Village leaders contemplating an "alliance" with the invading giants
would be wise to pause and consider what has befallen the El'Jaziran
people in the wake of their ill-thought association with the Vertani. In
particular, any and all progress that the women of El'Jazira were making
towards full gender equality, such as that enjoyed in Mhaldor, has come
to a screeching halt. The Vertani stand idly by, condoning the archaic
practices of sexual slavery, and indeed rape. So far as I can tell, the
only change in El'Jaziran society is that now their men have be made
concubines too.

By accepting the aqueduct, the El'Jazirans have made themselves the
willing thralls of their Vertani masters for the foreseeable future.
Indeed, as an increased water supply stimulates population growth, the
village will only grow more dependent upon the aqueduct for its
continued existence. In turn, this vulnerable structure necessitates the
Vertani fortress, for only with their Vertani overlords are the
El'Jaziran people able to protect this precious "gift."

Take a cue from the Great Mhunna. When faced with repeated, embarassing
(yet I must confess, quite-satisfying) massacres of his people by the
citizens of Mhaldor, he assembled an elite fighting force and
strengthened Moghedu's defenses. The strength that Moghedu now enjoys
might never have been possible without the painful suffering heaped upon
them by their Evil neighbors. Leaders, this is just another situation
where the the easy path, vassalage to these silver-tongued giants, is
-not- the path of Strength. If you truly wish advancement for you and
yours, stand on your own two feet and start fighting your own battles. A
wise man once said, "People willing to trade their freedom for temporary
security deserve neither and will lose both."

Penned by my hand on the 14th of Miraman, in the year 382 AF.