Citizens of Sapience, let the darkness fade from you, Light can be seen
cresting the horizon! The days of darkness are ending! As a Priest of
Light, I come to you today, to speak of 'good'. In this wide world,
there are many alignments 'tween 'good' and 'evil.'
Where are these lines drawn? What is 'good,' and what is 'evil?'

I speak personally on my answer, and I am sure these definitions vary
for everyone. Good and evil to me are judgments of character. Someone
who slaughters innocent mhuns or children is by nature 'evil.' Someone
who works to keep the landmarks evil, empowering the 'evil' guilds, and
weakening the guilds of Light, are too, 'evil.' People who embrace
malice, hatred, unnecessary violence, deceit, and destruction are, to
me, 'evil.'

'Good' people embrace passion, truth, Renewal, honor, love, wisdom, and
Light. People that landmark for good, thus empowering the guilds of
light and weakening the dark guilds, are 'good.' Those that serve
others, in healing, resurrection, teaching, etc. are 'good.' People who
slay beasts such as goblins and ogres (and nothing of good nature), are
considered 'good.'

These are extremes. We all know there are people with aspects of each of
these. I know people who seem extremely respectable and honorable, yet
kill innocents and landmark for evil. I know people who are true and
loving, yet slaughter the mhuns of Moghedu. Where are these people
classified?

To this I ask you, why must they be classified? You see, good and evil
are judgments. Do not immediately judge someone by something you are
told about them. Believe what you see with your own eyes and form your
judgments as your heart leads you to. Even as a
Priest of Light, I love my son, Iluvatar. He landmarks for evil and is
violent and deceitful. Many label him evil, but I must judge him in my
own way. If put in the situation, I would kill him, (assuming I could
*wink*) but I would prefer another method.

That brings me to pacifism. I often claim myself a specific breed of
pacifist and have to explain myself in depth. Many know that I am known
to often raid the fortress of Dun, mace leading. I offer mounds of
corpses of foul beasts, and yet I claim pacifism? Let me attempt to
explain. My theory is that the foul beasts such as those that roam the
azdun dungeons must be kept under population control. If every being in
Sapience ceased to slay the goblins, would not the goblins multiply and
create an army capable of defeating Shallam? I refuse to risk this. By
constantly raiding their dungeons, I serve Light and keep their darkness
to a minimum.

Sentient beings, or people, of the lands are different however. If I
slay Ansury, he will simply be resurrected or approach the mirror, only
to slay me, and so on. What does this accomplish? He is weakened, you
say? Sure, but can he not regain he strength quickly if he wishes? Would
it not be more efficient to weaken darkness' hold on him? To weaken the
essence of his very dark powers? To weaken his misplaced faith in evil?
It is my belief that killing other people of Sapience, in many
circumstances, is unnecessary and not very efficient.

Of course, there are exceptions. Surely I will defend my home or family
with violence if need by. My 'pacifism' has its limits- it simply is a
belief that the majority of the time violence to other people is
inefficient. 'Pacifism' is simply the label I have given to this belief
of mine.

Many of you know this, but for those who do not, I am a warrior of
Light, a bearer of flame, a Luminary. "A warrior that does not kill?",
you ask? Aye, I say. I 'fight' for light by spreading the knowledge of
truth and Renewal and the joys they bring. I 'fight' for light by
nonviolently keeping the landmarks in the Elysian aspect. I 'fight' for
light by withholding my faith in good and honor. Indeed, I am a warrior.

Today I come to show you, whether the darkness has clouded your minds or
you already stand proud as a follower of good, why this path is right. I
shall begin with the example of love. It is a legendary battle between
the epitome of evil claiming the protagonist's weakness is his
capability of love. In the end, you shall see that the evil one's empty
existence is found when he sees a mirror to his soul. He sees the
protagonist as what he would be if he embraced good and truth and
Renewal, which he believes are weakening. In the end, no matter who
falls in death, or whether death is the result, the evil will always
find himself alone and hiding in the dark, suddenly seeing his hollow
soul while the protagonist basks in the joys of his loved ones and his
honour.

Evildoers cannot grasp love. They do not love themselves and are
incapable of love to another. Not true love. They spend much of their
life trying to prove to themselves that their way is better, attempting
the closest thing to love they can get. Often mutually beneficial,
deceitful, and exploitive relationships are the outcome and both parties
consider themselves happy and satisfied. The poor things do not know the
joy of embracing a lover in a passionate kiss full of soul. They do not
know fidelity or unconditional love. If you doubt me, look around. Look
at the happily married people and notice their alignment. Look at ones
such as Melody, who have had a ludicrous number of divorces after empty
and failed marriages. Look, and do see why Love finds its home in the
hearts of Lightbearers.

At that, Light is an interesting concept. As a Luminary, Flames are a
foundation of my essence. Some see flame and immediately assume, "ah,
flame, fire, Rahn." Know here and now that -my- light, and my flame
embody much more than that of Lord Rahn's. I certainly honour the Lord
of Fire's influence in my ways, but -my- light is the light of Truth,
Renewal, Service, Honor and Wisdom. You each have your own light too.
Whether it is a spark in your soul that you draw power from, like me, or
a burning in your skin when you see evil- it is there. If you nurture it
and listen to it, you shall find Life. You shall find good and all that
comes with it.

Should you have any further questions about Renewal, I will be happy to
answer, or Galen, the priest in the Temple of Renewal is ever present
and ready to discuss. Should you have questions about Luminaries, I can
answer to my best knowledge. Anything you should wish to inquire about,
I am open to communication. I thank you for attending today and
listening to me.

In eternal Service
Schmendrick

Penned by my hand on the 12th of Midsummer, in the year 101 MA.