Anna Blake - Reflections of a Chauntean Priestess
-
Vision
Considering everything I have been through since I left the Norwick temple to return to my place back in Peltarch almost three years ago, a lot has gone by since then. Should anyone find this journal, you will realize the methods to my madness, and why I do what I must do.
What is vision? There is many definitions, but in particular, in regards to my vision, these are my hopes and dreams that I have been working hard for the last 11 years to achieve. Ever since my parents put me to work on the fields, each day that passed by, my vision began to build and grow. At first, it was muddled with contempt, frustration, and anger that I had been placed in such a precarious position due to my toxic behavior.
My vision for a better world, one that will expand starting with Peltarch, and will continue to work its way along the bounds of infinity as long as I draw breath. Everything starts with a single step, and I felt I have made great stride in effort thus far.
Despite my humility in becoming a priestess, I am far from a humble being. I know I am arrogant, stubborn, and pushy. I grew up with a sense of entitlement, being a daughter who grew up in wealth, and now this sense has transferred from being self centered to those around me. People who cannot wield a weapon are entitled to peace. People who provide for others should be entitled to safety, warmth and love.
I have chosen my path. Though I am a priestess who will encourage love, fertility, and altruism, such a vision I bring will be fraught with violence and peril. I have taken up arms and armor to slay those who would raise their hand to those I protect without hesitation, without remorse, though I am not without mercy. I was given a second chance and changed my life, my enemies deserve the same if they truly desire it.
This first entry will be a good look into the mind of a young woman who has shed the shackles of innocence and ignorance in this world. I see this world in grays. and do not limit myself to the concepts of good or evil like many do. Save for respecting the laws of the land I hold dear, in the end I am my own judge, I make my own decisions that I feel are best for myself and those around me, and Chauntea will judge me in turn.
I hope that through my example, people will cast off the weight of complacency and learn to be their own person. Every life is special,every life has the potential to be so much more if they want to be. There are those who would inhibit this, slavers, murderers, oppressors. I cannot defeat them all, and it would be unreasonable to think I could. No, rather, I feel my gift is empowering people with and helping them live up to their full potential.
Will the name Anna Blake be remembered as one who has helped this land, one who will continue to help bring hope to those who need it, to motivate people to become the best they could be, and as a protector? I would like it to be. Though I would be content enough the day I finally find rest in Chauntea's arms, that I helped make a difference, whether people remembered me for it or not.
I am Anna Blake, but once a candle to the sun that is Chauntea's luminescence, now a flame. I will continue to do what I must to burn brighter and brighter; to be a beacon of hope for Peltarch's sake, for Narfell's sake, and should I even be so ambitious, the entire world.
-
From a whisper to an avalanche, looks like my work is paying off.
Things have been quiet lately on the orc front, and while the gnolls continue to pose a threat, and at the very least are a nuisance, I finally have had time to work on my own projects as a priestess.
I am currently working with Yllalynn as well as others on studies of botany, and I'm trying to replicate the effect of the 'sin berries' healing affect on people, though taking a more somewhat natural approach to it.
The results so far have showed some promise, as I have taken divine infused soil, as well as clippings from a raspberry and grafted them onto a blue berry. Along with some incantations the saplings are doing well enough. The only problem right now as since the earth and plant has been infused with divine energy in a permanent fashion, its been slightly taxing. Nor can I actually speed their growth since I need them to absorb as much nutrients and healing energies as possible. I will be calling it the Bhallaberry in respects to the grain goddess, both as a committed servant, and testament to our capacity for agriculture. Sadly, I estimate the costs will be a few coin higher per berry than the sin berries, but for those who do not want to consume something so vile, this will be a great alternative.
I have become a defender as well since my last writing now, and even if I'm a recruit, I feel I am making leaps and bounds in both my ability to show initiative. I am glad to be able to do what is needed to protect our city, as well as feel needed by troops who give their very lives to protect our home.
-
The world of grey. When the things we do aren't so black and white.
It has been a significantly eventful last few tenday since I wrote in my journal, I find myself wondering why I have made the decisions I've made.
The first being choosing to become a member of the Forsworn. Like myself, they are an active member of the community who are out to help others, and I find myself feeling they are very like minded in philosophy. Yet… I am unsure if I would consider myself virtuous enough to truly become a member.
Furthermore, the very orcs I hate, the ones I constantly run patrols to decimate and destroy, I actually aided to help slay hobgoblins and gnoll alike, assisting them in leading an attack to stop the gnolls and hobgoblins supposedly from raising the undead. Is the enemy of your enemy really your friend? I doubt it. They could all die for all I care.
I'm willing to do what it takes to get the job done and save others, even if it means stepping into the shadows. I will not torture, but I would avert my eyes and let it happen should it yield information would be for one example. I would not slay the young offspring of orcs if I saw one of their youth running at me, wanting to attack me, nor would I stop allies from doing so. Perhaps this makes me some kind of hypocrite, wanting to keep some moral high ground, but another possible truth could be that I'm just too much of a coward to embrace the dark things that need to be done to protect the people, to protect Chauntea's followers, to protect humanity.
Am I disgusted with myself? Not really, though I do question some of the decisions I have made, I cannot keep myself lingering in the past when I should continue taking steps forward to better myself and continue on with my vision.
The grain goddess so far seems to have trusted my judgement at best, and questioned it at worst since I have not received any signs that the work I do in Narfell is truly objectionable, but I will continue to walk the path I lay before me.
