Red Dragon Inn

A letter from Lady Ilyona

As to the issue of the deplorable state of the education system, I plan on raising money for schools and raise awareness to another viable system that we can use. For centuries, trades were passed to the next generation via apprentice ships and training with master craftsmen. It is time to revive the practice. In these troubled times, education is not enough. A trade is the perfect answer. I, myself, learned a trade even though I do not need the money. It’s an insurance policy against the uncertainty of the future. If my family even looses their fortunes, I will not be without means to survive. Thus I wish to insure that other have the tools to survive as well.

As to restrictions on magic, I cannot in good conscience force people to not use talents they were born with. That is just as criminal as their misuse. Not only would it be criminal, it would be hypocritical. One could say that I, too, am a magic user, though my talents are in the healing arts. Where would I honestly draw the line outside of obvious misuse of magic?

There is no possible way to enforce such a restriction as our poor guards are over-taxed as it is. I would actually form a special task force to aid in magic disturbances, but I see no reason to restrict magic. Magic is a tool and it is the person wielding the tool that needs to take care in how they use it.

I hope I have sufficiently answered your questions. Please feel free to contact me if you need further information.

Sincerely;

Lady Ilyona Tarissana Albaelia

P.S. Let me give you a little tidbit about me to excite your readers. Most recently, Kage Shinma had asked for my hand in Marriage and I accepted his offer. I hope this little piece of news will be of interest to you.

After reading her lovely missive, I look forward to meeting Lady Ilyona in person. The Oracle wishes Lady Ilyona and Kage Shinma a lifetime of happiness!

I: So yes, there should be lots of pirates!

J: Thieves steal from people too.

J: How are you going to protect innocent people from getting their stuff stolen?

I: ::scratches his chin in thought:: ahah!! Bear traps! Everyone will get a bear trap! Or glue traps for when the thieves are little.

J: Bear traps? Are you for killing criminals then?

I: Why not?! I'll all for blood, guts, gore! Let's have public executions! ::drools:

J: That will certainly deter people from killing others!

I: Yeah!

J: How about public education?

I: Don't they have that already?

J: Um…it's not very good in the city. I send my kids outside of the city for school.

I: Why you send the kids to school for anyway? They'll just drop out.

J: Because I want them to be smart and able to support and protect themselves in life.

I: Get them a job! They'll learn a lot better and more when they are hands on! Look at me! I'm a business man! I never went to school!

J: But… my youngest one is only four! What kind of job do you propose for her? And that's impressive that you never went to school and yet are doing so well.

I: She can pick up the trash on the floor. She's short enough, so she shouldn't have a hard time reaching it.

J: ::She's trying not to grin too much:: So, you support a new system of jobs for everyone--even our youngest citizens?

I: Well, thank you. Mama Imp got me to work when I was very little. Me and all my brothers and sisters.

I: Hell yeah! If you gonna eat, you gotta work for it!

J: Hmm, any other problems that you'd like to see taken care of in the city?

I: Yeah. My womens are getting married to ugly womens. That has to stop. What's this marriage business anyway?

J: I don't rightly know, I've done it before but it's not really a fey-thing to do. So—no more marriage?

I: You get married, end up divorced. We can reduce the number of divorces by eliminating marriages.

J: That sounds like a solid plan to me.

I: See? I knew you would understand that.

J: Do you think that the people of RhyDin even want a Governor?

I: They don't?

J: Well… thats what I was asking you!

I: Ah right. I don't know if they want one or not. But I know they'll love me as their Governor!

J: Okay--maybe a final statement to sum up your campaign?

[This transcript has been edited for content.]

I: Vote for Imp!! It's gonna be a P-A-R-T-Y! Let's P'Imp RhyDin together! ::gives her a pin::

J: ::Happily takes the pin:: Thanks babes!

I: ::smoochesandgropesher:: Anytime, babe!

the offices. He replied: Cory — "Names? I dun need names. The onl'a name ya need is the oily Talomar. I dun know iff'n ya heard from Talomar's bu' 'es mocked a man 'e dun know a damn thin' 'bout."

Cory also went on to describe to me how he feels that the Count has slandered him and besmirched his honor when the Overlord has publicly proven his honor twice over by defending his title with honor according to him, even when defending against Skyler's challenge he made certain to add.

I assured my visitor that I would make sure the truth about the Count was told in this special edition of The Oracle and he stated that his nodachi is seeking Talomar's head should he decide to descend the stairs to the basement and that he isn't sure that the newest addition to the Longden family is really the Count's child then he added: Cory — "Ya can print ever'a word I said. I stand 'hind it all. He can come defend 'es honor in the ring… His words mean nuthin' t'me."

J: Yeah… something like that.

J: Free self defense course? How do you plan to fund something like that? Or even fund an updating of the Guard.

K: The course… I'd fund and teach myself if need be. As for the guard, once the captain is fired, I have a suspicion more funds will become available.

J: Sounds like you'd be pretty busy. I won't touch that latter part just yet.

J: What about funding for other things you'd like to get done in the city — RhyDin doesn't have a reliable taxing system.

K: Well, everyone likes a good party. So, I was thinking of making a habit of throwing Fundraisers.

J: Do you think that will be enough? RhyDin is an ever-growing city with ever growing problems and only half the population is filthy rich.

K: The filthy rich are more prone to help others if they have a focal point. Honestly, due to the magic and other powers… getting a tax system down would be impossible.

J: I agree, but without such things as a tax system I don't see how any governor is going to be able to have any power in that position.

K: Like I said… I doubt it will have any. The plans are all tagged with really huge "if" qualifiers.

J: Hmm… what about education in the city? I know others have expressed their concern on the subject and both you and I have a personal interest in it.

K: I have great news on that front! Briarius recently got approval to expand his school into an Academy for the schooling of all types of people. It's excellent news.

J: That is great to hear, but I doubt his school will be large enough for the entire city. I myself have had to send my two eldest children outside of the city for a decent education.

K: I know he's making plans to physically expand the facility… so it might by the time he's done.

J: Well, that would be a welcome improvement.

K: I know I'll be at their doors as soon as the expansion is done with Mia in hand.

J: Do you have any other concerns that you're particularly focused on for the city?

K: Well… I don't know. My main concern is always the kids. Usually whatever is best for them is best for the rest of us too.

J: True enough. They're the future and whatnot. With that in mind, you have any plans on helping with the many orphanages?

K: Well, I already donate all my tips to them. My sister has volunteered to start looking out of the city for adoptive families.

J: It's a good start, but don't you think the city needs some more wide-scale organization along those lines?

K: You get the volunteers and I'll organize it.

J: ::Laughs a little:: I thought those were both going to be your jobs?

K: My job will be to find the volunteer recruiters. There's only so many hours in the day, yanno.

J: Understandable, are you going to set up some sort of cabinet… people to work with you as governor?

K: I will ask a few to assist me. It will be up to them whether or not they'll be willing to do it.

J: So no forced labor?

K: ::snickers:: No. I'm not a slaver.

J: Unlike some… Any other things you want the citizens to know about you?

K: I'm not going to lie to them. If they want to know something, all they have to do is ask me. If I have the answer, I'll give it to them. If I don't… I'll tell them that.

J: Sounds pretty straightforward to me.

J: Maybe one last little message, a line about why people should vote for you over the others?

K: Vote for the one who knows you best. ::chuckles::