Hashan,

This is not what I signed up for. In fact, as I recall, this is not what many of us signed up for.

When the city convened to discuss how we would move forward after the Tsol'teth presented their terms to us, certainly we wished to ensure the Court's continued existence, but many of us also believed that this was the best course we could take for the sake of all of Sapience. We had seen already what direct opposition brought to Cyrene. Surely then, we said, if we take this second option, we could learn more of the enemy, we could take this power that they offered, and we could bide our time waiting for a moment where we could use our newfound knowledge and
powers against them. We agreed, that while we owed nothing to the other city states of Sapience - for they had given us nothing - we owed our efforts to the world as a whole, transcending any rivalries and conflicts. And, at the very least, many of us thought, if we failed, our failure could be a boon to the remaining cities. Information is valuable and, we reasoned, any we glean from this endeavor will surely help the efforts to quell the invasion.

I see now, that this moment is not coming. I see a group of people, blinded by their newfound powers, blinded by the security they feel in this alliance, and zealous in their lust to claim a place in the world. Pride readily gives way to hubris and you, Court, have become its victim.

Hubris is to wage a war whilst the Coalition fights on, thinking
inexplicably that they will not form together against you.
Hubris is to cling so desperately to the gifts your enemies grant you that you forget that they have been your enemy all along.

You were once my pride, Court, but now I fear, you have become my shame.
Perhaps it was hubris on my part to ever think otherwise.

I bid you renounce "Progress", afore its woeful ambiguity destroys you.

Look closely, Hashan, you are not free of the zealots you claim to fight against.

In parting,
-Gilliam Winters



Penned by my hand on the 15th of Sarapin, in the year 802 AF.