Author's Note: Inspired by Thomas Paine's Common Sense (1775) which laid the groundwork for the Declaration of Independence.

Formatted in a similar fashion as Paine's work.

THE STATE OF MERIT AND THE CONDUCTS OF WAR:

ADDRESSED TO

THE INHABITANTS OF

TAMRIEL

On the following subjects:

I. The implications and definitions of merit

II. The present conduct of war

III. The resolution of the problem

IV. Afterword and Call to Action

Written by a KHAJIIT MAGE,

Jode Bahrajastavir

INTRODUCTION

PERHAPS, it can be said and will most inevitably be quoted, that the passions of these pages contain nothing revolutionary or innovative in the context. It shall be known sometime in the future, be it the nearest year or the farthest, to be a fantastic experiment- the proposal that is coherently outlined here. For a long habit of believing a thing wrong, oft times, the wrong becomes the right, and thus, the antithesis of the original process becomes known to be the convincing notion- the absolute truth that is the science and religion of logical correctness.

For as long as decent people believe in virtue instead of vice, and discard the disgraceful notions of past grievances, then we shall as a people, overcome possibilities deemed too ambitious or too flamboyant. The notion of freedom, the right to live, the right to own property, and so forth.

The discourse of perpetrators has been consistent throughout the history of Tamriel, specifically, the history of Skyrim and The Cyrodillic Empire. To call this governing body of Imperials, The Empire, as if it were to dictate the lives of all existing peoples, is absurd. For the likeness of borders and for the sake of them, let this adherence be fundamentally clear- no unwarranted influence of a nation shall exist with the intention to cohere a people to a regime of culture and law that is oppressive.

The purpose of this Government, or Any Government, should be to govern and distribute the laws within itself and its principalities. Never should a Government abuse its power of size or dignity or prestige on the stage of worldly representation. For if such a Nation exists, then they should extinguish the light that guides them or forcibly adhere to laws of merit and the conducts of war. To suggest that The Cyrodillic Empire is a Nation of this caliber, an abusive power with gravemind as the belief and death as the goal, is not an insane notion whatsoever. It is instead a correct one.

THE AUTHOR.