As everyone seats themselves at the tables in the Tavern Garith stands up. "As always all are allowed at Council meetings and may imput their opinions." Garith turns to Ripper, "As you wished the floor is yours." Garith steps back seats him self as Ripper rises.
Ripper nods toward Garith once as she rises. As she begins to speak, she also begins to pace a small section of floor in front of the fireplace, gesticulating strongly as always. Her voice is high as ever, but she stammers less over the large words, and misuses none. Close eyes will have noticed round ears gaining themselves a subtle point.
"As the source of this strife, firstly, I apologize to you my friends...and additionally to those who I call ally by defense of this town though you seem to no longer choose the bonds of friendship. I stand before you accused of no crime, except perhaps healing myself through the particular ways my kind do, a healing that I might add is not so different from someone allowing a paladin's magic to harm the paladin while healing themselves...bane I believe it's called. The only difference being the transference of blood.
I have re-entered our home changed but myself. Since returning I have defended this town as zealously as before and , after sundown, with even more skill than before. I have fed from those who willingly, and kindly, insist that I do so for healing. And I have fed from the monsters felled in combat , glutting myself to discomfort at times so that I can be certain my hunger won't bring threat to those I call dear.
My only crime, as I understand it, is being a vampire. And this, they insist, makes me evil. I ask what makes a person evil. Does being an Angori make a person irrational as sterotypes would have it? Does being an elf make them weak? Does being a wizard make one power-mad, unwilling to stop at anything, even turning to the path of a lich to continue gaining knowledge? Or is it action which makes us evil?
It is my opinion, that this is an opinion fueled by misunderstanding, by fear, and by bigoted hate. They seek to see me destroyed, or cured without taking the time to speak and have a conversation concerning my actions since returning or my thoughts on evil. They wish to punish me for being what I was made and for not hating myself for what I am.
What I am...is a predator just as I was before, only made stronger and faster and in some ways more in control of myself than I was as a savage. I have been given a condition which I choose to view not as a punishment but a gift, a chance to more powerfully protect my loved ones and friends. And now, that this has come to rise, a chance to challenge the blatant bigotry I have seen in this town.
When I was approached with the vote to cast out the goblin citizens. The initial reason I was offered was "They're goblins" and I clearly said "No, that isn't a crime" Then I was told "They're loud and annoying" and again I said "No". My agreement only came when I was told that they had committed multiple acts of theft, the punishment for which, is having citizenship revoked.
I will accept to my fighting side goblin, undead, paladin, empyrean, warlock, wizard, and any other person who shows themself through ACTION to be worthy of my aid.
I ask you, my companions, if your defense of "good" would have you murder a child who has done no wrong simply for being what they are. If you would allow fear, misunderstanding, and suspicion to kill someone who is innocent to the law and to karma. Then your "good" is much more evil than anything I could ever be."
With that said, and her hands and shoulders trembling, the fae moves to sit on the outskirts of the group, running her fingers through themselves and trying to slow and stave off the need to metamorph. She reaches up to unbutton her pajamas slightly squirming them off her shoulders and down to her waist so that she only has a cooler black chemise on her torso.
Astrum hops up.
"My one problem with this is the fact that the goblin children and women did not steal or murder. They were murdered. Other than that, I am fine with your arguments. As far as I am concerned everyone who murdered those innocents should be punished if I'm to be punished."
OOP: So we need to write something different for the paladin class now because it says they smite undead
Drux takes notes on all of Ripper's comments and when she is done he says, "You have made a very compelling argument, these are things I have never considered before and have quite honestly changed my view on this whole ordeal. Astrum, I couldn't agree more, if you are to be punished then all that were present at the goblin massacre need to be punished as well including Garith. He is a great friend of mine as are you but we cannot yield in justice." Drux then pulls out another sheet of paper and writes the names of all the council members and makes an X next to his name. "I vote we give Ripper a chance to change my mind on the Vampire as a member of town. I do not do this lightly for if I am made sheriff, as the motion as been made, then I will keep an eye on you more so than any other." Drux finishes.
After much ado, Erdan enters the room and speaks.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but let's not forget what the goblins did to us. They stole our food and our drink. They brought a plague upon Jastery. Not to mention, they held Stiers captive. Now, I know how notorious Stiers is, but if it were you in there, being lashed by the hands of the goblins, wouldn't you have wanted us to free you? Wouldn't it have been a disgrace to us to not bring justice swiftly?
"I'm not saying that I am innocent, by I felt that there was little else we could've done. And if you say that we should have put them on trial, then I disagree. That would have been a painstakingly long process full of words, documentation, and unruly goblins spinning the truth.
"As for Ripper, I was not there. And as many of you know, I despise the undead, but at least I refrained from hurting Ripper because she is part of this great town.
"I know that I am new to your town, but I feel that this group of adventurers are stronger and bolder than this council will ever be. And allowing Goblins citizenship in this town was a mistake and whoever so created the motion to do so, I will keep my eyes on."
And with that, Erdan plops himself on a stool in the back, arms crossed, and fuming.
Garith slowly rises from his chair and slowly motions for silence. "In light of recent events I think that a lot of forgiveness is in order. Let me start by apologizing to Ripper for this entire matter. After much thought and council with others I felt that we should not be judgmental of any race based solely on the fact that they are that certain race. It is time that we opened our minds. At these times when Scorch is sending hordes of undead on our doorstep and Fredrick Douglas will soon be arriving to enslave us all we need to not fight amongst ourselves and should happily accept any person who wishes to come and aid our town. Henceforth the law will never refuse a race of people. Instead we will just punish those that show that they are evil natured. If you would still be willing to remain with us then we would be more than happy to have you here, Ripper. Also, in reparation it will be your decision where Astrum is to be killed once for his killing of you. Since Thaliner has resigned as Magistrate I will temporarily give the council his power until the time when a new one is elected. We will hold this election once I have finished revising the laws and the council has approved all of them. For now we should focus on preparing ourselves for the coming of Fredrick Douglas. As for the goblin outrage I feel that we should just put it all behind our town, and if a horde of goblins should come seeking retribution then we will pay for it then. This meeting of council is officially over; however, debate may still continue. Drux will bring any major concerns to me while I am shut away revising the laws. Please do not disturb me unless everything is in chaos. For now my friends please accept this ruling until I can fix these laws that I have made so flawed.” With that Garith stands and walks out of the Tavern to the Tower and disappears up the stairs.
Without rising from her seat, and moving to tuck trembling hands into her pockets where they won't be seen, Ripper speaks in a somber tone.
"Astrum, speaking without anger, I admit that I'm not sure if the right decision to be made is to avoid bloodshed in the proximity of the law's enlightenment toward the rights of all adventurers as equal...or to punish you to make it clear that wanton vigilantism is not the way to instigate radical change. I think, if the rest of the council will agree to a one-time exception, a more logical punishment than death would be that you...along with a neutral volunteer...be asked to guard my cocoon as the ramifications of these events take full effect. So that you might better understand what you've done personally not just politically. Does this seem fair?"
When the pixie glances toward the rest, pale eyes have blossomed into pitch black, in some ways less unsettling...and in others all the more. She smiles crookedly without allowing the expression to reach dark eyes.
"I appreciate your offer Drux, but if you're voted in as sheriff I'm afraid you'll have more pressing matters at hand. Rasiri's eyes will be more than sufficient. Who better to watch the shadows than one who uses them as his shield? As for your concerns Corvax. I can't say how long it will take but I've heard the change comes faster when it's brought on by outside influence. I'll be making my cocoon in the cabin I shared with Uncle Wryenn and my sister, it's near enough to town without disrupting others."
Zenphere finally finds the urge to speak up.. He turns around and pushes his blue cloak away from his body and stands up from the table.. I agree with Rasiri.. I will help defend you at any cost Ripper.. I do not see you as a beast nor do I see you as an evil vampire but yet a vampire that will only feed by the appropriate person and not a civilian of Jastrey... I do understand well that it is under your controll and that you must feed and you will feed.. Zenphere pulls his cloak over his body and glances at Ripper then he sits down..
Kevass after following the mob through town and listening to the town council meeting, turns to Corvax "Do you see why I got out of politics? Such a messy and enfuriating state of affairs. And all is well again in Jastrey (OOP: Whoville)"
Kevass walks over to Drux and states " FYI drux I have yet to see Dreygor resign his position. I don't think you should step so freely on a man of power's toes. Besides being Sheriff is like holding an Avalancher by the tail. sometimes literally."
Dreygor stands just inside the doorway listening to every word of the meeting
"So, you all think that ridding this shard of goblins was murder.....Well as the Sheriff I merely did what was voted on by the counsil. You voted for a purge, I purged, so chastise yourselves and not me."
Dreygor looks over at Astrum
"And you murderer, you could of merely followed the law and asked that a town meeting be held in reguards to Rippers new situation, but you choose to kill her in cold blood instead. So again I merely did what I am suppose to do and hunted you down for your crimes. I knew that Garith and Drux were close friends and allies to you so I merely wanted them disarmed while I searched for you. I wouldn't want to have to fight a fugitive with a powerful magic item and the rest of his guildmates."
Dreygor looks over the rest of the counsil in turn
"Furthermore, if you all didn't want these laws you wrote up to be upheld, then you should not of written them. I am a paladin bound by the written laws of the government he serves, but I see you all think laws are nothing but things to be minipulated and changed whenever you feel like it. That is nothing more then anachy and chaos. And now here you all sit, nothing more then fugitives from your own laws allowing a murder in your midst to have voice and sway over you. It sickens me that you would choose such a path. Not one of you have the backbone to actually stand behind anything you have written down, instead you find it easier just to change them as you see fit. I will have no part in this government."
Dreygor's gaze falls to Corvax and Alec
"And you two. To think once I called you friends, and now you stand here betraying everything I stand for. Betrayal is the worse sin a comrade in arms can commit. For this I cannot forgive you. The next battlefield we meet on it will be as enemies and not as allies."
Dreygor again turns to the patrons of Jastrey
"Remeber, out of chaos comes destruction, Jastrey cannot stand without a backbone and you all have made sure that it has none."
With that said Dreygor leaves the Tavern and can be seen walking out of town.
Astrum looks thoughtful, then smiles.
"Very well Ripper! I will take this task you have appointed me with! Seeing as how my conditions for punishment have been met, I would not add liar to my list of complaints!"
"May the aether guide my path!" With that, Astrum disappears, and reappears a moment later holding a flower which he offers with a smile to Ripper.
As Dreygor speaks, Astrum listens intently as his smile turns to a frown then answers coldly.
"Paladin. Is it not also the law that Ripper has the right to not press charges? You say you follow the law but I only see you pursuing the ones that you like. As the one offended has set a new punishment, it would seem that you're work is done. No matter though."
As Dreygor leaves in his fury, Astrum turns back to the assembled.
"Well that settles it then! I vote Drux for Sheriff!"
With a laugh, Astrum jumps up and lifts Ripper gently by the arm.
"Well come on my dear, no need to be here when you've got work to do!"
With that, Astrum begins slowly supporting the fairy to her cabin.
Thalenir smirks at Kevass' remark. "My dear angori, I couldn't have said it better myself. I said Magistrate was a meaningless title and I meant every word of it."
As Dreygor speaks, Thalenir appears visibly saddened. He rises and rushes to the door as Dreygor leaves, stopping himself after a few steps, hand outstretched as he realizes the futility of trying to get him to come back. He bows his head and clenches his fist. After a few moments, he speaks in dark tones. "Dreygor is right. The legal system in this town is a disgraceful mockery of justice if it is so easily flung aside. I would just as soon see us live under no laws at all, finding accord in honor and common decency, than make another foolhardy attempt to institute some false sense of order. Let there be no laws after this night, I say. I imagine that sort of natural justice would appeal to the rest of you, quick as you are to accept Astrum's actions. It wouldn't be any different than if Garith wrote up new documents, except that we wouldn't be living a lie."
"The laws have been meaningless. Dreygor and I were entrusted with a sacred duty only to have it thrown in our faces by a bunch of vigilantes. He is a good and honorable man, now a sworn enemy for this treachery. That is the legacy of this debacle. If you don't want laws, fine, but don't pretend like the same sort farce won't befall whatever new system you put in place. As for me, I will never raise arms against my home, but neither shall I regard as valid any lies scribbled on pieces of paper, or titles doled out by honorless, silver-tongued vipers the likes of Garith or Astrum." With that, Thalenir leaves to follow Dreygor and attempt to reason with him.
Astrum laughs as he supports Ripper out.
"Well I would agree with you kind wizard, except this. Ripper has seen the reasons behind my actions and kindly dropped the charges in favor of alternative punishment. You have no right to charge me for something that doesn't involve you, nor does Dreygor have a right to bind innocent citizens. I doubt you would have been pleased if it had been you he bound up and left in the tavern while things concerning all of town occured. You have threatened to break the laws yourself. Everything that has been done has been covered by the laws. Nothing has happened outside of them. Even crimes commited in recent events fell under it."
Astrum pauses.
"I fear you have no case other than your own unhappiness. I once thought Dreygor was honorable but after he has killed innocents and bound innocents I'm afraid I lost that respect. Further more, he so willingly threw away his title once the innocent people showed unhappiness towards his actions. I would not count him as a committed friend. He has declared war on town, he obviously had little trouble severing the false bonds he built here. I see the people around me taking more offense to my actions than the one they were directed at. As soon as Ripper has undergone this transformation, we will have a long discussion on the matter. Other than that, it is noones business but our own. Not even Garith or Drux who Dreygor so quickly attacked had anything to do with this situation."
With that, Astrum turns and continues supporting Ripper to her cabin.
Without turning, Thalenir speaks, and a palpable aura of malice can be felt emanating from him. "No, Astrum, I will have no more words with you. And you would do well to avoid crossing my path after today. Mark my words; you will face true justice for your crimes some day. I will never forget what you've done…" Thalenir leaves without stopping to hear any further response.
As Astrum hears this, he waves and smiles broadly at Thalenir's back, then whispers to Rasiri. "Friendly chap ey'?"
He then continues on his way and calls over his shoulder jokingly.
"You know, perhaps if the laws weren't around then there would be no need of this foolishness!" He then continues on whistling a quiet ditty to himself.
Using little of the offered support but still exiting the tavern door, Ripper cringes at the words of her disgruntled allies, and speaks again to those surrounding her.
"They have a point...the law has been treated as an instantly transmutable thing. We have to prove to them that this is the flailing of a new government still learning to walk and not the creep of corruption. We must make every effort to do things as they should be done to make Jastrey a place known for justice and reason. And, if we deserve it, to earn back their respect. A process made all the harder when there are no sidhe available with perfect recall to recite the laws back during any dispute."
Groaning softly as she rubs her head, the pix mutters more to herself than anyone.
"As soon as I hatch...I'm going to hunt down the biggest, fattest, dire rat I can find...I feel like I ought to be wearing a collar with a bell on it with all this...reasonable talk."
Kevass with violence in his eyes grabs Dreygor's arm before he steps through the door of the tavern,
"Dreygor you should mind yourself and silence your ignorant tongue! if you had truly observed what has come about today. Corvax and Alec have done what is required of them. They single handedly apprehended Astrum and put him before the Council. Who are you Dreygor or for that matter you Thalenir to question these men's intentions. You threaten Corvax an unarmed man for doing his duty as your deputy. Without Corvax's and Alec's sly interventions this trial would not have gone down without bloodshed. You two Thalenir and Dreygor have no right to look down on these men for doing their duty. As for you Dreygor what kind of Brother are you that you think so poorly of your guildmates that instead of standing up for them you are ready to paint them as soemthing they are not. I should be careful maybe you might slander me as well. I thought I could trust you. With a friend like you with your shifting alliances who needs enemies. You need to have all the facts before you start waving your sword around. You should have asked your friends and deputy Corvax and Alec what was going down before you convicted them in your mind. In my reign as Sheriff I was plagued with a lawless society and had my hands tied at times and still had less blood shed in town. (Sarcastically) Hooray for the blood reign of Dreygor de Leon! the most oppressive sheriff yet. Hooray! You have become an arrogant, trigger happy, self righteous zealot. That is why I stepped away from the Paladinship, because of what you have become. You need to check yourself before some one does it for you. If you so much as look at Alec or Corvax in a way I don't like I'll rip you apart with my bare hands. That is not a threat. It is a promise."
Kevass pushes those at the door aside rather forcefully, and storms out of the tavern towards the Warrior's Hall. Shouting, cursing and bellowing at the moon. No doubt going to punish some training dummies for Dreygor's transgressions and work off his rage.
As Drux sits he pulls out a pen and states that he will at as scribe for this meeting.