Greetings all,

This post is specifically targeted to Shallam, but can be taken to heart
by all, I am sure. Today, a recently erected shrine to the Lord Sartan
was defiled and torn down a bit North of Thera. While this may seem
ho-hum, and even banal, to most of you, there is more to the
circumstances. You see, this act of aggression to Lord Sartan was
perpetrated in front of not one, not two, not even three high standing
members of His Order. No, this was done in front of five members of the
Order of Evil. And I was one of them.

Well obviously we must be stupid, right? Taken a few too many whirlwind
kicks? The aconite isn't leaving our systems like it used to? Or perhaps
we have grown cowardly in the recent days. Perhaps our faith in Lord
Sartan has dwindled to the point where we do not want to risk our
precious lives against this obviously powerful and confident defiler?

As it turns out, though, all of these thoughts are completely wrong. I
would like to point out how hard it is to defend a shrine against
someone who walks around under the "grace" of the Gods. This courageous
soul, who goes by the name of Serenity, even has the wherewithall to sit
and laugh at his deeds as though he were a child, mischeviously playing
with the things his parents told him not to.

It would not surprise me, nor should it surprise any of you by now, if
Shallam would read about these deeds and shed a tear. A tear of pride,
happiness, overwhelming joy! Well people, this is nothing to be proud
about. What Serenity is doing is an act against the Gods themselves.
Granted grace by those who make us, he flaunts it, throwing it back in
their faces by using other peoples' kills to destroy memorials to the
greatness of the said Gods. Now, what Serenity does while not graced is
certainly up to him. In this Land, there is free will. However, to do so
while abusing a gift is a horrendous act against the divinities, and a
betrayal to his city of Shallam. A betrayal, that is, if Shallam
believes in the power and sacredness of the Gods. And of course, I would
assume they do.

So Shallam, I ask you. Do you endorse such behavior by your citizens? Do
you encourage the backstabbing of Those who brought you here? Would you
be so bold as to say you wholely support the acts of Serenity by not
punishing him for his deeds? My first thought would be yes; Shallam
seems to have hazy vision sometimes, and a blind eye is easily turned.
But maybe you will surprise me, Jewel of the East. I can only hope.

Xerimor

Penned by my hand on the 20th of Sarapin, in the year 282 AF.