Role

Chapter 6

His image haunts my dreams and his ethereal voice whispers to my heart even
in my waking hours. Elbio, my bless'ed brother, cries out for his vengeance.
It was my promise to him, and I will spend my last drop of blood to keep it.

Too many days without the blood of my foes passed as I plied my persuasive
tools to rise in the Empire and my Guild. Finally, I have at least managed to
attain full Imperial priesthood. I now need only find my chance to become the
High Priest and I will be able to unleash my full fury upon my hated foes.

As my definitive work on the subject (to be found in the Eternal Library)
notes, reputation is a critical component to persuasiveness. I had spent all
of my young years, and many more besides, building my reputation. It was not
easy, for in my youth the was Empire is beset on all sides by savages of low
character. And, sadly, it is being lead by one who is not a savage, yet who
rivals them all for folly. Glikhardiz, the Great Clown.

Glikhardiz was the worst kind of leader. One who rose to power for his
personal gain, not for the gain of the cause. While these need not be
mutually exclusive, I say now that he risked the fabric of our great Empire
in an imprudent attempt to hold onto his personal power.

It was my observation he deliberately puts weak individuals into Council
seats that his underlings not possess the wit and fortitude to overthrow him.
And surely anyone of sense would have ousterd him as fast as a duergar to
mead. Thus I found it unnecessarily difficult to rise to the place of an
Imperial Priest.

Others have experienced similar circumstance and have not had my patience.
The ranks of the Empire thin and my task made difficult. Too often I have
been outnumbered and my beloved venoms could only ensure my survival, not
enact my vengeance.

At this juncture of my life it seemed most prudent to serve the Empire well,
continue my studies in Persuasion, and wait for the opportunity of the High
Priest's seat to present itself to me.