Prophet,

Of the last few decades, it has become clear that attitudes in the Garden have shifted. They watch. They listen. They then wield this knowledge to attempt to control. See any of the recent times one of Them tried to embarrass a mortal by shouting about a fact They could have only known through spying.

Consider not only how They react to challenge, but how some of Them ply for public approval. Your example of one of Them showing off Their Divine might is only one of many, as we both know. At one point in life, Divine word rattled Sapience so rarely that it commanded a sense of reverent awe. Now some of Them shout as openly as freely as Jonesey (no offense Jonesey); and frankly, Their opinion carries the same weight.

Some of Them wave Their power around with callous disregard for the sanctity of life. Some of Them suffer from the need to inform everyone of Their views with every breath. The rest of Them allow, if not encourage, the behavior of Their Divine siblings as They flail in the sandbox that is Creation. Even if One were to disapprove, They would only be One against Many.

The events of the Worldreaver have shown that They are fallible. Their power is finite. As such, I expect there is a sense of safety in going along with the flow. There are one or two active Divine I view as different, but you know I am cautious, now. I imagine you have an idea of the Divine I respect, so there is little need to specify.

I find myself drifting from my point. I wanted to inform you that you have made an error in your writing, my friend. It is not that They hold us in stasis, or that They keep us entrenched in battle like toy soldiers. It is not by Their choice that this is what Sapience looks like.

You have undoubtedly notice your words have been drowned out by the typical outcry and drama. This is not a mistake, and it is not a matter of chance. The life they live is comfortable. The life you offer is not. They have heard the Garden mock those who dare stray from Their approved paths of zealotry, conversion, re-conversion, or blisful ignorance. They have seen the Divine backlash.

On the other hand, events have shown that with Divine support, one can literally rewrite history and pretend they are being honest. Unimaginable treason is covered up and protected by Divine mandate. You'll notice the Dawnspear went from a streak of winning both the Effigy of Victory and the fabled Staff of Nicator to failing to even prove serious competition for either.

This, too, is not by Their choice. It is by the choice of the satisfied. Our words won't change that they are satisfied. They will remain satisfied until their wishes go against Theirs. Until they are betrayed. Until they are demonized for their realization. It is those who we can reach - those who come to this conclusion on their own.

What we offer is different from what they're used to. The concept of unity is not one they are ready for. They rather wage pointless wars, shed blood for sport, and play politics for an illusion of power. They're content with life as it is. Comfortably under Their leadership.

Or not. Who knows, maybe Cyrene will ask the Recusant to patron them. That would be funny. Stranger things have happened. Like... heh, too easy. I'm bored of writing now. Talk soon! Good job in the Twins!

Love,
Tesha

Penned by my hand on the 24th of Glacian, in the year 853 AF.