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BACKGROUND
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Past
Tai, Ameiko's younger brother, was still a child when their mother passed and only a teenager when their father did. Since Ameiko was busy running the inn lately, his education came from books and the local church, namely Father Ezakien Tobyn and Father Abstalar Zantus, that schooled him. The family library was surprisingly extensive, filled with old books about Tian and Minkan traditions and history. And Tai loves reading. He learned it early from his parents and his older sister and even tought himself Tien. He spent days not leaving the library, dreaming of Tian-Min gods and heroes. The Sandpoint clergy on the other hand taught him the way of the priest and the values of a righteous citizen. But the local faiths of Erastil and Abadar agreed only loosely with him, he secretely felt a much stronger connection to the somewhat mythical faiths of his ancestors. On this topic he also strongly disagreed with his older sister who lived a very liberal life somewhat following Desna's ideals. During his youth, Tai worked at the cathedral and the cemetary tending to the graves and helping with funeral services. His respect for the spirits was extraordinary for such a young person.
When his sister ran away for adventuring, he had very mixed feelings. On the one hand he felt she was totally abandoning her family and her duties as the first-born. On the other hand he had to admit that travel can provide very valuable lessons. Lessons that he needs to make, too, at some point. But she barred him from leaving claiming it's too dangerous. Furthermore, he believed that traveling is an important part of their heritage. After all, their ancestors came to this place from far away Tian.
The people of Sandpoint look at him with pitty for his ascetic and his strict life style, but also admire his passion and respeact for the dead. He doesn't have many friends to fool around with, but if he isn't at church, you can often find him in a tavern and start a religious debate. Except, of course, for the Rusty Dragon, he is rarely seen there. And if he is, he keeps quiet to not accidentally start an argument with his sister. It would be most dishonorable to disagree with the family eldest.
A year ago, it was time. He wasn't gonna be able to fulfill Tsukiyo's service in Sandpoint, thus he set off. Driven with the thirst of experiences and hunger a naive hunger for adventure, he traveled east. A young priest that he was, he was welcome in every settlement. These were hard times with rampaging giants, raiding goblins and restless demons wherever he came. People listened to his calm voice giving them hope and new perspective. Soon he left Varisia, passed through Nirmathas, the Fangwood and Lastwall. Ustalav was a particularly bitter experience and he slowed down his journey to barter with the spirits and those left behind. Tsukiyo gave him strength, which he needed a lot of. All the destruction and the chaos was very difficult for him to get to know and to live through. It didn't challenge his decision, but support it. He knew, he was needed, he just didn't know yet, where. North of Ustalav he found it.
Today "Armasse is about to start. Shouldn't you attend?" the woman suddenly said. She rose from the bed, her naked silhouette sharply defined against the morning sun.
"Uhm. I might. But should? Why?" Tai stuttered surprised.
"You are a Paladin, aren't you? And it's the paladin festival, isn't it?" The prostitute was still young, maybe only Tai's age, and obviously not very well educated. Tai didn't want to school her on Aroden, Iomeda and the purpose of the festival. He himself had only read and heard about it until today. She probably wasn't interested.
"You're right, I am. But what do you think that means?" Tai sat up, too and asked her in return. He didn't wait for an answer as the woman was searching for words. "Our life is not one of glory and celebration. Those who have set out to fight, will not be at the festival today. And not next year either. When we set out, we do this, because someone has to, but we do so on borrowed time. Every monster, every demon that we face next could be the last. We go where there is suffering, pain and destruction and when we leave the place, it's usually worse."
The woman looked at him with big, fearful eyes. Tai continued with his soft voice.
"I am no shining knight. Chivalry is for castles and nobles. Have you seen my armor? It's more dirt than metal. Cleaning it is not worth the effort, when the next day it will be spoiled again with something's or someone's blood. Probably mine. " He paused and his face became serious. "I fight in darkness ... against the darkness ... and I will use the darkness if I have to. I'm no bringer of light. All I can offer is hope. My words shall solace the frigthened and calm the angry. I am the voice of the unheard, the eyes of the blind and the sword of the weak."
The woman listened quietly and after a moment answered. "That's dark. And sad. I don't like it. I'm sorry, but I prefer the stories the bards will tell at the festival. Since you're not the cheerful type, why are you here?" She emphasized the last question.
"Conincidence, I guess. If you believed in such things. Well, not really actually, I'm looking for a woman."
She laughed in satisfaction at the last words. "Ha! A woman. You're all the same after all." "It's not what you think. She saved me. I was lost near the Worldwound and about to be captured by demonic cultists. They were so many. So savage. And then, there she was. Holding Desna's symbol and very skilled with a bow and arrow driving them off. Really beautiful, too. Also, the latter could just be my memory tricking me...I wanna find and thank her. Kenabres was my best bet."
Paladin Code of Tsukiyo:
The paladins of Tsukiyo are patient teachers and wardens. They tend not to settle in any one community, either wandering from town to town or living a reclusive existence away from noteworthy settlements. However, these paladins are rarely far from communities in need, and they readily answer the call to shield a victim or destroy an undead menace. Their tenets include the following affirmations.
I am the voice for those who go unheard, be they spirits who cannot speak or those whom society has judged as broken or insane. I shall open the doors for others to listen to the voiceless when I can, and when I cannot, I will speak in the words of the voiceless, not my own.
I am the eyes for those who cannot understand the truths of others who are not like them. I shall teach others how to accept, support, and celebrate those who think and speak differently than they do.
I am the guide for mortal minds and souls. I shall offer kindness and aid to the lost, the frightened, the confused, and the dead. I shall calm restless spirits, and I shall banish violent ones with what compassion I can provide without endangering others.
A different perspective can bring both fulfillment and pain. I do not judge those who wish to remain as they are, no matter what disadvantages it may bring them, nor do I judge those who suffer and wish to be changed.
There is no shame in madness, and so I do not make madness shameful by imposing it on my enemies as a punishment. Though darkness and attacks on the mind are tools I may use to vanquish the unjust, my actions will never force lasting insanity upon my foes..
