This is a transcript of a talk on Nature and the following discussion at Sparrow's Rest. It's important to realise that Nature exists everywhere. This doesn't mean it's okay to let everything lie as it is. Cities have gardens and other plants and animals but they have still removed entire ecosystems. An unbalance still exists.

That can change. Everyone can begin learning to work in harmony with Nature now. Talk to me or find your local Eleusian if you have questions. We'll help.

Protector of the Wilds, Miceal Lighthawk-Windancer

------------- The Talk on Nature -----------

The Viridian Charter is something that was given to Eleusis by the Wildwood Queen Herself. I've put a scroll with it down for those who have not read it.

One of the things we are taught about is the falsities of Iron and Stone. This can be misunderstood by a lot of people. Does it mean we do not use iron or stone at all? No. Instead we seek to work in harmony with Nature. How we work with Nature and how city-dwellers do is very different.

Let's look at it from a different perspective. Let's look at it from Nature's view instead of Eleusis versus other cities.

Miceal spreads his paws out to include the surrounding environment and forest with the area to the south.

There are many ecosystems within Nature. Within these ecosystems are a wide variety of life that flourishes. People destroy entire ecosystems when they raze the land and put up cities. A handful of people live where hundreds of plants and animals used to live.

Sounds harsh?

Let's look at it further. Some of you are familiar with the Tsol'teth who tried to conquer the mainland. How many of you would be willing to let the Tsol'teth slaughter you and force the survivors to remain in a fraction of the areas they once lived? Who would be willing to be forced to leave their city-states without notice and live wherever they chose to let them?

How many of you would be perfectly accepting if they killed you on sight for being in what they considered their domain even if everything you owned and your families were there?

Raise your hand or paw or nod if you would.

A hint of the proud warrior ancestors of his race is visible when Miceal straightens up a little. His claws extend from his paws with the points sharp on them.

(*intently) How many of you would fight?

(Several people give signs of assent.)

Nature's resilient. We can still work with each other to learn to coexist with Nature. It doesn't take a whole lot except for thinking about what we do when we build. It's about learning to work with what we have.

Cyrene has orchards and a lot of plants.

Hashan has places with life in it. Targossas...

Miceal bows respectfully to Archaeon.

Has some of the most flourishing gardens I've ever seen.

All it takes is learning to work in harmony with Nature.

Now the key is to spread that life throughout the barren stones and let ecosystems exist once more where they are currently demolished.

--------------- The Discussion After the Talk on Nature ---------------

(The discussion is as seen from a First Person Point of View.)

You say with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "The talk's over. Ask questions one at a time if you have them."

You say with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "The questions will need to be relevant to the talk."

Archaeon says, "Are we part of nature?"

Archaeon says, "Adventurers."

You say to Archaeon with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "Yes. We are part of it."

Archaeon says, "Is a bird's nest an affront to nature?"

You say to Archaeon with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "No. The nest coexists with Nature."

You say to Iocun with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "You're next."

(After a few moments of silence)

You say to Iocun with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "Your turn."

Iocun says, "I often hear "life" being brought fourth as a central aspect of nature. But are the lifeless parts of nature, such as mountains or deserts, inherently less valuable than plants and animals?"

Erikka says to Iocun in a soft, sweet voice, "But there is life in deserts and mountains?"

You say to Iocun with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "Do not the desert sands blossom with life? Where do we get prickly pears from if not? Even in those barren environments is life. Even cactus weed which some people smoke."

Iocun says, "Oh sure. But the stones themselves do not live. Yet are a part of nature."

You say to Iocun with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "They don't? How do you explain stalactites and stalagmites?"

Archaeon says, "Water."

Archaeon says, "Moron."

(Archaeon used wings to leave.)

You say with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "Ignoring the moron comment."

Iocun says, "I can't explain most things, I just look at it."

You say with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "Minerals."

You say with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "Minerals gained from the surrounding environment causes them to grow."

You say with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "Anyone else?"

(After a few moments of silence)

You say with a tranquil, Ithmian accent, "Thank you for coming."

Penned by my hand on the 25th of Lupar, in the year 851 AF.