Let me try this again. My purpose was to attempt to open an intelligent
discussion of an issue which, while not a particularly 'hot' topic for
me, is apparently of burning importance to others. My point was neither
to condemn nor to condone any practice (such as hunting sapient races)
nor to condemn nor condone any course of action which some (for example
Yhog) have pursued in their efforts to discourage this practice.

I got some very strange responses from people, privately, because many
were extremely upset about the approach that Yhog had used in attempting
to protect the Trolls of Hashan. Since I took a diplomatic approach,
attempting to recognize his concerns without condemnation, many
apparently assumed that I was condoning his methods, which including
defiling shrines and making threats.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, I was responding to
this troublesome situation with an attempt to offer more effective
options. It is clear that Yhog's actions aroused only anger and outrage,
rather than sympathy for his cause, and my hope was to open a more
fruitful discussion and offer a way to get things on a more productive
course for all concerned.

Now then, Colt is a clansman of mine and I am on friendly terms with
him, as well as with those who took exception to his post. It was both
sad and ironic to see the discussion immediately degenerate into an
exchange of personal insults, rather than a discussion of the actual
topic at hand, and it appears to be more evidence that feelings (and
tempers) are running high where this issue is concerned.

Rather than offer another lengthy post which attempts to instruct the
entire world in the principles of logical debate (thank you for the
attempt, Omeg), I will just offer the suggestion that we attempt to
avoid one of the most obvious logical fallacies, which is appealing to
personal considerations rather than to logic or reason. In other words,
please address the arguments, not the personality (for good or ill) of
the person who made them.

That being said, I would like to look at a few points from Colt's post.
My guess is that he expressed some fairly common biases, so in
addressing these perhaps I will be addressing some general sentiments in
Sapience. To quote: 'there are plenty that get along with not hunting
and instead spend their time [doing other things]...' Yes, Colt, there
are, but you see -my- post was made by someone who knows the concerns of
hunters better than most.

Another quote: 'But recently those have felt they can hinder someones
choice of lifestyle because it goes against something they hold dearly.'
Perhaps Colt has been frustrated in the past by others who attempted to
address this issue, but my post is coming from a true hunter's
perspective. I believe a quick glance at my honors will relieve anyone
of any notion that I am some armchair philosopher, attempting to dictate
policy to those who are out in the field doing the actual hunting.

I have never attempted to dictate ethics to anyone, but have merely
followed my own ethical standards. Many of my friends hunt sapient races
of all kinds, and I do not judge them. Frankly, I think this is more due
to expediency (in other words, lack of suitable quarry for the growing
number of avid hunters in the world) than to their personal code of
ethics, but I do not blame or condemn them.

Still, since this is an area of passionate concern for some, and also
touches on an area of potential scholarship for many, I felt it
appropriate to open an investigation and discussion of the role of
sapient races in Sapience. The Open University of Sapience (see CLANHELP
UNIVERSITY) now hosts a department dedicated to sapient races and
cultures, for the sake of all who wish to participate in any
(respectful) capacity.

Two more quotes: 'The Mhun Enlightenment has said that if you seek to
hunt then do, but know about them before you do.' and: 'As a Sentinel, I
have searched Lord Haerns ways and found that in order to hunt a prey,
you must first understand it.' Yes, Colt, that was precisely my point.
How well do any of us know the races we hunt? Have you, personally, made
any real effort to understand the history and culture of your quarry, or
are they just convenient targets?

You see, I have this idealistic belief, sometimes despite all evidence,
that by being self-honest and exploring the issues with an open mind, we
arrive at useful conclusions and make better decisions for all
concerned. Laugh if you will. And my suggestion, to all who are
concerned about this issue from any perspective, is that we become more
conscious and better informed about what we are doing.

Unless one consciously chooses a chaotic or evil path (which would be
consistent with killing indiscriminately), one has some sort of
standards by which one makes choices. So I am asking, for your own
reflection if not for public discussion: where do YOU draw the line, and
why? If you hunt Mhun, why not Rajamalans? If you hunt Trolls, why not
Tsol'aa? What is the deciding factor for you, and how did you choose
where to place that dividing line between legitimate prey and "off
limits" for your personal hunting?

In my younger days I knew a paladin who would hunt villagers. This
seemed odd to me, but stranger still was that she would slay all the men
and women in the village while fastidiously sparing the children. For
her, this met some inner criterion and apparently her conscience was, if
not at ease, at least reasonably quiet. I never did ask her why she felt
that leaving all the village children orphans was kinder than killing
them...

So yes, Colt, let us understand our prey. I repeat the invitation made
in my earlier post, for all interested parties to come forward and offer
any information they may have on the history and cultures of sapient
races. I repeat my invitation for all thinking beings to reflect on what
they consider legitimate prey, and why. And I repeat my invitation for
all of us to keep to a higher standard of courtesy and good sense when
addressing these and other matters on the public boards.

Thank you, all of you, for reading this carefully and with open minds.

Penned by my hand on the 17th of Chakros, in the year 153 MA.