The troops of the heroes of Kenabres have just defeated the tiefling army defending Vilareth Fjord. One of your units was defeated, and many more left injured. The decision to camp for the night was pretty much unanimous.
Zaigan worked his way through the buildings, marking bodies for his soldiers to collect to render the proper rites.
Rogar will help Sosiel with healing and otherwise tending to wounds.
Ansiris also aid in tend the wounded, the grief on his face is obvious even as he tells tales to try and life the spirits of the injured. He also tries to comfort those who seem the most upset by the losses incurred in the battle.
I’m going to help clear the area, going to start with the bunkers. We’re going to need them if we are to make camp for the night.
I’m going to keep an eye for possible supplies in bunkers.
I propose that the most injured get the bunkers so that they can get solid rest.
Following Daysi's lead, Ansiris will start inspecting the bunkers, looking for dangers, both obvious and hidden.
Shalana is searching for demons and their allies.
Ansiris begins to walk the battlefield, helping those who could be helped. After spending nearly an hour witnessing the aftermath he finds his comrades.
With despair evident on his face and in his voice, "I...I'm at a loss, I know not what to say or do to soothe this madness." He looks over at the broken form of Gror, "I know they all came willingly, all wanting to do their part for the cause, but I cannot help feeling...it, it is one thing to risk one's own for a worthy cause, but to risk others, I am not sure I am made of the right stuffs to be a leader of men such as this." With that Ansiris' trademark half-smile fully fades and he visibly slumps as he turns to once again gaze at the field of slain and fallen.
Sosiel, always one to try and lift spirits, responds. "War can be just as hard on the survivors as it can for those we lose. They get to move on to the Boneyard, where Pharasma will guide them to their final rest. The rest of us have to live with the loss, but we can't let it bring us down. Celebrate the entirety of the life they lived, and the beauty they brought to this world. Focus not the on the single point of time wherein they died. Use your memories of the fallen to lift you up, bolster your resolve, and earn the right to join them in the Grey." He moves among the soldiers remaining, trying to see more to the wounds of the heart over the physical wounds that are easier to heal.
"There will be a time to morn and honor our fallen heroes". She looks at the battlefield and with a heavy heart she looks away.
"We must try to do our best to take care of the injured." She looks at Ansiris and Zaigan "We must make sure we heal as best we can tonight. The next couple of days will be tough, morale is at a low, we need to lift spirits as best we can. We all need to talk to Shalana. She's not exactly kind with her words." She looks at Ansiris and says "We also need to keep an eye on my commander, he was feeling down before the battle, I bet he really feels down now!"
She finds Shalana "I'm sure you must have noticed that many died to to recapture this place. Morale is going to be low for a while, it would be helpful if you could go out of your way to be nice and thoughtful to everyone. I know it's a lot to ask, but we need you to really, really be sensitive to everyone's fragile emotions."
She looks at Shalana to see how she reacts to the request. " We need to lift spirits and morale."
Zaigan walks quietly through the battlefield, somewhat shocked at the ferocity of the forces they encountered and the decimation of the armies. As he passes by the bodies of fallen paladins, he kneels, saying a few quick words of prayer before silently collecting up their holy symbols.
Completing his circuit, he pauses on a small hilltop overlooking the field, clutching the chains of the symbols in his left hand.
"You fought with honor, my brothers," he whispers softly. "Your deaths on this field of battle will be remembered, and will not be in vain."
Zaigan slips the symbols into his pack, ensuring they are secured so they won't fall out, then walks down to stand next to Daysi. "I will be down near the waterfront and will offer up words to Iomedae to look over the rest of us as we continue on our holy quest. If any from our remaining forces would like to join, let them know."
"I will join you. I'll help spread the word to everyone. I need a bit of spiritual guidance from Desna."
Daysi tries to inform everyone as fast as her legs can carry her. In the next few days Daysi is a bit quiet, trying to be respectful of everyone's emotions and opinions.
"There will be a time to morn and honor our fallen heroes". She looks at the battlefield and with a heavy heart she looks away.
"We must try to do our best to take care of the injured." She looks at Ansiris and Zaigan "We must make sure we heal as best we can tonight. The next couple of days will be tough, morale is at a low, we need to lift spirits as best we can. We all need to talk to Shalana. She's not exactly kind with her words." She looks at Ansiris and says "We also need to keep an eye on my commander, he was feeling down before the battle, I bet he really feels down now!"
She finds Shalana "I'm sure you must have noticed that many died to to recapture this place. Morale is going to be low for a while, it would be helpful if you could go out of your way to be nice and thoughtful to everyone. I know it's a lot to ask, but we need you to really, really be sensitive to everyone's fragile emotions."
She looks at Shalana to see how she reacts to the request. " We need to lift spirits and morale."
Shalana is taken aback.
We fought a glorious battle against a demon horde, and won in the end. There was no "loss" of life. There were honorable deaths, and the deeds we saw today will be sung about for centuries. Do not mourn for those "lost" lives; take heart that there is enough honor to push back the demons. And tell their stories that all may know of their glorious actions.Shalana shakes her head.
The only emotion that will be of any use here is determination. We cannot afford to cater to "fragile" emotions.
The only emotion that will be of any use here is determination. We cannot afford to cater to "fragile" emotions.
Zaigan quietly polishes his armor, striving to emulate the perfection that is Iomedae. Satisfied, he dons it again with assistance of one of the remaining paladins then heads toward the shoreline, staying south of the main city. Kneeling, he clears out a spot, resting Radiance, point down, in the sand, his hands across the pommel. He whispers a few words in reverence to Iomedae, then stands, hand still on the pommel, as he faces the remaining soldiers of their armies.
"Today we fought a mighty struggle against the demon hordes," he begins, keeping his voice steady to avoid betraying his emotions. "Many brave men and women sacrificed their lives honorably.
He pauses, his pale blue eyes scanning the group, stopping to rest his gaze briefly on the captains and on the generals present . "We must not allow their sacrifice to be in vain. We must regroup and push on to retake Drezen for the Light. To turn back now would be to say that they died in vain.
Again he pauses, taking a deep breath to collect his thoughts. "Iomedae, the Inheritor, continues to watch over us, and guides us. We will have time to mourn our losses, but," he pauses again, scanning over the group, "we must push on to Drezen before our enemy is able to regroup from the blow we dealt this day. Her justice will be with us."
Zaigan pulls Radiance up, brushing the sand off the tip before resheathing it. "If any would like a few moments prior to our watch schedule starting, I will remain here to help you offer up individual prayers."
Zaigan has a small following, among the paladins that remain of their armies, and could use some time in prayer. The words seem to lift a few spirits, but there is a weariness about the troops that may not be relieved by heartfelt words. The evening is calm and mostly quiet, with only the sounds of restless sleep and groans of pain breaking the silence.
It's in the early hours of the night, that the attack happens.
After the battle comes to a contested halt, the camp has been roused by the sounds of the fight, and even more so by the subsequent argument that echoes off the old city's walls. By the time most of the tempers have cooled, all of the camp has risen, standing around the edges of the center of camp. The eyes of every soldier, captain, and commander are on the spectacle, of their leaders yelling at each other.
The argument finally breaking off, Zaigan resumes his nightly devotions, remembering (based on how this battle could've gone) to gain the ability to cast Bed of Iron so that he can cast it on himself and Shalana to be prepared in the event that another attack occurs.
As his watch shift comes up, he patrols around the small camp area, offering up words of assurance to the still-shaken troops. He explains that the argument between the leaders came out as a result of heated emotions from the battle with the demon, but that we are still very much united in the noble and honorable quest to free Drezen.
Returning back to the tent, he puts one last polish on his sword and armor before removing them, stacking them neatly next to his sleeping area, his sword and shield within easy reach, then moves to wake up Daysi for her watch.
In the morning, as the party is breaking its fast, he looks around slowly, noting the tension and anxiety that is still present after the previous evening's fight and argument.
"Last night's, umm, 'discussion' brought out some issues that need to be resolved before we push on to Drezen." He pauses, making sure he has everyone's attention before continuing, " We need to all be on the same page if we hope to have a chance of success in the days to come."
He pauses again, composing his thoughts, glancing around to each person as he mentions them, "We all have our strengths and weaknesses. That is very much obvious. In a straight up brawn for brawn fight, you want Shalana or I up there to take the blows. In a grapple, I haven't seen anyone that can match Daysi's skills. Ansiris's tales of heroism have more often than not provided the motivation that meant the difference between success and failure for us as a whole. Rogar has countless times brought all of us back from wounds that would've otherwise incapacitated us. As Sardus pointed out, if we want something done a little more discreetly, there is none better than him in this group."
"Last night, some issues occurred regarding the handling of the prisoner. There was significant disagreement which, if you didn't know, all of our remaining soldiers are vividly aware of. A lot of it can be chalked up to the high emotions from the heat of battle, so I am making it clear that no one was to blame. However, we need to discuss, before we depart from camp, a set of rules of engagement that we can all agree on so we don't have similar disagreements in the future."
"I propose that before any of us leaves this tent this day, we need to have those rules established, a code that we can all agree upon for our actions in future engagements. We can't afford to have these disagreements, especially during a battle. We've been fighting and living alongside each other for almost a month now, but we are still fighting like individuals."
"I am definitely not proposing the team be lead by a single leader. We work better when we are fighting off the unified consensus of the group." Zaigan quietly sits back down next to his gear, glancing around at the others. "I open the discussion up to any suggestions. In the end, we will find a middle ground that we can all agree on."
Daysi starts her watch, assuming her watch is uneventful; she tries to focus her attention to what is out there in the dark. Perhaps the enemy is watching them. She must be vigilant. As her shift comes to an end, she will wake the next person.
She awakens and before she has breakfast, she will seek a place where she can pray for guidance. She hopes to gain some kind of insight or perhaps just a few minutes of quiet contemplation where she can think clearly. She decides to wash up by the river, she tries to get someone else in the group to accompany her, since it would be dangerous to go off alone.
After a few minutes she will join the rest of the group for some needed breakfast.
After hearing Zaigan words of encouragement, she is hopeful for the future. Perhaps there will be a middle ground, some kind of agreement.
“Before we get into a detailed discussion about the middle ground, we need to figure out what else we can discover about our dead friend over there.” She points to the half-naked demon.
“I would like to gather some of the paladins and some of the spell casters to see what else they might know about him. Maybe they can find out what kind of runes or magical tattoos he has on his wings. And Rogar said he might have a spell that might allow him to talk to the dead. We need more information before proceeding to Drezen." Daysi will move the demon wherever he needs to be moved so that people can do their jobs.
She explains what concerns her as she looks at everyone in the group.
”We need to know how he was able to teleport inside the tent. Was it via flame? If it was via flame, do we use lanterns instead? What about torches, are they safe to use?”
“We also need to know if the incubus had a target in mind, if there was a target, who was it? And why? Or was he just checking in on this post? …. What if he was here for me, did they think I was charmed by one of you? What if he was meant to take me and turn me against all of you?“ She pauses for a bit to allow those words to sink into everyone’s minds. “What if he was here for Shalana? Or the queen? “ Daysi makes it clear how concern she is for not just her safety, but everyone here as well.
“I don’t know if we should have a single leader, we each have an area of expertise and that is what makes this group succeesful. We need to all be open to each other’s opinion and respect those opinions. We need to decide things as a group. I would propose that we refer to that person’s expertise for the primary advice to follow. Like, if we were to try to sneak somewhere, then Sardus would be the expert, so, his opinion and advice in that matter kinda outranks everyone else’s experiences. It would be wise to follow his advice.”
The eyes of every soldier, captain, and commander are on the spectacle, of their leaders yelling at each other.
After leaving his disguised bedroll stuffed with a pack and supplies to emulate a sleeping bard. Ansiris had wandered around he walked the battlefield, soaking in the chills and horrors of the day before. He spent some time talking with a few of the maimed troops in the convalescing area, finally he sat on a camp stool next to the quartermasters tent to chat with Horgus, it was there he heard the commotion and after math that ensued as his co-general's held their "discussion".
"What in Kuthan is going on here, and what in the name of Nurgal's teats is all this Abyssal yelling about?" With that Ansiris looks about the scene, he then sees the dead Incubus lying on the ground. "Ah, THAT's what in Kuthan is going on here. Could someone please tell me what's going on? It's not as though the morale of this place is completely stomped into oblivion yet."
"Ah, so again, our companion of grey morality and questionable loyalty has once again decided to strike a unilateral blow to both a helpless foe, and the cohesiveness of our entourage. My question is simple. Shalana, why should anyone here trust your word or judgement again? Your choices since the day I made your acquaintance have been one-sided and divorced of convention, seemingly focused on the destruction of those whom seem to be of but a mere inconvenience to your queer point of view. What is to become of us should we suddenly become an obstacle to your morally bankrupt purpose? Would we then too need to simply be dispatched so as to not deny you your singular purpose?"
As the moments pass by seconds draw into minutes, finally the deafening silence too much to take Ansiris admonishes, "Oh, what's the matter now, you go from shouting like mad men for the whole of the camp to hear to church mice in a matter of moments?? What have all to say?"
Zaigan turns to face Ansiris. " We go from mad men to church mice. I don't believe I saw you take part in.. " He pauses, taking a breath to compose himself, "no, this is counter-productive. What is done is done, and not a one of use has the power to go back and change it. All we can do is push forward and learn from our mistakes so we do not repeat them in the future."
Zaigan turns to face Ansiris. " We go from mad men to church mice. I don't believe I saw you take part in.. " He pauses, taking a breath to compose himself, "no, this is counter-productive. What is done is done, and not a one of us has the power to go back and change it. All we can do is push forward and learn from our mistakes so we do not repeat them in the future."
To keep from having to rehash too much, I am going to assume someone has told Ansiris what exactly has happened, and he has figured out the gist of the argument.
"Counter productive!? No, what was counter productive is having a shouting match for all the men to hear! As if their friends being slaughtered and getting maimed twirn't demoralizing enough, but to have their leaders bickering loud enough for all to hear on the eve after their 'Triumph'. No we have reach the pinnacle of ineffectuallity, we can only ascend in effectiveness from here."
The anger and frustration is evident on Ansiris' face, he fight against the maelstrom of emotions spring forth. The stress and grief of the days fight stoke the flames of frustration and and a hidden anger of below, threatening to ignite of conflagration of rash actions. Ansiris fights desperately hoping to regain control of these errant feelings before they take on a life of their own.
"I have been advocating the non-repetition of certain mistakes for quite some time now. Maybe you are finally ready heed my warnings!"
“You have told us your thoughts on certain mistakes, however, we all have made mistakes along the way, even you Ansiris. So, for everyone’s sake, let’s break this argument now. What is done cannot be undone. Let us return to this matter in the morning after much needed rest and proper breakfast. Hopefully tempers will cool down by morning, and we can all talk like adults not screaming children.” She looks at the dead demon and sighs heavily. Daysi looks at everyone and her facial expression starts to change from anger to disappointment.
Daysi stands by very attractive demon guy and says, "It's a shame he's dead, he was very attractive. Let's hope he has a letter or something important that can help us win this war."
Daysi is clearly taken aback by how beautiful this demon is, she had never seen such a babe! She can't help but stare at Demon Babe.... As she searches, she's a bit clumsy and distracted.
After searching “I am done with this argument for tonight. " Hoping that nobody noticed her starring at Demon Babe, she composes herself and says, "I need to prepare for watch. ” She moves a few feet, and says “We all need to hold our tongue before we speak more words that cannot be unsaid. Get some sleep, this argument will put years on your faces, and bags under your eyes."
"Yes, it is painfully clear that I have. Good, good now off with you, go mourn the loss of your kin."
Ansiris looks around, his eyes starting to dart around, searching for...something, continually seeking for some unknown. They finally settle on the other half-elf
"I however still am expecting an answer to my question. I'd like to know where it is we stand. Are we safe to close our eyes or do we need to post watch against our own?"
"I however still am expecting an answer to my question. I'd like to know where it is we stand. Are we safe to close our eyes or do we need to post watch against our own?"
"I have not done anything to warrant that insinuation."
Shalana peers at Ansiris, then reflects back.
"But, have you?"
Shalana grabs her gear and starts moving toward Butter.
"Wake me for my watch. Carefully."
"Strange, I do not seem to remember assaulting our companions in an effort to end the life of a help creature that they were actively protecting despite their repeated physical efforts and verbal protestations. Nor do I remember quashing the head of a helpless mortal like an overripe melon simply because it was convenient to my personal outlook, despite a declared intention to the contrary...So no, no I have not, but your personal trend does seem to bend that way. Perhaps thought prior to your actions or words would be helpful if in fact you have any interest in cessation of such errant behavior."
Ansiris has no intentions of following anyone to continue the discussion for the evening. If no one else speaks up he will gather his bedroll and relocate it as well. He will not return to the group's camp site that evening.
Daysi starts her watch. She tries to focus her attention to what is out there in the dark. Perhaps the enemy is watching them. She must be vigilant. As her shift comes to an end, she will wake the next person.
On game day I usually don’t bother in doing some of the in character chatter cuz, we only have so much time. There’s a lot to do and we only have about 3-4 hours. So, here’s what Daysi would have said and done throughout the month of companionship.
She would have been open about lots of things. It’s hard to say to what degree she would have been open, but she wants to connect with the group in some level, especially with Shalana.
A little bit of Daysi’s backstory:
Daysi was found by the side of a river, she was rescued by a follower of Desna and taken to Kenabres. The head demon librarian took her in and raised her. She has known kindness, friendships and the sense of family. One of the main lessons she learned was to be honest and not hide anything. She was told that because of her appearance, she would have a harder time living in the city. She took this lesson to heart; her life kinda depended on it. Growing up in the library, and going to Desna’s temple/church she would have made many friends and formed many bonds with other librarians and religious people. She considers most of the librarians her family; as close to family as she will ever have. She has always wondered who her parents are, and what happened to them, why was she left by the river?
Kenabres is the only home she’s ever known as she must defend it. Maybe this is why Desna chose to save her, perhaps this is why she was created; was she meant to come to Kenabres and save it. Daysi had always been unsure why she was rescued, but now, she know exactly why things happened. It all makes sense.
Daysi has said from the beginning (I think it was in the first couple of game days) that all Shalana needs is a friend. And to that, Daysi has tried to be a friend to Shalana. Her approach to becoming friends may not always be the best, but Daysi is determined to get to know Shalana and being BFF’s. There would have been moments where Daysi would have opened up to Shalana, this would have given an opportunity to converse heart to heart with Shalana. Daysi would have taken the conversation as far as she could with Shalana, perhaps sharing something more private that she normally would not have expressed with the group. There are some unresolved issues for Daysi, maybe, perhaps, she would have shared them with Shalana. If Shalana would have allowed for such conversation, she would have confided in Shalana more of her issues, thus allowing Shalana to open up about herself?
Perhaps Shalana is grumpy cuz she doesn’t have friends, maybe she’s never had friends? Who knows…. Daysi would have taken opportunities to bond with Shalana at some point.
She would have shared many of her stories with Shalana and the group about “Once I did this … or that…” during evening at the campfire or during long stretches of road. She would have joked and playfully teased everyone, especially Shalana. I’m sure by now Daysi is used to Shalana rolling her eyes in boredom or the why are you talking to me right now? glances. Still, Daysi would have continued to share part of her life with Shalana. She probably would have asked at some point “Shalana, why are you so grumpy? Don’t you know that being grumpy puts more wrinkles on your face?...Why don’t you wear that pretty blue dress the tailor in Kenabres gave you?, it’s such a lovely color.. ” Other conversation would have been about the origins of her horse, ”where did she get her? How long have you had her? Why name her butter, why not something more majestic or regal? “
Things that the group would have seen, or noticed about Daysi:
Most morning before heading anywhere, she would try to look her best. She has a couple of different nice outfits and her bandolier even has a decorative trimmed. Daysi is concerned with the way she looks. She constantly tries to fix her hair and her dress, especially after a battle.
I probably would have asked some questions to the rest of my companions during travels or dinner. I kinda see Daysi being a bit nosey and curious about everyone, but not intrusive.
Daysi would have asked Zaigan, Rogar and the rest of the group about why he became a paladin, priest or bard. And how did Sardus acquire such skills? … Given Daysi’s upbringing, she might even sound like she was doing research on the topic.
During the weeks of our travels together Ansiris is also a bit of a talker, and by talker, I mean he tends to fill any silence with with a story of some sort or another. During the travels, and evenings by the fire, or whatever down time we have together as a group, when Daysi asks questions...
[waveyflashbackeffect]"Yes, I understand the desire for attachment, I too never knew my parents. When I was but a small lad, my parents were slain. I mean no offense to Hurg, he was a great father, but he wasn't my FATHER you know? Anyway, when I was only about 3, Hurg told me that it was time to leave Kenabres, so we moved to Nerosyan, he raised me there, it was both overwhelming and boring living in the city. We lived down in the Confluence District, were about a third of the way between the tower and the Cathedral down near the docks. He worked a forge off the docks, doing repair works when then ships came to port, reforging broken chains, re-tipping gaffs things like that. I spent most of my youth there, I picked up some...less than righteous habits. I starting running with a group of other halfers, we all sort of stuck together, we'd stick by each other, sometime we rip the hypocrites who'd pick on someone. Then one day a fellow who was part orc came in on a ship and decided to that he was better than any lowley two-tone pointy eared freak and made his opinions very clear. Well, that evening we decided to sneak onto their ship and pull out biggest gaffle yet, we made off with two barrels of ale and 3 casks of port...Oh those were good times.
"Problem was though, that after some of my mates got their first taste of ill-gotten gains, they were sold. The rips got bigger, more extravagant, but the money was too slow, they wanted more, faster, and being a sneak one, my best mate decided to take one the most lucrative jobs a young man can take. I had no idea what he had planned, he just wanted me to stand watch, but then, I head the scream. It wasn't overly loud, and not too long, but the agony, the pure shock and agony in that yell. Well there was no doubt what he had done, but that yell was like kicking a hornets nets. He almost made it out, but one bloke blocked the door, he drew a blade and slashed my friend, it was a deep cut, there was lots of blood, and it knocked my friends knife out of his hands. As the lout stalked forward to the finishing blow, I took up my friends lost blade, and sank it to it's hilt in his back...Oh the screams he let loose, the look of surprise on his face, surprise and twisted pain. Well I grabbed my friend and we ran, we ran and ran.
"I don't really know what happened to him, once we got back to our area, we split up and each took a different route to our flats. Hurg took one look at me, saw the blood, and the next day he sent me off to intern at the cathedral. Oh, it was awful work, and dreadful boring, but they taught me, and did so well. They gave me lessons taught me the gift of tongue, gave me a voice, a power, taught me to use words as my weapons, but not to harm, to bolster to inspire!
"Anyway, I spent years there, learning Iomedae's tenants, and other skills. When my time there was done I returned home but when I got there old Firebeard had different sort of look on his face that I'd ner' seen a'fore. He closed up shop early, something he'd never done, and together we went down to a bar on sailor's row, he sat us down and bought me a drink, also a first. We sat together drinking nary a word between us. Well into my third drink, his fifth, he got all serious and began telling me tales of my parents. Things they did, the good they stood for, and that this city, Kenabres is what did them in. That's why I was there when, you know, everything went bad".[/waveyflashbackeffect]
There are other tales, experiences, and stories of others wide and vast that he shares.
"My mother passed when I was very young, so the majority of my youth was spent growing up in the glow of my father's forge back in Nybor. From the moment I could handle a hammer, I was working beside him, learning the fine art of weaponsmithing."
"I kept having dreams about Iomedae, visions guiding my actions, as I was growing up, but it wasn't until later that I learned who she was. I left my father and ventured to Magnimar to continue my work as an apprentice weaponsmith. It was there that I came across a Temple to the Inheritor and was faced with one of her statues, immediately recognizing her as the armored woman from my visions."
"As far as my becoming a paladin, it is a simple enough tale. After discovering Her temple in Magnimar, I applied and gained entrance to Tempering Hall, where I trained for several years. I left there only a few months ago to travel to Kenabres so I could celebrate The Inheritor's Ascendance. I was intending to pledge my sword to the order here, but obviously that option was taken out of my hands with the attack."
At this point, Rogar would like to give the phylactery of faith to Ansiris.
"I've got all the assurance I need from Torag for now, and it seems like you keep bringing up morality. If you don't like the idea of something, just ask Iomedae."
If Ansiris doesn't take it, he will toss it to him, and walk off. He feels that this is likely both the easiest and the most effective solution to the point that he'll be surprised if it comes up again.
If Ansiris doesn't take it, "I'll try it, seems like fun, although it would look silly on me. Don't worry, I'll give it back. I won't wear it long, it will mess up my hair"
Once Daysi has it "how do you use this thing? Is there a button or something?"
Zaigan pauses briefly in his Detect Evil, still focused on the door to the temple building.
"It's quite simple, actually. You formulate a question regarding your moral dilemma and ask it. You will get a response back stating whether or not your actions would affect your standing with your chosen God."
Zaigan returns his attention to the door, concentrating for a bit longer to find out more of what they could be facing on the other side of it.
In his deep baritone, albeit still soft, voice he asks, "Where are the others? Is everyone okay?" It's obvious which of the 'everyone' holds his greater concern. "We heard the roar from down here, and the sounds of the fight. Did you return alone because you need something from us?"
** spoiler omitted **
Sosiel moves closer, to stand on the opposite side of Butter, so that he can try to get Shalana's attention while he awaits her answer.
Sosiel moves closer, to stand on the opposite side of Butter, so that he can try to get Shalana's attention while he awaits her answer.
"I see that this clearly bothers you, and can only imagine that, feeling like you stand alone even among your peers can lead to your thoughts of going off alone. As, to you, there may be no difference except no longer having to fight about it."
He nods, but pauses to speak, while holding up a single finger in a point of contention. "If I may, I would like to present an alternate method of looking at it?" He doesn't wait for an answer, as the inflection of a question is more a courtesy by asking than a request for permission.
"You say that they decide in the middle of combat to spare a life, but how does one make that decision before a combat if you do not know you will be engaged in combat with any said enemy? Take the strife at the camp. There was no time prior to the start of the fight to either discuss or decide if the enemy would be taken alive or surrender if either requested or accepted." he shrugs, in a 'what can you do?' type of effect, "It is only in the middle of the fight that the others may feel that demanding or accepting surrender can even be considered. When fighting for your life turns to confidence in winning, the options available grow."
"Aron, Shelyn bless him, fights his demons daily, especially after he slid back into his affliction. I don't know where or why he got himself shadowblood." This last he remarks more to himself in frustration and concern. "Regardless, his demons are in his mind, and he has to fight with them daily, but even with the hold it has over him, I would never dare consider him irredeemable. I couldn't, because to do so would be giving up on him, and I won't quit him." he is resolute in that statement.
"Or take or misguided knight, Arles. He's not by any means gone over to evil, but he has lost his heart for the fight in his goddess' name. His demons cause him to see loss and failure, strike the faith from him. Yet you guys have tried to build him back up, put faith in him and your mission, that he may renew his own. Sure, it may only be to purge the discord that his words were sowing, but you have to believe that there is a power in holding faith that we will be successful in purging the city of Drezen of its demonic host and recovering the Sword of Valor."
He lifts his eyebrows in hopeful pleading, "You must see that there is redemption, that others can come back from it? Or even in the case of the once staunch paladin, Staunton Vhane. That just as evil can corrupt one of purity, so too can the light of beauty, that lies only within, bring the once wicked into the glory of that which is good. Killing is not the only way to remove an enemy from your path, and although every enemy killed is a point of failure for their side, every one turned to our cause is a point to our cause as well." He holds his hands up in a halting gesture, "Do I think that we will convert the entire demonic host, or even a quarter of them? I find it highly unlikely, but only when we truly look deep for the beauty within," he touches his hand to his holy symbol, "will we be able to see whether that spark of light can be kindled."
"After what seemed an eternity apart, he returned, but he was not the same. He had been overcome with darkness and hatred in his heart, and the weapon that once was the symbol of his oath, had twisted with him. He returned, torturing and imprisoning their father, and he and his sister struggled against one another. She knew that the heart of her brother still beat within what he had become. It was during one of these conflicts, that she wrested the weapon from his grip and managed to demand a tenuous truce. The corruption of the weapon was almost insurmountable, rife with the torture of captured souls."
"Over time, and amazing acts of the greatest good, she was slowly able to remove much of the weapon's taint, to become a thing of beauty. Even to this day, she continues to fight for the love of a brother she knows is hidden away in some tormented recesses, slowly trying to return the family heirloom to its true glory. If my goddess, Shelyn, the Incorruptible, the Eternal Rose, bearer of the unholy glaive," he points to the favored weapon of his deity that he carries, "known as Whisperer of Souls, can bring such a wicked instrument of evil back to the light of good in her efforts to redeem the heart of her brother Dou-bral, now known as Zon-Kuthon, the Midnight Lord. Then I too must have faith that no evil is completely incapable of bearing some spark of inner beauty."
"If my efforts, in her name, allow the deeds of great men and women like you and the others up there to help cleanse the evil within the Whisperer of Souls, then I have to believe that it is possible. Seek not to merely eradicate the physical host that represent the evilness of demonkind, but consider the potential to use it as a weapon that can be turned against them, if they can be brought into the light." He realizes that he was getting worked up in talking about his goddess, and calms himself slightly.
"To do this, they are... WE are going to need your help. You've been touched by the gods, and they must have some grand purpose for you. So tell me, why do you fight it? What is it that drives you to stop at nothing short of the total annihilation of your enemy, in the form of both a single entity or a entire species, allowing for no other form of victory? One does not always win with merely causing the death of more of them than they of us. They have the insurmountable numbers of the souls of evil things, and we have to fight with more than brawn. We need our hearts and minds to also be free of the demons, and we can't fight those back with strength of arms alone. So, how can I help you fight your demons?"