Since the world needed some clarity on the stance of the Lord Smith and His Chosen, let’s give them some shall we?

I will make sure to use small words so that you may understand, so just make sure to inform me if something does not click right for you. I don’t want you to lose attention and drift into sleep as you seem to enjoy doing.

Let’s go over a few of the points from your post, as not to confuse others as well.

You talk about the mentality of the Phaesteans, and how that we are religious fanatics and we adhere to the One Divine and One Faith aspect that is religion. You also go on to point out that, in your own words, “there is a great need for all of us to combat Chaos.” Our mentality, and you can ask any Chosen past and present, is that of Family. I use a capital F there to make it stand out because of how serious we are about the word and the definition it comes with. We are a Family first and foremost, who stand by each other’s side through the best and darkest times of our lives. Not all of us reside in the Cyrene nor do all of us follow Cyrene’s beliefs. We have members of our Family in all walks of life, from the City of Evil to even the City of Darkness. We believe in our Father but respect the realms of all other Gods as well, whether we choose to oppose them or stand next to them. So stating a One Divine, One Faith, is wrong is so many ways when it comes to His children. Hell even some of His children follow the religion of Evil and Darkness, and regardless of how much they despise or reject Him, He still loves them as His own.

Now let us explore our mentality a bit deeper shall we? Since you seem to only want to gloss over what you have heard through other’s mouths or seen through other’s eyes, without seeking the truth. You state that our need to fight Chaos is not proactive, and that all you see is us grumbling about it, and even chastise about it. If you would open your eyes a bit from slumber you would see that we combat Chaos every day, every waking moment of our lives. Chaos is not a sentient being, its not something you can drive a sword through and call it a day. So while yes, Targossas does an amazing job with their Army to combat the forces of Chaos, combating is not the only option to take to “fight” Chaos. Our Family is composed of Spiritualists, Crafters, and Fighters. Not all of us need a sword or our fists to fight Chaos, though some of us love doing the latter after a nice pint of ale. Some of us craft glorious items from nothing but the materials left behind from a battlefield. Some of us gather around a bar and soothe the feelings of the lost and damned. Some of us respond to those who deem fit to accuse others through misinformation and slander. Either way, no matter who a Chosen is, we all fight Chaos every day.

As far as your belief that we have this ever present hatred for Nature, you are clearly mistaken. The only “problem” we had was with Lady Artemis, may She rest in ever peace. And even then it was not so much of a problem, but more of concern. Nature in itself is a part of Creation is every facet. Different beliefs sure. They don’t like us because we use stone and iron to build a better Creation, while they believe Nature should take over all populace and return the land to its uninhabited glory. So as I stated before, a concern, because who likes getting their hard built Temples and towns overrun by brush and vines.
Now since that is all out of the way…...you still with me? Eyes open chap, we are almost done here. I need your focus more now than ever, because we are going to get a little grimy here, okay?

You want to know where the stones we have are? They rest under your back as you sleep upon the crosswalks of Cyrene. The blood of my brethren holds the stone together for you to walk level footed. The sweat and tears of the dead lie in your font that helps protect your City from the forces that you fear the most.

You ask where the combatants are, yet some of the most memorable fighters that have come from Cyrene where Chosen. We have protected Cyrene for centuries through every facet of its history. And not because we were told to do so, but because Cyrene is home to many of the Chosen. We stepped up where others could not or would not to protect the walls that you call home yourself. We have protected our Father’s mountain with our blood, and will continue to do so regardless of the outcome of Cyrene in its most troubling time.

The blood of the Cyrenians was only a small repayment for all that our Father has done for Cyrene, especially when nothing was asked in return for our service to it’s walls. Especially considering the lack of gratitude and thankfulness of many of its Citizens during our Father’s time as Patron.

So while you sit there and blame us for not helping, or talking out of our mouths, and even accuse us and Him for abandoning the City, remember which kin came and helped rebuild where many would not. Remember what kin sacrificed time and souls so that you can sit on that bench again with no water under your feet.

Our Father may not always be there, but He is always watching, and always caring. What many fail to see is that our Father believes in individual choice. The freedom of personal free will. We make the choices of our own lives, regardless of where that leads us. Even with His Chosen, we are given the choice to do what we want in our own lives. Father does not judge, nor does He feel hatred for His children. He helped and protected Cyrene when Others would not. He gave Cyrene the choice to go where it wanted, without stepping in and becoming the “One Divine, One Faith” you so detest. Cyrene played its hand, and our Father let it happen. It is not His job to direct your mortal hands. It is not His job to guide you in life. That’s your own job, and that is what you failed to do.

The next time you want to reach for something to blame in your downfall as a citizen, do not come knocking at our door. We already have enough to sweep away, we do not need your false claims and cries as well.

Forever His Child,

Kriex Odule, Marshal of Lord Phaestus


Penned by my hand on the 9th of Aeguary, in the year 853 AF.