Painful Lessons
by Deacon Herenicus Coldraven

Greetings and welcome to today's sermon on the Seven Truths of Evil, how
they relate to one another to form a cohesive whole, and - most
importantly - practical ways to apply the Truths in your daily lives.
This sermon is primarily intended for our young novices, the malefics,
though anyone will benefit from a thorough understanding of the Seven
Truths.

As even the youngest malefic knows, evil is simply the drive for
advancement. Not simply personal advancement, mind you. When we speak of
evil, we speak too of our common desire to spur progress in the world
and bring about a perfect society.

Truth Two tells us that cruelty is the tool through which we accomplish
Truth One. Weakness is purged and strength is gained through this
application of pain. Let us think for a moment about what that word
means, "cruelty." Before we start attempting to define what this tool
really is - it is helpful to discern what purpose the tool is ultimately
used for. Truth Two does indicate that its purpose is to "weed out the
weak and feeble-minded", but Truth Three specifies the purpose even
further.

Truth Three explains that the tool provided by Truth Two, the
application of pain, is meant to be used to purge our world of weakness
in all its forms: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual. Let's use some
examples. First of all, let us take the most readily available example
of physical weakness - our very own malefics. Yes, generally speaking,
our novices are weak - why just look at them. They've no daeggers nor
baalzadeens. The only question remains, how do we purge this weakness
from our ranks?

Certainly one way to clear this specific form of weakness from our guild
is simply to have them killed or expelled from the gates. However, would
this not lead to weakness elsewhere? Yes, to the extent our novices
represent the future of this guild, slaying them on sight would cut our
future short.

Yes, the Messiah has already prescribed a cure for this weakness in our
very own help scrolls. Through the painful requirements necessary to
take our novice interview, the guild ensures that the weakness of
youthful inexperience is at least partially mitigated. Verily, Truth
Five holds that our bodies are made stronger through combat. Thus, you
may may understand why our novice interview requires this combat of
them.

Now for an example of mental weakness. Several come to mind, such as
cowardice, recklessness, ignorance, and arrogance. The pain of study and
daily living can help, with time, to purge many of these weaknesses.
However, at times these weaknesses run deeper and require an altogether
more thorough application of pain. Rarely does a month go by without the
need to forcefully correct an insubordinate malefic. With a verbal
reprimand, in most instances we allow them one brief opportunity to
recount the mistake and apologize for their behavior. Failing that, we
ratchet up the pain until the weakness is purged from the malefic or the
malefic is purged from Mhaldor.

You must understand that when we take our novices firmly by their ears
and forcefully purge them of their rotten habits we are directing pain
that they might grow in strength. It is crucially important and an
obligation of Truth Four that we not disregard or overlook their
weaknesses. Evil is the drive for advancement, and this advancement will
not be delayed on account of hand-holding and ego-stroking. Nay, leave
these base flatteries to the heathen. Here you shall find suffering, and
through suffering you shall find strength.

Moreover, our cruel, effective pedagogy benefits the teacher as well as
the student. Truth Six notes that by inflicting direct, painful
instruction where beneficial, the teacher becomes more adept at
suppressing a weakness of her own: conscience. Through painful,
corrective instruction the teacher learns to disregard his conscience
and implement the teaching regime best-suited towards the individual
student.

Truth Seven states a fact that should be easily understood by every
mortal. Indeed, what worthy goal has ever been attained without some
measure of suffering and hardship? Novices, the time has come to
recognize pain as your dearest friend. Pain will pull you from the
depths of ignorance and weakness. Pain will save you from the swamp of
mediocrity. Pain will follow you throughout your lives, spurring you
onwards towards power and glory. Verily, pain is a gift from the Lord.
Adflictatio potentia! Adflictatio Sartie!!

Penned by my hand on the 14th of Mayan, in the year 371 AF.