A Dialogue of War

[Thomas_Not_very_wise]

A Dialogue of War[/color]

By: Roland Hyrenex

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   In my many travels throughout the realms, Chessenta, Cormyr, Tethyr, and Amn, I have been struck by the repetitiousness of battle, always it seems war is fought for the same reasons, and men do battle for a common valor. Always it has struck me, that there is a beauty to battle, a song beneath the chaos that seeks to be enlightened, to be released, but for as long as I have searched, I cannot ever seem to find it, the notes of battle allude me. Why do men fight, what is glory, and what determines whom lives and who dies.

   â€œPeople get what they deserve.” A laudably naïve saying I have found almost universal in my travels. It is used to victimize the victims, that this woman was raped because she was a light skirt; this man was robbed because he didn’t lock his door. This man survived because he was a hero, the paladin cannot lie. All are falsehoods if you take them literally. Men are robbed because other men are needy or greedy, the prostitute was raped because she was assaulted by evil men, the paladin can lie, by simply by refusing to tell the entire truth. Justice in this world is a fleeting, finite thing, and when seen, is something to be held precious.

   How does justice relate to the field of battle? I simply say that it is the reason why battle is fought. It is the ultimate court, where evil and good, the offended and offender, and simple matters of state policy are settled. Do leaders of men settle their conflicts in a mortal duel of arms? Yes, in a storybook. They let men do the dying for them, let them grab at a chance of glory in their lifetime, or somehow survive, or die, namelessly. War is a necessity, leaders are needed to lead men, and they cannot lead on the battlefield, in the midst of combat, where chaos rules and the notes of battle float above the air, twining together with the screams and triumphant shouts of murderers. This is the ultimate justice, where those who are righteous can settle their beliefs in terms of skill, belief, and ambition. Where intelligence, and the support of one’s people can truly turn the tide, and the gods watch from above, and place their favor behind one figure, or the other. A song of battle can be sung on heroes, winning the battles and championing their cause, be they good, or evil.

   The reasons of war are varied and many, but perhaps those reasons are but excuses for a finer tune. The reason why nations, and powers go to war is for the simple concept of power. Good, justice, law, money, all have an underlying harmony of notes that signify a conflict of interests. Land, wealth, and populace all come together to represent the power of a monarch, noble, or person capable of raising a large force to come to clash with another force. Even against the universal evils, goblins, orcs, giants, the clash is always the same. One can claim that might be defending their people against these beasts, but in truth, you are acquiring territory and cementing loyalty of a populace that might of turned to some other aid in protecting their livelihoods.

   Courage, a marvelous word, and yet so often misunderstood. Courage is not charging into battle, is assuredly not marching off to war, and entering the fray of battle. A dog can do this, and it takes a doglike mind to be a soldier, physical aggression coupled with mental docility. This has always been the formula that generals ask the gods for in their prayers, men who will do as commanded despite the risks, or opportunities they see. Soldiers have their hair shaved to stop lice and signify a deserter for a reason. Military discipline has two swords. It isn’t courage to do what you are told to do. It is a form of cowardice. If you do not believe in the war you fight, and fight anyways, you are a coward. No, courage is not the heroics of a battlefield, it is not the young man marching off to war with a sword in his hand as he steps through the door. It is not the paladin standing before the demon lord. Courage is the soldier who writes home to his family each night, and only fights to return home. Courage is taking a stand, to better one’s lot in life, not taking another man’s life. Courage cannot be confused with duty; courage is the subtle thing that allows those dear to you to know that you are alive.
   
   Why men die. It is a question that sets women’s hearts to weeping, and sends young men to graves. Why do we die? Is death a symbol of our perseverance? Why must we die in a meaningless war? Are we all some sort of tapestry, the notes of our existence played into one grand song of existence? Where the horns of battle, and the drums of marching soldiers the orchestra of fate? How long has it been, since the first war was fought, and that men understood the purpose of a metal sword. I cannot answer any of these questions, and I see that each person may have an answer of their own, and that such must be answered on their own. I can no longer give you a thought, you must create your own, and the place you own, in a war we call life.