Eye in the Crowd – Political Problem or Private Business?

by JOSHUASIGEP44, Staff Writer
Last Updated: Palast, Fierswelt 24, 2006

Palanthas - Merchants across Palanthas are in uproar over the arrest of two of their own last Linaras in Tarsis. Charged with the smuggling of illegal goods, the merchants are being held pending a trial. The names of the two merchants being held have yet to be released. That not withstanding the Palanthas Merchants Guild has thrown its full weight, and considerable influence, behind said merchants.

Upon hearing news of the imprisonment of two of its members the Merchants Guild convened in an emergency meeting to decide how to proceed. The matter of legal representation was the first matter of business, and after a quick vote the guild's members unanimously decided to dispatch three of Palanthas' top legal minds to argue the merchants' case in the Tarsis criminal courts.

To further press the matter the Palanthas Merchants Guild has filed a formal protest to the City Senate, demanding that they take action. The Senate, however, has not been so quick to offer their support. Not wanting to put any unnecessary strain on political relationships many Senators believe this to be a private matter, and have resigned to leave it in the hands of the Merchants Guild. So the herald wants to know...

Do you believe the merchants in question are being held without cause? And do you feel the City Senate should become involved?

Lady Quiranna Westgilt, Palanthas City Senator, had this to say.

"There is no need to make this a political issue. Relations with Tarsis are already strained, and have been for years. If the City Senate were to demand the release of these merchants the Tarsis government would curtly refuse the same as we would if the roles were reversed. Then what, I ask you? We cannot make them release the merchants in question. I might add that the Merchants Guild and its members are being extremely tight lipped about the nature of these charges. Not to mention the names of those in question. One wonders why that is."

Jena Uth Korrin, the chairman of the Palanthas Merchants Guild, was happy to tell us this.

"The wrongful imprisonment of a Palanthian citizen, let alone two citizens, is an outrage. Our fine senators shouldn't be concerned about strained diplomatic channels in a situation of this nature. The Senate has a civic duty to protect the citizens of Palanthas. These merchants were detained, questioned, and ultimately arrested without provocation or cause. We ask no more of the Senate than the imperial minotaurs did mere months ago. When they demanded and secured the release of the Red Marauder's crew from the same Senate that will not do the same for its own populace. We needn't forget that those devils we released were murders. Those being held in Tarsis are honest and fair dealing shop keepers."

Sly Nighthawk, member of the City Guard, stated the following.

"Let the damn merchants handle their own mess. This matter is only complicated due to the large amount of steel the guild possesses. If this was some average dwarf then no one would care one bit. Let the courts sort it out. If these merchants have committed no crime, then they will be cleared of all charges. Have faith in the justice system."

Eye in the Crowd – Political Problem or Private Business?

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