Introductions from High Priestess Paramour

I never suspected I'd touch pen to parchment in this hallowed book again. It seemed that my era had come to an end, and I longed for the embrace of our Lord, to leave these lands and stand by his side. So long has my heart been closed to the whispers of Temuair that I feel almost a stranger in a strange land: once more everything seems new and unfamiliar. Perhaps chiefly among those things I struggle to recognize is my own being. Since I entered my slumber over forty-five Deochs have passed, and in that time an entire generation has been supplanted by new names, new faces and new accomplishments - nearly all of them strangers to me, which surely means that my name and my face are at most relics from some distant past, and my congregation has scattered like spores to the wind.

During the length of my mediation I have been contacted a number of times - either by those concerned with the lack of leadership in the temple, or forgotten souls passing through their old haunts and seeking some anchor to the past. I've been reminded, lovingly, of my influence and my friendships that I callously walked away from; I've been cursed for abandoning the thing I worked so hard to build. For the most part, I was able to ignore these voices as I strove to explore the life I live in my dream state; a life I had largely ignored in devotion to my duty. What I suspected would be a brief hiatus turned into an extended break, and, eventually, became my reality. I was so removed from Temuair that I had made peace with never treading this sacred ground again.

I suppose His influence still draws me near, for chaos is the flavor of the day. Somehow a fledgling priest was able to permeate my protective shell in a way that even old friends couldn't, and his request for a sermon was so earnest and heartfelt that I couldn't possibly ignore his request. Insomuch as young Phever opened a doorway for me to return to my previous life, I at least owed it to him to step inside.

When I was a young priestess, left alone to tend to the temple when the generation before me vacated the podium, I was desperate for guidance, for help, for someone to join me in my crusade... Still, I feared the re-introduction of the old clergy as much as I yearned for it. What if one were to come and disagree with my doctrine; bar me from the temple I worked so hard to restore and cast me as a heretic? Later, when a flood of old names crept back into the lands, my paranoia wasn't far off the mark - luckily I had already taken my vow as High Priestess under the blessing and supervision of my mentor Van; perhaps the proudest moment in my long Aisling life.

I don't wish to bring that dread with me; as one long absent, I'm not wishing to step on any toes as I walk back to my safe spot in the temple. No, Temuair belongs to those who live there every day, not those who built a legend in ages past. I feel as much like a guest now as I do a member of the High Clergy. As long as my spark still burns, it burns for Sgrios and any and all who wish to speak to His glory do so with my blessing. Should I be able to uplift others as I walk the lands, then I will do so.

So, in short, I just wish to announce that I, Leanna Runda, will be devoting some time and all of my heart to the Sgrios Temple and should I be able to offer any help to those who wish to worship the great god of Decay are welcome to call my name. I'm hoping to be able to present at least one mass per double-moon; maybe more depending on the current clergy. I do hope to see you there.

May Shadows Shelter You,
High Priestess Paramour
Leanna Runda