Legend
As you land your last blow on Farad, he falls in disbelief.
"You haven't won anything here, servant of the One True Liar! The Dark One will prevail and when that happens I will be brought back to serve as his right hand!"
"You're the one who serves the liar. The Dark One is nobody's friend, but you'll see that soon enough heathen, now go meet your master." You retort and finish him off.
You look over at Ludmilla, who's already dispatched her opponents and has already released her father. The Baron immediately goes to rant at Farad's dead body.
"You worthless piece of flesh! How I ever sired such a miserable failure like you, I'll never know! You couldn't even finish me off when you had the chance! You let your emotions get in the way when you found out your sissy lover had been killed! Idiot! Then to top it all off, after all that combat training I had you do, you let yourself get killed by some holy roller! No offence." The Baron says.
"Hmm." You reply not really expecting too much gratitude in the first place.
At this point more soldiers have come in, friendly ones fortunately.
"Father I think you should re-establish that you're still in control of the city, the rebellion has been put down and I'm sure the people are wondering if they have a new leader or not." Ludmilla suggests.
"Hm, yes I suppose I should go out and give a speech of some sort, AFTER I get some clothes on of course! Guards you're with me! And you, good job, I'll see that you're well recognized for your deeds. You and your Church have made a powerful ally this day." The Baron adds before leaving.
Just before you can take your leave, Ludmilla addresses you.
"Well holy man, you not only succeeded in defeating evil today, you also advanced the status of your Church. Well played. I am impressed."
"Advancing the status of my Church was not my main intention. I was here to kill Farad. Will I be pleased that more people might see the strength of the One True God and know his ways are good and just due to today's events? Of course I will. But I am merely serving HIS will, not my own." you say humbly.
Ludmilla is trying to detect if you're actually serious or not, when she realizes you are, she's actually surprised.
"Wow, you ARE a rarity in this city. A true crusader. Sort of sexy in a way pity you're a bit rigid as well as blind though."
"What are you on about now?"
"Maybe YOU weren't trying to advance the position of the Church and just doing the right thing, but that one who runs it in this city, Father Alberto probably was. Why do you think he sent you? You kill my brother, save the city, and more importantly save my father, who then grants a few favors here and there it's a good plan. Actually a lot more devious than I expected from you lot too, one might have to keep an eye your little Church "
You get angry at Ludmilla for suggesting such a thing and storm out of the Palace though the seeds of doubt and inquisitiveness DO stay in your mind and you can't help but wonder
Order is soon returned to the city and Baron makes a few speeches about how he was saved by servants of the One True God and gives honors to the Church, Even offering a hefty sum of money to repair the Church and make it bigger. Father Alberto accepts this honor and thanks the Baron. You, however would prefer that the Baron spent more money rebuilding the homes of people. You approach Father Alberto about redistributing the wealth that the Church has received to the less fortunate and keep only what you need. Father Alberto doesn't seem to keen on the idea though
"Would that we could help ALL of the unfortunate in this city from the evil that the Dark One's followers caused, we would, but we must rebuild ourselves. The Church must be up kept so that the faithful may come here, see the new additions and bask in his glorious presence."
"How is erecting statues lined with gold adding to anything to the Church? They are unnecessary, excessive and don't seem to fit with the teachings "
"I RUN this Church and I will decide how it will best serve the One True God! Now your duty and deeds for the Church are appreciated and I hope that you will perform more good works in HIS name, but I will attend to matters that need not concern you."
At this point you get angry.
"Oh I see I do ALL the hard dangerous work and YOU reap the benefits huh?"
"Watch your words my son! It sounds at if you're letting Pride and Wrath impair your judgment!"
"And YOU look like you're letting Gluttony and Avarice impair yours! Look at this office! It's a symbol of greed! The items in this room alone could feed several poor families for a year! Ludmilla was right about you, you WERE trying to gain political favor."
"Ludmilla? That harlot who's the Baron's daughter? Has she twisted your mind as she did with Daniel? Why would you pay heed to such an obvious treacherous woman with loose morals?"
"No she has not, but perhaps the treacherous can sense their own more readily. She was right."
"No she wasn't! She's a deceitful temptress who's just as rotten as her father and brother! Did you know she's secretly a priestess of the God of Shadows Fel? No, of course you didn't! I wouldn't be surprised if she planted these seeds of decent in order to advance her OWN pagan beliefs! (sigh) Look, yes maybe it is true to some extent that gaining political favor from the Baron for sending you to save his life did have an added agenda, but Farad STILL needed to be killed! Is it so bad that by performing good deeds that the Church of the One True God will have an easier time of it now in the city? Is it so bad that we build the Church up to the magnificence that HE deserves? Before you arrived the faith in this wretched city was nearly non-existent. Thanks to your actions, that has changed severely. The greater good of all was served. HIS word will be able to be spread with greater ease now, bringing more followers into the fold. Can you not see that?"
Actually Father Alberto has a point in his own way. This is all getting so complicated and messy. Is he right? Is he twisting the teachings? He sounds sincere, but you don't know though. All you know is you're getting weary of the city and its complications. Things weren't like this back home. Everything was much simpler, you desire to go back.
"I'm going home." You say
"What? What do you mean, you are home."
"I mean my old home, I cannot deal with the politics here, it is too much and too messy. This is not for me."
"I told you I will take care of those matters; you need not concern yourself with them. You will continue to serve the Church as always. We still need your help."
"I do not serve the Church I serve only HIM and I will continue to do so, but in a different manner than you."
Father Alberto looks a bit saddened to hear you won't be staying, but sees that you are determined to leave.
"Very well my son, take your leave and sort out you thoughts. But remember you WILL always be welcome here. Your deeds will always be remembered and appreciated by the Church. Any equipment you leave here will not be touched or taken. I hope during your absence that you will return to us and see the truth"
"I may return, but only if it be HIS will, not yours. And as for the truth, it has a habit of finding all of us eventually. Perhaps you may even find it."
You pack up to leave. As you begin to leave the gates, you're stopped and searched, until one of the guards recognizes you.
"Oh, its you! The one who saved the Baron! Pity you weren't around last night to save him though."
"What do you mean?" you ask.
"Haven't you heard? He's dead! Found poisoned, we don't know who did it though so that's why all the searches. Newly appointed Baroness Ludmilla says she wants everyone searched in an effort to find her father's killer."
You can't help but think all she would need to do to perform such a task is to simply look in the mirror. You also wonder how this new arrangement is going to affect Father Alberto's plans seeing as the Baron is dead. Divine reprimand for him perhaps? You don't know, you leave it up to the One True God, after all its ALL part of his great plan. His designs for you were to come to the city to stop the Dark One's evil and now they are for you to leave it and that is what you will do.
"You haven't won anything here, servant of the One True Liar! The Dark One will prevail and when that happens I will be brought back to serve as his right hand!"
"You're the one who serves the liar. The Dark One is nobody's friend, but you'll see that soon enough heathen, now go meet your master." You retort and finish him off.
You look over at Ludmilla, who's already dispatched her opponents and has already released her father. The Baron immediately goes to rant at Farad's dead body.
"You worthless piece of flesh! How I ever sired such a miserable failure like you, I'll never know! You couldn't even finish me off when you had the chance! You let your emotions get in the way when you found out your sissy lover had been killed! Idiot! Then to top it all off, after all that combat training I had you do, you let yourself get killed by some holy roller! No offence." The Baron says.
"Hmm." You reply not really expecting too much gratitude in the first place.
At this point more soldiers have come in, friendly ones fortunately.
"Father I think you should re-establish that you're still in control of the city, the rebellion has been put down and I'm sure the people are wondering if they have a new leader or not." Ludmilla suggests.
"Hm, yes I suppose I should go out and give a speech of some sort, AFTER I get some clothes on of course! Guards you're with me! And you, good job, I'll see that you're well recognized for your deeds. You and your Church have made a powerful ally this day." The Baron adds before leaving.
Just before you can take your leave, Ludmilla addresses you.
"Well holy man, you not only succeeded in defeating evil today, you also advanced the status of your Church. Well played. I am impressed."
"Advancing the status of my Church was not my main intention. I was here to kill Farad. Will I be pleased that more people might see the strength of the One True God and know his ways are good and just due to today's events? Of course I will. But I am merely serving HIS will, not my own." you say humbly.
Ludmilla is trying to detect if you're actually serious or not, when she realizes you are, she's actually surprised.
"Wow, you ARE a rarity in this city. A true crusader. Sort of sexy in a way pity you're a bit rigid as well as blind though."
"What are you on about now?"
"Maybe YOU weren't trying to advance the position of the Church and just doing the right thing, but that one who runs it in this city, Father Alberto probably was. Why do you think he sent you? You kill my brother, save the city, and more importantly save my father, who then grants a few favors here and there it's a good plan. Actually a lot more devious than I expected from you lot too, one might have to keep an eye your little Church "
You get angry at Ludmilla for suggesting such a thing and storm out of the Palace though the seeds of doubt and inquisitiveness DO stay in your mind and you can't help but wonder
Order is soon returned to the city and Baron makes a few speeches about how he was saved by servants of the One True God and gives honors to the Church, Even offering a hefty sum of money to repair the Church and make it bigger. Father Alberto accepts this honor and thanks the Baron. You, however would prefer that the Baron spent more money rebuilding the homes of people. You approach Father Alberto about redistributing the wealth that the Church has received to the less fortunate and keep only what you need. Father Alberto doesn't seem to keen on the idea though
"Would that we could help ALL of the unfortunate in this city from the evil that the Dark One's followers caused, we would, but we must rebuild ourselves. The Church must be up kept so that the faithful may come here, see the new additions and bask in his glorious presence."
"How is erecting statues lined with gold adding to anything to the Church? They are unnecessary, excessive and don't seem to fit with the teachings "
"I RUN this Church and I will decide how it will best serve the One True God! Now your duty and deeds for the Church are appreciated and I hope that you will perform more good works in HIS name, but I will attend to matters that need not concern you."
At this point you get angry.
"Oh I see I do ALL the hard dangerous work and YOU reap the benefits huh?"
"Watch your words my son! It sounds at if you're letting Pride and Wrath impair your judgment!"
"And YOU look like you're letting Gluttony and Avarice impair yours! Look at this office! It's a symbol of greed! The items in this room alone could feed several poor families for a year! Ludmilla was right about you, you WERE trying to gain political favor."
"Ludmilla? That harlot who's the Baron's daughter? Has she twisted your mind as she did with Daniel? Why would you pay heed to such an obvious treacherous woman with loose morals?"
"No she has not, but perhaps the treacherous can sense their own more readily. She was right."
"No she wasn't! She's a deceitful temptress who's just as rotten as her father and brother! Did you know she's secretly a priestess of the God of Shadows Fel? No, of course you didn't! I wouldn't be surprised if she planted these seeds of decent in order to advance her OWN pagan beliefs! (sigh) Look, yes maybe it is true to some extent that gaining political favor from the Baron for sending you to save his life did have an added agenda, but Farad STILL needed to be killed! Is it so bad that by performing good deeds that the Church of the One True God will have an easier time of it now in the city? Is it so bad that we build the Church up to the magnificence that HE deserves? Before you arrived the faith in this wretched city was nearly non-existent. Thanks to your actions, that has changed severely. The greater good of all was served. HIS word will be able to be spread with greater ease now, bringing more followers into the fold. Can you not see that?"
Actually Father Alberto has a point in his own way. This is all getting so complicated and messy. Is he right? Is he twisting the teachings? He sounds sincere, but you don't know though. All you know is you're getting weary of the city and its complications. Things weren't like this back home. Everything was much simpler, you desire to go back.
"I'm going home." You say
"What? What do you mean, you are home."
"I mean my old home, I cannot deal with the politics here, it is too much and too messy. This is not for me."
"I told you I will take care of those matters; you need not concern yourself with them. You will continue to serve the Church as always. We still need your help."
"I do not serve the Church I serve only HIM and I will continue to do so, but in a different manner than you."
Father Alberto looks a bit saddened to hear you won't be staying, but sees that you are determined to leave.
"Very well my son, take your leave and sort out you thoughts. But remember you WILL always be welcome here. Your deeds will always be remembered and appreciated by the Church. Any equipment you leave here will not be touched or taken. I hope during your absence that you will return to us and see the truth"
"I may return, but only if it be HIS will, not yours. And as for the truth, it has a habit of finding all of us eventually. Perhaps you may even find it."
You pack up to leave. As you begin to leave the gates, you're stopped and searched, until one of the guards recognizes you.
"Oh, its you! The one who saved the Baron! Pity you weren't around last night to save him though."
"What do you mean?" you ask.
"Haven't you heard? He's dead! Found poisoned, we don't know who did it though so that's why all the searches. Newly appointed Baroness Ludmilla says she wants everyone searched in an effort to find her father's killer."
You can't help but think all she would need to do to perform such a task is to simply look in the mirror. You also wonder how this new arrangement is going to affect Father Alberto's plans seeing as the Baron is dead. Divine reprimand for him perhaps? You don't know, you leave it up to the One True God, after all its ALL part of his great plan. His designs for you were to come to the city to stop the Dark One's evil and now they are for you to leave it and that is what you will do.