Sapience.

I am writing to you with some information that it occurs to me may not be common knowledge.

I feel it is important information to have, because this information will keep you safer, and help you to come out on the other side of the upcoming war with yourself intact.

This war is going to be fought on two fronts: Military, and the Mind.

Military might and armor and safety are easy to quantify, and I trust each City on this continent to have a solid grasp on what their homes will look like when it comes to the bones and blood of war.

So let me speak to you about the mental aspect, because the Shadow Mother gets into your head, and will twist you into working to Her benefit.

Your best armor against this is mental fortitude, and calm.

Fatigue is a weak spot in this armor.
Anger is a weak spot in this armor.
Despair is a weak spot in this armor.
Guilt is a weak spot in this armor.
Pity is a weak spot in this armor.
Grudges and zeal and paranoia, mistrust, bitterness and false hope: These are weak spots in your armor.
They will get you killed.

The best advice I have at present is to focus on what is true, and what can be done, with as close to realistic expectations as can be mustered:

Things are bad.

The Shadowbound are starting to resist Banishment, which was used widely in the previous War of Night.

They are going to have learned from our previous encounters with them, and will have adapted new ways to deal with our offence.

However, Sapience is doing everything it is able to to mitigate this threat. We are acting in a manner that is informed and tireless to preserve our home and our sanctity to pursue lives that we feel best fits with our ideals as individuals, and our priorities and strengths.

We are turning away no voice that has an idea for honest contribution, and we are not shutting down any possible course that may lead to aid. We are using all the tools at our disposal.

We will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight for.

Take care of yourselves. Make sure you get your rest. Repeat these things that are true.

The odds are against us, but we are more surprising than Gods give us credit for. We will use that to our advantage, alongside any other advantage we can muster, and when it is over, and the threat repelled, we can focus on what comes next.

I am not interested in who is at fault, I am not interested in putting anyone to blame, I am not interested in exacting a toll upon anyone. If you have something to bring to the table in good faith, then you have a seat at it beside me.

Today, we survive.
It will be enough.
Inkh, Chair of Spinesreach.

Penned by my hand on Falsday, the 12th of Niuran, in the year 503 MA.