CH. 10: Queen of Harts

[BishGada]

Baeros immediately becomes embarrassed, "Ahhrr... Well... I'm not strictly following Octhanus even though I appreciate your and Jocelyn help saving me and my friends. I do try to offer charity and frankly meant to just that when we planned to go to Octhanus temple seconds before we met you. But I am more inclined to follow the Crusader, deciding my own fate, changing the world, being a free person."

[Breila]

"Frankly, I have never understood why you need to worship or follow a Goddess or God to do the right thing" Ouragna says. "For myself, I think that the belief that everyone has the same right to live suffices."

[JadedDM]

"But I am more inclined to follow the Crusader, deciding my own fate, changing the world, being a free person."

Saren nods. "Ah, of course. You did say you were from Mond, and that is the popular faith there. A pity that the League takes Crizza's teachings to such extremes."

"I have never understood why you need to worship or follow a Goddess or God to do the right thing."

"Ah, but what is the 'right thing?'" asks Saren. "It depends on who you ask. To a follower of Octhanus like myself, of course, the 'right thing' is helping others. But to a follower of Renos, the opposite would be true. The 'right thing' would be to help yourself. To a follower of Gonto, the 'right thing' is whatever is best for the group, while for Crizza, the 'right thing' is whatever is best for the individual. And to a follower of Rabbah, the 'right thing' is what is best for nature or for the balance of the world."

He shakes his head. "All of us believe we are doing the right thing, even when we are at complete odds with each other. Nobody thinks of him or herself as evil or wrong. The elves believed they were doing the right thing when they enslaved the humans. The humans believed they were doing the right thing when they overthrew the elves. The hobgoblins believed they were doing the right thing when they summoned Carnage into our world. The League believes they are doing the right thing when they cause chaos and spread discord. It is these many different viewpoints that make the world such a colorful and interesting place. Alas, they are also the reason we have so much war, death and suffering, as well."

[Breila]

"In my opinion, the right action is the one that allows everyone to live and pursue their goals, as long as those do not interfere with the well-being of others. And that is completely independent of any God or Goddess" Ouragna holds firm.

[Nuke]

Val adds "One of these years I just might find a religion I can live with."

[JadedDM]

As they talk, the two parties finish their meals. Saren drinks the rest of his tea and then sets the cup back on the saucer with a satisfied sigh. "That may be so, but we are all agents of the gods whether we acknowledge it or not. Even independents like you are serving at least one of their agendas even if you never utter a single prayer."

He shakes his head. "Ah, but forgive me for getting so philosophical. It is an occupational hazard, I'm afraid. I thank you all for joining us this evening. It was an enlightening conversation."

[BishGada]

With the end of the enlightening conversation Baeros, even being newest in the group and the last one that should take initiative, asks Saren, "So do you plan to board your ship soon? We are actually looking for transport. And besides will be able to continue those philosophical conversations." He adds with a smile, then he looks at Jocelyn expecting her to continue handle the matter.

[Breila]

Ouragana perks up. Since she had not been present before the conversation turned philosoplica, she had no idea of the arrangements that had been made. and she wasn#t sure if the "we" and "us" should include her. But it seemed that since she da slept during the afternoon instead of looking for magical employment here in the city, staying behind might be a poor choice.

[JadedDM]

"We are planning to depart soon, yes," Saren says. "Where, exactly, are you seeking transport to? And what do you offer in payment?"

[HorizonsDream]

"What would you accept for payment?" Jocelyn asks. "As for our destination, we are actually looking for the Bullring," she explains. "They should have been in Immerfort by now, so I'm not sure where they are off to now. We need their help to take care of a little pirate problem."

[JadedDM]

"We'll accept any form of payment that will further our humanitarian efforts," Saren clarifies.

"Wait, the Bullring? You mean the Bullring, the guild's ship of the line?" Elisa asks, her eyes widening as she sits up a little straighter.

"You know her?" asks Saren.

"Well, I know of her," Elisa replies. "Remember, a year ago, word was they fought off the Soulbiters. They won, but took heavy casualties. Since then, I haven't heard anything; she's been laying low, I guess, rebuilding her crew."

"Ah, that's right," Saren says. "I remember now. Hmm, and now the Soulbiters are becoming active again, as well, attacking other orc tribes."

"Perhaps they, too, are replenishing their numbers," points out Tivrella.

[HorizonsDream]

"Yeah, we kind of helped them with that battle," Jocelyn says with a kind of nervous laugh.

[JadedDM]

"You've been on board the Bullring?" asks Elisa, shocked.

"You fought the Soulbiter clan?" asks Saren, mildly surprised.

"But I heard they attacked the Bullring with no less than three dragons," Elisa adds, still in shock.

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, it wasn't easy," Jocelyn admits. "And I think they were small dragons."

[BishGada]

Baeros eyes widens as the conversation goes on. "Dragons?" he says with wonder, "Wow, those amazing beasts, I wish I had witnessed them."

To Saren he answers, "Well, we could pay with money, which in your hands will certainly be put for humanitarian stuff. And also I can help as crew member if you want, oh, that reminds me I met some fellow from Mond that is looking for a job. Are you recruiting?"