Some associates of mine and I, while peacefully praising Eris
within Shallam, were rather surprised when a large portion of
the city came out to observe and comment on the preaching. While
most of the comments were negative, one in particular stood out:
I believe it went something along the lines of "Stop or we will
enemy you". At this point most of us ceased our activities to avoid
unnecessary conflict
a novice, however, did not, and was promptly
enemied by Brinn and cut down by Shallamese city guards. This,
as you can imagine, put a slight damper on our mood. We were
encouraged to leave the City, Belarius was resurrected, and we
went back home, Medlain calling to my back that returning to
Shallam would be most unwise for me.

Seeking clarification on this, I asked Solar exactly what I had
done to warrant being branded an enemy of Shallam, and what
Belarius had done to warrant being killed. She refused to
specify how we had violated Shallamese law remotely, and
insisted on talking face-to-face with me about this issue.
What follows are quotes from the conversation I feel need to
be shared with Sapience.

You say, "So, Belarius was enemied and killed outside of the
Constitution?"
Solar Skar'Akai says, "Brinn enemied him."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "And you as well, I would guess."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "No."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "Just belarius."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "And I would say that he was probably
enemied more out of frustration."
You say, "Allright. I suppose that I must direct further
inquiries regarding the legality of this action to him?"
Solar Skar'Akai says, "The reason he gave was "disturbing the
peace"."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "Which has a very broad interpretation."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "Obviously."
You say, "Well, I can understand frustration, but it's rather
distressing to see someone cut down because he was frustrated."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "But..."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "Realize this..."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "Any city can enemy anyone for anything
they want."

Well, this brings up a couple of issues. Firstly, a novice
was enemied and killed because a Vizier was frustrated.
Yes, I know that everyone has bad days - but that's no
excuse to resort to violence. Second, we must note that
one can be enemied from Shallam and killed within its
boundaries for any reason their ruling council, Ministers
of War and Security, and so forth desire. I guess the
burning question I have is this: how is having a set of
laws with a range of possible interpretations so wide any
better than having no laws at all?

Moving right along...
Solar Skar'Akai says, "If any citizen had yelled the stuff
you guys were yelling."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "They would have been kicked out of
shallam."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "Because it's completely inconsistent
with the ideas the city is based on."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "You guys, we can't kick you out."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "The only real influence we have
over you at all is to enemy you."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "And that is the conversation I
would have had with you."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "Had I had the chance."
You say, "Very well."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "To let you know that to continue
in that way would have consequences."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "And that the consequences would
be enemy status."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "Not to kill you."
You say, "I suppose that is one way to negotiate."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "Or seek retribution."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "But just to keep you out of the city."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "Where you can't yell those things."

Oh, I see. So, citizens of Shallam are forbidden to
worship Lady Eris, or at least to publicly express it.
I'm not sure where Chaos is disallowed under the three
city principles of "Righteousness, Justice, and Truth".

Solar Skar'Akai says, "But no, you won't be permitted to
come into shallam and yell the praises of Lady Eris."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "No disrespect to Her..."
Solar Skar'Akai says, "But it is offensive to the people
who dedicate their lives to Order."

Perhaps those who fancy themselves scholars of any
sort should learn to at least what another side's
philosophies are before denouncing them as offensive,
disallowing the rather common practice of honoring
one's chosen deity (or deities), and enemying and killing
those that do. Oh, and as for the enemying and slaying
of Belarius...

Solar Skar'Akai says, "If Belarius will give me his promise
that he will not come into Shallam yelling the praises of
Lady Eris, or anything that either praises evil, chaos or
darkness, or slanders good, order and light, I will be
willing to unenemy him."

So Eris isn't the only one that could be "offensive" to
the City of Shallam. And I'm glad to see that you'd be
gracious enough to forgive him for his oh so reprehensible
actions against you and your city.

Solar Skar'Akai says, "Well as far as compensation for
his death is concerned, death is a rather impermanent
state here. He lost xp, yes, it'll come back. There
is nothing that I, or the city, can do to increase his
xp. One thing that I could suggest is since in a
sense he lost his life in the name of Lady Eris, perhaps
she would be willing do favour him."

Oh yes. So, your city enemies and kills someone for
praising a divinity you do not understand, do not seek
to understand , deem "offsensive", and then turn it
around and shove responsibility for your actions on
that Goddess?!

So, we preach. Shallam enemies, kills, tells us our
Goddess offends her people, refuses to apologize for
the killing, and tells us to ask OUR Goddess for
compensation for the wrongs inflicted. So,
merchants, travelers, and those that wander,
fear when you set foot in Shallam, for you will be
afforded no protection from cold steel, your views
may be considered offensive, and your deity may
have been declared illegal.

Reznik

Penned by my hand on the 6th of Daedalan, in the year 317 AF.