Greetings, Eleusians.

Know that I do not speak for the City of Mhaldor, nor do I pretend to speak in any official capacity on the Lord's behalf.

Similarly, I am not aiming to speak with the leadership of Eleusis, nor with the organisations affiliated with the Orders of Nature, or the High Warden's office.

Instead, I write directly to the rank-and-file of the armies of Nature.

Over the last few months, you have seen and heard, I am sure, much misgiving, much backpedalling, and much concern about the practices of the High Warden.

Let us be blunt with the truth: the High Warden has posted bounties because she does not trust your might. All of the proclamations made against the City of Mhaldor do not mention you all, save for one, which declaims that, while you will fail in protecting the forest, you may make us bleed for that accomplishment.

In short, your leadership has no faith in you. You, the soldiers that prop them up. The soldiers that bleed to keep them safe, so they can write catty messages from the safety of the Newsrooms of Sapience; they do not believe this is a conflict your own courage and fortitude can carry the day in. Why else hire mercenaries to do your work for you?

This, however, is an opportunity. Labour no longer under the yoke of those who do not trust your strength- not even enough to give you the opportunity to try, and fail.

No matter how much you wish it were so, you are not kin to the beasts you defend so vigorously, and devotedly. Man was meant to walk upright, and proud- to live or die by his own choices, not to have a reactionary role, as animals do. Do not allow the burden of authority placed upon you keep you cowed and bent double.

Rise, instead. Rise and depose the cowards and fools who would keep you 'safe,' while denying you the opportunity to be more than you are now. Or you can rise and cast off the yoke of Eleusis' doctrines, and find your fate someplace where you can truly be great- the Lord's City will always welcome those who open their eyes, and strive to exceed that weakness they were born with.

Whichever path you choose, you may, of course, fail. If you cannot transcend the weakness which makes the High Warden lack even enough fight that you can sustain a fight, let alone win it, then you will fail. But if you do fail, let it be in a battle of your choosing, with your Strength spent, and no regrets in your heart, in the execution of a defiance even your enemies will remember.

Do not meekly follow those who keep from you your dignity. I hope you will consider my words, and that some of you, at least, will see the path that will lead you forward, not backwards- or worse, to stay still, in apathy, forever.

In service to Mhaldor,

Reyson, a Mhaldorian soldier

Penned by my hand on the 3rd of Chronos, in the year 742 AF.