The Fall of Serpantol

The Fall of Serpantol

This is ancient history with a lesson that is relevant even today about the purpose of law.

It tells of a Knighthood at odds with the court of Serpantol upon the incursion by the yinn into the lands of Serpantol and Shalonesti. Knighthood wished to counter this incursion, but the law of Serpantol bound them to stay and protect the city and the people.

The Commander of the cityguard of Serpantol and General San Gohdam came to the Emperor to make their cases to act upon the yinn invasion. The Commander spoke of the law which stated that the Knights must remain with the Serpantol cityguard and could not be mobilised beyond the city gates leaving the city defenseless. San Gohdam stated that unless this invasion was met with military force, then the yinn incursion would continue. Not only that, but if it were not countered then Serpantol would become outflanked, and cut off from Shinalstin, Thalos and Althainia.

The Emperor consulted the Chief Justice of the court of Serpantol, who sided with the rigid application of the law. "The law is the law." San Gohdam countered that the law did not serve the people and that the defence of Serpantol would be untenable should it be cut off, putting the people in mortal danger. Bound by the law tighter than their armour, despite Gohdam's warnings the Emperor sided with the law, which cumulated in the downfall of the city.

Gohdam was infuriated by being blocked by law when the outcome was obvious. Instead of seeking to reform the law, he broke with Serpantol and set up a Eclipse west of Althainia, weakening Serpantol and failing the people.

As we know from the memo in the ruins of Serpantol that too late the Emperor realised his mistake. The inflexible application of the law failed Serpantol and its population it was supposed to protect. A strategic withdrawal to Althainia and Serpantol since lost to the ages.

Moral of the story : When law is applied as a constant in the absense of reason, it will fail the people.

Slayers care not for good, and are only using the law for safe passage in Althainia as it serves their purpose - it does not serve the people. Let us not forget the plight of Nadrik, and in the first shard battle in order to save his life, the Slayers we bought off by Dungeon gold to first kill the metallic dragons who could have secured a greater chance to save Nadrik's life, rather than as it now hangs - in the balance.

"The yinn were on the move again, moving south and westwards invading lands sovereign to Serpantol and increasing their holdings in the Shalonesti Kingdom. Again the invasion was not countered in any way by either Shalonesti or Serpantol. In fact according to the lore in Dragon Vale it was political, not military pressure which saw the loss of this land by cessession."

Source: http://sites.google.com/site/khoodlibrary/Home/history/the-pre-history-of-gareth#TOC-Civil-war-with-San-Gohdam-s-Eclipse

"Already weakened by the lost territories to the yinn and maintenance of a two front war, ineffectual leadership from Serpantol and popularism of Eclipse, the new power held its own against the stagnant Empire. At this time Croyden Vesuvias continued to follow the reforms of Privus the Good, the path with San Gohdam ought to have taken, making it independent from Serpantol, and demanding reform from the Emperor. Changing the laws which all had to follow, rather than allowing quick wins without lawful governance."

Moral of the story : When law is applied as a constant in the absense of reason, it will fail the people.

| From: [51] Sehvelarious

| To: Aliera Mercerion [51] Kiery [51] Jyrin [51] Esian Azbogah imm rp

| Subject: Clans and Kingdoms - The last bastions of Good

| Date: Fri Jun 12 12:31:46 2015

Empress of Althainia

I am Iolius and I have found myself unwelcome in the city I am sworn to

protect.

I understand that this is because one of two reasons.

The first reason is that you would wish that there is no fighting within

your city. With respect, fighting comes to your city no matter how strong

your desire is for peace. Gareth and your guards stand ready against all

threats, so that Althainian's may sleep soundly within their beds at night.

I see little difference between us and your guards. We both seek out those

who would do good harm within your city. It is true that this is not a

silent activity - but it is a necessary one. To make us unwelcome is akin

to unwelcoming your own city guard.

The second reason is that you wish to keep your citizens safe. Let us put

aside the fact that because of the nature of kingdoms that none of your

citizens are in harm's way through our battles. War has come to the streets

of Althainia since time immemorial with Gareth Keep ever set on your city's

protection, as it is the bastion of good in Algoron. To remove your

protector from the streets does not make you any more safe - quite the

contrary. It means that those who would harm Althainia have less resistance

to doing their evil.

I am confused by your recent treaty with the Slayers to abide by your law

given their purpose. The point of your law is to protect the people in the

city of good. Yet take one step outside, and the slayers who hunt

Austinian's greatest servants are free to use the solace of Althainia to do

so. Please do not grant solace to our common enemies. Good is stronger

when Althainia and Knighthood stand together, and to do so, I would humbly

request that Knighthood be ever-allowed and welcome within Althainia to

protect it.

Of course Althainia is free to make its own laws. Knighthood will respect

those laws, but Gareth will offer our views if they threaten our common

purpose and environment. All of this nonwithstanding, we must look to the

consequences of this law. Evil is far greater in Algoron and it is together

we ought to be standing shoulder to shoulder to protect the weak, the

helpless and the good.

It is easy for Althainia and Knighthood to stay in their Castle and Keep and

pretend that the other did not exist, or that we were not bound in common

purpose, but the path of good is not the easiest to follow. I would implore

Althainia to consider my words and reconsider the purpose and folly of this

law.

Your servant and protector,

Iolius

An additional point to add on the pact with the Slayers. Slayers care

not for good, and are only using the law for safe passage in Althainia as it

serves their purpose - it does not serve the people.

Let us not forget the plight of Nadrik, and in the first shard battle in

order to save his life, the Slayers we bought off by Dungeon gold to first

kill the metallic dragons who could have secured a greater chance to save

Nadrik's life, rather than as it now hangs - in the balance.

Iolius.