Parchment /w seal of THE ORDER OF THE BRILLANT HAMMER

To the Nobles and peoples of Tranvance and its Lands,

I send you all greetings and well wishes, I come to find myself wandering the halls of the Grand Monastery these past few months and thinking about the many letters I have received from my fellow clergy, friends and kin in the Lands. I also find myself greatly disappointed or rather concerned about the state of affairs in the Kingdom of most of all Travance.

I have been told or rather written about a great many things. The faithful have always been true, but are in doubt at times...this is understandable but not without hope. The lands of Travance have been my home for many years and a good a special place to me. But Again I find myself questioning the true nature of this problem. The church from my views and perhaps I am wrong, I think not, but we have always been there when Travance called and its people needed almost anything. We have always been there for morale, food, shelter , and support. And to defend the def ensless above all. But as time goes on and the town grows it seems to me that the past is yet again forgotten and we have become a thing not wanted and/or needed to many. Though this is only a view but it seems to be shared by others as well. What has happened to the support for the Church? For the Monastery of Travance? Have we all strayed so far? Have we forgotten so much? Must history repeat itself yet again?

Why must I wonder on these things and question them? Why must I ask them of you? Look inward to your hearts? Has respect for the Church fallen so?

We have never asked for anything that was so hard other then a hand and a slight be of respect for all we have done. Is that so much to ask? We of the church have always given the nobles and people our trust and wills when ever asked. SO what, I ask again has happened? I fear that should we be needed in dire times that your minds will change but because of many other issues through out the realm, we may not be there this time. If we are truly no longer needed or wanted within the town of Travance, then let it be know to us. There are many other lands that require our aid within this Great Kingdom. I can recall those clerics and Templar from that area is Travance so desires. Times will tell and the Darkness of this world only rest for now. But we may no longer be desired within the lands of Travance. Look into your hearts and souls and think about your deeds and actions my friends.

May the Gods of Light watch over you,

Lord Knight Templar Tellinghast,

Too long has it been since we have heard your voice in the proper. I can not speak for others but I will say it has been missed.

I have read your words and find much truth in them. I have also seen much of the same things you have and have spent many an hour in the Forge praying and contemplating the many problems that plague us all.

I see all of this and find that all of these problems stem from a crisis of faith. When I say faith, I do not mean simply faith in a god or goddess. I mean the simple faith one needs to live.

Too much, I have seen those place their faith in swords, sorcery and strength of arms when faith needs to start from within. One can not have faith in their god if they don't even have love or faith within themselves. A god does not want an empty shell that worships for the sake of worshiping. A god wants the strength of conviction, of believing in ones self and their tasks...simply put: Faith.

And if one does not follow a god, the same holds true. No path you choose, no profession you follow, no life you save, will hold any meaning to you or those around you if you don't start with Faith in yourself.

One must also balance that faith with modesty. There are many heroes that hold themselves higher than even the gods themselves, thinking of themselves and their actions as a testament to what they are.  Those who live without Faith shall die without Faith and will leave nothing for the next generation to learn from.

I have learned that even when it seems that there are those who do not want those of the Faith, that is the time when we are needed most. Faith is not needed simply to overcome evil, hardships and demons. Faith is needed to sow the fields, chop the wood and feed the families in the harshest of winters. Faith is needed to comfort the crying child, calm the enraged neighbor and take in the needy.

Those who know me also know I speak bluntly, plainly and always from my heart. Brazen has blessed me with much in recent times and so I praise his name and tenets. And now I follow one his most blessed of tenets: encouragement.

I encourage you all to find the Faith in yourselves before finding it in others. I encourage you to look around you and see things for what they are not what you wish them to be. Forge a new path or enrich the one you are currently on. But above all else...have Faith.

Brazen's Blessings upon You All,