In your post, you have challenge the people to prove you wrong, albiet
the likelihood of convincing you to change you position is unlikely
judging by how tight the veil of ignorance is wrapped about your head, I
like all scholars enjoy a debate, even if for nothing more than my
self-amusement.

I've never been into philanthropy, and I dare say few would consider me
to be an ardent humanitarian, but I do believe life and death should
have a purpose, for why else would the Logos allow it?

I have broken your post (#8963) down into a more concise, and readable
form. In the beginning you try to deflect the blame by saying that
Charlotte never read the chest. Charlotte was definitely present when
the first chest was open and thus saw the consequences it led to, and
when the second chest was found, people were jumping up and down like
caged monkeys informing everybody of its existence. It is painfully
transparent that Charlotte knew the chest was weapon of mass
destruction, and by opening it, there would be dreadful consequences for
many.

Thus, there is no evidence of her ignorance (which will hardly matter
anyways).

Next, you cowardly try to blame Thakren for the result of the death of
many Hashan citizens. Yes, I noticed you say Thakren is not to blame,
but your words betray you. It is obvious you are trying to use Thakren
as a scapegoat for the magnitude of the damage. Without his involvement,
the deaths would have been fewer. Does this dismiss you of any blame,
nay because of your (and your compatriots) intentions. Thakren (from my
understanding) was trying inform others that the Crossroads was a safe
place to reside, unfortunately he was mistaken. Many were going to die,
regardless of Thakren's involvement, and the blood of those victims
would still be spilt by your party.

Onward you go, failing to accept the full weight of your actions. Now
you say that Ashtan would have eventually opened the chest if Charlotte
hadn't. Perhaps this is true, but they did not. Speculating on "what
if's", do not relieve you of blame in this matter. Had Ashtan opened the
chest, they would be blamed rightfully, much like your current
situation. Whether this would bother them is not the issue, the mantle
of destruction would be their burden, and any grievances from the
victims would be sought from them.

You speak of honour in your post, amazing considering how you have
showed a complete absence of it. I have studied many concepts in my
years, and honour has one that interested me a great deal. Without any
physical manifestations, and opened to a variety of interpretations, it
has been argued (and no doubt continued to) for ages. However, I doubt a
man of your "Honour" would have no qualms about paying up to your
actions, and the consquences of them.

So you must imagine my shock and disappointment when I continued to read
your post, and you refuse to pay the fine, even after you consented that
they were in your words, "it is not an unreasonable or horrendous fine
that is placed against us, indeed it would be quite generous had we
played a direct and alterable part in killing the citizens of your
lovely city". How dare a man of your self-proclaimed honour say they had
no part in it. Every person in that room was an accomplice to the vortex
of fire that consumed the lives of so many.

Your next argument says that you died when the chest was opened, thus
you already paid the price for your crime. That right there is an
admission of guilt, you admit your error, by admitting such, you have
admitted to sending the giant ball of flame that consumed the victims.
Your death was brought upon by your self. You were active in its
opening, thus you are not "innocent". The many men and women standing
within Hashan were however. They were unsuspecting people, who decided
to abstain from participating in this conflict. Unfortunately for them,
a complete lack of judgement and foresight led to their devastating
involvement.

So, in summary...

1st Premise - First chest, opened by an Ashtanian sent an arrow to
destroy Ashtan.

(edit should read destroy Shallam)

2nd Premise - Second chest is found

3rd Premise - Second chest is bigger than first

1st Conclusion - Because an opposing citizen of another city opened the
chest, it sent a arrow of destruction towards us, if we open the bigger
chest, we will send an even bigger arrow at them destroying them.

From there, Hashan is destroyed, you argue...

1st Premise - We're idiots, we had no idea anything bad would happen.

2nd Premise - Ashtan would open it anyways.

2nd Conclusion - Because Shallam was quicker than Ashtan for once to the
prize, they opened the chest causing the catastrophe, but its not our
problem because Ashtan would've opened it anyways.

I have absolutely no idea how you can possibly think you are clear of
blame from this. What continues to baffle me is how you don't see this.
Hashan has made reasonable demands, and the guilt has already been
properly assigned (and admitted to by some).

Do us a favour, pay the damn fine, otherwise I will be active in slaying
you for being such a little weasal.

Humanitarian for a Day,

Napoloen

Penned by my hand on the 24th of Chronos, in the year 288 AF.