A response to a letter written by Dax' Athla to Keeper Jaela Daran.
Dax' Athla of the Masvirik'uala, Hi Dax' Athla (can I call you Dax? I don't remember if you expressed a preference), I remember you! You're hard to forget if I'm being honest, and Skaravojen liked you.
I am unfamiliar with the Masvirik'uala, and I think I would enjoy it if you could sit down with me and really tell me about your culture when you're next in Flamekeep.
I am saddened to hear about the situation in Breland, specifically Fallen. I didn't know it was that bad, but maybe I was just wasn't informed. Many in Flamekeep still treat me as a child. I have discussed the matter with High Cardinal Krozen, and it seems that we are restrained by temporal politics.
I would love to dispatch templars and friars to Salvation and to Sharn, to help those poor people. Unfortunately, the actions of the Thranish people in elevating the church to temporal power during the war has severely limited our ability to act outside of Thrane, and this is a cause of much of the political tension within the church. The priesthoods in Aundair and Breland no longer feel that it is our place to tell them how to practice their faith.
We can't dispatch resources into Breland without the explicit and express approval of the Brelish government, who might perceive such an action as a trespass into their territory and in the extreme, an act of war. I have requested that we raise the issue with Breland, but there is a risk that the Brelish government will see such overtures as an accusation that they can't (or won't) take care of their people (even if it's true).
This is something I have grown increasingly frustrated with as I have grown into my role as Keeper of the Flame. The church's temporal power over Thrane has mired our mission in politics, and we are unable to act across Khorvaire as we once did. There are faithful followers of the Flame in other countries, and they may listen to my proclamations, but we have largely lost control over the institutions of the church in those nations. I can express my disapproval of the actions of the priests in Sharn, but I cannot force them to change.
You are in a uniquely privileged position, you aren't associated directly with Thrane and so can travel and act freely as your own agent. I wonder if Flamebearer Sarhain knew what he was doing when he sought you out specifically, though he'd never admit it to me in any case. If you can identify this presence in Fallen, and deal with it appropriately, I can see about finding a reward for you in Flamekeep if the priests in Sharn are reticent.
May the light of the Silver Flame grant you warmth,
Keeper Jaela Daran