchant Mariner,

I thank you for your letter and for the sincere concern shown by a fellow citizen of this city " a city which we both realize could be much better than it is at present.

You mention a very good point, but if you would allow me to redefine the issue, I would describe the real problem as being that of an exodus of those citizens with skills, motivation and talent, while at the same time we have had an influx of those with no skills, zero motivation, and very little talent. Left unchecked, our city will digress into little more than a slum of "humanity' (if I might be permitted to use that term considering the effect of the Nexus), and but a shadow of what it could have been.

This is exactly why I've entered the race. There is too much at stake to leave out city in the hands of one with little knowledge of what?s happening here, or one who had entered the race on a whim. My time in Rhy"Din actually goes back much further than yours, and I know what our city could be, as well as what it will surely become if the situation is left unchecked.

You bring up three issues, and I'll briefly respond to each.

The first issue is the slow exodus of our citizens. As I alluded to above, good citizens will not remain in a land that caters to the lowest common denominator of the population; and in Rhy"Din, that sinks pretty low. For as long as I've known Rhy"Din, this seems to have been the problem.

I had made many friends here who are also friends of my wife, and I never see them anymore. It greatly saddens me, yet I can understand their departure. What is here to hold their business and attention' You and I know the answer " not much. We need to make them want to be here, and the way to do that is to stop the catering to lawless, dysfunctional, sociopaths who have nothing better to do with their lives than to disrupt our fine society.

The setting and culture of our city could make this a wonderful place to live, but not if we allow the criminals, the ignorant, and the disruptive to control what happens here. I intend to do my best to stop it. I can't do it by myself; but if those with the talents partner with me, I believe we can make a positive impact in a short amount of time and not only stop the exodus, but perhaps entice those fine citizens to return to us once more.

Your second concern is for the commerce of this city, and as a businessman, that is also one of my concerns. To generate establishments of business within our city, you need dedicated businessmen and business women, who will persist with a vision to thrive here. I joked about Badsider Brew, but the Red Orc Brewery has been around this city for a very long time and deserves our support and patronage. My wife started up the Rhy"Din Spring Water Company and that is flourishing. The economy of this city can be excellent, but there is one thing stopping it " crime. Who wants to invest in a business in a war zone"

I plan on encouraging the economy in three ways. The first must be ensuring the protection of every business in Rhy"Din by increasing patrols and handing out appropriate punishment to the criminals that will permanently take them off our streets. It can be done. Secondly, I'm going to request significant tax breaks and financial incentives for anyone who comes with a viable business plan. Thirdly, I'd like to establish a Department of Commerce that will oversee these financial incentives and also provide Rhy"Din with a progressive business plan that will ensure continuous growth. Many cities have been successful in turning slums into prosperous areas for commerce and entertainment, and I'd like to see the same happen here.

Your third issue is piracy, and as a mariner, I'm sure crime on the high seas is something that affects you personally. Rhy"Din has a number of pirates living here and adapting to a civilized lifestyle. We have a pirate who hosts at the RDI and another who has recently married one of our prominent citizens and is living a peaceful life. I believe what is happening is that they do their piracy elsewhere and come to our city to sell their good and spend their money. Unless they commit their crimes in the waters of Rhy"Din, we are unable to do anything until we receive official complaints and warrants for their arrest. I guarantee you that if they commit a crime in our waters; they will be dealt with severely. I hear that the Pirate Miles Malign already dislikes me and supports my opponents. I promise you that if he commits piracy in a way that formal charges can be brought forth, I will give him a very good reason to dislike me.

This brings up another point " why aren't our seas properly protected" Shouldn't we have some form of navy or coast guard that is responsible for the protection of our harbor and seaways" Since you are a merchant marine, I would welcome the opportunity to sit down and speak to you about this should I become Governor.

Please feel free to write me and express your opinions and suggestions at any time.

Sincerely,

Count Talomar Longden.

Kitty peered at the letter for a long time, considering the man's words. She wasn't one for flowery fluff, so she made her reply as blunt and to the point as possible.

"Dear Sir,

I have lived here ten years and I've seen many people come and go. What you must remember is a great deal of people find themselves in this town against their will. A number of those people simply choose to return to their original homes, even after making families here. I cannot fault them for wanting to be closer to their birth place. Others, go off to wars, only to not return. And then, there are the ones who simply leave without reason. I wish I could find a way to make them all want to stay.

As for things being quiet, I thought quiet is what we all wished for in some way or another. I would not call murders in the West End or disappearances in the forest a quiet thing. I, being one of the City Guard, have put forth extra effort and teamed up with the Scathachian sisters in trying to end those very problems. This is a task I do not intend to stop, no matter what position I may or may not have in the future. Perhaps these acts of crime are linked to the exodus of people you are referring to.

The economy is another issue altogether. I do wish more people would use the marketplace in town. I have talked with several people who plan on setting up shops there and have encouraged them. I even supplied one set if girls with a name for their sewing shop. I recently took one of the new citizens of Rhydin to shop in the Market. Perhaps if more of the people who come to this town with their proclaimed independent wealth shopped for what they wished instead of having it conjured up at the behest of mage, then these shops would stay open! But since I cannot control our citizens, I can only push and urge better involvement in the community.

As for the pirates. Yes, many live here as active citizens. Do they pirate those who live here? No. All of the pirates I know, and that's several, all choose to do their chosen profession far from Rhydin shores. If it would put at ease the merchants and families of the town, I would suggest a treaty with the pirates that they would not attack any ship coming to, or leaving Rhydin waters. I would not have a problem in assembling a navy force together to ensure they follow the rules of this treaty. Friends they may be, but they are not above the city law.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to find me while working in the Inn on Sundays. I have nothing to hide and opinions a plenty.

-Kitty Onyxfire Helston"

Posted up on the most public board in Rhy'Din that could be found, the original replies from the candidates, and three copies of his 'rebuttal' of sorts: One for each to take home and ponder over, barring any thievery or foul play on anyone's part.

To the Candidates:

Thank you for your prompt and speedy reply. Allow me to return the favor now. I'm addressing all of your points in one letter, and would certainly welcome further insight into these issues in how you relate these to the realm, and how you relate them to each other. Feel free to look through every point, addressed to you or not, and comment upon it.

Mr. Longden; it's very true that the skill set and professions of Rhy'Din seem to have fallen in some disrepair. No doubt part of this could be addressed with law enforcement, though certainly part of it would have to be addressed with a public education system that does not simply cater to the "gifted." Furthermore, however, I think that apprenticeships within trades and professions would likely help as well. Between a stronger law enforcement presence and some sort of education, you would at the very least help those who need and want to climb up from the state of despair that they have fallen into.

I agree that a Department of Commerce would not hurt; certainly, though, it would have to be an organization run very wisely, and preferably by the very business people that it effects. With proper oversight, of course.

One point which I do not agree with you on, however, is the issue of piracy. I don't know if you've ever been to sea yourself, but ask any mariner and he or she will tell you that we do not just hug the coastlines. Our true nation is the sea; the ship is our home. Not to say that we have no loyalty to where we come from, mind you....simply that our lives are lived at sea, and in the merchant service, our very livelihoods are the cargos we carry.

In as such, I find it hard to believe how allowing piracy to be sanctioned by Rhy'Din so long as it happens to other nations can be a good thing. Frankly, what?s to stop them from gunning me and my crew down at sea, once we've left the local waters" What of other nations' vessels that will not stop here, or even venture anywhere near this continent, because we allow pirates to prey upon them"

I do believe our seas need protected. Not just as a city, but as a continent; excluding the territories of kings and queens and othersuch, Rhy'Din in itself encompasses so much area and even so much meaning, that it really should be our duty and honor to fill in the gaps. I would not be against the idea of discussing a Navy or Coast Guard with you, or anyone else for that matter — I was a Lieutenant in the British Royal Navy Reserve, and while I always hang my hat amongst the merchant service, I would not be beyond pointing you in what I feel would be a worthwhile direction.

Which leads me to the Baron. As you may have noticed, Mr. Longden has said that you're a pirate yourself, through and through. My own crew, who tend to follow gossip somewhat better than I do, agree with him. Now, given that my crew consists mostly of former pirates, I'm a firm believer in 'turning over a new leaf' as it were — but you cannot hang your hat, sir, as both a pirate and a governor, not if you'd like to be true to both. So, which would it be?

As you and Longden both agree that law enforcement would help Rhy'Din, I can only reiterate to you that I also think education would help. I do like the idea of a legal system, however — believe it or not, back many many years ago, I actually sat down and took the Rhy'Din bar exam independently. Sadly, I only tried one case, and then not long later, whatever it was that had passed for government back then dissolved, leaving civilized justice to become a memory. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that I would like to see a legal system; though I doubt I would ever be interested in going back to Rhy'Din law, some form of justice is needed.

I already understand the economics of supply and demand quite well, and I can see what you're saying about that being tied in with 'cleaning up the streets,' as it were. It does, also, tie into the last point: Again, that of piracy.

Out of the three candidates, your words on it ring the truest (at least in their value as sensible): Piracy cannot be condoned simply because it takes place outside of Rhy'Din's waters. You're right, I don't want to fear a volley of cannon fire simply because I've left my home port. Not only does it dissuade people from coming here to trade legitimate goods, but it could very well damage any positive relations with other nations as well. Letters, flags, whatnot will not discourage piracy — it will simply discourage free trade and willingness to come back to this place.

You say that you have your own naval force at your beck and call. Hopefully, win or lose, you would still be willing to help form a navy....not for the sake of your opponents, but for the sake of Rhy'Din.

And now onto Ms. Helston.

No one knows better than I do what it is to have the people you love vanish, be it back to their own realm or whatnot. And yes, some of them likely do go back because they're homesick. But I can tell you, for certain, that so many people leave because they see no hope here.

When I say the realm is quiet, I know whereof I speak. Yes, murders, mayhem, etc, etc. That has always been a problem in Rhy'Din. But now....now there are far fewer good people, of any race, creed, species or whatnot, to balance that out. And yes, I agree that conjuring drinks tends to be irritating, but those with money will spend money on goods and services, so long as those businesses are encouraged to grow.

As for treaties with pirates, no doubt you have read my responses to your opponents. You would do well to remember that just because a mariner isn't flying Rhy'Din's flag, so to speak, doesn't mean they should be fair game. After all, how many of them would bring their business here, or open a branch office, if they didn't have to worry about their offshore interests being attacked"

Finally, to the three of you, I hope that you'll take some of these points to heart. Or, for that matter, at least be able to understand them (it's been a long day and I'm by no means Shakespeare). I'm looking forward to any or all responses that may be posted.

Good luck.

-A merchant mariner

One country's Pirate is another country's Hero.

Th' Sailors o' many lands would oft trade th' flag o' their homeland fer th' Jolly Roger. So oft were many Privateers commissioned by th' various crowns thet a crew might find themselves workin' fer one country one week an' another on th' followin' week.

A reply is sent back to the Mariner

Dear Mariner who is laughing his *** off,

Fear not, the loss of your *** will never be missed by the rest of Rhy"Din.

Do you really think I am so stupid as to not know what your game is" You might think your fooling us all with your high and mighty attitude and your "concern" for the welfare of this city, but from the moment I read your second letter I knew what you were doing.

You don't care a twit about this city. All you care about is your own little shipping business and how you might try to influence the election to serve your own selfish needs. You tried to veil your fear of pirates by slipping in other "concerns" in order to see which candidate would protect your yellow *** the best. I won't be manipulated, and therefore I responded the way I did, and once again you failed to catch on. Obviously you're not nearly as brilliant as you imagine yourself to be. My reply was exactly the way I meant it, as is this one.

You obviously wish to use the resources of the good people of Rhy"Din to protect your pitiful *** on the seas. You have tried to stir up hostility toward pirates so that they become a focus of this election. Trust me, you'd be far better off to stick with your Easter Bunny, for you'll have a lot better chance manipulating him than me.

If you could read as well as you shoot your mouth off, you'd have seen that I wasn't promoting privateering, but trying to educate you regarding pirates. It seems that to try to educate a fool like you is a waste of my time.

Having witnessed your real self-serving motives and your intellect which is little more than a blowfish, if pressed to choose sides as Governor of Rhy"Din, I'd side with the pirates any day. They are far more honest than you. If one of them sinks your little boat, I'm afraid I shall not shed a tear. If you're on board at the time, I just might give them a bonus. Oh, and if they don't do it, I could be tempted to call down one of my own ships and blast your silly vessel to kingdom come. I'd be doing a service ? opening up the waterways a bit more for honest merchants who are not trying to manipulate candidates to do their dirty work.

You mentioned my wife. Since you don't know her and have never met her, I'd suggest you not do it again.

If your pea-brain has not guessed by now, I don't want your vote. I'd rather see it go to the Easter Bunny who is on your mental level and might appreciate your woes on the seas. Oh, and if you haven't noticed, no other merchant has complained about the pirates. If being on the water scares you, I would like to suggest cleaning stables.

Sincerely,

A candidate who will not be manipulated by a laughing fool

First, the reply to Longden; caught, read, mocked and replied to during a lunch break. It's short and to the point.

Mr. Longden:

O"r nefoedd! Rwyt ti fel tiwn gron! Rho daw arni, wnei di"

You are obviously doing a far better job making yourself look like an idiot than I ever will. As to your wife, I rather pity her — given your temperamental responses to my fairly reasonable replies, I can only imagine that she must have to put up with your temper tantrums on a semi-regular basis.

You're welcome to try to judge my wit, but you've hanged yourself with your own rope already. By all means, though, feel free to keep adding to it!

Hoping you find your pacifier soon, An evermore amused merchant mariner

Imp reads Harold's letter.

...I have seen business after business fold, and family after family vanish.

Imp frowns and looks outside at all the people walking around the market. One eyebrow goes up, the opposite side of his face goes down. Pretty funny if you get to see that face. He keeps on reading.

How will you bring business, and therefore prosperity, back into Rhy'Din"

Again, Imp looks around at his shop and all the womens shopping there. He didn't know it was supposed to be busier than this. There's money to make there, he'll have to look into that.

He keeps on reading and gets to the pirates. He's outraged! He takes his blue crayon and starts writing.

Yo Lowe!

What's this about pirates being condoned"! Who are these people and why are they doing this"! How will we ever have baby pirates"!!!

This is an outrage! I promise to un-condoned all pirates in RhyDin if I'm elected Governor!!!

Imp

Imp for Imp-overnor!

He drops a pin in the envelope, seals it and orders Gimpno to deliver the letter.

The cowgirl Queen wasn't out for foul or nefarious purposes. Not at all. She was out scouting for new stories for the supplimental edition of The Oracle that was just going to be about the upcoming Election and when she was strolling along and spotted one of the open letters remaining tacked up it didn't take her but mere seconds to snatch it down and shove it in her pocket.

She had no clue what it said except it had to do with the Election and that was good enough for her to want it for herself. Des spotted a few other notes also tacked up and figured they too must have to do with the one she already had in her pocket so fast as can be they were also torn down and jammed in pockets for the time being.

There was just far too much information for her to stand here on the street corner and read then write it all down. It was too dang cold for one thing and she wanted her creature comforts by golly so off she went with the papers intending to copy them and return them as quickly as she could so that other people would be able to read them too.