A Book 22
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: A Treatise on Valor Vol.1
Author: jackdeth
Contents:
Preface
Ch1 What is Valor
Ch2 Valor in the World today
Ch3Valor and the other virtues
Ch4 The Code of Valor (as adopted by the Lords of Valor)
Preface
My name is JackDeth, Lord Knight of the Lords of Valor, also Sage of Valor for the HoA. It is my responsibility to my guild to embody the virtue of Valor and be an example for our members to live by. I would like to dedicate this book to the men under my command who I think embody this virtue, more than any other in these great lands.
Ch1 What is Valor
Their are many definitions of Valor that can be seen today.
Whether it be the person who helps out, without regard to harm that might come to them, or the person who takes a weaker person under there wings and guides them in the ways of our realm.
But True valor in my opinion is this, giving of ones life without regards to the damage that can be rendered upon yourself, to a higher purpose than ourself. THis means going and defending something that you beleive in, that will not damage the other virtues. I shall explain the role of Valor and the other virutes in a later chapter.
Ch2 Valor in the World Today
Tell me dear reader, is it valor that leads a man to hunt his enemies down like wild beast and slay them, and then proclaim that he is with more Valor than all the warriors of Jhelhom and Serpants Hold combined. Was it Valor or blind hatred that lead a man to hunt down his enemies, and take all that belongs to him, his life, his belongings.
We must ask ourselves questions before slaying anybody.
1) Is this the right thing to do.
2)What has this person done that has brought us to this moment.
3)Will the other virtues be served by this persons demise.
If we can answer these questions we must act knowing in our hearts, and our minds that this is the right course of action. We must beleive in what we are doing, and that it will serve a greater purpose than ourself. And finaly when we do act, we must hold nothing back. We must attack with all our might, and our courage to defeat the person(s) that we hath laid in front of us at that moment.
Ch3 Valor and the other Virtues
Valor is a constant companion with the other virtues. For without them then one could not be truly valorous. We would constantly be fighting each other with no higher purpose other than ourself. I will do my best now to try and explaing the the relationship that Valor plays with the other virutes.
Valor and Sacrafice.
One that has a valorous heart must be willing at any moment to sacrafice everything he has, for the betterment of society, and the virtues. For without sacrafice their would be no greater purpose for us to give ourselves. We would constantly be worrying about what would happen to us, and not defending the virtues to the best of our ability, even if that meant making the ultimate sacrafice, our death.
Valor and Compassion.
Compassion is one being able to hold all life in the highest regard. A valorous sould will hold all life in High regards, knowing that the defeat of an enemy does not mean that we should taunt him and call him vile names, it is that we should hold respect for his death and allow him to leave this life in dignity. We must also be willing to give to those less fortunate than ourself. Whether it be aiding a down on his luck Knight, or giving a few coins to a beggar in the street. Without compassion we become nothing more the brigands on the roads, taking and taking, it is our compassion that allows us to allow others to live with us in peace.
Valor and Honor.
Honor and Valor play a special role together. Honor is living ones life with a strict set of codes. A Valorous heart will live their life with these codes and defend them with their life. Their are too many men/women in this realm that would slay you for one gold coin than do what is right. The virtues provide me with the "code of conduct" for my life, this is what living with honor is about in my opinion.
Valor and Honesty.
Honesty plays an important role for us that are warriors. We need to be honest with all those that we deal with. That way if you are to slay an opponent then those around you would not be able to say that you are nothing more than a thief and liar. For if we start to lie to others than the trust that we develop with the peoples of our realm will fade, and they will see nothing but deciet in all the actions that we take as warriors.
Valor and Justice.
I feel that Justice is one of the virtues that has been lacking these days. Their are too many wrongs going unpunished, and peaple getting away with crimes, that it has left a sour taste in all of our mouths. If we could have just a few warriors, mages, and artisans in this realm to live by this code, than alot of the problems that have presented themselves would be corrected. Valor and justice go hand in hand, a warrior must not go out and slay for the sake of slaying. All persons in this realm deserve a chance to be heard and state in their own words what happend, and to see his accusers. One must not be the Judge, Jury, and executioner. The only reason to kill a wanted man, is if he leaves you no choice. For every incident has two tales to tell, and the accused has his right to a trial by his peers.
Valor and Humility.
Humility plays a special role with Valor. Humility allows us to know that we are not allways the best warrior, and to respect those that are not as good as we are. It allows us to learn by our mistakes and respect everyones opinion. It allows us to know our limitations and to learn to better ourselves.