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“Mayor!”
Emelia Bram’a hardened gray eyes looked up from her paperwork, eyeing a nervous-looking assistant that had burst through the double doors of the Mayoral Office. Normally no one would dare do such a thing; Emelia was not known for her sense of patience or mercy. That alone told her something dire had happened.
Gods, not now.
Volta wasn’t a city ruled by kings. In fact, it’s very motto was ‘No Gods or Kings, Only Knowledge’, painted in large friendly letters above the glass seal of Volta in her office. Consequently it went through election cycles to determine who would be ruling it. The mayor was elected by popular vote, which was then scrutinized by the Electroalchemist’s Guild to make sure the people had chosen someone intelligent who would serve Volta well.
Emelia Bram had but one opponent this cycle. Every five years she found herself defending her position, and for the past thirty she had struck down every opponent through Guild or vote victory. Bad news this late in the cycle wasn’t a death sentence but it severely cramped the easy victory she’d arranged for.
“I apologize Mayor Bram. I came as soon as the guards confirmed it.” The breathless assistant bowed in contrition. “Joss Scalero is dead!”
Emelia stared at him. Her opponent? Dead? “How?” She demanded. “And does anyone else know?”
“Stabbed through the eye. He’d just finished a rally near the Office of Conductivity, and was headed back to his home in Salt Heights. The guards found him in an alleyway just behind the glass blower there, Breath of Fire. It was a steel knife, Mayor. It’s a miracle the entire city didn’t go up in flames!”
“Breath of Fire is protected on all sides by five different lightning rods, since it holds a rather large kiln. I’m betting the lightning was diverted there instead of the blade, leaving the body unscathed.” Emelia pursed her lips. “And what is the Mynah posting?”
The name of Volta’s largest news publisher made the assistant cringe. Emelia’s jaw tightened. Nothing good then.
“They’ve implicated you, Mayor.” It was practically a whisper for mercy.
Emelia stood up sharply. “Get Floral Wishes to send their finest bouquets to Mrs. Scalero, and inform her if she needs anything Volta is here to assist her. Do it in broad daylight at the front door of the Scalero home. I want her neighbors interviewed; if she started these rumors we have to head them off. Have my office pen as many notices as they can. Pull all of my scribes off speechwriting if you have to. I want a notice to go out to all of Arethil. I am not to be known as the woman who murdered her opponent.”
The assistant bowed. “Of course, Mayor. What about the guards investigating the murder?” He asked.
“That’s what the notice is for. I control the guard, I can just as easily be accused of making this slipshort. The notice to go out to all major cities will read thusly;” she took in a deep breath and clasped her hands behind her back.
___________________________
Within three days, it was done. Notices on the finest of rag paper that Volta could supply, emblazoned with the lightning bolt seal on a tiny button of glass pressed into the paper. Gold leaf proclaimed the need for investigators, in flowing script.
Calling all investigators of wit and swift mind!
Mayor Emelia Anne Bram of the City of Volta cordially invites you to aid in the solution of a foul plot!
Mayor Bram’s election opponent, the honorable Joss Scalero, was struck down by a fiend in Arethil’s safest city! Being of a stern dedication, Joss Scalero had only wise visions for Volta’s future and his loss is sorely felt.
The reward of 15,000 gold pieces will be offered to the man, woman or creature who brings the murderer to Emelia Bram, dead or alive, with proof of his deeds!
Report to the Volta Office of Conductivity with this notice in hand, and the Mayor will contact you directly.
Signed,
Mayor Emelia Anne Bram,
Protector of Volta,
Co-Chair of the University of Volta,
Proud Matriarch of the Electroalchemist’s Guild
OOC: Please respond to this post with a post of your character reading the posting. Once we have enough people, I’ll make another thread to begin the quest.
Emelia Bram’a hardened gray eyes looked up from her paperwork, eyeing a nervous-looking assistant that had burst through the double doors of the Mayoral Office. Normally no one would dare do such a thing; Emelia was not known for her sense of patience or mercy. That alone told her something dire had happened.
Gods, not now.
Volta wasn’t a city ruled by kings. In fact, it’s very motto was ‘No Gods or Kings, Only Knowledge’, painted in large friendly letters above the glass seal of Volta in her office. Consequently it went through election cycles to determine who would be ruling it. The mayor was elected by popular vote, which was then scrutinized by the Electroalchemist’s Guild to make sure the people had chosen someone intelligent who would serve Volta well.
Emelia Bram had but one opponent this cycle. Every five years she found herself defending her position, and for the past thirty she had struck down every opponent through Guild or vote victory. Bad news this late in the cycle wasn’t a death sentence but it severely cramped the easy victory she’d arranged for.
“I apologize Mayor Bram. I came as soon as the guards confirmed it.” The breathless assistant bowed in contrition. “Joss Scalero is dead!”
Emelia stared at him. Her opponent? Dead? “How?” She demanded. “And does anyone else know?”
“Stabbed through the eye. He’d just finished a rally near the Office of Conductivity, and was headed back to his home in Salt Heights. The guards found him in an alleyway just behind the glass blower there, Breath of Fire. It was a steel knife, Mayor. It’s a miracle the entire city didn’t go up in flames!”
“Breath of Fire is protected on all sides by five different lightning rods, since it holds a rather large kiln. I’m betting the lightning was diverted there instead of the blade, leaving the body unscathed.” Emelia pursed her lips. “And what is the Mynah posting?”
The name of Volta’s largest news publisher made the assistant cringe. Emelia’s jaw tightened. Nothing good then.
“They’ve implicated you, Mayor.” It was practically a whisper for mercy.
Emelia stood up sharply. “Get Floral Wishes to send their finest bouquets to Mrs. Scalero, and inform her if she needs anything Volta is here to assist her. Do it in broad daylight at the front door of the Scalero home. I want her neighbors interviewed; if she started these rumors we have to head them off. Have my office pen as many notices as they can. Pull all of my scribes off speechwriting if you have to. I want a notice to go out to all of Arethil. I am not to be known as the woman who murdered her opponent.”
The assistant bowed. “Of course, Mayor. What about the guards investigating the murder?” He asked.
“That’s what the notice is for. I control the guard, I can just as easily be accused of making this slipshort. The notice to go out to all major cities will read thusly;” she took in a deep breath and clasped her hands behind her back.
___________________________
Within three days, it was done. Notices on the finest of rag paper that Volta could supply, emblazoned with the lightning bolt seal on a tiny button of glass pressed into the paper. Gold leaf proclaimed the need for investigators, in flowing script.
Calling all investigators of wit and swift mind!
Mayor Emelia Anne Bram of the City of Volta cordially invites you to aid in the solution of a foul plot!
Mayor Bram’s election opponent, the honorable Joss Scalero, was struck down by a fiend in Arethil’s safest city! Being of a stern dedication, Joss Scalero had only wise visions for Volta’s future and his loss is sorely felt.
The reward of 15,000 gold pieces will be offered to the man, woman or creature who brings the murderer to Emelia Bram, dead or alive, with proof of his deeds!
Report to the Volta Office of Conductivity with this notice in hand, and the Mayor will contact you directly.
Signed,
Mayor Emelia Anne Bram,
Protector of Volta,
Co-Chair of the University of Volta,
Proud Matriarch of the Electroalchemist’s Guild
OOC: Please respond to this post with a post of your character reading the posting. Once we have enough people, I’ll make another thread to begin the quest.