I must begin by saying that my opinions are mine own and do not reflect
upon any guild, city, order, clan, race or other organization.
After reading through nearly 100 public posts since I last awakened from
an enchanted sleep one month ago I feel I must respond.
I am 132 years of age. As a member of the eldest of the mortal races of
Sapience, I witness the deaths of my own peoples every day. I have seen
the permanent death of Syvelium, the Paladin guild tutor. I have seen
the Priest tutor killed and brought back by the permanent sacrifice of
fellow member of Sapience. I watched and cried when untold numbers of
mine own kin, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews have died
permanently.

I have not sought revenge on those who have done these attrocious acts,
nor do I condemn those of my family who have chosen not be be
resurrected by the Logos. I am merely saddened.

I was in an enchanted sleep when your people, Hingar, first arrived on
our plane. When I awoke I learned that not only had people in my own
city but my very own guild had killed members of your race. I admit that
I did nothing to stand up for your people.
I learned that many people from Sapience were learning your language and
I listened to some tales with fascination. However, and please correct
me if I am mistaken, the people whom you chose to communicate with first
were those of cities who had not attacked you. From what I saw in the
beginning, and I could be very much mistaken I admit, you chose to speak
mostly to those from other cities than the ones who attacked first.
While I do not fault you for your caution in your dealings with those of
us from Ashtan or Mhaldor I do fault you in the fact that you shut most
of us out by declaring war on ALL of us without regard to our personal
feelings toward you as a people.

I speak from the standpoint that I have been asleep throughout most of
the hostilities between our peoples. I was asleep during the raids upon
my city of Ashtan, Bastion of the North and City of Freedom. I was
asleep when you allied with both Tasur'ke and El'Jazira. I was asleep
when the summit took place and when Thera was destroyed.

I fell into my slumber within the village of Tasur'ke. When I awoke from
my slumber, I was unaware that there were any open hostilities, much
less war, between our two "empires" (for lack of a better word). I was
immediately attacked by your people Hingar. I had done nothing to harm
your people and knew nothing of war or of killings.

What I did know was that your people came here as a peaceful people who
were interested in exploration, and at some point several were killed.
I was not aware however that your people were interested in Colonization
of our world, which it seems you are intent upon from your actions.

Hingar, if your people are interested in having a colony ( or several )
here in Sapience, then perhaps if you stated that this is your interest
we would be more willing to welcome you instead of kill you.

I believe that the main difficultly between our lands is that we do not
know why it is you are here. Perhaps if you were totally and completely
honest with us this hostility would not exist. Mayhap you are being
honest, and your visits here were originally exploration until asked for
help by villages and peoples within our lands. If this is the case, tell
us!! As a whole, I think we feel you are being evasive in your answers
and motives for being in Sapience.

As a citizen of Ashtan and a member of the Occultists, one of her oldest
guilds, I will always support what my city decides. This does NOT mean I
will seek out members of your race and kill them. It does however mean
that I can and will protect myself, my family, my guild and my land from
your encroachment or hostilities.

I have NEVER acted to harm a Vertani or infiltrate a Vertan fortress,
even in self-defense. This is the first post I have made in regards to
these events, indeed to any events in over 60 years.

I would like to see our conflicts resolved peacefully. To do so, means
we must ALL be honest about our intentions. If it is your intention to
colonize here, like many races have done before, then tell us. If it is
your intention to attempt to take over our world, be prepared for a
fight.

I apologize, Hingar, if I seem hostile to you. I have been attacked by
your people without knowledge of what my people my have done. Does this
make me innocent? Maybe not, but it should allow me the chance to be
your friend until and unless I attack you personally.



Riven Sa'Rithven

Penned by my hand on the 11th of Aeguary, in the year 386 AF.