Achaean News
The Weight of Freedom
Written by: Inquisitor Goche, Krymenian Scribe
Date: Tuesday, September 30th, 2025
Addressed to: Everyone
Freedom is very heavy.
In a free society, that weight is carried equally among all members of a society, from those at the top of government to the peasants in the streets. All voices carry this weight, which is applied through the expression of their voices and the decision of their votes.
There is, too, a responsibility with freedom. You get the leadership you ask for when your vote, in combination with a majority of your fellows, decides who holds the reigns of authority.
That means, when the authority is exercised in ways you disagree with, you don't get to simply cast aspersions and make assumptions. The weight of freedom still exists upon your shoulders. You, the voter, are responsible too.
Yes, even if you didn't vote for those in power. Even if you disagree with them. Because your duty doesn't end with your vote or your voice. It continues when you hold the powerful to account for their actions.
This is done through the application of the law, the consequences writ above or below, on your standards or accords as case may be, or with your own quill upon your own parchment, or with your voice among your society to say you disagree, to call for change, to perhaps even lift yourself up as a leader capable of making different choices.
Perhaps you have a different way. One where that weight is taken from your shoulders and placed upon a single set, with one voice and one decision that cannot be challenged, cannot be held to account, cannot be changed. You have chosen, instead, to abdicate your duty to allow one voice to rule, one voice to command, one voice to lead.
And sacrifice your own in the process.
Freedom is heavy and it is hard and it requires constant vigilance and a strict disposition. It calls us to maintain our discipline and focus at all times, rain or shine, cold or hot, damp or dry, lest someone come along to make claims of efficiency and ease so that they can graciously assume all that weight for us.
I would rather die one thousand deaths on my feet a free man weighed down by the duties of freedom than one singular moment on my knees before anyone who could make my decisions for me.
Inquisitor Goche, Krymenian Scribe, Minister of Hashan's Interior
Penned by my hand on the 20th of Lupar, in the year 986 AF.
The Weight of Freedom
Written by: Inquisitor Goche, Krymenian Scribe
Date: Tuesday, September 30th, 2025
Addressed to: Everyone
Freedom is very heavy.
In a free society, that weight is carried equally among all members of a society, from those at the top of government to the peasants in the streets. All voices carry this weight, which is applied through the expression of their voices and the decision of their votes.
There is, too, a responsibility with freedom. You get the leadership you ask for when your vote, in combination with a majority of your fellows, decides who holds the reigns of authority.
That means, when the authority is exercised in ways you disagree with, you don't get to simply cast aspersions and make assumptions. The weight of freedom still exists upon your shoulders. You, the voter, are responsible too.
Yes, even if you didn't vote for those in power. Even if you disagree with them. Because your duty doesn't end with your vote or your voice. It continues when you hold the powerful to account for their actions.
This is done through the application of the law, the consequences writ above or below, on your standards or accords as case may be, or with your own quill upon your own parchment, or with your voice among your society to say you disagree, to call for change, to perhaps even lift yourself up as a leader capable of making different choices.
Perhaps you have a different way. One where that weight is taken from your shoulders and placed upon a single set, with one voice and one decision that cannot be challenged, cannot be held to account, cannot be changed. You have chosen, instead, to abdicate your duty to allow one voice to rule, one voice to command, one voice to lead.
And sacrifice your own in the process.
Freedom is heavy and it is hard and it requires constant vigilance and a strict disposition. It calls us to maintain our discipline and focus at all times, rain or shine, cold or hot, damp or dry, lest someone come along to make claims of efficiency and ease so that they can graciously assume all that weight for us.
I would rather die one thousand deaths on my feet a free man weighed down by the duties of freedom than one singular moment on my knees before anyone who could make my decisions for me.
Inquisitor Goche, Krymenian Scribe, Minister of Hashan's Interior
Penned by my hand on the 20th of Lupar, in the year 986 AF.