Written By Preston
Dec. 6, 2020, 6:26 p.m.(7/9/1014 AR)
The thing about the Faith is that it is full of the best people, those most dedicated to the ideals of the Gods, those who sacrifice themselves to the Gods' services and mission. But, it is also greater than any one of them. No matter how great any of us may think ourselves in the moment, no matter how much of a fixture any one person is? There will be another. Because the Faith lives on, beyond any of us.
I have been thinking on the retired Grandmaster of late, a man who was a fixture and who was one of two men who dominated my younger life. He was the strength of the Faith for so long, the arm of the Dominus. I think of each Dominus I have served, each who seemed to be a fixture for their time, each who we thought would be there forever. And it makes you realise, the Faith endures even the most sad and horrific events. It survived those, and it will survive my passing as well. And those who seek to harm it by killing even the most beloved of us have not only made a bad move, but they are unaware even of the nature of the game we play.
I have been thinking on the retired Grandmaster of late, a man who was a fixture and who was one of two men who dominated my younger life. He was the strength of the Faith for so long, the arm of the Dominus. I think of each Dominus I have served, each who seemed to be a fixture for their time, each who we thought would be there forever. And it makes you realise, the Faith endures even the most sad and horrific events. It survived those, and it will survive my passing as well. And those who seek to harm it by killing even the most beloved of us have not only made a bad move, but they are unaware even of the nature of the game we play.
Written By Preston
Nov. 29, 2020, 7:21 p.m.(6/23/1014 AR)
It is always re-assuring to hear from the Seraph of Sanctum. Being of the Orthodoxy, and if I might spoil myself to think somewhat a senior cleric, I was confident of the support towards the unity of the Faith.
Waldo is now a political flea, of little importance in the grand scheme but rather annoying.
Waldo is now a political flea, of little importance in the grand scheme but rather annoying.
Written By Preston
Nov. 17, 2020, 9:13 a.m.(5/25/1014 AR)
This former Seraph, Waldo, is quite inconsistent. He claims to represent tradition, he claims to respect the Most Holy Orazio who was murdered by people loyal to the man to whom he has staked his flag. And yet, he claims I was appointed inappropriately?
Tradition of the Faith is that the Carnifex shall be appointed when an existential threat shall arise against the Faith, that this vote shall consist of the Dominus, the Legates and the Grandmaster of the Templars. Given that he does not question my appointment by Most Holy Aldwin to my office, nor does he question Legates Cassandra, Bianca or Ailith, nor does he question Most Holy Orazio, and as he stakes for tradition, I do not know how he can say that I was appointed in anything but the proper ways of our tradition.
I am an Orthodox priest - I have never hidden that from anyone, I have worn that as a badge on my sleeve. I have steeped myself in the traditions of the Faith and of the Church. I was raised in it, almost born into it you could say. I was raised in the Rectory itself, ward of a Legate who would become Dominus, a Valardin. I was squire to the Grandmaster of the Templars, the bastion of the Orthodoxy in the Faith. I wield Crusader, the ancient blade of our order, one which most represents our traditions and our strength, recovered by my hands with a band of fellow devotees. I have led the Orthodoxy into battle, as we smashed the Shav tribes of the Northern Oathlands, ending the Reaper of the Oathlands. I led the Templars to Stormwall, into the Grey Forest, to the Lodge, to Maelstrom, to the Fournier Pickets, to Artshall...against shavs and enemies of the Faith by the dozen, by the hundreds, by their thousands.
I will not be lectured on tradition by an upstart pup of an apostate, a man who when he had to choose between Faith and Lord chose the Lord. Because that is a breach of our most basic tradition. The Faith is paramount. Our oaths to it are first and foremost, and no other oath can ever be allowed to come between that. The Seraph of Sanctum will consider things, for he is wise and acts as the Faith should - with careful ponderance. But I know he will fall on the side of righteousness with us, and I also know this. The Faith may be slow to rouse, for we are a mighty beast of great size, but our response will be swift, it will be devastating and it will be just.
And I remind Waldo, for his logic is flawed and whatever he whimpers into his bedclothes, I am the Carnifex of the Faith for now. My holy charge is to defend the Faith from its threats. In placing himself with an Apostate who has himself declared for heretics and the Eurusi, he joins those enemies. And the tradition, the one I love and the one he abuses, makes the powers of the Carnifex clear - whatever is necessary to defeat that threat and preserve the Faith. I will come for you, Waldo. And I will drag you in chains to the Star Chamber, and I will be there at your end.
For you abuse the two things that the Orthodoxy hold most dear, Waldo. The Faith and tradition. And the Orthodoxy is not forgiving.
Tradition of the Faith is that the Carnifex shall be appointed when an existential threat shall arise against the Faith, that this vote shall consist of the Dominus, the Legates and the Grandmaster of the Templars. Given that he does not question my appointment by Most Holy Aldwin to my office, nor does he question Legates Cassandra, Bianca or Ailith, nor does he question Most Holy Orazio, and as he stakes for tradition, I do not know how he can say that I was appointed in anything but the proper ways of our tradition.
I am an Orthodox priest - I have never hidden that from anyone, I have worn that as a badge on my sleeve. I have steeped myself in the traditions of the Faith and of the Church. I was raised in it, almost born into it you could say. I was raised in the Rectory itself, ward of a Legate who would become Dominus, a Valardin. I was squire to the Grandmaster of the Templars, the bastion of the Orthodoxy in the Faith. I wield Crusader, the ancient blade of our order, one which most represents our traditions and our strength, recovered by my hands with a band of fellow devotees. I have led the Orthodoxy into battle, as we smashed the Shav tribes of the Northern Oathlands, ending the Reaper of the Oathlands. I led the Templars to Stormwall, into the Grey Forest, to the Lodge, to Maelstrom, to the Fournier Pickets, to Artshall...against shavs and enemies of the Faith by the dozen, by the hundreds, by their thousands.
I will not be lectured on tradition by an upstart pup of an apostate, a man who when he had to choose between Faith and Lord chose the Lord. Because that is a breach of our most basic tradition. The Faith is paramount. Our oaths to it are first and foremost, and no other oath can ever be allowed to come between that. The Seraph of Sanctum will consider things, for he is wise and acts as the Faith should - with careful ponderance. But I know he will fall on the side of righteousness with us, and I also know this. The Faith may be slow to rouse, for we are a mighty beast of great size, but our response will be swift, it will be devastating and it will be just.
And I remind Waldo, for his logic is flawed and whatever he whimpers into his bedclothes, I am the Carnifex of the Faith for now. My holy charge is to defend the Faith from its threats. In placing himself with an Apostate who has himself declared for heretics and the Eurusi, he joins those enemies. And the tradition, the one I love and the one he abuses, makes the powers of the Carnifex clear - whatever is necessary to defeat that threat and preserve the Faith. I will come for you, Waldo. And I will drag you in chains to the Star Chamber, and I will be there at your end.
For you abuse the two things that the Orthodoxy hold most dear, Waldo. The Faith and tradition. And the Orthodoxy is not forgiving.
Written By Preston
Nov. 16, 2020, 5:09 a.m.(5/23/1014 AR)
I find myself with a quiet moment - and I thought I would write a journal about the recent loss. Most Holy Orazio came to the Rectory when he was already grown and I was young - though at times it was fun to remind him that despite my age, I had been at the heart of the Faith longer even than him. It is hard to think of a world where he won't be present. Many faces changed over the years, Orazio has been constant - not always on the same side as me in debates, but always on the side of the Faith, as we all were.
The idea of a world without him is a strange one. Though each time I dwell on his death I am reminded of a conversation I had with him after Stormwall. We had lost half the order in that battle to stop the Gyre, men injured or dead. The responsibility I felt for that, and the sorrow at the loss of our brothers, weighed on me. I spoke to Father Orazio, and he was stern with me - I could have my grief, for grief was natural, but if I let it freeze me from action then he would be most happy to accept my resignation because I was no use then.
It is the same now, my grief is there and I feel it for Orazio's loss, but I won't allow it to paralyse us or hold us back from what is right. Orazio would be the first to be angry if his legacy were used to stymie the Faith, to allow evil to advance even one step. We will do what we must and defeat the Eurusi, a war started under his auspices. And we will find those who supported and fuelled this attack on the Faith and we will carve their disease from the flesh of the compact. Not because they killed Orazio the person, but because they assaulted the Faith and it is for the Faith and what is good that this is done.
The idea of a world without him is a strange one. Though each time I dwell on his death I am reminded of a conversation I had with him after Stormwall. We had lost half the order in that battle to stop the Gyre, men injured or dead. The responsibility I felt for that, and the sorrow at the loss of our brothers, weighed on me. I spoke to Father Orazio, and he was stern with me - I could have my grief, for grief was natural, but if I let it freeze me from action then he would be most happy to accept my resignation because I was no use then.
It is the same now, my grief is there and I feel it for Orazio's loss, but I won't allow it to paralyse us or hold us back from what is right. Orazio would be the first to be angry if his legacy were used to stymie the Faith, to allow evil to advance even one step. We will do what we must and defeat the Eurusi, a war started under his auspices. And we will find those who supported and fuelled this attack on the Faith and we will carve their disease from the flesh of the compact. Not because they killed Orazio the person, but because they assaulted the Faith and it is for the Faith and what is good that this is done.
Written By Preston
Oct. 25, 2020, 8:45 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Poetry can make us feel better about war, or stirring oratory from a great leader. At it's heart though it is a hard thing. And each will approach it differently and for their own causes.
For my part, I must weigh this simply - is it just? Is it right? Is it honourable? Does war fulfill the commands of the Gods? In this, the Skal'daja are a threat to our Faith, they have preyed on our people, they remove choice from people, their actions place at risk untold numbers of innocents. It is of course more complicated than a few words on a journal's page. But, all these things must be considered and weighed, and the harm done by acting weighed against it. But once you have undertaken this serious consideration, once you have decided the war is just? Then there is no reason to pause or fight with half measure.
That is the Templar way. To consider carefully our path, but once decided upon to forge it with faith and steel. To where it must go.
For my part, I must weigh this simply - is it just? Is it right? Is it honourable? Does war fulfill the commands of the Gods? In this, the Skal'daja are a threat to our Faith, they have preyed on our people, they remove choice from people, their actions place at risk untold numbers of innocents. It is of course more complicated than a few words on a journal's page. But, all these things must be considered and weighed, and the harm done by acting weighed against it. But once you have undertaken this serious consideration, once you have decided the war is just? Then there is no reason to pause or fight with half measure.
That is the Templar way. To consider carefully our path, but once decided upon to forge it with faith and steel. To where it must go.
Written By Preston
Oct. 23, 2020, 8:56 a.m.(4/3/1014 AR)
At Sungreet the forces of several Great and Noble Houses fought alongside the Templars and other agents of the Faith under the banner of the Crusade to hold our land against those who would harm our people, harm our Faith, attack our Gods.
Since the time of our forefathers, the Compact and the Faith have slowly carved away the darkness that came following the Great Wars of the Reckoning. In silver, steel and blood we paid the price for that progress. We paid that price again at Sungreet, because we will not allow any of that to have been in vain. We won't give up centuries of progress to a foreign invader upset because we hold to the Gods' laws. To their values. We won't listen to their rules, take their commands, give our children up as chattel for their houses and their armies. We won't allow it for the Shavs either, those who may be saved from the darkness yet.
As the Compact we are allies, a series of Houses with differing ties. But the one thing that unites us fully, the one thing that makes all the rest possible, is our Faith. Let that be your guide. And we will not hit like a rain of arrows, each capable and deadly, but each skittering off their admitedly-tough armour, but instead we will hit like the tip of a lance - the full force of our people behind it in the charge, and pierce through into their heart.
Since the time of our forefathers, the Compact and the Faith have slowly carved away the darkness that came following the Great Wars of the Reckoning. In silver, steel and blood we paid the price for that progress. We paid that price again at Sungreet, because we will not allow any of that to have been in vain. We won't give up centuries of progress to a foreign invader upset because we hold to the Gods' laws. To their values. We won't listen to their rules, take their commands, give our children up as chattel for their houses and their armies. We won't allow it for the Shavs either, those who may be saved from the darkness yet.
As the Compact we are allies, a series of Houses with differing ties. But the one thing that unites us fully, the one thing that makes all the rest possible, is our Faith. Let that be your guide. And we will not hit like a rain of arrows, each capable and deadly, but each skittering off their admitedly-tough armour, but instead we will hit like the tip of a lance - the full force of our people behind it in the charge, and pierce through into their heart.
Written By Preston
Oct. 22, 2020, 8:05 a.m.(4/1/1014 AR)
If to be certain of victory you must compromise your ideals and your beliefs, then perhaps that is no real kind of victory at all.
Written By Preston
Oct. 10, 2020, 9:40 p.m.(3/6/1014 AR)
I hear of new swords being forged in the city, of new people arriving, I know myself of new ships being put to sea - as it will be for the first Templar caravels. This is all to the good. It shows our people increase, that we do more each day, each month, each year to push ourselves forward. And these acts bring us closer to the Gods, whether intended to or not. I am not so naïve as to think that a smith always will think of Jayus as he forged the blade, and yet Jayus is there. In each ringing note of the hammer on the blade and the anvil. We may see only two merchants trading coin, but over their shoulders stands Limerance and Gild, seeing them honour their contracts and build civilisation in trade.
It is also good because we have need of it. For winter's cold air cannot hide from us a certain truth. The Eurusi of the Dune Emperor are still close. They lurk in their warrens and hideaways in the Saffron Chain, those places they still cling to and fill with their dark worship, with their slaves and stolen silver. The Crusade is unfinished, and the threat still real. We must sweep them from the Saffron Chain, we must sweep them from the Mourning Isles, we must teach these Empires this single truth: We stand in the light of the Gods, united and unbowed.
It is also good because we have need of it. For winter's cold air cannot hide from us a certain truth. The Eurusi of the Dune Emperor are still close. They lurk in their warrens and hideaways in the Saffron Chain, those places they still cling to and fill with their dark worship, with their slaves and stolen silver. The Crusade is unfinished, and the threat still real. We must sweep them from the Saffron Chain, we must sweep them from the Mourning Isles, we must teach these Empires this single truth: We stand in the light of the Gods, united and unbowed.
Written By Preston
Sept. 29, 2020, 8:36 a.m.(2/11/1014 AR)
We lost thousands at Sungreet - good people all - to defend the Compact and most important the Gods from assault by foreign heretics. Though the losses may not seem large compared to the size of the Templars as a whole, each death cuts at my heart - as they have at each battle I have been in. At the Lodge. At Stormwall.
They fought and died for a myriad of reasons, each person unique and irreplaceable. They were noble and commoner. They were Godsworn and disciple. Lycene and Valardin. Grayson and Thrax. Pravus and Redrain. People who felt called to the Templars by zeal, those called by tradition, those called to atone.
Each of those wounds to my heart re-opens when such sacrifices are called to be thrown away for a dishonourable peace with heretics and apostates. War is hard, it is costly and it hurts. That is why you must always be certain your cause is just, that it is worth it. The Gods are worth it, our love of them is worth it, our Compact guided by their ideals is worth it.
The Apostate Ivan worked with those who worship false Gods, he ordered an assault on a place of Sanctuary and a Mother of the Faith, and I have no doubt we will find evidence of a thousand more wrongs he has done as if the first two were not alone worthy of sanction. He was offered the chance to come to obedience multiple times. He was offered the chance even when it came to his removal to avoid blood shed, to hand power over to his son. Each time he refused. He made his choice, and while he may dishonour the Gods we will honour Skald's choice and the one he made to be our enemy.
And by the Gods, Ivan and the Dune Emperor (whoever he may claim to be) will be swept from our lands. The land our honoured fallen died for will not be home for the likes of them.
They fought and died for a myriad of reasons, each person unique and irreplaceable. They were noble and commoner. They were Godsworn and disciple. Lycene and Valardin. Grayson and Thrax. Pravus and Redrain. People who felt called to the Templars by zeal, those called by tradition, those called to atone.
Each of those wounds to my heart re-opens when such sacrifices are called to be thrown away for a dishonourable peace with heretics and apostates. War is hard, it is costly and it hurts. That is why you must always be certain your cause is just, that it is worth it. The Gods are worth it, our love of them is worth it, our Compact guided by their ideals is worth it.
The Apostate Ivan worked with those who worship false Gods, he ordered an assault on a place of Sanctuary and a Mother of the Faith, and I have no doubt we will find evidence of a thousand more wrongs he has done as if the first two were not alone worthy of sanction. He was offered the chance to come to obedience multiple times. He was offered the chance even when it came to his removal to avoid blood shed, to hand power over to his son. Each time he refused. He made his choice, and while he may dishonour the Gods we will honour Skald's choice and the one he made to be our enemy.
And by the Gods, Ivan and the Dune Emperor (whoever he may claim to be) will be swept from our lands. The land our honoured fallen died for will not be home for the likes of them.
Written By Preston
Sept. 29, 2020, 8:18 a.m.(2/11/1014 AR)
How strange that those who would support an Apostate would try to attack the Faith. It is a dangerous path, to champion an Apostate is to distance oneself from Church and Compact. It is to place barriers between yourself and the Gods, and as their voices grow dimmer to you, so you lose your way. It is a path that risks open conflict at a time when we are under assault by heretics from foreign lands, when the Compact must show these "Empires" as well as those abandoned tribes who would worship those same false Gods that we are strong. That we are not their playthings, not their victims, not carrion for them to feast upon. If understanding this, those nobles continue down that path I do not see a way back for them. And if after all that they truly would like a theological debate, I am content to offer one shortly before their trial. Afterwards, I fear they will not quite have the head for talking.
Written By Preston
Sept. 26, 2020, 7:02 a.m.(2/5/1014 AR)
Surprises can come even when you do expect them.
Written By Preston
Sept. 20, 2020, 7:38 p.m.(1/22/1014 AR)
A knight is bound through Oath of Limerance to a cruel and petty Lord who directs him to harm to innocents.
What should the knight do? What should be done with the knight? And does your judgement change if he knew the nature of his master beforehand or not?
What should the knight do? What should be done with the knight? And does your judgement change if he knew the nature of his master beforehand or not?
Written By Preston
Sept. 20, 2020, 7:36 p.m.(1/22/1014 AR)
I am given at times to musing over quite esoteric matters in flowery and nuanced way. Such is the life of a priest, where we dance with the divine in all those small places their light penetrates, each facet of our lives.
That said, nobles and marriage and its nature seems straight forward to me. It is duty. That is its only core and essential nature. It is the debt owed to your people, the stability you owe them through alliances and stable and trained heirs. If it can be more, then I have no quarrel and will rejoice happily in your joy.
That said, nobles and marriage and its nature seems straight forward to me. It is duty. That is its only core and essential nature. It is the debt owed to your people, the stability you owe them through alliances and stable and trained heirs. If it can be more, then I have no quarrel and will rejoice happily in your joy.
Written By Preston
Aug. 25, 2020, 6:33 a.m.(11/25/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Rukhnis
While I admire the sophistry, I fear it is not the same. When we speak of defending the innocent, we do not speak of only defending the innocent - there is no need to worry if all you would defend are innocent, because they never are. But yes, it can be extreme, it can be an absolute command. There are times when Templars step into hopeless battles to give the innocent time to escape, a hope for life. There are times as an order we march before we are ready in the hope of saving many - as we did to Sungreet. And we take the losses that this causes, with a heavy heart and much sadness.
However, we acknowledge the Templar path is one of devotion and not of comfort. Nor is it an easy one - and some do falter and fall. It is also not a specific oath we undertake, but one of Gloria's commands we observe.
Perhaps my words were harshly put, but there is a note of concern - Ras seeks for himself a new life, a new start. The oath...it is like encouraging yourself to move on by burning all that was behind you. It makes the fall that much greater. It makes the stakes that much greater. I perhaps would have counselled him to begin by proving to himself a little way on this journey before staking so much. But, I am also of the Orthodox. Our oaths are taken literally and in the spirit, in the broadest binding I suppose you might say. We are cautious with them. I know this is not the way in Arx, that we see much of the Pragmatic approach. Still. It is a serious undertaking, and one I wish him the best with - I believe he wishes to do good, in my experience his mind has always been to protect others and maybe in another life his soul will be a Templar.
However, we acknowledge the Templar path is one of devotion and not of comfort. Nor is it an easy one - and some do falter and fall. It is also not a specific oath we undertake, but one of Gloria's commands we observe.
Perhaps my words were harshly put, but there is a note of concern - Ras seeks for himself a new life, a new start. The oath...it is like encouraging yourself to move on by burning all that was behind you. It makes the fall that much greater. It makes the stakes that much greater. I perhaps would have counselled him to begin by proving to himself a little way on this journey before staking so much. But, I am also of the Orthodox. Our oaths are taken literally and in the spirit, in the broadest binding I suppose you might say. We are cautious with them. I know this is not the way in Arx, that we see much of the Pragmatic approach. Still. It is a serious undertaking, and one I wish him the best with - I believe he wishes to do good, in my experience his mind has always been to protect others and maybe in another life his soul will be a Templar.
Written By Preston
Aug. 24, 2020, 8:17 a.m.(11/23/1013 AR)
Absolute oaths are often a very tricky - and foolish - thing.
If I give my Oath under Limerance to never strike another - I may mean without reason, but that is not what I have said. I said an absolute. If someone attacks me, my choice is now to be an oathbreaker or to try and flee before I am beaten to death. More than that, what if you are wlaking in the forest, you come across a burly Abandoned attacking a caravan of traders, including children and innocents. Gloria commands that you must defend the innocent. Limerance says you must honour your oaths. You have trapped yourself.
Now, the Lycene might of course approach this by using, say, a bow. The idea that one does not strike with a bow. But in general I think one that walks that path would agree, absolute oaths on behaviour like that are a recipe to doom yourself.
If I give my Oath under Limerance to never strike another - I may mean without reason, but that is not what I have said. I said an absolute. If someone attacks me, my choice is now to be an oathbreaker or to try and flee before I am beaten to death. More than that, what if you are wlaking in the forest, you come across a burly Abandoned attacking a caravan of traders, including children and innocents. Gloria commands that you must defend the innocent. Limerance says you must honour your oaths. You have trapped yourself.
Now, the Lycene might of course approach this by using, say, a bow. The idea that one does not strike with a bow. But in general I think one that walks that path would agree, absolute oaths on behaviour like that are a recipe to doom yourself.
Written By Preston
Aug. 14, 2020, 3:40 p.m.(11/4/1013 AR)
At times you are presented with choices. One path may be safe, you can see that no harm will come to you, but the other? It is the paths the Gods' commands lead you down, and you can see the thorns and wild beasts along it. And you take that path anyway. Not because of what you see, but because of what you believe - the very act of Faith. If we embrace the notion that our lives are without value, without meaning, without the Gods - to fail them to save ourselves makes no sense. Instead then, the path with the risk of danger becomes the safe path, for it at least maintains your connection to the Gods' commands. And the path that appeared safe? That is certain doom, for it is devoid of purpose, of virtue, of value.
Written By Preston
Aug. 11, 2020, 12:05 p.m.(10/26/1013 AR)
I do find people's choices of Shrines for certain activities to often be odd.
Written By Preston
Aug. 9, 2020, 8:48 a.m.(10/21/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Edain
You never seemed wholly comfortable in the role you had to play, just as I was then growing accustomed to my own. I would like to think we each grew into the duties placed upon us, became the men of the hour that were required. If duty calls you now to other places to do other things, then I will wish you that same success - and to your successors - as I wished you before. I look forward to our next discussion over tea, it seem you will have many stories to tell.
Written By Preston
Aug. 9, 2020, 8:40 a.m.(10/21/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Tyrus
As I understand, you ask if people are willing to follow through with their call or if it is mere words? I must admit, I never picked up this call - it does not sit easy on my lips. It makes things seem....personal. Yet fighting slavery is a cause the Templars have put themselves to with greater enthusiasm in recent months, it is a cause we bear even if I might frame it different to Prima Shard.
You ask if, knowing that those we kill have children, that they may see the killing of those slavers, if knowing that these things will have repurcussions, would we stay our hand? The answer is simple for a Templar. We know the cause is righteous, that slavery goes against the commands of the Gods. We will do what we can to minimise impact, and in the battle always protect the innocent, and yet. No. While the pace of holy progress can perhaps alter, it cannot be stopped.
You ask if, knowing that those we kill have children, that they may see the killing of those slavers, if knowing that these things will have repurcussions, would we stay our hand? The answer is simple for a Templar. We know the cause is righteous, that slavery goes against the commands of the Gods. We will do what we can to minimise impact, and in the battle always protect the innocent, and yet. No. While the pace of holy progress can perhaps alter, it cannot be stopped.
Written By Preston
Aug. 1, 2020, 6:09 a.m.(10/5/1013 AR)
I was called the other day a ‘Tyrant’s Pet’. The person that said it was naturally angry, and for reasons that are true to themselves so this is not some attempt to attack them. But simply to say that after this encounter I have thought of those I have served in my life. The old Grandmaster of the Templars, Fawkuhl, Aldwin, Dominus Orazio, and the King.
The old Grandmaster was an honourable man. But not one who to my knowledge aspired to more than he was. I was also never his pet - his squire, yes. And I miss his advice each day since his retirement from his duties.
Dominus Fawkuhl? Perhaps the closest one might consider to me being a pet - the orphan he moulded for his ends. A fierce defender of the Faith as Fawkuhl wished it to be. And yet, while he had ambitions, he never realised them. And his removal by the Faith, even as we upheld several of his decisions around excommunications, shows that he was ultimately accountable.
Dominus Aldwin and Dominus Orazio have both asked things of me as a Knight of the Faith, but both have always been respectful and always allowed for me to have my opinions. Never was I a pet, to be instructed without regard and controlled. Both are also wise and kind leaders of the Faith who are ill suited to any notion of ‘Tyrant’.
And finally the King. I suspect he would laugh at any idea that I was his pet. Much of what I feel I must do for the Faith is not always politic, and that is the world of temporal rule. It is also hard to imagine Alaric as a tyrant - the King has always consulted widely on most things, even when many close would bid him use prerogative to move faster. He has sought to bring the realm together, favouring the well being of us all over his enrichment or empowerment.
No I do not think I am a tyrant’s pet. I am a servant of course, that much is true and I am proud to be so, for it is in service to the Gods that I have found life.
The old Grandmaster was an honourable man. But not one who to my knowledge aspired to more than he was. I was also never his pet - his squire, yes. And I miss his advice each day since his retirement from his duties.
Dominus Fawkuhl? Perhaps the closest one might consider to me being a pet - the orphan he moulded for his ends. A fierce defender of the Faith as Fawkuhl wished it to be. And yet, while he had ambitions, he never realised them. And his removal by the Faith, even as we upheld several of his decisions around excommunications, shows that he was ultimately accountable.
Dominus Aldwin and Dominus Orazio have both asked things of me as a Knight of the Faith, but both have always been respectful and always allowed for me to have my opinions. Never was I a pet, to be instructed without regard and controlled. Both are also wise and kind leaders of the Faith who are ill suited to any notion of ‘Tyrant’.
And finally the King. I suspect he would laugh at any idea that I was his pet. Much of what I feel I must do for the Faith is not always politic, and that is the world of temporal rule. It is also hard to imagine Alaric as a tyrant - the King has always consulted widely on most things, even when many close would bid him use prerogative to move faster. He has sought to bring the realm together, favouring the well being of us all over his enrichment or empowerment.
No I do not think I am a tyrant’s pet. I am a servant of course, that much is true and I am proud to be so, for it is in service to the Gods that I have found life.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.