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Post by Donovan on Jul 7, 2015 0:13:52 GMT -6
Donovan looked out over the oddly collected group that had sworn to protect these children. He’d had one on one interaction with all of the warriors. One was his closest friend and the other was his new sword master. But he couldn't bring himself to talk to his employer. Donovan was not a fan of priests. The Etrurian church had always been a untouched subject in his troupe. His mother’s abandonment had not been looked upon kindly by her superiors in the “Holy Light” of St. Elmine. Dealing with priests and acolytes was always done with caution, making sure they never revealed her secret, for fear that word would get back to the Inquisition.
So despite Remus seeming like a truly kind hearted man, the kind of priest his mother spoke of from before Kraft’s rise to power, Donovan was wary of getting close to the man. At least until he got a grip on what kind of person the blue haired priest actually was.
There was a chance the crew would be able to pass through his mother’s inn in Lycia. The mercenary wanted nothing more than to fill her in on the adventures that he’d had, the friends he’d made. The woman was as great a lover of stories as anyone else in his troupe had been. But if he was to take the band of misfits through her tavern, he’d need to make sure that the priest wasn’t going to turn her in.
The green clad mercenary called out for the young fox pup to catch up to him and headed over to bite the bullet. “Hey, Holy One, you mind if we let Kitchi and Owain tire each other out. This pesky beast has more energy than any creature has a right to.” He’d get a grasp on the man as a person first, find out just how involved in the Prophet’s blasphemous zealotry Remus really was. Giving Owain a chance to play with Kitchi would be a good way to lower the priest’s guard. He sat down next to the blue haired holy man, with a roguish casual grace.
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Post by Remus on Jul 8, 2015 7:50:15 GMT -6
The journey thus far had progressed quite nicely. They'd run into a few bumps in the road sure, but nothing their group hadn't been able to handle with somewhat ease. It was to his gratitude at that. They had been resting outside of a small town they'd be traveling through on their journey through Bern. Remus was sitting down near the wagon, with his back against it as Amelia flailed around in the grass like a tornado of storming upturned grass strands and dandelions. Owain was sitting in the grass near here, watching on. Still ever the quiet, reserved child that he always was; Remus sometimes worried over him due tot his. He knew that shyness had always been the boy's nature; but there was a lingering sorrow within him. Sadly, some wounds needed time to heal, if nothing else. Remus smiled warmly as Donovan approached him however, turning his gaze to the young man who had joined along side his large companion Perun.
Just as Remus was always seen in the presence of his two orphans, Donovan was seen in the company of the young fox Kitchi. Remus chuckled a bit as Donovan commented on on the matter before the blue haired priest turned to look towards the children. He nodded while he spoke. "By all means, please do. I see no reason that they can't play. Perhaps it'll be good for Owain as well. Who knows how long the boy will sit there, simply talking with Amelia as she enjoys herself. A pleasant distraction mayhaps so that she can give him a break. I love them both dearly, but she does tire him out some times. Ah well..a dynamic of the two, as it's ever been."
The priest smiled to Don, nodding to reaffirm that it was certainly okay.
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Post by Donovan on Jul 8, 2015 23:15:38 GMT -6
Donovan plopped himself down next to the holy man and pulled an apple out of his satchel. The splash of red fur bounded up to the mercenary and started pulling on his sleeve with its little fangs. “Come on, you little monster, go tear someone else’s cloths for once. Owain, buddy, give me a hand with this one?” Donovan gently pushed the little devil off of his lap and buffed the apple on his shirt. It was a nice day. There was a gentle breeze blowing and a handful of clouds in the sky. Perfect day to lie to a priest.
“So, Remus. I’ve been wondering a few things since the Giant and I joined your merry band.” He cracked his neck and rubbed it, acting like he was nervous about asking some sort of personal question. “How do you… get your hair to have that just woke up look all the time? See I’ve always tried to style it like that, the girls seem to really like that whole care free look.”
He chuckled light heartedly, “I’m just kidding, Preacher Man. No offense, but hair does not really get any better than mine” He grinned and shook his head, hoping to convey that he was kidding. “I was actually wondering what your plans were once we finished our grand quest. For these kids, that is. Are you going to bring them back to Etruria?”
The green clad mercenary laid back and placed his hand’s under his head. Donovan had always found that cultivating a certain laid back persona was always a good first step to getting information from people.
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Post by Remus on Jul 9, 2015 5:50:17 GMT -6
As Remus watched the mercenary sit near him, he noticed the small fox come bounding up. The sight of him tugging on Donovan's clothes, and when he called out to Owain for help made Remus chuckle. He looked to the children playing into the distance and spoke up so Owain would hear him over the tirade of noise generated by hurricane Amelia. "Owain! Call Kitchi over to you! He need to run around some." Admist Amelia's tumblings and rollings in the grass along with a symphony of giggles and laughs from both children, Remus was somehow heard. Owain looked over and clapped his hands together to signal to the fox. "Kitchi! Come here Kitchi!"
Remus turned to look at Dnovan as the mercenary plied him with the jovial question about Hair. Chuckling a bit, the priest smiled warmly; the joke being revealed as such before he had revealed an answer. Albeit the answer would have been an honest shrug, but irrelevance at it's greatest left the answer lost unto history. A mystery scholars for centuries to come would ponder over, no doubt. When Don asked as to their plans of the children, Remus gazed curiously at Donovan for a moment. He quietly shut the yellow tome he'd been reading, and turned his gaze towards the children once more. Another warm smile lingered on his face as he looked towards the children fondly. "I planned on bringing them to my home. My parents were rather successful merchants, so for a time at-least, they'd be able to live in some comfort there. No doubt however I won't be allowed to be on my "pilgrimage" for ever. They will expect me to return to the church after a time, and no doubt assign me to some monastery or orphanage or chapel to live. If we are lucky, it shall be a place the children can come with me. If not..I may have to attempt to convince my parents to let them stay further. "
He shifted his book back to the side of his robes with it fastened back to the tether at his belt while he chuckled. "They'd already made it clear they would not go to another orphanage..nor do I think it would be well for them. Ah..given the events of loss, and that which they have lost; I have not the heart to deny them. I can only imagine that once Thoams learns of what happened he may feel the same. "
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Post by Donovan on Jul 9, 2015 11:03:56 GMT -6
The small fox kit looked over a little confused at the small, shy kid who was calling his name and clapping his hands. Slowly the splash of fire in the sea of green crept off of Donovan’s lap and slunk towards the boy. Suddenly he was off, clumsily running as fast as his four little legs could carry him. Kitchi charged at Owain before jumping and pressing at the boy’s knee. The fox pup seemed to really enjoy the young boy’s company. Kitchi grabbed Owain’s pant leg with his mouth and started to play tug of war.
“I think he’s teething,” the silver tongued mercenary said to the priest. “Foxes teeth, right? That a thing?” He chuckled as he looked up at the clouds. The priest discussed his plans for the children, and let slip a little information on his connection to the church. “That’ll be good for them, I imagine. They are good kids. they should have some sort of family to be with.” The green clad mercenary thought for a moment about how to play the next question without giving to much away. “You said that they wouldn’t want you to be away from Etruria for too long. Who are ‘they’? And is this your pilgrimage?” The mercenary asked though he believed he knew the answer. “Surely - if you are talking about the church- they’d love having a man as pious and generous as you being the face of their god. Though they might think twice if they saw you galavanting with men like the Giant and I.” Donovan hesitated, knowing he was taking a risk, but needing to test the waters, “I mean, it is not like the Prophet is a very beloved man on the rest of Elibe.” He kept his eyes of Remus’s back, looking for those tell tale signs of discomfort. A tightening of the back, a raising of the shoulders. If the priest stood up and moved away, Donovan knew he might have over played his hand.
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Post by Remus on Jul 9, 2015 21:45:15 GMT -6
While the small bundle of silky orange fur playfully shook at Owain's pant leg, the boy leaned down to grasp at it lightly himself and slowly scoot his leg backwards to drag the fox backwards. This combined with Amelia's flipping and tumbling made for a fair bit of chaos as background noise towards the conversation that Donovan started. Remus shrugged his shoulders earnestly as Donovan questioned the applicability towards a fox going through teething. While he personally imagined so, as most things with teeth did; he also did not pretend to be an expert on the realm of animals.
Then Donovan asked him a question that changed the topic somewhat. He asked as to whether or not the journey they ventured on was his pilgrimage. Remus chuckled a bit as he looked towards the children fondly. There was no hesitation. No shift in his gesture. He was far too honest and trusting for that. "They would be the Eliminian church, which I am a part of. Yes, this is my pilgrimage. They did not question where I intended to wander, since a journey to gain spiritual peace can lead one anywhere. I suspect I shall not gain spiritual peace, but it will certainly grant me peace of mind. Besides, I would sooner use my "allotted time" which they allow for better one's beliefs to instead better others lives. "
Now however, Remus truly laughed. Jovial in tone, he let the laughter subside to a chuckle before speaking. Him? the face of the Etrurian Faith? Goodness no. "I could never be the face of the Eliminian faith. I'm too young, and haven't expanded my scope yet of the world's ways. There are many far better suited Bishops and Patriarc's who would be set for it. Ahh...while they might disapprove of those I associate with, is is not for the church to reject those who accept the presence of it's followers. "
Even as Donovan remarked onto his opinion, and a fair portion of Elibe's, towards the Prophet, Remus kept his gaze on the children. Despite his lack of expression beyond a warm, soft smile at the children's shenanigans; he mentally recalled the trio of conversations he'd had with Nayru on Etrurian politics. Remus spoke in a bit more thoughtful of tone, when he did speak. "Despite the opinion of the prophet outside of Etruria, it is the opinion of those within that has the greatest impact. Within Etruria he is a hero. Though I fear sometimes they overlook that it is Elimine who was the Hero; he but speaks for our treasured saint. However the masses speak, and their will is what governs Etruria ultimately. I fear that their zealousness will prove to be..disastrous. A good friend once said, All of Elibe fears the hammer of Etruria. She was right to say this. Bern is torn by strife. Sacae is weak militaristically from all sides of turmoil. Ilia is contending with Bern. Lycia is in absolute ruin. Etruria gathers power...when it could instead be bringing stability. I fear that they may learn of our old path of true virtue only when great cost has already come. "
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Post by Donovan on Jul 9, 2015 23:22:42 GMT -6
Donovan found it fascinating to hear the ins and outs of the Etrurian church. His mother had been a cleric for a number of years, but she didn’t speak too much of her time within the institution. It was an entire story that he’d never gotten to hear. And knowing his mother, this was likely the closest that he’d come to learning the truth about it. “Good on you, then, Remus. Its men like you that the world really needs. You’re basically paid to go do whatever in the world you want, and you spend you that time putting your neck on the line for others.” The mercenary shook his head. “If the rest of Etruria was as righteous as you, then maybe Elibe wouldn’t be in such shambles. You’re right. As things stand now… I wouldn’t be surprised if there was another war between the nations, with Etruria at the center of it. People are too easily bound by fear and zealotry.” The mercenary watched a leaf floating through the sky, tumbling seemly randomly in the wild wind. He wondered if it was symbolic of freedom - the leaf, in falling from the tree that bound it, was free to travel the world. Or destiny; after all, the leaf had no choice in where it ended or how it got there, the wind made those decisions for it. It could be both, I suppose. In a certain way, they’re one and the same.
“I’m not going to lie.” About this specific thing. “I’m not the biggest fan of the church — if you hadn’t picked up on that. Last preacher I met was a serial killer. He’d sacrificed a few of his parish in the name of your Saint.” He scratched his head, the terrible memory coming back to him. “I know that most of you - hell, basically none of you - aren’t like that. It’s just… I dunno. Seeing that kind of thing - leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. And the church and I already had our differences. So. Gaah -”
The mercenary sat up in frustration. The wind was gusting stronger now, dark clouds were moving down from the northern horizon. “Gods, it’s not like me to have words run away from me like this. Is this what going to confession is like? You kind of just start saying whatever stray thought comes into your head?” The mercenary shook his head, control over what he said and how he said it were his greatest strengths. If he couldn’t do that, he didn't know who he was. “I don’t like it.”
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Post by Remus on Jul 10, 2015 11:33:07 GMT -6
Once more, Remus chuckled a bit. He tilted his head to gaze to the children as he shook his head in disagreement. He knew Donovan meant well; but he thought opposingly to the him. "I think your mistaken on that, though I appreciate the sentiment. If the world was full of more people like me, we'd be quite helpless. Putting my neck online does little good when it means others have to put theirs on the line to save me. I can't tell you how many times I've had to sit back, unable to help or save someone just because my only gift is healing. While I am grateful for the talent, it's only good for helping problems after a solution has arrived. Damage control mayhaps, but that's about it."
Remus harbored no ill will towards Donovan as he announced his distaste for the church. The sitting priest shifted his stave so that it rested against his left shoulder, gazing upwards for a moment in thought before commenting. "I am not so blind as to assume my faith is unanimously loved. There was a particular woman in Ilia who I had a few conversations regarding Elibe's state with, and we both agreed onto what was, versus what is. When Elimine was alive, people couldn't be happier to follow. A healer gifted enough to heal entire cities. Light magic strong enough to defend the masses with ease. This is what we should be striving for. So many however in today's following of the faith forget this. "
When he sat up, Remus smiled towards the children again and chuckled for a third time. Confession was a special type of relief in it's own right. "Sort of. Confession is to provide an environment where one can confide in anonymity. Where your greatest guilt can be voiced to someone who will keep this secret burden hidden, yet provide you with the relief of knowing that you have confessed. Both to yourself, and another. It helps alleviate the fear and pressure of locking it up. "
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Post by Donovan on Jul 10, 2015 22:33:15 GMT -6
“You take too much blame for not being able to fight, Remus.” The mercenary’s laugh rang out deep and dry from the bottom of his throat. “A man like you has the chance to save lives. You’re a hero to everyone who cares about that life. Men like me… I’m good for a laugh and maybe to take the occasional outlaw off the most wanted list. Hell, I’m not even that good at the second one on my own. I guess depending on who you ask I’m not that good at the first thing, either.” Geez, this priest had a way of making him babble. “What I’m saying - Holy Man - is you’re the lucky one. It might seem like you’re not doing anything. But without you, who knows how many of us would have been killed by those bandits.”
The mercenary shrugged, “You can’t control what other people do, Preacher. You just got to give them the chance to do the right thing. If people are forced to save the world? Eh - it doesn’t count. You just got to do you, and give others the chance to do the same. And honestly, you want someone to heal entire cities,” the mercenary shrugged, “why not you? You did a pretty good job of keeping us healed on that field, give it some time. You’ll get there.” Donovan looked at the priest and smirked with a sh** eating grin.
The black haired man looked over at the kids again to see that Kitchi had managed to get ahold of Owain’s left shoe. The young boy was chasing the kit around, the young fox absolutely adoring the “game”. “Hey there, Holy Man. Don’t talk bad about locking things up. I’ve been locking things up for years — and look at me! I’m not nearly as messed up as I should be. ” He pulled out his flask and saluted the oncoming storm. “Honesty is overrated.” He took a sip of his drink and offered some to the priest. “You want some?”
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Post by Remus on Jul 13, 2015 14:40:51 GMT -6
As Owain chased Kitchi around, Remus chuckled to see Amelia chasing Owain around. It was like a dynamic cycle that never ended. Er..until Kitchi got tired. Or owain. Amelia wouldn't get tired so she'd likely continue the cycle for them both. Remus shifted his staff so it rested crooked within his lap, chuckling as Owain continued to speak of what a priest could do. He shook his head a bit before responding. "I'd like to believe it..but I expect more of myself. Despite what some of the more Zealous in my order would confess, Elimine was but human. That's what makes the appeal of following this path so grand to me. Imagine..a mere human that could mend wounds made by that of a dragon. Stave off dark abominations with radiant light. Protect the masses. Each of us holds this potential. If we spend our lives fighting amongst ourselves however we will never see this potential. "
Ahh yes. The sad truth. People couldn't be controlled, and should not; even if performing vile acts. With a shift of his gaze to the grass beyond the children, the priest closed his eyes in thought. "I doubt I could heal whole cities. I do aspire to though. To walk among the streets of Etrurian cities, and simply spend my days mending those who can not find aid themselves. There was a peculiar mage I want spoke with. Talented, alarmingly so, and with an odd obsession with red. He spoke of how Etruria was before Kraft. When the magical academies did not attempt to conscript mages into the Etrurian inquisitional forces. Just as I believe the right to comfort in the embrace of peace and virtue should be shared with all, he believed that knowledge was to be shared with all. I agreed with him, but as we spoke it made me realize that as Etruria was..is as it should be now. Not how it is at the current. "
Donovan offered Remus some of his drink, only for the priest to shake his head in refusal and chuckle before looking back to the children. "I must refuse good sir. I do not partake in alcoholic beverages. "
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Post by Donovan on Jul 13, 2015 20:18:28 GMT -6
Donovan listened to the Priest and felt a very strange amount of respect. He’d expected more zealotry and pride, and found himself having a remarkably pleasant conversation with a man who was just… a man. Yes he was a priest, but he didn’t think it made him superior. He did not think the world needed more of Etruria’s excessive passion for their saint. The silver tongued mercenary had simply come face to face with what he imagined was one of the last true followers of his mother’s religion. Remus wanted to save live and protect people. And what he accomplished never seemed to be quite good enough for the priest’s own standards. Donovan could relate to that.
“My mother was very fond of her country. When I was growing up, she would be so thrilled whenever our troupe went to even an Etrurian border town she would just light up and start telling stories. It made my dad really happy to see her even more full of light. But we stopped going through those border towns after Kraft took power. It became too risky. ” Donovan smiled at the memory of his childhood before realizing the mistake he had made. This priest had actually gotten him to reveal some true information. Worse still, the exact information that Donovan had been trying to avoid bringing up. Gods I need to watch my tongue around this guy. Confession is a dangerous pass time. Despite his surprise and fear over being so open with the priest, Donovan felt like a slight weight had been lifted off his chest.
“All knowledge should be shared… Interesting notion. But a naive one. If we all knew what was out there, what the people would do if they found out all the terrors that had been committed at their hands and the hands of their kings. As much as I’d love to see that world, I fear what it would really end up being. How many people would die for knowledge they never needed to know. People don’t really want the truth, Remus. They want to feel safe. Without a true alternative to Kraft, Etruria cast into a dark age by the knowledge of what he was.”
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Post by Remus on Jul 15, 2015 5:54:02 GMT -6
Remus nodded his head with a bit of a somber note. Though he'd grown up in Etruria's borders, he knew that it had become far more closed off over the years. He'd seen the isolation of things. How Etruria closed what should have been open gates that were happy to welcome all. Though as they spoke of Etruria and Kraft's ruling of it, he recalled very perculiar words. Ones spoken to him by someone possibly a year older than him, who seemed far wiser. "A rather wise individual and I once spoke of the way we felt the world should be. This was a man, who was perhaps a year older than me...and was already so proficient in anima magic and healing tomes to handle a literal small horde on his own. From casting lightning and ice to controlling wind and flame; plus the aptitude to heal and shield others. As we spoke, he told me his strongest belief. Elmine was once our age. Athos. Braimmond, Hartmut, Roland, they were all like us. The world doesn't twist itself into knots, waiting for the perfect person to step forward and take stage. No, it's up to us to move forward and take the stage ourselves. One man may not change the world, but it takes but one man to start change. ." The priest shifted in his spot while he gazed towards the children once more. "I believe that sentiment has been forgotten entirely among those who follow The Prophet. Forgotten and for the worse in this regard. Etruria is not a place people should fear to go. It is a place that should be a haven to all. "
He..disagreed with Donovan on the knowledge portion. The Priest however still wore his soft smile as he replied. "Is it Naive? In a world where dragons once walked among us and we with them, and people can perform magic of such magnitudes others can barely fathom it, I think a collective of knowledge would be a good thing. All secrets are known to someone, somewhere. Their intent is another matter entirely. Would it be, that some dark foul tome be found in the possessive hands of some dangerous sage or bishop or druid, and we might have had recorded knowledge as to it's full effects prior; would that not be more beneficial than to lives lost trying to learn it's capabilities? Granted all knowledge can open doors, sure...but well..that's change. "
Once again, the words of that crimson mage sounded to him. However this time he did not speak them. Merely recall them. "Change is hard. Change is scary. People like to pretend everything is fine and that if they just shut their eyes and cover their ears nothing bad will ever happen. People are always afraid of change because there is the chance it might be worse. Change doesn't come easily, but what in life that is worth it that does? But if nothing ever changes, we're just repeating the same mistakes over and over."
As if speaking the rest of that man's words, Remus muttered the last bit with a fond chuckle of the recollection. "I don't think I could stand another scouring."
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Post by Donovan on Jul 18, 2015 18:22:25 GMT -6
Donovan listen to Remus describe this powerful mage’s skill and sentiment. “Whoever this man is, he sounds like he is very wise. He’s not wrong, of course. All of the greatest legends and martyrs were our age at some point. Fresh faced and destined to save the world. Who knows. Maybe the same is true for us.” Donovan felt a cold wind blowing down from the approaching storm. “Maybe I’ve just grown cynical. Though I’m probably too young to be cynical. I’m twenty, after all. It’s not like I’ve lived a life full of betrayal and strife just yet. Even if it feels that way sometimes.”
The green clad mercenary looked back to the sky. It was going to be an incredible gale. Lightning lit up the advancing black sky, with thunder trickling in afterwards, shaking the air around them. Kitchi’s ears, too big for his young head, perked up and looked over toward the storm. The fox kit’s eyes widened and its ears lay flat against its head before the tiny beast ran and hid behind Owain’s legs. A smirk stole its way onto the black haired man’s face.
“Change is important, Holy Man. But change is dangerous. Who knows how many people will die if your homeland decided to wage war with the rest of the continent? Who knows what kind of leader would take over if Kraft was ousted without a true replacement. Now I am merely the son of a trouper - as low on the social ladder as low can get - but I know that when people’s status quo is disrupted, they’ll do anything to feel safe. All outsiders become the enemy. All insiders become outsiders. If all knowledge was public, than we’d be in danger of having all of the common folk of Elibe turn against one and other.
“That isn’t to say that things like dangerous weapons or tomes shouldn’t be recorded. Anything with too much power should have some information out in the world in case it gets into the wrong hands.” The silver tongued merc scratched his head. “It… Sounds like we might have been thinking of different things. At least as far as 'Free knowledge' is concerned.” The mercenary looked over at the priest and gave him a sarcastic look. “I have to say, Preacher, I’m a little surprised an educated man such as yourself believed there were actually Dragons at one point.”
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Post by Remus on Jul 21, 2015 5:51:39 GMT -6
Elias. That was his name. Elias, the red mage. Remus shook his head with fond memories as he chuckled quietly. He shifted his gaze towards the children who floundered about. The fox kit had managed to not only rob Owain of a shoe but was now running around with the boy's second one. That the kit could drag both out of his reach was amusing. Remus spoke up after a few moments of paused thought with a warm laugh towards the reflection. "He was my age, yet led the entirely healing unit during the City of Heroes. It was...remarkable how he handled things. That he was there, fighting that monstrosity behind it all after-words despite having helped us all maintain a steady pace of mending wounds was nothing short of remarkable. "
Remus felt his smile shorten a bit, despite lingering. It was almost impossible for him not to smile. The blue haired priest shifted in his location as he sat there, expounding upon his own thoughts. After all, how many times had he and Nayru discussed the politics of Etruria in their short meeting? Her choice to refer to the Etrurian military as their hammer was appropriate at this point, he feared. "Chance is entirely dangerous. It can shake the very foundations of what we believe. It has the power to alter that which we counted to be fact for a lifetime. Yet change will happen regardless of if we accept it or not. It will not wait for any mans consent. Using Etruria as the example. Many who were true to the Eliminian faith found the Prophet to be an honest man prior. Those within the church who looked to him saw simply a man devoted. Many still see this. The "change" in this regard, became the fervor. The inquisitional forces were not meant to cast judgment upon all of Elibe. What happened at Ostia sadly, is told differently within Etruria than the rest of the world. Many believe it was a just fight, because of how the picture was painted. It wasn't until I traveled to Ilia that I truly learned of how the world is. "
He chuckled however after Donovan brought up the point of where knowledge could have true danger. To someone like Remus, who had spent more time in the libraries of Etruria than his own home, he saw it from a different light. "Keep in mind, that open access to knowledge does not mean others will openly use that knowledge. Nor even seek it. Despite it's great libraries and centers of learning that still do exist..most of which I've idled in at some point or another; they remain scarce of populous. That I should see more than a handful of souls within them at any moment would be a rarity. No, I did not mean to imply the knowledge should be forced upon all. Simply available for those who seek it. For while the argument can be made that some of these knowledge seekers would do harm; it could also be said that great good can from them. It is a gamble that I believe should be made personally. Haha..mayhaps the true reason I shall be unlikely to have influence on such things right there."
Hmm? That he believed dragons once existed? Another chuckle. Remus tilted his head before gazing at Donovan. "Surely, in a world where magic and monsters intertwine; be it so hard to believe dragons exist? I do not believe so. "
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Post by Donovan on Jul 25, 2015 17:38:22 GMT -6
Donovan listened to the holy man’s insider opinion on how people of the faith saw Kraft before and after his rise to power. But there was something the priest said that irked his less righteous friend. “The inquisitional forces may not have been meant to cast their judging eye on the rest of the world, but they shouldn’t have been allowed to cast their gaze on the people of Etruria, to begin with. No one should have to live in fear. No one should have their freedom stripped from their very soul. It does not surprise me that the truth of that terrible day in Ostia is told as such a different story. You never want to have the people of the nation you control see you as the villain. I know that you most likely do not believe in what or how the inquisition operates. But that aside, Remus. I find it hard to believe that the inquisition was not meant to expand past your nations borders. Men like Kraft are no longer men. They are a disease. A consumption. A hunger that can never be satiated. Mark my words, he will do all he can to take over all of Elibe.”
Dragons. Dragons were not something that the black haired mercenary had given much thought to since he’d been a boy. “I’ll tell you the reason that I don’t believe in magic, Preacher. It’s for a rather similar reason that you are able to heal us in battle. You draw from your faith in - correct me if I’m wrong - St. Elmine; I draw from my faith in the story. It’s my religion. And it’s why I don’t believe in dragons. We live in a world where mages can draw fire from the air, heal wounds in moments, some can even fly. But that’s all something I can see with my eyes.
“Stories are eternal. Unchanging. How you tell them is another manner entirely. How you tell them changes with every iteration. The Scouring is one of the greatest tales ever told. 8 legendary heroes saving the world and humankind from a race of ancient, intelligent - in some legends shapeshifting - wyverns. Except these creatures are even bigger than the beasts the Bernese ride today.” The mercenary paused to take a breath, his passion escaping him for a moment. “It is an incredible tale. But like all legends that have been around for a millennium, it has become more fantasy than reality. Exaggerated and manipulated to be more exciting with each retelling. I’m sure that there was a war. One we haven’t seen the scope of since and hopefully never will see the scope of again. But dragons,” the mercenary couldn’t help but laugh, “dragons are just a corruption of the original story.”
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