Dear Taryn,
I have never spoken to you or really gotten to know you, however everyone says that you are wise, so I now approach you with my troubles.
There is a member of my clan that I just cannot stand. When this person was clanned we had a very different relationship, I suppose you could say we were the best of friends, I even put forth myself as their sponsor. Now, this person largely ignores me and I them.
Ignoring each other seemed to have worked fine for a while, however, now its just eatting at me how much everyone just adores this person, and now I feel like an outcast. At present I just stay in my private airship hangar and provide assistance to people that require it and work on my airships with very little clan interaction.
I went to a fellow clan member with my issue and was criticized also from time to time, I still recieve criticism from this member. I have thought about leaving the clan but I am not sure if my reasons would be fully entertained by the current leadership since everyone adores said person, I am also unsure of this course of action since I was in this clan before them.
Signed,
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous:
Dealing with people who make life less than fun can be quite a pain.
When I come across situations like this, I look at two things:
1. How did the conflict get started
2. How do I make myself comfortable around them.
First off, I look at the conflict. If I can calmly discuss it with the object of my loathing, I do. Most times things can be solved this way. Other times they cannot. Another way to bring the conflict out in a positive manner is to bring it to your clan leadership. If you feel that the leadership of your clan is unable to be objective, then consider having a neutral party at the meeting.
Secondly, how do you make yourself comfortable in the face of adversity. I
will admit that hiding out in an airship is not the first thing I would think to do. We all have to have dealings with people that we do not like, and if a resolution is unable to be agreed upon, then doing what you have been doing, ignoring the person, is best.
Don't allow yourself to be upset by the person's status or their standing within the clan. Also, don't miss out on opportunities to make new friends and have new experiences within your clan. Getting active can take your mind off of things and allows you to work yourself back into the group. Maybe through working together with this person in clan activity could mend the rift that you have.
I hope this little messages gives you some insight and allows you to make a
decision that is best for you.
Good luck,
Taryn
Dear Taryn,
It has been quite some time since the two of us have exchanged words, though I would beseech you for your wisdom now. There is something that weighs very heavily upon my heart this day. As you know I am very devoted to The Princess of Passion, The Maiden of Beauty, Sune Firehair. Our church was built a number of years ago by some of your brethren. They heard and answered the call by The Lady Sune to form what has been known as The Apostles of Sune. As with any other church, we have had our fair share of problems within the congregation, and many changes have been made in the hierarchy over the years.
Never once have I thought myself to be better than any of my brothers or sisters, and never have I harbored ill will towards them. I have also never petitioned for any higher position, though I was granted Bishop one time, and that was due to my presence within the hallowed walls of the church. I have walked the hallways of the church many times over the last few months, and more often than not I have found myself to be alone
Recently, one of our, ‘leaders’ I guess you could say, stepped down and was to appoint someone to take her place. Since I saw little of anyone else, I decided to throw my name in the hat. I was informed that the choice was already made, and it was to be a bishop who was never around. As soon as that decision was made, the newly appointed leader made herself present most of the time within the church.
I will admit that I was insulted at that, though I took it in stride like I do everything. A bitter heart does not bode well within the walls of The Lady Sune. Though I made the church aware that I would not be around as often as I used to be, to allow myself time to think of things.
I was in my personal sanctuary within the church one day and was asked to take part in an interview for a new member of the church. I closed my prayer book and went into the Temple of Sune to find none other than a drow within our sacred halls! I looked into this drow’s soul and they were pure evil. I am not one to shy away from adding to the congregation, but when someone is as evil as this one was, it tends to make one wary.
I started to make my opinion known and was, in no certain terms, informed that my opinion did not matter. This bothered me so much that I fled the church and have not been back since. I have since found out that this new ‘leader’ is a member of a very evil faction within the realms! How can this be? The Lady Sune detests all that is evil and yet, here it is, plain as day!
I am at a loss Taryn as to what I should do. I fear that if I bring this up to the rest of the church, they will not care. The Gods have more important things to do than to listen to the prattle of mortal.
I have been a follower of Sune since before the church was even formed, and I find myself questioning my faith. If evil is allowed to be at the head of our church, what else will happen?
Yours in friendship,
Wandering Worshipper
Dear Wandering Worshipper:
Since this may be seen as a sensitive topic, I wish it to be known that My opinions are my own and are not representative of the Crimson Guardians or its membership.
First off, I would like to thank you for writing to me. It is good to see that people are taking the time to do so. It has been a little over a month since I opened my letter box for others seeking counsel or just a place to vent.
This particular conflict is one I have witnessed firsthand. As a few that were close to me, battled inwardly and outwardly the idea of leaving the Guardians to follow their hearts in the Apostles of Sune.
From what I read, it appears that you have made attempts to work with your brethren and are becoming further distressed by what you feel is a lack of caring. As I do not know the side of those in your clan and am unfamiliar with the inner workings, I can only respond to the details provided in your letter. In light of that information, I offer this... Maybe the growth you seek is better found outside the confines of your clan hall.
Leaving can be difficult, especially since you have been in your clan home for so long, but doing so could lead to a greater things. It also could allow you the chance to speak on the good Sune has done in your life to others. I find traveling missionary work to be quite rewarding.
Whether you choose to remain in the clan or to find other means of worship, you have a rough path ahead. Ultimately, you just have to do what is right for you.
I wish you the best of luck.
Penned by my hand,
Taryn
Received a note from a distressed fellow trying to woo the lady who is in his heart...
Dearest Taryn,
As an old and long standing friend I come to you know in confidence. Something has happened, something that I thought would never happen again, I have fallen in love with someone, erm naturally to keep the persons identity secret I cannot disclose who that is exactly. But I can tell you this, she is the sweetest, most humble person these old bones has ever met! Even through all of my bumbling I belive she still looks upon me kindly. So, the question is this!
How do I make her love me in return, in all of my travels as a priest of the realm I have yet to find a love potion that works, so I guess I must do it the old fashion way. I mean, who could resist me? I might be old, but I'm still sprite and full of exuberence. Anywho, I think I've rambled enough, please send me guidance!
P.S - She is physically impaired (has lost one of her senses), do you think this might be a factor?
P.P.S - When I was in the UnderDark I found a quite wonderful little potion that the Dark Elves use to grow plants in the worst of conditions, if you would like, perhaps you could use it for your...hair problems?
---------------------------------
Dear Eccentric Romantic:
Love is a complicated thing and even I don't think I'm really qualified at all to answer this question. I'll try though...
One thing I can say is that magic and love potions never work. They typically backfire are not a good idea.
What does seem to work is just being yourself. Another thing that also tends to cause sparks to fly is being attentive to the object of your affection. Does she like flowers? Watching streams, walks in the Holy Grove..
Does she like to laugh? Some friends have advised me that poetry and written word are things that can make a girls heart flutter. So maybe a funny poem or song could be appropriate...
As for her having lost one of her senses, it is quite important to take that into consideration when doing things for her. When one sense is lost others usually tend to heighten, so that should not be a factor.
I sure hope that helps some...
And to your P.P.S. I thank you for worrying about my current near baldness situation, but I think I will allow my hair to grow back naturally...
Good luck!
Taryn
Well... After losing my hair to fire, I'm wearing a nice little cap that I knitted myself. Under the cap is the little hair that I have left. As much as I like Morgion, his behavior is just a bit disturbing for me. I tried to cast a calming spell on him, but his youthful mischievous streak it too strong for a calm to take effect.
Morg offered to use a spell on me to grow my hair back, but for fear I would be covered in hair down to my ankles, I just said no.
Onto the reason for my putting the quill to parchment today. I just don't understand Morg sometimes. I think he's trying to drive me away. I do enjoy his company, but last eve he again did something outrageous...
He says excitedly that he has a present for me. I asked him should I be afraid?
He shrugged and pulled a small pair of pincers from his belt-pouch.
He pulled something very tiny from his hair, by this time I am really worried that it is what I think it is. I step back and...
Morgion says 'His name is Bill, and I offer him to you!'
I knew my eyes started to twitch from the stress of trying not to scream and I blinked...
Morgion says 'I knew you'd love it!'
At this point I really didn't know what to say, and with that he threw "Bill" on me!!!
My composure was lost at this point...
ARRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!! was the last thing I say before I fainted and fell on the floor.
Blacked out, I could hear voices...
Morgion says 'Taryn?'
Morgion says 'Hmm, she was so overjoyed she fainted!'
Morgion says 'quick, put her on the couch'
I assume at this point Throm picked me up and put me on the couch...
I don't know how long it was until I was drenched by a big water ball... *sighs*
I know I should not have lost myself at that moment. Morg was only trying to help, but I shouted at him... I made him feel bad and I wish I hadn't.
He got upset and stormed out of the room... I fear he's giving me what I believe the kids call the "Cold Shoulder" now.
Throm stayed with me after I came to and we talked. Thank the Goddess for good friends... I asked my friend, why, why is Morg doing these things? Throm said that he was just showing love... Funny way of showing it...
Should I give him a chance? hmmm
Last eve in the clan hall was a bit strange. Morgion, a good friend and overall eccentric chap, was there. He serenaded me during an interview of an applicant.
After the meeting was over we sat in the hall talking. I remember giving him a peck on the cheek and then he hugged me... These little ticks invaded my hair and in the midst of slapping them away, I heard a small explosion and my hair was on fire!! Morgion had chanted a spell that caused my hair to burst into flame. He doused me with water by picking me up and tossing me on a spring in the hall.
I wasn't on fire anymore, but my hair and garb were ruined. After politely refusing Morg's offer of help to get me out of the spring. As I tried to pull myself up with my staff, I fell on my backside. Mainly because he not knowingly nudged my staff. We laughed a little as Morg commented that I might be a little "clumsy". I never knew myself to be clumsy, but at this point, I wasn't going to argue that point. Baffled by what had just occurred, I excused myself to the library.
Just another night in the Guardian hall...