To the Elves of Caurost Who Still Hold Their Pride

[Chuuwys 502]

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48C7VqGwZs8

(edit: [!] The following missive is posted anonymously, with no recognisable name or signature attached)
EDIT: THIS NOTICE HAS NOW BEEN REMOVED AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO READ
𝔗𝔬 𝔥𝔢 𝔈𝔩𝔳𝔢𝔰 𝔬𝔣 ℭ𝔞𝔲𝔯𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔚𝔥𝔬 𝔖𝔱𝔦𝔩𝔩 ℌ𝔬𝔩𝔡 𝔗𝔥𝔢𝔦𝔯 𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔡𝔢

Citizens of Caurost:

Know now that Galahad has sold Caurost to the Empire.

Once again, the decision has been made for free Elves of all creeds to refold beneath not just the banner of the

Empire but to be entirely subsumed, like a lamb willingly placing its head into the maw of the wolf.

 

I know not what happens behind closed doors for Caurost,

I know not what Galahad’s ulterior motives may be,

But I do know this.

He has and will continue to sell you out.

He has agreed to place one of his own people onto

the Imperial Council. Even if his intent is your safety,

it is not guaranteed.

Regardless of what good graces you wish to grant him,

if he does have a plan to keep the Elves of Caurost free as they should be, he has made no

move so far to show such honesty to his own people.

Until he learns to take a stand for his people, rather than at the beck and call of

humans who slaughter us without incentive beyond the glee of murder.

 

You have already watched one innocent be killed under his negligent gaze.

The statue rests as a reminder.

Under the orders of the Empire, four more of you were expected to follow suit.

Three innocent dwarves instead lost their lives in your stead.

 

He continued his arrangements with his Imperial friends.

It seems Galahad only wishes to forget.

 

Act now. Stand up for yourself. Be the free Elves you are meant to be.

Do not be the ones to commit the biddings of humans for the sake of some empty promise of "protection".

 

Let this be your Clarity.

 

 

- A concerned friend

Edited January 7 by Chuuwys

[lemonke 6014]

"DOWN WITH SUCH PHONY LEADERS." Echoed a Oyashiman of Liberation.

[PolarLoLs 983]

 

“They continue to plead and plead with their leader.. What happened to the warrior elves?”

The man sat among the table with others, going back to his discussions

 

[Britannicvs 2508]

Narvi, remembering the kindness of his once landlord shook his head. “Galahad is a good and noble prince, the murder of my people and my clan mate was not his fault, and he returned their bodies with an honourable escort!” The dwarf declared, unhappy at the base slander in the missive.

[Rig 17579]

Naturally, a Caurostian read the letter and shrugged dismissively before moving on with his day. 'Poor Dwarves,' he thought. 'Truly, this must be a Cerulean or a Valer, to pen such obvious falsehoods.'

 

Nonetheless, the effort to mobilize would be taken, and those who sided with the Darkspawn and their ilk would be slain. Of this, Rhys had no doubt. Good dwarves such as Narvi and the others would no doubt survive the fighting. 

[Mynto 107]

"... This llir has taken the words right out of my mouth, larimar"

 

One crooked therapist whispered, over the body of a fair haired relative- leaving the missive atop the sheets over a few others he'd place just hours ago. After a silent beat he'd climb down the balconies ladder and look through the copper grates to...Urguan, a home he's had long before applying before citizenship. With quiet resolve, he steps closer- peering through to spectate as the dwedmar and citizens of the dwarven capital rally, pitying his Caurosian lliran for not having nearly as much fire.

 

"... I'll be downstairs, I must prepare for a new wave of patients Celia'dant. "

Edited December 27, 2025 by Mynto

[Nectorist 12869]

Galar Ithelanen, an old elf by a few metrics, responds to the letter in public. His response is not an authored one, but the few who care about what he has to say may acquire it should they wish.

 

"Since the days of my father's rule, a time of my infancy, three-and-one-half of a century ago, the scattered dregs of Elvendom, those of too low standing to face the reckoning of the Elven Union, have had opportunity after opportunity to make something of our people. Save the brief flash-in-the-pan of Vytrek Tundrak and his disciples, none have grasped this ripe opportunity, thus allowing the fruit to rot and fall from the tree of bounty. The great sins of our people, enumerated in the laws of Caurost, made manifest in such an awful way: what could be said of Elvendom save that it was a degenerate, slothful, frail place of those who hid from the world?

 

Galahad knows, as my father knew, that Elvendom is strengthened only by the guidance and friendship of Man. Listen not to these people who talk about 'pride' or 'honor' or 'strength'. They want nothing more than to see our people reduced to weakness, enslaved by our own vices, and reduced in our will to seek self-betterment."

[Unwillingly 18096]

 

Issued by the Grace of the High Prince

19th of the Grand Harvest, year 265 S.A

To whom it may Concern,

 

It is regrettable that you write under the pretense of anonymity, as it grants me little outlet to commune in a meaningful fashion. I loathe a war of words, and prefer meaningful dialogue. However, let it be with grace and kindred regard that this letter finds you, for I share not the ire you share for myself and my people.

 

In truth, I pen this letter with haste, as I am in the midst of a busy day schedule — but I invite you to find me in person so that we might speak on mutual grounds. I believe we are both above a war of ink and quill. For now, I see fit only to address the claims pitched forward in these brazen claims, as I believe the ink you’ve plastered to be markedly deceiving of those who do not know any better.

I. Your letter fails to mention that the office of the High Imperial Emissary has lately sought us in the interest of mutual concord, as it pertains to late affairs suffered within our kind city of Caras Siol. I am in the midst of constant communication with the Imperials and my people in order to mend the tensions, which they expressed a mutual understanding for. They expressed an interest in remedying our woes, and ensuring lasting peace between our people. 

 

II. Your letter fails to take into account the many worldly affairs that are beyond my control, as it pertains to the political circumstances surrounding ourselves and world-powers such as the Empire. I have always acted with the interest of my people in mind, though if you possess even a semblance of political virtuoso, you will understand plainly that these paths are scarcely charted unscathed, nor are they easily predicted.

 

III. Your letter fails to address the endeavors upon which I have toiled in the interest of ensuring the wellbeing of my people, of which I am sure you are unfamiliar with. My people know that I do not shy from vested communion and honesty, however sensitive the affairs, and I have presented plainly my motives prior to this censure. 

 

It is not the duty of the people to serve their lord, it is the duty of the lord to serve his people, such a maxim I have pursued irrevocably, and without fault. Have you, or those in my stead possess any uncertainties, I would implore that you find me personally.

 

Signed,

Galahad Ílumrin

High Prince of Cauróst, Prince of Malinor & Eldest Son of Húrin Ilumrin

[Hiccup392 724]

A patient, though steeled, advisor to the High Prince read the missive aloud into the Sanctum. The Paladin smiled the Lord's Smile, for, she was lucky to be unreasonable enough to not get stuck as a water-bearer for the Empire under Galahad's request!

[Crunchiest_Leaf 1242]

"war. . . war nevah changes"

 

the ratman said, looking into the camera

 

"these Chijōjin always ready to kill eachothah"

 

the ratman shrugged to himself

 

"so be it, it is'uh no business of'uh Kikusama"

[Morigung-oog 5697]

 

---

 

Valithaël read the words without any initial visible reaction. There was no tightening of her jaw, no sharp intake of breath, rather the slow, deliberate stillness of someone all too accustomed to the concept of disappointment. How tired she was. She saw it time and time again amongst her brethren of pointed ear: pride in abundance. 

 

Pride, invoked again, as it always was. Pride as shield. Pride as excuse. Pride as absolution for every knife slipped between ribs under the guise of culture, purity, or destiny.

 

She had learned that lesson young, and learned it well.

 

It had been elves who had taught her what loyalty cost. Haelun’or, with its lofty ideals and quiet purges. Mali’fenn, with honeyed words and sharpened smiles that rivalled those of the knives destined for their allies' backs. Councils that spoke of unity while already deciding who would be cast aside for the sin of being inconvenient, impure, other. Always there was a higher reason. Always there was pride.

 

Humanity, for all its vulgarity and bluntness, had at least been honest. When humans betrayed you, it was not unexpected, but rather from a string of personal errors beyond the ability to repent. When they stood beside you, they did so knowing they would bleed as well without the illusion of moral inevitability.

 

So when Valithaël heard the call, she regarded it to elven pride as one might regard an old blade: familiar, sharp, and pointed in the same predictable direction.

 

This was not standard pride, no.. But pride in sinful excess.

 

Pride in excess crossed the threshold of arrogance.

 

And arrogance was a very dangerous thing indeed.

 

 

---

 

"I wonder whose back is next destined for the knife of Elvendom's convenience, who's cadaver shall serve as the rung for some trivial, fruitless climb." 

 

Valithaël sighed almost wistfully, turning to the inside of her home-- a manor nestled safely within Idunia and shielded from the woes of Elvenkind. It's interior was bedecked in luxuries she'd denied herself during her tenure as Sohaer, service in the Celian courts and even during her time on the Privy Council; all lives that she'd long since outgrown. She found her present one to be far more enjoyable.

 

"Now that I have escaped from their cutthroat machinations, I will admit... Watching them tear each-other apart is rather fun when you are not the inevitable scapegoat."

 

[greisn 365]

 

[ ! ] Raising its skull from the edge of a desk layered in tattered missives, the bones of Chet von Doom shamble to a rise.
The corpse's crooked finger traces a branch of Cauróst's heraldry as a quick-witted remark comes to mind.
A couple of loops are scribbled in ink and pinned alongside Galahad's response. Though it couldn't read, the undead savored such a thought.
 

[Cheeseycereal 829]

"How dare you use the imagery of the Unicorn in such a way," a Caurosian remarked, looking over the parchment, her nose scrunching in distaste.

 

“Why must these people decide that we must revolt?"

 

"It is up to the people, not those outside," 

 

“If we truly needed your aid, we’d ask for it…"

 

She tsked as she walked away, more upset by the misuse of the unicorn’s imagery than anything else.

[DistantCryptid 405]

"Must everyone know what you are thinking?"

 

Is all a purple-clad thing mused, a distinct lack of expression held by them that had settled itself between those moments shared with others. 

 

The thought had crossed their own mind many times, that exact phrase. So many missives, so many words that should be uttered amongst friends, behind a wall of secrecy, within the comfort of one's home, as a secret, as a vow. And yet, they would find bitter words, words worthy of drawing steel to, without the satisfaction of battle behind them. Plastered across the land, just as hounds that bared their teeth and snarled, yet never, ever, took a bite.

"A pity."