City Council
As the primary governing body in Din'Lux, the City Council is in charge of city laws, military movements, and other large-scale duties required to rule a city. The City Council was originally founded several hundred years ago, long before the return of the Starless Nights, when the Great War was growing in intensity. The Hierophant, the leader of both church and state, appointed the council as a panel of advisors to aid in governing the city and managing the troops.
After the Starless Nights returned and Vath of the Tuskrippers organized a coup, the council was disbanded and reformed with a new membership that was meant to represent the city's newly diverse population.
HISTORY
The City Council of Din'Lux was originally founded as a panel of war-time advisors selected by the Hierophant. Each seat was given to an individual capable of providing essential information and guidance to the Hierophant, including troop movements and battle strategy as well as concerns within the city.
When Dwar Fell's siege against Din'Lux began, one of the council members, an elven priest, took the sword from above the mantle in the council chambers and joined the soldiers standing guard outside the city gates. He fell in battle mere moments before the first Starless Night appeared on the horizon.
The New Council
In the past, the council was primarily made up of wealthy and powerful elves. After the return of the Starless Nights, however, the city turned to chaos–riots and fighting over food and other resources. It seemed to some that the wealthy and privileged elves living up in the Coping had plenty to go around, while the poor and refugee-filled neighborhoods were close to starvation (see The Boroughs of Din'Lux).
Vath of the Tuskrippers, an orc from the Moonsickle Company, staged a coup in order to wrestle leadership from the Hierophant and the Council. Fear and mistrust was rampant in the city and Vath answered these fears with a promise that every individual in Din'Lux–regardless of where they came from or who they'd previously served–would be treated equally.
Once Vath was in power, he sought a way to unify the city and somehow gain their trust. He established a new City Council, meant to represent the newly diverse population.
First, he appointed a dwarven representative, Sigra the Sickly. As a leader of Dwar Fell's armies, Sigra would have the ear of the city's new dwarven population. Her first order of business was to acquire land to house the many refugees that were currently without a home. She negotiated the use of the rocky island south of the city known as the Horseshoe.
Though there weren't many humans in Din'Lux the night the Darkness returned, Vath appointed a highly respected human to the council named Elias Talltide. Elias was previously an ambassador to Din'Lux from the Berian Empire. Upon his appointment to the council, he proclaimed to Vath that his membership was only temporary. He believes that the Berian Empire is still out there, surviving on. Once they find it, Elias will be obligated to return and continue his service to the Empire.
Vath knew that in order to gain the trust of the largest population of the city, the last council seat needed to go to an elven representative. He refused, however, to grant it to Hierophant Selen. As the previous leader of Din'Lux, she would be unlikely to cooperate. But the elven leaders were united in their stand. They would accept other option. After weeks of intense negotiation, Vath was finally convinced that appointing Selen to the council was the only way to bring peace to the city.
After a number of years, new members were added to the City Council, appointed by vote from the Councilors themselves. Leera Duskrider, guildmaster of the Seekers' Guild, was made a full member, as was Talos, the head of the Scholars' Circle. Both of these individuals represented groups necessary to the safety and security to the city of Din'Lux.
LAWS AND DECISIONS
The City Council acts as a governing body with Vath as the head, known as the speaker of the Council. When an important decision is brought to the council, they meet in the council chambers to discuss the matter before holding a vote. In the case of a tie, Vath has the final say.
While each individual district of Din'Lux has their own leadership, the City Council makes decisions on any issues that affect the entire city. Leaders from these districts are sometimes invited to council meetings in order to represent the interests of their neighborhoods.
City Organizations
The City Council has agreed to provide funding for a number of organizations in exchange for their services. The Seekers' Guild, for instance, is frequently called on by the council and sent on a variety of assignments. Some criticize the guild for this, claiming that they are in the council's pocket.
CITY HALL
The City Council holds votes and meetings in the council chambers of the Din'Lux City Hall. This stately building is located in the district known as the Coping and is not far from the Great Lighthouse. The City Hall houses many offices for various operations within the city, but the council chambers are the center point of the structure.
Though the council doesn't announce upcoming votes, residents of the city often hear whispers when controversial topics arise in council meetings. Protesters can sometimes be found outside City Hall on these occasions, and City Guard members must patrol the entrance to prevent unwanted visitors.
Head of the Council
Vath of the Tuskrippers
Members
Hierophant Selen
Sigra the Sickly
Elias Talltide
Honorary Members
Leera Duskrider
Talos
Location
City Hall
The Coping district of Din'Lux
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