Post by shoonvii on Jan 19, 2009 22:26:49 GMT -5
Please keep all in-character discussion here. I've copied and pasted what came before below:
Moridan: One way or another, I will make sure no more captives that have done us wrong are allowed to live. Life is harsh.
Galleron: <after hearing that statement the paladin gets red faced and says...>
I see, so after I finish helping you murder an untold number of bound, wounded, and defenseless men perhaps you would have me gather up some infants and virgins for you to sacrifice to some dark god your scared of?
The bandit was a defeated and broken foe, every one of his followers lies slain and his weapons discarded. if your so terrified of such a weakened opponent why did you bother setting out on a life of adventuring in the first place? How will you face a horde of vampires if a single vanquished old bandit with a pointed stick and a lame knee causes you to quake in your boots and wet your armor?
<gets more angry>
and just where do you draw the line? if on the morrow we are attacked by misguided villagers would you torture the survivors into telling you where their village is so you can go there and slaughter their women, hunt down their children, and slay any other family members you find just in case they too might one day, long in the future, desire vengeance and pose some weak threat to you?
<calms, looks penitant>
no, no my new traveling companion, I see those hot headed hasty words for what they are... you have spoken in error derived from fear...
<looks thoughtful>
you know I am a devout follower of the god of duty, and as such have pledged my sword and my life to protecting you and yours on this arduous journey...
<tries to empaththise with you>
and... and... should that not be enough... If you were in some type of danger I could not save you from... rest assured that my god, my country, my church, the largest holy order of knights in all the lands and kingdoms of this world, and my very large and very ancient noble family of paladins, clerics, and court wizards would take up my charge and do all in their power to fulfill my obligation to you, they would see your salvation as a holy mission and allow nothing and no one to stop them, for you they would become the furious fist of our true god! You see! There is no need for you to fear anything!
<looks around, sees Nylaathria and explodes into a full fledged, spitting, rightous tirade>
but on the other hand... if those conspirital glances, knowing smiles, whispered conversations, and long walks in the woods with Nylaathria should hex and stupefy you, should they lead you to break your own solemn oath, violate the laws I am sworn to protect, cause you to betray my good trust and loyal friendship, and should you even attempt to follow through on such cowardly and craven threats... KNOW (!!!) that those very same forces would rise up against you! hound you to the ends of this earth or any other!
JUST AS EVEN NOW THEY HOUND THE BETRAYERS AND MURDERERS OF MY GOOD BROTHER JONAH!!!
<yells, hammers his steel gauntlet into a tree possibly breaking hand, look of absolute utter disgust and spent rage>
<puts his head against the tree, opens a locket looking at a picture of a young knight and whispers...>
{curse you Cyric and may my sword fell every last one of your mad betraying followers..}
<calms down, puts locket away, stiffens up, turns around>
"one way or another" you too would one day face the true and final justice of Torm, gaining nothing for your troubles but damnation and a quick and painful death...
<shakes head>
I would see that as a very sad day indeed.
<looks somber and tired, possibly tearful, looks at the sky>
You are right, Moridan... life may be harsh... but the gods and their followers can be much much more so, believe that with all... ALL of your heart, and consider more carefully your words and actions in the future...
<clanks off to be alone>
Moridan: Ahh my poor friend, you misjudge me. And in doing so brings me great sorrow. I can surely tell the difference between someone trying to take all of our lives and a defenceless child. I am not the butcher you make me out to be.
<sigh>
But I see that you are blinded with the grief of your brother, and can only comprehend the world around us in a very limited manner. In my travels I have met good people with evil intentions, but the bottom line is that if someone means to do me harm then I will take approriate action to save my life and those lives of my companions. And yes, that even means you.
I would even go so far as to offer my assistance in finding the slayers of your dear brother. For I am a companion, and a friend, regardless of your limited view of this world. Torm is a grand and just god, and I have called upon him from time to time in my travels. But he is one of many, most of which are grand and just i ntheir own ways as well.
<sighs again>
I see from the anger in your eyes that mention of any other god in cmparrison to your own causes your mind to shut down and only allows your zeal to shine through. I guess I can respect that, finding something that totally consumes you.
But you do what you feel is right, and so shall I, for the safety of our companions. Even if you dont like it.
Galleron: <thinks about what you said and returns quite a bit later in freshly polished golden armor, shuffles through some notes and stands before the party as if he's going to give a sermon to the masses>
I believe your understanding of my religion is more limited than the way I CHOOSE to limit my views of the world, and the look in my eyes is not my zeal or anger, but my amazement that one as intelligent as yourself cannot see the duplicity inherent in your argument.
A friend cannot make a solemn vow to a friend, then break that vow out of fear and rename it an act of loyalty, regardless of how well versed or how pleasing the speaker's voice may be.
an oath is a sworn promise, a solemn vow never to be broken, and if you should break your oath every realm has its own laws for dealing with oath breakers. If found guilty you will suffer the punishments chosen by the people and nobility of that land. That is justice.
Without justice there is only the chaos of the strong victimizing the weak. If anyone could accuse another of being a threat to his life and therefore kill them without fear of challenge or reprisal we would live in a world of corpses regardless of who was worshiping what god at what time, where they may have hailed from, or how much value they placed upon their lives and those of their friends.
This is truth and truth for all, uncaring of what strange realms or foreign attitudes you may have acquired in your travels, it is unquestionable and absolute.
I have chosen to stand as the blade that divides order from chaos. It is my choice and conviction to see the world and all actions within it as I do, as either white or black, good or evil, with me... there are no shades of grey, no duplicity of my nature.
I am true.
You apparently see that as either a fault or a misguided notion of an uncultured and unworldly young man. Perhaps you are correct. Perhaps some day in the future I could allow my personal feelings, a weary mind, and the strange ways and religions of others to influence my beliefs, twist my convictions, doubt the undeniable proof my god's ways, cast off all good lessons learned by me in my upbringing and the solemn obligations I have made to my god, my ancestors, my family, friends, and order and turn me into some scheming backstabber, a lying, plotting, oath breaking, shattered waste of a soul who would even consider murdering a bound and defenseless human captive for ANY reason...
but that day is not today. Today I choose to fight against such vile corruption of truth, and will do so until my last breath passes and my soul unites with the shining glory of The Loyal Fury.
I would bring up this topic of captives after we have all had a chance to think carefully upon the issue. Certainly we are at an impasse, as if you ever attempt to slay a captured or surrendered opponent under MY protection, regardless of what grand and imaginative dangers you may perceive, I will do all in my power to stop you, and unless I am betrayed and slain I will see to it that you are forced to answer for your crimes, as it should be, friend, companion or non.
I believe some in our party would side with me on this issue and others with you, which if it came to arms and spellcraft, could very well lead to many of our deaths if not all. If then our group should decide that surrendered or captured humans and demi-humans should be slain, if any cannot accept and live by the decision the party comes to, they should leave and return to Tibold. as I would rather have the party be weakened by the loss of a few members than to have infighting, betrayal, and mistrust possibly lead to all our deaths. Hopefully all will agree to this.
Now to educate you on your misconceptions about my beliefs, I too know of good people who have had evil intentions, in fact there was a time in the past where the worshipers of Torm chose to persecute the worshipers of any other gods. This greatly outraged Torm, and he saw it as a dereliction of duty that should have been granted to the other good gods of the realms and their worshipers.
So after consuming the souls of those heretics and chastising the rest of the clergy for their lack of conviction in eliminating their wrongful ways, he commanded that, in penance, all his worshipers are required to not only learn of the ways of the other gods of light but to help them establish new temples to promote their worship.
The god of duty is far from a jealous god, and yes there are many other gods with grand and just ways, however Torm is the god that chose ME, and the proof of the goodness inherent in his choices can be found everywhere in the blessed realm of the twin suns.
and lastly...
<steps forward, looks scornfully at Nylaathria then looks directly into Moridan's eyes>
We all swore an oath to be honest with the other members of this party and obey the laws of the lands we travel in. You said you were just going out into the forest for an innocent little stroll when in fact you had plotted to murder that bandit once I had released him. Do not even try to deny it. Your statements clearly show you to be a liar and an oath breaker. You have not been misjudged, in fact you have been rightly judged and been found wanting.
Just this once, out of hope for a one day true and loyal friendship, I will show you leniency, just this once I will forgive you your sin and your betrayal and will not seek the righteous justice you so clearly deserve, but I will not forget your actions. If you seek to redeem yourself in my eyes repent your sins and do not repeat them, recommit yourself to fulfilling your broken oath and the redemption of your failure of duty.
And If in the future should I confront you on some clearly wrongful action you have taken, admit it openly and accept your fate with pride, do not cower like a dog seeking to sway me with pretty words and false pretences. I may not be so forgiving a second time.
Moridan:<tries very hard to hide the smile from his face>
So my friend, let me get this straight: you would side with a villan
that sought to do us harm over a friend who has faced battle side by
side with you...? I find this very... curious.
You speak of breaking oaths and of the one that we took to follow the
laws of the land, yet instead impose your own unflexible ideals upon us
rather than the local laws. You saw as we did how little the "law"
cared for these poor folk that were being attacked by brigands. But we
all joined in this quest to rid these defenceless people of this menace.
That was our mission, our quest, and yet you would stand with those we
sought to defeat over those who have stood together fighting for the only justice
these poor farmers would ever get in this tragic land.
I believe your loyalties are slightly misplaced.
As for where my loyalties lie, I have sworn my oath to you and our
companions and I stand by it. To say that your word means any more
than mine is pure arrogance. And while we are on the topic of your
arrogance, I dont believe your god has given you the ability to read
minds. So when I decide to go for a walk in the woods with a pretty
lass... (maybe your "faith" prevents you from knowing of such ...pleasures)
you might not want to jump to conclusions of plots and treachery. I
have known people that lived as such and they died haunted, scared, and
always looking over their shoulder for some unseen scheme.
We are both students of the sword, and as such should know that the
rigid blade easily breaks. As with the blade, we too must have some
flexibility lest we too snap in half. I do not ask you to waiver in
your beliefs or sense of duty, for these are traits that I truly admire
in you.
But if you want to be in a world where only your rigid views of law and
justice are allowed to survive, then this group of companions may be
over before it really even has a chance to begin.
Good day to you.
<walks off in search of a comely lass>
Galleron: <shouts after you>
I AM THE LAW!
(out of character-damn I've been waiting a while to say that... lol )
and I am here now to protect those who are helpless from those who would do them harm, and though I care for my friends, I also care for for briggands, the poor, and yes even silver tounged liars, because I know any briggand can become a saint given just punnishment for their crimes and the willingness of the gods to forgive and accept them. My faith is my sword, it will not flex nor will it break, my faith is stronger than steel.
other than that let me wish you good luck on your quest to complete your growing collection of venerial diseases, and may your next bastard be a manly bastard. How could I have ever questioned the sincerity and fine virtues you so clearly display??
<Looks at dwarf, shakes head, raises hands in confusion>
who is the greater villian goodly dwarf? a man who honestly trys to rob you of your wealth at sword point or a man who on the same day that he breaks his word and betrays your trust offers his devout and loyal friendship? What an amazing land it is that has such people in it.
Uldred : Snores contentedly.
Moridan: <A short time later>
Let us see if we can talk some sense into you, my friend. If I had horms on my brow and ate babies you could rightfully call me evil. But for trying to make sense of what you say, you would brand me an oath breaker, lier, and I am sure under your breath much worse?
<Sigh>
I have slain those that would seek to slay our companions, but what have you done? You so far have let two enemies escape "your justice". It is a good thing that your form of justice hasnt killed one of us yet.
Since you prefer to let our enemies free to come back and try again to slay us, how about YOU watch our backs from here on while traveling? I think that fitting for someone of your benevolence.
<smile>
Kraus: <eyes the snoring dwarf contemplating different ways of stopping the racket that may or may not kill him>
Galleron: oh I do not call you an oath breaker for refusing to admit your treachery and instead seeking to re-frame it in virtue, I call you an oath breaker because you swore a solemn oath to be honest with the other members of this party and obey the laws of whatever land we passed through, and have broken both those vows.
Once we had captured that brigand, the law was clear, we were to return him to the authorities. but others in our party argued that such an action would delay the defeat of the other bandits, possibly putting more innocents in danger and allowing a still greater injustice to occur. yet the outright murder of a bound and captured man, villain or no, without writ or trial, is beyond simple justice and would be described as a heinous crime worthy of a death sentence for most enlightened countries and in any goodly religion.
With innocents to protect It was decided by the party, as a whole, that we would continue on our journey and leave the Bandit's justice in the hands of the gods, that the guilty would be freed with bound hands and directed back the half day's ride towards the city to turn himself in should the gods protect him and he survive his journey.
Immediately after that decision but before the bandit could be freed you and Nellie whispered, plotted and giggled your way quickly into the forest between the bandit and the city, when asked your plans as you scampered off, you stated you were "just going for a walk" your true intentions were as clear as the lie painted across your guilty face even now, I've known children that tell a more convincing lie.
I directed the bandit that the two of you plotted to kill him and suggested he run and hide in the other direction before attempting to return to the city. Disappointed and deprived of the murder you sought to commit you returned to the camp poorly feigning innocence.
When later it was discovered that Torm's justice had been perfectly fulfilled (he lived his life preying upon those weaker than himself and lost his life as he himself was preyed upon) and after our battle with the night creatures, you proudly admitted your betrayal and dishonesty by stating "one way or another" (regardless of what lies you must tell or crimes you must commit) "I will make sure no more captives that have done us wrong are allowed to live" how wonderful that one day you can swear an oath to be honest and obey the law, and the next swear an oath to lie and commit murder.
But you know all of this to be true, in friendship you were given the chance to repent your sins, admit your wrong doing, and you refused it. Now you simply seek to confound the issue with more lies and more twisting of the truth, and I have no desire watch you damn yourself even further.
Mark these words, one day your deeds, lies, and betrayals will catch up with you and you WILL face your final justice, even as that bandit faced his. Until that day or the day of our parting, know that the watchful eye of Torm's faithful servant will never be far from you.
<unrolls bedroll, adds a few more logs to fire, fluffs pack used as pillow>
If on the morrow you should still seek to prove your courage and ability as a warrior by neither protecting our flank, nor taking the lead as I have done, and instead wish to huddle amongst the greater protection we afford the casters, I will accept your burden and guard our backside, I have no fear of anything that may wish to ambush us as I live with the sure knowledge that my deeds have granted me salvation...
<rolls his back towards you>
such a comforting reminder it is...
<falls deeply peacefully asleep>
Moridan: <Looks Galleron square in the eye>
Friend, you need to go back to your order to learn your numbers again because from what you have just said, you add one and one together to get three. You put suppositions together like a three year old and make up lies you call truths in whatever manner your twisted mind sees fit.
But I have no worries, for I know that Torm will judge you as zealot and as an idiot. Making up lies so that you can accuse others of wrong deeds, others that know better and can tell the difference betwen right and wrong, only makes you look the fool. I particularly like the speech about protecting the poor defenceless bandit (who tried to kill us), and then being so gleefully happy that he met his doom at the hands of even darker foes. I am sure they took their time killing that bandit, torturing him for information. Is that your form of justice? Where is your compassion? I say a quick death, lessen his pain in going to the afterlife. Perhaps.... you actually serve Shar, with your desires of vengence and pain.
<smiles>
But regardless, let us travel on for we have real foes to slay, real people to save, and real legends to make.
Galleron: <laughfs at the point you bring up "desires for vengance and pain">
Oh thank you FAIR Moridan, one of the first things they teach us at that order is only when we are pious and in the right will evil doers and criminals call us zealots, liars, idiots, fools, and far far worse. Clearly I should thank you for affirming both my suspicions.
If you would now like to cry about how I am being unfair by forcing my morality and the laws of the land upon you and your oh so different ways feel free, just as long as you understand a "quick death" brought by your blade to a bound and defeated man will not be tolerated regardless of your petty and false accusations.
Moridan: One way or another, I will make sure no more captives that have done us wrong are allowed to live. Life is harsh.
Galleron: <after hearing that statement the paladin gets red faced and says...>
I see, so after I finish helping you murder an untold number of bound, wounded, and defenseless men perhaps you would have me gather up some infants and virgins for you to sacrifice to some dark god your scared of?
The bandit was a defeated and broken foe, every one of his followers lies slain and his weapons discarded. if your so terrified of such a weakened opponent why did you bother setting out on a life of adventuring in the first place? How will you face a horde of vampires if a single vanquished old bandit with a pointed stick and a lame knee causes you to quake in your boots and wet your armor?
<gets more angry>
and just where do you draw the line? if on the morrow we are attacked by misguided villagers would you torture the survivors into telling you where their village is so you can go there and slaughter their women, hunt down their children, and slay any other family members you find just in case they too might one day, long in the future, desire vengeance and pose some weak threat to you?
<calms, looks penitant>
no, no my new traveling companion, I see those hot headed hasty words for what they are... you have spoken in error derived from fear...
<looks thoughtful>
you know I am a devout follower of the god of duty, and as such have pledged my sword and my life to protecting you and yours on this arduous journey...
<tries to empaththise with you>
and... and... should that not be enough... If you were in some type of danger I could not save you from... rest assured that my god, my country, my church, the largest holy order of knights in all the lands and kingdoms of this world, and my very large and very ancient noble family of paladins, clerics, and court wizards would take up my charge and do all in their power to fulfill my obligation to you, they would see your salvation as a holy mission and allow nothing and no one to stop them, for you they would become the furious fist of our true god! You see! There is no need for you to fear anything!
<looks around, sees Nylaathria and explodes into a full fledged, spitting, rightous tirade>
but on the other hand... if those conspirital glances, knowing smiles, whispered conversations, and long walks in the woods with Nylaathria should hex and stupefy you, should they lead you to break your own solemn oath, violate the laws I am sworn to protect, cause you to betray my good trust and loyal friendship, and should you even attempt to follow through on such cowardly and craven threats... KNOW (!!!) that those very same forces would rise up against you! hound you to the ends of this earth or any other!
JUST AS EVEN NOW THEY HOUND THE BETRAYERS AND MURDERERS OF MY GOOD BROTHER JONAH!!!
<yells, hammers his steel gauntlet into a tree possibly breaking hand, look of absolute utter disgust and spent rage>
<puts his head against the tree, opens a locket looking at a picture of a young knight and whispers...>
{curse you Cyric and may my sword fell every last one of your mad betraying followers..}
<calms down, puts locket away, stiffens up, turns around>
"one way or another" you too would one day face the true and final justice of Torm, gaining nothing for your troubles but damnation and a quick and painful death...
<shakes head>
I would see that as a very sad day indeed.
<looks somber and tired, possibly tearful, looks at the sky>
You are right, Moridan... life may be harsh... but the gods and their followers can be much much more so, believe that with all... ALL of your heart, and consider more carefully your words and actions in the future...
<clanks off to be alone>
Moridan: Ahh my poor friend, you misjudge me. And in doing so brings me great sorrow. I can surely tell the difference between someone trying to take all of our lives and a defenceless child. I am not the butcher you make me out to be.
<sigh>
But I see that you are blinded with the grief of your brother, and can only comprehend the world around us in a very limited manner. In my travels I have met good people with evil intentions, but the bottom line is that if someone means to do me harm then I will take approriate action to save my life and those lives of my companions. And yes, that even means you.
I would even go so far as to offer my assistance in finding the slayers of your dear brother. For I am a companion, and a friend, regardless of your limited view of this world. Torm is a grand and just god, and I have called upon him from time to time in my travels. But he is one of many, most of which are grand and just i ntheir own ways as well.
<sighs again>
I see from the anger in your eyes that mention of any other god in cmparrison to your own causes your mind to shut down and only allows your zeal to shine through. I guess I can respect that, finding something that totally consumes you.
But you do what you feel is right, and so shall I, for the safety of our companions. Even if you dont like it.
Galleron: <thinks about what you said and returns quite a bit later in freshly polished golden armor, shuffles through some notes and stands before the party as if he's going to give a sermon to the masses>
I believe your understanding of my religion is more limited than the way I CHOOSE to limit my views of the world, and the look in my eyes is not my zeal or anger, but my amazement that one as intelligent as yourself cannot see the duplicity inherent in your argument.
A friend cannot make a solemn vow to a friend, then break that vow out of fear and rename it an act of loyalty, regardless of how well versed or how pleasing the speaker's voice may be.
an oath is a sworn promise, a solemn vow never to be broken, and if you should break your oath every realm has its own laws for dealing with oath breakers. If found guilty you will suffer the punishments chosen by the people and nobility of that land. That is justice.
Without justice there is only the chaos of the strong victimizing the weak. If anyone could accuse another of being a threat to his life and therefore kill them without fear of challenge or reprisal we would live in a world of corpses regardless of who was worshiping what god at what time, where they may have hailed from, or how much value they placed upon their lives and those of their friends.
This is truth and truth for all, uncaring of what strange realms or foreign attitudes you may have acquired in your travels, it is unquestionable and absolute.
I have chosen to stand as the blade that divides order from chaos. It is my choice and conviction to see the world and all actions within it as I do, as either white or black, good or evil, with me... there are no shades of grey, no duplicity of my nature.
I am true.
You apparently see that as either a fault or a misguided notion of an uncultured and unworldly young man. Perhaps you are correct. Perhaps some day in the future I could allow my personal feelings, a weary mind, and the strange ways and religions of others to influence my beliefs, twist my convictions, doubt the undeniable proof my god's ways, cast off all good lessons learned by me in my upbringing and the solemn obligations I have made to my god, my ancestors, my family, friends, and order and turn me into some scheming backstabber, a lying, plotting, oath breaking, shattered waste of a soul who would even consider murdering a bound and defenseless human captive for ANY reason...
but that day is not today. Today I choose to fight against such vile corruption of truth, and will do so until my last breath passes and my soul unites with the shining glory of The Loyal Fury.
I would bring up this topic of captives after we have all had a chance to think carefully upon the issue. Certainly we are at an impasse, as if you ever attempt to slay a captured or surrendered opponent under MY protection, regardless of what grand and imaginative dangers you may perceive, I will do all in my power to stop you, and unless I am betrayed and slain I will see to it that you are forced to answer for your crimes, as it should be, friend, companion or non.
I believe some in our party would side with me on this issue and others with you, which if it came to arms and spellcraft, could very well lead to many of our deaths if not all. If then our group should decide that surrendered or captured humans and demi-humans should be slain, if any cannot accept and live by the decision the party comes to, they should leave and return to Tibold. as I would rather have the party be weakened by the loss of a few members than to have infighting, betrayal, and mistrust possibly lead to all our deaths. Hopefully all will agree to this.
Now to educate you on your misconceptions about my beliefs, I too know of good people who have had evil intentions, in fact there was a time in the past where the worshipers of Torm chose to persecute the worshipers of any other gods. This greatly outraged Torm, and he saw it as a dereliction of duty that should have been granted to the other good gods of the realms and their worshipers.
So after consuming the souls of those heretics and chastising the rest of the clergy for their lack of conviction in eliminating their wrongful ways, he commanded that, in penance, all his worshipers are required to not only learn of the ways of the other gods of light but to help them establish new temples to promote their worship.
The god of duty is far from a jealous god, and yes there are many other gods with grand and just ways, however Torm is the god that chose ME, and the proof of the goodness inherent in his choices can be found everywhere in the blessed realm of the twin suns.
and lastly...
<steps forward, looks scornfully at Nylaathria then looks directly into Moridan's eyes>
We all swore an oath to be honest with the other members of this party and obey the laws of the lands we travel in. You said you were just going out into the forest for an innocent little stroll when in fact you had plotted to murder that bandit once I had released him. Do not even try to deny it. Your statements clearly show you to be a liar and an oath breaker. You have not been misjudged, in fact you have been rightly judged and been found wanting.
Just this once, out of hope for a one day true and loyal friendship, I will show you leniency, just this once I will forgive you your sin and your betrayal and will not seek the righteous justice you so clearly deserve, but I will not forget your actions. If you seek to redeem yourself in my eyes repent your sins and do not repeat them, recommit yourself to fulfilling your broken oath and the redemption of your failure of duty.
And If in the future should I confront you on some clearly wrongful action you have taken, admit it openly and accept your fate with pride, do not cower like a dog seeking to sway me with pretty words and false pretences. I may not be so forgiving a second time.
Moridan:<tries very hard to hide the smile from his face>
So my friend, let me get this straight: you would side with a villan
that sought to do us harm over a friend who has faced battle side by
side with you...? I find this very... curious.
You speak of breaking oaths and of the one that we took to follow the
laws of the land, yet instead impose your own unflexible ideals upon us
rather than the local laws. You saw as we did how little the "law"
cared for these poor folk that were being attacked by brigands. But we
all joined in this quest to rid these defenceless people of this menace.
That was our mission, our quest, and yet you would stand with those we
sought to defeat over those who have stood together fighting for the only justice
these poor farmers would ever get in this tragic land.
I believe your loyalties are slightly misplaced.
As for where my loyalties lie, I have sworn my oath to you and our
companions and I stand by it. To say that your word means any more
than mine is pure arrogance. And while we are on the topic of your
arrogance, I dont believe your god has given you the ability to read
minds. So when I decide to go for a walk in the woods with a pretty
lass... (maybe your "faith" prevents you from knowing of such ...pleasures)
you might not want to jump to conclusions of plots and treachery. I
have known people that lived as such and they died haunted, scared, and
always looking over their shoulder for some unseen scheme.
We are both students of the sword, and as such should know that the
rigid blade easily breaks. As with the blade, we too must have some
flexibility lest we too snap in half. I do not ask you to waiver in
your beliefs or sense of duty, for these are traits that I truly admire
in you.
But if you want to be in a world where only your rigid views of law and
justice are allowed to survive, then this group of companions may be
over before it really even has a chance to begin.
Good day to you.
<walks off in search of a comely lass>
Galleron: <shouts after you>
I AM THE LAW!
(out of character-damn I've been waiting a while to say that... lol )
and I am here now to protect those who are helpless from those who would do them harm, and though I care for my friends, I also care for for briggands, the poor, and yes even silver tounged liars, because I know any briggand can become a saint given just punnishment for their crimes and the willingness of the gods to forgive and accept them. My faith is my sword, it will not flex nor will it break, my faith is stronger than steel.
other than that let me wish you good luck on your quest to complete your growing collection of venerial diseases, and may your next bastard be a manly bastard. How could I have ever questioned the sincerity and fine virtues you so clearly display??
<Looks at dwarf, shakes head, raises hands in confusion>
who is the greater villian goodly dwarf? a man who honestly trys to rob you of your wealth at sword point or a man who on the same day that he breaks his word and betrays your trust offers his devout and loyal friendship? What an amazing land it is that has such people in it.
Uldred : Snores contentedly.
Moridan: <A short time later>
Let us see if we can talk some sense into you, my friend. If I had horms on my brow and ate babies you could rightfully call me evil. But for trying to make sense of what you say, you would brand me an oath breaker, lier, and I am sure under your breath much worse?
<Sigh>
I have slain those that would seek to slay our companions, but what have you done? You so far have let two enemies escape "your justice". It is a good thing that your form of justice hasnt killed one of us yet.
Since you prefer to let our enemies free to come back and try again to slay us, how about YOU watch our backs from here on while traveling? I think that fitting for someone of your benevolence.
<smile>
Kraus: <eyes the snoring dwarf contemplating different ways of stopping the racket that may or may not kill him>
Galleron: oh I do not call you an oath breaker for refusing to admit your treachery and instead seeking to re-frame it in virtue, I call you an oath breaker because you swore a solemn oath to be honest with the other members of this party and obey the laws of whatever land we passed through, and have broken both those vows.
Once we had captured that brigand, the law was clear, we were to return him to the authorities. but others in our party argued that such an action would delay the defeat of the other bandits, possibly putting more innocents in danger and allowing a still greater injustice to occur. yet the outright murder of a bound and captured man, villain or no, without writ or trial, is beyond simple justice and would be described as a heinous crime worthy of a death sentence for most enlightened countries and in any goodly religion.
With innocents to protect It was decided by the party, as a whole, that we would continue on our journey and leave the Bandit's justice in the hands of the gods, that the guilty would be freed with bound hands and directed back the half day's ride towards the city to turn himself in should the gods protect him and he survive his journey.
Immediately after that decision but before the bandit could be freed you and Nellie whispered, plotted and giggled your way quickly into the forest between the bandit and the city, when asked your plans as you scampered off, you stated you were "just going for a walk" your true intentions were as clear as the lie painted across your guilty face even now, I've known children that tell a more convincing lie.
I directed the bandit that the two of you plotted to kill him and suggested he run and hide in the other direction before attempting to return to the city. Disappointed and deprived of the murder you sought to commit you returned to the camp poorly feigning innocence.
When later it was discovered that Torm's justice had been perfectly fulfilled (he lived his life preying upon those weaker than himself and lost his life as he himself was preyed upon) and after our battle with the night creatures, you proudly admitted your betrayal and dishonesty by stating "one way or another" (regardless of what lies you must tell or crimes you must commit) "I will make sure no more captives that have done us wrong are allowed to live" how wonderful that one day you can swear an oath to be honest and obey the law, and the next swear an oath to lie and commit murder.
But you know all of this to be true, in friendship you were given the chance to repent your sins, admit your wrong doing, and you refused it. Now you simply seek to confound the issue with more lies and more twisting of the truth, and I have no desire watch you damn yourself even further.
Mark these words, one day your deeds, lies, and betrayals will catch up with you and you WILL face your final justice, even as that bandit faced his. Until that day or the day of our parting, know that the watchful eye of Torm's faithful servant will never be far from you.
<unrolls bedroll, adds a few more logs to fire, fluffs pack used as pillow>
If on the morrow you should still seek to prove your courage and ability as a warrior by neither protecting our flank, nor taking the lead as I have done, and instead wish to huddle amongst the greater protection we afford the casters, I will accept your burden and guard our backside, I have no fear of anything that may wish to ambush us as I live with the sure knowledge that my deeds have granted me salvation...
<rolls his back towards you>
such a comforting reminder it is...
<falls deeply peacefully asleep>
Moridan: <Looks Galleron square in the eye>
Friend, you need to go back to your order to learn your numbers again because from what you have just said, you add one and one together to get three. You put suppositions together like a three year old and make up lies you call truths in whatever manner your twisted mind sees fit.
But I have no worries, for I know that Torm will judge you as zealot and as an idiot. Making up lies so that you can accuse others of wrong deeds, others that know better and can tell the difference betwen right and wrong, only makes you look the fool. I particularly like the speech about protecting the poor defenceless bandit (who tried to kill us), and then being so gleefully happy that he met his doom at the hands of even darker foes. I am sure they took their time killing that bandit, torturing him for information. Is that your form of justice? Where is your compassion? I say a quick death, lessen his pain in going to the afterlife. Perhaps.... you actually serve Shar, with your desires of vengence and pain.
<smiles>
But regardless, let us travel on for we have real foes to slay, real people to save, and real legends to make.
Galleron: <laughfs at the point you bring up "desires for vengance and pain">
Oh thank you FAIR Moridan, one of the first things they teach us at that order is only when we are pious and in the right will evil doers and criminals call us zealots, liars, idiots, fools, and far far worse. Clearly I should thank you for affirming both my suspicions.
If you would now like to cry about how I am being unfair by forcing my morality and the laws of the land upon you and your oh so different ways feel free, just as long as you understand a "quick death" brought by your blade to a bound and defeated man will not be tolerated regardless of your petty and false accusations.