Rygorh Rallies the Swamp Elves

Having gotten permission from Governor Malthus, Rygorh has determined to present a speech to the swamp elves of Crescent City in hopes of rallying them to help defend Crescent City from the drow. He has used his contacts among the elves to gather a great number of them near the central town square where they will hear his words and take them back to their villages:

Swamp Elves of Caldraza gather round and hear me; I speak on behalf of the governor of Crescent City . . . I speak to you of freedom. I speak to you of throwing aside your bonds of servitude and oppression. I speak to you of serving this city in its time of need. The Governor has graciously allowed me to come before you to deliver this message. Any of you who would be free, live according to the laws of Caldraza as any other citizen, who would save your children from bearing the yoke of slavery that has so long plagued your people, I call you to stand now! Stand as free men and women! Take up arms, but not in defiance of the the laws, not in revolt, but take up arms and defend this city, your homes and your people. If you would lay your life on the line for freedom's sake, if you would earn your freedom through force of arms, then serve this city in its time of need. The Governor Malthus has kindly offered those who serve this city lawfully . . . freedom. Freedom for their families, their children, the governor has offered to end this plague that has for so long oppressed your people. Your cries have been heard! Your governor has answered! Will you stand? Will you fight? Will you rally to the man who offers you freedom? Will you honor your governor? Will you now as free men stand and serve this city when the need arises?

The hundreds of swamp elves present take up the cry of "Freedom!" and begin marching throughout Crescent City. Word spreads like wildfire through the city. The slaves seek out the nearest guardhouses in an effort to join the city guard or otherwise fulfill this agreement of service for freedom. Over the next several days things are made more clear to the swamp elf slaves: when and if the city is under attack from an outside force any swamp elf that fights to defend the city will be granted freedom . . .

As there seems to be no immenent threat of attack the swamp elves dolefully return to their lives as slaves and laborers with little hope of true liberty.