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[Rufus Oryan]

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(gotta warn you all, its rather long I guess)

Rufus slowly walked through the palace of Nujel’m. On this day, the palace seemed empty; its halls were not filled with the usual scholars, the scent of baked goods or even a cry from his son. Earlier, Sarah had suggested she would spend time about the reflecting pool, muttering musings to their child, hoping to grasp his mental attention early. With these happenings, Rufus was alone…

He gracefully strolled down the stairs leading the library, Rufus slid his fingers across the various books that sit atop the shelves, and ponderings on the wordings within were tossed about unconsciously, but all at once, with the idea that these scholars’ words were nay for naught. In an instant, ideas ran rampant in Rufus’s head; he needed a moment away to gather them all. All that lay in the library now was the magical essence of Rufus, and the echo, “Kal Ort Por”. His form would appear at the steps of an Anskitan style church he worked within. And inside it, lay many books and parchments, wordings he had collected over the years. “A moment to ponder. With situations arising within the government I am head of, as well as various occurrences and other groups affiliations happening about the land, I must gather an idea…something that will make a difference.” He moved hastily about the various rooms, gathering books and torn pieces of paper, stuffing them into a backpack. Still, he mind was nay clear, and one more stop must be made before that was possible.

A strange wind blew as Rufus stood in the garden at the roof of the building. He muttered the incantation of travel, and again, we gone. The moments and seconds of ethereal and dimensional escape were soothing on his spiritual person. Though to some, it may seem an instant, but to Rufus, mental projections and spiritual consciousness seemed endless in the short moments between realms. His consciousness arose as his horse exited the Blue moongate, entering a forest of dying trees and graveyards scattered about. For the Land of Felluca held something for Rufus…but what?

He kept his hand about the hilt of his Scimitar, ready for surprising attackers, brigands and murderers. A strange nervous tingle ran through his body as he heard the sound of swords clashing in a direction nay too far from him. Rufus narrowed his eyes a bit and pulled the reigns of his horse firmly. The horse began a full gallop to the east, and Rufus held tightly as he went in the direction of the sound. As the horse slowed, it approached a cave, the echo of a warrior’s effort could be heard outside. The horse trotted slowly, Rufus dismounted, brushing the marking under his eye, as he slowly crept into the cave, with his hand at the swords handle. He stood in a battle ready position, walking lightly, foot over foot in a stealthy manner. As the darkness of the cave enveloped him, he whispered “In Lor”, allowing himself vision in the darkness. Certain areas were lit by way of candle, but before him twas a gate, and on the other side the root of the sound could be found. Rufus pressed gently against the metal bars, forcing the gate open. As he stood upright, a medium sized man stumbled backwards before him. Somehow the two combatants did not take note of Rufus’s presence. Instead, they stood and readied themselves and prepared for yet another go at their duel. Rufus slid around to another more inconspicuous corner of the room, observing the display. Their postures seemed familiar, though they wore helmets guarding their faces. Regardless, their attire was made of slightly word armor, that they had been engaged in their duel for some time. As their armors reflected the dim lights of the candles that surrounded them, they cause a pause in their confrontation, adjusting to each other’s techniques. In their hands, fine swords and differing swords; One of Order, and the other of Chaos…Symbolism at its Finest. As the evening went on, the fight lessened none. The respective symbols did hold their own, and as Rufus, a prophet of balance looked on, he noted the stalemate in the confrontation. For one could not exist without the other, and when the two did become civil, it would last for an instant. Be that instant a Year, a Century, a hundred of either…It would only last for a short while. For it was the way of the Anskitan people, their beliefs were built on just that. The pursuit of balance; Balance is the harmony between the ideals of Order and Chaos…and for that harmony to begin, or last, one must begin again.

Rufus silently went into his backpack, pulling out various parchments written by Regents past, as well as removing his copy of the Book of Balance. While he looked on, the two warriors, with differing ideals, continued their eternal battle. They would quest to see that their ideas and way of being were right, and when they would exhaust their ability to defend or conquer, they would rest…and harmony would ensue. The Regent brushed his hand over the parchments, spreading them apart. Names strewn about the tops of each, Dayel, Malicite, Kronos, Huma, Lilyth…Himself, twice over… The past would incite in him the urge to take a great chance. To correct the mistakes, and things of happenstance, To begin again…Internally, Rufus thanked these two valiant warriors who fought for their principles. Their battle of emotion; a word of Chaos, and Dedication; a principle of Order…Their battle constant and on going. Twas simply inspiring. While the clashing of the swords and shields with images upon them probably went on far longer than Rufus had stayed…it had begun within him a fire. The thought of a true purge, a chance to seek out the true loyalties of the peoples whom voted him into his position.

But most importantly to Rufus, this battle implied his loss of simplicity. Should his idea fail, he’d return to where he began…As Rufus traveled the ethereal planes, making his way to Nujel’m’s Palace, he muttered words from the Book of Balance as he read aloud…

“From the Marriage of two forces, one each from Chaos and Order, come the principles of Balance. Tolerance and Ethicality combine to from Harmony, The ability to be at peace with oneself, other individuals in the world. From the union of Enthusiasm and Discipline spring Dedication, that which permits one surmounts obstacles and lead others. Emotion tampered by Logic results in Rationality, the ability to comprehend life and understand the world around us…

Harmony, Dedication and Rationality, the three Principles of Balance, are our highest ideals. In order to achieve these ideals, Chaos and Order must be kept in Balance. Those drawn to the Forces of Tolerance, Enthusiasm and Emotion established Temples to their guiding Virtues and came to follow the red Chaos Serpent. Those drawn to Ethicality, Discipline and Logic established similar Temples and followed the blue Order Serpent. The Hierophants of Chaos and Order came together at the Grand Shrine of Balance, on Sunrise Isle, where we worked together to maintain the Balance between the two factions. Because of the Balance, Serpent Isle was a peaceful place.”

A purge begins, corruption dies, Balance ensues...
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"Balance - the harmony between the Principles of Order and Chaos...Harmony, Dedication and Rationality, the three Principles of Balance, are our highest ideals."

[Queen Sarah]

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Getting out of the noonday sun, Sarah enters the side of the palace and goes to her chamber. Feeling as if she got too much of the Nujelm heat she takes some sweet tea before laying across the large bed. Nestling up to Rufus’ bedding she can smell his scent and spreads her hand out over the smooth silken coverlet. Her thoughts quickly focus upon her husband making her curiosity pull her to action. Descending downstairs she passes busy servants on her way down to the library, her husband’s second favorite room of the large palace.

Hearing the familiar noise of someone magically entering the room Sarah presses herself to the side of the stairwell. Having recent encounters with dangerous strangers she waits precious seconds before discovering it was her husband returning from somewhere.

Rufus’ gait and appearance had given Sarah a strange impression, one of unknown certainty. Nothing that held any fear for it came from her love, her hu-man mate she would die for. Yet Rufus’ preoccupation made Sarah shiver with nervousness. “What is he up to? He is so close to me but yet his mind is swirling somewhere else.” Sarah thinks to herself as she watches Rufus move around the library.

Coughing softly to announce her arrival she descends the last stairs and smiles. Looking confused then smiling back, Rufus approaches Sarah pulling her into his strong embrace. Kissing the top of her head softly Sarah holds him against her body feeling him relax slightly in her arms. Knowing her husband Sarah knows all she can do now is to support him with her love and put her trust in him that all will be well.