Greetings, Sapience.

I have an apology to issue today. To the Ashura, and in particular, to former Archdragon Eliana.

In the latter years of my employment by the Occultists and the Nihilists I found myself restless. Bored. I'd been an Occultist most of my years, and I wanted something different. A new class.

So I asked Babel and Amunet, then the Demiurge of the Occultists if there were any organizations that they wished for me to spy on or worm my way in to. At the time, the Ashura were led by Eliana, who was skeptical of the value to Ashtan of a God that wished to destroy Ashtan, along with the rest of the world. Babel, and as a result, Amunet, wanted her monitored, and if need be - silenced.

Simply slaying someone does not achieve this result. Often, it has the opposite effect, as Babel has found to his disdain. But I was regarded, correctly, as a man with a delicate touch and a silver tongue, one who could perhaps do what a knife in the back could not.

I changed class and joined the Ashura. I quietly informed the Nihilists and Amunet of their activities - generally of no harm - but Eliana remained quite inquisitive about Babel, and was beginning to organize those that disagreed with His tenets and philosophy.

I can no longer recall the catalyst, but Eliana finally tipped her hand about her doubts in Babel and plans to organize against Him and His in the city. I analyzed the situation, discerned the best path, consulted with Amunet and Babel, and then I acted. I pretended to be scandalized, and I wrote a post about how I could no longer stay in a House that harbored such treasonous intentions and quit the House.

My actions were more effective than I thought they would be. Eliana stepped down as Archdragon and went inactive. I returned to the Occultists and Babel's influence in Ashtan grew unchecked.

I regret this for three reasons.

First, because of what I did to Eliana. Eliana had been a friend of mine. She had been loyal to me, and she did not deserve what I did to her.

Eliana, if you ever read this, I am truly sorry.

Second, for thinking that Nihilism and Babel were causes worth championing. Truly, I paid lip service to Babel's goals, simply happy that the Occultists and Chaos had a Patron again at long last. Babel was not the God of Chaos I had hoped he would be, but I _had_ hoped he would be a worthy and loyal patron for the Occultists, and at the time it seemed he was. I regret paving the way for Babel's domination of the city.

Thirdly, for spying on the Ashura. The Ashura have typically been the least dramatic or machiavellian of the Ashtani Guilds or Houses and tirelessly loyal to the city. They did not deserve to be spied on or manipulated.

I am truly sorry for what I did in the name of what I thought to be a worthy cause.

Please forgive me.

Father Reznik Saer'rac

Penned by my hand on the 15th of Phaestian, in the year 687 AF.