Britannia: An Essay
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: Britannia: an Essay
Author: Aimeric
1. Introduction
The opinions within have come unto me over a period of time, taking shape as I travelled about the land, building upon mine experiences and attempting to follow the Virtues to the best of my ability.
With the untimely death of my dear friend, Devin Glowember, cut down defending himself from a known thief by Lord British's supposedly just guards, I felt the time was nigh to raise my voice over those matters discussed within.
2. Concerning the purpose of this text.
It is my intention in the pages that follow to comment on the land of Britannia in general and the problems that plague it, specifically concerning the rule and policies of our Lord British. It is not the author's intent to cause any harm in publishing this document, but merely to show and hopefully educate those who read it in an attempt to create a better Britannia for all its people.
3. Concerning the status of our land.
It has come to my attention that our society, as it now stands, is plagued with a myriad of social and political problems, reaching from the lowest ofbeggars to our king himself. Britannia is in what is perhaps its darkest age yet, the problems I speak of being far worse than any monster or brigand raid ever could.
4. Concerning the Virtues, and the problem of morality.
While it is this author's opinion that the Virtues created by our Lord British are both noble and just, their execution has been fundamentally flawed since its genesis. Simply put, it seems that there is nothing less than a total lack of Virtue in Britannia, and most claiming to be "Virtuous" only desiring to exploit the Virtues to their own ends. As I recently walked through the streets of our capital city, I saw examples of this everywhere I turned.
In one shop, I overheard a knight on horseback use language that would make all but the foulest of pirates blush, in plain earshot of several Lords and Ladies, mind you, cursing the name of an equally contemptuous smith, who apparently had run off with this fellow's equipment whilst pretending to repair it.Outside in the street,a young lady who had apparently dropped a package was arguing with a Lord, who had claimed it rightfully his, simply because she had put it down for a moment! A Lord!
I would expect as much from a lowly thief, but from such a noble person it is simply unthinkable. I have heard even stranger tales, of trapped boxes left in the open, waiting for an unknowing citizen to chance upon it and attempt to discover what is inside...this in the very streets of Britain! Bodies litter the streets at times, while blood stains the cobblestones outside of Lord British's castle. Clearly, any notion of the cities being a safe place is quite untrue.
5. Concerning crime and its prevention.
It is no secret that the conditions outside the city walls are no better than those within. As we all know, the roads of our land are most unsafe, and any attempts to rid Britannia of these unsavory folk has been, at the time of this writing, mostly unsuccessful. While there are some who attempt to force these criminals from Britannia, the truth of the matter is far more sinister. Many of these "justice seekers" are no more noble than those they hunt. Many hide behind false titles, preying upon the weak and helpless. Virtue, it seems, is rarer than gold.
6. Concerning the rule of Lord British.
Ir seems to me that although Lord British may have his heart in the right place, his capacity for ruling leaves something to be desired. He remains safe within his keep, while the despicable acts described previously occur all around him. His personal guard, proclaiming themselves defenders of Virtue, do nothing more to aid Britannia's plight than any other, most joining solely for the shield and the prestige it brings.
His solution to the brigand problem, adding bounties to the head of any criminal his guards have not yet slain themselves, has not only proven ineffective, but only causes more bloodshed than ever before. His kingdom is crumbling, yet he does nothing about it. Still, you say, that is what guards and city walls are for, no?
7. Concerning what is just.
While it may even be considered treasonous to call one's ruler a murderer, I know no other words that can adequately describe what occurs on our city streets each day.
The City Guard sees only black and white, criminal and hero, with nothing in between. Those who would murder a child receive the same punishment as those who would steal a loaf of bread to feed that child: death.
There is no trial, no mercy, no compassion nor just cause, only criminals and their punishment.
Neither do the guards seem to care who receives that punishment. Murderers are protected, while those who attempt to defend themselves are cut down in the streets. This is not justice by any means, and its enforcers no more than common thugs.
8. Concerning war.
This may be the most dire problem facing Britannia. Rumors of war have circulated for some time, and now it seems it may soon become reality.
As one who once considered joining the fight, I now believe that doing so would be disastrous. I have considered the arguments from both sides, and while I cannot yet provide a solution, I know war can bring nothing but harm.What is the point of saving the world, only to destroy it ourselves?
(Publisher's Note: Additional copies of this text may be found at the Lycaeum in Moonglow, as well as in libraries and bookstores throughout Britannia.)
Those wishing to contact me concerning what is written here may do so by posting at the Stag and Lion Inn in Magincia, as it would not be in my best interest to write my address here.
Please read this volume carefully, and think about what is said within. The situation may be dire, but perhaps, with enough effort, we can truly change the world.
Aimeric of Magincia.