Creil Bevier
Human
Paladin
I doth not judge thee, that is god's place. I doth simply arrange thy meeting.
Posts: 171
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Service
Jul 27, 2005 9:21:04 GMT -5
Post by Creil Bevier on Jul 27, 2005 9:21:04 GMT -5
The day was bleak, and the grey light trickled in through the massive stained glass windows to dimly illuminate the isles and pews in under the great vaulted foof of the church hall. Candles stood against the wall, some luit in remebrance, others simply for light. A small congregation was gathering, taking their seats for the mass on the long wooden benches on either side of the isle. From the pulpit, a cowled figure watched the assembling gathering. He was wearing a brown monks robe over his mail shirt and sword, and neither were visible. His hair was bright blond, and flowed down to his shoulders, slightly curled, and his eyes were of dazzling, brilliant blue. Creil watched the faithfull as they shambled into the church, and waited to adress them. This would be his first service here in the city Rhyfaugh, though try as Rit Megliaf might, it would not be his last. Several other brothers stood about the edges of the building, absently watching the assembling crowd or attending to obscure tasks. They were all paladins of the holy order, and all were clad and armed in the same manner as the brother confessor who stood in the pulpit.
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Marie
Human
Thief
The Queen of Thieves
Posts: 28
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Service
Jul 27, 2005 9:59:17 GMT -5
Post by Marie on Jul 27, 2005 9:59:17 GMT -5
Marie smiled as she entered the church dressed in her normal armor and of course wearing her two fight gloves around her waist. This was the first time she had been able to go to church in a long while. Heck, this was the first mass held in the city after a long absence. She had even washed herself and her armor from the dreadful smell of the sewer for this occasion.
It was really amazing how many people dared to come to church after all that Rit had down. A dozen people followed in behind Marie. All still smelled of the sewer and weren't dressed in the best clothing. Of these people one was once a Priest here. It had been a long time since he entered the church.
Marie sat down at an empty pew and the rest sat down next to her. They were ready for mass after a long time of waiting and nothing would stop them from attending one.
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Creil Bevier
Human
Paladin
I doth not judge thee, that is god's place. I doth simply arrange thy meeting.
Posts: 171
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Service
Jul 27, 2005 10:24:44 GMT -5
Post by Creil Bevier on Jul 27, 2005 10:24:44 GMT -5
As the last few stragglers entered the church, the brown robed paladin's closed the main doors of the church, barring the heavy iron bound doors securely, but leaving open the smaller door set into the larger one, for any late comers. Creil looked about the congregation. The church was full. All of the seats were occupied, and some even stood at the back of the hall. He smiled warmly, happy to see the ranks of the faithful unwavering and unafraid, even in the face of Megliaf's ludicrous declaration. Creil opened the holy book on the stand in front of him, and raised his booming voice, to fill the vaulted roof and the hearts and minds of the congregation with the word and will of god.
"Brothers, Sisters all, My children, I cannot hide mine pleasure to see such a gathering. It doth warm my heart and fill mine eyes to welcome you all unto the house of god. Thou art strong willed, brave and true, and god loves thee, as do I. Though we live in troubled times, forget not thy virtues, forget not thy kin, nor thy friends. Treat thy neighbour as thou wouldst have thy neigbour treat thine own self, love thy family and thy friends and follow the teachings of our lord. We shall prevail, even in the face of such opression. Decent men, and decent women art the last bastion of hope, in a city filled with intrigue, corruption, despair and death. I pray thee, Gentles all, uphold thy values and thine decency. Sink not into corruption, nor laxity, nor the sway of evil. I pray thee, do not fear to show thy faith, thy dedication to our god. Fly in the face of thine opressors, with thy head held high. Let not thy resolve falter nor fail thee, do not deny god, and surely thy soul is on the path unto salvation. My children, i come here from a city far to the north, I seek to rekindle the passions and virtues of the people, to save thy city. Know that all men are equal in the eyes of god, brought low before him. When thy judgement doth come, wilt thou face the lord without fear? With arms open, with thine heart open unto him. Seek forgiveness, from thy neighbour, from thy friends, from thyself and from thy god. I pray thee, my children, hold thine heads high, be proud of thy lord, thy faith, feed the hungry, house the homeless, save the poor, aid the unfortunate, even as the lord gives thee strength."
He said, and as he did so, the coweled and robed brothers who stood about the hall, began to travel amongst the congregation, bestowing their blessing, and fistfulls of gold and silver. Creilturned the pages of the holy book, which crackled crisply under his gentle hand as he did so.
"Let us pray." He said, as he began to intone the prayer of the lord, in his deep, resounding voice.
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Marie
Human
Thief
The Queen of Thieves
Posts: 28
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Service
Jul 27, 2005 13:36:52 GMT -5
Post by Marie on Jul 27, 2005 13:36:52 GMT -5
Marie listen diligently to what the man had to say. Technically, it was the same thing she had heard every time she had gone to church in the past just reworded. But there was something behind the Paladin's choice of words and his voice that gave the empty words some meaning.
The man's opening speech ended and the knights went to and fro handing out offering of gold and silver. "No thank you." Marie declined the gift and the rest of her party did the same. Though they lived in the sewers they had enough to live, Marie made sure of that.
The knights returned to their positions and the paladin began the lords pray. Marie and her group spoke in rhythm with the man, speaking each word with much meaning. To finally worship in a church again was a great privilege to them.
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Creil Bevier
Human
Paladin
I doth not judge thee, that is god's place. I doth simply arrange thy meeting.
Posts: 171
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Service
Jul 27, 2005 16:19:42 GMT -5
Post by Creil Bevier on Jul 27, 2005 16:19:42 GMT -5
As Creil intoned the prayer, the congregation spoke in unison with him, filling the great vaults of the church with the deep, reverbrating sound of their prayer. He listened even as he spoke, and tears of joy welled up in his eyes, truly these people were on the right path, and truly, this was a moment of beauty. How could anyone present deny the truth of it, the compulsion, the perfection? As they finished and fell silent, taking their seats again, Creil closed the holy book on the stand before him. "Mine children, Sons and Daughters of our lord, after the service I shall adjourn to the confessional. If there art any amongst thou without sin, thou shalt have no need of my services there, shouldst thou seek to confess thine sins, i shall await thee theirin, though only the lord can grant thee asolution. If thou dost wish to clear thine conscience, and thy head, seek me out my children and i shall provide what little service i can." He said, stepping down from the pulpit, even as another coweled brother rose to take his place.
After the service had finished, Creil sat in the confessional, on the side of the clergymen. The space between the two boxes was obscured by a metal grate, and one could not see the faces of those who sat on the other side. He sat in silence, waiting to see who, if any would come to confession.
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Marie
Human
Thief
The Queen of Thieves
Posts: 28
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Service
Jul 27, 2005 19:43:19 GMT -5
Post by Marie on Jul 27, 2005 19:43:19 GMT -5
After the mass was over the priest went to talk with one of the knights about leading mass again like he used too while the others made their way back down to the sewer. Marie stayed behind, like the priest, and took her seat in the confessional. Tears began to swell on the corner of her eyes and her head lowered. She hadn't sat in a confessional sometime and there was a list of stuff she needed to say. Though all her actions were to help those of the sewers she sinned often. Now she was there in the confessional, but was she really ready to confess her sins. Yes, she had to.
"Father," she started, her voice shaking slightly, "I haven't confessed in...well I can't remember when. I have sinned much during this time. She took a deep breath in and then continued on. "I've killed many men, too many to count." Might as well start with the big one first. "I've stolen, often also." That was what she did as a living. She was a thief and a damn good one. "And I've slept with a man without being wedded to him."
There, she did it. There was probably more where that came from but her head hurt way too much to remember anymore.
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Creil Bevier
Human
Paladin
I doth not judge thee, that is god's place. I doth simply arrange thy meeting.
Posts: 171
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Service
Jul 28, 2005 4:39:41 GMT -5
Post by Creil Bevier on Jul 28, 2005 4:39:41 GMT -5
The wavering voice of a woman reached Creil's ears from the other side of the confessional, and he turned his ear to listen, nodding to himself in acknowledgement of her confessions, his expression one of understanding and concern. He recognised the voice. Hers was one of the louder, fuller voices which raised to sing the hyms after he had stepped down from the pulpit, to watch from the sidelines. He had seen her refusal to accept the gift of gold and silver, to give it to those more needy. "My child," He began, his voice low as he spoke softly, "Thine soul is on the right path, for thou dost repent of thy sins, and attend mass. Thou wouldst refuse our aid, for those more needy - none whom act as such could be truly evil. Thou art a true daughter of the church." Creil paused, collecting his thoughts, "I sense there is more to thy confession, more in thy heart my child. Why hast thou sinned so? For was it not without selfish intent? Thout thou sought to aid thine companions?"
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Marie
Human
Thief
The Queen of Thieves
Posts: 28
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Service
Jul 29, 2005 12:15:59 GMT -5
Post by Marie on Jul 29, 2005 12:15:59 GMT -5
How was she going to answer the Paladin's question? She knew why she sinned, to help those in need. But it just didn't feel right to go out and say that. It was like bragging or something. But he had asked for the reason. She had to say something for she would look quite stupid just sitting there. "I kill to protect those who live in the sewer and steal to provide their basic needs." There she said something. She just hoped that the questions wouldn't get harder.
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Creil Bevier
Human
Paladin
I doth not judge thee, that is god's place. I doth simply arrange thy meeting.
Posts: 171
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Service
Jul 29, 2005 16:16:45 GMT -5
Post by Creil Bevier on Jul 29, 2005 16:16:45 GMT -5
Creil smiled, though he knew she could not see the knowing expression on his face, "Then truly ye art on the right path, thine cause is just, though thine method is questionable. In mine eyes thou art true and devout, my sister. Ask god for his forgiveness, repent thine sins, and thou shalt have absolution." He said the words with conviction, believing, no, knowing in his heart the truth of them. Though Creil was not incredibly stern, nor did he follow the letter of the church precisely, he was a devout son of god, and had absolute faith. He knew of the existance of other deities, though it was his philosophical position to deny their existance and truth, rather than any real scepticism. He paused in mid thought, his mind was wandering, always moving to the bigger issue, and he mentally grasped hold of himself and shook hard, sinking his feet firmly back in reality. "I find no fault in thy character, nor thine heart. Dost thou have more to say, mine sister?"
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Marie
Human
Thief
The Queen of Thieves
Posts: 28
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Service
Aug 2, 2005 22:38:03 GMT -5
Post by Marie on Aug 2, 2005 22:38:03 GMT -5
"I can not speak more father." She said and left the confession booth abruptly. She couldn't speak anymore. It had really been more than she could stand. So she just made her way back o the pews, took a seat, and began to pray to forgiveness. And the tears kept pouring down her pale cheeks.
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