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[Rosar Ashande]

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The following manifesto appears on a simple, single-sided handbill being distributed by criers at central areas throughout all the lands, wherever it is permitted by town officials.

The Eternal Path, or the Journey Toward Enlightenment

Rosar Ashande, Wayfarer of the Eternal Path

What is moral? What is righteous? What is truth?

Ask these questions of a thousand individuals and you are certain to receive no fewer than a thousand different opinions—and possibly far more. This is not a failing of the concept of morality, and it is not a personal failing on the part of these individuals. Indeed, this diversity of thought is one of our greatest virtues as thinking beings, even as we perceive it to be one of our great weaknesses. Were our deepest-held beliefs never challenged, we would atrophy—spiritually, intellectually and emotionally. When we are faced with crises and contradictions, we adapt our worldviews to accommodate them. We learn, and we grow.

That is the central and perhaps only real tenant of the Eternal Path—an approach to life's challenges that is at once new and as old as recorded history—and certainly far more ancient than that. Humans, elves and gargoyles have all walked the Path for as long as we have existed. It is merely today that this approach is given a name and its tenants codified.

What the Eternal Path Is

The purpose of the Eternal Path is to unite its members to pursue a single, common goal: to acquire new knowledge. What is done with this knowledge is up to the individual. To this end, meetings, or "Convergences", are held to which all fellow Wayfarers are invited in order to debate, discuss, argue and otherwise share ideas. The topic for discussion may be anything, but philosophy is the primary focus. These meetings are moderated in any way the calling Wayfarer chooses.

The Eternal Path is the acceptance of our diversity, even if one only does so when we Converge to walk the Path together. It is the acceptance of the idea that we are imperfect beings. It is the dedication to fostering understanding and uncovering truth. It is all of these things even as each of us acknowledges that our world is one of conflict, and we are not likely to ever agree with each other on everything—or even anything at all.

What the Eternal Path Is Not

The Eternal Path differs from other similar societies and belief systems, such as Humanis and the Virtues of Lord British, primarily in what it is not, rather than in what it is. Knowing what it is not will better aid the potential Wayfarer in understanding the concept of the Path.

The Eternal Path is not a system of morality or ethics. It does not offer truth of its own—there is no scripture, no divine words to be offered. The Eternal Path is no more and no less than the sum of its individual members' ideas.

The Eternal Path demands no special service or oath of fealty. To join is not to commit a single worldview—it is an agreement merely to attempt to learn what we have to teach each other. One many join without renouncing their current political and/or religious or philosophical allegiances.

The Eternal Path has no political or spiritual agenda. There are no heathens to convert, no territory to conquer in its name. Members may have such concerns, but they are outside the purview of the Path.

The Eternal Path has no hierarchy. All members are "Wayfarers" and each has only as much power and respect as all others afford him or her.

The Eternal Path has rules, but they have power only where they are consented to. Breaking one of its few rules is a self-defeating act, and the punishment comes as a direct consequence of the act itself. Attack another, or deliberately ignore their words, and one loses out on the opportunity to learn from them.

Procedures to be Followed, as Suggested by Rosar Ashande, founder of the Eternal Path

A meeting of Wayfarers is a "Convergence", and all may be called to Converge by anyone, at any time, to occur at any place. Neutral territory is, however, suggested to encourage attendance and facilitate peace. All Convergences are open to the general public and are entirely optional. Any may choose to ignore another's calls to Converge for any reason, though attendance by all Wayfarers is always encouraged, for gathering new knowledge and insight is the one and only purpose of walking the Path in the first place.

Transcripts of a Convergence are permitted to be created by anyone. One calling or attending a Convergence should do so under the assumption that any and all words spoken therein will be freely shared.

Convergences may take the form of a traditional sermon or lecture: the Wayfarer assembles others before him or her and then shares his or her ideas before dismissing their audience. They may also take the form of a debate: the Wayfarer introduces ideas and those gathered are encouraged to present their opinions. They may be a mixture of both of these things, or something entirely different. They may be strictly moderated, or they may be entirely free-form, and anything in between. It is up to the Wayfarer calling for the Convergence to inform others beforehand on the nature of that particular gathering.

The Eternal Path's founder is Rosar Ashande, but he is not its keeper. All may claim membership—their status as genuine Wayfarers is to be decided upon by each individual Wayfarer. One many claim membership in any way they choose, but the simplest and most direct ways are to call a Convergence, or to attend one called by another and to then affirm one's desire to walk the Path.

The Eternal Path mandates peace only during Convergences. To physically attack another Wayfarer during a Convergence is to reject the very purpose of that Convergence in the first place: to share ideas and promote intellectual growth. Where violence exists, conversation cannot take place. However, outside of a Convergence, these rules are not and should not be expected to be adhered to.

Individual Wayfarers are responsible for safeguarding the peace during a Convergence. This can be done in any way that Wayfarer chooses. Poor peacekeeping will be reflected by the unwillingness of others to attend.

Mediation is the process by which any dispute may be peacefully resolved. Two or more Wayfarers may call upon a third party to rule on a dispute. Both agree beforehand to abide by this mediator's decision. As the Eternal Path has no way of enforcing the decision, it has only as much power as each party is willing to concede to it.

Wayfarers are encouraged to take up the pen and set into ink their ideas or knowledge. Any such documents are expected to be freely copied and shared, to be available for perusal by any with the desire to do so.

Mediation is the process by which a dispute may be peacefully resolved. Two or more Wayfarers may call upon a third party to rule on a dispute. Both agree beforehand to abide by this mediator's decision. As the Eternal Path has no way of enforcing the decision, it has only as much power as each party is willing to concede to it.
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a.k.a., Killian Ond, Oliver Dunham, Iorwerth (ap Gruffydd), Husam (ibn) Sadid, Ortinlem