Confessions

Miss Mercier,

You have some excellent questions, and I am sure they would be answered better in quiet confidence and in person. I would be happy to meet with you at your convenience.

I will say, in my experience confession is both a time for me to open up to myself, my god and another person.
I do not believe that ones faith, or lack there of would in any way effect the value of allowing the weight of your sins to be released. Having faith may aid the process in some way, but it is certainly not a prerequisite, if you will.

I have traveled a great many places with the army as a soldier for Kormyre and I have found places on Arawyn where the gods names are not known, and yet I still watch similar rituals and services being practiced. I have seen how it helps people and helps build trust within a community.

On the subject of privacy, in my experience, formal confessions are private in nature and unless you express an immediate and real desire to do harm to someone, I see no reason why your confidence would be betrayed. Though you should express your concerns to the priest who would hear you beforehand.

I hope I have been of some help, and I hope we have a chance to speak soon.

The act of confession is a very personal and private experience. All that is necessary is for one to admit to things by which they feel burdened, things which weigh heavily upon their shoulders every day, things which warrant regret, things for which you wish to repent and be forgiven. It can be anything, it does not need to be fitting into any category or definition of 'sin'. One might ask for forgiveness for something that another would be proud of and consider an accomplishment, as I've said, it is a very personal experience, unique to each individual and their morals / what they feel in their hearts. I will listen, and I will pray for forgiveness.

Dear Verrill,

You were not mistaken, simply confused and curious. Andorra embodies love, compassion, and forgiveness. She is not the Goddess of patience, although that is one of the miracles she is able to grant if a devout worshiper prays her for it. I am sorry you grew up in a community that was devoid of faith and that you weren't curious about the Gods until now. Guidance is freely given, as you can see my fellow clergymen are very open and willing to educate you on the matter and answer any questions you might have. I suggested them, as they are more eloquent with words than I am. Your inquiry was not the threat made, your private missive and the words you chose to refer to the act of confession were insulting to me and my faith. But perhaps I was mistaken; I invite you to talk to me in person so that we may resolve our misunderstanding.

May the light guide your path and keep you safe.
With love and respect,

Angeliana,

I must pass on meeting you in person. It would seem that private matters have a tendency to turn public in your hands, but since its public I will remind you publicly that it is illegal and immoral to use your deities powers to alter the wills of others (as you attempted to force upon me last moon in regards to a pending legal matter). I had asked you as a friend to refrain from committing such a heinous act upon me. You found the idea of us being friends so improbable that you perceived it as a threat and a slight.

To put this into even clearer terms I will share an excerpt of Baronial Law;

None shall torture another, nor cause the insanity of another, nor control the mind, body, or emotions of another excepting with the explicit sanction of a Lord or the Baron, or if the subject be - of free and clear spirit - willing.

Whosoever breaks with this law shall be fined between ten and twenty gold pieces, one half of which the Barony will remit to the victim, and will spend from one to three months in the dungeon. If the victim of the crime is an Officer of the Barony, then the convicted will be fined between twenty and fifty gold pieces, one half of which the Barony will remit to the victim, and will spend from three to six months in the dungeon. If the victim of the crime is of noble title, then the convicted will be publicly executed, will be stripped of all belongings, and upon the decision of the Baron may be exiled or obliterated. If the convicted has broken with this law before, then the convicted will be publicly executed, will be stripped of all belongings, and upon the decision of the Baron may be exiled or obliterated.

Yours In Seemingly Endless Patience,

((OOG: The parchment is folded and dirtied by dried blood. The writing is shaky as if great effort was put into just being able to write the words.))

Verill,

Your understanding on this matter is very obviously lacking. Perhaps you should come back when you gain the understanding of the words that have been written here. Quoting a law that you do not understand is just as bad as blindly following it. So please, for your sanity and mine, cease your vapid argument as you are merely saying the same thing over and over. You are lucky that they have shown you kindness repetitively. I would not have been so kind.

Lucien, Angeliana and Aldric,

Though I have just made it to the proper, I find that my journey has not yet concluded. When I have found an answer I seek, I will surely submit myself to a confession.

-Ava

If thou doth have a charge bring it to the guard. I believe thou hath not because thou doth know no crime was committed, so instead slander is thine response. Truly, Verrill, thou hath more integrity than that. We will speak on this matter as well, if thee wish. In any case, this discussion hath no place in an announcement for a public service.

Ava, we will be here when thou art ready for us.

This argument has gone on long enough, why not settle it over a drink at the bar?

Verril my friend, for one who wishes not to throw your matters out in public, you seem to be causing such a fuss over something that could be handled in a private conversation, yet you being a scholar use your fancy mind to make yourself seem right. As much as I respect you, such a way to go about this all does not suit you my friend.

To Angelica, I ask why do you continue to entertain this argument? If Verril does not see the light of the Gods, let him not see the light. It is understandable. Verril is a man of logic, though he tends to be too deep in thought a lot of the times. His faith is in logic, yours is in Andorra. Let faiths lay where they will as this quarrel is going no where and seeming to create more issues.

I leave the people with this. It does not matter what you believe in, as long as what is in your heart is just. As long as you feel like you can live with yourself when you lay beside the fire at night then do what you feel is right.

I have lived in so much sin, so much that I will be judged for. I wonder everyday if the doors to The Great Hall will be opened for me, I wonder if I am worthy of the life I lead and am I living in up to those I had to kill in the war?

My suggestion, for every life that you take, you live your life with twice as much passion than before. So enjoy your books Verril and your confessions Angelica, but let this argument cease. It doesn't suit either of you.

Signed, With Truth,
Jack Dimms