3. Fury And Faith: Thoughts of a Warpriest

Fury And Faith: Thoughts of a Warpriest


  • _Another day, another death. I'm starting to wonder how much longer it will be until I run out of lives to live. And what a death it was. A few powerful undead things out of the grounds in the swamps, and I went there along with the Defender Adelie, a few orcs and then a few people I don't know. It was going alright, until an enormous zombie crawled out of the ground. Adelie immediatly said she wasn't going to fight it in melee and took out her bow. That figures. I ran out of arrows just that moment, and I can be damned if that wasn't a sign from Tempus. So I drew my sword and charged in, praying for that one hit that would take it down. I did get my hit, and it did take me down. In fact, it took me down so fast I was already dead before I hit the ground.

    And when I came back, it was just the way it always is. Surrounded by pity and regret. Why does everyone around here have such an utter fear and loathing of dying? If it wasn't for the people dying to hold back N'Jast, this would have been part of the kingdom now. "Victory is gained by the dead, for they have given everything for it." as I was told.
    Besides, I'm not dead. I only stopped living for a short bit.

    Almost nobody came to the gathering I organised. Only Nora and Mialee were there, and Nora was the only other Temposan. Death might hurt, but that felt worse than getting stabbed in my bed. I don't know where they were hiding, or what they were fighting, but after waiting a whole day we were still the only ones there. That really hurt.

    And now I'm working to gather an army to take the fortress in Ormpur from the undead, and hold it long enough to consecrate it as a temple-barracks of Tempus. The general of the Legion, Grag, said he'd join me, so that's something at least. So would Aelthas. Now I just have to wait to hear from the Kelemnvorites, talk to the mage tower mages and see if there's any other group that could help. If this works, it'll be the biggest battle I've had so far, regardless of how it turns out. A chance to earn some true glory and honour."_


  • _Finally managed to pay off the ears-and-bones debt. Still nothing from Curvy. I don't expect her to just forget me, but I'd rather get whatever she wants me to do over and done with. 'sides, if she waits too long I'll be dead (again), or maybe even old and grey. Don't think age matters quite as much to them as it does to us.

    I'm getting stronger too. Tempus is giving me more and more power, though I still don't know what to do with it. I've called a gathering of all Temposans that hear about it, so maybe that gives me some insight. Maybe I'll even meet a local Battleguard. I wouldn't mind having someone more experienced in the faith and in war to teach me. Aelthas does well, but he's no Temposan.

    I wonder where Sylvyr's gone off to. I hope she's doing alright. I hate to admit it, but I miss her. I guess she had her own path to follow though. And in the meantime I keep meeting new people, and going on different raids. That's just it. No great battles yet, just raids and skirmishes.

    Enough writing for now, I need to get at least a few hours of sleep before I go and raid the orcs again._


  • _Almost gathered enough bones to pay off that debt. Good thing too, because I died again, and my debts keep stacking. After the last time though, I got some good advice from Aelthas.
    1. Don't be an idiot that gets the whole group killed. Makes sense to work as a group if you're part of one. No honour in leading those who aren't ready to die to their deaths.
    2. Fight smarter, not harder. Only a Garagosan would charge headfirst into everything he meets, and trust to come out on top every time. Tempus wants us to pick our fights carefully, and then give it our fullest. I've written it before: pick on people your own size, and both up and down.

    Aside from that, things seem to be going pretty alright. I can feel I'm getting stronger from fighting smarter. I'm still not sure if I should pick one of the sides here. There's a reason to join the Defenders, since I moved back here. But taking orders and standing watch all day doesn't really appeal to me. Maybe I should just put up some notes and try to start a gathering of Temposans, and see what comes out of that. First meeting alone should be interesting enough.

    Exemplars aren't really going anywhere right now. I haven't seen Fury in a few weeks now, and I'm not sure what we're supposed to do without her. At least Nora is still around, and I see some of the others from time to time. No idea what they're up to though.

    And then there's sweet little Mialee. She's an elf, and a mage at that. Not that the elf part bothered me before, but I don't understand a thing about magic. There's something innately dishonourable about turning an enemy into a pile of goo by waving your hands at him. Still, Mialee's nice enough. She's pretty quiet, but she has nice legs. And just like me, she's just starting to find her way around. Maybe I can convince her to become a battlemage. I finally found a room with a lock too, so tonight should be fun._


  • _Things haven't been going too well lately. First I died. Then I had to make a deal I'm probably going to regret later on to get back. And now I found out that my things haven't been lost at all, but they were found. By a captain of the Peltarch Defenders no less. I'm surprised to find Aelthas being who he is. I had expected him to have me torn apart by the whole city on the spot, but he was quite reasonable. So my battle begins earlier than I planned, but perhaps it's better this way. I can't run away from it anymore, and I'm relieved it started.

    I'm still not certain which path Tempus wants me to follow. Should I pick a side like Maya did, and fight for it? Or should I devote myself to war above all else? It would be the most devoted path, but at what cost? I can imagine it though, enforcing the universal rules of war and punishing those who break them, as is written in the most basic dogma. In practice, it would mean defining the purpose of any war, having both sides agree on them and then standing back only to care for prisoners and those who died, to ensure they're treated with respect. And to make sure the war stays within the purpose it was started for. A lot of battles that happen around here aren't officially acts of war though. Just skirmishes and raids on both sides. And then there's those that aren't going to agree to any rules, who think they can just do whatever they want in war. They are the ones that should be thought to think different At least that's how it'd be. I'm not particularly looking forward to becoming a raving zealot, even though it would probably give most people the smug satisfaction of saying "told you so".

    It would be a lot easier to find a worthy cause and fight for that in Tempus' name. But I haven't really found a worthy cause so far. I'll need to talk to a few people, maybe I can find one. I think I'll start with Aelthas._


  • _Kneeling before his sword at the edge of the great chasm that seperates Jiyyd from the west of Narfell, Hammerhand prays in reflection of the great battle that took place there.
    ".. and bless Reilash and Benji in their battles, whatever they might be. May they be strong and coureagous, and die with honour should they fail.

    Utghard sod challenged my honour for refusing to stay guard at the gates of Norwick for drow. That one doesn't even know what he's up against. From what I was thought, spotting a drow at night is like finding a shadow in a room with no windows and doors. Fighting one is like fighting the wind itself. And if they really want to get into the town, they won't need to get trough the gates. If he really wanted to protect the town, he should have stayed close to the townsfolk, not go stand "watch" over some far edge of it. If those drow attack him there, it's only because they're toying with him. Good luck guarding the town with a dozen arrows sticking out your left eyeball.

    Tempus knows I'm no guard, and I'm not going to pretend to be one. He chose to be guard, so he should do his damned job and stop whining about people that aren't quite so patriotic. Like he was born here. Hells, he probably wasn't even born anywhere near Narfell, what would he know?
    Besides, if those drow fight with honour and take on some good challenges, I'll take their side any day. But from what I heard, they don't really fight with honour.

    See, that's what you get with folk like Maya around. Tempus bless her if her claim to be a Champion is true, but she damn well should have known better than to pick a side. A real Temposan doesn't pick a side. If you fight for a cause, you can ask for Tempus' blessing, and you might get it if you're worth it. But that's nowhere near fighting in Tempus' name. Fighting in Tempus' name means fighting for honour and glory, and for battle itself. It's not about fighting for people, or for places, or for good or evil. You're an emissary of war, and war favors all and non.

    I'm starting to see why Battleguards are so few."_


  • _There almost was a battle between those campfolk and a group of mercenaries from Oscura. They called it off at the last moment though, I guess those mercenaries just aren't eager enough. At least I had the chance to talk to some of those eastlanders now, and I have to say it made choosing a side a hell of a lot easier.

    I've had a few dreams these last nights though, and they're notable enough to write down. In the first, I'm leading a group of Steel Fangs. Sometimes smashing into a wall of enemies, sometimes holding the top of a hill against a neverending tide of foes. In either case, we all die but we die as gloriously as it can possibly get.
    In the second dream, I'm part of a group of Battleguards. But these don't fight in battles, they enforce the rules of battle. They hunt down those who act without honour, use poison, attack innocents and kill prisoners. We also enforce some contract. Something signed between both sides that states the rules of the war. What are they fighting for, who's fighting and what are the victory conditions. The contract also states that they'll fight with honour and respect.

    Is one of these what Tempus wants me to become? Maybe it's both? Either way, I'm not nearly ready yet. I don't have the skill, or strength in faith, and I don't have the brothers in faith that are in those dreams. Besides, I might not actually live to get there anyhow. Better focus on the now. And what I need right now is another ale._


  • _The smooth-tongued and fleet of feet that avoid all strife and never defend their beliefs wreak more harm than the most energetic tyrant, raider, or horde leader.

    I'm happy to write I haven't met anyone here who wasn't up for a nice fight now and then. It's a harsh land, and it breeds harsh people. Talking only gets you so far anyway, with goblins, undead, orcs, huge snakes and whatever else is out there. I can't help feeling a bit alone in my faith though. Everyone seems so afraid of dying, that they tend to forget to live. They're always whining.. "let's think about this", "let's think this trough", "let's decide on a plan first". It's pretty damned depressing sometimes. Has -any- plan ever lasted longer than the first swing of a sword, or the first arrow? The plan is only as good as long as you can change it.

    Anyhow, I'm not seeing much in the way of tyrants, raiders or horde leaders right now. In fact, I feel like I'm the one doing the raiding, which is just fine. Still haven't decided on how to start a war between those eastlanders and others, but every day I'm more confident it has to happen. They can claim the bridge all they want, let's see them earn them. Norwick's had to earn its place. Peltarch had to earn its place. Jiyyd earned its place for a while and then lost it. It's pretty ironic that in trying to take it back, they might have lost it forever. That's what you get with demons.
    Let's see if I can find any others, warpriests or not, that would see the sense in testing those Eastlanders.

    PS. Few days have passed and Curvy Girl hasn't come back yet. Maybe she'll end up forgetting me. Though I wouldn't mind grappling her for a bit, I doubt I'd come out on top. And I doubt I'd live trough it even more._


  • _Consider the consequences of the violence of war, and do not wage war recklessly.

    War tends to bring a lot of destruction with it. That's why it's important to keep wars short and to the point, so you don't end up destroying more than you can rebuild. War can also drag a lot of people into it that don't want to have anything to do it. Outside of the glorious battles, war does have some nasty side effects. Refugees, famine, disease and a lot of regrets. But also a lot of opportunities. War can be a cleansing fire, destroying what's rotten and giving the opportunity for new people to rise.
    If anything, war changes things. I don't think people around here see it that way, but the last war did change a lot of things.
    It may be a lot of things, but war is never dull. War for the sake of war seems off though. Even the most devout battleguard wouldn't start wars for the heck of it. Sure, they might blow on the embers so that it can flare up into a fire, but starting wars where there's no need for one…

    There's a lot of Temposans going around starting random brawls with people they meet in taverns. Nothing wrong with that, as long as you pay up for any damage to the place, and tend to the people you bludgeoned. It's decidedly poor form to smash and run. I'm starting to think that's where my place as a priest of Tempus is. Start the battles that need to happen, so people go and get their hostilities done and over with. Now that I think of it, there's a group of Hoarans around the bridge in the pass, asking for a toll. I don't think anyone thinks that's going to last, but people seem happy enough to leave it alone for now. Maybe I should start that war. But how? And which side am I going to fight on?

    PS. 9 days left to decide. I want to see more -a lot more- of her, but I don't want to leave Tempus. She said her kind is attracted to those with strong faith. I don't think my faith is that strong. I'm no Battleguard, and I might never be one. I'm definitly no Steel Fang. And for all the curves she has, she scares me. I hate being afraid.

    PPS. I just remember I've been hearing this strange song now and then, in the middle of the greatest battles I've been in so far. I think I'm the only one hearing it too. It sounds like a very deep chant, and I can't help chanting along. And when I do, the world just fades away, replaced by the overwhelming deep drums of the chant, my heart pounding and any fear or doubt I had completely gone from my soul. It feels like being filled with a great light, like Tempus is fighting right beside me. I'll talk to Maya about that._


  • _Tempus looks with favor upon those that acquit themselves honorably in battle without resorting to such craven tricks as destroying homes, family, or livestock when a foe is away or attacking from the rear (except when such an attack is launched by a small band against foes of vastly superior numbers).

    I've heard people talking about honour, and what they think it is. So far I can only conclude that everyone thinks it's something different. Some people think a lot of honour, some people couldn't care less. The more I hear about it, the more I learn and think about it, the more I'm convinced this will be one of the hardest things to understand. What is honour, or at least, what is honourable to Tempus?

    Right now, I think Tempus favors those who meet their challenges head-on. They don't stall needlessly, they don't turn circles around it, but they head straight in. That isn't to say He approves of unprepared stupidity, but he frowns on trying to avoid an unavoidable battle. Or refusing to fight for what you believe in.
    Honour in battle (and all things) is fighting 'clean'. Don't send other people to fight your own battles. Give your enemy a fair chance, and don't poison them. Honour is respect?
    Honour isn't necessarily the same as courage, but I know a true warrior of Tempus is both honourable and courageous.

    Right, this must be the hardest line so far. I'll have to ask Maya about it if I meet her again. She wasn't what I expected from a Champion of Tempus, but I guess it makes sense that Tempus would set her to training others. Maybe I'll sign up for some lessons, if only to hear what she has to teach._


  • _Disparage no foe and respect all, for valor blazes in all regardless of age, sex, or race.

    Funny how I'd come to this part after these past few days. I set off with a whole group of others on this strange flying ship. We flew up higher and higher, into the stars until we reached a strange desert world. It was hot as hells, my boots kept sinking into the sand and there was all sorts of things out to kill us. I loved it. We fought on trough that desert, killing elf bandits, giants and walking sand statues until we reached a cave. In there was a whole legion of skeletons, and a few undead people called "mummies". We ended up fighting some mummy lord or whatnot, and we got back with the loot. I never saw the trip home, as I was killed by a giant on the way back. I died twice on that one trip, but I never regretted it. I came back twice as well, and I think Tempus was pleased with me. I remember feeling courage burning inside me, driving me to fight on and on despite how wounded I was, and despite how the others might yell we needed a new plan. We never needed a new plan.

    On that note, I'm taking down Stronghawk as the first on my list of Honoured Fallen. He might not be dead anymore, but he had a great death, standing his ground against one of those sand statues. And right after he saved my own life as well. He's a Temposan in heart and soul, and may he stay that way forever.

    Anyhow, I'm writing this because it outlines the valour in all. There were men, women, a halfling, an elf, a dwarf, and everyone fought with courage and honour. Some with a bit more courage and some with a bit more skill, but they all fought and stuck together on that harsh desert world. Valour really blazes in all, or at least it can. If you clear you heart of all troubles and let Tempus guide you, you can do amazing things. If you fight with honour, without fear, you can never really die. Again, it's all about respect. Respect for your friends, for your fellow warriors, and even your enemies. I really think Tempus was with us there.

    On a less fun note, when I returned to life the second time, I woke up in the temple of Tyr. In Peltarch, of all places. I grabbed my share of loot and left in a hurry. This place has changed since last I was here. I barely even recognize it, and I'm not sure it would recognize me. I didn't stay to find out though. I'll face that battle when I'm ready for it._


  • _Defend what you believe in, lest it be swept away.

    I don't think a whole lot of people really know what they believe in. They can claim to devote themselves to light and goodness and all that, but give them a world with nothing but light and nice people and they'll soon turn on each other, so insanely bored with having nothing left to fight. The opposite is true too, there's probably a lot of people out there wanting to take over the whole world. But just what do they plan to do once they're done with that?

    I might not know a lot, but I do know that neither side will ever really win. It's the constant conflict and opposition of each other that makes them what they are. They both want to destroy each other, just want to do it in different ways. You really are better off fighting for important things. Things that can make your life better, like gold, women, honour and the knowledge you're better today than you were yesterday. And if you happen to fight for anything besides yourself, like your home and your friends, that's good too.

    There's a lot of people who won't fight to defend what they stand for, and then they complain when they end up losing it. There's also a lot of people who think some things are important, until their ownership is of it is challenged with the threat of death, and all those things suddenly don't seem to be so important anymore._


  • _Slay one foe decisively and halt a battle quickly rather then rely upon slow attrition or the senseless dragging on of hostilities.
    Another one that seems fairly simple. Deal with your problems quickly and efficiently, instead of just mucking around. Don't stand around taunting and provoking, but get the fight done and over with, or withdraw and admit defeat.

    Remember the dead that fell before you.
    Remember the dead that fell in battle with you, and against you. I think this is all about respecting your enemies, even if you hate them. If they choose to fight, they fight for something they believe in, even if it's just their own damn good. Nothing wrong with wanting to kill the other guy over what he owns or because he took your girl, as long as you face him head-on I guess. But remember those you killed as best you can, or it will be a forgotten and pointless battle. And remember those that fought with you. That's usually easier, but even those are often forgotten. I'll start writing those I fight and those I fight with down if I can. Don't have to like the guy, but do have to honour him or her as Tempus does._


  • _Retreat from hopeless fights but never avoid battle.

    What makes a hopeless fight? A fight you can't win? But if it's more glorious to die bravely in battle than it is to flee a coward, there really isn't such a thing as a hopeless fight, is there? Either you win, or you can face your ancestors with pride. Still, I can imagine most people aren't too eager to see their ancestors again, or have too much to live for yet. So in that case, a hopeless fight would be one you can't possibly win. Thing is, by the time you decide a fight is hopeless, you're often already in so deep you can't retreat anymore. And there's always skirmishing. If you have the room to retreat, you have the room to skirmish, so even if you would get overrun in melee, you can still try to outmaneuver your enemy. I guess there's always hope as long as you see it.

    You shouldn't avoid battles, but does that mean you should pick fights whenever you can, or just stand up and face those that come to you? I don't think Tempus really approves of fighting and killing for no reason but to fight and kill, or to gloat, or to bully others around. Still, it doesn't say meaningful battles. It just says battles. Where's a veteran priest when you need one?_


  • _Arm all for whom battle is needful, even foes.

    I think most people interpret this as as giving a sword to the man who wants to kill you. And sure, maybe that's part of it. But I think the deeper meaning behind it is that everyone should be allowed to fight fair. If you have to pick a fight with someone who isn't as good as you, give them the chance to fight back fairly. In other words, pick on people your own size.

    I think this is one of those things that really marks a true Temposan. Someone who can stay focused even in the middle of battle, and who doesn't give in to blind battle rage, or to the temptation of beating lesser enemies into submission. I think that's the difference we have with Garagossans. We want to kill worthy opponents. They just want to kill. I guess I should have written "defeat" because you don't always have to utterly destroy an enemy.

    Anyhow, I feel I've got at least a basic grasp of this line. Now if only I can hold on to its meaning. Pick on people your own size._


  • _It should not be feared, but seen as natural force, a human force, the storm that civilization brings by its very existence.

    There's a lot here in a single sentence, so I'll split it up in a few parts..

    It should not be feared…
    A lot of people fear war. In fact, they fear any kind of conflict or challenge, because they're too worried about what they'll lose. I can understand this if you get dragged into fighting someone else' battles against your will, and you'd rather be home drinking and farking. But if it's a challenge or a conflict related to something important to you, if orcs attack your village, or some bard is trying to run off with your girl, or a dwarf thinks he can beat you at a drinking contest, then why do so many fear those challenges, those "wars"? If you don't fight back, if you surrender, you're pretty much just giving up. And then I guess it all wasn't that important anyway. And even if things look bad but you still fight, there's always the off change you'll win. Either you get lucky, or Tempus decides to help out. It all sounds pretty simple.

    It's hypocrytical to say everyone should just face their trials head-on and at the first opportunity though. I know I don't, but I will some day.

    …but seen as natural force...

    Not sure if war is all that natural. Battle is though, animals still protect their young and their territory. And they all have their own challenges to overcome. Hells, I'm pretty sure even trees fight their own battles just to survive and spread their nuts around.
    If you look at it that way, a lot of people are trees. They just want to live and breed, and be left alone. They all live long, dull, uninteresting lives.

    …a human force...
    I'm not sure what Tempus meant by this. Elves and dwarves are no strangers to war. Maybe they fight wars in a different way. I'll have to fight some dwarves to talk to, and maybe Sweetness can tell me something about elven wars. Sounds like they've got a war going against the drow that's been going on for thousands of years now, so I bet they'll know a thing or two.

    …the storm that civilization brings by its very existence.
    Well, if we're looking at war as most of us know it, I guess this makes sense. I don't think a whole lot of people are interested in going to fight their neighbour over a few yards of land, or their daughters, or the weather, or whatever excuse they need, if they're too busy just trying to survive. If people have to spend their days hunting and fishing and spend their nights trying not to get eaten by wolves, they'll leave each other alone. But the moment they settle down and things get a little comfortable, they'll take out their frustrations on each other. It's funny how that works. It's even funnier how some people need to mThey're eake up whole books full of reasons why they should stab the other guy. They're not like us. They're ugly. They took our jobs. Tempus, if only they realised that they're all just looking for an excuse to fight. Worst of all are those that fight "because they other guy is evil". What does that even mean?
    Anyhow, the whole good against evil and vice versa is a war that's been going since Tempus first picked a fight, and it's been the source of the best and worst battles in history. Maybe I should pick a side._


  • _War is fair in that it oppresses and aids all equally and that in any given battle, a mortal may be slain or become a great leader among his or her companions.

    This part seems pretty straight-forward. Everyone's the same in that we're all born and we all die. It isn't just war either, it's all challenges in life. Whether you're born a noble or a begger, everyone has to overcome challenges in their life. But it's only if you go out, take risks and challenge yourself that you can really rise up to something better. Or fall, but then at least you'll have tried. All it takes is courage.

    I wouldn't know Sylvyr if I hadn't built up the courage to talk to her in that inn that night, and I certainly wouldn't have gotten where I am now without her. I might not like it, but it's the biggest challenge I've had since leaving home. There's a big challenge.. a big battle coming, and I need to be ready for it. Fortunately, if I'm lucky, I get to pick the time and place for it. Tempus give me the courage and strength to see it trough._


  • _Tempus does not win battles, he helps the deserving warrior win battles.
    I think I understand this now. I can't expect Tempus to do my fighting for me, or do anything for me for that matter. He might give me a hand.. he might give me his blessings to help out, but I still have to go out and do it. If I can't do something by myself, if all I can do is want and complain, I'm not worthy of the rewards of succeeding. And if I fail, I'll at least have pulled it together and tried. And I should always do my best, to be deserving.. and win.

    What is a deserving warrior? Someone who claims the most victories? Who defeats the greatest number of opponents? Who triumphs over the greatest challenges? Who shows the greatest courage and determination?

    I'll have to think more on this._