#17 Behold the Dawn Scouring the Darkness

[Aesopian 1640]

~| The Savage Glade |~

 

   

 

I have been to every corner of Axios. There is much work to be done.

 

Throughout the land I have seeded my relics, and the wisdom of nature. Whether the fruit born from those trees is rotten or ripe, we will see. The future ultimately rests in the hands of the descendants.

 

We are slow to change. We are afraid of what is different. It is alien to us. It represents uncertainty, when we would prefer safety and sameness. This is why change, and in particular, social change, is very hard to evoke. There is a mental cost to acting a different way, especially when how we currently act has appeared to be fine for generations.

 

The greatest motivator to create change is consequence. Immediate, visceral, and painful consequence.

 

In my last missive, I asked you to destroy the undead. The birds whispered to me stories from the west, of mortal soldiers doing battle in frozen reaches. Of druids raising ancient woods to war. Of peasants, torches in hand, burning undead by the masses. The fervor that can be instilled by horror is a strong one. It is easy to see horror in the undead. We rise in arms, unified against them, very easily. It is more difficult to see the horror present in city walls.

 

If they will not do so willingly, then the descendants must be forced. They must fear to build cobbles. Hesitate before planting fields. Feel apprehension when they clamor for books. The safety of the cities must be replaced with uncertainty. Their towers must be broken. Their servants slaughtered.

 

Now, I will place another task in your hands. Any of you, or all of you. Mark yourself with the image of the ash tree. Paint it, carve it, or draw it on your skin. Visible or hidden, it matters little. There are those among me that will course through Axios like a forest fire, killing all those who dare to transgress nature, burning the cities in their wake. If they would strike you down, show them this image, and they will know that you are our friend.

 

Show that you are dedicated to the cause of restoring balance to this world. I ask this of you.

~ March Ash

You find a message on a sheaf of bark, scrawled in animal blood.

Previous Issue Dreamer 

Join the author.

[Guest]

Kairn nods in agreement. 

[Dreek 1633]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.