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Valadain Responds to Jarik

My friend and comrade, your wisdom does you credit, as does your respect for life.

Lord Malkar's words to me when last we spoke matched my then thinking; demons are a pestillence on Greyhawk that does not belong. While my faith in the Master remains unalterable, events have shaken my conviction of this view. There are battles which cannot be won, and this is probably one of them. As you say, we are probably stuck with them for the forseeable future.

You are correct in what you've deduced; my un-named, damnéd father was demonic in nature, specifically a half-demon or cambion - and this means that so too am I, and so to is Illiem Runesabre. This leaves me torn; all my life I have believed in true purity, true good, as the best and most absolute opposition to those evil by nature or deed. Now - I am not pure, it seems, but tainted blood-deep. Am I evil? Is my absolute judgement, my meting out of justice, the murder of a demon? No, not hypocrisy, for I did not know. Worse than hypocrisy - a blow at the roots of my selfperception.

Purity, there are few pure things. Purity is an assumed ideal that tends to be peddled by dictators, extremists and fanatics. Is there such a thing as a pure Brettonian, or Elenanorian. I doubt there are many. Perhaps the odd village of farmers living entirely out of contact with all other peoples for the entire period that their species has existed, might exist out there but I doubt it. One thing that can be pure is faith. You should look to your faith for purity not your blood.

Part of my unwanted heritage is apparently an ability to draw and command demons. Malkar sees this as a way to lure them to the slaughter. We, with our more mundane perspectives, perhaps can see other uses. Perhaps the demons can be sworn to us; perhaps sung a song that will resonate with their oath, and Dismiss them home should they forswear? I barely dare even think this next thought, but if the worst comes to the worst and Willowstar unleashes concerted demons upon the world, our only hope may be to rally their kin to our banner. Malkar help us all.

If we accept that demons are now an inevitability then is equally inevitable that eventually we will find accommodation with some. However, if Willowstar unleashes demons on the inhabitants of Grayhawk then I might get involved. Trust me here, I might desire peace and balance, but I am prepared to enforce it where necessary and possible.

As for Limbo, yes, we must explore this. I shall ask Malkar's opinion [Chappie: Commune spell, asking whether Limbo is the best place for the dead, does the Gate need to be involved, and do we need Muziel to do it.]. Certainly, the natural processes must be restored as soon as possible.

Perhaps the worst news. I am able to communicate with my father's dark spirit (his name was not Raikos, that is my foster-father's name and is untainted), and he has raised questions I must answer before we proceed. Without those answers, I may be a greater threat, and part of a greater threat, than any demon.

I go in search of those answers. Pray for me, Dragonmaster.

Pray for you? Nature put great trust in both of us to make the right decisions. Why do you believe you are a threat? What has your father told you?