Septum 15, 1223
Headline: Church of Light Steps Out of Shadows
Journalist: Roheen Reza
Word is traveling fast about proclamations being found posted in several Central Lost Lands outposts. The Church of Light is being very clear that it is no longer content to shelter quietly in the shadows as it has done since the rise of the Mistveil Dominion. Not only does the Church make some strong accusations against the Dominion, but they go on to defy the King of Ivial as well by refusing to disband their local order of Templar. The full text of the proclamation reads as follows:
Reactions to this bold proclamation thus far appear to be mixed, being generally favorable in the south and markedly less so in the north. Requests have been made to speak with officials both in the Mistveil Dominion and in Shadgard, the latter being known for housing one of the more prominent chapters of the Church of Light in the Central Lost Lands. A Chronicle contact was able to catch Brother Elad Dimmes of the Church of Light in Shadgard for comment:Let this proclamation mark the end of these past years of hiding and restraint among members of the Church of Light. Our peaceful attempts to mollify the Mistveil Dominion have been ignored. Despite disbandment of our Orders, our people have continued to be unjustly stalked, harassed, hunted, and stolen away. Nevertheless, we can no longer allow our service of the needful people of the Lost Lands to be impeded by intimidation.
The Order of Monks of the Soul's Fire is reestablished, and the monks will once again serve the people openly.
The Templar of the Lost Lands defy the Viali king's order to disband, though no longer claim the title of Knight and will never again suffer themselves to be bound to king or noble.
The Church of Light stands forthrightly in the service of the people and in defiance of oppression and tyranny. We ask for the support of those who are willing and able, and give gratitude to those who have pledged to speak and act in our defense against unjust persecution. May we all work together to make a better and safer Lost Lands.
"Since the rise of the Dominion, several of our members have been abducted. I say 'abducted' and not 'arrested' because there was no legal right for the Dominion or its bounty hunters to take them away. Regardless of whether someone believes it is right for the Dominion to issue arrest warrants or bounties for members of the Church on little more than blanket suspicions of our organization aiding those who are fleeing or disagreeing with their regime, this does not give them the legal right to arrest anyone anywhere in the world. We disbanded our Orders and many went into hiding out of fear, all in the hope that the Dominion would no longer consider us the threat they seem to think we are. After years of the Dominion showing no sign of letting up on their harrassment and abduction of our members, some of our people have come to the conclusion that if we are going to suffer and be attacked regardless, those of us who wish to do so may as well return to acting openly and serving the people to our full capability. We who choose to do so are aware of the risks and the dangers, but we won't be kept from our sworn duties to serve the people any longer."
When asked who it was that had pledged to "speak and act in [the Church of Light's] defense against unjust persecution", the monk said that it was up to those people to identify themselves when they chose to do so.
A server in Shadgard's Hearth & Home Inn had this to say: "Shadgard has felt a bit darker and less secure the past few years; it just wasn't the same without the Monks and Templar we'd grown accustomed to having around, always ready to help the people out. There were never very many of them, but they were always there. It's been exciting to see some of those familiar faces in town the past few days!"
What may follow in the wake of this proclamation has yet to be seen. Whatever happens, the Chronicle will be there to collect the facts and keep the people of the Central Lost Lands informed.
