Role

Chapter 7

It's cliche but it's true, change is the only constant. Chaos is often
misunderstood - it's complicated! - but one way of thinking of it is
unpredictability. Change. Embracing change, taking new and infusing
with the old, much like the para elements, is a joy of existence. But
while change is welcome, not all changes are welcome. Sometimes you pay
the price of a life of chaos. These are such times.

Sekope is dead. Llathe is Drillmistress. War is declared against Tribunal.
New blood is yet another duergar, among others. The one conjurer (the worst
of the worst of mages) to engage in combat escaped just a lick from death.
Several of my brothers and sisters don't much like me, I know, mostly
because they have no morals or standards. They think nothing of the evil
depravity they often committ, and when I refuse to abide by their ways, they
raise their voices in insult. Even some who walk the so called balance or gray
path, not just the black hearted fiends I must live with like Mightar, Thelathelao
and of course Sekope. Much seems to go wrong. Change.

Though even I must admit Sekope was among the least duerg-ish duergs I've
ever met. He continued to smell awful till the day he died, and I definitely
would never call him a friend, but I think given more time with him I might have
made progress bringing him closer to the light than to the dark. We'll never know
but it's a nice thought. Change.

Deldrach, imperial priest who is the worst but for mages, finds himself
subject to an order from his emperor not to touch my things as he has before
if I fall in combat. Despite my better judgment, I extend the worthy foe
status of Darvoderis and say I will do the same, either one or two things
or nothing at all, when Deldrach falls before me. I won't be the one to
break this, but I told Darvoderis I'd bet more than a little gold that
Deldrach finds a way around this, most likely having someone else do the
looting. As most others know, I rarely take anything, and when I do it is
but a few things. But Deldrach deserves to be naked to the bone and the
rage against him almost (not quite) rivals that against some mages. But I've
worked to overcome that, with both my focus on fighting the true enemies and
with much meditation and focus on my gift of life in the Light, and I am
content now to abide. Who knows what he does next as this is war and I'm
bound to fall sooner or later. Change.

I also spent a good amount of mental time thinking of how to dress better.
I don't agree with some who speak the plattitude that equipment means nothing.
That's just stupid. But I have come to terms with the great limitations my
values imposes upon me, even if I wasn't aware of it when I embarked on my
war against the mages. Change.