A Week Worthy of Contemplation

[weatherbyrd]

I tread the path of Righteousness. Though it be paved with broken glass.
I will walk it barefoot; Though it cross rivers of fire, I will emerge unscathed.
Though it wanders wide, the divine shall guide my step.
Though harsh winds blow against me, my faith shall keep my path straight.
Though darkness surrounds me, I will huddle around his light to pierce it.

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Many in this city have seen my face, heard my name, know my actions. Yet few have had a formal introduction with myself, and before I begin I think it wise to let all know who I see in my own mirror. I am Charikleia Fotakis, a Sister of the Evintarian Lampra Asteri Convent, which in common tongue means Radiant Star. In my youth, I was no devout Unionist, and for grave sins I shall not name in public I had been intended to be allowed another chance at his redemption in the next life through my own execution. Yet, the Everwatcher had seen it fit to allow my fate to be swayed, as a Sister of the Convent stayed my execution and took me in at the age of 11. Through many years of penance and schooling, I found the Everwatcher's light and took up arms in it's name as a Blessed Theurgist and binder of demons, taking the following oath to become a Wandering-Blade:

"To not permit wicked action, to never permit injustice, to uphold his values long and wide. I shall bring the Everwatcher's light to the darkest corners of the world, through word, through flame, through action."
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I reside in the Gloomrot, and live proudly amongst it's inhabitants. I do not feel I am the most social of neighbors, yet I would still answer their call should they have need of me. I would answer the call of any within this city, so long as the call does not support wickedness. However, my introduction is not the point of this posting. Rather, I wish to give my thoughts on the past week. On the Exorcism, the Inquest, and my observations of this city.

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I. Exorcism of the Allbeacon Temple

Nearly fourteen turns of the Moon and Sun have occurred since my soul was grievously wounded. Frida, the Bloodwitch had corrupted the jewel that mortal hands had fashioned to display the Everwatcher's light in a most fantastic way. Blood has been spilt on these grounds, yet not once has it seen a Divine of another Pantheon within it, much less one as foul as Blodruna. For our actions, or lack of actions to prevent this I had spent nigh three turns committing myself to penance both physical and spiritual, but had been reinvigorated by an enlightening confessional with Celate Riedel, and thus I invoked the most radiant of rituals within my repertoire: The Cresting of the Radiant Star.

Through five Censer-Bearers, I had channeled the will of the faithful behind us into one desperate cry to the Divine, an agonized plea for assistance. And then the Divine Answered. The Bloodrot withered, and the Divine willed it to be removed, mercifully freeing us from it's grip. To this, I offer my thanks to all who had assisted me, for I could not have done it alone. But atop my mind, I wish to offer my special gratitude and bestowing of honor to the four Censer-Bearers who acted as conduits for the Faithful masses:​

• Celate Baldewin Braunschweiger, of the Dogmatic Faith.​
• Celate Myka, of the Dogmatic Faith.​
• Lancyon Noemi Amenta, of the Dogmatic Faith​
• Lady-Darkwald Vittoria von Rolanthe, of the Dogmatic Faith.​

You have served well. Take pride in it.
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II. Inquest of Count Lamont Norinn

I have little to recount of the last night, still the glassy sheen of my heart is disturbed by the ripples that follow it's disturbance. Yet I have thoughts that I feel must be clarified, yet for the dust has not yet settled and it clouds the eyes of those who hold an interest in a clearer picture. Let my words shine through like a radiant beacon.

Regarding the charges I had levied. There is a Not-Insignificant amount of those in the city who seem to hold that I had levied charges of Adultery, or that the Count has been found guilty of such. To this I quote my preamble of charges, and my supporting statement of Oath-Breaking and Neglect:
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"Through a thorough investigation, I bring to bear the following accusations of sin against Count Norinn; The Sin of Apostasy. The Sin of Oath Breaking. And the Sin of Neglect."
"The sins of Oath Breaking and Neglect, I shall support together. I have chosen to not pursue the sin of Adultery despite it's mention, for all testimony so far has only supported the fact that the Count Norinn has only begun his relations with another after the occurrence of his divorce from Countess Silverberry."​

I shall not insult intelligence by further extracting from my quotations, but shall instead permit them to look into their own mirror and find what they wish. Yet my heart is troubled by other matters. Countess Silverberry's testimony had been notably absent from my ledger, because she had been unavailable. She had not been the one to prompt the Celacy to act, for the Cloth had chosen to act upon it's own accord upon hearing this information. And because the testimony of others wove the same resulting tapestry.

One wonders why those who speak so harshly, criticize the Countess Silverberry and Countess Nayelan when neither had truly committed any sin. Countess Silverberry had been wronged, and Countess Nayelan was not some adulterer or sinful wretch. It is the opinion of this humble Sister, that the accusations levied at either are horrendous. Reprehensible. And otherwise unsubstantiated. Both are the scapegoats of political actors -- who are not Count Norinn -- desperate to prevent the Cloth from holding one noble accountable, and by extension the rest, by an organization which should be blind to secular titles and offer the same respite and reprimands for the lowliest of peasants, to the most affluent of nobility.

Finally, as I am hopeful for relative transparency to my investigations, I have attached all testimonials I had collected and letters which had been sent to me prior to the trial to this missive, for all to read.​

Spoiler: EVIDENCE SCREENSHOTS

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III. Broad Contemplations

This section is more the general meditations of a Sister, and perhaps may fall into a brief period of rambling. If you seek my thoughts, this is the correct place. If you seek a point, perhaps it wise to not continue your reading of this missive.

It has been strange living within this city for the several months I have spent here. I find so many customs different from my homeland, so many that bring sorry and so many that bring fascination to my eyes. Despite being a lone sister, I have found friends and those I can enjoy the presence of despite trial and tribulation. I offer a special thanks to Celate Riedel for his steady hand, Miss Joules for our brief celebration of the legalization of our practices within the city and a yet to be fulfilled promise for a feast, Mx Ashley for permitting me to learn more about the notions of 'fashion,' and those others in the city I enjoy the company of. Despite the flames of the affairs still dying, I find this to be a time of celebration and renewal of the faith, and I hope to organize a festival in the honor of the Gods within the coming month.
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Signed, Charikleia Fotakis
Wandering Blade of the Lampra Asteri
Sister of the Unionist Faith.

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