Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Tales of Wyre
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Cheiromancer" data-source="post: 1029453" data-attributes="member: 141"><p><em>Originally posted by Sepulchrave II on 05-07-2002</em></p><p></p><p>Outriders mounted on swift steeds bore the news of Cynric’s assassination across Wyre, and it was on the evening of the same day that the conclave was convening, that tidings reached the Duchess and her court at Trempa. Eadric and Tatterbrand returned from the Abbey to find a mood of indignance mixed with deep sadness. The chapel was thronging with mourners – some hysterical with grief. </p><p></p><p>Eadric said nothing, but retired alone to the Tower of Owls, climbing into the wreck of the uppermost floors, and barring the trapdoor. He wept long and hard, and feelings of guilt flooded through him. Here, surely, was an attack by the Fiend whose schemes he had thwarted, and who had sworn to ruin him. Cynric, although conservative and often overly doctrinaire in his approach, had been Eadric’s mentor, his confessor and his friend. </p><p>Eadric prayed fervently for a sign or portent, or at least an acknowledgement that his supplications did not go unheard.</p><p></p><p>Oronthon remained characteristically silent. No angels appeared, no omens were shown, and no quiet inner voice spoke to Eadric. Instead, the sky slowly became overcast, and then began to drizzle with rain.</p><p></p><p>The next day was dull, and the air was heavy and oppressive. Mostin was closeted in a suite within the castle, poring over his new scrolls and consolidating his collection of magicks. Eadric, burdened with grief and remorse, was summoned by the Duchess in order to illuminate her on the sudden unexpected decision of Lady Despina to retire to the Abbey of Osfrith. </p><p>Eadric spent the whole morning with her. He came clean, and told her everything: even down to Ortwin’s illusion, which had caused so much consternation in court.</p><p>Her reaction surprised him.</p><p></p><p>"Eadric, dear, I do wish you’d told me all of this in the beginning. It would have saved a lot of trouble."</p><p>"You would have called for Inquisitors from Morne," he replied.</p><p>The Duchess sighed. "I most certainly would have not. I would have still called for that ghastly little wizard (she was speaking of Mostin): there are too many followers of the Old Faith* here, and I have no wish for the eye of the Inquisition to be directed towards Trempa. They are less tolerant than some."</p><p>"I am a deputed Inquisitor myself," Eadric said. "I know where the boundaries lie between ecclesiastical and mundane law. In any case, I needed to speak with Cynric before I made a decision."</p><p>"And what did he tell you?" She asked.</p><p>"To use my own best judgement," the Paladin replied.</p><p>"In that case, you should regard yourself as absolved from blame in this matter."</p><p>"Unfortunately," Eadric replied, "I am less certain of the decisions that I made. The episode with Rurunoth should have been avoided: I suspect that it may have been directly responsible for Cynric’s murder. Lord Oronthon has withdrawn his support from me: he will not communicate with me, either directly or through any medium available to me. At the last, he failed even to speak with Cynric."</p><p>The Duchess became irritable. "Look at my aura, Eadric," she snapped, "what do you see?"</p><p>The Paladin concentrated for a moment.</p><p>"I see no evidence of taint," he replied.</p><p>"But you would, if it were there?" She asked.</p><p>"Most assuredly," said Eadric.</p><p>"Where does this faculty stem from, Eadric?"</p><p>He laughed. She had a good point.</p><p>"Go," she said, "and do whatever you have to do."</p><p>Eadric turned to leave, but not before the Duchess made one final, biting remark.</p><p>"Self-pity does not become you, Eadric," she said.</p><p>The Paladin bowed and departed.</p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>Eadric and Nwm left Trempa immediately for the Abbey. The Paladin had determined that, henceforth, not a moment was to be wasted in the instruction of Despina. His decision to involve the Druid in the process had come only after deep deliberation – Nwm was to act as a moral and ethical example only, and not attempt to foist any of his ‘weird beliefs’ onto her.</p><p>Nwm had happily complied, guessing that, at some stage, he’d have ample opportunity to turn the demoness on to the trees.</p><p></p><p>Much to the Druid’s delight, Eadric had agreed to give the succubus her initial lessons in a secluded grove away from the Abbey, largely to avoid the possibility of one of the sisters overhearing their words. Under the bemused stares of nuns, who thronged to the windows of the cloister in order to witness the spectacle, Eadric, his strange unkempt friend, and the new lay sister tramped off down the hill and disappeared into the trees.</p><p>The Abbess stood in her office looking out. Very irregular, she thought.</p><p></p><p>Despina sat demurely on a moss-covered rock by a small stream, and Nwm took his boots off and waded in the water.</p><p>"What’s he doing?" Despina asked Eadric in a half-whisper.</p><p>"Talking to the fish," the Paladin sighed.</p><p>"Despina," he began, "you understand the purpose of confession, don’t you?"</p><p>"Theoretically, yes," the demoness replied. "Conscious articulation of past wrongdoings, and the feeling of genuine remorse, is believed to pave the way for Grace to remove their burden. I understand the principle well."</p><p>"Do you feel remorse for your past sins?" Eadric asked.</p><p>"Perhaps," Despina replied. "I understand that many of my actions were futile."</p><p>"You are well versed in religious philosophy," Eadric said, "and you understand which actions in your past constitute sins – within the parameters defined by Orthodoxy."</p><p>"Yes."</p><p>"How many sins, at a rough guess, would you say that you have committed?" Eadric asked. "Hundreds of thousands? Millions?"</p><p>"Millions of Billions," the succubus replied, "if you include every falsehood I’ve ever uttered. I remember all of them."</p><p>"All of them?" Eadric was staggered.</p><p>"Oh yes, and that’s only if you include YOUR definition of sin."</p><p>"What do you mean?" The Paladin asked.</p><p>"Eadric," she said sardonically, "this may come as a surprise to you, but the rules governing the behaviour of celestials are somewhat stricter than those to which mortals are expected to adhere."</p><p>Eadric grunted. He looked around for Nwm, but the Druid had become a fish and swum off downstream.</p><p>"So what was your very first sinful act?" He asked.</p><p>"Ahh, that would be doubt," the demoness answered.</p><p>"In what?"</p><p>"The judgement of Oronthon."</p><p>"Hmm, I see." This was getting very abstract. "And why did you doubt?"</p><p>"I cannot tell you," she replied.</p><p>He scowled. "Why not?"</p><p>She shook her head.</p><p>He pressed her, but she would not answer, save eventually to say:</p><p>"Because you are not ready. Because if you knew, you might fall, as I did." </p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>"Nah, it’s probably a crock," Ortwin said. The party had reconvened at Trempa. "I still don’t trust her. Don’t get me wrong, I like her and everything, but you can’t expect her to suddenly become all sweetness and light after aeons of depravity – assuming she is genuine, of course."</p><p>"Doubt is good," Mostin said unhelpfully. "Doubt everything. Always. Except that which is certain, obviously."</p><p>"Your ‘certainties’ are scary," Eadric said. "I suppose I’ll just have to try a different tack in speaking with her. Presently, she seems to think that if I knew what she does, then I would be in danger of falling from grace. She doesn’t seem to understand that I do NOT doubt the judgement of Oronthon simply because I understand that his perspective is infinitely larger than mine, and he can foresee all possibilities."</p><p>"That is one advantage of being a deity," Nwm agreed laconically. "If you buy into the whole omniscience thing."</p><p>"Ha!" Mostin snorted.</p><p>Eadric was about to speak, but Ortwin held up his hand.</p><p>"Just don’t, Ed, okay," the Bard said. </p><p></p><p>Despite a sadness at his mentor’s death that was all too present for Eadric, a relatively relaxed evening – given the group’s recent activities – passed until around ten o’clock. At that time, a somewhat unanticipated arrival sent things into flux again. A groom, by the name of Irron, who had rendered Eadric long and faithful service at Kyrtill’s Burgh, burst into the Paladin’s chambers and breathlessly told his story.</p><p>"Your keep has been seized, Lord," he panted. "By the Inquisition. Some are ransacking the library and your personal effects, looking for ‘evidence’. They are questioning the servants. Others are riding hard for Trempa. They will be here by late tomorrow morning."</p><p>"Sh*t," said Eadric.</p><p>"What should we do?" Ortwin asked.</p><p>"It depends who is leading them," Eadric replied.</p><p>"Begging your pardon, Lord," Irron interrupted, "but his name is Tahl. Tahl the Incorruptible."</p><p>"Sh*t," Eadric said again.</p><p>"I assume it’s not a routine inquiry," Ortwin said sarcastically. "Will you submit?"</p><p>"I must," Eadric replied, "it’s the law."</p><p>"So I can’t blast them, then?" Mostin was disappointed.</p><p></p><p></p><p>*I.e. Nwm’s religion, Druidism.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cheiromancer, post: 1029453, member: 141"] [i]Originally posted by Sepulchrave II on 05-07-2002[/i] Outriders mounted on swift steeds bore the news of Cynric’s assassination across Wyre, and it was on the evening of the same day that the conclave was convening, that tidings reached the Duchess and her court at Trempa. Eadric and Tatterbrand returned from the Abbey to find a mood of indignance mixed with deep sadness. The chapel was thronging with mourners – some hysterical with grief. Eadric said nothing, but retired alone to the Tower of Owls, climbing into the wreck of the uppermost floors, and barring the trapdoor. He wept long and hard, and feelings of guilt flooded through him. Here, surely, was an attack by the Fiend whose schemes he had thwarted, and who had sworn to ruin him. Cynric, although conservative and often overly doctrinaire in his approach, had been Eadric’s mentor, his confessor and his friend. Eadric prayed fervently for a sign or portent, or at least an acknowledgement that his supplications did not go unheard. Oronthon remained characteristically silent. No angels appeared, no omens were shown, and no quiet inner voice spoke to Eadric. Instead, the sky slowly became overcast, and then began to drizzle with rain. The next day was dull, and the air was heavy and oppressive. Mostin was closeted in a suite within the castle, poring over his new scrolls and consolidating his collection of magicks. Eadric, burdened with grief and remorse, was summoned by the Duchess in order to illuminate her on the sudden unexpected decision of Lady Despina to retire to the Abbey of Osfrith. Eadric spent the whole morning with her. He came clean, and told her everything: even down to Ortwin’s illusion, which had caused so much consternation in court. Her reaction surprised him. "Eadric, dear, I do wish you’d told me all of this in the beginning. It would have saved a lot of trouble." "You would have called for Inquisitors from Morne," he replied. The Duchess sighed. "I most certainly would have not. I would have still called for that ghastly little wizard (she was speaking of Mostin): there are too many followers of the Old Faith* here, and I have no wish for the eye of the Inquisition to be directed towards Trempa. They are less tolerant than some." "I am a deputed Inquisitor myself," Eadric said. "I know where the boundaries lie between ecclesiastical and mundane law. In any case, I needed to speak with Cynric before I made a decision." "And what did he tell you?" She asked. "To use my own best judgement," the Paladin replied. "In that case, you should regard yourself as absolved from blame in this matter." "Unfortunately," Eadric replied, "I am less certain of the decisions that I made. The episode with Rurunoth should have been avoided: I suspect that it may have been directly responsible for Cynric’s murder. Lord Oronthon has withdrawn his support from me: he will not communicate with me, either directly or through any medium available to me. At the last, he failed even to speak with Cynric." The Duchess became irritable. "Look at my aura, Eadric," she snapped, "what do you see?" The Paladin concentrated for a moment. "I see no evidence of taint," he replied. "But you would, if it were there?" She asked. "Most assuredly," said Eadric. "Where does this faculty stem from, Eadric?" He laughed. She had a good point. "Go," she said, "and do whatever you have to do." Eadric turned to leave, but not before the Duchess made one final, biting remark. "Self-pity does not become you, Eadric," she said. The Paladin bowed and departed. ** Eadric and Nwm left Trempa immediately for the Abbey. The Paladin had determined that, henceforth, not a moment was to be wasted in the instruction of Despina. His decision to involve the Druid in the process had come only after deep deliberation – Nwm was to act as a moral and ethical example only, and not attempt to foist any of his ‘weird beliefs’ onto her. Nwm had happily complied, guessing that, at some stage, he’d have ample opportunity to turn the demoness on to the trees. Much to the Druid’s delight, Eadric had agreed to give the succubus her initial lessons in a secluded grove away from the Abbey, largely to avoid the possibility of one of the sisters overhearing their words. Under the bemused stares of nuns, who thronged to the windows of the cloister in order to witness the spectacle, Eadric, his strange unkempt friend, and the new lay sister tramped off down the hill and disappeared into the trees. The Abbess stood in her office looking out. Very irregular, she thought. Despina sat demurely on a moss-covered rock by a small stream, and Nwm took his boots off and waded in the water. "What’s he doing?" Despina asked Eadric in a half-whisper. "Talking to the fish," the Paladin sighed. "Despina," he began, "you understand the purpose of confession, don’t you?" "Theoretically, yes," the demoness replied. "Conscious articulation of past wrongdoings, and the feeling of genuine remorse, is believed to pave the way for Grace to remove their burden. I understand the principle well." "Do you feel remorse for your past sins?" Eadric asked. "Perhaps," Despina replied. "I understand that many of my actions were futile." "You are well versed in religious philosophy," Eadric said, "and you understand which actions in your past constitute sins – within the parameters defined by Orthodoxy." "Yes." "How many sins, at a rough guess, would you say that you have committed?" Eadric asked. "Hundreds of thousands? Millions?" "Millions of Billions," the succubus replied, "if you include every falsehood I’ve ever uttered. I remember all of them." "All of them?" Eadric was staggered. "Oh yes, and that’s only if you include YOUR definition of sin." "What do you mean?" The Paladin asked. "Eadric," she said sardonically, "this may come as a surprise to you, but the rules governing the behaviour of celestials are somewhat stricter than those to which mortals are expected to adhere." Eadric grunted. He looked around for Nwm, but the Druid had become a fish and swum off downstream. "So what was your very first sinful act?" He asked. "Ahh, that would be doubt," the demoness answered. "In what?" "The judgement of Oronthon." "Hmm, I see." This was getting very abstract. "And why did you doubt?" "I cannot tell you," she replied. He scowled. "Why not?" She shook her head. He pressed her, but she would not answer, save eventually to say: "Because you are not ready. Because if you knew, you might fall, as I did." ** "Nah, it’s probably a crock," Ortwin said. The party had reconvened at Trempa. "I still don’t trust her. Don’t get me wrong, I like her and everything, but you can’t expect her to suddenly become all sweetness and light after aeons of depravity – assuming she is genuine, of course." "Doubt is good," Mostin said unhelpfully. "Doubt everything. Always. Except that which is certain, obviously." "Your ‘certainties’ are scary," Eadric said. "I suppose I’ll just have to try a different tack in speaking with her. Presently, she seems to think that if I knew what she does, then I would be in danger of falling from grace. She doesn’t seem to understand that I do NOT doubt the judgement of Oronthon simply because I understand that his perspective is infinitely larger than mine, and he can foresee all possibilities." "That is one advantage of being a deity," Nwm agreed laconically. "If you buy into the whole omniscience thing." "Ha!" Mostin snorted. Eadric was about to speak, but Ortwin held up his hand. "Just don’t, Ed, okay," the Bard said. Despite a sadness at his mentor’s death that was all too present for Eadric, a relatively relaxed evening – given the group’s recent activities – passed until around ten o’clock. At that time, a somewhat unanticipated arrival sent things into flux again. A groom, by the name of Irron, who had rendered Eadric long and faithful service at Kyrtill’s Burgh, burst into the Paladin’s chambers and breathlessly told his story. "Your keep has been seized, Lord," he panted. "By the Inquisition. Some are ransacking the library and your personal effects, looking for ‘evidence’. They are questioning the servants. Others are riding hard for Trempa. They will be here by late tomorrow morning." "Sh*t," said Eadric. "What should we do?" Ortwin asked. "It depends who is leading them," Eadric replied. "Begging your pardon, Lord," Irron interrupted, "but his name is Tahl. Tahl the Incorruptible." "Sh*t," Eadric said again. "I assume it’s not a routine inquiry," Ortwin said sarcastically. "Will you submit?" "I must," Eadric replied, "it’s the law." "So I can’t blast them, then?" Mostin was disappointed. *I.e. Nwm’s religion, Druidism. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Tales of Wyre
Top