An embassy to the Taraakians
A message to the Taraakians
(As the Taraakians are telepathic, I am including some of the images they will see in Gwilym Raonul’s mind. He is being open to them.)
Gwilym Raonul reappears in a burst of light before a group of Taraakians. His presence was long detected; and an emotional message was sent ahead of him by the Oerth Alliance Diplomatic Corps to announce the ambassador.
Gwilym appears and bows respectfully.
“Leaders of the Taraakians, I greet you on behalf of the Oerth Alliance, its members, and its allies of many worlds. In particular, I greet you in the name of our allies, the Angels of the Seventh Heaven, who speak well of you and the United Commonwealth of Toril, which has been a force for tolerance and progress. I greet you in the name of President Hazen of the Oerth Alliance, who has been honored by the Angels to truly join them. I greet you in the names of our allies and the peoples of Oerth, Krynn, Toril, Athas, and Mystara. In the names of the many faiths and philosophies of our peoples, I greet you in peace” Gwilym says all of this reverently. The Taraakians, who are perceptive people, will note a tone of awe in Gwilym’s voice at the mention of the Angels. He is also sending the emotional message of welcome and trying to open his mind, his heart, and his soul to the Taraakians.
“We regret beyond our ability to express the deaths that some of Oerth have caused on other worlds. We only recently became aware of these actions, and have sought to stop them. Millions of people have died. On Krynn alone, half of its people are dead.” A deep sorrow grips Gwilym, as he sees the cities of Ansalon in ruin. A story of Goldmoon that Hazen once shared floats through his mind. A wondrous tale of how a woman found faith in a world that truly needed it.
“For now, we ask you to do something that you may consider difficult. We ask you to save the peoples of Oerth, Krynn, Mystara, Toril and Athas from destruction. I am not lying when I tell you that over 100 billion people may soon be dead. Murdered by the same forces attacking worlds that you have sworn to protect.” Images of the peoples of these worlds, and of Ian Payne, a man whose faith called the Angels to fight for Toril, spring to Gwilym’s mind. He recalls praying at a memorial for Ian Payne and all the dead of Toril from its wars to achieve what they built.
“I realize that you have cause to be angry with the people of Oerth and those of many other worlds. There are those who have been murderers, as well as fools, and those who have made honest mistakes. Yet there are those who have placed body, mind, and soul in defense of their brothers, who defended them from slander and danger. Some have made greate sacrifices, including laying down their lives for others.” Gwilym remembers Hazen being ready to be tortured to stop the Red Goo and his transformation. He remembers the battles in the Hellfurnaces as related to him by survivors. He remembers the destruction Vecna wrought first in the Blood Wastes and the attack of the city of the Gods. He remembers the desperate battle against the Red Armada, and the desperate response of Forrester and Anabsercorian, a cure at least as worse as the disease.
“You may feel the right to call for justice. Yet justice must never be the issuing of rigid adherence to a law without knowledge of the facts of a case. Even those we once deemed evil have proven capable of repentance. Indeed, facts as well as intent must be judged as well.” Gwilym remembers with wonder Hazen’s words of the forming of the Oerth Alliance and the bravery and cunning of Turrosh Mak. He remembers Lord Kalanyr’s rejection of his demonic past and his devotion to goodness and compassion. He remembers people- regardless of race or land – standing together against common foes.
“Yes, there are many governments on our worlds that believe its citizens exist to serve the State. Indeed, some have take this to new extremes. However, the Angels have said that you are a good people, a people of justice and compassion. We ask you to remember your values in your dealings with us.”
“I know of no other mortal power that I can ask to save innocent lives. We have free will and the gods may not become involved directly in our affairs. We are a people of many faiths, many beliefs. I believe, as does President Hazen, that there are many delightful paths to truth and enlightenment. We do not proselytize our face or demand that others conform to a single mind or become a single race. We believe that all beings, regardless of race, world, station, or belief, have the right to make their own destiny. Hazen has said that the choice between good and evil, as well as other choices, has no meaning without freedom. Also, he has said that life, liberty, and love are three of the greatest gifts any may know. Now life and freedom are threatened for many.” He remembers Hazen’s belief in an Eternal Power of Light, Love and Justice, known to many worlds and faiths and his ability to reconcile it with his traditional beliefs. Gwilym recalls Hazen’s tales of Earth, its faiths, its cultures, the tragedy that tore it apart, and the courage of its people to rebuild.
“We will respect whatever decision you reach regarding whether you wish to aid us. You have the right to make your own decisions. However, for the sake of the innocent, we humbly ask you to save our peoples. I am prepared to answer any questions that you may have, to the best of my ability. If you wish it, President Hazen of the Oerth Alliance and Acting President Ian Icarus Lannon of the United Commonwealth of Toril are prepared to meet with you at your earliest convenience and answer any questions that you wish to ask.”
“May Rao and all the powers of life, love, light, justice, and mercy bless you, your people, and those whom you have sworn to protect. May the Eternal bless us all.”
Gwilym recalls the hymns of thousands of faiths on many worlds and the goodness of so many people and cultures. He recalls Hazen’s tale of the people of Earth at prayer still holding onto their many faiths despite the destruction of their world. Surely the faiths of so many people of so many worlds had much in common, expressed differently.
As Gwilym fell silent, he remembered the people he had meet from many worlds, young and old. His heart felt panged when he thought of so many of them being murdered in the coming conflict. There was fear in his heart, but a hope that although the hour was late, that there was still time to save the innocent.
OOC: Someone has to try to keep over 100 billion people from being slaughtered. I have offered a reasonable alternative to complete surrender for either side. Yet I find it distressing, and some others do as well, that many players seem to be indifferent to the fates of the nations they represent. In real life, such indifferent leaders would cause massive revolts.
Also, the only way to determine WHO the Taraakians really are and what they will do is to interact with them.
Also, no one but Edena and the Taraakians knows this conversation has occurred.