Re: Near Al Menir
The whole discussion about necromancers and the use of their magic is unsettling to Haveron. In fact he finds himself having a very strong emotional response, although it is well masked behind his eyes, so that none can see it. After Burke gets done with his comment, Haveron steps in to end the conversation.
"Gareth, do not use that magic here unless I expressly give you permission to do so. I am not willing to negotiate the point. Let me explain why.
First, let me say I do understand your argument to a point. From a completely logical point of view, you're saying dead people are tools, to be used like anything else. They can lift things, move stuff, and do work that the rest of us have to do firsthand. In a twisted sort of way I can see what you're saying. However, in order to think that way, you have to have a sort of detachment from human emotion that the rest of us would consider to be evil.
In life, I get to choose what I do with my body, unless I am captured by enemies. It would be no different in death. I have a preference for how my body is handled after I die. Now as a warrior, I will most likely die on the field of battle. I accept that as a cost that goes along with the life I have chosen. If that happens, I would ask the Adept or someone like him to provide a final rest for my body, so that I may sleep in peace. It is a measure of respect for myself and for the afterlife that this should be done.
If I do manage to survive to old age, and my enemies cannot find me, I have a preference for how my body is handled. My family had land, which I mean to regain one day. If everything goes to plan, I will have the opportunity to die there naturally, where the rest of my family lost their lives. I hope my children will engrave a gravestone there, so my life and my deeds can be remembered.
That's the real point you need to remember here. I want people to remember me for my deeds and for my life. I do not want them to know me as a shadow of myself, shambling around in a half-existance, doing whatever you bid me do. I for one do not trust your judgement, and would want no part of whatever you might do. Knowing you as I do, I can see that you do not respect life the same way as the rest of us do.
Beyond that, you do not have my permission to use my body after death, and I cannot give that permission after passing on. If you have a willing subject I might consider that. However, for those people back in the city... You have not even considered their wishes, the wishes of their family, or asked their permission for your infernal magics. I feel you do not respect the living in your fascination with death."
Haveron stops himself here. He could feel the emotion creeping into his voice, and given the nature of the conversation that was probably appropriate. The very thought of his family walking around as the undead turned his stomach. He couldn't shake a certain level of horror at the thought, much less the real presence of someone with those skills present and standing in front of them.
As he takes a brief moment to regain his composure, Haveron takes a visual poll of the group to see where they fell on the issue. Berry was hard to read, but did not seem too uncomfortable with the conversation. That was disturbing in and of itself. The Adept and Burke were definitely uncomfortable to almost the extent that Haveron was. He didn't see anyone else that approved of the conversation.
Haveron could sense that a decision was required here. Accepting the status quo was his prerogative as the leader of the group, but that didn't sit right with him. Not when the people in the group could be subject to the horrible magic this man had somehow learned. After a moment of consideration, Haveron continues, in less of a strained voice.
"Gareth, I thank you for sharing with us more of your nature. Your perspective is different than ours. Many of the people here are uncomfortable with your approach to life, and especially to death. I have to respect their perspective too. And that leaves me in a bit of a bind. I can't ask them to travel with you and have to worry that your magic may someday raise them up again, against their wishes.
Speak your peace. Then I will ask you to leave the group for a few minutes so we can discuss the subject amongst ourselves. We have to decide as a group whether we want to continue traveling with you or not. This is not a decision I can make for everyone. They must make it for themselves. It goes well beyond the trust they have given me as their leader in life. It deals with how they will exist in death."
OOC Gareth might be a very good addition to the group Aegis is in. They are far more...morally ambivalent. I'm not sure this group will support Gareth, knowing he is a necromancer. However, it's something that should be decided on the RP level, so I put it out there for the group to decide. I think this is how someone in Haveron's position would react. A mix of horror and fear.