Greetings, to the towns and villages of Sapience.

Before you decide to venture into the Basilica and sign any form of
alliance with the Archprelate and his Church, I simply ask that you
consider a few things.

Historically, coming into an alliance with the Church has been a
tragically devastating idea. As the citizens of Jaru can tell you,
living in the shadow of their righteous neighbors has led to centuries
of bloodshed. Armies and raiding groups marching across the Pachacacha
have only one thing in their way - tired and weary fishermen and their
wives. As their bodies fall, nothing stands between them and the forces
of Light. Most recently, the village had the privilege of hosting one
of Lord Babel's own, the Hunter. The mayor of Jaru can probably tell
you more about that experience, but I shall just remind you that it
involved kidnapping and blood rituals.

Jaru isn't the only village who has had to suffer as a result of being
associated with the Church. It was a group of Shallamese who couldn't
keep their mouths shut about the location of a long-forgotten safe haven
from war and conflict: the Isle of New Hope. On that island, innocent
men and women lived away from the suffering that the rest of
Sapience has had to endure as a result of this eternal battle between
Good and Evil. Now it is quite easy for Mhaldorian squires and Drochs
to swim out to the island and wreak havoc.

There are dozens of other cases throughout time where allying with the
Church has proven to be a tragic decision. When the Church places you
and your fellow villagers or tribesmen upon the so-called "innocent"
list, you've also been added to a growing number of easy targets for
Mhaldorian raiders looking to whittle away at the morale of the Light.

If it's a reciprocal spiritual relationship with the Church that you
seek, be my guest. As the Codex has always stated, the path of Goodness
is not easily travelled. If it's protection that you seek, however,
I would encourage you to find an organization that is not quite so
universally despised. No one wants to see their husbands and sons
dragged out onto the battlefield.

Signed,
Danith Evensong

Penned by my hand on the 8th of Valnuary, in the year 508 AF.