To Spinesreach and the so-called Shadowguard,

Certainly, you made known your dissatisfaction with the Empire's decision to seize a bell from Enorian. You withdrew support. You snuggled up ever closer to your erstwhile enemies, including those directly responsible for the crisis we now face. Fine. As we have repeatedly asserted, the Empire does not need you. We will weather this ourselves, in our own way. I did not think you would actively hamper us, though, especially when our activities in no way impede your own. I did not think you would actively hasten the doom of the entire continent which you claim to defend.

Please, indulge me while I give some background and then elucidate what transpired this past day.

The monoliths of the Apocalyptia were sanctified by the Teradrim, under the guidance of the Earthcallers of Azvosh, in order to reinforce the protection afforded by the Pillars of the Earth. They were made necessary due to what we shall call meddling with Father Ivoln's domain by outsiders. As you may or may not be aware, the Pillars of the Earth serve two related functions: they imprison the mind of Balgraug, the Devourer, a malevolent Albedi deity, and they prevent Azvosh from colliding with with prime material plane, thereby utterly destroying both. I trust you will agree both are worthwhile.

With this in mind, consider what might happen were one of the monoliths of the Apocalyptia to fall. The monolith in the Mamashi is due to be consumed by the shadowrot before even Kald, the protection of which is so recently en vogue. Once consumed, any effect it had, any reinforcement it offered would crumble away. Would the other monoliths fail? Would Azvosh and the prime collide? It is not unlikely. I, for one, would prefer not to find out.

So, the Teradrim Warband and Father Ivoln's order set about enacting a plan, with the Empire's assistance, to forestall the shadowrot's spread to the Mamashi monolith. We hunted, we offered blood and bone to the Earth. In turn, the Earth provided us with a guardian. Its task? To fell the unused tower of Mystery in Kentorakro, fashioning a dam of sorts from the wreckage. Efforts were made prior - notably, by Docent Eliadon of the Ascendril - to warn and evacuate the tower's inhabitants, but these warnings fell on deaf ears. Time being of the essence, we could not delay. The great bone guardian began its work.

Alas, though! Feirenz, a Spirean senator and member of the Shadowguard, had other plans! He snuck past those of us waiting in reverent vigil and destroyed the guardian. It rose again. He destroyed it again. It will rise again - however, we are wasting precious time. Every moment is crucial. Feirenz and his conspirators' actions threaten the very existence of our plane.

Know this. We are Earthen. We will be harrowed by war unending. We are without pity, without forgiveness. Above all, we persist. We will complete our task, and we will see this doom turned aside. But also, we will not forget. We will not forget those who called us traitors, those who accused us of working with Shadow or being Shadowbound, those that then turned around and did Ohlsana's bidding.

You whelps of the North must make your choices about how - or, indeed, whether - to deal with your own. Our vengeance will come regardless.

May we never know peace.

Alela of the Thousand Eyes
Hand of the Earthen Lord
Shaper of the Earthen Warband

Penned by my hand on Gosday, the 17th of Severin, in the year 504 MA.