The Epistles of Raisa
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(( This thread will be for the collected letters Raisa is beginning to write, mostly regarding matters of her faith, modeled a bit after the Pauline epistles and the prophetic writing of Hildegarde. Most will be written to groups of people, and any written to Narfell organizations may be posted elsewhere for comments. Those with access to Spellweaver’s library or the inner glen may assume drafts of any letter are safe to talk about IC. Just note the languages. ))
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(( This letter, written in Rashemi, is to the people of Holihrady in central Rashemen, where Raisa was born and where her biological family still lives, whom she has not seen in over twenty years. ))
_From Raisa, ethran of Bhalla, wanderer of the West.
To the people of Holihrady, in the heart of Rashemen, the wellspring of my being, the root of my faith.
I pray the Three look kindly on you. May their greening power warm your flock and field, and may the hair of your children grow long and rich.
My friends, take comfort in knowing the power of our goddesses is known far and wide. Everywhere seds are sown, tribute is paid to Bhalla. The maiden’s name is known in every forest. And here in Narfell, even the clerics of foreign gods now know with fear what power belongs to the Hidden One. Having seen this, I have absolute trust nothing will ever break our people if we are strong in faith and so united. Even if an invasion felled the stone walls of Urling, I would never despair. Such is the power of the Three, who bring life to the dead earth each year.
I tell you that the land of Narfell is imperiled not to cause alarm, but to embolden you of strong faith and warn those of lapsed devotion. Friends, know that the troubles of Narfell today are the direct result of the ancient peoples’ vice. Unlike our own people, the Nars buried their history and made no peace with the gods or their ancestors. Now evil walks their land, bearing wicked devices forged by the ancient ones. Foreigners walk among them, even lead them in council and battle.
In our tongue we call ourselves children of Bhalla. Now removed from my sisters in Rashemen, the truth of these words strikes me. When a mother gives birth, she delivers a part of herself – body and soul – into the world. Where each of us steps, I imagine our mothers walking before us, leading the way. It should give you comfort to think that wherever you wander, so follows a piece of your home.
In the same way, we are children of Bhalla. She provides our sustenance wherever we wander. The sick, the strong, the poor, the wealthy, she walks with each of us and only the undead manage a semblance of life without her on this plane. One by one, she will call us to rest in her arms, as a mother calls her children at twilight.
May each of you find comfort in knowing we are all of one heart even if mountains divide us. We all move within the same circle. I will keep you in my prayers and await the day we will be one again
In faith,
Raisa_