Vertani? Bad people?

Perhaps.

But then, you have to realize that they are from a completely separate
plane of existance, about which, as of yet, we know nothing about.
Despite the recent war, we still knew practically NOTHING about the very
basic beliefs and interactions between Vertani individuals. Now, thanks
to a recent compendium on the subject, we do. I believe it answers many
questions, on all sides of the matter. I can only hope it sheds light on
the questions of those who have found them unanswered - or answered
wrongly.

To understand their point of view, one must put oneself in the shoes (do
they even WEAR shoes?) of a Vertani. One cannot pray for salvation. Once
dead, one stays dead. One believes in the All - a belief that, as stated
in the compendium, pushes for the expansion of civilization. A society
based around life, and honour, and festivity. Also, a society with a
heavy emphasis on the military.

What does all this add up to? What we have seen, whether in the light of
understanding or otherwise - a relatively invasive species that, in
response to hostilities, has become hostile itself. Can we truly blame
them? Their explorers, slain, and constant attacks upon them during
their first, peaceful incursions into Sapience. What would Sapience have
done, if we were to explore an alien plane? I can only imagine the
conversations:

A vertani explorer says, �Did you hear? Jaqbeal was murdered by the very
people we�ve been trying to educate!�
A vertani commander gives a horrified gasp.
A vertani commander says, �Oh, the vertanity!�

True, to us, it seems wrong. It is stated, rather clearly, that the
Vertani believe that �their civilization is superior to all others, and
that it is their duty to enlighten all others.� Sounds haughty. Even...
threatening? Maybe. Then again, maybe if we had actually tried to see
thier point of view at the time, and forgive them for minor events or
comments, we could have avoided all this anyways.

But what other way was there? There would be the impulsive, the
convinced, and the close-minded.

And then, there was Thera.

Before I continue, and I would like to make this perfectly clear - I
don�t condone the destruction of Thera. Reducing that wonderful town to
smoldering rubble is something I will never forget, and it will take me
a great time to fully forgive the Vertani for doing it. But... and this
is where I am sure a lot of you will disagree (if you haven�t already),
I can sincerely understand where they were coming from. The sanctity of
life, as made plain in the compendium, is held dear to each and every
Vertani. I have no doubt that the act was regretted, even before it was
committed, and I, for one, firmly accept their apologies.

But the killing continued, and eventually ended in the destruction of
the last portal to the Vertani�s home plane of existence. Only a small
group of them remain in Achaea, left behind by their race, thanks to our
own imprudent assumptions. And what now? The last of the mighty Vertani
are forced to live in our cultures, with our religions, and our gods. I,
for one, firmly aplogize to Daqsool and all Vertani, here and departed,
who have perished in this futile display of Achaean stubbornness.

And in the end, perhaps we are not that different from the Vertani at
all. Who, now, has displayed their firm belief of their civilization�s
superiority over the invaders, and has upheld our duty to enlightened
them?

Achaeans? Good people?

Perhaps.

- Aliya

Penned by my hand on the 19th of Phaestian, in the year 390 AF.