On Polite Coexistence with the Rilk

Excerpt from Sister Xitha's Almanac (~899 NAE)

Art by Alana Fletcher.

Editor’s Note: After the Fall of the Thirty Clans in ~987 NAE, the Xitha Clan formed and began traveling deep into the Eastern Reaches. This excerpt from Sister Xitha’s Almanac was found in the Eastern Plains and was likely written at the end of founding matron Xitha’s life (~899 NAE). Imperial archeologists continue to discover remnants of the Xitha Clan in expeditions beyond the Imperial Frontier.

Listen, Sisters: All Skaardruf’s Creation is mold’d to Perfection. Chaos is living, and from living Chaos comes Creation. No Creature in Creation is greater than Another, though their Agency may be more acute.

Remember, Sisters: The Rilk are like all Creatures, seeking Happiness and Satisfaction. Though their Countenance appears violent, they pursue Peace and Pleasure as we have so sought.

Know, Sisters: We cast aside those who fashion’d themselves Men and now prosper in Sisterhood, and so too do the Rilk find Wisdom and Leadership in Womanhood. Their Queens are Masters of their Arts. As we sew our Garments, so do they sew Community. As we till our Gardens, so do they till Magicks. As we comb our Hair, so do they comb their Spikes. Do we not also bare our Breasts to our Daughters as they do to theirs? Do they not find comfort in their own Warmth as we do in ours? Far less than Stature and Size separates such noble Beasts from us ignoble Persons.

Artist’s depiction of two Xitha Clan members in the Eastern Plains.

Heed, Sisters: Though Rilk may do Harm, they do not seek it. Rilk and our Sisterhood may share Life and Breath. Rilk and our Sisterhood may share Food and Drink. Rilk and our Sisterhood may share Sleep and Protection. I have proven this. Encroach not upon the Rilk when they Feast or Mate, and the Rilk will not encroach upon Sisters when they do the same. Take not from the Rilk what is theirs and claimed, and the Rilk will not take from Sisters what is theirs. Seek no Violence against the Rilk, and the Rilk will seek no Violence upon Sisters. Speak pleasantly with the Rilk, for they are Masters of Tongues and may find Pleasure in Conversation. And if they speak not back take no Insult, for as sometimes we wish only the Company of ourselves, so too may they.

Pray, Sisters: There is Power and Peace in Faith. There is Faith in Goddess and Sister. And there is Goddess and Sister in all Things.