Role

Chapter 10

From the journal of Be'ellassanall'an, dated
32nd of the Month of the Dragon in the year 438

A young Duergar approached me recently, asking me the question, "If I am such a paragon
of the Light, would I give one such as him food if he was starving?" My answer at the the time
was, yes of course I would. I give mercy to even my foes, and would not strike down a
person who is helpless. It is in this way that I act as an example to the world, and hopefully
sway dark hearts toward the light.

While I am certain the question was a ruse designed to make me doubt my own commitment or
legitimacy as a Scribe, it did make me think. I have pondered the question now for some time, and
have some additional thoughts. It brought to mind a world in which light and dark were an
aspect only of our actions. A world in which the Gods do not take an active hand, allowing
all of us (humans, elves, duergar, gnomes, etc) to choose our own paths. A world is which
the races are created with no affiliation in their ancestries, their hearts, their very souls.
Perhaps in this world, an orc would not be shaped as a horrible mockery of elfdom, but would
simply be born into the world with a clear mind, ready to be guided toward light or darkness.

We do not live in that word.

No. The Gods have shaped this world to be what it is, and the red auras of Darkness I have
been empowered to see rarely reflect choices. In the case of this Duergar, for excample, his
fate was chosen for him by his heritage, and my giving him bread when he is hungry is unlikely
to sway him. Are there those who are born into darkness who strive toward the light?
Undoubtedly. But are those individuals swayed toward such by simple acts of kindness by the
likes of silly bards? Hm... I find it naive the think so.

I did not get to the rank in my guild that I have attained by sitting idle. Many a dark-
hearted foe has fallen at my feet. Many of those might have gone on to breed other dark kin.
Did they choose their lot? No. The Gods chose it for them. But this is the world in which we
live. One can rage against the Gods for shaping it so, but what is the good in that? All one
can do is to play their part, like the actor on the stage. I have not seen one born into evil
turn to light. I have simply not. This duergar would be welcome to my bread, as that is my
nature, but I think it says less about me than it does about The Light, if that makes sense.