The story of Valhal ("The Circus" renamed)

[Noa]

Valhal The Righteous
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(3/11/02 9:27 pm)
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The Circus...

Clouds of dust rose as the elephants departed the area in the center of arena. Sweepers made their way quickly into the area where the lumbering giants performed their tricks and began cleaning the debris left behind. The snaps of the whips by the trainers made the boy, not visible to the crowd, jump. He was already nervous and did not want to make this appearance. It was Valhal's first time to be a part of the show. His first time to display his talents amongst the crowd that gathered underneath the enormous tent.

"Vel b'ye doon't beh soo narvess, yool beh fain." His Uncle Oflan whispered. Valhal nodded, sweat pouring from his forehead. His uncle again reassured him and Valhal began warming up. Stretches and breathing would prepare him for the tasks that lay ahead and so he did as he was taught. It was Oflan's turn to preform, he was the strong man and a strong man he was. He made his way to the center of the arena. The crowd clapped after hearing the anouncement of feats to come.

Oflan motioned towards a barrel, which he had told the audience was filled with acid, concocted from dragon's blood. He showed the crowd the reality of this liquid by dipping a sword into it hilt deep and pulling out a stump of a blade. The concerned whispers made their way all around the bigtop. He smiled. Valhal rose after noticing the silence and parted the folds of cloth that seperated him from the onlookers. Valhal saw his uncle do this hundreds of times, though that would not help him to be any less nervous for him.

Oflan took hold of the barrel and began to lift it onto his own head. There it stayed to the crowds amazement. He had yet again balanced this container of death upon his crown. Valhal sighed in relief and shut his eyes momentarily, just longer than a blink. His uncle began to remove the barrel from it's elevated position and he safely set it down.

Suddenly a line of small creatures dressed in garb the audience had not seen before shot out from beneath the stands the crowd sat upon. These brightly colored short statured kind started running around the burly man. The crowd laughed as Oflan tried to catch them. "Get out of here you crazed gnomes!" He shouted. The audience could not control their laughter. Oflan then began to catch the gnomes by their straps. He smiled and to the misfortune of the clowns he caught he began to juggle them, first two, then three.

Valhal chuckled. He was proud of his uncle, not for being strong but for being good natured. "One shouldn't go through life so serious" he thought "I hope to be like my uncle some day."

Once the strong man finished his act, he exited to the cheers of the onlookers. Valhal smiled and then realized he was next. "Karana bless me!" he exclaimed.

The boy was adept at acrobatics and that is how he came to be in the show. He delighted the childern and amazed the adults present. His flips baffled those that thought gravity would not let one do such things. And his awkard positions made some gasp and others laugh. The act was soon over. "Noe thet weren't soo bed wooz et?" Oflan asked. Valhal shook his head no. Oflan grinned. "Go gets yer food noe and gets tasleep." Valhal made his way out of the tent to the performers trailers and did such as his uncle asked.

On his way he bumped into someone he had not seen before. A man stood before Valhal. He was tall and gaunt, his eyes peircing the boys soul. "Val..." he whispered and smiled an insincere grin. Valhal was stunned, who could this be, he thought.

"I have come for you, boy." He said eloquently. Val stepped back. "Uncle!" He screamed. The dark man jumped back surprised by the shout. The clammer of equipment was heard and the thunderous footsteps of the strongman could be heard like the thunder of a powerful storm.

Oflan stopped and stared, amazed by what he saw! "Weigh hev ya coom hair, ya knows yer noot welcume!" spitting at the man who stood before them, while moving Val behind him.

"You knew this day would arrive." The lithe figure coldly stated. "Will you hand him over peacefully or will I have to take him by force?" he hissed.

"Oova me ded bodeh!" Oflan blurted. And with those words he rushed the thin man who side stepped and yelled out "Kabab, attack!" A large skeleton began slashing at Oflan. The large man managed to break a few ribs of the unholy creature but could not damage the creature enough for it to stop. The undead being was relentless.

The dark man became bored. His hands began to glow as words passed his lips Valhal had never heard. Suddenly a shriek from his uncle stunned the boy. A green mist passed from his uncle to the the man that was attacking him. "No!" Valhal cried "Stop!" But it was too late. Oflan's breath was shallow "..roon b'ye roon..." Oflan died.

Val darted from the area, the man distracted by the pleasure of draining the lifeforce from his victim did not realize he had lost the boy. "I will find you Val, you are mine."



Edited by: Valhal The Righteous at: 3/25/02 2:32:05 pm

[Noa]

Valhal The Righteous
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(3/25/02 3:36 pm)
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His breath was short, but fear made Valhal persevere. Running along a dirt path, his mind was upon the events that had just occurred. Over and over he saw the death of his uncle, his mind could not, would not wander from this.

A black forest seemingly sprung out of nowhere. He did not see it because of the blackness but a sign warned travelers of the path he was taking:

Beware these woods, darkness will bring death

A gentle breeze blew, if this had been any other time it would be calming, but the groans of the swaying trees caused Val to sweat with fear. He kept running.

Stopping only to catch his breath, he saw something in his periphery. He froze. The moonlight was scattered amongst the dark woods. The light was enough to see movement in the brush though and the terrified boy's breath stopped, perhaps his silence would shield his life.

He soon realized it was not only the trees that groaned. Unworldly sounds became clearer as they grew closer. The wheezing gasps for lifeless air made the boy shake with terror. Suddenly screams filled the forest, he heard the crying of the animals. The forest somehow seemed to grow darker. The stench of death made it's way to the nostrils of Valhal. His body lurched with convulsions.

THWACK!! A decaying hand had swung in the boys direction. "Please, please help me..." the breathy voice trailing in to a hiss. Val jumped, but the nervousness did not catch him on his feet, he fell flat upon his back. The hideous beast moved slowly towards the thin child. "Please, please help me..." the monster repeated, as it grasped for Val's leg.

Valhal scrambled back on his hand and feet only to find himself braced against a tree with the oncoming beast, that appeared to be sizing the boy up for a feast of flesh. He screamed! The ghoul was still moving closer, Val turned to run.

The footsteps were loud, an unfortunate mistake he made coming into these woods. His efforts to escape death only leading him into a situation that he would not live through alone.

Attention drew to the running child. And other creatures began to follow in their deathly march. "Fresh flesh..." he thought he heard. Groans and yells he did not understand. His heart had never pumped his blood so hard! He felt his body begin to give in to the exhaustion, he fell upon his hands and knees and began to crawl.

He prayed to Karana. Death made it's grim face visible this night. Valhal had begun to accept his fate. His body ceased to move, too tired to crawl. The creatures of the night, made their way to the area where the boy lay. It was only a matter of time before they found him in the underbrush.

A low rumbling shook the ground. "What beast could this be?" He thought still terrified from the idea of being eaten alive. Loud screams permeated the thick forest. Though the screams were not human and not animal. He heard some of the creatures around him stop. Quickly they began to move in another direction.

Wondering what happened he found the strength to pull himself upon a fallen tree to see what made such a clamor. His eyes opened wide, the darkness still limiting his sight.

The rumble turned into violent shaking, the trees seemed to vibrate turning the branches and leaves into what sounded like a waterfall! And he saw, his vision was blurry but he made out large horses with rides upon the back. The armor shown through the forest, like a beacon in the night. The light bounced off of the shining metal of the swords and helms.

"I'm saved!" He thought, but there were still creatures around him that wanted a human snack. Cornered again, he knew he had to move. And so he jumped up and with all his might began to run towards the knights bringing the light to the forest!

He was weak but he found the strength to move, one foot after the other. He was just fast enough to outrun the rotting decay of individuals the forest seemed to welcome.

An armor clad warrior noticed the boy running towards them. "One is coming towards us!" she shouted. Val did not notice her yell. She turned her horse to face the boy and began to charge, sword raised and battle ready. Valhal finally felt safe.

As she approached Val felt awkward, "Why does this person have her.." A swooshing sound made it's way over the boy's head, he screamed! His nimbleness had saved him yet again as he fell to the ground. "Wait! No! Stop! I'm human!' he screamed.

The woman rider wheeled her steed around to again face the boy this time trotting it up to him. "Boy! What are you doing in Kithcor!?" She did not wait for an answer and grabbed his shirt throwing him over her saddle. Valhal's vision blackened and he collapsed.

A troop of knights had entered the forest that night, fortunately for the youngster they found him in time. They journeyed to a camp they had made in the town of Rivervale, gave him food and water, and questioned his presence in Kithcor.

He recounted the story of his uncle, the dark man and the fear that made him run for his life. One of the knights was stunned by the events and fell to a knee.

"Karana blessed be those that live under the clouds, for in our dark hour a light has been shown to us. We ask you bless this child and his path in this life. May the waters heal, may the winds carry your message and may the thunder bring our enemies to the ground."

"So bet it!" said the group in a harmonious conclusion. And they made their way around the town to take care of supplies and such.

The knight that gave the prayer stayed though, watching Val has he began to fall asleep. "Karana has blessed you my young friend. Goodnight." He smiled, his assuredness comforting Val. "'night" Val said as he yawned and dreamed of nothing. For the death he encountered had been stopped, at least for the night.

Edited by: Valhal The Righteous at: 3/25/02 2:40:35 pm

[Noa]

Valhal The Righteous
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(4/8/02 2:17 pm)
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Five days had passed since Val's encounter with the undead, this being the last day before the ever-celebrated weekend, and he was ready to move on to a new stead. He did not care to stay in a place for too long, even with the good-natured folk of Rivervale, he still felt at risk and open to the evils he sought to avoid.

That week was spent resting, praying and learning. Straum, who had said the blessing on the first night in the lush town spoke frequently of Karana, his beliefs and his cause. Val had always known of knights like this but had never much interaction. Knights did not make much of a presence at silly things such as circuses.

The Knight also trained Val in defensive and offensive postures and even allowed the young boy to wield his sword. At first Val was clumsy with the large weapon and wondered how anyone could master such a thing. After Straum's demonstration with another of the knights, Val did see it was possible. In that few days Val came to understand the sword and how it's path would guide his own.

It was time to move to another city, another place Val could hide away from the evil that pursued him. Straum and his troops were headed to an area Val was not familiar with, something to do with dead dragons from what he could surmise. And he knew he could not follow as much as he would have liked to become a squire then and there.

The Knight gave Valhal instructions and a note. He was to head to Qeynos and seek out the Temple. A final prayer was said, Val and the group departed and left in different directions.

While riding away Straum turned his horse to face the back of the boy. Calmly and rather quietly he said to Valhal "I have seen the waters of Karana and your face was in it's reflection. I don't know what this means my friend, but I am sure you will be shown, just as I have." Val looked at him curiously. He did not understand either, turned and began again to walk away.

The oddness of the situation made the boy uncomfortable. "Visions, magic, HA!" Val shrugged. He never took mystical happenings seriously. His uncle had always shown him the tricks of the foreseers, magicians... all were fakes. He had faith in Karana, but did not believe that Karana would make himself physical on this world or his presence known, except through the storms which he controlled. His waters were enough to earn the respect of the youngster.

As he walked down the path, he began to realize... for the first time in his life he was truly alone. Stunned he sat upon a bolder just off the path. He took out some water and cheese and tried to eat, just to take his mind off his loneliness. He began to weep.

A few minutes later the tears stopped, he put away his things and began again to stroll down the path. His eyes were still red from the sorrow, but he had to continue, he had a purpose. He looked up to the blue sky and wondered why this was all these events have happened to him "When will this bad luck cease." Again not giving in to the mysticism that was slowly invading his life.

Above the heavens, in a plane that could not be seen, nor felt, nor heard, nor touched Karana smiled. A gentle rain fell upon Valhal. Comforted in knowing the rains would never cease, that Karana would always be there in that other world, Val let a brief smile slip across his sullen face. And he continued down his path.
Valhal Holystorm
Holy Knight of Karana
Protector of Saga

[Noa]

Eliezer of Erudin
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(4/1/02 11:31 am)
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Discussion of 'relative' power of deities is difficult at best.

It is true Innoruuk, Cazic Thule, Rallos Zek and Bertoxxulous have dominion of the baser instincts of all sentient life. That gives them a wide reach.

The Burning Prince, the Prince of Power, holds dominion over the Sun. In terms of raw unbridled power, few can match it. But he has little interest in the affairs of the races of Norrath, excep insofar as he can foster the drive to elevate oneself above one's peers.

I think it is poor logic to define the power of a god simply by whether his domain is 'emotional' or not.

Does Innoruuk inspire all hate, or is it the existence of hate that simply feeds him? Who is to say? 

[Noa]

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arkitip
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(4/1/02 1:40 am)
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on the power of deities.

Norrath's pantheon is indeed large, holding numerous major deities and an even larger number of minor ones.

It is a common mistake on which deities are the most powerful. For example, many would have you believe that Tunare is a very powerful deity, and that all life sprang from her. This is simply untrue. Tunare is of only marginal power, as she lacks the ability to even create or harness the emotions of the people.

Others would suggest Mithaniel Marr as a powerful force. This is again false. Mithaniel Marr may be a great force of GOOD, but he is in no way inherently mightier than other deities.

Now, there is the entire Teir'Dal race who would tell you Innoruuk is the most powerful of all gods. We strike closer to the truth in this case. You see, Innoruuk controls hatred. Without him, there wouldn't be any. Hatred is everywhere, therefore so too is Innoruuk. Even the Gods of the Light have hatred. Most seem to entirely hate hatred. You can see the logic is backwards. They hate, seemingly unknowing that Innoruuk is flexing his might upon them. This reflects on their followers, as they in turn hate those they see as "evil."
That is power.

Similarly The Faceless holds sway over much of the pantheon and their followers. They fear what should happen if shadow were to spread over Norrath.

A man who knows where the power of the pantheon resides, and its effect on the people, makes proper choices.
One who ignores the sway of hatred, fear, death... or one who even worse, shuns them, only makes a good fool for a shadowed throne room.

(ooc, this is something to be replied to if you want, not just to read)

Eliezer of Erudin
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(4/1/02 11:31 am)
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Discussion of 'relative' power of deities is difficult at best.

It is true Innoruuk, Cazic Thule, Rallos Zek and Bertoxxulous have dominion of the baser instincts of all sentient life. That gives them a wide reach.

The Burning Prince, the Prince of Power, holds dominion over the Sun. In terms of raw unbridled power, few can match it. But he has little interest in the affairs of the races of Norrath, excep insofar as he can foster the drive to elevate oneself above one's peers.

I think it is poor logic to define the power of a god simply by whether his domain is 'emotional' or not.

Does Innoruuk inspire all hate, or is it the existence of hate that simply feeds him? Who is to say?

bippinfv
Elfhugging Halfling
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(4/1/02 11:40 am)
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Innoruuk and Cazic are a lot easier to kill than Tunare 
And I don't think Bristlebane was ever slain...*chuckle*

Bippin Tenderfoot
Redeemed Rogue of the 38th blade
A proud member of <Saga>
Safehouse Ring Warden of Firiona Vie

[Noa]

Dondi Thunderbelly
Drunken Druid
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(4/1/02 12:42 pm)
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There is a huge difference, Mr. Arkitip, in hating what is unjust, corrupt, or just flat out VILE (*points finger*), and worshipping the embodiment of said emotion. Those of us who hate what is evil and wrong have lives full of love and light, while those who worship Innoruuk are stuck with hate as their sole driving force and emotion. We should probably just pity you, but I for one will do my best to wipe your worthless race off of the face of Norrath so that my loved ones will not have to worry about your schemes any longer.

Isn't it just like a Darkie to twist the truth around? Isn't it just like a Darkie who speaks of honor not even to leave his name?

What you might not understand now is that it's personal. I no longer debate this issue with detachment, and my threats are not idle. Bindi's infant was stolen by your people after it was ripped from her body. You no longer are worthy of my pity, only my contempt and, yes, hatred.

I'll see you on the battlefield, if you are not so much of a coward as to hide behind anonymity...

Jebbar
Dondi Thunderbelly, DK
40th Season
Shambling happily along with his family in Saga

[Noa]

arkitip
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(4/2/02 1:18 pm)
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You are under Innoruuk's sway then boy.
Not only that, but your hatred causes his strength to grow.
Answer me this, how come, if love is such a strong force, when that love dies it is usually hatred for what killed it that springs forth instead of more love?
It is because love feeds hatred. It fuels it. It also breeds fear. Most of the emotions the Gods of the lightbringers do feed emotions of the darker side of the pantheon. Reversing this logic, hate DOES NOT breed love, nor does fear. Instead, they exist as the end.
Dondi, I am not Teir'Dal, you waste your little emotions in thinking so.
Shall we continue?

(ooc, bippin, this was completely IC so the game mechanics of Innoruuk's avatar and Cazic's were avoided completely) 

[Noa]

Brutin Vitellius
Word of Brell
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(4/2/02 4:42 pm)
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Wow

I had no idea you guys were so wrapped up in Theology. I thought the only ones who really cared where the brazer swingers and holy rollers.

And of course while most of us use rational to figure out the concept of the gods we do hear from that Brainwashed Minority. Good to see all are represented here.

I think the hardest part for me was finding out that they are not unlike us. That they think and feel, have desires and goals. And that they are curious and petty.

They are us, but they live longer.

I have seen Innoruuk Love, Cazic compassionate and Tunare in a rage that would floor you (it did me).

Word of Brell 

[Noa]

Maladominus
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(4/4/02 12:04 pm)
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Quote:
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It is true Innoruuk, Cazic Thule, Rallos Zek and Bertoxxulous have dominion of the baser instincts of all sentient life. That gives them a wide reach.

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Correction. Your statement does not apply to Bertoxxulous. Allow me to lecture you a bit.... 

Innoruuk = Hate, basic instinct, emotion

Cazic = Fear, basic instnct, emotion

The cult of Bertoxxulous follows the venue that all things must perish, decay and disintegrate. These concepts are NOT emotions. They are facts of life! Death is not a subject of debate. Death happens! And since these notions happen with consistency, in effect the followers of the Plaguebringer are followers of the truth.... because "truth happens"... and "truth consistently happens".

Bertoxxulous' following is about the Law of Physics called Entropy.

Entropy = the law of physics that says that the universe is always gravitating towards disorder and breakdown. What goes up, must come down. What is built, will naturally crumble in due time. What is born to life, will eventually die and return to the soil of the earth. That sandwhich that you made yesterday, will eventually spoil in a couple of days. Inherent laws of physics.

The Plaguebringers do not believe in hate for the sake of glorifying hate (like those Inkies do). Nor do we believe in spreading fear for the sake of a Fear Lord (as is preached by Iksars and Heretics).

In effect, followers of Bertox believe in the circle of life, the circle of the universe, the unbreakable laws of the universe. We believe in completion of things...... it just so happens that the followers of Bertox are at the "morbid" side of that cycle of life and death.

can there be life without death? of course not.

can you have light without darkness? of course not.

can new life arise from the fertilized soil, if there had not been dead decaying matter to have fertilized that soil to begin with? of course not.

without Bertoxxulous.... nothing would age, nothing would decay, and possibly nothing would die from the natural process.... which would result in one screwed up universe full of immortals and superheroes in tight underpants! and also resulting in a very abnormal circle of life where millions of creatures are born continuously but nothing ever dies. what a totally screwed-up world Norrath would be had this been the case!

**** from the Verant description ****


Bertoxxulous:

The god of disease and decay. A seditious and unpleasant creeping comes to mind when thoughts turn to Bertoxxulous. It is often thought that without this god things might never fall into chaos and age. His followers are never good, nor are they orderly.



--
Maladominus Poxbringer
Munchkin Plaguecaster, Evil Pirate, Sex Symbol

Edited by: Maladominus at: 4/4/02 5:01:06 pm

[Noa]

AldrickFV
Sometimes the good
guys wear black
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(4/4/02 1:00 pm)
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Maladomius, you pervert truth as you pervert all life.

The followers of Bertoxxulous are not faithful believers in "the circle of life", that would be the followers of Karana.

Nay, the plaguebringers are fanatics who'd love nothing more than to see all life on Norrath extinguished amidst a plague of godly proportion. Bertoxxulous does not live in a plane where the living die to be replaced by a new generation, he lives in a plane of pus and ooze where life couldn't gain a foothold if it tried.

Yours are the sweet words the fiends whisper to our young, luring them to the sewers with promises of greatness, that the foul acts you commit only serve to "help" Norrath. They are lies and deceit.

You, like so many other plaguebringers, insist death and decay are natural processes, failing to admit your gods role in this. For if it's seen as a natural process most folk see it not as something they should struggle against, and the power of your cult grows stronger. Tis indicative of your lies that you claim to be servants of nature, serving the circle of life, and yet you break that circle every time you raise the slain as undead.

The followers of Innoruuk, Cazic Thule, and Rallos Zek terrorize the lands and all within, and then you ask people to imagine the horror of a life without end. How horrible it would be to never die, in this sick, sad world... save for the fact that tis by your hands that those problems are wrought.

[Noa]

AldrickFV
Sometimes the good
guys wear black
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(4/4/02 6:12 pm)
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OOC: What are you, a gnomish time-lord with your very own tinkered tardis? Respond to arguments as a new reply, don't go usin the edit command to tinker with your original ones 

[Noa]

Maladominus
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(4/4/02 6:53 pm)
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Lies Aldrick lies!

You malign our innocent people with lies and slander. This only proves the long contention that yours is the side of cruel despots and tyrants. You side with those who would persecute us, you who would drive us to live in meager sewers, tunnels and catacombs! You deny us a place in the sun.

Iron-fisted despots like Antonius Bayle the Cruel, or King Akanon the Terrible, they are the ones that prevent us the freedom to worship and pray as we please. Their forces and guards constantly drive my people underground, to live in misery and despair among the rats and spiders!

To deny us basic freedoms and rights! To deny us the right to worship a less popular deity. To constrain us and clip our wings with the unjust and cruel chains of Order and Tyranny!

It is people like you who are the self-righteous oppressors!!



--
*** This ad was paid for by the "Friends of Bertoxxulous" and the "Ministry of Plaguebringer Propaganda"

[Noa]

arkitip
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(4/5/02 12:37 am)
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While meanwhile we have the followers of Nife who only want to heal that which should die. They have no respect for the survival of the fit. That is why their ranks are filled with weaklings.
Interesting to note that the Nife followers seek to destroy those loyal to Bertoxx, and thus feeding his power as death surrounds him.
/laugh
It's quite ironic. Your desire to see the darkness banished instead fuels its growth. 

[Noa]

Eliezer of Erudin
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(4/9/02 12:12 pm)
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<< It's quite ironic. Your desire to see the darkness banished instead fuels its growth. >>

Somehow I doubt that dispersing a few Putrid Skeletons here and there is going to be fueling the growth of Bertoxxulous' power...

And yes, Malodominus, it is true that Bertoxxulous' sphere of influence is a bit different from the other Deities... But in practicality, I think not so different...

Why is one attracted to the worship of the Plaguebringer? A scientific interest in disease? I would think not for most. But what is a common attraction for most Temples is the promise of Power. Power over Life. Power to destroy. The idea that it is better to be predator than prey. This is what I speak of when I talk of 'baser emotions.'

All things die. This seems a simple truism. But it is not enough to drive me into the arms of the Plaguebringer. I would think that those that do are either of perverse humor, or seek to harness that power for their own ends.

The Burning Prince is all about power. There is no apology there. But it is a personal quest for betterment, I do not need to subjugate and destroy my fellows for my own gain. 

[Noa]

Syllestrae FV
I'm the princess, okay?
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(4/9/02 2:52 pm)
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Bertoxxulous is so popular because he promises power to those too weak to obtain it on their own merits. One needn't the strength to wield a sword if ye can let disease and famine do all the work for you... then you can march yer pathetic "army" right in and slaughter the weak, infirmed, and already dying masses. One needn't the skillful art of tactics and strategy necessary to overtake a city if ye can poison the water supply and have people dyin while sittin down fer dinner. Bertoxxulous walks the path of cowards, and as the realms certainly aren't short of those, he finds more than his fair share of worshippers.

Syllestrae Silverblade
Warchanter of Rallos Zek 

[Noa]

arkitip
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(4/9/02 6:10 pm)
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Ahh, but sometimes those that win a war do so by sheer numbers, not any real strength. Either way you win, Rallos Zek should not care. As long as war is involved, as long as some form of combat occurs, Lord Rallos gains strength. Why then would a bard in his service be against such?
Simple, because most do not spend the time to look at the various methods by which the deities can co-operate.
Rallos is certainly mighty, conflict occurs daily. He has Innoruuk to thank for spreading intolerance and hate. He has The Faceless to thank for causing nations or people to fear one another.

Another thing bard, until you have tasted the plague of Bertoxxulous in your body, it isn't befitting to speak on its power. I am a strong bodied man, but his might is something my muscles cannot combat. 

[Noa]

Syllestrae FV
I'm the princess, okay?
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(4/9/02 6:44 pm)
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Rallos Zek is the patron diety of warfare and conflict. Of battles fought, and conflicts won. Of primal, animalistic rage. It's only on the battlefield, when it's do or die, that things come into perspective. When each step you take, each swing of your sword might be your last, that the things in your life you hold most important can be seen most clearly.

Bertoxxulous offers none of this insight. His "knights" fight all their battles locked away safely in apothecaries, brewing poisons and toxins, magical and mundane, which they then slip into water supplies under cover of night. His ways defy the natural order, for through his pervesion of disease he allows the weak and the cowardly to gain the upper hand. His followers send forth armies of the dead, since such strength and courage can't be found amidst his living.

Rallos revels in glorious conflict, warriors standing face to face on the battlefield... not in the slow humiliation of starvation and plague which robs defenders of the chance to prove their cause through warfare.

Syllestrae Silverblade
Warchanter of Rallos Zek 

[Noa]

arkitip
Guest
Posts: 19
(4/9/02 6:59 pm)
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Why speak of bravery? It is worthless in a discussion of Rallos, as he is not its patron. Don't forget that cowards quite often win wars. Rallos hates the weak. Those who are mentally strong can use this as an advantage and win the war. They may not run fully into combat themselves, but they will cause it, which in and of itself praises Zek. 

[Noa]

Syllestrae FV
I'm the princess, okay?
Posts: 33
(4/9/02 7:31 pm)
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Ye speak much of phrases I've not uttered. I never claimed Rallos to be patron lord of Bravery, though courage is something respected amongst all his followers.

Ye claim that Bertoxxulous causes wars, save the minor detail that he does not. He tries to bypass war entirely in his path to victory. His cowardly worshippers fester in the dark recesses of the earth, biding their time until they can take power without a fight. If things progress too slowly, they unleash magical plagues, in an attempt to starve their opponents to death, or have them die of disease. Pray tell, where takes place the combat as soldiers lie bedridden, in pools of their own vomit?

Ye could convince me that he sows hatred, as he's certainly the most loathed of Gods, save perhaps Zebuxoruk, and that by that he serves Innoruuk, but ye'll not convince me he somehow serves the will of the Warlord, no matter how much ye try to twist my words.

And that, Plaguebringer, brings me to the question of the matter...of why ye'd even try. As a sworn enemy of both the Steel Warriors, and Rallos Zek himself, why would ye take the time to try to convince me otherwise? Have ye fallen under the sway of those do-nothings in Erudin? Do ye perhaps hope to try to subvert readers and win them to your cause? Or do ye maybe hope that in praising the Warlord I would somehow not plant my blade in your torso were we having this discussion face to face instead of by bardic courier?

Syllestrae Silverblade
Warchanter of Rallos Zek

[Noa]

arkitip
Guest
Posts: 20
(4/9/02 8:38 pm)
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/laugh
And you in turn twist mine.
I never claimed Bertoxx caused war. I did however note the ability of Innoruuk and Cazic-Thule to do so.
Nor am I a Plaguebringer. I do not spend my life devout to one god. Instead I seek to serve the more powerful, darker side of the pantheon.
Each day I give devotion. I hate many things, I cause fear in a variety of creatures, I hold honorable combat on the battle-field. As far as the Plaguebringer, my life is tribute to his might. He has infected me, and holds my life in his hands. He enjoys watching as I slowly rot away from within. He murders me. How I hate him for that...
But such is his strength. He can twist my form, powerful though it is, into a mold for him to toy with. Thus he has hold over my mind too.
Praises be to the Plaguebringer, bard.

And I'll also note, should you ever be willing to battle bravely like you so seem to trumpet, I too would be willing when I reach your experience. I somehow have a feeling you'd scurry about chanting lullabies rather than engage me though.
I'd also like to note that as entertaining as a battle between you and I could be... we are along the same path, and as such I hold you in high esteem. Would be far more entertaining for the both of us to wreak havoc on those who would attempt to subjugate us.