And finally all of the character reviews I asked for and we got a wide range of opinions on Hicknob:
The Royal Family (Ariel, The King, Crown Prince and daughters)
Ariel the Queen Mother of Brightborn, High Arch Magi, Her Lady of White Light.
Tserina Syl’tor (Human Necromancess): A thousand poxes upon that old sow. How dare she remove my house to the planes of good and appoint an angel that alters someone’s inner nature. By the eyes of Tahkisis, she proves the hypocrisy of good. The over reactive crusader to alter one’s nature is hubris and brings her one step closer to evil’s domain. I must thank her that indignation is another fire in my heart, along with my rape and blinding that will guide my plans. The angel Gabriel will be tortured slowly, flayed in half itself. Its wing feathers plucked one by one and used in the most debased rituals I can devise.
Crown prince of Brightborn His Royal Highness Trayeless Brightborn:
Raishe Abadonn Al’Seru: I am sure the crown prince means well, of the content of his heart that is sure. But his method, far be it from me to comment, is suspect. Knighting me out of the sky is both illogical and unexpected. To freely through aloof authority and privilege is invite to ruin.
King Alex the Second of Brightborn
Raishe Abadonn Al’Seru (Priest Kiri’Jolith and warrior for good) on: The King is a good man over his head in a difficult situation. He deserves respect and whatever aid that we can shoulder. His laws are necessary ever essential for the Kingdom to continue.
Cyan Anoah Prophet of Mishakal A stiff-necked idealist when it comes to law and order. Granted, my opinion may be biased considering what he put me through, but there are times when just because something is lawful, doesn't mean it's right. For example, I was incarcerated for Treason. But if I had allowed the execution to go through, I would have been guilty of something far worse: Murder by inaction. Mishakal herself told me that Sharon was innocent of the crime of which she had been accused. It came out after the fact, that she had indeed been innocent of the charges. Imagine, if you will, that she had been executed - the first ever to be done so in Brightborn walls, I might add. Imagine the outcry if it came out, after the fact, that the executed had, in fact, been innocent. This is something I never got the chance to ask King Alex II. I have a feeling he's been avoiding me for just that reason. In a way, I saved His Majesty's reign by sacrificing half my life so that he wouldn't look like he executed an innocent woman. That being said, he has ruled this kingdom so far with competency and, for the most part, fairness. Only time will tell.
Alex Brightblade the First of Brightborn. Lord, Wizard of the Towers, High Prophet of Paladine
Cyan Anoah Prophet of Mishakal: A pioneer in the ways of ruling a kingdom. His thoughts on personal freedoms are unprecedented in the world, at least as far as I know. He possesses a wisdom that belies his years. In fact, I truly feel that if he had still been ruling when I intervened on Lady Sharon's behalf, I would not have gotten nearly as harsh a sentence as his son bestowed upon me, but let's not open up THAT wound again. He is also a powerful religious leader; as well he should be, for there comes along only 1 High Prophet of Paladine per generation. Having to oversee the workings of an entire Church and its congregants is hard enough (I should know). But to have to rule an entire kingdom along with the workings of a religion order... sometimes I wonder how he sleeps at night... strike that, sometimes I wonder IF he sleeps at night. I would be lying if I said that I didn't wish he were still king of this land. He built this kingdom up from nothing more than a few bickering city-states. And now it is one of the most prosperous kingdoms in the Realm. His heritage also allows him to watch his citizens grow up and grow old around him. I still remember, as a child, hoping he'd do his "Bunny's for the children" one more time. All hail, Long Live King Alexander Brightblade the First!
Aranarth, Dragon mage and Council member of the Towers: I'm betting he's mad as a hatter, underneath all his facades. In truth, as long as he shows up to save the day when we need him to, I couldn't care less. Is that all we really feel about him? Is Alex the great "deus ex machina"? I suppose it could be said that most kingdoms like Brightborn need someone like him, someone who we can depend on to save the day. In many respects, he's a lot like Malex. Too powerful for his own good, and more than willing to use all that monstrous power to achieve his ends; to be perfectly honest, he scares the daylights out of me.
Maylu:
Raise Abaddon Al’Seru: I am afraid I do not understand this being. Apparent he has great power but I do not understand exactly what he has done or what he has to do.
Eniki (Arch druid and wizard stormrider): Hm, a ultimate champion or shepherd of good with power the gods do not even have. Well this certainly challenges what I thought I know about reality.
Liliha: (dragon): Hmm he does seem to disapprove of Boonan, why I do not know. Either he is a most skilled illusionist and conjurer or part of power I cannot comprehend.
Cyan Anoah Prophet of Mishakal I never understood this man. Then again, I never really understood arcane magic and what it can do to the human mind. If Maylu weren’t as powerful of a mage as he is, as a Healer I would assess him as having a mental illness and I would have him sent to the Mishakalite Mind Menders. Not many Mishakalite Healers choose to focus on the “Touched”, but they are magnificent in their works and would be able to help poor Maylu. That being said, who knows what goes on in that mind of his. He shows up unexpectedly, with a new alcoholic drink in his hand every time, he wrecks havoc on those around him and then disappears without a trace. Rather childish really. I honestly wonder whose side he’s on. Then again, I bet if you were to ask him, he’d say he’s on his own side. Let’s just hope he doesn’t send the world to a different plane because he though it would be “fun”. You know, I bet there’s some kender blood in his veins from some point in his ancestry. Only the Gods know.
Grasshopper (Horom Wantanabe leader of the self-destined, philosopher and mystic):
Liliha Kaida: You humans with your great ideas… this democracy I predict will last as long as it’s founder is alive to guide it perhaps if he lives long enough he can establish the foundation of institution that may out last his death…may. Perhaps in a century or so I will re-investigate just to see how it turned out. Who knows, mayhap I will be surprised.
The Patron (Burk’s secret, shadowman, Donneris Ulmen)
Raishe Abaddon Al’Seru: The patron makes me uncomfortable and not just (his) undead status. Yes he has helped before but I count my fingers with every shake of the hand. His goals as he states are in line with ours but I remain vigilant for the other shoe to drop. Yes he aided me in undoing the greatest error I could have committed, for that he earned gratitude but not trust.
Liliha Kaida: (curls claws pensively): I more than most have spend significant amount working closely with the patron but cannot claim to know him. The relationship has been professional. He did cure my entopic infection but not out of kindness. I was a research project albeit one that could talk. If I hazard a guess he seeks the inner magic of the dragon. Our innate ability to efficiently use the flow of magic and of all the humans I have met I would gather he is the most probable to succeed doubly so since I aided him as he aided me in my spell projects. I do wonder if he can break the limitation of being human, to embrace dragonmagic.
Cyan Anoah Prophet of Mishakal A being of profound evil. While I am proficient in knowledge of Undead Lore, one could spend a lifetime studying this creature. Fortunately, I haven’t had many occasions to interact with him. He is a lich, a mage who, in the ultimate search of power, sacrificed his life, his humanity, his very soul to become an immortal being. Were it within my power, I would banish this creature and all others like him to the Abyss where they belong. Their very nature is in violation of everything we Mishakalites hold dear. First, he chose to end his life early – tantamount to suicide, which is an abomination to the Gods. Second, he did so for the selfish reason of acquiring more power – an act that would make Tahkisis proud. Finally, they spread suffering and destruction wherever they go – not unlike Morgionists. The truly tragic part of this tale is that when those of us who strive to spread goodness across the land are gone, he will still be walking the realms spreading his hatred to all corners of Kirin. May the Gods show mercy on him when his days end, for I don’t know if I could.
Kenshin Ruroni, traveling swordsman and adventurer: A rare breed. Thoroughly evil, yet intelligent enough to be able to set aside his own goals for the betterment of all. He's done it often enough that people might begin to think differently of him. Not I...he's still undead, after all. So long as his goals are in line with the rest of us, we will have little to fear from him. I gather he'd rather be left alone for the most part. All's the better for it.
Boonan (The Way Finder):
Liliha Kaida: Adoptive father Boonan has a unique perspective unlike anything I have seen in humans. Enough so that I had to verify if indeed he was human. (He is) infinitely patient and yet exasperatingly mysterious. It is frustrating to think that I am as yet unable perhaps never able to duplicate in effect what I have seen him accomplish. At first I thought it stylized divination but must now ruefully consider that he has a deeper connection to the universe than I can conceive of.
Hicknob (Lord Prophet of Kiri’Jolith, Slayer of the Dragonqueen):
Grotrek (Dwarven warrior): Bah whiny dwarf you could swear him an elf! You miss your homeland you either drink to its memories or grab our axe and go to avenge! Not standing about moping.
Raise Abaddon Al’Seru: A harsh taskmaster. Demanding, thoughtful, harsh…because he cares deeply for all the good peoples. He demands the best for we are willing to give our lives for the best among us. The innocent. The children. We place ourselves in harms way to save them and he is the first to lead us there. Hicknob I count as a forgiving mentor and I hope a friend. I remain envious of his connection and relationship with the warlord and it can only be expected with a history such as his.
Cyan Anoah Prophet of Mishakal: Ahhh Hicknob. One of the few Kiri-Jolithians who did not speak out against my acceptance of Mishakalites who wished to become "Traveling Healers". My interactions with him directly were usually through Raishe. I am saddened that, by Raishe’s passing, I have had fewer dealings with Hicknob. Nevertheless, there are few indeed who pass through Brightborn who do not at least hear a story about the stout warrior. For those who are wondering, yes, he does in fact train his men while they are hung-over. The logic being that if you can defeat an enemy while you are in an incapacitated state, then defeating him while healthy should be easy. While I, personally, would never let a companion remain “hung-over” if I could, I cannot fault him for his logic. His skills as a warrior are legendary. His skills as a religious leader are likewise. Sometimes I think that he might have it easier than the rest of us in the fashion that he leads his church. When there’s a military structure, with specific rank and order, then it’s easy to know who is in charge and who follows whom. On the other side, the greatest gift that the Gods bestowed upon man is the gift of free choice. Along those lines, I encourage my followers to voice their opinions when I am faced with a decision. That being said, Hicknob has proven himself time and again that he is a powerful dwarf, a powerful leader, and a good friend.
Aranarth: The dwarf is like a piece of artillery. Point him in a direction, set him off, and enjoy the explosions. A good guy, all around, if albeit a little over-zealous. When I think about dwarves as a race, I think about Hicknob. I suppose he embodies everything "dwarfy" for me. The drinking, the axes, all of it. I suppose it could be rightly said that Hicknob fits the racial stereotype very well, and if more dwarves were like him, the world would be a better place for it.
Orphan (right hand of Malex)
Raise Abaddon Al’Seru: Orphan is a psychotic, a mad dog killer to be put down. Bloodglory? Is that his sword?
Eniki: Ahh the meat is but the shell. It is the sword that controls the arm and not the reverse. Some things are too dangerous to let loose. Perhaps I should put some research into this disjunction that Malex threatens the blade with.
George (Godbane, the hollow soul)
Eniki: A fascinating study on prolonged isolation with persecution complexes. An absolute raving psychotic until that Dwarf cured him. Perhaps my initial impression was incorrect. There is far more to him than would appear. Perhaps these people have brought something worse to this world than they have intended.
Retzan Al’Alerack The Lord of Fire Mountain
Raishe Abaddon Al’Seru: A puppet master who revealed my own weakness. One who gave me a dream that I fell for. His vision blinded me and I gave into my own desires. He terrified me, a national legend, an object of fear. Together we learned the harsh lessons. Power should not be senselessly grasped and prophecy cannot be forced. Gods know how much suffering we caused learning this lesson. Many have forgiven but can I ever forgive my own folly? Truly I rue the day I ever met Al’Alerack.
Eniki: A fine fellow of excellent mystery! I enjoyed thoroughly the time I bore but a fragment of his ancient memories. Granted we disagree on the nature of the elements, the course of supremacies that is only natural. Nature…nature, what wordsmanship. Unlike many fellow elementalists he can discus the maters rationally and with that angry passion of most fire elementalists His mastery is something I can aspire to over my life, though of other elements of course.
Harold Leader of Elemental Prime:
Eniki: A focused passionate individual as many fire elementalists tend to be, a shame about his retirement. Humans fail out so quickly.
Liliha Kaida: The epitome of humanity, greedy, grasping possessions, power and not the wisdom to use it correctly. Attempting to alter the nature of history to satisfy his personal grief.
Raise: I salute his success as a leader of men and admire the discipline he commands with while rage at my own failures.
Father Eltide Prophet of Mishakal:
Cyan Anoah Prophet of Mishakal: How does one sum up in a paragraph or two how one feels about his father? For that is who Eltide was to me. He was more than a mentor, a leader, and a faithful servant of our beloved Mishakal, but to me he truly was my father. Having lost my father at the age of 6, Father Eltide (who at the time was "Prophet Eltide") took me in, cared for me, educated me, and taught me the ways of Mishakal. I know that he was disappointed when I admitted to him how my heart ached to see the world and that my wish was to become a Traveling Healer, but he was able to recognize Mishakal's intervention when it occurred, and so he gave me dispensation from the Church to pursue my journeys. Fortunately, his disappointment would not last, for every time I contacted him or visited the church in Brightborn, he always had a smile on his face as he spoke to me. Sometimes the smile was out of humble piety, but I knew that he felt for me as I felt for him. Now, I know he dwells with Mishakal, and that he is resting comfortably in her warm embrace. I know that the same fate awaits me when my time comes, but I also know that I still have more to do. I truly hope he is proud of me, because I most certainly am proud of him.
Akron Ponderman Arch Mage of the Towers of High Sorcery
Cyan Anoah Prophet of Mishakal: The High Wizard of the Tower of High Sorcery. A secretive man, but then again, I’ve worked with enough mages to know that they hold their secrets very close to themselves. Why? I have no idea. Divine magics are pretty much out in the open. Everyone knows what we can do, and there’s not much change in that area going on. Maybe there will be now that the Gods are asleep. I’m still getting used to not feeling Mishakal’s presence as greatly as I used to. But I digress… Akron is a man of vast intelligence and talent. Nevertheless, he seems to guard his knowledge of current events almost as tightly as he guards his personal spells. Any time I spoke with him, which granted was few and far between, it was like trying to pry open a mage-locked door just to get at a couple of coins on the other side. Then again, I guess one should be glad to even find him, what with how busy he is on a day-to-day basis. I shall have to get in touch with him fairly soon. I wonder if he and the rest of the mages are feeling the same weakening in magic as we priests have. Be that as it may, he is a good man with more knowledge that I could have hoped to have gained even if my actual age matched my apparent age. May he continue to guide the Wizards along the path of goodness and light.
Harold Flenth High Priest of Mishakal
Cyan Anoah Prophet of Mishakal: <sigh> Ever since I assumed the leadership of the church, I have felt as if I were walking up against a current. If I had to give this force a name, it would be Harold Flenth. I don’t hold any malice or grudge against him. In fact, I am thankful for his presence in the church. <smile> He keeps me on my toes. I only wish he were not so vocal about his disagreements with my decisions. From the moment I approved Mishakalites becoming “Traveling Healers”, he has planted seeds of discontent amongst the other priests. Even at times when the thing we needed most was unity. I think the one time we actually agreed on something was when we needed to act after the horrific fate of young Joseph. After his tragic loss, Brother Harold proposed the plan to let the people take their anger out on us. I truly feel that this act lessened the hatred that the masses held towards the Gods. I only hope that Mishakal will forgive me for choosing an act that led to the death of one of her faithful. That being said, it gives me satisfaction knowing that such a passionate priest will be around to take the reigns when Mishakal calls me to her side. Knowing that he will lead the church down a road that is completely opposite mine does not bother me, for I know that, once I pass on, I shall have no say in the matter. I also know that he is a faithful man, sworn to Mishakal and her ways. How he chooses to interpret those ways are for him to decide.
Lady Sharon, High Prophet of Tahkisis, Mistress of the Dark Queen
Cyan Anoah Prophet of Mishakal: Well, if there’s one thing I learned in my time spent sharing a prison hallway with Lady Sharon of Tahkisis, it is that her greatest weapon is not her spells, it is not a mace or a sword, it is her words. Truly, that was something I was not prepared for. Every argument I used to sway her from her evil ways, she had a counterargument to sway me from good. Her mind is as sharp as her tongue. Yes, because of her, I experienced a crisis of faith. I don’t know where the crisis would have ended up if Mishakal had not intervened in the way she had. While it did cost me half my life, I would make the same sacrifice again if that is what Mishakal wished. As for Lady Sharon, evil turns upon itself. I pray for her every day that she comes to see the light that this world can provide, that there is happiness and joy, peace and love. All these things, while she may SAY she has experienced, she can never truly know. For every day she chooses this path, she chooses to live in the shadow of the Dark Queen, and in that shadow there is only loneliness and despair, lies and deceit. If she does not turn away from this path, only the Abyss waits for her, with an eternity of darkness. Mishakal, watch over this woman, one of your children who has strayed from the path of light, and welcome her back into your loving embrace when she returns. Amen.
Aranarth: This was someone who operated on a level I cannot understand, or come to terms with. The ability to become a martyr is quite simply beyond me. I'd love to write her off as a loss, but its not that simple. I'd prefer the evil that I know than the evil I don't. I must admit, there's a part of me that wishes her well, despite everything. Not being a particularly religious person (I prefer to believe in the power of the individual), I imagine that Ladonna has gone on to her just reward. I can't begin to imagine what "reward" there might be for serving Tahkisis, but whatever it is, I'm hope she's enjoying herself.
Malex, Wizard, Scourge of the North, Hater of All, He who is cloaked in Hearts.
Cyan Anoah Prophet of Mishakal The man responsible for the destruction of Brightborn, including the Temple of Mishakal. If I wasn’t so exhausted from the hours spent healing the injured and rebuilding the Temple, I might actually have the energy to feel hatred towards this man. However, no good ever came of hatred, as Father Eltide used to say. Instead, I am only saddened by the pain and suffering he imposes upon the world – I know because his victims (those who live, that is) come to the church every day. Nevertheless, the rebuilding is going along nicely and, when completed, Mishakal’s house will be even more beautiful than before. Power can be a dangerous thing. When in the hands of one with a heart as dark as Malex, it can nearly bring about the end of the world. Malex sold his soul to darkness to obtain the power of the Gods. What he seemed to fail to remember is that “evil turns upon itself”. He was only destined to lose his power once those who were more powerful than him no longer had a use for him. Of course, I could never get close enough to tell him this. A man consumed with so much evil that he rivals some of the Dark Gods themselves, it’s amazing the man could even think straight. One would guess that to be filled with so much darkness and hatred that he would start to see conspiracies and threats where they didn’t even exist. Then again, it does not solve anything to dwell on such matters. The Gods gave man the gift of free will. We all must make choices in our lives, and he made his.
Alex Arch Druid and Lupine Shape shifter: If nothing else, you must admire the man's tenacity. We spent so much time and energy foiling him, poisoning his plans, killing his servants, destroying his city. Yet, he kept on plugging away. That sort of determination shouldn't be underestimated. Is it the destiny of the powerful to be overthrown? All things abide by the natural cycle. In that way, he came to power, and then fell. It is the way of things, nothing more. Think of it in this manner: all living things have the instincts to preserver their own lives, even worlds.
Lycra, Wizard, Brother of Malex:
Aranarth: A man completely out for himself. Nothing wrong with that at all. Adaptable, smart and powerful. He's a good example of why it’s so difficult for "evil" to come out on top. Trust is the basic foundation of all relationships. When you expect people to betray you, it’s hard to trust anyone. It'd be worth my time and trouble to make him an ally. Too bad he's so paranoid.
Malishara Full winged white angel of Paladine.
Kenshin: I saw her at the beginning, and again at the end. If there's one particular example of why we should all carry hope in our hearts, it’s her. Her redemption proved to me that any evil, no matter how malicious, is not only capable of changing, but worthy of the change. It’s a story that begs to be retold again and again, and one that I will personally make sure receives the attention it deserves.
Theodore Velin-Ture the Third (Inky) Second of the black robes.
Aranarth on Inky: Moron. Complete and utter moron. Self-obsessed and delusional. Obnoxious. Arrogant. He's dangerous, none the less. I'd heard rumors that he wanted to challenge me, and I doubt I'd accept. Not that I couldn't defeat him...I'd simply rather not take the risk. And why should I? For bragging rights? Pfft. Maybe I should make a spell that engulfs the target in a harmless beam of light. I bet he'd love that.
_________________ "...but there exists also in the human heart a depraved taste for equality, which impels the weak to attempt to lower the powerful to their own level and reduces men to prefer equality in slavery to inequality with freedom." - De Tocqueville
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