A Response to an Ultimatum

[Ioannis 1480]

 

http://www.captiongenerator.com/529712/Kebab-Messengers-in-Sutica

 

Greetings Ashruf Kaneen.

 

 

It is my hope that this reply finds you in good health and spirits this day.

 

I have read your letter thoroughly and I can easily see how passionate you are in your beliefs. It warms my heart to see men these days willing to fight for what they think and believe to be true.

 

However, that is the issue with this ultimatum and the accusations you attempt to present against myself and my people. You merely think they are true, when in fact they are not.

 

 “Breaking of your oath to House Kharadeen”

 

I can understand how you may be confused by this, as you were not present when the people of Sutica came to the lands of the Caliphate. It is no lie that the people of Sutica were refugees of war, seeking a land where we could simply reside in and avoid conflict. The people of Sutica were offered such by Faiz Kharadeen, protection, kindness, and an understanding that we were not fond of war and wished to live in peace.

 

Yet no oath was ever made to House Kharadeen by myself, for I was not the First nor Second leader of Sutica. I did not deal with any member of House Kharadeen when the land was acquired and I did not make any oath as I was just a simple refugee seeking peace and a land to feel safe in.

 

However, even in these lands we did not find peace or feel safe. What appeared to be an oasis in the harsh desert was truly a mirage.

 

We were attacked by the Church frequently because we simply resided on your lands. We were harassed by the Kharajyr because of a road, that was requested of us to be built, between our settlements. Several of our citizens were taken and sacrificed to their Goddess over this road. The Orcs from the East would traverse the mountain and attack us, break down the doors we hid behind, and steal from us. I, myself, was attacked in such a manner. I, a pregnant and defenseless woman, hid in the safety of my home as the Orcish raiders bashed in doors and dragged our people out of them to be killed. While our citizens climbed to the roofs of their homes and penned letters requesting aid from the Caliphate, my door was shattered, my body was dragged from my home, and the Orcish raiders stepped on my swollen stomach in a game to “Make twiggie pop”.

 

When I awoke to see myself covered in blood the paladin that saved my bleeding body told me that my child was lost, and because of this attack it’d be even harder for me, as an Elven, to carry a child. This news devastated me, yet the real knife in the side was when our citizens told me that the aid that the Caliphate sent us that day was not in men or arms, but words of advice. “Build a wall and stop bitching.”

If you are to declare that anyone broke an oath during our tenure in the Caliphate’s lands, that break resides on House Kharadeen’s shoulders.

 

They promised to ensure we would be safe if we provided them goods, they did not. They even let their Kharajyr citizens harass and take our people to sacrifice over simply arguments because their “blood bond” they had with House Kharadeen was stronger than the 10,000 Minas that we were asked to pay as “refugees” just to live in the desert.

 

 However, even throughout all of these conflicts, broken promises, and loss of life, we remained loyal to the Caliphate. We returned the land we resided on and moved to the coast, in an attempt to stop the conflict between the Caliphate’s own citizens, the constant raiders, and ourselves.

 

We lived over the ocean, building a platform for ourselves to live on, and continued to ship goods requested of us to the capital and for a time, lived in the peace we had sought after, the peace we were promised.

 

But this stability in the lands did not last long. Shortly after moving to the coast, we were called to the Vandorian Keep where Faiz Kharadeen told the people of the Caliphate that the Caliphate would no longer be the presiding body over the lands, it and all of its people, would now be seen as part of Vandoria and inherently, Vandorians.

 

This action freed the people of Sutica of its bonds as a vassal to the Caliphate and was now a state of Vandoria.

 

Yet even still, we continued to supply and aid the Caliphate and its people with whatever they needed.

 

Whether it was a request from Faiz Kharadeen for ample amounts of leather equipment or Arlen Kharadeen requesting we provide ample housing and acted as a refugee camp ourselves for the people of the Caliphate should a certain Voidal Horror destroy the city, we complied happily.

 

 “Betrayal during the 18 Year War”

 

As stated earlier, the people of Sutica came to the Caliphate as refugees from a war torn home where the government there only lied and left its people to die during raids and wars. The promise of protection and peace is the reason why the people of Sutica moved to the desert.

 

While the soldiers of the Caliphate did come to our village’s aid occasionally, our calls for aid often fell on deaf ears. Which is why we moved from the oasis to the coast, to protect ourselves since it was apparent that we would not be protected and that promise would not be kept.

 

Yet we held our tongue and continued to attempt to live in peace. However, that would prove pointless for the 18 Year War began across Vailor. And although the people of Vandoria did not wish to aid the Dwed originally, Faiz Kharadeen’s love for them proved too strong and we were forced to join the war. What other reason would there be for a group of people that had set out to avoid war and conflict join such?

 

Yet still we continued to support our homeland and all seemed fine until the creation of “Vanderguan”.

 

With this, all communication between the people of the land stopped. My missives to our side of Vanderguan’s leaders fell on deaf ears. My requests for information, information about what the plan going forward was or what my people should be wary of, were denied. When I attempted to reach out to the Dwed, in hopes of finding out what was going on and let them know the dire state Vandoria’s communication and relations with one another, I was told not to. I was told that all communication to the Dwed had to go through our side’s leadership and not to contact them.

 

Soon after, the Vandorians separated themselves from Vandoria, ironically. We began to be attacked by them, for a reason to this day I still do not know, and the people that came to our aid were Dunamis. They had the decency to explain to my people and myself what was truly happening and show that what was promised to us would never be achieved.

 

Time and time again, with each raid, letters of aid were sent out and the Caliphate’s reply quieter and quieter until they stopped coming altogether. Only Dunamis continued to protect us, and for that I am eternally grateful.

 

However, even with all of this conflict and deception, we continued to fight and supply. I myself hauled tons of stone up into the cold mountains and assisted in building the fort for the mountainous people and their direwolves.

 

That is, until Oren’s men came to our doorstep.

 

Time and time again I attempted to deter and delay them, asking them to come back at a later date. And swiftly after I’d pen letter to Faiz Kharadeen, asking for advice or direction on what to do. Yet my letters were never answered.

 

Soon a small army stood in our town hall with my people surrounded and an ultimatum presented before me: Sign or Die.

 

And even then, we showed our resistance and loyalty to those of our homeland. We had the document altered, refusing to become annexed into their empire and being used as a foothold for their armies to attack those that had given us a home.

 

You may see this as an act of betrayal, an act of betrayal against those that did not keep their own promises but expected everyone else to keep theirs, but even when signing the treaty we showed our support for our homeland by this act.

 

News of this reached the Dwed quickly and their leaders came to our city quickly. But instead of being furious, they were simply confused. The Dwed had not heard anything about the unrest in the lands, they had not heard about our city being attacked constantly, and they had not heard about Oren’s presence and demands.

 

Upon explaining to them our state and showing them the numerous letters that received no reply, the Dwed understood why I did what I did. They held no grudge towards me, but towards the leaders that did not inform them of what was going on in the South. They simply requested that I continue to show my support for their effort quietly, which I did. After the war, relations between the Dwed and Sutica continued to hold strong, trade prospered, and diplomatic relations with them were positive. And upon reaching Axios, the Dwed were the first body of people that Sutica officially announced its friendly ties with.

 

As for the Qali Spring, I had no part in this. The Vandorian’s left due to being angered that instead of working together to become prosperous and strong like promised at that meeting where we all shed our past titles and claims and became Vandoria as a whole, they were left to be the police of the land. They grew tired of solving everyone’s problems for them, and the antics by the Caliphate during the 18 Year War only spearheaded the Qali Spring. My only involvement with the Qali Spring was tending to Arlen Kharadeen’s cuts after a battle at a domicile at the foot of a mountain.

 

 “Intifada of Vandoria”

 

After the 18 Year War was over, Sutica planned on leaving the South and Vandoria. Talks took place between Nafis Yar and myself, and he understood why Sutica wished to leave. We paid a sum of Minas to him to ensure that any debts that could be seen owed were paid and we prepared to leave.

 

During this “Intifada”, the people of Sutica were sailing throughout Vailor’s waters, searching for undiscovered land that we could call home. Upon arriving on the isles, we spent much time scaling cliffs and building a new home, for the fourth time in less than fifty years. We did not have the ability nor desire to get involved in any war nor side with anyone at that time as we were building farms and homes for ourselves.

 

Once our lands were established and life began to return to normal, our shops and supplies did open to anyone that sought after them as we remained neutral in all facets of war. Had someone come asking for an order of supplies, we did not question who or what they were for, but simply made the transaction. However, I can say that more people from your “Intifada” came to us than anywhere, and all requests were fulfilled. If you were not made aware of that, then it seems the lack of communication we dealt with continued forth after our departure.

 

 “Funding the people’s revolt”

 

Since our departure from the South of Vailor eighteen Elven months ago, the people of Sutica have had limited to no contact with the Farfolk.

 

I did not fund a revolt in Haria’s lands. Sutica did not fund a revolt in Haria’s lands.

 

In truth, when the people of the realm first arrived to Axios, the leaders of Haria were unable to construct their city when supplies were ample to the various nations. This left its people without homes and an incomplete city standing. Haria’s builders reached out to me, asking me for aid in helping their citizens since their leaders were too occupied elsewhere. And I answered their request with free building materials as every person in this realm deserves a place to call home.

 

 “Slandering the Sultan’s name”

 

Once again, since our departure from the South of Vailor eighteen Elven months ago, the people of Sutica have had limited to no contact with the Farfolk.

 

We have not slandered anyone’s name and keep to ourselves. I am not even aware of who Arlen’s descendants are to be able to slander them. Nor have I spoken of Arlen since we stopped speaking.

 

However, if you wish to push this claim I warn you of the old saying: “do not throw stones in glass houses”.

 

 “Stealing vassals away from Haria”

 

Once again, since our departure from the South of Vailor eighteen Elven months ago, the people of Sutica have had limited to no contact with the Farfolk.

 

I have not even set foot on the Isle of Asul nor have I visited Haria’s vassals.

 

The only vassals I currently have are the Halflings of Reedsborough which were part of the Dominion during Vailor and they have been with me since we set food on Axios.

 

-----

 

 As stated earlier, it brings a smile to my face to know that there are men like you that are so adamant about fighting for what they believe in. But I hope this letter can open your eyes to realize the truth.

 

• The truth that the claims you set upon myself and my people are false.

• The truth that this act that you declare as justice is simple warmongering when the realm is in chaos.

• The truth that you made demands of a nation that has had no interaction with your people in 18 Elven months.

• The truth that you made outlandish demands that no one could pay to use as reason to justify your behavior and actions.

 

And the truth that you are fighting for a false cause and targeting a nation of peace in doing so.

 

 My people are peaceful, finally. We have struggled for years to obtain such a place in the realm that we can exist freely and work towards a brighter future for the world. We are called upon by many of this realm to bring them aid and support, whether it be requests for food and weapons to fight back the forces of Mordring or to heal the sick and erect barriers to guard against the darkness, we answer it.

 

This is a peace that we wish to continue. This is a purpose we wish to continue to fulfill to the denizens of this realm.

 

And while we may hate war, we hate those that attempt to take our peace away from us much more.

 

You fight for the wrong cause. The people of Haria are now making song about how they are infested with the undead and how they labor to kill them every day. Turn your weapon to the real enemy that is attacking your home this day. Turn your weapon to the darkness that attempts to blot out the desert sun. Do this for your people.

 

Should you require aid in fighting the darkness, know that even after this ultimatum, Sutica is always willing to support such an endeavor.

 

 Sincerely,

 

Princess Lilyana of the Federation of Sutica, Protector of the Peace, Guardian of the People, Queen of Coin, Tamer of Serpents, Rider of Seas, Mother to all, Keeper of halflings,  Duchess of Caligo, Lady of The Southsea, Aider of the Indus People, The Radiant Dawn.

 

Lord Protector Reign Relvis.

 

 

((I 100% wrote this.))

[Greekbro33 105]

*a bearded Cleric nods as he finishes reading, biting into some bread with a smile on his face "Gosh this bread is just as good as that letter." He then continues his mighty feast.

[Vindicant 642]

Karyssmov smirks lightly as the response is given, sharpening the blades within the guard house in his spare time.

[senor_tortuga 692]

Tajo would be sitting on the sutican bridge multitasking! He would be waxing his head with one hand and throwing baguettes to the sutican ducks with the other as he read the letter, doing three things at once is quite a feat for this bald man.

[HurferDurfer1 2978]

Coltane wonders how many clerics will break there vows and fight in a war if one broke out.

[mitto 2312]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.