Questions
Subject Questions
Allistair listens attentively to the explanations by Goodheart and Quarion, trying to get up to speed on all that has occured before he came here. He repeats the words of the prophesy in his mind as Brother Orlpar reads. Knowing the exact phrasing of the prophesy could be useful in the future, and if there is one skill that all wizards must posess, it is the ability to quickly and accurately memorize. He didn't fail to notice how other than the promise of a key being provided, there were few guarantees contained in the prophesy. It seemed to him that the eventual outcome could either be a great catastrophe or avert one, and the prophesy would still technically be fulfilled.
During Quarion's explanation of thier contact in Arlest, Allistair's eyes grow wide and his mouth falls agape before he quickly closes it. He must ask about this 'Mund', but he needs to ask some questions about the prophesy first.
Allistair raises a finger and directs a question to Goodheart. "This prophecy that we are working from, is it widely known, either within or without the order? In other words, although the enemy's identity seems to as yet be unknown to us, is it a reasonable possibility that this enemy also knows the details of the prophesy? Or even worse, could there be a corresponding prophesy among the evil followers of Heironious' enemy that might contain details and instructions that we are ignorant to? If any of this is so, I think we can reasonably assume that this enemy will be equally capable of divining the location of the portal that we are seeking. Even if the prophesy is not well known, even within the order, I feel it would be prudent to be prepared for the worst."
"Also, are there any additional clues as to what this key is? Or what these pieces or shards are? Was there perhaps some artifact of Bresied Valorshield that was lost or destroyed in the battle with Mesodar?"
From: Karl
Subject Questions
Salix ponders the prophecy. "A servant of Storms", well that could certainly refer to himself, seeing as he was here so far from The Order at the command of Stormfather Acer. But Salix had always been a little skeptical of prophecy. Complex visions of the future and especially that couched in flowery poetry were almost non-existent for followers of Obad-Hai. Members of The Order were much more likely to seek knowledge of the future from the trends of the present and past, which they gathered through observation of the heavens and the natural world beneath.
In this way, it seemed to Salix, Obad-Hai showed greater trust in his servants, expecting them to learn his ways and his will on their own and teaching them to focus on the tasks at hand. "Prophecy" among the followers of other Gods by comparison seemed almost as common as songs sung in a tavern. And more often than not they were vague enough to apply to anything. Still, he had to admit the first part of the prophecy at hand seemed to fit their former group remarkably well. . .
"Does anyone have any questions?" Quarion asks the group.
Salix stands. "Master Quarion, if I understand correctly, we are to journey to the location of this 'portal' in the wildlands. Once we get there, what is it, exactly, that we are to do?"
From: Kevin
Subject Questions
Mark, good write up. I am going to be swamped in the office today, so I will try to write up something tonight.
From: Mark
Subject Questions
"It is not widely known, even within the order. Anglewing knew but he is a unique situation. Normally only the Knight/Marshall of the order and the head librarian know of the prophecy. It has been that way for centuries. That all changed a few years ago when we realized that the prophecy might have started to come true. Orlpar and the Knight/Marshall are still the only two who have seen the entire propehcy."
"I would find it unlikely, although not impossible, that our enemy would know anything at all about our prophecy. We have heard nothing about an opposing prophecy, but that is not surprising as well. I would hope that they would not be able to enter or survive the testing grounds, but that is just a guess. If they do know of the testing grounds and where the portal will be it is more likely that they will just try and keep us from using the portal, delay is as good as victory for them."
"We do not know what the key is. I think we will find out at the wedding tomorrow."
From: Mark
Subject Questions
"Is it not clear? When you get to the portal you are to enter the portal and defeat the testing grounds. Or at least that is what I would think. Much might have changed in 3000 years."
From: Karl
Subject Questions
Is it not clear? Salix thinks to himself. When is prophecy *ever* clear? Things mean what they say only except when they don't. Is it not clear? Does he suddenly think Salix a dolt? He tries not to let his impatience show.
"Is there any hint as to the nature of this 'testing ground'? Might we know in what way we will be tested or how this test is to be defeated?" He bites his tongue but nonetheless continues, "Forgive me, sir, of course I am at your service and am pleased to be serving under Sergeant Harp, but my Order has always been leery of 'prophecy' and the manipulations it invites, thus my training is to question and observe."
A part of him longs to continue, longs to point out that Quarion, himself, alluded to the "whole" prophecy, which his superiors have some unknown reason to withhold at this time. But he thinks better of it. Best to quit while he has merely defended his own integrity. Best not to express things which might be taken as impertinence if not outright offensiveness. One never knew with certainty what things the followers of other gods might label "blasphemy".
From: Kevin
Subject Questions
OOC: Death to the unbeliever. Lets trot out the Inquisition. Maybe a quick burning before the wedding?
I am glad Harp only has normal intelligence. It allows me the chance to say "Whatever" and sound in character.
From: Derek
Subject Questions
OOC: I would like to see the entire prophesy too, but you've got to give Mike time to write the dang thing. I'm guessing the prophesy will slowly be revealed to us one bit at a time, when 'the time is right', or 'when we are ready'. ;)
From: Jason
Subject Questions
Referring to this part...
Anglewing takes up the story at this time. "Lothnar was Valorshield's chief adviser and head magic user. He ran a sort of testing grounds for knights of the order 3000 years ago. Soon after the prophecy had been recorded, Lothnar and his testing grounds "disappeared from the face of the earth.
Ragnar, believing Quarion may have misunderstood Salix's question (and also quit curious himself) adresses Angelwing and asks, "In what manner did Lothnar test the knights of his day? Are there any stories indicating what this test was? It may have changed since then, of course, but it may help us to prepare."
From: Karl
Subject Questions
OOC-which plays right into Salix's theory that "prophesy" is just as often a tool used by mortals to manipulate others as it is communication from a divine being.
Druids of Salix's Order aren't big on prophesy. They watch the earth, the stars, the weather, and the natural world and learn their patterns. In that way they can predict some things, but Obad-Hai isn't an "It shall come to pass in the last days. . . " kind of god. He's more a "set in motion and give the occasional tweak" kind of god. At least that's how Salix understands him. Mark can correct me if I'm wreaking any havoc in his world's pantheon.
From: Mark
Subject Questions
Not at all. If Obad-Hai did anything with prophecy it would be some type of natural prophecy, like "When this mountain falls" etc. It would probably use natural things.
From: Mark
Subject Questions
Anglewing responds "Since it has been 3000 years even the little we do know is confused with the distance of time. First, know this, Valorshield was the founder of our order, but he was himself a member of a different order. We think that the testing grounds were used by this previous order. People attempting to prove themselves would enter. Our guess is that the results would determine how they were treated when they left."
"We do know that Lothnar was a very powerfull magic user as well as cleric. He was one of the most powerfull of the time, second only to Mesodar."
From: Randy
Subject Questions
Responding primarily to these statements:
"A marriage there must be
twixt Angelspawn and nobility.
But the evil one will take her away
to a land where nothing good will brew."
"Orlpar and the Knight/Marshall are still the only two who have seen the entire propehcy."
"We do not know what the key is. I think we will find out at the wedding tomorrow."
"How can we allow the marriage to go forward when the prophecy clearly states that Rochelle will be taken?" Ran clearly is seething with anger as he asks this question.
"How can you, Heronin, put her in such danger? We have saved her only to turn her over to the enemy?" Ran shakes his head as he glares at the members of the order before him. "I cannot agree with putting her in such a situation."
"And another thing," Ran adds, "you can trust us to do your tasks but not to hear the whole prophecy? We are the ones risking our lives. Don't we at least have the right to know what we are getting into?" Ran looks impatiently to Heronin. The glare still strong on his face. "And what will the rest of the order be doing while we are off doing its bidding?"
Ran feels guilty for expressing such anger. He didn't realize how much negativity he had built up towards the order over the last several years. He longs to do what his father would expect, and yet he still feels that the order may be playing a game with his life. He also realizes that he still feels strongly attached to Rochelle. How can Heronin not see that by marrying her he is playing into the dark side of the prophecy?
From: Karl
Subject Questions
"I had thought that was referring to her initial abduction" Salix says aloud, but to no one in particular. "But as has already been made clear, the ambiguities of prophecy are hardly my area of expertise."
He looks to Angelwing to see how he will respond to Ran's question, increasingly beginning to wonder why he was here. It was hard to see The Order's role in this, except insofar as they wished to assist an allied nation. Still, the Stormfather (and thus The Order) had assigned him the task of assisting in this quest. On the other hand, they had assigned this task to *him*, specifically. Surely they expected him to use his own skills and intellect to guide himself and would not want him to anything contrary to the good of The Order or its precepts. It might just prove to be that he is there to guard the interests of Obad-Hai as much as to lend a hand to His allies. Salix would have to be alert.
From: Mark
Subject Questions
Angelwing looks a bit stunned at Ran's tone. He nods at Salix's comments. "We interpreted the passage that way as well. The marriage must take place so that we can learn more about the key."
"We trust you. Ran, I trust you, but Salix has a point. Prophecies are know to be incomplete and misleading at times. We do not understand all that the prophecy says or means and the Order has been studying it for years. This second section is one of the most clear. The rest is shrouded in veiled references and vague terms."
"We have another reason. If, somehow, our enemy finds out that we are following a prophecy, we feel that they will try and find out more about it. Orlpar and I are safe here. The Chapter House has protections on it. It can not be scried on, it can not be listened in on, it can not be teleported into. Rochelle is safe here. If you or one of your companions knew the whole prophecy, even if you did not understand it, and were captured, our enemy could pull that information out of you."
"I understand your concern for me and for Rochelle, my friend, but we both have a part to play in this."
From: Josh
Subject Questions
Kal, who has been quiet the entire time, quietly speaks up at this point:
"Does she know what her part entails? Has she consented to it? I am an outsider here, but you will not have my assistance unless we are assured that Rochelle is not being used as a lure against her will."
From: Kevin
Subject Questions
Harp sits in his chair stupefied. Him, in charge, in command? Why, he had just been promoted. He had done well as a second in command, but did that make him ready to lead? And lead this group? A small company of soldiers of the Order maybe, but this group was more experienced in almost every way. This was almost too much to believe, and to bear. What if he failed - the whole world of good destroyed because of his incompetence!!!! Why wasn't the Knight Captain leading this adventure. He was getting married, of course, but since when had marriage stopped a paladin of the Order from completing a mision.
The Prophecy. He had heard of such things, but according to his superiors, he was not involved in one. The fact that they had not told him prior to going meant nothing to him. Harp was used to following orders (well, more or less) and he would have gone on the earlier mission had he been told of the Prophecy or not. And now, to continue on. With him as the leade. Before he accepted, Harp decides, I should talk to the Knight/Captain.
As Harp comes back to paying attention to the discussion around him, he hears Salix and Ran voice some concerns, but from different points of view. Salix is obviously somewhat skeptical about the whole Prophecy - natural, since he was not a follower of Heironious. Harp had come to know Salix well enough that he knew that his questions did not show a lack of heart, simply a understanding coming from a different place. He was pretty sure that when it came down to it, Salix would be there with the group.
Ran, however, surprised Harp. His anger seemed more personal, as if this quest was aimed at him directly. Harp thought that with Heronin's long time friendship with Ran that Ran would be the first one to volunteer for this quest. But instead, here he was, fighting and arguing against it. Maybe he did not know Ran as well as he thought.
Harp will let some discussion proceed, listen to the questions and concerns of the group. When the time seems right, he will speak his mind.
"My friends, for that is how I think of you, this issue of a Prophecy is beyond me. I have been given an order by those I serve, and I will undertake this journey to the best of my ability, either by myself or with companions I have come to know and trust. I know that this is hard for many of you to understand and accept - I hardly understand it. But I do know that the members of this Order stand only for good, and that if they ask me to do this deed, even if it mean my death in the end, then I will undertake it. I have never know the Knights of this Order to be false; harsh, maybe (said with a slight glance at the Captain and the Colonel) but never false. They have extended their compassion and acceptance to one even such as me, and I in turn will give my life to help the Order in this quest."
With this, Harp will return to silence, awaiting a time to speak with the Knight/Captain alone, if possible.
From: Mark
Subject Questions
"Lure against her will?" Angelwing almost stutters in barely controled anger. "We in the order do not force any one to do something against their will, unless they have sworn vows of obedience. She has not, yet. As far as we can tell she has no further purpose in the prophecy other than to be a time marker. Her marriage to me will be what starts the completion of the prophecy. The key will be revealed and her danger will be over."
"If you doubt her resolve, be there at the ceremony tomorrow. In the chaple where it will be held, no untruth can be uttered, no falsehood spoken. You will see for yourselves." With that the big man stomps out of the room, leaving the others looking at each other.