(mini-event) THE COALITION OF REFUGEES

[natha]

THE COALITION     On the day of the council, there are markers tied with ribbons in the colors of both Olympia and Wyver that line the paths from the cities to the South Outpost, meant to guide anyone with an invitation to the first meeting of the Coalition of Refugees. While during the previous festivities of the gala the Great Hall was sharply divided between Olympians and Wyverns, the differences between the factions are not so apparent now. Inside, the hall is decorated with a more subdued mix of the white and gold of Olympia and the red and black of Wyver. Banners, pennants, and bunting drape from the ceiling and wind around wooden pillars. To one side of the hall, there are tables set up with drinks and finger foods — refreshments for the guests, for after the opening speech. A raised platform has been set up at one end of the room, flanked by contingents of both the Royal Guards and the Knightryders standing at attention side by side, differentiated only by the make of their armor and the colors they wear. Ashti, Shenya, and Heryn stand waiting for the arrival of their monarchs, pointedly ignoring each other; notably, Raysc, Shanrian's son and the leader of Mythi's Fangs, is conspicuously absent. Staff members cluster to the side of the stage, waiting for the speech to begin. A whisper drifts over from a woman in one of the Olympian groups: Do you really think the Empress will try to negotiate for Nithor's skull? The man she's speaking to shakes his head and scoffs, answering: Ha! Not a chance. She thinks it's too soon, who knows if this peace will last. Besides, there's no way she's willing to give up Ysevrai's heart. A horn sounds, and the staff members subside, glancing around to see if anyone's overheard. A moment later, and Simwe and Shanrian make their appearance, walking together to the stage for their speech. Aha… we have quite the gathering here, do we not? All of our heroes in one place… This may be an unprecedented meeting, but it seems as though it will be a productive one. Let us begin by thanking all of you for your contributions to our cities in recent times. Since your arrival, you have weathered the plague that swept through our cities and aided us in finding its cure; you have withstood the scorn of those who were meant to shelter you turning against you, and helped us quell riots in the very hearts of our homes; you have been taken right off the streets and endured hardships too terrible to tell, and have proven heroes in bringing our people safely home. You have done much for us, and shown yourselves loyal beyond many who were born within our walls. We will allow your voices to go unheard no longer! Today— Today, we will hear you. You have demonstrated both strength and valor in equal measures — it follows that you will be wise as well, and it is that wisdom that we wish to hear brought in council to our cities. You are gathered here to look beyond our history of violence and hostility, to see beyond the prejudices we hold. We hope that with your clearer sight, you'll keep in your hearts the betterment of both of our fair cities, rather than allow pettiness to hold sway and lift one over the other. Those gathered here are deemed worthy by action and by the trust of your brethren: a council. Amongst yourselves, decide what matters most to you about your lives within the cities. Discuss what changes you wish to see, and how those changes should come about. Reach an agreement, put your motions to us, and should they be feasible, we will see what sort of effect your ideas will have. The two proposals with the most support among your fellows will be those we implement, so argue your reasoning most convincingly! And remember, this is your chance to impress us. If your advice is sound, we will look to you again. At this, both rulers fall silent, and withdraw to a balcony to oversee the proceedings. This is not their meeting, after all — this is something that only the refugees can determine the outcome of. FINAL OOC NOTES     Welcome to your first chance to have a voice in the NPC governments, Players! Your task is, as a group, to decide the two most important IC issues you would like to see Olympia and Wyver address, and then put forward a plan of action for how to improve whatever those problems are, which will then be implemented in May. Since these are strictly Olympian and Wyvern issues, topics should still adhere to the Natha's policies of not revealing anything about the Storm or the Natha's existence, but beyond that, you're free to propose any topics you think should be addressed about your characters' way of life in the cities — after all, haven't the Orbiters sent you here to make a difference and improve life on El Nysa in their stead?

Comments

Kale | Wyver | OTA

[kaleorbekaled]

[Kale truly hadn't expected to be invited to speak, and she almost chooses not to. There are other people who are smarter and more confident than her here. But it's when she really thinks about what she might have to offer that she decides that maybe she should give it a try after all. There are so few people among the refugees who are accustomed to the idea of intelligent species on other planets, much less the idea of there being multiple universes.

So she tries to think of how her planet's King might approach this, or even someone like her friend Cabba, who served on the Defense Forces.]

Um...

[Then she realizes people are looking over at her, and she has to push herself to keep speaking, rather than run away, to annunciate, and to not stutter.]

I come from a colony of warriors, and we served as peacekeepers among the colonies surrounding ours. We used our strength to protect others, and we would step in to prevent further casualties when there were wars starting.

[Not that she was ever particularly brave or important. Her only importance to her home was when she was picked for the tournament to fight for her universe, after revealing power that most people hadn't realized she even had the potential for. It's remembering what she has managed, and that despite her timid nature, she's thrown herself into danger to help others consistently, that gives her the confidence to continue.]

With all due respect to both rulers, I will never turn my back on people who need help, no matter what country they're from...and I know I'm not the only refugee who feels that way.

[She's had a few conversations prior to this meeting, and other people are expressing a similar wish to avoid the divide.]

I think it's important to identify the people who are trying to cause problems and disrupt the peace, for the benefit of both countries. Identify them, have a mutual agreement to make them stand trial, and maybe that's where having a neutral territory would be the most useful. Since most of us have been here for less than a year, we don't have any reason to be biased in favour of one nation or the other.

[In fact, for most of them, Wyver and Olympia are just places to live, chosen for climate, culture, or getting in trouble in one country or the other.]

If the Guard and the Knightryders are willing to share information about dangerous criminals and possible plots to stir up discord, I think that would go a long way for keeping the peace, which would benefit everyone living in Olympia and Wyver. Normal citizens with no power don't benefit when there's a war. Very few people do.