Sgrios Mass: Walk with Death, not from it

Firstly, I am honored to have the opportunity and privilege to speak before you today. Thank you for showing your support for me and your dedication to this temple with your presence… It has been insisted that I take this opportunity to introduce myself to you, and for the sake of you knowing me, I would tell you that to do so is not a choice I would have made for myself. I believe that mass is beyond the self, for fellowship and for Gods, and not the feeding of one’s ego.  

My name is Wormtongue… I have done my best to show my dedication to Sgrios and be of service to this temple. I’ve even been compared to Greim here, as I am a constant presence within the temple. I am always happy to assist anyone who passes through, whether for prayer, initiation, or quest of any kind.  I was promoted to the rank of Priest this past double moon, though my journey has been brief. While this may sound like a boast, I assure you it is not. And quite on the contrary, as I would insist that despite my own efforts in study and prayer, it has been the investment of this clergy’s faith, tutelage, and responsibility in me that has allowed me to rise to my station. Whatever commitment of labor or faith I have devoted in service of Sgrios, I have received back from this clergy a thousandfold. 

Now, I shall begin… 

“Walk with Death”

Perhaps you have heard the phrase before. I myself heard it for the first time after the second initiation I bore witness to, here within these halls. But what does it mean, to walk with Death? Your instinct may lead you to believe that it means to be a conduit of Death and Destruction. To reap the Aisling spark that has been sown. I would not fault you for this perspective. It is true, the death of each Aisling serves to sustain our Lord Sgrios, by whatever means we meet our end. However, there is a second line to the phrase, which I believe informs the first. 

“Walk with Death, not from it.” 

To not walk from Death... What does this mean? Do not reject Death. Do not deny him. How can one deny Death? The pursuit of immortality, perhaps, but this is farfetched in my opinion. No, I believe the term is much more applicable to Aislings of all walks and pursuits. To not reject or deny death is to not fear it, and to accept that someday, each of us will die. But this is not the end of our journey as Aislings. We will return from the Underworld once more, “scarred”, true, and perhaps battle weary. But by Sgrios’ grace, and ignited with Deoch’s inspiration, we are destined to fall and rise again! Do not walk from Death… Do not shelter yourself from risk and experience! Set aside fear and doubt, especially when weighed against your own mortality. Do not walk from Death! As with great risk comes great reward… 

That is not to say that you should sacrifice your life on a whim, however. Undoubtedly, as Ceannlaidir expects all his devoted warriors to prepare for whatever glorious battle lies ahead, so too does Sgrios demand preparation, and the honing of one’s spiritual fortitude. 

I assert that to “Walk with Death” is to live! As all Aislings are called to live! Pursue that spark of inspiration which Deoch has blessed you with, whatever form that may take. Be it on the battlegrounds in the arena, on more and more dangerous hunts, in studious debate at Mileth college, amidst our political institutions, or even to serve temples such as this. Wherever your spark of inspiration guides you. 

Walk with Death, not from it.