This post is to declare the partnership in this election between Van Pelt, Councilwoman Meriel Noctis, and Ser Adrian Pandion.

The trio together come from disparate backgrounds that gives each of them a unique view on the needs of the Spire and its people. Working together, they hope to achieve economic stability, provide more guild support, further establish the Spire’s independence from foreign reliance, strengthen the core of the Spire’s defenses, and bring about transparency from government agencies. The trio also wish to be able to further fund public works such as the hospital, militia, and the library. Providing further stability for our fighters and scholars alike.

Each member of the group has their own goals to further whilst sharing these, and between the three, they have covered a great deal of space within the political sphere.

• Van Pelt has a particular focus on justice and seeing it brought to the Spire. Cracking down on crime and corruption in our fledgling city while improving transparency and relations between the guards and denizens therein. 
• Incumbent Councilwoman Meriel Noctis is focused on solidifying the Spire’s infrastructure, ensuring it becomes self-sufficient and capable of sustaining trade. She also aims to implement proactive measures and pass verdicts that will keep the city prepared for future crises. 
• Ser Adrian Pandion would like to look outward to see to furthering our defenses, keeping any threat from just strolling into the heart of the Spire as they have previously. They also have a particular desire to begin building the foundations of supporting new settlements out in the wilds, spreading the Spire’s influence to maintain control and independence of the Reach.

It is the belief that between the three of them, they will be able to see outside one another’s scope and through and blind spots they might otherwise have alone. This alliance proves their willingness to work with one another, especially on day one of their service to the Spire. With their several aligned views, they will be able to make the Spire a better place, and be able to better hear the populace of the Spire and what they want for the future of it.

INCUMBENT COUNCILWOMAN, MERIEL NOCTIS
Meriel Noctis is committed to building a self-sufficient, resilient Spire—one that does not just react to crises but prevents them through foresight and structured policy. She believes true stability comes from fair governance, strong security, and ensuring the well-being of the people, creating a foundation that allows the city to thrive. This includes securing trade relations with local settlements, clans, and neighboring territories, providing access to resources and amenities the Southern Reach lacks. However, she insists on transparency and firm boundaries in these agreements, ensuring the Spire maintains control over its interests without compromising its independence.

Beyond trade, Meriel pushes for the establishment of embassies outside the Valkian Realm, ensuring the many cultures within the Spire have representation. Rather than allowing any one group to feel unheard or overridden, she seeks to build a society where different backgrounds can coexist and contribute.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS & POLICIES
Remedying Curses and Scholarly Pursuits
Studied curses inflicted upon Spire citizens in hopes of providing remedies to their plights, and was one of the leading scholars in the Garden of Aedall to complete the trials needed to end its onslaught on fighters.

Establishment of Common Law
Created a legal framework to ensure fairness, consistency, and justice within the Spire. This provides stability and predictability, ensuring no one is above the law and that rulings are not arbitrary.

• Common Law of the Spire

Foundation of the Militia
Organized a defense force that serves the interests of the people rather than private factions. This strengthens security without relying on outside forces, ensuring protection remains under the Spire’s control.

• Militia of the Spire

Drafting of Emergency Decrees
Passed key rulings in response to crises, allowing for swift and effective governance during turbulent times. This ensures that issues are addressed proactively, preventing chaos and mismanagement.

• Dealings with the Fey

• Guardhouse Incident

Sponsorship of the Catnap Inn
Funded and supported an inn to provide temporary housing solutions for those struggling with the Spire’s limited accommodations. This helps alleviate housing shortages and ensures that displaced or struggling individuals have a place to stay, reinforcing social stability.

Hosted Meetings & Office Hours
Established direct outreach to citizens, allowing them to voice concerns and propose issues for the Circle of Four to address. This strengthens transparency in governance and ensures leadership remains engaged with the needs of the people.

FUTURE POLICIES FOR REINSTATEMENT

Expansion of Diplomatic Relations & Embassies
This fosters stability, allows for cultural exchange, and prevents isolationism from stunting the city’s growth. Giving various communities representation ensures no one feels unheard or overridden.

• Establishing embassies beyond the Valkian Realm to represent diverse cultures within the Spire.
• Providing foreign settlements with official channels for negotiation, reducing tensions and misunderstandings.
• Strengthening ties through diplomacy while ensuring the Spire remains autonomous in its governance.

Development of Trade Routes & Economic Growth
Trade strengthens the economy, increases the quality of life, and ensures access to essential goods that the Spire alone cannot provide. Maintaining clear trade policies prevents exploitation or over-reliance on external parties.

• Securing agreements with local settlements, clans, and territories for mutual prosperity.
• Gaining access to resources not commonly found in the Southern Reach while maintaining firm trade boundaries.
• Encouraging merchants and artisans to expand business opportunities within the Spire.

Addressing the Threat of War with the Fey
A war with the Fey would bring devastation. By exploring all options—diplomacy, deterrence, and military preparedness—Meriel strives to protect the Spire without leading it into reckless destruction.

• Preparing defenses and contingency plans should negotiations fail.
• Seeking diplomatic avenues to delay or prevent full-scale conflict.

• Evaluating the promises and demands made by the Fey to determine feasible resolutions.

Continued Development Based on Public Needs
A city thrives when its people have a say in its development. By listening to public concerns and balancing them with practicality, Meriel ensures progress that benefits both present and future generations.

• Expanding infrastructure projects based on requests and common interests.
• Improving housing, accessibility, and public spaces to match the city’s growth.
• Establishing more community-driven initiatives that allow people to take an active role in shaping the Spire.

Ser Adrian Pandion
Adrian is running for office for the first time, and they seek to further community amongst the diverse groups which have gathered in the Spire. They intend to provide support to the Spire through strengthening the city’s defenses via better walls and more protected entry roads. This should provide more defense and warning of the Spire. They believe in establishing trade and improving the Spire’s ability to self-sustain and eventually export its own goods. They intend to look into pushing for more farms and looking for resources which can be sustainably utilized for the purposes of the Spire. They believe that by reaching out to the craftsmen and innovators in the community, these resources will be able to be put to work and further enrich the economy, making the Spire more powerful in its own right.

Adrian is a dedicated member of the Spire’s community, and has fought for it time and time again. Working as a free agent, they have worked with the Militia on some of their goals to defend the Spire. In the Lictor Tourney, they bested Ser Garland Penrose in the tilt and brought the man the only public loss the town has seen. Before the Militia was formed, they assisted with several reconnaissance missions to gather intel about the Knights of Lictor which assisted in their later defeat. Working with the Militia, they were at the Attack on the Garden and on the front line pushing up the mountain. Adrian has put their life on the line for this city many times and has no intention of stopping when elected. They intend to lead from the front, and help keep this community safe for many years to come.

Campaign Policies

Support for Public Services
Services like the hospital, guard, library, and militia are integral to the Spire’s success. In the past, there has been a lack of space, funding, and manpower which impacted these public services to work effectively for the community. 

Improvement of Infrastructure
While the walls are tall and strong, they have not halted threats in the past. Knights, Ravens, and Finns were able to easily bypass our defenses and walk the streets of the Spire without reproach. Newly, the fey have taken to the streets and have been terrorizing the townsfolk with deals which they do not understand. Infiltration can be mitigated if not negated if there is improvement of our city’s gates and walls.

Improvement of Resource Location and Allocation
The Spire’s influence and ability to remain independent will be hindered by lack of dependable resources, and how they are allocated. Scouting out resources such as renewable lumber, mines with metals, and plants which are local to the area will assist in keeping the Spire independent of imported goods. With proper outreach to craftsmen, it’s possible to develop our own specialized goods which could put the Spire into economic security.

Further Outreach to the Community
People of the community being able to speak with the Councillors about what issues they have with the city is of the utmost importance. The Council is, first and foremost, civil servants. Being reachable and approachable would be one of the things that Adrian would try and help foster. Community events, office hours, and town hall participation will be things they would facilitate.

Official Tie-Breaking Policy
Given the council has four members, should two be against the other two, there will come a time when this tie needs to be broken. Working with the other council members, a policy for breaking any stalemate will be forged and put in place. Whether this comes in the form of a city-wide community vote, or a fifth council member will be up for discussion.

Van Pelt

A leader & businessman with the reputation of getting things done, Van Pelt is a firm supporter of the Militia, Spire Hospital, and safety within the town’s walls. He believes in building connections with factions outside the Spire and setting firm, yet friendly boundaries that we are an autonomous frontier town that isn’t going to be ruled by outsiders. He seeks to collaborate with Patrons and their entourages to workshop a way to prevent future incidents like Idris’s guard keep explosion. Further, he wants to locate Idris once a solution is found and safely pursue justice against him. A newfound fan of dumplings, Van Pelt seeks to incorporate cultural celebrations into the Spire’s local calendar as planned city festivals for the public. He believes in investigating and rooting out crime networks that are exploiting the Spire and its denizens such as the Phonquis and Thieves’ Guild. Van Pelt wants to improve transparency from the guard force. He believes penances and guard operations have remained enigmatic, and the nature of the former should be brought to light if it is to be enforced on the people. Finally, he wants to bring in the remaining Lictor Knights for proper trial.

Van Pelt and his posse have been keeping the Spire safe from crime both internal and external for over a year. Notable names such as Sir Crispin and his vile “Brood”, Ivor Cowherd, and the corrupted Dryad were all brought in thanks to the Van Pelts. The group has repeatedly demonstrated their compassion and willingness to pitch in and improve the community through their actions. Hayden Grimwald’s smuggled supplies were donated to the Spire Hospital for no charge, the Corrupted Dryad was cleansed and released rather than being slain, and the Van Pelts cleared out a camp of poachers to help wildlife around the Spire flourish.

FUTURE PLANS FOR OFFICE

Build Connections with Factions Outside the Spire
The Spire should avoid hungry outside factions trying to take a slice of our pie again. We can do this through diplomacy first but also maintain our internal strength to show that we can protect ourselves when needed.

Collaborate with Patrons to Prevent Future Magic Catastrophe
Idris has harmed our community and that cannot go unanswered, however, he has proven himself powerful and dangerous. We must first work with those who also possess arcane power to come up with a safe way to handle Idris once found. Because the Arcanist’s Accord was involved in Idris’s imprisonment it is also a chance for us to learn from mistakes and improve how we operate moving forward. The group needs accountability for their actions.

Incorporate Cultural Celebrations into the Local Calendar as Planned City Festivals for the Public.
The spire is a diverse spot with people of all walks of life. After experiencing some Korami street food, Van Pelt has decided he’d like more opportunities to explore other cultures residing in the Spire.

Investigating and Rooting Out Crime Networks that are Exploiting the Spire and its Denizens.
This is Van Pelt’s bread and butter, and there are ample opportunities to unearth underground operations in the Spire. Corruption cannot be tolerated, so two organizations known to be involved in shady business will be investigated during this term: The Phonquis and the Thieves’ Guild. By working to dismantle smuggling and other illicit trade we can increase trade prosperity within the spire.

Improve Transparency from the Guard Force
Many of us have been subjected to Penances from the Spire’s guards, and while they seem to be a helpful means of paying for one’s wrongdoings it is important for us to know how they work and how the guards determine what someone receives. Decisions made by the guards that affect the people of the Spire should be public and clarified to those with questions.

Bring in the Remaining Lictor Knights for Proper Trial
The Lictor Knights have a questionable-at-best rapport within the spire. They will be brought in for a review of their actions and face Penance if they are found to have harmed our community.