Though the day has been long and testing, Avatar always rewards our efforts. Sure enough as the sun began to set on Cove and the ever diligent craftsman Dalla delivered my modified Initiate's armour to make final adjustments, she overheard a conversation between myself and a bartender at The Goblin - Carolin - who inquired when the next Mass would be. Having had a similar conversation with Guardsman Kobra earlier the same day, the signs were clear: Mass must begin anew. Faithful Avatarian Avalynn's incidental arrival on her patrol surely symbolised a good omen. Nay, a certain sign from Avatar that we must pursue this most Holy end.



The ever resourceful Dalla volunteered to set to work immediately on construction of sturdy pews to facilitate this, despite the late hour of the day. Though no one of more senior rank was available, it was mere nights ago that the senior Templars were discussing the need to facilitate Mass. With Avatar's guidance, I made the judgment to seize on this most opportune moment. I sent for a painter to immortalise this small step in the growth of the Church.



She worked long into the night as the three of us looked on. Thankfully her fitted braziers allowed her to work through. The light shone bright to guide her work, as if Avatar Himself lead the way, as all who were present would surely attest to.



We even managed to begin work on the upper floors, before the sun began to rise and Dalla and the others headed to their hearth for some much deserved rest. She would continue her good work in time.



Rest did not come so easily for me however...I spent many an hour pondering the many gifts we have been given in recent time and how best we might manifest His divine will, as the sun rose gradually higher. Many struggles lay ahead, but standing in the refitted Church, the clear morning sun creating ripples of light through the intricate stained glass windows, I felt assured we would not falter. Nay, could not falter, if we stayed true. Avatar wills it, and we obey.



Signed
Initiate Danaeyl

Starting in Church? Clearly Avatar blessed your public defence accordingly! May you continue to walk in the path of the light.

 

A messenger finds Raiden in a moment of solitude, passing over a letter.

Dear Captain Raiden,

I have been considering your words the other evening. Though our display was rather public, civil on the surface yet heated underneath, I have refrained from mentioning anything about it to my superiors. You may not care one way or the other, but I hope you do and I shall tell you why.

When I was young my father told me a story: 'There once was a brave and beloved leader of a wolf pack who defended his own with great ferocity. Word spread of this, and after some time other wolves sought to join under his protection. Being a loving and kind leader, he took in both the downtrodden to the strong, as long as they were willing to pull their weight. Not all the pack approved of the new arrivals, especially those from known troublesome packs, but for a time, all was mostly well. Gradually, as this process went on, the competition for food, space and the infighting grew. The wolf leader tried to resolve these tribal conflicts as best he could, but resentment always necessarily grew. Though the new arrivals were not of ill intent, they were fundamentally different and eventually one of his original charges was killed in a scrap over food. He ordered that the offenders leave but they refused, and their group backed them. In order to avoid a full on fight, he was forced to capitulate, and the outsiders knew that they were weak. More killings began. The wolf leader even began to doubt himself - after all, the newcomers were now not so new, and did he not owe his loyalty to all his pack equally? He began to lose himself in confusion and dark thoughts.

One terrible night a rival pack attacked, organised and efficient - nonetheless once upon a time he would have easily seen off such a threat. However cohesion was lost, the pack that once fought as one fluid movement now a scattering of independent groups each looking out for their own interests. As the fighting raged, in this final hour he came to his senses and knew his duty was to his own; he sought them out on the battlefield and planned to flee, saving them at the last moment from his terrible error before it was too late. He would even bear the shame of retreat out of his love for them. As he bounded across the field, he found them, dead, being torn apart upon not by the rival pack.. but by those he had welcomed with open paws. His heartfelt houls of anguish cut through the night sky as he was beset by the attackers. His noble and natural sense of duty for his pack had been misunderstood, corrupted into an impossible duty to all... he had cared too much, and others who knew better how the world works saw only opportunity for their own.'

You are devoted to your men. You are a good man and show alignment with the principle of Courage, yet your manifestation of divine law is, in this instance, warped by a grave misunderstanding. I reach out in guidance, as those before me have reached out to me.

Signed
Initiate Danaeyl

A running messenger approaches Hugo, a hastily written note delivered saying he was instructed by a Churchman to deliver the letter with utmost haste

Preceptor -

Whilst reading in the Chapel gardens I saw a guardsman contemplating the pyre. I approached but they displayed quick hostility and, after introducing herself as an arcanist - Ilyana Drachen - and an aggravated and cryptic discussion over Justice, to my great surprise she began to threaten the Church - saying that she will 'do what she sees fit' and that she is 'watching' the Church. Prior to this overt assault I was merely taken aback and tried to ascertain the cause of her inner turmoil, so best to shine Avatar's guidance upon her warped mind, but at this point her evil intent was clear. I advised her of the severity of her words and saw her off the Chapel grounds. It seemed as if, toward the end, she was ready to attack me in open day light! This woman is no arcanist, but a witch pure and simple. I await your guidance.

Initiate Danaeyl

A word of caution, I encountered this creature most foul whilst walking to the Barracks; there may be more afoot. (It appears as if the mead left unattended had drawn him in...)

Avatar be with you.

Initiate Danaeyl

We will drive back the spreading entropy in our lands, if we fully banish its influence in our hearts. *Ankhs*

*A neatly written letter is attached to the public notice board on fine parchment*

Dear Good Covians,

Inspired by the divine wisdom to be found in the Church library I humbly offer the beginnings of my own contribution - a work I have been considering since my earlier days of study and bolstered by much reflection on the road and through my tutoring here in Cove.

I hope the contents will be of particular aid to those who, in these dark times, feel as if it can be harder and harder to hear the call of the righteous and walk the true path, and to those who seek further understanding of how the Virtues can be accessed and manifested. You may find a copy of the work in the Chapel. Should you wish to discuss any of it at this preliminary stage please do visit me at the Chapel.

Yours,
Initiate Danaeyl

(OOC information unless attending the Chapel to read a copy. I'll leave the actual IC book in there when there is space for it on a table later.)

*A neatly written letter is attached to the public noticeboard*

Dear Covian Residents,

Many of you will have seen my arrival at Cove when Tiberius came across me on the edge of the woods, and others in the past few days as I undertake my initiation as a Templar for the Church. I will not occupy your valuable time with tiresome navel-gazing into the past, beyond to say I have traveled long and strove to live my life in a manner according to the Virtues, whilst passing on the good word and offering aid to those in need. When Tiberius took me to the barracks I saw good hearted, if a little rough around the edges, folk, but I did not see myself amongst them. I readied myself to continue my wanderings, to place myself on the path of fate once again and find the place that I may best devote my energies to the true path. It is in this state that The Preceptor found me, loading my horse for the road ahead. He struck me as a stoic and intimidating man, but one who radiated faith and discipline in a way I have never seen. This surely being the intervention of Avatar, who at last has found me a place in the great mechanisms of our world, I took my initiate oath. At present I study and train; having made my living as a hunter in my past life, albeit one who drew on the Avatar's strength, I have much to learn in the ways of combat. The Church library occupies the remainder of my time, but knowledge alone will not save us from those who would extinguish the remaining light in the world - only a strong sword arm, guided by the Virtues, can do this. It is in this service that I place myself, and in yours. May we prosper and turn Avatar's shining light on those who would resist.

Yours,
Danaeyl

Private Diary Entry 1: A few days have passed since I arrived in Cove and took on my new position, but the training has been such that I have been unable to put pen to paper. While I am grateful for the opportunity to play a more meaningful role, things were much simpler on the road. Faith and the Virtues seemed clearer to me there, for all this study and instructing, with the wild air in my lungs. The Preceptor is a noble man who has kept the flame of Avatar alive when lesser men would have seen it snuffed out, but I find some of his teachings to be contradictory to my previous education and instinct. He calls compassion a false virtue, but I must seek further instruction on this. I agree that those who would renounce the way, or worse, actively seek its repression deserve none, but for our own kin? The people here are not without their faults, as none of us are, but they are mostly kind and duty-led. Surely there is a place for compassion for such folk, and for our own, even if they do at times stray? Perhaps I am too soft hearted, and in time I will learn the meaning of these lessons. Or perhaps The Preceptor has become too jaded through exposure to relentless heresy, as any man would. Time will tell...