One thing can be said for Erisians- their complete confidence in corrupt and misguided ideals is consistent.

I grew up in a time when occultists thrived while meeting in secret, where the rogue practice of chaotic and karmic arts was conisdered a pure crime against all that we stood for. I grew in the tutelage of my father who fought against the odds, and even disobeyed some of those tenets in favor of seeking the release of Lord Babel from centuries of chained, ordered oppression under the Usurper.

Fortunately, I grew up in a time after the foul, false forger had long abandoned her poor, dedicated aspirants and priests, escaping back through time, and hopefully never to return. This was a time when the lies of a free and innocent Chaos had been stripped free from the eyes of the world. Where the lies of she espoused in numerous posts were set straight for the world.

Truly, Chaos is a dangerous, potent energy which drives the change and progression of our Creation while simultaneously unraveling the very fabric of this existence from the seams, working inward until nothing would remain but an unending Void of Chaos.

This fact is actually undisputed across all walks of life. Even as one who seeks the Void knowingly, freely. I understand it is my undoing and my own release.

But alas, your gripe is simply that Ashtan is not free. Your complaint is that we are afraid of discord and open debate.

First, I will address your complaint that Ashtan is not free and we will move onto our perceived unwillingness to allow you a pulpit.

Ashtan is not free. We are not the city of Freedom. The ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want is not only an ideal only promulgated in the most slothful, slovenly cesspools of Sapience, it is a foolish illusion. No creature is truly free to his own will, whim or want as he should please so long as any being or force is greater than himself. One will always be subjugated to power more absolute than your own or by circumstances beyond your control. It is well and beneficial that the Seat of Chaos in its pursuit of Dominion and Ascension should now cow to such childish frolics. Welcome to the world, my child. I hope that after six centuries you can stumble less as you find your feet in this cruel existence.

Now, the second portion of your complaint is purely unfounded. Your opinions were silenced, not because they were unpopular or stupid (they are) but because your approach was insulting, juvenile, and unrefined. If we are to allow debate, should we too then allow toddlers to berate their elders and rulers. Ask yourself, would making a total ass of yourself by decrying the censorship of the Senate go well in Cyrene? Would Hashan allow you to call their Seneschal a tyrant? I think not. As someone who has many outspoken, popular opinions and personal grievances and histories within the city, I can tell you, they will tolerate much discord and strife. Such is our nature.

We have not abandoned Chaos. We have declined to follow Eris back in time and to apply an antiquated and unsupported view of childish and whimsical abandon. Should you wish to slip into a rift and disappear in her image, I assure you, no one will protest.

All the best,
JZ

Penned by my hand on the 17th of Chronos, in the year 769 AF.