After sending to Richard, Kellenor thinks of the oddity to have the Faustians and the reforming Order of the Cleansing Flame together. One vowing the other as a plague to be burned out with selfless sacrifice. The other knowingly reclusive and so self secure to overlook the need of connecting alliances.
With Richard’s absence, one who has journeyed the continent to bring together nations so different and far removed from each other for the just cause of the well being of the world we all reside in. The sun leathered priest begins to form an idea, of only that which one ignorant of local histories can. The idea of unified rivals coming together and surmounting old ideals for the benefit of continued rivalries.
After his morning prayers and quick conversation with Richard, he attends to morning mass with new vigor.
He leads ceremonies as usual but at the end declaring that word be spread to have a common gathering at sundown.
He seeks Althum and tries to persuade him attend with as many of his own as will come.
“I have something to say tonight. It maybe wasted breath, but I’ll be damned if I let my own happiness of healing this small portion of the world blind me to the greater plight ahead.”
He waits a moment to let the seriousness of his statement set in. And takes his leave.
“At dusk.”
Kellenor spends the afternoon spreading word that a gathering is happening and sends his few acolytes out to do the same.
Taking time with prayers in the unfinished temple while construction goes on around him, he raises his eyes to the burning light of the sun and lets the tears fall…..
—how could he have missed this? Why had he not thought to reform the order elsewhere? Away from impending confrontation. Saving some lives while he can? The idea of a scar becoming a beauty mark? Is that vanity? Will this all perish into a forgotten ruin to be scoffed at by undeath?
After an hour or so of self loathing and beration for his lack of forethought he pulls himself together and remembers…
The Goddess is with us, the faith in her is what keeps us alive and woven into to fabric of ever long existence.
—-He cast enhance ability (charisma) as he often does before ceremonies—-
“You here gathered have witnessed the willingness of the Faustians to humbly gather and commune in the erecting temple to Madriel!”
“It is most appropriate, for long has their nation hidden their secrets and faiths apart from the world at large.”
“They have questions to answer, yes. But they clearly are not the vile villain of today.”
“Today, lovers of life, free will and faithful of the blessed gods of light!”
“We have another to ponder of in doubt, scrutiny, and distrust.”
“It has been no secret, the rumors of the hells rising to the west and the east.”
“They are real, as is the Scar we nurture and heal day by day to heal our spirit and grow our faith.”
“We are but one obstacle in the path of two dark and evil forces looking to pinch together this portion of our world.”
“If they join……. hell on earth shall ensue for all this region.”
“But! We are not alone here. There maybe others willing to stand against two oceans of vileness. Those here of Hollowfaust bare the burden as well.”
“It is of no consequence to me that my faith has led me here. From my home nation of Vesh, war torn by the ravages of Titans and Gods.”
“To journey forth, to me, to an unknown part of the world. For when I said my knightly oaths to burn out plague, to protect those who can live on prosperously, at the cost of my own life. I took those oaths! With honor and pride and faith!”
“If we can’t find the means to prevent the unity of two dark clouds looming on the horizons. Who will once they have joined?”
“Once the world we know is forced to slavery and unholy undeath, what then?!!!”
“What then?!!”
“Why even hope to have offspring? A line of children? A babe so innocent and pure?”
“Is a world of hopelessness worth having?”
“There is no running from the threat that comes. I swore to never be a doomsayer. But if you flee and hide, how long shall you survive?”
“Is mere survival in fear truly being alive?”
“Before your grandchildren endure the very fate you fled to free yourself of in fear?”
“Fear has one enemy, and one alone.”
“Faith!”
“Faith our hearts can stand against the crippling doubt of fear!”
“Faith our Gods and morals and kin, can withstand the darkest of night to rise with the morning light!”
“I say to you! Tell us of every tale, every friend or foe, every rock and even long dead entity, to help us be the mountains that stop the clouds of slavery and undeath from joining and consuming our future!”
“We have amongst us some of the most studious of minds. And some of the most brazen faithful. Let us not squabble over the past. But pool our knowledge and resources to a future where we can debate and converse our differences without destruction!”
“Again I say tell us of your myths and legends. The soft warm wind spirit from the bowels below. Your friends who have friends who might help us be the wall to defend the future!”
“Speak freely of where there may be a chance for aid to our cause! If you hold your tongue it may well be the last thing you regret!”