Enough with the finger-pointing at Deven. Did you honestly think that
such a move as to cast out and enemy the Infernal guild's leadership was
made by one person alone? That Deven did not have the support of the
ruling council with her? Pardon me if I smudge your image of Deven as
some tyrannical dictator, but she does not make such decisions alone.
Personally, your finger pointing seems to me just like more of the witch
hunt on Deven ever since she dared to replace your guild's Patron as
Patron of Ashtan.

As for the facts as you know it, they seem paltry few. This does not
surprise me considering I only see you appear in the realms about once
or twice a year, to make a post "with the authority of the Master of the
Iron Citadel". The last time you made such a post, Malaclypse, it was to
issue an ultimatum to the ruling council of Ashtan that either we
succumb to your guild's demands and change the laws as you saw fit, or
the entire guild would withdraw all support from Ashtan, while still
holding onto citizenship and enjoying the resources and protections of
the city. In effect, you attempted to strongarm the council into obeying
your dictates. Demands which, as had been shown time and time again over
discussions over the city channel, the majority of the city were not
willing to accept. The demand that Ashtan put into its laws that anyone
defiling any shrine to Sartan within Ashtan be kicked out of the city.

Again and again, you talk about Ashtan opposing your "religious freedom"
as if you had no concept of the difference between "free" and
"protected". If Ashtan were about religious tyranny, we would have
outlawed certain shrines altogether. Yet we have not - you are free to
raise any shrine you want. Even to Gods who are opposed to Ashtan. It
seems to me that your constant cry for "religious freedom" is more about
trying to force Ashtan to bend to your will with manipulation than any
real concern for religious freedom itself. Yes, Ashtan is the City of
the Free. That does not mean City of the Free To Plot Harm Against
Ashtan If Ashtan Refuses To Do Whatever I Want. We will take measures to
protect the city against factions that would seek to harm her from
within.

The way I see it, Ashtan has been more patient and understanding in this
issue than any other city would have been. After knowing that the
guildmaster rewards one of your own for "stabbing Ashtan in the back",
what other city would have still offered to meet and resolve things with
him in a civil manner? Other cities, I think, might have simply chosen
to replace the Guildmaster with one that would work with the city. Yet
we as a council unanimously agreed that we would not do so, despite the
fact that the power to do so was in our hands.

The previous actions of the Infernal guildmaster, as it spoke for the
guild as a whole, as well as the actions of individual guildmembers,
have placed the Infernals at odds with Ashtan. Now, it seems that said
guildmaster is finally willing to resolve the disputes with Ashtan for
the good of his guild, and we Archons have re-opened the Iron Citadel as
a gesture of good faith. I look forward to further negotiations for
improved relations in the future, and I welcome home with open arms
those Infernals who are willing to pledge their loyalty and goodwill
towards Ashtan.

Regards,

Shakti Devi.

Penned by my hand on the 15th of Ero, in the year 296 AF.