Written By Drea
May 26, 2022, 6:53 a.m.(9/18/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Lou
Triangle, hands down. It is the more versatile of the two shapes. I would appreciate a message from my fellow triangle appreciator.
Written By Drea
Feb. 11, 2020, 4:40 a.m.(9.765679563492064/22.878055555555555/1012.7304732969577 AR)
Darren and Donella are so well aware just how I adore my grandchildren. Each is a miracle that calls to my heart and I spend every moment that I can with my little ones. I tell them the stories of the North, the Gods and the Spirits that are common in the Northlands. These stories pass on our heritage and remind us who we are and what our purpose is. Little Dacien, you are adored.
Written By Drea
April 16, 2019, 9:11 p.m.(12/8/1010 AR)
My oldest son and his darling wife gifted me with a pair of twin girls for grandchildren this year. Donella has really become a daughter to me and she seeks my council. I wish that I knew all the answers that I could lead her in the right direction, but it is not always so. I adore my grandchildren, and adore being around to spoil them.
Written By Drea
Feb. 28, 2019, 11:14 p.m.(8/27/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Mirk
My nephew. Oh how you have grown. You are so strong now. So sure. When it was suggested that you should become an Elder of the Spirit Walkers. I was so proud of you I wanted to crack open a bottle right there. You give me hope that there is a generation to come after that will hold to Shamanism. I feel that need much after losing Cybele.
Written By Drea
Feb. 28, 2019, 11:12 p.m.(8/27/1010 AR)
Vala Khanne has been working hard for the Spirit Walkers since I have been in Farhaven. Her work really is amazing. She's even built a Spirit Walkers Hall for those of us who believe in Shamanism to have a safe space to speak, to think, to learn. I have spoken to her about a library in the Hall and we have been working on making that a reality.
Written By Drea
March 12, 2018, 8:48 a.m.(5/7/1008 AR)
In an effort to address the frequently misunderstood tenants, practices, and traditions of shamanism, I am setting my experience and beliefs in ink for all to read and understand. These records will serve not just as a transcription of a High Shaman on her view of shamanism, but also as an invitation for enlightened debate and a welcome to those with similar views who wish to join in the community of the Spirit Walkers – regardless of the principality that they call their own.
First, I want to address what shamanism is not. We do not gather to perform blood sacrifices to the spirits. This may be practiced by some shav’arvani tribes, but it is neither the mainstream practice, nor is it one welcomed by the shamanic practitioners of the Compact. More importantly, blood sacrifice is more abhorrent to the spirits we honor than it is to those of us that call ourselves Arvani. Ours is a path that seeks a measure of harmony with nature, not one that spills blood to work magic. Should such be found, and the one claiming to be shaman fail to repent, then I promise we will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Templars of the Faith of the Pantheon to see such profane practices stopped. This is among our oldest laws, and one we will not violate.
Shamanism as practiced by the Compact of Arvum is also not incompatible with the Faith of the Pantheon. It would be fair to say that this point is as often misunderstood as frequently as the first. Whether it is was due to barriers of language and the gradual mutation of the same over centuries, a purposeful campaign of maligning the paths of shamanism, or some other cause, there has been a gradual strengthening of the idea that one must choose to dedicate themselves to the Gods of the Pantheon, or honor of the spirits, and that you cannot do both at the same time.
Quite frankly, I say this is a lie.
Some of our oldest records of shamans aiding the Compact did so with a blend of the two. Pena Stormrider, called the Last Hierophant, honored the spirits of nature while calling on the Gods of the Compact. She and her Druids fought the evils of the world, and did so with prayers to Mangata and Lagoma and boons from the Spirits of the land.
We have to understand that while the oldest and strongest of the land’s spirits are called Old Gods, this may well be due to the change of language or a mistranslation of an older tongue. The majority of Shamans, especially those on the Path of Elders, do not view the Spirits in the same manner a Southerner would view the Gods. It’s important to understand this distinction. We honor and respect the Spirits; we offer them gifts and sometimes ask them for boons in return. This is done in much the same way that you might offer your liege a gift and occasionally ask him for a boon. We recognize, however, that the Gods are something else entirely. I will write more on this soon.
Having touched on what shamanism is not, let us turn to a brief look at what shamanism is.
Shamanism is a collection of philosophies and traditions seeking to align the soul of humankind with the soul of Creation itself. Seeking paths of harmony with the world around us, shamans strive to live their lives in accordance with the Dream. We are fierce defenders of the Dream when we have need to be – many of you have stood beside us as we sought to aid the battles against those that would destroy the Dream. We are guides, storytellers, keepers of memory and records, healers, and intermediaries.
Shamans are forgers of paths that lead to truths, spending their lives looking for that which brings their twin souls into unity and that which offers them truths that have been veiled from their eyes before. Some follow the paths others have started, others blaze their own. We’ll take a look at these Paths soon, don’t worry.
Princess Drea Redrain
High Shaman of the Spirit Walkers
First, I want to address what shamanism is not. We do not gather to perform blood sacrifices to the spirits. This may be practiced by some shav’arvani tribes, but it is neither the mainstream practice, nor is it one welcomed by the shamanic practitioners of the Compact. More importantly, blood sacrifice is more abhorrent to the spirits we honor than it is to those of us that call ourselves Arvani. Ours is a path that seeks a measure of harmony with nature, not one that spills blood to work magic. Should such be found, and the one claiming to be shaman fail to repent, then I promise we will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Templars of the Faith of the Pantheon to see such profane practices stopped. This is among our oldest laws, and one we will not violate.
Shamanism as practiced by the Compact of Arvum is also not incompatible with the Faith of the Pantheon. It would be fair to say that this point is as often misunderstood as frequently as the first. Whether it is was due to barriers of language and the gradual mutation of the same over centuries, a purposeful campaign of maligning the paths of shamanism, or some other cause, there has been a gradual strengthening of the idea that one must choose to dedicate themselves to the Gods of the Pantheon, or honor of the spirits, and that you cannot do both at the same time.
Quite frankly, I say this is a lie.
Some of our oldest records of shamans aiding the Compact did so with a blend of the two. Pena Stormrider, called the Last Hierophant, honored the spirits of nature while calling on the Gods of the Compact. She and her Druids fought the evils of the world, and did so with prayers to Mangata and Lagoma and boons from the Spirits of the land.
We have to understand that while the oldest and strongest of the land’s spirits are called Old Gods, this may well be due to the change of language or a mistranslation of an older tongue. The majority of Shamans, especially those on the Path of Elders, do not view the Spirits in the same manner a Southerner would view the Gods. It’s important to understand this distinction. We honor and respect the Spirits; we offer them gifts and sometimes ask them for boons in return. This is done in much the same way that you might offer your liege a gift and occasionally ask him for a boon. We recognize, however, that the Gods are something else entirely. I will write more on this soon.
Having touched on what shamanism is not, let us turn to a brief look at what shamanism is.
Shamanism is a collection of philosophies and traditions seeking to align the soul of humankind with the soul of Creation itself. Seeking paths of harmony with the world around us, shamans strive to live their lives in accordance with the Dream. We are fierce defenders of the Dream when we have need to be – many of you have stood beside us as we sought to aid the battles against those that would destroy the Dream. We are guides, storytellers, keepers of memory and records, healers, and intermediaries.
Shamans are forgers of paths that lead to truths, spending their lives looking for that which brings their twin souls into unity and that which offers them truths that have been veiled from their eyes before. Some follow the paths others have started, others blaze their own. We’ll take a look at these Paths soon, don’t worry.
Princess Drea Redrain
High Shaman of the Spirit Walkers
Written By Drea
March 9, 2018, 9:43 a.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Freja
Deceased
Written By Drea
March 9, 2018, 9:42 a.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Every time I enter the Stone Grove in Arx, I take it as a reminder of hope. Once there was wailing of despire and shouts of anger over its destruction, and now it's whole again. Remember, readers, of what we can accomplish when we put the negative aside and focus on achieving the positive.
Written By Drea
Feb. 19, 2017, 4:06 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Mydas
Sometimes, when I look into a person's eyes, I can see the very fiber of a person's being. When I see him, I see a jovial man, very gregarious as one would expect. When I look into his eyes though I see stone.
His otherself is a stoneman and I find that intriguing. There is an immense strength there, like that of a mountain.
His otherself is a stoneman and I find that intriguing. There is an immense strength there, like that of a mountain.
Written By Drea
Feb. 17, 2017, 9:36 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)
Even when things are bad, things are good. With every conversation I have with someone new I see the good. Maybe it's a fault, maybe I just need to get more people to see this too. There is always a light glimmering in the distance, and an end to a dark tunnel. Although we are just going into it...I see the light already. It's all on what we do...our choices.
Written By Drea
Feb. 13, 2017, 2:41 a.m.(12/1/1005 AR)
Just when i think I couldn't be awed with the world, something happens that changes my mind.
Written By Drea
Feb. 1, 2017, 2:23 a.m.(10/24/1005 AR)
...and so it begins! Not the result I was expecting, but still a result and one I take as a positive. It could've boiled over, but these waters run deep. People are still not ready for the truth, but more and more are willing. We move ever forward, preserve the cycle and let people never forget.
Written By Drea
Jan. 31, 2017, 4:41 a.m.(10/21/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Anze
I think we're going to clash a lot, but we seem to get past it easily. I know there's more to him than "Smash 'em up." Maybe I'm wrong.
Written By Drea
Jan. 28, 2017, 11:29 a.m.(10/13/1005 AR)
Devastation. I have cried for several days at what has happened. It has taken me some time to pull myself together and just be. I can't let events like this pull me down or make me lose focus. It is hard though, but I know deep down inside this is what someone or some-thing wants. I won't give them that satisfaction. I've resolved myself to restore and renew, healing can still be done!
Written By Drea
Jan. 22, 2017, 10:04 p.m.(9/25/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Freja
Spirits, I love my niece! I think we are going to get on quite well! I'd like to work on some things with her in the future, she seems to be questioning her relationship with the spirits. I tried to reassure her that, that is a normal thing. But I think we should delve a little bit, there may be something truly blocking her. She's around taint an awful lot. I think she and I should get together as soon as possible on this!
Written By Drea
Jan. 22, 2017, 6:04 a.m.(9/23/1005 AR)
I feel like something is going to happen, something in a good way. I get the sense that things are coming together. Day in and day out, we keep moving towards something. I hope it's good. I think its good.
Written By Drea
Jan. 12, 2017, 2:03 a.m.(8/20/1005 AR)
I'm feeling hopeful today. As I meet more and more shaman, my spirits lift. I think together we can achieve something good.
Even as the world tries to forget about us and our small numbers, we are strong and able, most of all: determined. There will come a time when our connection to the spirits will benefit all! Then they will remember how important the spirits are. How a part of the world--how beautiful they make it.
It amazes me how we follow our separate paths, but are connected like the web of a spider with it's beautiful spindles fanning out in every direction.
Ha! I look at my words and think I would've made a bad author or poet. But it feels good to write them down and get them out.
Even as the world tries to forget about us and our small numbers, we are strong and able, most of all: determined. There will come a time when our connection to the spirits will benefit all! Then they will remember how important the spirits are. How a part of the world--how beautiful they make it.
It amazes me how we follow our separate paths, but are connected like the web of a spider with it's beautiful spindles fanning out in every direction.
Ha! I look at my words and think I would've made a bad author or poet. But it feels good to write them down and get them out.
Written By Drea
Jan. 11, 2017, 1:25 a.m.(8/17/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Deva
She has fire, she has passion, sometimes she's an emotion tangled together like a ball of string. Like a primal force....like nature herself.
All her life she vexed me, sometimes I think on purpose.
But I never stopped loving her. As I struggle to learn the nature of things, I begin to understand her and love her even more and the woman she has become.
Isn't that the story as old as time itself? And the cycle continues.
Daughter--Deva, I love you.
All her life she vexed me, sometimes I think on purpose.
But I never stopped loving her. As I struggle to learn the nature of things, I begin to understand her and love her even more and the woman she has become.
Isn't that the story as old as time itself? And the cycle continues.
Daughter--Deva, I love you.
Written By Drea
Jan. 8, 2017, 10:33 p.m.(8/11/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Anze
I think I have found a confidant in him. I enjoy his straightforwardness and candor. Definitely good to be around someone like this to keep me grounded!
Written By Drea
Jan. 5, 2017, 12:44 a.m.(7/27/1005 AR)
I should have trusted my instincts, I should have known. I have to do better, I have to BE better. I have to meditate on what to do next, I know there are answers all around. Just a little clarity.
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