Though we still mourn the death of Thalodos Artemetus, we feel this is a time of decisions. All the bad happenings of the past week, the death of Thalodos Artemetus, the lich that has visited our island, other, island-wide, problems, have been of great influence of our decision.
The elder votings shall be redone, for the greater good of all elves, so that we may have new elders to help us decide our fate, and get all problems out of the way.
There are no male elders to be chosen... is this some sort of female over-taking?
Not in order to pull down the women's ability to govern, but we should have at least 1 male choice... otherwise, I fear that Vanima will grow too soft.
I wanted to add that I am open for any questions you may have about my person and my plans for the elven community and Tol Vanima. I would be happy about every meeting and the chance to learn more of our community better know.
Death is such a thing that I have rarely had to come to terms with and, even as I did not know Thalados well, a deep sadness fills me over his loss as I am sure it is among the rest of the elves of Vanima. I pray that Ushara takes him into her arms so that he may rest, a loving son devoted to a great mother.
While I am devoted to a path of pascifism, and his devotion was in the code of the warrior, I respected his wisdom and felt that he would be a balancing factor on this council--one that I may not always agree with, but who is to say that I am always right?
I now fear that this balance may be lost. While I believe that all people, even elves, have a freedom to choose what religion they follow--this is important especially to me, as I was not raised in the religious tradition of the elves...or, well, raised at all--I find it somehow saddening that two of the candidates do not worship the traditional elven gods, the Five, and are, rather, devoted to the goddess Sirani. Even as an outsider, of another religious training, should not our Elders, at the very least, follow this most basic of the ancient tenets?
It intrigues me, however, that we will have an all-female council, in a positive way. I have found, during my short time with mortals, that the opposite gender has the patience, internal strength, and foresight that I can only appreciate, for I have none of it.
I fear that among those candidates I know personally, I can only cast a single vote for Alaine Milan. My apologies, Shandariel. I do respect you, but my religious concerns above lead me to withold my vote this time.
My dear Slasthulphus, you don't have to apologize for your decision. We are free in our mind and free in our decisions to chose. I respect your decision and I am happy to see your strong belief and bound to the elder gods.
But, I am wondering why do you think that I don't follow the elder gods, because I do. It is true, my dear, that I worship Sirani and I try to life her tenets of peacefulness, love and friendlyness, but that don't have influence on my elven descent and my bound to the 5 elder gods.
Sirani was once chosen by the elder gods to become the goddess she is today, how could I follow her but not the 5?
Every time I enjoy a warm wind on my face, or I swim with pleasure in the ocean, or my bare feet touch the beautiful earth, or I warm my hands at a fire, or when I use my mind to write something like this, I am living my religious bound to the 5, and I thank them for all what they did and do for us, I thank them dearly.
The 5 are the source for everything, to not follow them means to be blind and deaf for the living and beautiful world.
The elven society has just been overturned in my view. The person that had the most votes in this elder matter has been murdered, and yet you insist we can go on as whole? In my experience, one cannot always reason with the full potential of their mind when in mourning, and it is thus that I can say I am unable to cast any votes in this matter, and I am disheartened that others feel they may. Perhaps the loss of an elf so loyal to family and home is more to me than to everyone else.
In light of these circumstances, I recast my votes as follows:
Misjilah
Isilwen
Shandariel
I have confidence in the abilities of all three of these elfesses, and after speaking with each personally at some time or another, as well as reading their objectives upon the walls of Tol Vanima, I have great confidence that they will supply for our community, among other things, a sense of tradition, a sense of brotherhood, and true strength when we need it.
May The Five watch the steps of those among us and those past, giving to the elves what it truly is we need to thrive.
In light of recent events, I am going back to my home for a time, since I came here only to visit my brother. However, I will be back after I've broken the news to what remains of our family, and have set some affairs in order. I wish to place my votes before I leave.
Misjilah Mehialho
))
