Dearest Mendax,

First, let me begin by stating I mean this in no ill-content towards
yourself, as I feel you are simply too young or naieve to know the true
history of orphans in Ashtan.

Many know of the Loving Hearts Orphanage. The majority of those who know
of its existance, know also that it has, since it's very openeing, slain
the children taken there.

It has been stated as some experiment, and records show that the
experiments led to the arising of Eris, Goddess of Chaos. I do not wish
to go into details, but suffice to state that the children were
murdered.

I may have people claim otherwise, to which I can state with a very
precise concious, that the Logos Himself has said that the Loving Hearts
Orphanage, does nothing but hurt the children taken there.

You however state that you are glad to see orphans taken from the
streets. Perhaps this is because you feel they are a drain on your
society, I do not know. I do know, however, that Ashtan currently has an
apprentice ship program with their jeweler who will tender orphans and
teach them how to be respectful jewelers. A much better alternative to
outright murder, if I do say so.

Secondly, I would like to point out that Ashtan did have a viable option
to the Orphanage many many years ago. It was known as The Half-way House
and it was founded by a then Templar. The Half-Way House was created to
provide an alternative to the orphans, instead of murdering them, take
them to a place where they would be nurtured and cared for, to turn them
into productive citizens.

However, Ashtan burned the Half-Way House down, a little over 100 years
ago, in the year 212AF. Some, at the time attempted to say this was due
to the Half-Way House harming orphans, however, the Logos again clearly
states that this was not the case. (Reference public post 594 to state
the opening of the house and the reasonings behind, and public posts
1679 by Gijan as propaganda, public post 1680 and 1682 both by the
Logos, to clarify fact.)

So, I am offering the fact that Ashtan has had viable alternatives to
slaying harmless children, to help them grow into productive citizens.

You also state that a wise child, or rather, a smart one, would know
better than to take a lollipop from a stranger. This is perhaps so,
though one could also argue whether or not starvation could make the
most wise, act the most fool-hardy. However, it is not the point of the
intelligence level of the children, but merely the act of the slaying
itself.

Perhaps Ashtan enjoys what they do.
Perhaps some do it because they don't know better.
Perhaps some refuse because of what it is.

I merely state what is, and what was.

Blessed be,
Dresden La'Seir

Penned by my hand on the 2nd of Miraman, in the year 340 AF.