The proceedings of the Council of Ildacaar, lord of the Centourí, as set forth by Cirthan the Madaiz.
The twenty-second day of the month of Nírvat, 3149 CR

The declaration of the Valar, written forth by the Council of Alshanfaara.:

“The abominable letter of Malachi Damusaun has been delivered unto Manwë Súlimo, lord of the Valar, and such reply as he saw fit has been set forth here. Not that we strive to prove unto the Dragons the wicked temperament of their nature, but we feel that such a despicable letter deserves reply, that all peoples may see the justice and truth of our case, and that the wickedness of the Dragons might be seen the more clearly.

“The Damusaun, he who sets himself up as lord of the Dragons, sets forth that Dragons, along with all of creation were originally created perfect. With this, we agree to a certain extent. However, to the belief that Dragons in their current existence, were created perfect, we dissent. For, when Melkor, during the first age of the world ‘ere the coming of Men and Elves, rebelled against Eru Ilúvatar, the Father of all†, he took with him various numbers of the Ainur, who were drawn to the allure of his potency and wickedness. Of these, some took on the form of mighty demons and were named the Edás. Others took on the form of terrible serpents, called by some the Urulóki. These were the Dragons. Thus, in the sense that all of the Ainur were created in perfection were the Dragons originally perfect. Yet as Dragons, they have, from the beginning of their existence, subsisted as creatures of total and irredeemable vitiation. For the conception of Dragons was accomplished by the evil resolve of Bauglir Morgoth.*

“The Damusaun claims for his loathsome race the position of servants of God, and in this he speaks not a total falsehood. For though they are in rebellion to Eru Ilúvatar, yet do they, in a sense, speak truly, for their god is Morgoth. Him alone do they worship and serve for they have utterly forsaken Eru, the One who is.

“In his letter, the Damusaun claims also that those wicked Urulóki, of whom we spoke in our previous declaration, are a minority in his race. He claims that they are those that have turned their back on their duties, their race, and their creator. We take this further and claim that these are without existence. For their duties are those of wickedness, their race, one of aggregate and inveterate depravity, their creator, none other than the evil will of Morgoth, thrice accursed.

“In answer to our accusation of thievery does Damusaun make reply, not with full denial, but rather with excuses. He then claims that Men have unjustly persecuted Dragons for sport or from misconception of their wickedness. Let it be said in response that men have slain Dragons, not for sport, but because the Urulóki have attempted in their might to lay waste the lands of Men, thinking to do such with impunity. Yet, noble men have risen up to battle such vile terrorism, and many have paid even with their lives. It is not the coarseness of man, but rather the multifarious transgressions of the Urulóki that has led to their demise.

“To this let be submitted the example of the kingdom of Karðôn. In A Concise History of Karðôn, Lorqui the sage wrote thus, “The small wingless Dragons were a plague to the people of Drahawn, killing many a peasant and his wife and children, feeding on their flesh. Therefore the kings of Drahawn came together and met in council about this dire problem. At this council, King Dwarvin made this famous statement, ‘Is not the eating of the flesh of Dwarves, and of Men, and even of Elves, inexcusable? Shall we not immediately give death to those that commit this vile deed?’” It is the vile actions of Dragons which has brought about the hostile response of Men in noble and sacrificial battle.

“Yet, in case this be taken as an abnormality or an exception, let us also turn to the mighty king Beowulf. Did he not ride forth against the mighty Dragon because of the devastation of his kingdom? Could he have ignored his own people’s cry? He rode forth against one who had laid waste his lands, who had ravished his people. Could he do aught else? Yet he paid for this deed with his life, and now his spirit has passed on to the Blessed Halls of Ilúvatar. The hostile acts of Men towards the Urulóki are plainly justified, as is our Declaration of War.

“To our accusation that they had intentionally deceived Men into worshiping their race as gods did Damusaun reply, “the hearts of Men are fickle and fallen.” Is this any justification for the actions of his race? He then claims that it has happened so little as to be negligible and therefore ought not to be taken as a representative of the entire Dragon race, for even these occasions were dealt with swiftly by the instructions of his god. Yet as we have seen, the Dragons serve no god save Bauglir Morgoth. Would not he who seeks the worship of all Men attempt to the utmost of his abilities to prevent any other from receiving such worship?

“Indeed, even here, where the Damusaun attempts to disprove this very fact, he affirms it by claiming to himself a role reserved for Ilúvatar alone: that of avenger. For he says, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay.” Yet these are the words of Eru, for He alone has such authority. Even in his defense does the Damusaun condemn himself. Shall we excuse such blasphemy? Shall not all those who hold in faithfulness to Eru Ilúvatar make war on such evil? Let they who dissent stand forth before the Council!

“As to Damusaun’s claim to power and warning against war, have they forgotten already the might of the Valar? The wrath of Oromë, the strength of Tulkas, the awefulness of Ulmo, the majesty of Manwë, who shall withstand them? And shall we not speak of the Centourí, of Ildacaar Revhelion? Their eyes shine still with the light of Ëmahn, and who can stand before their wrath? Though the Dragons be great, their might is of the fires of Udún, and their strength from the pits of Utumno. Can such strength prevail against the light of Ëmahn and the brightness of Valinórë? Their king and lord, Morthan Bauglir Morgoth has been cast into the Void and awaits final judgment. Can they then succeed in their undertaking? But Eru reigns still in the Blessed Halls. Whom then shall we fear? The deeds of these oppressors shall be brought to judgment!

"Therefore do the Councils of Eraioch, Arda, and Drahawn reaffirm their declaration of war on this, the twenty-second day of the month of Nírvat."