Targossas,

It has been some time since I addressed you. I miss you all greatly. With that said, I will proceed to my message. Sometimes, life becomes unrecognisable, and one might begin to wonder whether they are simply in a twisted child's fairy tale. Life in Targossas is now unrecognisable. Lifelong servants of Good have been removed from the city for questioning the very foundation of Targossas: whether the Bloodsworn are infallible. Some might look at recent events, and interpret them in a variety of ways. I anticipate the following:

1. Lyndee's personal life is being targeted because she is a woman or because she is not a combatant.

This is patently false. Havyn, Aldair, and Farrah were all exceptional Dawnlords, and all of them were women. None of them faced allegations of bringing the Tyrannus to their bed with their recently-converted (again) lover. Havyn was very kind. Aldair, very just. Farrah, very Farrah (I like Farrah). None of them faced the issues that have pushed Lyndee to such desperation. As for the combatant part, this, too, is patently false. More Dawnlords than not were not combatants, beyond serving in what ways they could when necessary. Dannyl, Farrah, and Sothantos were among the only Dawnlords that were talented warriors. Again, none of them faced the challenges Lyndee has faced. This is because none of them has gone to such lengths to create these challenges for themselves as Lyndee has. The issue is not the topic of Lyndee's lies. The issue is that Lyndee lies. Regularly.

2. The departed were unhappy because the Lightbringer is mean.

This is a distortion of reality. The issue is not that She is cruel or unkind - although She is both. The primary issue is that She is inconsistent in many ways, ranging from Her apparent fondness for Truth to Her apparent fascination with consequences. On top of that, She demonstrates an affinity for spite. An example of Her inconsistency is telling me that I was wrong to doubt Farrah, telling Atalkez that the Dawnspear was wrong not to doubt Sothantos, and growing furious with those who doubt Lyndee. Another example would be Her scornful remark that Vasher and Tianondria would need to face the consequences of their actions and summoning Targossas to publically humiliate us at New Thera before all Achaea, yet shielding Lyndee and Atalkez from the consequences of their actions. The issue is that Her guidance is often very wrong.

3. People are leaving Targossas because they are bored, because it is getting hard, or because they have lost their way.

The first idea is an attempt at mollifying concerns by attempting to replace reality with a kinder hope. Unfortunately, boredom has not been the reason for the departure of any I have asked, although I admit I have not asked Issam or Avianca. The second is also false. Those who have departed the Dawnspear faced much more challenging times in Their absence. A notable example is Farrah's departure. You'll notice Atalkez is one who abandoned his oath in the Lightbringer's absence, and returned months(!) after helping lead a war against Targossas once he had Her attention. If anyone is to be called a fairweather Targossian, it would clearly be him.

The third accusation is another attempt at replacing reality, although this time with a distorted view. It could be claimed that we have 'lost our way', in the sense that we are no longer willing to blindly follow Her. I wonder, then, why this is the first time in history multiple lifelong zealous servants of Good have abandoned Targossas one after another. The multiple lifelong servants of Good who have departed have not lost their faith in Good, but their faith in Them.


This explanation as to the issue requires more than a sentence. People are leaving Targossas because the foundation of the city has proven to be a major, glaring problem. The structure of Targossas is utterly incompatible with having a - to put it kindly - problematic Dawnlord. The Dawnlord is above reproach, because the Dawnlord is the mortal representative of the Bloodsworn. This has not been an issue before because no other Dawnlord has done as many - again, to put it kindly - problematic things with their position.

When challenged on 'problematic' decisions, better Dawnlords explained their position logically. Take Farrah's decision to ally with the Tsol'teth for example - she explained and argued this point to death with any who were curious. For pity's sake, even sir-grunts-a-lot offered more discussion regarding decisions. When faced with uncomfortable questions, the current Dawnlord relies on 'because I am the Dawnlord and I said so'. I offer this from experience, as it is what led to my removal from the Aarashi. Simultaneously, the Lightbringer relies on, 'because I am the Lightbringer and I said so'.

It has become clear to many that Lyndee is doing wrong with her position. In private conversations, I often compared Targossas' new direction with Mhaldor's direction. Some were uncomfortable with this idea. I imagine the recent converts from Mhaldor are fine with this. The stance of 'because I am in charge and I said so' sounds and feels like the stance of a tyrant, the stance of a Tyrannus, and the stance of a Divine relying on fear and strength to inspire faith. This is not Targossas' way, and that is clear to all but the young and the favored. The departures have all been the result of Targossas relying on the infallibility of the Bloodsworn.

It was once taught that Darkness seeks to control knowledge and manipulate the world, that Darkwalkers twist reality to their advantage, that lies and deception are the tools of Darkness. It was also taught that Good instills in all of us a moral compass, a sense of right and wrong. Mhaldorians actively work to suppress this conscience. It is no coincidence that you are being required to suppress yours.

Let not the weightless word of habitual liars confuse you. When your moral compass screams that what you are seeing is wrong, listen to it. Unless you intend to remain Targossian.


Love,
Tesha

Penned by my hand on the 12th of Phaestian, in the year 840 AF.