To the leadership of Cyrene,

As a minor student of political intrigue, I felt that it would be only
fair to make public acknowledgement of the tremendous diplomatic skills
of the Cyrene government. As the current Capture the Flag game
approaches, you are once again assured of the support of the Shallamese
people, who will spend their lives (fruitlessly I think, but will spend
them nonetheless) for the aim of securing Cyrene the Effigy of Victory.
Those poor trusting Shallamese. I have heard many of your people
snickering about how little you must do in order to maintain alliance
with them. And indeed, how you can persuade the Shallamese to make
common cause with you despite your utter disregard for their interests
cannot fail to impress.

Your people are sworn by treaty never - no matter the circumstances - to
take offensive actions within Mhaldor, a city which wages ceaseless war
against Shallam. You gain all the benefits of their defence without ever
needing to put yourselves at risk - a master stroke! But this is not
enough - not only do you forbear within the walls of Mhaldor, you are
never seen on the battlefield at all. Not once, in many decades of
pitched battles between Good and Evil have I seen a Cyrenian lift his
hand in the support of Shallam - I have seen Ashtani, Eleusians, even
Hashani pitching in to stem the relentless rise of Evil, but your city
sits contentedly by the sidelines; confident that Shallam's support is
eternal, even if you agree treaties with their bitterest opponents.

But this too, is not enough! You allow Occultists, Apostates and
Infernals safe harbour within your walls, giving aid and succour to the
Church's most ancient and implacable enemies. Still worse, you permit
Occultists - the handmaids of Chaos, and anathema to the Church - to be
citizens! And if a Shallamite were to bring violence against any of
these servants of Evil and Chaos within your walls, you would defend the
servants of Evil with your lives and brand the Shallamite an enemy. It
is ironic, is it not, that Shallam will work so hard to secure the
Effigy of Victory for Cyrene - thus providing its benefit directly to
Occultists!

It takes real aplomb and verve to have secured Shallam's unconditional
assistance while you spit in the face of the ideals on which it was
founded and decline to offer any meaningful assistance in return
whatsoever.

As one self-interested manipulater to another, I salute you.

Regards,
Tenebrus; Proselytist and Cutpurse;
Speaker of the Truths and Scourge of Hypocrisy;
Grand Larcenist; Nimble Nine Fingers;
King of Thieves.


Penned by my hand on the 7th of Ero, in the year 450 AF.