Hail and well met, citizens of the Basin.

I must say, Morik, I found your response to Chron's tale of woe more
interesting than anything I have heard from the mouth of a Celestian in
many years. Once I realized the extent to which your words had piqued my
interest, I found myself pausing to consider why - and it did not take
me long to realize the answer. I found your words interesting, Morik,
because they were not lies.

Now, I'm sure to some not intimately familiar with New Celest and its
practices this might seem a fairly mundane statement. However, hearing a
prominent Celestian publicly speak the truth is an event which happens
no more than once or twice a decade, and should be cherished like the
priceless rarity that it is. Indeed, Morik, your words carry the
unmistakable ring of truth - the Light is not benevolent, merciful or
kind. Servants of the Light are as bloodthirsty as the Tainted - and
Wyrded - monsters they so zealously pursue. Anyone seeking fairness or
justice will find it in no greater measure in New Celest than in any
other corner of the Basin. Congratulations, Morik - for once, a member
of your community has spoken the absolute truth.

How unfortunate that your city does not agree with you.

By its very definition, the Light is a benevolent force. Your so-called
Supernals, the cornerstone of your religion and the greatest inhabitants
of the Celestial Plane, represent the virtues of compassion, fairness,
justice and love. In fact, it is the lack of these virtues which your
city has always claimed gave it moral superiority over my own, and, in
later years, over the Glomdoring Commune. We, you claim time and time
again, are not servants of the Light - we are not compassionate,
merciful, or just, and in fact are simply bloodthirsty warmongers who
want nothing more than your deaths. In fact, Morik, Magnagora often
adheres to your city's so-called virtues more closely than you do. We
show mercy and compassion to dozens of foolish novices who, swayed by
Celestian propaganda, come into our city to 'slay the evildoers'. We use
fair judgement to decide the fates of those who have wronged us, and we
share a huge bond of brotherhood and love with our Empire and many of
our fellow citymates. The only difference between our two communities,
Morik, is that Magnagora does not lie.

When we seek revenge, we call it revenge. We do not seek to label it
justice, or to claim that we do it with regret. We do not pretend that
all our actions are justified by some higher force that commands us in
all things: we follow the values of truth and free thinking, and disdain
common understanding in all things. Yes, sometimes we kill. Yes,
sometimes we torture. Yes, sometimes we execute those who have wronged
us, no matter how petty or meaningless their offense. And sometimes,
Morik, we even enjoy it. But one thing we do not do, Morik - we do not
lie. The Taint has made us who we are, but we do not use it as a crutch
- we use it as a force for change, for evolution.

I applaud you, Morik. You're behaving like a Magnagoran. Now if only the
rest of your city could follow your lead.

Respectfully,

Ashar d'Valeros.

Penned by my hand on the 14th of Shanthin, in the year 135 CE.