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Fliers go out among Aquor's population, and a man garbed in black has been seen at public places, speaking words to their effect:
"My brothers and sisters. My people, my fellow Sundarians:
We are survivors. That is, we have survived plights that make the rest of Faerun look like a paradise in comparison. We have survived the Bloodmaim Wars, the resurrection of dark gods, the destruction of our homes and families. And what is more, we have survived it all with a firm heart and a steady hand.
This valley was discovered by Mundus the Wise. He was the one who scried it; he first formed the government to protect its people, and it was his will that led us to the creation of the laws of Tyr and Torm, designed to offer justice and fairness to all, regardless of circumstance. And that law was protected.
When the Bloodmaim first attacked a hundred years past, we had our champions. We had the Three, the Harbingers of Sundren. Wrath, Justice, and Judgment. With fire in their hearts and strength untold, they held the line. Even when one of their own fell and the Arbiters were slain, the Harbingers protected this nation. When Aquor and Avanthyr were razed to the ground, more Arbiters were elected and the Harbingers continued to serve and protect us.
They were not alone, either. The Legion, born from the initial conflict between the Veritas and the Red Blades, was there every step of the way. They were the guardians, the protectors. They supported the champions, because they were the people: they were protecting their homes, their families. And so it was that the Legion grew, until we had twelve of them, mighty and guiding. They helped the people rebuild, to thrive and grow. All this, according to Mundus' will left to the Hands, both Right and Left.
Know that the Hands were even governed. They voted, they had councils, and they were in balance between innovation and control. As magic should be, as it was meant to be.
But my people, things have changed. No longer does the government have balance. No longer does the Legion fight for the will of the people. No longer do the Hands balance between two opposing forces in harmony. Today, I submit to you, Sundren is sick. It is cancerous, and its diseased hand stretches towards Aquor. Towards your families.
Towards you.
The Second Bloodmaim War saw the destruction of the Arbiters. The vanishing of the Harbingers, and the death of the Legion we once knew. And now, the annihilation of the Hands as were envisioned by Mundus himself.
Mundus' will has been replaced, my brothers and sisters. The vision that enshrined the qualities of justice, fairness, and mercy has been shattered and crushed under the heel of the Emperor. He has ursurped the governance of the Arbiters. He has declared martial law, revoking the rights of the people that are under his 'protection'. He has turned the Legion into oppressors, rather than protectors. He has destroyed Sundren.
But, those are only his smaller failings. His largest one, was failing you.
His Legions have been holed up in their floating City for years, now. Protecting the Emperor's interests, by shoving refugees into Cheapside. By refusing them access to the pristine portions of the City. Do you know how they can get there? By getting work permits. That's the only way, my friends. They are allowed to drag themselves from their hovels, at the crack of dawn, and taste the sweeter air of Aspirations only to work until dusk. Then they are shipped back to their shacks.
And let's not forget the way the entire way the valley has had to survive on its own for these years. Without the protection of its own brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, the valley has had to survive by any means necessary. And those of us who had the means, did so. The Meriadocs single handedly created a safe haven for its people. Mirakus even allowed the people around it to live and work there. Even Sestra, may the gods curse their black hearts, have created a comfortable prison for its folk.
But what has the Legion done for Aquor? When it was ruled by the Aurilites, they did nothing.
When it was controlled by the Black Hand, it did nothing.
When wars erupted in and around it, they did nothing.
And now, now, they come with a regiment of soldiers. Claiming that they somehow leased the land to the Thayans. Do you know what that is, my friends? Complete and utter bullshit.
Whatever legality those papers might have once had died when the Arbiters did. They lost credence, like the Legion did when it abandoned you to your own devices. They are worthless, like the promises of the Emperor are now, years after he has single-handedly destroyed the vision of Mundus.
Do you know why, now, of all times the Emperor wishes to be here? Do you think it is because he now wants to protect you? As opposed to when the Aurilites invaded, when the Black Hand took over?
I'll tell you: because you have something he wants. You have access to trade in Icewind Dale. You have the key to his treasury, my friends. You have the magic answer to his greed.
I cannot say for certain who should be elected. I am but a mage, exiled for crimes I personally never committed. For which I recieved no trial, and for I was punished without knowing the charge.
I only ask you, my fellow Sundarians, not to give in to the fear the Legion instills. Nor to the false hope it promises. I only ask that you stand on your battered limbs which have survived war, death, and injustice, and declare loudly that you will not give in quietly, that you will not believe the honeyed promises of a Legion looking to obtain your home, that you will stand against the injustice, the tyranny, the falsehood that you have always held was the opposite for which Sundren stands!
Long live Sundren! Long live Mundus!"
"My brothers and sisters. My people, my fellow Sundarians:
We are survivors. That is, we have survived plights that make the rest of Faerun look like a paradise in comparison. We have survived the Bloodmaim Wars, the resurrection of dark gods, the destruction of our homes and families. And what is more, we have survived it all with a firm heart and a steady hand.
This valley was discovered by Mundus the Wise. He was the one who scried it; he first formed the government to protect its people, and it was his will that led us to the creation of the laws of Tyr and Torm, designed to offer justice and fairness to all, regardless of circumstance. And that law was protected.
When the Bloodmaim first attacked a hundred years past, we had our champions. We had the Three, the Harbingers of Sundren. Wrath, Justice, and Judgment. With fire in their hearts and strength untold, they held the line. Even when one of their own fell and the Arbiters were slain, the Harbingers protected this nation. When Aquor and Avanthyr were razed to the ground, more Arbiters were elected and the Harbingers continued to serve and protect us.
They were not alone, either. The Legion, born from the initial conflict between the Veritas and the Red Blades, was there every step of the way. They were the guardians, the protectors. They supported the champions, because they were the people: they were protecting their homes, their families. And so it was that the Legion grew, until we had twelve of them, mighty and guiding. They helped the people rebuild, to thrive and grow. All this, according to Mundus' will left to the Hands, both Right and Left.
Know that the Hands were even governed. They voted, they had councils, and they were in balance between innovation and control. As magic should be, as it was meant to be.
But my people, things have changed. No longer does the government have balance. No longer does the Legion fight for the will of the people. No longer do the Hands balance between two opposing forces in harmony. Today, I submit to you, Sundren is sick. It is cancerous, and its diseased hand stretches towards Aquor. Towards your families.
Towards you.
The Second Bloodmaim War saw the destruction of the Arbiters. The vanishing of the Harbingers, and the death of the Legion we once knew. And now, the annihilation of the Hands as were envisioned by Mundus himself.
Mundus' will has been replaced, my brothers and sisters. The vision that enshrined the qualities of justice, fairness, and mercy has been shattered and crushed under the heel of the Emperor. He has ursurped the governance of the Arbiters. He has declared martial law, revoking the rights of the people that are under his 'protection'. He has turned the Legion into oppressors, rather than protectors. He has destroyed Sundren.
But, those are only his smaller failings. His largest one, was failing you.
His Legions have been holed up in their floating City for years, now. Protecting the Emperor's interests, by shoving refugees into Cheapside. By refusing them access to the pristine portions of the City. Do you know how they can get there? By getting work permits. That's the only way, my friends. They are allowed to drag themselves from their hovels, at the crack of dawn, and taste the sweeter air of Aspirations only to work until dusk. Then they are shipped back to their shacks.
And let's not forget the way the entire way the valley has had to survive on its own for these years. Without the protection of its own brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, the valley has had to survive by any means necessary. And those of us who had the means, did so. The Meriadocs single handedly created a safe haven for its people. Mirakus even allowed the people around it to live and work there. Even Sestra, may the gods curse their black hearts, have created a comfortable prison for its folk.
But what has the Legion done for Aquor? When it was ruled by the Aurilites, they did nothing.
When it was controlled by the Black Hand, it did nothing.
When wars erupted in and around it, they did nothing.
And now, now, they come with a regiment of soldiers. Claiming that they somehow leased the land to the Thayans. Do you know what that is, my friends? Complete and utter bullshit.
Whatever legality those papers might have once had died when the Arbiters did. They lost credence, like the Legion did when it abandoned you to your own devices. They are worthless, like the promises of the Emperor are now, years after he has single-handedly destroyed the vision of Mundus.
Do you know why, now, of all times the Emperor wishes to be here? Do you think it is because he now wants to protect you? As opposed to when the Aurilites invaded, when the Black Hand took over?
I'll tell you: because you have something he wants. You have access to trade in Icewind Dale. You have the key to his treasury, my friends. You have the magic answer to his greed.
I cannot say for certain who should be elected. I am but a mage, exiled for crimes I personally never committed. For which I recieved no trial, and for I was punished without knowing the charge.
I only ask you, my fellow Sundarians, not to give in to the fear the Legion instills. Nor to the false hope it promises. I only ask that you stand on your battered limbs which have survived war, death, and injustice, and declare loudly that you will not give in quietly, that you will not believe the honeyed promises of a Legion looking to obtain your home, that you will stand against the injustice, the tyranny, the falsehood that you have always held was the opposite for which Sundren stands!
Long live Sundren! Long live Mundus!"
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