Greetings to you and yours,

Typically one of a more quiet nature as I tends to skim through what's
said here and move along; most of it is babble after all. But yours must
have caught my eye and sparked an interest. Perhaps initially it was
your directing it toward a man who's taught me much over the years, or
perhaps it was something entirely different.

All the same you say you are a man who likes to observe things. I should
like to ask about how well honed those observing skills of yours truly
are. All in the name of curiosity, of course. Allow me a moment to break
down your simple observations, if you will.

First, you observe a lack of Mhaldorian Icons.
Please refer to Truth 7: "The spirit may be made stronger by enduring
hardships, both self-imposed and externally-imposed."

Have you ever stopped for even a brief moment in the midst of your many
observations to think that perhaps, just maybe, there was no dire need
for Icons right away? Let us take a moment to reflect on what an Icon
really is, in lame man's terms. An Icon is in all its glory, simply an
additive to an organization's personal strength by one standard or
another. While they certainly can be a perk, they are otherwise not a
neccesity by which one needs to live their daily lives to get by.
Mhaldor and her citizens have not suffered from the lack of Icons to
this day and should the day arise where it is deemed desirable to erect
one or several it will be nothing more than a treat, if you will.

Second, you observe a lack of shrines to Oppression and Suffering
outside the walls of Mhaldor.
Please refer to Truth 1: "What is called evil is simply the drive for
advancement, for greatness. We seek, through discipline and pain, to
spur the advancement of nothing less than sentient life."

As Mhaldorians we are not here to litter Sapience with shrines. What
more appropriate place to pay homage and respect to the Lords than in
Their very domain? Allow me to explain for you just how having shrines
within the city proper strengthens the citizens of Mhaldor and those
that pay tribute to Evil. The youth of the city learn very quickly how
to navigate through the wastelands and the veil of crimson fog, and to
what end? Faithfulness and proper respect to the Masters. Beyond that it
negates what can only be explained as scatterbrained scrambling to reach
a shrine location that's under siege, as is customary with the cries of
heralds that accompany defiling. Surely one of your age ought to know
that it also ensures essence be reserved for more useful moments than
the expense of a shrine. I will not belittle a shrine in general as they
are all manifestations of worship, but they are also simply a way to
make mortal life easier. If one truly holds loyalty to their God, they
would not mind walking the extra mile to show that loyalty, now would
they?

Third, you observe Mhaldorian Houses consistently at the bottom of House
Influence.
Please refer to Truth 3: "Weakness must be eliminated in all its forms:
Physical, Mental, and Spiritual."

House Influence, a list of statistics that essentially accounts for mere
numbers of warm, or cold as the case may be, bodies. The flaw in
pointing out such a mundane observation is that you seem to forget what
House Influence accounts for. Mhaldor's lifestyle is exceptionally
difficult for the average mortal to exist in. There are boundaries,
there are firm laws, there is respect that is earned and in turn given
and much more. Most, quite frankly don't have what it takes to be
Mhaldorian. I'll not slander other cities in a petty attempt to uplift
Mhaldor, like so many do when speaking of Mhaldor to uplift their own
place of residence. I will say however that Mhaldor seeks to eliminate
the weak, thus creating a society of individuals who strive for the
pursuit of greatness. Those who don't have the mind to bear what is
perhaps best described as a militaristic lifestyle have no place in
Mhaldor and either get thrown to the wayside or slink away of their own
accord in search of an /easier/ life.

It may also be of note that the general citizenry of Mhaldor is
comprised of very different individuals. Most who are Mhaldorian have
very contradistinct opinions from another Mhaldorian when it comes to
personal styles or thought processes. Despite this very important point
however, Mhaldor lacks much of the petty bickering that most other
cities see and hear on a daily basis. Those who rise to positions of
power within Mhaldor do not climb the proverbial ladder of popularity,
but rather truly work for and earn their rank. Once there they do not
become slothful and prideful, but rather humble before their Masters and
ever busy working to improve our way of life.

Mhaldor was born after a baptism of blood. The five spires rose at The
Malevolent's behest due to the ultimate sacrifice of loyalty.
Tribulation is its foundation, strength its cornerstone. If you'd like
to argue semantics perhaps you would like to look to your own city and
its beginning? Can you say the same?

I'm a Scholar, dear Sir, history is my business and though I'll not
claim perfection nor will I attest to having all the answers, I will say
that Mhaldor has survived and come out stronger in the end for all she's
been through. To truly be a man of observation, one would have to
observe from the inside out as well as the outside in. Such is the only
way to form a solidified conclusion of what was, what is and what will
be.

In Service of Truth,
Iileyah Lokelinde-Leises

Penned by my hand on the 3rd of Lupar, in the year 418 AF.