Hello, I'm a relatively young, city-less, house-less, Satyr knight: Here
with a response to the public news post #17383.

A certain anonymous author (for the sake of simplicity, I'll consider
the post's author to be male, but I won't go so far as to call him Bob)
has claimed that his group of three lies, two truths, and a fact are the
only 'real' way of life. I believe, rather, that they are a hindrance to
'real' ways of life, and to the growth that the he preaches. These would
lead to self-destruction rather than peace he likely had in mind.

To make my response clear, I have also referenced his ideas with
quotation, adding my response below. The goal of this newspost is to
open your mind to new and alternate ideas, my ideas; so enjoy.

"LIES"

Appropriately labeled.

"1) Friendship, is a lie."

The author goes into detail here about there being no such thing as
friends, but only allies. He considers a friend someone you can hope to
be there for you and be trusted with anything, and friendship being
something beyond a simple alliance due to similar goals. I agree with
the author here, in that a true friend should, in theory, have a unique,
strong bond with you. In life, all bonds between us are of varying
strength, and it takes time and effort to make them grow into true bond,
one of ultimate trust, if such is even possible to create. The bond of
friendship shows its truthfulness and existence throughout all time;
through friendship, you can receive generosity from the greedy, help
from the apathetic, it brings out the best between people regardless of
status or relation. Friends would only betray one another given conflict
stronger than their bonds, such causes sadness, but the bond of
friendship surely entitles forgiveness and mercy, as well as mutual
understanding of each others limits. We should seek to further
strengthen friendships, so that they can grow, rather than break them
and experience eternal loss. He views the need for friendship as a
weakness, but rather it is our greatest strength, a limitless bond of
love and trust. In the end, its the only thing we can depend on and the
only thing we need.

2) Good and Evil, is a lie.

The author doesnt quite explain why Good or Evil are lies, just that
theyre two sides of the same coin. All I can respond with is that while
Mhadlor focuses on advancement of the self, Shallam is based on ideals
that advance bonds and strengthen weakness through mutual support. The
goal of absolute power is a goal that all mortals have a taste for, but
I believe the path taken will eventually decide whether the goal was
truly worth achieving or not.

3) Truth, is a lie.

He writes that things taken as truth often, unintentionally or
otherwise, are also partly lies. This is true, as much as all lies are
based upon truth and often contain elements of this. I suppose you could
choose to be either ignorant or paranoid of truths being lies, but even
lies, at some point, become truth. This subject really isnt even worth
mentioning, as it makes no difference in any case.

TRUTHS

1) Advancement of the self is all that matters.

In summary, the author claims that self-improvement is everything and
that youre worthless without it. I agree that advancement matters, yes,
but it is not entirely about the self. Those advocating and holding to
selfish advancement will tread perhaps the quickest and most
unchallenging path to power, but it will lead to mistrust and
differences, creating a rift that will make your achievements worth
nothing. What use is ultimate power in a place of loneliness and
desolation, in the authors dream of peace? You certainly shouldnt have
to conform to ideals in order to advance, but those who advance alone,
and not along with others should be wary of the ultimate consequence:
true worthlessness. Mortals are codependent; THAT is a TRUTH, and a
FACT!

2) The City-States are worthless.

The cities each have their own little problems, but they each have their
place in the world. Cities learn from each other and grow just as
singular people do, they are forums for growth. Cities are necessary
Goods, Evils, and Neutralities for growth and advancement. They each
have their own worth and place, and this is coming from me, a city-less
man.

FACT

1) War. Is. A. Must.

No, CONFLICT is a must. War is the greatest enemy of Peace, and can
occasionally be a powerful tool of growth. The powerful effect of war
does not entitle utilization-on-demand, but rather caution. The cities
are not at peace, but they are ever at life. They are growing, they are
bonding, with conflict their life-blood. For there to be peace, there
must not be life. It is my opinion that the author is advocating
paranoia, fear, and self-destruction. I doubt even Mhaldor would approve
of that, as they are all weaknesses. Our destruction should either come
from the wise gods and goddesses, or not at all. Slaughtering Shallam
would only be as it is; a slaughter. Shallam will not likely ever be
truly smothered and removed, and its ideals certainly wont. I certainly
dont advise or advocate such a rash and senseless idea, not to mention
useless.

Peace. The author wants this, and I can relate to that want. Conflict
can be tiring, and everyone eventually wants peace. But how can we
achieve it? It certainly is something that requires a we. In THIS author
Honorains, non-anonymous opinion we need to work together and advance
our bonds of love and companionship with each other. I dont necessarily
mean we should sleep in each others beds, but we should all build a
mutual understanding of each other. If we had true friendship, THEN we
would have Peace.

Penned by my hand on the 14th of Valnuary, in the year 459 AF.