Diyar lights Felip's torch, and then he steps atop a small box to address the crowd. He's addressed a company of men on a battlefield; he knows how to fill the square with his voice.
"For many of you, this is your first festival of Burning Blades. It is traditionally a celebration of Sarenrae's power and protection, but tonight it is Westcrown's re-introduction to the Goddess. Westcrown does not need a confident mob, ready to take on all comers. We had that a week ago, and have hopefully learned to regret that misplaced confidence. What Westcrown needs tonight is a reminder of the light inside us as well as the light outside us.
It is written, The sun rises on the evil and on the good.
Sarenrae is a goddess of redemption, of patience, and of compassion. She does not extend that merely to her followers, those already good, and those already walking the path of righteousness. How could she be a redeemer if so? She extends them to all life; the light of the sun shines on all of us. The path of righteousness calls out to all of us. Sarenrae watches every step we take, loving us all the way, hoping that each step will be the one where we choose goodness, and understanding us if our rebellious hearts say: 'not yet'.
And she knows that when we say 'not ever', what we mean is 'not yet'. Some of you might wonder: how can I ever repent of what I have done? How can I ever be loveable? With my past, how could I ever clothe myself in blue and gold instead of red and black? I ask you in return: does the sun shine upon you? Then you live in Sarenrae's light already. Asmodeus said he owned you, and it was a lie. He said you were damned forever because of what he made you do, and it was a lie. Sarenrae says that she loves you, even with your faults and flaws, and that she is ready for you to choose a new life for yourself, and that is the greatest and kindest of all the truths I know.
There are three cores to the teachings of Sarenrae: that one should think good thoughts, that one should say good words, and that one should do good deeds.
You may have learned a twisted version of this from Asmodeus, whose servants read your thoughts, looking for disloyalty to punish. That is not what I mean; what I mean instead is that as thoughts cross your mind, you have the power to turn towards some and away from others. Some of those thoughts will be of what annoys you about others and what displeases you about the world. If a thought is the seed for evil in the world, turn away from it. Some of those thoughts will be of what you cherish about others and what pleases you about the world. If a thought is the seed for good in the world, turn towards that thought.
You may have learned a twisted version of this from Asmodeus, whose servants listened to your words, punishing you for speaking against them or failing to speak for them. That is not what I mean; what I mean instead is that words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world for the better. Watch the fruits of your tongue, and turn towards those that are pleasant and wholesome.
You may have learned a twisted version of this from Asmodeus, whose servants watched your deeds, looking for errors to punish. That is not what I mean; what I mean instead is that your deeds impact those around you, and either lift them up or tear them down. If a deed damages those around you, forsake it. If a deed heals and helps those around you, embrace it.
There is a simple prayer to Sarenrae, which I hope you learn and give a special place in your heart:
Of all sins, I repent through penitence.
Of all sins, I repent with contrition.
Of all sins, I repent with prayer.
I thank you for your patience in listening to me prattle on, and now let us praise the immortal and radiant sun."
He jumps down from his box.