An Open Letter

Once such rollicking exchanges would be torn from their nails but since his lordship requests an open forum of opinion, I would be remised within my role to not to state a few facts, observations, and perceived trends, Supporting Outlaws is an interesting precedent in Sovereign law. It is interesting to hear tell of the Rogues Guild flaying enemies of the state in public without sovereign judgement. It lacks cohesion with any recorded instance of Kormyrian law dating back to the time of the Empire. It is a daring tactic- Creating an environ of "interventional mercy and rehabilitation" where senior judicial agents have flagged from well over 35 to less then 5 within these past few years. It has proven to be an interesting transition in this militant period. Guards and Inquisitors unable to act without bottomless reprisal has created a far more hands-on-environment for his lordship to dole whatever justice he finds sufficient.

That being said, without irony, the war was a triumph. Few could complain about its result save for the thralls of Gaalderon, and the subjects of Troy who now lay silent. There is a gleaming kingdom upon this horizon, beautiful, endless, and terrible. The law must be governed by a sovereign with the vision to guide it, and once overseen must be beyond these petty accusations or the whims of random courtiers. Marcain's commander reports he was gone within half the span of his sentence- off to handle business in Coast Haven. This type of mercy is a common one under this restorative justice. Written above is how it pays off for those that grant it. Agents of neutral law were once part of a system that lays enervated- secondary to the wishes of this radiant new kingdom of mercy, peace, and favor.

Discussions of Philosophical Opinion amongst the high courts of a stained bar top is a waste of tax coin. Like most discussions of relative concepts, it is pedantic, serving primarily sophists and demagogues, but rarely the farmer, nor the soldier, nor the alderman. Sieve the world down through the finest sieve and you will find not one iota of Justice, nor mercy. In what you can see with your eyes, and feel with your hands you can observe order, or discard what is found to entropy.

Whatever his grace wishes I shall honor within my capacity as an agent of the state until I am released from service to Kormyre and its Laws,

In Service to the Crown, Magistrate R.T.

‘Restorative Justice’. I have no idea what sort of ridiculous sentiment that is. Give us the decency of telling us outright, that the guilty become your servants, to use as you see fit. Restorative Justice, but only if it serves your purposes.

The life I took was not innocent. Hell, you even complimented me. Told me it was the smartest thing that happened in that shipwreck of a situation. Yet I was not given a hollow sentence, then offered tutelage, nor pardoned, despite that fact you admitted my actions helped you. No, because I acted outside of your plans, I was conscripted to fight your war, and serve as your propaganda piece. And the moment I stepped out of line, I was reprimanded. I had to beg, month to month, for allies, for people with more power and resources than I, to assist me, if I had any chance at surviving. You had me begging for my life for months. Not to mention the lives of those I was made to lead. I am no soldier. I am not a wartime tactician. You are damn well lucky I was able to find the support of those able to actually lead the troops I raised for your war effectively, or they might’ve all died with me. Their blood would’ve been on your hands, Warlord, all for the sake of you sending a message to your enemies, and me serving a six-month sentence tied to a glorified culling post. I thought those were only meant to last an hour, and then the debt was repaid? More importantly, what part of that was meant to be ‘restorative’?

Now, I am Valosian. I understand the need for Law. I believe in Justice, above all. I believe in redemption. I believe that there is an exact price that needs to be paid for one’s wrongdoing. I also believe we are not beings capable of ever being able to determine that truly exact price. But for the sake of the gods, you could at least try to be consistent. Force me to publicly torture someone, then leave me for dead in the Demon Burrows because I killed the man who murdered my family at an inconvenient time for you. You haven't exactly given me a reason to believe in you as a leader.

I’m not quite sure what I’m hoping to accomplish here. But as long as we’re giving examples of the strange, unequal system of law we have, here’s one more to toss on the pile.

-Marcain

To my Lady,

I do have a question regarding the legalities behind the first situation that Seth mentioned. And some of this might come from my limited knowledge of the situation. But from Seth’s description, it sounds like an innocent prisoner was killed during the war; by the very nature of this Civil War, unless the prisoner were a subject of Gaaldron or New Gaaldron, would that prisoner not be protected under our laws as a subject of Kormyre? The laws that state punishments for harming and murdering of subjects of Kormyre. Wouldn’t those laws supersede the lack of rules of engagement at that time in the war?

Respectfully,

Dr. Selby Wainwright

Viceroy of Albriar

Seth,

I do think redemption is achievable, but I also think you are correct in your statements on redemption. Nothing a person does can truly absolve them of cold blooded murder.

- Amhrán

Eden. To me Justice is equality. A punishment fitting the crime. The argument of what punishment is fitting for what severity has caused quite a bit of arguments. The one I hold true, If you were to kill, murder, or otherwise cause the death of one who was not deserving then you should be sent to the other side as well. If the soul you sent cannot come back, I believe your punishment should be worse. As for what happened in Coast Haven, you do not need to apologize. The Eden which did that is no more. I have no reason to hide it from you. Find me and we can speak on it. -Seth

Dear Big Sister, Seth, and Lord Aleister,

What is the difference between restorative justice and punitive justice? What does performative justice mean? I've also heard the term "justice" talked about around this town a lot since I came to live here, especially from people who revere Valos, but I think it means different things to different people. What does it mean to you? Thank you for helping me to understand.

To Seth,

I'd like to speak to you about what happened in Coast Haven the next time I see you. I want to apologize for what happened, but I don't remember it. It's not really an apology if I don't know what happened, how I wronged you, because then I can't truly make amends. If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay, too. It's not my right to expect you to owe me your story. I only ask because I never, ever want to let such things happen again. I hope to understand.

Sincerely,

Eden Heimdell

Lt. Allyce,

I have not been in the proper the last week, and have no knowledge of any recent deaths. What is transcribed here is a list of events that have transpired long ago. I am sorry if this is confusing. I am attempting to write in a professional manner, but it only makes me to use words beyond my ken. If there is any confusion, I will try and clear the matter plainly.

Amhran,

You are correct in assuming I meant that mercy is cruel when it is given to the cruel. However, whether your are right or wrong about it being a tool for the guilty, I cannot say.

I don't know much about redemption, and I am not sure if it can ever be truly attained. The idea that saving 100 innocent lives after cruelly murdering 1 absolves you of guilt doesn't ring true for me. It doesn't sit right. That one will never again regain what was lost. Can good actions truly erase bad? Will that mother ever clutch her son again? Will that girl ever hold her brother? Will the deliverance of a town make up for the butchering of a child?

I argue no. I argue that justice, punishment, and even revenge are all that can truly repay evil. If redemption does exist, then I believe it can only be achieved after the justice has taken place. It is the climb back up to grace after the punishment has knocked you down. In the case of death, I suppose only those lucky enough to come back are able to achieve redemption.

If there is such a thing as redemption I do believe Khala is attempting to make her way towards it with whatever steps she is able. But she has been robbed of that first initial step. The punishment was taken from her. Whether or not that punishment was ever intended to be harsh, lies in the fault of those who announced it to Travance.

This open letter, however, is not about that. It is not about her crime. It is about the usurpation of her punishment. Outlawry lasting a few minutes is not Outlawry. Outlawry lasting a month is not Outlawry. Laws that are set are constantly undone by those who set them, and this can no longer be.

Lady Albriar,

No, I have not forgotten Coast Haven. Nor Eden. Nor have I forgotten you dying mere inches from me at the hands of Abel. Eden and I had a deal, she had not become an enemy of Travance until after that deal was completed. She, unfortunately, only made good on her end of the bargain after she had attacked her father. If you want more specifics I can share them.

I do not agree with your compliments, but your words I must admit have sound judgement.

Punishment need not be performative, when the crime is not performative. When the crime has affected the commonfolk, and the edict is issued out to the populace aloud--then yes it must be performative. You cannot claim one thing and do another.

As to your question on what to do next--I must admit this is may come across as more conjecture than fact. I know what is wrong, I know what is evil, I know what is unjust, and I know what should never be excused. However, what is "good" has often alluded me. I find those who claim to be righteous, especially those in charge, tend to be far from it when it comes to them and theirs. Though, there are exceptions to every rule.

I am no master of government and have never claimed to be. But, firstly I would re-examine your punishments and laws. They seem to be clinging to a bygone age, and while you have improved them in cases, situations as this still lag behind.

You and Aleister, and many others, have claimed that rehabilitation be your game. Then why does it feel as a reward and not something fit for a crime? Make it official and withdraw from it the lattice and lace. Servitude as punishment. I am not a writer of law, but if this is what you believe is the greatest and most helpful reaction to a clearly sizable group of miscreants, then this course of action seems obvious. Perhaps consider it in the service to the barony. Guard duty seems misguided, but work that is in need of doing. They should not reap the benefits of a lack of punishment. Keep them busy with hard labor, menial tasks, or even lock them away while simultaneously attempting to instill your morals with which you believe can take hold of them.

But still punish them. Take something from them. Be it material, wealth, an arm, freedom or the ability to even speak perhaps. Officiate this. Do not make it a friendly gesture. Make it a harsh punishment. With every smile you give the perpetrator, you drive a knife into the neck of the victims and those who suffered. If rehabilitation is a must, then it should not be kind, it should be effective and cruel.

My grievances are the undermining of the law, and the man who seems to be in charge continually doing it.

I was there, sword in hand, facing and screaming at Ib ready to strike him down when Aleister pardoned him. Aleister personally told me to stand down. I was there when Aleister revealed his agents. I was removed from the Inquisition for getting in their way.

Time and time again, these things are told to be dropped. People like me are told to stop, to let the "nobles handle it." To let Aleister handle it. That they will be dealt with later, that they will get their due justice in the future. But it seems that this town only responds to kicking and screaming. And so, that my disapproval does not fall on deaf ears or blind eyes--well, you have read the posting to this point already.

Do not hold your punishment for long, do not quell those who cry for justice with the promise that never comes. Instill a law against undermining the law. Instill a law that to undo or to change a punishment and sentencing, the council must meet and decide together. And then the decision must be made publicly. Do not promise to deliver one thing and then deliver another. Be loud with your plans, and do not hold all to subterfuge, 'lest you create dissidence and continue to foster a lack of trust in this government.

When Lord Blackthorne left, I was oft the only Alisandrian in the proper. I was invited to the nobles meetings and councilette time and time again. I was offered a vote but no formal voice. And yet without fail every time all eyes fell to Aleister. He coached and pushed forth all. A Lord, like any other sitting there, sat above.

This same Lord is the old friend who has taken criminals under his wing, in his imprudent attempt at mercy or to gain a servant. The same Lord is the one who has all but officially undone the outlawry in this most recent case.

The man whom runs this place, even though he is a Warlord technically stationed far from our borders. He has been here for years, running the place in the open. It seems as if the lot of you barely attempt to hide it.

If the council deems him worthy to lead, then petition him to be placed in the spot. Or have him removed, and return him to be but a commoner as the rest of us. This behavior of claiming to be one amongst the others, yet always a step above breeds malcontent. I do not claim to be noble in cause, but this cannot continue.

So to the council of and nobles Travance;

You know that this man leads you. Elevate him, or remove him. Be loud with your decisions, and follow through.

Yes, you are correct. Thank you Gabriel.

- Amhrán

Evil 'grows' even when the world is getting better. Don't ever make the mistake of thinking otherwise.

-Gabriel

Lady Lois,

I believe what Seth meant regarding mercy is that being merciful to the cruel is in fact cruel to those truly deserving of mercy. Or maybe that's me projecting my views on him because I find myself in agreement with him. Either way, no, mercy is not a tool for the guilty

Redemption can not be give, it can only be earned. It only comes when people right the wrongs they've committed. If that is not done, atonement is impossible. And even then it's not enough to simply atone for your misdeeds, if that is all you do you're not a good person, you're a responsible one. The good one does should outweigh the wrongs they've committed tenfold. I know these are high standards, but neutrality doesn't make the world better, it keeps it the same. And when things are staying the same and not getting better, then it allows evil to grow and plot its schemes.

Tom, you hit the nail right on the head.

- Amhrán Briste-Laoch

Na Biodh Eagal Air Olc, Buaidh No Bàs

Seth,

For the sake of those of us who were busy before- are you saying someone was killed this past week? If so, I would like to have the record of that. And who did it.

- Allyce

My Dear Seth,

I excel at a great many things, not the least of which is finding the things that will make you, specifically you, angry and keep you up at night. Did you really think I let your former betrayal of the town to the demiurge slide for the sake of sweeping things under the rug? Did you really think that I truly believed being used and dumped in a Coast Haven back alley by her was punishment enough? I learned torment from the best; once you see how you can sear a soul without laying a finger on the body that houses it, the options for punishment become so much more varied and, dare I say, fun. It was certainly fun to watch you stomp off after I cleared you. I got what both Travance needed at the time and I wanted from that little stint of yours; you did what Travance needed done, and now Travance has a passionate defender of justice.

Or must all punishment be performative? If justice is the goal, why must it be tailored so that all can see? Sometimes, we are lucky and justice dispensed can be seen. Sometimes, we are not so lucky, and then we who dole out punishments must choose: Do we pick what can be seen, or do we pick what is right?

Mercy may indeed be one of the most cruel things out there. On that, you and I are agreed. I heard it said, once, that the good are innocent and create justice; the bad are guilty, which is why they invent mercy.

You turned out to be exactly what I'd hoped: a good person. I am glad you are here, because I need a strong counterpoint.

So, Counterpoint, the situations you have brought up are long over. What would you suggest be done now about any of them? Or are you just looking for a promise to do better next time?

Lois,

Quick to shut down. Clever words always ready to sweep things under the rug so that they can be dealt with behind close doors away from prying eyes. You really should have been Baron. But I guess Lady who picks up the slack for those who can't is something you can excel at that also.

If your argument is a necromancer who committed crimes was slain and Aleister is trying to avoid that by teaching the next generation; then why is the punishment being entirely skirted? How soon was Khala scooped up under his wing. How quickly was her sentence nullified? A month? Two? The status of Outlaw is supposed to be for life and yet she did not serve her punishment for even a full season before her new Lord indentured her.

All you are doing, Lois, is proving my point. Aiding and abetting a criminal and bypassing the law and just punishment for the sake of the "moral high ground" is exactly the issue here. Mercy, as I sure many view it, is less Just than punishment. Mercy is not mercy to the victim. You are enabling cruelty.

Khala has had her ability to perform Rituals stripped. However, why was Outlaw added to this? If it was just to appease the common folk and then be quietly (or obviously) upended by a mainland benefactor in our eastern province, then the law is a farce meant to control those who do not directly aid the governing forces. Then you view yourselves as above the law.

As for you Aleister,

Restorative Justice is well and fine as long as Justice is actually dealt. You cannot mend the world with your bleeding heart by asking everyone to serve you.

If the lot of you are operating that any of the crimes I have brought up are first offenses then you are willfully ignoring cases in which you yourself were part of. The people I have named here are not the issue. This isn't about Khala. This is not about Ib. This is about the law being set and then skated around. This is not the first time an innocent was murdered by a Travancian, nor was it the first time an experimenter, ritualist, or alchemist has endangered the lives of the common folk. This is also not the first time crimes like these were pushed aside for the sake of convenience. And yet I read words of attempting to guide, I read words of redemption.

Justice that is convenient to the perpetrator is not Justice.

Justice that is convenient to the governing forces is not Justice.

The idea that you're doing all you can by trying to reform criminals without first punishing them is telling of the way you hope to be treated when your actions finally catch up with you.

Serr Tom Bell has the right of it, said in a metaphor that is far more plain to understand than any of the words I, or the rest of you have written here.

You do not need Count Winterdark's permission to state to the public your intention of rule. What if Count Winterdark does not awaken? It has been around a year, has it not? Knowing your intentions of governing these people is not only necessary but it would behoove you to state this clearly so that we may plan our course of action.

Aleister,

You claim to have a sordid history of which you are attempting to redeem yourself from.

Did history ever catch up, or did something make you believe that you were absolved of your crimes?

Is Justice still coming for you?

Strictly Upon the Subject of Magi, Wizards (of both lightning and standard variety), Hexxers, Shamans, Blightspinners, "Witchcrafters", Necrodabblers, and All Other Means and Methods of God-Bothery,

I write now because of a far from unusual thing I happened upon the other day, but I'll jaw on about that more later,

There is an old issue in this- in that it is far from confined to his Lordship (as much as he may or may not help the practice). It is an old notion that has carried on since the first wagon rolled over Travancian mud. Even a young wizard is powerful. Packs of adventurers like that power, and they have a use for it. Now adventurers love bread, beer, cheese, and meat but where it comes from- most pay no nevermind- and there's always more small folk hopping off the back of the wagon to replace any they lose. To get more power the Wizard tells their new friends and lieges they gotta' dabble. That that other time they dabbled was a one time slip up- and not just the first slip up they happened to notice. Now this isn't true. It's one of them old Travancian swindles- Most wizards can become passable with talent, a head for it, and (rarest) patience. Since the Weave got snapped around- they can make their practices dangerous only to themselves. No ones down by the beach yelling at the stars no more.

In the meantime it always seems a pity that the scores of innocent people who die in the crossfire of these "honest but misguided attempts" never get to see what passable dabblers their fellow subject becomes. If "Roger" invents himself a crossbow that seems to kill peasants every time he fires it- but he promises not to fire it at villagers anymore- you typically don't give him archery lessons. You'd likely want Roger to stop touching crossbows all together. It always strikes me as silly that anyone is surprised that when, a few years later- fellows like Roger turn themselves into some kind of immortal man-crossbow golem and begin terrorizing the countryside. You ain't gotta' go so far back as Apollo Abin-whatever to find "Roger"s building their crossbow-suits and testing them out. I'm all for people being taught the right way to do things- whatever those things may be, but I am tired beyond letters of "Rogers".

Funny enough, just the other day I met myself a "shade-lich-ghost" thing standing about the Inn. It came as little surprise when I learned that he too had a long and colorful history of murdering farmers and was being assisted by well meaning townsfolk in mending some damage he had done by jamming something into healing magics or some such. Another one of them' "honest attempts" I'd imagine. To the credit of those who were helping and protecting such a critter, he did say something to the equivalent of "My bad. If this doesn't send me to Eodra I'll sit down for a trial when this is settled". I'm guessing he got what he wanted and now he's off- right where he planned to be. I know the farmers he ran aground of aren't where they planned on being today.

Dictated But Not Read,

Serr Thomas Bell

Ratcatcher General

Rabzara,

You are not out of line. It seems the posting went missing when the old board was destroyed. I will ensure they are posted here again.

Dear esteemed readers, especially those of noble bearing

Please forgive my ignorance, and perhaps also my lack of notice, and I do hate to distract from these proceedings most vital, but I can't help but have a difficulty finding these rules of engagement that both Lady Heimdell and Warlord Demirosz mention.

Are these codified rules available for the viewing of all people of Travance? If so, where am I missing them? If not, shouldn't they be added to the document posted here of the laws of the land?

Again, if I am out of line, or if I am just missing what is in plain sight, please forgive me and set me aright, but I feel that this is information that ought be present and able to be read and abided by.

Thank you so much for your valued time,

Rabzara Windfall

I will keep this brief so there is no confusion. What Ib did was not illegal. It was immoral and unethical and I wholly condemned his actions. In order to appease the parties who felt slighted by his actions, I placed a geas upon him until the Count and I could implement the terms of engagement, making those actions illegal. Action was taken. The law was amended. Khala was outlawed for her crimes against the barony, however, I do not believe in punitive justice. I believe in restorative justice, especially when the crime comes from places of ignorance and foolishness. So when discussing the matter with the Count, I volunteered to guide Khala both in ethical practice and mystical to ensure the situation does not ever occur again. I openly offer education regularly to anyone, but few take the offer. It is not my responsibility who chooses to accept these invitations. Previously missions regarding espionage, by more than even just myself and those I employ, were done so with such secrecy it was impossible to tell who was involved. This was brought up as a problem to the great council and a system was implemented to resolve it. This has been resolved. I will admit my previous failure to handle it correctly, but action was taken to correct this. I treat heroes with no more regard than anyone else, and offer the same recourse of a chance to be a better person to every pirate, bandit, or anyone who chooses to surrender to the law. I offer them chance for redemption because I was not given one, and had to fight for mine. If these answers are unsatisfactory to you, then you are free to talk with me in person. Until then, lets not turn this into a back and forth debate on paper and allow others to voice their own feelings.

In Service to the Crown,

Lord Admiral Aleister Demirosz

Warlord of Kormyre

Lord Admiral of the Royal Navy

A heady brew to wake up to, Seth. You are as succinct as I am.

I won't argue the basic premise of your treatise here. These are situations that call for further scrutiny. You know that the Warlord and I rarely, if ever, see eye to eye - our debates are practically an Aguaran mass - so it is my hope you will read what I am about to write with that in mind.

In these three instances, Aleister is in the clear.

In the first, no laws or rules or engagements existed at the time. While I condemn the act that was performed, there was nothing illegal about it. Aleister condemned it, too, and this was what led to the proclamation of the rules of engagement so that actions such as that would not be able to escape punishment in the future. However, as there was no such law at the time the act was committed, as nobles of Travance our hands were tied. We uphold the law, not our own personal senses of justice. Our desire for justice may serve to change the laws - as His Grace and the Warlord did in this case - but we cannot retroactively change laws to suit our wishes. I'm sure you can understand why.

For the second, I will share with you a short story. When I first came to Travance, I wanted to learn more about magic as a tool. None wanted to teach me, save one: Lord Weaveforger, who was Master of Arms at the time. After a year or two of study, I asked why he had been willing to teach me, since as someone raised in Londwyn I was far from the reverent student that many others were. His answer was thus: In past years, there was a goblin who also wished to learn magic and experiment with it. None would teach him, and he was barred from the Mage's Guild, only because he was a goblin. He sought out other sources, and eventually became a necromancer of incredible power and attacked the town. Lord Weaveforger did not wish to see the same thing happen with me, so he taught me, and made me swear never to practice necromancy, an oath I keep to this day.

If someone really wants to learn and experiment, they will. It is better to guide their hand so that they do not repeat the mistakes of the past, particularly if they already possess the power, as is the case here.

For the third, of course it was a problem, and now it has been dealt with. Has it happened since? If someone says something is going to change, and then they change, do not keep harping on it. If the promise to keep up-to-date the listing of agents is broken at any point, I will be right there with you demanding answers and justice.

As for the paths you have outlined: the Warlord has not the authority to step up or down at present. Perhaps you can direct your apparently prodigious energies towards waking up the Count, so that His Grace can speak on what is to be done.