Hey,

Concern over the Jaru conflict has roared throughout cities across
Sapience.

Ashtan's basis is on Freedom. Many define Freedom as .. no laws..
nothing binding you. Freedom cannot be held within Anarchy, and Anarchy
without Freedom. Ashtan's few, but direct laws, widen those boundries of
Freedom. As such, Shallam's solid protection over Jaru has, over the
past years, lackened. Granted, they enemied people who slew the denizens
of Jaru, they now have created a stronghold within Jaru and have, along
with Mhaldor, slain eachother - filling the streets with Mhaldorian,
Shallamite, and other's blood.

Jaru now stands within a closed gate, accessible by only Shallam's gate,
which comes from inside their city. Shallam, in accordance to the Mayor
of Jaru, have helped build a glorious wall to protect others from
entering the now 'somewhat-annexed' Jaru. Granted, the smiths of Mhaldor
could, with help of the Blackrock dwarves, break the wall down.. but
why? Mhaldor and Shallam have their own views, their own goals. Ashtan's
goal is simple - Freedom; be it Freedom of speach, religion, practices,
and actions. Although that Freedom can easily be misunderstood and
actions can go wrong. Personally, I feel the situation with Jaru can, in
the right light, seem like protection.. but in another light,
annexation. Placing up totems in a, what used to be peaceful place,
hinders those that wish to wander the streets of Jaru. The gates
hindering others who wish to enter Jaru, who may be enemied to Shallam
for whatever reasons they may be.

And yet.. another issue - Trade. Jaru currently holds roughtly 33.3% of
all Leather and Rope commodities produced by non city-states. Encasing
Jaru in this.. 'Steel-Curtain' hinders others who venture out to gather
these commodities for their cities. Both leather and rope are slowly
diminishing in non city-state commodity shops. Shallam could, with the
proper action, allow city delegates (the Trade Ministers) to enter in
Jaru, through Shallam (granted if they were an enemy, to be unenemied
for the period of entering/exiting Shallam and Jaru) and gather a set
amount of commodities, keeping the bare minimum to 5 left over.

Small steps to big actions.

In Freedom,
Estach Mercadia,
Overseer of Ashtan

Psst. Rarch, tear down this wall. Walkin' all the way through Shallam is
killing my legs.. well.. Kalistavan's legs.

Penned by my hand on the 13th of Lupar, in the year 369 AF.