Mayhaps it is time that someone of a certain age, that can remember the
entire history of the conflict that has reared its head up once more,
sheds light upon the subject. I am certaintly old, and in my many years
I have fought for three cities, Ashtan, Spinesreach and now Bloodloch.
During my time in each city I was privy to important information,
information that might make you remember some things you have
purposefully forgotten.

In the early days Ashtan was a powerful city, with three guilds calling
it home. The Infernals, Occultists and Shadowsnakes made sure the city
deserved the name of the Bastion of the North. I was young when I was
elected Archon, and I was full of hope that the City could be helped.
During my years in power, I worked with many Overseers full of ideas to
change the City. However, underlying tensions arose between the Guilds
as seemingly the Occultists ruled the City with sheer numbers. This
caused the Infernal Guild to leave to Bloodloch, though I fought against
it. The City could not care less about that loss, the leaders did not
seek to make amends that would have benefited both parties.

Under similar circumstances the Shadowsnakes left, and even when the
Occultists decided to leave not that long ago, nothing was done. Ashtan
went from being a city of renown, to being a city were nothing was ever
done. Sure, we managed to build an Arena, but only a handful of members
helped create it. Ashtan dwindled in power and strength, and then
Bloodloch chose to take advantage of it.

I was Minister of War of Ashtan when Bloodlock invaded, I maintained
that position even though I was nearly outguilded for aiding Ashtan. The
City incredibly managed to stem the tide of the Hordes of Undead, and in
time it threatened Bloodloch itself. I do not recall exactly who bought
the RL first, but what is true is that in that war Spirokai and Co.
traded owners more times than a woman working in the Shallam brothels.
They fought for Ashtan, and more importantly they fought for Bloodloch
as well. For the gold, the experience, and basically the chance to kill.

Ashtan was forced to capitulate, not because of my choice, but because
the citizens and the Overseer wished to end the fighting. They lost the
Rock to Bloodloch, and Ashtan went down into lethargy once more. Years
passes in which nothing happened, the RL had long since left both cities
and had gone dormant, as tends to happend between conflicts. Then, as
Archon of Ashtan, we disussed recovering the lost land. It was agreed
that the time to strike Bloodloch was near. Urged by Zahmekoses, who
wished nothing more that to weaken two cities in one blow to make room
for the City of Spires, the then Overseer Gracie replaced me as War
Minister for Zahmekoses and struck at Bloodloch.

Battle was joined, once more. I fought for Ashtan, though I was angered
at the lack of planning and coordination of the War leaders. The
fighting became stagnant once more, and the RL offered their services to
the highest bidder. Ashtan bought them, the coffers of both cities ran
low and nothing was achieved. The war ended, with Ashtan becoming a husk
of a husk, a shadow of what was already a shadow. I was accused of
treason for liberating NoT, an act that happened because I was under the
affliction of stupidity while fighting off members of the Bloodloch
Militia. The Divine later revealed I had been correct, but Ashtan would
never be a place worthy of fighting for again.

I joined Spinesreach, became Minster of War, and saw how the City of
Spires rose to incredible power in short time. It conquered a lot of
land, signed treaties and waited. I then left, because I had been
elected Guildmaster of the Infernals and had to lose all other loyalties
except to the Guild. Bloodloch became my home, and now I fight against
the decay of Ashtan.

No matter how many times the leaders of Ashtan tried to work for it, the
citizens did not support them. Apathy was rampant in the streets, only a
handful of people, most of them long gone, some even dormant worked hard
for it. I sacrificed almost everything for Ashtan, and now I have to
admit that it was a waste of time. Nothing would be better than to see
that city crushed, or under the controll of some that might restore it
to its old glory.

I find it humorous that the so called heroes of Ashtan are really people
who have played both sides for personal profit all along. They once
walked across the city slaughtering its true defenders, defenders that
have long since given up on what has become an empty shell.

My axes now batter down the Gates of what once my City and I do not
regret seeing them fall.

Elder Knight, Arslen Ohmsford, Valorous Wolf

Penned by my hand on the 15th of Lanosian, in the year 123 MA.