Ailyll's Address to the Druids of Scotland
Ailyll calls a gathering of all the druids of Scotland and the surrounding regions to attend the consecration of the standing stone. She gives the following speech: Ailyll calls a gathering of all the druids of Scotland and the surrounding regions to attend the consecration of the standing stone. She gives the following speech:
"Druids of Scotland, Druids of the Celtic lands, Druids of the World, standing here before you are the great stones of Bellen. Look upon them and behold the power of the Gods! Look upon them and see that the old ways are still strong, that the old blood courses freely in our veins. Look upon them and feel their might, which is the might of us all.
Not since (Last time standing stones were raised. I’m assuming Ailyll knows when this is and can recite appropriate lines from the druidic verses) has such a thing been done. Not since ancient times have the Gods bestowed this gift. Not since ancient times have they sent such a message. And so pay heed! Listen to the words sent to you by the great forces of the world.
These stones represent the balance which it is our role to protect. All of nature is balance. Without balance, how can we even stand? And yet that balance is under threat.
Once, in the distant past only the stones remember, we had true equilibrium. Two moons, two ways, two mighty forces, and between them the great tree. The wheel brought life as it brought death, favored land as it favored water, the Earth was stable upon its two axes. Each rose and each fell in a great cycle, everlasting and unbroken.
From afar comes an eight-legged menace. These followers of evil gods would destroy this balance irrevocably. They seek the triumph of water over earth, of darkness over light. They would end the cycle forever, end all cycles, leave us in a world shifting and without form.
Already the pillars of the world have been shaken. Already the balance tips. We have a single moon where there were two. An axis is shattered, the world teeters and slips.
The light has made a sacrifice - the man of straw is burned for the sake of parity. They would build a new axis, and start the cycle anew, but only if they are not thwarted by the dark.
In other times it has been our role to stand quietly in the shadows, to work our influence softly and with patience. This is not such a time. This is not time for patience and subtlety. Things have already gone too far, and great measures are needed to restore harmony. We may not belong to either side, but when one side wanes we must support them against the other. We must uphold the light where the dark is strong. We must raise up the land that it not be forever engulfed by the sea.
And so I call out to you, Druids, to stand and fight for the balance we hold sacred! Seek out new initiates, build your own strength and that of your charges. Do not shun the company of the uninitiated - we must stand united if we are to prevail. Rebuild the ties that were once strong between the Druids and the leaders of men. Beware the eight legged enemy, beware the men with tails, those who serve them and those they serve. Be vigilant and fight to protect the land that is in your charge!
There is a new land, far to the West. This land lies naked and unprotected, held only by the creatures of darkness. This land holds many strange and wonderful creatures, and adventure for those who seek it. May the brave and mighty among you travel to this land, learn of its nature, and found there new regions, new strongholds of Light. Let the Druids once again swell their numbers and fill this land. Let the Druids once again take their place as bringers of harmony, enforcers of neutrality. Do not let lie this land in such a state of unbalance!
I have travelled across the worlds, to Tir'nan'og and back. I have seen the great tree, and stood in its shadow. I have spoken with Brigantia, with Diankekt and with Bellen. From Bellen I bring this warning:
We Druids safeguard the neutrality of the world. Neutrality cannot exist in chaos, nor can it exist in an excess of order. Beware too much structure, beware too much law. How can we maintain the balance of the world while we squabble over minutiae, while our leaders are consumed by bureaucracy? How much strength do we waste fighting among ourselves for positions and titles? How can each Druid rise to their full potential if they are blocked from above? How can our numbers but dwindle, when we have lost track of our true mission? These are not the old ways. These are not the true ways.
These are the words Bellen has spoken to me, and these are the words I speak to you. Protect the balance! Protect the TRUE old ways! Look upon these stones and know that the Gods are still strong, the Druids are still strong, and we still have our role to play in this world!"
