Greetings Aetolia,

Everyone is going on and on about the burning of the forests by Alarmar
and Co. Many see this as a normal act to be taken as just another act of
war. Many feel this to be a heinous act of aggression beyond anything
done so far. I figured I'd give a few points that might enlighten those
who feel that such actions are just another part of wars.

First, I'd like to point out, that yes, in war, people use any and all
means to demoralize, as well as to stop their oponents.

Secondly, the burning of homes is a very common practice in warfare.

There you have the point of view for those who have no problems with the
decimation of the forests. Very valid point they are, but they're
missing some facts that I believe should be seriously taken to heart.

For one thing, in the burning of the forests, not only were the herbal
stocks seriously damaged, but many lost their homes.

Ashtan says this is an alright thing to do. Sure it is, unfortuneately
we can't set Ashtan on fire and burn the whole city to the ground in
response.

I don't see the city of Ashtan having to run about putting out fires. I
don't see the people of ashtan losing their homes, their livelihoods
(unless you count people not going there to shop, but hey, we all sold
herbs right?). So while Ashtan is perfectly fine with lighting people's
homes on fire, knowing full well their own were completely safe, they
pulled this act of vandalism.

Ashtan, home of the brave. yeah, right. Home of those who can not fight
by themselves. Home of those who do onto others who CAN'T do unto them.
Home of those who feel nice and safe destroying things of others,
knowing full well, that those who take the losses can not fight back.

In conclusion, the act of burning the forests has been nothing less than
the normal cowardly acts orchestrated by those who run the show in the
city of Ashtan. It was said that Ashtan took the RL into it's city to
stop them from burning forests. So, after RL left ashtan when they
weren't needed to fight anymore, why didn't the forests get burnt? Then
now, now that war has reached Ashtan's shores, they get RL to help them
fight their battles again and then burn the forests under the guise of
such petty excuses.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE.

Be well Sapience.

Penned by my hand on the 19th of Ios, in the year 124 MA.