The Fate of Beleg

[Skittlebug]

It had taken a good deal of time for the remaining forces of the Beastlands to search through Beleg's old territory, hunting down the Beasts turned demons that remained, ensuring that none remained. Not many of the unaffected Belegites were left, though the ones that were had done a good job of avoiding the patrols. A small number of them had even made their way to Poldora, seeking to convert to Poldoran ways, preferring that to the possible alternatives.

The non militants had spent the time mourning and burying their dead, and rebuilding. It was a slow and painful process, but with the Beasts were nothing if not adaptable.

Now was time for a decision.

The various leaders of the Beastlands were being gathered in Poldora to discuss the fate of what remained of Beleg. Packleader Thavan, General Aitra, Beorg, Faolan, and Tain representing Seere, as well some of the converted Belegites. The meeting was hardly a secret, and some of the Poldoran officers were in attendance as well, not to mention a good deals of citizens hanging about not quite willing to encroach. 

Once all were gathered and settled into the larger tent set aside for the meeting eyes went to Thavan to speak first and begin what some expected to be a short discussion, and others a lengthy debate.

[Kender Bard]

Thavan glanced around at those assembled and took a small breath before sitting up straighter, trying to radiate his authority to those present. When he spoke, he spoke in a clear, strong voice, "We are gathered today to discuss the fate of Clan Beleg. As we are all aware and agree upon, Clan Beleg committed treason against the peoples of the Beastlands by allying themselves with the enemy of mankind, the demons, during our war upon them, and turning on their own former brethren in combat. The Beasts of Seere and Poldora, with the aid of our allies, the Fires and the Earths, have managed to not only push them back from their assault, but we have routed them, rooted out the corruption, and destroyed it in every way we possibly can. However, as a result, the clan of Beleg is badly weakened. We are presented with an opportunity and a decision that to my knowledge the Beastlands has never had to face before; what do we do with Beleg?"

"Our options are numerous but I feel confident that I can sum up the various opinions that will be presented and talked over here today. There are those who feel that Beleg's actions warrant them death as a people. They will be absorbed into the other clans--those who haven't come over willingly--or executed. Beleg will cease to exist. Either a new clan will take its place or, more likely, Poldora and Sere will engulf what was once Beleg territory and split it up amongst each other."

"The secondary option is to allow Beleg to continue, but under strict law and supervision of Poldora and Seere. They will be allowed to regain what strength they have, in a diminished territory, and in the next coming years, become a full clan once more under the law and decisions of its watchers."

"And finally, there is always the option to declare things settled and to leave Beleg, such as it is, and its lands, alone to let Worg sort out what will happen to them next."

"Is there any other speculations on what to do with Beleg? If not, we will begin debating our chosen course of action."

[Darastrix]

Poldora's General sat in stony-faced silence as the Packleader spoke, her stinger-tipped tail curved overhead as a sign of her anger and tension.  No.  Beleg would find no words of mercy or second chances from her.  Once Thavan opened the floor, she stood.

"Beleg's dealing with demons is only the most recent sign of their corruption," she began in her dry voice.  "Their culture and way of life encourages these acts.  They have come to value strength, not as Worg would have it - earning it through trail and growth - but by any means and the swiftest way possible, which is no real strength.  Calling the matter settled means it will be only a matter of time before something like this happens again.  It may not be demons they ally with, but they've proven that if a land or group offers them enough, their loyalty is not to the Beastlands.  Their 'honor' and loyalty are for sale to whoever can afford it."

"We should end them now.  Let Beleg cease to be."

[Skittlebug]

The converted Belegites did not like the sound of that. One of them, an older lion affinity with thick hair and a bushy beard to match stepped forward, unable to stay silent. "And what of us? What of others who would move and change their ways. It has happened before, even before all this."

Beorg looked from the lion to the Packleader. "I can't believe that the solution is hunt them all down and slaughter them. Not all Belegites are monsters, just as not all Seerlings are kind, and not all Poldorans loyal. Could they not prove themselves somehow?"

Captain Tain snorted, with a nod to Aitra. He had been there when the Belegites turned demon set upon their troops. "I agree with the General, burn out the rot, make room for those who are worthwhile."

[Kender Bard]

Thavan struggled internally at the debate that was already flaring up. He was in a sticky situation; on one hand, he was inclined to agree with Beorg. He thought that destroying Beleg was a bit much.

But on the other hand, Beleg had made him look bad. Very, very bad. And it wasn't even the first time, either. Not only that, but there was the feeling in the air that the Poldorans were going to stand united with Aitra in their belief. If he stood against his own clan, that, too, would look bad.

But was it worth making a decision that went counter-intuitive to his own beliefs just because it was politically convenient to do so?

Thavan waited for a lull to interject. "You say that the Belegites do not value Worgan strength that, instead, they would sell themselves for quick, easy, tainted strength. I think that we have hunted down all those who would make such a choice. But even if we have not, those left behind may have a chance at redeeming their name. Perhaps we should teach them the value of Worgan strength and true Beast honor by forcing them to rebuild with little, under the watchful eye of those who would be swift to cut them down like weeds should they stray from the path we put them on. We should task them to rebuild themselves anew, strong, but resilient and in accord with the rest of the Beastlands."

"I am no priest, but while Worg may advocate the 'pruning' of weakness from a body, doesn't she also advise us to work on our flaws and overcome them despite the fact that it would be easiest not to? It would not be easy for us--OR Beleg--to take the path I speak of. But it would, over time, result in a stronger and more unified Beastlands would it not?"

[Darastrix]

Aitra frowned, her tail twitching. An idealistic goal, to be sure, and Thavan was making it sound even more so by taking it as a foregone conclusion that things would end in the best-case scenario.

"You are also no seer. You speak as if a 'stronger and more unified Beastlands' is the only possible result, Packleader," Aitra observed. "It is not. It could just as easily go the other way. Don't ask us questions of the future as if you can guarantee the result. Not even Etaf's children can do that. If you're going to consider that course of action, you must also acknowledge that what they may learn instead is resentment for their watchers. You can't teach your lessons to those who don't want to learn, and flaws can't be overcome unless those with them see them as flaws and want to overcome them."

"And what of you?" she repeated, looking to the Belegite lion-affinity. "It was already said when the most likely options were given: you who left your traitorous clan willingly would be taken into one of the other clans. But as for the rest...." Aitra struck at the empty air with her stinger.

[Skittlebug]

The lion-affinity harrumphed. "Give the rest the option at least before you slaughter them. There will be many who do not wish to live the life of a farmer, but will agree to save their hides. Most that have not come may fear to be killed on the spot if found in your territory, even if they mean no harm. I admit my group was prepared for a fight."

[Kender Bard]

"If they have to be dragged kicking and screaming, who's to say that they'll even bother to try and not revert back to former habits given the first opportunity?" Selou chimed in, removing a bit of bamboo he was idly chewing on. "A tiger can't change his stripes."

Thavan struggled not to sigh. He didn't want to lose his position. Nor did he want to appear weak before his fellows. "Anyone can change. Have you considered that maybe some Belegites who would have protested will find that they like their new life? Savagery is all most Belegites know because that's all they're taught and are surrounded by... No offense." He added the last bit to the Belegites of the room.

[Skittlebug]

A few of the Belegites mutter at Thavan's words, but nothing more. They aren't about to cause any trouble with the situation as it is.

"Giving them a chance to be overseen is still better than deciding to wipe them all out. I am sure that not all that are left will want to fight. There has been more than enough killing, and while we may have differences they are still our own kind."

[Darastrix]

'Live the life of a farmer?' Aitra thought, raising a brow.  Yes, because Poldora was just chock-full of farmers. 

The General gave a slight nod to Selou's words and breathed out through her nose at Thavan's.  "Their way of life is more than just 'all they know and have been taught;' it is also a long-standing tradition.  We're not talking about children who don't know better because they've gotten away with something for a handful of years.  We are speaking of grown men and women who are conscious of their deeds and ways and take pride in them because they have stood for longer than their own lifetimes.  We are speaking of a people who, before selling their souls for power, have been selling their skills as mercenaries and hired killers for simple wealth with no care for who they kill or who they're working for for longer than any of us have lived."

[Kender Bard]

Thavan grit his teeth. "I'll speak plainly then. I think that slaughtering the remains of Beleg would be evil. If there is any alternative to follow, I feel we should follow it. We take a gamble, but we can do what we must to minimize the risks. If we place Poldora in a place of indisputable power over Beleg, then we set ourselves into a position to drop the axe on the neck of Beleg collectively if they can't prove that they're capable of living lives in accord with the Beastlands. Does that make me weak? Perhaps in the eyes of some. I think it's just and fair."

[Skittlebug]

Beorg crossed her arms and nodded, obviously siding with the Packleader.

Tain shook his head. "You best hope that you can keep an eye on every one of them. They're bound to try something sooner or later."

[Kender Bard]

Thavan's voice was cold. "Then let it be known that this is Beleg's final chance. Any slip up, and there will be no mercy."