Archas Molagrie the Student of the Macalla

Role

Chapter 10

"I don't know which is worse, to face a pack of wolves or an army of zombies," the
retired Captain of the Guards chuckled to himself.

He was sitting by the fireplace in the barracks, recounting tales of his adventures and
significant moments during his patrols. Though he was past his prime, his eyes still
sparkled with an excitement as a young warrior would. His face gave off a ruddy glow
with the light from the fireplace, his hair and beard though thick and lush had a tinge
of greyness creeping in. His left hand held a pipe which he puffed occasionally as he
talked. His right hand was a stump, which probably was bitten off by a vicious creature.

Surrounding him were eight young recruits who had just signed up for to be the
cityguards under the Tribunal. They stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed as Uncle Kerias
shared. Archas was one of them who enjoyed the session most.

"There was this time when we were tasked by the ex-Captian himself, the gods bless him,
to retrieve from the mangy Sylvans. See this stump? It was there when the tiger-mage
bit my hand off but we managed to put them in place. We suffered great losses that day.
The moon was like a silver platter that night, we planned..."

Role

Chapter 9

He was born in a middle-class family. His father was a sergeant in the cityguards and
so was his forefathers. His family had lived in the Ruined City for generations, since
the time when it was once called Tar Valon and had the most beautiful struture ever
built in all Thera - the White Tower of the Aes Sedai.

As a child he had always watched his father patrol the city and command a loyal group
of guards. And he dreamed the day he joined the Tribunals. Ever after the seige, the
city still needed guards to place law and order. If it hadn't for the guards who stood
vigilant during their duty, there would have been more lootings and arson attacks.

People in cities feel safe when they know there are watchers patrolling while they
sleep, his father used to say. Yet these people can turn into animals when provoked by
wars, famines and calamities, turning into beast of uncontrollable urge and
lawlessness. These people who had lived ordered lives can suddenly start a riot and be
raised a mob to have meet their wants and desires.

These people can have the capacity to love unconditionally and yet also hate one
another over just a simple spite of territory. That is why the lands need the
Tribunals, to execute justice and verdict in all disputes and crimes.

Role

Chapter 8

1. Remember the sheep dogs, son? In front of their masters they are tame. Give them
one week without food, or drive them to desperation, they become wolves and rip the
throats of the sheep. And their masters too.

2. A single person can only do so much. A little theft here, a little smuggling there.
Under a charismatic leader and intrinsic network, he can raise a mob or syndicate to
do his bidding. With it comes absolute power and corruption. There is no stopping him
then. That is why we nip the problem at the bud.

3. People find comfort in numbers and security in their own kind. See how within the
city walls people form communities of the same goals and preferences, people of
similar views and passions? Beware the imbalance and monitor the activities. It will
usually lead to uprising and chaos.

4. Know why you undergo such a harsh and disciplined training? We expect only those of
strong mental endurance and forte in character and loyalty to join us. You will need
them when faced with bribery and temptation.

5. A student will not rebel against his teacher alone in school. However, if his
cahoots join and support him, he gets bolder each day. Until one day he believes he
is above all authority and lives in delusion. He will be put down by the Law.

6. Remember, people find strength in numbers. Most do not have the courage to do
anything alone and in open daylight.

7. It's not that we are heartless. A small theft that goes unnoticed will only invite
a greater temptation. If he is not caught today for stealing a copper, tomorrow he
will rob for a 100 gold. Every theft, be it 1 copper or 1 gold, is a crime.

8. Every crime must be paid. And in full, according to the Tribunal Laws of Thera.

9. No man is above the Law. All are equal in the eyes of Justice. The Law is the final
Authority for peace and safekeeping.

10. Everything can be seen in black and white. Grayness is for scholars and criminals
who can't differentiate which is which.

Role

Chapter 7

"I was not the most skilled swordsman during my time, but I can sure hold off a couple
of criminals in a fight," ex-Captain Kerias said, as he took a long drag on the pipe.

"I should have been killed in many occassions. It is not only how well you wield your
weapons, but your focus and desire to be attentive to every little bit of details that
will save your hide. I remember chasing a criminal, Askelus, a duergar villager to near
the Battleragers' Shrine. As I was coming out from the forest, he stood there among the
Ruins, waiting for me."

"I tell you, lad, he's a tough fellow, famed for his strength and aggressiveness. His
sword swings can tear you apart in a flurry. You didn't even have a chance to parry
his blows. But I lived the day to tell you this lesson. He was arrogant and too
confident of his skills. He underestimated his foe and covered not his weakness to
the swords I carried. It was his bane."

"To be a cut above the rest, you have to push aside your emotions that cloud your
role + head. If not, you will lose it. I've seen better weaponmasters than me, and
they lie some feet underground or are given to the carrion birds. Some gave in to the
fear of death, some to arrogance. A couple were defeated even before they fought me.
They have heard of my reputation and lost even before we exchanged blades. Many were
just plain stupid and foolhardy."

Role

Chapter 6

"What do you say if someone attacked you?" He suddenly paused and peered intently at
me. His deep blue eyes bore into me, as if interrogating my person. Any lie told will
be made known. Only words of truth.

"I... er, strike him back," I hastily muttered.

Using the end of his pipe, he hit me on the head, showering me with glowing ashes.
"Did I limit you the sands of time? I have many days sitting around here. I can wait
for a better answer. There is no hurry."

"Hmmm," I answered again, as I brushed the ashes from my head and shoulders. "is he a
friend or foe? Does he carry any weapons? Is there a reason for his attack?"

"Well said, lad! These questions going through your mind will determine how you react
to the situation. Paying attention to these details will give you an edge over your
opponent. He could just be a friend, angry over some matters. You do not want to be the
cause of a friend's death, yah?"

"What say if you saw someone kicking my unconscious body mercilessly?"

"I'll rush in and strike him down quickly to save you!"

Ex-Captain Kerias raised his knuckles but stopped. Sighing, he recounted the same
answers he used. "Look here, lad. You've got to put aside your emotions. You will
learn the Illusion of Void, a mental technique to calm your person through breathing.
Even when you walk through the darkest alley, it will be a beacon showing you the
path, the light under your feet."

Role

Chapter 5

I entered the training arena with my practice sword. As I approached ex-Captain Kerias,
I noticed he was not in his usual cheerful self. His face was grim and his eyes hard.
"Pick one of the swords on the rack. Today we will learn something new."

Glancing at the weapons rack, I was hesistant. The weapons are real with sharpened
edges and well oiled. I picked a saber and a dagger for my secondary. Suddenly, he
rushed in with an onslaught of attacks. I backed, and managed to parry off a few
blows. Yet, he relentlessly carried on his attack with his only sword. I dodged, and
rolled away, sprinting to the other end, poised to defend.

"What do you think you are doing?" He snarled. "Do you think we practice for humor?
Unless your weapon draws blood, you will never know what it is to be a true warrior!"

"But you are my teacher and my guide!" I cried. Kerias growled under his breath, "If
you do 7not attack, you can put down your weapons and walk out of this place. Don't
ever come back!"

Blood was drawn and all mine. I never touched him. He still moved with the grace and
agility of a swordmaster. I took a lot of cuts and a deep wound across my stomach.
That was when he stopped and looked at me. "A couple of stitches and few days rest
ought to mend it." I rested for two weeks. It bloody hurt!

Role

Chapter 4

1. Fear is like a guard dog. It keeps you alive, knowing when to retreat and not be
complacent. However give in to it totally and it becomes a wolf, haunting and
tracking you till you are dead.

2. Every man will die. Some later because they are not foolhardy. Others are just
plain lucky.

3. There is no friendship or foe when executing Justice. Only Truth.

4. Heroes and cowards are for story-tellers as a dead man tells no tales.

5. A man who dares to admit his fears BEFORE battles is a wise and courageous man. A
man who admit to his fears DURING battle is a coward. Strike him down before his
cowardice allows him to break ranks and affect the morale.

Role

Chapter 3

Archas Molagrie was a straightforward person. It was not that he don't tell lies, just
that most of the time he sucked at it. He tried to see all situations and circumstances
in black and white, living by a set of principles and codes, both as a Tribunal and
Warrior. Most people would think him predictable, others slow to react; but those who
knew him would see him as someone who thought deeply. He frequently formed a 'formula'
or rule for reactions or motivations behind the actions. There is always a reason, he
will conclude. He seemed to have a cold and dour attitude because he did not say much;
however, he could be warm and friendly to help those who deserved it.

He did not see good and evil as how the Soldiers of the Light viewed a person. He
found them too scholarly, dwelling too much in the 'sides'. He preferred to understand
everyone was motivated by desires of the heart, reasons to each his own. A person is
'good' as long as he abided by the Law. For him, the Law was not biased towards anyone
be it pure or vile intents. Everything could be centered about the Law and keeping it.
It led a little of obsessive nature; as since young, he cared for nothing else except
to studay, serve and dedicate himself to the Law.

So when the Provost mentioned that there were Magistrates who were so obsessed with the
Law that they could recite it backwards, he did not find it amusing, but rather was
impressed by the dedication. He even thought of challenging himself to do it.

He avoided those who sought to steer him away from his principles. And he was even more
aggressive to those who sought weaknesses and flaws in the Law and in trying to twist
the truth away from it. He despised these people as they tended to complicate matters,
making him unsure of himself.

Role

Chapter 2

The Law is not a concept. It is the ultimate Truth and principle in which a person
ought to live his life by. The laws stated by the lands are supportive rules that
center around the law. Orderliness itself is not the Law, though knowing the Law will
result in Orderliness.

The Law is the factory, the laws in which the Tribunals quote are the products. The Law
is the Mother, the laws her children. It is universal and all forms of forces and
principles applicable to everything draws their strength from the Law. Laws can be
added, changed or removed according to magick, human needs, or divine words from gods.

However, the Law is the final authority. It cannot be describe in words nor pen down.
Yet all words of power were spoken through it for it has the power to hold all things
in place. It exists just as the sky is always above, the lands below, and the waters
rush to the shore. It is the very existance of holding all things in place, for all
these were made by it. From the chaos, Law formed and created into being, banishing
chaos from its + presence. From the Law, creation began through the word of Law and
was bounded and defined by its offsprings of laws - unseen forces and energies to hold
all things in place. Every force that held things started from the Law. Chaos was to
loose and random to unite anything unto itself.

Role

Chapter 1

"Do you see things simply in black or white only?" Recruit Baloth sneered. The young
recruits were sitting on the benches in the messhall, eating their dinner. They chided
him because he was able to understand the teachings of the laws of land and apply
them successfully during class.

"Will you tell a whore that she is ugly when you are going to bed her?" He mocked. The
rest laughed.

"I will," Archas replied.

"If your comrade is dying from a wound, will you keep it from him?" Another asked.

"No."

"What about if your mother is dying from a plague that has robbed her skin? On her
deathbed, she asks you if you still think she's beautiful?" One of them shouted.

His answer was a simple 'Yes'.

They stopped laughing. Recruit Baloth snorted. "This guy tells lies as he pleases. He
will tell a whore she's ugly, a comrade that he will die. But tells his mother she's
beatiful when ugly! What a confused man he is!"

In fact, that was what he told his mother when she laid on her deathbed, dying from a
wasting disease. It was not because he wanted to tell a lie. He loved her too much,
and he knew that was a human weakness or even strength. He wondered if there is love
in Truth. Though they never needed to know his struggles.

"So will you tell your enemy that he looks real pretty in a floral dress, when he's
actually ugly and in a full-plated armor?" A resonant voice called out.

Everyone turned towards the source of the voice. Ex-Captain Kerias stood by the
doorframe smoking his pipe.

"Yes, if it gets me an advantage over him," was the calm reply. Uncle Kerias took
another puff and nodded. Then he walked out of the messhall.

All this time, Archas was gripping his fork tightly under the table. Yet, in his mind
and heart, he was in control of his emotions. No one saw his anger and sorrow as he
had maintained his breathing and focused on the Illusion of Void.

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