If you have about four hours...

If you have about four hours...:
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Posted by Woru on September 26, 1999 at 17:51:42:

In Reply to: Roleplaying logs posted by danlo on September 26, 1999 at 15:37:05:

I was considering deletion at this point, as I'd been around forever and was getting very worn out as an arbiter. Stellyx caught wind of it - he always seemed to be able to read my mind - and asked if something was wrong. I suggested that we might meet at the tower of Malkeri because it was where Woru went to ponder during dark times... but anyway... I always said Stellyx could talk a legless donkey into a brisk jog, and here he talked an old arbiter lord hell-bent on deletion into giving it another go.

---

Stellyx tells you 'where shall we meet?'

You tell Stellyx 'If I were in a contemplative mood, I'd say atop the western tower of Malkeri. But I know what I want to ask you.'

Stellyx arrives from a puff of smoke.

Stellyx nods at you in agreement.

You say 'Now to more somber matters.'

You sigh.

You say 'I know you know I've had concerns about myself and my duty of late.'

Stellyx says 'aye... but no more than most times, I'd thought.'

You mutter quietly to yourself.

You smirk.

You say 'More than most.'

Stellyx raises an eyebrow.

You say 'It's a dangerous time in my life.'

You say 'And I've found that many factors are uniting against my capacity for sane thought.'

You say 'First..'

You say 'The war I wage with lawlessness every day has taken a turn for the worse, decidedly.'

Stellyx says 'It is the same war all Arbiters wage...'

Stellyx waits for his old friend to compose his thoughts.

You say 'But mine has become a futile sort of struggle.'

You say 'I can't remember the last time I apprehended a criminal, to be honest.'

You say 'And I realize that has something to do with my new duties as Lord..'

You say 'But I'm failing there as well.'

Stellyx raises an eyebrow.

You say 'I am inaccessible to young members of the cabal.'

You say 'Aside from that, I seem to induct every person I interview, and I've never even given thought to uninducting any arbiter.'

Stellyx says 'how do you mean?'

You say 'How do I mean?'

Stellyx says 'How do you mean, inaccessible?'

You sigh.

You say 'I feel no link with them, and cannot relate to them. They are fresh and new, and evil...'

You say 'Their tactics are beyond me, but they seem to be effective.'

You say 'When they ask me for advice, I tell them what I can and go back to being inaccessible.'

Stellyx says 'There, you see?'

You raise an eyebrow at the notion.

Stellyx says 'The very fact that they ask you for advice means that _they_ do not consider you inaccessible, no matter what you think of yourself.'

Stellyx says 'you are the highest rank one can be in this Cabal... of course you will be somewhat removed from those who are new.'

Woru dismisses the notion.

You say 'But they are more dedicated to the Law than I ever was, am, or believe myself to be. And this leads me to a second, more important conflict.'

Stellyx says 'Answer me one question, and answer it honestly, before I continue:'

You say 'Go ahead.'

Stellyx says 'Am I here to listen to a speech, or to give advice?'

You smirk.

You say 'I'm speaking as I can.'

Stellyx says 'Aye... but is your mind made up, and my words falling as seeds on barren stone?'

You say 'Offer any advice you can.. it's needed right about now.'

Stellyx nods.

Stellyx says 'Continue then, and I shall listen, and do as I can.'

You shake your head.

You say 'What did you have to ask?'

You say 'I'd moved on to another point too quickly.'

You say 'Perhaps the first can be saved.'

Stellyx says 'Alright. To deal with the first point, which you dismissed so quickly...'

Stellyx says 'Why _did_ you dismiss what I said out of hand?'

You say 'Ah.'

Stellyx says 'That, more than anything, said that I was not here to speak, only to listen.'

You say 'I dismissed the thought that I was considered to be a "valuable resource."'

You say 'Because I know it's not true.'

Stellyx says 'To continue my question: If you are not a valued source of information, then why do _you_ think that they ask for your opinion?'

You say 'They ask me for my opinion for a second source. They all know the pillar by heart, and follow it to the letter. When I say something, they reply that that's what the pillar says. When I tell them, for example..'

You say 'That when a person dies in his attack, he doesn't necessarily need a flag.. that it's arbiter discretion, they follow the letter rather than the spirit and flag.'

You say 'They're cold, precise, and they know the laws better than I do.'

Stellyx chuckles politely.

Stellyx says 'And is that how you want the Laws to be?'

You say 'That's the second problem.'

You chuckle politely.

Stellyx says 'to continue the first, then.'

You nod.

Stellyx says 'You mentioned of inductions and applicants...'

Stellyx says 'In all the time I was leader, I can think of only a time, or maybe two or three where I flat-out refused to accept someone. If that.'

Stellyx says 'In all my time as a Lord, I think I uninducted one person, and that was for rank stupidity.'

Stellyx says 'and insubordination.'

You ponder the question.

Stellyx says 'The stupidity I could have let slide: The insubordination I could not.'

Stellyx says 'The other decisions to remove people were made jointly by myself and the other lords, if any existed, or with Justin.'

You say 'Then that is a lesser, and perhaps even invalid concern.'

Stellyx says 'no, it goes to how you view yourself as a Lord, and so is not invalid.'

Stellyx says 'I'm saying that to have an accepting stature is not a failing... it shows hope that people will get better.'

Stellyx says 'which is what I'd expect of a Lightwalker.'

You say 'I view myself as far too flexible. Particularly in the light of those of this new generation.'

You say 'A lord should be perfection personified, an embodiment of the written law.'

You say 'As you know..'

You say 'I have had difficulties discerning between law and justice my whole life.'

Stellyx says 'We are not Empire, and we accept people who love the Law for different reasons.'

Stellyx says 'An example: You recall when I chastized the young evil one for killing shoppies, when he had not, technically, laid a hand on them?'

You nod.

Stellyx says 'This was my failing. I viewed him through my lens of how the world should work.'

Stellyx says 'As an immortal leader, should I not be even more perfect than you?'

Stellyx says '(I ask this in all seriousness)'

You say 'Your word is law.'

You say 'And I say that in all seriousness.'

You say 'That's the difference.'

You say 'Where you create policy, I am forced to follow as closely as I can.'

Stellyx says 'Where is the difference? Your word is also law. Have you not read the Plaque recently?'

Stellyx says 'You are the only Lord this cabal currently has. As such, you are at the top of the hierarchy.'

Stellyx says 'It is not my place to tell the young evil one to stop doing what he is doing, as he is technically correct.'

Stellyx says 'and not breaking the pillar.'

Stellyx says 'I cannot pass moral judgement on him.'

Stellyx says 'YOU, however, can.'

You say 'That's part of another problem.'

You say 'I'm a lightwalking leader of an evil cabal.'

<669hp 1087m 638mv> frown
What's bothering you?

Stellyx says 'To the best of your ability'.'

Stellyx says 'Not 'perfectly'.'

You say 'It is a private concern of mine...'

You say 'Which I would not voice, did I not trust you implicitly and believe in your ideas.'

You say 'That we are becoming, more and more, a fourth sect.'

You say 'My encounter with Arolin told me that much. I didn't tell you then.'

You say 'He killed me, then I returned..'

You say 'He held me again, and stood there.'

You say 'He told me that I do my job better than any single person in the Empire.'

You say 'I've heard it before..'

You say 'But I'd never felt it to be true until now.'

Stellyx raises an eyebrow.

You say 'I'm creating a fourth sect by myself.'

You say 'On my own.'

Stellyx says 'Do your job, which is... '

Stellyx says 'enforcing the laws?'

You say 'No, I'm a tool. And I'm reforming this cabal so that it looks like an extension of Empire... "Empire West." It can't go on.'

You say 'I've inducted nothing but necromancers and anti-paladins, and not only am I adding to my loneliness.. I'm creating a new age for the arbiters'

Stellyx says 'True, evil is on the rise in the Lands.'

You say 'Long has it been since we've had an evil Lord.'

You say 'And it was a time of glory for the light, to say the least.. yourself, Kantherion, Mahaira, Angelica, .. everyone, I can't name a single darkwalker.'

You say 'But that's changing now.'

You say 'And I am one of the only lightwalkers left in our cabal.'

You say 'I can name Loausan.. assuming he's still around..'

Stellyx says 'He is.'

Stellyx says 'he has taken leave to visit his family in the mountains, he told me.'

You say 'Ah.'

Stellyx says 'when he returns, he will re-assume his duties.'

You say '...and Joshu.'

You say 'Who complicates matters.'

Stellyx says 'How does Joshu complicate matters?'

You say 'Because I was fit and ready to resign.'

You say 'Then, just as I began to pen the scroll.'

You say '..'

You say 'He asked me for an interview.'

Stellyx smiles happily.

You say 'I was feeling a bit desolate, you see..'

You say 'Being the "only" lightwalker.'

You say 'And now..'

You say 'I'd still like to retire. But Joshu would be left in my position.'

You say 'I've explained my intentions, and my beliefs to Joshu.'

You say 'But he was not deterred, and still wished to be an arbiter.'

You say 'The only thing keeping me from asking you to uninduct me right now is Joshu.'

You say 'I feel like I can't... *shouldn't* leave him.'

Stellyx says 'Then, if I might say so, this is what I hear:'

Stellyx says 'Joshu complicates things because he does not allow you to take a selfish path, and because he shows you that there _is_ hope, and that there are still Lightwalkers who believe in the Laws.'

<669hp 1087m 638mv> frown
What's bothering you?

Stellyx says 'And it only grates on you more that you were the one who inspired him...'

Stellyx says 'because that means that you _are_ doing your job...'

Stellyx says 'and here you were holding a pity-party for yourself.'

Stellyx hugs you.

You smirk.

You smile happily.

You say 'But Joshu also added to my discomfort, in this way..'

You say 'When I first began speaking with him..'

You say 'I was in the pits of despair, and he was on a high.'

You say 'And I realized, as I spoke with him..'

You say 'That he was myself, as I wanted to be... excited about Justice and nothing else...'

You say 'I took that out of him.'

You say 'I made him understand that Arbiters are all about enforcing the letter rather than the spirit, as I told you.. and that Justice can get in the way.'

You say 'My words shocked me.'

You say 'Because they revealed what I truly felt.'

Stellyx raises an eyebrow.

Stellyx says 'did I interview you?'

You say 'Yes, you did.'

Stellyx says 'And did I ask you what you would do if someone looted a friend's corpse so that the criminal who killed him wouldn't get the things?'

You say 'That's too simple.'

Stellyx says 'Is it?'

You say 'I'm talking about flagging and killing Guiseppe.. for ending Istendil in a fight I started.'

You say 'That is the absolute epitome of a lack of Justice.'

Stellyx says 'Aaah.'

You say 'And Justice is my religion.'

Stellyx says 'I am not 100% sure what it was exactly that Guiseppe did in this fight, so I cannot address the exact situation...'

You say 'It's simple, if you'd care to hear..'

Stellyx nods.

You say 'I turned Istendil's lich form, and hurt him critically.. he fled almost immediately into Galadon, and stood in the park waiting to heal, gloating at me.'

You say 'Very quickly, the hunt was upon him... and then a bear raked him to death.'

You say 'I rushed there and found Guiseppe, as I suspected, and flagged him.'

Stellyx says 'Let me put the situation slightly Differently...'

Stellyx says 'Woru, Knight-Marshall of Thera, fought Istendil the Lich single-handedly, because that was what his Code demanded of him. Istendil went somewhere that the Knight could not go, and was safe from him...'

Stellyx says 'but others entered that safe place and, as a group, killed him.'

Stellyx says ''Was Woru the Knight dishonored by this act?'

<669hp 1068m 638mv> frown
What's bothering you?

You say 'Hrm.'

You say 'My conceptions of honor are somewhat warped, being an arbiter... but it sounds as though Istendil was in a bad place at the wrong time. The group may have done a great dishonor, but the most Woru is is disappointed.'

Stellyx nods.

Stellyx says 'Guiseppe knew exactly what he was doing when he attacked Istendil. He knew how you would react too, because he knows you and knows the Laws. He felt that it was more important that Istendil die than that he adhere to a set of Laws he did not believe in'

Stellyx says 'Istendil sought to take advantage of your personal restrictions... and showed himself to be the coward.'

You say 'I know Guiseppe expected a flag.'

You say 'He may have wanted one.'

You say 'But did I feel, in any way, that I was doing one whit of good for the sake of Justice?'

Stellyx says 'Tell me this: How was it _not_ Just?'

Stellyx says 'Guiseppe knowingly broke the laws.'

Stellyx says 'and paid the price.'

Stellyx says 'It was personally unsatisfactory, I agree...'

Stellyx says 'but it was in every way Just.'

You say 'It was Just in accordance with the law.'

You say 'Which seems, at the moment, rather arbitrary.'

Stellyx raises an eyebrow.

You say 'Well..'

You say 'Had he not trod onto sacred ground for me as an arbiter, I would have pursued and attempted to kill him. And welcomed Guiseppe's aid.'

You say 'Make no mistake:'

You say 'I *wanted* to kill him, despite the fact that he was in town.'

You say 'But I held back'

You say 'And..'

You say 'A part of me was quite gladdened by Guiseppe's interference.'

You say 'Given time to think..'

You say 'Would I have been tempted to "miss" flagging Guiseppe?'

You say 'Certainly.'

You say 'But I reacted as an arbiter.'

You say 'And that is a problem for me...'

You say 'I feel like I'm losing my faith in the law.'

You say 'Or at least, in the letter of the law.'

You say 'Its spirit is fine.'

Stellyx says 'Woru, the intent of the Law, both letter and spirit, is that persons -- all persons -- have a place where they are protected from unwanted intrusions on their person.'

You nod.

Stellyx says 'That evil people use it for a hiding place does not detract from its noble purpose.'

You sigh.

You say 'Then, perhaps the fact that I'm concerned is what concerns me most.'

You say 'Have I truly lost sight of an Arbiter's nonchalance in such matters?'

Stellyx says 'Let me say one thing, for I really must go.'

You nod.

Stellyx says 'I would sit here and talk to you all day, if I could.'

Stellyx says '(to address that question a moment...)'

Stellyx says 'Losing sight of one's neutrality is normal'

Stellyx says 'It happened to me more than once.'

Stellyx says 'I have a different perspective now that no one is trying to kill me, and can afford to take a broader view.'

You chuckle politely.

Stellyx says 'My personal enemies have died -- I have outlived them all. Even if that were not the case, though, I know that I acted as I had to when I was mortal -- frustrating as it was.'

Stellyx says 'Now, the one point I wanted to make was this:'

Stellyx says 'I cannot help you resolve your inner conflict over Law and Justice. It may be better for you to talk to Justin when he is present, as that was more his sphere than mine.'

Stellyx says 'What I can say, though,'

Stellyx says 'is something to address your concern on 'Empire West'...'

Stellyx says 'Think on this:'

Stellyx says 'When people begin to worry that what you say is exactly what _is_ happening to Arbiter, at this point, they can at least say to one another, "At least there's Woru to keep them in line. We all *know* that he's not one of them."'

Stellyx says 'And, believe it or not, people do say that.'

Stellyx says 'Many, many are the compliments I have received on you and your performance over the years.'

Stellyx says 'both when I was lord, and even now.'

You rest.

You say 'Well.'

Stellyx says 'I'm not done...'

Stellyx smiles happily.

You chuckle politely.

You nod.

Stellyx says 'You are also known as one who does not quit. Nothing gets in your way, nothing makes you give up on what it is you want.'

Stellyx says 'The tale of how you fought to get back into Arbiter after your mistake is told and re-told... and your rise to power only strengthens it.'

Stellyx says 'If, now, after all this doggedness, you are made to quit this position because of the actions of Empire, and the dark ones within your ranks, what does it say to those who _do_ hold out, and view you as a symbol?'

Stellyx says '"Well, geez... They were too tough for Woru. I might as well give up too."'

You grumble distractedly to yourself.

Stellyx says 'Like it or not, that you spit in the face of Empire and do not knuckle under to them is as heartening, in its own way, as all of Kantherion's raging.'

Stellyx says 'Anyone can fight when assaulted. It takes a stronger man to stick to his principles, and get back up when knocked down.'

Stellyx says 'It isn't easy being a symbol -- I'm sure -- but whether you want it or not, you seem to have become somewhat of one. '

Woru nods slowly.

Stellyx says '_Now_ I'm done.'

You smile happily.

Stellyx smiles happily.

You say 'Then at least I have a purpose.'

You say 'To serve in my final years.'

Stellyx nods.

You say 'If I'm nothing more than a symbol and an induction machine.. so be it.'

You say 'Such is my role in the realm.'

Stellyx says 'If nothing else, friend, I'm glad I have helped you renew that purpose within yourself.'

You bow deeply.

You hug him.

Stellyx says 'Now _do_ try and lose some of the bitterness and cynicism, eh?'

Stellyx smiles at you.

Stellyx hugs you.

You say 'It's difficult.'

You say 'Comes with age.. like bubbles in champagne and such..'

<669hp 1087m 638mv> cough
Yuck, try to cover your mouth next time!

Stellyx says 'aye, I'm sure... but look at it this way...'

Stellyx says 'It is only the man who refuses to get up who has lost. As long as you can get back up _one_ _more_ _time_ than they can knock you down...'

Stellyx says 'You win.'

You chuckle politely.

You say 'Then you may have caught me just in time.'

Stellyx smiles happily.

Stellyx helps Woru regain his feet.

You say 'I have..'

You say '...supreme faith in Justin's knowledge, and in his friendship, or that in which I like to believe.'

You say 'But I doubt that he could have talked down one stubborn elf as bent on career suicide as I.'

Stellyx lights off a huge grin.

Woru bows with a flourish.

Stellyx says 'Hey... if you wanted to be convinced, you picked the right person to talk to.'

You say 'So I hear.'

You say 'Something about the battleragers, I believe...'

Stellyx chuckles politely.

Stellyx says 'Now, go and let Joshu infect you with some of his enthusiasm.'

Stellyx waves happily.

You nod.

You wave.

Stellyx says 'Fare thee well, my true and trusted friend.'

You smile happily.

Follow Ups:

Re: If you have about four hours... Danlo 15:41:36 9/27/99 (0)
I did... *smirk* Jesrad of the Windagger Clan 23:43:21 9/26/99 (0)

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Comments:	> I was considering deletion at this point, as I'd been around forever and was getting very worn out as an arbiter. Stellyx caught wind of it - he always seemed to be able to read my mind - and asked if something was wrong. I suggested that we might meet at the tower of Malkeri because it was where Woru went to ponder during dark times... but anyway... I always said Stellyx could talk a legless donkey into a brisk jog, and here he talked an old arbiter lord hell-bent on deletion into giving it another go. > --- > Stellyx tells you 'where shall we meet?' > You tell Stellyx 'If I were in a contemplative mood, I'd say atop the western tower of Malkeri. But I know what I want to ask you.' > Stellyx arrives from a puff of smoke. > Stellyx nods at you in agreement. > You say 'Now to more somber matters.' > You sigh. > You say 'I know you know I've had concerns about myself and my duty of late.' > Stellyx says 'aye... but no more than most times, I'd thought.' > You mutter quietly to yourself. > You smirk. > You say 'More than most.' > Stellyx raises an eyebrow. > You say 'It's a dangerous time in my life.' > You say 'And I've found that many factors are uniting against my capacity for sane thought.' > You say 'First..' > You say 'The war I wage with lawlessness every day has taken a turn for the worse, decidedly.' > Stellyx says 'It is the same war all Arbiters wage...' > Stellyx waits for his old friend to compose his thoughts. > You say 'But mine has become a futile sort of struggle.' > You say 'I can't remember the last time I apprehended a criminal, to be honest.' > You say 'And I realize that has something to do with my new duties as Lord..' > You say 'But I'm failing there as well.' > Stellyx raises an eyebrow. > You say 'I am inaccessible to young members of the cabal.' > You say 'Aside from that, I seem to induct every person I interview, and I've never even given thought to uninducting any arbiter.' > Stellyx says 'how do you mean?' > You say 'How do I mean?' > Stellyx says 'How do you mean, inaccessible?' > You sigh. > You say 'I feel no link with them, and cannot relate to them. They are fresh and new, and evil...' > You say 'Their tactics are beyond me, but they seem to be effective.' > You say 'When they ask me for advice, I tell them what I can and go back to being inaccessible.' > Stellyx says 'There, you see?' > You raise an eyebrow at the notion. > Stellyx says 'The very fact that they ask you for advice means that _they_ do not consider you inaccessible, no matter what you think of yourself.' > Stellyx says 'you are the highest rank one can be in this Cabal... of course you will be somewhat removed from those who are new.' > Woru dismisses the notion. > You say 'But they are more dedicated to the Law than I ever was, am, or believe myself to be. And this leads me to a second, more important conflict.' > Stellyx says 'Answer me one question, and answer it honestly, before I continue:' > You say 'Go ahead.' > Stellyx says 'Am I here to listen to a speech, or to give advice?' > You smirk. > You say 'I'm speaking as I can.' > Stellyx says 'Aye... but is your mind made up, and my words falling as seeds on barren stone?' > You say 'Offer any advice you can.. it's needed right about now.' > Stellyx nods. > Stellyx says 'Continue then, and I shall listen, and do as I can.' > You shake your head. > You say 'What did you have to ask?' > You say 'I'd moved on to another point too quickly.' > You say 'Perhaps the first can be saved.' > Stellyx says 'Alright. To deal with the first point, which you dismissed so quickly...' > Stellyx says 'Why _did_ you dismiss what I said out of hand?' > You say 'Ah.' > Stellyx says 'That, more than anything, said that I was not here to speak, only to listen.' > You say 'I dismissed the thought that I was considered to be a "valuable resource."' > You say 'Because I know it's not true.' > Stellyx says 'To continue my question: If you are not a valued source of information, then why do _you_ think that they ask for your opinion?' > You say 'They ask me for my opinion for a second source. They all know the pillar by heart, and follow it to the letter. When I say something, they reply that that's what the pillar says. When I tell them, for example..' > You say 'That when a person dies in his attack, he doesn't necessarily need a flag.. that it's arbiter discretion, they follow the letter rather than the spirit and flag.' > You say 'They're cold, precise, and they know the laws better than I do.' > Stellyx chuckles politely. > Stellyx says 'And is that how you want the Laws to be?' > You say 'That's the second problem.' > You chuckle politely. > Stellyx says 'to continue the first, then.' > You nod. > Stellyx says 'You mentioned of inductions and applicants...' > Stellyx says 'In all the time I was leader, I can think of only a time, or maybe two or three where I flat-out refused to accept someone. If that.' > Stellyx says 'In all my time as a Lord, I think I uninducted one person, and that was for rank stupidity.' > Stellyx says 'and insubordination.' > You ponder the question. > Stellyx says 'The stupidity I could have let slide: The insubordination I could not.' > Stellyx says 'The other decisions to remove people were made jointly by myself and the other lords, if any existed, or with Justin.' > You say 'Then that is a lesser, and perhaps even invalid concern.' > Stellyx says 'no, it goes to how you view yourself as a Lord, and so is not invalid.' > Stellyx says 'I'm saying that to have an accepting stature is not a failing... it shows hope that people will get better.' > Stellyx says 'which is what I'd expect of a Lightwalker.' > You say 'I view myself as far too flexible. Particularly in the light of those of this new generation.' > You say 'A lord should be perfection personified, an embodiment of the written law.' > You say 'As you know..' > You say 'I have had difficulties discerning between law and justice my whole life.' > Stellyx says 'We are not Empire, and we accept people who love the Law for different reasons.' > Stellyx says 'An example: You recall when I chastized the young evil one for killing shoppies, when he had not, technically, laid a hand on them?' > You nod. > Stellyx says 'This was my failing. I viewed him through my lens of how the world should work.' > Stellyx says 'As an immortal leader, should I not be even more perfect than you?' > Stellyx says '(I ask this in all seriousness)' > You say 'Your word is law.' > You say 'And I say that in all seriousness.' > You say 'That's the difference.' > You say 'Where you create policy, I am forced to follow as closely as I can.' > Stellyx says 'Where is the difference? Your word is also law. Have you not read the Plaque recently?' > Stellyx says 'You are the only Lord this cabal currently has. As such, you are at the top of the hierarchy.' > Stellyx says 'It is not my place to tell the young evil one to stop doing what he is doing, as he is technically correct.' > Stellyx says 'and not breaking the pillar.' > Stellyx says 'I cannot pass moral judgement on him.' > Stellyx says 'YOU, however, can.' > You say 'That's part of another problem.' > You say 'I'm a lightwalking leader of an evil cabal.' > <669hp 1087m 638mv> frown > What's bothering you? > Stellyx says 'To the best of your ability'.' > Stellyx says 'Not 'perfectly'.' > You say 'It is a private concern of mine...' > You say 'Which I would not voice, did I not trust you implicitly and believe in your ideas.' > You say 'That we are becoming, more and more, a fourth sect.' > You say 'My encounter with Arolin told me that much. I didn't tell you then.' > You say 'He killed me, then I returned..' > You say 'He held me again, and stood there.' > You say 'He told me that I do my job better than any single person in the Empire.' > You say 'I've heard it before..' > You say 'But I'd never felt it to be true until now.' > Stellyx raises an eyebrow. > You say 'I'm creating a fourth sect by myself.' > You say 'On my own.' > Stellyx says 'Do your job, which is... ' > Stellyx says 'enforcing the laws?' > You say 'No, I'm a tool. And I'm reforming this cabal so that it looks like an extension of Empire... "Empire West." It can't go on.' > You say 'I've inducted nothing but necromancers and anti-paladins, and not only am I adding to my loneliness.. I'm creating a new age for the arbiters' > Stellyx says 'True, evil is on the rise in the Lands.' > You say 'Long has it been since we've had an evil Lord.' > You say 'And it was a time of glory for the light, to say the least.. yourself, Kantherion, Mahaira, Angelica, .. everyone, I can't name a single darkwalker.' > You say 'But that's changing now.' > You say 'And I am one of the only lightwalkers left in our cabal.' > You say 'I can name Loausan.. assuming he's still around..' > Stellyx says 'He is.' > Stellyx says 'he has taken leave to visit his family in the mountains, he told me.' > You say 'Ah.' > Stellyx says 'when he returns, he will re-assume his duties.' > You say '...and Joshu.' > You say 'Who complicates matters.' > Stellyx says 'How does Joshu complicate matters?' > You say 'Because I was fit and ready to resign.' > You say 'Then, just as I began to pen the scroll.' > You say '..' > You say 'He asked me for an interview.' > Stellyx smiles happily. > You say 'I was feeling a bit desolate, you see..' > You say 'Being the "only" lightwalker.' > You say 'And now..' > You say 'I'd still like to retire. But Joshu would be left in my position.' > You say 'I've explained my intentions, and my beliefs to Joshu.' > You say 'But he was not deterred, and still wished to be an arbiter.' > You say 'The only thing keeping me from asking you to uninduct me right now is Joshu.' > You say 'I feel like I can't... shouldn't leave him.' > Stellyx says 'Then, if I might say so, this is what I hear:' > Stellyx says 'Joshu complicates things because he does not allow you to take a selfish path, and because he shows you that there _is_ hope, and that there are still Lightwalkers who believe in the Laws.' > <669hp 1087m 638mv> frown > What's bothering you? > Stellyx says 'And it only grates on you more that you were the one who inspired him...' > Stellyx says 'because that means that you _are_ doing your job...' > Stellyx says 'and here you were holding a pity-party for yourself.' > Stellyx hugs you. > You smirk. > You smile happily. > You say 'But Joshu also added to my discomfort, in this way..' > You say 'When I first began speaking with him..' > You say 'I was in the pits of despair, and he was on a high.' > You say 'And I realized, as I spoke with him..' > You say 'That he was myself, as I wanted to be... excited about Justice and nothing else...' > You say 'I took that out of him.' > You say 'I made him understand that Arbiters are all about enforcing the letter rather than the spirit, as I told you.. and that Justice can get in the way.' > You say 'My words shocked me.' > You say 'Because they revealed what I truly felt.' > Stellyx raises an eyebrow. > Stellyx says 'did I interview you?' > You say 'Yes, you did.' > Stellyx says 'And did I ask you what you would do if someone looted a friend's corpse so that the criminal who killed him wouldn't get the things?' > You say 'That's too simple.' > Stellyx says 'Is it?' > You say 'I'm talking about flagging and killing Guiseppe.. for ending Istendil in a fight I started.' > You say 'That is the absolute epitome of a lack of Justice.' > Stellyx says 'Aaah.' > You say 'And Justice is my religion.' > Stellyx says 'I am not 100% sure what it was exactly that Guiseppe did in this fight, so I cannot address the exact situation...' > You say 'It's simple, if you'd care to hear..' > Stellyx nods. > You say 'I turned Istendil's lich form, and hurt him critically.. he fled almost immediately into Galadon, and stood in the park waiting to heal, gloating at me.' > You say 'Very quickly, the hunt was upon him... and then a bear raked him to death.' > You say 'I rushed there and found Guiseppe, as I suspected, and flagged him.' > Stellyx says 'Let me put the situation slightly Differently...' > Stellyx says 'Woru, Knight-Marshall of Thera, fought Istendil the Lich single-handedly, because that was what his Code demanded of him. Istendil went somewhere that the Knight could not go, and was safe from him...' > Stellyx says 'but others entered that safe place and, as a group, killed him.' > Stellyx says ''Was Woru the Knight dishonored by this act?' > <669hp 1068m 638mv> frown > What's bothering you? > You say 'Hrm.' > You say 'My conceptions of honor are somewhat warped, being an arbiter... but it sounds as though Istendil was in a bad place at the wrong time. The group may have done a great dishonor, but the most Woru is is disappointed.' > Stellyx nods. > Stellyx says 'Guiseppe knew exactly what he was doing when he attacked Istendil. He knew how you would react too, because he knows you and knows the Laws. He felt that it was more important that Istendil die than that he adhere to a set of Laws he did not believe in' > Stellyx says 'Istendil sought to take advantage of your personal restrictions... and showed himself to be the coward.' > You say 'I know Guiseppe expected a flag.' > You say 'He may have wanted one.' > You say 'But did I feel, in any way, that I was doing one whit of good for the sake of Justice?' > Stellyx says 'Tell me this: How was it _not_ Just?' > Stellyx says 'Guiseppe knowingly broke the laws.' > Stellyx says 'and paid the price.' > Stellyx says 'It was personally unsatisfactory, I agree...' > Stellyx says 'but it was in every way Just.' > You say 'It was Just in accordance with the law.' > You say 'Which seems, at the moment, rather arbitrary.' > Stellyx raises an eyebrow. > You say 'Well..' > You say 'Had he not trod onto sacred ground for me as an arbiter, I would have pursued and attempted to kill him. And welcomed Guiseppe's aid.' > You say 'Make no mistake:' > You say 'I wanted to kill him, despite the fact that he was in town.' > You say 'But I held back' > You say 'And..' > You say 'A part of me was quite gladdened by Guiseppe's interference.' > You say 'Given time to think..' > You say 'Would I have been tempted to "miss" flagging Guiseppe?' > You say 'Certainly.' > You say 'But I reacted as an arbiter.' > You say 'And that is a problem for me...' > You say 'I feel like I'm losing my faith in the law.' > You say 'Or at least, in the letter of the law.' > You say 'Its spirit is fine.' > Stellyx says 'Woru, the intent of the Law, both letter and spirit, is that persons -- all persons -- have a place where they are protected from unwanted intrusions on their person.' > You nod. > Stellyx says 'That evil people use it for a hiding place does not detract from its noble purpose.' > You sigh. > You say 'Then, perhaps the fact that I'm concerned is what concerns me most.' > You say 'Have I truly lost sight of an Arbiter's nonchalance in such matters?' > Stellyx says 'Let me say one thing, for I really must go.' > You nod. > Stellyx says 'I would sit here and talk to you all day, if I could.' > Stellyx says '(to address that question a moment...)' > Stellyx says 'Losing sight of one's neutrality is normal' > Stellyx says 'It happened to me more than once.' > Stellyx says 'I have a different perspective now that no one is trying to kill me, and can afford to take a broader view.' > You chuckle politely. > Stellyx says 'My personal enemies have died -- I have outlived them all. Even if that were not the case, though, I know that I acted as I had to when I was mortal -- frustrating as it was.' > Stellyx says 'Now, the one point I wanted to make was this:' > Stellyx says 'I cannot help you resolve your inner conflict over Law and Justice. It may be better for you to talk to Justin when he is present, as that was more his sphere than mine.' > Stellyx says 'What I can say, though,' > Stellyx says 'is something to address your concern on 'Empire West'...' > Stellyx says 'Think on this:' > Stellyx says 'When people begin to worry that what you say is exactly what _is_ happening to Arbiter, at this point, they can at least say to one another, "At least there's Woru to keep them in line. We all know that he's not one of them."' > Stellyx says 'And, believe it or not, people do say that.' > Stellyx says 'Many, many are the compliments I have received on you and your performance over the years.' > Stellyx says 'both when I was lord, and even now.' > You rest. > You say 'Well.' > Stellyx says 'I'm not done...' > > Stellyx smiles happily. > You chuckle politely. > You nod. > Stellyx says 'You are also known as one who does not quit. Nothing gets in your way, nothing makes you give up on what it is you want.' > Stellyx says 'The tale of how you fought to get back into Arbiter after your mistake is told and re-told... and your rise to power only strengthens it.' > Stellyx says 'If, now, after all this doggedness, you are made to quit this position because of the actions of Empire, and the dark ones within your ranks, what does it say to those who _do_ hold out, and view you as a symbol?' > Stellyx says '"Well, geez... They were too tough for Woru. I might as well give up too."' > You grumble distractedly to yourself. > Stellyx says 'Like it or not, that you spit in the face of Empire and do not knuckle under to them is as heartening, in its own way, as all of Kantherion's raging.' > Stellyx says 'Anyone can fight when assaulted. It takes a stronger man to stick to his principles, and get back up when knocked down.' > Stellyx says 'It isn't easy being a symbol -- I'm sure -- but whether you want it or not, you seem to have become somewhat of one. ' > Woru nods slowly. > Stellyx says '_Now_ I'm done.' > You smile happily. > Stellyx smiles happily. > You say 'Then at least I have a purpose.' > You say 'To serve in my final years.' > Stellyx nods. > You say 'If I'm nothing more than a symbol and an induction machine.. so be it.' > You say 'Such is my role in the realm.' > Stellyx says 'If nothing else, friend, I'm glad I have helped you renew that purpose within yourself.' > You bow deeply. > You hug him. > Stellyx says 'Now _do_ try and lose some of the bitterness and cynicism, eh?' > Stellyx smiles at you. > Stellyx hugs you. > You say 'It's difficult.' > You say 'Comes with age.. like bubbles in champagne and such..' > <669hp 1087m 638mv> cough > Yuck, try to cover your mouth next time! > Stellyx says 'aye, I'm sure... but look at it this way...' > Stellyx says 'It is only the man who refuses to get up who has lost. As long as you can get back up _one_ _more_ _time_ than they can knock you down...' > Stellyx says 'You win.' > You chuckle politely. > You say 'Then you may have caught me just in time.' > Stellyx smiles happily. > Stellyx helps Woru regain his feet. > You say 'I have..' > You say '...supreme faith in Justin's knowledge, and in his friendship, or that in which I like to believe.' > You say 'But I doubt that he could have talked down one stubborn elf as bent on career suicide as I.' > Stellyx lights off a huge grin. > Woru bows with a flourish. > Stellyx says 'Hey... if you wanted to be convinced, you picked the right person to talk to.' > You say 'So I hear.' > You say 'Something about the battleragers, I believe...' > Stellyx chuckles politely. > Stellyx says 'Now, go and let Joshu infect you with some of his enthusiasm.' > Stellyx waves happily. > You nod. > You wave. > Stellyx says 'Fare thee well, my true and trusted friend.' > You smile happily.

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