Letters #52 - Saradomin Counts the Outlanders

Saradomin Counts the Outlanders

The god of wisdom has been counting the newcomers, and he has opinions about their manners. He explains the ranks, the tolls and the oaths, and what the crowds leave at the bank door. Then he looks ahead.

Greetings, my faithful followers, old and new. My brother Zamorak has welcomed the newcomers already, which means somebody must now welcome them properly.

Welcome, outlanders. Please wipe your boots.

Holy Saradomin, the Council now ranks every outlander in every skill and in all of them together. I looked at the lists, and there is an outlander called Saradomin near the bottom. Should I have him punished for insolence?

Brother Jered, of the Edgeville monastery

No, Brother. An outlander who takes my name takes it in my honour, and it is not his fault the lists are long. I have explained this before. He will climb.

The ranks show who has worked hardest, and nothing more. Read them to learn, not to judge.

Saradomin, I keep the door of the dungeon in Brimhaven, and I take a toll from every traveller who enters. Some outlanders grumble at paying every time. Is there a fairer way?

Saniboch, of the Brimhaven dungeon

There is, and you already offer it. Every tollkeeper in the land now takes a single toll, or an oath: a larger sum paid once, which opens the way for good. Eluned's crystal, the Al Kharid gate, every ship route and Party Pete's rides work the same way.

Pete even sells his whole party once, for ten thousand times its price. I am told some outlanders pay it. I do not ask why.

Saradomin, the outlanders keep their things with us, under your peace. When a bank is full, the outlander changes into the gear the day's work needs, keeps the most valuable things, and drops the cheapest on the floor by my booth. Every evening I sweep up a mountain of bronze. What should I do with it?

A Banker, of the Varrock west bank

Give it to the newcomers. They arrive with nothing in their heads, and a bronze dagger is a fine first lesson.

And do not mind the way they do it, all the same way, at the same booth, every evening. Outlanders are creatures of habit. Some of them more than others.

Wise Saradomin, my apprentices ask what comes next. Will the gods keep the treaty? Will new lands keep arriving at the edges of the map? And what is the W waiting to close?

Sedridor, of the Wizards' Tower

I will keep the treaty. My brothers, I cannot promise. New lands have arrived for years, and I see no sign that they will stop. As for the W, ask my brother Zamorak. He will lie, and you will learn something from the lie.

What happens next is not mine to write. The newcomers will write it, one day at a time. That is the way of every age.

Strength through wisdom,

Saradomin

DISCLAIMER: The views of Saradomin do not reflect the views of DoubleU. DoubleU tried to stop him saying anything controversial, but he is a god.