Based on what I have observed, Ashtan is not "trying to
change". Ashtanites themselves preyed upon the Therans until
it was politically expedient to cease doing so. Then they began
preying upon anyone who ventured into the Thera, whether they
represented a threat to the Therans or not.

At the first possible opportunity, Ashtan citizens endangered the
Therans they had sworn to "protect" by taking Theran soldiers
directly to Tasurke for the purpose of having them fight the
Vertani soldiers, soldiers simply protecting the peaceful
villagers that live there. You dragged the Therans into this
this conflict. You used them. You preyed upon them as surely
as you ever have.

The Vertani have a history of retaliating for aggression against
them with massive displays of force, and for holding entire
organizations responsible for the actions of individuals members.
Ashtan knew this, Ashtan has been on the receiving end of it.
Still, you chose to directly involve the Therans. You are still
involving the Petrans, I have seen Petran soldiers in tow to both
Mhaldor and Ashtan citizens. Will you protect Petra in the same
way? Will you force their soldiers to fight your conflict for you
and bring about their destruction as well?

Since the Vertani arrived in Sapience, they have requested
two basic courtesies: Don't attack them, don't attack the
villages they have pledged to defend. That's it. I have
yet to see them attack a city or village that has not first
attacked them.

I mourn the death of the innocent in Thera. The children,
the blacksmith, the priest...but their deaths are no less
tragic than any of the other hundreds upon hundreds of peaceful
villagers who die every day in Sapience for the nothing more
than the personal benefit of adventurers, who do it simply
because...they can.

The day Ashtan announces that they are tearing down the Loving
Heart's orphanage, where scores of innocent children are murdered
each year, the day that your city announces that citizens will
no longer be "free" to soak the streets of Arcadia, Genji,
Shastaan and the countless other peaceful villages of Sapience
with blood and gore, that is the day I will believe that Ashtan
is "trying to change."

I am not defending the actions of the Vertani. Far from it.
There are many questions the Vertani will need to answer
before Shallam decides whether to oppose them or not. But
if we do decide to oppose them, it will not be to restore
the villages of Sapience to consequence-free hunting grounds
for you and your citymates. On that you can depend.

Most sincerely,

Solar Stormcrow

Penned by my hand on the 19th of Glacian, in the year 385 AF.