Citizens of Ashtan,

I have been often been asked over the years: "What is happening in the once-mighty Bastion of Freedom?" To answer the question bluntly, it's a mess.

In the last few decades, even Their city has experienced its own share of woes. We have lost people, we have experienced defeat, and we have felt the sting of betrayal. Therein lies our struggle.

Of late I am relatively quiet, no surprise; though as your situation continues to unfold I can hold my silence no longer. It is certainly no surprise that the Dawnspear is displeased with the Seat's current leadership. Recent political turmoil has shaken Ashtan, and here in Targossas we have watched with great interest as your leadership merry-go-round continues to cause a massive uproar and borderline civil war.

So, my advice is thus: remove Truax, Lii, and the like from power and, hopefully, the city. Purge your city of dissent. Submit, once more, to the reins of autocracy. You saw Shallam sunk under the weight of its own leaders' crushing lust for power and their desire for a placid, Cyrenian life, long before we ever even knew of the existence of the Dala'myrr. You must cast out those who would seek the same in Ashtan if you do not wish to suffer the same fate.

You may question my interest, and why I would even offer you advice. But unlike Shallam, Targossas thrives on competition. I offer you this advice so that when we inevitably crush you, we will all know that it is earned.

What say you?


In Their eternal service,

Silas Maynard de l'Evanoir
High Priest of the Luminai

Penned by my hand on the 5th of Ero, in the year 817 AF.