Archon Ascendant,

I admire your passion, but you seem to be making a few mistakes. As surprising as it is that your true Overseer permits you to pen your own posts, it is clear that you believe the Dawnspear to be in a state of weakness. It seems as though you are attempting to kick the Dawnspear you believe to be 'down'. "Abandon the sinking ship," you say, while desperately hoping to scoop enough water out of your own that your city may stay afloat. So deep is your desperation that you even appointed Jinsun, the almighty slaughterer of novices and orators, as your Minister of War. I wonder if even your young ones respect him.

Let me make something clear. Your city relied so heavily upon one person that, upon Jhui's slumber, it was left completely and utterly defenseless. Without Jhui, your soldiers - those of whom cared enough to even attempt defending - cowered in the streets, unwilling to even try moving guards when they found your city assaulted. I would speak of their offensive action if there was any. There was none. Any illusion of strength abandoned you the moment Jhui was gone, and now that there has been the slightest hint of his return, this tirade of imminent destruction and ruin? You seem to be confused.

The Dawnspear is very different from Ashtan. We did not rely so much on Austere that his departure has left us a hollow city, defenseless and weak. We are not so cowardly that Austere's treachery has rendered us too fearful to uphold our values. You may remember a month or two ago when your warriors frantically searched for a way to have your guards fight for them to deal with the forces of Good. The betrayal of Austere was disappointing, but you misunderstand why. The strength of the Dawnspear is not stored within an individual. The strength of the Dawnspear comes from the faith of the citizens united under the Bloodsworn.

Your city is composed primarily of those too lazy to leave, listless pawns supplemented by those overwhelmed with yearning for the illusion of Freedom they once held dear. Your posturing is transparent, and it is clear you invested far too much effort into it. Your words are simply words, and your city's strength is nothing but a fleeting illusion. Your Warlord's endless weeping when attacked requires us to bring a ship solely to escape the flood, yet you consider your army a force worth fearing? I think not. You may strike as you wish, whenever Jhui returns to enable you to.


In service to the Bloodsworn,
Tesha al Ashtad

Penned by my hand on the 16th of Chronos, in the year 706 AF.