The Barovian-Gundarakite Problem

[Lion El'Jonson]

This Manifesto has been written elegantly, but with intentionally simple handwriting, to make sure it's legible to even the most basic readers. It's written in Common. Unfortunately, all the simple writing in the world won't make the majority of Barovians and Gundarakites literate. It's posted in a few areas around the Vallaki area.
THIS IS ADDRESSED TO ALL BAROVIANS & GUNDARAKITES

My name is Mátyás Boldizsár. I'm a Gundarakite, born and raised in the Grey City of Vallaki. I'm thirty-five years old as of this summer and in these many years I've watched our people suffer. I've helped bury my fair share of young men and women, but my hands tire of digging graves. I tire of the tension and hate between our people, in this I know I'm not alone.

Many think there's no other way. Rebellion or oppression, because in their mind, there is no other way to combat their 'enemy'. But I think there is another choice.

It's easy for us to point fingers at each other in blame. Gundarakites have less rights- are in fact, lesser citizens in Barovia. Barovian guards find themselves attacked, bombed, assassinated by Gundarakite rebels, almost regularly. Each 'side' blames the other for it's most recent crime and is always ready to retaliate. But what if we could end this cycle of violence? What if Gundarakites and Barovians could live in peace with each other, rather than at each other's throats?

I call on you both- Gundarakite Rebels and the Burgomaster of Vallaki- extend an olive branch. The violence between our people can end if we only give each other a chance. Treat each other as humans rather than enemies. I know how it sounds- naive. I've been called a dreamer, I've been called worse for it. But when will the violence stop? When every last one of our people has bled and died? When do WE decide that enough is enough?

Rebels- I ask you to put aside your hate. Set down your weapons and live a peaceful life- at the very least consider negotiating some kind of cease fire. Open your heart to the idea of peace. Prove that we are more than what the Barovians think of us. Give them the benefit of the doubt- as long as you're out there killing Barovians, innocent Gundarakite citizens will suffer consequences. The Barovians can't find you, so they punish the rest of us instead, and we all know that leniency towards our people isn't likely to be considered as long as what amounts to all out war is still ongoing.

To the Burgomaster, the Vallaki Garda, and all Barovians- I have lived among you for my entire life, I know trust is not something that comes easy to either of our people. But it is up to you to help end this cycle as well. Gundarakites cannot continue to suffer as they do- seen as 'lesser' for only the circumstances of their birth. As of now, Gundarakites cannot own or purchase land or even boats. They cannot even speak their mother tongue, or own weapons for their own defense.

I am not foolish enough, nor even do I consider it a viable change as of now, to suggest changing the stance on Gundarakite owning weaponry. But how can it be expected of Gundarakites to live as citizens when they cannot even invest in land for themselves and their families? I was a fisherman, my late father's boat was confiscated from me when the law changed, so I speak from experience. These laws make it more difficult for Gundarakites to live peacefully- to live the lives they would prefer.

No young man and woman in their right mind thinks 'I want to die', yet many young Gundarakites feel pushed to fight. They see their rights being further stripped away, even if they've yet to do anything wrong. Outlawing Gundarakite ownership of boats and now the Gundarakite Registry are two examples of this- but I say this is the wrong way to prevent rebellion. How many more honest Gundarakite men and women, boys and girls, will feel punished despite having done nothing? How many will feel that if they aren't going to be treated as innocents, then they aren't going to act as innocents?

I condemn the violence between our people- Barovia is our country, we live in it together, we must stop painting it with a fresh coat of our own blood.

Burgomaster Svari Ionelus- as one of your tax-paying and peaceful subjects, I ask of you. Think of easing up on these laws in your territory- give Gundarakites a chance to become proper citizens of Barovia. Let them buy homes for their families, a place they can go to after their labor and take pride in. Let honest fishermen return to the lake, for many who did nothing wrong found their lives all but taken from them. Give us a chance to live real lives.

Signed, Mátyás Boldizsár

[Lion El'Jonson]

The second issue of this manifesto has been posted around the Vallaki area, as well as posted on noticeboards. It is written in common tongue.
THIS IS ADDRESSED TO ALL BAROVIANS & GUNDARAKITES

On another cold Barovian morning, I am unexpectedly reminded again of our people's plight. I look up to the sky and I want to speak a phrase in Luktar, an old slang saying that translates to 'Calm your freezing.' A normal, everyday kind of turn of phrase one would say to ward off the cold. But before I can even consider speaking the words, I remember that even their utterance is illegal in this country. My native tongue, the one which I remember my mother singing to me in (despite it's unlawfulness), as a child.

To those who don't know better, I don't just mean 'illegal' in the sense that Gundarakites will be fined or locked up for a few nights for doing it. The speaking of Luktar, our own language, is oft punished with a removed tongue or even death.

Once again I reach out and ask why? This injustice foistered upon our people only ignites the passions of less-patient Gundarakite men and women, another restriction that pushes them to taking up arms. Some wisely suggest peace and patience like myself, but like myself, they struggle to justify it. How can I look a Gundarakite boy in the eyes and truthfully tell him that things will get better? As we stand now, there are no such assurances.

It is up to lawful Gundarakite citizens to speak up- to appeal to our Burgomaster, to make clear our intent. After all, the rebel enemy the Vallaki Guard protect against don't follow such laws anyways. The only ones this law truly punishes are the Gundarakites who simply wish to live their lives in peace. We don't want to be rebels- but we do want our language back. We want land, we want boats, some of us even want weapons. If such peaceful Gundarakite folk were your enemy, then they would not abide by your restrictions either way- so why punish the innocent, why punish the citizen?

We want our rights back.

Signed, Mátyás Boldizsár

P.S. Any who would like to add their own two fangs to the issue, or perhaps even have their words posted, may write a letter addressed to Mátyás Boldizsár at the Broken Bell Inn. Seditious or violent material will not be considered for posting.