Triquetra Chronicles, Volume 1 (book) - Revision history

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	==The Triquetra Chronicles, Volume 1==		==The Triquetra Chronicles, Volume 1==
	-''Ra'Sulor Israe''		-''Ra'Sulor Israe''

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	===The Triquetra Chronicles, Volume 1===		==The Triquetra Chronicles, Volume 1==
	-''Ra'Sulor Israe''		-''Ra'Sulor Israe''

	====Foreward====		===Foreward===
	Know me as Ra'sulor, once called Israulor before I		Know me as Ra'sulor, once called Israulor before I
	ascended to the Priesthood under the dominion of Eu		ascended to the Priesthood under the dominion of Eu
Line 17:		Line 17:
	circumstance.		circumstance.

	====Triquetra====		===Triquetra===
	A collective concept, the triquetra symbolizes the		A collective concept, the triquetra symbolizes the
	trine of Eu, Demrris and Tenemlor. Depicted as a		trine of Eu, Demrris and Tenemlor. Depicted as a
Line 47:		Line 47:
	very rarely with diamonds.		very rarely with diamonds.

	====Eu====		===Eu===
	Known most commonly as Nature, Eu holds dominion over		Known most commonly as Nature, Eu holds dominion over
	the elements and all forms of plant life. An enigma		the elements and all forms of plant life. An enigma
Line 66:		Line 66:
	relief.		relief.

	====Demrris====		===Demrris===
	Known as the Lord of Life, Demrris holds dominion		Known as the Lord of Life, Demrris holds dominion
	over the waking life, master of sun and storms, and		over the waking life, master of sun and storms, and
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	sun in bas relief.		sun in bas relief.

	====Tenemlor====		===Tenemlor===
	Known as the Ruler of the Afterlife, Tenemlor holds		Known as the Ruler of the Afterlife, Tenemlor holds
	dominion over the dreaming life and moonlight hours,		dominion over the dreaming life and moonlight hours,
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	can be in either role.		can be in either role.

	====Chronicles====		===Chronicles===
	=====The Claw of Eu=====		====The Claw of Eu====
	For those so called into service		For those so called into service
	this was of the highest honor, certainly not to be		this was of the highest honor, certainly not to be
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	declared to be Cemsiat.		declared to be Cemsiat.

	=====The Claw of Demrris=====		====The Claw of Demrris====
	The first Pride lived well		The first Pride lived well
	within the influence of our Gods, watched over and		within the influence of our Gods, watched over and
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	passage of Soru from the lands of Eu.		passage of Soru from the lands of Eu.

	=====The Claw of Tenemlor=====		====The Claw of Tenemlor====
	Cloaked in the guise of an		Cloaked in the guise of an
	albino, Tenemlor walked the lands of Eu infrequently,		albino, Tenemlor walked the lands of Eu infrequently,
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	were left behind to obverse the armies of Lyras.		were left behind to obverse the armies of Lyras.

	=====The Claw of Azca=====		====The Claw of Azca====
	After time, the people found that		After time, the people found that
	they were not the only race in the world. They had		they were not the only race in the world. They had
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	nothing more than a sundream.		nothing more than a sundream.

	=====The Cemsiat=====		====The Cemsiat====
	We of the people are fierce hunters,		We of the people are fierce hunters,
	but one law above all handed down is that we shall		but one law above all handed down is that we shall
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	reborn within the great Wheel.		reborn within the great Wheel.

	====Culture====		===Culture===
	One of our most common customs derives from the hand		One of our most common customs derives from the hand
	of Tenemlor herself. You will oft encounter females		of Tenemlor herself. You will oft encounter females

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New page

===The Triquetra Chronicles, Volume 1===
-''Ra'Sulor Israe''

====Foreward====
Know me as Ra'sulor, once called Israulor before I
ascended to the Priesthood under the dominion of Eu
and received the blessing of name. We are not a
people who record history as other races we have
encountered, but rather hold to a verbal tradition,
passing information down through time in various
methods -- songs, chants, stories -- in order to keep
fresh and unchanging this knowledge. What follows is
an account of our beliefs in some small measure, in
exception to all that has gone before, presented in
written form. Much like the sapling that grows where
winds blow strongly, one must bend to the whims of
circumstance.

====Triquetra====
A collective concept, the triquetra symbolizes the
trine of Eu, Demrris and Tenemlor. Depicted as a
tri-pointed shape in base form, this representation
varies widely in form, to range from a simple curving
knot, to more intricately woven or interlaced
depictions. Prydaen are especially fond of unbroken
formations consisting of a woven single line with no
apparent beginning or end, to create an abstract
pattern or shape. Anyone claiming to have seen Eu is
actually referring to the triple form, Eu-Demrris-
Tenemlor, whose name is frequently shortened to Eu.
This can be confusing for outsiders, but we have no
trouble keeping it straight. He (or she) appears
mainly to priests or clan elders -- or their non-
Prydaen equivalents -- in the form of a renowned
ancestor. An appearance to a younger person is
usually an indication that they are destined for
great things. The triquetra is also the sole
constellation the people gave name to, it being a
trinity of stars bright during the summer months, but
otherwise too dim to be seen. Also of great
importance to our culture is the symbol of the three-
spoked wheel, often spoken of as the Wheel of Life,
and a part of our long-standing verbal history in
works such as the Wheel Song. In crafted form, the
triquetra as jewelry is cast in platinum and adorned
with white gems such as opal, pearl and moonstone, or
very rarely with diamonds.

====Eu====
Known most commonly as Nature, Eu holds dominion over
the elements and all forms of plant life. An enigma
at best, Eu is unfathomable to the mortal mind in
scope, the embodiment of nature's entirety. Eu is
never referred to as He, She or It -- always as Eu --
and never appears to mortals. Thought by some to be
the procreator of Demrris and Tenemlor in conjunction
with the universe, Eu presides over all which they do
not. Of especial concern within the mortal realm are
the Priests, who watch over all Prydaen in Eu's
direct stead. Eu is the turf beneath our feet, the
wind in our faces and the rain that quenches our
thirst. Most strongly linked with Eu are shades of
green, though all colors in nature are within Eu's
sway. Eu's symbol is the faiyka, a disc crafted of
white gold which bears three narrow rays in bas
relief.

====Demrris====
Known as the Lord of Life, Demrris holds dominion
over the waking life, master of sun and storms, and
the embodiment of vigor and action. His gaze
encompasses all hunters, be they his kits or
predators, with a special eye toward felines of all
kinds, often appearing in the form of a large cat.
He figures largely in the time following our
awakening, having walked among us often to guide and
teach his kits. He presides over all bondings,
blessing the unions for their life-giving potential,
and bestowing upon the rare individual his mark of
favor, a blessing in the form of an extension of
natural life, first seen in the Priest Ra'trel. Like
his sister Goddess, Demrris abhors the undead,
stalking the lands in the form of a black panther,
accompanied by Tenemlor in her form of a white tiger.
He has a very strong sense of justice, and will react
swiftly and without warning against any evil that he
sees. However, his attention span is brief, and he
does not pursue enemies relentlessly. Often
associated with Demrris are shades of yellow and
white, ranging across the spectrum much like the sun
crosses the sky. His symbol is the iladza, a disc
crafted from yellow gold which bears a multi-rayed
sun in bas relief.

====Tenemlor====
Known as the Ruler of the Afterlife, Tenemlor holds
dominion over the dreaming life and moonlight hours,
embodying serenity, silence, peace and order. As
Guardian of the Blessed, she defends the dead from
necromancers and others who would disturb their rest.
Prydaen Empaths revere her, for her touch heals fever
and madness, and Moon Mages appeal to her for clear
weather and freedom from distractions. It is said of
a good ruler that "Tenemlor stands behind him" --
maintaining peace and order, and watching his back
for traitors. She presides over all births and
deaths, and holds safe the final resting place, where
Prydaen reside for eternity once they have tired of
life's wheel. She is more reclusive than her brother
God Demrris, though history handed down through the
millenia tells of a time when she walked the lands in
the form of a proud, white-furred Prydaen with one
blackened and withered paw -- it is said even unto
this day that kits born with pure white or albino
coloration are indeed blessed with the direct favor
of Tenemlor. Often associated with her are shades of
blue, ranging into the deepest black to span all
colors of the night, and the reflections of the
moons. Her symbol is the shariza, a disc crafted
from blue gold which bears in bas relief twin
crescent moons, waxing and waning.

A popular myth among our people says that once a year
Demrris and Tenemlor trade roles for a day. A few
clans believe that at any given time, either deity
can be in either role.

====Chronicles====
=====The Claw of Eu=====
For those so called into service
this was of the highest honor, certainly not to be
ignored, nor taken lightly as though a whim or
passing urge. Though its beginnings were prosaic
enough, only a select few ever feel the subtle
whisperings of Eu's guidance, and while this is a
prideful thing, it is also a deepening of humility.
One does not lose one's self in this undertaking, but
one does experience a sense of submergence to the
greater good, and the rightness of this estate.

The Claw of Eu was formed shortly after Demrris
mostly left his kits on their own, within the first
few generations. This is the oldest recognized Claw
of the Prydaen; it also has the most influence of any
claw in existence. As history tells it, after our
awakening, the first Pride realized they needed those
to preserve the history of the people, as not all had
the best of memories or were unable to relate such
stories of their time with Demrris, and we did not
have a written language as such. Their kits and
their kit's kits, however, must know of their
heritage complete from the time of awakening.

Some few of the people, those with memories as sharp
as our own claws, who retained information and
experiences with a clarity that was startling, began
to notice a subtle change within themselves. The
turning of the seasons, the ebb and flow of the
tides, and the invisible currents of air that shifted
the clouds across the sky all became seen, or heard,
or felt -- for each it was different -- much like the
encompassing sensation of another's heartbeat when
held closely.

In time, they began to realize that this was Eu
speaking to their hearts and minds, exerting gentle
influence, and making more definitive their command
of deliberate recall. Of these few, it was Ra'trel
Starcatcher who first understood, and who in turn
guided his fellows to that same end. Now the Priests
of Eu, otherwise known as Eu's Claws, they took it
upon themselves to carry with them the knowledge of
their ancestors so that they might pass this to the
generations that followed.

When the first pride had gone to Tenemlor and several
generations had followed, Ra'trel still walked the
lands of Eu, gathering history and waiting for one to
come to him, one that he might groom to be his
successor among the Priests. It should be noted that
Ra'trel was blessed by the touch of Demrris, his life
span extended well beyond normal boundaries, so that
he might accomplish this momentous task that had been
laid before him. Now, it is from Ra'trel that we
Prydaen use Ra' in the naming, to denote one's duty,
affiliation and honor. However, one endures much
before such a naming, as it is not an honor lightly
given nor bestowed. Any not of the Claw of Eu who
dare pretend to this honor, either in name or in
vestments, are exiled from the Hubs of our people --
declared to be Cemsiat.

=====The Claw of Demrris=====
The first Pride lived well
within the influence of our Gods, watched over and
protected until such time as we had learned to fend
for ourselves without direct intercession from above.
Demrris appeared less and less frequently, but we
always knew that he was with us. We were not what
one might call organized, however, and this became
more and more apparent as time and generations had
gone by. It was not very long after Eu's Claws came
into being that we began to realize that more was
necessary for our survival. Our numbers were ever
increasing, and what was once a manageable group was
now beginning to spiral out of control.

Shortly thereafter, Demrris appeared to us, with fur
the color of the morning sun, and a mane like fire.
We gathered at his feet, the oldest drawing closer
when he motioned to us. As we watched, the hand of
Demrris circled in the air thrice, leaving behind a
faintly glowing spiral of light that faded quickly.
His voice was like a summer breeze through a field of
grass, rippling and sure, as he spoke to us of the
need for some method by which we could continue on.
We would need places to care for our kits, our
priests and our elderly. Places that were not the
open fields or mountains where we spent most of our
time. We needed a place where we could gather
together, away from the uncertainty that Tenemlor
might be calling our names at any moment.

It was thus that Demrris instructed us in the
creation of the Hubs, guiding us through their
initial organization and placement. A loose system
of leadership was established, centering around the
Elders, to whom he gestured. From those the first
Council of Elders was formed, to govern and lead the
Hub. They were charged with the maintenance and
wellbeing of all those who lived within, ensuring the
heritage of our species. The Elders oversaw the
dispensation of supplies for the Hub, and also
prepared for the gatherings of our people, both in
the coldest months, and during the times of warmth
when we met for more instinctual reasons.

They assured that any kit brought in by its parents
would have a place to safely grow and learn the ways
of our people. When a kit believed itself ready to
venture forth into the world on its own, the Elders
were there for the rituals and rites, ensuring that
the kit was indeed prepared for what was to come, and
to acknowledge the ascension from kit to adult when
the proving was complete.

Once the Council of Elders was established, and our
race was awakening to a newfound sense of security
amidst the Hubs, Demrris appeared once again amongst
us. He spoke at length with Soru Krotaya, the eldest
of our kind, and much venerated by us for his wisdom,
patience, and unfailing ability to know exactly that
which must be done, regardless of the situation.
Soru had witnessed many turnings of the seasons, and
watched many a mewling kit grow into a mature adult
Prydaen. It was to him that our great patron gifted
the knowledge of Cizayu (or rites of passage in the
common tongue) and the authority to oversee them.
Many more seasons passed, and our species thrived
under the watchful gaze of Soru, but time began to
weigh heavily upon his shoulders. He knew he would
soon return to the Great Wheel, and it was thus that
Soru, eldest amongst us, gathered together a select
few who exhibited certain traits and characteristics.
Those who gathered before him became known as the
Claws of Demrris, those who would ensure our
traditions and heritage continued, even after the
passage of Soru from the lands of Eu.

=====The Claw of Tenemlor=====
Cloaked in the guise of an
albino, Tenemlor walked the lands of Eu infrequently,
but always to a purpose in those days not long after
our awakening. Often regarded with trepidation for
her unique coloration (or lack thereof, depending on
one's point of view), she nonetheless appeared to
teach and succor at varying points in our lives, and
make us aware of our best (responses) to the
infrequent influxes of undead. With the coming of
the Lyras, however, the people were at a loss. We
were unused to fighting such creatures, those that
wore the faces of our kin and walked in a mockery of
life.
With the increased amount of undead kin appearing in
the lands of Eu, a small group of the people became
concerned at their lack of strength against this
blasphemy. Tiatra Moonstalker, together with this
like-minded group, decided to dedicate themselves to
hunting the Undead. In order to do so, she decided
one must first learn of them to defeat them. For
months, she and her small group watched the undead as
they went with their vile unlives, watching their
habits. As they watched, they also prayed to
Tenemlor seeking the wisdom of the Goddess on how to
properly hunt these unholy creatures.

Tenemlor listened to Tiatra's pleas for assistance,
and decided to take this group as her own. Tenemlor
whispered the ways of the undead to Tiatra, and
presented to Tiatra's group several weapons to defeat
the undead. These weapons were blessed by Tenemlor
herself and were bound to Tiatra and her group. All
this Tenemlor gave to the group, but with only one
request in return. Those of this newly formed Claw
must worship Tenemlor and no other. Only with
unquestionable faith in Tenemlor would such gifts be
granted for the knowledge of the undead.
Tiatra and her newly formed Claws readily agreed to
the request of the goddess. From that time, the
Claws of Tenemlor have fought against the undead with
uncanny success, but their numbers were too small to
decimate the hoards of undead before the raising of
the Barrier. At last count, there were only
approximately twenty of this claw still alive,
fifteen on this side of the barrier, and five that
were left behind to obverse the armies of Lyras.

=====The Claw of Azca=====
After time, the people found that
they were not the only race in the world. They had
neighbors, the Rakash. Several fights had broken out
between our two races, mainly over hunting
territories and food. Eventually, we settled our
differences and co-existed with each other,
territories marked by each.

At that time, when things had settled down for our
two races, a Prydaen by the name of Azca Fauran
believed that she could deal with the Rakash,
especially if food was scarce. Those of her pride
thought she was becoming senile, since what she
proposed would have her come into closer contact with
those below them like the Rakash.

She spoke to them of what good may come of this,
especially if she could set up some kind of
understanding between her and the Rakash. A way to
trade goods, food, herbs, and other items to benefit
all involved. She argued that this would be good for
the people as a whole, bringing new items to their
hubs that they might otherwise not obtain. They
responded by snubbing her ideas and plans, and so she
left the hub to wander, as she was wont to do.

Her first encounters with the Rakash were tentative,
as the Rakash were unsure of the Prydaen. The
language barrier was the first hurdle she had to
overcome, as neither she nor the Rakash could
understand each other. Azca prayed to the triquetra,
seeking some measure of divine guidance in this, and
was heard by Demrris. To her he gifted an artifact
of his making which would, he informed her, tune her
into the languages of those she met. Azca offered
her thanks in the form of sacrificing a weeks worth
of kills to him, and went on her way back to the
Rakash.
Their numbers are few, though they exist. The Claw
of Azca, as it came to be known, still survives among
us, though its members are looked upon with some
reluctance owing to the belief that they may be
tainted by the ways of the furless through long
association. They are a close-mouthed lot, never
sharing exactly the how of what they do for us.
Rumor has it that the artifact was never lost in time
as many believe, but preserved and even shared
somehow among their number. Rumor is, however, often
nothing more than a sundream.

=====The Cemsiat=====
We of the people are fierce hunters,
but one law above all handed down is that we shall
harm none of our own. In the days of the first
Pride, a Prydaen committed the first betrayal of
Demrris' teachings. We were taught to hunt and to
survive, but we never expected what was to happen --
it never occured to any that one of the people could
do such.

Cemsiat, kit of Demrris, preyed upon another Prydaen.
His claws took the life of a fellow Prydaen. We did
not know how to respond to this, as this was a first
among our people, but Demrris spoke for us in our
time of shock and bewilderment.

"Slayer of kin, you are no longer mine. To hunt is a
gift I gave to my children, to feed themselves on the
meat of lesser things. You have turned from this,
and used claw against kin. No longer are you one of
the Pride, and you shall walk alone and know no
companionship with your fellow Prydaen. Your name
shall bear the mark of this shame for all eternity.
Be gone from here Cemsiat -- perhaps in time Tenemlor
will allow your spirit to enter her country to rejoin
the Pride, but not in this lifetime."

With this said, Demrris' voice was gone from our
hearing, but his words carried their effect. We of
the first Pride turned our backs upon Cemsiat, now
considered dead to us, and of no more substance than
a whisper in the midst of a raging storm.

Cemsiat left the territory we dwelt in; his heart was
crushed at such punishment as had been visited upon
him. Even though we of the Pride wandered far away
at times, we always knew we could come back and find
comfort with our kin. Never more for Cemsiat, who
would always walk alone. Though Demrris had turned
his back to his kit, Cemsiat sought redemption to
clear his spirit of his betrayal so he could enter
Tenemlor's realm. What exactly his atonement was, is
known only to Tenemlor herself, but we do know that
eventually Cemsiat cleared his name, and was allowed
the surcease of Tenemlor's embrace, and passed into
the world of spirits, as do all Prydaen.

Since that time, those few Prydaen that have been
exiled are viewed as a kindred spirit to Cemsiat.
Their tails are normally removed, and a magical brand
is placed upon them to mark them as such. Once such
a process has occured, they are no longer considered
kin of the people, and are beyond the usual comforts
of the Pride. Some have been able to find redemption
within their lifetime, allowing the brand to be
removed. Most however, do not. Those who have not,
or refuse to find such redemption, become lost to the
void, never to rest in Tenemlor's embrace or be
reborn within the great Wheel.

====Culture====
One of our most common customs derives from the hand
of Tenemlor herself. You will oft encounter females
of our people with similar namings. My own before my
ascension to Eu, Israulor, the present day mate of
Vael, Seralor, and so forth. There was a day long
ago when a kit was born, one with no color to her
fur, her mane or eyes. Truly an albino of our kind,
and truly unique. This was unheard of, and caused
alarm among the people, thinking this a sign from the
triquetra of unknown import. She was in perfect
health, blemished only by her lack of coloration, and
as such was not subject to one of our more ruthless
of customs.

Into this mix of confusion and uncertainty did come
Tenemlor. With soft croons did she take the newborn
kit into her arms, singing a lullaby so softly that
we could not quite make out the words. As we watched
with wide eyes, the color leeched from Tenemlor's
form, until she too was as the kit. She smiled at us
then, adjusting the sleeper in her arms.

"Henceforth shall this kit be known as 'Alor' and
ever rest safely within my embrace as my true
daughter. The naming Alor to signify to all that she
is of myself, and not to be cast aside for her
differences, but rather to be cherished as would any
kit of the people."

Tenemlor handed the kit back to its mother and calmly
walked away, her form wavering and finally
disappearing from sight. It was from that time
forward that we would occasionally see her in the
lands of Eu in the form of a pure white tiger,
accompanied by her brother Demrris' black panther.
It was also from that time forward that parents began
to use the naming to give their female kits that same
kindred spirit. Hence, names such as my own, and
that of Seralor.

One should note, we are not a passive people willing
to accept just anything simply because it occurs. I
refer, of course, to the unfortunate occurances of
malformed kits birthed to the lands of Eu. Amongst a
people who value wholeness and self-sufficiency above
all else, this was unacceptable in the extreme.
Outsiders may call us ruthless, but life is to be
lived to the fullest, not suffered through in misery.

A kit is not meant to be born so, and is certainly
not meant to live so. Parents are expected to give
the kit back to Tenemlor as gently as possible. Oft
times, the simple expedient of closing the kit's
airways sufficed. Some felt it more fitting to use a
single claw slash across the throat. Whatever the
method, if the parents were unable to perform such a
service, one of the Claws of Eu would stand in their
stead.

Burials were like any other; circumstance of death
did not negate the importance of our rituals.
Wrapped in gauze of the purest white and laid on a
platform raised to the sky, the body would rest while
the spirit journeyed back to Tenemlor's realm. As
with more normal deaths, the Wheel Song would be sung
-- there are some things one simply does not neglect.
Of course, with the coming of the blasphemous Lyras,
this most cherished ritual changed. Left in such a
state, our dead kin were subject to her necromancy.
Raised by her foul magics in a shambling mockery of
life, our kin would thus be turned against us,
obeying the commands of a human bent on domination.
Due to her vile interference, we were forced to
employ a far more repugnant custom. To assure
ourselves that we could not be so misused, we began
to burn our dead kin. If possible we would prepare
them as before, wrapped in gauze and placed on a
platform raised to the sky. On those occasions we
would burn the entire structure. On the field of
battle we could not take as much care and bodies were
left where they'd fallen, to be set afire by whatever
means available, usually with the aid of naphtha.
With a little extra time, we would build pyres for
our kin and burn them en masse. Regardless of
method, we sing the Wheel Song in the hopes that they
will find their way to Tenemlor's realm as is proper.

Speaking of death, it is necessary to bring up the
subject of favor, and the general strive for all
creatures to seek the blessing of their God, or Gods.
This 'seeking' of favor goes against our belief in
the Great Wheel, and contradicts some of our oldest
heritage and traditions. We are not fools, however,
and the trials we suffered while facing Lyras have
taught us that such practice may indeed be necessary
in order to thwart her ambition, as well as protect
our kin from a fate that many have already been
forced to endure.

Thus it is that some of our kin have begun to accept
and practice the ways of the easterners. Time will
tell as to how much this has damaged our way of life,
and the beliefs we brought with us from the West. To
that end, there were some crude altars fashioned
during our flight from the west, though we did not
have much time to use them. It is now, here in the
eastern lands where we seek to make a new home, that
ones with more love and devotion will be created. Of
course, this process has been slowed while we search
out adequate land to establish new Hubs.

Regardless of where we may stand, or where our bodies
fall in death, the Wheel is always there. Forever
turning, it remains our guide through life, death and
Tenemlor's realm of the afterlife, eventually leading
us back to rebirth. But through all this, we
retained our sense of self, and our connection with
the land. Through all this, we retained the love and
support of our Gods, who helped lead us to the
uncertain safety of the east. And we retained all
that we were, in our memories, and in the rare
examples of runic writings we possessed.

We are, without question, careful around outsiders.
It is not that we are anti-social, or lack a sense of
humor or fun. Rather, we do not believe in opening
our hearts and minds to those not of our people -- or
at least, not without good reason. It is to my great
dismay that I see my kin behaving much like that
which we distantly resemble, having reached this new
land and shrugged off their heritage as though it be
some inconsequential cobweb marring their sight.

I cannot say what will befall us in the future,
though I reside safe and secure in the knowledge that
our Gods will not abandon us, nor will they turn a
deaf ear to our pleas and concerns.

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