I have been out of the loop for a long time, so forgive me if my
ignorance is showing.

But I am deeply troubled by the flurry of posts concerning the Lady
Demeter's return, and the rumours flying about of Her "not being" the
Lady Demeter, or even being "possessed". Once, the Lady Gaia was under
Daemonic possession. She slew Her brother Twilight in a rage. What She
did not do, I believe, was writing public posts about Her immanence in
all of Nature.

Therefore, I am urging caution in all of this. For the Divinities of
Nature have always had an aspect that, to our mere mortal eyes, may have
seemed like a quickness to anger, and a fierce temper. And I need not
remind you of the tragic events that happened in the past due to the
misunderstandings between the Goddess of Nature and Nature's mortal
stewards. Please, let's not allow such a thing to happen again.

Mind you, I do not presume to judge Covenant's actions as Awen Orderhead
(least of all as I am not of the Awen). Those actions seem to make sense
to me, regardless of whether the fires that have plagued the forests
lately emanated from the shrines - or were, perhaps, directed as a
weapon towards those shrines. And as far as I understand (which, again,
may not be very far), either could be true at this point.

Let's also not demand of the Green Lady, as has been done on these
boards, to explain where She was when this fire-spirit set the forests
aflame, or when something else wreaked havoc upon the forests, or why
She does not put out every single fire with a magical rainstorm. We
Forestals should not complain when the task of protecting the Forest
falls on our shoulders - but go about it.

I understand that the Lady's words may have angered and alienated many
Forestals. But again, let's not rush to judgement too soon - perhaps the
Lady Demeter's intent will become clearer to us later. Meanwhile, Lord
Matsuhama has made His intent quite clear - to build His temple in the
heart of the Aerinewild. Whatever our opinion of the Lady Demeter's
words, should it not be clear what side of the line the Forestals should
stand on?

Narses

Penned by my hand on the 9th of Scarlatan, in the year 403 AF.