Hashan's presentation for Convention

Valentinus clears his throat and rises to the stage, turning to face those gathered as he surveys
them.

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "Greetings. I would like to first and foremost thank
those in attendance today, for those seeking knowledge shall surely be rewarded in ways that
transcend the material. It is my simple hope that our presentation educates and enlightens, and
perhaps entertains to some degree."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "In the interest of efficiency, I have dissected the
presentation into three main points; a brief overview and history of Hashan itself, followed by a
glimpse into its culture and traditions, and finishing with what is sure to be an intriguing tidbit
of modern alchemy on Sapience. Without further ado, let us begin."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "In the minds of our contemporaries, it is generally
assumed that the city of Hashan lacks certain qualities which make other city-states extraordinary
and unique. When travelling from one place to another, it is indeed quite clear that their ideals,
religious beliefs and colloquial customs seem bodied and tangible, as though worn like a collective
cloth over the heads of those who share a common identity, to be enveloped and swaddled in from
youth to old age and proclaimed atop the highest mountains and on the furthest reaches of the oceans.
 What, then, can be said for the City of Night, that it is examined with all the scrutiny of a lone
rock amidst a vast desert, constant yet unassuming to the eye that looks upon it, without apparent use or value?"

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "In order to comprehend the answer to this question,
we must first consider its origin."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "Like other cities, Hashan bears humble beginnings;
it emerged as a tiny village nestled within the depths of the Ithmian forest, reputed to be a sort
of safe-haven for the seedy underbelly of Sapience, enclosed from the rest of the world and left to
sit in shadow. Like this it remained until the year 221 AF, when refugees from both Shallam and
Ashtan travelled to this small village due to a long-standing war which they believed to be petty
and pointless, a reflection of the time in which they lived."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "Even now, this seedling of an idea can be seen
reflected in each part of Hashani society, both in its spiritual and scholarly pursuits, its
accomplishments and even in its means by which to achieve long-standing goals. Of course, these
things were also nurtured by the Divine Hand of Lord Twilight, He who is called the Lord of
Mysteries, by which the city of Hashan grew with meticulous care and design."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "It is important to consider that, even at its
inception, Hashan has been beset with many difficulties. From its first conflict with the forestals,
to political turmoil that lasted for many years, the repose and reemergence of its Patron whose
absence and subsequent return had greatly influenced the tone of Hashan thereafter, the
reconstruction and completion of the Obelisk of Darkness in the year 661 AF and the recent loss of
the Serpentlord house and its Matron, Lady Valnurana, one of the original deities that made up the
ancient Triad."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "And still, throughout all of this, it has not yet
faded into history, to be remembered only in tomes to those with a healthy appetite for reading. The
Crown endures, as many Hashani people say, for in enduring we have grown and built character,
received insights both from on high and within our own mortal toilings, the latter of which is
tended carefully by our teachers and mentors and encouraged by our divine. Here we come to
understand the meaning of beauty, which manifests both within our flaws and virtues to create an
entire portrait of existence, just as the dull earth contains colourful gemstones beneath."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "In saying this, the cultural climate of Hashan is
unique among the city-states; quiet, for all intents and purposes, and cordial. It seems rather cold
to outsiders looking in, but the benefit of being on the inside is that one has access to all of the
silt and, more importantly, all of the pure gold that Hashan has to offer."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "The Crown has always had acute political interest,
in fact being the very first among the cities of Sapience to have a formally written set of laws,
called the Great Canon, which I have brought with me today for your perusal. The creation of this
canon both influenced and set the standard for the management of city-states on Sapience thereafter,
and established Hashan as a society of great thinkers and organizers ahead of its time. This would
continue to be thematic of our city, resulting in many changes throughout the course of its history,
trying new things and discarding what did not work rather than clinging to outdated practices simply
because that was how it was done in the past."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "In particular, with the reemergence of alchemy on
Sapience in the year 580 AF, Hashan could put to use its thorough knowledge of astronomical
observation, quickly growing into its role and flourishing as the center of progress across known
civilization. Many documents were penned on the subject of alchemy and its history is well-preserved
within our walls, including but not limited to the examination of interstellar bodies and their
transit, the discovery of the Nebula Coronae, and the beginnings of intricate and complex forms of artificing."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "The latter of which I am very proud to present to
you now. What you are about to see may amaze and intrigue you."

-shows image of a darkfire golem-

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "The image you see before you is a step in that
direction, a project that I and my colleagues at the Institute of Alchemy began when I was a novice.
We who study this ancient vocation are pleased and excited as to what this may mean, as it can
possibly reshape what we think is possible to achieve by mortal design."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "If you wish to learn more about these golems, or
about modern alchemy, please see the Hashani pavilion after the presentations."

Valentinus says in a gratified, honeyed voice, "Thank you for your time."