Public Release of Records
A series of letters adorns the board, mingling with other parchments typical of election season. These appear to be official copies sourced directly from the town hall archives, meant for cataloging the actions of the Circle of Four in past cycles. Notably, Councilman Rott’s release of a particular letter from 5 & 3 carries the same authenticity as those compiled and notated alongside it.
As all correspondences within the Circle of Four are archived for record-keeping and reference, I will be releasing all archived letters in accordance with Councilman Rott’s decision to disclose Councilman Quincy’s response to a prior proposal.
I have no interest in engaging in frivolous battles of rhetoric. However, in adherence to Militia Captain Helara’s request:
“I know not of the matter of term limits to stop the Fey, but I would urge both Councilor Noctis and Councilor Rottjarnsmidar to reveal the proposed laws and disagreements to the public rather than rewording them in the form of polemics.”
Thus, I will release these records in full, dated for clarity, so that the citizens of the Spire may draw their own conclusions—free from the distortions of conflicting interpretations.
On Skybright 7 (December 12th)
WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY, A DREAMER DWELLS
[> Seemingly, the woman would also include another proposal that was more conceptual presently for the Councilors to provide their thoughts on, with a smaller note included:
I'm hopeful that with this proposal, Miss Kalibri could head it as she already started the Spire Sentry and has the experience. Please look it over and leave thoughts that I may address when I catch you around. ~Meriel
- Quincy abstains. Passes with Rott, Meriel and Thurlow.
On Skybright 8 (December 13th)
CLAN NEGOTIATIONS
Rott has put forward the motion to approve starting the negotiations with the Stonerunner Clans for an alliance in order to repel hostile forces in exhange for food supplies. Work is already being done with farmers (Hex Liara and Kestrel as divine gardeners) from before the election to ensure there would be food that could be spared.
On Skybright 8 (December 13th)
Councillor Noctis will not push forth the negotiations on the grounds of...
- Requesting to know what concessions or negotiations are going to be made when it comes to extent of repelling hostile forces-- or how much grain they will need to uphold such
- What the alliance pertains to explicitly-- so that it may be anticipated how long it'll last, to what extent it applies within the Spire's outside lands, and so forth
Until these are amended or clarified, she will not change her stance.
On Skybright 8 (December 13th), Councillor Rott relayed the following back to Meriel:
1) Stonerunners are a people who have learned how to subsist off very little, as in their mountain homes food is sparse. Whatever we can spare to them without putting our own stores in danger of running low.
Young Stonerunner males seek for opportunities to prove themselves in battle, and what they may not have in experience they will make up for in zeal. I can be expected that the quality and quantity of what we send to the Clans will directly have an effect on the experience of the warriors we are sent.
2) So long as we can provide food for the winter-stores of the Stonerunner clans, they should be amiable to continuing negotiations. So long as there is a chance for the warriors to prove themselves, it is likely that they will be willing to travel through out the area of the South Reach.
The price for each battle that we may summon them to our aid will most likely be in a cut of the spoils of war from where a battle may commence.
On Skybright 8 (December 13th), Councillor Meriel relayed the following back to Rott:
- Meriel will approve the notion so as long as an initial agreed-upon amount of food is reported and traded for set conditions in exchange. She does not find it wise to delegate potentially the entire allotment of food stores barring that of going low-- into an entire faction without any shows of good faith or promise at first-- for the heavy-handed resources being allotted
- Thus, it is suggested to talk of negotiations with them firsthand before initially agreeing to any one thing, to then come back to the council what what the Stonerunner clans are wanting and what we would reasonably be able to give
On Skybright 8 (December 13th), Councillor Rott relayed the following back to Meriel:
- Meriel is welcome to attend the negotiations to gain a better insight on what dealing with the Stonerunner Clans is like and what can be expected of them. She can offer her opinions as a neutral party upon departing on the initial negotiations to see how best to proceed.
On Skybright 12 (December 17th)
Councillor Meriel re-iterates she will not budge on making huge negotiations on the first agreement, and agrees to attending negotiation channels set up.
On Skybright 15 (December 20th)
A NOTE AT NIGHT
My, it seems despite occupying the parlor of office you forgot to give us rights to parlors; You are hosts and guests, yet we are hosts only. A fact that deserves rectification.
We request by right of fair tribunal, that our court is accordingly refuged, respected, and represented. A portion of attics, rafters, and housing appropriated for our own usage - little folke, mostly.
We will take our cut of your new developments; Please use this time until then, to write a persuasive declaration of what we tell you for your own publishment to the town. In the curves of ink you find most pleasing. We hope your people meet this with fanfare rather than warfare.
You would not win, and we would not lie.
Signed, The court of High Monsoon and Councilman Quincy
On Skybright 16 (December 21st)
Witchling's Response
To the Esteemed Court of High Monsoon and Councilman Quincy—
Your eloquence flows like the rivers of twilight, and I am honored by the grace of your correspondence. I acknowledge the weight of your request anad the rightful attention it demands. Cooperation between your court and the townsfolk of the Spire is a vision I admire, and I wish for our future to be one of fruitful success for both parties.
That said, the lands we both tread are home to many who rely upon them for shelter, livelihood, and sustenance. It is my belief that balance can be achieved without ceding more than is necessary. In light of this, I propose we designate a hall—a space within the bounds of the Spire, marked and known—to be reserved as the dwelling and dominion of your court. This embassy will stand as a place of refuge, where your presence is both honored and respected, and where your rights are preserved. I am sure the many artisans that flock underneath the curtain might harbor interest in such matters.
Thusly—I extend my invitation to meet, so we may determine together the details of this structure and craft an accord that suits both your needs and those of the townsfolk. I trust that this arrangement will reflect the whimsical notion of 'fairness' you value, while avoiding the annoying discord neither of us desires.
Regards,
Councilwoman Meriel Noctis
No further correspondence from Quincy at this time.
On Skybright 27 (January 2nd)
RELEASE OF A NECROMANCER
UPON THE REQUEST OF COUNCILWOMAN MERIEL NOCTIS
As per Councilman Rott initially having Idris detained for refusal to disclose the practice of Necromancy and violation of the Arcanist Accord, Councilwoman Meriel has requested his release to the Guards for:
- Misinterpretation of Section 5: "Necromancy or raising the dead to be without sentience or free-will." Idris has practiced Ichor-adjacent magicks that have been shown to be with sentience and/or free-will, as per Veena - who is a regular denizen of the Spire. There is no known cases to detain him otherwise.
- The Arcanist Accord is not an official decree that is to be upheld by the Spire, but rather within its own signees. To cite it as a reason for arrest is improper for holding.
On Skybright 27 (January 2nd)
Re: RELEASE OF A NECROMANCER
Idris admitted to the practice of necromancy. There was no misinterpretation of the law. I deny your request and offer a rebuke to the reasons cited:
- Veena was revived against her will, claiming that she wished to remain dead. Veena also claimed she was one of many bodies to be within Idris' possession.
- The Arcanist Accord was never cited as a reason for arrest. It is merely a code which compells all responsible mages of the Spire to abide by a standard to prevent dangerous arcane practices. Idris refused to explain his methods of necromancy, and without a full comprehension of the process we cannot rule out the possibility of employing a method which could result in a Necrophage.
Councilman Rott
On Skybright 27 (January 2nd)
Re: RELEASE OF A NECROMANCER
Dear, Council of the Spire. This interpretation pleases us, we will be tendering our vote in favour of release in matters of republicity. Should this decision become worthy of appearance, we will make ourselves available before the council.
Regards, Councilman Quincy and the Court of High Monsoon.
No further correspondence, Idris was not released due to unresolved contest from Rott; prompting the Guardhouse Incident.
On Frostfall 19 (January 22nd)
A Rather Disordered Approach
To the Circle of Four, Council of the Spire
It is to my great dissatisfaction that I am being brought news of murderous fates befalling those who are under both mine and your protecting, as newly realized citizens of your town. Four fey have perished within your walls, themselves seeking justice for another fey killed some time prior.
I find this meeting a necessary obligation. We ask only if it is your preference to deal with our representative in Quincy, or myself.
Signed, The court of High Monsoon and Councilman Quincy
No further correspondence
On Darkmoon 24 (February 24th)
Armistice on Fey Dealings
To engage in dealings with the fey is to dance upon the edge of ambiguity, where the cost is often greater than the bargainer anticipates. But when that cost extends beyond the individual who willingly enters the pact—when it seizes upon the lives, futures, or essences of those who were given no say—then it ceases to be a mere transaction and becomes an exploitation. Such agreements should no longer be sanctioned, nor should they be permitted to bind those who never consented.
I therefore propose that:
- No individual may pledge, sell, or barter away another's life, fate, or defining aspects, whether explicitly or by implication.
- Any such contract shall be rendered null and void, with consequences for the one who attempted to enact it.
- Existing agreements found to violate this principle shall be reviewed, with measures taken to restore autonomy to those affected.
This is not a call to sever all dealings with the fey, but a necessary boundary to ensure that no one's future is signed away by another’s hand. No life should be rewritten without its owner's consent.
Notably, while this measure seeks to curtail unjust bargains, it does not call for hostility against the fey. As such, within the jurisdiction of the Spire, the harming or killing of fey is strictly prohibited. Should they be encountered, citizens are advised to exercise caution and disengage, ensuring that interactions remain measured and without provocation.
Regards,
Councilwoman Meriel Noctis
On Darkmoon 26 (February 26th)
You will find reneging on existing agreements will create a great deal of misfortune, Councilwoman. To restrict a class of citizen from their nature—let alone the right to make agreements with other citizens—is tantamount to prejudice that I cannot and shall not stand for.
Even now, around town, there are signs that spell death to fey for venturing too close; should this rhetoric continue, so too will resentment for it.
I oppose this notion wholeheartedly;
5 & 3
The motion passes with Quincy denying, Rott and Meriel approving, and Thurlow abstaining.
On Reflection 5 (March 5th)
Limitations of Terms
I will not coat my words to make them less bitter, I abhor the Fey and mages who think themselves above abiding by a code. Since my traditions of expelling individuals by force from leadership does not bode well in your Lowlands, I am limited to making agreements that appeal to each of you. The Fey will not agree, so I must hope that Noctis has the common sense to see that this will end the Fey threat without altering any deals set with them.
Therefore the following proposal will fight against immortal threats that seek to impose their power on us by playing by our rules in their twisted games:
- An individual may only be elected to office for two terms.
- If the councillor is discovered to have implemented some form of trickery by abuse of the arcane to hold office for more than this many terms, then it is to be considered treason by attempting to overthrow the system.
As Fey are creatures known to be able to fully subsume themselves in the Ether, it is impossible to classify where one Fey begins and end and therefore can only be considered as a single entity by the council. As mortals have a clear beginning and end, this does not apply.
Despite our disagreements, Noctis, recognize this will end the threat of Fey in a reasonable timeline.
Signed,
Rottjarnsmidar of the Clan Gnarlrack
On Reflection 5 (March 5th)
Your concerns regarding the influence of the Fey and the necessity of safeguarding leadership against immortal manipulation are not lost on me. I recognize the weight of your convictions and the effort taken to frame this proposal within the boundaries of our shared governance. However, I must decline to endorse it at this time, and I ask that you consider the following:
- The individual most afflicted by the Fey—whose situation no doubt informed your urgency—is not seeking re-election. As such, this policy, in its current form, does not address the immediate concern, but instead places undue restriction upon those who have agreed to serve in interim positions. Myself included. I did not enter this role to claim power, nor to hold it longer than necessary, yet by these terms, I would be counted among those who are restricted despite not even holding a full term.
- Furthermore, while the desire to curb external manipulation is a wise one, governance is not so simple as a single barrier placed against a single threat. If we are to build a system that withstands not just the Fey, but any form of corruption—mortal or otherwise—then it must be done with care. A full cycle of reforms must include measures for impeachment, tie-breaking, and other necessary provisions to prevent loopholes from being exploited.
I would urge patience until these elements can be woven together rather than hastily set a rule that, though well-intended, would ultimately harm the wrong people.
If your goal is the longevity of leadership untainted by outside forces, then it is best left for the next office's elected candidates. At least then, it would be done with more foresight and deliberation than Thurlow and Quincy have afforded us.
Signed,
Councilwoman Meriel Gwyneth Noctis
Meriel has voted ‘nay’ to the motion of two-term limit, while Quincy and Thurlow remain absent.
End of all Circle of Four archived correspondence, as of Reflection 6 (March 6th).
As stated from the outset, I will not engage in battles of rhetoric over a board. Should anyone seek further clarity or wish to take part in the matters referenced, I am available by appointment, letter, or happenstance.
Yours truly,
Meriel Noctis
