Various Locations, Chesapeake (PaxLair Times) – August 20, 1998 – by Atlan – Let it be known, that the Great Earth Serpent has contacted the people of Sosaria, in particular the town of PaxLair. It has sent us many a vision and spoke much knowledge. Here you will find what has happened and what we have learned so far.
First, i, Atlan, sage and seer of PaxLair felt the urge to hold a seance. After this intriguing first contact to the Void, and the forces it holds, i did much research. Again, i believe that the Serpents guided me in my desire, for as soon as had accomplished a simple device to recieve messages from the Void, we could put it to good use. After eons of silence, the shrines spoke again! This first quest to the shrines tought us very much.
We were left with the promise of another call to the shrines, revealing the true intent of all this. Note, that the answers the party gave to the questions each shrine posed will remain their secret, as this is a path you can only travel for yourself. Choose your own answers for your own reasons and learn.
And thus the shrines spoke:
Chaos Shrine
Thy world has no understanding of Chaos! Thy world was a mere shadow, but now it takes form. Now thou gain souls.
Nourish these souls with Virtue. The Great Serpents have chosen to guide thou.
Follow their guidance, or else thine world will be shattered by the Evil that was, the Evil that is and the Evil that will be.
Learn the ways of Chaos, Order and Balance. Thou will need the mantra of every shrine to make contact.
Chant it trice and learn what thou missed so far and what thou will miss if you fail.
It may seem easy to chose between Good and Evil, but how dost thou chose between Good and Good?
Every direction consists of three Principles. Chaos begins with Emotion
Emotion is the ability to percieve those feelings that come from the heart, as opposed to those from the mind.
Do not return until thou contemplated Emotion. Go now, and learn of Honesty!
Honesty Shrine
We are Honesty.
The measure of a man’s real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.
Never esteem anything as of advantage to thee that shall make thee break thy word or lose thy self-respect.
Honesty springs from Truth Another aspect of Honesty is Logic, a Principle of Order.
Logic permits clear, reasoned thought, free from instinctual biases.
We ask thee this: A merchant owes thy friend money, now long past due. Thou dost see the same merchant drop a purse of gold. Dost thou A) Honestly return the purse intact; or B) Justly give thy friend a portion of the gold first?
Do not return until thou contemplated Logic. Go now, and learn of Justice!
Those who inflict injustice upon others cannot expect fair treatment unto themselves.
We are justice.
How little do they see what really is, who frame their judgement upon that which seems.
Justice is Truth balanced with Love. Another aspect of Justice is Rationality, a Principle of Balance.
Rationality is the ability to comprehend life and understand the world around us. Emotion blended with Logic and Logic balanced with Emotion achieves Rationality.
We ask thee this: Thou hast been sent to secure a needed treaty with a distant Lord. Thy host is agreeable to the proposal but insults thy country at dinner. Dost thou A) Valiantly bear the slurs; or B) Justly rise and demand an apology?
Thou will need to find the symbols. We will call thee when the time is near.
Do not return until thou contemplated Rationality. Go now, and learn of Valor!
Valor Shrine
We are Valor.
If we want light, we must conquer darkness.
Valor is born from Courage. Another aspect of Courage is Enthusiasm, a Principle of Chaos.
Enthusiasm is the energy that allows one to perform great tasks.
We ask thee this: A mighty knight accosts thine poor Lord for a tribute. Dost thou A) Valiantly refuse and engage the knight; or B) Sacrifice thy wealth to help thine Lord?
Do not return until thou contemplated Enthusiasm. Go now, and learn of Sacrifice!
Sacrifice Shrine
In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.
Sacrifice is derived from Love and Courage. Another aspect of Sacrifice is Discipline, a Principle of Order.
We ask thee this: Thou art an elderly, wealthy eccentric. Thy end is near. Dost thou A) donate all thy wealth to feed hundreds of starving children, and receive public adulation; or B) Humbly live out thy life, willing thy fortune to thy heirs?
Discipline is the drive to complete a task and avoid the distractions that will prevent its completion.
Do not return until thou contemplated Discipline. Go now, and learn of Humility!
Humility Shrine
Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice; and yet everybody is content to hear.
Humility exists outside of Truth, Love and Courage. Another aspect of Humility is Dedication, a Principle of Balance.
Dedication is that which permits one to surmount obstacles and lead others. Enthusiasm balanced with Discipline bestows Dedication upon us.
We ask thee this: Thou art at a crossroads in thy life. Dost thou A) Choose the Honorable life of a Paladin, striving for Truth and Courage; or B) Choose the Humble life of a Shepherd, and a world of simplicity and peace?
Thou will need to enshrine the symbols, we will help thee if the time has come.
Do not return until thou contemplated Dedication. Go now, and learn of Honor!
Honor Shrine
We are Honor.
Honor and shame from no conditions rise; Act well thine part, there all the honor lies.
Honor comes from Truth and Courage. Another aspect of Honor is Ethicality, a Principle of Order.
Ethicality is the beliefe that there is great value in abiding by rules of conduct.
We ask thee this: Thou art sworn to uphold a Lord who participates in the forbidden torture of prisoners. Each night their cries of pain reach thee. Dost thou A) Show Compassion by reporting the deeds; or B) Honor thy oath and ignore the deeds?
Do not return until thou contemplated Ethicality. Go now, and learn of Compassion!
Compassion Shrine
We are Compassion.
Compassion is the basis of all morality.
Love brings Compassion. Another aspect of Compassion is Tolerance, a Principle of Chaos.
Tolerance is that which encourages the acceptance of all things.
We ask thee this: Thou hast been taught to preserve thine lords shrines from all desacration. A known murderer and thief, deadly wounded pleads for entrance to rest and heal his wounds. Dost thou A) show Compassion and let him in; or B) heed thy Spiritual beliefs and refuse?
Do not return until thou contemplated Tolerance. Go now, and learn of Spirituality!
Spirituality Shrine
Thou cannot dream thyself into a character; thou must hammer and forge thyself one.
Spirituality derives from Truth, Love and Courage. Another aspect of Spirituality is Harmony.
Harmony is the ability to be at peace with oneself, other individuals and the world. Tolerance balanced with Ethicality brings us Harmony.
We ask thee this: A local bully pushes for a fight. Dost thou A) Valiantly trounce the rogue; or B) Decline, knowing in thy Spirit that no lasting good will come of it?
Thou hast heard of the Principles of Chaos, Order and Balance. Some problems might need other points of view to resolve. What hast thou learned? All Virtues are one Virtue. All ways are one way. All beliefes are one beliefe.
Thou will need a way to enter the Void. We will open a passage when all is ready.
Go now, and contemplate Harmony. Think of what thou have learned and return again when thou hear the call.
Atlan
NOTE: This is part of a continuing PaxLair Player Quest, not a Seer Quest.