Dwilight University/Theology/The Bloodmoon Project/Viewpoints on the Bloodmoon Fruit

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Viewpoints on the Bloodmoon Fruit

These letters were collected during one of the many conversations in the Dwilight University on the topic of the bloodmoon fruit in the late Summer - early Autumn of 22 YD. Academic participants include, Lord Grimrog Bjarnson, Lord Henrich Eyolf Serpentis, Lord Machiavel Chenier, Lord Glaumring Apasurian, Lord Rabisu Daycryn, Lady Abbigal Pike, Lord Hireshmont II Vellos, Lady Bucklefee Dundrave, Lord Kwa Comacho, Lord Graeth Geg, Lord Pierre Von Genf and myself, Lord Bowie Ironsides.

Editor's Notes

For this article in the Bloodmoon Project I collected many letters spoken in the University and sorted them into two categories, for and against. The reason I decided to do this was because during the conversation it became very clear to me that the views of the bloodmoon fruit were either positive or negative, and thus already sorted into the aforementioned two camps. As an outsider, that is to say one who has never eaten the fruit nor is a member of the faith that consumes it spiritually, my intentions are simply to understand that which I have little knowledge on. That is the root purpose of my participation in the University in general actually, to learn that which I do not know. Also, I have decided to present the letters in these two categories to allow the students to make their own decision on the topic. It would be unfair for me to make a judgement and so I shall not.

These letters were part of a wider conversation, but instead of relaying the entire discussion I chose the ones that best expressed a statement on the topic. Also, the interpretation of these statements as "for" or "against" is my own. If the letter writers did not intend for their letter to express one opinion or the other, or if I misinterpreted (as often happens) I apologize in advance. Please notify me and we can make due arrangement.

The arrangement of the letters is in no particular order. Most likely it is chronological, but there is no real theme or consensus as to why each letter is placed in the order that they are. The only conscience decision is that I split them into the two categories. Other than that is just presentation.

A final note, the letters I use here relate to the bloodmoon fruit rather than the politics or diplomacy of the Occidental realms or the Cult of Bloodmoon. Bits of the conversation were less about the fruit and more about the people. The Project is to study the fruit and its effects on the people, not the people and their opinions of each other.

"Viewpoints on the Bloodmoon Fruit"

Sympathetic Opinions

Letter from Grimrog Bjarnson
Message sent to everyone in "Dwilight University" (45 recipients)

Dean Bowie,

The fruit itself is not an item of worship, it is a tool to reach a higher state of mind and physical superiority. But yes, it is sacred when grown upon the fields of the Cult. For example I have no interest in the bloodmoon fruits that grow elsewhere then inside the Orchards of Vakreno Heaps, because they have been blessed with the presence of Lady Ven. But if the Orchards would be lost, I would not fear the extinction of the Cult, as new Orchards can be planted.

If the Cult is the same as the fruit, no. The fruit grow free and not always in the presence of the Cult, but the fruit do always grow in the presence of the Cult. Just as the Stars can be seen from all of Dwilight, but not all of Dwilight worships the Stars.

Honor, Glory and Unity.

Grimrog Bjarnson
King, Treasury Logothete of Asylon

Royal of Asylon

Duke of Bloodmoon

Earl of Via

Student of Dwilight University


Letter from Henrich Eyolf Serpentis
Message sent to everyone in "Dwilight University" (45 recipients)

Blaming a fruit is like blaming a sword. The danger is imminent to any decision and the instrument is never more dangerous than who uses it. It all depends on your intentions.

Henrich Eyolf Serpentis
High Magistrate of Asylon

Viscount of Kid's Rock

Applicant of Dwilight University


Letter from Bucklefee Dundrave
Message sent to everyone in "Dwilight University" (45 recipients)

Academics,

I'm pleased the conversation has starting again regarding the sacred Bloodmoon fruit. Asylon has seen the devastation of excess uncontrolled consumption of the blessed juice. This is why Hierophant Ven fought tirelessly to see it controlled. We have found great success and happiness when imbibing under controlled circumstances. To be a cultist is a path of joy through restraint and calmness. It is the unknowledgeable and fledglings that can't control their urges and desires fashioned from the fruit. We at the cult teach there is method to this and through thoughtfulness and peace you will understand the folds. Do we stare at our stars and know all that the gods wish to tell us? Do we have all the answers by staring at the plants as they grow second by second? No, we learn by being there. We learn through curiosity and trial. We learn through error and we learn through perseverance. Whose to say the time I spend within the fold is not on gods lap? Whose to say that when I am there it is not his words I am hearing? Whose to say it is not the stars communicating through my body? This juice is a window into something more that we do not see with human eyes.

Lady Bucklefee Dundrave
Countess of Aspar

Applicant of Dwilight University


Letter from Glaumring Apasurain
Message sent to everyone in "Dwilight University" (45 recipients)

The negative effects of its use have been acknowledged, sloth and whimsy being the most deleterious consequence of its use this can be known, but stunting of growth and fornication with animals is sensationalism at most. Perhaps the peasants of Terran are suplimenting an already lacking diet with the now prominent plant. It is not meant as food and if your peasants are eating it like such I would ask why are they having to scrounge in the Republic instead of growing their crops? The only time Asylon used it as a food source was in the great famine. And even then for a short period.

The plant in D'Hara is a weaker version and mainly grew in around Port Raviel. It wasn't until it was brought to old Thulsoma that the hardy climate created this more virulent strain. My people still do use it as a mild stimulant to extend work or for social occassions. I admit that it was a sacred act of the Green Hind that transformed it later on into the voice of the gods, It has been rumoured that the Bloodstars themselves are an actual place that can be travelled to under the influence of the fruit. The red stars are not lights through a fabric, they are as real and alive as the fruit on the tree.

Glaumring Apasurain
Royal of Asylon

Viscount of Vakreno Heaps

Student of Dwilight University


Letter from Graeth Geg
Message sent to everyone in "Dwilight University" (45 recipients)

The effects of the Bloodmoon fruit cannot be divorced from the person ingesting it. It requires personal strength and a fundamental knowledge of the self to benefit the most from Bloodmoon consumption. Those with a troubled past or inferior intellect likely struggle with the consequences of consumption.

We in Asylon, myself included, have taken it for a number of years with no physical mutations or malevolent psychological effects. In fact, many of the regions with populations which predominantly consume the fruit have lower crime and higher general contentedness. I attribute this to the fact that in general our nation has always treated our peasants in higher regard and have learned that healthier and happier peasants make for a stronger nation. Also early in our formation, much of Asylon prescribed to the more meditative strain of VE, before it became a mere political tool in the north, warping its fundamental ideas and priestly discourse in the process.

I will not defend highway bandits or peasants which you cannot feed, but in Asylon there is an entire nation of Bloodmoon eaters coexisting with affiliates from most other major faiths on the continent. We do not have widespread crime, nor do we have physical mutations. In fact it seems we are the one nation in the west that has the ability to feed itself (and our neighbors) without external assistance.

I believe most of the "accounts" given in this forum are politically motivated and cannot be verified. On the other hand our realm is always open to those wishing to study the long term effects of the fruit.

Graeth Geg
Duke of the berserk Bear

Margrave of Echiur

Priest of Cult of Bloodmoon

Applicant of Dwilight University


Conservative Opinions

Letter from Rabisu Daycryn
Message sent to everyone in "Dwilight University" (45 recipients)

In my time in Asylon, during the birth-labors of the Cult of Bloodmoon, I did imbibe of the substance - an extract, in fact, rather more potent than the raw fruit itself. Of the resulting experience I will say that it is indeed a mere fruit, as some have said, and not dangerous to those who both know its capabilities and respect its ways, as Glaumring has stated. But I also think that Henrich's analogy to a sword is apt: true, there is no blame for the sword for what it does, but one also should be advised against trying to eat a sword.

Unfortunately, there is no better test to know the consequences of Bloodmoon ingestion than to ingest it. It is similar, though less predictable, to the consumption of barley beer, wine, or spirits - the effects from a phenomenological standpoint are difficult to describe to one unfamiliar with them, although one can make certain generalizations. One such for Bloodmoon is thus: it will amplify, and distort, whatever present feelings and preoccupying thoughts are within the eater. Yet unlike with liquors, the result will be characterized by a strongly "spiritual" flavor: experience and thought-patterns will take on a sense of great import, profundity, hidden or revelatory meaning beyond the realm of the mundane. Moreover, perceptions will be altered - one may see and hear things that are not there, or sense things in a different and strange manner. Because of this those under the influence of bloodmoon often act strangely, such as by barking like a dog at the moon or carrying on conversations with invisible persons. And of course the physical effects - a quickened pulse, a heating in the blood, vomiting, pain, much as with any toxicity.

I said "unfortunately" because with these effects one may find oneself endure some suffering, whether physically, or simply through the alterations in behavior which may prove indecent for a noble of good standing and honor. Certainly we should take a cue from drinking spirits - one may drink after, or even before a battle, or upon mealtime, and all will not generally be the worse, although drinking in excess could indeed make things worse. Yet bloodmoon, being more potent, is not the same - I would highly advise against anyone consuming the substance if they have any duties to attend to soon.

Of the ephemeral, 'spiritual' qualities I will take no position on the matter, only to suggest this: simply because something seems to be, shall we say, a matter of prophetic importance or great meaning, does not mean it is. But consumption of the fruit will tend to make one believe otherwise, even those of skeptical nature, and believe strongly. And for one such as Bowie, who, shall we say, have problems enough already, I would recommend against such an endeavor. Yet I also know that, as with liquor, sometimes boys will drink in order to feel like men, and no words of fathers will change it.

Still, with accord to the University, true study of the Bloodmoon Fruit is perhaps best carried out through experimentation and observation of others, rather than direct personal use. One need not, after all, be cut with a sword oneself to know that swords can cut.

Rabisu Daycryn
Duke of the First Temple

Margrave of Caiyun

Priest of Sanguis Astroism

Applicant of Dwilight University


Letter from Hireshmont II Vellos
Message sent to everyone in "Dwilight University" (45 recipients)

One does not simply taste of Bloodfruit.

It is a powerful and addictive substance which drives men to madness. One may eat of it a few times without becoming dependent, but long experimentation and use has horrible effects.

The hospitals of Chateau Saffalore and Shokalom are often filled with deranged men and women, children even, who eat of the Bloodmoon fruit and are driven to wildness. They tear at their own flesh, they attack their families, they commit lewd acts with animals, and even as they wallow in starvation and poverty, they cry out for more of the Fruit, begging for it even as their addiction kills them.

You are a horrible fool if you think you can be around Bloodmoon fruit for long without negative side effects.

Especially in Terran's northern regions, almost half of all legal cases I hear revolve around the vicious criminality of Mooners, as they are called here. That is, of course, why in Terran, we destroy every piece of the fruit we find. Sadly, the plant has spread south even despite our best efforts, and some cases have even begun to be reported in Chesney.

Transplanting this crop to Toprak would be terrible folly.

Long Days and Pleasant Nights,

Hireshmont II Vellos
Magistrate of Justice of Terran

Royal of Terran

Priest of Sanguis Astroism

Representant of the Students of Dwilight University


Letter from Machiavel Chénier
Message sent to everyone in "Dwilight University" (45 recipients)

In D'Hara too, much criminality can be linked back to this toxic fruit. However, the native variety is weaker than the northern one grown by the cultists, who have cultivated it to select the most potent offsprings while in D'Hara we have eliminated these and cultivated the plants for their lack (or low levels) of toxicity, and as such we do not have as much problems as northern Terran has.

Machiavel Chénier
Royal of D'Hara

Ambassador of D'Hara

Duke of Paisly

Margrave of Paisland

Priest of Verdis Elementum

Applicant of Dwilight University


Letter from Pierre von Genf
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Dean Bowie,

From an outsider perspective, it seem the madness caused by the fruit certainly ends up into worshipping the fruit. It seems strange that one would want to try it only to fight its deleterious influence later on; it is much easier to avoid it altogether.

Sir Pierre von Genf
Baron of Sallowwild

Priest of Sanguis Astroism

Dean of Students of Dwilight University

Edited by:

Bowie Ironsides,

Autumn of 22 YD (or the 22nd of February, 2013)