Before the End

[Liberty 30]

Lukas Ostwald, a resident of Johannesburg and a Tragedian, writes an opinion for posting across Oren.

 

With the recent knowledge of Haense's exiting the war, I must restate to the people of the Empire and those who fight for the Coalition my continuing call. 

 

It has become clear that continuing war will result only in the slaughter of innocents and in the destruction of so much that is good. Even considering the possibility of some miracle, war will bring carnage. Thus, I call upon the administration of the Empire and those on the opposing side to put an end to this. The Coalition has achieved its desired independence, that is evident. What need is there to push on further? To strip Crownlanders of a state and a city? Johannesburg is a paragon of all that might be achieved in this world, and the Rebels have nothing to gain from it but the resources they might seize. 

 

I heart cries on the side of the Rebels of freedom, liberation, and other such ideals. Orenians cry for stability and continued existence. Neither side will gain what it desires by razing Johannesburg. Peace should be reached at any cost, for the benefit of the entire world. What chaos would ensue from forcing Crownlanders to become stateless?

 

Lastly, I urge all that this paper finds: Conflate not the goals and ideals of the sides' respective peoples with their leaders'. I can speak for most of my fellow common man when I assure you that we seek only peace and our own livelihoods.

[Chaw 964]

"no" states james

[_pr0fit 3084]

"If these innocents are standing in the middle of and active war zone then the species is probably better off without them, survival of the fittest and all" Sven says squinting at the poorly thought out missive.

[Mj. 697]

"Johannesburg will burn for it's sins." States Commander Rowyn var Emrys

[Liberty 30]

Ostwalt takes the time to respond to the expected criticism.

 

If the administration Coalition fails to understand why some may wish to preserve their livelihoods, I hold nothing but contempt for it. 

 

My plea is independent of the things you say, sir. If it comes to it, I will be leaving Johannesburg. Yet is it truly absurd that the Coalition considers it enough to merely allow us to escape. That is not humanitarian. May we not continue our lives as they were? 

[Mj. 697]

Rowyn responds to the man. "You may live in one of the several new kingdoms. Nobody will use that city again. It represents imperialism and evil."

[Reno 239]

"The citizens have our arms open for their safety, it is their leadership we must purge" states Ramsey in the camp outside the city 

[LePetitCordelier 4]

23 minutes ago, Liberty said:

 

 

Piérrot speaks to his friend: Lukas, at the bar of Johannesburg, no one is there.

He says: 

"It's absolutely abhorrent, isn't it? To see all these rebels prancing around along the streets acting like the saviour of the world -- when they're really nothing more than demons seeking fear and suffering. I suppose that's man though -- to be so blind as to assume that any good will come from such rampant despair -- it's what we tell ourselves at night to keep our conscience clear; that from evil must come good. But it's nothing more than a childish lie." 

 

[Liberty 30]

Oswalt prepares another letter.

 

If the Coalition refuses to acknowledge this horrid proposal as merely a continuation of the evil it claims to seek an end to, I have lost hope that the lands of Axios may ever see peace. Johannesburg is my home. Not any of the Kingdoms that seek to destroy it. If the Rebels refuse to hear our cries for peace, they shall surely regret their atrocious deeds in the future. 

[MangoArt 399]

Aukha grunts, wandering a few of the siege camps. "Peace can nub be achieved az long az Oren iz ztill a major power. Dey grab agh grab fer land, money, agh power wit' no rezpect for deh people t'ey conquer or da citizenz dat will wit'in t'eir kingdom. Dey are a danger to da ztability of dis world. Da citizenz ub Oren are hozher off wit'out diz abomination of an empire."

[drfate786 1690]

Alifer Amice spits, "You do not speak for those the empire has wronged, filth. Your city burns, you will not stand in my way." 

[gumshoeismygod 43]

"All you rebels care for is petty revenge, nothing more. You bring pain and suffering to those who had nothing to do with your oppression."  Gailyn Carlisle remarks, irked 

[Liberty 30]

Oswalt responds in agreement with his friend Gailyn.

 

I am not a political man. I write not for the Empire, but for the people of Johannesburg who seek only to preserve their homes. We are to burn in repentance for some abstract sin? Despicable.

 

I can see appeals to the preservation of commoners' livelihood is lost on Rebel ears. I can think of nothing more horrid than living in such a land. Does this satisfy your people? 

 

Know this. The citizens of Johannesburg, the innocent and long apathetic, will not take kindly to their crucifixion for the settling of some lofty noble's conflict. 

[BonesOfTheEarth 2252]

1 hour ago, Liberty said:

Oswalt prepares another letter.

 

If the Coalition refuses to acknowledge this horrid proposal as merely a continuation of the evil it claims to seek an end to, I have lost hope that the lands of Axios may ever see peace. Johannesburg is my home. Not any of the Kingdoms that seek to destroy it. If the Rebels refuse to hear our cries for peace, they shall surely regret their atrocious deeds in the future. 

"If Johannesburg is your home, then you are trash. Johannesburg breeds evil, and in turn must perish. Any citizens are given the chance to leave if they wish- or fight against the coalition. If they chose the latter, they will die."

An elf comments from the sidelines

[Naj 545]

Grand Marshal Jorik Grandaxe would stand at his command tent overlooking the city as its inhabitants evacuate. He thinks to himself of all the times he had prepared himself to defend his home against these tyrants who sought to conquer it.

 

"The Coalition, having been more that just mere rebels, is an answer. If you wish safety, plead to your Emperor to do the sensible thing and simply surrender."