Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

“Of course.” Han even surprised himself at how quickly he’d agreed. No point in wasting time dallying now, he supposed. Thalin’s words resounded in him in a way he hadn’t felt in some time. Two sides to a coin, just like the two sides to everything: the light and the dark. Life and death. He knew that all too well. One could never be without the other, and for anything to reach its potential, it had to learn to embrace both. Even as he felt a tinge of mental pain at the implied acknowledgement of his on hypocrisy, he also felt a desire to walk this path for the people it could help. Somehow, the idea of allowing darkness in this case- doing it for a greater good- made it easier for him to stomach, though he would not admit to himself that he would do more than stomach it- he relished in the opportunity presented to him.

“I’ve seen a lot of what you speak of, individuals here and there helping where they can. I’m one of them. It’s important, it really is. But when I look around, I don’t see our problems getting any smaller. I don’t see the kind of progress we need. People still suffer, people still slip through the cracks, crimes go unpunished, and ties with the settlements grow weak and poisoned with bitterness. There is only so much one man can do in that capacity, as I’m sure you know. A lone good samaritan can only make so much difference, and it’s an uphill battle.” He nodded to both councillors as he spoke, his face taking on a serious expression to match the mood and the subject matter. “If I can do something more- be something more- then that’s what I want and I accept the limitations that come with that. I’m sure you both agree that the good of the people trumps personal desires. Whatever you ask of me, I will do all in my power.”

He had thrown down the gauntlet. The pleasantries were long gone now, and it was time to be about the business of getting shit done in Ne’haer. He was simultaneously stern and invigorated. How long had he hoped and prayed for an opportunity to do more? To really make a difference? And here he now stood, at the precipice of his future, and agreeing to play the great game of politics, something he had spent so much time trying not to. Why did he do it? It was true that much of the impetus had come from his chance encounter with Zafir in the city square that fateful night, when the words “Yurrova starves while you play at politics” had been etched not only into the stone but into his own mind. But to leave that as the lone inspiration would be far from the truth. The real, cold truth of the matter was that Han knew he was losing the battle. Even though he would continue in full ernest to help and love the people of Ne’haer, even though his life was still so much about those in need, he knew that he was losing. There was too much for him to do in the position he held. Like it or not, he had been coming to acknowledge a small but important truth lately- The only way to make a real, lasting difference for the better is to do it from a position of power. For now, he would be the grease on the wheels, freeing up the powers that be to do what he could not. But not forever.

In the end- he had already decided, deep in the recesses of his mind- in the end, they would be the means to his ends, and he would do what they either could not or would not. He would do something real for the people of Idalos, for those who truly needed it. He didn’t know what yet, but he knew this was the way. So he would do what was asked of him and he would do it gladly. And every step along the way, he would watch, listen, and learn. ’First rung on the ladder.’

This time, Han was slower in responding, taking a more hesitant approach in considering his options, and so it seemed, his future. He’d come here looking simply to help with Yurrova but as he could see it, there was quite a lot opening up before him now. This wasn’t just going to be a few quests. This was an immortal-damned career path. He certainly didn’t mind that, not at all, but in the midst of all the political talk and offered opportunities, he felt himself beginning to slip away from the real reason he was there in the first place: to help the people that were too small for the council to notice. He could take advantage of this to gain power and influence and through that to help. But he steeled himself, knowing that whatever came next, he must not allow himself to be lost to the depths of intrigue and espionage. There was something at his core that he had to keep intact. Something so easily lost to those who were consumed by the endless power struggles of this field: selflessness. It wasn’t ever about him. It was only about those he might help. That would be his lantern as he entered the darkness. That would be the rope tying him to the mouth of this cave. Whatever came next, it was not about him.

His mind ran quickly over the thoughts of immortals and what they might do in his position, as silly as it sounded. Ralaith of course came first, closest to his heart. Wisdom and time. He’d see the benefit of this. In time, at great distance from the moment to moment emotions of life, what mattered was results. Wisdom was whatever led to the greatest benefits and effects over time. A plunge into the underworld was a difficult decision in this moment, yes. But Han had to look at the grand scale. The big picture. If this even only alleviated suffering in Yurrova, lives would be saved. And here he had a career laid out, promising the opportunity to do so much more. What if he could save more? What if he could gain the standing necessary to save thousands? What about tens of thousands? He had to take it. Next came Xiur, another well fitting name for this occasion. The association of stars and hope was very relevant. For many, especially in this city on the sea, Xiur literally represented their lantern in the dark, his stars guiding the way home. For Han, his mind took the image of a light in the blackness of the dark night. A lone star, shining in a place without light. That is what he was already doing so many days in his own soul. Now he must take that light into a real darkness, a world on the other side of the coin, like Thalin had said.

Having steeled himself for the overall task, his mind then progressed to the next decision: Did he want to be part of the cloak and dagger- a spy, in other words- or did he want to be out in the wilderness? He saw the value in both. Information gathering, espionage, being directly involved in the events within the city, these were all important tasks. He also got the distinct feeling that it was dirtier work. He knew admittedly little of the real lives of spies in Ne’haer but he did know from long ago that cloak and dagger could easily be more dagger than cloak, and that was something he wasn’t sure he had any interest in. Still, if this was what he had to do, he was ready to accept the task. ’Light in the dark. Keep the lantern close.’ Thalin’s offer was met with more ready acceptance. It was true, he was a hunter, if only a neophyte. He loved the wilderness, even as he had seen some of the true dangers therein. It would not be work in the city, but that wasn’t necessarily an important factor. More criminals, monsters, and secrets found their hiding places in the open fields, dense forests, and damp caves of Idalos than they did in any dark alley or abandoned building. He felt more confident of his decision the more he thought of it, and was finally ready to give an answer, bolstered by his own thoughts and the immortals that gave him courage.

“Don’t worry my lady, I don’t scare so easy.” He said to Amelien, a slight smirk and a chuckle showing that he was comfortable with the two of them. Quickly switching back to a sterner face, he continued. “Now then, this is certainly quite the decision. I can honestly say I wasn’t expecting such a grand opportunity to be presented to me, much less two of them at once. Thank you for the honor you’ve offered me, both of you, I know this must be a rare circumstance. That being said, I think I’ll have to side with Councilman Glaurid on this one. I know there is much to be done beyond the great walls of the city and I shall be glad to be of use.” He nodded at Thalin as he spoke, not breaking away from his sternness. He could tell Thalin was, while polite, likely not the type to waste time on pleasantries and feigned smiles. If he was to find himself in the employ of this man, he would begin to act like it immediately.