This post is directed to the populace of Shallam, but I pointed out Ahel
as I wish to respond to something. As many of you may know, I myself was
a citizen of Shallam for several decades, having served as an Ambassador
for the City for a time, as well as serving as a faithful defender of
Shallam's ideals and interests. I would still be there today, except for
the fact that the Shallam of today is not the same Shallam that I have
ever known. Change is necessary for all things, of course, but some of
the things going on in Shallam's leadership are downright shady.
Ahel, in Public 1598, you said, "IF Shallam, as a city, decides that
Niuri in an unfit patron for one of her Guilds and then Shallam, as a
city, decides to give the Sentaari the chance to change or leave....."
It continues, but I am not arguing the presence f one Matron or another.
I am arguing against the notion that Shallam acts as a city. If a City
is a small group of fascists that wish to control the populace and
everyhting within the walls, then it is. I have asked many citizens of
Shallam if there has ever been a referendum about the Sentaari issue.
There was not. I then asked if there was at least a City post. Again,
nothing. I doubt that had Olorin not mentioned what was going on in one
of his posts that anyone would be discussing it now. The only posts
about I heard of prior to now were Paladin posts. OF course, should you
look at Help Shallam, it is quite easy to see who runs Shallam.
Luminaries, Daru, and Paladins do. OF course, Fonzy is a Vizier, which
is refreshing, though I feel sure as long as the Magi enchantments keep
comingthat they will be in no danger regardless of their decisions.
People of Shallam, I implore you to take note of this situation. You may
feel it does not affect you, and it truly may not, this time, but if you
allow your elected offficials to make decisions concerning an entire
Guild without your consent or approval, then you may find yourself
facing all kinds of new sanctions or rules which you may or may not be
notified of. More than likely, the nepotist rulers of your City shall
enemy me for being some kind of threat. They will overlook all I have
done for the City in order to save face. They will barrage you with
Propaganda declaring my words and those of my ilk to be treasonous and
evil, most likely. Whatever causes you, as a populace, to continue to
mull about nodding automatically to whatever edicts are passed.
I am quite certain that I am not alone in this sentiment. I have spoken
to may Shallamites, who shall remain nameless for their safety, who feel
that the Council is corrupt, but have no idea what to do about it. I
don't have the answer either. But you must speak up and question
authority. Those Viziers are all there because they were voted in by the
voting majority to act, in good faith, for the betterment of Shallam and
its citizenry. Who is defining these descriptions and boundaries though?
Will you ultimately have a say? Whatever the answert to this and many
other questions, I can add what an old Rajamalan elder once told me. You
get what you settle for.
Thank you for your time,
Garador Demira

Penned by my hand on the 17th of Severin, in the year 119 MA.