Sir Antonius Agarwaen, Knight of the Plaadins and the Elysian ORder,
Commander of Defence of the Royal Shallamese Guard.

Greetings:

Thank you for your respectful message. Though I am unable to answer
all messages directed to me, I shall attempt it now.

I cannot imagine ever having said that the Vertani "did not engage
in combat of any kind." The idea to me is ludicrous, as it clearly is
to you as well. I am quite sure I never would have said such a thing
that is so patently impossible for any organisation of more than a
few members - be it city-state, kingdom, or empire.

If I did say anything that others may have _understood_ to mean that
then I apologise immediately and contritely. Perhaps it is my lack
of facility in your language that has led to such a difficulty.
I cannot say for sure. But I assure you that it never entered into
my mind to claim, or imply, that we are not quite familiar with the
use of force. Why, even the fear of wild animals alone, which we
have aplenty on Vertan, is enough to show how preposterous such a
thought must be.

As for referring to some of those of your plane as neanderthals that
are unable to rise above the animalistic excesses of their baser
natures. I stand by that remark. I will not retract it. It is also
so manifestly true that it hardly requires explanation. Your own
public posts are such clear and repeated illustrations of that fact
that I cannot imagine needing to explain more.

Nowhere do I claim that every single one of your people is that
way. Quite the contrary. I quite clearly made my welcome of
'serious inquiries' specifically to those of your peoples and plane
'who are able to rise above the animalistic excesses of their baser
natures.' So there can be no doubt that I know there are some of
those, and it is to them I address much of what I write.

Now, to what I believe was your final point. We did not seek war.
That is correct. No sane group seeks war, though that does not
preclude making reasonable preparations in the case that it should
come. Of course an empire can face opposition - but so do cities.
I would hazard a guess that EVERY SINGLE organisation in your plane
has experienced opposition to some degree - or nearly every. Even
from your public posts I note oppositions between guild and guild,
city and city, order and order. This is not unique to empires!

Who spoke of our empire completely controlling your plane? Not I.
Some have asked to join our empire. We have welcomed them, as we
would welcome others. Will all join? I doubt it.

Finally, we are not _surprised_ by opposition, as you state. Not
at all. We are dismayed by it, and disapppointed, but not at all
surprised. We do not always find war necessary. But sometimes it
is. Just like your peoples, we are willing to risk it to defend
our friends and our own.

May I add a private note of thanks to the many who have contacted
me since my most recent post, including you, Sir Antonius Agarwaen?
We gladly accept your many offers of support and sympathy, and
offer our confidence that we can all find a way to proceed together
without an endless conflict no truly sane being would ever desire.

Penned by my hand on the 24th of Sarapin, in the year 386 AF.