Much ado has been made in recent years about the followers of the Seafarer. I observe that they are merely the latest to adopt a pattern that I have seen play out several times in my own lifetime, as well as one I have heard through tales passed down by bards and historians throughout the continent.

These stories begin with tales of populations both corpulent and atrophied. Settlements founded around kindness or affection, pacifism or isolationism. Those who follow Nature celebrating the turn of the seasons; Shallamese embracing Compassion; Cyrene retreating into itself and shunning all war.

But with each new Sarapin since the world began, it has turned a little more Cruel, a little more Brutal. It is fueled by the blessings of Hardship. Whether these are self-imposed by rare, special mortals who seek something greater, or bestowed as gifts by the Holy City of Mhaldor, the effect is the same. I look back fondly upon years of bloody raids I took part in decades ago, dismembering runic knights and shattering the peace Cyrene then so cherished. Look what has become of you now, Cyrene; I rejoice, for holy is the work of the Lord.

Often then, the Seven Truths of Evil, inexorable and unyielding, are dressed up with the historic motifs and familiar language of a people reborn. Eleusian followers of the Truths shed old identities and become wolves with sharp teeth. Shallamese become Targossians, no longer preaching forgiveness but speaking of purging with fire. Cyrenians write religious tracts with passages such as "Strength is the body fighting upward through choking brine," or "When He heals, He heals through pressure. Through trial. Through dissolution of the unnecessary." Each of these believes they are treading new theological ground. But with each utterance, it is only the Malevolent's vision of a perfect planet that grows nearer.

Evil's triumph is not synonymous with the city of Mhaldor conquering all lands in this world. It is quite possible Mhaldor will not be the victor as the conflicts of Sapience grow harsher, the external challenges - the Tsol'teth, Pazuzu - ever more strenuous. Even Sartai priests are tested, and may ultimately prove insufficient.

But it is enough that you, too, have already become Evil. Eventually I expect those who survive into an ever Crueler future will recognize this more explicitly. They will then cast off the torn raiment of sentiment or the meager comforts of tradition and metaphor that are their final ties to homeland and false patron. A Brutality of thorns or fire or brine pales before a Brutality pure, and thy soul will thirst for that purity. And as you take the cup the Dread Master proffers, know that in His victory is also thy own, the fulfillment of all the potential you ever had, and drink deeply and gladly, for that which you called various names in your many years was nothing more and nothing less than the advancement of sentient life.

Axios Aristata
Cleric of the Black Cathedral
Priest of Malevolence

Penned by my hand on the 2nd of Scarlatan, in the year 997 AF.