Eye in the Crowd – Tag 'em and Bag 'em

by JOSHUASIGEP44, Staff Writer
Last Updated: Palast, Fierswelt 17, 2006

Palanthas - Mere months after his mind reading bill was overwhelmingly defeated in the City Senate, Grayson Halliwell is back at to his old tricks. Halliwell proposed a new legislation to the City Senate that, if passed, would see all criminally offending kender magical branded. By the use of an arcane symbol Grayson Halliwell believes he can rid Palanthas of its kender problems. The symbol would lie dormant until the kender "borrows" something. The arcane brand then activates, alerting members of the City Guard.

The theory is that, by branding, or tagging as some affectionately call it, kender upon release from the Palanthas City Jail, offenders can be identified easily, and more quickly than in the past. Over time such a large number of kender will have received the brand that it would become virtually impossible for said kender to ever borrow anything in Palanthas, or Krynn for that matter, ever again.

Naturally, kender are up in arms over the bill as is the citizenry at large. Amidst cries of discrimination and racism from all kender within earshot, the City Guard has reported a record number of pickpocket offenses. Knowing this, many shop owners and the Merchants Guild have declared themselves in full support of the proposed bill.

So the Herald wants to know...

Do you believe that the magical branding of kender in Palanthas is justified?

Mikel Lotay, barber: "No, it's not justified. Maybe they can't keep their grubby hands to themselves, but if we brand them, where do we stop? Do we brand Black Robe wizards? How about Minotaurs? I'm sure that would go over well!

Taruis Petersmith, city jailer: "Completely justified! Kender are full of naught but lies and deceit. They are villains and nothing good can come for dealings with their, kind. Tag 'em. Find whatever stuff it is that they have stolen then give 'em the boot. Only thing I wish old Grayson would change is make the brand burn somehow when it appears. I spend half my day dealing with kender, and I say to the Abyss with all of 'em."

Helen Rockdweller, local seamstress: "No, it's not only cruel but a devious attempt to monitor citizens. First it will be kender, next it will be other "undesirables." Before you know it Palanthas will be a place of tyranny and injustice."

Terrance Binderson, Aesthetic: "Well, I'm more concerned about whether this has been properly thought out. I'm all for something that helps us when kender start exploring, but this plan bothers me. So, the kender are going to be in the city, and alarms are going to sound every time they take something that doesn't belong to them? The whole city could be deafened by the noise of hundreds of alarms. I think the brands could be better used to prevent kender from getting through the city walls."

Eye in the Crowd – Tag 'em and Bag 'em

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