hlan's Ruling Council

The Council of Ten is the elected legislature by the people of the city. It holds much power in the governing of the Phlan, but is still often under scrutiny by the people who have the power to call in 'votes of no confidence' against weaker members of the Council during bad times or the emergence of other, seemingly more qualified candidates. Since the arrival and coronation of Prince Sellent, the Council is working hard to find the balance of power between the ruler and an elected body of legislature.

Council members are a mixed bag, with some 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.

Council Auditor

As of Nightal 1381, the Prince has appointed an Auditor,  Lord Lionel Vengeta,  to oversee the Council. As the Council operates with Royal Approval and the hope of  cooperation, the Crown recognized that individual Councillors  do possess their various Rights . However, the Crown wishes to maintain records to guarantee the propriety of their use and the avoidance of abuse.

Current Members

Tanhatrak Ardageim - Mayor

Tanhatrak's father owned a small business in Phlan  until fifteen years ago he 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. He has been appointed Mayor Pro Tem after the recent scandal resulting in several council members' deposition, including the previous Mayor, Errill Lesset.

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.

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.

Dirten Andorias
A strong, ever-battle ready man in his early forties and an implacable foe to the Banites of the region, Bishop Dirten is a true warrior persona. He often carries out assaults on the Banite and Zhent forces and supply caravans that snake through the countryside, and holds them as the greatest threat to the region, and to the people of Phlan. He is nominally second in the hierarchy of the Waiting, but he spends little time in the temple.

Emilia Ashby-Dryden
Tyrran cleric, healer and diplomat; young but scarred already (literally and figuratively) in service of Phlan.

Sallin Cadorna
Newly elected as of this year following the wave of depositions, Sallin is member of the old and established Cadorna family, famed for their textile monopoly and close-knit family ties. She is reputed to have a keen eye for a good deal, a minor magic talent, and negotiates hard.

Eshara Raehn
Witty, urbane, and sophisticated, Eshara Reahn and her family are well-established and thoroughly Banite. She holds no official rank at the Dreadlord's Throne but has a lot of influence. Newly elected as of 1381 following the wave of depositions.

Deryk Stoneshaper
Head of the Stoneshaper clan of shield dwarves, recently returned to Phlan and already influential enough to get a seat. Popular due to the Clan practically saving Phlan during last winter's invasion.

Amberline Embry
Sage, diviner and researcher of ancient ruins and artifacts, Miss Embry has been running for a Council seat for long years now--and to great surprise this last year with the support of several notable Phlanites she actually managed to garner enough votes to qualify. Whether she manages to actually be relevant (other than chuckle-inducing), remains to be seen.

Eben Al-Salal
Long-time adventurer and fairly recently Tempuran, Al-Salal hails from Calimshan, famous for being able to bisect several people or non-humanoids in one swing and recently being rather heroic during last winter's siege. Surprisingly enough he's great friends with the younger of the Tyrran Councillors.

'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 governing 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 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.

At the moment, with the return of the Valjevo heir, the situation is still...transitory as the Prince vowed not to dissolve the Council but rule alongside their governance.

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 this form of government, especially now, given the return of the hereditary rulers.

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. Tanhatrak Ardageim-Mayor
2. Trantos Illywynt
3. Danist Windhaven
4. Dirten Andorias
5. Emilia Ashby-Dryden
6. Sallin Cadorna
7. Eshara Raehn
8. Deryk Stoneshaper
9. Amberline Embry
10. Eben Al-Salal

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 one, or more 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 offer seats at the instant an existing NPC Councilor is ousted in-game, through faction manipulations or PC actions. Once an open seat becomes available, various 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 is not public knowledge, but PC votes are factored in.  NPCs and factions  play a significant role in the elections so PCs looking for political roles do best by trying to connect with at least some of them.

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 their 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...