Baldur's Mouth article on the succession of Ulder Ravengard

With Grand Duke Ravengard missing for a full month, Baldur's Mouth now publishes a draft article that was written shortly after news of his death in Elturel. A city without a Council cannot function, so the question that has been on many Baldurians' minds is of course who is to be the next Grand Duke. Please note that, at the time of writing, Duke Dillard Portyr was still in the running. Now, of course, another fate has befallen the poor Duke and there is yet another seat at the table to fill.
Let us start with the incumbent Dukes: Thalamra Vanthampur, Dillard Portyr, and Belynne Stelmane. Whereas in the past, Duke Stelmane has occupied herself mostly with gussying up her own little corner of the Manorborn district in the Upper City, she disappeared from view five years ago until suddenly reemerging a few months later. Nobody knows what had befallen her, but she seemed a changed woman after that. Some patriars were thus distraught by the sudden transformation that she was subjected to a magical interrogation, which yielded no explanation but did confirm that it was still Duke Stelmane in that body. She has since showed up sporadically to Council meetings, and seldomly spoke at any of them. This reporter thinks it safe to say, therefore, that Duke Stelmane is not in the running for Grand Duke.
The direct opposite can be said for Thalamra Vanthampur. That venomous witch, although she claims to have more eye for the common folk, being a first-generation patriar with a history as a Sewerkeeper, that poisonous shrew, has been waiting for this moment ever since she became appointed to the parliament of patriars. She finds no resistance from Stelmane in her grandiose plans to "make Baldur's Gate great again," and with that yellow-belly Portyr as her only opponent, she practically already runs the city. Under Vanthampur, Baldur's gate would probably cut ties with the Outer City entirely, or build yet another wall to keep the truly destitute out. Should Vanthampur be promoted, then this reporter has to think long and hard about his future in the city. After all, Waterdeep is only a few weeks' journey away.
Dillard Portyr does what he can to promote justice and the rule of law, as long as it doesn't put him at odds with anybody of importance. His plans to set up an almshouse in Brampton, and allow Hamhock's to expand in order to better care for the Outer City populace have not gone unnoticed, but his lack of opposition towards Vanthampur, and Silvershield in the past, have not gone unnoticed. No, dear reader, the leader of Baldur's Gate should at the very least have a spine in order to stand up straight when The Guild comes knocking, or when a powerful patriar family threatens them. A better candidate may be found in his daughter, Liara Portyr. She just so happens to be a high-ranking official in the Flaming Fist as well, and as the last three Grand Dukes have shared their title with that of Master Tactician of the Fist, she seems a likely candidate for both.
Speaking of the Flaming Fist, the patron of the mercenary company's founding family may have a good chance at claiming the title, should they gain enough support with the new high-ranking officials among the Flaming Fist. Sure, they've made themselves known as a relatively beneficial patriar family for the city, but they completely abandoned the Fist in order to buy property in the Citadel streets - among the Watch, even! Still, should Taraphael Eltan find the resources needed to claim a majority share of the Flaming Fist, becoming their de facto owner, he might use that power to become the next Grand Duke. In their short history as a patriar house, the Eltan family has shown some humility and has even opened a few archery ranges in the Outer City to train new recruits, all to the benefit of the city. We could be worse off. 
Our last bid for Grand Duke goes out to both sides of the Hhune family: either Satiir Thione-Hhune or Lutecia Hhune make a good chance of at least reclaiming a seat on the Council - the two families may be involved in a feud over the past two generations, but this reporter still sees them as two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, we have the influential Lutecia Hhune, who gave up her seat when her husband fell ill. Now herself in her eighties, she has many supporters among the patriars but may lack the mental acuity to occupy a Council seat. However, there is no doubt that no one Hhune cousin would run unopposed - Satiir Thione-Hhune may not have as large a following as her older cousin, she is clear of mind and strong of will enough to stand against the other candidates. A Hhune on the Council would likely mean little for the Lower City and even less for the Outer City, but a devil you know is always better than a devil you don't. Let them build new water fountains along Bloomridge and Manorborn, if it doesn't get any worse in Brampton, we call this one a winner. 
There may yet be a surprise candidate, but these six are Baldur's Mouth's predicted contenders for the title. Whatever they may have in store for us, Baldur's Mouth is on the case!