The First Land Herald/450-04-18
| Article Number: 108 |
| Dateline: 450-04-18 |
| A GATHERING OF GRIEF AND HOPE: ENELNE'S MESSAGE Recently, Nawain invited everyone to the hidden clearing beside the waterfall outside the west gate of the Crossing. The purpose was to establish a memorial shrine for those who fell in Knife Clan, Tiger Clan, Wolf Clan, Dirge, and all of the villages and towns that have no name but still suffered in these troubled times. She asked that we bring our memories of the missing and prayers for their safe and prompt return. "We remember the missing, their love and faith, the quiet and simple lives they led, which were torn away without mercy," she said. "Let us ask the Gods to protect our loved ones, wherever they may be. We are hollow effigies of ourselves as we await news of their fate and pray for their safe return." At that, time slowed and the air took on a golden light. Everything went silent. The Clerics in the area suddenly wobbled, seeming disoriented. After a moment, Nawain's eyes suddenly went wide and she vanished in a flash of golden light. Some arguing commenced about the possible meaning of her disappearance. A few unsuccessful attempts were made to locate her before Gragnel called the group to attention again and a few prayers were said for those who had fallen. Not long after, several golden butterflies fluttered through the area, and suddenly vanished in a haze of golden light. A moment later, a golden butterfly fluttered through the area, and flashed with blinding golden light. In its place, Nawain stood, her eyes wide with wonder. Her once grass-green eyes were now abyssal black, her white-streaked ginger hair was now streaked with black, and there was now an inexorable streak of splaying black veins along her neck. I touched her and Empathically sensed that she was physically uninjured. After taking a moment to calm her nerves, she was able to share with us small bits of what she discovered. She said that there was a tree and a cliff, that she had a message and a task, and that she was to teach us all to adapt. She said that Enelne gave her a message to give to us. "You must embrace the blending of mana, and then and only then can They strike at Their enemy. We all must. They are watching, and They will aid when the time is right." "She said I must guide you. I must show you what we all are capable of. That we can make such wonders, craft marvels, shape what is to come in Their image. She said I am Her Sword. Their Sword? She said They alone care for us, for all of us. Those within the Heralds' grasp are still within Their grace." Gragnel continued to lead the memorial, allowing Nawain time to rest. "I knew that if left unchecked, all meaning to the gathering would have been lost," he later explained. "As a resident of Wolf Clan, the purpose of everyone being there to grieve for the clans had a special meaning to me. I did what I could to maintain order and keep the group focused on the task at hand." Nawain, understandably shaken, was unable to comment at the time. I managed to catch up with her later to speak with her in more detail. "First, I'd like to apologize for distracting from the memorial. People were there to grieve, and instead they had a bit of a startle. I am immensely grateful to Gragnel for taking over when I was called to hear the message of the Gods, and I'd like to assure those grieving that those within the Heralds grasp are still within Their grace. Trust in Them. Our people are safe in Their hands. "Some people have commented on my new… darkness. It is true, I’m not exactly what I was before. I am Their sword. I am Enelne's Repentant, Her Champion and Chosen. Whatever else I may be, I am that first. There's also been curiosity about what Enelne said to me, in that place of cliffs and trees and strange stars. Some of it really isn’t for everyone, but there is a very important message that They -- all of Them, I think -- need me to share with you. "She said those who wish us harm cannot abide change. They only know that which was, the purity that stands separate. She said that Growth requires the new, and that our survival requires that we adapt. Embrace the blending of mana, and then and only then can They strike at our enemy. She told me I must guide you all into this understanding, because while change can be a painful, terrifying experience, it is absolutely necessary to our very survival now. Change. Adapt. Overcome. And They will triumph through us. "Our Gods are calling to us, begging us to give them the fuel they need to defeat our enemies. Let us meet Their test and become the instruments of our own salvation." As the memorial concluded, Nawain's transformation and the messages she conveyed made a profound impression on those present. The event served not only as a tribute to the fallen but also as a catalyst for change. It was as clear of a message as we had ever received from the gods about sorcery, a clarion call for action. As the golden butterflies fluttered away, carrying with them the prayers and hopes of the gathered, it seemed that the path forward would be challenging but not insurmountable. With hope,
Illiya |
| Real Date: Unknown Date |
| Subject(s): Wild Magic |
| Author(s): Illiya |