[pnpgm] Update #83

[J Hooten]

john haight wrote:
>
>    “In the meanwhile, whatever follows we should armor you. My magical 
> scalemail was wrought in Alfheim and holds strong enchantment upon it, 
> unfortunately it is too small for you, Raban, and too big for Fremea. 
> Kiet has chosen chainmail but if he, or anyone else, feels that my 
> magical armor will do them some good then please feel free to wear it.
>
>    As for those who remain unarmored, Raban for example, I can craft 
> temporary armor for you right now. My magics are low and I must rest 
> to restore them but if any wish me to do so now, before the morning, 
> then let me know and I will call forth the stuff of shadows.”
>
Raban listens and tries to understand his strange friend, but it is 
difficult.
"A druid is a cultural treasure, an embodiment of everything that 
culture tries to be or knows. Such a being gave its childhood up to 
learn things most adults cannot comprehend and gave its future to 
returning such knowledge to its people. To assault such a one is a crime 
punished by death. They are Judges and Law givers whose wisdom is beyond 
reproach. A Bard is expected to obey a Druid in all things as his role 
is to assist the Druid in teaching the people what they need to know. To 
keep the culture's history and wisdom alive through story and song. As a 
follower of Miryan of the Courts of Cernunnos, the Sidh are usually my 
allies in most things, so even though you are a Druid of a different 
Culture, you are one I am required to assist at need. Because there are 
differences, I am allowed some choice in following your orders even to 
disobey ones that cross my teachings. So I am in a difficult spot, when 
should I assume your wisdom was inadequate enough that what you ask me 
to do can be ignored? I am told I am a bit slow in understanding, so 
perhaps I will find a way to balance this later, but all I can do now is 
to weigh your 'requests' against the risks to others as I have been 
doing. I am not one who enjoys hurting others, I much prefer a more 
peaceable solution. But I cannot tolerate anyone hurting a woman, even 
though my goddess does not always require that of me. That has always 
gotten me into trouble, but to me it is worth the costs, and this 
mission is no exception. These ladies have embarked on a dangerous 
mission and though more formidable than any I have known before, they 
still need my protection. If nothing else, those who are attacking me 
are not hurting them. But I am quickly finding, there are limits to how 
long I can keep a quantity of enemies away from them without having to 
hurt them. I am being forced to seriously hurt them, even kill them 
because that is easier and quicker to do than knocking them out. It will 
need much meditation and prayer to cleanse this stain from my heart. And 
worse I have asked for better armor to make it possible for me to do 
even more harm! But I do not see any other way to do what is needed, I 
cannot allow myself to fail yet I cannot dodge every attack. So I ask 
for a means to make myself into an unstoppable juggernaut! More so than 
that poor metal man that so frightened others, I risk becoming a true 
monster. Maybe the difficulty in getting such armor shows that I should 
not have it, that letting myself be hurt will remind me what I am doing 
to others?"
"So this is really what I ask of you, in your wisdom, can I be allowed 
such defenses? To better allow me to stain my hands with the blood of 
others? Is this mission worth such risks?"

<Poor Raban he thinks he is becoming a monster? But them most who see an 
8' tall man already thinks so, no matter how handsome he is.>
<8' 403 lbs should keep him as a lien dancer build? He is far stronger 
than he looks. Its hard to picture his appearance and be sure I have the 
right weight for his height and build. Not too many 8' humans to compare 
with and 'Hulks' appearance would require far more weight.>