175 Cordor Press Archives
The Need for New Landed Nobility
The Chancellor has seen fit to free a spot within Cordor's Landed Nobility, removing Efraim from his position there, and are beginning an initiative to see the People of Cordor vote for who they believe is best among them to earn the title of Landed Nobility.
The position comes with a number of perks, as noted in the Minister of Education's post on the main Cordorian boards;
"A Landed Noble is offered a number of benefits in exchange for their service and efforts within the city;
1. The ability to ordain a select few as Lesser Nobles and Knights of the city and their family, if they maintain one of the noble manors in our city.
2. A small percentage of Cordor?s tax as income to fund their efforts in the city.
3. Property protection against evictions for as long as they remain a Landed Noble."
So, dear reader, who do you think is the best among us to earn this position? Do you know of a fabled hero of story? A selfless guardian of the realm who often goes without deserved recognition? A tireless worker dedicated to the betterment of the city? If so, post a letter to nominate them for the position on the Minister's Suggestion Board in the Cordor Square.
We've no doubt that there will be a good deal of opportunists throwing their own name in, hungry for the money and fame that comes with such a position, so it is our duty to ensure that someone sees proper reward and recognition for their efforts. Cast a nomination today!
As always, your friend in the Press,
- Gideon Oakley, Editor & Publisher of the Crimson Quill.
Day 27, Month 12 (Nightal), 175 AR
Anonymous
Cordor Elects Chancellor Najih!
With Chancellor Liberty's untimely departure from the island, citing important events on the mainland, it left Vice-Chancellor Markus in charge to hold the reigns of Cordorian government. This did, however, prompt one of the shortest stints the city has seen as an election was called, somehow, only days later!
The nominees that put forward their names were thus; Markus Marshal, Tiffany Vox, and Najih. All have previous experience in government, and so knew the necessary ins-and-outs and minutia of Cordorian politics. The three also attended a Chancellor's Debate, organized by the Minister of Education, and the good public attended to ask their questions and worries of the Chancellors to see who might be best to cast their vote for.
It all added to one of the more peaceful and relaxed elections that the Press has ever seen. There was incredibly little by way of political mud-slinging and the whole incident passed without theatre or mummery. After the date came, the votes were counted, and the Scribe proclaimed the winner;
Chancellor Najih emerged the victor - voted by the people, for the people. His immediate promise was to look inwards, ensuring that the Cordorian cabinet acts as a stable platform with which to support the citizens above them. We at the Press wish Chancellor Najih our warmest welcome to the position, and Tymora's luck in his term.
As always, your friend in the Press,
- Gideon Oakley, Editor & Publisher of the Crimson Quill.
Day 14, Month 10 (Marpenoth (Leafall)), 175 AR
Anonymous
Cordor Elects Chancellor Liberty!
With another election season coming to pass, another Chancellor to sit upon the seat and take the reigns of government in grasp.
After a, rather peaceful election lacking the usual fecal-slinging and rumormongering of the messageboard and Town Criers, Chancellor Liberty rose as the people's favourite, running on a platform that ensured a fresh breath and perspective to the rigors of government.
When reached for a quote for the Press, something that all the good people of Cordor and the Press' readers around the isle, the Chancellor stated;
"I am happy to represent the people of Cordor - after a clean election, it has been a pleasure to take up the mantle of Chancellor. Let this be a period of prosperity and celebration for Cordor!"
The work begins now, however, and the people of Cordor look to what Chancellor Liberty does with her newfound powers. We at the Press offer her our best wishes. Expect an interview with the Chancellor soon!
As always, your friend in the Press,
- Gideon Oakley, Editor & Publisher of the Crimson Quill.
Day 25, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 175 AR
Anonymous
Interview w/ Chancellor Valoheim - Vol I
Before the interview, I (P) have been shadowing Chancellor Valoheim (CV) for the better part of a day, accidentally following him into an unplanned meeting upon meeting. The life of a Chancellor is a busy one, unfortunately leaving very little time for anything else, but Aloysious composes each and every encounter with a pleasant air and smile. When a time arises, I steal him away to the Press for a simple conversation with a warm and relaxing cup of tea, a biscuit, and a hopeful oasis of calm among the storm of statecraft.
P: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us at the Press, Chancellor, and congratulations on your victory. What are your first impressions of the seat?
CV: One of the alternate names some refer to it, "First Servant", holds true. As the one responsible for leading and coordinating the civil service of the city, it has already shown that life will be busy. At the same time, the people deserve a dedicated Chancellor, and one willing to serve.
P: How do you plan to do so? Do you have any sweeping changes planned to the cabinet, or plans to act differently than the previous Chancellor?
CV: The prior Chancellor's plans were never quite brought to fruition, save for a few internal matters which I will continue. As for the cabinet, whilst my review is not complete, any changes to the cabinet will be based solely on information gleaned in the process of my review. I will not make a change that I could not point facts to back, that is not how I intend to traffic this Chancellor.
As for "how" I plan to serve; I intend to find any and all possible gaps in the current needs of the city to better fulfill them. An example; I have bidden the Trade Minister to put up a board in the city barracks public area where crafters might register themselves. It?s my hope that people will use it to consult and find crafters who can aid them, or in turn, artisans can advertise themselves alongside other measures.
Continued in Vol. II!
Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 175 AR
Anonymous
Interview w/ Chancellor Valoheim - Vol II
P: Good immediate solutions, but do you have any long-term plans that might affect the people of Cordor? The time of months, years, rather than tendays?
CV: The main thing that will have the most impact is my intent to make a more robust civil service through the hiring of additional employees in as many departments as one can put to use. The Guard, the Navy, the varying Ministries. An expansion of availability of the Government to its people. Additionally, I intend to hold regular citizen's forums. These will allow us to show the people - guests and citizens alike - that we will resolve issues that require solutions.
P: As Chancellor, however, you must not keep just Cordor's citizens happy. While the city is the clear priority, how do you plan to keep our neighbours and allies happy in a time of possible derision or uncertainty?
CV: By working with my cabinet and the neighbours of Cordor to become aware of issues and to find solutions. As a Gnome, community is important to me, and really, the Arelith archipelago, and especially the main island on which we reside are a greater community.
P: A truly promising start. Now, because paper only gets so long, do you have a parting message to the people of Cordor? An opportunity to say whatever you want to the dear readers of this article.
(This raises a pause in the Chancellor as he thinks carefully, to which I take the opportunity to finish the rest of my tea before he speaks;)
CV: Communities, cities, and governments all possess one commonality; people. The people of this city and those who fall under the care of Cordor are my highest priority.
- Interview conducted by Drad An'ash, edited by Gideon Oakley of the Cordor Press.
Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 175 AR
Anonymous
Thugs and Thieves in Cordor
We at the Crimson Quill and the Cordor Press do not encourage, advocate, or praise the activities of the "Coinpeckers Guild" in any form.
After a regular cleaning inspection of the premises, we found that some of our belongings had disappeared, only to be replaced with a rather cheap-looking brooch which we will include a sketch of below, and the article beneath this one. Those of us old enough to remember the activities and subsequent court trial of Dr. Harashandal, the leader of a sect of the Eldreth Veluuthra, and his subsequent public execution BY A MYONIAN ELF in the middle of the trial.
These people claim to have noble intentions, but when you cut through their self-righteous rhetoric, you find their true intent; to "keep the terror" against our fair citizens, "to decrease population" which is clearly a poor attempt to politely rephrase "cold and senseless murder", and to "interfer with economy."
Until these thugs are dealt with, we encourage you to do as we do at the Press; ensure that your truly valuable belongings or items you are afraid to lose are kept safely with the Bank (providing you are a citizen in the bank's settlement) or on your person. Your homes are only as safe as the lock on your door, and these recent break-ins have shown us that isn't very safe.
As always, your friend in the Press,
- Gideon Oakley, Editor & Publisher of the Crimson Quill.
Day 20, Month 4 (Tarsakh), 175 AR
Anonymous
Obituary: Chancellor and High-Watcher, Konstantin Helbrecht
Good Cordorians, it is with a heavy hand that I write this letter. Your elected Chancellor, High-Watcher Konstantin Helbrecht, has been murdered by Andunorian agents in what we suspect has become his True Death.
Details on precisely what occurred are fuzzy, but what's come to knowledge is that the Chancellor was kidnapped by force and brought to Andunor's flagship, the Dreadnaught, where he was brutally executed in cold blood by the slavers, the murderers, and the monsters of Andunor, and hasn't been seen since.
Konstantin Helbrecht had a long and expansive history as a warrior for freedom, justice, and all that is right on this island. From his humble yet selfless beginnings in the Gauntlet, to becoming a skilled sailor in the Cordorian Navy - defending allied vessels from the naval tyranny of pirates, to organising and commanding one of the greatest military campaigns and victories at Camp Young with the War with the Twisted Rune and their legions of undead, to becoming High-Watcher of the Church of Helm and the Triad and then becoming Chancellor of Cordor when we needed him most, in a time of indecision and chaos.
Konstantin was a close personal friend of mine, and Cordor seems darker without him. A ceremony is being prepared in the coming months so that we can pay our respects to the man that used to be our Chancellor. Even in his final moments however, he fought for Cordor and his people. I know that he would want us to continue as he would; to fight for the weak and to aid those who need protection, to rise against injustice and chaos, and to not give attention or opportunity to those who would ruin us. These are the reasons we elected High-Watcher Konstantin Helbrecht, and these are the values we should strive to uphold.
For Cordor, for Crown, and for Konstantin.
Day 18, Month 3 (Ches), 175 AR
Drad An'ash
Cordor's New Penal Battalion
A new law has graced the city, one labelled the "Penal Battalion Law" that offers those found on the wrong side of Cordorian law to redeem themselves with community service. It has also been made a possible punishment for those who commit Felonies, should "the requirements be met", for such crimes as, but not limited to, Assault, Theft, and Desecration of a Body.
The Penal perpetrators will be given a simple brooch to identify them, and the Press has already seen one made of a brass X symbol. When reached for a quote regarding the new law, Justiciar Dameon Wade gave this response;
"Unfortunately, we have witnessed time and time again how fickle redemption stories have been in the past. I am of the belief that anyone who holds corruption in their soul is beyond redemption - however, I do believe that those who genuinely hold good in their hearts under all that dust and grime have merely found themselves in situations where if they had been dealt a different hand in life, they would be capable of accomplishing great deeds.
This is where this law comes into play, the Penal Battalion will become a project that will allow those who have committed any Felony - and choose to admit guilt to said Felony - will receive a chance to serve and do right should the other requirements be met. We are all aware of how effective discipline can be when it comes to producing functioning members of society out of unruly souls.
All that said, the first pioneer of the project has already been selected to join the Penal Battalion - Sly Lionheart. She is one of the many who have been dealt some hard cards in life, but through this program, she'll be able to return through the gates of Cordor as a functioning member of society."
What are your opinions here? A good chance of redemption to those deserving, or do you feel uncomfortable with these people protecting our city? Let us know!
As always, your friend in the Press,
- Gideon Oakley, Editor & Publisher of the Crimson Quill.
Day 20, Month 1 (Hammer (Deepwinter)), 175 AR
Anonymous