Ashtan....

I ask this, and yet expect no reasonable response. Frankly, with the
responses given to most of the previous questions, I'm prepared for the
generic "mind your own business". But that's alright, I'm a sturdy man
and such rejection is hardly anything for which I should feel pained.

If an orphan suddenly requested permission to visit Shallam, and then
actually stay there, what would be your response? I mean, the general
definition of Ashtan is the City of Freedom, Bastion of the North. It's
been stated several times (and no, I will not sift through the thousands
and thousands of public posts to prove this, you know it's true) that
Ashtan values freedom for its citizens. So... what would you do?

Now I'm sure you'll say that the orphans have never requested this, and
thus the point is moot. Well, perhaps they haven't. But perhaps they are
afraid to ask. Perhaps they are too afraid of the people that come to
meet them in the streets, despite the candy they receive, to request
such a thing. They'll gladly accept candy even though the rumours of
their compatriots deaths abound, because surely anywhere with food is
better than the streets, right?

Perhaps that's how it is. And so I wonder, if one had the courage to
ask, what would you do?

And as for the non-sensical policy of requiring the victim of the crime
to pursue charges, well, that's a little difficult if the victim is dead
now isn't it? Even should we assume that the orphans are restored to
life as so many creatures of this land are, who is to say that they are
returned to one of our cities? Who is to say they are even returned to
this plane? Perhaps the Great Mother takes pity on them and sends them
somewhere safer than the Bastion, safer than the walls than of Shallam
(we all know that orphans are taken from the city and slaughtered almost
monthly). Perhaps, She sends them somewhere where they might grow up in
peace? And perhaps She doesn't. Perhaps the orphans don't know the laws
of your city? Surely no one takes the time to educate the children if
you don't even take the time to talk to them. Perhaps once they are
restored to life, even if they are returned to Ashtan, they do not have
any memory of what occured? So many ifs. I only wish I knew the answers.

That law seems foolish to one such as I, experienced in the ways of
legalities, but alas, I am no fool to think that you should even care.
The Gods only know how many other laws are broken in other cities even
more blatantly and yet things continue as usual. It seems sad that this
one should take the life of a child.

WarChieftain of the Dwarves (who values children)
Lord Riashain a'Bertal

Penned by my hand on the 6th of Valnuary, in the year 396 AF.