Al'Akbar's reply to Eclavdra
(OOC: I will be offline until tomorrow sometime. Almost time to ring in the new year in Chicago. Let us hope that this new year will be better than the last.
I will respond to the various diplomatic overtures tomorrow. However, I thought that one thing deserved a reply, so I worked one up. Edena, don't feel bad about rushing things. I should also tell you that this post is not a formal rejection of any non-agression pact, but I think Eclavdra's speech has hurt her case.)
The voice and image of Al’Akbar appears to the leaders and peoples of the Baklunish Empire, the leaders and people of Eclavdor, and those drow cities not aligned with Eclavdra. The expression on the demigod’s face is one of weary bemusement. Yet his voice is warm and friendly as he addresses the populace of different nations.
“Eclavdra calls me a hypocrite. However, she seems to be engaging in the practice of casting her faults on others. Perhaps her perspective is so limited that she can only see other societies as identical to her own. Her words are distorted, and one must question the judgment of one so blind.”
“The workers and laborers of the Baklunish Empire and its nations have long enjoyed rights. Are there employers who are abusive? Yes, there are some. However, many are fair to their workers and some are kind. Again, Eclavdra distorts the record for her own purposes – to drive a wedge between me and my people and those whom I would call allies. This has been her tactic since our first communications, which I will address later.”
“There was no practical way to keep the Baklunish Empire together after the Invoked Devastation. I should know, as I was there. As for the gods, I was given artifacts of greater power to help my people. However, the gods of the Baklunish peoples believe that their followers are not slaves or automatons. They have free will, and can make their own decisions. Some have made poor decisions. Yet my priests and those of the other gods have counseled for peace, worked for justice, healed the sick, and consoled the bereave. Yet one should ask what have the clergy of the Queen of Spiders done for the drow? Keep them isolated? Urge them to fight each other? Plot to take over the surface world? So far, the performance record of the Queen of Spiders has been one of abject failure in comparison to the gods of the Baklunish, the Oeridians, the Suel, the dwarves, the elves, and other peoples.”
“The gods of the Baklunish peoples have supported us through many trials. Has everything been perfection? No, no mortal society is perfect – even Eclavdra will admit this. However, she seems to believe that a lack of perfection prevents just criticism of others. It is she who is the hypocrite in this matter, holding nations up to standards that no one can meet. Thus, she laughably seeks to protect herself from any criticism. We have laws where there are guaranteed rights for people. Are they perfect? No, because laws need people to enforce and interpret them. Yet there are laws that even pashas, sultans and caliphs must respect. What law does Eclavdra, who used violence and threats to achieve unity, respect? I consulted with the leaders of the Baklunish and asked for the right to lead and serve. However, Eclavdra has now decided that only one opinion matters in drow society – hers.”
“Concerning faith, the only way a moral choice is valid is if it is freely given. Yet although it might be possible for the clergy to dominate every aspect of society, they have not chosen to do so. Why? Honest devotion matters more to the gods of the Baklunish than coercion and fear. We have looked for ways to serve our people, and not use the motto “Where there is a whip, there is a way.” However, Eclavdra seems incapable of understanding the difference between good and evil, viewing them merely as labels and virtues as hypocrisies. The modron and the slaadi, for all their differences, at least agree there is a difference in motivation between powers. However, it would seem that Eclavdra’s perspective is limited and her responses quite predictable. Yes, the great priestess of the Queen of Spiders lacks the perspective of a modron – and is even more predictable.”
“In comparison, drow citizens enjoy precious few rights. Indeed, Eclavdra makes dissent illegal. However, I do not require any of the citizens of the Baklunish Empire to worship me, no have I used coercion to do so. The same cannot be said for some others.”
“Nations will disagree, however, I have urged for peace and understanding in the last thousand years. Some leaders have been enlightened and benefited their people, while others have been self-centered, abject failures. I believe it is the role of deities to inspire, not to make slaves out of their worshippers and control every aspect of society. Indeed, there are limits to what any one individual can do in a society. Yet this is ignored by Eclavdra who holds up a standard of perfection for others to meet to which she does not even subscribe. This is the definition of hypocrisy, and therefore it is Eclavdra who is a hypocrite.”
“Apparently, Eclavdra’s primary strategy is to lie repeatedly and loudly, in the hope that it will be believed. Yet this does not influence what is true and real. Thus, if I said this was how Eclavdra appeared to me when I first meet her” – an image of Eclavdra dressed up as a circus clown with red hair, white make up, a rubber nose, and overly large clothes and boots – “does not make it so. Yet, Eclavdra believes that repeating lies that are as ridiculous as her dressed as a clown will be effective. It is a good thing that I did not accept a wager on her predictable her actions would be, otherwise I would likely have to pay a debt. For the record, I have no idea if Eclavdra has ever dressed as a circus clown. It would only be slightly more amusing than her recent statements.”
“As for the regard Eclavdra has for others, she has belittled one of the mightest surface leaders besides myself, casting aspersions on his skills and abilities. She also sought to lead me to war against another surface power, who is considered evil. Yet she admitted when I confronted her that she would betray me in any potential alliance and seek to make the Baklunish her slaves. I believe that Eclavdra would ultimately betray any so-called ally, as she believes that only she and her goddess have any valid opinions. Her goal is simple: to forge an alliance and isolate me from potential allies. It is rather transparent – and laughably pathetic.”
“There are several types of truces and non-agression pacts. Some are based on a legitimate desire for peace, and others are based on a desire of one party to secretly arm and prepare to break. Indeed, I am evaluating several such offers and trying to determine their true intent. There are some matters I will cooperate with almost anyone in – such as opposing the Whispered One and other common threats. Indeed, if such threats appear we must put aside our disputes at the moment and stand as one. The technological plans have some potential flaws, and I believe should be supplemented with whatever technological sites exist on Oerth and Greyspace. Eclavdra shows some wisdom in suspecting the plans of the devils. Yet that seems to be the limit of her wisdom.”
“There are those who seek to keep the Baklunish peoples isolated from friends, neighbors and allies. Eclavdra seeks to do this to limit my actions. However, I say that the Baklunish will stand with our allies.”
“Long ago, there was a great tyrant who with his followers achieved much because many were silent about the evils that they committed against their neighbors. A wise and holy sage spoke up against this saying, ‘First, they came for the Flan and I did not speak out – because I was not a Flan. Then they came for the gnomes and I did not speak out, for I was not a gnome. Then they came for the elves, and I did not speak out – because I was not an elf. Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.’ It seems what Eclavdra and others want is my silence as they plot war on their neighbors.”
“I shall not be silent and shall honor my commitments, despite the honeyed-and predictable lies of others. Indeed, Eclavdra only believes in honoring a promise so long as it is convenient – and mistakenly thinks everyone holds the same standard. This is the height of narcissism. Perhaps Eclavdra should consider making her personal symbol a mirror.”
“I entered into negotiations with Eclavdra in the hope that the drow will stand against some threats, However, I am too old and wily a fish for her bait – no matter what she has offered me in the past and the present. I will maintain diplomatic relations for the present, but I must question Eclavdra’s intentions. I expect Eclavdra to be what she seems to be. As for the drow, I believe they could do much in this time. However, I believe Eclavdra’s views are quite limiting – what she does not understand she labels hypocrisy. She lies for her own purposes, and has so far proved unreliable. She has offered me nothing to convince me to abandon allies and ally with her. Nor has she succeeded in isolating me from others. She has leaked details of secret negotiations – which in itself is enough to end diplomatic relations. One must reasonably question the discretion of such a leader. I must also question whether I should continue to be discrete about diplomatic talks – as Eclavdra has shown that she does not honor her word. I believe Eclavdra’s words, including the belittling of a major surface leader and a proposal to attack another, should cause any potential allies of hers cause for concern.”
“It is my hope that all the peoples of Oerth will survive the coming challenges. All my divinations point to great struggles ahead for us all. Yet it seems that Eclavdra’s efforts to isolate me have instead left her – and the drow – alone.”
“I will continue to talk to Eclavdra’s government, but I will take all its statements with great skepticism. So far, Eclavdra has proved herself to be a narcissist with poor judgment. One must question how much one can rely on Eclavdra to keep her word on any treaty. She fails to acknowledge legitimate differences, and such poor judgment serves the drow poorly.”
“For my part, I oppose the devastation of the Oerth and the worlds of Greyspace. I was a young man when the Invoked Devastation and the Rain of Colorless Fire destroyed two mighty empires. I have seen great horrors, and struggled for my people – even as a mortal man. I would not see similar horrors unleashed again.”
“It is my belief that all peoples have certain fundamental rights, including the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I would argue that the cultures of Oerth and Greyspace that hold these values have prospered and grown more than those who see their people and others as mere resources without any rights. The Baklunish peoples, those of Orcreich and the Khanates, and those of Greater Nyrond have been able to accomplish much by looking past as well as respecting the many of the differences of race and culture to find common cause. In the Baklunish Empire, elves and orcs are citizens, and some serve in places of high prominence. Perhaps it is time for the peoples of Oerth who find themselves enslaved to other wills to take off their shackles – both those of the body and the mind – and forge a new future besides their neighbors. Or they may choose to be manipulated by the proud, the arrogant, and the greedy – who have cheated them time and time again. The choice is yours.”
(OOC: See you tomorrow. Happy New Year, my IR friends!)