Greetings, mortals and gods of the Basin,

First of all, I would like to make clear that I speak only for myself
and for the Walkers; my opinions do not necessarily reflect those of my
Commune, and I ask you all not to dismiss them because of my membership
in Serenwilde.

Second, I want to say that I am merely about to expose my opinion on the
recent argument that has erupted in the public boards. I will not spark
any other arguments, and as such, replies to this will go unanswered,
most likely. If you agree with me, you might want to speak to me further
about a possible membership in the Walkers. If you disagree, I won't
waste my time trying to respond to your arguments - I am bitter and
tired, and will most likely receive several responses for this, more
than I would want to answer. If you wish to debate, arrange to do so
personally.

I must say I am in a better position to understand your disagreements. I
have been both a Celestian and s Serenwilder; I have spoken to several
Magnagorans, and am married to one. I am aware of most of the virtues
and vices of those three belif systems; I apologize for my fault in
trying to understand the philosophy of the Wyrden, but the introspective
Glomdorites have not spoken at length to me about it.

My opinion is that, while the Light embodies a particular way of life,
and values a particular set of virtues, and the Taint another, both
belief systems can coexist within the Basin. There is no need for one to
destroy the other; the Light may flourish in a world where the Taint
exists. There is no point in trying to destroy the Taint; it is much
like a force of nature. It cannot be stopped; it can only be controlled,
harnessed, or avoided. The Taint left its mark upon the Basin, for
better or for worse, and we have to learn how to live with it; accepting
the Tainted as people, rather than monsters, is a good start. Both sides
must be aware that peace is more beneficial for all of us.

In a war, culture and art tend to be forgotten in the name of belic
necessity. The same happens to wisdom; the teachings of the Supernals
are quite often ignored in the name of fighting the Taint. The Light has
lost its original purpose and became nothing more than a counterpart to
the Taint; this cannot be. Those who follow the Light should ask
themselves what the Light and its teachings were before the Taint wars,
and how they were applied, and start applying that, rather than trying
to make the Light an opposition force to the Taint.

The Taint faces another challenge; they must find a purpose. The
inhabitants of Shallamar have been changed forever, and their original
teachings lost; it is time for the Taint to cultivate a new culture. In
face of the millenial teachings of the Light and the Nature Spirits, the
Taint is a young philosophy that must grow and learn. Seek to balance
the teachings of the Demon Lords, and develop your own teachings - The
Basin belongs to the mortals, not half-formed; teachings that come from
the Cosmic Planes must be taken with a grain of salt, and viewed in
context, rather than embraced literally.

Both sides must look within themselves and seek out which is more
important: Destroying your so-called enemies, or growing? If the cities
continues to waste their resources into hostilizing each other, they
will never flourish and grow to their full potential.

And don't misunderstand me; I am not against competition, only against
needless hostility. Both New Celest and Magnagora have much to gain from
competing to take villages, but leave what happens during a revolt
behind when it ends. There is no point in wasting your resources to kill
unarmed novices, and even though they do not follow the Light, I am not
sure Raziela would approve (Of course, I do not speak for her. If she
has spoken about the matter, I withdraw that statement.)

Once we all realize we are just barely different from each other, and
that in the end we all want the same things, and can work together to
get them, the entire Basin will be a better place.

As usual, I am always willing to clarify or defend my opinion in person,
in polite debate. I will not, however, further litter the boards with
arguments.

Sincerely,
High Druid Verithrax Stormwolf, Lead Walker

Penned by my hand on the 21st of Shanthin, in the year 135 CE.