Originally posted by Edena of Neith:
William, ah yes ... William, a gnomish agent contacts Arden.
And here is what the gnomish agent has to say, after describing the gnomish books of domination (and now, the gnomish newspapers of domination) :
'You want peace, do you? Well, HERE is the way to peace ... you can write about the virtues of peace, and how people should be peaceful, and they WILL be peaceful, because you tell them to be peaceful!'
'You do not like this? Mind control, you say? Thought control? Tyranny?'
'Consider the history of this world. Consider it's blood-soaked past. EVERY race on this world has made war on the other races. Every race has practiced predudice and bigotry. And most races - most individuals, for that matter - want what is best for Number One, and to the Abyss with everyone else!'
'You know it well. Well, we the gnomes are changing the rules. We are reinventing the rules of this wretched world. In the new setup, you CAN make a difference. You CAN bring peace.'
'We know you will spill our secret offer to you to others. We are not intimidated by this ... we expect our secret to be spilled.'
'The important secret, our invention that makes our books and newspapers possible, is not possible for any other than a gnome to duplicate.'
'If our land is invaded, we will simply take our inventions and hide them magically all over the multiverse, and you will never find them all ... our books will continue to flow, and people on Toril will continue to be influenced by us.'
'So, you can join with us, with the gnomish revolution, or be swept away by it.'
'We ask nothing of you, Domo Ardan. We will give you this power freely, for we know what you will do with it, and this pleases us.'
'Your choice, Domo Ardan. What will it be?'
"In the name of all that is holy, in the name of justice and liberty, NO!"
"You offer the world a chain, perhaps a chain for a pet. Yet we are not your pets. You deny others the right to decide for themselves, yet keep it for themselves. In that respect, you are no different than the illithid. You request free will for yourselves, deny it for others, and try to make the rest of the world your slaves."
"Gond is known for goodness and compassion, as is Garl Glittergold. Your plans are a mockery to what they have espoused. Your true gods seem to be yourselves."
"Your strategy is to divide and conquer. It is an old strategy, which has been used time and time again. There is much that your people could offer to the world, if it was given equitably in trade. However, Lantan has betrayed its values."
"Go in peace and consider your own motivations and how you would feel if others were doing to your people what you wish to do to others. Then ask how this is compatible with the goodness of Gond and Garl. Have your people betrayed them?"
"Perhaps you should seek redemption and forgiveness. It is not too late. I shall pray for your well being, even as I oppose your actions."
Ardan relates this conversation in the preface of "Ethics: Divinity, Magic, Mortality, and the Multiverse."
"As one can see, even rational societies raised in goodness with a desire to make positive change can fall into hubris and evil. For to deny others the right to think for themselves is to deny their existence as persons. Indeed, we become no more than objects. The Gnomes of Lantan, in abandoning the Goodness of Gond and Garl, have decided we are no more than filthy rags, to be used and thrown away. Perhaps they believe that they have been wronged by others. Yet two wrongs do not make a right."
"I strongly suspect much of the recent turmoil has been caused by the government of Lantan to seize power. Perhaps they believe tht they will guide us to lives without conflict by mind control and in exchange we will be of use to them. The illithid have a similar philosophy, though so far I do not know if the government of Lantan have the same plan as the illithid -- the ultimate enslavement and genocide of all other sentients. However, whatever wrong the government of Lantan thinks has been done to them, gnomes in general (who are generally kind, compassionate, courageous people who should not be blamed for the actions of a few corrupt fanatics.), nothing justifies this raw grab for power."
"I have included in the Appendices of this work a letter from an author, whom I have sometimes disagreed with, a request to write on the ethics of magic, especially enchantment. Sadly, there seem to be some authors who have decided that they will be overseers of other slaves. Indeed, they urge you NOT to read anything not approved by them. Yet recently they asked for the freedom to right and defended the rights of others. I urge you to reject the hypocrisy and the prattle of someone who prefers a silver chain to the responsiblities of freedom. I mourn what some I have respected have become: fools seeking dominance of all or their willingd slaves."
"Whether we admit it or not, we are all kindred in the great family of Being. This is why we must stand together in troubled times. My beloved brothers and sisters of Toril, I forgive you of any wrongs that you have committed against me. Forgive each other and stand as one for your rights and for our beloved Abeir-Toril, the Abode of Life."
"I truly love the beauty and diversity of our world and its cultures, and I am prepared, if need be, to offer my life and my very soul for the safety of our world. We are all the Children of Toril, and we should not let hate or lust for power divide us. Whether you know it or not, you, Gentle Reader, have infinite value. For you have the power to shape your destiny, a gift that is your inherent birthright, which none should try to take from you."
"There have been those who have slandered faith. I am a man of deep faith, and based on my travels on Toril and beyond, I believe that the gods exists. Magic, technology, and lore in general can be tools for good. How many of you have benefitted from magical healing, and other forms of magic. How many people have been feed because of well made plows, hard working farmers, and blessings cast on the soil of Toril, our beloved mother."
"Indeed, this effort to denounce the gods and magic is merely a part of a plan to spread dissension and gain power. As some cannot conquer by force of arms or suceed in convincing others of the rightfulness of their arguments, they have decided to make us their slaves. I reject any yoke, any philosophy that says individuals cannot make their own decisions. While laws and governments are necessary, they must not become a tool for domination."
"I have included in this work tales of the lives of people of deep faith and strong ethics of all lands and races. I believe we must seek that which is best in our innermost souls. There are many worthy guides on this journey. I wish you well on your journeys of enlightenment."
Chapter 1: Fundamental Ethics: The Rights of Sentients, Self Determination, and how Societies Act to Protect these rights.
Chapter 2: Evidence for the Divine: Studies from Toril and Elsewhere.
Chapter 3: A History of Faith.
Chapter 4: The Multiverse and Evidence of A Master Plan
Chapter 5: Evidence for The Eternal, the Source of Creation.
Chapter 6: Benefits of Magic and Faith
Chapter 7: Benefits of Technology and Trade
Chapter 8: Remarkable Individuals
Chapter 9: A Plea for Peace, Brotherhood, and Understanding
Chapter 10: Evidence of Efforts to Divide and Conquer
Chapter 11: A Need for Reformation of the Heart.
Chapter 12: The Power of Forgiveness
Chapter 13: Forgiveness, Charity, and Reconciliation
Chapter 14: Philosophical Considerations
Chapter 15: "What Can I Do?"
Appendices Supporting this Work
Indexes.
The work counters the claims made against magic, against the gods, and all efforts to justify censorship and tyranny. The appendices are a work in themselves, offering detailed evidence beyond the book itself. I council people not to fall into bigotry against gnomes or others, laying the blame for the recent trouble on those who have caused them. (To the best of my evidence.)
If Edena allows, there is some discussion of Krynn and Oerth, where my character may have travelled. (Edena's judgement stand.) There is also a discussion of gods, of Ao who claimed to have created the gods of Toril, and a supposition of a higher power, the Eternal that appears to respect the rights of others to make their own decision. Ardan argues that there is evidence for such a power, and its benevolence. (This part of the book will probably resemble many real world philosophical and religious teachings.)
I add my efforts to Hannover Fist, Arkanyl, Krysophrenos and other notables in reversing the magic of the Lantanese tomes.
I write pamphlets and deliver speeches where there is trouble, and ask my sponsors for help. I also write pamphlets calling for the promotion of diplomacy and free trade among nations in an effort to promote peace, prosperity and progress. I also deride those who define progress as domination. For either we must all rise together in glory and nobility of spirit, or the false efforts of the arrogant are merely justifications to crush others into dust.
I write every ruler in Faerun, urging peace. I ask those of my allies and sponsors to spread the truth and call for peace and justice.
I attend the meeting, using my own magics and those of others to guard me from domination effects. I also ask the Chosen of Mystra and those willing faiths to aid our efforts.
