Greetings, Mortals of Aetolia.

Heeding the call I made in this very medium just over a year ago, ten
philosophizers put quill to parchment and produced essays to meet the
challenge I had set: to describe the nature of the Divine and of
mortals, of the relationship between, and of the implications of both. I
now announce the results of this contest.

None of the entries was without flaw; none of the entries was complete,
nor wholly correct. However, do we condemn the Atavian because he cannot
soar to touch the very rays of the sun? or the Magi because she cannot
bind the elements wholly to her will? Certainly not; rather, we applaud
the grace of his flight, we marvel at the command of her efreeti, and we
ponder and dream of the limits not reached, but perhaps only reached not
yet.

My servants will be seeking the authors of these essays for permission
to include their creations on the shelves of the library of Mystery; at
that time, I encourage you to read these works with a mind open for
reflection. Were you to open any of the works to any written page you
like, I trust that you would be able to find thereon enough stimulus,
enough inspiration, to support the writing of another tome again. The
wise are able to perceive incompleteness; the enlightened are able to
capture it, to use its essence to propel them forward upon a path of
discovery.

I now announce the winners of this contest.

The first prize is awarded to Razor Saer'ac for "The Nature of Divinity
and Mortality". He shall bear My Divine blessing for four months.

There are three second prizes awarded. In alphabetical order:
- to Lenie Ai'zien, for "The Nature of Mortality and Divinity"
- to Serram Saer'ac, for "A Treatise on the Nature of Mortality and
Divinity"
- to Omeg Tyrell, for "The Essence of Sanctity"
All three shall bear My blessing for two months.

Finally, all ten entrants shall receive material prizes from the
Conclave of Devotion in Spinesreach. In addition to the entrants listed
above, the following six have earned this reward:
- Misty Kells, for "Of Mortals and the Divine"
- Veriara Krealahn-Duses, for "Of Mortals and Divinities"
- Octavian Mirari, for "The Divine and Mortals"
- Samira Orange, for "Mortality and Divinity"
- Iggy Tsunomari, for "Of Mortality and Divinity"
- Brandin Vae'Lante, for "Of Divine and Mortals: an essay"

Finally, Sayber Saer'ac did indeed accept My invitation to assist with
the judging of the entries. His evaluation of the ten essays was a tome
in its own right and was both thoughtful and insightful (and not without
humor as well). For his service to Mystery, he shall bear My Divine
favor through the end of the spring.

Walk in the shadows of Mystery, My children, and may today's obstacle be
tomorrow's path.

- Niuri, Goddess of Mystery

Penned by my hand on the 11th of Ios, in the year 134 MA.