I've decided to address some points that have been brought up and
repeatedly asked, and hopefully stem the tide of unasked ones.

Typhoon has brought up the issue of Ashtan's dictum of freedom in
regards to our hostile feelings towards Hashan. The freedom we defend
and honour is the freedom of our own and our allies, neither which apply
to Hashan. Hashan's guiding principle of self-interest has soured my own
opinion of her. When we aided Hashan during the Game of the Eyes, it was
at Mhaldors request. The three city-states allied and were attempting to
work together, and afterwards Tuerney posted a thank you to both
city-states. Then due to pressure from Shallam it was retracted and the
statement that we had not done anything other than remain placid to each
other was made. The fact that Ashtan had taken control of the flags and
had given Hashan their second flag, which I was intimately aware of
happening since I was the one to deliver it and had nearly died after
being attacked by the defenders, was in stark contrast to that comment.
Our location was secure, we could have spent our time and resources
bolstering Mhaldor's score and defence, and quite frankly we should have
due the treatment we received. Tuerney managed to alienate those
"allies" Hashan had gathered and quickly left the political arena
shortly after.

Hashan has earned the hostile feelings from Ashtan, so any claims that
it is unjust or unwarranted can be laid to rest. We attempted to entreat
with you before it was done, asking several times for our own reasons.
The individual in question had robbed several Ashtan shops and had
attempted to blackmail Ashtan's chancellor to rig a shop auction in his
House's favour. Yet Hashan allowed him in, and given him safe haven,
which he used quite well after he robbed one of our shops again. When
Hashan placed themselves between Ashtan and Zidayn, why should we
consider feeling anything other than hostile towards Hashan?

Since that time with Zidayn's level of activity tapering off the idea of
returning to neutral has crossed my mind at least, save that each time
it has another new nuisance has arisen from that House. The constant
little annoyances only seem to maintain the feelings generated.

For those asking me what Ashtan wants and what we hope to accomplish,
those are both subjective. We want to run down and extract our vengeance
on those that have wronged us, ripping from their hides what we consider
appropriate for what has been done to us. As for what we hope to
accomplish, the city-state of Ashtan has done nothing in regards to this
"war" and hasn't mobilized or officiated anything. A small handful of my
citizens have acted after the leader of the same house made threats
against one of ours. I haven't felt the need to speak because as far as
I'm aware, those that have been speaking on Ashtan's behalf aren't in
any position of power or given any authority to do so.

Several have approached me in regards to ceasing hostilities and
reigning in my citizens, yet none have given me any reason to do so. In
fact the request for a ceasefire coupled with the comment that basically
amounted to saying that we won't do what you want anyways left me a bit
bewildered as to how Hashan's leaders negotiate. For a state so vested
in self-interest, the leadership seems intent on creating situations
detrimental to their own interests. The only issue that at the moment
would cause me to push this further and involve my city as a whole in
war would be Hashan's decision to seize my citizen's shops. As stated I
have yet to declare war and dedicate the city to it, but if Hashan
wishes to play at war by doing so, then it can quickly occur.

Oh, and I believe Lord Aegis already replied to Silinrul's question
about the Lady Ourania and Lord Matsuhama. I'm waiting to hear their
reply in regards to it all actually. As far as I was aware this was a
mortal concern involving mortals, the divine though have their own
prerogatives and agendas.

Erhon Lucoster
Overseer of Ashtan

Penned by my hand on the 10th of Valnuary, in the year 404 AF.