Riversnow's proposal & Precept news in general

Sinister_Plank

Riversnow of the Precept sought me out earlier today seeking to find some common ground between their faction and our village.

Her main concern was the treatment of those found to be of tainted bloodlines. She seemed to be under the impression they were sumarilly executed when discovered. Her request was to have a member of the precept posted in Eveningstar, to help those found to be of tainted bloodlines find safe harbour and guidance elsewhere.

I promised I'd relay the issue, but promised no results. While in part her request is small, in that the people she seek to protect are already given exile at worst, free to seek their fate elsewhere, and Eveningstar could benefit from the aid of a stronger arcane presence, I'm not certain the Precepts are the right group to provide such.

None the less, I'll keep speaking to her. If she can have hand in ending their petty squabbles with our church all the better.

-Dawnknight Theron Harcourt

O-louth

@sinister_plank
Sword of the Morning,
It is a worthy proposal. But it does show that the Precepts speak with two tongues. They both wish a place in Eveningstar, and still try and pick a fight with us in the Historic district.

Have they attempted to force any of you out of the district yet? Perhaps a challenge for an honorary duel could settle the matter? It has been a while since I had one of those.

Evelyn

Sinister_Plank

It is my understanding, that the Precept speak with as many tounges as there are members. They do not seem to enjoy nearly the same unity of purpouse we do.

-Dawnknight Theron Harcourt

O-louth

@sinister_plank @Man-in-the-Mist @Salem @SpiffyMeister

On my way to see Ercole in the Faceless Inn, three bloodhounds came to greet me, and attacked. Using both sword, spears and magic, the three tried to gain the upper hand. After a lengthly battle, two of the bloodhounds were dead, and Balorak was on the ground. I offered him mercy, and departed the district.

Soon after, he issued a formal challenge to the death, clearly having taken insult by my mercy to his demonic bloodline. Honorbound, I accepted a duel without magic, prowes of the sword only, and with no mercy to follow.

After he once more was on the ground before my feet, I offered him mercy and life, if he would service Eveningstar for redemption. He refused, and so I took his head, a merciless, swift blow.

I doubt any of the bloodhounds will try and enforce their ban from the historic District any longer, after this display of our might.

But even if they do, once less evil beast to worry about.

Evelyn Stillwater
Dawnknight

SpiffyMeister

Good work.

Myrkyr

Sinister_Plank

In the event any of you hadn't heard yet, Izereth of the Precept is currently engaged in active effort to collect and destroy all Relics of the Church of Lathander she can get her hands on.

Picking fights with our knights is one thing, and I trust our knights to handle themselves and settle that on their own, but sacrilige against the Church of Lathander is quite another. Something needs to be done about it.

-Dawnknight Theron Harcourt

Swifty Willownall

I'm aware of Izereth's attempt at gathering relics and items of the Lathanderite faith. While she hasn't openly admitted that she's planning to desecrate, defile, or destroy these items of Lathander, prudence would lead me to believe otherwise due to the recent conflicts between our factions.

I went to the Precept and spoke with Izereth personally. I warned her, several times, that the conflict between the Asters and the Precept could and should be dealt with, without acts against the Lathanderite faith. I made sure she understood that picking a fight with the Church is not a fight she will win, and is not a fight she will want, and that nobody will protect them should it come to that. I have warned her.

With all of that said, Dawnknight Evelyn, would you please tell us exactly what happened and as to why the precept are feuding with the Order? I know they disagree with our rules here in Eveningstar when it comes to handling tieflings, but I believe there are more reasons than just that.

-Dawnlord Argun the Strong

SpiffyMeister

While i am not going to go as far and say that relics of lathander should not be defended- i would hedge that if this is just a petty way of trying to avenge three fallen friends- mercy might be the higher path.

We have innumerable enemies and i fo not think cementing a new one is possibly the wisest course.

Charisbonde

Sinister_Plank

While I don't disagree, I suspect they'll only escalate from here. Something needs to be done about this situation. I am in talks with the Trueblood Riversnow in hopes of finding means of de-escalation.

Evelyn, we need to talk.

-Dawnknight Theron Harcourt

O-louth

@sinister_plank @Swifty-Willownall @SpiffyMeister

Argun, Theron, My Lord Belon,
The whole matter stems from Merago being mentioned alongside the Murrain, when we banned them from Eveningstar during the war. Merago was a member of the Precepts, but was also a defacto member of the Murrain. I have never met Jim without Merago at his side, defending him, travelling with him, and defending him at every turn.

The Precepts took great offense to Merago being labelled alongside them. I took down the "ban" the minute peace was struck, and I even had found some resemblance of peace with Merago.

Yet the Precept Arcanum, took offense, and mixed with us banning all tieflings from our lands, decided to teach us a lesson.
I tried to reason with the orcan counselor. I tried to reason with Balorak, and with Izereth. They all wanted us to pay.

I see this as using our current state, to make a grab of power in the city.

They had no legality to their ban. We have done no wrong in the eyes of the law. We can turn the other cheek, sure. I doubt they will stop because of it.

-Evelyn

O-louth

@o-louth @Sinister_Plank
I have done what I could in the last few days to see if peace could be possible with the Precepts. Yet as both myself and Theron have experienced, they seek conflict at every turn.

Theron and I discussed our best approach forward. The stance of the Order of Aster, is that the duel with Balorak settled the matter from our perspective. We will not recognize their ban on us in the Historic District, but if it comes to blows, we will do what we can to leave the poor Bloodhounds alive.
That said, I will avoid the district for now, to minimize the opportunities for the Precepts to get more water on their mill.

Dawnknight Evelyn Stillwater

Swifty Willownall

I've been treating most of the conflict between the Order of the Aster and the Precept as DawnKnight Evelyn's affair, but after speaking with some of their members, I've decided to take a more proactive approach. The conflict between our two orders is unnecessary, and we share mutual distaste for Tilverton, the undead, and the demons. There isn't a good reason for our two Orders to be at odds with one another, and from what I've gathered, much of the tension was sprung up from past aggressions and differences in our beliefs, mainly in the way that Eveningstar treats those of mixed blood. I do think it's important to also note that the Precept are not an organization who's members share unified beliefs like we do. Many of them are individuals who still pursue their own outlooks on things.

That said, I would ask my brothers and sisters to enact these things so that we may come to a peace.

We of the Aster shall avoid finding conflict with the Precept whenever possible. True, they may not have any legal authority to bar us from places, but please, unless it is absolutely necessary, let us take the high road and simply respect their wishes to leave.
As for the Lathander relics the Precept, mainly Izereth, is hoarding. It is my original fear that they wish to commit some sort of sacrilege or ritual with these items, however, it's also just as likely they are doing it just to get a rise out of us. Because of this I have decided to inform the Precept that, while we wish they wouldn't commit such an act if they are in fact planning on it, that we still won't harbor any ill will towards them and the church won't bring harm to them for their actions. We are going to take the higher road and forgive them, because we want peace.
The issue concerning Dawnknight Evelyn and Balorak. While Evelyn was acting in self defense, unfortunately, some members of their order did fall simply trying to uphold their duties. I will do what I can and offer them some rights for their dead, or to see if they wish them brought back to us if they have not done so already. I can also offer them, or their families, a tithe to help ease their burdens. I do not believe Evelyn is guilty, but, an apology for the event and what unfolded would go a long way to making amends. If they demand some sort of compensation from Evelyn, we can discuss that further. There is no need for her to accept these demands unless she wishes to.
One of the main sparks of this conflict was due to our laws here in Eveningstar concerning those of mixed blood. Specifically, tieflings. This may be a question better suited for you High Bishop, but could you please explain as to why this law is here in the first place? I think I do know, but I would still like to hear your thoughts on the matter. I don't think there would be much harm in amending this, and I do think Lathander's salvation should be offered and given to those that seek it, even ones who's ancestry might not have the most pure of bloods in it.

-DawnHammer Argun the Strong

O-louth

@swifty-willownall @Sinister_Plank
Argun,
What you propose is much in line with the current stance of the Order it self. However, I do feel a bit insulted by your isinuation that this current debacle is my doing alone. Do not treat me as a troublemaker, for having the stones to enact Lathanders will.

I banned Merago from entering our lands, because of his far too close ties with the Murrain. I lifted it immediately as peace as agreed upon. As to me not accepting their ban on the Historic District, unlike ours of Merago, it holds no legal justification. From my perspective, the situation with the two dead Bloodhounds ended with the duel with Balorak. He fought for the legal grounds through a formal challenge. He lost, and the Precepts show their utter lack of honor by not respecting the outcome.

Lathander teaches us to always seek new beginnings, forgiveness and redemption when possible. But also be intolerant against those who allow evil deeds to go unchallenged.

Because we are currently pressed with more important matters, I am avoiding any confrontation, and keeping my focus on them. But do not expect an apology from me, or a less hard stance against these fence sitters. I do not tolerate their acceptance of evil deeds being committed without them acting on it, and I find it suprising you do, to be honest.

Evelyn

O-louth

@Swifty-Willownall @Sinister_Plank
Boys,
How goes the work with getting the bloody ban lifted from the Historic District. Are the Precepts still focusing on upholding it?

It is not that I mind terribly, that I have to avoid it. But it does pose a situation with our awakened, and I would very much dislike to see them being harassed, for wearing our colors within the district.

Evelyn

SpiffyMeister

Dawnlord, Dawnknight,

As you both know, Eveningstar has deep connections to the higher planes, and traditionally has always expelled residents of infernal bloodlines for this reason.

I merely made tradition into law.

We will not tolerate fiendish bloodlines in our village as residents. When born, the mother can move out of the village to raise the child, or give the child to the Church where it will be raised in an orphanage elsewhere.

There's also the fact we had a greater angel hovering on the edge of the village that may have factored into this decision when it was made into law and I really, really didn't want to antagonize it. If my subordinates feel it best to revise this law, I am not opposed to changing it, but I do believe residence status to those of the lower not lesser bloodlines should come with severe restrictions.

High Dawnlord Belon

O-louth

@spiffymeister @Sinister_Plank @Swifty-Willownall
My Lord Belon, Argun, Theron,
I see no reason why we should change our laws, simply because some ignorant cultists and back alley thugs in a uniform, try to force our hand.
They are not allowed citizenship in Arabel, and I find it hard to believe that such laws were made without just cause.
Our laws have merit. Those who are cursed with infernal blood, or are decendants of foul dragons, are naturally disposed towards cruelty. That is not a statement, that it factual. I imagine if we took a close look towards the actions of adventurers of such bloodlines, we will find that a majority of them have in various ways, made life worse for the general populace, not better.

We offer to teach them how to control their worst impulses and tendencies towards cruelty, by living a life in the Light that is Lathander. Or we ask them to leave, and find a home somewhere else. Why should we risk the well being of our populace, by giving in to the demands from these cultists?

Our laws even give us the opportunity to grant celemency, if these... people show that they can control themselves.

Our laws are just. I see no desire to change them, for to do so, is to invite darkness into our town, and I see no reason for doing so.

Evelyn

Sinister_Plank

@o-louth
The Historic District ban is now officially lifted.

-Dawnknight Harcourt

Valkyrie

I am curious. How was the precept able to ban us from a section of Arabel when they have no authority to do so. That would have to be a council decision.

DawnBringer Jaylah

Sinister_Plank

@valkyrie The legitimacy of the ban was always highly questionable. They are the peacekeeping force of the district, and as such has guards posted.

-Dawnknight Harcourt

Valkyrie

Well then we will make a note of that should they attempt to over reach their authority again but I will leave that to our delegate assigned to the council.

Dawnbringer and summoner Jaylah