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Post by Raphael Relelhart on Aug 2, 2016 22:37:18 GMT -5
Raphael enters the Temple of Riverwood, paying heed to the holy aura that immediately whispers its way across his body as he passes through the door.
He removes his sword, and lays it against the back of the room. He grasps his medallion that depicts the emblem of the Order of the Four-Pointed Star, and contemplates his life and purpose.
He shivers as he draws closer to the sense of his deities, and looks around for Father Brassbell. He comes with many questions, hoping for insight from a man with wisdom far beyond his own understanding.
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Post by thewolfinman on Aug 10, 2016 9:54:31 GMT -5
After a time, Raphael is joined by Father Brassbell and a small retinue of lesser priests.
"It is not often members of our order have time to return and pay their respects to our church. I am notified whenever one of our members returns as they typically need to speak to me." He smiles easily. This obviously is one of his main functions and he performes it well.
"What do you think Raphael? I believe some coffee is in order."
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Post by Raphael Relelhart on Aug 10, 2016 10:55:55 GMT -5
"Father Brassbell, you've been a part of my journey since the beginning. You brought me into the Order, have helped guide me in building a new temple, and are a great source of knowledge. I come seeking wisdom and insight."
Raphael lets out a sigh as he continues. Then proceeds to tell Father Brassbell about his family's curse. Following this, he resumes his conversation.
"As part of the Adventurer's Guild, I was ordered by the Captain of the Guard in Riverwood to action. I succeeded in my mission, but along the way my actions, taught to me by the Inquisitor, caused my companions to question me."
Now, he stares at the wall blankly, lost in deep thought, obviously troubled.
"Am I blinded by this curse - where I should offer penance for my actions? Or am I justified - what do the commandments of the Four prescribe?"
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Post by thewolfinman on Aug 10, 2016 16:41:45 GMT -5
The senior priest frowns and listens to the younger man's tale, quietly offering no interruption.
"Our inquisitor is an interesting woman. Very good at what she does, however her talents are seldom necessary. Keep in mind that we have need of her skills only to keep the realm safe and to work within the confines of our abilities."
"This is interesting to know about your family and you will have the churches full support in solving this issue, however in order to tell you what was compassionate or not you must tell me what you have done. I fear you have told us a disheartening thing about yourself. It is the paladin's compassion that makes him sought after and respected, not his power or knowledge."
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Post by Raphael Relelhart on Aug 10, 2016 21:16:19 GMT -5
"During my latest quest, I came upon several mercenaries. I was offered leave over their lives by the Captain of the Guard. When I approached them, I offered them their lives if they would lay down their arms and surrender. When they did, I spared their lives. When they did not, I hunted them to the end and fulfilled my obligation."
"By lightly using the Inquisitor's methods, I was able to track a crazed man as he ran through the woods. He led me to the head of a local gang."
Suddenly, Raphael gets an unusual surprised look on his face as he looks at Father Brassbell.
"You just referred to a "Paladin's compassion". Does this mean that it's finally time to ascend ranks?"
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Post by thewolfinman on Aug 12, 2016 9:43:23 GMT -5
The priest cracks up a bit at Raphael's suggestion that he was to be promoted.
"By the four no! HA....NO. Finally? You have been at this for a few months my impatient friend. Some men spend decades proving themselves. No, I assume all men of our order wish to proceed so I hold them to a paladin's standards. On top of this I cannot ascend one who has no emotions, that would be folly."
He considers for a moment. "What is it that your companions question? You have told me of no wrong you have done yet, but there are always two sides to a story. Perhaps I should speak to one of them?"
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Post by Raphael Relelhart on Aug 12, 2016 12:21:16 GMT -5
"I think that the biggest question about my actions, is my decisiveness to bend people to my will. Their advocacy would be towards talking mercenaries to death - while I offered them a different decision - to conform or die. They would also get queasy when heads rolled, or when when I *touched* on unconventional methods to get a mercenary to talk and direct me to their employer."
Raphael hesitates and looks at the Priest pensively.
"Is it wrong to speak and follow up with violent action when it protects the majority? Is it wrong to employ unconventional methods (such as one would learn from the Inquisitor) when time is of the essence, and you need the truth? Is it wrong to separate a being from their head after they have fallen?"
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Post by thewolfinman on Aug 16, 2016 16:57:41 GMT -5
The priest ponders for a moment, his hands clasped behind his back. He is staring at a mural on the wall, a depiction of the four gods of their shared faith all standing upon a planet earth. Life on top, death on bottom, order to the left and chaos to the right.
"First, never unnecessarily defile a corpse. This brings shame to our order and makes us seem like savages. Second, Conversation is always...ALWAYS preferable to combat or threats. It would seem that you have forgotten that diplomacy is just as important a quality in a paladin as strength. Third, if one must die, make certain it is not unnecessarily barbaric. Execute justice as you would have it executed on you."
He turns to Raphael frowning slightly.
"I appreciate you coming to me for advice Raphael. The question you must ask yourself is: If father Brassbell were to come and speak with my companions, would they tell him that I would make a good paladin. We are priests of the people.Their opinion counts."
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Post by Raphael Relelhart on Aug 16, 2016 17:34:50 GMT -5
"Father Brassbell, if you were to ask my companions if I would make a good paladin, they would tell you that they already thought I was one."
Raphael chuckles and continues.
"If your words are true, they are far from the reality that I have come to experience from our Order. Consider the paladin Sir Jacob, who sentenced me to death on the naming day of the new settlement. Where was the compassion of a Paladin? Or consider my own trials in joining the order - where I was told to slay my own companion, and when I refused, chastised for disobeying orders."
Raphael appears conflicted.
"I know that I lack the impact of emotions on my decisions. But I would do nothing unnecessarily. And when I must converse, I act diplomatically from a position of the power that I am entrusted."
He glances at the mural on the wall. Studying it for a second. And then he places his hand in the center of everything.
"I am life and I am death. I am order and I am chaos." He turns and stares into Father Brassbell's eyes. He speaks forcefully, but his demeanor is calm and collected.
"Perhaps, until this curse is lifted, a better Paladin of the Order of the Righteous Sword I would make."
He stands and turns, looking at Father Brassbell. He appears almost longing for a reason or an explanation.
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Post by thewolfinman on Aug 17, 2016 14:34:53 GMT -5
"I have no knowledge of why Sir Jacob sentenced you to death, not why you still live. He is a knight and did so under that power, not any power given to him by the church. The command to slay an ally was part of your test and you passed. Disobeying orders is almost never permitted, but when those orders lack proper compassion, there are exceptions. If you wish to join a more extreme order that is your prerogative. However, know this. You will only be given this one chance. Should you leave, you will not be welcomed back. s yourself what kind of man you wish to be and let me know your decision."
Father Brassbell takes a moment to stare into Raphael's eyes and then turns to leave.
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Post by Raphael Relelhart on Aug 17, 2016 15:13:01 GMT -5
Raphael nods at the Priest, and sets off with much on his mind.
He stops as he is about to leave, and looks back at the mural on the wall.
Life. Death. Order. Chaos.
And then the wise Priest's last statement; what type of man did he want to be?
He walks out into the world to contemplate his answer.
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