Special Election Edition





Part 1:The Grand Debate Part 1:The Grand Debate

I guess it was finally my turn to make a post, hello I am the Rulesmaster for the IAAR, most of the guidelines were written by me. Anyways onto the Post, this time the Pre-Election Round upThe Chamberlain takes the seat next to the throne, reserved for the Chamberlain during election cycles.(The Lord Speaker) “It appears everyone has arrived, I thank you all for your attendance. We will first receive guidance from the Pontifex Maximus, I ask for silence.”Pontifex Maximus Julius Tibullus Canisius enters the Imperial Diet whilst everyone present stands up and bows when he passes. He steps onto the platform at the front where a lectern is standing. After a moment of silence, he begins the opening ceremony."Dear Vaerians, the time has come when once again this Diet has been summoned as elections are imminent. This time however, we will have both elections for the Emperorship as well as for the People's Assembly on the same day, a rare occurrence. At the time of the passing of our late Emperor, we as a nation and a community have reached a critical point. We have made our first steps into the void in the past few decades and are now ready to take on whatever exists in outerspace. Change is in the air, many can feel it. Many applaud and welcome it, but many more are scared and anxious. I am sure Arius will guide us through these changing times, as change can be good. But let us all not forget our ancestory and our past, for change is good when done well and thoughtfully. Rushed changes and turbulent events have never shown itself to be a good bringer of change... Maybe our new Emperor will be the figure who will strike a balance between change and tradition. We will surely need such a figure..." Canisius says whilst looking over the crowd, his eyes crossing those of Carolus de Mérode a bit longer than to the other people present, although only the two themselves could say if that was the case"But that will be up for the Nobility to decide and for the people to decide on which guild will take a prominent place in our Assembly. May the gods bless those guilds who are truly concerned in the interest of the people and not in their own profit and power..." Canisius pauses again for a moment to look at the crowd and some would say his vision once again rested a bit longer onto the members of the Meiji Corporation, although no-one could tell for sure."Hereby, with the approval and blessing of the gods and Arius above all, may He guide us in benevolence and in His wisdom: I declare this Diet to be opened!"Canisius raises his hands whilst the dimmed lights in the Diet lighten up as to simulate the Holy Divine Light entering the minds of the people present as he leaves the stage and sit down in front of the seats whilst all persons present clap.(The Lord Speaker) “Thank you Pontifex Maximus. As many of the older members of the Diet are well aware, we are entering uncharted territory. The throne lies vacant, there are no members of the Colton dynasty remaining. Therefore I ask every member of the Diet to think and consider each of the options. We will first here statements from each noble who has put there name forward.The First Lord to put their name in, Carolus de Mérode, Archduke of Arcadié what do you have to say for yourself?”(Carolus de Mérode) “Thank you Lord Speaker. We are here on a historic occasion. We are here to shape the future of our Empire. The late Emperor has shed his eternal light on the path on which we are to walk. And now we must ask ourselves how we shall walk that path. Will we choose to go on as we always have? Or will we think of the new possibilities that will present themselves in the next few years. I must ask, my fellow nobles, clergy and members of the Assembly, what do you think is out there, in the vastness of space. No one knows for sure. And that is the very reason why we must be prepared. Our expansion into the stars begins at home. Only with a stable and prosperous Vaeria can we thrive among the stars, under the watchful eye of the Gods. I therefore wish to put myself forward as Imperial candidate, with the promise of preparing Vaeria for the task which the late Emperor has left for us. Long live the Empire!”(The Lord Speaker) “The next Lord to put forward their name was Duke Davos Le’Scarr Draskar, of Draskar, what do you have to say for yourself?”The Duke nods in thanks and stands up.(Davos Le’Scarr Draskar) “Our Empire enters a new epoch, and I know we will rise up against any challenge it throws at us. But too quickly we have begun to forget the lessons of the past as the future comes racing towards us, already there are those within and without this chamber that see the seat of the Emperor as a mere prize to be won. But in doing so they invite chaos disorder in the heart of our administration.Will a reformer be able to ease the hearts of our most stalwart traditionalists? Nay. Likewise can a traditionalist see the wisdom in the words of the reformer? Nay I say again! Each will withdraw to their own projects, their own backed influences, and bring the very peace and stability of our Empire into question.And so driven by my faith, not just in the gods but in each and every one of you, I now stand before you as a candidate for the imperial throne. I will be an Emperor for all men and women, unshackled from bias, calm and collected in all my judgements. The Estate Chambers and even the people's Assembly shall know great influence under my rule, and I will ensure that all shall receive a fair hearing. Glory to the Empire!”(The Lord Speaker) “Thank you Duke Draskar and well spoken. Next was Ruire of Hibernia, Fionn ‘Gallowglas’ of clan Ó Leannáin.”(Archduchess Olivia Canmoore) "You claim that you don't want change nor politics in the seat of emperor yet you claimed just now about changing the estates."(The Lord Speaker) “Archduchess, this is not the time nor place to argue with the candidates. There will be ample time later.”Archduchess Canmoore grumbly sat back in her seat to wait for the rest of the proceedings.(The Lord Speaker) “My apologies Ruire Fionn ‘Gallowglas’ Ó Leannáin, please continue.”Fionn ‘Gallowglas’ Ó Leannáin stands up.(Fionn ‘Gallowglas’ Ó Leannáin) "Thank you Mr Speaker. Friends of our most Holy Vaerian Empire the chance for destiny is within our grasp we are an empire are united and we must remain so. I intended to become emperor to maintain the status quo to prevent the destruction of what the Coltons and the other great dynasties have done. I am a leader with experience I have led soldiers and I have ruled as Archduke since the age of 19. I have experience. I will follow in the footsteps of the last emperor and fulfil his wishes. We shall be rulers over the void in space, we shall explore, colonise and build the foundations for an empire in space. After this sad time, we cannot risk destabilising the empire we must maintain the status quo and massive change has a risk of bringing this empire to civil war. I ask you Noble men and women of this chamber support me and I will make sure that the next emperor is someone from one of the great dynasties of old.I have the experience, the willpower and determination to ensure that we have a strong economy and from this strong economy we shall build a strong military and with a strong military we shall have a strong people together united. Space has many wonders that our scientists can use to explore new research paths and improve the lives of all people and nobles.Yes, I am a moderate but I sit in the centre while other want to give more power or take more away is this the right time. This event is rare why risk radical changes our empire has been running smoothly do we need massive change now? No!Support me and yes, it is me not my house my house is not worthy of being emperor. My people are loyal to the empire, I am loyal to the empire and under my rulership one of the many nobles here will be emperor after me if you share the qualities of our great Emperors of the past. Supporting me is to support the empire and faith a new age is upon us and age of destiny."(The Lord Speaker) “Thank you Ruire. Last was Duke Karl Gustav von Friedenswald of Westmark. Do you have anything to say?”(Karl Gustav von Friedenswald) “This Society that we have crafted is, in my opinion, the greatest we have ever known. After many centuries of bloody warfare and strife, we have achieved peace and unity. So what happens? People begin to say that the system is flawed, thats its terrible. This is wholly wrong. As Emperor, I will do everything in my power to stop the subversive influence of these liberals in our society. We must always be ready."(The Lord Speaker) “Thank you Duke Friedenswald.”The Grand Debate then entered its second phase, where 3 major topics would be discussed and debated on between all candidates for the Throne. Duke Von Friedenswald was the first to explain why he thought reforms are unnecessary.(Karl Gustav von Friedenswald) “One of the key tenants of the reform movement is that the current system does not give sufficient power to the people, and that further inroads against our tradition must be made in the name of fairness. That argument is factually false. It is the people who elect Assembly, it is the People's representatives who make half the laws in our country and it is the People who get equal say on the Emperorship, the most powerful position in our government. Despite all of the things I said being true, people still make the claim that our laws are wholly unfair. Ridiculous. If any further inroads are made on our Nobility, then we may as well become figureheads, dancing to the tune of politicians. I cannot in good faith let that happen, not in Vaeria.Our sacred institutions cannot be further eroded!"Fionn ‘Gallowglas’ Ó Leannáin picked up on von Friedenswald’s statement and asked him an important question.(Fionn ‘Gallowglas’ Ó Leannáin) “Yes, I do wish to say something. While it is true what most of what Karl has said is true, he is known to be part of the Royalist movement that want to give more power to the nobles. So tell me Duke Karl are you a Royalist, Conservative or like me a moderate willing to listen to both sides and understand the problem from both sides of the political spectrum?"(Karl Gustav von Friedenswald) "Generally, it is my belief that in order to keep the status quo, both sides must pull just as hard. And as liberals have been shouting louder and louder, I must match it to preserve Vaeria.”Carolus de Mérode, hearing the question and the response given stands up speaks in a clear voice.(Carolus de Mérode) "Reform is not only about giving the people a bigger say in government matters. Reform is also about bringing together both Houses in order to build towards a common goal. Our current system is one which has grown organically over the centuries. I do not intend to bring that natural evolution to an end, on the contrary. I intend to continue with the natural evolution towards a closer union between those who govern and those who are governed. Together we can achieve so many things, but yes reform is needed. Expansion begins at home, it begins at the foundations of a strong cooperation between the nobility, the clergy and the citizenry. Reform is needed, not only to strengthen these ties, but also to allow for their extension into our outerspace exploration and expansion."The debate continued for a while, with von Friedenswald stressing his concerns for the position and future of the nobility and Carolus de Mérode emphasising that he is a bridge builder and is willing to bring together the nobility in the Estates Chamber and the guilds in the People’s Assembly. Duke Draskar made a final statement saying that reform might be necessary but that the sacred position of the Emperor is indisputable.The second topic was related to the expansion of the Empire in outerspace.(Karl Gustav von Friedenswald) "The galaxy is the next frontier. If we do not exploit its resources, use its vast wealth, and expand rapidly, we will be overtaken by the countless probable alien species out there. But if we do meet them, cooperation is in both of our best interests."(Davos Le’Scarr Draskar) “I am a realist. We will expand where we are capable of, extracting any and all resources we encounter on our way. Before we could only mine asteroids, but now whole planetary bodies lie in wait for us. In only a few generations the wealth of the Empire will growth to an incomprehensible size. As Emperor I will do everything within my power to ensure that future comes to pass, and all of us enter a golden age of prosperity that will never end."(Fionn ‘Gallowglas’ Ó Leannáin) "People of this chamber, we do not know what is out there. We could come across a thousand barren worlds with no life and from what the scientists have said this is very likely. But with myself as leader we will claim many systems to ensure plenty of resources for the empire. With this, new noble and citizen businesses can be set up improving our economy. I have devised a way to spread as quickly as possible using less of our resources and expensive alloys. When it comes to planets we will colonise them second and thirds sons and daughters can be come nobles of these planets as well as citizens who will have the opportunity to become nobles themselves if they expand in the name of the empire.”Before Carolus de Mérode can give his vision, Duke Draskar interrupts the debate and scoffs at von Friedenswald’s idea that aliens exist, which Duke Draksar has repeatedly questioned. Von Friedenswald defended himself saying he only mentioned aliens in a hypothetical sense, after which Carolus de Mérode can speak.(Carolus de Mérode) “We are indeed on the verge of a truly historical moment. For the first time in our history, we will venture out into the unknown. Guided by the Gods we have adored for centuries, humanity will spread among the stars and take its values with them. It is paramount that the effort of colonization is a combined one. The nobility must ensure a safe and lawful acquisition of new territory, the clergy must assure that new colonies are provided with the spiritual guidance they need and the citizenry are the bedrock of any new settlement we found. But we must not lose sight of our own planet. There are still those who have to live in slums or barely meet their daily living standards. If we venture out into space, we must not forget those that toil day in day out to make that possible. It is my firm belief that expansion begins at home. A strong interstellar Empire has its foundations in the living standards of the poorest. Prosperity from outer space must ensure that those who struggle can be helped. It is not only the duty of an Emperor as a leader of his people to do so, but also his divine purpose to do so."The debate continued about how expansion would have to take place and be organised as well as numerous other questions such as the concern that expansion in outerspace might marginalise development and government policy on Vaeria. The last issue discussed was about which issues are closest to each candidate’s heart.(Karl Gustav von Friedenswald) “The most important issue we face today is clearly the reform movement. This is the area that divides us today, that defines our political affiliation. This issue must be tackled in the most appropriate way for our society to stay united. If any number of things go wrong, we could face a revolution, a Noble Coup, or Both! This issue cannot be taken lightly at all."(Fionn ‘Gallowglas’ Ó Leannáin) “I believe I have answered this in my opening statement. In terms of the most important it is to follow the last emperor footsteps to explore space and keep the empire together."(Carolus de Mérode) “I have mentioned earlier that the next Emperor's priority should be the issues which we face today on Vaeria. Poverty, unemployment, malnourishment, housing crises, all these things should be among the first to be handled by the next Emperor. I have already mentioned my own proposals to solve these issues. And I think that many people, both nobles and clergymen in the Estates Chamber, as the guilds in the Assembly, will agree with me that these issues must be solved, regardless of who becomes Emperor."(Davos Le’Scarr Draskar) "Is it perhaps too.. twee to suggest our people? Hmhm. On a more serious note, above all I personally value our scientific pioneers, my family has had a long history of funding such companies. Without them we would not have the opportunities presented to us today, and it is through research and understanding the works of the gods that we might better every corner of the Empire."The Lord Speaker thanks the candidates for their answers and then proceeds to ring the bell, signaling the end of the session.