The Artifacts

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

7 minutes ago, Knight of Iron said:

“Born into it, but I’ll admit I’m far from the most faithful.”

"Ah, I suppose not." Thetan looked hardly phased, despite his apparently crestfallen words. "There aren't many of us roaming around. But it's truly well that we meet. I'd love to hear of how life is for one outside of our lands."

Quote

The incredibly short version is that it's a dying and strict tradition among the Aithnese. Few even in the homeland believe in the way of the purifying flame, let alone practice it.

 

Edited August 26, 2021 by The Ward's Guard

[Knight of Iron she/they]

5 minutes ago, The Ward's Guard said:

"Ah, I suppose not." Thetan looked hardly phased, despite his apparently crestfallen words. "There aren't many of us roaming around. But it's truly well that we meet. I'd love to hear of how life is for one outside of our lands."

“Homeless,” he replied succinctly, gesturing to his well-worn clothes, dirty blanket, and tin can.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Oh, a tragedy." Thetan examined the begger's clothes carefully, clucking with disapproval. "A man of your abilities should be treated better. How did you get stuck on the streets, friend?"

[Knight of Iron she/they]

1 minute ago, The Ward's Guard said:

"Oh, a tragedy." Thetan examined the begger's clothes carefully, clucking with disapproval. "A man of your abilities should be treated better. How did you get stuck on the streets, friend?"

Odin looked to the man, a tad confused. "Made some bad choices, gambled my life's savings away, plus addictions. Wife left and robbed me, and I've not been able to find a job."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Did you mean the words you spoke about joining us, then?"

[Knight of Iron she/they]

"I've been here for several years, now, waiting for a chance for my life to change." He looked at Thetan, his eyes a bit wet. "And so I'll mean it. If I can help out any way, I could approach one day righting my wrongs."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Thetan smiled, "you're sure that you are a man of little faith?"

[Knight of Iron she/they]

Just now, The Ward's Guard said:

Thetan smiled, "you're sure that you are a man of little faith?"

"I could learn," he said, then smiled a bit.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I ask because I have only seen a greater fire in the eyes of those who are faithful." Thetan placed his hands on his hips, "if you do wish for me to train you, then I shall. But only if you're sincere."

[Knight of Iron she/they]

"If there is anything I can do to prove my sincerity," he pleaded, "I'll do it."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"The only true method to display sincerity," Thetan raised a finger, "is by coming back day after day, persevering on despite the trials and troubles that try to dampen your way." 

[Knight of Iron she/they]

3 minutes ago, The Ward's Guard said:

"The only true method to display sincerity," Thetan raised a finger, "is by coming back day after day, persevering on despite the trials and troubles that try to dampen your way." 

Odin nodded. This seemed familiar to him, to his lifestyle. Perhaps he'd been taught more than he knew, or perhaps it was in his blood. "Then I will prove myself," he said confidently, then smiled at them all. "Thank you... for giving me this chance."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"All deserve a chance," Thetan said with a smile, "whether that be their first, second, third, or even their one thousandth chance."

[Knight of Iron she/they]

Odin, unsure of how to do religion, gave a quick, small bow. "Any taboo I should be aware of?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Avoid being a jerk is a good start," Thetan said with a chuckle. "Of course, that should be the staple of every community. Not that I mean you're a jerk, that was simply meant to be a joke."

[Knight of Iron she/they]

Just now, The Ward's Guard said:

"Avoid being a jerk is a good start," Thetan said with a chuckle. "Of course, that should be the staple of every community. Not that I mean you're a jerk, that was simply meant to be a joke."

Odin just looked at him, then nodded slowly. "Of course..." he said, then hesitated. "Uh, and good joke."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Oh, don't lie to me. It was awful."

[Knight of Iron she/they]

He paused. "Well... I've heard better. I haven't laughed in a long time, and not for the forseeable future if this is what we have to work with." He smiled.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Oh, you're good." Thetan returned the smile, "an attitude like yours is quite humorous to be around; if one has thick skin, of course."

[Knight of Iron she/they]

“I learned a long while ago to not dwell on my past, or wallow in self-pity. As hard as it may be sometimes, I live by it.”

Edited August 26, 2021 by Knight of Iron

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"You're quite an intriguing man, but I don't believe that I caught your name."

[Knight of Iron she/they]

Just now, The Ward's Guard said:

"You're quite an intriguing man, but I don't believe that I caught your name."

“Odin Innerin,” he answered. “And yours?”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Thetan 'Vazum, Dasukar of the Purified flame."

[Knight of Iron she/they]

Just now, The Ward's Guard said:

"Thetan 'Vazum, Dasukar of the Purified flame."

“Pleasure to meet you, Thetan. Purified flame, that’s a name I’ve heard before, for sure. I’m afraid not too much more than that.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"We used to have dominance in all of the lands that dared called themselves Aithnese, now we're just a shadow of that. But one that still burns brightly, despite the attempts to smother us."