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[strength_of_will]

[ There's a sombre-looking William on the feed today. He looks a little worn from fighting off the creatures, but otherwise mostly unharmed as far as anyone can tell. He's only sorry he's interrupting all the attempt at holiday cheer. ]

I understand that there's been a call for retribution - or justice, some might call it - against the people of Rumpitur. I'm here to ask you all to take a step back and show some compassion and understanding. It is neither fair nor just to accuse an entire village of wrongdoing when they act out of fear or desperation. Who amongst you wouldn't have done the same in their position?

I propose we slay the creature terrorising their village. We were hard-pressed simply to escape from its minions, but I believe that if given time to prepare and coordinate, we can surely defeat it. Once it's gone, the people of Rumpitur can live normal lives.

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voice;

[entreats]

Are you seriously assuming everyone would've done the same in their position?

[ Because it's practically what William is saying here.

And Ange-- well, she doesn't seem to agree, if her very dry tone here is anything to go by.. Maybe she's echoing his words back at him to show him how - in her opinion - ridiculous they sound. ]

[strength_of_will]

[ His response is calm but firm. ]

I would have, once. I am a weak-willed person by nature. If I allow myself to waver or procrastinate on a decision, I know I'll take the easy way out. I may have responsibilities now and an oath to my goddess to uphold but that doesn't mean that I'm immune to fear.

Let's say we do punish the people of Rumpitur. Without slaying the monster which terrorises them, what will that achieve? Nothing. They'll remain desperate, destitute, and hold resentment against us. But if we show mercy and help get rid of the monster, who wouldn't be grateful and willing to repent? Putting people to the sword does nothing except to satisfy the one wielding it.

[entreats]

Wow, you sure hold a lot of ideas about people, don't you? You think they are weak-willed, but at the same time they're apparently so capable of great things, changing their mind when a single person helps them.

I'd have at least some respect for the idea that they were weak-willed if you would assume they'd forever keep being sucky people like that. Now it instead just sounds like you're assuming an awful lot that's very convenient for the way you'd like this to go.

[strength_of_will]

[ He looks faintly annoyed but closes his eyes and takes a short moment to calm himself. This, too, is probably part of Gracefeel's trials. ]

So your only issue is with how I've worded things? Do you have none of your own thoughts or feelings to offer in counter of my appeal?

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[murderingjustice]

no.

[strength_of_will]

Respectfully, this appeal is not for you. You've made your position quite clear already.

[murderingjustice]

yes, and so have you.

trying to appeal to us by saying lines like "who amongst you wouldn't have done the same in their position" is nothing short of attempt to speak for others, misleadingly so.

voice

[solitarysoul]

How? We barely touched it last time.

[strength_of_will]

I don't know right now, but I believe with the myriad of experiences we share that we can certainly find some way to deal with the threat. Perhaps we can begin by studying its minions.

[solitarysoul]

Did we catch any of them? And bring them with us.

[Or take a dead one for dissection, he guesses.]

[baldrshand]

I'm sorry, William. I wouldn't. I've known people who turned against what they knew was wrong, even when it came at great cost. Even when it meant turning on someone they loved. They had a choice, and they made the wrong one.

I don't want to destroy the village, and I do want to destroy the monster, because I'm sure it will come after us if we simply allow it to devour Rumpitur. But whether or not they are executed, the ringleaders have to face punishment for what they've done to the people of Aldrip, and to us.

[strength_of_will]

Ethlyn, when you spoke to the people, did any of them take particular glee in admitting to what they did to us?

[baldrshand]

No, and I'm sure they did a very good job of convincing themselves and each other that they were only doing what they had to. But that doesn't mean they aren't responsible for the deaths that they caused. They played on Aldrip's faith to lure the townsfolk away, and we were blamed. Then they lured us with an elaborate deception about their "missing chef."

This wasn't a rash decision made in the heat of a desperate situation. They schemed and plotted to feed us to a monster--and they succeeded.

If they truly do feel remorse, then they should understand that they can't simply walk away without any sort of retribution.

Video | Charm

[beshackled]

...Although I do not think I would have done the same in their position, I do not wish death upon them. If they can be shown a better way, and if they can be dissuaded from pursuing the same course of action once more, I would... find that acceptable...

For this reason, and for the safety of all, I agree that the creature must be deprived of its ability to cause further harm. I also feel... efforts should be made to restore the land. We did so with the forest before. Mayhap we can do so again...

[strength_of_will]

I'm sure the people of Rumpitur would welcome efforts to help them reclaim the fertility of their lands. From what I noticed beforehand as well as what I know now, it seems that their crops are dying due to the creature's influence. If we manage to find a way to deal with it, we can solve a myriad of problems at once, I feel.

[beshackled]

...'Tis possible that obtaining a sample of the tainted area may yield some clues as to the creature's capabilities. Though there is the matter of locating or constructing facilities capable of containing such hazardous substances...

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[opheliac]

if anyone says they wouldnt do what they did or havent had a SINGLE thought of that being one of their options during a tragedy are liars in my book.


sure, they say that NOW because theyre safe and cozy in their lil homes and theyre not facing what they are facing. but take that away from them AND strip them from their magical sparkle powers, make them boring and ordinary humans with no skills, and what do we get? a different outcome.

betrayal IS a thing, u know. and ive seen my fair share of that. friends, lovers, partners, even family can turn on u when desperation sinks in. anyone who gets hot under the collar about that is because they dont want to hear the truth bomb.

they dont want to believe their loved ones will ever do something like that. buuuuuuuuut the reality is, we ALL have that in us. the world is dark, wicked, and cruel. and who do we have to thank for that, i wonder! hmmm hmmm Hmmmm!!!!!!!

[strength_of_will]

[ Funnily enough, he wasn't expecting her of all people to understand his sentiment. What he's seen of her posting has always been quite wild.

So she gets to see a brief flash of surprise on his face before he smiles wryly. ]

I wouldn't go quite that far but it's true that even the kindest person isn't above acting out in desperation when they feel they're at their lowest point. My best friend used to be a bandit. He was in the middle of raiding another struggling village when I met him. Many of my people used to be destitute in some way. If I had decided to punish them instead of extending a hand out to help them rebuild their lives, I imagine I would be lord of a barren land. And friendless.

I would hope that they're strong enough to extend the same kindness to others now but if something unthinkable happens then I won't blame them for acting however they see fit. I'd be a hypocrite to.

[opheliac]

exactly. beeessiiidesssss arent we all dirty anyway? thats why we're here really. AND dont forget, a lot of us have murder as our crime (like yours truly!). or something very close to it.

i dont know about u but i thinky-think its a lil fishy some say they WONT do what the rumpies did but have "MURDER" stamped on their papers. dont believe it for a second!

video, un: emissary

[heartofsalvation]

Given our current predicament and lack of leverage, whatever your reason may be, I am more inclined to agree with you. If you wish to try and pool our knowledge of the beast in an effort to mount a coordinated strike, I will gladly offer what resources and information I have.

[strength_of_will]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

I think our first step should be to study its minions. I imagine they would be easier to draw out than the main creature itself. Someone else suggested studying the tainted soil from their farmland as well, but they need a dedicated laboratory for it.

[heartofsalvation]

If they are the young of the larger one, that seems like a good idea. Though there is the risk of angering the mother, whether we capture one or strike it down... hmm. Perhaps the best method would be to have someone distract it for a time, while others observe. At least then, we get a little more information without earning the mother's ire.

I fear I cannot help you with the soil, though. It isn't an aether-based substance like it is on my star, so it's all but foreign to me, and we lack the tools for analyzing it the old-fashioned way.

Voice;

[heir_conditioned]

[Him. It's him who wouldn't have done that. With or without sparkly powers. He knows that's going to be a fight and the only fight he's interested in is with the creature itself. Safety might be a byproduct in this one instance.

His voice is steady, even toned and almost verging monotoned if it wasn't for an inflection or two to make serious that he wants in if they're a serious bunch.]

If you want to kill it, then you have my interest and my participation. I'll do my part as long as we're killing it so it doesn't hurt anyone else ever again. Or put people in the position to hurt others, willing or unwilling.

[Did it kill someone close to him? Sure did.]

[strength_of_will]

[ Ultimately, William thinks (hopes) that killing the monster is something they can all agree on at least. Surely. ]

It's my intention to make this as safe as possible for those participating, yes. I don't know how many will be willing after what just happened, but I hope that it's obvious this creature needs to be gotten rid of before we start pointing fingers at anyone or punishing them.

I'll see if the people of Aldrip might be willing to lend some support as well. Now that we've seen what the Rumpiturians are facing, it will be harder to dismiss the danger.

[heir_conditioned]

[This is something they can agree on. Regardless of their reasons, current or future.]

Everyone participating will already know how to take care of themselves I'm assuming. Anyone who doesn't should be excluded. How you vet that is up to you. I don't have a stake in punishment, and don't want one. [There's a pause, just a momentary one while he finishes his point.] They will have to live with any death they caused. Anyone willing to help kill it is someone I'm willing to work with.