Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 07-27-07, 09:11 PM	Standing in a circular clearing in the middle of a forest stands a green-robed man just on the young side of middle-aged. Beside him stands a clawfoot dinosaur. "Greetings, children of the world. You have many questions, I expect. I will answer as best I can. I hope you find this treatise on nature enlightening."
Talisman 07-27-07, 10:19 PM	A tall man in a gray-green cloak and leather armor steps into the clearing, holding a staff. He pulls down his hood, revealing a face covered with silvery-blue scales and pupilless green eyes. A tiny screech owl sits on his shoulder. Greetings, druid. I am Talisman, half-dragon mage and hunter of the undead. In my homeland, there are but seven gods, and one (my own) is Gaia, goddess of nature. All of her priests are druids. However, in my travels, I have been to worlds where druids serve various deities, and where druids serve no god at all, only revering Nature. I have also met clerics who, while not druids, wielded druidlike spells and possessed the ability to command plant creatures and speak with animals. My question, then, is this: what defines the difference betwen a druid and a cleric?
Shaggy_Shaggs 07-27-07, 10:30 PM	A disembodied consciousness doesn't quite appear, but seems to be present in the druid's vicinity regardless. "It's been a long time since I've incarnated into, well, anything really. As I ponder and brood over forms to take and paths to follow, a question continually recurs to me. The perspective of a follower of the path may prove useful. Which has the greater impact on the world and the balance of forces therein: the existance of a single undead person with neither need nor desire to feed, or the existance of a single earnest druid? "You likely sense an ulterior motive, and you'd be correct if so. Irony has always appealed to me, of late I've been ruminating over the supreme irony of incarnating into an unnaturally animate lifeless shell, and with that shell vigorously striving to advance the agenda of nature's balance. I am curious about the reactions I could expect from fellow followers of that path for traveling in such a vehicle, and more importantly, what good or ill I could expect to effect in the world. "I would very much like to know your opinion on this."
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 07-28-07, 07:10 AM	"Well, Talisman, I would say that the lines between cleric and druid blur here. But if pressed for an answer, I would say the training would differ most. A cleric would be initiated formally by the church. The cleric would study the teachings of the god through the appropriate bible, prayers, and hymns. A druid, on the other hand, would be initiated by a group of elder druids - usually these archdruids are laymen within the god's church. In fact, the druidic sect may not consist entirely of worshippers of one god. Even if the cult is devoted to one particular god, the focus is less on the official teachings of the god, but their application to the world. The teachings of druidic and foresaking of metal armor are of course the most striking differences, but I would say the true difference is that for a druid, nature comes before the god. For a cleric, nature comes after. But in such a complex case, every rule has an exception. Go with your instinct. It's a powerful tool that nature gave us." "Shaggy_Shaggs, I would say the existance of a sincere druid outweighs the harm of one undead. I certainly appreciate the irony of an undead druid hunting undead abominations. You will face druids who will reject you, even try to destroy you. I will not be one of them. Such zealots who are too quick to judge cause more harm than they know. There is balance in all things, even between the natural and the unnatural. The brighter the light, the deeper the darkness. Meaning: by trying to purge something entirely, you drive it into hiding, where it can gather power. You force it to evolve into something too foul."
Khadmus 07-28-07, 07:22 AM	What happened to the Shadow Circle? I had a...childhood peer in that infamous group and have not heard from him in quite some time. I hope he hasn't been destroyed by the mainstream druids (though perhaps the loss of my friend is a small price to pay for such a cleansing).
Torrential 07-28-07, 12:05 PM	"Greetings, children of the world. You have many questions, I expect. I will answer as best I can. I hope you find this treatise on nature enlightening." A man walks in. He looks lost, and is dressed like a tourist. He ponders for a bit, before finally working up the courage to ask his question: "Why... is the sky?" ("No, I mean, not why is the sky blue? I mean... just... why is it?")
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 07-28-07, 05:46 PM	"Khadmus, I fear I am unfamiliar with the Shadow Circle." [ooc: huh? It must be before my time.] "Torrential, you ask a . . . unique question. Why is the sky? Asking this begs other questions. Why is the earth? Why is the sea? But the question I ask is this: why? Must there be an answer to be? On the other hand, I appreciate the balance it brings. The earth needs the sky, just as the sky needs the earth. The two must exist for there to be balance. Their contrast defines the other. Without the sky, there can be no earth. Without the earth, there can be no world."
Ecalsneerg 07-28-07, 06:18 PM	"What's your favorite wildshape form?"
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 07-29-07, 08:57 AM	"What's your favorite wildshape form?" "I'm glad you asked that. I am personally fond of the dire tiger and the tyrannosaurus. I've run into some funny responses when I used other druid abilities in the form of a dire bear. But I've been wildshaping less since I rose to the position of a hierophant. I've been sharing my wild shaping with Treads" [indicates his clawfoot animal companion]. "Combined with my nature's warrior training, I've found that I make a decent mounted combatant. There are few things so tricky as facing someone on a shapeshifting mount. Treads uses similar wild shapes, but if we are drawn to a city, he favors the form of a wheeled animated object" [motorcycle]. "I suppose some of this may surprise you. Yes, I am capable of some feats associated with urban druids. I fear some druids fail to realize that nature does not polarize with extremes. There is a balance between civilization and the wild. A world of pure wild is every bit as unnatural as a world of only civilization. I watch the balance between the two and try to minimize their conflict." "With this newfound love of mounted combat, the dire ape is now my favorite wild shape."
Khadmus 07-29-07, 09:41 AM	"Khadmus, I fear I am unfamiliar with the Shadow Circle." [ooc: huh? It must be before my time.] ." Then they are doing their job well...[ooc: it might be...2e. meh.]
JMKoontz 07-29-07, 10:37 PM	A young, though hardened looking man steps into the clearing from the underbrush of the forest. He is dressed very simply, wearing greens and browns girded in leathers and armed with a pair blades at his side and a pack upon his back. He eyes the druid for a moment and then nods in reverence. "Master druid, I do not mean to pry into territory not of my own guardianship, but overhearing your council, I thought I might add my own thoughts to an earlier query you recieved. "I am Daniel Raventhorn, walker of wild places, though a Druid by training I am not. Rather, I tend to be more martial in nature than the Masters, such as yourself. "I do, however, feel that I can shed some light as to the qeustion of the line between Druid and Cleric of Nature. While it is true that Clerics that revere the gods of nature or Balance itself might wield some abilities as a true druid might, speaking with animals, controling plants and the like. The cleric, by nature, revere's his or her god, by that an actual deity or the cause of Balance. Druids, on the other hand, seek to be at one with the very land on which we stand, the sky under which we sleep and the creatures with whom we roam this world. Druids do not seek knowledge from gods on high, but from those with whom true knowledge lies ... the plants, the animals, the rocks etc. Ask a cleric where is his master and he will point to the sky. Ask a druid, and he wil wave a hand at all that is, was and will be in the natural world."
Talisman 07-29-07, 11:19 PM	[The half-dragon mage turns and bows politely to Daniel] Thank you for your insight...it seems that, while some priests may revere Nature, a true druid places Nature before even the gods. Another question, sir druid...and you as well, Daniel, if you have any insights. What is the nature of the so-called "dire" animals? Are they merely a subspecies of normal wolves, bears, and so forth? Are they, as I have heard, "throwbacks" to an earlier age? Or simply creatures that have evolved to be unusually large and ferocious in a world swarming with powerful, magical creatures? Also, why do they all seem to have boney spikes even when there's no apparent reason for them? Also, I have uncovered some information on the notorious Shadow Circle (http://members.fortunecity.co.uk/durocelisar/WebHelp/CDH/DD05065.htm). In brief, they are druids who revel in the destructive aspects of Nature and wage a ceaseless guerilla war against civilization.
Khadmus 07-30-07, 06:41 AM	Wait...I just realized something. "Funny responses" to a dire bear...Was that you in the "f***ed up camel" incident? But on a more serious note, do you know where I can obtain crawlbane? It is a herbal insect repellent that I heard the druids have. I would to know, at least, if the source I got this information from is reliable.
Feredenil 07-30-07, 08:53 AM	A kender enters as if this is something he casually does...like watching 'Friends' on weekends for example. He approaches slowly, checks all the people gathered with a rather aloof eye...and drops a question in the air "I wonder if polyglot would make someone speak Druidic..." He then finds a rock nearby and lounges on.
Talisman 07-30-07, 01:00 PM	[The half-dragon eyes the kender and quietly checks his pockets and pouches.]
Feredenil 07-30-07, 01:10 PM	The kender is bored... He takes a pocket-watch out, that he 'actually' brought from home and seems to be playing with it... What he really does, is curiously observing all the people around him that start to touch and pat themselves for some strange reason... 'I wonder if anyone here is epic... and taken the polyglot feat' 'I want him too teach me Druidic...'
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 07-30-07, 04:04 PM	"Thank you Daniel for your insight. You are welcome to share your insight whenever you please." "Talisman, I cannot say that I know for sure what causes dire animals to be born. Throwbacks to an earlier time and evolution to a hostile world are of course quite likely answers. Personally, I think of them as nature's answer to the paragons of some god. They are an aspect of nature's perfection. Among their own kind, they are nature's champions. As for boney spikes, I would expect it is due to the expansion of the bones and thickening of the hide. Dire animals are of course larger and more resilient than their common variety." "Khadmus, yes, I do remember the "f***ed up camel" incident. While that particular instance was not me, I have run into many a similar situation. I fear I cannot help with crawlbane. I have opted to not deprive insects of their sustenance. If I find their bite spread disease, I can heal it." "Ah, little kender. I don't believe you introduced yourself? I fear I haven't either. I am the druid Liam. I believe that polyglot would enable a being to speak druidic. As such, I would personally consider it a violation of the spirit of my vows to teach someone polyglot - and thus druidic. I doubt the druidic hierarchy would enforce any retribution, but I would personally be wary." [ooc: I'm not epic. Liam speaks hypothetically here.]
Caelic 07-30-07, 04:20 PM	"Bah." The figure in the underbrush...how long has he been there? Unkempt, unwashed, with leaves and twigs snagged in his snarled hair, he gives the fleeting impression that he didn't just step out of the undergrowth, but was somehow spawned from it. He glowers at the little circle of knowledge seekers from beneath beetling, brutish eyebrows as he gnaws on what looks like the remains of a rabbit--an uncooked, unskinned, freshly killed rabbit. "This isn't going to be one of those happy, sunshiny talks about how wonderful nature is, how peaceful and tranquil, and how we must all learn to live in harmony with our furry little friends, is it? I heard a Druid preaching that a month or two ago. I nearly sicked up my lunch, and let me tell you, it takes a lot to make me queasy." "Nature is hard. Nature is cold. Nature doesn't care if you live or die. THIS..." He brandishes the mangled rabbit. "Is living in harmony with nature. I was hungry; the rabbit was too slow to get away. He's food for me now. That's how Nature works." The twisted little man jabs a finger at Liam. "You. Druid. What say you? Is Nature kind, or is she indifferent?"
Feredenil 07-30-07, 05:43 PM	The Kender, now having his attention renewed by Liam's answer, stands a liitle higher on his rock and smiles to him. As he opens his mouth ready to reply...his focus is distracted again by the new face arriving. With shiny eyes, slowly approaches the new man, sniffs a bit at his dead rabbit and says with a voice as clear and kind as a child's... 'Nature is smelly and rude...Just like you !'
Caelic 07-30-07, 06:21 PM	The dishevelled brute in the bushes studies the Kender, his face twisting up into a grotesque smile. "That's right, little rabbit. Nature is dirty. Just ask anyone who's had to wade through a swamp. Nature is smelly like a three-week-dead deer carcass. Rot is part of nature; decay is part of nature. It's not all wind and sunshine in the daffodils." He tosses aside the remains of his breakfast. "But you're wrong about Nature being rude. To be rude, Nature would have to care, and she doesn't. When you get stuck in a snowstorm and freeze to death, or you fall overboard off a boat and drown, that's not Nature being rude; that's you being an idiot. And one thing you can be sure of: Nature is not gentle, and she's not forgiving of idiocy. She's magnificent, with power none of us can fully appreciate. She's wondrous in her variety. But she's not safe. Oh, no. And she's never kind to idiots." He grins once more, and the bits of rabbit meat stuck in his teeth do nothing to make it a prettier expression. Then, he turns back to Liam, his scowling expression expectant as he waits for an answer.
Feredenil 07-30-07, 06:34 PM	The kender opens his eyes and mouth with great surprise... 'Oh so...you being so rude..means that you care ?"
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 07-31-07, 05:45 PM	"Caelic, indifferent is one way to put it. I would myself say that nature is both kind and cruel. As always, there is a balance between the two. Yes, people freeze to death. Yes, tidal waves eradicate whole villages. Yes, plagues decimate nations. I don't deny it. This is nature's work. It is no attack against her enemies. It is just nature being nature. However, it is also nature that occasionally offers the shelter in the blizzard. That has the tree sap that cures the disease. Both are aspects of nature."
JMKoontz 08-01-07, 02:06 AM	"And such is my place in this world," pipes Daniel once Liam has finished. "You speak correctly sir, with your rabbit feast. That is very good example of living in harmony with nature. That rabbit was too slow, and therefore has become lunch. "However, do keep in mind there are a thousand other rabbits that were not too slow, not in the wrong place and have eluded you to this very day. Why was it that this rabbit was the only one too slow? I submit to you that it was not a simple fluke, but rather the truth of Nature herself. It was not that the rabbit was too slow, it was that Nature decided in this instance that the purpose of that rabbit was to sustain your life. "With deference to both yourself and Master Liam, I posit that Nature is niehter indifferent, nor kind, nor cruel. Instead, nature simply is. It is our perceptions as free thinking beings that assign such ideas as kindness, cruelty, benevolence etc. From your perspective, nature was kind this day in providing you with food. To the rabbit, she was a cruel mistress indeed. "You also cite blizzard and stormy seas as sign's of Nature's indifference. I submit, instead that one who is knowledgable will not succumb to such calamities with as much ease. Therefore it is not indifference of Nature that dooms nor saves any individual but that of the individual itself. This is where my duties as warden of the wilds comes into play. "While the druid is the sheppard of the natural world, my duties mostly concern the actions of outsiders upon that world. Those softened by cities I watch closely. If they do not harm, then I may aid them where needed. If they have knowledge I watch for their actions. You sir, would I aid, as you have shown reverence for this world by taking only what you have need for. There are some, with knowledge, whom I must do my best to hinder and deter, however, as they seek to harm the Natural order by taking more than their share or otherwise desecrating or defiling that order."
Horus_Sungod 08-01-07, 08:42 PM	"Master Druid", said the black armored boy "Did you cry when some Druids became unable to take the shape of a bear and only shapeshifted, denying them strength and magical power? Are you going to punish the immoral creatures that tried to make you as weak as a Fighter?"
Talisman 08-01-07, 09:15 PM	[The half-dragon eyes the black-armored boy, wondering how he snuck up to the clearing wearing heavy, clanking armor] Master Liam...and sir Daniel if you please...this armored fellow her has brought another question to mind. Why do druids have a prohibition against metallic armor? Mages, I'm sure you know, have trouble casting spells in armor [he taps his leather-armored chest], but the power of the divine is different, I understand. Druids have no spiritual problems wielding any sort of weapon with which they are trained, including metal weapons. Why, therefore, are druids restricted to armor that was once alive? If anything, this would seem to run counter to the druidic philosophy: metal, being inanimate, has little impact on the cycle of life. Whereas an animal must die to provide leather armor, and a tree must die to provide a wooden shield. [Talisman finds a conveniant rock to sit on, eyeing the kender and muttering a quick arcane lock spell on his belt pouch.]
Mock26 08-01-07, 09:37 PM	Question 1. If a tree falls in the woods and nobody is there to witness it, does it make any sound? Question 2. If a tree falss in the woods and nobody is there to witness it, how do we know that the tree even fell?
Caelic 08-01-07, 10:22 PM	Question 1. If a tree falls in the woods and nobody is there to witness it, does it make any sound? "THAT old chestnut again?" The twisted lurker in the shrubs stands. He's not all that tall, and stocky for his height, and gives the impression of not being put together quite right--as if, perhaps, he were assembled from pieces that didn't quite fit. "Of course there's a sound. Consider the woodcutter, when you observe him from a long way off. The axe falls, and the sound reaches you a few moments later. So we know that sound takes time to travel. Now: suppose you were a long way off from the tree. You can't see it, and, at the time it falls, you can't hear it. There's nobody there to witness it. And yet, some time later, the sound reaches you. For the sound to have travelled to you, it must have existence." Apparently satisfied with his own answer, the homely little man perches on a stump, turning his attention back to the main conversation. "Your answers bring up another question. How much help does Nature really need from us? If Druids are protectors of Nature, isn't that just a little presumptuous? She's a big girl. I'm not entirely sure she's looking for protection."
Mock26 08-01-07, 10:29 PM	"THAT old chestnut again?" The twisted lurker in the shrubs stands. He's not all that tall, and stocky for his height, and gives the impression of not being put together quite right--as if, perhaps, he were assembled from pieces that didn't quite fit. "Of course there's a sound. Consider the woodcutter, when you observe him from a long way off. The axe falls, and the sound reaches you a few moments later. So we know that sound takes time to travel. Now: suppose you were a long way off from the tree. You can't see it, and, at the time it falls, you can't hear it. There's nobody there to witness it. And yet, some time later, the sound reaches you. For the sound to have travelled to you, it must have existence." Apparently satisfied with his own answer, the homely little man perches on a stump, turning his attention back to the main conversation. "Your answers bring up another question. How much help does Nature really need from us? If Druids are protectors of Nature, isn't that just a little presumptuous? She's a big girl. I'm not entirely sure she's looking for protection." But if you weren't there, how do you know it was a chestnut tree, let alone that it even fell? Huh?
Talisman 08-01-07, 10:58 PM	[The silver-blue-scaled man turns to regard the dishevelled man sitting on the stump.] Friend, you make a valid point. What possible dangers can there be to something as vast and potent as Nature? Why could She possibly need guardians? [He holds up a hand and begins ticking off points on his fingers.] Undead. Aberrations. Hordes of savage orcs or goblinoids. Unethical wizards. Doomsday cults. I'm not saying Nature would keel over and die without us--and yes, I include myself as a defender of Nature--but are we, who have the power to take action, willing to take that risk? I have seen entire nations blighted by the undead. What if such forces were unopposed? What if there were no druids, no rangers, no one who valued the beauty of the natural world enough to say "I will not allow this"? [He crosses his arms and regards Liam, Daniel, and the unkempt man expectantly]
Lunar_Shadow 08-01-07, 11:12 PM	A gnome dressed in armor of green scales entered the grove upon a dog, and a hawk on his shoulder. "Sir, I too am a watcher of the wild. I have but one question that irks me. Despite my being with the druidic order, I feel no love for the shifting into the forms of animal, perferring my own natural form and the help of my wild friends. My question is this; does my preference of my own form and abilities make me less of a druid?"
JMKoontz 08-01-07, 11:46 PM	Master Liam...and sir Daniel if you please...Why do druids have a prohibition against metallic armor? "First," Daniel begins, adressing questions in turn, "Consider that it is not so much a spiritual difficulty that arcanists have with metal armors as it is more that metal armos, being overall more rigid and/or heavier, impose much greater difficulty for the arcanist to gesture properly. As your abilities require much more fine motor manipulation than do the clerics whose primary gesture involves brandishing his holy symbol, or mine which involves similar action but with holly and mistletoe in exchange. "The druidic restriction against metal armor, is not, in fact so simple. To point you have thought this through well and I applaud your logic. However, you appear to be approaching the question from the wrong angle, though that may be from a lack of complete information. In addition to restrictions against metal armors, those of the Druidic order also may not weild metal shields. There is also a very small repetoire of arms with which the druid is classically trained. All of these tie in together with the way in which the druid lives his life. "It is not the living or the dead material that is at issue with using metal armors and shields. Rather it is, I believe, a preference for utilizing materials in as close to their natural state as possible. While leathers, hides and other organic material can be fashioned into protective items without significantly altering their natural state, metals, especially iron and steel, do not exist naturally in a useable form. Instead, they must be heated, altered and much of their natural form removed before they are useful as shields and armor. "In the same way, the weapons with which a druid is classically trained are based in the tools of the common folk or the gifts of nature's bounty. The club and staff can be found without effort amongst the areas of the wild. The sickle is a simple commoner's tool and also a tool used by the druids in ceremonial fashion. The scimitar is a natural extension of this tool becoming a weapon." "Your answers bring up another question. How much help does Nature really need from us? If Druids are protectors of Nature, isn't that just a little presumptuous? She's a big girl. I'm not entirely sure she's looking for protection." The silver-blue-scaled man turns to regard the dishevelled man sitting on the stump.] Friend, you make a valid point. What possible dangers can there be to something as vast and potent as Nature? Why could She possibly need guardians? [He holds up a hand and begins ticking off points on his fingers.] Undead. Aberrations. Hordes of savage orcs or goblinoids. Unethical wizards. Doomsday cults. I'm not saying Nature would keel over and die without us--and yes, I include myself as a defender of Nature--but are we, who have the power to take action, willing to take that risk? I have seen entire nations blighted by the undead. What if such forces were unopposed? What if there were no druids, no rangers, no one who valued the beauty of the natural world enough to say "I will not allow this"? [He crosses his arms and regards Liam, Daniel, and the unkempt man expectantly] "My draconic friend, you show much insight into our world. Indeed, were nature allowed to simply run her own course in the world, there would be no need for either myself or the druids. However, as i mentioned earlier, there are many who have knowledge of the ways of nature but who do not respect her ways. With knowledge they may survive what might be called her cruelty, but without respect, they are very likely to turn their knowledge against her. That is where I and the other wardens come into play. "In addition, there are creatures upon this world that were never meant to exist naturally. As such, they do not fall within the bounds of Nature's cycles. These creatures must be watched carefully, as there are no naturally existing predators to balance them within the cycle ... again, my job." A gnome dressed in armor of green scales entered the grove upon a dog, and a hawk on his shoulder. "Sir, I too am a watcher of the wild. I have but one question that irks me. Despite my being with the druidic order, I feel no love for the shifting into the forms of animal, perferring my own natural form and the help of my wild friends. My question is this; does my preference of my own form and abilities make me less of a druid?" Daniel turns with a soft smile to the gnome. "There is no shame in prefering your natural form. Does my choice to allow my crocodillian ally to roam on his own rather than following me about, or my choice of melee rather than archery make me less of a ranger? I say to you no. If you prefer your form to that of the animals about you, there is no shame in that. I would only see you as less of a druid if you chose to use your preference to deny others of your path the ability based on your own preferences."
Talisman 08-02-07, 12:28 AM	[Talisman half-bows to Daniel] Thank you; I had not considered the druid armor proscriptions in that light. It makes sense. And I count myself as a defender of Nature in part because some of my best friends are druids, and a ranger is my blood brother. It's a long story...suffice to say that Gaia helped me find redemption. Another question: why are druids not traditionally skilled with the longbow? It seems a logical choice: a weapon of the common folk, and eminently useful in the wilderness, both for hunting and defense.
Bedlamtom 08-02-07, 12:37 AM	A small noise comes from the branches of a tree at the edge of the clearing. A silver furred squirrel transforms into a small winged sprite who lands in the clearing off to one side. "You choosing your own form makes you no less a druid than I who have almost forgotten my original. I have chosen to master the many forms of nature, including those of the warshaper society. My name is Nyvyn." He casually turns into a small shrublike creature and takes root while he talks. The interesting thing is that it is a celestial version as seen by the metalic sheen to the leaves. "I would like to state for the record that although nature exists in a neutral state, it is to the creatures of the world to bring exalted status to the balance. We have the choice to reach for the divine in nature and to bring out the best that it can be. I cannot see a reason not to reach for the stars. Can you?" (OOC. What's wrong with playing an exalted druid?)
Feredenil 08-02-07, 03:27 AM	The kender still near the brute, sits down, stretches his hands and yawns... turns his head around slowly, watching the people talk and while waiting for Liam's respond to all the questions...plays with a small wooden stick he found lying down.
Pole4life 08-02-07, 10:11 AM	As the day progresses, a few eagles make their way to the clearing in the middle of the forest. A small burly looking gnome morphs from one of the birds, while the others disappear. "Good friends, I heard that there was a party here and I wasn't invited." He shuffles through his pouch and pulls out a dozen goodberries, "These should be enough to feed everyone here, but I have an important question that cannot wait." The gnome, without introducing himself, tells several stories of magically summoned animals that died while adventuring along hide in battle. He speaks of a unicorn disintegrated by a terrible lich, a dire bear that was unable to stand the powerful flail of a giant, and huge crocodiles torn apart by demons called Hezrou. After his sad stories, he sits down and asks, "How can I ever summon these creatures again when they might be hurt and die while fighting along my side?" While waiting for a response, the gnome takes out a shawm and starts playing a soft song for those present.
Talisman 08-02-07, 11:32 AM	[Talisman raises a hand] If I may? Thak you for the berry, master gnome. As an arcanist, I have a certain insight into summoned creatures, and I believe the summoning spells of wizards and druids are not dissimilar. From my understanding, such creatures are not technically present when they are summoned...that is, they don't actually die when their forms are killed. The summoned form is a magically-created shell, imbued with the mentality of a "typical" creature of the appropriate type. It's a bit like the dominate spells, except instead of controlling another creature's body, the creature you summon controls a magical shell that is a copy of its own body. That's why they dissipate into vapor when the spell expires. (ooc: Sorry, Omni! JMKoontz and I seem to be hijacking your thread!)
Sarrazon 08-02-07, 02:03 PM	A dwarf enters from the thickets at the edge of the clearing. His beard is adorned with a large braid and on his back are slung a shield and an axe. He wears armor made of chain links, and speaks with a bit of an accent. Pardon me lads but I couldn't help but overhear. I've often wondered. What about Scythes? They seem like meerly a larger Sickle and yet, druids aren't trained in their use?
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 08-02-07, 04:19 PM	Well Talisman, the answer is twofold. Yes, animals had to die to provide the hide, and trees had to die to provide the wood. But death is a part of nature. And while some druids may not accept it, civilization is naturally a part of the world as well. I do not oppose the taking of resources from the land - as long as it is done responsibly. The hide armor and wooden shield tie us to nature in a way akin to a cleric's holy symbol. Or at least his vestments. Additionally, metal, being manufactured does run counter to traditional nature. But you are right that our weapons still use metal. You could think of it as one of the oddities of tradition - it doesn't always makes sense (nor does nature). Or you could see it as accepting some degree of progress. Or an allusion to more primitive times, when the races were closer to the earth. These barbarian tribes (indeed, some still exist) can forge weapons of metal. However, they cannot obtain enough ore to produce entire suits of armor for everyone. Different druids will give different answers. As for bows and arrows, I cannot rightly say. This quirk has never long troubled me. Perhaps some instinct or subconscious part of me already knows the answer, but will not share it with me. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say that archer is less in tune with the way of animals. Slashing claws, piercing stingers, bludgeoning tails . . . animals are more prone to melee. Primates may understand the basics of ranges combat, but they only throw - as slings do. The scant martial training I received emphasized the battle styles of various animals as inspiration. Perfect training for the eventuality of wild shaping. As such, I would guess archery variants would be most common among totemic druids, especially those with manticore totems. [ooc: magical beast wild shape or totem druid variant] As for the twisted lurker, you may very well be right. But on the other hand, it is a great compliment that people would rise to her defense. I don't say nature can't defend herself alone. But she doesn't have to. If someone attacked your friend, would you not join the fight? Also, I can try to avert outright conflict. Nature can defend herself, but it will be bloody. I try to be the voice of reason first. If that fails, my sense of honor compels me to protect her. You didn't know I once dreamt of being a paladin, did you? Then I realized the dangers of judging too harshly or too soon. Or letting my sense of honor always limit me. Greetings, fellow druid. You are no less the druid for desiring to remain as nature made you. Some circles might even say it makes you more the druid. Not all who use their power justly enjoy using it. However, if you are averse to wild shaping, you may wish to seek training through some less common druidic circle to gain a different power. Or like me seek the enlightenment of a hierophant, and share this boon with those who would use it - perhaps can even use it better. Nyvyn, I take no issue with bringing out the better side of nature. It is an aim that I myself pursue. However, there are limits. Too far, and you only do more damage. There must be some balance. We can know good by seeing its contrast to evil. Purging one takes away the meaning of the other. Assuming you could purge evil. In truth, you would only drive it into dark corners, for it to fester and grow in strength - already knowing the full extent of your fury. [ooc: my favorite quote on this: "The brighter the light, the deeper the darkness." Digimon, season 1.]
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 08-02-07, 04:23 PM	[ooc: No problem Talisman. Help is appreciated. Clearly my work schedule (and my life) isn't allowing me to respond frequently enough. Certainly the kender is anxious.] Scythes! I never thought of that until now. Well, I believe a certain sect - wild reapers, was it? - does use the scythe. I've little idea why. I'll have to look into. Or hope my new companions here can field this one.
Bedlamtom 08-02-07, 06:40 PM	The shrubling that was Nyvyn turns into a naked Kender shining dimly witrh a holy radience, nestles down into the leaves, and says, "I've never found a shortage of evil wanting to threaten my world. If they try to hide I track them to their lairs and with my shifting and slight talent for acting, infiltrate, find their weakness and signal my friends when the time is ripe! But there is always another secret society of, ooooh look at how dark we are, lurking somewhere. It is what gives life meaning, stopping them before they can do their harm or as Omni says "overt the conflict". If I and my friends can stop them before they are ready to go to war then much less harm is done over all." He looks over at the Kender on the stump and gives him a jolly wink. "They call it a secret language for a reason bucko!" As he turns into a old floppy eared, wrinkled, hound dog and curls up in the leaves cocks his head to one side and begins to expound, "I use neither the hide armor nor the weapons, my claws and teeth suffice and there is always something to become whose skin is thick enough but... If I had to pose conjecture on our choice of weapons I'd conject that on some prime, long years ago we were based on a, for lack of a better word, Celtic culture that did little farming. So while the sickle was easily portable for gathering herbs and edible plants, there was no need in that culture for a scythe, it being a farmers tool and thus when the druids spread among the planes we carried old traditions with us." ...And with that he rested his head on the soft leafy ground ready to listen for awhile.
Bedlamtom 08-02-07, 07:13 PM	"I seem to have stuttered." Nyvyn looks concerned.
Khadmus 08-02-07, 07:20 PM	Though I am hardly a druid, I am a sage and have thus heard commentary on this scythe issue. Some say that the sickle was not an improvised farming tool, but a "holy symbol", so to say, that resembled a phase of the moon. The scimitar was chosen for the same reason. However, a scythe bears no resemblance to anything found in nature, save an odd-looking branch.
Feredenil 08-02-07, 07:20 PM	The kender looks joyfull. The new faces and their words seem to amuse him greatly. He responds to the new kender's wink with a giggle...and a happy remark... 'I looove to learn secrets...and secret languages hide soo soo many more !'
Talisman 08-02-07, 11:06 PM	Sir Dwarf, I may be able to shed a little light upon the scythe question. The scythe that we adventuring types are familiar with is not actually a common farmer's scythe; it is a weapon of war, specifically designed for killing, much like a sword. It is based upon the farming implement, much as a dagger is based on a table knife. The Wild Reapers Liam spoke of are an obscure druidic sect, devoted to the concept of Natural Death and of Endings. They train extensively with the scythe; I believe because it is traditionally a symbol of death. [Talisman reaches into a pouch and produces a small, square object (http://www.vam.ac.uk/images/image/16355-large.jpg) which he tosses to the non-shapechanging kender.] Here, little friend...something to amuse you.
Feredenil 08-03-07, 06:06 AM	the Kender takes the object, which looks larger between his tiny hands, his eyes googling with surprize. He stays frozen for a minute...and then responds with a trembling voice; 'N..no body's ever given anything to me...'
Drow64 08-03-07, 06:16 AM	A tall young handsome half-orc steps into the clearing. He wears silks of the finest quality, defying his orcish heritage. He eyes the kender, turns toward him, and says, "Nobody? Well then, you must deserve a second gift." The half-orc steps forward and presents the kender with a curious-looking sack. It seems to be filled with a kind of powder.
Feredenil 08-03-07, 06:30 AM	still holding the cube tight..the kender peeks inside the sack...sniffs a bit...and asks; 'will this make us all here sneeze and scratch ourselves ?'
Drow64 08-03-07, 06:39 AM	The half-orc laughs. "No, my friend! This is blessed powder which shall heal you in times of need."
Khadmus 08-03-07, 06:59 AM	Looks like it's gift day! Here, kender, have a sickle. It's made of the purest silver, and you should be able to battle with it in a pinch. ((the observant among you will notice that the left pinky of this man is missing.))
Feredenil 08-03-07, 07:08 AM	The Kender sits down and recollects himself, as three gifts were far more than he could process in one year...let alone a day. Ties the sack carefully, observes the shiny sickle and places it near the cube, in front of him. He blushes and shyly says; 'Thank you...' Pauses a minute... 'I have only this watch to give...but if you let me stay here for a while..I can find presents for all of you, if you all want...'
Drow64 08-03-07, 07:16 AM	"Oh no, I don't need gifts. I'm fine on my own. Thank you for the offer, though."
Heros_Backpack 08-03-07, 09:49 AM	A lanky human jumps lightly down from the branches of a leaning tree and reaches up a hand to fuss the grey cat peering from the hood of his cloak. "Pray pardon me for interrupting, but I also have an interest in druidic armor. Could you kindly tell me if a druid is forced, against his will, to don metal armor, is he still deprived of his powers? In addition, would that druid (who is normally immune to poison) now again be vulnerable to it?"
Drow64 08-03-07, 10:04 AM	A lanky human jumps lightly down from the branches of a leaning tree and reaches up a hand to fuss the grey cat peering from the hood of his cloak. "Pray pardon me for interrupting, but I also have an interest in druidic armor. Could you kindly tell me if a druid is forced, against his will, to don metal armor, is he still deprived of his powers? In addition, would that druid (who is normally immune to poison) now again be vulnerable to it?" The half-orc turns to face the human. "My grand-uncle was a druid. He donned metal armor and died of lead poisoning within the hour."
Sarrazon 08-03-07, 10:24 AM	The dwarf looks satisfied with the response and says "Ah. Thankee lads. Makes more sense now." before leaning up against a rock to listen to the rest of the conversation.
Pole4life 08-03-07, 11:11 AM	The burly gnome looks up from his instrument and exclaims to the 1/2 orc. "Why that's horrible! I feel happy that the natural order has continued, but it is a more dreadful way to die. Stories like yours aren't uncommon, and I, for that reason, have never use a lead bullet in my sling. I use stone bullets which are a bit more clumsy, but more abundant!" He contemplates for a second and asks, "But was your grand-uncle forced to put on the armor? I was wondering if it is different if someone has a longsword to your neck making you don metal armor. Also, who would do such a thing?" To the kender he says "May I see your small square object? It looks very gnomish to me; I would very much like to examine it."
Crake 08-03-07, 11:34 AM	Suddenly a tall dark skinned human with black hair teleports into the circle. He is wearing an oddly colored chain shirt and has a scimitar at his waist. Looking around he sasy, "Oh, I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Ceroth Dernt, sorceror and templar of the Silver Flame." "I would like to ask all you druids about your views on arcane magic and psionics. My question stems from an encounter me and my companions had with a sect of druids called the Ashbound. They claimed that all magic that was not druidic in origin was a sin against nature. They tried to convince me and my companion, a psychic warrior to stop using our magic and powers. They even went so far as to kidnap us, saying it was for our own good." "My question is this; how could a sorceror or psionicist be considered unnatural? We are born with our abilities, and do not go out of our way to learn magic like clerics or wizards. So how could arcane magic and psionics be considered a sin against nature if creatures are born with the ability to wield them?"
Bedlamtom 08-03-07, 12:13 PM	The wrinkle faced hound dog lifts his head and says, "Just like a Paladin forced by magic to do an evil deed would lose his powers iof you force one of us into a tin suit we too are bereft" he sighs and it comes out as a doggylike whine. "Unlike them we don't need to seek atonement, if we can survive for 24 hours our abilities return, if you will pardon the pun, naturally." His head sinks back to rest on the ground as he finishes talking.
Bedlamtom 08-03-07, 12:34 PM	So how could arcane magic and psionics be considered a sin against nature if creatures are born with the ability to wield them?" The dog looks up at Ceroth and says, " I do not know this sect that you speak of but I fear they have gone astray. It matters not where your power comes from it is how you use it that counts! I have a close friend who has dedicated his life to the study of necromancy and his stanchest supporter is his paladinic twin sister. They have both saved my life more times than I care to dwell upon. I admit he walks a tricky path but he does it with honor and I'm proud to number him as one of my friends." He looks up at the sky and for a moment seems whistful, then he shifts into a tiny winged pixie and flutters about the grove.
Drow64 08-03-07, 02:00 PM	The half-orc is busy telling jokes to those who will listen. "A Faerunian pirate walks into a tavern. He has a waterwheel between his legs. So the bartender asks him, 'Hey, what's with the waterwheel?' Then the pirate says, 'It's driving me nuts!'" "What's fifty feet high and likes thieving? A bunch of halflings trying to reach the doorknob! No offense."
Bedlamtom 08-03-07, 02:13 PM	Pixie Nyvyn laughs so hard he flies into a tree and falls on his butt in the leaves. "...driving me nuts..." he giggles.
Heros_Backpack 08-03-07, 02:33 PM	A crooked grin flits across the human's face as he bows slightly. "I thank you for your time, your patience and above all, your answers." Turning to the gnome, he adds, "It is simply that deep in the northern forests, there are particularly foul abberrations that attempt to disarm the druids opposing them of their powers by wrestling metal helms or shields onto them. While they continue their struggle, they have sent me - my name, by the way is Elthalas - to seek both a solution to this problem and possibly assistance. I thank you once again for your help." He pulls his cloak closely around his body and fades back into the first line of trees.
Stormbrand 08-03-07, 02:33 PM	*A figure approaches, tall and strong and straight of limb, with a natural bearing that declares strength of character. Thick, fair hair flowing to the length of his neck is white-blond, bordering on platinum, making a natural cushion for a helmet. Bright, striking eyes sparkle with warmth and show a deep intensity in pools of green-flecked amber. Solidly built on the arms, chest and shoulders, with an obviously classical physique. His face is clean-shaven, with smoothly cut features defined by a subtle grim cast hinting of vigourous resolve and courage beneath a ready smile. That face is broad and blunt, well-structured and at once very open, showing a charming simplicity. Combined with skin smoother than most, bearing a fair complexion rich with colour, his appearance is very pleasing to the eye. He wears armour of gleaming steel articulated plates over a coat of locking scale, with an azure surcoat bordered with a golden thread, emblazoned with the image of a downwards pointing sword surrounded by white stars.* "Greetings, sirs and ladies. I am Aorle Heurbreoht, Paladin of the Angelsworn and Knight-Gallant. I have a question for you." "Many druids claim to support the 'balance', claiming it to be innately superior to Law and Good. Mostly these claims come from a misunderstanding of what Law and Good truly are, suggesting that Law and Good creates weakness, rather than the truth that by helping each other everyone will prosper. More disturbing is how some druids celebrate that which is cruel and unjust in nature, suggesting that such things are not flaws because they are parts of nature. How is this so?" "In effect, what I ask, with all respect, what about nature makes it worthy of worship?"
Caelic 08-03-07, 02:35 PM	The still-nameless tatterdemalion on the stump scratches his chin. He flickers another snaggle-toothed grin in the direction of the Kender. "Feel free to help yourself to anything I have, but I'm not sure you'd want it very much." That said, he turns back to the conversation. "So: it seems we have an interesting difference of opinion here. On the one hand, you have Druids who believe that there is room for all natural things--even those things which are not, shall we say, benevolent. On the other, we have those who believe in actively working to eliminate evil from the world." "The question, then: would eradicating evil from the world disrupt the balance of nature?" He holds up a hand to the exalted and polyform Nyvyn. "At ease, my changeable friend. I'm not suggesting that we all go out and do cruel things to puppies. But sometimes there are consequences to our actions we can't see. The shepherd would be thrilled if all the predators were to suddenly vanish and leave his flocks alone...until the sheep multiplied out of control and started to starve for lack of food." "Is evil a necessary counterpoint to good in the natural balance of things?"
Crake 08-03-07, 03:15 PM	Somewhat content with the answer with regards to innate magic, Ceroth poses another question. "What makes something natural? I know one of the prime examples of something unnatural are the undead, because of the assumption that necromancers need to meddle with life to create them. So what about naturally occuring undead, such as ghosts or corpeses dropped into the negative energy plane? No outside hand created those undead, yet they are still considered abominations. And druids can meddle with life and death with that reincarnate spell of theirs. Doesn't that create an unnatural creature that should be destroyed?" "Sorry if I sound a bit antagonistic, but that question has always bothered me about the druidic faiths."
Drow64 08-03-07, 04:13 PM	The half-orc continues to tell jokes. "By the way, I'm Skaroq Drakkel. So anyway...A flesh elemental, a plaid dragon, a teetotaler dwarf, and a drunk dwarf are all running toward a sack of gold in the middle of the field. Who reaches the sack first? Answer: The drunk dwarf. The other 3 don't exist."
Feredenil 08-03-07, 04:41 PM	The kender, enchanted and distracted, stares at all the new faces....suddenly....he flinches a bit, as if remembering something long forgotten. He grabs the cube, and raises it to the gnome's reach... 'sure, you can take a look...'
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 08-03-07, 04:47 PM	"Ah, little kender. It grieves me to learn that you have never before received a gift. I too would like to contribute. I fear I have no items to spare to give you, so an act will have to do." Liam gestures to Treads, his clawfoot companion. "Treads is quite fond of being ridden. I am sure he would enjoy a chance to stretch his legs. Or wings or fins, depending on where he wishes to go, or in what form. You may join him for a time. "Ceroth Dernt, I would say these Ashbound are gravely mistaken. Although I will admit I'm familiar with the basic view. Although the brand I saw objected specifically to arcane magic as the product of foul aberrations and fiends - certainly unnatural. To them, psionics was a natural gift, and therefore acceptable. I personally try to be accepting of everything. At least at first. If I were to guess at the Ashborn's views, I doubt they understand arcane magic and psionics enough to recognize that you and your friend's talents were indeed innate. If they were to learn this (and believe it, which is questionable), they would likely see you as tainted by the unnatural and try to kill you. You should thank the Flame you're safe. "Elthalas, I am much agrieved to hear what is happening to my fellow wardens of the world. I will send for help." Liam summons various birds and other woodland denizens, and says something unintelligible to most. He then sends them off. Next he fishes through his pack and speaks to it in druidic [ooc: I remember somewhere hearing of a druidic spell that allows an animal skull to function like a walkie-talkie or something like that. Can't for the life of me remember where]. "I have sent for help. In particular, some Fochlucan Lyrists will be coming, as well as wild monks. Their peculiar talents should render them immune to the aberrations' methods. I will join you myself as well. Hopefully my companions here can cover as I take care of this problem. "Aorle, I understand your concern quite well. I myself was once drawn to the path of a paladin. In fact, I remained set on it until my initiation mission. The memories are painful, but I will just say that my unyielding commitment to the paladin's code cost me my friend, my mentor, my love, and my home. All for an ideal. And I mean honor and order, not good. I learned the hard way that unyielding devotion, combined with a quickness to judge that can be all too common to paladins - though of course not limited to them - can wreak more havoc than it prevents. As for why nature is worthy of worship . . . I'll share my own reasons. There is a beauty to this balance. Easily appreciated by one who lost so much as an extremist. Nature does not show the fervor of a paladin, but it still has a place for kindness. The beauty of a sunrise. The smell of crisp mountain air. The tranquility of a starlit night. Tell me, why do paladins protect life? Surely the afterlife offers great reward. I say it is because deep down you know there is something special about living in this world, not in the heavens. "And I see our nameless wild man understands my point. Our actions can have unforeseen consequences. A paladin is bound to take steps to stop evil as soon as he sees it, as quickly as possible. Noble indeed. But sometimes, the haste his conscience demands causes unforeseen ripples. As for your question, I would say that yes, evil is, unfortunately, a necessary balance to good. A comparison to predators is an apt one. Moreover, some say that it is the contrast of good against evil that makes good such a marvelous thing. Certainly the noble hero is not the noble hero without the fiend or tyrant. And a world without noble heroes is a pitiable thing. "Ceroth raises a good point. I'll admit that even what seems inherently unnatural can sometimes find its niche. I myself know of a rather admirable ghoul. He chooses to prey on undead and necromancers. I certainly won't stop him. As for why they are inherently unnatural . . . they don't fit into the ecosystem. Everything natural fits in - eating and being eaten. Even at the top of the food chain, a lucky hunter can get in. But nothing preys on the undead. Nor do they consume as others do. Life does. Whether it is hunting other animals or grazing, or even absorbing it through roots, life requires nourishment. Undeath apparently does not. Even ghouls and vampires, which do hunt - do they starve without it? Anything natural should require sustenance. Even more sinister is the possibility that undead do drain nature's resources, but not as animals or plants do. Not by eating. Just by being. And not draining nutrients and energy, but something more vital to nature. Moreover, undead do not age or die - as everything natural does. "Reincarnation does not encounter these problems. Nor does resurrection."
Pole4life 08-03-07, 05:18 PM	The gnome sits next to the kender and starts turning the sides of the cube like some 1980s computer junkie.
Feredenil 08-03-07, 07:41 PM	"oh, I forgot ! My name is Meihric...nice to meet you' Says the Kender and confidently sits on Treads. 'I'd like to fly, if it's ok with you...'
Bedlamtom 08-03-07, 08:30 PM	Nyvyn looks up from his place on the ground. "I think you are confusing cruel with evil. Nature is often cruel and uncaring, but evil requires intent. If nature decrees that a plague take the wolves and coyote, gods forbid, and the shepherds’ flock multiplies out of control that is fine, I would probably stop and offer advice about thinning their herds but I wouldn't become involved if they didn't want me. Evil, true evil, requires intent, if a world exists without inherent magic, all things are possible, I guess, then it would be easy to confuse the two, but here, not so much." As he thinks he morphs into a blinkdog and begins pacing, periodically blinking from place to place in the clearing... "Where there is intent to do evil, then that intent must be opposed. I mean not every evil act requires you to go to war, but if allowed to multiply then they will impact the world in ways that aren't natural. A man cutting down trees to build a house is no different than a family of beavers doing the same. However marching your army through my forest doing wanton destruction just because you are angry at the city on the other side and I will step in and have words. If I can figure out that this activity is coming ahead of time and put somebody in place to negotiate peace, then I've won the battle that never had to be fought! If those marching are an evil race that will not hear words of peace then I find it prudent to find their leaders and call in my friends and make certain that the leaders of this madness are eradicated so that their minions go back to peacefully squabbling amongst themselves. It would be impossible to wipe evil out of the world, it breeds to quickly, but all of my efforts go to keeping the important battles from causing too much harm." He sighs... Oh and Omni? What is a clawfoot? I've never seen a morphing steed before. "Nice Treads..."
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 08-04-07, 07:53 AM	"A clawfoot is another name for a deinonychus. Normally it can't wild shape. But thanks to my single gift as a hierophant, I can share my wild shaping benefits. I have chosen to share them with Treads. As for his name . . . I see both the wilds and the cities as a natural part of the world. Meanwhile, extraplanar elementals do not resonate as strongly with me. As such, I have learned to take the form of animated objects instead of elementals. I have found that, when practical, Treads prefers the form of an exotic two-wheeled vehicle [ooc: motorcycle]. "Meihric, enjoy your ride with Treads. I am sure that if you share with him your desires - as long as they aren't presented as orders - he will be inclined to comply." With Meihric onboard, Treads starts to run off and changes into the form of a pterodactyl, soaring into the sky.
SirTodd 08-04-07, 11:46 AM	A zone of mists darkens one edge of the clearing. as it thickens you can see the trees trapped within it twisted into a cruel shape like a mockery of life itself as their painfully twisted branches reach upward for a salvation they can never find. The figure of a pale skinned man wearing noble attire attempts to step out of the mists but... can't. You can feel the vile aura of evil radiating strongly from the man who upon closer examination appears to be some manner of vampire. "I was once known as SirTodd, a noble paladin of unquestioning loyalty to the cause of good." he pauses to sneer at the very thought of goodness. "I fell when my quest to do good crossed the line into pure vengeance against those who opposed my Lord. I learned a hard lesson. The only true law of nature is 'The strong shall devour the weak'. I used the strength of the divine to crush my weaker opponents. Now I use an even greater strength to crush those self deluded do gooders. I ask then: Why defend trees and woodland animals? They are weak and it is the law of nature that they should fall to a stronger force, such as the creep of civilization. It seems self contradictory in it's approach. Balance is an illusion. Only strength is real."
Shaggy_Shaggs 08-04-07, 12:33 PM	A black bear ambles up opposite the pale mist-enshrouded one, tailed by a small, energetic wolf with a slight pot belly. The bear rears up on its hindlimbs and gradually reforms into a tall, longhaired human man with the carefully chiseled body of a martial artist. As the fur receeds, a small disk with the stylized oaken face of the Obad-Hai becomes visible tied about his neck. He leans down to scratch the tongue-lolling wolf behind the ears as he speaks up. "I am Kharlin, and while I am no druid, I believe my training and experience in service of the Shalm provide me with similar insight." He straightens and folds his arms over his broad bare chest, looking the fallen paladin over appraisingly. "In fact, I myself believe very strongly in the culling of the weak, and the survival of the fittest. What you seem not to realize, is that failure of understanding is every bit as lethal as failure of strength, weakness of mind dooms one as surely as weakness of body." The man looks down at the little wolf, which by now has flopped down and fallen asleep, as overly hyperactive creatures often do when bored. "I posit that my friend here is stronger of mind than you, former Sir Todd, for though he indulges his pleasure as he will, he will not take more than he can eat. In his simple manner, he knows that to destroy needlessly is to doom himself to starvation. From your ranting, I can safely say you do not. I ask you, how can one that lacks the wisdom to avoid destroying himself tomorrow by his careless action today, be considered truly strong? I say he is not, and that the truly strong do not falter in moving within natural cycles for his foolish thrashing and ranting. They go on about the business of life, and when self-aggrandizing fools stand in the way of those cycles, they are culled as the weak creatures they are." Kharlin folds himself into a lotus seat as he settles beside the wolf, seemingly unperturbed by the roughness of the ground, the presence of the spiteful undead, his own lack of armor or indeed even clothing. He waits and listens serenely.
SirTodd 08-04-07, 01:09 PM	"You clearly lack clarity Kharlin. Civilization doesn't feed itself on the wild lands. Civilization feeds off of farms. Vast stretches of cultivated plants and animals serving the strong by providing sustenance. Would not the land be better used as farmland instead of forest?" The vampire asks.
Shaggy_Shaggs 08-04-07, 01:50 PM	He smiles faintly, quietly amused. "Whence comes the life that allows the soil to bear fruit, former Sir Todd? Where goes the poisonous waste? What stirs the waters of land and sky, keeping reservoirs fresh and the crops green and unscorched? Who tells the cows and oxen it is time to calve, and provide the next generation of muscle and meat? Is it civilization that can provide these things? Or is it the natural cycles carrying on, in spite of men's efforts to replace or dominate what they cannot fathom?"
SirTodd 08-04-07, 05:41 PM	~laughing in a hallow haunting tone~ "Excellent. You support my point. Life cycles go on without the trees the druids love so much. So we have no use for wild forests. Mow them down and grow edible plants or raise livestock. If something comes along strong enough to crush civilization then it deserved to be crushed."
Khadmus 08-04-07, 06:47 PM	Say, vampire...you seem to think that the strong shall (should) devour the weak. So, should we decide to and succeed in killing you, then you were weak. And, after all, the strong shall devour the weak. You seem to support this mantra for purely selfish reasons, but it is contradictory to your self-interest to support it. That is, unless you are confident you are stronger than any upstart who wishes to smite you.
Crake 08-04-07, 10:38 PM	Ceroth looks at the vampire and laughs. "Seriously, you think that you, a vampire, are strong? You can't walk out in the sunlight, something even a little bug can do! All it would take is for one of these druids to cast a wind spell and blow away that fog, and you would be reduced to a pair of fangs and ashes!"
Shaggy_Shaggs 08-05-07, 12:39 AM	"One cannot reasonably draw such a conclusion from my words, though the willfully ignorant may do as they will, so long as it does no significant harm. Has it not occured to you, former Sir Todd, that all of this occurs precisely because the world has not been smothered under farmland and cobblestones? Civilization exists, certainly, and I have no quarrel with its existance. The monastery in which I was raised could not have sprung up without organized social behaviour, tools and advancements of civilization." He spends a moment thinking back to his youth with a nostalgic expression, then continues. "That said and acknowledged, former Sir Todd, it was understood - as you fail to understand - that moderation in all things was required. Cities and farmland exist like unto parasites. Consider the humble leech, which attaches itself to a host and drinks the blood." His face remains straight, if he's poking fun at the vampire he's not showing it. "A few leeches in the right locations on a host can be medicinally therapeutic, or beneficial as another way of saying so. The host is better for hostng them. Too many leeches feeding upon a host, however, can eventually kill their host, and in doing so, kill themselves. For what will the leeches drink if the host no longer lives to produce blood?" Kharlin reaches over and picks a fat tick out of the wolf's fur, flicking it aside, and looks up at the vampire. "Perhaps I should phrase my point in a different fashion. A farm can produce great quantities of corn, quickly and in very good quality. But how much corn can a hundred farms grow, when the old crops' vitality is exhausted, and there is naught left to provide the first kernel for the new crop?" He shakes his head, and smiles with confidence. "The ranting and flailing of one ego-driven fool means nothing to nature. You are allowed to exist not because you are strong, but because you are inconsequential, former Sir Todd. When it comes to pass that a great many thousand great fools band together and work to destroy themselves and their neighbors in their foolishness, however, that is when the understanding stand up and say Enough!"
JMKoontz 08-05-07, 01:47 AM	Daniel smirks as he approaches the mist. "You are correct," he states simply, "And yet you are woefully incorrect. You posit that the strong devour the weak and therefore civilization must destroy the wild places. Therefore what be the point in aiding the survival of the wild? "You fail in your own theory, however, in that if it is that the strong must devour the weak, no civilization can rightly exist. Civilization can only exist such that there is some balance of powers. The warrior may be stronger than the farmer in battle, but should the warrior kill the farmer, the warrior deprives himself of food. Should the strong truly devour the weak as you so faultily suggest, then civilization, as you call, would devolve to such a state that, in addition to the wild places being almost completely obliterated, the very people and beings that create said civilization would also destroy one another until only one remained. Once there is only one left, there is nothing to stop the wild from reclaiming the entirety of the world ... "By your theory, in fact, the wild actually comes out on top. So perhaps it is best for you to get thyself removed from this sacred place before I take it upon myself to feed you to the very trees which you so vehementy despise."
Talisman 08-05-07, 10:37 AM	[Talisman claps as Daniel finishes. Then he stands and faces the vampire.] Agreed. And know this, vampire: I am a hunter of the undead, and with my friends, I successfully broke the stranglehold that your kind once held upon my home country. Furthermore, you are caught in your own circular logic. You claim that civilization's innate superiority will cause it to triumph over nature, indicating that the entire process is inherently amoral. You then claim that nature's relative "weakness" indicates that it "deserves" to be destroyed. Your logic is as flawed and weak as your cold, dead flesh.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 08-05-07, 11:00 AM	"I applaud you, Kharlin, Daniel, and Talisman. You have said it better than I could. Even if the strong do devour the weak, if they only devour, then they gorge themselves only to starve themselves. I'm sorry, former Sir Todd, but you lack understanding. This grove is no safe haven for you. You have enemies here. Not just for your nature, but for your beliefs."
SirTodd 08-05-07, 11:30 AM	The vampire lord responds carefully to each in turn, deciding it's time to shed more light on the 'rightness' of his views. Khadmus: "If you think you can defeat me. By all means feel free. But as I have not broken any laws and indeed have been one of the strongest forces for law all my life and unlife. You would be the villian. The slide into evil is not without it's many rewards however. Should you prove strong enough to defeat me." to Ceroth "If you think I am so weak as to allow sun to touch me... then you are merely being foolish. Any weakness I gained came with an impressive boost in power and ability. If it ends up killing me, then I deserved to die." Shaggy_Shaggs: "Your not far from the right of things. A few vampires are INDEED a benefit to society. A great many are problematic. But you fail to understand cities and farms are not leeches at all. They are the foundation of a just society. If a people grow too numerous to be supported by the available farmlands. Then you either need to chop down more forests for more farms or gift more followers with vampirism (as humans are livestock themselves and this will keep their numbers down a bit). Centers of learning such as the ones you may have studied at are the gift of civilization to the weak. Giving them a chance at strength. Such a thing is paramount if the society is to be strong. Each different civilization is a lot like a creature. Strong ones flurish while weak ones perish." "You underestimate the living energy a farm produces. With proper land management laws they last forever. But perhaps you should enlighten us. When exactly should the fools with 'understanding' stand against society precisely?" to Daniel: "Why should the warrior kill the farmer? Under the law they are both part of the same entity, their kingdom. They work together to create a lasting peace through force of arms. The warrior protecting the farm and the farmer feeding the warrior. So you see my view is the right one. If you have the power and will to comit such a crime against me as to... feed me to the trees. Then by all means you're free to try. The slide into evil has many rewards. If I fall then I deserved the fate I earned." to Talisman: "You fail to present me with any evidence of my failure. If the vampires of your land were so easily destroyed then they deserved the fate they earned. You are a good example of the right of the strong to destroy the weak. If the undead you hunt for sport or wealth can be eliminated. You have earned your place over them in the food chain. to Omnirahk: "Now that you've heard more, do you still feel as though I am wrong? Enlighten me if you can."
Talisman 08-05-07, 01:06 PM	[Talisman regards the vampire knight. His pupilless green eyes begin to glow faintly] Your reponse to Khadmus is flawed. Law is not the ultimate goal of the universe, for without chaos, law leads only to stagnantion. The fact that you are a force for law means you must be opposed...as the fact that I am a force for chaos means I must as well. But neither law nor chaos is a goal unto itself. Only in the balance between them can lasting harmony of any kind be found. And to claim that a few vampires are a benefit to society is to claim that a few plagues are a benefit. Vampires are parasites, pure and simple. Your kind contributes nothing to the cycle of life--in fact, you combine the worst aspects of parasite and predator. You kill the strong, rather than the weak. You take, yet contribute nothing in return. Civilization is not inherently weak or corrupt, but neither is it inherently strong or superior. It is, however, weaker than nature. Abandon a city for a decade and what happens? Nature reclaims it. Abandon a forest, and what happens? It continues; it grows and thrives. All creatures strive for a position of strength, and a well-ordered civilization prevents the weak from being crushed by the callous strong. And in regards to my arguement, your failure is in your reasoning. You claim that nature is weak, and therefore the law of nature requires that She will be destroyed by civilization. Then you argue that, since nature "is weak," she "deserves" to be destroyed. You are mixing logic and emotion, and achieving success with neither. I find it interesting that you attempt to destroy nature with nature...using a "law of nature" to claim her downfall. Finally, I will say this: if, as you claim, the laws of Nature dictate that Nature be crushed beneath civilization...why does Nature yet endure?
SirTodd 08-05-07, 02:30 PM	The vampire grins knowing the full weight of it's argument will soon be fully understood. [Talisman regards the vampire knight. His pupilless green eyes begin to glow faintly] Your reponse to Khadmus is flawed. Law is not the ultimate goal of the universe, for without chaos, law leads only to stagnantion. The fact that you are a force for law means you must be opposed...as the fact that I am a force for chaos means I must as well. But neither law nor chaos is a goal unto itself. Only in the balance between them can lasting harmony of any kind be found. "An odd thing for a self proclaimed adherent to chaos to say... but then chaos followers seem to say a great many things that make no sense." And to claim that a few vampires are a benefit to society is to claim that a few plagues are a benefit. Vampires are parasites, pure and simple. Your kind contributes nothing to the cycle of life--in fact, you combine the worst aspects of parasite and predator. You kill the strong, rather than the weak. You take, yet contribute nothing in return. "You fail to see the benefit of a class of ageless rulers who accumulate knowledge and power long after even the oldest elves pass away? I offer my people safety from monsters or other cultures, vast knowledge, and ancient wisdom. All things most societies find ideal in a leader." Civilization is not inherently weak or corrupt, but neither is it inherently strong or superior. It is, however, weaker than nature. Abandon a city for a decade and what happens? Nature reclaims it. Abandon a forest, and what happens? It continues; it grows and thrives. "Your argument doesn't refute mine. A city without people is truly weaker than the wilderness. It deserves to become overgrown and ruined. But then a city abandoned is as pathetic as a forest without any plants." All creatures strive for a position of strength, and a well-ordered civilization prevents the weak from being crushed by the callous strong. "As well all creatures should. And as well a strong civilization should. This is as good an argument for strong Law as any." And in regards to my arguement, your failure is in your reasoning. You claim that nature is weak, and therefore the law of nature requires that She will be destroyed by civilization. Then you argue that, since nature "is weak," she "deserves" to be destroyed. You are mixing logic and emotion, and achieving success with neither. "Perhaps it is a failing of evil that it revels in the destruction of weaker things. But it detracts nothing from the overall lesson. Strength is the true determiner of right and wrong." I find it interesting that you attempt to destroy nature with nature...using a "law of nature" to claim her downfall. "No. You're not following precisely. Nature persists as an impartial Law of it's own. I am advocating the rightness of people to destroy 'wild lands', not nature itself. Without nature all things would die... even my kind. For nature supports vampires as willingly as it does humans or halflings. Wild lands are a weak and inefficient use of space. A farm produces far better than a forest. It supports life more fully. Yet druids seem to defend such patches of 'wilds'. It makes no sense. Would their time not be better spent defending farms?" Finally, I will say this: if, as you claim, the laws of Nature dictate that Nature be crushed beneath civilization...why does Nature yet endure? "Nature is a set of Laws. Laws are eternal."
Shaggy_Shaggs 08-06-07, 06:56 AM	"Your question regarding when the strong must act, former Sir Todd, is flawed for your failure to appreciate the subject at hand. No thing in the world exists in complete isolation. The enlightened must act when the need is sufficiently great. The need to press back against urban civilization is not measured in number of cobblestones placed, buildings erected, nor riddles spun by the unknowing restless dead." The big monk scoops up a handful of dirt from the ground, stands and presents it to the vampire. "How much grit is in this loam, former Sir Todd? What weight of it is clay? How much of each must there be for each plant to grow to its full potential? Has such a question ever disturbed your thoughts of your own greatness? It well should, if you cannot answer." He makes a sweeping gesture with his arm at the rest of the clearing, and turns back to face the opponent. "The needs of a region are not static, nor can the true answer be. The need to act to preserve nature's balance is marked in the fry of the salmon, the thickness of a hatchling hawk's shell, the length of the grasses and the beasts present to eat them. The sweetness or acridity of the air, the colour of the new-fallen snow, how early the cicada awakens from its slumber and how many do not wake at all, these things and more are our measuring tools. "'How progresses the struggle for territory between the carpenter ant and the termite?' 'What is the new rodent in the region eating, and what is eating it?' 'Is the year's undergrowth sufficiently dense to fuel the wildfires needed to open the great trees' seed pods?' Questions along these lines are investigated every day, and in the answers one can divine the future of a region. "If the picture is one of a destabilized, blasted wreck, steps must be taken to assuage the disruption of the cycles in place before that future comes to pass. It is, unfortunately, all too common for urban dwellers to instigate such disruptions, with their unchecked ambition to expand and their woefully deficient attention to the condition of their surrounding environs. This soon brings us into conflict, but our removal of such problematic creatures and structures is no more malicious than, to use an example from your own camp, a farmer pulling weeds that would otherwise spoil his crop. "It may seem that still have not directly answered your question. The difficulty springs from the mismatch of a detached, static query of an interconnected, dynamic system. There are many fail-safes in such a system, and also many snares. The simplest way to answer your question rightly, I suppose, is this: Nature's representatives move against the city dwelling societies when nature determines it must be done." Kharlin re-seats himself, and rests quietly, listening to the local birdsong, though an ear remains open to the discussion.
wolf_man007 08-06-07, 11:25 AM	If you were on a merry-go-'round revolving fifty times per minute and you fell off, how many pancakes would it take to burn down my house?
Talisman 08-06-07, 12:13 PM	If you were on a merry-go-'round revolving fifty times per minute and you fell off, how many pancakes would it take to burn down my house? Just one. A really, really big one. Unless there are other animals besides horses on the merry-go-round.
wolf_man007 08-06-07, 12:47 PM	Just one. A really, really big one. Unless there are other animals besides horses on the merry-go-round. Wrong. Unseen servants. Because longer roads don't have doors.
Bedlamtom 08-06-07, 12:56 PM	Wrong. Unseen servants. Because longer roads don't have doors. The blinkdog Nyvyn scratches his head with a hind paw, cocks his head and says, "Must be philosophy. I never did understand two leg philosophy."
Hideous Phidias 08-06-07, 02:36 PM	Oh great wise Druid My question is a simple one, which bird like creature would be best to have as an pet and later animal companion?
Bedlamtom 08-06-07, 06:31 PM	The blinkdog looks up from the ground where he appeared to be napping and says, "I'm sure I am not the wisest of those gathered here but I will undertake to answer your question. It depends on your tastes. When I was younger I really liked the eagle. It is small sized so with one tiny spell I have flying transport. It is one of the fastest of the avians as well." He looks around to those gathered, "Any other suggestions for this aspirant"?
Talisman 08-06-07, 07:39 PM	I have an affinity for owls myself, as you can see. [Talisman scratches the head of the tiny screech owl on his shoulder.] But for pure utility, an eagle is a good choice. Another option, if you live in a place where such creatures roam, would be a flying dinosaur. I believe a quetzalcoatlus or pteranodon would suit admirably as both a guardian and a mount.
Hideous Phidias 08-06-07, 08:00 PM	I have an affinity for owls myself, as you can see. [Talisman scratches the head of the tiny screech owl on his shoulder.] But for pure utility, an eagle is a good choice. Another option, if you live in a place where such creatures roam, would be a flying dinosaur. I believe a quetzalcoatlus or pteranodon would suit admirably as both a guardian and a mount. I was thinking maybe a falcon. But an owl is good too. I want sot hing that can hunt and land on my arm like a falcon.
JMKoontz 08-07-07, 01:35 PM	"Your argument doesn't refute mine. A city without people is truly weaker than the wilderness. It deserves to become overgrown and ruined. But then a city abandoned is as pathetic as a forest without any plants." "And once more you do well to contradict yourself, hiding behind your own flawed logic. "You state freely that an abandoned city is weaker than the wilderness and therefore deserves to be overgrown by the wilderness. "Previous statements by you have also said, or alluded, that wilderness is weaker and deserves to be overcome by, civilizations of people. "By your logic, in these statements, it is the pressence of civilizations ... with laws, based on your other arguements ... that makes an area inherently stronger. "By your own admission, however, you have stated that without the inclusion of lawful civilization the wilderness is stronger than the city. "Therefore Wilderness populated by civilization is ultimately stronger than either simple wild or city. Look around you, abomination. What do you see? I see that civilization, as you describe it, creatures supporting one another in a common goal of survival and prosperity, governed by the ULTIMATE law of nature. Prey exists for the predator to feed. In turn the predator takes only that which is necessarry, returning to feed the land itself upon its own death, thereby feeding the very prey which it once consumed. "You speak of immortal beings and ancient knowledge. Many of the trees you so despise have been here millenia before YOU existed in any form. Some have existed since the begining to time itself. NATURE, has existed since the beginning of time itself as have the wild places. If you want truely ancient knoweldge, try asking the source rather than posturing yourself to be that source. "Once more I point out what Master Liam and others have already said. You, nor your skewed logic, shall find any haven in this grove. Your welcome was worn out the moment you entered this place. I suggest that you remove yourself, lest some higher authority sees fit to have you removed. In either case, I am done dealing with you, abomination. Say what you like, I shall empower your faulty logic and self posturing no longer. Expect no more response from me."
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 08-07-07, 05:06 PM	"I can personally agree that a quetzalcoatlus or pteranodon make a very good companion. I myself have no personal preference among the various birds of prey, but when forced to choose, I go with the red-tailed hawk, for my brother's case. In fact, before Treads here, I traveled with just such a bird - by the name of Tobias. Again, named for my brother's preference." "I would say former Sir Todd lost his welcome shortly after he entered, not at that exact moment. Remember, even among the undead, there is a rare example that fits into nature's order. Let us not be prejudiced."
Baernwulf_of_Nor 08-07-07, 05:49 PM	A human, tall by stature and powerful by appearance enters the clearing. He wears a heavy fur cloak that flows easily to the ground. Long golden hair gracefully falls out of a deep hood, though it is untidy. A long look into the hood reveals eyes of Ice-blue that are firm as stone, yet warm as a fire in the hearth. Upon his chest are tatoos of a deep purple, swirling by design, with the moon and stars detailed inside the swirls. Grasped firmly in his hand he holds a hammer that appears to be made of ice itself. "Greetings, good travelers. I am Baernwulf of Nor. I hail from the far away land of the cold and ice. Where no trees grace our plains and no bushes offer cover to the cold winds that punish the blue grasses. I have travelled across continents and over seas in my travels, yet never have I found such pleasure as when I am in the graces and solitude of nature." He suspiciously eyes the vampire. Grasping firmer still to his Warhammer. "Vampire, if what I have heard is true, you say that civilization is greater than Nature itself. This is untrue, for the land they reap and sow daily is nature itself. Furthermore, the people of civilization are doomed for death, as we all are, even the immortal elves die after generations of my kind have past. You, yourself, feeds the tide of nature, in you killings that ensure your life, you lead bodies to rot in the soil, fueling nature and her growth. For you see, none can escape nature, it is by her kindness that we live, and her mercy that we die. In my travels, I came upon a Lich, wallowing in self-pity of his doomed existance as an unnatural creature of undeath. I aided him in his passage to death, for which he thanked me greatly. Even the undead long for death and the return to nature's soil after millenias of life." "As to the question about the bird companion, I would chose a Raven, for they are wise and cunning beyond their animal appearance. And more than just a companion, or loved pet, they would be a friend, like any other, for they have the power of speech that needs no spells to be understood." Gaining confidence in the unfamiliar setting he sits down to rest against a tree. "I have a question for the wise ones among this circle. I heard that druids are unnallowed to wear metal armor, though I know this question was answered, it led my thoughts to another...we consider druids to be people of the forest, yet are not the mountains, sky, and earth also denziens of nature? Even deep in the mountains, I have met people that communicated with the stone, feeling its pull like a druid does. Are not mountains, stone, metal, and air also considered nature? And if so, why must druids not wear metal armor, for surely it is no more altered than the hide of an animal, both must be extracted and tailored for its wearer."
Khadmus 08-07-07, 06:34 PM	Sorry for my rather late response, vampire, but I am entirely comfortable playing the villain. Noble as my ultimate goal might be, knowledge is power, and power corrupts. I feel that the druids have adequately answered your queries, better than a fool such as I could. They say you have worn out your welcome, and I would advise you leave.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 08-07-07, 08:23 PM	"Baernwulf of Nor, you are entirely correct that nature is not limited to the forests. Nor is the devotion of druids limited to forests. It is only that forest druids are the most commonly acknowledged variety. It is just that nature is so all-encompassing that it is too much for one person to devote himself to the entirety of nature and still feel its entire depth as well. That is why various druidic sects exist. All revere nature, but focus on different aspects. For example, I have heard of metal masters - druids emphasizing caverns and mines, as well as the borrowing of ores from the earth. These druids do indeed make extensive use of metal armor. For them it is acceptable, for it comes from the part of nature they know best. For many other druids, hide is more familiar. In each case, the druid (or another from his sect) can make sure the armor was prepared with proper respect for nature."
earanhart 08-07-07, 09:08 PM	A copperhead slowly winds it's way out of the woods. Carefully keeping the green robed man between itself and the dinosaur, it approaches the teacher. waving it's tail and hissing, it forces a small section of the grass to convert to mud, then again forces the mud to clear. Swimming into the pool, the snake swells and shifts, becoming a pale green humanoid with webbed limbs. A few words beneath the water, and the man raises his head from the pool. "Teacher, though many have faulted me for this, I have found great personal benefit from the powers of nature. I regret that I have often killed in my own defence, attacked by those who feel that my appearance or my reluctance to assist others at cost to myself yields them a right to my destruction. My question is this, then. Does the deterrence that might be gained by displaying their corpses outweigh the benefit to local life that would be grated by the decomposing corpses?"
Talisman 08-07-07, 11:44 PM	[The silver-blue-scaled mage turns to regard the two newest arrivals. The screech owl on his shoulder swivels its head, continuing to watch the vampire with a suspicious eye.] Greetings, Baernwulf of Nor; I am called Talisman, and I also hail from a land in the frozen north. [He turns towards the green, webbed creature. ] Friend, if you have killed in self-defense alone, feel no shame. To defend ones life is the duty oif all creatures, and the fact that killing bothers you only proves that you are a person, not a monster. As to your question, I would suggest not displaying the corpses as a deterrent. From my own adventuring career, I can say that a humanoid corpse displayed in an obvious manner, while it may frighten off peasants and farmers, is all too likely to attract exactly the kind of attention you wish to avoid.
Baernwulf_of_Nor 08-08-07, 02:01 AM	The tall man chuckles loudly at the webbed humanoids question. He sets his hammer down on the ground, detecting no hostile creatures about. As the hammer lightly touches the ground, several small lightning sparks shoot out and sizzle in the grass. "Greetings to you, Talisman. In my travels, I have found carrying a fresh carcass about in the woods can be a very bad idea." He chuckles again at his funny joke. O.O.C.- This is actually the best role playing experience I have ever had, thats kinda lame, but it gives you an idea of the type of people I play with. I wish I could roleplay more, I've even tried altering my voice to sound like this guy in single person adventures, and with other characters(dwarves mainly, lol) with friends.
Crake 08-08-07, 09:18 AM	Ceroth looks at the person in the water and says, "Friend, killing in self defense is one of the few reasons you should kill somebody. Otherwise, you should alwys try to resolve things without bloodshed. Or to qoute my master, 'If somebody tries to kill you, you try to kill them right back.'." "Still displaying corpses is rarely a good idea. First i gives people the wrong message. Second, it is essentially holding a big sign saying, 'Come here necromancers and use these free corpses to create undead abominations!'. I think letting people create undead outwieghs the detterent and scavanging material for animals."
Sarrazon 08-08-07, 05:23 PM	The Dwarf, who looked positively terrified as the snake entered has seemed to have calmed down enough to respond to the webbed creature. "Lad, killing in self defense should be the ONLY reason to kill. You're in the right there. However, displaying the bodies is where I start to disagree with you. Anyone who dies, no matter how they may have conflicted with you in the past, deserves the honor of being buried or burned. And in a real grave, not in a mass one like they use in war." He pauses realizing he has said more than he intended to and says no more.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 08-08-07, 05:43 PM	"Well, Webbed One, I believe you have your answer here, by unanimous vote. Displaying corpses is a bad idea. It is not a very good deterent. Indeed, cowards will avoid you, but they are not very big threats - except in very large numbers. If this is a problem, I must ask why they are so intent on killing you. However, displaying corpses is nearly universally thought of as great disrespect to the dead, or even worse. Many would think you a monster for it. As such, you would attract unwanted attention from more powerful do-gooders. It is an unwise choice."
Crake 08-08-07, 09:52 PM	"I am a templar friend. If I see something trying to kill another person, I will do everything in my power to try to help them. If I am left with only the choice of killing, than I must do my duty and protect people from evil." "Granted, if the attacker is a person I will try diplomacy or retreat first. Only fiends and undead deserve to be killed without hesitation."
Talisman 08-08-07, 10:47 PM	[Talisman turns to regard the templar] Strange as it may sound, I must object to that last point. Although I have yet to meet a benign fiend, I traveled for a time with a halfblooded human of devil heritage...a decent person, if a bit tempermental, but he tried very hard to overcome the darkness of his heritage. As for undead, I am an undead hunter by profession...which makes it ironic that one of my closest allies was a vampire paladin who accepted vampirism in order to save his country. He sacrificed his existance to destroy all the vampires in our homeland, and I honor his memory. Nethertheless, you point is well-taken, and I agree with it in general.
Bedlamtom 08-25-07, 11:59 AM	Nyvyn looks sad that everybody seems to be quiet. OOC I was enjoying this thread.
Khadmus 08-25-07, 03:52 PM	Is this the conclusion of our little philosophical debate, then? It is such a pity that this enlightening encounter is drawing to a close.
Aqua 08-25-07, 04:30 PM	Dark rainclouds begin forming over the clearing and it starts raining.As the rain falls down it forms a large puddle.It swirls upward and out comes a 16ft water genasi.He has white hair down to his chin,heavily muscular,white eyes with no pupils.He wears no shirt but a redtrench coat and blackpants.He has a large greatsword strapped to his back.He is blue with black symbols running down his body.He has large emerald and force dragon wings.His wing span is 40ft.He has large claws and fangs and he looks around smiling at all the people.Druid of the woods.I am Storm Blackmoon.God of water,lycanthropy and war.I have come here for a question that you may be able to answer since i see so many people coming to you and i felt this might be amusing.I dont have worshipers anymore since i become a greater god.Now i punish many people for disrupting my oceans,lakes and seas.Now my Son is a god also and he has a follower who goes around destroying forests and other habitats that arent aquatic for him and me.Now I would punish this person but it is not my follow so what advice would you give for my son.He is very busy now so i came for him.So druid you would surely know what to do for his punishment.