It has been suggested to me by someone I respect more than I respect
possibly any other person to set aside my usual banter of sarcastic and
snide remarks and tell in a simple, straightforward manner how we came
to where we are. For there are several misconceptions currently running
rampant. So if you are expecting the usual sarcasmic tour de
force...sorry.
The largest misconception currently running around is that this war is
about Charlotte and that this is a war of vengeance caused by her
actions. This is wrong. While I will agree the "incident" played a large
role in causing the enviroment that brought about this war, to say that
Hashan declared war on Shallam because of the second box being open is
wrong.
Ironically enough, had Dresden simply said "Charge us with the crimes,
we don't want to step foot in Hashan anyway" a great deal of heartache
would have been avoided. Sure those involved probably would have been
hunted briefly. But Help PK would stop it after a brief period of time.
But then, hindsight is always 20/20.
Where things started to go wrong was the whole trial thing. Its
painfully obvious to see now it was a farce. Dresden decided for
whatever reason to call for a trial in public, while privately telling
the council no or ignoring them. This began a cycle that is still
continuing to this very day of Shallam taking zero intiative to solve a
diplomatic matter or just outright ignoring the problem. Again, had
Dresden been negotiating from the standpoint of a normal person rather
than the Sultan of Shallam, then it would have limited the effects of
certain actions. But Dresden decided to use her position to gain some
leverage. In doing this she included all of Shallam in her actions.
The talk of the trial ended the day Charlotte was promoted to Minister
of Trade. This was a monumental mistake. The message sent here was not
only does Shallam not care about the actions of Charlotte, but we are
going to reward her for her actions. I'm not saying Charlotte hasn't
served Shallam faithfully over the years and deserved the promotion.
What I am saying is it was foolish to do so at that time. It was a slap
in the face to the city of Hashan and effectively ended any chance of
negotiating a way out of the charges being filed. I'm not going to go
into the laws of Hashan, they have been said here enough. Suffice it to
say, charges were filed. Now here is where things go wrong.
Dresden flew (literally) into a rage and attacked Hashan. Saying she was
going to have some "fun" before her enemy status kicked in. Again, had
Dresden been operating before this as a simple person rather than the
Sultan of a town then the effect that this incident had would have been
minimized. But she had been operating under the Sultan of Shallam during
all of this. And thus her actions started a "cold war" between our two
towns. You will note that no where in here was there any mention of
money for a FFA ability to the Hashan arena. (I for one was all for the
money from fines being fed to a humgii for all I cared. It was the
principle of the matter) there was no mention of any vengeance. What
happened was the leadership of Shallam got its hackles up and decided
not to back down from a situation that to be honest they could have
walked away from.
Now the situation was still being contained. The leadership of Hashan
had not made any sweeping declarations. The war COULD have been limited.
Yes I understand the demand of Dresden being handed over is harsh. But
try to see our side of it. She declared war on us. She attacked people
that in no way had anything to do with her being enemied. So yes, we are
a bit angry at her. That being said, you would think that the leadership
of Shallam could put their heads together and try to think of at least
one alternative. Some sort of solution that would make all sides happy.
But they seem content to sit back and say "We aren't handing over
Dresden so why talk". Public relations of this of course is a nightmare.
You guys really should at least try solutions. Yes we will probably turn
it down...but I imagine SOME progress could be made. But you won't know
until you try, now will you?
Now, after the ultimatum was issued and rebuffed its still a fairly
contained war. That is until Darknight comes along. Now I don't know
about the rest of Shallam...but having some loose cannon come on and
make sweeping remarks like he did that led to the enemying of almost
every citizen in Hashan and Ashtan would scare the daylights out of me.
In one fell swoop he involved everyone in Shallam in this affair. From
novices on up. Including those who are passive. I don't recall the
council giving him permission to do that. But perhaps I am wrong on this
point. The war could have been contained before this action. I don't
care what the bylaws of section c subparagraph 43 state. Had Darknight
not enemied everyone who even remotely sorta kinda lived around the two
cities, some sort of articles of war could have been drafted and lives
could have been spared. He didn't. And in doing so he made this a war
that is now do or die for everyone. If anyone deserves to be kicked out
of Shallam its him. Many deaths are on his hands at this point.
So here we are. Bogged into a war that will only get worse. Things have
happened as I have expected unfortunately. I have had someone ask me if
I consider myself evil. I do not. I do not want Shallam razed. I want it
back to doing its job. But it seems more content to bicker with itself
and turn inward instead of looking out from its walls. Its very sad
actually. And I most of my anger that I have is from this fact. I'm
angry that things have happened like they have. It all could have been
avoided. But alas, the time for that has come and gone.
So as I have a knack for seeing what is to come with this affair, let me
explain to you what is to come. Things will continue as they have been
for a little while. Pent's shrines will take a constant beating. His
essence will be drained harshly by re-erecting the shrines. Hunting
parties that venture out to try to replinish His supply will be under
constant enemy barrage. Logistically speaking...its going to be a
nightmare that you will not be able to keep up with. Thats not being
smug, its cold hard numbers. It will take you days and constant loss of
life to gain the essence to erect a shrine. We can get rid of it in an
hour. Then there is the next Ethan's Crossing. And that is where the
nightmare will truely begin. The Church will be forced to try to get
some sort of landmark to their side. And to do that will mean leaving
the city in force. You won't succeed and you will be slaughtered by the
dozens. Again, this isn't a threat. This isn't a snide remark. Its fact.
Hashan was barely helping in the last Crossing. No organization. A
person here or there. And you lost that by a large margin. An organized
Hashan helping Ashtan in the landmarks? Forget it. Its a bloodbath. Pent
will weaken, the Church will weaken, and Shallam will slowly dry up as
those who are sick of the war go elsewhere.
So where does that leave us? Unfortunately down the same path I just
described. The best bet for Shallam would be to elect new leadership and
put forth some sort of a plan to end this conflict. What that plan would
be I don't know. This situation is rapidly approaching a point where
there can be only one outcome. Shallam being weakened to the point that
it becomes a glorified village.
Hashan didn't WANT this war. We tried to avoid it. But your leaders have
been hard headed and have let their pride dictate their actions. For
that, I am truely sorry. I urge you all to consider a very simple line
of logic. The needs of the many outweight the needs of the few, or the
one. Dresden has put her needs before yours. The council has as well.
Push for a leadership who is willing to negotiate. Anything is better
than this. Until then, the war will continue. May the Gods help you,
because it seems your leaders won't.

Penned by my hand on the 10th of Ero, in the year 290 AF.