A seedling crushed underfoot in its infancy, merely because it is 'weak' or unimportant, can never grow to beome the towering redwood. A matter of years, to be certain, but the proper care, tenderness, and protection can not only assure, but accelerate it's growth into a nearly impervious monument of stoicism.

Nearly impervious to mortal doings. Even so, an army of these prodigious peaceful giants can be felled by the careless ignorance or spite of a man untempered by compassion and enlightenment. Just that one man can wreak enough havoc to destroy a civilization.

No, I am not speaking of the Woodcutter of Aalen. He seems a sensible enough man. Moreover, that forest is protected and cared for by the Tsol'aa that live there. These guardians of the forest, along with the Druids and Sentinels, take pride in preserving and protecting that forest. They understand that caring for it benefits themselves, and the forest both, while harming nothing.

And in this fashion, we of Shallam guard Sapience against those who seek to do harm, and those who do it unknowingly. We are the enlightened. This is our mission, and our charge.

Ryvern

Penned by my hand on the 5th of Glacian, in the year 255 AF.