A copy of a letter, widely circulated amongst the Illuminated faithful:<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Beloved Cousin,<br/><br/>    Oh, how I wish you had been there to see it!  Our faith rewarded, our deliverance at hand!  Forgive me, I get ahead of myself, but you will yourself .  Rumor had a terrible effect on us here for some time, spreading fear and unease.  For weeks, there were tales of blasphemous cults, of "anathema" lurking in the city.  At first, Jago and I thought one of the Illuminated had come to the city, and that the stories of sacrifice and death that came with these were the additions of the wicked immaculate monks.  We decided to see the truth for ourselves, and followed a whispered word in a tavern down to a secret meeting in the warehouse district.  What I saw there haunts me still.  A ceremony of blood sacrifice, dark shades from the underworld, and presiding over it all was a *creature* that wore one of the marks of the Illuminated.  Rather than being of goodness and light, though, it was all evil and blood.  Worse yet, we quickly realized we were the only ones there uninitiated into their circle!  Jago was paralyzed with fear, but during one of their blasphemous chants I managed to drag him away.  As soon as we stepped outside we heard a great hue and cry, and we made a break for it.  My memory is blurry after that point, but somehow we made it away from them through the maze of empty storehouses.<br/><br/>     I cannot tell you how shattered, how desolate I felt after that.  To my eyes, all that we had believed was proven to be a lie.  The Illuminated *were* the anathema; demons sent to ruin this world!  Worse yet, I felt certain that it was known that we knew these monsters were here.  I had a distinct feeling of being watched.  In fear for our lives, we hid in our home, sure they would fall upon us at any time.  Then, just a few days ago, our fears were finally realized.  They came in the night and surrounded our home, screaming taunts and obscenities.  They said they would make a sacrifice of us on their dark altars, unless we came out and swore fealty to their master.  I am ashamed to say that in that moment, I almost broke down and agreed.  But then...<span class="bbc_u">she</span> appeared.  One of the Illuminated!<br/><br/>    She came upon them like a falling star, bowling into their number and scattering them like tenpins.  They came at her four, five at a time, but she dealt with them all as though they were children.  Flesh bruised, bone cracked, and soon they were fleeing like the cowards they were!  She was left alone, shimmering red and gold, with the symbol of the Eclipse burning on her brow.  She came to us then, calmed our fears with soothing words, and introduced herself as Shimmering Lodestar.  She said our home was no longer safe, and that she was gathering all the faithful and helpless to a shelter where we could be safe.  Having nowhere else to go, we went with her then, placing our renewed faith in her.    We were taken to a large estate on the edge of the city, owned by one of the faithful.  There we waited with hundreds of others, while she went out again and again to find more. <br/><br/>   It has been difficult.  Flashes of black, gold, and green light filled the city, as what I assume were other Illuminated did battle to save the city from those twisted creatures who sought to corrupt it.  Every time she returned to us, she had more of the wounded and the desperate, though she herself grew more weary with every expedition.  Just a few hours ago she returned for the final time, covered in cuts and bruises and carried by a group of those she had saved.  That was some hours ago, now, and she has since lapsed into healing sleep.  The city is silent now, but I am sure the day has been won.  I am sending this with a drover who is taking his family away from the city, and I hope it reaches you soon.  <br/><br/>Spread the word, cousin!  The Illuminated have come!  Hope is restored!<br/><br/>With love,<br/>Niella</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>