Strongest Army

**irdeggman** · 12-09-2002, 10:27 AM

There is also the possibility of the elves uniting with the humans again (ala Azrai). The big G would most definitely hate that potential.

**Green Knight** · 12-09-2002, 10:13 PM

Or it might be that despite a very nice world with a special character not found in any other game line, the BR world is still without a living history. The Gorgon hasn't taken over Anuire because the game is set to NOW.

In fact, when you look at it, VERY little have changed in Anuire given 5 centuries of more or less constant intrigue and war. Especially given the relatively small size of Anuire, I find it peculiar than no-one has managed to do anything remotely meaningful yet...

**kgauck** · 12-09-2002, 11:57 PM

----- Original Message -----
From: "Green Knight" <brnetboard@TUARHIEVEL.ORG>
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 4:13 PM

> In fact, when you look at it, VERY little have changed in Anuire given
> 5 centuries of more or less constant intrigue and war. Especially given
> the relatively small size of Anuire, I find it peculiar than no-one has
> managed to do anything remotely meaningful yet...

Assuming that no one had done much in the recent past assumes that we have
the totality of history before us. There may well be bold and interesting
happenings which happened but no longer dominate the present. For example,
we could imagine the Grand Baron Richard the Bold of Coeranys. At that time
Coeranys included Gulfport, Moergan, the Sunken Lands, Osoerine, Hopes
Demise, and what is now known as the Chimaeron. One of Richard`s
lieutenants was made the count of Moergan, and was known by that name
afterward. His line later became masters of Osoerde. Ibrahim ibn Daouta
swore fealty to the Grand Baron. Thrice did Richard match his armies
against the Gorgon, and thrice did Richard turn the old abomination back.
The elves of the Sielwood called him their ally and fought the Gorgon with
him. Of course, his mighty realm has since been humbled, even Richard`s
decedents were eventually replaced by the Cariele line.

In Europe, the modern states of western and central Europe were mostly
established and recognizable after Charlemagne, and certainly by 1000 CE.
While one could look at a map of then and now and declare that not much had
happened I suspect such an appraisal would provoke rebuttal.

Kenneth Gauck
kgauck@mchsi.com

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**geeman** · 12-10-2002, 02:04 AM

Another possible "explanation" for the Gorgon not having succeeded in
taking over Anuire (or most of the rest of Cerilia) is the "character
issue." By that I mean that the Raesene may in his stony heart of hearts
be incapable of initiating or completing that process. In the classic
heroic sense, it is his fatal flaw. Shakespearean examples are probably
apt (and usually the best examples anyway) so in the same way Hamlet hems
and haws, unable to commit to a course of action until he is himself
doomed, or in the way Othello is blind to the plotting of Iago and murders
his own true love, the Gorgon`s personality and character may itself not be
able to fulfill what is, in effect, his true purpose.

This is particularly poignant if the DM has some measure of sympathy for
the corrupted creature that was once a prince of the Empire, and plays him
as essentially a tragic figure... albeit one that can mow down an army and
commit a dozen bloodthefts before brunch. The situation is even more
dramatized if at some point the DM makes the players aware that the
Gorgon`s "Herculean Deed" required for ascension to the lower ranks of
deities is to do exactly what he is incapable of doing--reunite the
Anuirean Empire under the banner of its rightful heir: himself. He`s
certainly the one with the clearest and most direct claim to the throne of
anyone alive in Cerilia. If godhood is his ultimate aim, and empire the
path to that route, his inability to complete that conquest makes him all
that much more troubled a figure.

Exactly what is the source and nature of this mental/spiritual
block? There are several things that one could take into account. First
and foremost, the circumstances of his birth. Raesene`s illegitimacy is
something that goes to the root of his psyche. It had profound
developmental influences on his childhood, youth and young adulthood. That
his obvious talents were ignored and always relegated to the 2nd tier of
recognition behind his younger, less accomplished brothers must tear at his
soul. It`s been 1,500 years, of course, but one of the curses of Azrai`s
bloodline is a physical transformation to the inner personality. In many
ways the awnsheghlien become MORE who they are as the years go by. In most
cases, and the Gorgon particularly, they become set into a specialized
course of evolution. The Gorgon, of course, is becoming more rigid and
stony as time goes on. Where "normal" people may (arguably) be capable of
change, the curse of Azrai`s blood influences Raesene`s personality as well
as his body. He becomes more scarred emotionally as time goes on, more
embittered to the injustices of his youth, more angry, spiteful and vengeful.

Another factor is to consider the nature of the "possession" created by the
blood of Azrai. In many ways Azrai represented what is in Judeo-Christian
ideology analogous to Satan. He is the Father of Lies and Deceit, capable
of creating illusions and clouding men`s minds, tempting and prodding them
with falsehoods. But when it comes to direct action he`s less less
forceful, sometimes even described as helpless. I`m thinking of several
interpretations of the Devil here, mostly those of John Milton`s _Paradise
Lost_ but in many ways Azrai is and always will be the ghostly figure of
the Shadow World who motivated an army to go to war in his service, but his
power was itself embodied in that ability to motivate rather than act
himself, and when he was able to motivate the continent to war he was
defeated. The ghost of his essence embodied by the Gorgon and so many
other awnsheghlien may itself have a measure of reticence to it as part of
the nature of diabolic power, the shadowy nature of its origins or in
response to its ultimate failure at Deismaar.

From a personality standpoint, it`s possible that beneath his facade of
violence and strength Raesene is essentially a coward. Despite the
circumstances of his birth, Raesene was a privileged youth. He describes
himself as having adventured for years, but that may just be the braggart`s
cover for his inner lack of self-worth and knowledge that he is, in fact,
fearful. He may fear his own success, or he may fear to fail in such a way
that all of Cerilia knows it--which they would if he flubbed a bid for the
Empire. There`s a quote that goes something like "Never insult a man
unless he`s capable of drubbing you. Then insult him at will." That`s a
test of a bravery and character. Raesene may be the sort of person who has
worked very hard so as to never run into that man who might beat him, but
if he did he wouldn`t have the courage to insult him directly.

Last but not least, there`s the possibility that he`s prevented from taking
over by Powers greater than himself. The gods may influence his actions,
some consciousness greater than they may be at work (Fate, a Supreme Being,
the abstract forces that control the BR continuum, Aebrynis itself may be a
living being of greater power than any of the gods) all of which have
placed him in a paradox that he can`t break free of.

Gary

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