Congress of Democracy/Death

The Death of the Congress of Democracy at the hands of the miser Count Foul Jon Paul Ogren

The Congress of Democracy was an infant guild in An Najaf. A weekend social club struggling to become a political society, it operated low key and with very few members. Despite its weak state, its ambitions and passion was great, its dedication to the betterment of Fontan was incomparable, and its end was undeserved. The Congress died prematurely by the hands of a foul miser, a tyrant Count named Jon Paul Ogren.

Sir Jon Paul was voted to replace the Steward Hierarch Darkwind as Count of An Najaf. His first day as the Count was notably harsh to the knights, and was a sign of the worse to come.

Sir Jon Paul joined the Hero of Democracy’s guild, the Congress, hoping to become a participant in its intellectual and practical community. Instead he became the poison which brought the house down.

In a clerical error, the Recruit Jon Paul was overcharged 100 gold as his guild monthly fee. In reaction to this, the Count first sacked the guild 28 gold, and then decided to burn it to the ground completely stealing 34 gold during the fire. On January 29th 1009, the Congress of Democracy was no more.

This started a firestorm in the realm between the Hero of Democracy versus the Criminal Jon Paul. Lord Armstrong’s first reaction was to kill Count Jon Paul in a duel to the death, but the law of the realm would not allow duels during wartime. Lord Armstrong’s next attack was to impeach the Count from his position in An Najaf, but that went unheeded as well.

Supreme Justice Duncan Atreides made his decision that the guild should be replaced by the gold of the entire region Lords as a show of goodwill between Lords and knights, the exact text is here:

“Report from Duncan Atreides

Message sent to everyone in your realm (91 recipients)

For your review, the verdict I brought the the Assembly regarding this case.

I have thought about this case long and hard, and I have reached a verdict.

First of, sir Armstrong, as you have already been informed, it is illegal to issue a duel during war time, unless when granted a special permission, which I will not grant you. To lose either you or sir Jon Paul is such a way would be a waste, to say the least. Sir Jon Paul, while I understand why you did destroy the guild, I also feel that you need to take responsibility for this. An Najaf is your land now yes, granted to you by the will of the nobility of Fontan. But, a lot of effort and resources have been invested in this guild. Since you did not build it, it did not belong to you and you and any other lord out there need to respect other people's property.

Thus I decree, that sir Jon Paul is to reform the said guild in his region of An Najaf. Sir Armstrong is hereby legally required to be there and set the administration of the guild properly this time. Sir Jon Paul is to build the guild out of the Fond of Reimbursement.

The Fond of Reimbursement is to be collected by public donations. Only region lords can contribute and the only amount that is allowed is 25 gold coins. The donations are to be made to the Judiciary, that is to me. Once enough gold has been acquired, I will publicly announce all contributors and transfer the gold to sir Jon Paul, so that be may build the guild.

So region lords, show to Fontan that you do care for the property of others. Make you contribution to setting this case right and prove to everyone that while Democracy rules these lands, we shall look out for one another, not seek to undermine each other, that justice and fairness always prevails. The Judiciary rests the case.

Duncan Atreides

Supreme Justice of Fontan”

The region Lords proved indifferent to Lord Armstrong’s loss and a large debate broke out over the power a region Lord holds. Further debates spiraled out from this major argument, and the justice on the Foul Jon Paul was not reached.

After Lord Armstrong’s personal justice was denied to him, he then sought to take Count Jon Paul to court. Supreme Justice Duncan has been replaced by Lady Moira Dubhaine and Lord Armstrong thus began the case of the Congress of Democracy versus Count Jon Paul Ogren for her to preside. This has yet to be finished.

Lord Armstrong has felt betrayed by his friend’s actions, and his need for justice stifled by the lack of empathy by the Fontanese nobility. This court is to find reparations for the guild members who lost their investments and their gathering place.

The loss of the Congres of Democracy is a Democratic tragedy of the highest degree and a rotten example of the victory tyranny can have when it exercises power. The Congress, an opponent of tyranny, has been destroyed by its worst enemy, a crooked elected official.