Posted by A Warder in Saagki's time on June 7, 2000 at 23:51:53:
In Reply to: Question about the arbiters posted by Forum Reader on June 7, 2000 at 15:09:49:
The mortal lords/ladies do not have the right to declare war. This is a necessary balance only because of Arbiter law, which makes it an illegal act to raid for the Book. Being flagged handicaps your character in many, many ways that do not even require an Arbiter to be in Thera to harm/cripple you. And a war draws in all the members of the opposing cabal, not just the criminal element. If that law was removed, which it arguably should be, then, yes, the mortals could safely be trusted with the ability to declare war on another cabal.
Saagki's log is a good illustration of how the Arbiter lords would abuse the power of declaring war if they were able. The Sylvans at the time made no direct threat against the Book or the Hall, and, indeed the majority of the Sylvan cabal was not wanted (I know, I was one), but the Arbiters lacked the hunting skills required to strike the wanted Warders, and needed the crutch of taking the sapling and being able to flag numerous warders that responded in kind.
Again, if the Arbiters were not able to flag people for violating the Hall, then warring with other cabals would be equally dangerous for both sides, and could be trusted to the mortal lords and ladies.
(side note: His log also demonstrates a couple of reasons that Golmagus was so hated :P I *still* have no idea how he so blatantly and obvioulsy violated Arbiter law (eg. attacking with his special guards), and yet, was never punished by an Immortal - I have a strong suspicion why he was never punished, but I don't like to think about that.)