[The following is nailed to the announcement board in the Outskirts, where travellers and passersby may read it.]
A Denouncement of the "False Ezra" and the "First Book of the Returned Ezra"
An Exhortation to Turn Away from Heresy and Embrace True Faith,
by
Rosaria Vescovi
Warden of Her First Revelation
Blessed be Ezra, Our Guardian in the Mists. I pray for the wisdom to correctly and properly convey the error and spiritual hazard presented by the one who claims to be Ezra returned.
I address this denouncement to three parties;
First, to those of Ezrite faith.
Second, to those who find themselves swept up by this false teaching.
Third, to the Pretender herself.
While those who adhere to the teachings of the several Revelations of Ezra, Our Shield and Protector, differ on several points of doctrine, all are considered acceptable and of Ezra because they have passed the Rite of Revelation. This tripartite trial does, in one part, require the applicant to produce in writing their own Book of Revelation.
I intend to take this "First Book of the Returned Ezra", and through accepted doctrine and the illumination of true faith, show it for the heresy that it is. I have considered and prayed upon this matter. I know I take a risk in circulating it further, but I do so that I may fully and publicly dispute it.
The heretical text begins with the final two verses of the First Book of Ezra. These verses are not in question, for they are substantiated by the Rite of Revelation and supported by Ezrite doctrine. To note, however, the first portion is paraphrased, and excludes a portion of accepted text which would contradict the heresy that follows. Its absence is keenly felt. The heretical text begins thus;
"The Mists said to Ezra, 'You may not enter as you are." It then moves straight to Ezra's reply, "Such is my role in the Grand Scheme. So must it be."
In doing so, it leaves out the following;
The Mists of Death fell silent. Then the Voice spoke once more. “Enter the Mists if You must, Mortal, but not as You are. Your kind has no place here. To enter the Mists, You must become as one with the Mists. Never again shall you leave them. Will You forever sacrifice Yourself to watch over these few mortals?”
It is more than mere omission. This heresy first prepares the duped believer's heart by ignoring the nature of Ezra's ascension unto her role as our Goddess and Guardian. It ignores the extent of her sacrifice, and why we call Her Our Guardian in the Mists. As mortals, moving through this Mist-bound Hollow, we search to mold the truth into a version that is simplified, and palatable for our mortal minds. We produce icons of Ezra as a woman, to focus our belief and remind ourselves that Our Guardian did at one time walk in the Hollow as we do.[1] However, we know that these icons, and statues, and figures, are not truly Our Guardian, but serve to assist us in our worship of Her. To this point I shall return in a moment. I shall continue to examine the heretical text. It carries on;
"Ezra dwelled in the Mists for many years encountering their diabolic design. She protected Her people, and in time, she was victorious over the Mists."
This section alludes to a battle with the Mists that is not described elsewhere in accepted scripture. It is possible that this text confounds the Legions and the Mists themselves, believing them one and the same. This again points to a misunderstanding or subversion of Ezra's sacrifice. How does our Goddess fight the Mists if She is one with them? And more importantly, why would the Mists accept Ezra's ascension to Her role in the Grand Scheme, as our Protector, if such would open the door to their destruction? While Her Anchorites and Templars fight against the Legions, we accept that they fulfil their role within the Grand Scheme, as we do our own, and all that exists - we mortals, the Legions, and Ezra Herself, are bound by it.
The text continues,
"In the year 775, Ezra will emerge from the Mists to declare her victory over the horrors of the Mists. She will announce triumphantly that the lies the Mists spread about the Time of Unparalleled Darkness are in truth a renaissance of piety and faith."
Returning to my examination of the first part, this section again denies the manner of Ezrite's sacrifice and ascension to Her role as Our Guardian in the Mists. It also goes further in speaking against accepted church doctrine. The focus on her emergence requires me to return to the matter of iconography which I earlier discussed. It seems that the Pretender believes that the focus of our worship should be on the Ezra in mortal form, the woman, and not Ezra the Ascended, the Guardian in the Mists. It is clear from church doctrine and the words of revealed scripture that Ezra could not fill Her role in the Grand Scheme if she did not enter into them. Such was the nature of Her sacrifice, and we give thanks and praise for the salvation She offers through it.
The heretical text ends thus,
"Fall on your knees and worship the returned Ezra. She is worthy of your praise."
Only the true Ezra, revealed as she is in Scripture and the blessings she places upon Her Anchorites, is worthy of your praise. Do not fall upon your knees and endanger your soul in the worship of this heretic. Ezra does not need to return, because she has not left us. Her blessings and guidance continue.
To the faithful, fear not - you have the truth in your hearts and revealed in scripture. Be thankful and always wary of those who would twist and ignore true doctrine.
To those who believe this False Ezra, I pray that you are brought to true faith. Flee from this heretic before she corrupts your spirit and poisons your hearts against the truth.
To the Pretender, hear me well.
You shall not succeed in this mad quest. You shall never pass the Rite of Revelation. You shall never usurp the truth with your lies.
((Placed in-game, in part. Approved by DM Tenebris.))