The massive oak doors were closed to the drawing room, and only four figures sat in the leather upholstered chairs around a heavy maplewood table. The tallest, a Kaldorei druid, idly traced the swirl of wood grain with a taloned finger as he listened to the Human mage speak. To his left, a Quel’Dorei warlock was taking notes in a fluid Thallasian hand. On the druid’s right, the Dwarven priest frowned as he listened as well, occasionally sipping his mead.
“Let us not forget our purpose here. Too long have the common folk suffered at the hands of warmongers and zealots. The world is torn by war, and the seeds of corruption flourish. Families are torn apart, farms destroyed, whole villages have been abandoned and burned. Why?! Why are the leaders ignoring the pleas of the helpless?” The mage was adamant in his speech.
The deep voice of the druid answered him thoughtfully. “You are not even touching on the true cause of this. There is evil in this world, it is insidious in its spread. It causes ordinary citizens to become obsessed with destruction. They fight each other, even peace treaties do not last. How can we combat this?”
“The evil you see is not even a fraction of what exists. The leylines are corrupted, the monsters erupt out of insanity fueled rituals and the scholars only record it and sit back. They can do nothing.” The warlocks silky smooth voice intoned. A quirk of her lips indicated she acknowledged the irony of her statement as she continued to take notes.
A heavy sigh came from the priest as he set down his mug of mead. “Ye cannot fight evil with evil. What we need are true knights, not the political tools of the factions. Ye know what a true knight is, don’t ye lass?” He stood up to make his point. “Only a true knight can combat this evil. An independent warrior of strong virtue and deep compassion. Someone willing to fight to the death if necessary to defend the helpless and weak. Where do we find such?”
Turning on his heel and beginning to pace the room, the mage began to think aloud. “All of you make valid points. The forces of good are needed to fight evil, but how do we distinguish what is a war between nations obsessed with greed and protection of territory, and pure evil? I know that we are not alone in this concern. Even as a human scholar, I understand that all races deserve a home and distinctive culture. I am open to negotiations with Orcs, Trolls, Tauren and Sindorei. I am not quite sure of the Forsaken, but I suppose even there, some individuals are only trying to survive however they can.”
An arched eyebrow from the warlock then as she looked up, “You cannot expect help from them, they are only out for themselves. Too easy for corruption to take root in the Undead. They are not natural or even healthy! They reek with disease!”
The mage held up his hand, “We do not need discrimination here. I agree it would be difficult to find an altruistic Forsaken. But that does not mean it is impossible.” He paused as he paced back to the table and sat down. “All of my research has indicated that only a superior being, with enhanced skills, can possibly cope with the task.”
The druid lifted his eyes, “Superior beings? They are not easy to find. It takes many years of training and discipline to even come close to that. And what do you mean, enhanced?” His interest piqued as he watched the mage pace the room.
The warlock licked her lips as she considered a reply. “There are enchantments that can be used to good effect.” Pausing as she tapped her pen to her lips. “A good alchemist can make some potent elixers, some gems can be used to increase the strength, agility, constitution and even intelligence can be aumented. But I do think it would have to be a dedicated effort. Not everyone can afford to spend gold to have this done. It would require a group effort to organise, train and recruit volunteers.” She jotted down this last idea in her impeccable hand.
The priest picked up his flagon of mead, “Ye know all that costs gold, right? Where we gonna get the funds for all that? Not to mention the willing volunteers? In all my years, no one will do that kind of training without some kind of payoff. I still think we need to find a true knight…” He returned the mages glare with one of his own. “What? Someone has to pay, and it won’t be me!”
“We will find volunteers, we will make the effort, we will organise it and the gold will come from those who can afford to pay for the mercenaries we will create.” The Mage paused as the Druid rose to his full height and scoffed.
“Mercenaries!? We speak of the helpless and the commoners needing help and you want them to pay for protection?” His indignant voice rose in protest.
“Gold is the least of our concerns, yes we will need our volunteers to be mercenaries, hired to eradicate evil and to aid the commoners. Lest you forget, it is the merchants and the farmers and the tradesmen who make the economy run. They will pay, maybe reluctantly, but they will pay for the protection. Even pennies and silvers add up eventually. In spite of the altruism, we need to be practical!” the Mage answered.
“We? You speak of this as if you intend to create some kind of organisation? Who did you have in mind to join this Order of yours?” the warlock paused as a slight smirk danced across her face. “I have to admit, I agree with the basic premise. Are all of us here the only ones you could convince to join you?” She knew why she was here, the promise the mage had given her to be allowed to experiment with her potions on willing volunteers.
Ignoring the warlock, who had succeeded in seducing him many years ago, the mage looked to the priest. “I think you are right, my friend, that there has to be a committment from the volunteers to be righteous and strong, both in mind and body. I would like to give you a position of authority to keep them in line. To inspire them to their greatest efforts. Are you in?”
“Aye, ye flatter me well, ye scoundrel. It would be me pleasure to help ye with this Order. What we going to call it? I imagine ye got a fancy name all picked out.” He smiled beneath his beard. The friendship he had with the human was many years in the making. The thought of creating his true knights not far from his mind. Of course it would depend on the individuals who volunteered.
The druid sat down and brooded. “This is all well and good, if you intend on making it a voluntary thing. I am all for defending those who need it. And survival is a potent motivator. As long as you do not disturb the natural order of things, I agree that the premise makes sense. Commoners do not have much in the way of coin, but they do not survive without effort, and that effort includes making a living, however they can.”
“What I expect of you, dear druid, is to make sure we do not disturb the natural balance. You are also one of the best trainers I have ever seen. Your pupils are outstanding in their performance. That kind of discipline and dedication is what will be needed. I had in mind to call the Order after the forest we find ourselves in, currently.” the mage chuckled. “The Order of Rivia.”
