*the letter is left with Sister Theresa, with the instructions to show it to all members of the temple*
To my Red Skull Brothers and Sisters,
I have taken the liberty of composing the following texts. They are the fruit of my contemplations from the past few days. Would you be so kind as to review them to see that they are compatible with the Temple's philosophy and purpose? I also appreciate any corrections or suggestions you would have.
With your approval, I would like to bring them to the Scrivener's Office in Upper for publishing and distribution. I believe they would help to spread the knowledge of the Temple quickly, provide source material for lectures, and aid the recent dead, whose number grows every day.
I hope that when the people start to realize the truth of their existence, they will abandon their pointless conflicts and pursue peaceful enlightenment through our Temple.
Kindly respond within a tenday.
The Corruption of Devils and the Protection of the Soul By Brother Thelonious First Draft, 22nd Hammer 152The Devil Lords of this place surround us with danger. Their goal is to corrupt our souls and drag us into the deeper layers of Hell to be used as soldiers in their Blood war. Their power is present but limited here, and we have a chance for survival. Their minions take many forms; many of these are not immediately obvious. Know that it is impossible to rid this place of the Devils or their influence. Any attempt to do so only distracts us from our true mission: to seek Eternal Paradise. To fight the Devils or their minions will often play directly into the plans of the Devils themselves--by weakening one Devil, we aid its rivals. Instead, we must focus on protecting ourselves and only fight the devils and their minions who threaten our survival directly.
There are four known ways the Devils corrupt our souls: 1. Through hazards of the environment. There are many pitfalls and other hazards in the terrain that may hurt us, incapacitate us, or attract the attention of their minions to us. 2. By assaulting us physically. This is the most overt method of corruption and also the easiest to defend against. 3. By assaulting us mentally. These attacks are more devious than the previous because the Devils can often do this without touching us. Magic-using minions of the Devils often use mind assaults. 4. By using trickery and deceit to manipulate us. These attacks are the hardest to defend against as the Devils may often appear as friends, but make their true intentions known only when they strike at us.
To protect ourselves, we must do the following: 1. Step carefully and always be mindful of nearby hazards, so that we may avoid them. 2. Train physically to withstand or avoid physical attacks. Equip defenses that are represented here most commonly as armor, shields, and less commonly by potions that toughen the skin or help to avoid these attacks. Exercise regularly to develop the reflexes and increase fortitude. 3. Supplement our physical defense with mental conditioning. There are many magical spells and potions available that will also ward our minds. 4. Remain vigilant against those who would trick us. See and understand the world for what it is. Do not be fooled by the illusions your spirit or the Devils create.
The Eight Stages of Grief By Brother Thelonious First Draft, 22nd Hammer 152When contemplating your recent death, you may experience many unpleasant feelings. Know that you are not alone in your struggle! We who wear the garb of the Red Skull Temple may have felt similar feelings once, but after completing the grieving process, we now seek to follow the example set by the Red Skulls before us and ascend to Eternal Paradise.
The feelings you experience upon coming here and realizing the truth can be defined in eight stages. Not everyone will experience all of the stages or visit them in the order listed. Most people experience between five and seven of the stages. The eight stages are: Shock, Denial, Fear, Bargaining, Guilt, Anger, Depression, and Acceptance.
The first stage, Shock, is obvious. This is the moment when you are first told that you have died. Death is quite shocking, and for most of you, it is unexpected. Whether your death was accidental or deliberate, it was premature, and your God has sent you here to complete your destiny.
The duration of the second stage, Denial, is different for each person. When dying suddenly, the spirit is unable to deal with this event and often carries on as if nothing happened, creating a massive illusion to entertain itself. You may appear to eat, drink, and sleep as normal, and your spirit may punish you if you do not behave according to the laws of reality you are accustomed to, but these no longer have any true effects on your physical body. By now, your body has been cremated, buried, or picked apart by scavengers, and those who knew you have already mourned your loss and moved on. The longer you remain enthralled by the illusion, the easier it will be for the Devils to corrupt you.
In the third stage, Fear, you may fear the many Devils of Hell and their minions who roam this place, or you may fear the unknown and what lies ahead in your path. Through prayer and meditation, the Red Skull Temple can help you find a source of strength that will guide you along your path.
The fourth stage, Bargaining, may seem unusual. You may have had many possessions and might offer them in trade for a return to your previous life. Legends tell of arcanists who were able to fulfill wishes through magical means, but know that such pursuits are pointless here. Your God has given you a new purpose; to attempt to return to your previous life is an insult to his or her plan. Though it may be tempting to make a deal with the Devils who rule this place, they will only twist your contract to serve their own ends instead.
The fifth stage, Guilt, is full of questions. You may blame yourself for meeting your death. You may think of "what if" questions and alternate possibilities. You may wonder what you could have done to avoid the events that lead to your death. Do not dwell on such questions. Know that there are many ways to travel between two points. Sometimes, it is better to take the straight path, and other times, it is better to take the winding one.
The sixth stage, Anger, is a sign that the process is nearly complete. You may swear vengeance towards that which caused your death, or be angry at the healers who failed to save your life. However, there is nothing you can do to affect those who still live, as they exist in a world separate from ours, and it is only your memories that bring them here with you in this grand illusion.
In the seventh stage, Depression, you may experience feelings of hopelessness or incredible sadness. This is a common feeling, take comfort in knowing that it will pass. Know that the Red Skull Temple is always there to support you.
The final stage, Acceptance, is when you have fully understood that your life as you knew it is over. You must help others around you to realize the illusion and explore the truth just as you have. These others will have the same feelings you had and would benefit from your experience. Pray that you will hear the call and ascend to Eternal Paradise, as the Red Skulls who ascended before you have, and the Red Skulls who remain hope to someday.