The rebellion to overthrow Commander Simms and Overseer Sheps has been successful, and the tyrants have been locked in the Tower. It was a hard fought victory, and I believe that if Sanctuary survives the coming troubles its people will look back on these events with some confusion. How could so many people have remained loyal to men who were so evidently corrupt?

I will start by saying something self-evident. Life in Sanctuary, or even the Underdark, is not simple. In the reader's lifetime he will likely encounter creatures powerful beyond reckoning and people entirely apathetic to anything that does not directly interrupt the flow of coins into their palms. They will claim no love and perhaps even a criticism of Sanctuary while they themselves huddle inside for fear of what awaits them beyond the gates. Such is the way of life here, it would seem.

The Loyalists realized this. They had to choose between forces that did not likely have their best interests in heart, and they did so, attempting to side with those that would be the most likely to ensure the status-quo. This was a choice made not to only ensure their own survival, but the survival of those most Loyalists, if not all of them, had sworn to serve before the rebellion ever occured.

Consider how much weaker Sanctuary is now than before the rebellion, how much more vulnerable we are to outside threats. How, after a particular rebel attack, the drow followed mere minutes after. Although evil men have been disposed I would argue that Sanctuary has not been done a service. If anything, it has been brought closer than ever to its destruction.

Despite my musing to the opposite, I will freely admit there is much to admire in the rebel, for they were unwilling to allow even a small injustice to take place. The Loyalists, by comparison, were willing to compromise on the moral compass they had been instilled with in order to try and spare Sanctuary annilation. When faced with this truth, who then is the monster in this conflict? I believe people who have, are, and who may come to live in Sanctuary will always face some variation of this ancient argument, and the answer will always lie in unity.

I cannot make a case for the character of every Loyalist, much as any rebel would freely admit they could not do the same for all of their peers. I believe that most, if not all of these dark souls, have been claimed by the fighting. I could easily make a list of many on both sides who deserve the worst fate Gond could issue such servants of Talos, but this is not meant to be a tome of hatred. It is a tome of enlightenment.

Look upon your fellow Sanctuarian as a fellow survivor, and always work together to ensure peace and prosperity will come about. Always consider what the long term effects of your actions will be, especially in the case where you might serve Sanctuary's enemies. Never allow Talos seduce you towards the path of destruction, for in these dark times it is far too easy a thing for one to damn many.

~Mars Maylun, Ex-Associate, Ex-Loyalist Watchman, Member of the Sovereign Host, and Gondsman.