Normally I do not comment on the political affairs of mortals, but this
situation is rather too juicy to miss, and I grow bored sitting in my
ivory tower polishing my fangs.

It is frankly amazing to me that the city of Ashtan would elect to power
members of a guild that dictate Guild above all, and enforce it so...
blatantly. It is interesting, for just about every organization insists
on having first loyalty given to it. This naturally brings about a wide
range of conflicts.

As it is, no Occultist should be a part of a city (unless it is an
Occultist-only city), nor should they belong to any Order (for every God
will demand loyalty to Him or Her above the pettiness of something such
as a guild), nor any other organization requiring true loyalty and
dedication (my own House included).

Of course, the whole situation is rather looking like several very power
hungry individuals sprouting the usual loyalty propaganda and other
pretty words in order to stifle any threat that may come knocking at
their door.

It is doubly interesting, since in my long time observing both people
and politics, it has become painfully obvious that those who scream
about loyalty the loudest are the ones who hold loyalty to nothing and
no one but themselves.

I just wish they would take a course in basic manipilation and at least
manage to do it with some style. As it is, the blatant and almost
humorous attempts are quite pathetic.

This almost makes me want to say to Ashtan to leave the rotting
framework to the rising tyrants, and let the house crash over their
heads. It will be nothing more and less than they deserve. Because
truly, active opposition will give them more power, active striving and
creating will give them more sustenance to exist upon. But leave such
power hungry mongrels to their own ends, and they will rot, for they
have no ability to make - only to take, use, and destroy what is the
property of others'.

But one thing everyone forgets... You've long since given them your own
sanction to do precisely what they are doing. They didn't come to power
of their own accord.

This concludes my brief political analysis. As a disclaimer, please note
that I do not give a Rajamalan's tail about either Ashtan or the
Occultists, and wrote this merely for my own amusement, as well as for
practical application of some theories I have been indulging myself in.
The accuracy and applicability of this analysis is up to you to decide.

Grand Duchess Silmarillion Bahir'an

Penned by my hand on the 15th of Variach, in the year 74 MA.