hlan's Ruling Council

The Council of Ten is the ruling body of Phlan, and is an elected legislature by the people of the city. It holds much power in the governing of the city, but is still often under scrutiny by the people whom often call in 'votes of no confidence' against weaker members of the Council during bad times or the emergence of other seemingly more qualified men.

Council members are a mixed bag, with some whom are genuinely concerned of the well being of the city, while others are 'on the take' for more nefarious elements of the city. Each Councilman must choose his allegiances and positions well, or face the mobs of Phlan when they call for change and the unseating of a specific Councilor.

Notable Members

Monty Roberts
Monty Roberts is the most popular member of the Council. Recently elected on a tidal wave of support with massive crowds chanting his name non-stop throughout the elections. Monty is a golden haired warrior with shocking blue eyes whose very words can move a crowd from laughter to tears with the blink of an eye.

Monty's popularity is the result of his courage and prowess as a warrior. He single handedly defeated an entire band of ogres led by a powerful ogre magi that threatened to decimate a neighborhood of settlers near the ruins. As the story runs when Monty was first told about the ogres' approach as he was entertaining a small crowd of people with one of his fabulous stories he did not hesitate for even a second before rushing off  to face them down. Less than ten minutes later when a squad of the city Watch arrived to fight the ogres, nothing was left of the ogres but twisted blackened bodies. Monty was slowly rising from the very center of the mass entirely unharmed. Since that moment, the Golden Hero as he's come to be called has been the rising star of Phlan's political scene.

The Council

Monty Roberts - Mayor
A local actor in a Bard troupe, he was instantly catapulted to fame during the last invasion when he was found near the Bridge of Umheer surrounded by 30 dead Ogres, clutching a sword and a weary yet triumphant look. Could be regarded as the luckiest man in the region: Monty is blessed with flowing golden locks, a fine physique, and killer smile.

Trantos Illywynt
Trantos' notoriety in Phlan came the hard way: he earned it. He arrived shortly after the reclamation of the city began, quickly forming an adventuring group that made several successful runs into the ruins, destroying many of the most powerful evil entities there and in the process, building themselves quite a fortune from their delvings. The group reverently earned the title "The Phlan Five" during retellings of the groups exploits over mugs of ale by bar and inn patrons.

Tanhatrak Ardageim
Tanhatrak's father owned a small business in Phlan up until ten years ago, when his father mysteriously disappeared while chasing off a dog from stealing his merchandise. Tanhatrak, an oft stuttering and slightly distant character, inherited the business, and after applying himself to it for several years, transformed it into a significantly lucrative enterprise.

Erril Lesset
Served in The Watch for a good many years,accumulating a list of accolades as long as your arm. Many were surprised when he retired 'early' from his post, leading to questions being asked about the validity of the stories surrounding him stepping down. Many regarded him as the 'face' of The Watch during his time in office. Hero of the city, children flock to greet him in the streets..mothers swoon as he passes. Apparent all round good guy.

Danist Windhaven
Leader of a small independent fleet of four ships that hire out as escorts and pirate hunters. Shes enterprising and a risk taker, but many of the merchants that regularly sail in and out of Phlan owe her their lives, and rarely does a year past that Danist doesn't return to port without the head of the region's latest trouble causing pirate on deck.

Wulfhelm Yurigov
Wulfhelm is sophistocated and every bit of what one would expect out of someone whom had noble blood in other locales of Faerun. He resembles that of a greedy Lord, and to most who know him well, this facet of his personality is fairly obvious. His policies, and attention gravitate to anything that will make him money, and it is through his clever tongue that he is able to make good on many of them, not his ability to conceal

Vashal Bulsh
Vashal is a plump land/property owner and small time merchant with a foreign look about him. He has his fat, bloated fingers in a lot of 'pies' so to speak. Owns a good number of properties in and around the Phlan area, including a few small Inns and properties within the city itself. Earned his money through the property market 'overseas'

Myron Stonewall
Cold and forceful, Myron seems like a soldier more than a ruler. He is utterly obsessed with defense and military strength, and is never afraid to describe very traumatizing scenarios of what may happen without adequate defense or the elimination of a Phlan Rival

Jerelar Mordebrandt
He entered politics with a message; that Phlan must rely on magic for the source of its strength. He often points to the successes of Thay and Aglarond even while condemning both for a range of often contradictory reasons. Mordebrant recently began training and recruiting volunteers within the Watch to study the art of sword and sorcery. He is a charismatic public speaker, renowned for his patriotism and dedication to Phlan.

'm certain you'll find your new position quite accommodating."
"It will certainly be rather different from the old days of wandering through the wilderness, vanquishing the threats of the City I've come to call my home."
"It will, it will. The people aren't quite so forgiving when judging us. When you're an adventurer, if you stop a great threat, they cheer and worship you almost as if you were one that may soon ascend to join the Gods in their splendor. But, if you fail, there is no shame. Only death. The people won't remember you, know you, or pay you any mind. Your passing is untainted. Here, you don't have that luxury."
"I hardly call the potential for death a luxury."
"No, my friend. Death and even worse things are still possibilities. In fact, where you know what you face as an adventurer, you will not know who stands against you here. Threats may come silently and in more subtle forms than a monster wielding a magical weapon. I simply meant that should you fail to meet the expectations of the people your name, legacy, and memory will be tainted by the unforgiving masses. The very people who voted for your ascension and marvelled at you in wonder one moment, may shun you like you were a demon the next."
"Do you have a suggestion to avoid such an occurrence?"
"Make friends."
"I had presumed you to be my friend. That is why I ask for your wisdom on the matter."
"And my advice is the same. To 'make friends.' When you were an adventurer, none cared for you unless you were directly tied to them. Here, whether you like it or not, all others are tied to you. Parties who are repulsed by each other have the common link to you, and you will often be caught in the middle. Make friends, and make them wisely. You have power now, but without friends, you will find that even in your moments of immortality, those you unwisely turned your back to will make you hear them. And you can be certain once you hear them, your descent will be assured."
"Depressing."
"Nevertheless, the single best piece of advice I could pass to you."
"Anything else then, before we join the assembly?"
"Yes. Welcome to the Council of Ten, my friend."

What is the Council of Ten?

The Council of Ten is the current ruling body of Phlan. It is an elected legislature of ten Council Members who presumably serve the interests of the majority of the city, and rule accordingly. Started after the fall of the Valjevo Monarchy when the last of the line perished in battle, its has withstood the tests of time, but nonetheless remains fragile. Councilors are frequently voted in for being the flavor of the month, and removed by votes of no confidence just as quickly. A delicate balance exists in that the Council governs and essentially controls Phlan, but are still quite vulnerable to the influence of many special interest groups, organizations, temples, and the people.

The Council of Ten consists of 10 members, including one Mayor known as Number One and who carries the tie breaking vote. Councilors tend to vary in political views and backgrounds; generally favorable to whatever circumstances led to their sudden popularity in the first place.

How is the Council of Ten seen by the people?

The Council of Ten is delicate, and while they've been in power for many years, individual Councilors can often be moved in and out due to the fickle nature of Phlan's people. Terms can last as long as decades or as short as weeks and months (possibly even days). Despite the dangers to individual Councilors, the people do respect the authority of the Council and see it as a good government in the aftermath of the fall of the Valjevo Monarchy. Nevertheless, like any other region, there are those who despise the current government, though at the moment they are still a minority.

What are the Powers of the Council of Ten?

1. Power of Judgment (Individual) - Councilors have the power as the ultimate judges of the City. They can exercise this right, or collectively select men and women of good standing to serve as Judges by passing them the Judicial Crest. Because of the many other duties of the Council, the common practice is to pass along Judicial duties in all but the most important of cases. Once a Councilor makes a ruling, the ruling is final, unless the Council as a collective chooses to overturn the decision with a majority vote.
2. Power of Amendment (Collective) - A unanimous vote amongst the Council can result in the amendment of the Laws of Phlan. It is important to note, however, that the bylaws of the Council forbids the altering of the basic principles of the law set by the original Council of Ten, and the law books can only be amended and not rewritten.
3. Power of State (Collective) - As a collective, the Council may establish any foreign or internal conditions for the city. This includes declaring war, negotiation with foreign powers, declaring martial law, states of emergencies, etc. A two-thirds majority vote is required.
4. Power of Budget (Collective) - As a collective, the Council is permitted to vote on the use of excess funds collected from taxes. In general, funds are distributed by a systemized approach passed on from the formulation of the Council, thus there is sometimes no need to even debate since the necessities must be seen to. However deficits and surpluses from these necessities do occur, and are then subject to the whim of the Council on how to best spend or make up for it.
5. Power of Command (Individual) - Each Councilman serves within the Watch as an active rank below that of the Oversword. They can issue individual orders at their whim to any eqivalent rank of Officer and below. The Oversword appointed by the Council has the power to overrule any order given by a Councilman. The Council as a collective holds the power to unseat the Commander, however.
6. Power of Investigation (Individual) - Councilmen have the individual right to organize task forces and committees to investigate conspiracies, crimes, and anything else they desire.
7. Power of Unseating (Collective) - Just as the people can call for votes of no confidence to unseat a Councilor, Councilors can also be unseated by a unanimous vote amongst the Council. Removing influential Councilors through this method can be near impossible, however.

Who are the Current Council Members?
1. Monty Roberts - A popular man who was voted in after being hailed as a hero. Also the current Mayor.
2. Wynth Summerset - The heiress apparent to the Waiting, Temple of Tyr.
3. Trantos Illywynt - A former adventurer who made his fame commanding the Phlan Five.
4. Tanhatrak Ardageim - A paranoid gnome who once assisted many small businesses.
5. Erril Lesset - A former member of the Watch who was heralded as a hero during his enlistment.
6. Danhist Windhaven - The Commander of a four ship fleet in Phlan.
7. Wulfhelm Yurigov - A wealthy businessman and merchant, pioneering the vault business.
8. Vashal Bulsh - A simple wealthy property and landowner.
9. Myron Stonewall - A former Militia Officer during the Melvaunt Conflict.
10. Jerelar Mordebrandt - A former, influential member of the Watch.

How can someone get into the Council of Ten?

The Council of Ten will periodically open ballots for individuals to run when a seat on the Council opens. It is important to get the support of the people, and most who do ascend into the Council gain this by their affiliation with many of the factions within the City. It is virtually impossible to obtain a seat under normal circumstances by appealing to all of the citizens, as all of the citizens have different perceptions of what makes a good councilor. However, many past councilors have found that the clout of the more powerful factions in the city, or a collection of factions can often rally the votes in their favor.

In some cases, Councilors are elected simply on the basis of being a hero of the time. Many adventurers who pursue this path often descend into the belief that by simply becoming a powerful warrior with many magical weapons, they will amaze the people into voting them into office. History has shown that this method is folly, and the adventurers the people tend to adore the most are those whom have vanquished great foes, done incomprendable community services, and are simply charismatic. Even with all these qualities, they often still require at least some support from various factions of the city to gain their positions.

When will we be able to run?

We hope to offer a seat at the instant an existing NPC Councilor is ousted. Once an open seat becomes available, then some NPCs along with any PCs who choose to run will do so alongside each other. It will be very important for players seeking to gain a seat to try to garner support from factions, the public, and influential people (whether they be PC or NPC) whom will have a significant impact on the outcome of the vote. While the PC vote will factor in and play a significant role in the elections, the formula we have devised is not dependent solely upon PCs, and will be representative of Phlan as a whole.

What is the formula?

To avoid anyone attempting to gain an unfair ooc advantage in becoming elected, the formula will not be public knowledge. Just know that PC votes will be factored in. PCs with considerable IC influence will likely be more heavily weighed. And, NPCs and factions will play a significant role in the elections.

Once I get in, can I be kicked out?

In a city as fickle as Phlan, it is very possible to get removed from the Council after you've joined it. Influential Councilors can exercise their clout to have a vote held to remove a Councilor simply because they do not like your character, or have differing political views. The citizens may call for a vote of no confidence for whatever reasons, and begin rioting in the streets if the Council fails to hear their demands. These are simply the more 'expected' ways a Councilor can be removed and other possibilities exist ranging from (but not limited to) assassinations, forced resignations, accidents, etc. To stay in, keep good and powerful contacts, don't anger the wrong people, and make sure the people are happy. And even then, it might not be enough...

That sucks. I think it's unfair.

Remember that Tales of Moonsea is the venue of an ever-changing world. Things will occur that you have no control over, especially when at a position of power such as this. There may be times where you don't see the threats coming at you. The key is to remember that being eliminated from the Council is not the end of your character, and simply a shift into the next phase of your character's life. Roll with it, and remember the circumstances are the results of in character events.

I still think it's unfair.

Then don't run for the Council of Ten.

Okay, let's say I do all that and stay in. Am I safe to be Councilor forever then?

No. While it would be exceptionally difficult to remove the Council of Ten, it is a possibility to instill a new government. Such a feat would require considerable time, planning, and probably a little luck as well. However, if an ambitious group aims to topple the Council, and can successfully gain the people's support and insert a new government, the Council may cease to exist.