by Vaul Adlatus, February 19, 2001

Two PaxLair Knights stood flanking Old Man Winfield's chair, as he rose to greet the large crowd of assembled guests.

Winfield - Welcome everyone, to PaxLair. I am former Mayor Winfield, now just an Old Man of PaxLair. I bid great Hail to you all on this most important day. This is the day in which the new Mayor of PaxLair is appointed. The PaxLair Council deliberated greatly upon selecting a new mayor.

They have asked me to officiate the appointment ceremony. This ceremony will be in several parts. First, I will give a brief speech and will be less than 30 minutes. Second, I will offer the oath of office to the Mayor-Select. Third, I will appoint the person to the position of Mayor, on behalf of the Third Council of PaxLair. Fourth, the Mayor will speak to you. Fifth, there will be a celebration afterwards in the Chaos Tower.

We will wait now for the Mayor-Select to arrive. Please be patient. The Mayor-Select has been journeying with The Gatekeeper. They both should arrive soon.

Winfield questions the Gatekeepers

Two Gatekeepers arrived, leading Don Martin to Old Man Winfield. One held the name of "The Gatekeeper and the other was "a Gatekeeper". This is the first time that The Gatekeeper has been accompanied by a Gatekeeper. After speaking with Winfield, they took positions behind the PaxLair Knights

Winfield - My friends, as you can see, The Gatekeeper has brought to us an old colleague and friend of PaxLair. This is Don Martin. Oh great Gatekeeper, has Don Martin met your expectations? I see. Good. Then we may proceed.

My friends, please allow me to explain a bit about being Mayor. The Mayor of PaxLair is more than the monarch of this great City. He is the symbol which is dedicated to carrying forward the history, lore, and legends of PaxLair for all time. He is responsible for opening new opportunities for the citizens of PaxLair and the Realm using PaxLair as the crossroads it is has become to be known. The duties of the Mayor are wide and visionary. He may not always deal with individual daily issues. He is the rudder of our ship on a long journey across the sea.

Don Martin has been chosen by our Council to be our next Mayor of PaxLair. He has also journied with The Gatekeeper to lands untold. Don Martin comes to us as a veteran of this Realm and PaxLair. He has served many positions to include a leader of V*A, leader of the Quest Center in PaxLair, PaxLair ambassador to Corwyn, and much, much more.

I am proud to have the privilege this eve to appoint one of the finest people anyone could meet in this Realm. Don Martin, now is the time for the oath of office. I will state the oath, and at the end you may swear upon it.

Don Martin takes the oath

My oath is to lead PaxLair through the ages to come with vision and patience. My oath is to serve PaxLair and the Realm with all my abilities. My oath is to be decisive upon issues presented to me. My oath is to preserve and enhance the lore and legends of PaxLair and this Realm. My oath is to instill within many the nature of courage to defend our fine City against all enemies. My oath is to bring PaxLair into a new future with all the glory of the past, and expectations for the future. My oath is to serve the people. Serve the Realm. Serve all. I hearby take upon my shoulders the position of Mayor of PaxLair. Don Martin, do you swear to this oath which I have cited and you take as your own words?

Don Martin - I swear.

Winfield gives sword, shield and Knights

Winfield - Kneel then my friend so I may appoint you for all time to come.
Touching the staff of Seer Daemeon to Don's shoulder, Winfield continues:
Don Martin, I bestow upon you the title, rank, duties, and privileges of a most high position within this Realm. I give you my sword, my golden shield, and my Knights. I appoint you, Don Martin, as Mayor of PaxLair! Rise now my friend and see the wonders of people around you.

Ladies and Gentlemen! I give you Don Martin, the Mayor of PaxLair!!!

This was greeted with a huge round of clapping, cheering and applause from the assembled guests.

Mayor Don Martin gives speech

Don Martin - It is both an honor and a privilege to accept the position as Mayor of PaxLair. Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Don Martin de Leon. Before accepting the position as Mayor of PaxLair, I was the GuildMaster of the Veiled Alliance, a respected RolePlaying group who has roots in the player towns of PaxLair and Corwyn. I was also a member of the second PaxLair Towne Council, the PaxLair Chamber of Commerce, co-owner and bartender of the PaxLair Survival Shop, Chairman of the Board of the Chesapeake Quest Center & Casino, and I am the Keeper of the 'Book of Truth.'

The Gatekeeper has advised me to step down from my post as GuildMaster of the Veiled Alliance, as well as some of my other private interests. I will be passing command of the V*A over to Crystal Rose founder of Mythndale. I realize that I can never hope to replace Winfield, but I will do my very best to follow in his footsteps. I vow to serve the people of PaxLair and the shard to the best of my abilities.

But enough about me, that information can be found in the Archives of the PaxLair Community pages. Let us speak of PaxLair! PaxLair has a long history dating back many years. I am committed to preserving PaxLair's unique history and reputation and it's enhanced future. I have taken part in PaxLair's growth over the years. PaxLair started as a neutral and peaceful town to have fun. Neutral in the sense that we would respect any type of player that visits PaxLair. I am too young to remember the dark age of Dreads and Greats, but I hear great stories.

Our government system was established in May of 1998 during emergency sessions of the first council who appointed Winfield to be the first Mayor of PaxLair. In Nov 1998 Lord British visited PaxLair and honored the town. Intense focus was placed on role-playing and particularly character and group character development. Some of you will remember Alanna and the Gehenna statue quest, and the Mazrim quest that occurred and ended with Seer Daemeon's sacrifice. There was the Chaos/Order/Balance Quest. And my personal favorite, The Book of Truth Quest... And of course the wonderful nights at the Ladies of the Lair. It is these memories that that make me feel so good about being selected as the Mayor of PaxLair.

I have studied the culture of PaxLair as it went from a rather ruthless town in the days of the DreadLords, through the days of questing with Seer Daemeon, I lived through the days of chaos with the birth of Trammel, and I welcome the days of inter-city cooperation, the glory of the PaxLair Wars and I see a New Vision for PaxLair. I have seen the reformation of the Guardians of PaxLair. We all need to thank "Old Man Winfield" for his years of hard work and the examples he has set for others.

I see a great future for PaxLair, many of our old friends are coming back. I say this to you, my friends; PaxLair is permanent, and will always be here. PaxLair will remain neutral for those who come to PaxLair and respect this neutrality. But know this, PaxLair is engaged in a bloody war with at least two murderous groups, who do not respect PaxLair's neutrality. PaxLair defense needs new strategies and new tactics against foes. PaxLair commerce needs new development, organization, and focus. PaxLair is dedicated to the lore and legends of the land. PaxLair has always been open to all in the realm and is a major resource for Chesapeake.

As your Mayor, I am the visionary, the long range decision authority in PaxLair. I am not the daily diplomat, nor am I the Captain of the Guards. I will rely upon our chancellors, just as Winfield did, to operate PaxLair each day and see to the things that cannot wait. The PaxLair Towne Council fills a unique and very important role focusing on PaxLair development and involvement, from events to commerce and more. The PaxLair Towne Council is here to help you with the issues that may take a week to resolve fairly.

Taking a sip of water, Mayor Don Martin continues: One of my personal goals is to help unite the 26+ RolePlaying communities of Feluccia and Trammel and achieve Inter-City cooperation. And to promote the well-being and progress of ALL cities and towns of our realm. In PaxLair, we have developed a giving community and a strong government. Now we can help some of the other communities to grow and be strong. It is time to take what we have learned and do our part for the broader community, the realm.

It would be my honor to lead you, the people of PaxLair into a new phase, Phase XII of Winfield's master plan. Inter-City Cooperation. Some of our best friends run these towns. When I see a Player Town, I see the work of the most dedicated people in the realm. Please join me in visiting all of these towns and their people, shake their hands and commend the work that they have done! I say, "If we can't bring the people to PaxLair, lets bring PaxLair to the people."

Thank you all for listening and for taking the time out to be here. Winfield, as always we seek your sage wisdom. Many will be the time when we will ask to draw from your vast experience as the founder and the father of PaxLair.

The ceremony was concluded and everyone was invited to partake of the celebration feast laid out by Minsk in the Chaos Tower. On his way to the Chaos Tower, Don Martin was slain by Karak, of the Caitiff. In the Chaos Tower, two chairs were provided for Mayor Don Martin and his wife, the lovely Lady Tameria. They did not sit for long though and moved around to talk with the guests.

Neo of Lothlore yelled, "GIVE THE ORCS FOOD! Orcish Lord, Bring Thine Troops Upstairs!" 'Twould seem, Neo of Lothlore was inviting the orcs to partake in the feast laid out in honor of the Mayor Don Martin. The orc invasion was quelled and everyone returned to celebrating the installation of Don Martin as the new Mayor of PaxLair.

Updated on: February 19, 2001
© 2000-2001 by PaxLair, a Player City on Chesapeake, Ultima Online