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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Wicht" data-source="post: 308888" data-attributes="member: 221">VisionsAlairic lay on the ground bleeding.  Cool grass on his back contrasted with the burning agony of the many cuts on his skin.  Overhead the stars spun in the velvet sky as dancing globes of light flitted amongst each other.  At his head was the great altar to Naemae he had seen once before.  In his hands was the sword he had taken from the corpse of the dead Defender.  A voice spoke to him.“Arise.”He had heard the voice before.  Pushing himself to his feet, Alairic stood once more before the figure of Rowlandigo. With a nod, the messenger of Naemae reached out his hand and touched Alairic on the forehead.  Immediately the Paladin’s wounds closed and the pain fled.   Without a word the golden furred being walked past Alairic and approached the altar which stood in the middle of the meadow.  Behind the altar stood the great golden staute of the Knight of the gods. Alairic moved next to Rowlandigo.“What would you offer?” asked Rowlandigo.Though nothing had been said, the paladin understood instinctively what was expected of him.  He bore only the sword.  He had felt its magical power already and knew that it was no ordinary sword.  For a moment doubt gnawed at him.  Keeping the sword would make his fight easier.  And yet, if this was what was expected, who was he to doubt?  His mind said no, but his heart told him yes.  Smiling suddenly at this inward turmoil, the paladin strode the step forward and laid the sword down upon the altar.  Then he kneeled and bowed his head.  Rowlandigo spoke, “Its name was Talbright and its last bearer was named Renkou, a stouthearted servant who sought to fight Gilkamen, the ancient green dragon who dwells atop the mountain.  He and his companions never even reached the creatures lair, it is a powerful evil.  But an even worse evil lies buried within the temple of confusion and it must remain there.  You and your companions must not free it nor let it be freed.  Beware the vulture that lies!”Rowlandigo grasped the paladins arm and lifted him to his feet.  On the altar lay Talbright, but even as Alairic watched the altar glowed and the sword burned with a fierce flame.  But even as Alairic thought the great-sword would be consumed, the fires died.  The sword lay there untarnished.   “Take it servant of the Evil Slayer, and use its holy power to strike down evil in all its forms, but remember the words of the saint, ‘A weapon is only as strong as the arm that weilds it.’  Choose your battles well.” “I will.”“Let Naemae guide you and remember that kindness is its own reward.  There is more than one way to destroy evil.”And with that the vision faded, but as it did, Alairic felt a new awareness, a closer spiritual connection to his deity.</blockquote>

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