Dear citizens, and wanderers of Sapience,

First off, an apology. I entered the realm this very month with every
intention of forever forsaking the diplomatic approach I have always
preferred to take over bloodshed. Outraged by heated words of some of
my foes (who seem to believe my always getting "their" side of the
story, and informing them of problems vs. just killing first and asking
questions later is in some way weakness), I was fully prepared to do
the latter for the rest of my life. I can not do that. In a moment of
weakness I nearly succumbed, but honor drives my life far more than
anger. You know who you are, and I pity you. Foolish you are to
believe for a moment it would not be far easier for me to let my
swords be my law, and not give a second thought to the other side of
every dispute. I have strived through my life to be a good listener
to almost everyone, friend or foe. My friends, and even many of my
enemies know this. It is a pity you do not. Enough of this though.

Other thoughts in relation to the topic prevalent among the news these
days I wished to share. Lady Chakrasul has spoken of embracing the
corruption within each of us. I do not doubt it exists. I do not
doubt giving way to it would be all too easy. Personally, I hear the
words of an old proverb spake to me long ago, so long I've forgotten
the source. "That man who would attempt to overcome the corruption
within his soul and fail, is infinitely more successful than he who
would not try to do so, and succeed." Perhaps the odds are indeed
stacked against success. Regardless of the ease of surrender though
the tales of glory worth repeating for generations to come have always
and will continue to be with they who continue the fight when all hope
seems gone, and kept fighting even with their dying breathe. Giving
in, accepting the world as it is, and not believing what it can
become.... ahhh those are the tales of valor soon forgotten, if ever
repeated to begin with.

My own path may fail, but whether it does or not, I will always fight
for and believe in a better world, rather than accepting the flaws,
the foibles, and yes, even the corruption of this world as it is. A
dream it may be, but dreams are the building blocks of legends. It is
the dreams of what can be that make life bearable. Which path will
be yours?

Sir Alcor of Aalen

Penned by my hand on the 7th of Lleian, in the year 112 MA.