An essay made its way to various notice boards, wherever it was relevant. AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PEERAGE, On December 4th, 309 AC, you were all called upon by His Imperial Holiness to determine the establishment of Constitutional Articles of Protection, one that would extend across all lands of this Commonwealth. This proposal weighed heavily upon the future rights of both yourselves and the common people you rule over. It guaranteed basic privileges to all citizens beneath the Crown’s Protection at the expense of your own aristocratic freedoms. It is with great regret that we write that, though this proposal experienced a plurality of support within the Assembly, such a majority was not overwhelming or unanimous as required by His Imperial Holiness. It thus failed final ratification. There are any number of reasons why those who voted NAY did so. We acknowledge the hesitation of those reluctant to so willingly giving up their own privileges, especially to expand the freedoms of those who have traditionally been your commodities to lord over. We make no presumptions to suggest that the aristocracy’s part in society is anything but essential. However, we do believe that such hesitation is unfounded. We find and believe that the sacrifice of these current privileges will provide the revelation of rights and protections previously unknown. We argue that not only is the existence of this Bill of Rights morally unassailable, but that it is also within the best interests of the assembled aristocracy to lend their full-fledged support out of even self-interested pragmatism. This Commonwealth is a plural society. We find great pleasure in this fact, and believe it to be an integral aspect of the modern Empire. It exists today as a polity sui generis, much unlike many of the racially homogenous states that it exists both alongside and indeed, as it used to exist before. With such pluralities however, comes inherent points of contention, of social chafing. Different Ailor cultures have time and time again come to arms against each other, fighting for the protection of their own identity, or more recently, the destruction of another’s. This is to say nothing of the difference between the various non-Ailor societies. Politics and time may smooth over many of the issues that come to rear their heads, but there is need for more than mere pragmatism to bind us all together. A common fabric of undeniable rights for all peoples of the Empire would provide such a foundation. Its existence would aid in transforming what is now a collection of similarly interested states into a singular people, united in purpose and cause; to defend not only their own homes, but that which guarantees their safety from any tyranny that might befall them. We find that we must explain the Commoner’s Perspective in this matter, a voice that varies in strength from region to region, culture to culture. The life that a person might live in the heart of Capital Regalia is vastly different from one might live in Lokkenland, or Mosskaya, or San Selin. There are, however, certain universal truths of to whom a person belongs. One, the common person is beholden to the Crown, from which the Lord derives their power. Two, the common person is beholden to the Lord of the land they work on. Three, the common person is beholden to the Society and culture in which they exist. Of the three, who but the Crown is the most observant, the most removed from bias and invested with the inherent wisdom that comes from ruling over so many for so long? Lords vary from region to region. While their status and privilege guarantees a certain level of competency, it does not guarantee that they all will act as generously and as benevolently to their charges as we have come to expect from more shining examples of the peerage. This is to speak nothing about the inherent differences from culture to culture. The breadth of the Empire is covered in societies that, if not bound by blood or faith, treat those below their own status with animosity and hatred unseen. The Crown is the only constant, consistent force in all this. No other party is capable of the creation and stewardship of a social contract so wholly encompassing the variety of peoples in this Empire. Only it is able to judge both Lord and Commoner with the unified wisdom to charter a just place for both, and yet still put both in their just place. It is worthy of remark that in the writing of this essay, our research and interviews with involved parties seems to reveal an unfortunate circumstance in interpretation of intent. Perhaps that is why the Fourth of December was not marked as a day of celebration for the downtrodden everywhere. However, we ask you to make no mistake. It is by the Emperor’s hand alone that these Articles might yet be written and amended, as it should be. It is our understanding that the necessity of your approval in future iterations is provided only at the Crown’s benevolence. That is as it should be as well. If you approve of this sentiment, then perhaps you should approve of the proposal as it was described by its proposer, and as it was elaborated upon by His Imperial Holiness. We recognize that we writers are only commoners, and that perhaps in many cases, the common people are out of their depth when it comes to matters of grave importance. Such a far reaching proposal is called by the Emperor to require support from the assembled peerage, with no intrinsic value being placed upon the words from the masses. However, we do not believe that this is one such matter we should remain silent on, waiting for decisions to be made where they are being made. We believe the common people must benefit from the Crown’s benevolence, at the very least for the reasons enumerated before. As such, a little of our own perspective is provided to your potential benefit. We hope it informs whatever choice you make in the coming days. Szaralaszotl Officer of Commoners Seishan Secretary of Commoners
