The alliance against Ashtan has learned a number of things. We've
learned that, no matter how many things should turn against us, and how
often reality waivers and folds, we can defeat Ashtan. We have conquered
it, and we have captured it entirely, and we have held it. We learned
that we can defeat the people who still stand, nominally, in defense of
Ashtan, when we stand together. But we also learned that we cannot
destroy Ashtan; the only means available to do that has turned out to be
beyond reach at the present time.

Therefore, several months ago, the Deepwater Alliance began
re-evaluating its plans and redeploying its resources to achieve its new
objectives. We are now ready to announce these new plans.

Ashtan has changed, though not by the means I would have chosen, but
still for the better. Most of those good-hearted citizens that were
mired in its muck have left. A few might return, but most will not, now
that they've been given such plain opportunities to see the true colors
of the "leaders" of Ashtan, and what they stand for. This, for now, will
have to do.

More changes will come. Our troops have already long since withdrawn,
save for minor holding actions, thus ceding the city by default. We will
now declare an end to the war and complete our withdrawal, offering
terms of peace to Ashtan. These terms will specify further changes to
Ashtan: to its government, to its physical structure, to the way it
functions. These changes will ensure that Ashtan has the chance to grow,
to change, to
prosper.

I urge the remaining people of Ashtan to consider this opportunity
wisely. You have been given more opportunities than you could have hoped
and lost them. Do not lose this one as well; it may well be the last.

Penned by my hand on the 11th of Severin, in the year 126 MA.