The Four Lands - The Great North

[Rath Lorien]

Anniston nods his head politely and replys, "Thank you, Jaroth, but please do not overestimate my openness of mind. While I trust that the Light has brought us together for some purpose I also believe that a practitioner of arcane magic must maintain a higher standard of morality than other folk. Since you know of my vows you will appreciate that I will hold you to that standard."

"With great power comes great responsibility."

 

[Dracomeander]

Finnian listens to Jaroth and Anniston relating their stories considering both the facts and the way they are presented before responding.

"Jaroth, I can't truly comprehend what it would be like to grow up without a family. You have my sympathy regarding that, and I hope we may be able to discuss more of how you discovered and trained your gift eventually.

"Anniston, your story is one that is somewhat familiar in spirit to those I've heard before, and I must confess I do not understand it. Your order sounds like it would fit in very easily into the culture of D'ashai. If there were something that was done wrong or incorrectly, I could understand the possibility of guilt or dishonor. But to feel guilt or dishonor for being the victim of someone else being able to do their job better than you are able to do yours is not something I could see cause for dishonor. A person will always second guess and feel guilt whether it is merited or not, but to me dishonor can only be attached if the failing was due to intentional misdoing.

"I will keep your confidence, but you should consider that divine favor is a gift of the Light not something that can be dictated by the rules of an order of fallible men. I hope you or someone eventually does find and bring the assassin to justice, but your bearing shows that the divine favor of your calling hasn't deserted you."

 

[Scotley]

Draining his tea cup, Bertrand finally enters the discussion. Looking at Anniston, "Most inspiring tales. I wish you great success in bringing the assassin to justice. Having much experience in such pursuits I know it is no mean task you have set for yourself." He looks to Jaroth next, "To find a gift of the light in time of great need is a mark of grace, bare it proudly. You will find no condemnation in my heart." Finally, he glances at Finnian, "Having a Bard in the company is always a blessing. I hope you will share your gifts with us, I for one have much sadness in my heart and the blessing of your music would be most welcome." With a sigh he turns palms up and adds his own story. "Since we are all in a sharing mood, I should tell you that my friend and companion Rendee is a sorcerer of some skill. He comes from a long and blessed family history of such arcane casters. I have met both his father and his grandmother, who are equally blessed with such power, so I am confident his gifts are inborn and thus, within the light. He is a loyal and faithful companion and I trust will continue to show himself a man of impeccable character."

 

[Rath Lorien]

"Ah, Finnian", Anniston laughs with unexpected gusto, "You are beginning to sound like a gentlemen from The Republic -- no dishonor without intentional misdoing", Anniston laughs gently again in a good-natured way. "Perhaps you are not entirely wrong my friend, but the world we live in is not always so forgiving."

"Arguably in this case the suspension of my duties had as much to do with politics as it did my failure. The nobles of the south are quick to find failure in the north just as the nobles of the north are quick to find it in the south. Though at times we might wish the circumstances were different, this balance of power serves the Valley of the Light and the Church by helping her to remain healthy."

"The verdict of the eclesiastical court was just. I was not found to be in dereliction of my duty, merely found unequal to the task assigned to me. I feel no guilt in my failure, only sadness that I failed because my charge was also my friend. In a less demanding profession I would not be judged so harshly, but in my order to fail results in the death of someone important to the kingdom of the Light. My order can only accept the best. Anything less than the best is unacceptable and those found wanting must be tested. I am being tested. If I return victorious then I will be re-admitted to the order. If I do not pass the test, then it would not be right to keep me in the order."

"As to divine favor, it is not for fallible men to judge it, but for the Light to grant it. We all have a path to follow and I believe that the Light reveals mine. If it is my path to serve in the order, then the Light will show the way. I have only to follow with passion, will, and fortitude."

 

[Dracomeander]

Finnian chuckles slightly as Anniston concludes.

"It seems that our views of the Light's favor are not that different at all.

"At least your order is not as strict as the traditions of the D'ashai. I've seen men kill themselves for a perceived failing in honor. That makes it kind of hard to redeem oneself. I wish you well on your quest.

"Now, Bertrand, perhaps you could tell what sort of prose, poetry, or song you find pleasing so I may endeavor to find something appropriate from my repertoire. You seem young to have met with so much tragedy, but unfortunately the world does not make allowances for when it will have tragedy strike. Hopefully, you will find some peace down the road. Some of the greatest heroes of history and legend had their beginnings in a great tragedy. It is not something to take lightly, and you have my sympathy, but it is something that can lead to great accomplishments."

 

[Scotley]

Bertrand

"I don't know if I was ever intended for greatness, but I did have dreams that were great for a simply man like me. Unfortunately, I got what I dreamed of, only to lose the person who shared my dreams. An uplifting song with a merry beat is the best for me."

 

[Rhun]

Vadric has sat quietly through his companions' conversation, merely listening as he sip at his brandy. Finally, he speaks. "It seems that today is a day of many revelations." The knight-priest turns his gaze on Finnian and nods. "The talent and skill need to follow the path of the bard are quite substantial, and those that successfully follow that path are blessed by the Light." Turning his gaze to Jaroth, he continues. "I must admit, I am quite suspicious of these arcane powers that you apparently wield. I do not doubt your intentions, but sometimes the shadows can creep into the heart of even the noblest of men. While I am hopeful that your gifts truly are a blessing of the Light, I must tell you upfront that the thought of your craft makes me quite uncomfortable." Vadric takes a long drink from his snifter of brandy, and pauses a moment before continuing. "I hope you will not take offense if I seem to keep a close eye on you? Afterall, if you do follow the path of heinous wizardry, all of us here are in danger of being tried for heresy by even associating with you."

 

[Canaan]

Jaroth

Jaroth might have said more, but hearing Vadric's response to his revelations, Jaroth looks at Vadric and considers an appropriate response to him. "Were I practicing wizardy, I hardly suspect I would even disclose as much I already have to a Champion and Priest of the Light, even if my purpose was to misdirect. No. I would have no reason to have even disclosed my abilities in the first instance. Your suspicion is misplaced .... and dangerous." Jaroth stares hard at Vadric.

"Any dumb ox can accuse me or Finnian of performing wizardry, unwittingly failing to notice or acknowledge the difference between a wizard's blasphemy and the gifts that Finnian and I possess. For that matter Vadric, your mere association with me puts you in danger of accusations of heresy and blasphemy by the unenlightened masses, particularly in areas where well-meaning patriarchs have stirred their congregations into a feeding frenzy over the matter, turning the dim-witted into paranoid instruments of misinformation. Mob mentality is the rule of the day in such places, Vadric; it is the Court of Popular Opinion. Will you allow yourself to fall into such a trap?" Jaroth lets his hard words seep into thought.

He continues passionately. "I have been in such places, Vadric. Let me be the first to tell you that I would not willingly put you in a position where you are accused of heresy on my account. All I ask in return is that you trust what you see before you and you trust that I am a man of my word and trust that when I tell you I do not practice wizardy I am telling the truth."

 

[J. Alexander]

Occ

Gentlemen,

Sorry for the delay, these insurance classes are a headache...I even have homework and have had to make note cards.....I will get things back on track monday....keep up your bonding and award yourself 1000 xp each for your conversation and roleplay

 

[Scotley]

Bertrand

With some reluctance Bertrand rejoins the conversation, "I hope we'll all find a common ground on which we can live. I think we should be looking outward rather than at each other for trouble. We already attracted the notice of local footpads and some of you suspect that questionable things are being done by our fellow passengers. These issues should motivate us to work together rather than gaze upon one another with suspicion. I applaud each of you for your candor and honesty in speaking of matters that many would keep hidden. In that spirit of trust and openness I shall take each of you at your word." After a pause to stifle a belch he continues, "As for accusations of heresy, I have a long association with the courts, both ecclesiastical and secular and can tell you that if someone powerful wants to make trouble for you that is an easy charge to make and a hard one to disprove. I have seen men with less wizardry than you've got in your little finger convicted of terrible crimes of dark magic. Who you've been seen with will be of little consequence."