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Knight of the Long Swords
Posted: 10 Feb 2005 11:42 PM |
Twilight
Lord Bishop Vidus Khain spoke to the large crowd assembled before the Great Temple of Midor. He stood on the steps and spoke with a loud, clear voice such that no one could miss his words.
"Tonight is a glorious night for Midor!” The crowd hushed when he spoke. “Tonight, a new chapter begins in the history of the White City!
"For too long now, darkness has hung at our very doorstep. White Bishop Fetter was proven to be a servant of evil. Elves and men, bringing teachings and writings of their false gods, have threatened the very foundation of our society. Dark forces have tried to burn our city, using fear and violence in a vain effort to break our will.
"For too long, a darkness as lingered in the shadows of Midor. In the home of Lord Scarletto, dark rituals to an evil god have gone unpunished. A cult of the false god Menarok, a being malicious and evil, exists in the home of Lord Scarletto. Look, for even Lord Scarletto himself worshipers this file pretender!
"But no more. One hour ago, forces loyal to Midor, and bearing the blessing of the Just Hand, entered the Scarletto estate. They arrested the entire Scarletto family, including Lord Scarletto, who henceforth is stripped of his noble title. The whole of the Scarletto family is now in custody at a secret location. The extent of their cult will be discovered, and we will find all who dare practice such dark arts in Midor.”
The crowd cheered wildly. Many of them had known about the Scarletto cult but were too fearful to speak about it. Other’s believed the Church knew of the cult, yet chose not to act. One brave soul shouted, “So why’d it take so long for the paladins to do something’ about the Scarlettos?”
Vidus raised his hands, and the crowed quieted. “The question,” he repeated,” is why the paladins waited so long to do something about this Menarok cult. The answer,” his voice boomed, even in the open air of the Temple district, “is that the paladins of the Order of Midoran did NOT put an end to the Scarlettos.”
A collective gasp escaped the crowed, followed quickly by confused murmuring. The Lord-Bishop continued, “A new power has risen in the defense of Midor. They are blessed by Midoran, and bear with them the full authority of the Church!” As Vidus spoke, several figures clad in red and silver clad entered the Temple grounds. “My people, I give you The Righteous Swords! Holy warriors of Midoran, blessed by his grace, and committed to protecting our fair city. These are your saviors.”
The gathered paladins exchanged confused looks as the members of the Righteous Swords surrounded them. The crowds cheering swelled to a crescendo. Who were these “Righteous Swords,” they wondered, and what were they doing here? Vidus’s voice boomed over the crowed as if in response to the paladin’s questions. “The Righteous Swords are of the Church, my people. Welcome them as you would welcome any of Midoran’s truly faithful! Invite them into your homes and your hearts, for they are our new protectors.
“It is the Righteous Swords that eliminated the cult of Menarok.” The shouts and cheers of the crowd were deafening. Vidus raised his arms, calling for quiet, but the crowed refused. Meanwhile, the Righteous Swords continued to enter the Temple area, until a force of nearly one hundred strong stood in even ranks before the Lord-Bishop. In unison, the stamped their feed in time to an unspoken march. All at once, and with a final, loud footfall, the red clad warriors stopped. They stood at attention, facing the Lord-Bishop.
The crowd fell silent. Vidus continued, “These are your saviors, my people. And in the days and months to come, all evil will be purged from Midor. All stains will be removed from the White City, and our people can once again be a beacon of light for the world.”
“Midoran’s will be done,” he finished. The crowd echoed his blessing in deafening form. |
Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.
-Henry David Thoreau
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Re: Knight of the Long Swords
Posted: 11 Feb 2005 06:20 PM |
Midnight
Lord Talith, a Midoran noble of moderate wealth and influence, was waken by a loud crash. What is that… was all he had time to think before two large men in red and silver grabbed him by the arms and dragged him out of his home while still in his night clothes….
Jandri Iyr had been a member of the Conclave for fifteen years before the Lord-Bishop and the Church dissolved that august body. They called it a "temporary measure," but Jandri was no fool. For months she had spoken publicly against Lord-Bishop Khain, railing him on several points of policy, but especially about the dissolution of the Conclave. She had gathered quite a bit of support from other former Conclave members. Next week, Jandri was scheduled to speak in at a meeting of former Conclave members designed to work on means to restore that legislative body.
She was on her way home late that night. Her path took her through a street in the Western District. She had never been nervous walking in Midor at night before, it was fairly safe, and crime was minimal, at least compared places like Port Royale. She had no idea what was happening when two red and silver clad figures stepped out of an alleyway. They siezed her and dragged her into the alleyway. There was a sharp scream, then silence….
Sir Neral Alsanthian had been a paladin of Midoran for fifteen years, and in all that time he had never seen a display like the one that night in front of the temple. The Righteous Swords indeed, he thought, and again cursed the Lord-Bishop. He knew he had to speak to his mates, they would know what to do. Neral and five of his fellow paladins had been openly speaking against Lord Bishop Khain for quite some time now. They knew something had to be done, and they hoped to gain the support of their fellow paladins.
Neral walked into his barracks late that night only to be greeted by at least ten red and silver clad figures. He instinctively went for his sword, but the lead figure was too quick. Neral was able to catch only a glimpse of his mates, their bodies in a pile on one side of the room, before the crossbow bolt buried itself into his forehead….
Mother Cere Zalmon had clashed with Lord-Bishop Khain in front of other priests on several occasions. That night, she could not avoid the red and silver garbed warriors when they burst into her chambers in the Temple Vestry….
Sebastian Wednel, a high ranking member of the Midoran Guard and a vehement opponent of Lord-Bishop Khain, failed to report to his post for the third watch….
These are not the only tales, there are others. Only the night knows how many
And the night does not give up secrets easily. |
Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.
-Henry David Thoreau
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Knight of the Long Swords
Posted: 15 Feb 2005 09:18 AM |
Hour of the Wolf
Phillippe Jongras stared at the blank cell wall. He had been stripped of his armor hours ago, his short clothes were the only protection he had gains the cool night drafts He thought about the events of the night before. It was a happy day, or it should have been. He had knowing true happiness for a moment, when he looked into Blanche's eyes and made his solemn vow to her. They were married in the eyes of the Order, the Church, and his faith. Nothing else mattered now.
Phillippe guessed he had been there for at least eight hours. It was probably almost dawn, yet the cell was dark save for the glow of torches in the hallway. He heard footsteps echo in the hallway, then the jingling of keys. Jongras look at the cell door, but said nothing. He knew who it would be.
Lord Bishop Vidus Khain stood at the door, flanked on either side by two red robed figures. "Ah, High Captain," said Vidus pleasantly.
Phillippe scowled, he was through with false pleasantries. "This is your doing, Vidus?" he snarled.
Vidus scowled at the impetuousness, "Of course it it, High Captain. You have been identified as a possible threat to Midor." Vidus motioned, and a third figured, a large man in red armor, walked into the cell. "And now I need to find out exactly how much you know about the other threats to Midor."
The red armored man grabbed Phillippe roughly and threw him to the floor. Phillippe's vision exploded in a starburst of fire as the knight kicked him in the chest repeatedly. Vidus watched the beating impassively, his expression betraying no emotion. The red knight's kick found home again and again. Jongras could not think, nor could he act. His world extended no further then the next blow, his mind knew nothing but his cracked ribs and broken arm.
The Lord Bishop raised his hand, and the red knight retreated from the cell. Vidus entered an stood over the wounded High Captain. "Phillippe...I do this for your own good." Phillippe could not look up, so great was the pain from the beating he had endured. Vidus continued, "Now, do you repent your sins?"
"M...m..." Phillippe struggled to speak. The words seemed stuck in his throat.
"Hmm," Vidus looked down dispassionately, "you are a difficult one. So be it." Vidus turns and left the cell quickly. His guards fell into step beside him, all but the red knight, who reentered the cell locking it behind him.
As dawn approached, Vidus could not help but be surprised. It had taken the better part of two hours before Phillippe finally screamed in pain. He is strong thought Vidus, but the Truth of Midoran is stronger. And I am the agent of truth. With that, Vidus sent word to have Jongras moved. The tools he required to break him were definatly not available in the Law Courts in Midor.
I will break you, Jongras. By Midoran, I promise that. |
Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.
-Henry David Thoreau
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