The Commoners:

1. High Priest Arthur Bellerein, of Truth

• Given his stance about the truth, he is considered completely trustworthy. Currently, he favors Marilyna, but he is open-minded.
• "I am here to represent the truth. Not the Mother of Truth, not honesty. Truth. Pure & simple. I will have complete honesty, yes, in this council, but also the truth. I will, out of respect for the Guardian, not use my faith to force the truth, but I will not tolerate any lies I hear, from people on the floor or from the mouths of council members, be they noble or no. My personal inclination at this point is to support Princess Marilyna, but I will listen with a fair & open mind to all applicants who come forward without deceit."

2. Guildmaster Miles Carter of the Carters & Drivers Guild

• Given that, next to the railroads, the Carters & Drivers Guild is responsible for transportation throughout the Empire, they are extremely powerful. Miles Carter (who rose from orphan of the guild to master of the guild) is largely interested the work o his guild, & that means roads--their safety, their upkeep, their existence. His stance is not known.
• "As Master of the Carters & Drivers Guild, I am very interested in progress. It is, as you might say, my job to see to it that progress happens. I won't lie," he glances at Bellerein, "I would like to see a ruler who will look favorably on road & rail projects, on guild influence, on trade. I would like to second Earl Bassoire's assertions that economics are the key to a bright future. Let us take this opportunity to bring the Empire into a new era of prosperity. Let us see to it that we can go from point A to point B safely, comfortably, & quickly, in both politics & trade, in travel & tradition. Let us progress."

3. Captain Rupert Jamison of Maraddon City Watch

• A hero of the war, he came from the now destroyed town of Anlir (where he was known as "Wax"). He gained a position in the Maraddon City Watch while trying to find help fixing for Anlir. Then, the war hit. Somewhere in all the chaos, he led the survivors of Maraddon City to safety, with the help of Special Forces Sergeant Varhail. He has recently been smuggled into Ienova just to help with the Council. His current stance is unknown.
• "I've seen horrors I can't repeat, horrors some of you have shared," he glances at you, "And horrors none should ever experience. I know what the Empire faces better than most. I..." He pauses, apparently fighting down strong emotion, "I want justice. I want peace. I will seek those in my decision."

4. General Venok K'Lau of the Red Cloaks

• The third in command of the Red Cloaks, he arrived in Ienova two days ago & brought the Red Cloaks of the city together. He is interested mostly in the rights of the people & will seek to see them represented. His current choice is Albert Renkarr.
• "I have been working for change in this Empire for longer than I care to think of. I have fought for the people of this Empire against the people of this Empire. I have fought against the injustice, the cruelty of life, the abuses of power, the ignorance & lies. I have fought for freedom & well being. I am here to see those values upheld in the Empire's future, & those wrongdoings corrected. I am here to see the People have a voice."

5. Helian Rossi, of Rossi & Sons International

• A cunning doppleganger merchantman whose family business is exotic wares. He is one of the wealthiest citizens of the Empire, coming from Demopolis originally. He is considered too rich for even Irving Wallace to bribe, & his main concerns are international relations & domestic stability. He currently favors Olympia.
• "I am a merchant, first & foremost, & I would like to see the future of trade, within the Empire & without, flourish. I myself am of a race that is frowned upon in most circles." He gestures to his green eyes, "I would like to see fair treatment to all races. I know all too well what prejudice is, & I would gladly see it stamped out. Aberrations & Atanaxans are not the only ones who have suffered in this Empire. It is time for change."

6. Doctor Leonard Schloppe of Golden University, Political Science Scholar

• A 67 year old university scholar on political science, Dr. Schloppe has studied politics all his life. Now, he gets to practice them. He is well known for his political theories about the parliamentary government, & he currently has not mentioned who he favors.
• "I have studied politics all my life. I have written about them more than participated in them, but I understand them. I understand the way things work. I understand the consequences of the decision we will make here. I understand how the dominos will fall, or at least how they should fall & what could make them not fall, or fall the wrong way. I know what influences are present, & what the issues are. I will see to it my decision takes all into account. I will make sure to consider every domino."

7. Thoru, the Last Guardian

• A shavu (mothman) & thus a controversial choice. He bears the Gifted Sword of Power (which he will admit is an Echo) & is a strong opponent of the temples. He does not favor anyone particularly, but he is staunchly against anyone too strongly faithful.
• "I was 'born' here nearly 40 years ago, one of very few /arthropodals/ born outside of Atanaxus. I was raised a Maraddonian. I know this Empire well. I joined the Guardians when I was young, & have served Mortality for as long as I can remember. I am opposed to the idea of religious power dominating the minds of mortality, & I will fight to see to it that the next Emperor (or Emperess) is impartial in this matter. I understand, better than most, the politics of not just the Empires, but beyond, & I will keep that perspective in min in my decisions."

8. Calvin Crane, Grand Mage of Zudan

• The destruction faithful mind mage comrade of Maya Karese, Crane is a proud & powerful magic user whose main interest is magic. However, he is also a patriot of the Empire & a scholar in his own right. He supports Maya.
• "I am, first & foremost, a student. I learned early on that there is always more to learn. I am here, then, to learn about the future leaders of Maraddon, & to help decide which is best suited to that task. I have duties to my faith & my studies, to see to it that the Empire upholds traditions of freedom in these practices & pursuits, & that will influence my decision, I must say. Magic & faith are important. They are powers that strongly influence Shem, & as part of Shem, we must understand these powers. I would have a leader who understands this, as Emperor Maraddon did. That is my 'guiding light,' as it were."

9. Amorcord the Hunter, Kali Tribal Liason

• A well educated tribesman from the Kali jungles in the south of the Empire, he is a lizardman. He is a well known politcal envoy for the tribes & he seeks to see their interests served in the choosing of the Emperor. He has not made his choice yet.
• "I have long worked to see accord brought between the indigenous people of Kali & the Empire, making two entities one, or closer to one. Now, I intend to see they stay apart but friendly. I want a future for Kali that is not assimilation, but... accomodation. I seek to forge a fast friendship & build a strong relationship."

10. Jane Brown, Chief of Ienova's Firefighting Unit

• Leader of one of very few fire departments in the Empire, Brown is a staunch supporter of the citizens. She believes in firm, honest government & solid leadership. She despises violence.
• "Ladies, gentlemen, I fight fires. I keep the most beautiful, wonderful city in the world from being destroyed. I help keep the peace & calm & quiet when & where I can, & what makes it possible for me to do this is that I understand people. I know that as individuals, they're all wonderful, intelligent, generous. But as a great big mob, they don't know anything but whatever their gut instinct & their crazy emotions tell them. No one makes a good decision like that, so it's my job to keep my head & remain an individual while everyone is becoming a mob. So I'm here to help pick someone who's gonna put out fires & keep calm & peace over not just a city, but the whole Empire. I need to find someone who's gonna remain an individual while everyone else is joining the mob. That's my job here & that's what I'm going to do."

The Nobility:

1. Archduke Thorian Maraddon, of Thaellendown

• Known as one of the most irresponsible of the Imperial family, Thorian is actually quite clever & skilled in govenrnance when he tries to be. He supports Elodia's claim, but it seems likely he's using that as a ruse at this point.
• "I'm here to see to it the Empire my father made continues. I'm not saying I want things to stay the same--obviouly not. There've been wrongs in the last 7 centuries, & they need to be addressed. But the Empire is far more than a few outdated policies. I love my family, & I know my family. I know their strengths, their weaknesses, their cares & their blindspots. I will not hesitate to bring these up, when relevent. I intend to see them represented in the decision making as much as I intend to see that the decision is well informed on their part. But let me make this clear: I am not in the running. I am not interested in power, because power means responsibility. All I want after all this is a nice retirement. So don't think fo ra moment this is a chance to curry favor with me."

2. Duke Matrim Argent, of the Court

• A living legend amongst the commoners, he is the Silver Knight who brings justice, mercy, & hope with him wherever he goes. He has not made clear who he favors: his father (Damon Argent), his sister (Datuna den Loch), his friend Albert Renkarr, or someone else.
• "I want to see to it that the Empire is led by someone who serves the interests of the people, and who understands that that means /everyone/ in the Empire, regardless of birth, faith, or race."

3. Duke Roszos Kallenves, of Cwaerona

• Old administrator for Archduke Perival, he has spent the last 45 years combatting his master's madness. Now that his master is well again, he has been recognized for his invaluable services. His mind is sharp as a Gifted Sword. He currently supports Perival, but it is clear he is keeping his eyes & ears open.
• "Many of you will say that my service to Archduke Perival makes my choice for Emperor clear, but that i a misunderstanding of what I have been doing for the last 45 years. I have not served Archduke Perival. I have served the Empire. I did my best to counter the damage done by someof the more dangerous nobles in my realm. I tried very hard to see the wrongs of the ages righted, but I am but one man. My position here has been earned, I feel, in my efforts to keep a balance. For my part in this council, I intend to see the Empire served well & true, & the future of it marked with a firm, competent leadership."

4. Duchess Haedela Aluire, of the Court

• One of the Emperess's friends, she is well known to the Imperial family. She seems to be more concerned with fashion & parties than politics, but she is a very patriotic member of the Empire. Her family has long been close to the Imperial family. She supports Marilyna at the moment.
• "My family has been close with Emperess Giani since as far back as any can remember. She was a good woman, kind, generous, intelligent... poised. Respectable. It has been my honor to have been her friend & confidant. I intend to do good by her & what I think she would have wanted, & to see the Empire is in good hands."

5. Earl Louis Bassoire, of Kaeder

• A well known fencing champion from the north-central Empire, Bassoire is of Galdunic stock. He is well connected & skilled with money. He supports a strong economic approach, which indicates Irving Wallace as his choice, but as yet he has not said.
• "The Empire, & really, the whole world, is on the cusp of a new era. More & more people are drifting to the cities these days, more & more becoming tradesmen & craftsmen, not farmers & fieldhands. Money is the way of the future, & I intend to see to it that he Empire is at the fore of this new era. Economics, my friends, is the key to holding our own in the world of tomorrow."

6. Contessa Saia Myun, of Myun

• An old, powerful family from former Tenzanai, the Myun family is strongly against liberation of Old Tenzanai. Saia has not indictaed who she is for, but she is against Zuo completely.
• "There's a lot to be said for tradition. My family has kept the same customs for over 5000 years, as well as taking on new ones as the times change. A firm core of tradition, crafted by modern trends, you see. This is how families, cultures, peoples, Empires survive. This is my... guiding light in this council. Thi is the path I intend to tread."

7. Baron Lawrence Matley, of Dyne

• Made Baron by Archduke Thorian, he is the first officially human noble of the Empire of Maraddon. He is a friend to the common man, a firm believer in justice & law, & a hero fo the war. He has not siad who he supports.
• "Until recently, I was a lawman in the service of the Empire. It was just chance, convenience to those in power, that I was made a noble. I didn't ask for it, but now that I have it, I intend to use it." He looks to Baroness Aurvaste. "I may not be what you all know as a noble, but my father was a nobleman. I know & love this Empire as much as any here, & I won't see her harmed. I intend to see Justice represented, yes, but I also intend to see it served. The throne will go to whom deserves it."

8. Baroness Aurvaste Balgild, of Orun

• About 88 years old, but with a shrewd mind still. She has ruled the Balgild family from the day she was 16, making it a power in the politics of south-central Maraddon. Her connections in the region make her a powerful force here in Ienova, & she is said to support Kimber for the throne.
• "Where to begin? It's been over 70 years since I took over the running of my family. I've seen far too much suffering & pain in my days, more recently than I care to speak of. I'd like to see a return to older values, easier times, better ways. There's been a lot of changes coming for a long time, some I'm not too comfortable with, but I will admit I'm not the only person in this world. I have my values & I will stick to them, but I can see the way the wind blows. I'm not too old to bend a little, but don't expect me to hold back either."

9. Sir Darivander Hurvun, of Rodown

• A powerful knight whose job was mostly policing the nobility, Sir Darivander has become quite a hero in the war & beyond. He believes in chivalry, justice, & the Empire. He supports none so far.
• "I have spent my life serving the Empire. I am not well loved by many of the men & women in power, because I have had cause to bring justice to the hall of the mighty, but it was at the bidding of the Empire, & I would do it all again. It is my firm belief that justice is blind to class, race, & station, to rank & power & wealth. It is my intention here to see to it that the leadership of this Empire is willing to keep Justice in mind in their reign."

10. Sir Gylles Creveer, of Namarc

• Once one of Archduchess Corella's trusted guards, he was disgraced when the truth of her dealings with slavers came about. He left to seek to redeem himself, & then he did so repeatedly, savin hundreds of Imperial citizens. He is a believer in the old, traditional ways, & he supports Marilyna.
• "I have had the misfortune to serve one that turned out to be... something I knew not." He glances at Thorian & blushes. "My main intention on this council is to see to it that the new leadership of the Empire is just, fair, & straightforward. It pleases me to hear his Revrence demand the truth here. I had until now not considered that that's one thing this Empire needs. I would like to see that become a mainstay of our governance."

---

Rags, any of these you want to RP just say the word. Some will definitely be gone over.

Any PC who wishes to speak to the council cna go on whatever day they wish.

Day 1:

• Council meets. Will be roleplayed.
• Scribes begin processing the letters.
• Meetings:
  • Elaine Hale removes herself from the running, voicing support for Archduke Perival.
  • Baise Maroth steps down & voices support for Sir Irving Wallace.
  • Salvador Aquitar makes speech for his own candidacy.
  • Madeleine Gray makes speech for her own candidacy.
  • Various minor nobles, major merchants, guildsmen, & other important commoners make their pleas.
• Letters:
  • Duke Hweyfort Ballain writes that he does not wish to be Emperor & that all his support goes to Princess Marilyna.
  • Duke Jonathan Baraus writes that he believes the best course for the Empire lies with Archduke Perival, & he formally removes himself from the running.
  • Sir Hanzou Okugawa writes that Baron Hideki Zuo was killed by an assassin's bullet two days ago near Orun.

By the end of the day, the majority of the support falls between Albert (who gets much of the common support), Marilyna, Olympia, Kimber, Damon, Wallace, & Perival.

Day 2:

• Council will commence proceedings at 6 am.
• Scribes deliver next batch of reports.
• Nora Noye is executed, hanged to death.
• Meetings:
  • Contessa Lyllandra Meeras will speak on behalf of Duke Damon Argent.
  • Colonel Yunkar Galkh comes forward with his support for Archduchess Altsisi.
  • Venus Armont is discovered poisoned to death. Evidence suggests a jealous wife.
  • Dame Gayle Rose comes forward with official support for Albert, removing herself from the race.
  • Sir Manuel del Rey comes forward supporting Duke Damon Argent.
  • Baron Quitney den Rush comes forward with support for Sir Irving Wallace.
  • Baroness Katelyn Shae will come forward with support for Archduchess Kimber.
  • Contessa Virginia Hale will come forward with support for Archduchess Olympia.
  • Earl Foss Marshall will miss his appointment. It will later be revealed he was killed in a riot he instigated in the Markets.
  • Count Jarod den Loch will come forward with support for Duke Damon Argent.
  • Contessa Datuna den Loch will come forward with support for Albert Renkarr.
  • Duchess Maya Karese will come forward with support for Archduke Perival.
  • Duke Mayland Varese will come forward with support for Princess Marilyna.
  • Archduke Hyun will come forward with support for Princess Marilyna.
  • Count Reej von Pelt will bring a group of a half dozen men, including Paul Driver, to speak on behal of Justice. Will be roleplayed.
  • Various major nobles & high ranking commoners (such as high priests) will come forward with support for various groups.

If Commander Alvarez, High Priest Starlight, or other PCs wish to go, this would be the time.

• Letters:
  • Baroness Elia Weisse writes that she fully supports Archduchess Kimber's claim.
  • Baron Horace Thrend writes that he fully supports Archduchess Altsisi's claim.
  • Duke Oliver Pembrook writes that he fully supports Archduchess Altsisi's claim.
  • Duchess Gatyanan Lannah writes that she fully supports Sir Irving Wallace's claim.
  • Archduchess Altsisi writes a long letter explaining her claim to the throne.
  • Archduchess Bellflowers writes a long letter asking for the protection of the jungle tribes & voicing her support for Archduke Perival.

At the end of Day 2, not much has changed. The main contenders have yet to speak.

Day 3:

• The council will convene at 6 am.
• The scribes bring the latest reports.
• Meetings:
  • Count Brandon Nothhelm will speak on his own claim, which he has little support for.
  • Elodia Silversong & Herala Angelus, recently arrived, will come forward with support for Princess Marilyna.
  • General Markarian should come forward to make Altsisi's claim, but he has been assassinated in the night. Altsisi will go unrepresented.
  • Orehek Skullface will speak on behalf of himself & his brothers Goss, Ahaus, & Jhanson. He will give support to Archduke Perival.
  • Sir Irving Wallace will make his case. Will be roleplayed.
  • Archduchess Olympia will come forward & bring support for... Will be roleplayed.
  • Archduchess Kimber will come forward & bring support for... Will be roleplayed.
  • Archduke Perival will come forward & bring support for... Will be roleplayed.
  • Albert Renkarr will come forward. Will be roleplayed.
  • Princess Marilyna will come forward. Will be roleplayed.
  • Duke Damon Argent will come forward. Will be roleplayed.
• Letters:
  • One from the Emperor of Kren'atan, asking for Albert Renkarr & his wife to be sent back to Kren'atan to face trial. Supports Archduchess Kimber's claim.
  • One from Radagast Simon, supporting Albert Renkarr.
  • One from General Nik'laas Myrmex of Atanaxus, supporting Duke Damon Argent.
  • One from Kailorgh II, newly crowned Emperor of Tamarnthek, supporting Archduchess Kimber.
  • One from the Druid Council of Berellia, supporting the choice of Archduchess Bellflowers.
  • One from the Alpha Shemir of Madziar, supporting Princess Marilyna.
  • Several from various dwarven & elven factions, supporting various high contenders.
  • One addressed directly to Matrim Argent, from "the Third Brother." Will be roleplayed.

The council will break for 2 hrs, then come back to discuss who shall be the next Emperor. They must make a choice by dawn.