This was done by Baela today, and impressed many of us greatly. Including our own High Priest Alaron y'Bolgari. So we decided to share this with you.

And whether you like us or not...you gotta give the woman credit for a VERY well thought out, planned out, and beautifully written sermon. Definite two thumbs up from me at the least


****************************


Baela performs a graceful curtsey.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Greetings everyone. I would like, first, to thank you all for attending my sermon. I would also like to beg your indulgence if I should falter during the oration as this is my first public sermon."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather smiles solemnly and begins speaking, her voice quiet and intent.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "It is said that each of the Demon Lords of the sacred plane of Nil are an embodiment of certain taboos. Ideas that the 'good' peoples of the Basin fear and revile."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather pauses a moment with a puzzled look on her face before continuing.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "But why? Why would anyone fear an idea?"


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather smiles knowingly.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "The answer is simple, because they are too weak to do otherwise."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "These misguided fools believe that by turning their backs on these concepts, by naming them 'evil,' they are holding them separate from themselves. That they will not be soiled by them and will thus reach some non-existent level of 'good.'"


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather shakes her head regretfully.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "What they do not realize is that by fearing ideas, by closing their minds to concepts, they've shown a crippling weakness of both the spirit and the mind. By fearing these so-called taboos, these people do not separate them out of their own character as they seem to believe. Instead, they simply become cowering children, hiding from the 'monsters' in their own psyche. The simple truth is that these 'taboos' are present within all sentient beings."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather leans forward slightly and sweeps her hands in an expansive gesture to include her audience in her next words.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "We who follow the teachings of the Demon Lords know that embracing our fears makes us stronger. We do not submit to the propaganda of the sheep who stumble about, blinded by their Light and their fear. We accept the harsh truths within our own souls and that's what makes sets us above them."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Because we heed Lord Luciphage, we do not cringe away from the idea of dominating those weaker than ourselves. Why should we? Because it is 'wrong' to do so? Cruel?"


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather looks skeptical and says, "Says who."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "The weak-minded, of course. Never mind that they are guilty of the trespasses they claim against us. Do they not strive to control the smaller and weaker villages of the Basin the same as we do, for example? Of course they do, they only describe their actions as 'protecting' instead of 'dominating.'"


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather waves her hand dismissively at such foolishness.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "That is nothing but hypocrisy disguised by semantics."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Because we heed Lord Ashtorath, we do not shy from exacting our terrible revenge on those who've wronged us. Those who call themselves 'good' would argue that vengeance is an 'evil' concept."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather shakes her head, an amused look on her face before continuing.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Why? Only a fool would allow someone to harm them unpunished. Do these so-called 'good' people simply stand and allow themselves to be hurt with no recourse?"


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather dismisses that idea with a wave of her hand.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Of course not. They strike back just like we do, only when they do it, it's called 'justice' not 'vengeance.'"


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather looks thoughtful and says, "Do you see a pattern."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Because we heed Lady Nifilhema, we do not fear pain. Indeed, we embrace it. The Light-blinded would claim this is perverse, finding enjoyment in pain."


"Pssshhhh..." Zalana says.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather looks skeptical and says, "Why."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Pain can teach a person many things, from when to eat to when to heal a wound. What kind of fool would ignore the lessons pain can teach?"


Trooper Faerdon says, "Without pain how can one enjoy pleasure?"


"Oops!" Faerdon exclaims with a bashful expression.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather grins a bit before her expression becomes serious and her voice intent as she continues.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Despite their protests against pain, the 'good' people of the Basin do not avoid inflicting it. Of course, they hide the outcomes of their actions behind flowery concepts and more self-righteous propaganda."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Because we heed Lord Baalphegar, we understand the place of manipulation in our lives. It is a concept exercised daily by every individual in ways both realized and unconscious, both purposeful and ancillary."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather grins again, leaning forward and continuing in a conspiratorial tone.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Do you suppose none of the 'good' people engage in politics? Mediate arguments within their families? Woo a lover?"


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather looks at her audience curiously before answering her own question.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Of course they do. They simply ignore the fact that each of these is a form of manipulation. They do not grasp that a lack of mal intent does not negate the act manipulation and that even the most seemingly selfless acts have ulterior motives."


Lyth nods his head emphatically.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Because we heed Lord Gorgulu, we accept the hunger within ourselves. We use that drive to propel us to greater power and to remind us never to settle for what we've already accomplished, but to strive for even more."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Are all the Light-blinded fools content to rest on their laurels? Do none of them strive for excellence within their fields? Are there none who seek to reach new heights?"


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather laughs incredulously at that idea before sobering and continuing, her words dripping with disdain.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Of course not. They simply attribute their desire for greatness to ambition without looking at the deeper root."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "The hunger that births ambition."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather leans forward slightly towards her audience, her next words becoming quiet and measured to drive the point home.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "The ideas embodied by the Demon Lords are not 'evil.' 'Evil is a label created by the weak, it holds no place in the minds of the strong. For that matter, there is no such thing as 'good' either. Those who'd argue otherwise reveal themselves as both timorous and hypocritical. Blind and foolish."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather looks thoughtful and says, "Might one feel pity for the Light-blinded? Perhaps. Just as one might feel pity for a blind man bumbling and stumbling his way down the street."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather changes her tone with her next words, her scorn obvious.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "More than that however, what we SHOULD feel is contempt. For only the worst kind of fool stares into the sun for so long as to lose the ability to see."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "That is what the so-called 'good' people have done to themselves and are even still doing to themselves, all out of fear. They fear the truth. They fear what they'll see if they truly LOOK at their actions. Their souls."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather raises her voice a bit and slams her fist into her hand.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "They turn away from the lessons taught by the Demon Lords, not out of 'righteousness' as they claim, but out of base fear. So, they focus their attention only on the comfortable Light. The easy Light. It is all they allow themselves to see until, finally, they become the fool who blinded himself with the sun."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather flicks her fingers as if tossing aside garbage.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "And worthy of just as much contempt. Eventually, those with such defective characters will be wiped out, destroyed by their own self induced ignorance."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather raises her voice once again, facing the audience with her arms spread in an encompassing gesture.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Until all that remain are those who embrace the teachings of the Demon Lords and accept the Truths that They teach. Those who do not fear to embrace all the aspects of their own nature."


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather lowers her arms and takes one last look at each face of her audience before dropping slightly in a respectful curtsey.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Thank you all for attending, I pray you've found something you can take away from this sermon with which to enhance your lives, minds and souls."


Alaron y'Bolgari, the High Priest of the Silent Cathedral claps his hands together merrily.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says, "Thank you all, it was an honor to share my thoughts with you."


Alaron y'Bolgari, the High Priest of the Silent Cathedral exclaims, "I couldn't have done it better myself!"


Baela curtseys respectfully before Alaron y'Bolgari, the High Priest of the Silent Cathedral.


Fated of Baalphegar, Baela Ravenfeather says to Alaron y'Bolgari, the High Priest of the Silent Cathedral, "Thank you High Priest, you honor me."


Alaron y'Bolgari, the High Priest of the Silent Cathedral exclaims, "Nae, it is you who honour the entities that are the Demon Lords!"

So THAT is why 15 of you were in the hall of forbidden knowledge for so long.

I thought you were finding forbidden knowledge to smite the rest of the basin or some such.


Edit:That's some pretty good brain washing as well. For the swarm!

erm, I mean taint!

I liked it.. very well done

That was beautiful. Excellent work!!

(Not sure why this thread is marked important though... )

Hmm, I as a player liked it very much, and actually agree with it on many points. What Everiine what think, though, is different, but I as a player love it!

Very nice!! Her words were quite persausive.



Ha! That made me laugh, heh. Though, Glomdoring would be more of the Swarm than Magnagora.

That was really good! Excellent tone and I really liked the way you compared the teachings of the Demon Lords to the teachings of the Supernals

One of the best Sermons the Nihilists have had, I must say. Things like this really get everyone involved, and are usually good instigators for conversation and contemplation. It's always nice to see a very well thought out speech or ritual.

Out of curiosity, do the Celestines ever have gatherings like that?

I think Simimi did one a li'l while ago.