You have a great amount of faith Shylmysten, but hold little
understanding.
You speak of faith, of principles, reason and purpose. Understand this,
we have our own.

You speak as if you have an understanding of Evil and yet you do not
grasp even the most fundamental aspects of the religion. You claim that
we seek to, "end lives and control all life". have you never heard of
the Truths, the very first states the goal of Evil, the advancement of
sentient life.

You have beseeched us to speak of our policies so none shall be victims
of "lack of judgment and unethical conduct" and yet we do not veil them
in secrecy, if you did a little research you would see our policies in
plain script. Need I reiterate them? I am no great authority on the
matter but the policy of Evil is evident, it is strength and power to
those who deserve it and the opportunity to grow strong through service
to those who do not. True this does not leave much room for the freedom
you treasure so, but freedom is greatly overrated. Unity, organisation,
and order are far more effective and these things can only be obtained
through strong leadership, trust, and faith.

You speak of Sartans cruel oppression, and yet do not appreciate the
value of the cruelty he lavishes upon you, does it not make you
stronger, does it not empower your spirit? As for oppression, well that
statement is rich coming from one who seeks to rally all of Sapience
together to oppress Evil. You speak of Evil as being "wrong". Who are
you to say which faith is right and which is wrong, it is a matter of
personal choice... of what is right for you.

We have learnt our lessons in oppression. When Sartan was, as you say,
"held prisoner by the world" many attempted to stop our self sacrifice,
I personally was slain countless times trying to offer myself up to my
Lord and on the times I did succeed it seemed I always gained a new
enemy. We were then and still are now publicly scorned.... in short, we
know oppression, we know hatred. Indeed, religion -has- been used to
justify tragic conflicts as you say, and that time of adversity for us
was one of them.

I can almost hear your reply already, what of the harm to the forest?
What of it? This would be part of the so called "Neutral" realm of
nature, that had too often aligned itself with the righteous despite the
words of warning from it's patron of the time. It was poetic justice
that it served Evil on this occasion, but I deeply hope that under Lady
Demeter the forest will finally regain it's neutrality. It is not the
job of nature to choose sides, but should it do so it can expect
repercussions.

As for you, Shylmysten, you who would talk of oppression, it is you who
hate us, and our faith, you who seeks to oppress us. Is it any wonder
that the advocates of Evil hunt you with such voracity when you talk
such ill of their faith and insult their God. Veil your insults behind
eloquent words all you will, they are still insults. Is it any surprise
so many wish to put an end to your ignorance. You say that Lord Sartan
has focused his Evil upon you, how little you understood, perhaps now
you know a little more, Evil is not a thing to focused or dispersed, it
is a philosophy, a way of life for many, and as such should be given the
respect it is due!

And are you not yourself an Aegian? A follower of war and combat, of
personal advancement and change through Marshall means? Are these parts
of your philosophy not compatible with ours? You speak of Evil as being
"wrong". Who are you to say which faith is right and which is wrong, it
is a matter of personal choice... of what is right for the individual.

Despite all your "misunderstandings" about us it is indeed true that,
"truth, compassion, and forbearance shine in the face of Evil" the fact
is that without Evil Righteousness would have no place in the world. For
the righteous seek to protect the weak from our attempts to make them
strong. You would however besmirch a religion that brings meaning to
many lives, not just those on the path of Evil. In fact you speak as if
Evil has no place in the world, that the other Gods should assist you in
wiping it out. The other Gods will respond to Evil as befits the ethos
of their respective realms, as is their nature, no matter how you say
that Sartans work opposes the rest of the gods in the Garden. Indeed who
are you to speak for the Garden? If it is your view that Evil does not
belong in the world then I advise you to address your next post to the
Logos as all of the Elder Gods and their realms are his creation.
Remember this, Evil is here by design.

Penned by my hand on the 23rd of Scarlatan, in the year 322 AF.