Role

Chapter 7

Journal Entry Respect
Recently I was talking with a Wight. I know, that sounds sort of
blasphemous, being a Villager and all, but I dont think conversing with
your enemy is in any way condoning them. An interesting topic came up.

Can a Battlerager respect a mage? Before I jot down my thoughts, its
best I first write down what the Village writings and history say, or
imply, about it.

The Tablet
1)From #2: pervert and subvert the power of the gods. They are
therefore our enemies and shall be destroyed.
2)From #5: Avoid all that have succumbed to the charms of magic. It is
your duty to put any such a charm out of their misery.

The Plaque
1)From #2: The true mages of Thera <...> have the taint so deep within
them, that only death will cleanse them of it.
2)From #7: Remember always the betrayal of your ancient brethren <...> to
forget the past is to forgive out betrayers.

No respect towards our foes, the Magi, is mentioned. The only direct
mentions of respect come up about the Immortals and the Commander. Given
our hatred of the Magi, and given how they are so impure that only death
will cleanse them, can we actually respect them?

I, personally, think so. Respect is not the same as admiration, and one
can respect something that one loathes. A guard might respect the
criminal he has hunted all his life. A warrior may respect his rival.
While the mages are to be treated as the lowest, utter betrayers, I still
think respect not only can exist but DOES exist.


As an example, historically Commanders have put aside the sixth command
on the Tablet for specific foes. The command is about parity, and how
outnumbering your foe outside of specific situations is frowned upon.
Many Commanders have, throughout our history, disregarded this particular
command in regards to Liches, Wights, and the like. Why? You might say
fear, fear that one person cannot properly handle such an elite Mage.
Instead of fear, maybe need - the need for this Mage to die outweighs the
standard rules.

That is respect, whether the Villager wants to admit it or not. It is
respect for their power, for their advancement beyond the danger of a
standard basic Magi. It is the kind of respect that is paid in combat, by
the recognition that we actually may need numbers to beat a certain foe.

I ponder this because, as I talked with my brothers, they held no respect
for the Mages they killed. Only hatred, pity, disgust, or the sort of
consideration one might give a mosquito when swatting it. I feel that
they are misguided on this point, as to not respect your foe is to
underestimate them. It is to mentally let down your guard, and as the
tenth command of the Plaque says, Be armed and ready for battle at all
times, as preparedness is essential for victory.

As the legendary skjald Kastellyn said in his poem 'Victory in War', "The fray is fierce, our foe is strong".