To all Sapients,

With the recent hostilities arising in the Vashnars, involving the Aerie, the Empire of Bloodloch and the Council of Duiran, we - signatories of the Strategic Wedge against Excessive Encroachment Pact (SWEEP) - have convened to discuss the merits of the petition for membership that Satrap Aamiran has submitted on behalf of the Aerie.

SWEEP is a pact built upon both mutual strength and mutual defense, and we are not a charity. We require that each member state is able not only to defend themselves, but also be able to raise sufficient resources to aid other member states of the pact. We are a shield, yes - but a shield wall is only as strong as its weakest arm.

After a review by the collective sovereignties of the Ophidian Empire, the Holy Impire of Sehal, and the Undercity of Djeir, we have been unable to arrive at a unanimous vote to admit the Aerie into SWEEP. The chief disagreement arising from our deliberations is that, while we acknowledge the Aerie deserves protection from the aggression of both the Empire of Bloodloch as well as the Council of Duiran, they possess neither the martial nor strategic capacity to contribute to our collective defense. Consequently, they would likely become a significant drain on our resources, and the member states of SWEEP cannot indefinitely fund the defense of a settlement unable to stand as an equal partner.

In doing so, we set the precedent that no hamlet or village facing aggression may simply hide behind the shield wall of SWEEP unless they possess the martial strength to stand as equals, or offer equivalent strategic or economic value.

However, let it be understood that this decision is strictly referring to the collective obligations of our defensive pact. This ruling does not preclude individual signatories from exercising their sovereignty to extend their own aid or resources to the Aerie, should they choose to act independently of the Pact.

The petition is hereby declined; the Aerie stands alone.

On behalf of Emperor Pa'akth, the Ophidian Empire, and all members of SWEEP:

I am,
Empress Agra.


Penned by my hand on Falsday, the 4th of Omeian, in the year 16 AC.