Hehe. Actually I'm just going to bash on the Church for a little bit.
Not as a whole, really, more some of the actions I've observed.

So a few months back I hear about this rite in Shallam, and it is
announced that everyone not enemied to the city is invited. Being the
opportunist that I am, I decided that my level could use a bit of an
upping, and since the priestess doing said rite was in my book a darn
good (human?) being, I didn't particularly mind giving her a little
devotion through my glamorous presence. (Besides, I wanted to show off
my new outfit,and there wasn't a big group in Ashtan to aid me in this
endeavor).
The rite was lovely as ever, the divine choir sang beautifully, and I
gave full points to the rite leader for her impressive poses and chants.
As is my smartalleck way, I stayed behind a few minutes to exchange
words with a few Shallam-related aquaintances. At this point a vizier of
Shallam announced his intention of killing me. Amused as I was, I asked
him to go read his own book of laws and see if this intent coincided
with the spirit of the purdy Jewel. Amazingly, he could read, so he went
ahead and did as I suggested. After I gleefully took advantage of this
opportunity and summoned some backup, he returned in triumph to inform
me that I was fair game in Shallam. Oh, yes, kiddies, if you're not a
citizen of Shallam, don't hope to get protection there (unless you have
someone willing to claim they're doing 'buisness' with you). This is
fine and dandy, pretty smart of the city to take Ashtan's example. It's
oddly comforting to my Archon heart to know that the Viziers of the City
of Righteousness, Justice, Mercy, Compassion, Light, Healing, Truth,
Fairness, Knowledge (I'll stop now) follow basically the same mentality
as the Archons of the city of Evil, Chaos, Dark, Bad Guys, Injustice,
Unfairness, Murderers, (what else are we? oh yes), Ignorant Savages...
(checks her list of Shallamese insults) Jaded Munchkins, Dead Headed
Trolls, and other unique beings.
On the other hand, there ARE some very decent beings there, since as I
was being mercilessly hypnotized with about 20 different afflictions, I
was getting healed. Thank you, unnamed benefactor. You acted precisely
as a Priest, a healer, in my humble opinion, should.

But I'll end this brief solemn note of gratitude and return to this
month's events.
Many of you know me as a landmarking addict. It's true. When Sarapin
comes, my eyes go all whirly, my hair stands on end, and I begin to spin
around in a butterfly-catching note-taking frenzy. It's scary. Really
is. On both sides there are people like myself and the magnanimous Mlle.
Shakti Devi who thoroughly enjoy the process. Actually one of my
favourite things to do is discuss theology with the Church while waiting
at various landmarks. But this month I started off on a bad foot. See,
all of a sudden deathsight was covered with my young guildmates' names.
I asked curiously why they were thus killed, and it turned out some
church related people decided it would be cute to torture them in
landmark ITEM rooms (see help PK for the distinguishment). That really
got me p'd off. I went in a rage to defend my friends - only to find
rather deadly vibes in what was, once again, a non-landmark room.
On a barely related note, I'd like to thank Dresden for her LOVELY free
trips to Shallam that she kept arranging for me. See, it's not 'cool' in
the Church to merely fight in a landmark. I guess you guys get extra
style points if you yank the victim to sewers or Shallam? Or are we
supposed to gag from the sewage stink and give up automatically? But
yah, that's not really my point as much as this. I had, on several
occasions, innocents in my entourage. Some were learning. Others were
being given rides. All were slaughtered. Dres, I'm sure you'll be
delighted to know that after you kidnapped one of mine to Shallam and
then proceeded to enemy them for attacking you in the place they were
forcefully summoned, my friend decided to end his life in this twisted
reality and committed suicide.
I don't mind death. It's a part of this realm. But there is death and
fair fighting, and then there's blatant thuggery. Sometimes the line is
crossed. In all my observations, it is members of the Church that cross
it. Which is not to say all Church members are hypocrites. I know and
*deeply* respect quite a few individuals who are true healers, who
believe in justice, in righteousness, in healing, and in piety. (not to
be confused with the rite of piety, which apparently serves for Dresden
as a substitute for the actual quality).
Heh. Of course the fact that their leader is a fanatical self righteous,
umm, lady, may have something to do with this trend. Aldair, honey,
there's a difference between 'righteous' and 'self-righteous'. You're a
meanie-head.
And yes, this sulking absolutely has to do with the fact that you kicked
me out of your rite today. *sniffle* Did you stop for a moment to
consider my feelings? Maybe I'd come to the rite to learn the way of
Good? To pray and let for a moment the choir of Angels lift me to a
higher plane, that essence of existence to which we ALL strive on our
different paths?
Or I could have come there because I am still an opportunist, I love
sarcasm, or just wanted to watch the wide, wide variety of beliefs
assembled there for the free experience.

I think I'll leave my search for Transcedence in the realm of darkness,
where such pettiness and disregard for the spirit of an organization has
no place. To those of the Church whose hearts are true, I may oppose
you, but I salute you. To the rest, think of this before you storm off
on your fanatical crusades. I and my Ashtanite comrades are true to our
nature. Are YOU.
In the end, I'm here to enjoy myself. Seeing suicide over thuggery does
not enjoyment make. I guess it's all in a day's work.

~SS

Penned by my hand on the 1st of Daedalan, in the year 303 AF.