Feorn's Trial of Resolve

[Feorn]

On Zealotry

“Hm, I guess Fhenrir wasn't what I was looking for.” Feorn mused, over a cup of grog. He sat cross legged on the floor of the Wyvern's Tail, alone, but still mumbling to himself.

“His wife? His history? Whatever it is, he's got that particular streak of stubbornness that some people call honour. Good way to get killed. Seen it before, that's for sure.” Feorn removed his mask and took a swig from his cup.

“Ugh, horrible. I guess that leaves me here. I still don't quite get the angle with these folks. How far will they really go? Leyujin says all the way, no quarter, no mercy, no matter the circumstance. The Orc sisters I spoke to seemed to revel in that raid, as profitless as it was. Ugh, a profitless job. I hate those...” Feorn downed the rest of his grog in one long, laboured drink.

“Yuck. I suppose it could be worse though...” Feorn patted his satchel, “The other jobs I've been running with them have been more than lucrative enough to make up for it. Guess I better start writing about those conversations, or the gold might stop flowing.” As Feorn got up to leave he passed a pair of warriors clad in gleaming plate, an Elf and Pandaren.

“Strange sight you two ladies are, huh?”, Feorn quipped as he walked out the door.
“No more than you!” the Pandaren yelled back.

To Whomever(High Inquisitor, or other Inquisitor, I suppose),

I've somewhat recently had the pleasure of a long conversation with Dreadweaver Leyujin. In this conversation we had a long discussion about the Mandate, the Grim and its old adversaries. What struck me most about our conversation was when he told me he had no regrets. That's a powerful thing. I haven't met many who could say they have no regrets.

Speaking further, I asked him about how the Grim has outlasted its contemporaries. He attributes it to purpose. A lot of companies have purpose, but few are as relentless and unyielding as the Mandate. Following this line of questioning, I asked about just how far the Mandate goes, knowing full well the answer. I just wanted to hear it out loud, I suppose. He wasn't concerned with my 'what ifs' and hypothetical questions, but I definitely have concerns. What happens to the Grim once the Horde has the Alliance on the brink of defeat? Based on the past, the Horde leadership will hesitate to take the opportunity to annihilate the Alliance races.

Lastly, and most important to me, I enquired about his prosperity since becoming Grim. His answer was a little cagey, but it was pretty plain he hasn't hurt for food, weapons, armour or sleep. Apart from comforts, that's pretty much all you can ask for. It was also pretty plain that his focus wasn't on the material gain to be had, he is personally invested in the Mandate, he believes.

Do I believe? No. Is it required to execute the Mandate? I don't think so, but that isn't really for me to say. I could always lie to you about that anyway. I think it's sufficient that I'm willing and prepared to do my duty.

Feorn Starcaller.

"Now, I'd better go post this up somewhere. Ugh, getting old is the worst.", Feorn grumbled. "Well, this trial thing might be the worst, but getting old is a close second. This Atticus fellow going to make me talk to someone about loyalty! Me! Of all people. Hmph. Loyalty. You know what they say about loyalty, that and a paper bag, or whatever."

[Atticus]

Feorn,

Strange to read words from a mercenary without guile. Though, I suppose it makes sense that monks don't study the art of deception.

You've yet to embrace the mandate as your purpose, and you throw your doubts direct into my face. This gives me pause. Maybe talking to Greebo will set you down the right path.

Anyway. You have spoken with Leyujin and have learned from him. I accept the first half of your Trial of Resolve. Now continue, and ask yourself whether or not you truly belong in the Grim. I'll be asking myself the same question about you.

- Atticus

[Feorn]

Dreadweaver,

Greebo the Twice Made, with whom I spoke, as you asked, provided me with a simple answer to a question that I've been asking since I first followed that foolish Tauren to the Grim. That question was: “What's in it for me?” The answer? Everything. I won't mince words, or spin half-truths, or write in metaphor. I'm motivated purely by self-interest. But, I can explain to you how the Mandate is my best interests.

The humans of Stormwind are deceitful, betrayers, and in league with the dragons. They don't honour their word. Worse yet, they'll kill loyal allies for a small benefit to themselves. A lesson my people learned first, then I had to first hand. The dwarves meddle in magics beyond their ken. First, the Dark Iron try to enslave an elemental lord. Then, the dwarves of Ironforge play with Titan magics. I shudder to think what the Wildhammer might do. The gnomes managed to destroy their own capital with their reckless tinkering, they cannot be allowed to endanger the rest of our world. The Kaldorei cannot learn from the lessons of the past, they have accepted Highborne back into their ranks. Not the ones who came forward and faced punishment for what they did, but the cowards who hid, and consorted with demons for thousands of years. Worse yet, the Kaldorei believe Azeroth is theirs, and theirs alone. The Gilneans need to be cleansed from our world, in case their malady spreads. And the Draenei... I could write a manifesto that would rival the Felsprocket Memoirs about them. Their crystal windchime things are clearly in league with the dragons. The Tushui Pandaren picked the wrong side, it sucks to be them, I guess.

Now, I want to live to an even riper old age and retire a wealthy man. So I'm sure how you can see how all those things would be a problem. Of course the dragons will have to be dealt with too. Greebo the Twice made didn't seem to think so, but even the wisest men have their blind spots, I suppose. After some discussion, I think we've come to an understanding about how an organization empowers its resources. A strong organization makes its members more powerful. An organization doomed to failure uses them up.

Everyone has their price. Something you seemed to have a problem with in one of our discussions. I'm honest about my price. The price of others might not be in gold or treasure, but it is there. You asked me if there was a sum of gold I would take to walk away from the Grim, and there is. But really, one doesn't have to be Grim to follow the Mandate. It's the Mandate you should have asked about. My price would be higher than gold to walk away from that. The Mandate is the only way to guarantee my future.

Feorn Starcaller

Feorn signed off on the letter he was writing and glaced around the Salty Sailor. A pair of elves and a Pandaren were sitting around a table in the corner. The female elf was hard at work with some writing implements and several vials of ink. The male elf and the Pandaren were going shot for shot, the armored Pandaren clearly handling her liqour better.

“Mercenaries, I'd know 'em anywhere. Even better, some kind of artist, just what I'm looking for.” Feorn muttered to himself, as he eased to his feet, rolled up his letter, capped his ink bottle and tucked his quill into his belt. He walked over to the table and looked over the male elf who was wearing flowing robes, mostly black but accented in white and embroidered in gold. He was wearing a plain black brimmed hat. Feorn tapped him on the shoulder.

“Your hat looks stupid.” Feorn said.

Three hours later Feorn added a short post script to his letter:

P.S. Attached you'll find a draft of the posters you requested I post personally in Stormwind. Let me know if you approve.

Feorn found a Goblin courier and paid him to deliver the letter. Afterwards he salved his bruises, and set out to work.

[Lilliana]

((love the poster!))

[Atticus]

Feorn,

You have spoken to two Grim, and you have adequately expressed an understanding and loyalty to The Mandate.

Your Trial of Resolve is complete.

Your first intention, when joining The Grim, was to hide from the Alliance. As I told you - I will not allow any man who fears the Alliance to join our ranks.

Paper the walls of Stormwind with your poster. Let them see your face and name. Make it known that you are Grim.

Atticus