Lorel Has a Crisis of Faith
5/9/02
Danay had known Lorel since my very early days of playing. Lorel was a raising cleric at the time I started out and I would spend time in TSC or at the gate to learn about raising the dead before I learned the spell. Lorel was often there and taught Danay quite a bit about the ropes of working with the dead. While they'd never spent a lot of time together over the years, they considered each other to be good friends and Danay had even performed the wedding ceremony for Lorel and her previous wife. Lorel was a cleric of Oleani.
>go step[Hearthstone, Courtyard]
Before you stands a grand old manor, framed by huge willows to the east
and west. The elegant trees sway gently in the moonlight, dappling the cobblestone
courtyard with ever-shifting patterns of light and dark. Snippets of conversation
drift away from the long porch stretching along the full width of the great
old house, as several guests enjoy the hospitality and ambience of this
fine hideaway. You also see a white owl, a red Oleani sash, a large heavily
dented metal sphere, a hollow tree stump and the porch steps.
Also here: Great Lord Zhagen, Lady Rilven, Skaster who is seated, Great
Lady Lorel
Obvious paths: south.
>Lorel smiles at you.
>Rilven says, "As for love..."
Rilven rubs her chin thoughtfully.
>You hug Lorel.
You smile at Lorel.
Lorel hugs you.
>You bow to Rilven.
>Rilven bows to you.
>Skaster smiles at you.
>Lorel says, "It's an illusion."
You nod to Skaster in greeting.
Rilven says, "Everyone is free to choose if they believe it exists or not."
>You see Skaster Gesthal the Giantman Swordsman.
He appears to be in his 50's, has short, wavy golden blond hair, blue eyes,
and fair skin. He has a black chain tattoo on his neck.
He is in good shape.
He is wearing a twisted silver hair tie, a blood red collar, a glossy black
mithril chain, a wild black rose, a raven-black vruul skin cloak, an imflass
threaded harness, an ample dark suede bag, some gold-edged black leather
pants, and some steel-toe vruul skin boots.
>Skaster asks, "Who would she be aligned with?"
>Lorel says, "You are bound to wake up eventually."
>Rilven chuckles.
>Skaster glances at you.
>Skaster smiles at Lorel.
You ask, "Why is this lying on the ground?"
>Rilven says, "I prefer to sleep, if living without love leads to bitterness."
>You point at a red Oleani sash.
>(Lorel uses the toe of her foot to grind the sash into the ground again, for good measure.)
You blink at Lorel.
>Lorel says, "That's why."
You exclaim, "Lorel! What are you doing?!"
>Skaster coughs.
>Lorel says, "It's done, Danay."
Lorel smiles.
>You pick up a red Oleani sash.
>Skaster says, "She's freeing herself from unecessary bonds."
>Skaster nods to you.
You ask, "What is done?"
>Lorel nods.
>Lorel says, "I no longer serve Oleani. Her teachings are tripe."
(Danay smooths out the sash, brushing the dirt and grass from it)
You blink at Lorel.
You exclaim, "What?!"
>Lorel says, "In fact, I hate her."
You ask, "Why?"
>Lorel says, "What good has following her ever brought me? Not a thing. Not a single thing."
>Lorel chuckles.
You ask, "So you followed her for personal gain?"
>Lorel says, "I feel rather weightless now, it's a nice change."
>Lorel says, "Not at first, no."
You frown at Lorel.
>Lorel says, "But then I began to see that following her did nothing for me, no matter how ardently I worshipped her."
You say, "Serving the gods is not meant to do something for you personally."
>Lorel shrugs.
>Lorel says, "I would think it should fulfill me to some degree."
You put a red Oleani sash in your elven-crafted satchel.
You say, "Aye, it should be fulfilling. But that comes from within."
>Skaster shifts his weight.
>Skaster says, "Ivas gives me guidance, Miss."
>Skaster nods to you.
You chuckle at Skaster.
You ask, "What sort of guidance is that?"
>Skaster blinks.
>Skaster says, "All sorts."
>Skaster nods.
You say, "I am sure."
>You smirk.
>Skaster nods.
>Lorel says, "I was a priestess.. not just some follower, but a devout *priestess* of Oleani.. and yet my life was wracked with bitterness and failed relationships."
look lorel>
You see Great Lady Lorel Leiff the Sylvankind Priestess.
She appears to be in her 90's, has short, wavy sandy blond hair, green eyes,
and fair skin. She has a crescent moon tattoo on her waist, and a poison
ivy tattoo on her ankle.
She is in good shape.
She is holding a cobalt blue fluted crystal goblet in her right hand.
She is wearing a shimmering moon opal hairpin, an exquisite forest green
mantle, a regal ivory ceremonial vestment embroidered with crimson silk
accents, a swirl-etched gleaming silver censer, a leather knife pouch, and
a braided Sylvan leather thighband.
>Lorel says, "I'm done with it."
>Lorel shrugs.
You ask, "And that is Oleani's fault?"
>Lorel says, "Yes."
>Lorel nods to you.
You sigh.
>You shake your head.
You say, "I do not blame my personal woes on Leya."
>Lorel says, "If you were to lose every battle you fought.."
>Lorel asks, "Would you not begin to wonder if Leya was disfavoring you?"
>Lorel asks, "Or Kai?"
You say, "Lorel, I have."
You say, "I have lost more than you can dream of."
>You say, "But I know tis not Leya's doing."
>Lorel says, "I don't think it is me."
>Skaster nods to Lorel.
>You say, "Sometimes it is things beyond our control."
You say, "The Fates playing at their whim."
>Skaster says, "You're so beautiful with such a great personality, Miss.. I don't see how anyone could not love you."
Skaster gazes fondly at Lorel.
>You say, "Or simply bad luck or poor choices."
>Lorel smiles at Skaster.
>Skaster says, "It must be of that wenches doing."
>Skaster nods to Lorel.
>Lorel nods to Skaster.
You take a drink from your shot of whiskey.
>Lorel says, "I worked very hard to live as SHE would want."
>Lorel says, "But you know? It really got me nowhere."
>Skaster nods to Lorel.
You sigh.
>Lorel says, "So now.. I feel as if a great weight has been lifted. It's truly liberating, I can barely describe it."
>Skaster smiles at you.
>Lorel smiles at you.
>Lorel takes a drink from her fluted crystal goblet.
You say, "Sounds to me like you are the one with the problem Lorel, you have shown a weakness in your faith."
>Skaster says, "Perhaps if you come join the Mistress as well.."
>Skaster nods to you.
>Skaster says, "Some of your problems would be alleviated."
You snort at Skaster.
>Lorel says, "Or perhaps it was simply not my path to follow from the beginning."
You say, "Replaced with many more of more serious types I wager."
You nod to Skaster.
>Skaster blinks.
>Lorel chuckles.
>Rilven takes a drink from her champagne bottle.
>Skaster says, "Mistress doesn't ask much."
>Skaster nods.
You say, "Nay, she just twists people, hurts them, abuses them."
>Skaster glances at you.
You say, "She turns something beautiful into something cruel and wicked."
>Lorel asks, "Something beautiful? Love?"
>Lorel scoffs.
You nod to Lorel.
>Skaster asks, "Do I not look beautiful to you, Miss?"
>Rilven rubs a diamond-set faenor promise band.
>look ska
You see Skaster Gesthal the Giantman Swordsman.
He appears to be in his 50's, has short, wavy golden blond hair, blue eyes,
and fair skin. He has a black chain tattoo on his neck.
He is in good shape.
He is wearing a twisted silver hair tie, a blood red collar, a glossy black
mithril chain, a wild black rose, a raven-black vruul skin cloak, an imflass
threaded harness, an ample dark suede bag, some gold-edged black leather
pants, and some steel-toe vruul skin boots.
>Lorel says, "If you believe in love, you are deluded, I'm sorry."
>Skaster smiles at you.
You say, "Nay you do not, but that is rather irrelevant."
>Rilven says, "I'm not sorry that I believe in love."
You nod to Skaster.
>Rilven grins.
>Skaster blinks at you.
You say, "I am not deluded Lorel."
>Skaster mutters under his breath.
You say, "I have known true love the likes of which most never get to experience."
You say, "It was no delusion on my part."
>Lorel says, "You use the past tense, however."
You exclaim, "Because she is dead!"
>Skaster shifts his weight.
You clear your throat.
>Rilven rubs you gently.
>Lorel says, "Well, I'm done with it, anyway."
>Lorel shrugs.
>(Danay intently studies her whiskey as she tries to regain her composure)
>Lorel says, "Now I can spend my time doing what I want and getting what I want."
>You take a drink from your shot of whiskey. Nice.
>Skaster nods to Lorel.
>Skaster smiles at Lorel.
>Lorel smiles at Skaster.
>You say, "Then you are deluded Lorel."
You say, "And it pains me to see that."
>Lorel says, "*I*.. am free."
You ask, "Do you serve another now?"
You raise an eyebrow in Lorel's direction.
>Lorel says, "Finally. No need to feel any pain over it. I'm quite satisfied."
>Lorel says, "I've not dedicated myself yet to anyone, no."
You nod.
>Lorel says, "I've more to learn before I do."
You take a drink from your shot of whiskey.
Ah! Refreshing, indeed!
>(Lorel gives Skaster's chain a playful tug.)
>Skaster coughs.
>(Skaster jerks his head towards Lorel.)
>Skaster smiles at Lorel.
>Lorel smiles at Skaster.
>whis ril Did you witness how all this got started? This is
coming as a bit of a shock to me. But then I do not know how well you know
Lorel.
You whisper quietly to Rilven.
>Skaster glances at you.
You raise an eyebrow in Skaster's direction.
>Skaster says, "I'm sure she just doesn't understand, Miss."
>Skaster nods to Lorel.
>Lorel says, "Well, I know she doesn't.. I'm sorry for that."
>Rilven whispers, "I don't know Lorel very well at all. All I know is that she communed for Oleani, didn't get anything, and sacrificed Skaster in some ritual thing to sever herself from Oleani. Very odd..."
>Skaster nods to Lorel.
You say, "I understand more than you realize."
>Skaster says, "Perhaps she'll change her ways and want to go with us to be clensed."
>Skaster nods to Lorel.
You nod to Rilven.
>Rilven shrugs.
>Lorel says, "Perhaps, but I doubt it."
>Lorel smiles at Skaster.
>Skaster nods.
>Skaster shifts his weight.
You say, "I have been tested many times."
You say, "My faith remains firm."
>Rilven carefully pours a little bit of liquid from her champagne bottle into the champagne flute.
>Lorel says, "I am happy, finally. You should be happy for me."
>Lorel smiles at you.
>Rilven takes a drink from her champagne flute.
You ask, "Lorel, why should I be happy when I see you throwing your life away?"
>Lorel gives a sigh of exasperation.
>Lorel asks, "How am I throwing my life away, when I am doing what is best for me?"
>Rilven takes a drink from her champagne flute.
You say, "Because I think you have allowed bitterness to cloud what is truly best."
>Lorel asks, "When I have lived on bitterness for years?"
>Lorel says, "It is best to finally let that go. And I have."
>Rilven smacks her lips.
Skaster shifts his weight.
You say, "I agree that letting go of bitterness is a good thing."
You say, "Tis something I have had to struggle with myself."
>Kraniak just arrived.
>Skaster turns to face you.
>Skaster says, "Then perhaps you should come join us."
>Skaster nods to you.
You say, "Your Lady revels in bitterness. I think not."
>Skaster says, "My Lady revels in the expression of feelings and the giving into desire."
>Rilven takes a drink from her pale champagne.
You say, "But not true desire. That is Oleani's domain."
>Lorel asks, "I would like others to feel the same bitterness I have lived with for years. Is that so terrible?"
>Skaster says, "True desire is worthless."
You say, "Yes, it is quite terrible."
You nod to Lorel.
>Kraniak says, "oh geez"
>Kraniak glances at Lorel.
You ask, "Why would you wish that pain on others?"
>Lorel raises an eyebrow in Kraniak's direction.
>Kraniak rubs his chin thoughtfully.
>Skaster asks, "You said yourself that you had experienced it.. and what happened?"
>Skaster glances at you.
>Lorel says, "Better they suffer than it be me."
>Lorel smiles.
>Skaster says, "She was taken from you."
You peer quizzically at Skaster.
>Skaster says, "If you had never got involved, you wouldn't have had to suffer through such a thing."
You say, "I also would have never known the pure joy she brang to my life."
>You remove an elegant rosewood locket from in your purple greatcloak.
You run your hand over the polished rosewood surface of a locket.
You smile quietly to yourself.
>Skaster says, "Joy is worthless when it is distributed so sparsely."
>Skaster shrugs.
>Lorel nods to Skaster.
>Lorel says, "And so finitely."
You say, "Nay, that is what makes it such a great treasure."
>Skaster nods to Lorel.
You put an elegant rosewood locket in your purple greatcloak.
>Skaster glances at you.
>Rilven looks rather confused.
>Kraniak grins.
>Skaster says, "A treasure? Joy should be reaped."
>Kraniak says, "You two and a couple bottles of whiskey and we all be slitting our wrists."
>You say, "Without pain, joy has no meaning."
You chuckle at Kraniak.
>Lorel says, "That'd be a sight. Bring the whiskey."
>Kraniak grins at you.
>Skaster says, "Exactly, with joy, you don't need to feel the pain."
>Skaster nods to you.
>Kraniak shakes his head.
>Skaster shifts his weight.
>(Lorel lets the chain fall through her fingers before catching up the slack again.)
>Skaster smiles at Lorel.
You take a drink from your shot of whiskey.
>(Lorel pats Skaster's head.)
>(Skaster purrs slightly.)
You make a face like you just ate a bug.
>You take a drink from your shot of whiskey.
I went to get more whiskey and then conversation turned briefly to events happening in regards to the taint of the Griffon Sword. Then Kraniak's comment turned us back briefly to the original discussion before conversation again shifted to other topics.
>Kraniak says, "No good ever came of a mortal pretending that he is worthy of dealing with a god."
>Lorel says, "Oleani is too weak to respond to my taunts, I suppose. That or she doesn't care."
You nod to Kraniak.
>Malikary says, "prababla na care"
>Malikary nods to Lorel.
You say, "Or perhaps she is above responding to such taunts."
>Lorel says, "Either way, only furthers my reasoning."
Kraniak says, "hm"
>Lorel says, "She never responded, even in my greatest times of need. I didn't expect much different tonight."
>Lorel says, "She is weak and pitiful."
>Lorel snorts.
You sigh sadly.
>Lorel says, "I still feel a fondness toward you, Danay."
>Lorel smiles at you.
Lorel says, "That has not changed."
You nod to Lorel.
You say, "It sounds to me as if though, you no longer trust genuine feelings."
>Lorel says, "I don't know what's genuine anymore."
>(Malikary taps his chest)
You tap yourself on the chest.
You say, "I am genuine."
You grin at Malikary.
>Lorel smiles at you.
Malikary grins at you.
>You point at Rilven.
You say, "She seems pretty genuine to me, though I have not known her long."
>Rilven says, "I'm about as geniune as it gets."
>Rilven carefully pours a little bit of liquid from her champagne bottle into the champagne flute.
You grin at Rilven.
>Lorel says, "She's a heavy drinker, though."
Rilven rolls her eyes.
>You chuckle.
>Kraniak says, "oh and steel too, a steel blade is the utmost in genuine."
>Rilven says, "It's champagne."
>You ask, "And that is bad?"
You nod to Kraniak.
>Rilven says, "I was raised on this."
>Rilven chuckles.
>Kraniak grins.
>Lorel shrugs.
>Lorel says, "She was drinking straight from the bottle earlier."
>Kraniak asks, "only the finest eh?"
>Rilven nods to Kraniak.
>Kraniak grins.
>Rilven says, "Precisely."
Conversation turned to what people liked to drink and I went for another whiskey refill and that was the end of the love and religion discussion.