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[Bartholomew]

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A Challenge

We follow the Virtues to have our goals rooted in the same firm base. We follow the Virtues to lead lives that are in harmony with each other. With our lives rooted in the same firm base and us living in harmony all through the Virtues, then why is there so much strife between the peoples of Virtue? I can see why we have different Guilds of the Virtues. First, there are Eight Virtues, which would give rise to many differing ways to base a guild in the Virtues. This is beneficial in some ways as having guilds which stress different Virtues leads to a sum whole that will better be in balance within the Virtues.

We also have town councils from both the eight towns of Virtues and from the other towns that are not represented originally in the Virtues. All of these groups also help to strengthen our resolve in the Virtues. Now we also see alliances that are binding some of the guilds of Virtue together same as has been done through town councils. So what we have is a quilt woven by the intermingling of the peoples of Virtue through their different associations. So this should make our groups stronger in the Virtues, and to some extent this is the truth, but there is a problem, a trouble with our quilt.

This quilt is strong, but only in the center. This is not true of the periphery where the quilt is tattered and coming undone. And due to this disruption at the edges, the seems are weakened and therefore more easily torn asunder. Our tenuous grasp of the Virtues is only as strong as the weakest among us. This is part of the reason for Guilds, town councils, alliances and other groups where like-minded interests of the people can be united to tread the path of Virtue. But what is there to hold these different groups together to an even higher degree? Where is the one true body of Virtue that unites all the groups of Virtue together, to preserve each other, to preserve the Virtues and to seek balance for the Virtues?

Once there was such a body, one that held the respect of almost all the peoples of Virtue. This body was known as the Regency and it held respect as it followed the Virtues and upheld the Principles of Lord British. Many say it has lost view of the truth, of the origin of the founding of the Regency. Many have turned away from the Regency, as they have perceived it has turned from them. Upon leaving they formed their own Alliances and Councils as substitutes for the leadership that became lacking. This was meant to strengthen the Virtues in our society but instead has weakened our stand with the Virtues. We need to regain our unity and find a pure body of the Virtues. We need to take back our Regency or replace it with a new Body of Virtuous Unity.

I would recommend putting our questions aside and renewing our fealty to the Regency and mold it into what we all know it can and should become again. This is not my choice to make, nor is it the choice of the Holy Church of the Virtue. All I can do, or that the Holy Church of the Virtues can do, is to point out the obvious. Sometimes the obvious is so large we all miss seeing the truth. But the simple truth is we are stronger united as one and for Virtue to triumph we need all the strength and unity we can muster. So to that end I leave the rest to you, the righteous people of Virtue. We here at the Holy Church of the Virtues offer any assistance we are able, but in reality it is your quest to make this become a reality. So meet with your guilds, councils, alliances, and other organizations. Get your leaders together and decide; for the time is now, not later. As I have said before, we are at the crossroads and do not have the luxury of time. Please accept this challenge in the spirit it is intended, the thrown gauntlet to unite in Virtue and stop the tearing at the edges thus weakening the seams of our quilt. This is your society to save, and through the Virtues, we can unite and save much more than we can imagine. Thank you.
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Bartholomew; Celebrant of Virtue {HCV}