The year is 360 MA. I receive one final message from Ard-Dhasani Tina,
on the subject of diplomacy: "There is post war hostility is to be
expected, but some are taking it beyond the normal from Duiran. Perhaps
some of the past issues grew from a lack of communication so I figured
I'd contact you first to see if a diplomatic solution could be reached."

Ah. Now we wish to discuss diplomacy.

Spinesreach was not interested in diplomacy when they so casually
discarded a land treaty.

Spinesreach was not interested in diplomacy when they insultingly
discarded an alliance.

Spinesreach was not interested in diplomacy when a plea for peace was
made during war.

Let me be clear - the relationship between Spinesreach and Duiran for
nearly the past half-century has not been one of friendship. It has been
one of mutual non-aggression to attain mutual benefit. Duiran was not
the one to dismiss this state, and full-on aggression was not a common
occurrence until very recent history.

What is curious to me, though, is the Spirean assumption that Duiran
must accept Spirean values or be labelled as being "tied to the old
ways," or that the council should alter its own beliefs to accomodate
those of another city. The beliefs of the Duiran council are its own,
and are uncompromising no matter who it is allied with. For a Spirean
Dhasan to demand Duiran change itself, while refusing to accept that
those values are what makes the council what it is, displays a
staggering amount of arrogance, for Duiran never demanded change out of
Spinesreach even once.

Dhasan Luna, you leave out one very important detail on your recount of
"revolutionist history", ironically enough. It was not until Bloodloch
declared upon Enorian did Duiran step to Enorian's aid. This has been a
long-standing treaty clause, well known to the former leaders of
Bloodloch and Spinesreach, that both Duiran and Enorian would defend the
other in the event of two cities declaring upon one. I can only presume
that in your zeal to staunchly tout the virtues of your city's
innocence, you merely overlooked this negligible fact.

Spinesreach, as it always has, looks after the interests of Spinesreach
and no other. Under the guise of 'research' and 'progress', it exerts
its own dogmatic will to denounce the beliefs and lifestyles of half an
entire continent - a continent filled with a diverse array of opinions,
morals, and cultures - provided the Lion does not agree with such
stances. "Progress... but only if you believe as we do!"

It is rare that I believe in penning history to paper in favor of
folklore, but the tragic failure of diplomacy this year has given me due
cause. My work is finished. Be it failure or triumph, knowledge or
propaganda, your decision as a citizen (wherever it may be) to accept or
to rebel is yours to make. I ask no one to take my word and nothing
more; learn for yourself the Truth behind all matters, after sweeping
past the weave of lies and ignorance shrouding it from view. It is the
only pillar that stands without the support of anything but itself; it
is by nature self-evident. Hold your leaders, as well as your peers,
accountable to what they have promised to you. Stand for something, even
if it means standing alone.

The Duiran Council is, as it always has and forever will be, a center
for life and for Spirit, the force behind all life. The world may change
and decay around the edges, earthquakes may shatter cities into rubble
and cause great volcanos to erupt from the earth; we will be there to
ensure it remains strong. The Duiran Council is a nation championed by
Freedom and governed with crystal-clear transparency.

But don't take my word for it - learn such Truths yourself.

- E. S. N.

Penned by my hand on the 24th of Lleian, in the year 360 MA.