8th of the Amber Cold, 1730
For nine years I have served the Concord of Llyria dutifully, faithfully, and to the best of my abilities. During my time as Lady Overseer, I sought to devote myself and my time to the Llyrian people- a task that I hope from the bottom of my heart I was able to fulfill. In Llyria I found something that I had lacked for many years: a place to call home. Though I may have served the Llyrian people, it was them who provided me with something irreplaceable, something that suggests that there’s still light in the dark world we live in.
Although I have been somewhat of a wanderer all my life, the idea of settling down in Llyria and living out my days there had crossed my mind many times. However, in my long 300 years of life, I have learned that things rarely, if ever, turn out the way you want them to, so what I face now is just another obstacle to overcome. The pens of Fenn and Haelun’or are stronger than their swords, and they have written many scathing letters against Llyira- some of which have now implicated me.
I speak the truth when I say this: the Naztherak magic has plagued my mind for many years now, and I've sought freedom from its grasp far before the war. To those of you who despise me for my choice to go down such a dark path, know that I hold no distaste for you, but that I seek permanent disconnection from this dark art. My mind is not my own. Instead, it has been destroyed and left as a mere husk of what it once was. It’s only brought me despair, regret, and misery. If you've been tempted by the allure of this magic, I plea of you not to fall victim to its nigh-unending clench. Do not succumb to this mind-rotting demonry and follow a different path— do not make the mistake I did many years ago on
I dream of peace. Our land is one ridden with death, disease, crime, poverty, and all the evils of this land. I have seen countless wars in my lifetime, and I have lived through the destruction and chaos they have brought. I believed that the War of the Two Emperors would have opened the world’s eyes to the senselessness and stupidity of global warfare, but now it appears that the lessons it gave us are being ignored.
Until there is such a day where we may all live in a world devoid of warfare, prejudice, and ignorance, those such as myself will continue to wander the world. My mere existence is enough to elicit cries of war and from others, thus for the sake of Llyria and myself, I will do what I have done many times before: I will take my leave from the Llyrian Concord. I don't believe this is goodbye, however, for Llyria has shown me that there can be a better future, but it will be up to you all.
Look forward, for if you get lost in the past you will never see what the future holds,
–Former Lady Overseer, Cyrene Riel