It's apparent to anyone who reads through these boards that history is cyclic. Ashtani forces demolish Targossas and its citizens, and they in turn claim a meaningless victory or air out their laundry list of excuses for how it wasn't fair, they were outnumbered, or the Gods weren't favouring them, the whole affair flowered with pleas to have those who so utterly dominate them join their own forces. We've heard it all before, and many of us could guess at the contents of Tesha's post after simply noting the author.

Some of us, however, take a look deeper. As anyone who participated in the Championship games is aware, Targossas decided to throw its 'support' fully behind Iakimen, foregoing their own chance for Championship points to attack Ashtani or defend Eleusians. This is not a new trend for the weak, but its results should raise questions. During the experience contest, if Jhui had placed lower than second, there would have been no chance for a comeback. However, Tesha and Bouff, both hunters who started the event holding spots in the top five hunters, bowed out to 'assist' Eleusis, allowing Jhui to easily secure second place. In the Tumble Races, those who were quick with calculations knew that Ashtani didn't have enough competitors to ensure Jhui took first. In fact, we needed someone with 10 or less points to take second, a seemingly impossible task. Tesha was quick to step up however, taking second place in the final race, and ensuring we could finish in such a way that Jhui was uncontested in first place.

Twists of fate? Or something sinister in the works?

Leap forward to the crowning event, the Capture the Flag competition pitting all of the cities against each other. With mere minutes on the clock, Targossas hitched themselves to Eleusis in order to 'help' them beat Ashtan. You might think this means they would give any flags they found to Eleusis, allowing the village to more easily take new points to boost their score. On the contrary, they held flags themselves throughout the entire event. As Ashtan then assaulted the locations Targossas was defending in their efforts to 'assist' Eleusis, we were able to not only secure a location, but also kill flag holders and take the ensuing freed flags, extending the indomitable lead of the Bastion.

Targossas might constantly assert their beliefs that they seek to bring down Ashtan, but every event they've participated in they've only allied themselves with other cities, cities that find themselves finishing in second place. It is abundantly apparent that the downfall of Ashtan is not Targossas' true goal, but instead they seek to drag down the other cities, anchoring their 'assistance' so they can systematically remove any chance of another city succeeding.

Why, you might ask? To what purpose do they change their allegiances, dragging down others wherever they can? Targossas doesn't wish to be alone in defeat. A city that knows only the bottom side of the Ashtani boot seeks comrades in despair, others they can look to and say, "See? We're not alone in our weakness! Each of these other cities is as weak as we are!"

I hope the other cities of Sapience can see the truth. Do not let Targossas 'assistance' drag you down. Do not let the weakness of the Light translate into a weakness in your own city. Step over the Light-blinded trash as you further your own goals, for without the anchor of Good dragging you down, there is no limit to what you can achieve.

-Shadow Matrix Jarrod Lucoster

Penned by my hand on the 3rd of Mayan, in the year 651 AF.