Savages who callously discarded their charge for Jokash to defile as it pleased, hypocrites who begged for help from those who nearly sank their city, and bandits with delusions of strength who can only steal from others.

None of you are fit to judge Spinesreach.

Through Artifice, the Dragon of the North did what none of you could. Two Shadow Generals perished under our science. Sky Dreaming and Lady Chakrasul proved Themselves greater than Ohlsana's pawns, as befits Divine of Their stature and infinite glory, but what have the rest of you accomplished?

The Maelstrom nearly destroyed Themselves failing to defeat one Shadow General.

The Hunter and the Underking are only as strong as one Shadow General between the two of Them.

Bloodloch managed to achieve some measure of relevance by relying on Mother's affection, I suppose. The Empire is good at taking credit for the work of others, if nothing else.

You will all Despair, as I knew you would, and you will march to war. Spinesreach will accept it. Your efforts are irrelevant. In time, you will understand our necessity and come begging for our help. After all, you have shown so many, many times how little your principles matter to you.

All that can be corrupted are corrupt, and Malice is best turned inwards first. Once you have destroyed all that you hate about yourselves and shed your embarrassing hypocrisy, I will be there to lead you into the Spiral. It is the least I can do, for those who seek enlightenment.

You are correct, Tyrant. Mother does favour Bloodloch, and you are fortunate for it, as I don't see how you could have existed this long without Her. But this is all entirely your fault. I was content to stay in a quiet laboratory, pursuing research for the least amount of effort. It was efficient. I blatantly abused my authority and suspended our laws to accommodate our envoys from Bloodloch and allow our research to continue uninterrupted. You repaid me my concealing research that should have been mine. Research I wanted. At that moment, I understood. Efficiency is stable, but it isn't enough.

Only indiscriminate Malice produces worthwhile data.

You see the results now.

Spinesreach desired all the ylem in the world, so we took it. That is all.

Spinesreach is done tolerating you. All of you. Your tedious whining. Your inane expectations. Your commitment to igorance.

Play out your tantrum and come crawling back to us for help once you're done, as you always have.

Artifice triumphed.

Growth triumphed.

Might triumphed.

All of you have failed.

That is all.

Ever downwards,
- Legyn, Architect of Progress

Penned by my hand on Kinsday, the 22nd of Severin, in the year 505 MA.