Close, but not quite my dear..

You state the CIJ is extorting Eleusis, but my dear, it is Eleusis trying to extort the CIJ. Just in case you forgot what extortion is: extortion is the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.
We have never threatened or attempted to force anything in this matter, that has been all you.

The CIJ came to possess the religious books of the now defunct order of Lady Artemis from a DONATION by a now retired Eleusian, Danna. After a month or two Anatral approached us, quite suspiciously as no one knew of the whereabouts of the books, yet somehow he did... anyways. Anatral approached us and asked for copies, so that the Village may still have the written word in their library, which we happily agreed to. Originals were not asked to be returned, merely copies, which is what was given. Anatral informed us he would tell Eleusis we were helpful after we declined to charge him for the books, which he did. Anatral then gifted/donated the gold to us, for the cost of the copies and journals. This was not a fee we negotiated.

Nearly a decade later, Eleusis decides they wish to renege on this and approach us with "Give us the books or we declare War." We attempt to negotiate as we do not want conflict and are then offered a promise of a "king's ransom" for the return of the originals, informing us to name the price. As being told Eleusis would pay a "king's ransom" and to name our price from the previous Speaker, Aodfionn, we took that to heart and initially asked for 11,000 credits, yes. No, we did not expect that to be accepted, we're not idiots. We then negotiated and Eleusis rejected both the gold and credit amounts we offered up, 21 million in gold -OR- 2,100 in credits, and instead offered their own amount of 500 credits. We declined, feeling that 500 did not do the books justice, as they are clearly very valuable sentimentally.

Whether the books were stolen or not, is of no concern to the CIJ, as they were donated to us for safekeeping in our library. One would think that would be quite acceptable, having such religious artefacts in such a safe place. Since clearly the Eleusian library isn't quite secure, and clearly, ALL of Sapience cannot have access to them, being in Eleusis. The books all belonged to Lady Artemis' order and the temple, which was separate from Eleusis, remained separate from Eleusis and was not populated solely by Eleusians. For them to lay sole claim upon them, is a bit of a reach.

To these threats:

(1) The CIJ will remain, as always, neutral. We will continue to hold events and gatherings and will not bow down to the chest-beating of Eleusis. There is a fine line between cause-justified conflict and harassment.

(2) Enemying me is just fine, I have no qualms over this. The books shall never see the Eleusian library again at this rate. Keep beating your chests and digging that grave deeper.

Our memory of Eleusis reneging on past deals, and attempting to bully and harass us into submission will endure far longer than the memory of books which are kept in a safe place, accessible to any to read who asks.

I wonder how it must feel to have no backbone whatsoever, and still allow the previous Speaker to dictate the course of Eleusis, instead of using one's own faculties to do so. But, I suppose that is what happens when you can't stand on your own two feet and be your own person.

The Carnivalis Institute of Jestering

PS - SAPIENCE: The CIJ will now be vetting potential offers to purchase the books, if the price rings true, you may be the new owner of 21 volumes from the Anachine library! Bidding will start at 2,000 credits!

Penned by my hand on the 20th of Glacian, in the year 902 AF.