Written By Preston
Jan. 21, 2019, 4:31 a.m.(6/5/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Amund
I say survival is not a virtue, you say it is a necessity. And you are right, but not in the way I meant survival. I was talking of survival of self, and it is not. Your survival, my survival, these things are not important. The survival of our people and their culture and values? That I will accept is a necessity. But they must both be preserved - for without our culture, our values, our Gods, our ways....we are not us. That death of our society will be slower perhaps if our people survive but everything else is shed away, as those who remember what we were pass on, as each successively smaller revolt by those who realise the path we were on is too dark fails.
I have little desire to die, even fighting, but I have absolutely no desire in fighting to live without purpose.
I have little desire to die, even fighting, but I have absolutely no desire in fighting to live without purpose.
Written By Preston
Jan. 20, 2019, 5:33 a.m.(6/3/1010 AR)
The proposals for the Compact were presented to the Assembly of Peers. Our role is to advise, and the Dominus will speak when he feels it is appropriate. What I will observe is that those who come want us for a reason, and they told you. We are special. We have gifts. We are beloved of the Gods. They wish to snuff out what is special about us, our freedoms, and replace them with safety. Safety that seems strong, but in truth we sit in a sheltered bay and we have no idea how the winds may buffet us if we sail out with a new friend, no idea how strong that safety will prove to be.
I have faith in the Compact to do what it needs to do. I trust that the peers will remember they are guardians of something greater than themselves and their lands. I know that the Faith will endure, because we will not let it be subsumed or destroyed by any foreign power, and if that is a task that needs me to die alone on a hill then so be it. But mostly, I want people to realise that survival is in and of itself not a virtue. To survive if it means giving away all you are, to survive if it means doing evil, to survive if it means losing the Gods, to survive if it means giving your children and your children's children's futures away? That is not what I would want. Nor do I think is it what Gloria would expect of us. I do not know if the choices ahead of us will force us to do such things, but we should not hunt safety at any cost.
As in all things, if it is in the service of righteousness, the Templars will stand with the secular forces of the Compact. As we have at Stormwall, at the Lodge, in the forests of the Lyceum, in the Gray Forest.
I have faith in the Compact to do what it needs to do. I trust that the peers will remember they are guardians of something greater than themselves and their lands. I know that the Faith will endure, because we will not let it be subsumed or destroyed by any foreign power, and if that is a task that needs me to die alone on a hill then so be it. But mostly, I want people to realise that survival is in and of itself not a virtue. To survive if it means giving away all you are, to survive if it means doing evil, to survive if it means losing the Gods, to survive if it means giving your children and your children's children's futures away? That is not what I would want. Nor do I think is it what Gloria would expect of us. I do not know if the choices ahead of us will force us to do such things, but we should not hunt safety at any cost.
As in all things, if it is in the service of righteousness, the Templars will stand with the secular forces of the Compact. As we have at Stormwall, at the Lodge, in the forests of the Lyceum, in the Gray Forest.
Written By Preston
Jan. 16, 2019, 4:06 p.m.(5/16/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Laric
As always I find the Master of Questions to be reasoned, well thought out and eloquent. He is quite correct - the forces of the Crown represent the Crown with all its rights and privileges, and the forces of the Faith represent the Gods. We should not confuse the two in ignorance, nor in malice set them to conflict.
Written By Preston
Jan. 16, 2019, 9:08 a.m.(5/15/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Silas
Lord Commander, it may shock you to learn that the Scholars are not the Templars and the Templars are not the Scholars. Even if we accept your point that you were not told of your own traitors as though this were a similar occasion - indeed I do not recall any purge of the Iron Guard in advance of rebellion, I mostly recall rebellion - no Templars were involved, we are separate to the Scholars, a different discipleship. Why were we not informed at least, if indeed they mistakenly felt they could not speak to the Archscholar? Why did those undertaking this risk the fact that conflict could have broken out had a Templar come across the seemingly random violence against a Scholar? Does the thought of those under the sigil of the Crown engaged in bloody conflict with those under the Faith not scare you? Are you so blasé about such risks that you just do not care? The ends justify the means I am sure some will say - such thoughts lead you down the path of men like Abbas and of Marach.
You say you will stand with the Crimson Blades, fight with them, even during this period - in that you choose working with them over the Templars. It is a choice, of course, one you are free to make. But even if we ignore the questions of right and wrong and take this as a practical matter, it might suggest to the King he needs at least a Lord Commander with the basic skills in mathematics. To forsake working with a military order numbering over 100,000 across Arvum for one numbering at most a few thousand seems military planning on a level of trying to lick a Shav Warlord to see if that would work. Especially when you the Crimson Blade commandant undertakes her atonement, with grace and honour that may well see her emerge with greater respect from the Faith Militant even if we cannot quite forget, so you could simply have stayed out of the matter.
You say you will stand with the Crimson Blades, fight with them, even during this period - in that you choose working with them over the Templars. It is a choice, of course, one you are free to make. But even if we ignore the questions of right and wrong and take this as a practical matter, it might suggest to the King he needs at least a Lord Commander with the basic skills in mathematics. To forsake working with a military order numbering over 100,000 across Arvum for one numbering at most a few thousand seems military planning on a level of trying to lick a Shav Warlord to see if that would work. Especially when you the Crimson Blade commandant undertakes her atonement, with grace and honour that may well see her emerge with greater respect from the Faith Militant even if we cannot quite forget, so you could simply have stayed out of the matter.
Written By Preston
Jan. 14, 2019, 6:49 a.m.(5/10/1010 AR)
As I have had angry messengers about this, and seen at least one terse comment in the whites, let me be clear. Yes, I did look into matters. No, I don't object to the outcome in stopping a threat. But, the methods employed put at risk a great deal and the total lack of communication made those risks much more likely to play out. I do not hate Baroness Violet, I do not dislike Baroness Violet, and I have valued fighting alongside the Blades in the past. It is not some spite, it is recognition that the /method/ of what they did and the way it was done provided insult, and disregarded certain basic matters.
As it stands, I will pray on what penance I think is appropriate, but it is certainly not going to be punitive. I am minded to involve the lodge in at least part of it, where so recently we came together to fight to defend holy ground.
As it stands, I will pray on what penance I think is appropriate, but it is certainly not going to be punitive. I am minded to involve the lodge in at least part of it, where so recently we came together to fight to defend holy ground.
Written By Preston
Jan. 13, 2019, 7:22 p.m.(5/9/1010 AR)
I'm going to kill someone. That is all.
Written By Preston
Jan. 13, 2019, 12:24 p.m.(5/8/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Sparte
The gods would say that intent matters as much as result, I believe. To the Sentinel the outcome of our decisions, of our rulings, of our acts, should be just. To Gloria there can be no good found in an action that produces a righteous outcome through evil means. You can judge for yourself where the balance lies between these things, but perhaps we should look not just to do good but to ensure that that good as the greatest success possible.
That might be the case on this road - and I see many attacking the Lords behind it. I do not. The fault lines this brought up have long been there and long ignored, particularly by those of us happily isolated in Arx.
Various abandoned tribes prey on our roads, we must find solutions. Yet many voices said that this was not urgent, that it could wait for tomorrow.
We integrate prodigals and elevate them at a rate that causes disquiet, should we address these concerns? And the answer from many voices was that this was not urgent, that this was for the best, that it could wait for tomorrow.
Too many neo-nobles are created, pushing at the limits of our societal contract, it causes disquiet to those nobles in the regions, it causes disquiet in the holdings. We are just recognising talent, said the voices, the risk is distant, things will pass, it can wait for tomorrow.
Knowledge of the true scale of the threats we face spreads amongst the populace, and we have made no show that we can defend the people - they will be nervous, afraid, prone to act irrationally. Knowledge can only be good, said the voices, and it is not urgent. It can wait for tomorrow.
Tomorrow is here, and no longer can we put off these big questions. It is a time for leaders, for great heroes. I have faith that we have them, and they will prove themselves in the coming days, weeks and months.
That might be the case on this road - and I see many attacking the Lords behind it. I do not. The fault lines this brought up have long been there and long ignored, particularly by those of us happily isolated in Arx.
Various abandoned tribes prey on our roads, we must find solutions. Yet many voices said that this was not urgent, that it could wait for tomorrow.
We integrate prodigals and elevate them at a rate that causes disquiet, should we address these concerns? And the answer from many voices was that this was not urgent, that this was for the best, that it could wait for tomorrow.
Too many neo-nobles are created, pushing at the limits of our societal contract, it causes disquiet to those nobles in the regions, it causes disquiet in the holdings. We are just recognising talent, said the voices, the risk is distant, things will pass, it can wait for tomorrow.
Knowledge of the true scale of the threats we face spreads amongst the populace, and we have made no show that we can defend the people - they will be nervous, afraid, prone to act irrationally. Knowledge can only be good, said the voices, and it is not urgent. It can wait for tomorrow.
Tomorrow is here, and no longer can we put off these big questions. It is a time for leaders, for great heroes. I have faith that we have them, and they will prove themselves in the coming days, weeks and months.
Written By Preston
Jan. 10, 2019, 8 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
And before someone says it, no. I am not the reasonable soft voice. For this you have much wiser people than me, in the Legates, in the Dominus. I would always wish things to be solved before it comes to the Templars - I would wish indeed that the Templars had nothing to do, that there was no threat to a shrine, that holy men and women could walk Arvum with no threat to them, that nobles and commons would follow the teachings of the Faith as they are bound to do. Alas it is not so. Because it is not so, it means we must continue to offer our advice so the Faith can be prepared for those moments when we are needed, and hopefully in our use in small mounts, by our use to help as well, so any larger involvement might be avoided.
We are not a fine tool, we are not a careful pair of scissors to cut out a beautiful pattern in cloth, as the Legates and the Dominus can achieve with talk and negotiation and great theological points. When it comes to the Faith Militant, we will solve a problem but we will solve it as we know how. As an army of the Faith.
We are not a fine tool, we are not a careful pair of scissors to cut out a beautiful pattern in cloth, as the Legates and the Dominus can achieve with talk and negotiation and great theological points. When it comes to the Faith Militant, we will solve a problem but we will solve it as we know how. As an army of the Faith.
Written By Preston
Jan. 10, 2019, 7:34 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
The losses we have suffered in recent years have all heart. 1 or 100 or 1000 or 10000 loss, you feel each on your heart. I know, and share that. And mourn with you.
It seems worse to know that some of the recent deaths of the Faith Militant come from the children of the Faith. Each of the thousands who died at Stormwall, the hundreds at the Lodge, these were brave men and women of the Faith who died to protect the children of the Faith, to end a threat or if they could not then to least buy us some precious few moments of peace, some breathing room, to extend the light of our civilisation's candle by a day, a week, a month, a year.
And now they are taken down by the very ones their brothers and sisters died to save. It breaks the heart.
It seems worse to know that some of the recent deaths of the Faith Militant come from the children of the Faith. Each of the thousands who died at Stormwall, the hundreds at the Lodge, these were brave men and women of the Faith who died to protect the children of the Faith, to end a threat or if they could not then to least buy us some precious few moments of peace, some breathing room, to extend the light of our civilisation's candle by a day, a week, a month, a year.
And now they are taken down by the very ones their brothers and sisters died to save. It breaks the heart.
Written By Preston
Jan. 10, 2019, 7:26 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
I am saddened, and I am angry. That so many would insult the Gods with their actions, in breaches of the laws of Gild, of Gloria and indeed breach their own oaths as loyal subjects of the compact by waging war on the Faith itself.
Prodigals, the abandoned who have bent the knee, suffer suspicion and doubt of their motives. I make no secret that I am conservative, I am a voice of the Orthodoxy on this, I share this doubt. I share that suspicion. I think we should watch these people closely, that in people who have lived their life at times outside of the Gods but certainly outside of proper worship may not fully understand or care about the solemnity of their oaths. I believe Abandoned tribes are a threat to us. I believe we should seek an end to them. I believe where they have chosen to stay outside of the compact we should offer them all they have asked for, war in the fullest measure and the asserting of the Crown's rule and of the Faith's jurisdiction, with no exception or compromise.
But to kill them out of hand when they have bent the knee is to deny them the chance to abandon their crime of being outlaws, to abandon a path they were born onto, one they did not necessarily choose. In denying them that choice, you ensure there is no way to tell the difference innocent, who when given the chance to swear do the right thing, and the guilty, those who pursue the path of war and refusal against us. And to kill the innocent is a crime against Gloria.
To the killing of a bridal party under guest right, to the killing of a most holy Seraph, to the slaughter of the Knights of Solace, the killing of my brother and sister Templars? For those that did this I have simpler words. Throw yourselves now on the mercy of the Dominus, beg him for forgiveness, beg him for a path back to the light, beg for all that you do not deserve but which he might, in his infinite patience, give. For if you do not, if instead we find out who you are through other means? Then it will be my brothers and sisters that will come for you. You will not be able to run. You will not be able to hide. Whatever your name, your title, your family, your walls, they will offer you no protection. I do not care if you are a most noble lord or the lowest peasant, all that stand between you and me now is time, and the Dominus and his Legates. Time marches on regardless, so I say again, turn yourself in, beg the Dominus, and perhaps we need never meet.
Prodigals, the abandoned who have bent the knee, suffer suspicion and doubt of their motives. I make no secret that I am conservative, I am a voice of the Orthodoxy on this, I share this doubt. I share that suspicion. I think we should watch these people closely, that in people who have lived their life at times outside of the Gods but certainly outside of proper worship may not fully understand or care about the solemnity of their oaths. I believe Abandoned tribes are a threat to us. I believe we should seek an end to them. I believe where they have chosen to stay outside of the compact we should offer them all they have asked for, war in the fullest measure and the asserting of the Crown's rule and of the Faith's jurisdiction, with no exception or compromise.
But to kill them out of hand when they have bent the knee is to deny them the chance to abandon their crime of being outlaws, to abandon a path they were born onto, one they did not necessarily choose. In denying them that choice, you ensure there is no way to tell the difference innocent, who when given the chance to swear do the right thing, and the guilty, those who pursue the path of war and refusal against us. And to kill the innocent is a crime against Gloria.
To the killing of a bridal party under guest right, to the killing of a most holy Seraph, to the slaughter of the Knights of Solace, the killing of my brother and sister Templars? For those that did this I have simpler words. Throw yourselves now on the mercy of the Dominus, beg him for forgiveness, beg him for a path back to the light, beg for all that you do not deserve but which he might, in his infinite patience, give. For if you do not, if instead we find out who you are through other means? Then it will be my brothers and sisters that will come for you. You will not be able to run. You will not be able to hide. Whatever your name, your title, your family, your walls, they will offer you no protection. I do not care if you are a most noble lord or the lowest peasant, all that stand between you and me now is time, and the Dominus and his Legates. Time marches on regardless, so I say again, turn yourself in, beg the Dominus, and perhaps we need never meet.
Written By Preston
Dec. 29, 2018, 11:12 a.m.(4/6/1010 AR)
So. Ambassadors with an offer. It is for the Dominus to respond for the Faith, I speak only as a simple man. But I am inclined to suggest that people only tell you that everything is lost when in truth there are still options other than the one they offer. Otherwise they would force the issue and let it move to its natural resolution.
The Gods and the Compact have seen us through over a thousand years - and the Gods gave us our greatest gift in our freedom. I would not be minded to give that away - I would die a freeman, even on my knees at the headman's block, rather than a long life as a slave.
But, the Gods also gave us guides to our conduct, and these people as long as they act with honour should be viewed as our guests. And people should behave appropriately.
The Gods and the Compact have seen us through over a thousand years - and the Gods gave us our greatest gift in our freedom. I would not be minded to give that away - I would die a freeman, even on my knees at the headman's block, rather than a long life as a slave.
But, the Gods also gave us guides to our conduct, and these people as long as they act with honour should be viewed as our guests. And people should behave appropriately.
Written By Preston
Dec. 17, 2018, 7:07 a.m.(3/9/1010 AR)
The Templars are often apart from others of the Faith in our thinking. I suspect this may be true of the Faith Militant more broadly, but I would not speak for Dame Thena. Our job is to see the threats that exist, and those that may come to be, and to defend the Faith come what may. It forces on us thinking that perhaps can be more conservative, more prone to defend rather than expose. Risk averse, perhaps. The reason is that though each area of the Faith is responsible for its areas, for its decisions, the cost for those decisions is often borne by our people. It is those we embrace as brothers, the people we see day in and day out, who suddenly one day we stop seeing. Whose names instead we write one final time on lists, before adding them to the rolls of the honoured dead.
If ever we seem tired, it is because of late we have written too many lines in those pages.
If ever we seem tired, it is because of late we have written too many lines in those pages.
Written By Preston
Dec. 16, 2018, 3:35 p.m.(3/8/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Sparte
An interesting musing from Disciple Sparte. I must admit, I had not given too much thought to it. Penance cannot always make up for the failing that requires it - sometimes it can only show contrition, a request for forgiveness, a willingness to humble yourself. It does not wipe away the act. And sometimes penance is also the end - the difference then between that and punishment is that the act of penance that puts one in the danger that takes your life is one you walk to on your feet. As opposed to crawling on your knees to the headman's block.
Written By Preston
Dec. 16, 2018, 2:04 p.m.(3/8/1010 AR)
It feels as though the number of mercenaries around doubles with each passing day. I know scholar, a fit of hyperbole - but there are more, or so it seems. A sign of the time perhaps. Especially after the losses many houses and the Faith took in the war with the Gyre. In light of the continued losses. I do not ever pretend to understand the mercenary life - but I suppose that is one of the many reasons I am not one, and they are. Yet, they are also some of the few who seem to understand that the enemy is tearing at our throat, his fingers held just out of reach of their target by a chain that is ever slackening. Perhaps one more push - one more heave - and that chain will slip that final inch.
Written By Preston
Dec. 9, 2018, 6:37 p.m.(2/22/1010 AR)
I have been pondering much of late on how people present themselves as individuals to the various powerful organisations in the city.
If you are wanting to become close with one group, you must consider who else you are close to. Not all groups will get along, not all people will get along. If you say you wish to be a friend to some, yet you draw support from or support in turn those who would seek to harm them, it casts doubt on you - either on how invested you are in matters, how honest you are being in them or perhaps just questioning your awareness if you do not see the risk.
I would tend to suggest honesty is important, but most of all with yourself. You cannot be everything to everyone. Not everyone will love you. Some people will hate you. Accept that. Your life will be better for it. But, also understand that membership will bring limitations. As long as it is legal and proper, no-one should stop anyone from doing things, but that does not mean that they should not comment upon it nor that they should allow such a thing to occur in their name. For the Faith this came in the purging of the influx of shamanist supporters to some discipleships. For the Crown this might come in limitations on who can be an inquisitor, because loyalties must be clear. And so on.
Just a musing.
If you are wanting to become close with one group, you must consider who else you are close to. Not all groups will get along, not all people will get along. If you say you wish to be a friend to some, yet you draw support from or support in turn those who would seek to harm them, it casts doubt on you - either on how invested you are in matters, how honest you are being in them or perhaps just questioning your awareness if you do not see the risk.
I would tend to suggest honesty is important, but most of all with yourself. You cannot be everything to everyone. Not everyone will love you. Some people will hate you. Accept that. Your life will be better for it. But, also understand that membership will bring limitations. As long as it is legal and proper, no-one should stop anyone from doing things, but that does not mean that they should not comment upon it nor that they should allow such a thing to occur in their name. For the Faith this came in the purging of the influx of shamanist supporters to some discipleships. For the Crown this might come in limitations on who can be an inquisitor, because loyalties must be clear. And so on.
Just a musing.
Written By Preston
Dec. 2, 2018, 6:21 a.m.(2/7/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Rinel
Each person's journey to the Faith is different - each unique. Yes at times they rhyme with others, resonances and familiarities, but each of us has our own path - our own past, our own mistakes and our own successes. I hope that yours has a pleasant ending.
Written By Preston
Dec. 1, 2018, 9 a.m.(2/5/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
Thena thanks me for offering to help acclimatise the new knights - yet it seems like such a happy thing to help with I must admit I am surprised that I get thanks, though grateful all the same. New brothers and sisters are to be welcomed. And the replacement of lives outside of the compact with fresh starts within the Faith.
Some have wondered at the fact that I refer to Dame Thena as my little sister - it started perhaps as a tease, for she is not towering in stature and of course the Solace and Templars are brother and sister in their duties, as they care, we protect. It was not particularly clever or witty, but it started when we were both simple Godsworn. But it has grown to mean more. Dame Thena rose quickly in the Faith - it is easy to feel isolated in such a place. She and I also agree on much. She is often calm when I am full of righteous fury, she will often see the safer route to the side while I am content to barrel through. In turn I hope that I help her in some ways. Though when we cease to moderate one another, when we are both angry and pushed towards a path, I do fear for those who stand in our way. Tables will, as little sister would say, be flipped.
The other part now is a more sombering one. Dame Thena and I share a burden that comes from our rank. It is something unique to the Faith Militant within the Faith, for no great numbers of scholars or other disciples die with such frequency, be it the slow bleed of Dame Thena's knights on the roads of the Compact, or the huge swathes that fall in great battles. Dame Thena and I oversea huge amounts of death, and take responsibility for it. We must write letters to Seraphs and others, must tell them that disciples and Godsworn will not return to waystations, to parishes, to loved ones and family. And we must also consider our actions carefully, because once committed there can be no return. The Faith has not gathered in the force it has recently for generations - Dame Thena, like myself, has had no example to draw on for her actions. She must find her own way, with her faith, and her mind. And even her quick witted tongue. As I must find my own way with what few gifts the Gods kindly gave me.
So. Yes. I have many brothers and sisters, many thousands. I have many children, many thousands of those as well. I have 5 parents in the Dominus and his Legates. But of little sisters I have but one, and no matter how we might disagree at times, she will always have my support for the way she serves the faith and champions the Gods.
Some have wondered at the fact that I refer to Dame Thena as my little sister - it started perhaps as a tease, for she is not towering in stature and of course the Solace and Templars are brother and sister in their duties, as they care, we protect. It was not particularly clever or witty, but it started when we were both simple Godsworn. But it has grown to mean more. Dame Thena rose quickly in the Faith - it is easy to feel isolated in such a place. She and I also agree on much. She is often calm when I am full of righteous fury, she will often see the safer route to the side while I am content to barrel through. In turn I hope that I help her in some ways. Though when we cease to moderate one another, when we are both angry and pushed towards a path, I do fear for those who stand in our way. Tables will, as little sister would say, be flipped.
The other part now is a more sombering one. Dame Thena and I share a burden that comes from our rank. It is something unique to the Faith Militant within the Faith, for no great numbers of scholars or other disciples die with such frequency, be it the slow bleed of Dame Thena's knights on the roads of the Compact, or the huge swathes that fall in great battles. Dame Thena and I oversea huge amounts of death, and take responsibility for it. We must write letters to Seraphs and others, must tell them that disciples and Godsworn will not return to waystations, to parishes, to loved ones and family. And we must also consider our actions carefully, because once committed there can be no return. The Faith has not gathered in the force it has recently for generations - Dame Thena, like myself, has had no example to draw on for her actions. She must find her own way, with her faith, and her mind. And even her quick witted tongue. As I must find my own way with what few gifts the Gods kindly gave me.
So. Yes. I have many brothers and sisters, many thousands. I have many children, many thousands of those as well. I have 5 parents in the Dominus and his Legates. But of little sisters I have but one, and no matter how we might disagree at times, she will always have my support for the way she serves the faith and champions the Gods.
Written By Preston
Nov. 22, 2018, 5 a.m.(1/15/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Arik
A minor point, Lord Arik, but while it is true as you say the Faith Militant often goes only where invited, we are also already everywhere. In every castle, every village, every town you will find my brothers and sisters of the Templars. On every road our brothers and sisters of the Silver Order. We do nothing as we please, you are most correct. For we do not serve ourselves or our whims. Even my whims are unimportant - even the whims of the beloved Dame Thena. We serve the Gods and their righteous causes. Your points though are very well made - the land is primarily the duty of the nobles, though we are of course always happy to help and advise where we can.
There is a fascinating and detailed structure around the Faith Militant, and of course a bright and detailed history, that I'm always happy to discuss. Perhaps once his duties allow, I might convince Sir Leif to host some kind of event in the Redrain Ward.
There is a fascinating and detailed structure around the Faith Militant, and of course a bright and detailed history, that I'm always happy to discuss. Perhaps once his duties allow, I might convince Sir Leif to host some kind of event in the Redrain Ward.
Written By Preston
Nov. 22, 2018, 4:48 a.m.(1/15/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Fortunato
No time spend in discussion of important matters is time wasted. And we are a society of artists as much as warriors, farmers as much as nobles - the different viewpoints are important, I think. I would never consider you are nobody, Master Fortunato. You are after all a Grayhope, as Dame Thena and Father Aureth were. If any member of the Faith cannot make time to listen to the concerns of someone from a family who gave as great a gift to us as those two then something has gone wrong.
Written By Preston
Nov. 22, 2018, 4:44 a.m.(1/15/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Thesarin
I am unsure if the people will forgive us for not dealing with a threat for fear they are becoming a threat. And we must remember that this is not theory, even if it appears so to those of us in Arx. Now, somewhere, the death continues. Our caravans, our roads, our holdings will be attacked and raided by the more aggressive tribes, by tribes who are hungry or desperate, by free tribes, by tribes under the sway of our enemy, by tribes who just happened to migrate in the wrong direction and who either themselves chose violence or faced understandable reaction from the local citizens. Not all who attack are evil, and many reasons are understandable, but does does not mean it is not happening.
To choose to do nothing therefore is not a neutral or good stance, but it is to say the current death must continue, on both sides. It may well be the lesser of evils, I do not think so, but it is an argument to be made. And yes, what I propose does mean conflict as well - just as we have conflict now. Some will resist such moves, some will die. Though it will perhaps be more an open and free choice than previous, and it will be levies and those who have chosen to fight on our side who will take that cost, and not our husbands, wives, daughters and sons who sit at home, where we have promised them safety. Nor those simply travelling the roads to visit the sites of the Gods.
I am certain there are other solutions, and many may indeed be better. I am not Father Aureth, I am not Mother Ailith, I am not Most Holy Orazio. I am a simple priest and warrior of the Faith, my answers are incomplete. But they are solutions. And the ones you will get should you leave the matters to me and men like me. I would encourage you to find better answers - I would encourage all to.
To choose to do nothing therefore is not a neutral or good stance, but it is to say the current death must continue, on both sides. It may well be the lesser of evils, I do not think so, but it is an argument to be made. And yes, what I propose does mean conflict as well - just as we have conflict now. Some will resist such moves, some will die. Though it will perhaps be more an open and free choice than previous, and it will be levies and those who have chosen to fight on our side who will take that cost, and not our husbands, wives, daughters and sons who sit at home, where we have promised them safety. Nor those simply travelling the roads to visit the sites of the Gods.
I am certain there are other solutions, and many may indeed be better. I am not Father Aureth, I am not Mother Ailith, I am not Most Holy Orazio. I am a simple priest and warrior of the Faith, my answers are incomplete. But they are solutions. And the ones you will get should you leave the matters to me and men like me. I would encourage you to find better answers - I would encourage all to.
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