Musings of a Justicar

[Menry]

We’ve made it through Ancuram unscathed. Although we’ve dealt with the corruption that was present for now, we were unable to retrieve the relic we sought after. Instead, it seems the agents of the Guardian (who is now known to us to go by the name of Iskra) have been a step ahead the entire time, watching us without our knowledge. Our confrontation, though ending in our apparent victory, did not yield any real progress. Their zealots are formidable, and truly earn the name by their devotion to Sanctuary.
Now we travel to Stenstrom. It has been years since my own presence in the duchy of my birth; I left as a youth, and return a Justicar. Still, the ruggedness of the badlands never leaves you. It’s a different kind of grit than the rest of Astrel, made of sweat and blood and nerve. You learn to respect the strength of nature, and it learns to respect you. An honest and honorable existence, free from the conspiracies and depravity of man. When I was a child, I was conditioned to carry a hammer; it was not until I was a teen, and my slavers forced me on their rivals, when that hammer was first bloodied.
My life today is nowhere near as simple. There are eyes watching and hands plotting everywhere. Until recently, I had no reason to be suspicious of Grimm, but the members of our group from the Royce militia have told me he holds Simon’s jail keys, and Simon himself is possibly in danger. It’s also possible he could be involved in the thefts from the Meadowmere community chest. I’ve noticed Captain D, a former fellow of the Consortium, has spent some time around the man; D told me Grimm is the guy with knowledge. Knowledge of what, he wouldn’t say. His past as a sailor from Vertigron would make him reasonable learned, surely, but what could this man know that is so valuable?
A small meeting took place during our travel through the forests of Ancuram, to discuss what would be done with the relics, or any items of interest, if and when they are retrieved. The others could hardly agree on anything. The military would take custody of the items if they had their way, but they can’t even keep the community chest safe. I’m sure the Order would like me to retrieve it for their own safekeeping, but trust in the Order is almost nonexistent among these people. Grimm, suggested we destroy the items, or render them inert. At first, I agreed with this; it would be hard to trust any individual or group to not use these items to usurp power. Eilonwy’s suggestion is one that I’ve been thinking more on, however: that the Sages, unaware anyone would come looking for their relics, may have powers of protection that went unused in their inital placement. Returning the relics to their owners, though a tenuous solution, rings familiar to the balance of my old home. Nature is not to be challenged, or tested, or poked and prodded in experiment; it is to be respected and honored.
And what of Sanctuary’s goals? Their strongest seem committed to the idea that they fight to save our world. So far, our conflict has been one of violent provocation and destruction, but it has also been reciprocal. They collapsed buildings; we collapsed their temple. They killed our friend; we killed their high priest. Their tenacity and drive are a match to our own. Perhaps it is time to apply the lessons of home here as well: that we should respect their strength and resolve. If what their zealots say is true, we should seek parley. Since our last encounter showed they are currently unwilling to talk, I would propose a “catch and release” plan: that we capture one from Sanctuary unharmed, convince them our goals should be aligned, then release them to either inform their leaders, or at least foment resistance within their ranks.
My real concern is of the Guardian. Iskra. Is this person simply a spiritual leader of these people, believing the same as them; or is Iskra a manipulator, and usurper of power, the very thing we hope to safeguard these powerful artifacts against? We cannot hope nor resort to simply killing all who follow Sanctuary, when they themselves could be victims of deception, but convincing them the opposite of their beliefs could prove an impossible task.
It is the duty of a Justicar to protect the people. I only hope it is not too late.

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