Congress of Democracy/Baron Myth

Baron Spurius Learns the Vote

From ancient days, we inherit a story that presents an ideal of Democracy. This one is about a noble man named Spurius who was a Baron in the small region of Gevla, territory that is close to our Lord Fontan and now the southern part of the region Negev.

This era was a time of expansion and border wars. The Gevlanese were expanding north-west and north into Sessa Ne and Verdag lands. The Sessa Ne was expanding east into Verdag, and the Verdag were going even further north into the Karbala region. South of Gevla was the resolute region of Fontan, where they practiced democracy. For the Fontanese, they were in a defensive war against invaders from Jiag, what is now the eastern region of An Najaf.

Baron Spurius was sympathetic to the Fontanese and their democratic ways. He was particularly appreciative of the will of the nobles, understanding that whatever the vote commanded must be done.

At the time of this legend, Fontan was struggling against the Jiagittes, who had superior numbers and longer ranged spears. Fontan needed help and turned to the Gevla who were their closest neighbour.

The Chancellor of Fontan asked the Magnate of Gevla for assistance in their war, but the Magnate was a short sighted man and thought that helping Fontan would weaken his position in the northern expansion. The Magnate explained this to his Mayoral Council who were largely indifferent. Baron Spurius rose from his seat and said that the matter should be taken to vote. He made a speech on how Fontan was their closest ally, and should they fall to the Jiagittes Gevla would find itself the next target. The Baron assured the Council that if they did not have enough men to spare from the north, he would raise his own personal army from his lands and wage it along side the Fontanese commanders. He then said that the Magnate should not have made such a hasty decision without asking his Council first and so the matter should be resolved in the Fontanese manner, the democratic way.

The Mayors of the Council saw the passion in the Baron’s words, and knew his mind was true. They rose out of their seats and demanded that the Magnate put the matter to vote. Unable to refuse, the Magnate made the first referendum in Gevla history, and with an overwhelming majority, the Gevla successfully went to the assistance of the Fontanese. With the Baron’s army combined to the Fontanese force they were able to neutralize the Jiagittes offensive army.

In gratitude for the Baron’s help, the Fontanese awarded him a seat in their Democracy, and should any matter be put to vote in Fontan, the Baron would be allowed to participate. Baron Spurius was greatly honoured and became an even closer ally to Fontan.