This Monday 18th we had the first almost normal session of the Court. Almost, because being the start of the season Secretaries were introduced for those that do not know them, or what they do, and they presented their plans for the upcoming months. Since the High Lord Chancellor was absent, as well as the Vice Chancellors, Earl Michael van Rook acted as chair.
Earl Michael van Rook:
“We will proceed to the Presentation of the Executive for this Session for which I ask your attention. For those unaware, the Office of the Executive is the formal leadership of The Royal Court and is chaired by the Lord High Chancellor, Count Didonus L.M. Essington. While the Lord High Chancellor is not available to chair this Court Council at this time, I would like to reiterate that which he made so clear in last week’s address:
The topic for this session is Stability, while many processes are under way, and many have been implemented it is the foundation that needs to be ensures after a long tumultuous epoch. To ensure this the Chancellor has elected, without any surprise to us all, to keep his closest confidants stable: Vice-Chancellor Wolsey will continue to be the First Vice Chancellor and Chair of the Honours Committee. The Second Vice Chancellor will remain Lady-Justicar Nasias Darkstar, whom concurrently will be the Head of the Office of Justice and defacto Secretary of Justice and Law Enforcement. While the Vice-Chancellors had to be absent today as well, I am sure that we can look forwards to the presentation of their offices at a later time or date.
The Executive is then completed by the Secretaries, whom each are responsible for a specific area within government. These are: Secretary Kelly Jendrock of Foreign Affairs and National Intelligence, Secretary Aldieth Cloudwhisper for Magic and Education, Lieutenant Commander Sir Cailen Cadogan the Younger, Secretary for War and Military affairs, and lastly myself, Secretary Michael van Rook for Internal Affairs. Each of the Secretaries will now be given a chance to present their offices and their foci for the coming session, however before we do so it is the Chairs opinion that it is only proper that we complete the presentations.
The Chair calls forth Lady Zulaiya van Rook. A few weeks ago, the Executive was made aware of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and National Intelligence that she wished to install Lady Zulaiya van Rook as the Deputy Secretary of the office. After deliberation in the Executive the conclusion was drawn that no objections were to be had. It is therefore that the Chair, with a significant portion of personal pride, may announce that Countess Zulaiya van Rook from today forwards shall be Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs and National Intelligence.”
We did a series of interviews at the start of the previous season with each Secretary explaining in more detail what they do, so if you are curious go try to grab an old edition (we also have an archive in our new office, and a coffee machine and a couch). In this article we will try to summarise the most important part of the plans of each Secretary for this Court, so please excuse us for not including the whole speeches.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs and National Intelligence, Kelly Jendrock:
“First and foremost, the North is once again a recurring policy priority point. The political landscape of the North has proverbially been shaken-up more times in the last decades than I can count. I believe that a watchful eye to the North is necessary, and not to mention a hand in how its future might yet be shaped.
Second, we will be increasing our efforts with our other northern neighbours, the dwarves of Khaz Modan. Many of the courtiers have just returned from a wonderful celebration last night, the Festival of the Forge, and I hope to have many more joyous interactions with the dwarves, just like the Festival.
Finally, another stalwart ally of Stormwind and, indeed, of the Alliance: Dalaran and the Kirin Tor is the Office of Foreign Affairs’ final policy priority point. While a neutral organisation, the Kirin Tor are among the smartest individuals I’ve ever come across, wise beyond measure, and always at the forefront of disastrous threats to our world. Anything other than continuing our existing collaborations with them would be deeply, deeply foolish.
I would also like to make a point for those unfamiliar with our procedure. While Executive directive and policy priorities make up a significant part of the Court's activities, these are not exclusive. For example, our office is already in the process of travelling to Kalimdor, to visit the Kaldorei - as well as starting several research projects into the stability of the armistice, and future governance prospects of the North.”
As explained by Magus Jendrock, these priorities are not exclusive and it is good to see they have plans for other allies as well, however, and given that the relationship with the Kirin Tor and Dalaran is undoubtedly in good condition, it might have been a better gesture to make another organisation, ally or kingdom a priority, act in a place more needed, while of course taking care of those relationships already stablished and necessary.
Secretary of the Office of Magical Affairs and Education, Aldieth Cloudwhisper:
“One. Magical Affairs shall be holding a bi-weekly meeting for the public - which has yet to recieve a name - to offer our services. What we mean by that, is Magical advice. This, I hope, shall improve our outreach and interaction with the community within the Kingdom as well as further cement our place in ensuring that the city is safe, and that Magic continues to be well understood. It shall be a public forum open to anyone to approach us with questions or concerns. We will not be offering paid services though. We will be happy to point you in said direction, but this is merely an open forum for advice and disussion about Magic.
Secondly, we will be finishing an important Project this time surrounding security of the Kingdom. After which, we will be announcing a new Project to replace it later this year.
Thirdly, Project Orchard shall continue on as normal. Right now, we are at the final stages of rennovating the tower. This year, it shall be open to the public at some point - which I personally am very excited for. The aim has always been to make it an area of local study and knowledge for Magi, as well as improve the amenities and even job prospects within Westfall.
My final announcement - whilst not a policy point for my office, I shall be aiming to hold several charity bakesales this year for several institutions, such as the orphanage. If anyone - colleague or otherwise - is interested, please do let me know.”
We celebrate the news of finally having open meetings about Magical Affairs for citizens to express their questions and concerns, this is undoubtedly a great thing, and we hope the office continues working on this path, we will surely be there to cover these meetings as time permits. However, it is impossible to not notice all the points made are in regards of magic and magical education, so we hope to see more initiatives regarding non-magical education that is very important and necessary for citizens as well. It should be pointed out that these meetings are not only about arcane, a citizen by the name of Gabriel Blackmere asked about this and, although meetings will be focused on arcane and the Secretary reminded magics that have not been properly researched should be handled carefully, questions concerning defence against those forms of magic or finding a more specialised place to research them might be answered.
Secretary of War and Military Affairs, Lt. Commander Sir Cailen Cadogan:
“First then, The Office of War will continue its policy forging fresh bonds with our Kaldorei allies, in the hope that we may direct Stormwind military assistance in order to help them rebuild their nation. In so doing, we can provide a safe home to return to for the many Kaldorei refugees that still reside within these walls. Not just this, but we shall broaden our focus to other allies in need. Our stalwart friends, the Dwarves, still grapple with their own internal threats, and the least we can do is offer our sword arms in defence in their lands especially after the immeasurable contribution Ironforge has made both militarily and technologically to the Grand Alliance over the last decade and a half. There is also Gilneas, a home to both humans and worgen. The reclamation and defence of Gilneas is an ongoing and difficult struggle, one that patriotic Gilneans cannot, and should not do alone. Gilneas is of vital importance to the Alliance, it is a strong foothold in the North, and former Human kingdom that rightfully belongs always in the hands of the living.Article continues after the ad.
The second policy targeted by the Office of War is Military Advocacy and Education, not only does this mean redoubling our efforts into training programmes such as the war-games initiative, but broadening our outlook to lectures on military tactics, arms, and equipment training, and more. This will of course require a great deal of networking between different regiments and military commands, and we hope to do this by establishing a military summit in order to find common goals and values. So much could come out of this, joint exercises, parades, recruitment drives. In time we hope this can bring our best soldiers together.
Thirdly, to ensure long term strength and stability within our kingdom, the military must look for threats from within. Traitors that would hope to strike at us after so many years of war. It’s no secret that there are criminals, who may present themselves as freedom fighters, but are nothing more than cut-throats and thieves, they serve as yet another plague on the lives of the common man. So many of whom have given their blood, and many their lives to defend their homes and their families only to live in fear of brigands who would take what is theirs and call it ‘freedom’. The Office of War will not let this happen unanswered. With immediate effect, we shall put more resources behind home defence, that is the military guard companies and the secret services. This will take the form of pay rises, and easier access to top-of-the-line equipment.
Finally, it is fitting I think, that we should honour those who go above and beyond in their military service. In order to do so more effectively The Office of War will implement an updated Commendations system and roll it into the War Office’s Promotions Board currently in place, promoting system to a fully-fledged Promotions and Commendations Board capable of appropriately awarding commendations to all soldiers for their valour and honour in the field, alongside the promotion of senior military officers. After all this, I will most certainly require a Vice-Secretary to ensure our goals come to fruition.
So it brings me great pleasure to announce to the Court I have accepted a letter of intent from Dame Bridget Halliday, and nominate her for the position of Vice-Secretary for War and Military Affairs. I will commend her nomination to the Lord High Chancellor this week.”
It seems the Office of War have not left a single front uncovered and plans on a great effort that will be expensive but is certainly needed for the safety of all citizens, and because after all, that is the base for a society to grow.
Secretary of Internal Affairs, Earl Michael van Rook:
“The first of which is a continued effort to rewrite the basic framework that surrounds the rights and plights of anyone who seeks - or by birthright has - access to this Kingdom. This will be presented to you in the form of the Kingdom Accessibility Framework and it will be the priority focus for the Office of Internal Affairs to - in cooperation with the Office of Foreign Affairs and the Office of Justice - firmly move to complete this during this session. There is much work to be done, so it begins today. With the “Traveller” classification written and broadly agreed upon we move to the three remaining categories: “Visitor”, “Denizen”, and “Citizen”.
The second policy point will be titled “Refugee and Homeless Integration”. The Office of Internal Affairs will be venturing out into the… sizable effort of integrating the refugees of the last war and those made homeless by the following Scourge Invasion. I will, in cooperation with the other members of the Court, be working towards integration of the Kaldorei, who feel that a return to their native lands is not in their own or their family’s best interest, into that of our own. While the form this takes is very fluid at the moment it is my intent to provide two options: integration within the society of the Kingdom and the city with its various races and religions or the cooperative decision to find a location within the Kingdom which - bearing constraints - can be used by the Kaldorei to re-establish themselves.
Thirdly, with the economy back to a level as it was before the Scourge Invasion and the first spring in which the Kingdom’s productive and agricultural sector can operate at full capacity once more the Office of Internal Affairs is actively working on providing aid and opportunity to the homeless and destitute that demonstrate the aspiration to reintegrate into the Kingdom’s society.
Lastly, but absolutely not lesser than the other two, is that of the Regional Outreach Programme. While small steps were made in the last session it is the belief of the Office of Internal Affairs and myself that we are able to make strides this session. Over the last session we have sought out the locals in Duskwood and Redridge, which both showed promising developments. While I cannot give details to the matters as of yet, those frequenting the Committee meetings of the Office of Internal Affairs will note that there are probable developments over the coming weeks.
That being said I fear my tone must now turn grave. I am sure we have all seen the posters and have heard of bodies found in the city. I have even been personally threatened in the actions of a Westfall based radical organisation seeking to destabilise the Kingdom and are asking for independence. I was born and raised in Westfall, and it is still my home. My heart still lies in Westfall, and I would never claim otherwise. But I cannot accept, even for a moment, what these people claim to be just… What these people claim to be necessary… Yes, Westfall and its people were hurt by the Nobles of the Kingdom, but we recovered. Our region has seen hardship brought on by the Defias Brotherhood, but our hope rekindled. Even when the actions of the fallen dragon aspect tore our homeland apart, we rebuilt. I speak now directly to the actors behind the gruesome deeds and threats that have been ongoing for the past few weeks: Seek me out. Speak to me. Let us work together to alleviate the challenges that Westfall is facing. We -... I… cannot help you if you do not speak to me. I am a man of many words - something which I prove every Monday evening at this very Council - but I have no words to defend the actions these people have taken. Westfall can do better. Westfall -needs- to do better. I believe I make myself clear. Stability - even personal stability - is key right now. For the people, For the Kingdom, and for the Alliance. The Office of Internal Affairs will continue its efforts. No matter what.”
Again, great efforts in different fronts that hopefully will help the kingdom grow and citizens to have a better future. About the last part we also hope those with disagreements with the current government seek peaceful ways to solve them instead of threats.
Finally, one petition was made by a tax collector those familiar will Court must be tired of seeing. He not only proposed to raise taxes on fur imports from Ironforge, something that was commented should be a task of the Council of Three Hammers regarding exportations, but also to rise taxes by a ten percent before spring, and again next year, and the next, until a total of 35%. This of course caused several comments about the madness that is, as well as more proper explanations of how that will affect those in more need negatively to the point of risking them not having a way to stay warm during what is left of winter. He was asked for a more proper explanation in paper with the data and calculus to consider it properly.
One final explanation, or curiosity, for those that are not familiar with Court, the expression “hear, hear” is used to show agreement with what is said, however we recommend not to abuse this since it can cause interruptions with the procedure.