From the desk of Adrian Northwode

[Adrian Northwode]

Jun 1, the Lords year 368
Logbook
It has been a while since I have last sat in this chair and recorded my thoughts, my observations, my actions and my praises to our Lord Almighty, the Higher Being.
Many things have happened since and for my own accord and for the disposal of my Brothers I shall briefly summarize this period. First however, it shall be known that I have returned to Yew, as an Initiate of the Templi Order, I have been deemed worthy to act as the vengeful hand of our Lord. The people of Yew shall rejoice, for I shall safeguard their souls and deliver them from sin, as is His will. Sinners shall tremble, Heretics shall burn, Yew shall be purged, as is His will.

In the time since my departure I have undertaken the last trials and tests to prove my self worthy to carry out the Lords will. I have traveled the roads visiting all seven shrines of virture, all holy sites of miracles, saints and the Avatar. I have shown prowess at arms and great knowledge in the Holy Scriptures. I have tamed a stallion worthy of carrying me into battle. I have faced many perils and temptations but with my resolve and faith in the Lord i have bested them all. The path to His paradise is straight, never Shall i stray from it, nor shall anyone try to block the path for me. I am His to command till the day He finally calls me home.


Adrian Northwode, Templi Initiate
Humble servant of the Higher Being

OOC: This was meant to be longer but the Guardian sent forth a BSOD and my parchment bursted into fire and could not be recovered.

[Adrian Northwode]

Feb 15, the Lords year 370
Logbook
I am concerned. Concerned about the very souls of the Guardsmen stationed here at this, should I say, backwater township of Yew.

The laxity some of these Guardsmen display, it worries me greatly, by all accounts the tithes does not match the records and what horrifies me the most was to find out that one of the Guardsmen was not baptised! To think that a man who has not been washed clean of sin has walked among us, a man who might have been a liability to the rest of us, it abhors me!

It so happens that I have witnessed, first hand, that the Guardsmen neglect his virtues. I would even be inclined to think that some has forgotten them! I shall however give the Guardsmen the benefit of doubt for now. It would not benefit the morale in our ongoing war against darkness if this bastion of Justice wither from within, lost to heresy and sin. If it comes to that it is my duty to order Yew purged, every man or woman held in doubt shall then have their flesh trialed by fire. However, I do so believe that Yew is still within reach of salvation, like any good shepherd I shall gather my flock when the wolves howl under the moon, I shall see to that the masses be re-educated before it is too late.

Adrian Northwode, Templar
Humble Servant of the Higher Being

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A long note bearing the seal of the Avatarian Church is nailed to the boards

Guardsmen of Yew take heed, thou art required to read the following scriptures and thou art responsible for thy peers doing likewise! No exceptions, no excuses!

Do thou best Guardsmen, to make sure thou art available for the next time I take it upon myself to preach to thee. The price could be catastrophic if thou do not!

Adrian Northwode, Templar
Humble Servant of the Higher Being

Story of Creation

In the beginning Higher Being created the heavens and the earth of Sosaria and everything in them. He created the human race in his own holy image, He made them with a body and a soul. The first man, Zog,
was made from dust of the ground, and the woman Evah, from his rib. He joined them in marriage and blessed them, saying, be fruitful increase in number, fill Sosoria and subdue it.
Thus His creation was completed and it was perfect and it was holy.

The Higher Being commanded Zog and Evah to love and respect him and to uphold and live by His seven Virtues. If not, they would die. The Guardian once a holy angel,
envious of the Higher Beings Creation and determined to do evil created the body of the first Elf, in his own unholy image.
The Guardian commanded his demon spawn to seek out Evah and preach onto her the eighth and false virtue of Compassion.
Evah, prepared only to face good, believed it and did tell Zog about the false virtue and they began to practice it along with His seven holy virtues.
Their disobedience separated them from Higher Being and enslaved them to Evil and sin; unable to fight Guardian because of the Compassion they felt for him.

Because of sin, the Higher Being told Zog to cast the Spell of Armageddon. Zog and Evah died both spiritually and physically; but in return Higher Being let two of their many children survive,
and Guardian saved two of his children without Higher Being knowing it.
The human nature of Zog's children became corrupt and inclined only to evil because of the elves present in the world, and they passed their sinful nature on to their children and to the following generations.
In time they died. Their bodies returned to the dust of the ground. Through their sin they also became subject to eternal death, an everlasting damnation in hell.

Spirituality
Spirituality, to have faith Guardsmen! How many of thee feel the power of the Lord within thee?! How many of thee give thanks to the Lord for granting thee a healthy body to wage war upon his enemies?!
How many of thee pray for the souls of those who have chosen the wrong path, those foolish enough to resist the Higher Being?!
How many of thee go for days, weeks, even months without speaking to thy Lord, only to call upon Him when thou feel the need?! How many of thee Guardsmen, I do wonder...
Let me tell thee this Guardsmen, the Lord does NOT grant wishes! Thou may think that He will answer when thou cry out but He will not! Our Lord does not exist to serve us, we exist to serve Him!
He gave us the power and the will go forth and seek out His enemies and destroy them AND their pagan ways. Be it by conversion or conquest, our task is the same!
Spread the word of our Lord Chyldren, have Faith in Him! And if thou truly posses Faith, then worry not about thy own safety, no Guardsmen, hunt down those who are foolish enough to face the Servants of the Lord!
Let me quote a great man who served here before me. "For just as a lighted candle casts off the shadows of a darkend corridor," "so to shall the Holy Light forever burn away the Shadows of the Guardian!"
Faith Guardsmen, It is our strongest ally! Faith shall see us through despair and danger! Faith shall conquer ALL! Know this Guardsmen, believe it!
Then thou shall feel His power within thyself. Let the Lord work through thee Guardsmen, become a weapon of righteousness as He intended thee to be.
To do this Guardsmen, thou must devote thyself to the Lord and his teachings. Thou must put thy life in His hands and NEVER question his motives! For He is always correct, He makes no mistakes!
He knows what is best for thee! Let His power into thy life Guardsman! Paying lip service is NOT enough!
Thou must BELIEVE it! Thou must LIVE it! Thou must BE it! This Guardsmen, this is the TRUE meaning of spirituality. This is why the Lord has given us the virtue of spirituality.
So that we may serve Him as best we can!

Honesty
Honesty is the princible of truth, honesty is more than not telling lies.
To be truly honest thou have to honest not only to others but also to thyself and most importantly to thy Lord, the Higher Being.
If thou fail, admit thy error, if thou sin, confess to thy Lord! Do not hide behind excuses or lies, to be honest with Him, thou have to honest with thyself.
The Higher Being knows all and he will judge us on our final day, it is through Him alone thou will find salvation, confess thy sins to Him or thou will only find damnation.
Honesty Guardsmen, is what brings us closer to the Lord.


http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/9840/btb1kp3.jpg


[OOC] If you have any questions regarding anything related to the church feel free to send me a PM on these forums or contact me on ICQ 393-011-677

[Adrian Northwode]

Jul 7, the Lords year 372
Logbook
I recieved a letter from the Grandmaster by a Templi courier yesterday. I have been chosen for the office of Preceptor of Yew.

I am now responsible for the training of the young friars and maintaining good morale and strong faith in Yew. A task I shall not back away from. It shall be known that Yew is my flock and I am their shepherd, they shall be brought safely to His heaven on my watch. As long as they do not stray to far from the path of salvation, for then I shall be the wolf that hunts them down.

Adrian Northwode, Templar Preceptor
Humble Servant of the Higher Being

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A long note bearing the seal of the Avatarian Church is nailed to the boards

Guardsmen take heed! I know that many of thee think thou can afford to avoid Mass. Let me assure thee, thou cannot!

For the unfortunate souls, a lesson on Justice and Sacrifice.

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Justice
Justice, the very reason for thy existance Guardsmen, the same virtue on which Yew was built. Where would we be without Justice?

We would be in Chaos! Without justice there can not be law, without law there can not be order. Thus chaos breeds where there is no order. And Chaos Guardsmen, is what the Guardian intends to bring upon us! Without justice the weakest of men would easily give into the temptations that justice keeps in check. Thieves, Murderers, Wytches, Orcs, Elves and every other demon spawn would have the freedom to make us all subject to their evil.

What of those who goes unpunished, what happens to them? They answer to the highest of all courts, where only one judge resides, a judge whom knows all facts, whom needs no jury to find guild or innocence, whos ruling is final in every sense. This judge, is the Higher Being himself! And those who does not face trial by man, shall not escape as he exacts justice on their immortal souls! Those who do wrong condemn themselves, and with Him, there no deals to be made, there is no forgiveness to be had, no lies to be told, it will be to late to regret. Punishment, dealt in hundredfolds for all wrongs is all that awaits! So I tell thee Guardsmen, study the path thou walk, thou may serve justice but do no fall on the wrong side of it.


Sacrifice
Sacrifice, the most noble virtue of all them all. What does it mean to thee, to make a sacrifice? I am sure Sacrifice means many different things to the people gathered here at this mass. But let me tell thee Guardsmen, what sacrifice truly means.

Sacrifice is not passing coin to a beggar living on the street, no Guardsmen, for gold will go through thy hands many times during your life. Ask thyselves Guardsmen, have thou really helped a beggar then? NO! Would he not have been better off by being tought how to make his own living, how to take care of himself? Forcing this beggar back into the struggle for survival would be in the true spirit of this virtue! And that is why time is a great sacrifice Guardsmen, more valueable than gold, for every second in thy lifes thee spend on doing good for those in need thou have forfeit and will not be given back!

Imagine Guardsmen, the lonely footman patroling in the dead of night, think of the sacrifices he makes. He sacrifices his warmth and comfort so thee can keep thy own, his sleep so that a small child may sleep safe assured that they will not be devoured by hideous beasts. It may be that this lonely footman may be called to make an even greater sacrifice, the greatest he can give, that of his life! What better sacrifice can one hope to make, than to give thy life so that innocent people may keep theirs. Indeed Guardsmen, to die fighting evil, to face the Guardian vile creations and fall in the Lords name, is the most holy sacrifice thou can make!

Sure there are men who live safer lives with greater monetary values, far from the front lines, at the place that thee all know as home. Are this not a better way of living? the answer, is NO! For trust me Guardsmen, by sacrificing thy safety, thy comfort and any hopes of wealth thou have all made a better bargain. For when the Lord calls upon his subjects to ask what sacrifices they have made, these "soft" men shall have nothing to answer. But thee Guardsmen, thee can hold up thy heads and answer, I have sacrificed everything in Thy name! And there is no greater goal than that! To live and lose ones life in service to the Lord!

But I have news for thee Guardsmen, all men make sacrifices, even those who do evil, even those who chose to follow the Guardian himself! For they sacrifice their everlasting souls for a few moments of pleasure and lazyness in their fleeting lives! And our Lord is willing to take that trade, for the reward of their sacrifice, is everlasting torment in the abyss, their flesh shall be consumed by fire only to be reborn again in a never ending cycle! Remember Guardsmen, thy service and sacrifices have value. Never question the sacrifices thou are called upon to make, like a hachet does not question the motives of the lumberjack or how the hammer does not ask the smithy why it must mold the steel! Let death come for thee in any matter, be it by the sword of thy most hated enemy or by spells cast by a wicked wytch.

For thou shall die knowing that thou have made the greatest sacrifice thou could, that of thy life.

[Adrian Northwode]

Jan 66, the Lords year 373
Logbook
Some time has passed, the Lords work is abundant and besides the evil and the wicked never rests. So how can I?

I witnessed an argument some days ago between the Mayor of this backwater township and the Duke of Trinsic at the outskirts of Britain. It quickly got my further attention when one of the Dukes wretched elf servants started to participate. This foul creature openly mocked the Avatar and the people of Yew. I must admit that rightheous wrath almost got the better of me and only common sense stopped me from smiting this foul elf where it stood. Britain was not the place to have this dealt with. Although I shall not overlook this incident. Trinsic is not doubt a cesspool of arrogance and decadence, their sins shall be paid for when the opportunity presents itself, as the Avatar wills it.

The Guardsmen on the other hand has shown a little improvement, there may still be hope for some of them.

Adrian Northwode, Templar Preceptor
Humble Servant of the Higher Being

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A note bearing the seal of the Avatarian Church is nailed to the boards

Guardsmen take heed! I know that many of thee think thou can afford to avoid Mass. Let me assure thee, thou cannot!

For the unfortunate souls who missed out, a lesson on Valor.


Valor Guardsman, something thou all should possess. What doth it mean to be valorous Guardsman? It is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk, danger and uncertainty. And thee Guardsmen, do thee not possess valor then thou shalt not last long.

I have spoken to thee about humility and fear. Valor is the other side of the same coin! To overcome ones fears, to charge boldly into battle knowing that death is almost certain. To show courage in the face of danger, to act where others would succumb to their fears. That is valor Guardsmen!

Thou art all expected to behave bravely and needs be give up thy lifes in the line of duty. To most of thee I know this would come naturally. Yet some... Both civillians and within our own ranks doth not know how to behave with valor.
They are cowards! Let me tell thee Guardsmen, fear DENIES faith! For cowards do not trust in our Lord! For if you belive in our Creator the Higher Being Almighty, then thou shalt be able to aside thine fears! Thou shalt be able to ignore that feeling in the pit of thine stomach! Thou shalt be able to charge into a horde of orcs without breaking thy stride, so that those who cannot fend for themselves may keep their lifes for atleast another day!

That is why Guardsmen, that the Lord has bestowed the Virtue of Valor upon us! So that we, and those like us may do our duty and not fall victim to the Guardian! For the Lord of the Abyss shall seek to sow seeds of doubt within thee Guardsmen! HE wants thee to be afraid, weak and most of all.. Cowards! But the Higher Being is stronger Guardsmen.
Have faith in Him and thou shalt break down the darkness with courage!
Have faith in Him and thou shalt be strong!
Have faith in Him and thou shalt be VICTORIOUS!

And that Guardsmen is the reason we art here. Not to gain wealth. Not to flex our muscle. And not to grow fat off the labors of the peasants. But to defend those peasants from the forces of Darkness!
And that Guardsmen, requires Valor.

[Adrian Northwode]

(For reference as it was posted on the old forums)

Humility
Humility what doth it mean? It means to be humble, to be modest about thy importance in this world. We are but sand grains in a desert but do not dismay Guardsmen thy task in this world is one to be proud of, but remember. Remember Guardsmen, we are but men given to sin, men with fault, men with fear.
Thou all have fears and it is those fears that will make thou humble, the very fears that makes thee realise that thou are not invincible nor immortal. We were given the feeling of humility so that our fears will keep us modest, and so that our souls do not fall subject to the sin of arrogance. Do not feel ashamed by thy fears, overcome them, thou will only find shame if thou let thy fears defeat thee. By overcomming our fears Guardsmen, we grow stronger. However, even the strongest have weaknesses, not any of us here are absolutely perfect, know this and be humbled!

[Adrian Northwode]

Feb 18, the Lords year 373
Logbook

The last few days has been quite "eventful".

I came upon a group of Guardsmen in the keep the other day who fell awfully silent as I passed them. Guilt clearly troubled some of them, that much I could tell from their awkward body language. I still do not know if there is something to it but I shall be vigilant and do some subtle prying when I get the chance.

The Captain approached me during my evening prayers last eve with a personal concern. He is worried about the future of his "flock" of children, or so he claims, now that they are without a mother. He came to ask if it was acceptable if he was to eventually remarry. Truth be told I was a bit reluctant to allow this as I suspect him of being a bit of an adulterer. None the less I preached the morale issue of the situation. The choices were simple, death has done him and his former wife part and thus it is up to him to decide wether he wants to honor their marital vows in the afterlife or remarry for the sake of his children.
I gave him my blessing, however, let him think that I have done him a favor when infact I have done my a self a favor. As worrying as it might be he is the most competent man in Yews ragtag militia, and probably my best asset in this backwater township. Besides he is the one who pulls the strings with the Guards. Although now It shall be easier to pull on some of his.

Later in the evening there was a few problems with an Elf whom appearantly had spend the evening with the Guardsmen in the tavern. Worrying to say atleast but it was driven from the lands along with two men who were impersonating monks. I found their stupidity quite humorous thus I let them escape, though in retrospect I should probably have them hung and burned. I am sure that the chance for that will present it self soon enough.
Shortly after three naked, probably vesperians, people from above mentioned event streaked through the keep. This made the scale tip however, I spurred my horse and hunted them down and for all I know the wolves of Yew are a little less hungry.

The last noteworthy incident was the arrival of a new Squire. Richard Laches, the third son of a noble Lord like my self. His oldest brother is destined to carry on his fathers title and I should assume his second brother have been given an officer title in some pampered military regiment as custom usually has it.
Prior this Richard Laches' arrival I recieved a letter from the Bishop along with a sizeable donation to our Lords church, with the instruction to teach this young man some humility. Yet I shall teach him more than humility, he shall soon find that of his brothers he is the lucky one. He shall not be burdened by the prospect of wealth and lordship nor the quest for the glory in his own name. No, he shall walk the path our Lord has laid out for him. He shall be struck with awe when he realises by doing His bidding he will be part of something larger than his own life and far more rewarding than anything he could ever think of.
I do foresee that he will be quite a nuisance to mold and shape into a useful asset to our righteous agenda. His attitude is not to be admired but he shall be given some leash to begin with so that his mind can be prepared for the rigorous training ahead of him.


Adrian Northwode, Templar Preceptor
Humble Servant of the Higher Being