Mitrine and assorted allies,

Last week just before howling, to prove a point, we marched into your barracks and killed every soldier there. We left about sixty Ophidian soldiers there as a memento of the occasion. I realize that critical thinking and observations are not a strong point of whoever is in charge of your village, so I'll use plain language for the benefit of the person reading this missive to you. We own the Liruma. Your carts have been stopped more than they have been successful. You are entirely surrounded and your efforts to break out have failed, and will continue to do so.

To the leader of the village, or whoever makes decisions, you have two options. You can negotiate with the Ophidian Empire for peace now, or you can be buried. No one can save you.

To the people who are living, surrounded, who enjoy the luxury of not being a burnt corpse, their fields remaining unsalted, and their children not given to Bloodloch as tribute? I'll consider the severed head of Eles, or whoever's in charge over there, as a ceasefire and a request for a seat at the negotiating table for your surrender.

The Ophidian Empire has won, and you have lost.

In Strength,
Toz Aquila-Seirath, Strategos

Penned by my hand on Gosday, the 1st of Variach, in the year 475 MA.