I hear this word, blame.

What does it mean? A shifting of responsibility? An accusation of a crime? This word, blame, is the cause of all strife in this world.

Who are we, dwarves, elves, humans, halflings, half elves, half orcs, gnomes, and all other civilized races, to place blame on another? To take perceived vengeance on another for a crime that could of taken place just as easily on them, or from them?

Blame, a wonderful word. A word of strife, a word of evil, a word where truth and justice is done, as evil and corruption take place. We place those blamed in cages, stone them, burn them, this word, blame.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hear this word freedom. I hear how they preach this word, to be free from oppression, to be free from fear, foe, and friends. Self reliant they scream to the world.

Freedom is never free, which in the end, the concept enslaves the wielder to the word. To be free, we must have an enemy to be free from, so people fabricate enemies where they do not exist, the spellguard, I am sure it was once a bastion of truth, justice and honesty. Now, it is a corrupt organization, a saying from Calimport rings true, "In the web of lies, to seek the truth, you must become the truth." So the spellguard became what they were blamed, and so the slaves of freedom had a cause.

Free from fear? This cannot happen. Fear keeps us thinking, pacing, wandering when we will die. When innovation comes about, people do this for they fear this world, this world of life, and death, and something in between, the cursed undead. I look across the underdark, and I am positively terrified. So I traverse it, to conquer this fear to know I am alive, to keep thinking, to smile as I conquer this fear, only to look behind me, and fear the quaking in my boots.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Religion.

This word- this word of faith that many souls submit themselves to. It exists. It always will exist. No matter how these people try and destroy faith, it will always be there, in a few souls to speak out, to speak for the gods. The gods are real, therefore must be cherished, feared, and scorned.

Faith is what keeps men going, the faith to see the sun, the faith to see one's wife alive. However, should the faith become material, you attain what you wished for most, then why do you continue to exist? Such is this word, and this is why it is best to place your faith in an abstract ideal, like freedom for all, justice for all, or the fear of all. To rule, all.

Such is the gift the gods give us, and I wield my faith in ways, no man can dare comprehend.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rebellion.

The opposition to given authority. Why do people rebel?

Lack of choice, lack of food, oppression, lack of ideas, lack of hope, lack of sorrow, lack of power, to much power, war weariness, corruption.

These are all reasons. But why do they occur? Are the men in power truly thieves stealing from the people? Are they truly people who wish to rule your life, your dream, your wife?

No. People rebel because they wish to wield power. They infuse there cause with words, a reason, a cause. To make pretty language in the ears of those who lack initiative. No cause is just. All causes are for the power of the ones leading them. Rebellion is the pursuit of power.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finally- hope.

What is hope? What is it's definition. I do not think there can be truly a definition of hope. Hope for power, glory, a better life, to see the sun, to see it set, to murder a man, to hope a man might live, to see all that is done in your memories perfectly in a detached way- Hope is a dream.

Hope is a tool.

Hope is the tool of fear.

Hope is fear.

Hope is the blade of the those of righteous intent.

Hope is the javelin of fear, power, rebellion, corruption.

Hope is the strength of the living, to see there dreams come to fruition. Hope lives in those of strongest will. So be it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hafur Hunter.

Pain...such pain. The ooze god punished me...for I abandoned him...I am free from him...I am no longer his...

But pain still lingers, pain in my heart, soul, and mind...pain, I fear, will never go away.

Hafur Hunter.

Guardian

Defender, protector, savior.

Of what?

Of the wilds.

Why do you wish to protect something?

To find purpose?

How does it give you purpose? I do not know?

Then why do you wish it?

I do not know.

Why do you not know?

Because I choose not to.

...

Why?

I am afraid.

Afraid why? I fear what I truly am.

Because you are a traitor.

No!

You betrayed your heritage, your clan, your family.

I did not, I always kept in my heart! The ooze pushed them out, you are empty.

Stop this!!!!!! You will never be free of him.

I am free of him, I told him to leave! Then why do you still feel the pain?

Why does he claim he will claim you in death? I will find salvation, this pain is mere memory!

Then why do you feel it, why do you not give in and make it go away? Some things are worth fighting for.

Why?

I do not know.

You let her die, you enjoyed watching her die. I didn't! I did not want her to die!

Why didn't you help her?

Why did you let her die? let her be burned to death?

I ...I couldn't.

You had nothing to gain, and everything to lose by helping her.

That isn't the point! It is, the Eye still watches you, infests your soul, just admit it.

No! I am free from him!

Her death is on you, I am sure you know.

Her death couldn't be helped, I could do nothing but fail! Then you admit it, you are just as pragmatic as the drow.

I am nothing like them!

Yes you are, you do nothing unless you have something to gain.

I help others without asking for reward! Explain that! You do so to gain allies in your wars.

You use your friends to your own ends.

You are empty. Let the ooze fill you once more.

No! Admit it, you are helpless.

No, I am strong, I help others!

IN return they help you.

Without them, you are helpless.

Stop it! Fool. Give in. There is nothing you can do to stop the pain.

I will fight it, for I have no choice.

There is always a choice.

Then there is a second chance of redemption in the eyes of my ancestors. ...

I am not alone. You are alone. Leave me be. I have friends I can trust, friends I can know I can depend on. Friends that will aid me for nothing in return. I am me, and no one else. I will travel my own path, tread my own trails.

He will watch you.

So be it, I am no longer his, no matter what you, or he, says.

Justice You do not have to do it you know.

I do.

Why? You will only fail.

Because I demand it of myself.

You are doing what you are told. Always the slave Hafur, always the slave. Justice is demanded. Justice for yourself? Or Justice for all?

Both.

How odd, you are cowardly, then you plan to avenge her? She likely held no feelings for you, no friendship, just apathy.

She was a comrade in arms. She was a spellguard associate, a demon builder.

That does not matter.

Lakewalker says it does, and don't you do whatever he says?

Leave him out of it. I am doing this for myself.

Selfish aren't we? Aren't you supposed to be doing everything for others?

I will not listen to you.

But you listen you do, because you know I am right. Forget this charge, they merely seek to use you, rebel, and find salvation in the ooze once more.

Never! I am Hafur Hunter, Ranger, fighter of freedom, fighter of justice!

Justice, by who's definition? My own.

That is?

Right the wrongs of the past, to seek salvation.

Salvation will not come, He will claim you in death.

Then I will go to him with axe in hand, and as a true warrior of all that is good and true in this world.

Pathetic.

...

You're pathetic. You think you can beat a god? When you were afraid to face a mere goblin?

I will try. You will fail.

So be it.

Fool.

Then I will do what's right, foolish or not.

You wanted to go, didn't you? I did.

You admit this, yet you deny the ooze?

Yes.

Why?

To free the slaves, to give salvation to all others. You could of done this you know.

I know. Why didn't you? Is your soul truly worth the price of thousands of others? Yes

...

Selfish

Always so selfish.

My soul is immortal, if they die, they will go to there gods, I will go to the elemental evil if I go with them once more.

You will go, regardless.

I refuse.

You have no choice.

There is always a choice.

The only choice is to once again-

No.

I will not accept him.

Not again.

I will bear the pain of eternity.

I will fight against him at every turn.

This I swear.

Your oath is flawed.

Didn't you swear fealty to the ooze? You broke your oath, an oath, you said, shall not be broken. ... Admit it.

You belong to him. Never.

Even if it means condemning thousands of souls to torture?

Yes. You are more like him every day.

Forcing others to suffer for your sake.

Forcing people to suffer to save your own empty soul.

A soul you forsook long ago. No! Yes. Admit it, you are lost in your own doom.

He might forgive you, you know.

But I will not forgive myself.

I am the center of existence, to me, and I the most important thing.

The god I serve, is one I can trust, not fear.

The ooze trusted you.

The ooze did not fear you.

You broke his trust. So be it.

I am a dwarf, and shall be nothing else, but a friend to those who stand by me, and bring justice to all.

Your justice?

Yes.

...

Sickening isn't? What is it now?

New dunwarren.

They are a bastion of good, everything dedicated to the destruction of evil- and you.

They subsume themselves to serve there gods. They let themselves lose individualism, in there fight for the destruction of evil.

This we agree, it is sickening.

The ooze isn't like this you know.

He praises individualism. ...

Why did youleave him? he was evil. By whose words?

Lakewalker told you. Kainth told you. The druids told you to leave him.

It was my choice in the end.

You left him to get what you desired.

You left him to become a guardian.

Leave me be. Face it, you left him because he was merely in your way, not because he was evil, not because you were told, he was in the way, and you had something to gain by leaving him.

Leave me be! Bravo, you are as Pragmatic as ever.

Get out!

No.

You need me.

I am a part of you, always at the edge of your conscious trying to keep you alive.

unfortunately you cannot hope to understand.

The gift I offer you -is- salvation.

It is slavery to the darkness.

It is slavery to your evil. It is freedom and individualism, heroics untold.

To do what you will, for no fear of others.

That is what I offer.

You do not offer justice.

You offer only darkness.

No light in your world.

No friends

No companions. Who needs them? As you said, you are the most important thing in the world, are you not?

Leave me be!

You know the truth in my words.

They are vile lies! Why ought the righteous listen to the wicked?

Because they speak the truth.

Begone.

I will listen to you no more.

You are no longer apart of me.

Doubts are gone.

Friends stand by me.

I cast you out of my mind, for the pain is gone.

I am free!

But not of your doom.

A good day.

Another dark

Who knows what else will come my way?

The road belongs to us.

Those who follow Marthummer Duin.

We travel, for the sake of travel.

Our feet as rigid as the tide, forever moving.

In the end, we make our own destiny, and death is merely a fork in the road of life.

When I die, will I see a fork in the road?

Welcome again. I told you to leave. I told you I was a part of you.

No more you aren't. Then why I am here?

What do you want? To give you the truth of your existence.

I already know it Then what is it?

To serve and protect.

Why not be served and be protected? ...

I hold no aspirations for such.

Why not?

Because I don't. Now leave.

Don't even say anything.

What?

You know what.

Go ahead, tell me. Why should I? You know full well your humiliation, now, if you-

Shut up.

Why?

Because I want you to. Want and need are two different things.

Then I need you to. I am afraid I cannot.

For I am your conscious you see, the dark side of it at least.

I don't need you. You need me unless you're going to be a coward for the rest of your life.

I am not a coward. Explain that to Ghyrrt, you basically handed him everything he wanted.

I'll refuse. He'll kill you then

I'll gather friends!

He'll kill them then.

Leave me alone!

No.

Why can't you torment some other soul?!

And place your burden on someone else? How ignoble.

And anyways, I cannot do this. I am you, a part of you, a part of your mind that shall always belong to me. Every time you do an evil, or chaotic act, my presence grows stronger. Then I shall do good any lawful. How do you expect to do that...when you are a Guardian of balance? ... Thick headed as always.

Leave me be, alone, in my sorrow.

Very well.