Despite several claims to the contrary made here, there is no subterfuge afoot. Like every other civilised principality of the world, Cyrene believes Nature has fallen short, leaving the world incomplete and in need of their intervention, management, and edification.

Eleusis deliberately rejects the artifices of such civilisation. We savages recognize that attempts to free ourselves from predation and become masters of the lands, dominating it to achieve selfish goals, would only deny Nature's ineluctable autonomy, inherent value, and perpetual development.

This is known throughout Creation, as is the fact that we oppose all who do otherwise, even self-proclaimed artists and cowering pacifists, whose cities were founded on the culling of Nature, whose existence rejects its magnanimous offers of Harmony, and whose citizens seek to retain its bounties without proper reciprocity of Her gifts.

Do not pretend this stance was not clearly communicated to you in the past (PUBLIC 20561). Your city was also given the option of returning to Nature's fold. No other civilization has had such a generous offer extended to right past wrongs and quell Nature's wrath through sacrifice of naught but time and effort.

Cyrene, you ridiculed our every attempt to teach Harmony among your people. And you decried every effort of peaceful negotiation as subjugation. Before any of you pick up a quill and begin scribbling the words, "Negotiations require give and take..." Cyrene has already taken greatly from Nature. Yet yours still speak of wanting a deal that is 'fair and equitable'.

Clearly, you wish for what is fair for yourselves only for what equitable exchange took place when Cyrene opted to eradicate an entire forest? No. That which is borrowed from the earth must inevitably be returned. You reject Nature out of fear that you may actually become a part of something greater than yourselves and need to turn aside more selfish ambitions. That is the whole truth of it.

Instead of being outraged, humble yourselves before the reality that your selfish ambition has been Nature's undoing. Instead of decrying its untrustworthiness, consider the magnanimity of Nature's blessings you've already accepted and repeatedly dishonoured. Instead of pretending anyone wishes to subjugate your people, consider the many, many ways Cyrene has subdued Nature for its own ends since your very inception.

Stand and defend your mockery of Nature's bounties, if you wish. But put your quills and brushes away then and pick up arms instead. Eleusis is undeterred by the inelegant arguments made here to paint yourselves as the victim of chicanery.

TV



Penned by my hand on the 4th of Valnuary, in the year 867 AF.