The Lyon's Roar - the journal of Aaron Lyonaler

[sweetlikesplenda]

Deep snow covered the land as the soldiers of the Amnian forces marched towards fate. Strong winds picked up flakes and swirled them about the bodies of those trying to ignore the freeze. Their focus upon the upcoming fight. Their focus upon seeing this conflict ended. At the head of one battalion, riding upon Rook, his Elven bred steed, was the Grand Knight of the Baldurian Chapter of the Order of the Radiant Heart, Lord Lyonaler. his typical stoic nature hid a worry, a fear for the lives of those he now lead.

The Knight directed the twenty five soldiers sent from the Branch in Athkatla that had been placed under his command by the Prelates of the Order. These Knights, men and women he had never met before this last week, would look to him for their orders, they would look to him to bring them through this conflict. The Grand Knight always took the lives of those under his command with the utmost respect. Any loss was a great blow to him.

As the soldiers of the of the army of the Northern group arrived upon the battlefield, the troops broke off in to their battalions, their leaders taking point before the assembled troops. the Radiant heart battalion was placed upon the western flank of the army. Once lined up in their ranks, they looked to Aaron, who himself, looked to Wai Li for the command to begin.



Calls went out and the other battalion began to move. Most soldiers moved east bound, in a direct march towards the Temple. The Radiant Heart forces trudged through heavy snow fall as well as thick snow upon the ground. the Grand Knight cast upon his troops all the protections to Cold he could muster. While they marched on, the Knight continued to call upon protections, beseeching The Red Knight for Aid upon his troops to bolster them in combat.The sounds of blizzards blocked the noise, while the fall of snow hindered the sight of what was to come, as the Knights moved around the rocky obstacles to cover the western flank. It was not until it was upon them, that the sight of the Undead Ice Dragon flew down upon them.

With a crash of wings it passed overhead, its maw opened wide as it unleashed it's freezing breath upon the battalion. Before any action could be taken against it, it continued it's flight past. Aaron summoned forth a Mass Healing spell to both heal his Knights, as well as send positive energies to harm the Undead beast, bit it moved quickly and was too far away to be harmed by the prayer of positive energies. The sounds of nearby battalion could be heard, as the Dragon continued it's flight about the field of battle, raining it's breath down. Through the screams of others, he could not help but be grateful that no Knights under his command has perished. After the flyby, two injured Knights aided two other injured in the Dragon's Breath back to the rear of the army to receive care for their injuries.



The forces of Continued to press forward towards the temple. The Aurilites had only fielded the Undead dragon along with it's undead minions, as well as other fauna of the mountain region that the Northern army battalions met. Their main force was being held close to the temple. The narrow passages forced the Amnians to bottleneck through a corridor. With little room to press on, the Radiant Heart battalion was slowed. Being too far back to utilise his prayers or his sword arm, as well as hearing word of an arcanist who was striking the forward battalions with magic, The Grand Knight, along with Sir Nathaniel, broke ranks, leaving Captain Grath in charge of the battalion, and moved forward to join the forward battalion.

Troops of Frost Giants held the Amnian soldiers at bay, while magic rained upon them from the craggy rock faces. Aaron and Nathaniel joined the forward unit to help engage the Giants. Swords clashed with giant axes. Soldiers screamed and fell among the snow. Surviving soldiers stepped over the bodies of fallen giants. The Grand Knight summoned forth all the positive energy prayers he could to keep the soldiers with him alive and in the fight. the strain exhausting him, but his sword continues to slash forth and fell the enemy Giants, Ice Elementals, and Orglash. Among the chaos of the close quarters fighting, he called out instructions among the battle in an attempt to keep the forces moving and uplifted.

After the fall of the last of one of the battalion of Giants, the Knight might be seen pausing. His head tilts softly as if listening among the other sounds of battle. He takes his helmet off briefly, still listening. Turing in place he looks about the carnage around him. The sounds of the cries of battle dimmed in his ears for a moment.

Aaron feels a warmness to his body in the frigid cold. He can faintly hear the sounds of a galloping horse. He gets the sense that the Red Knight is proud of him.

His body seemed to have a glow within. He felt once more the familiar feeling of his Goddess. Her gentle touch to show her support. The sound lasted a moment, but in that moment it felt a lifetime. Then, slowly, the sounds of the battle returned. The Knight set his helmet back upon his head. Tightening his grip upon his sword. He swung his Holy Avenger 'Knight's Gambit" at an advancing Frost Giant, severing it's leg just above the knee. With a flash, his sword glided through the snow filled air. The head of the Giant sank into the snow where it lay. The Knight seemed possessed to see this though. To be worthy of the approval of the Red Lady.



With steady movement forward, the front lines continued to march towards the temple. Giants and Elementals continued to line the path blocking heir advance. Though, they fell to Amnian force's blades, many of the army's soldiers fell along the way. Aaron's prayers had helped to keep many alive, but not all could be saved. The injured Aurilte forces had begun to make way into the temple proper to flee the advances of the army. But, it was at the foot of the temple that the last of the defenders made their last stand.

Once they had fallen, siege equipment rolled along and towards the temple, setting up within distance to begin a barrage. As the projectiles began to strike the temple, a shout was heard that the High Priestess had been slain. A moment after, a great shake was felt by any on the mountain. Any who looked up would see a sheet of snow, beginning at the highest reaches and making it's way down at break-neck speeds. Wai Li was nearby and to his ear, barely audible over the sound of the snow crashing down towards the troops, called out to Helm for protection. The Ice Queen's influence here was strong, and not all were covered by the gold light of Helm's protection.Aaron realised that he was not among his own troops, having moved forward, and now could only do what he could to save those near him.



As the snow and debris rushed forward to consume those upon the mountain, Aaron quickly took the red colored Knight Chess piece that hangs from his neck into his hand. A bright light filled his eyes as the last word of the prayer passed his lips. This light moved down his body and into his arm, streaming out of his extended hands. As the light left him, a shimmer passed over himself and the bodies of the soldiers near to him. Suddenly, the soldiers effected by the prayer, felt as if they were still upon the Prime Plane, though blurred. To the eyes of those not effected, it was if they had disappeared, as the effected enter the Ethereal Plane.

Once cleared of the effects of the avalanche, the Grand Knight dispersed his prayer, returning those with him to the Prime Plane proper. The destruction was great, and the loss of life immense in the aftermath of the avalanche. Trudging through the snow tossed lands, Aaron made his way from in front of the now destroyed temple, back to the rear camp. There he met with the remains of his battalion. The report came that ten of the twenty five Knights would not return with their brothers and sisters. Ten Knights would never continue the fight against evil. Their bodies buried under tons of snow upon the mountain.



With the conclusion of the battle, Aaron would not immediately return to Baldur's Gate. The weight of the loss of the Knights placed under his command was a heavy burden on his shoulders. The ten fallen would be honored in Athkatla for the heroes they are. Diverting to Athkatla, he accompanied the surviving Knights back to the High Halls in Athkatla. There, the Aaron gave report to Prelate Wessalen on the pride he had to lead such fine men and women. He reported back on the honors owed to those who fell in the conflict.

The following day the Knight could be seen riding his silver maned steed northbound.

[sweetlikesplenda]

Shortly after the war in Nashkel had ended, I was approached by Alexander Marshall. The Triadic Knight had offered an invite to join in an effort to aid a missing Illmateri Paladin. The Paladin had been escorting a child north from Amn. But, contact had been lost and there was fear the Knight and their child ward were in trouble. Amn's views of those who practice or even have signs of developing use of the "Art" was oppressive. Their Mage Hunters, Bounty Hunters and mercenaries hired by the Amnian Government, were ruthless in their pursuit of any who shows signs of the use of magic.

I accepted and we travelled to meet the others who would also attend the journey. The meeting outside the Stables revealed Sister Ashenie, Sir Asen, Sir Declan, Sir Gaven, Sir Marshall and myself would be companions on this trek. *Putting the ink pen down a moment, the Knight digs into his bags. Later producing a palm sized Knight Chess piece. His thoughts drift back to the events of the journey to recover the missing child...*

Sir Declan and Aaron had been searching houses for the fallen villagers. The rubble of the burnt out buildings of the village made it difficult to recover some of the bodies of the lost villagers. It was while lifting out a corpse of a villager who had been slain in the attack on the little hamlet, that he noticed it. A glint in the smokey air. Something red. A mental note to return to investigate the anomaly once the recovered body was placed for the ritual Sister Ashenie would perform. Carefully the Grand Knight entered the building again. Picking his way through collapsed walls, the collapsed roof, and weak support beams that still stood, he reached the area where the red glint had caught his eye. Perhaps it was a piece of sentimental jewellery of one of the villagers. Perhaps it was something that the soon-to-be restored villager would find comfort in having, after losing so much in the destruction of the village.

The roof was unsteady, the creaking noises it made lent one to believe it could fall completely at any moment. The situation required swift action to get in and then back out. Aaron carefully placed his steps though the rubble to ensure he did not set off any chain reactions that could endanger himself or Declan. Soon he reached the spot he had seen. The red glint was still there, partially obscured among the wreckage. Reaching out, he extended his arm at full length, manoeuvring through burnt wooden beams he pressed his body forwarded to extend his reach. Fingertips at first just gaining some hold on the object, inched it closer, until he could take it in to his palm. As he retracted his hand, a support beam fell upon the place the red object had been, nearly taking with it, his arm. The two Knights exited the building, and Aaron opened his palm to look down upon a red gem cut in to the shape of a Knight Chess piece.

Days before, during the war of Amn against the Temple of Auril, The Red Knight had given him a sign. He had heard the call of his Lady, felt her approval given to him. An elated feeling, one that a Favored relished above all else, had coursed through him during the battle. Now, a few days after, a physical sign. The Lady of Strategy had a small following, but those who did were given signs. A chess piece left for a follower, carved of a brittle material, was a poor sign. One left of a quality material was an approving gesture. In the past he had been left signs that helped lead him on quests he had undertaken. In this case, the Chess piece was carved from Ruby Stone. A feeling of joy, and exuberant elation of the Lady of Strategy's approval washed over him...

Time passed slowly for the Knight until their eventual return back to the City. the Knight frequently taking the piece out and looking it over in his palm , until they entered the City limits once more.

[sweetlikesplenda]

The ceremony outside the Temple of the Watcher was dying down. The celebrants of the event were moving on to other parts of the town. Th noise of those singing and merrymaking were moving down the main road towards the bars. Four Knights entered the Temple proper for a quiet meeting with the High Shield Pergin and the High Watchpriest Jaumet Ubina. The tone inside was much more sober then outside. The quiet reflected the ceremony of what was to come. Each present was gifted something that represented contributions towards ending the war with the Aurilites. The first called forward was Aaron. The High Shield turned behind to collect soemthing. When they returned to face the group, a cloth cloak was draped gingerly over their arms, which extended towards the Grand Knight in offering.



"Lord Lyonaler, a relic was retrieved from the ruins of the Temple of Auril. An artifact we feel there are no better hands it should go to."

The Knight's ocean blues looked down at a red and white colored cloak in the hands of the High Shield. Gently it is offered over to Aaron. A feeling of ease came over him as he reached out slowly with his right hand, fingers just grazing the cloth. A tingle struck the tips of his fingers, which turned to a spark in his core.



Quietly at first, the words began to come back to him. "This is.. It has the feel of the Red Lady... Such a relic.." *He looks back to the High Shield* "Are you certain you wish to gift this?"

"You are a faithful of the Lady of Strategy, are you not?"

*Nodding a few times, his eyes still on the cloak* "I am, yes."

"Certainly, it would be more suited in your hands than in the House of the Guardian. Not that we do not see the value of strategy, but a relic ought go to the faithful of its god."

A moment later Aaron regained his presence of mind to fully take the cloak into his hands and accept the great gift being offered. In the past he had received visits from the Red Lady, been given signs and small gifts, had communed and spoken with her for guidance; now, he would hold a relic blessed by her hand. The cloak would be cared for and upheld as the honor it was to have it.

[sweetlikesplenda]

Without death there is no life, no beginnings without endings.

My tenure as Grand Knight of the Auxiliary has reached it's five year point. A time when I either reapply or step down. I have chosen to step down. The Auxiliary needs new perspectives and new leadership. A chance for others to step into the leadership role. It serves as good timing in other ways as well; such as the mandate to seek new Knights to replace the fallen in the High Halls. The law banning free magical use in Amn struck at the Order. Within the High Halls, some rules are different then those in the Auxiliary. Brother can take up steel against another brother if one veers from the oaths and vows taken. Some were pulled to follow the laws of Amn, others lead to speak against the law. Many of the Senior Knights of the High Halls fell to the blades of brothers and sisters. Upon my leaving Athkatla, the request of the Prelates stuck with me,

"Many lost souls wander in the dark... confused by the complexity of justice... mercy... retribution... many souls seek guidance...And now more than ever our numbers are affected by the recent struggles. We need a new generation of Knights among us, fresh minds and bodies that will bring justice and prosperity to the land. Do that, Lord Lyonaler, and your efforts will be most appreciated."

Upon my request to retire from the position of Grand Knight of the Auxiliary, I have asked that the Branch in Baldur's Gate serve a greater role in the Request Prelate Kerthys placed upon me, that the Auxiliary be elevated to a full Chapter of the Order. No longer a cadet branch but another Chapter like that of the High Halls. A Chapter would change the branch in some ways. Three Prelates would serve as leaders of the Chapter. The Keep would become more a school for Paladins and Clerics, while becoming less of a military presence. It will mean saying goodbye to some very loyal members, as the structure of a Chapter only allows for those on the path of the Paladin or Cleric of our Gods. I dread the day i will have to sit each who will no longer fall within the strict rules of the new Chapter House. How does one sit and tell someone that their services have greatly aided the People and served Good, but now must be removed from the Keep's halls? It is my hope that those who will be asked to depart the Keep will continue to perform good works in other capacities.

It is a melancholy time for me. A relief in some ways, while a great anxiety in other ways. Perhaps this is what parents feel, when their child leaves home? I do not know how to express my thoughts this moment. Though, I trust the Order will thrive and perhaps have new and different life blown into it? It is my hope. I will remain as a Senior Knight. But, it will be an odd feeling to not represent it. Though, I must not lose this time with such distracting thoughts. Now is a time to form a new beginning, the time to hand many responsibilities to others and take on new ones.