[ 20]: [KEEPER] Mazin: Merger
Sat Nov 13 06:43:04 2021
To: keeper
Hail and well met,

I just wanted to take this moment to scribe a scroll putting my thoughts out
there for all. I am not satisfied with the state of things where the
Warlords believe the way to achieve balance is the destruction of all else.
I am not satisfied with words that speak of enveloping us into the fold and
accepting us as recruits, I have no desire for aught else but the balance.
I do not seek to battle for pride, glory, or trophies. I seek to balance
the void shuddering across this land. I seek to build a place where light
and dark can thrive, a place where chaos and order can thrive. A healthy
world of renewal that brings about true balance as we are all fed back into
the land when our time is done, rather than the seizure of power that it
seems the Warlords wish for. Perhaps my words are harsh, but it is what I
feel.

Mazin the Stalwart



[ 22]: [KEEPER] Gerok: Warlord Tyranny
Mon Nov 15 16:27:51 2021
To: Keepers
Keepers o' Serin,

The subject of this letter be saying it all. The Warlords have shown
themselves to be Tyrants at best, bullies at worst. Whether I die fighting
that tyranny will be decided, but it's something I'm gladly willing to risk.
We cannot join with them. They have no understanding of Balance, and seem
unwilling to learn and/or compromise. This is a naked power grab, plain as
day.

Gerok, Stalwart of Balance



Tearea tells you 'Hello Fenlorn.'


You tell Tearea 'Hello Tearea.'


Tearea tells you 'I am returning from the Frozen Hinterlands now, is this a good time for our discussion and decision-making?'


You tell Tearea 'We may speak, if you like.'


Tearea tells you 'Where shall we meet?'


You tell Tearea 'I am near to Seringale, though I did see a thief about a moment ago.'


You tell Tearea 'Perhaps the Holy Grove?'


Tearea tells you 'Very well.'


The holy grove
You are standing amidst the tall trees that block your view of the moon in
the southern end of the holy grove. Paths lead north and east. To the east
lies a wide, open field, sloping gently down towards a lake. Somehow, here
you feel an inexplicable happiness, as if the world's troubles no longer
really matter to you.

[Exits: north east]
Some reddish herbs are scattered here.
(Charmed) A stalking, black panther is here, quietly serving its master.


Tearea walks in.


You stand up.


You nod at Tearea.


Tearea bows her head slightly.


You offer to shake hands with Tearea.


Tearea says 'It is agreeable to see you again.'


Tearea accepts your handshake.


Tearea looks at you.


You say 'Likewise.'


You rest.


Tearea says 'As I grow older, I keenly realize how much I have left to do in this mortal life.'


You nod.


Tearea says 'Not quite decrepit and drooling at thirty-five... but I seem to age faster as I get older.'


Tearea lets out a hearty laugh.


You say 'There does seem to be a never ending procession of tasks.'


Tearea says 'Bearing the mantle of leadership will also prematurely age one.'


You say 'With ever shortening time to do them.'


Tearea nods.


You say 'I sympathize, though I only recently shouldered the mantel myself.'


Tearea says 'We humans have the worst of it, when it comes to lack of time.'


You say 'But in the short time I've worked the job there has been much to do.'


Tearea nods.


You nod.


Tearea says 'Never a lack of things to do, aye.'


Tearea says 'The limits are only your desire and imagination.'


You say 'Sometimes I wonder how the Elves get anything done with no impending sense of mortality to drive them.'


Tearea says 'The other threats to their lives will eventually spur them.'


You chuckle politely.


Tearea says 'They have enemies other than time.'


You say 'Perhaps so.'


Tearea says 'And a tragic resistance to reproduction.'


Tearea lets out a hearty laugh.


Tearea gestures casually with a free hand.


You smirk.


Tearea says 'I used to think leadership was setting an example for others to follow...'


You raise an eyebrow at the notion.


Tearea says 'Trusting in their faith for them to follow.'


You nod.


The night has begun.


Tearea says 'My dreams and visions for the future can come to inspire others to dream and see.'


The rain stopped.


You say 'A noble hope, surely.'


Tearea says 'Leadership is not just an exercise in engendering respect and faith, nor of dictating direction.'


You nod.


Tearea says 'But of creating an atmosphere of cohesion and success.'


You say 'A skilled leader should not have to be a dictator, I quite agree.'


Tearea says 'I have the opinions of my comrades and my own on the concept of our joining together.'


Tearea says 'I trust you have the same?'


You nod.


You say 'Of course.'


Tearea says 'Do you see a path to move forward?'


Fenlorn looks pensive for a moment.


The night is about to end.


You say 'Do you Blademasters maintain their stances? Have they given the matter any further thought?'


Tearea says 'They aren't wrong.'


Tearea says 'Consider the state of things when our alliance began, and consider the state of things as they now stand.'


You say 'Certainly from their point of view.'


Tearea says 'Objectively.'


Tearea says 'Consider the path from there to here.'


You say 'I have lived it.'


You say 'Please understand that what I say, I say with no disrespect to you, nor the Warlords as a whole.'


You say 'But I did not seek this Alliance, even when I was the sole active member of my Fortress.'


Tearea says 'Neither did we.'


Tearea says 'I accepted it as what was when I took up the mantle of Warmistress.'


You say 'I think that you personally have a fair understanding of the Balance. I don't believe Szrevan or Shaghroth do.'


You say 'As did I.'


Tearea says 'What do you envision happening should the alliance not exist?'


You sigh.


You say 'The lands are out of Balance. It must be rectified.'


Tearea nods.


Tearea says 'The edicts will lead you into a war that will be persecuted to the fullest.'


You say 'If we cannot come to an understanding, the Keepers must act.'


You nod.


You say 'That is the unfortunate outcome.'


Tearea says 'We have offered a way out of that, however untenable it seems.'


You say 'A way that we cannot accept. It does not serve the Balance.'


You say 'Just as what we have offered it seems you cannot accept.'


Tearea says 'The lands currently stand in balance.'


You shake your head.


You say 'They do not.'


Tearea says 'What threat is there to the status quo?'


You say 'The Legion has completely collapsed. That is not Balance.'


Tearea says 'Balance exists in every moment, not merely in what once was.'


Tearea says 'The legion constantly seeks domination over everything, they are no longer a threat.'


You frown disapprovingly.


You sigh.


Tearea says 'Just because something did exist, doesn't mean it has the right to.'


Tearea says 'The inflexibility to embrace change has led to the stagnation that currently exists.'


You say 'Without their presence in balance to the Knights, they are just as likely to cast tyranny over the lands.'


A stag munches on the grass.


The sun slowly disappears in the west.


Tearea says 'They will be dealt with, should they become tyrants.'


Tearea says 'As will the Justices in their efforts to cast chains upon all of us.'


The night has begun.


Tearea says 'The stagnation cannot stand.'


Tearea says 'I agree.'


Tearea says 'If you cannot find it in yourself to join us, then we will merely end the Alliance as it stands and what will be will be.'


Tearea says 'We must come to a decision either way, the spies have been efficient in discovering our purpose.'


You nod.


Tearea says 'I have vouched for all of you, and the blademasters would accept you.'


Tearea says 'We will keep tyranny from stifling the freedom of all.'


Tearea holds her hand out tenuously.


A doe walks in.


The rain stopped.


You say 'I appreciate your words, but I don't believe our spirits are aligned. The Balance is not served by only smashing down others. There is more nuance.'


The night is about to end.


Fenlorn looks down at Tearea's hand.


You say 'I would very much like to help you learn this.'


The day has begun.


A stag munches on the grass.


Tearea says 'Tyranny will only respond to violence, not to polite entreats.'


Tearea says 'So be it.'


Tearea nods.


You say 'But if you, or the Blademasters, cannot alter your position I fear we have come to a parting of the ways.'


The sun rises in the east.


Tearea says 'I see.'


Tearea says 'I will..'


Tearea says 'I will spread word of the ending of our Alliance then.'


You sigh.


You say 'I take no pleasure in this.'


Tearea says 'And I will petition the Blood Lord to free the halls from the shackles of the pendulum.'


You say 'I have enjoyed our discussions thus far.'


Tearea nods.


You say 'And hoped to further build into a friendship.'


You shake your head in dismay.


Tearea says 'War will come, despite my efforts to avert it.'


Tearea says 'Shall we discuss terms of engagement, or would you prefer no terms?'


You say 'Should it come to that, we will engage in honorable combat as a general rule. Though Threats to the Balance will be dealt with as ever.'


Tearea nods.


You say 'I intend to make no declarations of War without cause.'


Tearea says 'When the pendulum dictates war against the halls, we will respond with a pitched campaign.'


A doe munches on the grass.


Tearea says 'However it would be better to have terms worked out in advance.'


A doe twitches her nose as she sniffs at you.


Tearea says 'Considering that each of us would be considered a threat without the Alliance it may be prudent to discuss.'


You say 'And I generally try to keep greater Cabals out of conflicts with Threats as much as possible.'


Tearea says 'But we can wait and see, if you wish it.'


A doe walks east.


You say 'I have other things to manage within the Fortress. I am not pleased with the state of the Pendulum as it is.'


You say 'So those functions will hopefully change soon.'


Tearea nods.


Tearea says 'There have been whispers that the old ways were better.'


Tearea says 'I will pen my scrolls then, and see what comes.'


The rain stopped.


You say 'As I said, if an individual Warlord is a Threat, I generally try not to bring the rest of the Cabal in by invading their Halls.'


Tearea says 'You can trust that we will act within the mandates of honor, and respond to dishonor with overwhelming force.'


You nod.


You say 'I would expect nothing less.'


A stag munches on the grass.


You say 'And we will do the same, if necessary.'


The sun slowly disappears in the west.


Tearea says 'Once war has been declared, we will not end until everything has been reduced to dust. It can be rebuilt at a later time.'


The night has begun.


You say 'If that is your way, so be it.'


A harmless snake flicks its tongue at a stalking, black panther.


Tearea says 'Considering the efforts we have made under this alliance with no benefit to ourselves, it is the only appropriate response to such an affront.'


Tearea says 'Should we meet on the battlefield, no hard feelings.'


Tearea says 'War too, is a way of life.'


You say 'Note that I do not intend to return to the old ways of the Keepers, in that only armors dictating one as a Threat.'


Tearea says 'That is for you and your patron to consider.'


You nod.


Tearea says 'Know that change is always possible.'


Tearea says 'Even the book of code has had revisions since my inception.'


You say 'You mentioned it, so I clarified.'


Tearea nods.


Tearea says 'It is not for others to consider, but for those who reside within your organization.'


You nod.


You say 'Of course.'


Tearea says 'Well then, may the god of fire favor your tenacity.'


Tearea waves at you cheerfully.


You offer to shake hands with Tearea.


Tearea accepts your handshake.


Tearea walks north.


You sigh.


You shake your head in dismay.


Fenlorn mutters to himself 'Have I doomed us?'


You shake your head.


Fenlorn mutters to himself 'The Balance must be served.'


Someone walks in.


Fenlorn mutters to himself 'No other concerns are of consequence.'


Someone utters the words, 'zqghagl'.
You yell 'Help! someone is attacking me!'
Someone thrusts your pound aside in a skillful parry.
Someone manages to dodge your pound with a lot of effort.
Someone parries your pound.


[[[Fenlorn disengages to complete his thoughts.]]]

Fenlorn mutters to himself 'It never rains, but it pours..'


[ 23]: [WARLORD] Tearea: The end of an Alliance
Mon Nov 15 19:01:22 2021
To: warlord keeper Davairus Olyn
Greetings,

The burdens of a leader are a heavy mantle to bear. Our discussions of a
possibility of our joining has come and gone due to irreconcilable
differences in what we believe and an inability to reach a compromise. The
only thing we can all agree on is that this alliance cannot stand as it
has for some time, in spite of our execution of its mandate flawlessly with
no benefits to ourselves. I hereby declare it at an end and ask that the
heavens free the halls from the shackles of the pendulum. What will be
will be, we stand ready for what comes.

-Tearea the Red Lotus, Standard Bearer of Warlords


1. All concerned,
2.
3. I write to you to inform you that Tearea and I have been unable to come to a
4. mutually satisfactory arrangement between the Keepers and Warlords. As a
5. result, the Alliance between us has been broken. Special consideration will
6. no longer be given to the Warlords by the Keepers.
7.
8. I leave it to the Gods to make alterations going forward.
9.
Fenlorn Lostlake, Keepermaster

Note posted.
Ok.