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Message: <blockquote data-quote="William Ronald" data-source="post: 1971726" data-attributes="member: 426">A  vision for tomorrowAl'Akbar continues his dialogue with the drow  and the elven peoples. "In the future, I believe we have many perils and opportunities. There is the risk that nation will war against nation, while our common foes plot against us.  This is folly, as these foes could take advantage of these wars for their benefit and our ruin.""However, there is much to be said for understanding and cooperation. I promised Vesharess Eclavdra when I first returned to Oerth that I would stand with her against those who would bring ruin upon all.  Furthermore, I promised Eclavdra that I would ensure that even if the drow  were overcome, I would ensure that at least some of her people would survive.""While there are many with whom I disagree on important issues, I can still respect their abilities. We can build a better future, one that honors the sacrifices of our forebears and is held in trust for our posterity.  There are many who have fought side by side, and many who will fight side by side for the first time in defense of what they love.""There are great changes occuring in our time.  The changes that the drow are going though is but one of them. The drow are rediscovering a part of their nature they forgot. To aid them in this change, I will show them and you some of the things they have forgotten as I first experienced them."The drow and others see, in a way that does not hurt their vision, the beauty of the heavens.  "These are the stars of Greyspace, at the outermost limit of the Crystal Sphere."The drow see an overview of Greyspace from the edge of the Crystal Sphere. "These are the worlds of Greyspace, of which you can learn more.  Many are places of great beauty and wonder, home to life and civilizations."Next, the drow see the image of the moons Luna and Celene in their beauty.  "These are the moons of Oerth. The large moon is Luna and the smaller moon is Celene."Next, the drow and others see a mostly round globe. It has blue seas, land masses with the colors of forests, deserts, and plains.  The world's ice caps can be seen by those watching the scene, as can the clouds above the surface of the world.  "Behold Oerth as seen from a distance. Our beautiful world, home to many diverse peoples and cultures, is shown in its true beauty."The drow and others also see some of the beautiful sights of Oerth, from waterfalls, to coastlines, to the stark beauty of the deserts to the verdant wonders of the jungles and forests.  They also see the city of Ekbir, where people of many races are engaged in trade, commerce, and in living as a community."We must ensure that the beauty and wonder of Oerth and all of Greyspace is preserved.  Life is precious, found in a variety of forms that can amaze even the keenest intellect.  I believe that all sentience is akin in a great family of Being.  All of us are voices in a chorus,  unique and valuable but capable of so much more in convert with others.""You are loved by many, who have risked much for you. You should remember that your lives have value in and of themselves. Though you have faced great losses, you can only begin to guess at your true potential for strength and goodness.  Some of you have never experienced love or forgivenes.  There are many kinds of love."For the first time, the drow sense the type of love that elven children have for their parents.They sense the love of elven siblings for each other, the passion of youth, the devotion of a married couple, the love of parents for children, and the love of the individual for the community and the love of the community for the  individual."Many other races have similar feelings. Although there are differences between races and cultures, I believe what unites us is ultimately more important and powerful than what divides us.  When societies isolate themselves from others, they seem to inevitably suffer. However, those cultures that work with others, and have learned to even accept members of other races into their society. In the Baklunish Empire, people of many races have long been fully accepted as citizens in society. Ultimately, the best standard to judge others on is the content of their character.  Goodness and compassion are found in many cultures, many philosophies, many shapes and many forms.  Remember that you are loved and are not alone.  I believe that all peoples can build a future worthy of our true potential as sentient beings.  Reach out for the hand of friendship, and step into the Light of a new dawn."For the first time, the drow see the sun rising out of  the sea, bringing light to a darkened land.</blockquote>

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