A Letter to Clerics of Ilmater

[ricktacular]

Dear Cousins of the Ilmateri Faith:

I write this letter with the hope that the Dawn has lit your path and that nothing obstructs your view.

I have a philosophical question about Ilmater and his role as He Who Suffers. I have had some discussions with some in my parish and want to, of course, give them the correct information. You see, they have heard stories of clerics of Ilmater flogging themselves in the name of their god, and suggesting that others do as well to grow closer to the Crying God. There are more stories, I am sure, but I do not want to continue without knowing the right of it.

From what I myself have been able to glean is that Ilmater is not the god of suffering as in wanting others to suffer, but to persevere through the suffering, and make it worthwhile. For example, a woman who is giving birth goes through extraordinaty pain. She prays to Ilmater to be with her so as to give her strenth to continue. Ilmater does not cause the pain, nor takes the pain away, but helps the new mother to endure it while it lasts. This is why, as it is said, that clerics of Lovitar torture innocents in the presence of a cleric of Ilmater to torture the Ilmateri, becasue the suffering is needless and unneccesary.

Please tell me that I have the right of it or correct me that I may in turn educate my parishoners. Also, if it finds you so, forgive this letter if it rambles, as it is late and I am very tired.

Thank you, and may the Dawn always light your way.

Yours in Faith,

Tyreseus Dare

[abby]

Dear Tyreseus Dare,

As a healer of Ilmater, I have a differant view of our lords purpose. Compassion. He is the lord of martyrs because Ilmater would take the suffering of the world upon his own shoulders in order that others need not bear it. It is because of this unyielding and limitless compassion that those who flog themselves needlessly, or do not use all in their power to allieveate another's suffering are mistaken in their faith. Ilmater feels pain at the suffering of others... especially when it is needless. Those who mistakenly feel that suffering is his intention only bring him pain. Self Sacrifice, compassion, love, these are the vestments of faith that we gird ourselves in. It is nothing less than the sacrid duty of a priest or preistess of Ilmater to ease the suffering others... even if we ourselves must suffer in order to do so. In that most sacrid of sacrifices, we become as our lord; we become Martyrs, trading our own lives, our own well being to heal others, sheild them from pain and take upon ourselves their suffering. All are worthy of a second chance.. all are worthy of Ilmater's compassion. We do not heal the rich sooner than the poor. Ilmater's gifts are given freely and without debt to all who are in need.
Faithful of Ilmater do not raise their hands in violence against another unless their is absolutly no other way, and many who have sworn the oaths of peace do not strike in violence for any reason, and lay down their lives before doing so. Those few who do not take the oath of peace, and choose to fight, train in the open hand for Ilmater abhors weapons. However, fighting and causing suffering... even for a greater good, is not the way of Ilmater's faithful, and even for those few who practice among the monastic orders, only if driven by the most absolute of dire need will they raise their hands in violence. It is for this reason that we of the crying lord walk within the triad. Tyr is the loyal shield which holds back the darkness, Torm is the sword of justice, and Ilmater is the beating heart which tempers them each with compassion and mercy.
Further, those of the faith do not live richly. Many of our order take the vow of poverty. We do not take more than we need, for even as we eat, others starve. Nor do we dress in finery, for there are those who have no cloth upon their backs. We are humble, and all are lords and ladies to us, for everyone is worthy of our love and compassion.
Faithful of Ilmater seldom marry, or take lovers, some even take vows of purity, forsaking all physical love. When a person loves one above others, he can no longer give his compassion equally to all. We must love all equily that we may do the greater good. One who loves another above all others would sacrifce many lives to save that one, however, we of Ilmater must be free of biast love that we might choose to heal where the most are in need.
Holding fast to these tenents is no easy thing, and even doing it, there is suffering. But the joy which we take from our service, and the joy we bring to others through restoring health and life is our reward, and there is no reward greater.

Yours in mercy,

Sister Abby Winters,
Healer of the Maiden's of Hope.

[ricktacular]

Dear Abby Winters:

Thank you so much for your insights. You have helped me see more clearly what it means to be a servant of Ilmater. I will pray and meditate upon your letter.

Thank you again. May the Dawn always light your way.

Yours in Faith,

Tyreseus Dare
Dawnbringer of Lathander