The True Resurrection
In the chapel of Torm, a young and solitary priestess that remained after Celwig Olwyn, the former head of the church of Torm in Baldur's Gate, had called all faithful to gather in the wake of gods return to the heavens.
Ria Olwyn, the adopted daughter of the former head priest, speaks with divine inspiration to all those that come to hear her words.
"Torm, the Loyal Fury, has returned! He has returned from beyond! By the grace of Ao, the Overgod, he has been brought back in reward for his sacrifice- for staying True!" - The renewed zeal of the priestess can almost be physically felt. - "He came to me in a vision! So vivid, so glorious! He spoke to me of his return, of the souls of the valiant heroes who laid their lives low to help him slay the Dark Lord Bane! Their spirits are well and all at peace."
But then, her composure had considerably steeled, as she uttered the following words - "However... He also spoke of the duty and the weight of sin our faith bears. The corruption of our brothers and sisters in Tantras and the crimes they have committed against worshippers of other gods of all that is Good." - She paused, measuring those gathered with her gaze - "Torm the True takes up the penance for those sins and so are we. For we have a Duty to perform to not only ourselves and our families but all good beings of Faerun."
The young priestess turned herself around towards the altar, upon which rests a book- the holy scripture- of Torm's faith and his service to Tyr and the Triad. She closes it and places a new, blank one on top of it. There, she begins to write down words as she speaks them - "The Loyal Fury shall redeem his faith and its name by fulfilling Debts that he owes to all good beings of Faerun.
The first. The Debt of Persecution. To repay for the persecution of other religions, the truly faithful will aid other followers of the gods of Good in re-establishing themselves.
The second. The Debt of Dereliction. To atone for the abdication of duty to guard against strife, the Tormtar must spend all possible effort in the elimination of the surviving cults of the dead god, Bane, and oppose the rise of the new power of great evil who is known as Cyric." - The priestess pauses, letting the name of a new foe sink in.
"The third." - Ria continues - "The Debt of Destruction. All Tormtar are obliged to relieve the destruction to the magic that the Weave had suffered during the Godswar. All places where magic ceased to work are to be reported and repaired. All results of the magical chaos that remain upon the land must similarly be undone."
She turns around to face the gathered again. - "These are the words of Torm, this is our Penance of Duty." - Ria Olwyn bows her head and raises the freshly written upon pages for all to see above her head. As she does so, it seems as if the inscribed words themselves shine with divine, golden light.
Once the moment of wonderment passes and the glow fades, she lowers the book and speaks once more - "But that is not all which Torm had shared with me. Penance is but a path towards redemption. However, we tread upon this path unarmed and alone when we do so without an understanding of why the sins were caused and how to prevent them from happening ever again. We bring the risk for it to take place once again. To take away from the True God's lustre. It is why he had decided to change our organisation. Our hierarchy. No more it will be unified. Instead, it will be separated into three tiers. The First will be the Priesthood. The second will be the Knights, Paladins and their orders. The Third will be the Faithful themselves."
At the end, she speaks - "Much I have shared with you this day and there is much more to. For now, leave with his return in your heart and his words in your mind. Leave and do as he would bid us all. Let us not lower ourselves to blind obedience but think upon his words and the weight of the Duty upon us, so that we may carry it responsibly.
Declan entered the Temple of Torm in Baldur's Gate, his footsteps resounding through the sacred halls. The aroma of incense filled the air, intermingling with the soft murmurs of prayers and the flickering candlelight. He observed the intricate details of the architecture and the vibrant stained glass windows, his eyes filled with reverence and determination.
Approaching the front of the temple, Declan knelt before the imposing statue of the Loyal Fury, emanating an aura of strength and unwavering resolve. Closing his eyes, he clasped his hands together and began to whisper a prayer, expressing his devotion and seeking divine guidance.
"Mighty Torm, the Loyal Fury," Declan whispered, his voice filled with deep devotion. "I humbly approach you, seeking your wisdom and strength in these troubled times. Grant me the courage to face the challenges that lie ahead and the discernment to make choices aligned with your teachings."
His voice grew more fervent, brimming with unshakable conviction. "I pledge my loyalty to you, my Lord, and to the noble cause you embody. As your humble servant, I vow to uphold justice, safeguard the innocent, and stand unwavering against the forces of evil. In your name, I shall endeavor to fulfill the debts entrusted to us: assisting fellow seekers of faith, opposing those who sow discord, and restoring the integrity of the magical weave."
Completing his prayer, Declan lingered in silent contemplation, enveloped in a profound sense of peace. The presence of his deity fortified his purpose and deepened his connection to the divine.
Rising from his kneeling position, Declan carried within him the blessings of his faith, ready to embark on the path set forth by Torm. With renewed determination, he departed the altar, his spirit uplifted and his resolve fortified. He would fulfill his sacred duties, serving the Loyal Fury with unwavering devotion, and bringing light to the world through his actions.
Declan Nash, his armor adorned with the sigil of House Marshall, stepped into the hallowed halls of the temple of the Loyal Fury in Baldur's Gate. The scent of incense and the soft flickering of candlelight filled the air, creating an atmosphere of reverence and tranquility.
As a devout follower of the Triad, Declan understood the importance of temple duty. With a humble heart, he approached the senior priest on duty, offering his assistance in whatever tasks were needed. Whether it was tending to the sacred artifacts, organizing the library of holy texts, or attending to the needs of the faithful, Declan eagerly embraced his responsibilities.
With meticulous care, he polished the tarnished shields and weapons adorning the temple walls, ensuring that they gleamed with divine radiance. He dusted off ancient tomes, delicately turning the pages to preserve the wisdom contained within. And he offered a comforting presence to those who sought solace or guidance within the temple, lending a sympathetic ear and offering words of encouragement.
After fulfilling his duties, Declan found a secluded corner of the temple, bathed in the soft glow of candlelight. He knelt before the altar of Torm, his head bowed in reverence. With hands clasped together, he entered a state of deep prayer, his voice a quiet murmur as he spoke his devotions.
In his prayer, Declan expressed his gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon him, acknowledging the divine guidance that had led him to this moment. He sought Torm's strength and guidance, asking for unwavering resolve in upholding justice and protecting the innocent. He prayed for the wisdom to discern right from wrong and the courage to face the challenges that lay ahead.
As his prayer concluded, Declan remained in quiet contemplation, allowing the sacred silence of the temple to envelop him. Thoughts of his past battles and victories, as well as the trials yet to come, danced through his mind. He reflected on the meaning of his path, the sacrifices he had made, and the commitment he held to his calling.
In the stillness of the temple, Declan found solace and renewed purpose. The flickering candles cast dancing shadows on the walls, symbolizing the ebb and flow of life's trials and tribulations. With a sense of clarity, he rose from his knees, his spirit uplifted and fortified.
