A talk of Honor by Shirkon, Phoenix Protector, House of Onoir.   

Chantreuse says, "This evening, we have with us Shirkon, from the Phoenix Protectors"

Shirkon smiles and bows to Chantreuse.

Shirkon says, "Ya kin alls has a seat"

Chantreuse says, "Shirkon has been kind enough to attend our meeting tonight, to share with us a discussion he held with the Protectors last week, regarding Honor and Chivalry"

Chantreuse says, "Shirkon, the floor is in your hands, Sir"

Shirkon says, "Wids yer leave"

Shirkon says, "Mosts o' ya knows me. I has foughts along sides ya fer quites a spell nows. I gonna speaks on sumthin dat be lackin in da Lands, but what 3 groups I knows o' be tryin ta brings backs"

Shirkon says, "Onoir, Phoenix an da Gryphons be tryin ta reinstills Honor an Chivalry inta da Lands"

Shirkon asks, "How many o' ya has reads da Talisman at Kai's Shrine?"

Shirkon says, "An shoulds be reads many more. Shoulds goes der froms time ta time an reads em agins ta reminds yerselfs o' da core values ya shoulds follahs"

Shirkon says, "Foist gonna speaks a bits abouts honor. I gonna repeats da werds o' da founder o' House Onoir, cause him saids em bettah den I evah coulds. Lord Aonghus MacGreghor fer ya what knowed hims"

Shirkon gazes heavenward.

Shirkon says, "May da gods tend ta his soul"

Tebon gazes heavenward.

Tebon rubs his symbol of Voln.

Shirkon says, "To be an honorable person is not just to be honest, truthful, and fair; it is also to place a premium on these qualities and the behavior they require. To be an honorable person is not just to do the right thing, nor simply to give moral considerations a central place in our lives. It is also to want to be known and trusted by others - especially by other honorable people - as this sort of person. And honorable people will go to great lengths to maintain these bonds of trust or to re-establish them when they are broken."

Shirkon says, "To be honorable is to affirm the importance of moral considerations both in one's own life and conduct and in the life of the community to which we belong. Without the latter we may have many saints and much good behavior, but we do not have honor."

Shirkon says, "A basic thing ya gots ta do is be honest wids yerself, cause iffin ya ain't, ya canna be honest wids uddahs"

Shirkon says, "Der be 10 things dat though will nae makes ya honorable in demselves, but iffin ya follah em will heps ya ta be honorable"

Shirkon recites:

"1. Thou shalt follow the dictates of moral conscience. "

Shirkon says, "Your moral conscience, nae sumone elses"

Shirkon recites:

"2. Thou shalt be willing to defend thy principles - no matter the outcome.

Shirkon recites:

"3. Thou shalt have respect and compassion for the weak, and steadfastness in defending them. "

Shirkon recites:

"4. Thou shalt love Elanthia, and observe its laws. "

Shirkon recites:

"5. Thou shalt refuse to retreat before the enemy, waging unceasing and merciless war against all that is evil. "

Shirkon says, "Tactical withdrawls ta heals ta continues da fight nae ba a retreat"

Shirkon recites:

"6. Thou shalt show loyalty to truth and to thy pledged word. "

Shirkon recites:

"7. Thou shalt be generous and giving of thyself. "

Shirkon recites:

"8. Thou shalt be champion of the right and good at all times, and at all times oppose the forces of evil. "

Shirkon recites:

"9. Thou shalt train the youth in the honorable ways whenever the opportunity arises. "

Shirkon recites:

"10. Thou shalt make the following terms thy life's work: Honor, Valor, Faith, Honesty, Duty, Strength, and Loyalty. "

Shirkon says, "We will speaks more in dem latah"

Shirkon asks, "Any questions or comments?"

Joter raises his hand.

Shirkon says, "Joter"

Joter says, "I got one, in your ten one is lacking I find important. And I consider all here in it: Friendship. Mind elaborating why?"

Shirkon says, "Cause ya nae needs friends ta be honorable. Jist by being knows as an honorable person will wins ya friends."

Shirkon says, "Azerius"

Azerius says, "jes a comment"

Shirkon says, "go aheads"

Azerius says, "if yas have one verra good friend in yas life...yas most fortunate..nae confuse respect with friendship"

Azerius nods.

Azerius says, "dat all"

Shirkon nods to Azerius.   

Shirkon says, "Arkans, ya was next"

Arkans nods.

Arkans says, "I am not part of the Fury yet, but about what you said struck me.."

Shirkon asks, "What parts?"

Arkans says, "Should we not fight back this "evil" or whatever does wrong to us first. Anyway possible. THEN try and uphold these laws? It seems those rules make us easy targets for being taken advantage of. Used and weakness that those allow are easily exploited."

Shirkon says, "An honorable person will nae strikes ta prevents what him thinks will be evil, dem musts be sures foist"

Tebon nods.

Shirkon says, "Perceptions kins leads ya astray"

Shirkon says, "Vothan"

Vothan asks, "Why do you say that evil is the opposite of honor? Can you not be evil while retaining all the other traits that are honorable? Is there not a difference between malicious and evil?"

Shirkon says, "Ya kin has a form o' honor. But ta me mind a honor wids da basis o' evil nae be whats I woulds likes ta has"

Shirkon says, "Azerius"

Azerius says, "nutter statement"

Azerius says, "Honor is buried in da heart and cannae be scratched"

Azerius nods.

Shirkon says, "We takes da uddah 3 questions den goes on an maybe sums o' da rest will clears things ups"

Shirkon says, "Iahn"

Iahn asks, "I was just wondering... what is the dividing line between one person, who believes they are honorable, and another, who also believes they are honorable, yet each ones opinion contrasts the other?"

Shirkon says, "Der be no clear line"

Iahn asks, "Who would be right, if they both feel they are indeed the right, and the other is wrong?"

Shirkon says, "Is fer each person ta finds him own definition in him own heart"

Iahn nods slightly.

Shirkon says, "Sauthurdig"

Sauthurdig says, "Evil is an absence of good"

Shirkon asks, "Is it?"

Diebatil says, "Actually not "

Diebatil says, "Sorry"

Komate asks, "Or is evil a lesser degree of good?"

Shirkon says, "I woulds says dat iffin I see's a elder attackin a youngin jist cause him can, dat be evil"

Arkans says, "The difference between good and evil is who you kill"

Shirkon says, "Nae gonna defines guud an evil, dat agin is ups ta da individual"

Shirkon says, "One last question froms Arkans"

Arkans says, "Yes, to me it seems, good and evil is completely the same. If you look at it this way. As people of good, we kill and destroy all evil and what it has created, and Evil does the opposite. Good and Evil to me are nothing more than rivaling clans, forever trying to destroy each other but never will. Evil thinks it's ideals are right and so does good. That is all"

Arkans nods.

Shirkon says, "Ta ya dat mights be, but ta me it kins be more involved. Nuthin be pure black an white, infinite shades inbetweens"

Shirkon says, "Okies, now in da next things I gonna says, ya all be knights"

Shirkon says, "It nae mattah what yer profession"

Shirkon says, "Ya kin all be knights in yer heart o' hearts"

Shirkon recites:

"While it is difficult to find precise rules laid down for the conduct of a knight, it is clear that a code is recognized, even though, in the stern tests of day to day life, it was rarely, faithfully lived up to. Amid all the treachery, greed, infidelity and cruelty there are to be found shining examples of courage, genteelness, understanding and mercy inspired by those rules that only a perfect man could live up to. "

Shirkon says, "An ta dis day it still rarely lived up ta. Iffin ya takes dem 10 things I saids afores, dat will heps ya be da best ya kin be. I talks o' sum traits or things ta werks towards ta be an become more honorable an knightly. Now des be whats I finds heps, ya mights has sumthin different."

Shirkon recites:
"Prowess: To seek excellence in all endeavors expected of a knight, martial and otherwise, seeking strength to be used in the service of justice, rather than in personal aggrandizement. "

Shirkon recites:

"Justice: Seek always the path of 'right', unencumbered by bias or personal interest. "

Shirkon recites:

"Recognize that the sword of justice can be a terrible thing, so it must be tempered by humanity and mercy. If the 'right' you see rings agrees with others, and you seek it out without bending to the temptation for expediency, then you will earn renown beyond measure. "

Shirkon recites:

"Loyalty: Be known for unwavering commitment to the people and ideals you choose to live by. There are many places where compromise is expected
loyalty is not amongst them. "

Shirkon recites:

"Defense: The ideal knight was sworn by oath to defend his liege lord and those who depended upon him. Seek always to defend your nation, your family, and those to whom you believe worthy of loyalty. "

Shirkon recites:

"Courage: Being a knight often means choosing the more difficult path, the personally expensive one. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in service of the precepts and people you value. At the same time, a knight should seek wisdom to see that stupidity and courage are cousins. Courage also means taking the side of truth in all matters, rather than seeking the expedient lie. Seek the truth whenever possible, but remember to temper justice with mercy, or the pure truth can bring grief. "

Shirkon recites:

"Faith: A knight must have faith in his beliefs, for faith roots him and gives hope against the despair that human failings create. "

Shirkon recites:

"Humility: Value first the contributions of others. Do not boast of your own accomplishments, let others do this for you. Tell the deeds of others before your own, according them the renown rightfully earned through virtuous deeds. In this way the office of knighthood is well done and glorified, helping not only the gentle spoken of but also all who call themselves knights. "

Shirkon recites:

"Largesse: Be generous in so far as your resources allow largesse used in this way counters gluttony. It also makes the path of mercy easier to discern when a difficult decision of justice is required. "

Shirkon recites:

"Nobility: Seek great stature of character by holding to the virtues and duties of a knight, realizing that though the ideals cannot be reached, the quality of striving towards them ennobles the spirit, growing the character from dust towards the heavens. Nobility also has the tendency to influence others, offering a compelling example of what can be done in the service of rightness. "

Shirkon recites:

"Franchise: Seek to emulate everything I have spoken of as sincerely as possible, not for the reason of personal gain but because it is right. Do not restrict your exploration to a small world, but seek to infuse every aspect of your life with these qualities. Should you succeed in even a tiny measure then you will be well remembered for your quality and virtue. "

Shirkon asks, "Okies, any uddahs afore we expands on Humility?"

Shirkon says, "I Were jist asked ta define Largesse"

Shirkon says, "It be givin o yerself selflessly, In whatevah way is needed. Means takin da time ta heps a youngin"

Shirkon says, "Azerius"

Azerius says, "Largesse is a liberality in giving"

Shirkon says, "Very liberal"

Azerius says, "Be it monies or yas time"

Azerius nods.

Shirkon says, "An it nae has ta be in da coin o' da realm, yer time is a bettah investment"

Shirkon asks, "Any uddah questions?"

Shirkon says, "Mirsen"

Mirsen says, "Sir, this question does not really fit in here."

Shirkon says, "Asks anyways"

Mirsen asks, "But what of the gods of Lornon and those who follow?"

Shirkon says, "I canna answers dats"

Mirsen says, "They are evil, I think, but yet I wonder at questioning the ways of the gods."

Shirkon says, "Ta my mind sums o' em be evil, but nae alls"

Mirsen nods to Shirkon.

Shirkon says, "Nevah judge by da group, judge individual actions"

Mirsen says, "A good rule for any case, thank you, sir."

Mirsen smiles at Shirkon.

Shirkon says, "An let me reminds ya, judge not, lest ya alsa be judged"

Mirsen nods.

Shirkon says, "Tebon"

Tebon nods.

Tebon says, "Jus a comment...."

Tebon leans against a table.

Tebon says, "Those dat follow tha deities of Lornon...may or may nae be evil, judge each of em seperately as Shirkon said..."

Shirkon says, "Likes all dat be in CoL nae be evil, doh da society is founded on it"

Tebon says, "Armaxis, well known as a Luukosian, also well known ta be evil, a man I 'ave personal issues wit, yet in tha same hand, I 'ave tha utmost respect fer him. He 'as a vera strong sense of Honor ta his god, an' I respect it"

Tebon says, "Jus an example"

Tebon smiles.

Shirkon says, "I nae tryin ta teachs ya my code, ya has ta forms yer own. Jist tryin ta gives ya basic concepts fer formin one"

Shirkon says, "Bronkx fer da last question"

Bronkx says, "jus' a comment, sir."

Shirkon nods.

Bronkx says, "If'n I may trace back to the topic of the Pantheon of Lornon."

Shirkon says, "Lets him listen, may sway him ta a bettah path"

Shirkon nods to Bronkx.

Bronkx says, "I believe that these Lords and Ladies are not evil. They just have the control to turn adventurers toward the powers they control."

Shirkon says, "It all a mattah of perspective, from der's I sure dem nae feels dey evil, but from mine, I see sum o' dem as"

Bronkx says, "We are the ones who change the way we believe."

Shirkon nods.

Shirkon asks, "Shangarr?"

Shangarr scoots his chair back and stands up.

Shirkon says, "Den we talks a bits more on Humility"

Shangarr says, "Ah'll admit Ah sorta been nappin' 'cuz a otherworldly stuffs but Ah gots da gist a wha's goin' on..."

Shirkon chuckles.

Shangarr says, "An' Ah'll admit Ah do sorta git wary when thins like honor are discussed at a military meetin'. 'Tis understandable in regards t'groups wit a code such as da Silver Gryphons an' da Protectors, but nay everraun in da Fury hae an honor code, Ah don' tink. Some are jus' 'ere t'hae fun; yet on da otha hand, our main goal iz t'protect."

Shirkon nods.

Shangarr says, "an' sae Ah thought Ah'd jus' point out dat hopefully everraun in da Fury sees dat we do hae a common goal an' dat despite personal beliefs..."
Shangarr says, "thins such as honor bind use t'getha an' inspire respect..."

Shirkon says, "Aye"

Shirkon says, "General"

Chantreuse says, "In the beginning of your talk, you spoke of the houses in the lands that are seeking to install honor in these lands and bring them back"

Shirkon says, "Aye, were jist sum examples I knows o' personally"

Chantreuse says, "Let me remind everyone, that we are here, that the Fury exists, as a result of Valicar's efforts, to seek honor, as part of his quest of the Quadrivial"

Shirkon nods to you.