Concerning the Proposed Deal with the Abyssal Lords of Fire & Ice

I know I have not been to Travance in many moons, but I have witnessed a lot since my first visit ten moons ago. I have witnessed Travance suffer a loss once only when the inn was taken control of by some group (I forget if they were Drow or if they were demons). Yet, we still overcame and performed as usual - we reigned victorious. We have defeated Xualla and Balfurous. We have seen their capability for destruction and absolute malice for everything mortal. As a combined force, Travance is by far the most superior force in Arawyn. Nothing is more powerful than a group of people of all talents working together for our mutual survival and well-being. I have no doubts we will pull this off again. I am totally against any deal we make with demons.

(( OOG: The following letter seems to be written by a hand with a very slight tremble. ))

It does these old eyes some good to see such a forum of discussion even presented by the nobility of these lands. Count your blessings, Travance, as much of the world would rather lynch those in opposition rather than their hear vocalizations. Take it from an elder that knows that pain very well.

It should come as no surprise to many of you that I, under no coercion other than my own soul's, spent a good number of years in the direct company of two demonic entities. I do not keep this fact secret as the lessons I learned on the Isle of Mercy aided in forming me into the man I am to this day.

Before I took up their company, I sought out the settlement that had formed on the Isle. Yet, I saw the true malice in the mortal races when they refused my entrance because of the brands I bore upon my skin. Those scars, which I wear proudly today, were not eared from the war I served in. They were not caused by the torment that I endured at the hands of the elves of the Wood while kept prisoner. No, they were the markings earned by a doctor whose most trusted friends turned upon him and set him ablaze because of his Faith. The actions of "good gentlemen and ladies" resulted in my inability to be granted Sanctuary.

But I digress, for it was in the company of demons and monsters, that I rekindled my Faith in mortal-kind. We were all equal in Mercy's eyes and the Isle's magiks made sure of that; erasing death from existence so that we may begin again from our mistakes; constantly learning and improving.

Crunch, the King of Trolls. Hungry, the Misunderstood Glutton. Saedryn, the Sweet Pestilence. Bitz, the Crazed Heart. Ignus, the Chief of Flame. Eris, the Frost Maiden. Over the years I grew to understand these people, for they were people in my eyes. Their desire was simple, to reject the conformity that had plagued their prior lives and enjoy the time granted to us all. The demons Ignus and Eris were no exception to this, for they sought the mortal world to break free of the Abyssal Hierarchy that resulted in their unfulfilling existences. And in the hour of greatest need, even after being rejected by those of Sanctuary, rose to arms against the Great Black Dread, Telegrim, when he sought the destruction of their Home. We all gave our lives to buy those that would spit at the ground we walked on enough time to safeguard the crystal responsible for our Home.

(( OOG: There are a few drips of ink below this line, probably due to thought going into the paragraph that follows ... ))

I apologize for my ramblings ...

These words by no means are suggesting that we blindly accept the terms put forth before us. I am merely sharing the lessons I have experienced before my Queen's eternal gaze to equate the scales; to counter those who speak only of the actions of two crazed and power hungry lords and the minions that were supernaturally compelled to step in line. These entities are not Good or Evil. They are not Light or Dark. They are, in the purest sense, chaos incarnate. But if Travance has taught me anything in my time here, is even Chaos can be brought to benefit the whole if the right tools are exercised to constrain its flow.

Dr. Murdoc Kroh, I agree with you on many aspects of your letter.

Given the revised contract, I, too, share Dr. Kroh's sentiment.

Truly, we must sit and meet and speak, some day, Good Doctor.

--Mantel Warrane

From the Church of Light's Dictionary of Supernatural beings. Keep in mind they are negative energy creatures as well:

Definition of demon

1 a : an evil spirit angels and demons
b : a source or agent of evil, harm, distress, or ruin

However, Lord Aleister, I look forward to discussing the matter with you at our leisure.

Master Edwin,

And yet your Mortal Churches--Light, Neutral, and Dark, alike--couldn't even correctly remember and inscribe your true, original tenets until the Gods themselves descended from Eodra and brought them to us anew. Of course, perhaps you are not among the best with whom to use this argument, considering you have a reputation for slaying Celestials, even those of your own God.

What we once knew is not always true. The Fracturing of Time in February 1216 objectively means we cannot always rely on our own experience, for things are not necessarily how we remember them to be.

Negative Energy is Chaos incarnate. Darkness comes from its own Aspect.

With respect to a Master,
--Mantel Warrane