[!]

Posters are strewn about town, conveniently placed right next to Anwar's posters.





Smallfolk of the Spire,

You have been called upon to select your next Chancellor- a voice to guide our laws, our future, and our honor. Yet the candidate who is assumedly promised, Anwar, has offered you naught but silence and entitlement.

Where stood this man when the people required the bare minimum of one running for Chancellor?
Where was his stand, his vision, his ear?

He did not bother to stand.
He did not speak.
He did not take initiative.

Instead, he bent his knee.

He is a close friend of Meriel Noctis. Such a good friend infact that he had an honorable mention alongside the announcement of a vote for who takes the seat of Chancellor. At the tourney, he was cookie-provider and cupbearer for the pleasure of a certain Valkian Princess- he knows where to bury his nose. 

I saw him at the feet of the Lady Steward serving cookies like a court servant, not particularly becoming to that of a statesman. A man so quick to bow before foreign power- Valks no less. Setting an example that invites the smallfolk to follow his lead. His allegiance and subservience are granted regardless to the affinities for warfare and colonization that the recipient possesses. He is quite happy to pawn us off, though not all welcome the company of fists that are red.

Is this what you want?
A compliant hound?

His running leans on the name and title of his tutor, Ser Adrien — a man whose tenure yielded naught but the barest of scraps. Two bills. Two little gestures. The minimum shield for our children alongside the minimum nod to "protecting" Aedall heritage- penned by human hand.

What a legacy you inherit, Anwar.
Though I imagine you shall walk fewer steps than even that of your tutor.

You have no vision.
You have no fire for change.
No will to exert influence on a level that is not superficial and boneless.

Only the quiet assumption that popularity and kissing the correct feet will get you what you want, even to the extent of your running being unchallenged.

Yes, he is known. I have seen the blind following in the streets, the posters, the tea and the cookies.

Smallfolk, popularity is not leadership.

The Chancellor must stand firm and set clear bounds; only after this doth he receive respect and later acquiring the feat of negotiation of terms that interest his party. Not by way of panting for approval like a dog for scraps.

If you, Anwar, possess even a shred of honor- leave the running and go back to what you truly love: being a beloved face among a crowd.

He'll just be another seat that'd best be left empty.

The Spire deserves more than this.
More than his entitlement.
More than honeyed words and a smile.

Choose someone who'll always have an ear for you.
Choose someone who speaks plainly.
Choose a Chancellor who stands.

- Dagda

[!]
A post would be written below this one, penned entirely in green. Should it be removed or tarnished, within a day's time it would be rewritten and replaced so long as the original stayed posted. There would be no signature whatsoever, though many familiar would likely recognize the green ink as a certain someone's calling card...

"This 'Dagda' has openly appealed to the Undercity's 'Cabal' leadership in attempt to place one of its' own within the Seneschalty that can serve their own ends and potentially bring harm to those within the town to serve those that live in the caverns below. Several bore witness to this and can attest. Do not vote for this 'Dagda'."

catmerization:

[!]
A post would be written below this one, penned entirely in green. Should it be removed or tarnished, within a day's time it would be rewritten and replaced so long as the original stayed posted. There would be no signature whatsoever, though many familiar would likely recognize the green ink as a certain someone's calling card...

"This 'Dagda' has openly appealed to the Undercity's 'Cabal' leadership in attempt to place one of its' own within the Seneschalty that can serve their own ends and potentially bring harm to those within the town to serve those that live in the caverns below. Several bore witness to this and can attest. Do not vote for this 'Dagda'."

 

 

[!]
Her note would be written on!

I acknowledge that I have encouraged members of the Undercity to take a more active role in the politics of the topside as a means of improving life below. In no way does this harm anyone above-ground. The only thing this pathetic defamation achieves is the hindrance of life potentially getting better in The Spire.

Bring out your witnesses tomorrow.

A response is tacked at the bottom of the initial notice, written in a looping, scrawling script, likely familiar to those who kept up with calls to action and sign-ups in years past. A pressed oak leaf is adhered to one corner of the parchment. 

"Dagda, 

I notice a rather depressing pattern in the mud you sling. Why is it that any time someone is calm, collected, polite, generous- you assume they only do it for gain, or that they are self-absorbed? What a sad life you must have lived, and I am sorry for it. I wish that your trust was more earnest and ready. 

'Honeyed words.' There is a saying, I think, about a pot and a kettle. 

Just as you displayed during our private conversation about your mistrust and campaign-to-be, you make an ass of yourself by once more assuming you know the people you slander and the motives that drive them, despite being so determined to avoid speaking to them directly! Perhaps, I think, you make such accusations because these things are what you yourself have done. Sycophancy. At least you had the decency to pretend to be humbled before. To don the mask you felt was required, just as you do 'twixt every conversation you have. It is no wonder I have felt I speak with a brand new Dagda every time we converse, as you adjust yourself to try and be what you think I wish to hear. I pray this is but another mask you don to gain the favor of those of the Undercity, but I do admittedly fear the possibility of this being You all along. And what masks do you don between this post and your meetings with the Uncercity's inhabitants? In what ways are you trying to puppet them, just as you try to do above? Is it false too, your ardent desire to rectify their living conditions? They deserve better than your passive aggressive games. He who cannot cooperate cannot accomplish anything. Particularly in government office. 

You do not speak plainly; you speak with veiled motive. You stir hate and little else. Promise of change, and yet you refuse to speak to anyone directly to solve these issues you claim to care about- save for 'the public,' by way of this hate-filled notice, because you know that the people you slander are not as venomous as you want others to believe and that they would be happy to cooperate, and in circumventing this conversation, you preserve the illusion for yourself. You are a Charade.

You think those who serve the town by way of public office are above serving tea and cookies? You would really use that as a point of slander? And yet, if they were to refuse to do so, you would surely slander them for 'thinking they're too good for such things.' We see this in how you criticize Meriel for being kind, yet also not being kind enough. You criticize her for not having fixed the issue you champion, yet- you tell me you refuse to bring it up to her. You ensure the issue remains so that you can pretend you wish to fix it, while avoiding the offered methods of fixing. You list such feeble points because there are no other points to make. If it is Anwar's policy you disagree with, then pray address that policy. Tea time is not a crime, nor is indulging it. Anwar served refreshments to the people at large, not the Stewardess nor even the Princess exclusively. 'Oh no, throw tomatoes at Anwar because he likes to serve tea and cookies.' How very humble of you, Dagda. Truly a man of the people, he who thinks himself far above the day-to-day life. The 'common man' who hates common courtesy.

I had hoped that you were better than this and that I could believe the words you spoke before; But once more, I fear my initial read of a person is proven more correct than the sentiments with which I seek to drown it out. 

You are dishonest and thus unfit for such a title as Chancellor. Though perhaps you might be an understudy, if your desire to help be true."

The parchment is not signed with a name, but it is not overly difficult to guess.

I like your perspective, you are right, this Anwar will be nothing but a dutiful servant in waiting 

[!]
A simple note is added to the original paper.

”You know nothing. Hold your tongue before I cut it out for you.”