As the Divine seem to have deemed this farewell unfit for the Church
boards, I regretfully bring it before the whole of Sapience. Let us hope
that here it will be more readily seen as appropriate.

-----------------------------------------

Blessings, dear Church

I write you today to explain why I must leave you. As you have
undoubtedly read by now, Arithorn has chosen to place a Church ban on a
clan called the Inquisition. I am the chosen head of that clan.

Our body was formed from the dissatisfaction which has pervaded the
forces of the Light. It is indisputable that among the members of the
Church and Shallam are those who willfully disregard the oaths they have
taken to combat Evil. It is difficult for a single person to gather
sufficient evidence to support these allegations, however, so we decided
to form an investigatory committee. We seek no more than the right of
any member to form reasoned opinions based on evidence... the fact that
we do so collectively rather than singularly should be of no importance.
We hold no official power, but rather simply forward the results of our
investigations on to those who do.

Nevertheless, I was summoned before the Archprelate and informed that,
while he felt our purpose to be compelling, he was troubled by the
secrecy which surrounds it. The names of all members of this clan are
confidential, known to myself alone. The reason for this is to preserve
objectivity, allowing the evidence to speak for itself, and to shield
those who would embark on such work from the persecution I now face. I
was informed that if I did not give Arithorn control over the clan and
its investigations, thus giving him access to the names of all members,
the ban would be enacted. I took this proposal to the body and it was
rejected.

Arithorn claims that because we are a secret body we seek to further
Darkness. Lady Lorelian has claimed this as well, based on a post I made
within the clan opening a referendum, and for that reason I now bear her
Truedisfavour. The very idea that secrecy is against the mission of the
Church smacks of hypocracy. The membership of our body is not the only
secret held by the forces of the Light. I stand before you, the youngest
Consecrant in history, a tireless worker for the Assembly, the Church
and the cause of Good itself, and I swear to you that I have violated no
oath, no commandment, no law. Indeed, we have yet to conduct a single
investigation. The Prelacy were offered full membership in the body to
oversee our methods, as well as complete control over investigations of
Church members, but this was declined. The only acceptable position for
the Archprelate was head of the clan.

Finally, I'd like to take this time to thank each of you personally, and
assure you that, while I am no longer welcome in the Church, I still
consider myself bound by my oaths to her. I will continue to teach and
fight alongside you, albeit in a diminished capacity.

The winds of change stir at our heels... may our faith be whipped into a
roaring conflagration.

Yours in humble service,
Rho Evensong


Penned by my hand on the 22nd of Ero, in the year 420 AF.