[Speeches and Flyers by Faith Kruehtzer for the Tabbah IY 7789 Election]

[Faith Is My Shield]

The 23rd of Tabbah, IY 7789.

A speech from Faith Kruehtzer as the voting booth opens.

[A quiet, tinning buzz for a moment as the bellows broadcasts dead air for a few seconds] People of Ephia's Well... [Her voice is strained, nearly hoarse] Voting in the Tabbah election has begun... [A voice marred by poor sleep and tired from overuse]

As you file into the voting booth over the next few days, I shall reiterate a previous point: this election has become less about which League shall hold a Legate's seat and more about whether the Well's destiny shall be driven by Her people or by the profit-seekers.

I remind you that the Gloamingdaith-Argyris Quarry is a microcosm, a prelude, of what may come. Private interests saw the workers in the quarry abused: forced to work in ash storms; paid so little they could not even afford a night in the Krak after a day of work; and, worse of all--

When they spoke out about their poor conditions, they were disappeared from their tents in the night. All of this occurred because someone behind a desk thought to themselves: "How can I make myself richer? How can I use my already vast wealth to become even wealthier?"

All of this occurred because investors and shareholders placed the crushing weight of their dinari upon the shoulders of people who should have served as benevolent leaders and wise governors.

And now these hoarders of dinari rear their heads yet again, looking for those who would abdicate their responsibilities to the people yet again. The Gloamingdaith-Argyris Quarry is the prelude, Gohari Heavy Machinery is the main performance. A mistake waiting to be repeated. Again.

So, I ask of you, of Purple, of White, of Gold, of no league--if you believe profit-seeking has no place to stand above all, above us, lend your Voice to mine. [A long pause follows. For many seconds just soft static lingers in the air. Perhaps the bellows has ended entirely]

You can hear it, surely? My voice. It wavers. Cracked and hoarse. Politics is still alien to me. I thought my destiny would be to die upon the battlefield for the Merciful Mother. Instead, I have thrown myself into... This. Into a hellscape where I felt wounds deeper than I thought possible.

So, why this? Because despite everything, I do all that I do for the Mother. For the Merciful Mother, I would see this Well governed with wisdom and scrutiny. With the ferocity of a defending father. With the generosity of a doting mother. With the kindness that ought be between family.

Wheel Above All. May it turn and reign eternal. Thank you.

[Faith Is My Shield]

The 23rd of Tabbah, IY 7789 and beyond.

With voting in full swing, Faith shifts to simpler, much shorter bellows.

Vote. Those of you with a Voice. You have the privilege. And a duty. Vote.

To those of you with a Voice. Vote. The Sultan, in his wisdom, has invited you to partake in governance. Vote.

Vote. You who have a Voice have an opportunity to stand for the principles you hold close and steadfast to heart. Put them into action. Vote.

Vote. You who have a Voice are invited, in the Sultan's wisdom, to contribute to the governance of this Well. Let this privilege not be squandered. Vote. If you have yet to decide whom to vote for, seek me out so that you may know me.

[Faith Is My Shield]

The 26th of Tabbah, IY 7789 and beyond.

Faith Kruehzter responds to bellows made by a representative of Gohari Heavy Machinary.

Hark! You hear the voice of Faith Kruehtzer, Purple League Candidate for this election. With the beginning of the voting period, I had planned on making only shorter speeches for the waning days of the election, but since a representative of Gohari Heavy Machinery has presented themselves--

I cannot let their words go unanswered. It is easy to say there will no child labour, no slave labour, when the people of Ephia's Well and their Legates have already rejected such things. That Gohari asked us to consider child labour in the first place speaks greatly of their intentions.

That Gohari interfered in our district plan and sought to erase plans for a Sisterhood chapterhouse in the new district speaks volumes of their desires. People of the Well, consider their words, the words they would speak behind close doors but were revealed still by Legate al-Farisyya.

And, finally, consider which league they back. Which league their investors and shareholders and executors are members of. Which league they fund to influence. Which league already has a history of enabling entities like them.

It is not my league.

[Faith Is My Shield]

The 26th of Tabbah, IY 7789 and beyond.

Faith Kruehzter makes one final speech during the election.

'Paranoia.' 'Misinformation'.

Very well, I shall present some facts recorded by the Scribes themselves in the bellow records.

The Fifth of Tabbah, IY 7788. The Legates of the League of Gold change the laws of Murder, Slavery, and others. The unvoiced are no longer protected.

The Twentieth of Tabbah, IY 7788. Agents of the League of Gold round up refugees from the walls of Ephia's Well and march them to the League of Gold owned quarry. The Cinquiefoil Rose march, too, to see to those peoples' rescue.

As the Rose leads the refugees away, the League of Gold quarry management orders mercenary taskmaskers to open fire with their crossbows. Scores are shot down. The Cinquiefoil Rose counterattacks. Chaos.

The League of Gold Legates react wildly. All members of the Cinquefoil Rose with prominent names are exiled. Lieutenant Rennik Colmes marches into the Krak des Roses and realizes: Chaos. And refuses to arrest any of the Rose for the good they have truly done.

Only then do the Legates of the League of Gold realize how far they have overstepped. The laws that allowed this chaos to reap was upon the Stele for weeks.

'Laws'. 'Regulations'. These things, in truth, are powerless.

For it all depends on the convictions of those entrusted with crafting them and enforcing them. It all depends on the people willing to tolerate them.

I am Faith Kruehtzer, Layhammer of the Merciful Mother. This is my final speech for this election.