Spinesreach,

When the Shadowguard was formed in 503 MA, the charter was clear and explicit indeed; that it is to be an organisation acting to coordinate the continent's response to any incursions to the Shadow Mother and any who aid Her.

When you spoke to me, I stated as much that there wwas nothing stated in the charter that the Empire would specifically be opposed to, simply that we will not take an official stance on membership in the Shadowguard. If our citizens desire to join the ranks to expand their knowledge and stand against Ohlsana, Whose incursion was increasingly possible due to Duiran's subjugation over the village of Sterion, then it is their personal choice. In weeks to come, what was feared was indeed what had come to pass - in swifter time than what it originally would have been.

It should not surprise you to know that the Empire chose to stand alone in the face of the inevitable threat. We have the wisdom of the Malevolent to draw upon, just as much as we have the experience of the Progenitor of Blood to fight with. The Grey Accords have also shown me that alliances built to unite the continent against a greater foe are simply attempts doomed to fail. Even if we were to share the same purpose, compromising on our ideals for the sake of survival - in the face of annihilation - speaks of desperation.

This week, Spinesreach has shown that in their hyperfocus to lead the great fight against the Shadow Mother, they are willing to lie in bed with those who have actively participated in countless acts of destruction against their city and murdered swathes of hoplites who faithfully fought to defend their home.

This week, Spinesreach has revealed that they would rather believe the words of the Beacon of Light, even when the voice of Vanguard Sryaen rang loud across Sapience, declaring how proud he was to feed the weapon in question to the rapacious grasp of Ohlsana's shadowrot than to see it claimed by the Empire for our own use.

This week, Spinesreach raised voices, weapons, and bodies against the Empire, we who have always done our duty as allies whenever our assistance was called upon, or otherwise. Yet, you have forgiven your enemies and invited them to walk freely upon your streets to repel the advancement of retaliatory forces you invoked from Bloodloch, forces you cannot withstand on your own.

Unfortunately, ruthless pragmatism has a limit, just as much as it has its own set of consequences.

Today, the City of Bloodloch formally severs its treaty with the City of Spinesreach.

Citizens of the North who still own a shop with the Empire are given three weeks to clear out their stockrooms, before repossession begins in earnest.

You know how to reach me, Inkh.

I am,
Tyrant Elene Arcan-Tetzauh

Penned by my hand on Tisday, the 1st of Severin, in the year 504 MA.