Only One!

[kuroi13 67]

((Video courtesy of Mithradites, for your viewing pleasure.))

 

With a dignified huff, Azorella stands before both Kalenz and Lucion with a few handfuls of paper before her. She glances about at the audience around her, shivering vaguely at the crowd. Grunting slightly, she quickly recomposes herself, hastily straightening her notes.

 

The crowd around her was full of fellow Mali'aheral, some young, some old, some feisty, some solemn. Hushed murmurs grew silent as Kalenz and Lucion broke into a subtle death glare, ready to verbally tear the other's throat out.

 

Clearing her throat, Azorella addressed those around her, although an uncomfortable modulation permeated her voice at first.

 

"lliran, as per required by law... we are gathered here to witness the debate between challenger Kalenz Uradir and incumbent Lucion Sullas. As requested by Lucion Sullas... I shall try to moderate this debate and will proffer questions for discussion--either those pre-meditated upon by myself or those previously volunteered by citizens... As for the format itself, we'll be foregoing an opening statement for this debate and will be starting with our questions. After which, the incumbent and challenger shall each give a closing statement.

 

Without further ado... may the debate for the position of Sohaer begin..."

 

Azorella shuffles her papers a moment, sipping at a small glass of water before continuing:

 

"For your first question... lliran... I ask:

What is your position on the war between the Bortu and Valah? How will you ensure the safety of Lin'evaral and her inhabitants amidst this conflict? What role, or lack thereof, do you propose Haelun'or plays in this war?

[Mithradites 1168]

Lucion's eyes flick between Azorella, Kalenz, and the assembled crowd. He exhales with a soft grunt, and pulls his arms behind his back. Raising his nose up slightly, he looks the crowd over--seemingly relaxing his posture, and sweeps his gaze across the sea of on-lookers. He opens his mouth, and speaks in his usual stern, monotonous voice.

 

"From the time of the revitalisation of the motherland, and the election of the original Silver Council, Haelun'or has been a neutral nation. One that aligns with no political entity--relying on the sweat of its own brow, and the skill of its own hands. To defile the 'blessed neutrality' cultivated throughout a century, to gain an upper-hand in an infinitesimal border-conflict with the Mali'nor is a disgrace. Now, this dreaded Concordat, though it has made our land-claims far simpler to achieve, has placed us into a possible confrontation with Bortu'nor. Alliances with Valah are fickle, and now that we have dirtied ourselves with their taint, it will take decades to remove it from our boots.

 

Ehaelun'or has no role in the conflict, and never should. This is a war created from the raw stupidity often found in the lesser peoples, and thus, our role is to merely ignore it. Such foreign nonsense is beneath our exalted people. Our safety lies in the re-institution of the blessed neutrality. When it is convenient for us, we must sever this tether, and begin once more our service to the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya without the unnecessary coupling with the quarrelling beasts outside our wall."

[Supremacy 3361]

Kalenz remains quiet as Lucion speaks. On occasion his eyes flick through the crowd, observing all those who are present. The gathering was larger than he expected, but that was irrelevant. He swiftly rises before striding forwards. He clears his throat once before beginning to speak:

 

"For over thirty years Lucion Sullas has lead Haelun'or under his ideals of neutrality. An ideal which left the mali'aheral to work with only what they had alone. Let us, perhaps, examine where that has left us. Let us evaluate this concept of neutrality which we stood by under Lucion for so long.

 

This neutrality and favoritism towards our 'cousins' has permitted them to think that they may backstab us whenever desired. That they may starve us of land we need. This neutrality permitted the vile cat-beasts across the water to think that the execution of a mali'aheral was tolerable. This neutrality kept us from alliances with those who act in our best interests, unlike the dirt and cave elves just past the flower valley."

 

Kalenz pauses for a moment before nodding singularly as if to reinforce his point and then continuing:

 

"Indeed, it would seem to me that this neutrality has only caused the venerated denizens of Haelun'or harm.

 

In addition, Mr. Sullas finds himself horrendously ill informed. Something he could have easily avoided were he capable of summoning our allies here for a brief conversation. The valah do not expect the mali'aheral to help them in their war. They are more than capable of beating back the dwarves without any aid from us whatsoever.

 

That being said, it is irrelevant if we are neutral in this war or not for we have interest in one side prevailing over the other beyond our Crimson-Silver Concordat. Is it not obvious that elbortu will attempt to purge us for the anvil we possessed so many years ago?

 

It is because of this we stand with the valah. The descendants of Horen have yet to backstab us as those of Malin in Malinior have. They have yet to blame us for a crime we did not commit as the sons of Uraguan do. Finally, as if this needed explanation, they are not uruk.

 

It is obvious: Lucion's neutrality only serves to cause us harm".

[kuroi13 67]

Nodding slightly to the incumbent and challenger as they spoke, Azorella reads off a second question from her note sheets when she finds the two finished with their arguments. 

 

"ahernan, lliran. For the next question, I ask that Mr. Uradir present first, if he would:

Describe your opinions on the Crimson-Silver Concordat and the Silver-Emerald Covenant. What do you feel are the merits and faults of each and how do you intend to further handle foreign relations with the Bortu, Valah, Mali, Kharajyr, etc.? 

[Supremacy 3361]

Kalenz blinks once at the question before swiftly beginning to speak:

 

"The Crimson-Silver Concordat came as a direct result of the way which Lucion Sullas governed our people. For the time he was Sohaer and lead us as tilruir'mali in Dio's absence he was far to willing to become friendly with the nation of elves which only wished to destroy us and the blessed purity in which we resided.

 

No longer would we stand for such continued behavior. Unlike the dirt-elves and cave-elves the valah, in our experience have never threatened our existence. Indeed, it is only to the throats of the lesser-elves which they brought their blades to. It is thus we shared a common distaste and had a common reason to create our concordat. The valah are numerous, and inferior. However, they benefit us as we benefit them.

 

The Kharajyr too have shown us that they are similar in nature to the elves of the Old Princedom. While Mr. Sullas stood as Sohaer he permitted the savage beasts to execute one of our own before our gates. The valah too shared this opinion. Once again, the Concordat served to reaffirm our mutual opinions and to protect our interests.

 

The Bortu blame us for attempting to take a magical artifact from their inferior hands. They shall be treated with scorn but it is difficult to predict how we shall handle foreign relations until after this current war— noting that the valah have no interest in our participation in the battles.

 

As for the Emerald-Silver Concordat? That simply served as a reminder to Malinor to attempt to improve how they behave towards us. Perhaps in the future we may trust the cave and dirt elves once more".

[Mithradites 1168]

Lucion clenches his jaw as Kalenz speaks, and his upper-lip twitches. Finally his turn approaches, and he his purses his lips before, once again, speaking in his monotonous drawl.

 

"If Mr Uradir will kindly recall the methods by which the Haelun'or was "governed" after the first dismissal of the Silver Council--there were no leaders. The Mali'aheral were free to live as they desired within the city. One did not "lead" the city, one merely "guided" it, and even then this was difficult to do. I was a servant of Haelun'or. Not its master, as you seem to imply. 

 

One's attempted relations with the Mali'nor of Asulon was a geographical affair rather than a desire to be broken and angered time after time by their ensuing incompetence. There were two entities upon the Emerald Isle--Haelun'or, and Malinor. Our direct, and arguably, "only" neighbors were, at the time, necessary for our security. Oren has, in fact, threatened us with war in the past due to harboring the Kha-creatures for a time. Why this was an issue with them, I am still unsure. Now, as for the actual question..."

 

Lucion flattens his coat quickly, and clears his throat.

 

"One has already spoken of the foolishness this "concordat," and the fickle nature of both Valah life, and, logically, their politics. Alliances of any sort will end and change with the death of their current leaders. Their children--raised in the degenerate opulence of their foul, palatial estates, will have no investment in the deals of their forebears. Such a concept Mr Uradir mustn't be privy to. An excellent example of this is, in fact, the Kha.

 

During the days when our people were threatened by Uruks and their ilk, one sought out a solution that, like Mr Uradir's ideal, involved using a lesser race to protect our own from harm. As Mr Uradir quite tactfully pointed out, one of our own was brutally slaughtered in front of us. Though, thanks to the timely healing of the monks, returned to us once more. The Kha whom I fostered relations during our time in the blessed motherland were very much unlike the animals whom stood outside our gate. I ask Mr Uradir--what would he do, should a throng of his Valah lliran disembowel a mali'aheral outside our walls?

 

The faults of all the lesser peoples are singular--that they are not mali'aheral. Outsiders cannot be trusted in any capacity to make rational, and competent decisions. The only treaty Mr Uradir presided over that one agrees with is the Silver-Emerald Covenant. Of course, should outsiders be, again, trustworthy, such a thing would not be required, as every article within that diplomatic farce seeps the air of the redundant. However, this merely serves my own point--that outsiders are incapable of rational thinking.

 

My point, should you not understand it, is that one desires no relations of any kind with any outside entity. I want the mali'aheral to become an enclave of indifference to the stupidity of the lesser beings."

[kuroi13 67]

Azorella coughs lightly to clear her throat, taking another sip at her glass of water. 

 

For our third question, I ask that Mr. Sullas respond first.

 

The elfess pauses for a moment before continuing:

 

Haelun'or has always been economically independent of outside trading and its economic infrastructure is practically non-existent since everything within the city is free. However, income is sometimes necessary to fund the purchase of valuable resources in times of a war and other costly and necessary things such as ships or construction equipment. How do you propose we obtain such income?

[Mithradites 1168]

Furrows his brow at the question and tilts his head. His eyes dart between Azorella, Kalenz, and the crowd. He clenches his jaw slightly. He inhales with a quick breath, and purses his lips.

 

​"One is not entirely sure of how this question is relevant to the Sohaer's leadership. It is my understanding that Delonna, another part of the blessed Triumvirate, tends to handle the stockpiling of unnecessary currency. One has yet to find a substantial amount worthy of donating, but I am quite sure he is willing to accept any and all donations for emergency supplies."

 

Once more looks around himself--suprised at his own short answer.  

[Supremacy 3361]

"A slow trickle of income can be found when required. The mali'aheral are industrious and capable of making most of what they require, and this small income tends to pay for everything else we could possibly desire. One will also note that due to the generosity of the lesser-valah we have acquired a relatively large iron supply for our own use in the defense of Haelun'or".

 

Kalenz coughs and turns to glare at Lucion for a moment

 

"Unfortunately, Lucion Sullas here has decided it is appropriate to waste such supplies on his hideous metal object he has hanging over the lake. He has threatened the security of the mali'aheral in exchange for this pointless scientific experiment. While we must make progress, it is not progress if we are slaughtered while he constructs his metal bell. Resources must be used appropriately or not at all.

 

Lucion has proven he is incapable of deciding what is appropriate. Therefore he shall not be permitted to decide anymore how they are used, no?"

[kuroi13 67]

Flipping to a second sheet of notes, Azorella reads off the fourth question as she did the previous three:

 

"I ask Mr. Uradir to respond first again, and I'm sure the both of you have noticed the pattern at this point. In any case, your fourth question is as such...

 

How would you address the issue of impures? What are your opinions on the recent hunt for the Fallen--and similar foul specimens--and how do you propose to continue or dissolve this effort?

[Supremacy 3361]

Kalenz stares at Azorella for perhaps a moment longer than required. Seconds after she finishes speaking a sly smile curves at his lips before he steps forwards to speak once more:

 

"Foul specimens, indeed. As I have said countless times in the past the impure mark a stain upon the reputation of our venerated culture. While they wander about Anthos preaching their illogical egalitarian prattle they plant a seed into the minds of those of the lesser-races".

 

Kalenz pauses before extending his hand, between his fingers appears to be a small green seed.

 

"This seed is a concept. The idea is given to the lesser-creatures that they may be like us. That they may, somehow, be equal to those who are so superior to them in every facet of life".

 

The seed, seemingly impossibly, begins to grow. A  sprout emerges from the tip of the seed and leaves begin to sprout from it. The plant is sickly and is a pale yellow-green. Kalenz pauses and gestures to the ailing plant.

 

"The impure are weeds. Creatures to be uprooted from the ground and purged should they not relinquish their illogical views. There are however, some who shall not be given the chance to reform. Some who have stepped so far beyond the boundary of the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya that they shall never be permitted to return. Our vile igne'sair is one of them. She and her associates shall be eliminated. They shall serve as a lesson. Those who seek to harm the mali'aheral and defile their culture shall meet a wicked end". 

 

The weed withers further and becomes grey before falling to the ground as ash. Kalenz then turns to Lucion and awaits his impending comments.

[Mithradites 1168]

Lucion Sullas stands quietly, awaiting the end of Kalenz' speel. He begins his drone once more, almost immediately after Kalenz finishes speaking.

 

"Impurity is but another challenge against the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya. However, how does one bring these dregs towards the light of correct-thought? We have given those who shirk their duty the tools to rebuild themselves within the blessed confines of Larihei's vision. Those who betray their ancestor's blood and care only for disgraceful emotional gratification have no place within these walls. They must come to us to redeem themselves, for it is by our mercy that they may walk within the blessed wisdom of Lin'evaral.

 

As for the children of betrayers, they have no place within our walls, and never shall. However, to slaughter them wholesale gains us nothing but the ire of the lesser-minded. Let the beasts rot outside the walls."

 

Inhales sharply after a short pause, and purses his lips.

 

"The "Fallen" (never has there been a more apt title) are nothing but a nuisance. In their ignorance, they thought to uplift themselves out of their squalid conditions through destruction, and death. They found neither, and lost all. However, was it worth the mali'aheral's time and energy to hound each member until they were finally liquidated? Only the leader, Vallel, is a name I recognised, and considered a threat. The rest were of no consequence. 

 

As one had stated before, destroy the igne harlot, and leave the rest to fate. They are not worth our time."

[kuroi13 67]

Shuffling her papers briefly, Azorella flips to the last page of her notes before announcing the next question.

 

For our fifth and final question, lliran, I ask you:

 

How do you intend to further the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya? i.e: expanding education and research in the Arcane, the sciences, literature, etc. and also any plans for el'sillumiran, if any. Additionally, how will you improve education for Malii?

[Supremacy 3361]

Kalenz rises suddenly and just as he has done four times before, he begins to speak to the crowd:

 

Furthering the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya is not a task for the Sohaer alone. Indeed, that is a task which should be spread about to all the individual mali'aheral of our venerated cihi. However, with the position of Sohaer comes significant power with which one may further the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya with. It has been long known that I myself practice the arcane, and this is something which I wish to continue to grow within our cihi.

 

Kalenz exhales sharply before scanning the crowd once more, his eyes linger on Safrill, Elavern'sil and the other Sillumir for a moment.

 

As for Elsillumiran, I shall ensure that they continue to grow. Grow in a way conducive to the defense and continued well being of our blessed way of life. For forty long years did Mr. Sullas permit those who defend our city to wither away until none remained. A decision which was less than intelligent as it has taken many a year to rebuild Elsillumiran to what they are now.

 

Without those who carry out the cursed deed of killing, we are weak. We appear to those outside our walls as individuals who they may simply walk over without a second thought. In the last few years we have reversed this illogical pattern of thinking. It is now the Fallen who fear us and Malinor who understands that our relationship is one which they must strive to be an equal if not larger partner in.

 

Perhaps in time our growing population will lead us to yet another cihi where we may house our blessed kin".

[Mithradites 1168]

As he opens his mouth to speak, he shuts it again--trounced by Kalenz' quick answer. He looks towards Kalenz with an ice-cold glare and continues to stare at him during his whole statement. His arms tighten firmly behind his back. When the spiel is finished, he growls under his breath.

 

"To think an impudent little insect like yourself is even capable of speech! How dare you squawk out of turn, valah'llir!"

 

Breathes in slowly, and regains his composure with a soft sigh. He looks back towards the crowd, and slowly runs his hand through his platinum hair. His expression calms, and he begins to speak in his monotonous drone.

 

"The question is indeed a difficult one to answer. As was my intention in the original election of the Sohaer, I promised to oversee the expansion of the library, labyrinth, and laboratories for the furthering of the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya. However, the miracle of discovery is an art that must be taught by the self--a mali'aheral must choose the path of knowledge and reason. It is, however, the task of each mali'aheral to educate the malii within Larihei's embrace. Not merely those within "elevated" positions of society.

 

The purpose of creating the position of the Okarir'tir was to enforce our law, and recruit for the Sillumiran. The Sohaer has, and should never have, any input with the creation and implimentation of what armed forces that protect the city."