Hingar,

I was in fact that you acquiesced to my request, at least in part.
However, I want to make one thing crystal clear to you. Before the
Vertani just "happened" upon our land and "gave in to those seeking
protection" there was never a problem with killing/bashing the
inhabitants of Sapience's villages. (Besides Jaru which has been a
battle waged in its own time.) We do it for experience, alignment, the
essence of our Gods, and a host of other reasons. It was the way of the
world. YOU are the ones who came in and sought to upset our balance for
your own amusement/knowlege/etc. because YOU assumed it was _your_ right
to do so.

You seem very delighted when I spoke of this balance and the atrocity
that you and your people placed upon Thera. "Fantastic! Someone has
finally admitted it - you (at least) are taking the moral high ground on
the basis of lost buildings!" It is not only buildings Hingar, it is
what Thera represented as well as what it was not only to the people who
lived there, but Ashtani also. When you destroy someone's home as a
"slap-on-the-wrist" it is of the upmost D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T. You add
insult to injury. Not only were their deaths enough, you destroyed
everything that they worked for and what represented them and vice
versa. Your only remorse for this deed is because of the 'public
outcry'.

I was quite aware that I was being direct or 'frank' as you put it. I
wanted answers, I did not want 'To attack, perhaps, or discredit maybe.'
You refuse to discuss your lands in detail or your
beliefs...furthermore, you expect us to welcome you with open arms when
we know basically _NOTHING_ about you. I believe it is ignorant to
believe someone who will kill innocent adventurers and denizens in the
name of peace when they will only give limited answers about themselves
to the rising number of questions. The Vertani in general, don't seem to
be willing to generally give out information about themselves.

As far as I am concerned, Achaeans don't need your "help" Hingar, but as
you said that is up to each person to decide. I find it interesting that
you want 'friends' when you continue to contribute to sapient-wide fear
of your people. Fear is a great motivator in some, a deterrent in others
as seen by the stances of our cities. So here again, I ask more
questions and await your reply.

1) The Ascendant is your leader, so what exactly are his/her politics?
His/her stance on our lands?

2) You claim you don't know how best to explain your beliefs, could you
translate for a priest for us?

3) Your lands don't differ much from ours and you claim you want
'Safety, growth, learning, to continue living, trade, new experiences
and other things like that' - so how do you expect to gain these?

4) You stumbled upon us, and now you demand that we should follow your
"example", why do you feel that our ways are not satisfactory?

5) You claim no land, and yet you take land freely because it belongs to
no one or your presence was welcomed, why did you place a fortress in
Thera when Thera stood up against you? Did you ask any permission,
specifically the living Therans?

In closing, I believe that Achaeans as a whole deserve more than what
your people deem fit to give us concerning yourselves. Apparently, some
of our people have gone out of their way to "support" you, I see no
reason for you not to do the same. I continue to believe that my city's
stance on the Vertani is right, that they are not to be trusted unless
proven otherwise. I have heard some say that is up to the Gods on who
may possess the land on which we live. We were given FREE WILL, and the
Divine have been silent in this for a reason.

Remembering Thera and living Free, Nawtika Tatiana-Yusef

Penned by my hand on the 1st of Scarlatan, in the year 386 AF.