A Sorcerous Pact (essay)

Title: A Sorcerous Pact
Author: Lord Silvean Rashere

Brothers and Sisters,

This evening, with the mastery of illusions, I completed all available training in our guild. I wish to publicly acknowledge the assistance I received from Allereli, Asenora, Kastrel, Moredin, Apathet, Polveiss, Rozy, Nindon, Murkshev, and any others I may have forgotten.

Monotonous and grueling in itself, this process became bearable through the opportunity to spend time among sorcerers. I stand as witness to the special and enduring dignity of our art made manifest in the diversity of its practitioners. Remember this: sorcery is nothing if not power and beauty. And so, if you are to be a sorcerer at all, you must be powerful. You must be beautiful.

I have written elsewhere about the greatness of the Faendryl people and our Patriarch. Indeed, I have written about those remarkable souls among the Faendryl, those great "blood prophets," who lead the way toward transcendence. My own sorcery is inseparable from these beliefs even though some of you may disagree. I swear by Marlu's twisted bowels that some may even disagree with my theories on demonology even though these are supported by clear signs and plain reason! It is said, "For every three sorcerers, you will find four opinions." I choose to read this as a mark of intellect. No other guild has minds like ours. No other guild has our self-understanding. In the dead of night I find myself seized by theories and reflections; sorcery is a jealous lover with little tolerance for rest. Those among you who know sorcery, you know that its hand takes you by the throat and closes off the jugular vein. You know that it will either see you enlightened or annihilated. There is no room for ambivalence.

And so, I take this opportunity for exhortation. I say to you that we are bound up together with unyielding ties. We are impelled together by the demands of our art. We must gather more often. And When we gather, let us say that we are among our brothers and sisters in sorcery. We must exchange ideas more often. And should we argue, let us argue with dignity and erudition. We must stand together as one against all of our fool critics. And when outsiders come upon us, let us remind them why our guild is alone among all the guilds as a repository of genius and grandeur.

Silvean Rashere