The crux of my argument stems from the process of acquisition of
mindsets. Each city of Sapience sports a philosophy of ideals that
pertain to their vision of social perfection. As an extension laws are
made to encourage this perfection. The end result is the vision of the
law makers transmuted into rules forced upon the citizenry of a city. By
extension (and the nature of mortal perception) a law of opposites
occurs and certain facets of existence are prized or lionized depending
on the unique views of the decision makers.

If it is not true that cities make laws to prevent thoughts then my
understanding of laws is flawed. Thoughts and actions are not mutually
exclusive, indeed they go hand in hand with ones actions being the
extension and culmination of ones thoughts. A city makes laws against
undesirable behaviours and by nature of association the characteristics
that are often displayed with these behaviours are victimised. In this
way a very real prevention of thought occurs, with all individuals on
one side of the line being upheld as 'Right' (NB, different from
Good/Evil) and the other side facing the consequences of a society that
has labelled them as 'Wrong'.

Unfortunately this holds true for all communities, however Ashtan
represents the city which I believe to be closest to liberation from
these shortcomings. No elite minority rules the people of Ashtan, our
government is fluid and accomodating to change. I believe Ashtan to
represent a way of life unparalleled in Achaea's mortal cities. That is
not to say I think the Bastion is perfect, perfection is not an
attainable goal regardless of stature. Ashtan is simply the most
open-minded city in Achaea and therefore the least susceptible to an
attitude which would impede progress.

Whilst many of the terms i have used in this post are arguable I feel
that to do so would be counterproductive. I am acutely aware of the
individualistic values of appreciation and value and that what one
community views as progress another may view as stagnation, what one may
view as right another may view as wrong. It is important to note that no
community is set in stone, tradition accumulates but change is always
inevitable. Ashtan sets itself apart in its ability to accomodate change
on both minute and magnificent scales.

My intent with these posts is not to diminish the value of other cities
of Sapience, but to defend the values of my own. I should also add that
I am amenable to alternative views of almost any persuasion and happily
encourage discussion on anything I have written here.

Hanuman li Tosh

Penned by my hand on the 7th of Aeguary, in the year 333 AF.