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trans_channel2012-03-01 01:00 am
theprophet) wrote in trans_channel2012-03-01 01:00 am
Entry tags:
Council candidacy: Gerald Tarrant
My name is Gerald Tarrant, and I address to you today with my intent to run for a seat on the ship's civilian Council. For those of you unfamiliar with me, I am what my world termed an adept -- although you might be more familiar with the term ‘sorcerer’. I’m not overly fond of the term myself, since it implies that what I do is based on some kind of nebulous mystical force.
I am also over a thousand years old, just to get that out of the way.
On my own world, Erna, I served as the Neocount of Merentha, where I governed what became a large port city specializing in trade. As I’m sure you can imagine, it was a significant challenge to govern. There was a constant in- and outflux of travelers, traders, explorers, and hired guns – not all of whom were the law-abiding sort. But there were also natural disasters, aging buildings to maintain, and outside threats to deal with. Erna was seismically active in a way that Old Earth was not; earthquakes were common events. It is not a stretch to say that even the course of major rivers could change drastically over a very short period of time, let alone manmade docks. However, the city was maintained. Damage was repaired, threats were dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the law, and safety wards were installed as an early warning system against incoming disasters.
Under my guidance, Merentha flourished. I'm not saying it was an easy task, mind you, not on a planet like Erna, where faeborne demons stalk about the city walls in wait for a chance to slip in and menace the populace. But through vigilance, diplomacy, and carefully crafted policy, that small port town grew into a thriving city. And while I'm sure our community here is never going to become a trading port, I think it could definitely stand to see some of the same improvements that Merentha did. Further, I believe I can help bring about that change.
There are, of course, obstacles that stand in our path in this war. Obstacles with which I am sure you are all familiar. However, I am of the belief that the greatest threat to a stable, vibrant community comes not from outside threat, but from within. I am speaking, of course, of fear. History has taught us that even under ordinary circumstances, fear and doubt can cloud the judgment. It begets poor decision-making, bickering, the turning of one ally against another... but worst of all, it can lead to overlooking real danger. Obvious danger, which might otherwise be turned aside before it can lead to lives lost.
On Erna, fear was not only abstract emotion, but a tangible force. My planet turned the fears of its denizens against them, using them to spawn the faeborne. Throwing them back at us in the form of phantoms, of monsters, of gods -- even of our own lost loved ones, seemingly returned from the grave.
Our fears were incredibly volatile, incredibly dangerous -- but they could be managed. They could be contained. And I believe they can be managed here, as well. We have a breathtaking breadth of abilities and individuals here, from many different worlds. What we do not have enough of are the lines of communication needed to utilize those abilities. To foster cooperation and trust. To combat the fear and suspicion that naturally arises among even the most stalwart of allies, let along a group of strangers from different worlds. I don't claim that reviving this trust will be easy, of course; it never is. But more than ever, we need strength. Unity. The belief that, acting as a whole, we can mould a society that can stand together not only against our enemies, but against our own doubts... and come out the victor.
If elected, I will work to bring about this unity. I will work to earn and maintain your trust. Yes, physical security is important. But I believe it is just as important that you be able to trust that your elected representatives have your interests at heart.
To be plain: I do not care where you come from. I do not care whether you are a soldier or an ordinary citizen. I do not care if you are a child or an immortal. Nor will I take into account whether I find you personally disagreeable. If you have an idea, something that can give us an upper hand in this war, something that will keep us all alive long enough to reunite with our loved ones, I will listen. Moreover, I will not content myself with waiting for you to come to me with your concerns -- I will come to you. I will ask for advice. For suggestions. For information on what I can do on your behalf.
That is my personal guarantee, sworn on my own honor. And I do not make promises I don’t intend to keep.
I want to revive the lines of communication between the Council and the rest of the crew. Because it’s not just our family and friends that are at stake in this war – it’s our survival. It's the survival of countless worlds, countless people. And I intend to do everything in my power to ensure that we all make it out of this in one piece.
If you have any questions for me, I would be happy to answer them.
[There is an image attached: a swirl of elegant letters that reads:
Gerald Tarrant,
Neocount of Merentha,
Knight of the Realm,
Premier of the Order of the Golden Flame.]
TL;DR Tarrant is running for Council, on the basis of:
* His governance of Merentha County on his homeworld of Erna, particularly the port town of Merentha. (He may mention additional achievements if asked.)
* Reopening the lines of communication between the Council and the crew, restoring trust
* Ideas for improvements to security and defense aboard the ship
* Promises to take a proactive role in keeping the crew informed of his actions, as well as just going out and grabbing opinions from the crew
* Promises to listen to crew opinions/complaints/suggestions based on their merit vs. based on whether or not he likes you
* Devoting all his resources to the survival of the crew
I am also over a thousand years old, just to get that out of the way.
On my own world, Erna, I served as the Neocount of Merentha, where I governed what became a large port city specializing in trade. As I’m sure you can imagine, it was a significant challenge to govern. There was a constant in- and outflux of travelers, traders, explorers, and hired guns – not all of whom were the law-abiding sort. But there were also natural disasters, aging buildings to maintain, and outside threats to deal with. Erna was seismically active in a way that Old Earth was not; earthquakes were common events. It is not a stretch to say that even the course of major rivers could change drastically over a very short period of time, let alone manmade docks. However, the city was maintained. Damage was repaired, threats were dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the law, and safety wards were installed as an early warning system against incoming disasters.
Under my guidance, Merentha flourished. I'm not saying it was an easy task, mind you, not on a planet like Erna, where faeborne demons stalk about the city walls in wait for a chance to slip in and menace the populace. But through vigilance, diplomacy, and carefully crafted policy, that small port town grew into a thriving city. And while I'm sure our community here is never going to become a trading port, I think it could definitely stand to see some of the same improvements that Merentha did. Further, I believe I can help bring about that change.
There are, of course, obstacles that stand in our path in this war. Obstacles with which I am sure you are all familiar. However, I am of the belief that the greatest threat to a stable, vibrant community comes not from outside threat, but from within. I am speaking, of course, of fear. History has taught us that even under ordinary circumstances, fear and doubt can cloud the judgment. It begets poor decision-making, bickering, the turning of one ally against another... but worst of all, it can lead to overlooking real danger. Obvious danger, which might otherwise be turned aside before it can lead to lives lost.
On Erna, fear was not only abstract emotion, but a tangible force. My planet turned the fears of its denizens against them, using them to spawn the faeborne. Throwing them back at us in the form of phantoms, of monsters, of gods -- even of our own lost loved ones, seemingly returned from the grave.
Our fears were incredibly volatile, incredibly dangerous -- but they could be managed. They could be contained. And I believe they can be managed here, as well. We have a breathtaking breadth of abilities and individuals here, from many different worlds. What we do not have enough of are the lines of communication needed to utilize those abilities. To foster cooperation and trust. To combat the fear and suspicion that naturally arises among even the most stalwart of allies, let along a group of strangers from different worlds. I don't claim that reviving this trust will be easy, of course; it never is. But more than ever, we need strength. Unity. The belief that, acting as a whole, we can mould a society that can stand together not only against our enemies, but against our own doubts... and come out the victor.
If elected, I will work to bring about this unity. I will work to earn and maintain your trust. Yes, physical security is important. But I believe it is just as important that you be able to trust that your elected representatives have your interests at heart.
To be plain: I do not care where you come from. I do not care whether you are a soldier or an ordinary citizen. I do not care if you are a child or an immortal. Nor will I take into account whether I find you personally disagreeable. If you have an idea, something that can give us an upper hand in this war, something that will keep us all alive long enough to reunite with our loved ones, I will listen. Moreover, I will not content myself with waiting for you to come to me with your concerns -- I will come to you. I will ask for advice. For suggestions. For information on what I can do on your behalf.
That is my personal guarantee, sworn on my own honor. And I do not make promises I don’t intend to keep.
I want to revive the lines of communication between the Council and the rest of the crew. Because it’s not just our family and friends that are at stake in this war – it’s our survival. It's the survival of countless worlds, countless people. And I intend to do everything in my power to ensure that we all make it out of this in one piece.
If you have any questions for me, I would be happy to answer them.
[There is an image attached: a swirl of elegant letters that reads:
Gerald Tarrant,
Neocount of Merentha,
Knight of the Realm,
Premier of the Order of the Golden Flame.]
TL;DR Tarrant is running for Council, on the basis of:
* His governance of Merentha County on his homeworld of Erna, particularly the port town of Merentha. (He may mention additional achievements if asked.)
* Reopening the lines of communication between the Council and the crew, restoring trust
* Ideas for improvements to security and defense aboard the ship
* Promises to take a proactive role in keeping the crew informed of his actions, as well as just going out and grabbing opinions from the crew
* Promises to listen to crew opinions/complaints/suggestions based on their merit vs. based on whether or not he likes you
* Devoting all his resources to the survival of the crew
no subject
no subject
[locked to Tarrant]
Re: [locked to Tarrant]
We may not be able to move right away, but we can't afford to keep kowtowing to people who lie to us and treated our predecessors like animals to be put down. We need a solid, coordinated plan in case they decide that we, too, are expendable. And we need it... what was the saying? Ah. Yesterday.
I don't like tiptoeing through the lion's den without a weapon. Not at all.