Role

Chapter 4

An Entry from Izqis Journal #1:

Theres something about the way heroes are portrayed in art that doesnt
sit well with me. Too often theyre static: sitting on a throne,
pondering with a fist to their forehead, or standing proud and regal.
This fails to celebrate one of the most defining feature of heroics:
their body. Some might call me shallow, and I admit Ive got a wandering
eye when it comes to a hunk strolling down the road, but that physical
nature is exactly what helps in heroics.

How often do we hear tales of a heroic struggle involving a lanky
skeletal man with glasses who has no hand eye coordination? How inspiring
are tales devised from Hero X, the man who sat and didnt do anything
all day? Bleh.

Maybe my problem isnt so much just with stories and art about heroics,
but just how people look at heroes in general. What amazing equipment!
they say, How excellent your bashes are they might comment, Pssht,
your victory doesnt count, you had special swords they offer. Too often
I find that people look at things separate from the hero for his heroics:
his equipment, friends, guild, etc. Why not look at him? Appreciate the
body he spent his life honing, the reflexes that are built into his
physical form. Admire his broad shoulders that grew as he continued
arduous daily labor, or her strong arms that she spent her entire
childhood honing despite taunts about her ladyhood.
I think that it is first and foremost excellence through form that
defines a hero and creates a legend. A heros body is an extension of his
will, his determination, and his goal.

You might have noticed theres not a lot of appreciation for heroic magey
fellows in here. If so, you noticed right. While Im sure their studying
was admirable, I think theres a certain something that physical labor
has that magic will never achieve. I find myself looking more and more at
these legends of the Battleragers, just for that reason. They achieve
wonders with nothing more than their flesh and blood. It gives me
shivers!