Dear Priya

[Nwilmen]

After word spreads forth among certain individuals of the helpful nature and sage advice of one of Aquor's resident Sunites, letters from across the land begin to trickle in addressed to Miss Sera at the temple of Sune.

[prismaticcrow]

A letter arrives written in a distinctly feminine hand.

"Dear Priya,

I have recieved word from my Aunt that there is a Sunite in town that is wise beyond her years, giving out advice as one gives out candy. Well I have a terrible issue that perhaps you can help me with.

I have a friend and companion who seems constantly under attack by others! People stare at him, call him bad names, and threaten to hurt him and even kill him! I don't understand it! He's never hurt anybody and I try to protect him as best I can. Sure he can be a lttle grumpy sometimes. Sure he even says things when others cannot hear, but surely that is not cause for the seemingly outright nasty behavior many others have given him!

I have tried to reason with these people who offer such hurtful comments, tried to understand why they hate my friend so, and it never seems to make sense. He is no monster, no orc, no goblin, or any of the like. He is,in fact, quite adorable! Why do people hate upon my friend who is so cute and innocent?

I hope you can perhaps give me adivce for how to handle such people when they are around my friend, and how to diffuse such hostility for I am at my wit's end! Please hurry, for I fear soon someone may try to put him in a stew!

I eagerly await your response. Thank you!

~Rabbit-lover"

[Nwilmen]

Dear Rabbit-lover,

I am sorry to hear about the troubles of your friend, but one must first consider the cause of these troubles. You say your companion says quietly nasty things, or is perceived by others to be grumpy and hostile. When we allow our spirits to be disquieted with cruel thoughts and coldness toward others, we invite parallel feelings from those we encounter. When we are harsh, the people around us respond with harshness. But when we are kind, we cannot help but attract others who are kind, more often than not.

However, it will be difficult for your friend to simply turn his habits around completely, without first addressing the reason he is this way. I find that most often our misgivings toward others are the direct result of misgivings toward ourselves. Perhaps your friend has low self-esteem, or is insecure about some part of himself. You can help him discover what lies at the root of his problems by doing what you already are: being a true friend. Speak with him, discuss the matter with him, but above all, listen.

When your friend has finally begun to accept himself, he will accept others, and in turn be met with friendship and love.

Walk in love, Rabbit-lover.

Priya Sera

[GodBeastX]

An abundance of letters arrive at the temple, from various people throughout the city. It seems a great multitude of people are always looking for advice. Some examples are:

Dear Priya,

I suspect my husband may be sleeping with my sister, but she's denying it. Is there anything you think I could do to find out?

-A concerned wife

Dear Priya,

I want to court this woman, but she's dedicated to Ilmater. I've tried to drop hints but she doesn't seem to notice them or want to. What do you think I should do?

-Jake

Dear Priya,

My wife always wears a great deal of make up when she leaves for the market. I'm worried she's trying to attract attention. Should I be concerned? What should I do?

Deer Preeuh,

Duz Sune luv ork hoomanz?

-Ga'Grun

Dear Priya,

I think this halfling is pretty, but I'm a gnome. Is there something wrong with me?

Dear Priya,

Age/Sex/Location?

-The Helpful Helmite

[nezzerscape]

Dear Priya,

I am saddened to not have many to talk to about this. Many of my close friends I would confide in have left. I have been feeling lost for many moons now. At first I was tormented by dreams that I could not recall. About a fortnight ago I found out the reason for them and, well, had it fixed. But in doing so I also removed the veil that I thought was my life. It turned out my life was not my life at all only an illusion to keep me contained. I do not know why, only that my memories are now shattered. Every day a new piece of the puzzle reveals its self but it is distorted and does not seem to fit with any of the others. While I do so try not to evolve others in this matter, I am in need of some guidance.

While I do not feel as though I have lost my sanity, I do feel as though in time it may slip. I seem to only find comfort with a sword in my hand and the bodies of my enemies at my feet. Please take note that these are enemies of the state as well. I do so feel an anger boiling in me for this injustice that was done to me. I fear without any guidance my sword will fall into the wrong hands and I will be forever scorned by the blood of those I still call friends.

Please advise,
Lost in the Virindale

[Nwilmen]

Dear Lost in the Virindale,

My heart goes out to you in this time of great personal struggle, and I can only imagine what you must be facing. It is a difficult thing for a person to reconcile, when our very perceptions of reality are torn down and changed. But what I must tell you is this: Everything changes, nothing is permanent, and we are the creators of our own experience.

You may have been manipulated by others in your life, and your past is one filled with deceit and misdirection. But you must seize upon the fact that you are now aware of your own self, perhaps for the first time. You have a lot of soul-searching to do. Our memories do not make us who we are, deep down. You must take time to reflect upon your own spirit.

More importantly, you must not be afraid to reach out to others around you. Extend kindness, respect, and help toward others, and they will surely bring the same to you. For the sake of your sanity and your health, do not attempt to undergo these difficult times alone, for we all need at least one person to keep us grounded in the midst of the storm.

What happened before now does not matter. Only this moment, and what you choose to do with it. What will you do, Lost?

Walk in love,

Priya Sera

[BattlePixie]

a letter is delivered by a messenger boy:

"Dear Priya,

I have resently settled in these lands and although the move has been everything I could hope for, I find myself lonely.

See, I am a follower of Selune, and have not had the pleasure of meaningful conversation with others of my faith since coming here.

Perhaps you have heard of similar, heart-felt tales of woe? are there others like me out there? How do I connect with them?"

Signed
The Lonely Moon

[Handsomeman]

To Miss Sera:

I have a friend who's had a bit of bad luck with women ever since he's arrived on Sundren. This friend of mine... lets just call him Handsome Joe for now, came to me for advice. But I think it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion on the matter, so I write to you on behalf of my friend Handsome Joe.

First of all, I'd like to state that I think Handsome Joe is a rather handsome fellow, who's also smart and a damn good swordsman. He's also has pretty good tastes, clad in his shining sky blue armor, and flowing red cape. He almost looks like a real knight. Though even with ruggedly good looks and charming personality, he has had no luck with women! Let me give you a few examples of what I mean.

One of the ladies he tried to woo was a cat lover. With Handsome Joe's brilliant mind, he knew he could get close to her if he interacted with the cat every chance he got. Long story short, they became just friends, and the cat seemed to like him more than the woman did.

Another woman... if you call her that was a young spell sword. She seemed to have taken an instant liking to Handsome Joe pretty quickly. And I must admit Handsome Joe was rather fond of her too. But she looked up to Handsome Joe as a mentor in swordsmanship. Knowing this Handsome Joe could not in good conscience take advantage of her. He could however trick her into giving him her gold. Fortunately love and gold are two different things.

And another woman, this one he seem to had the most luck with. A noble woman whom was beautiful and dressed even more classy than Handsome Joe. Though she was a bit money grubbing, and some how convinced Handsome Joe to spend half his fortune on her. It didn't seem like such a bad deal. Unfortunately for Handsome Joe, she got thrown in Jail and ruined any chances he had with her.

But his most recent and most crushing defeat was to a Sunite worshipper, much like yourself. He even used his ultimate wooing move on her when he gazed deeply into her eyes, piercing her defences... then whispering words of romance into her. Even such a high level technique like this wouldn't work for him!

So you see, my friend here could really some advice. He's beginning to think I'm not as handsome as he thinks I am. Is it just me? Or could I have been wrong about his looks my whole life? Anyway, some advice is appreciated.

Signed
Mysterious Swordsman

[Nwilmen]

Dear Lonely Moon,

I understand your feelings perfectly. When I first arrived in Sundren myself, I was hard pressed to find a single Sunite in all the region. I heard of one other fellow worshipper, after at time, though he was a busy man responsible for a militia, hardly someone I could interrupt with religious discussion. I felt very lonely indeed, and without direction, until I remembered what I had come to Sundren to do: uphold and spread the tenets of my faith.

My advice to you is this: Announce your devotion along with your name often. I have always introduced myself as a "devout of Sune", which usually invited discussion on the topic of my faith. Through such discussions I was pointed in the direction of other Sunites, those who shared similar values, and others who were interested in helping me establish myself. If you make others aware of your faith to Selune in an unobtrusive way, that is the surest way to discover other followers in the strangers around you.

Also, take the time to meditate and commune with your goddess often. Go to her places of worship; if there are none, as was the case with me until the temple of Sune was completed in Sestra, seek out locations where you feel her presence the most. Perhaps you will find others there who have come for the same purpose.

Above all, try to strive to embody the ideals of your goddess. Fill your spirit with feelings of devotion to Selune, help to guide wayward travelers, and follow your heart. Represent your goddess to those who do not know her light, and be a shining example to others who might wish to learn more of her.

Do not despair that you may be alone in this place, for it is always better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Become a beacon in the night, and you will be surprised who is drawn to you.

Walk in love,

Priya Sera

[Nwilmen]

Dear Mysterious Swordsman,

Yours is a problem I have contemplated and helped others to overcome often. You say that your friend is handsome, charming, and intelligent, and that he has had ill luck with women who are similar. However, it seems to me that your friend is placing all of his focus on superficial attributes. As a result, the only women who want to spend time with him are either vain and greedy, or simply not interested in his appearance alone.

It sounds like your friend believes that the only valuable thing about him is his good looks and sword skills. Perhaps other people have told him this throughout his life, and he grew up believing they were the only things that mattered. But I would like to tell you the truth: Physical appearance and ability are no where near as important as the heart.

When your friend goes around thinking to himself how handsome he is, he will attract only that sort of woman - a woman whose only concern is her beauty and coin purse. Your friend may think he doesn't care about her personality or inner goodness, but time has shown him that focusing merely on physical characteristics has led him to women who, at the end of the day, do not care about him.

Your friend must take some time to focus on himself and examine his spirit. He must learn to see himself as more than only a good-looking swordsman, for he has more value than that. He must strive to be kind, treat people with respect, and listen to others. He must learn to love himself - not with arrogance, but with true respect to his soul - and only when he is overflowing with self-love, can that feeling spill over and truly reach out to others.

Mysterious Swordsman, please do not hesitate to write me again, or seek me out at the temple of Sune. I feel as though your friend would benefit from personal counsel.

Walk in love,

Priya Sera