The Lily Wilting: White League Failure

[Random_White_Guy]

The Lily Wilting:
Studies on Moralistic Tautology
The Failings of the White League
By Ruital ibn-Kharim

Blessed in both name and boundless charitable spirit is the honored and resplendent Princess Hasheema. Her heart as vast as the Great Ash. The well of her compassion deeper than the depths of the Summer Palace. As many things her message and design for a brighter and better future are mired in the misleadings of a few and the failing of translation. For while the Refugee is capable of many things, an understanding of subtext is not one of them.

I take up this study as a primer on The Failings of the Lily, the White League of Ephia's Well and their persistent problems. I preface this study with my credentials as one who has been tutored by the Professors of the Great Academy of Baz'eel. Ushered to my Family's compound to lend me study on the physical and social sciences from the time I could even begin to formulate the blessed gift of Izdu that is Language. I have studied the rise and fall of political forces such as Banafsi, the historic rise of Il Modo from its past incarnations and Pre-Dome philosophies, the Caliphates of Old, the Empire of Kulkund, The Dialects of Formoria, and numerous other political entities that have been drawn to Disc's edge.

The study on Moralistic Tautology, and the means by which it has crippled the League of White, may be broken down into six specific situation.

I. The infantilization of the Laborer
II. The Ghalish Problem
III. The Rejection of Longevity
IV. The Palatial Custodian
V. The Cancerous Ideologue
VI. The Way Forward

It is, with sincerest hope, that by the end of this Study it may serve as a complementary piece in ensuring that the Asterbadian principles seen in new light and the unmitigated failure that has been the League of White may enter a new and brighter age.

I welcome you to join Izdu and I on this journey into the history of Ephia's Well, the social constructions that have been created on fallacy, and expanding the possibilities of what may come if course corrected.

[Random_White_Guy]

I. The Infantalization of the Laborer

Labor has existed in the Great Ash Desert as long as there has been sand. It is an at times cruel and unforgiving place and in Labor is one able to reshape the world around them. While the Humans were dwelling in ponds chirping with beasts as Changelings in the Outer Rings - There was labor in the Great Ash Desert. When the Sibilant Empire reigned on high, there was Labor in the Great Ash Desert. When Formoria itself stood beneath the constructions of Iistu? There was labor.

Individuals who with the sweat of their brow and the calluses of their hands reshaped the elements into creation. The wielders of tools and hammer. Who choose to make a life of creation and devotion to the most honest of professions. Who as a fellowship create works that defy the great entropy that dissolves all beyond The Disc. Why then, oh Spokes, why then does the White League act as if the Laborer is a meager child? Why do they strip away the Pride of creation? Why do they postulate ad nauseam when a great many of they themselves choose paths they deem 'Higher' than labor?

The Bardic who bends reality to their whim upon the Qanun, plucking away with soft and barren of callus hands, while espousing the need for a "Labor Law". The Sellsword who makes a living murdering and stealing and inflicting robust violence upon the Disc intoning as ancient chant the "Refugees must be Supported". The Sorcerer who is born with such robust and innate talents to crack the heavens with a thought, decrying that "We must think of the small folk". All while spending tens of thousands of dinar on Potions, Equipment, and more. To do nothing but continue their cycle of boardwork and violence.

I say unto you Reader, that the Laborer lives a life of purity.
I say unto you Reader, that the Laborer lives a life of pride.
I say unto you Reader, that the Laborer lives a life of plenty.

It is the fragile ego that drives the White League to claim to know their plight.
It is the guilty conscious that drives the White League to claim to want to "Give" unto them.
It is the false moralizing that drives the White League to claim they are "Better" than the other leagues.

And until these practices cease the White League will be forever viewed, by countless, as failures unworthy of support. Not as the Voice for the Voiceless. But, akin to the Nobles of the Outer Rings, sitting on high claiming they know what is best for the "Small" peoples.

Encouraging them to line up for bread, as if they cannot make or eat their own. As if they cannot speak for themselves, fight for themselves, build for themselves. Not Charity in the true Baz'eelan sense, of respect and honor, as Hasheema would have us. Charity in the cruelest sense, that the Labroer, that the Refugee, is small. Is sad. Is pitiable. And that because they recognize such the League of White is superior. To both the Laborer as savior, and to the rival leagues as the morally superior.

The Infantalization of the Laborer proves the core of the Refugee's charitable spirit: It is performative, to sway favor both among the ignorant and to pressure the political.

The Laborer is a child, The Laborer is incapable of taking care of themselves, The Laborer needs "Us". The Laborer is a tool in how they achieve this feat. These unwashed mashes whom they look down upon, shoving them into Stockade and into bread-line, girded by fortune and magical trinket.

It is, at its core, a sickening social disease.

And one that must be curbed at every step. For the Laborer shall outlive any Boardworker.

[Random_White_Guy]

II. The Ghalish Problem

In a true, authentic, and genuine League based upon Asterbadian principle one would not be confronted with The Ghalish Problem. In furthering the study on the Refugee misunderstanding of the purpose of the White League's vision by fair Hashema and Asterabadi's writing I will explain the point for the uninitiated. To all who join the White League they are told by the Refugee to beware of Ibn Ghalish.

He is The esteemed son of the Head of the Ghalish & Sons Mining Company, one of the most successful and lucrative companies on the Baz'eelan Stock Index. He is a Citizen of Baz'eel and one of the most well educated citizens of Ephia's Well. He has survived a lifetime in the Great Ash Desert and navigated the footholds of Baz'eel, the Wastelands, and Ephia.

And yet, rather than using him for the font of wisdom and knowledge that he is, the Refugees pause. They declare him acerbic. They declare him dangerous. They declare him anathema. In a League in which the Voice for the Voiceless is claimed and professed ad nauseam? He is shunned, shunted, and pushed aside. What is chosen in favor instead? Those who in the previous section infantalize the Laborer rather than empower. Those who would view themselves in the draping cloak of a Savior rather than one who is seeking and willing to address the real problems facing the League of White.

Who better to understand the plight of the Laborer than one who rose among Baz'eel in a company that handles Mining efforts?  Who more an expert on navigation of the political landscape?

But no. No, reader. Simply no.

Because the Refugees who cloak themselves as savior, who cloak themselves as rebellious of intent but of lack of fortitude to follow through, who cloak themselves in the performative actions of the White League rather than acting as political agents advancing the cause. They proclaim Ibn Ghalish as abrasive, as dangerous, as someone to be shunted away.

They would sooner fight to stifle his efforts, muzzle his ambition, and shriek on high about how he isn't what is "Right" for the League, as if their view of what is "Right" for the league is an effective method and tactic towards building a better tomorrow.

As they continue to lose election, as they continue to embarass the League, as they continue to try and sway matters in favor of one specific accorded organization or another. As they continue to try and proclaim themselves the moralistic weight and measure, the righteous abacus on which all others judged.

To this I say the White League have betrayed not only the Laborer, but Asterabadian principle.

For unless one agrees with the mass-think of the Refugees, predominately human, predominately accorded -  You are not only a poor White League member, you are to be shunted and outcast.

In this the Lily has lost more elections than any other League, and continues to make a sad and performative mockery of Princess Hashem'as hopes of charity, and continues to recede in relevance.

And in this, the Lily wilts.

[Random_White_Guy]

III The Rejection of Longevity

Another problem facing the Lily that speeds its wilt is the Rejection of Longevity. By the inherent obsession held by the White League's majority with the Refugee it sparks a cognitive obstacle which cannot be overcome. A naked rejection of Longevity. Not in the classical sense, but in a manner I will try to explain herein. A majority of the Cinquefoil Rose for instance, are of the Out Ring. The Grand Master herself hailing from the Peerage and embarking upon the Last Run of the Rings in a less than conventional method - Upon the back of the horrific creations of the Mad Vampire Count. Drawing upon the legends of Old, it has inspired among the Cinquefoil the inspirations of Knighthood - many of the Students known as Squires, their hunt for the DQWR a noble crusade, and beyond. These efforts have fundamentally shaped the view of many within the League of White, and indeed some of the longest and most ardent supporters of the White League have been entrenched members adorned of the Rose Cloak.

I ask of you though, reader. At what point does a Refugee cease to be a Refugee, at what point is one assimilated into an ecoystem? For herein the seeds of difficulty are inherently planted. Is a Refugee a Refugee after three months? A year? Three? Ten? Thirteen?  When the White League Members speak of the Refugee Crisis, is it of the newcomers arising? Is it the Agenda set forth by the Cinquefoil Rose to expand and grow their further dilapidated and fabled "Rose District?" Would it shock you, reader, to learn even just yesterday I heard a Balladeer declare we ought create an entirely new Souk, only one placed outside the Rose's Keep, that they may oversee and adjudicate affair? This, good reader, in the days of yore were called "A Courtyard". In which the Nobles would reign.

The rejection of Longevity and the claim that the Cinquefoil Rose are not of the status quo, the system that is in place, the processes that are endured. By clinging to antiquated ordeals they attempt to decry themselves as the sole resistance to the efforts of the others of the Accord, while simultaneously undertaking the same methods and practices. They are not rebel in action, for they seek to stymie rebellion. As the Sisters propagate their Drink, their Haoma, their offerings. They wish not assimilation of the Refugee into the longer picture of Ephia's Well as a growing settlement. They wish them to dwell among their Stockade, beneath their Banner, at their mercy. As the Balladeers espouse of their crusade - They spend more effort, resource, and energy in tipping election in their favor as more Voices bought and further. And what more need one say that reputation does not of La Banda Rossa?

One cannot actively claim to Reject Longevity while perpetrating it for over a dozen years. The Accord of which they earn their Allotment. The Accord of which they maintain relevance despite ups and downs. The Accord of which they fight for to maintain. The Accord of which they benefit from. The very infrastructure and footholds that The Ghalish Problem wishes to rip out at the roots? They wish to tighten - only so much as it is tightened in their favor. The very moralizing of the Labor Laws, of the levers of the Heart-string pulled, of the performative actions to entice individuals to feel "Superior" to the other leagues? They perpetrate to feel "Superior" to the other Accorded organization.

In rejecting longevity they act as if they have not spent thirteen long years, carving their own portion of the Well to stand as their own autonomous fiefdom. Let us ask of Kulkund how these matters end. Let us ask of Banafsi how these matters end. Let us ask of Ka'esh how these matters end. Let us ask of Qadira how these matters end.

And ask yourself, dear reader - How much of the White League's tenants and objectives have been compromised in pursuit of these political footholds carved by the Cinquefoil Rose? How much influence pursued over would be Legates, offerings of vote and moral standing and more in exchange for raising one to power? If they only agree to slant favorable upon the Rose. Not only the Tower to act in influence of magical nature, but now so too the Sisters. How many cries for the Balladeers to seek "Justice" as though vigilantism not a law. And La Banda's fabled "Hunting of the Bounty of any Exile" to profit from the State's coffers.

The answer I fear - For they do not wish to change, or alter the System.  They only wish to profit more than their rivals from it.

They the Rebel Knight, They the Crusading Poet, they the Moralist, they the "Heroes". Who rode on back of Vampire Spawned Creation to colonize new territory to call their own. Who espouse and excuse the atrocities of La Banda Rossa. For no other reason than because it makes a pleasant story, to share with the sad and desperate, to shovel down their Haoma and Drink of their Drink, and dwell in their Stockade.

The same system they wish us to call "Unfair", The same system they wish us to call "Ill Favoring of the Laborer, of the Common Man". Each allotment from the same system growing their influence. While La Banda Rossa ravenously devours the dinars, while the Balladeers shriek it is unfair they get so few dinars, and while the Sisterhood humbly rejects the dinars.

"But if the Rose is not adhered to, would they not simply support another League?"

Such as the foothold Ballader Aurellio carves of Purple? Such as the robust works Banda Rossa has done for Qari of Gold? Longevity, dear reader. Longevity. They are entrenched and long of this System despite their protests and claims. Yesterday it was attempting to sway Candidate Buster Grimes to make a personal Souk for them. Two years ago it was the Rose Gate's District, not the Sand Gates.

What will it be tomorrow? How much will the White League be complicit in such? And how much of the White League's aims have been guided towards these ends rather than our own?

[Random_White_Guy]

IV. The Palatial Custodian

Be it the false moralizing over Labor rights, the Ghalish Problem, the Cinquefoil's use of the League to stake further claim for themselves, or embarassment over Legate Diakos' many atrocities one fact is undeniable: The White League has relegated itself to the duty of Palatial Custodian. Despite having its own failed political pursuits a magnitude of nearly incalculable parchment has been strewn, countless Bellows raised, and tireless debates held surrounding the singular problem: The other leagues cause messes, the White League must fix them.

The willful acceptance of this role, and the strange pride espoused therin, have created an increasingly lazy and uninspired series of political and social choices championed by the League of White within Ephia's Well. Counter to the other leagues which continue to push matters ahead and evolve their identities to adapt to the climate of the political landscape.

It is never the White League pushing forward with a robust and brand new idea. It is "The Gold League's practices destroyed progress in this manner, we must act NOW, we must FIX these issues". It is "The Purple League's Diplomatic Blunder has cost US much we must REPAIR relations". These roles inherently create a compounding and cascading flood of inactivity. Worse yet still when activity is mustered it becomes a wanton and destructive catastrophe to the League's reputation and endeavors.

Doubly so when these problems, once broken, cannot be fixed with alacrity or ease by White League efforts. Then matters which the Gold set in motion which take time to mature into threats and issues, sit roundly on the White League's Plate. Resulting in a doubling backlash of now being blamed for the failed policy of the Gold.

This is a dangerous precedent set and an agonizing vision. It creates yet another and constant dissonance within efforts of bringing the White League into a different future. For just as it is of ease to claim "Free Labor Protection", of "Protect the Refugees", of "The Cinquefoil Rose is nicer than the Tower" - "We can fix these problems" is a very easy thing to claim. It is an easy way to sway the overly disengaged from politics.

Ultiamtely though it is another slow tying noose around the neck of the White League. Reactionary, rather than Proactive. Mimicry and imitation, over Inovation. In short? The reason the White League will place 1 or 5 votes in a preponderance of elections.

Ask yourself these questions:

What would a White League ran Souk look like?
What would a White League Art and Culture project look like?
What would a White League research endeavor to expand our horizons appear?
What would the Janissaries under a White League Lawbook appear to be?
What would the Astronomers of Q'tolip do, if they had the same sway in the White as the Rose?

How different would Ephia appear under these scenarios? Would it be better? Would it be worse? Could one pick fractions of what may be better to grow upon, or to mitigate the ways they would be worse?

When one stops serving as a custodian, and begins to think as an Architect?

Then, does Izdu smile on all endeavor.

[Random_White_Guy]

V. The Cancerous Ideologue

It is circulated amongst the Professors of the Grand Academy of Baz'eel, the same who have taught me, the same who have tutored the Royal Family, and whom those of Sandstone and other lesser institutions attempt to emulate: "Politics is a Groknak."

The simplest truth that has survived countless milennia in coaxing such a groknak is as such: One must campaign in poetry and govern in prose. Compromise is borne of the entirety of Rule. A Ruler compromises his authority to permit his peoples mercy. A peoples permit governance in exchange for safety and services. Asterabadi's Experiment is no different resulting in not one, but two legates. Legates who must be compromised with if anything impactful and proving is to be accomplished.

The White League, moreso than the other leagues, has thrived with oppositional Ideologues who rail against the status quo.

As elucidated at length in the previous sections of this piece that is for many reasons. An ideology of Infantalization of laborers soothes the guilty conscious of the wealthy. An ideology of a right or wrong way to resist muzzles Ibn Ghalish. An ideology of nostalgia and independence carves the Rose greater control. An Ideology of fixing the world's problems courts those who feel woed.

Each time one of these four matters are called to task does the White League galvanize itself in hopes of building a better tomorrow. A tomorrow ushered by an Idealogue who stands on high espousing to all that this dogmatic approach to governance shall get them what they wish... provided the public's trust is given.

Time and again this trust is used, abused, and discarded. For the Voiced got as they wished, for the Rose got as it wished, for the Idealogue got their ego satiated and the Throne they craved. And the cycle perpetuates as after one term the White League loses its seat and is once more relegated to annoying nuisance and tantrum while the business of Governance is left to the Gold and Purple Leagues. In a parade of elections a victory cast aside, the other Leagues flourish.

Until such a time a new idealogue springs forth to rally the disenfranchised, to once again make the clarion call. That Dogma, stringently held to, is the moral and rebellious imperative.

What though more could it be, if such things were stymied, I wonder?

What more could it be if the visions laid forth by those who had genuine hopes for this place were the ones focused upon? If Asterabdi's ambitions, Princess Hasheema's boundless grace, the core tenents and ideas of the White League were the driving factor?

Not how many votes the Sisters could tip if their newest plan supported by the Idealogue. Not how many votes the Voiced would lend if the problems of the day addressed rather than a plan for a future Not how many votes the Voiceless would purchase and support the White League if given the chance and a seat at the table. Not how many votes the Disenfranchised would vote for a Firebrand Idealogue who would upheave all.

What would it look like, Reader, if a sensible and measured approach to governance taken? What would it look like, Reader, if compromise was a desired outcome to hopelessness? What would it look like, Reader, if The White League chose to stand on its own rather than to be used, abused, and maligned by so many external forces coaxing what "Is" or "Is not" the proper White League identity?

What could be achieved? What parts of the Ephian landscape could be fundamentally shifted? Free of the Diakos, the Domnhall, The Ricario, The Sayburgh. What could be changed If a well designed and measured political machine could be raised to rival the others?