Spireans,

The Heartwood cannot, and will not, stoop to the terms offered by the Theocracy.

Nor can we answer you this Winter - for SHE has decreed this to be poor auspice, and we are ever loyal to our beloved MOTHER of ALL LIFE, DIA'RUIS.

We will still grant you your competitions, however - this Spring.

Understand our sole caveat: HER power and HER ritual will not factor in. These are for far grander purposes than mere performance; moreover, we should not like to offend you through what you would undoubtedly consider a "misuse" of magic.

As such, the Heartwood, out of love for our MOTHER, will restrain our competition to two spheres alone - combat, whether in a series of battlefields or individual duels; and culture, where music and words alike shall be mustered against one another, with the assembled audiences left to decide whose artistry is superior.

In these matters, our faith shall show true.

Let our actions carve the world.

Until Spring,
Yesufa Wisteria Button
Killing Voice of the Wild Court of Duiran
Ritualist of the Noonday Wildwood
Siren of the Emerald Ocean
Kin unto the Tranquil Warden

Penned by my hand on Falsday, the 1st of Ios, in the year 13 AC.