This post is mainly directed to those villages who either are, or are
considering, joining with the Vertani.

You have been, for centuries, preyed on by those members of Sapience
that are stronger than you, but you have survived. Your villages have
always been populated by the elderly, the happy children, men and women
in their prime. Always have us adventuring people left you with enough
to continue to live, many times prosperously.

That was the price of your freedom, you lose a small percentage of your
citizens inreturn for autonomy. Had you at any time decided this
arrangement was not satisfactory, you were free to join any city you
wished. Or, you could do as Hashan did and fund your own expasion to
keep your autonomy and be able to defend yourself.

At no point did you ever take these steps. You happily paid the price
for freedom, prices that people pay every day. Now however, you have
decided to throw your lot in with the Vertani, invaders to our lands and
destroyers of our culture. The autonomy you have always prized will be
taken away from you, you will be placed into an Empire created by a race
who overthrew yours. Can you truely believe that they will treat you as
equals? And this is simply the best case scenario for you.

The other, more likely scenario is that we will turn back the Vertani,
as we have turned back every invasion force to our continent, all the
way back to the Black Wave and further. Once this is done, do you truely
believe that Sapience will forgive your siding with the enemy? Do you
believe that we will allow you back into our fold, living as you once
did?

We will purge you from us, your treachery will be paid in kind, your
villages left nothing more than ruins for future generations to wonder
over.

Think villagers, before you allow your leaders to condemn you. Your
culture, your people, your essence will be destroyed if you join with
the Vertani, one way or the other. Join with us, live as you have done
for an age, and you will keep your people safe.

Accipiter

Penned by my hand on the 11th of Chronos, in the year 382 AF.