On The Road To Spirituality
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On The Road To Spirituality
On a fine Saturday afternoon, a small group gathered before the entrance to Empath Abbey. We talked briefly of our plans, checked the route on our maps again, fed our horses, and sent off a few pigeons. Once everything was in order, we waved good bye to those who were staying behind. We had set off on a journey...
The group consisted of Militia Lt. Dunedain, Sage Windlord and Militia Sgt. Major Thorin of Yew, and Paladin of Sidhe Jack Shaft and myself from Trinsic. Dunedain led us through the streets of Yew and onto the road leading to Britain. We fought off a lich, a troll, a couple headless creatures, an ettin, a wraith, and a few other monsters along the way. Lord Paladin Grimrick caught up with us near the brigand camp. I guess he had a faster horse than the rest of us...
We met up with a large caravan from Britain at the west bridge leading into that fine city. Mayor Auren Therion and his Councilors had brought a number of pack horses, and there were many people milling about. It took a few minutes for the caravan to get organized before we set out on the road heading south. The caravan met up with only a stray lizardman or two on that part of the journey. Near the guard post, we took a turn into the woods and walked westward to the Shrine of Spirituality.
If you have never seen it, the Shrine of Spirituality is an amazing place. A beautiful marble structure stands in the middle of a small pond and is surrounded by woods. The air there is so clear that the marble glimmers and you can see sparkles in the sunlight. Stairs lead part way up to the center of the Shrine. Only those who know the mantra can reach the top.
Herald of Spirituality Jander Starym stood at the center of the Shrine near the ankh and gave a sermon to those gathered, who had traveled so far. It was really part caravan and part pilgrimage.
"In the name of God, most gracious, most merciful, the wise, the benevolent.
"Om Mu Ra Beh Ahm Summ Cah Lum
"Spirituality is the very heart of all the virtues! It is comprised of all three principles, of Truth, Love, and Courage. Calm serene and collective is the manner how a spiritual being makes his daily bread. Spirituality like us is from the land, the soil we stand on, the fruits we eat, and the flowers we smell. Its bounties are our bounties. It treasures us, nurtures us, and rejuvenates us, and yet what do we do for it?
"My friends, please do not remain away from God as his Great Heaven and a great treasure that one can feel even in this world. In order to unite the whole Realm under the banner of peace, the realm needs to strive for a divine reformation. Please listen to the call of God and become his loved ones, like all true religions, where Truth, Love, and Courage are at its roots.
"There are unholy scholars of dark who attributed hatred, fear, and violence, preaching nothing but oblivion towards those whom seek the light. The Promised ones of the light rejects all sorts of notions of hatred, fear, and violence from them.<[> "Don't you feel the world today needs the divine guidance more than ever before? Is it not the time when servants of god are being drawn away from God, by the glamour of material world, more than ever before?
"If your conscience replies in the affirmative then please give due importance to the call of light for it shall be a much needed cleansing o us all. Through this atonement can one discover Spirituality. Love for all, hatred for none, compassion for all.
"Without god, there can be no peace. Weaponry and the arts, beyond any one's wildest dreams on the one side; and the rapid deterioration of moral and spiritual values on the other. This rift is widening daily, and if it is not drastically narrowed and then eliminated at an early date, it would bring about universal disaster which might involve the end of civilization as it is conceived today.
"At the root of the trouble is the utter lack of moral and spiritual leadership among the so-called advanced sections of humanity, which have, in so many cases become completely alienated from God. Belief in the possibility of communion with God, which is the very essence of spiritual life, has disappeared. Such halting and sporadic effort as put orth towards the stimulation of moral and spiritual values, is based on uman speculation and is not derived from divine direction. There is a ailure to recognize that the only way of deliverance is through the stablishment of man's relationship with his Lord."
Then Jander prayed loudly, "Guide us in the straight path, the path of those on whom thou hast bestowed. Om om om."
"Thank for your time friends. I do hope you heed the message. I give myself onto thee for better enlightenment," he concluded. Jander then lowered his head and awaited any questions, but there were none. We thanked him for his words of guidance. I found the sermon to be quite calming, especially in the midst of such a busy day...
Soon the caravan headed back east to the road. We finished the journey to Trinsic, in fact, arriving early for the Bazaar. We set up tables for the merchants along the road north of the Trinsic Royal Bank. Lady Molly of Britain brought food and drinks to refresh our travelers. Britain Magistrate Jim Marrins brought hides to sell or trade. Bobo brought a selection of magic items to sell at very reasonable prices. Gem of Trinsic Carlanne ran a game of chance that only cost 50 gold pieces to enter. Varg Brujo sold magical scrolls and runebooks. Several merchants sold colored sandals, plants, pillows, and other decorative items. Auren Therion told fortunes by reading runes or tarot. Van Shino sold Felucca moonstones, and another merchant sold reagents. Bremen set up a chessboard and offered prizes to anyone that could beat him in a game. It was the longest Trinsic Bazaar that I can remember, lasting about three hours.
Paladin of Honor Jorland Brae summed up the day when he commented, "I like events like these... it gives you a sense of unity in an age where things seem so apart."
-Gwendolyn Knight, Knights of Sosaria
Vice Mayor, Trinsic Council of Honor