Cauldron Election Newsfeed

posted by Springlatch Hammertacker

11/14/08 — Close Margin Leads to Recount

Ten days after Election Night, results show adventurer turned politician Elvis Krylscar lost narrowly by just 725 votes. However, incumbent Severen Navalant’s slim margin of victory means that there will be an automatic recount.

The official recount will begin next week.

11/28/08 – Recount Begins

The Great Cauldron Recount kicked off Wednesday with masses of volunteers for Mayor Severen Navalant and challenger Elvis Krylscar moving into a fresh phase of the struggle: eyeballing ballots, ready to pounce on anything that looked questionable.

By day’s end, with about 18 percent of the vote recounted, Navalant continued to lead Krylscar — but by only 215 votes, notably narrower than the unofficial gap of 725 votes at which the recount had begun.

12/7/08 – Recount Over, Decisions Beginning

The largest recount in Cauldron history is over, but the task of determining a winner has barely begun. We still don’t know who Cauldron’s mayor is. After Navalant started the recount with a 725-vote lead, Krylscar was able to whittle that number to 174.

But the number means little because of 655 challenged ballots not included in the recount. These are absentee ballots submitted by adventurers abroad and by half-orcs in the town guard currently posted just outside of Cauldron. The ruling on whether to count these votes will be made sometime next week.

12/10/08 – House of Lords to Rule on Absentee Ballots

This election year marks the first that Cauldron residents not present on election day have been allowed to cast ballots. Organized by the Church of St. Cuthbert, the absentee ballot drive was an effort to have representation by those who call Cauldron home. Jenya Urikas, Head Cleric of the Church of St. Cuthbert holds the ballots with several protective spells, awaiting decision by the House of Lords.

The trouble is that these absentee ballots were organized without prior authorization by the House of Lords. “I have every belief that the Church of St. Cuthbert was well-intentioned,” stated Lord Zachary Aslaxin. “However, without precedent, it is difficult to know how to proceed.”

These absentee ballots will likely favor Krylscar, as his history as an adventurer resonates with those adventurers abroad and the half-orcs in the town guard. Given the connection between the House of Lords and the Mayor’s Office, many conclude the House of Lords will rule against the absentee ballots for this reason.

However, there is also speculation that the House of Lords could rule in favor of counting the absentee ballots anyway. If Krylscar wins the recount, then the challenge to Severen Navalant issued by Paladin for St. Cuthbert, Alek Tercival, will be negated.

Readers may recall that months before the election, merchant Maavu Arlintal organized a demonstration in the Town Square. Elvis Krylscar joined the demonstration to announce a challenge by Alek Tercival according to the Old Law of Peers. According to this ancient law, anyone of noble heritage can issue a challenge of no confidence to the current Mayor. Before becoming paladin for St. Cuthbert, Alek Tercival was heir to the Tercival name. After the Tercivals fell on hard times, Alek joined the Church.

Reports that Alek Tercival was last seen in Redgorge prompted Mayor Navalant to declare that city a target for invasion. “Mayor Navalant has had half-orcs suited up and ready to march on Redgorge for several weeks now,” Captain of the Town Guard Quinlan Ghelve stated. “If Navalant is declared winner of the election, Redgorge will certainly be invaded.”

12/17/08 – Krylscar Pushes for Absentee Count

Today, Elvis Krylscar spoke in the Town Square to a large crowd of supporters. “In the best of worlds all valid absentee ballots will be counted.” The disputed Mayoral election was held six weeks ago, and there is still no result. Although incumbent Mayor Severen Navalant is ahead by 175 votes after a recount, the result is not confirmed until a ruling is made about the absentee ballots that have yet to be counted.

Challenger Elvis Krylscar has pushed adding those ballots, which were never counted, back into the mix before the House of Lords certifies a winner.

12/19/08 – The Votes are In!

The House of Lords has ruled to include the absentee ballots submitted in the Cauldron Mayoral Election. Challenger Elvis Krylscar was elated by the news. “After generations of adventurers fighting for the city of Cauldron, it’s about time their voices were heard in the governance of the City.”

Appearing in person for the first time in months, incumbent mayor Severen Navalant stated his opinion. “I trust that the House of Lords made the correct decision to include these absentee ballots. For generations, adventurers have defended this city, and I have statues in their honor. I’m glad to honor them during their lives with their votes.”

Krylscar officials tried to contain their glee. “We went into this recount at a virtual tie,” said Marc Elias, attorney for Krylscar. “Anyone who watched the challenge process will tell you we won more votes than they did.”

The Navalant camp, however, remained cool. “We think when the recount process is completed, Mayor Navalant’s going to come out on top,” said Lord Vhalantru, Navalant’s campaign spokesman.

A second recount including the absentee ballots will begin next week.

12/26/08 – Re-ReCount Begins

The Mayoral election in Cauldron was seven weeks ago but they’re still counting ballots in a seemingly never-ending process.

Volunteers pore over contested ballots from the November 4 election between incumbent Severen Navalant and challenger Elvis Krylscar.

Krylscar, an adventurer running for office for the first time, is currently leading the recount by 46 votes from the more than 2.9 million cast in the election.

For citizens who want to keep a close eye on results, Vortimax Weer is selling an animated “recount widget” for readers to embed on their globs, FaceSpace, SpaceBook, MyFace or MyBook pages which provides the recount numbers and latest headlines.

Navalant led Krylscar by 725 votes in the initial election, then by only 174 votes after the first recount. After including the contested absentee ballots, a second recount was begun. Currently, Krylscar has edged ahead during the scrutiny of the ballots.

 

Mayoral Race Too Close to Call

posted by Dyskko

Ten days after polls have closed, the mayoral race remains too close to call. Using pink to color the districts challenger Elvis Krylscar has won, green to color the districts incumbent Severen Navalant has won, and yellow for those yet undecided, an electoral map of Cauldron resembles a dartboard.

The lower districts along Ash and Lava Avenues have gone largely for Krylscar, and the upper districts along Magma and Obsidian Avenues have gone largely for Navalant. This matches the projections seen over the last several weeks.

Krylscar remains positive. “I said it was time for change, and the people of Cauldron have supported me. I won’t stop until every vote is counted.”

Mayor Navalant was unavailable for comment. Lord Vhalantru spoke for him. “While the mayor does not claim the win at this time, it is clear that his success is virtually certain. Of the remaining districts, a high majority have been projected for Severen Navalant.”

Submitted by:

Dyskko

Mayoral Election a Study in Pink vs. Green

posted by Dyskko

With just hours to go before ballots are counted, the mayoral race is headed toward its conlcusion.

Elvis Krylscar, former militia man and party animal, continues to campaign hard in Cauldron. Focusing his efforts along Ash and Lava Avenues, Elvis is knocking on doors in a last Get Out the Vote effort. Sometimes called the “Pink Revolution” in reference to the pink-colored signs in windows and and yards of supporters, the wave of enthusiasm for this young man looks to break strong on the eve of the election. These lower streets contain his base of supporters, but there are some on Magma and Obsidian sporting the pink signs as well.

Meanwhile, incumbent Severen Navalant hasn’t been seen in at least two weeks. Lord Vhalantru acts as his proxy, representing him in various public events. Word is that Navalant is busy doing his job – working with local businesses to shore up the failing economy, meeting with committee members to pass legislaion to help families, and organizing half-orc security teams to patrol Cauldron’s surrounding areas for improved security. Vhalantru has linked the green of Navalant’s campaign signs to the green of growth, and encourages people to vote for the mayor who is working to help them.

Submitted by:

Dyskko

 

 

Riots in Cauldron!

posted by Dyskko

An Excerpt from the Explorers’ Society Pages
Volume XVII, Number 6
Letters From the Field

There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear. It started as a simple demonstration. Citizens proclaiming their right to free assembly and right to free speech. What a field-day for the heat. A thousand people in the street. Young people speaking their minds. Singing songs and carrying signs. Mostly say, hooray for our side.

The high taxes imposed by the mayor upon the citizens of Cauldron created an unstable situation. How many years can some people exist before they’re allowed to be free? The citizens were tired of taxation without seeing results. And Maavu the caravan trader announced corruption in the mayor’s office. How many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn’t see? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind. The answer is blowing in the wind.

When Maavu announced Alek’s challenge by the Order of Peers, the people reacted with celebrations. When Maavu announced that the mayor was illegally silencing this news, the people reacted with whistles and scorn. All the world over, so easy to see, people everywhere just wanna be free. Listen, please listen, that’s the way it should be. Deep in the Cauldron, people got to be free.

The angry crowd swarmed the stage where Maavu was standing. What’s that sound? Everybody look what’s going down. If you feel so empty, so used, so let down. If you feel so angry, so ripped off, so stepped on. You’re not the only one refusing to back down. You’re not the only one. So get up, Let’s start a riot, a riot. Let’s start a riot. Let’s start a riot, a riot Let’s start a riot.

As the riot stormed the town hall, the Divas went into action. Sadi empowered small weeds in the cobblestones to entangle the crowd. Elvis climbed atop the stage to call the people to him. “One thing I can tell you is you got to be free. Come together right now over me.”

Kiriana on Kimber raced to St. Cuthbert to get support from the clerics. Cinder found a Yin Yang member hidden in the crowd and made short work of him. Myntilly used tanglefoot bags to stop another group who had escaped the entanglement vegetation. Acgar summoned support from the city guard.

Just as the riot was breaking up, “Fire! Fire!” I heard the cry from every breeze that passed us by. All the world was one sad cry of “Pity!” The town guard barracks were on fire. Half-orcs were fighting the flames and fighting for their lives. Strong men in anguish prayed, calling loud to Heaven for aid, while the fire in ruin was laying fair Cauldron, the beautiful city.

As this disaster unfolded, some unsympathetic citizens snickered and sneered.
The barracks, the barracks, the barracks are on fire. We don’t need no water let the motherfucker burn. Burn motherfucker burn.

Elvis was still on the stage, but now he used his speaking position to call the crowd together in a new direction. “C’mon people now, smile on your brother. Everybody get together, try to love one another right now.” The people lined up to form bucket brigades. The flames danced all over the barracks, I fell into a burning ring of fire. I went down, down, down, and the flames went higher. And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire. The ring of fire.

Indira recognized something unnatural about the fire. Using dismissal, she sent these fire elementals back to their native plane.

And now it is quiet in the streets of Cauldron. Where have all the half-orcs gone, long time passing? Where have all the half-orcs gone, long time ago? Where have all the half-orcs gone?
The Blue Duke took them out of town, every one. When will they ever learn, oh when will they ever learn?

Credits:
Buffalo Springfield – For What it’s Worth
Bob Dylan – Blowin’ in the Wind
Young Rascals – People Got to be Free
Three Days Grace – Riot
The Beatles – Come Together
Traditional- Baltimore Fire
The Roof is on Fire – Bloodhound Gang
Youngbloods – Get Together Written by Dino Valenti
Johnny Cash – Ring of Fire
Pete Seeger – Where Have all the Flowers Gone?

The Rise and Fall of Dyskko in a Small Town

posted by Dyskko

It all started so innocently.

I was entertaining at a small club in Cauldron, The Broken Drum. I had a simple act and the public loved it. Dancing lights sent multiple colors throughout the club, light cast on a large stone sent rays of pale sunshine to every corner. Ghost sound allowed me to make the music.

And what music!

The primal beat beat beat
of drums and feet
The collective chant chant chant
of cries and pants
The high-pitched whine whine whine
of a siren mind

The dancers’ bones vibrate to the writhing bass lines
Their muscles contract and relax to melodic tracks.
Together we cheer, together we call, together we dance one and all.

Exhausted and exhilarated after one session, I was collecting my gear when a tall, thin, pale man approached me. He introduced himself as Lyenuss. He said he was opening a club in the small town of Hollowsky, a half day’s ride SE of Cauldron. He wanted to hire me as the main performer.

I’d seen Lyenuss in the club before. His serpentine movements on the dance floor were so fluid and graceful. I knew he was a true fan. He offered room and board at a modest level, but better than I had currently. Lyenuss was gracious, and it was easy to move my act to Hollowsky.

The first few shows went well. Lyenuss had a great set-up in a basement of a large house. Guests could enter directly to the basement, and he had small tables for food and drink.

Then the troglodytes started to attend. And Lyenuss asked if I’d be willing to have a dancer join my act. I’d still remain the main attraction of course, but on the stage would be an interpretive performer, a young woman named Marina looking to make her start. Certainly I could support a fellow performer. And he offered me a bonus.

The club became more crowded as word of Marina’s and my talent spread. Some nights, there was only room for the people to stand as they listened to my music and watched Marina dance. And the synergy between us was captivating.

Beautiful stature and poise
of a young woman amidst noise
She turns to the crowd and with a simple nod
all eyes are upon her.

Captivating rhythm and rhyme
of building meter and time
The music gives energy to the dancer and
all eyes are upon her.

Then Marina left, and Lyenuss wanted a replacement. He was pleased with the increased attendance, and the growing troglodyte clientele loved the show. I gained a bonus, and Lyenuss expanded my room to a suite. We had a grand re-opening when Gryffon came to dance.

I recognized Gryffon as someone that had come to The Broken Drum back in Cauldron. A decent dancer, and never without a partner on the dance floor. The crowd was chanting for him, and when I started the music, he put on a great show.

The second night, only troglodytes were in the audience. They offered Gryffon tips to encourage him to dance later into the evening. Gryffon took off his shirt to relieve the heat and this made the tips greater and the troglodytes cheer louder.

The tanned dancing man stamps and canters
above loving droves of those who
know to throw gold tokens of woe

See the light reflected in their slitted pupils
the glisten of color on their perspirated brows
They focus on the dancer as he twirls above them
but it is the music that drives their thriving lives.

As the nights went on, Gryffon seemed less enthusiastic. The energy between us wasn’t as strong as it had been between me and Marina, but Lyenuss and the troglodytes loved him. One night, Gryffon stopped dancing. I was deep in the thrall of my music and didn’t notice until shouts from the audience caught my attention. Gryffon stood on the stage and the sneering faces of Lyenuss and the troglodytes surrounded him. They threw coins on the stage. A few troglodytes got on stage, stripped Gryffon of all his clothes except a pair of short leather pants. I stopped playing. Gryffon stood there, blood welling in scratches on his arms where he had tried to fend them off.

Silence.

And then, Lyenuss said, “Dance, boy. And Dyskko, more music.”

I know where my paycheck comes from, so I re-started the act. Gryffon must have remembered too, because he re-started his dance.

Smooth moves for vicious brutes
Calms the beasts slowly.
Music speaks to mortal souls but
Only if you have one.

After a few minutes, Lyenuss decided he’d had enough and cleared the club. Dismissed, I retired to my rooms.

After that, Gryffon was only allowed to wear the leather pants. And they were much shorter. Lyenuss increased my pay. And a regular guest, Kazmojen, started to make me offers to leave Lyenuss and return to Cauldron with him at his club. The pay he offered was greater than what Lyenuss was paying, and I was tempted.

The last night I played at Lyenuss’ club, the place was losing its allure. Lyenuss was paying me regular good money, and I started keeping it in a locked box under the stage. Just in case I needed to make a quick escape.

Good thing too. The regular troglodytes came to the club and muscled their way to the front. They called to Gryffon to dance and when he didn’t start right away they scratched him. Gryffon started to put up a fight, and the troglodytes wrestled with him. They stuffed him in a closet and Lyenuss bounced them out just as the back doors to the club burst open.

I don’t know where those people came from that raided the place, but their timing was excellent. Lyenuss and his body guards turned to face them. I got my gold and left through the alley door. Expeditious retreat indeed.