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    Understanding the Upcoming Election in Dalaran

    by Hardhy Lester (Editor In Chief)
    Published 19-May-2023
    Est. Read time: 19:13
    Read out loud
    In the enchanting city of Dalaran, a pivotal event is on the horizon - an election for a seat in the advisory body known as the Senate. As the city buzzes with anticipation, it becomes crucial to grasp the intricacies of this significant political process, at least if you can vote. The Senate serves as an advisory body to the ruling Council of Six in Dalaran. While ultimate authority resides with the Six, the Senate plays a vital role in offering counsel and guidance during their absence. Comprising varying numbers of advisors, the composition of the Senate is determined by the Council, who can appoint as few or as many as they deem necessary. Although the Senate lacks direct power, it serves as a platform for individuals to express their perspectives and contribute to the governance of Dalaran. As the election draws closer, and with five candidates vying for the Senate seat, we at the Lion's Roar felt it prudent to make sure people had an idea what is going. The outcome of this election has the potential to bring new ideas and perspectives to the forefront, influencing the course of Dalaran's governance. To kick things off, the weekly market in Dalaran Tuesday night featured speeches and debates amongst the candidates. Or rather between the candidates and the crowd. Guinevere Dubois, who was hosting the debate, addressed the crowd in an opening speech. Dubois emphasized the significance of the Senate hopefuls and their ideas for improving the lives of the city's inhabitants. Acknowledging past differences and disagreements, Dubois emphasized the need for a realpolitik approach that strengthens the bonds between the citizens and the city itself. In these challenging times, with Dalaran positioned at the forefront of global geopolitics and facing various threats, unity is essential for the safety of residents and the well-being of Azeroth. After the opening speech it was time for the candidates to take the stage and hold their speech. After each candidate did their speech, they took questions from the audience, but due to staffing issues at the Roar we where unable to watch all of the debates, and in the name of fairness it means we won't comment on any of the questions from the crowd, as it would be unfair to treat one candidate different than another.

    MEET THE CANDIDATES

    Below are the speeches the five candidates held on Tuesday night. Get some coffee and settle in, it is quite the read.

    Ladies and gentlemen, good evening! ‘Tis a wonderful night to waste listening to my elucubrations. At least, it’s not a bloody lecture this time around, eh? For the blessed souls among you who have no idea who I am, my name is Acheleus Moonblaze; I have been with the Kirin Tor for a few decades now, was made an Archmage six years ago…- …- a lapse in judgement which -clearly- shows there are some things to work on around here…- … And I shan’t bore you good people with my publishings or my veterancy, but rejoice! I can and I will enthral you with a little soliloquy on the imperfect yet frankly miraculous magocracy of Dalaran. “Miraculous”, you might understandably scoff to yourself. “A mug of coffee costs a gold coin and a piece of your eternal soul, there is a shark in the sewers and more demonic breakouts from the Violet Hold than in Tarratus - the fossil has finally lost it!” Miraculous, I say. For the aforementioned fossil, whose lowborn caste long forbade him from studying the arcane in Zin-Azshari, who was later exiled from Kalimdor for having practised it anyway, who fought the spawns of Malygos and the Primalists meaning to eradicate mortal sorcerers, ‘tis even an understatement. In ancient and not so ancient times, ladies and gentlemen, this city would have made mages like me weep in wonder if they knew what the future held. Ah! ‘Tis perfectible, yes, I will grant you that. But whoever you are, wherever you come from, if you are curious and benevolent, savvy and smart, whimsical and wise, if you want to create, to teach and to learn, it has a place for you. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is terrifyingly easy to take for granted. It is easy to forget that miracles are fragile - to forget that this city is the culmination of millennia of elven and human genius woven together, and has only become what it is after centuries on centuries of proactive scientific and diplomatic missions, of going out into the vast, -vast- world to seek out the brightest minds and fend off the greatest threats. We might come back battered and bruised, as Miss Gearpunch so- subtly- mentioned; but that is what -true- defenders of Dalaran and Azeroth do. They do not sit in a spire, judging the rest of the world; they take action, instead of standing there with the gall to spew automated bile and turn tragedies into opportunities. And make no mistake - we need the expedition on the Dragon Isles. We need to aid our allies. We need to fight the Primalists. Even if one adopts the selfish mentality displayed so shamefully tonight, they are not someone else’s problem: they want every single one of you, every mage, every man and woman ‘tainted’ with the Titans’ stain, dead. I say we do not wait for them to come to us and stay what we have always been: proactive, determined, courageous. This strong, beautiful city was at its weakest and ugliest when it forgot what made it great and shut down like a clam, falling prey to faction bickering, paranoia and revenge, driving out its own people and aligning itself with the same vain folly that set our planet ablaze until just a few years ago. All this to say plainly, ladies and gentlemen, that there is a reason why I am running. ‘Tis not to further my station - I am past the age when trinkets and titles matter more than peace of mind, and if someone like-minded was elected instead of me, I would not lose any sleep. ‘Tis not to annoy my co-runners either - or, well, not all of them. No - I am running because I feel ill tidings brewing in the Senate. Parties which speak of safety to frighten you; which speak of pride but mean exclusionary arrogance; which speak of self-defence to sell you a dome to rot under. If history is anything to go by -and it is-, you do not want domes and walls, ladies and gentlemen. You want bridges and roads, built to last upon solid foundations and uncompromising integrity, and an unwavering hand extended toward the rest of the world. Cutting down diplomatic, expeditionary and scientific funding in favour of our inner militias, like these parties want to do, means one thing and one thing only: isolation. And a slow, bitter, agonising end to the miracle we stand on. This nation is rich, grotesquely rich, and should stay generous instead of tightening the strings of its purse like a jittery middle-aged viscountess clutching her pearls in a back alley. It should spend its treasures to guarantee you all a comfortable and exciting life, not to arm more guards who will only patrol the streets night and day until Boralus’ hanging squares look like an ideal picnic spot. Should I be elected, I will fight tooth and nail, with all the strength this old carcass has left, to ensure that these austerity policies never see the light of day; that our students and apprentices are not only offered complete and unconditional asylum, but have the means to keep on travelling and exploring. I will ensure that we, collectively, do not fall behind on these times of peace and opportunity; that we are not turned into a fearful, gullible gaggle of quivering geese by flaccid bureaucrats whose greasy goitres dangle lower than their bursting wallets…! And even if the Senate does not accept me into its ranks…! Even if I am deemed too old, too divisive, abrasive and invasive, too wordy, too shifty, too shiny to vituperate among the venerable ventriloquists of the Citadel, even if they have the gall to elect more dispassionate puppets, I vow this solemnly: I will keep on being a nuisance. I will keep on writing like it’s going out of style, on flattening the Primalists lurking too close to our outposts, and on teaching the younger generation that they are worth more, infinitely more than that. That you are -all-, ladies and gentlemen, worth more than that. Take it from someone who nearly drowned in the Sundering: we ought to stay ahead of the tide. And take it from a chronomancer: when all is said and done, whether the chips are down or neatly aligned on the board, the only way onward is forward.

    Ladies, gentlemen, and esteemed denizens of Azeroth,My name is Alessia Gearpunch, and as a gnome of action, I stand before you today in the heart of our magical city, Dalaran. I'm here to shed light on the pressing issues that have been swept under the rug of complacency by those who are supposed to represent us. Bureaucracy - a word that has become synonymous with inaction and stagnation in our beloved city. Our current representatives, ensnared in this labyrinth of red tape, have allowed this to fester unchecked. They've become spectators, rather than drivers of change, their potential drowned in a sea of paperwork and indecision. Take the Kirin Tor special projects, for instance. While our representatives have been busy debating and deferring, these projects have devoured our resources like a ravenous beast. Take the recent trip to the Dragon Isles. They came home, beaten and Cogstabber: bruised, and if the rumours are to be believed, only managed to spark diplomatic incidents. The time for idle talk is over. I say, let's redirect these funds towards the needs of our citizens, our city. Increased training for our guards, more rigorous checks for our peacekeepers, who if recent events are anything to go by, need proper security, and scrutiny. Now, we come to the issue of Jaina Proudmoore. A matter that's been conveniently overlooked by those in power. Jaina Proudmoore, a respected figure, yes, but also the orchestrator of the purge of the Sunreavers from our city. A controversial act that Cogstabber: has left deep scars in our community, and yet, it seems to have been lost in the bureaucratic shuffle. This isn't about pointing fingers, it's about seeking justice. Justice demands that Jaina Proudmoore be held accountable for her actions through a fair and open trial. In Dalaran, no one, no matter their deeds or status, should stand above the law. It is to be noted, my gaze is on Lady Proudmore, but it will turn it's gaze to all who think "War crimes" is a term to thrown around lightly, so to speak. Now, onto a rather grim topic, I'm afraid. I do not wish to cause duress among the crowds of Dalaran, but I feel transparency is important to a model society. That being said, the recent “Expedition” to the Dragon isles has done little more than waste our funding. While two of the council Cogstabber: of six were to busy Gallivanting around the Isles, and titans know what else, we are dealing with our brave men and women coming home, and I apologise for the gruesome details, but I feel it is important to be stated, their bodies rotted by Decay, Cogstabber: and there minds Singed by Shadowflame! And what do they get in return? Getting to come home to a Dalaran rife with crime, corruption, and snide remarks from Archmages, who would rather spew belittling remarks about my condition, rather than do their Cogstabber: job! This is not to mention hosting a medal ceremony within the hallowed halls of our fair city, costing the taxpayer more coin! Our coffers are already thin as it is, so tell me, when your pouch feels rather light, either from a pickpocket’s knife, or from being taxed out of everything, where will you turn your gaze? Transparency is not a token to be offered at a political rally; it is a right of the people. As your representative, I will pull back the curtain on the classified projects within Dalaran. It's time to break these chains of secrecy that our current leadership seems so fond of. Lastly, we must address the issue of our borders. Our city's heart is open to all, but we must ensure our doors are not left ajar for threats to saunter in. We need stricter, smarter border controls to protect our citizens. This is not a call for isolation but a cry for safety. While this may sound extreme, I will point out not a few days ago, not one, but two different home grown dalaran stores were raided by brigands from the Dragon isles, or vagabonds! In closing, Dalaran needs leaders, not bystanders. Leaders who are willing to cut through the red tape, to question the status quo, and to place the people before the bureaucracy. I stand before you ready to be that leader, but I cannot do it alone. Together, let's tear down the walls of complacency and build a city that truly serves its people.Thank you.

    Citizens of Dalaran. I am Magistrix Dairin Soltalon - Magus of the Kirin Tor, Professor of the Arcane, Researcher and Expedition Leader. I stand before you on this day to talk about a prosperous future with you. I have always loved the sounds of a classroom. The quiet that sparks with possibility just before students shuffle in. The murmur of ideas bouncing back and forth as we explore the world together. The laughter and tiny moments of surprise you find in materials you have taught a million times. To us scholars, the quest for knowledge never ends, as there is always something new to discover and learn. Especially when the goal is to turn the world into the best version of itself. A version which flourishes with its students, who have just set upon their first steps towards learning as we have, who carry on the legacy of our teachings yet set upon the road ahead with brand new eyes, as they too discover the magic of the future. Researchers and those of a military background can likely agree on a simple principle: In order to do great things, you need collaboration. You need several parts, like the cogs of a machine working together as they share means, wisdom, science, techniques, tactics and experiences in order to succeed. Today, as we thrive in what promises to be the longest lasting time of peace our world has known since the First War, we are learning about this principle once more. It has been forgotten for far too long. Yet the adventurers who have found their way to the elusive Dragon Isles are all teaching us a lesson, day by day. If you have been there, I am certain you have seen it with your own eyes. In order to achieve erudition, we need to be unified, to share not only the means to elevate ourselves and each other, but to reach the very same -goal-. And that is how you obtain reconciliation. Dalaran has long been the example of a unified and peaceful city. Yet it does have a history which has been tainted in blood. Blood which no longer has to be spilled. I have faced loss, like most of us. I have nurtured rancour and hostility too, but as a river flows, so does time - and with it, life goes on. We must learn to let go of this bitterness whilst learning from what history has taught us, in order for us to not repeat the same mistakes we may have done in the past. There are those who want to tell us that Azeroth is hopelessly divided and will remain that way, that our differences cannot be reconciled - I disagree. We can find mercy and grace in the moments we might once have taken for granted. We can learn to see that our differences are precious and our similarities infinite. We have shown that the heart of Dalaran still beats with kindness and courage. -That-, is the Dalaran I will always fight for. It’s showing the world the results of people who are allegedly opposed thriving together, that working towards a lasting truce can work, and is what the nations of Azeroth should be aiming for now. People of all walks of life are putting their shoulders back, fighting for -each other-, rather than against each other. Sometimes the streets are so still. Yet if you listen closely, you can hear the sparks of change in the air. It is time to secure and expand Dalaran’s vision. Let us work for a united and peaceful Azeroth. Without the cost of war, our glorious city can only fly higher. By removing the costs of these conflicts by promoting peace actively, we can unlock funds for what truly matters: erudition. Education should be one of our government priorities and should you choose me to represent you, I vow to make that come true. This means more money dedicated towards education, for the regular and arcanic curriculums. It means more funds for all the education establishments, from the orphanages to the most renowned academies. It means that access to education will no longer be tied to one’s wealth. It will be accessible to -all-. The content of our magical education should be edited and refreshed in order to include recent knowledge. I believe it should also be less focused on the Battle Magic I used to teach as we make our way towards the demilitarisation of the world over. But schools of magic that suffer from disinterest such as Illusion and Divination should be highlighted. The wider world needs to know that being a Mage is much more than being able to destroy their foes. To that aim, I plan on reducing wealth inequality by taxing the richest among us in order to redistribute funds and guarantee that the city of knowledge remains true to its name. We will ensure that any willing student finds a school, a mentor or an academy to learn and receive the education they need in order to get the job they dream about. Redistributing wealth will also allow us to support another pillar of a thriving society : economy. Funds that shall not be used to spill any more blood, but support small businesses instead and give them the help they need to grow. We shall ensure diversity of peoples and economics to encourage individuals from all around the world to sell their wares in Dalaran, one of the very few places where they may find products from all around Azeroth. We will ensure accessibility to basic resources as well, by fixing their prices when required to prevent predatory organisations and monopolies from generating heavy margins inflating the prices of first necessities such as water, flour, grain, sugar and hygienic commodities, but also working towards a regulation of the housing prices. I, like so many others, see Dalaran as a sanctuary where we can safely explore not only knowledge and magic, but a deep and rich culture that spreads far and wide across Azeroth. As it is one of the pillars of a thriving nation, we will guarantee more access to it and support the artistic initiatives of our citizens through gatherings promoting talents from Dalaran and beyond. I wish for musical instruction to be a part of the basic education of our children, including both music theory and the practice of an instrument. I wish to see more initiatives encouraging the people of Azeroth to come together and share their arts and traditions and see the melting pot of our city bubbling with interactions. This is all a part of the magic that we may weave -together-. A thriving arts scene allows us to ask questions about our societies, and to set examples for the world like we have tried to do for so long now. Fighting against xenophobic behaviour across the world, taking stances against reprehensible acts and guiding nations to peace. I also wish to preserve our magocracy’s image by showing more firmness on exactions happening within the Citadel. I am teaching you nothing by telling you some politicians do not have your best interests at heart. Some will use this election as an opportunity to increase their own wealth and will sell you appetising lies on a gilded platter, which will turn out to be nothing more than an intricately weaved illusion, diverting city funds to their own organisations and pockets. I took a vow hundreds of years ago, to use my arcanic and political powers to serve and protect. Nothing has changed. Citizens of Dalaran, you deserve leadership worthy of your nation. Worthy of you. Honest guidance to keep us together, to continue our recovery from war and strife and prepare for what lies ahead in our future. Guidance to imagine what our nation can prosper to be. If you honour me with your votes, I will work as hard as you do, every day, to make our city better. With education accessibility, demilitarisation, active neutrality and wealth equality, I wish to fight for a better future for our nation. Thank you.

    Green tidings to one and all! I carry the fortune and missfortune of not being as high profile as my fellow contenders whose charm has dappled this city in so many colours of ideas. To those of you who don't know me, I am Syron Goldleaf and my passion in life is the study of botanism. It is my vision to see Dalaran's beautiful violet spires, always gleaming in the sun to provide growth for organisms abound. Let the city of dreams be green with life to match its thriving population below its boroughs. We should harness the power of botanism like the Nightborne once did in Suramar and let it flourish alongside its much more experienced and practiced arcane parent. Not only do I wish to see greenhouses like the Thalassian Efflorescence expand but my first steps as senator would be to introduce stipends for budding herbalists so they might fully enjoy the study and exploration of the natural world. Furthermore, where I seek to bring life to this city I too wish to end the restriction of it. It hurts me greatly to still see establishment like the Magical Menagerie continue its practices of corralling beautiful and innocent creatures for the enjoyment of others. FLATTEN IT TO THE GROUND I SAY! And let it become grazing land where the animals might enjoy their time in the sky in peace. Finally, we all find that our citizenry has become so diverse over time like the flora and fauna of the natural world...yet why should the rights of some be greater than that of others? Let us institute citizenship for these noble, right-deprived individuals...I speak of course of noble Applebough whose fruit has sated the tastebuds of each and every one gathered here. Yes! Let us make Dalaran a place of beauty, a place of equality and a place where we as one eco-system may live in harmony. And remember all: a green Dalaran is a thriving Dalaran. Let us nurture together this exquisite garden we have the pleasure of living in day after day.

    Good evening folks,I am perhaps not your usual candidate, as I am not a career arcanist, noble, or ranking member of the bureaucracy at all. But I do live here, and work here and I, like you, have a vested interest in the welfare and running of the city. I was not intending to run in this election until very recently, but it came to my attention when the candidates started popping up that there was an area of the population not being represented within that pool. In my humble opinion that is a very large and vital section of the population too. A section that deserves and needs a voice, if anything, more than the rest. And that is Dalaran’s hardworking traders and those displaced citizens seeking refuge in this illustrious city. Dalaran is a city that was built on a founding concept of alliance. Of unity. Of working together and helping each other. I think we have lost sight of that. And in some cases twisted it to serve only the ends of those we deem worthy. As was mentioned we have and are now in one of the longest lasting times of peace since the First War but the effects of those wars still linger. Like many cities Dalaran has become home to those families and people displaced by decades of war and conflicts all across Azeroth but it has failed to extend a welcoming hand to those people, it has failed to uphold that ideal of unity and togetherness. Perhaps because they see those people as lesser. I do not. As some of you might know, I have spent my time here, just like I have in Silvermoon, channelling a section of our profits towards setting up and funding charity organisations that offer those people whatever help we can provide. If you vote for me, I will use that platform to see more done on those efforts in an official capacity. For those in all walks of life. More funding for healthcare provision to the unhoused and those trapped in poverty. Access to clinics and medical services, as well as programs for dealing with addiction, trauma and teaching valuable life skills to help people get back on their own feet, on their own terms. My aim is to help these people in a genuine and lasting way that will also in the long term feed back into the city’s thriving culture and economy. Rather than just slap a bandaid injection of cash into these communities only to watch them wither again down the line. This will in turn reduce the crime rate that I know and understand has people scared. But creating more -real- avenues to success for people will reduce the number of them needing to resort to such paths. The answer lies not in fear. I also know that Dalaran has one of the most bustling economies in all of Azeroth, and that is due entirely to its merchant class, its shop owners, employees and tradespeople. A fact that the governing bodies of this city benefit from to no end. I want to see more given back to those bringing in all that revenue. I want to set up funding assistance and marketing support for those setting up small businesses within the city. Reform of import and export procedures that make it easier for them to transport their wares into the city in a timely fashion in the first place. I want to create more funding for arts and culture that can go directly to supporting those businesses’ creating opportunities for enriching Dalarans vibrant culture and arts. Such as TK Studios and The Wandering Lamppost and many others that do so much for creating cultural community events and keeping the Dalaran we all know and love thriving. A vote for me, is a vote for the hard working and overlooked working class of Dalaran that keep this city running day in and day out. It is a vote that ensures no soul in this city goes unheard. No matter their status or standing. And to ensure that they know this is not all just talk, if my years of experience and efforts in these areas do not suffice, I will be holding a meeting and greet in the Underbelly itself soon as well to speak to those people directly. For anyone else; if you have questions or concerns you want to speak to me about outside of this event I will be available at my office in the Lounge any other time.


    SCHEDULE

    But it does not end with the debate which was held on Tuesday, there is a bunch more planned for this election. We have attached the program for the rest of the election below, If you are eligible for voting, then do so, democracy - for those who has it - should be important!.
    Tuesday 23rd May: More Canvassing, ad-hoc Debates Tuesday 30th May: Central Debate hosted by Guinevere Dubois Antonidas Memorial, 8.30 onwards. Tuesday 6th June: Canvassing and lecture spots. Tuesday 13th June: Polling/voting