Greetings, Sapients.


Effective immediately, all Devotion users are hereby forbidden from aiding, assisting, doing business with or supporting the village of Eleusis.

For those of you who don't like reading, turn away now - because this has been a decision long in the making.

Some among you are already rolling your eyes, preparing whatever allegedly witty retort you can muster in regards to Good versus relative good, as is the custom on these boards. Rather than simply write you off as backwater derelicts, however, I think it is truly worth taking the time to illustrate the irreconcilable differences that exist between the teachings of the Bloodsworn, and the ego-stroking likes of Alrena and Rangor.

Many have noted that Nature, being a significant part of Creation, falls under that which we - as servants of Good - are sworn to protect. This is not an incorrect assessment; Nature itself is important to us, and sacred to a degree. But, unlike the forestals, we do not hold it above all things. Creation as a whole, the the pursuit of sustainable growth therein, is far more important.

And why shouldn't it be? Nature is but a part of all that is Creation, albeit a large part. It is important, but not so much so that we can condone the inhibition of sustainable growth - the right of every mortal - simply for the sake of a few trees.

In this, lies the crux of the issue with naturalism. We see a world beset on all sides by the iniquity of the selfish and the tyrannies of wicked men. We seek Purity within Creation, and know that nothing is too precious to Sacrifice to achieve it. Forestals, however, believe that the life of even one tree is too sacred to risk. From Their perspective, this is a narrow-minded, foolish view that risks destroying what it claims to protect due to an overly rigid moral structure as it relates to plants.

Now, historically, Eleusis has always been a place that put a high value on freedom, not usually giving too much of a damn how you serve Nature, as long as you serve faithfully. In recent years, however - and really, even since I myself was Loam Kahi Abha Ardu - the violently counterproductive sentiments of the Gaians and the Anachaine have taken hold in the Village.

The Gaians and the Anachaine have long been trying to take total control of Eleusis, and for the time, it seems as if they may have finally succeeded. While I would hope that the Eleusian people are rightly outraged by the arrogance and narrow-mindedness of the likes of Alrena, I cannot simply sit idly by and hope that the unreliable mechanisms of democracy run their course.

I similarly cannot rest well, with the knowledge that many Devotionists have been helping to fund the village with our commerce and trade. Even those among us who may not directly serve Them, should never be placed in a position where we provide aid to those who would strike out against the Bloodsworn. It is from Them that our Devotion flows, and it is imperative that we never give them a reason to doubt our piety and our love for Creation.

Because of these beliefs, because of the actions of the Gaian and Anachaine leadership, and because of the unrepentant murder of innocents who were trying only to grow, no priest or paladin will do business with Eleusis or give aid to any of her citizens.

The Dawnspear's response may be kind and peaceful, or it may be violently Rightous fury - this, I cannot tell you. Devotionists, however, will remain held to the highest of standards, as wielders of Their gifts.

The Light and Fire lead. We will never fail to follow.


In service to Them,

Aodfionn Wintermourne
Deacon of Celestia


Penned by my hand on the 25th of Glacian, in the year 676 AF.