Triel: Aspiring Paladin of Torm

[magustaliesin]

Triel leaves the Lass slightly more relaxed than when she went in. She looks around the docks and buildings and finds a comfortable spot at the side of an old warehouse. Setting down her pack and sliding down against the wall she looks out over the water.

"Torm...it's me, Triel," She starts to speak quietly, "I'm not sure how to do this, but can you keep an eye on my new friends. I haven't met many nice men, but Henry and Tor seem like good people. Keep them safe. Thanks."

She takes a folded scrap of parchment out of her pack and reads it over before folding it up and replacing it. Finally settling down in the shadowy nook she pulls her pack close and falls asleep.

[magustaliesin]

Triel sits down at a booth in the corner of the Dragon's Jaw with a brand new book and writing tools. She opens the book on the table and runs her fingers over the untouched paper, looking at it like a jeweler might look at a flawless diamond. Very carefully and meticulously she begins to write.

I have made enough money to buy a book and pen. I've never seen paper so clean before, and now I'm marking it up. It almost feels wrong, like breaking through a layer of fresh snow. I'm working for the inn, helping keep the basement clear of rats. It pays well, and they let me keep some of the things I find buried down there. I've made enough to buy my first sword, and I found a rusty old suit of chain mail. I also now have my very first pair of real boots. I am getting fitted for a suit of padding to wear under my plate when I become a knight. It won't do for a squire to wear plate, not at all. I have more work to do and more studying.

She carefully packs away the pen and lets the ink dry in the book. Once it is dry she finishes her cup of tea and small bit of bread before heading out to find a library.

[magustaliesin]

Sitting at a table in the Lass, nursing a cup of tea, Triel writes in her book again.

It has been a strange day. The man I met before, Tor, is not nearly as kind as I had first thought. He caused pain to a woman who said something he didn't like. It's the act of a bully and coward my mother taught me. One does not use violence except to prevent violence to others. He says it is the will of Tempus, but I don't remember that in any of my reading. Tempus teaches honor and courage, but not cruelty. I will pray for Tor, I fear something has taken Tempus's place in answering the man's prayers. Something dark perhaps.

[magustaliesin]

Triel sat in the mage's shop, among the dust, books, and sparking lights. Her interest lay in the books that she was making notes from. Among them were books on local law, which she had already set aside. Several books on goodly deities also adorned the stack. Before her at the moment was a book about outsiders, specifically creatures from the lower planes. She had the book open to the passage about tieflings, and a marker further back denoting the pages that talked about half-demons. She had finished making notes and seemed very satisfied with what she found.

It appears that Tor, despite his confounding nature, was right about one thing. It's unlikely that my condition heritage is due to a fiendish parent. Most children of such a union die, and those that survive are definitely not remotely human. There is a clear difference between tieflings, which I seem to be, and half-demons. Most likely someone in my family, more than a generation ago, was beset by a demon of some sort and it passed through the bloodline by a surviving child of that union. It would have most likely been a half-demon and not something directly from the hells. In either case I believe Sana is either misinformed or intentionally seeking to cause me distress. If the latter, it is probably due to some flaw in her own life she seeks to cover at the expense of others. Mother told me that many people are like that, and I should seek to be kind, even to those who are unkind. They deserve pity and prayer, kindness and mercy, not hate.

[magustaliesin]

After hours of study over a couple of texts related to paladins and knightly orders Triel carefully copies and expands on her understanding of the paladin's code (adapted from Defenders of the Faith), and the code of chilvalry (adapted from the Song of Roland).

Paladin's Code

Respect Legitimate Authority: Respect those rulers who are placed in authority by the just laws of their land and who uphold those just laws. Treat them with honor and dignity even in disagreement.

Act with Honor: Lies, deceit, schemes, and poisons are the tools of the dark path. A paladin strives to be honest, forthright, and treat even enemies with respect and dignity.

Help Those in Need: A paladin should put the needs of the weak and helpless above their own. If a paladin witnesses hunger he should give up his own bread, the poor should receive the paladin's coin, and even use his own cloak to comfort the cold. To this end a paladin should never give everything, but keep just enough so that he may continue to help others. A paladin with no armor, weapon, or mount is incapable of continuing to help those in need. Aid should never further the cause of evil for any reason.

Punish Those Who Harm or Take Advantage of the Weak: Punishment should fit the crime, but no paladin may turn a blind eye when intentional suffering is caused. Be swift, be sure, and be just, but above all defend those weaker than oneself.

Do Not Associate With or Aid Evil: A paladin should strive to keep a pure heart and avoid contact with evil. Should need arise, and the cause of good be furthered by working beside someone who walks the dark path it may be necessary, but that cooperation should end the moment the goal is achieved. Under no circumstances should a paladin work with evil in such a way to further evil ends.

Chivalric Code of Torm's Knighthood

• To honor Torm and maintain his Church.
• To serve his liege Lord in valor and faith.
• To protect the weak and defenseless.
• To refrain from wanton giving of offense.
• To live by honor but remain humble.
• To despise unjust or exorbitant reward.
• To fight for the welfare of all.
• To obey those placed in just authority.
• To guard the honor of fellow knights.
• To eschew unfairness, meanness, and deceit.
• To remain faithful.
• To always speak the truth.
• To persevere to the end, any enterprise started.
• To respect the honor of women.
• To never refuse a challenge from an equal.
• To never turn the back to a foe.

[magustaliesin]

It was quite a busy day yesterday. My training took me outside the city for the first time since I arrived. There are many people out there that need help as well. I will be sure to patrol the farms and the road between the city and Waymoot more frequently now. There was also a ball yesterday, which seemed quite the affair with such a large parade of attendees. I do hope that there was some balance of the excess given to the needy of the city. So many live so low while the nobility gather and revel. I do not begrudge the upper class their merriment and status, but I hope they do so with a heart and mind for those in need.

I also met a beautiful and wise elf druid named Leal. We worked for hours beneath the city, clearing what vermin we could find. There were many bodies below, and I pray for their souls beyond. My hand was also forced against a handful of Malarites. I pray for them as well. Leal was most kind, speaking honestly with me about many things, including the tale of the crown wars. I'm sure it is not easy for one of her people to share that history. I quite enjoyed our time together and hope to see her again soon.

[magustaliesin]

We actually saved a dragon last night. I know it might sound strange, but it seems that a wizard some years past turned a dragon into lead. I don't know if it was full size when he did, and then shrunk it down (because the statue was small) or it was just a baby. In any case, we were sent on a mission to buy this statue that turned out to not be a statue at all. Henry found a wizard that confirmed it was actually a dragon. Unfortunately the woman who runs the statuary shop had spent much of her life trying to find the artifact just to have to give it up, but it's another life that had to be saved. Hopefully the dragon will be appreciative that she rescued it from its imprisonment, even unknowingly. I don't know yet what happened to the buyer, I did not go with Henry to capture the man. I hope no one was hurt.

I have begun to feel Torm's presence recently as well. I believe he is hearing my prayers and is watching me. I don't know if it's what we did with the dragon, or something else, but I truly believe he is near. I will petition the church in Tantras to accept me as one of their holy warriors. I am beginning to see the path I dreamed of become reality.

[magustaliesin]

I await a response from the temple in Tantras, but I will continue to study and set goals for myself until I hear from them. I must continue my work as best I can and be prepared for whatever is asked of me in this path. I have recently found texts about morals and justice, and examples of exalted virtue. I am planning to collect my understanding of it in writing and release for any who wish to read it. I can't imagine it will be any more than work for me to better understand my role as Torm's servant.

[magustaliesin]

I was glad to speak to Leal again last night. She's always so kind, and probably the wisest person I know. I hope that I see her again soon. Henry's new armor is nice, not exactly the style I imagined him in, but he has always been a unique soul. He also withstood the abuse of the drow or half-drow well. I asked Henry but he doesn't think it is a drow. I've never seen one myself, but with the pointed ears, dark skin, and white hair it's hard to imagine anything else. I'm not sure why the presence of the drow didn't cause more of a stir, especially among the populace and the guard. I will be watchful, but as I promised Leal, tempered with wisdom. If the drow remains peaceful there is little to be done, I just hope the citizens of Suzail are not exposed to the terror that I hear is want to follow the dark elves.

My studies are going well, and my second book is turning out better than I hoped. I just pray the Temple in Tantras considers my work inspired by my service to Torm and accepts me as its representative here. I would hate to be called away to participate in more formal studies, but if it is Torm's will it must be so.

[magustaliesin]

Triel tucks the letter from the Temple into her journal and writes a quick entry.

They've accepted my work at the Temple, and given their blessing to represent Torm's path. I hope that I can live up to their expectations. I have also realized that I left out important information from my communication with the Temple. Celliane and Henry think it is wise to tell the Temple the true nature of my heritage. It has never been something I have thought about, it is just what I am, but my neglect could be seen as deceit. I will rectify that with my next letter.

I met a knight of Lathander today, and he, Leal and I traveled with Henry to Waymoot to help one of the villagers. One the way back Leal turned into a bear, much to my surprise. I had heard that druids could do such things but I have never seen it. I have to admit, the beautiful elf makes an adorable bear.

[magustaliesin]

Writing in her book, sitting on a hill near the farms, Triel seems at peace despite the events of the past day.

It appears I am banished by default from the city I have come to call home. While I spoke to Leal outside the Dragon, one of the city watch approached and checked our papers. He then demanded I cover my head to not disturb the peace. He tried to explain it was for my protection and that of the public. I have been in the city for weeks and have not had any issue with the public. My choice is to deceive the people I serve, or pay the guard a fine upon his discretion of one hundred coin for disturbing the peace. I give nearly all of my coin to the poor of the city and do not even have half the fine on me. I saw little choice but to leave the city. I cannot defy the law or my code. A paladin may not lie, it is the tool of evil, and only leads to more lies and eventual fall. The code is set down by those who walked the path before, and taught by the temples we serve. There is no concession in it. No 'but if', no 'except when'.

Later the guard asked me if I wished to help the city, and of course I accepted. He only wished me to accompany him on patrol. On the walk he tried to explain and justify his demand. He invoked the word of Helm that guides him, but Helm would not demand a paladin to lie. He speaks the word of the city's law, not the word of Helm in that regard. Then, after explaining he was not a paladin he proceeded to attempt to teach me the code of our order. When I said I learn from those above me he mocked me by asking if Torm himself came down and told me to be honest. I did not argue, or continue to travel with them. I will not lower myself to argue with one that asks for aid then seeks to belittle and goad. He knows well that I meant paladins that came before, and the temple that upholds the code. If he did not his attempt to allude that I believe a deity would come to Toril and speak personally to me is still insulting enough to quit his company.

So I find myself required to do what I can without the walls of Suzail. I will not hide what I am from the people I intend to serve. How can I honor Torm the True by being false? How can I embody truth and honor if I hide the most basic attribute that makes me what I am? In the light of the law's non-choice I will walk the only path open to me and serve the people of Cormyr from the lands beyond the city's walls.

[magustaliesin]

I have taken to building my camp at the ruined fortress off the road north from Suzail. The inside of the structure is rife with vermin, but the broken walls above do offer some protection from the elements. The irony of the situation has not been lost on me. A knight, without a lord, is a hedge knight, and this hedge knight is now forced to live among the hedges of the land. It is not for me to question the will of Torm that has led me on this path, or the test that I obviously have before me.

This has led me to think of the nature of this current test. Is it to live more humbly than before so that I may understand the plight of those I serve? I have lived as the poorest of the land all my life before this so I do not believe that is it. I believe this is a test in the form of justice, and Torm's teachings about the handling of just and unjust laws. Was the guard right to demand my deceit for the protection of the 'unlearned' or for my own protection? Many a tyrant has ruled on the premise of protecting people from themselves, but I do not believe Cormyr's king a tyrant. I need to see the law myself and shall seek a copy when I can, but I do not believe there is precedent to punish someone for a crime not yet committed. The guard would fine me on the basis that it might cause a riot, that it might disturb the peace. Does the law allow for such proactive supposition to be used against people? Do they fine every drunk because they might, one day, cause a bar brawl? Do they imprison everyone who wears black because they might be a burglar? I shall seek more knowledge on the laws of Cormyr and perhaps send correspondence to the magistrate to clarify the law's position on this matter.

I met a man last night at my camp, who shared food and words with me. We spoke of some of this, and I was surprised to say the least. I will not describe him even here, for until I am sure the extent the law will go to 'protect' people I am not confident in the secrecy of this journal. He was not what I expected, and I did not expect him to agree that a paladin must be a beacon of honesty to counterbalance the darkest of evil. He understands that I must stick to the code, even though his own path must travel in darker places. We all have our place in this world, and I am surprised that this man, despite his nature, understands mine while another paladin and a devotee of helm question it. The world is a wonderful and mysterious place, and Torm's path has led me through some of the strangest of it I have seen so far. I can only seek to understand what is before me at the time, but I hope to continue to learn more every day.

[magustaliesin]

This world is ever an unusual place. Two nights ago a druid wanted to test my virtue with a question, and today that same druid justified the actions of a necromancer that defiled the dead by his own admission. That same druid showed disdain for me and for another because we choose to follow the codes of our chosen path and faith, while she defied hers. We all believe she is somehow compromised by the necromancer, but time will tell. I have sent word to the local magistrate, to back up the word of a fellow knight. The necromancer laughed at the idea the law would do anything, and seemed confident he had them on his side. If the word of two paladins is not enough to convince them then I fear for the people of Cormyr. I am not willing to believe the shining beacon of law and order in the land is so corrupt.

I also saw Lael again today. I haven't seen her in a few days and I didn't realize how much I missed her until I saw her again. Perhaps next time we meet we will be able to talk as we did the first time, without so much going on. I enjoy talking to her, and watching her speak.

After writing this Triel spends the evening meticulously drawing a symbol of her faith on the few scraps of castoff parchment she uses for letters. With a bit of sharpened charcoal and in she renders a fair representation of Torm's symbol on a shield.

[magustaliesin]

The hard work in the fields has been a great comfort to me recently. I'm finding that there is more to this test than simply being unable to help the people of the city, or having to live in the most spartan form. Loneliness is beginning to creep into my heart. It is a curious, and insidious feeling, and one that I haven't had to deal with for awhile. I'm not sure if it's different now that I have dedicated myself to others, or if it is just more harshly felt now that I have more friends than I've ever known. Perhaps it is the irony that my most frequent visitor has been one that most would shun more than me. I've seen Leal a few times, which has been great, but of my other friends I've seen nothing. It causes the mind to wander to ideas that I do not like to consider.

Was the friendship of others based on the novelty of what I am? Did Henry change after I turned down his advances? Is Yendis in trouble or avoiding me after our disagreement over the virtues of the paladin's code? It is curious how absence can cause the mind to create images of people we did not believe to be true in the first place. At least the work keeps my mind busy, and copying my first book to send to the Temple. That is my primary goal now, with my free time, so I will leave this here to put my pen to that other task before I fall asleep.

[magustaliesin]

I have come face to face with an unusual quandary. A self-professed druid has openly justified, and expressed tolerance for the use of undead. I cannot begin to understand how one who is supposed to protect the balance would tolerate such a thing, much less try to find any reason that it is not a blatant affront to nature and the Gods. Undead pull negative energy into the world and should not be suffered to exist when encountered, yet a necromancer openly admits to using them for his own ends, and a druid defends his action. I cannot trust the druid as long as she continues to make excuses for the necromancer's actions. I must seek Leal and find out her plan to stop, or help her fellow druid.