VARIOUS LOCATIONS - August 20, 1998 - by Atlan
Let it be known, that the Great Earth Serpent has
contacted the people of Sosaria, in particular the town of PaxLair. It has
sent us many a vision and spoke much knowledge. Here you will find what has
happened and what we have learned so far.
First, i, Atlan, sage and seer of PaxLair felt the urge to hold a seance.
After this intriguing first contact to the Void, and the forces it holds, i
did much research. Again, i believe that the Serpents guided me in my
desire, for as soon as had accomplished a simple device to recieve messages
from the Void, we could put it to good use. After eons of silence, the
shrines spoke again! This first quest to the shrines tought us very much.
We were left with the promise of another call to the shrines, revealing
the true intent of all this. Note, that the answers the party gave to the
questions each shrine posed will remain their secret, as this is a path you
can only travel for yourself. Choose your own answers for your own reasons
and learn.
And thus the shrines spoke:
We are Chaos.
Thy world has no understanding of Chaos! Thy world was a mere shadow, but
now it takes form. Now thou gain souls.
Nourish these souls with Virtue. The Great Serpents have chosen to guide
thou.
Follow their guidance, or else thine world will be shattered by the Evil
that was, the Evil that is and the Evil that will be.
Learn the ways of Chaos, Order and Balance. Thou will need the mantra of
every shrine to make contact.
Chant it trice and learn what thou missed so far and what thou will miss
if you fail.
It may seem easy to chose between Good and Evil, but how dost thou chose
between Good and Good?
Every direction consists of three Principles. Chaos begins with Emotion
Emotion is the ability to percieve those feelings that come from the
heart, as opposed to those from the mind.
Do not return until thou contemplated Emotion. Go now, and learn of
Honesty!
-------------------
A dishonest
life brings unto thee temporary gain, but forsakes the permanent.
We are Honesty.
The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he
would never be found out.
Never esteem anything as of advantage to thee that shall make thee break
thy word or lose thy self-respect.
Honesty springs from Truth Another aspect of Honesty is Logic, a
Principle of Order.
Logic permits clear, reasoned thought, free from instinctual biases.
We ask thee this: A merchant owes thy friend money, now long past due.
Thou dost see the same merchant drop a purse of gold. Dost thou A) Honestly
return the purse intact; or B) Justly give thy friend a portion of the gold
first?
Do not return until thou contemplated Logic. Go now, and learn of
Justice!
-----------------
Those who inflict injustice upon others cannot expect fair treatment unto
themselves.
We are justice.
How little do they see what really is, who frame their judgement upon
that which seems.
Justice is Truth balanced with Love. Another aspect of Justice is
Rationality, a Principle of Balance.
Rationality is the ability to comprehend life and understand the world
around us. Emotion blended with Logic and Logic balanced with Emotion
achieves Rationality.
We ask thee this: Thou hast been sent to secure a needed treaty with a
distant Lord. Thy host is agreeable to the proposal but insults thy country
at dinner. Dost thou A) Valiantly bear the slurs; or B) Justly rise and
demand an apology?
Thou will need to find the symbols. We will call thee when the time is
near.
Do not return until thou contemplated Rationality. Go now, and learn of
Valor!
----------------
Those who fear to
try, know not their limits and thus know not themselves.
We are Valor.
If we want light, we must conquer darkness.
Valor is born from Courage. Another aspect of Courage is Enthusiasm, a
Principle of Chaos.
Enthusiasm is the energy that allows one to perform great tasks.
We ask thee this: A mighty knight accosts thine poor Lord for a tribute.
Dost thou A) Valiantly refuse and engage the knight; or B) Sacrifice thy
wealth to help thine Lord?
Do not return until thou contemplated Enthusiasm. Go now, and learn of
Sacrifice!
---------------
None live
alone, save they who will not share their fortune with those around them.
We are Sacrifice.
In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes
us rich.
Sacrifice is derived from Love and Courage. Another aspect of Sacrifice
is Discipline, a Principle of Order.
We ask thee this: Thou art an elderly, wealthy eccentric. Thy end is
near. Dost thou A) donate all thy wealth to feed hundreds of starving
children, and receive public adulation; or B) Humbly live out thy life,
willing thy fortune to thy heirs?
Discipline is the drive to complete a task and avoid the distractions
that will prevent its completion.
Do not return until thou contemplated Discipline. Go now, and learn of
Humility!
--------------
Pride is a
vice, which pride itself inclines one to find in others, and overlook in
oneself.
We are Humility.
Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice; and yet everybody is
content to hear.
Humility exists outside of Truth, Love and Courage. Another aspect of
Humility is Dedication, a Principle of Balance.
Dedication is that which permits one to surmount obstacles and lead
others. Enthusiasm balanced with Discipline bestows Dedication upon us.
We ask thee this: Thou art at a crossroads in thy life. Dost thou A)
Choose the Honorable life of a Paladin, striving for Truth and Courage; or
B) Choose the Humble life of a Shepherd, and a world of simplicity and
peace?
Thou will need to enshrine the symbols, we will help thee if the time has
come.
Do not return until thou contemplated Dedication. Go now, and learn of
Honor!
-------------
It is guilt, not
the guillotine, that constitutes the shame.
We are Honor.
Honor and shame from no conditions rise; Act well thine part, there all
the honor lies.
Honor comes from Truth and Courage. Another aspect of Honor is
Ethicality, a Principle of Order.
Ethicality is the beliefe that there is great value in abiding by rules
of conduct.
We ask thee this: Thou art sworn to uphold a Lord who participates in the
forbidden torture of prisoners. Each night their cries of pain reach thee.
Dost thou A) Show Compassion by reporting the deeds; or B) Honor thy oath
and ignore the deeds?
Do not return until thou contemplated Ethicality. Go now, and learn of
Compassion!
----------------
Only a
detested life owes its pleasures to another's pain.
We are Compassion.
Compassion is the basis of all morality.
Love brings Compassion. Another aspect of Compassion is Tolerance, a
Principle of Chaos.
Tolerance is that which encourages the acceptance of all things.
We ask thee this: Thou hast been taught to preserve thine lords shrines
from all desacration. A known murderer and thief, deadly wounded pleads for
entrance to rest and heal his wounds. Dost thou A) show Compassion and let
him in; or B) heed thy Spiritual beliefs and refuse?
Do not return until thou contemplated Tolerance. Go now, and learn of
Spirituality!
----------------
To forsake
one's inner being is to abandon thy hopes for thyself and thy world.
We are Spirituality.
Thou cannot dream thyself into a character; thou must hammer and forge
thyself one.
Spirituality derives from Truth, Love and Courage. Another aspect of
Spirituality is Harmony.
Harmony is the ability to be at peace with oneself, other individuals and
the world. Tolerance balanced with Ethicality brings us Harmony.
We ask thee this: A local bully pushes for a fight. Dost thou A)
Valiantly trounce the rogue; or B) Decline, knowing in thy Spirit that no
lasting good will come of it?
Thou hast heard of the Principles of Chaos, Order and Balance. Some
problems might need other points of view to resolve. What hast thou learned?
All Virtues are one Virtue. All ways are one way. All beliefes are one
beliefe.
Thou will need a way to enter the Void. We will open a passage when all
is ready.
Go now, and contemplate Harmony. Think of what thou have learned and
return again when thou hear the call.
Atlan
NOTE: This is part of a continuing PaxLair Player Quest, not a Seer
Quest. |