Shallam has nearly always been a Theocracy. That means the government is
controlled by the Church. As the seat of Light and whatever else they
are
for, it is appropiate for the city to be governed by the Church. Please
let us not argue on the governance, let us merely recognize it and with
understanding follow its logic.

The Church believes that in all things its is right. This belief became
instilled at the very beginning. Should the Church create a
contradiction
within its doctrine it would prove itself illogical. However, that point
sits well beside the knowledge that every new Archprelate in the history
of the Church has contradicted the doctrine espoused by the one before.

The Church currently applies pressure by its Theocratic rule of Shallam
to enemy all that are enemies of the Church. Now it has moved to mandate
that we should all be friendly with certain denizens or face the
Church's
wrath. This action alone was a perilous path...the Fool walking his
errand.

It would seem now that the Church has further shown its stupidity. Mobs
are never intelligent. By pressing to enemy those engaged in fair trade,
everyone has been alerted to the mob mentality. Fair trade is a simple
transaction between parties at what is considered close to the market
price.
Aid to an enemy on the other hand, would have to be an exchange that is
not close to the market price; or would require that the person be
clearly
an enemy.

Mr. Antonius, I am sure I can find many Mhaldorians of all ranks that
are
not enemies of the Church or Shallam. Furthermore it is quite likely
that
I can find a few that are of truely high rank within Mhaldor that are
not
your enemies. However, as I am not a memeber of either Shallam or The
Church
I can't truly know who is deemed an enemy by those organisations.

Members of The Church, Divine patrons of The Church, leaders of Shallam,
people of Shallam, and people everywhere; I ask of you recognize the
insanity
that is being brought upon the whole world by a single misguided man.
Let
Truth be your guide, for I have spoken no word untrue here, Rho has lost
the path of the Church. His doctrines contradict all the history of The
Church. He is insane, but the Church is not. The Church can never be
wrong,
but one man can.

Please realize this single man's need for help, and provide him with it.
Be
that help by guidance to return him to sanity, and all Sapience may
rejoice.
Perhaps he is beyond recovery, but his soul may yet be saved from the
demons
that created his insanity. Again we would all rejoice in the triumph of
The
Church. In the worst imagining, though, his soul is truly lost
and all his
past and future good is lost.

I am saddenned to even consider that last possibility. Though my piety
is
quite lacking, I will still pray to all the Divine that might listen;
"Heal
master Rho, that he might lead The Church of Sapience out of the
darkness
into which It has fallen."

With all my heart and soul;
Veroule

Penned by my hand on the 19th of Scarlatan, in the year 459 AF.