Messages

Due to a number of reasons, I am finding it difficult to keep having fun on EfU. The issues are not in my power to resolve. And so, I will be moving on.

But I did have fun. There are a few players in particular who contributed to that... you know who you are. Thank you.

[Friends,]

Friends,

I will be in secluded prayer in a far-away place for a time. Not to worry, I had decided this already before Gausim's new announcement. I will return in a few days.

In the meantime, I would appreciate it if you paid extra attention to your comings and goings to and from the shrine so that no malicious individuals can sneak in. I doubt anything is going to happen but it is good to stay alert.

If one of you could find out whether this new decree changes anything, legally speaking, I would appreciate it. My understanding is that article 18 is unchanged, there is no new law, and it is up to the magistrate or legate presiding at a trial to interpret the law. Essentially, I would like to know if a legate's decree can enforce a particular interpretation of the law outside of any trial, as Gausim makes it sound like.

I look forward to seeing you later this week. Be well and safe. Santina bless you all!

Always yours
Sofia

((Out of town and unable to log in before the weekend.))

Sofia, alternate

[These simple flyers are literally impossible to miss now in Ephia's Well. Dozens and dozens of copies litter the streets of the Well, particularly crossroads, intersections, entrances and exits, all those places where people walk often. A few can be found also inside the Krak des Roses and Hasheema's Hope.]

TURN TO THE SAGES!

Follow their light!
Pray to them, and they will answer!
Embrace the Truths of the Divine Dome, and your soul will find peace!

A bright new future awaits the Well of Ephia – but we must have faith!
Turn to the Sages!

Let peace and compassion reign over hatred and discord...

'Dear people of Ephia's Well, this is Sister-Priest Sofia. You will have heard by now that a priest of the Wroth by the name of Radislav Ludovich attacked me violently on the Plaza last night. The reason for this unprovoked assault was my outspoken faith in Sage Santina and the Dome...'

'... his hatred of which he has made quite clear over the past weeks. He claims I am a threat to the safety and security of the Well. I leave to you, good people, to decide who is the greater threat: a priestess preaching compassion and loving-kindness, or an angry and violent madman.'

'His conduct only proves how much work there is for my Sage to do here in this place. Mercy and compassion are in short supply. I will not stop healing the diseased and feeding the hungry. And I will not stop preaching what I have always preached since my arrival two months ago.'

'My only regret is that I have not been vocal enough to challenge all the kind-hearted people of this place to take a decisive stand against hatred and bigotry. That shortcoming I shall rectify now. Good people of the Well, those of you who follow the Wheel:'

'It was -your- priests who elected Radislav Ludovich to represent the entire Wheel as the 'Grand Mufti'. -Your- priests, who so like to remind me that B'aara also is compassionate, have proven by their actions that they have learned nothing from the Mother they claim to revere.'

'I know they do not represent the best of what the Wheel has to teach. I know they are but a small minority. But you have let them get away with choosing such a representative for your religion. Do you want to prove that this man and his ilk are but rotten fruit of a good tree?'

'Then denounce him and his kind.'

'I will continue my readings of Sage Santina's hagiography tonight. There is much there for Radislav Ludovich to learn, and so I hope and pray that he will come and listen carefully.'

Heard over the bellows...

"Salutations, Ephia's Well! This is Sister-Priest Sofia speaking. It appears I am publicly accused of certain 'transgressions' by a Magistrate, an Apothar, a Twindari Balladeer, and a Sergeant of the Fourth Legion. Although I would use somewhat different language than in the public notice, almost all of the accusations are essentially correct.

I would like to clarify, however, that it has never been my purpose to offend adherents of the Wheel nor to tarnish the name of Princess Hasheema. But I cannot help it if zealous individuals will interpret my actions that way.

The only accusations I do not admit to are these: I am not a 'heretic' that can be 're-baptised' because I am not a follower of B'aara and have never been baptised in her faith. I follow Sage Santina. She is not an aspect of B'aara or a B'aarat heresy; she is a Sage of the Divine Dome.

Moreover, I have never compared the compassion and mercy of Sage Santina to that of B'aara. I have never felt the need for such comparisons. I have great respect for the works of mercy and charity that the B'aarat do, and have indeed supported their work with considerable donations.

It is enough for me to say that B'aara, too, is compassionate. I leave it to the judgement of the good people of Ephia's Well whether the same can be said of my accusers.

To make it abundantly clear to the people of Ephia's Well what I believe in, beginning from today and Santina willing, I shall read in full the hagiography of Sage Santina every day at ((7:30 pm GMT)) in front of the Pilgrim. After the reading, I will give food and alms to all in need.

This I will continue until such a time that I am shown which law of Ephia's Well I have broken, or until my accusers acknowledge in public that I have broken no law. That is all for now. I wish peace, good health, and Sage Santina's blessings to everyone, regardless of religion."

[Jordan, dear friend,]

[A reply is left for Jordan in the Krak.]

Jordan, dear friend,

Thank you for your concern. I know as you do that I have broken no law. They are trying to interpret article 18 of the penal code in a way that would make it seem as if I were guilty of Illegal Worship and Practise; it will not work. Even supposing that they somehow, fantastically, found that I was "a threat to the safety and security of Ephia's Well or its citizens", they would then have to find all faithful of the Dome guilty of it, including one of the sitting Legates.

The best you can do is talk with the Legates about this matter and ensure that the overzealous Magistrate al-Marain does not preside at any trial to come. I question the wisdom of having him as a Magistrate in the first place: he is clearly not interested in interpreting the law in a charitable manner. Something to mention to Legate Guivarch, perhaps.

Yours sincerely,
Sofia

[Dear Syclya,]

[In neat, flowing handwriting.]

Nisah 23, IY 7788

Dear Syclya,

On Nisah 27, I will hold a service of prayer to Sage Santina and all the Sages of the Divine Dome here in Santina's Shrine. ((Saturday, January 27, 5 pm GMT)) On this day, we commemorate the Battle of Lost Souls in which Santina, leading the Order of the Lezrous Brethren and fighting alongside the armed forces of Il Modo, triumphed over the Lost Armada of the accursed Barbarina.

As we followers of the Way of the Divine Dome are a minority in Ephia's Well and religious tension has been rising recently, the service will include a sermon on the proper attitude towards adherents of the Wheel and how to live faithfully as a servant of the Sages here in the desert.

I very much hope you are able to attend. I have invited all the faithful of the Dome in the Well with whom I am personally acquainted.

Santina bless you and your works.

Ever your guide and friend,
Sofia

[Gentile Recluta Banducci,]

[In neat, flowing handwriting.]

Nisah 23, IY 7788

Gentile Recluta Banducci,

You are hereby cordially invited to a service of prayer to Sage Santina and all the Sages of the Divine Dome, to be held on Nisah 27 in Santina's Shrine, on the second floor of the Krak des Roses. ((Saturday, January 27, 5 pm GMT)) On this day, we commemorate the Battle of Lost Souls in which Santina, leading the Order of the Lezrous Brethren and fighting alongside the armed forces of Il Modo, triumphed over the Lost Armada of the accursed Barbarina.

As we followers of the Way of the Divine Dome are a minority in Ephia's Well and religious tension has been rising recently, the service will include a sermon on the proper attitude towards adherents of the Wheel and how to live faithfully as a servant of the Sages here in the desert.

I sincerely hope you are able to attend. This invitation is personal.

Cordialmente,
Sofia d'Andrea
Sister-Priest in the Order of the Lezrous Brethren
of Sage Santina the Compassionate

[Gentile Sig.ra Contadino,]

[In neat, flowing handwriting.]

Nisah 23, IY 7788

Gentile Sig.ra Contadino,

You are hereby cordially invited to a service of prayer to Sage Santina and all the Sages of the Divine Dome, to be held on Nisah 27 in Santina's Shrine, on the second floor of the Krak des Roses. ((Saturday, January 27, 5 pm GMT)) On this day, we commemorate the Battle of Lost Souls in which Santina, leading the Order of the Lezrous Brethren and fighting alongside the armed forces of Il Modo, triumphed over the Lost Armada of the accursed Barbarina.

As we followers of the Way of the Divine Dome are a minority in Ephia's Well and religious tension has been rising recently, the service will include a sermon on the proper attitude towards adherents of the Wheel and how to live faithfully as a servant of the Sages here in the desert.

I sincerely hope you are able to attend. This invitation is personal.

Cordialmente,
Sofia d'Andrea
Sister-Priest in the Order of the Lezrous Brethren
of Sage Santina the Compassionate

[Gentile Nadiri Lapa,]

[In neat, flowing handwriting.]

Nisah 23, IY 7788

Gentile Nadiri Lapa,

You are hereby cordially invited to a service of prayer to Sage Santina and all the Sages of the Divine Dome, to be held on Nisah 27 in Santina's Shrine, on the second floor of the Krak des Roses. ((Saturday, January 27, 5 pm GMT)) On this day, we commemorate the Battle of Lost Souls in which Santina, leading the Order of the Lezrous Brethren and fighting alongside the armed forces of Il Modo, triumphed over the Lost Armada of the accursed Barbarina.

As we followers of the Way of the Divine Dome are a minority in Ephia's Well and religious tension has been rising recently, the service will include a sermon on the proper attitude towards adherents of the Wheel and how to live faithfully as a servant of the Sages here in the desert.

I sincerely hope you are able to attend. This invitation is personal.

Cordialmente,
Sofia d'Andrea
Sister-Priest in the Order of the Lezrous Brethren
of Sage Santina the Compassionate

[Gentile Sig. Montbarron,]

[In neat, flowing handwriting.]

Nisah 23, IY 7788

Gentile Sig. Montbarron,

You are hereby cordially invited to a service of prayer to Sage Santina and all the Sages of the Divine Dome, to be held on Nisah 27 in Santina's Shrine, on the second floor of the Krak des Roses. ((Saturday, January 27, 5 pm GMT)) On this day, we commemorate the Battle of Lost Souls in which Santina, leading the Order of the Lezrous Brethren and fighting alongside the armed forces of Il Modo, triumphed over the Lost Armada of the accursed Barbarina.

As we followers of the Way of the Divine Dome are a minority in Ephia's Well and religious tension has been rising recently, the service will include a sermon on the proper attitude towards adherents of the Wheel and how to live faithfully as a servant of the Sages here in the desert.

I sincerely hope you are able to attend. This invitation is personal.

Cordialmente,
Sofia d'Andrea
Sister-Priest in the Order of the Lezrous Brethren
of Sage Santina the Compassionate

[Gentile Balestriere Rasca,]

[In neat, flowing handwriting.]

Nisah 23, IY 7788

Gentile Balestriere Rasca,

You are hereby cordially invited to a service of prayer to Sage Santina and all the Sages of the Divine Dome, to be held on Nisah 27 in Santina's Shrine, on the second floor of the Krak des Roses. ((Saturday, January 27, 5 pm GMT)) On this day, we commemorate the Battle of Lost Souls in which Santina, leading the Order of the Lezrous Brethren and fighting alongside the armed forces of Il Modo, triumphed over the Lost Armada of the accursed Barbarina.

As we followers of the Way of the Divine Dome are a minority in Ephia's Well and religious tension has been rising recently, the service will include a sermon on the proper attitude towards adherents of the Wheel and how to live faithfully as a servant of the Sages here in the desert.

I sincerely hope you are able to attend. This invitation is personal.

Cordialmente,
Sofia d'Andrea
Sister-Priest in the Order of the Lezrous Brethren
of Sage Santina the Compassionate

[Gentile Legato Cassella,]

[In neat, flowing handwriting.]

Nisah 23, IY 7788

Gentile Legato Cassella,

You are hereby cordially invited to a service of prayer to Sage Santina and all the Sages of the Divine Dome, to be held on Nisah 27 in Santina's Shrine, on the second floor of the Krak des Roses. ((Saturday, January 27, 5 pm GMT)) On this day, we commemorate the Battle of Lost Souls in which Santina, leading the Order of the Lezrous Brethren and fighting alongside the armed forces of Il Modo, triumphed over the Lost Armada of the accursed Barbarina.

As we followers of the Way of the Divine Dome are a minority in Ephia's Well and religious tension has been rising recently, the service will include a sermon on the proper attitude towards adherents of the Wheel and how to live faithfully as a servant of the Sages here in the desert.

I sincerely hope you are able to attend. This invitation is personal.

Cordialmente,
Sofia d'Andrea
Sister-Priest in the Order of the Lezrous Brethren
of Sage Santina the Compassionate

Happy birthday, Dan, and thanks for sticking around! :)