Alarian the Genesis of the Coming Order, Archon of the Ki-rin

Role

Chapter 26

Searing pain rips through the head of a young boy, not yet 9 years old, but having missed
more meals than men 3 times his age. Like a spike driven into his skull and a fist
smashing his stomach, hunger fills him with a maddening, sickening, agony.

"Be quiet, Alie" his mother speaks, not bothering to look at him huddled pathetically in
the corner of their ruined house. She returns to her spinning, yet another project for the
local church, working furiously, ignoring her own pain as well as well as the blood droplets
forming on the yarn.

"We must make the good people think highly of us" she utters in a sing-song fashion,
blissfully unaware of the shattering of Tar Valon, her starving child, her dead husband,
and her absent sanity.

Role

Chapter 25

"Im not interested!" his mother shrieks, yet again, running from the bedroom of their
house, heralding yet another long, howling argument with her most recent husband.

This one was dumber than the last, easily ignored, but unfortunately very hungry. It has
been very hard finding places to hide food as of late....

Yet again, her boy stumbles into the black alleys of Tar Valon, the nights silence a
welcome reprieve from his own "home". Yet again, he wonders why people even marry, his
chaotic life ruthlessly destroying the joy a young man of 13 should feel when meeting
a girl.

Ambling down to the crater in the city, he curls up, alone as the aura of destruction
keeps most people away, people who once knew plenty and happiness. He immediately falls
asleep and dreams of a single, unspoiled, freshly cooked chicken leg.

Role

Chapter 24

Panting in exhaustion, he nearly drops to the ground, but faces the one thug who managed
to keep up with him, his other 2 friends having fallen out a half league back.

"I never knew I could run that fast..." he mutters, awaiting the inevitable thrashing.

"I dont know you,and have never bothered you!" Eh, might as well try reason.

"So what?" says the smirking bully as he grabs this pathetic looking mark...
...and immediately falls away as his nose is shattered by a bony kneecap with a thin foot
planting itself on his teeth.

Immediately, this man of 16 years turns away quickly, not triumphant in his meager
victory, but curious why it happened, why people just cant leave each other be.

It was only over a half-hand piece of flatbread...

Role

Chapter 23

"Why shouldn't the gods, through our guild, lead us instead?"

Stunned silence fills the Tar Valon paladin guild as the Master turns towards the youngest
initiate, mouth agape in amazement. No mere street urchin looking for food, this one...

"Child, it is not in our place to rule! We, given power by the gods of light, serve the
people of Thera and provide for the needy. We do not selfishly seek power or the riches
which come with governing!"

"We wouldnt rule, sir, wed be carrying out their Holy Will, as revealed by the Code!"

"Think about it, all of the common failures politicians posses we are commanded, by them,
to reject. Greed, lust, anger, spite, injustice, arrogance, all these things we avoid and
if we fail in this or lie, our Immortal Lords strip us of our position, a sure sign we
are unfit for anything!"

"Sir, the gods themselves tell us what to do, our guild is alone in its' utter dedication to
the light and goodness, who better to guide the people of Thera?"

"By standing aside, remaining aloof, we allow evil to happen. If one of us, or even you,
had lead Tar Valon, would you have permitted the White Tower to do what they did, to all
of us?"

Role

Chapter 22

"Thats a big carrot."

Quietly a young man sips at a bowl of soup in the Paladins guild in Galadon, eyes deep
in thought as he slowly eats.

What words did Odrirg, Bane of Chaos, favored of Velkurah, have for him? What deep wisdom
and insight did he offer to further the cause of order and aid him in deciphering the
Valma Katol?

To eat.

"Makes sense in a way" he mutters, stirring the soup with a small wooden soup. "Cant feed
others if you can barely walk." Stranger things have happened, such as talking to a
warrior hero about anthills and how they relate to universal order....

And Ethendakath, he seemed surprised when offered help to find his lord. Isnt that our
job as paladins?

Shaking his head slightly, he returns to eating, as gaining weight seems closer to a divine
mission then one would realize. The heavy food hits his shriveled stomach like a rock,
but fills him with an unfamiliar feeling.

Warmth.

Role

Chapter 21

"You who balked at slaying a filthy goblin, would slay someone who's lived his life in the
gutter?"

Fury courses through the body of a young, sickly paladin, though the anger reveals itself
only as spermatic coughing, fury inspired by a Brothers suggestion, this Ethendakath,
that we they should slaughter beggars in Tar Valon?

Exactly how does that help our cause?

Champions of light, plunging their swords into the guts of men, not evil by choice, but
by circumstance. What tyrants these that deserve death when all they need is to be fed?

At one time, Ethendakath regretted the slaying of a hopelessly tainted goblin, now this?

What fire burns in those of the phoenix that would soak the streets in blood, what....
madness (?) brings them to kill like that when what my city really needs is to be fed,
even with simple, tasteless unleavened bread we pray for?

What happens in that Ivory Tower they call the Fortress? Or is it more of an Ivory
Asylum, in more ways than one?

Even Jaegrudai seems to be changed by it....

Finally agreeing to fight orcs instead, the group leaves, though not as united as before.

Role

Chapter 20

"I swear to uphold the Laws for the remainder of my life and to abstain from corruption
in the enforcement of them!"

With a flourish, a young paladin then brings his sword down on his left palm, cutting a
deep gash, completing the oath.

"...ow..." he thinks to himself "That was pretty stupid and overly dramatic. Yeesh, this
hurts like hell and its going to leave a scar."

"A scar to forever remind you of your duties." a voice inside of him says.

Role

Chapter 10

*In the Paladins guild in Galadon, a small outline can be seen beside a larger scroll*

REASONS:

1. The 9th precept.
Who are we to question divine wisdom?

2. The benefits of civilization, which Law creates.
Should we live as animals?

3. Our image.
How can we look noble as a criminal?

4. The harmfulness of murder and theft.
Under the Law, we dont have to do so to defend the innocent. How is that bad?

5. Peace.
How much evil has the Law prevented?

Role

Chapter 9

In the tower of the Blessed Swords, an old man is upon his knees, soaking up the
blood and gore that is splattered in one small corner.

"So, you have the nerve to whine to me..."

With each spot that disappears, purity returns, to the guild, to the city, to his
rattled mind. Scrubbing...must clean it all up...must remove the Imps' taint.

"AHHH! So shrill! What..what is that Ki-Rin doing here? Its just a baby..oh...oh no!"

Hands shaking he stops, remembering the blood, the death of the innocent, and the
eating...the unholy, horrible crunching noise as delicate bones were snapped by
merciless teeth, the evil, the pointless malice of it all.

"You have marked yourself as a whiner, and whiners get what they deserve."

Yes, to be cursed by a devil is to be truly blessed. I truly understand what we
fight now, more than ever! As he rises, his task complete, the blood in the cape
he used has...disappeared?

And the Ki-Rin emblazoned upon it seems to glow that much brighter.

Returning the cape to his shoulders, this old man vows never to so foolishly
challenge or annoy a god again, but rises with a newfound goal, a new purpose,
a crusade.

"For the blood of the Ki-Rin."

Role

Chapter 11

"Alarian, has joined the ranks of the heros."

With but a few words, the Grand Master has completed my training. One task is
ended, but more remain! My recent death by starvation has reminded me of this,
reminds me of the pain many still endure, reminds me of......mother?

What ever happened to her?

Role

Chapter 12

************
*TO DO LIST*
************

1. Complete your guild training.

2. End hunger in the Ruined City.

Total foodstuffs donated: 3,800
Pouches distributed (need 5): 1

3. Hire 100 dwarven Mercenaries to aid the Guard commander in restoring order.

Total hired: 45

4. Hire the Healer in the Ruined City to heal 1,000 serious wounds.

Total: 300

5. Considering hiring invokers to put out the fire in the devestated grove.

Role

Chapter 13

************
*TO DO LIST*
************

1. Complete your guild training.

2. End hunger in The Ruined City. Continue to donate food, but giving a pouch of
nourishment to those who aid you in distributing food (the commander, healer, ect.)
will end hunger there.

Total Donated: 2,500
Pouches attained (need 5): 0

3. Hire 100 dwarven Mercenaries to aid the Guard commander in restoring order.

4. Hire the Healer in the Ruined City to heal 100 serious wounds.

5. Relentlessly ask your Brothers and Sisters to aid in this.

6. Stick to these goals, in their order of priority, until the Comming Order arrives.

Role

Chapter 14

In a spacious library deep within the Spire, a man sits.

Before him a small candle burns on a wide oaken table. A clear piece of paper
lies close by, with a small quill pen resting beside it unused. With a sudden
flourish, he begins to jot down his thoughts on the past few days of his life.

-Never argue with a dwarf.
-Dont expect the gods to command you directly, its like putting a cast on a
healthy arm, youll never rely on your own strength.
-Put out the fire before you rebuild the house. Odrirg has his goal, you have yours.
-Dont doubt your goals.
-Never loose another pouch of nourishment. Ever. It can save countless lives.
-Dwarves keep their oaths...even mercenaries.
-Now is the time to inspire the brotherhood.

Blinking, he looks up and considers the last sentence, one that came unbidden
to his mind.

Role

Chapter 15

How could I have been so blind?

Its so simple. There was no quest, no insubstantial, spiritual enlightenment to
attain for me to have my sickness cured, my lungs restored, we of the Ki-Rin just
did it.

My home...it needs rebuilding, the people need fed, so we just do it. Of course
well succeed, we just simply do what needs to be done, together!

If only the world had such clarity...

Role

Chapter 16

I've got so many questions.

Perhaps this new knowledge the trainer taught me will help unmuddle my thoughts.

What is the Valma Katol? Can it ever be deciphered? Is it dangerous? Why am I the
"Genesis of Coming Order"? Does it mean my home will be rebuilt? Why have I been
made a Disciple, what grand deeds have I done?

What do I need to do next?

Hm, he doesnt exactly hand these marks of faith out like bowls of soup.

Maybe I should just...keep doing what Im doing?

Role

Chapter 17

************
*TO DO LIST*
************

1. COMPLETED Donate at least 10,000 more copper to the rebuilding fund.
Total: 8,000

2. COMPLETED Donate another 500 bowls of soup to the starving.
Total: 850

3. Gain titles quickly, but BE PARANOID. *This is underlined* Stay away from slaves
of the Imp and those who are even considering being an Outlander, no matter how
good, controlled, or sane they *may* appear.

4. Train your agility. (These body shields are clumsy)

5. Continue to help young Brothers and Sisters find their Masters. This will help
bring us together as the Family of Light faster than flowery letters, DEEDS NOT WORDS!

6. Smile.

7. Ask Grand Master Velkurah to heal your cough. You need to be an example to follow
not to be pitied.

Role

Chapter 18

Illegal name, try another.
Name: booms a storm giant accusingly, "Had your brothers come any
later, you would have killed yourself already. Meditate on that. Seek freedom, not the
confines of these lifeless walls."

Kaeldran, can you not see your Master's work in this? By trusting in you, I was plunged into
despair, felt the maddening urge of suicide, almost fell from grace in that pit of nightmares
because of that insane fool Blyne.

But the brotherhood *did* come, for you and me...someone cared actually cared for me! When I
was weak, they were strong, would I ever turn my back on that? Why would I *ever* spit in
the face of all that is decent, good, noble, and sane?

Noone ever cared for me.

I owe Lathan not only my life, but a deeper undestanding of compassion, that we are not just
unfeeling creatures of duty.

'One needs a reason to hope.....and this is the first time it's been given to me...someone
actually cared and risked their life for me. That's never happened....ever." I tell him,
wondering if it will even make a difference.

"I must depart Thera...goodbye and remember, those of the spire came to save your life as
well."

Truly chaos is deceptive, not always a frothing hateful orc, but comming to deceive you as a
friend, seeming to be someone with a mere philosophical difference when his master cackels
in the shadows as you're lead like a lamb to the slaughter.

Did Kaeldran not even realize how he and I were manipulated? What if Blyne had been an
outlander? What *is* wrong with those people, anyways? I've never seen such pointless,
stupid violence in someone who claims to nurture life, especially those druids...

No more. Perhaps the way of Odrirg is right, perhaps the price of tolerence is betrayal.

Role

Chapter 19

Greetings, Brother.

I again apologize for the demands we have placed upon your soup kitchen in Galadon, but
the war against starvation and poverty continues here in Tar Valon. It is touching,
however, that you and other guild masters have aided us so selflessly.

Therefore, it is in necessary haste that I will answer your questions about my former
student.

Alarian, like all those who follow Velkurah, is very focused in his goals. One of which,
obvious to anyone from here, is to rebuild our shattered city. Another is his desire to
see our guild more organized, stating that "If thieves can, why not us?"

However, in his mind, we are already unified by The Code and has taken the rather
eccentric step of resurrecting terminology used by the ancient Templars in referring to
his fellow Paladins.

To wit:

GRAND MASTER: He views Velkurah as a literal, not spiritual head of our guild.
MASTER: All other Immortals whom we worship, save Shokai whom he cryptically calls "The fire"
LORD/LADY: Paladins whom have completed their guild training.
BROTHER/SISTER: All others.

Despite being illiterate when found, he has voraciously attended to his studies. Also, he
is a bit socially awkward, especially around women. Not overly fawning, crude, or bashful,
he just views them as being, well, just being.

He is a good man, but reminds me almost of a Revenant, the tasked undead. Doing good, but
having no joy because there is just something missing.

May the flame be rekindled,

Your Brother.

Role

Chapter 8

It was all an illusion. The Imp didn't kill that small Ki-Rin after all.

I must be getting old, falling for such a trick. Oh....wait, I *am* old. Hrmph.
At least I've learned a great deal, helped the guild, helped rebuild home, and
I even know my mother is safe and happy.

I just hope...I live to see it. To see the dream that I've had come true.

Then I can die.

Role

Chapter 7

Where once there was a sickly young quire, there is now a healthy, vibrant, and
assertive Paladin Lord.

Deep in the library he sits behind a mountain of scrolls, his position as a Justiciar
demanding more of his time. Chuckling to himself as he sifts through the multitude
of missives, he happens upon one, small tattered scroll.

A "To Do" list to help the Ruined City.

Immediately, his smile fades. Theres been so much to do that this has been neglected
for far too long.

With a resigned sigh he admits, "I need help."

He rises, mind buzzing with ideas, and unaware of the increasing weariness in his
body. A small, unnoticeable cough sparks a long-repressed memory that is quickly
forgotten as he departs the spire.

Role

Chapter 6

Vahletharien says "If you give away money for free, you do not aid anyone."

I frown as he speaks. Is this not the essence of charity, helping someone for free?

"So I should buy the poor, barely nourishing food in the town?" I ask incredulously.

"Yes. It is better than what they are used to...which is nothing. And soon, sooner
than you would expect, the quality of the food will improve, because the merchants
will have funding given to them directly by you, to improve the quality of their
produce."

I had not considered that. It's true, there is still commerce to save there. Hrm...

"You must dispense the funding directly back into the markets, not to the people.
It seems counter-intuitive, I know..."

"But it is the proper path."

Role

Chapter 5

"Welcome, brother."

Such glory! The heavens are so wonderful, so peaceful, so quiet! Slowly I walk up
an ethereal staircase, as my guide floats beside me, the weariness of mortality
and age becoming distant.

"Is...it over?" I ask "May I finally rest?"

He stops suddenly, and with a sad smile turns to face me...Caelestis?

"The fight against chaos and evil never ends."

Before I can answer, he regards me with a stern, pitying look and speaks.

"You have lived your life as a tribunal, then a paladin. Secure in your Order, your
methodical plans, but have you ever seen hope where there is none to be had? Have you
ever fought without knowing you would win?"

"You need one, final lesson, as a *paladin*, lest you fail here."

Sweating, I awake. Ever since the disaster, ever since being demoted to Seantryn
Modan I've wrestled with doubt, bitterness, and despair and dreams of failure.
All the work all that effort...gone...

...or is it one final test, one of True faith to overcome?

These words, burned into my mind from the Masters of Light shall guide my life.
I shall either ascend and become an archon, or act as one until I die, for in that
moment of despair and taunting, I was told:

Your virtues of Hope and Temperance are tested by the Imp, and you strive to take
solace in Faith.

And so I shall.

Role

Chapter 4

Commander,

My work here, in the Ruined City, is complete. The fire is out and the work of Priest
Odrirg can begin.

If you need any help in this reguard, please do not hesitate to ask. For now, I must spread
this Comming Order, the Hope and Faith of our home to others.

In faith,

Alarian

Role

Chapter 3

"How can Order and decay exist?"

Amazed, an old, thin paladin scans the ruins of abandoned church in Seantryn Modan.
The answer is obvious. The people have no hope for there is no center of faith,
of worship for the light to shine into.

Yes, there are some of the light, but far too few, the place of worship far too small.

Closing his eyes, he envisions...a Citadel of Hope.

-A statue of Zykym, the one thought mad, the one's who showed the beauty of childlike faith.
-A wide basilica, well lit, with 2 gleaming marble statues immortalizing the dual role of our Guild, that of Avenger and Defender.
-A place for petitioners to gather and worship, to be healed and fed.
-A place for other brothers to launch quests, giving food to beggars, rescuing those entrapped in the Xvart lair. Or even those of the Fire issuing retribution upon the minotaurs that pollute this city.

And how shall the Coming Order come here, in the face of Seantryn's legions? How shall
it be built with an Empress who's heart is as sick as the False Emperor's?

Faith.

Timeline

Title History

Skill List

PK Statistics

PK Gank-O-Meter

Immortal Comments

Fri Aug 6 22:34:53 2004 by 'Grurk' at level 51 (302 hrs):
Demoted to Seantryn Modan for attacking Althrsis in town. (He assisted Thalenor) Let's see if he takes it like a test of character, or deletes in shame.

Fri Aug 6 23:05:49 2004 by 'Lyristeon' at level 51 (302 hrs):
He looked as if he was about to delete after his little mistake in Seantryn, so I upset him enough to reconsider it. Valg made sure I stopped at the appropriate time.

Wed Aug 11 20:04:13 2004 by 'Amaranthe' at level 51 (311 hrs):
Sent him a dream in which he saw a vision of a woman paladin forging a tiny Ruined City, who told him he was intended to serve Ruined City as she did in life. Hometown changed.

Fri Aug 13 21:46:44 2004 by 'Qaledus' at level 51 (312 hrs):
Passed by as someone attacked a mob in the city, force mob to yell for help and he came and helped. Neat.

Thu Aug 19 15:07:56 2004 by 'Grurk' at level 51 (323 hrs):
Exellent RP since his demotion, made Provincial once again.

Role

Chapter 1

"It is you, Brother, that will carry on the teachings of the Valma Katol. Make sure
everyone learns of it's truth."

I....can't believe that he's dead. I haven't wept like this in ages, haven't..

"FEH!" he snorts again...for the last time..."Don't cry, brother."

Through tear-streaked eyes in a voice older than I would ever wish, I whisper to him:

"Not brother....you....were like a father to me."

Utter sorrow plunges me into oblivion, I ignore the other goodbyes, the presence
of even an Immortal of our Spire, untill finally, I look up and hear his last words, as
he looks at his knee in wonderment.

"By all the hells of Nordiach's nightly emissions.....they don't hurt!"

And he's gone.

Dwarves honor their fathers, many even name themselves after them and obey them
utterly. Always. Odrirg wanted me to spread the teachings of the Grand Master, to
fight the chaos of the Outlanders, and the tyranny of the Empire.

And I, as a son of Gorimm, shall do so.

Role

Chapter 2

Apparently, my work is not done here in my home. A dream from the Masters of Light
has lead me to return here, to continue....for how long?

It is not my place to judge, it is the will of the Grand Master.

But I shall never forget what I saw in Seantryn, the slavery, the minoutars that
walk freely amongst a dispirited, unhappy people.

Something will be done....