Testament to Passion, A Public Service Announcement from Soulfyriani
Lokelinde

We are a sane reasoning people, having forsaken our passion in order to
maintain the facade of civility while we build our selfish empires like
children with sandcastles on the beach. We have separated ourselves from
our urges, from the blood that pumps through our bodies, from our very
origins.

War is no longer a struggle. Battles are won through sheer force and
technical efficiency. We eat the right herbs, smoke the right flowers,
and we do so almost instinctually, like well-made constructs, automatons
rivaled in intelligence by clay golems. Battle is a struggle of
mathematics rather than two bodies, two souls, pitted against each other
in an epic struggle. This downplays passion, making what we can feel
second to what we can do, when they should be one and the same.

Remember your heart. It transcends both intellect and instinct and its
tangible namesake, and is a very real part of our existence for, without
it, we would not be who we are today. With his heart's fury, a single
man can conquer a band of invaders. Through sheer ferocity in what we
do, we can break through our limitations and take hold of our highest
aspirations. Live hard, love hard, hate harder, and give no quarter when
your beliefs are attacked by those too ignorant to accept that they
aren't the only ones alive. We are all mortal, and the presumption that
we can dictate the life of another breathing being is erroneous and
perfectly contrary to the truth.

Remember pride. Your home is -your- home, whether it be in a bustling
city or in a whistling treetop a hundred leagues from civilization.
Those who live with you are your family, and everyone has a duty to
stand up for themselves, their family, their home, and what they believe
in. Hone your axe, whet your sword. Sway not under heavy words and
bitter insults. Chest out, chin up, sword raised in a salute to those
who will die in the whirlwind of its wake. When the bitter deed is done,
be laid to rest as a hero, or dance your way home.

Remember passion. Break through every stone that is thrown in your path.
Crash through obstacles with the fury of an angered God, because our
belief will carry us through to the very end of our days, and dictate
whether we will be remembered for our sheer grit and determination, or
not remembered at all. Will you be lost by the wayside? Or will
minstrels sing of your achievements for centuries to come? Your will is
the way. Your passion is your steed. Mount up; your ballad has begun.

Penned by my hand on the 23rd of Scarlatan, in the year 443 AF.