Sapience,


I recently joined the Shadowguard. I left just as quickly. Many people who have penned missives to you have made claims and calls for unification, or told you what you must and must not do. I aim only to tell you the truth of those groups, individuals, and motives, and to ask a few pointed questions.


The Shadowguard was founded, supposedly, as a reactionary and preventitive force against the encroachment and incursion of the Shadow Mother and her ilk. I joined with this knowledge in mind, as this is, fundamentally, one of the duties of the Argent Legion. We hold the line against the Albedi where ever and how ever they may arise. I find the organization to be rotten to the very core, for a few key reasons. The Shadowguard has opened the doors to all Duiran and Enorianites who wish to join. I will remind all of you that Albedi worship is openly and proudly practiced within the walls of both Duiran and Enorian. I will remind you, further, that Duiran's actions, half of them claim knowingly, were what caused this recent encroachment in the first place. Yet they are given a voice at the table. They are given access to all plans and possibilities. They are actively protected, coddled, and defended by representatives of Spinesreach.


The foundations of the organization are flawed. It is impossible to close ranks and stand shoulder to shoulder with the enemy in your midst. What is the point, after all, of making plans in the first place when they are fed directly to those who are either blatheringly incompetent, or willfully opposed to the stated goal? I would ask you, Spinesreach, were you whipped so harshly in the war that you now must lick the boots of Duiran like a beaten cur taught to heel? Have you needed them in the past, enough to forgive all blame and defend them with your every breath when they offer nothing to your efforts beyond their wish to be accepted back into some perceived fold?


I have not forgotten about Enorian. In my time in the Shadowguard, one of the prime suggestions I heard offered by Enorian was the summoning and beseeching of Dejaani, another of the Albedi abominations. I am amused then to come to these boards and find Rasani calling for unity and support of these efforts. You would, Rasani, considering you championed the very idea. Unity with you and your kind in pursuit of summoning forth the abomination you have long been besotted with, hidden in the guise of simply wishing for the best for our world. The people of Sapience have a right to know what it is you truly want, and it certainly is nothing in THEIR interest, but your own. This worship and behavior is not only accepted in Enorian, it is lauded and raised up, and moreover, it is not discouraged by the Shadowguard, but given a place to be nurtured and supported.


I come at last to you, Chair. I hold no particular ill will towards you. I respect your knowledge and your capability to banish the Shadow back where it came from. I respect your dedication to the Spymaster and your firm grasp on your duty. I will simply ask this question, of all of us. In your post to these boards, you gave us a list of emotions we should not feel, of emotions we should hold in check. We should not hold grudges. We should not be angry. We should not fight with zeal. We should not be bitter. If righteous anger does not burn in our breast, what are we fighting for? If the zeal to stand for our land does not bolster our blades, what are we fighting for? If we do not hold those to account who have openly, catastrophically failed, what chance do we have now and in the future? If we do not remember the knife they have planted in our collective back with bitter displeasure and see that it does not happen again, then who are we apathetic souls to fight at all?


I will not stand as one of the Shadowguard. I will stand as I always have, for the Lord. For the land that is mine. For any who find solidarity in my words and my purpose, you will be welcome at my side. The fight continues. I am angry. I have the zeal. I damn sure am holding a grudge.


Ever His,


Whirran Arcan-Tetzauh


Herald of Strife

Penned by my hand on Quensday, the 13th of Niuran, in the year 503 MA.