Hallo everyone,

Words are everything. They are how we communicate, and without
communication, we are nothing. I have taken up my profession to be
words. But this is harder than any other- tailor, shopkeeper, warrior,
politician. This is because the other professions require some sort of
action taken that affects others. Words effect others, but only if the
person is open to new ideas.
One might call this profession philosophy. That is what I call it.
Trying to find a reason for things. And I do what I can to help people
with it. It doesn't require much.

We all want to lead different lives, as long as they are our own. We
want to better ourselves, in different sorts of ways. We want to make an
imprint on other people, we want to leave a bright, bold trail wherever
we go saying "I was here". But if we all want to do that, it's hard.
It's hard to stick to what we believe in, and at the same time accept
what others believe in. Accept that yes, there are other people, yes
they were people like yourself, but no, they don't agree with everything
you do.
Because of this, I've found it hard to live in a city or in a guild. I
have been a Sentaari all my life, and after short experiences in Hashan
and Cyrene, I joined Shallam as it was required for my new position of
Guildmistress. But I have decided to resign.
The main reason for this is because recently, the Sentaari have agreed
to Shallam's guild-city charter, and even though it was assumed this
charter has been in effect ever since the Sentaari have been in Shallam,
more issues have sprung from it and I have been led to believe that
eventually, the Sentaari will become a Good guild, and it's original
beliefs and intentions lost.
I shall not lose them.
Partly because of this, partly because I have come to the realization
that I cannot continue my profession as a philosopher if I am bonded to
a certain city and guild- especially if I do not follow the city's
beliefs and if the guild's beliefs were forced onto it. If there is any
hint that I have chosen a guild or city over another, then I would be
judged and biased, and therefore make enemies, and therefore not be able
to live out the life I have chosen.

Why have I chosen this life? This unbiased, neutral life? Because I want
to understand people, and I cannot do that if I am stuck to a codex or
oath. I want to be accepted by both Good and Evil, not to bridge the gap
but to state that there is no gap. For even though we name ourselves
good, evil, neutral, we are all people.
Another reason I'm leaving is because this whole thing seems a bit
unrealistic.
With an exception to the Jesters, whom I admire for being different,
there is not a single guild on Sapience that is not bound to their city
or codex, and by city I include Oakstone. The reason I don't go and join
the Jesters is because I don't really favor the guild skills and I
prefer reason to joke, no offense meant.
But really now, a monk guild for every city and other then the Jesters,
most of us are not allowed to stray from the path that has been laid
before us by our guild. We are being categorized, by alignment into city
and then by class into guild. To me, this does seem quite unrealistic.
Where has the diversity gone?
Before I finish, I want to say one thing. To those Sentaari and anyone
else who think it strange that I am leaving, so soon after I've received
the position of Guildmistress, I do not consider this running away or
being disloyal. I trust everyone to judge what path is best for them,
and this is the path I think is best for myself. I am staying with
Shallam and the Sentaari long enough to end this charter matter, and
until an election for a new Guildmaster is ended.

Well, that is all I have to say for now. I wish all of you a happy life,
and I do mean all of you.

-Rikta Dh'Wyrai-

"I want only to live my own life. Not yours."

Penned by my hand on the 22nd of Miraman, in the year 303 AF.