The Strength of Fang Stonedrop 1: History (Part 2)
Some of us felt that a new leader should be elected. The Order would then carry on as before: finding new members, inviting them to the outer order and admitting the worthy to the inner order. Others felt that it was time to publish Master Stonedrop’s teachings. It was time to reveal the Strength to the world! Not everyone has the dedication to learn the Strength. We felt that unworthy people would eliminate themselves through failure to learn. It already happens within the outer order. It should work the same way outside of a structured school.
After Master Stonedrop died, I gathered her various writings. There were loose papers, folios and other bound books. I knew that the traditionalist faction within the Order would not approve. I acted fast and collected a lot of Master’s writings. The sorcerers that felt as I did packed the material and we left Treelin City. On 1422-11-13, we relocated to a coastal village south of the city called Slatemire. Blossom Slatemire was one of our members. Her mother led this village and owned a large house there. We gathered in this house and began copying the texts.
We looked through everything that Master Stonedrop had written. We copied the most important information into the book that you are currently reading. We completed our task within a single day of diligent effort. However, many of Master’s writings were not included. We did not have enough time to copy these.
The traditionalist faction somehow tracked us to Slatemire. On 1422-11-16, they entered the village and approached our house whereupon they demanded that we relinquish Master’s books. They threatened us with violence if we would not capitulate. We were trapped within Blossom’s house. We felt that we would be slain whether or not we gave them the books. One of my people struck first. He used the Strength to bring a tree down onto the aggressors. Two people were crushed. Chaos erupted after that. I fear that I lost track of events at this point.
We eventually escaped from the house but were harried throughout the village as we sought freedom. Fifty-three people on both sides wielded the Strength with wanton disregard for their surroundings. I confess that the only things that both sides considered were survival and violent retribution. Slatemire withered as we leached the energy from every person, animal and object. Buildings crumbled as the ground beneath was wielded in combat.
Two of my people were carrying the collected books in large satchels. They were killed by their former friends. The books were taken. I do not believe that many of the traditionalists survived. I know that most of my group perished. I also do not know what became of Master Stonedrop’s books.
The Stonedrop Order of Sorcerers perished that day in Slatemire. It still pains me when I think about the innocent people that also died that day, not knowing what was happening or why.
The basic lore of the Strength is available to any person that cares to learn of it. This small book that you are holding is the only material that we saved from our former brothers and sisters in the Order. Fang Stonedrop’s complete teachings are hidden or possibly lost.
Was all of this worth it? I hope so.