Arcadius - Letter Written in Point of Origin - DAY 1

(written in foreign script and language, with colored inks on heavy vellum – helpfully translated by Liam the scribe)

I write this in the old and correct form, for those who may come after, so that should I perish they may know, and reflect.

O' Reader, know that those from whom I am born are Guardians of the Land of the Five Rivers, of the rightly-guided lineage of Dehret. I am the son of Ar-Mahdin, Landholder and Guardian of the District of Ideb and speaker with a right voice in the assembly of the Province of Zakhemet.

Know that he in turn is the son of Ar-Ahrum, son of Ar-Dehret, son of Ar-Mirihaal, daughter of Ar-Khadesh, son of Ar-Kinas, daughter of Ar-Mahdin, son of Ar-Ahrum, son of Ar-Dehret - who was born Dehret, a simple farmer, who rose from the rank of common soldier to command of the 24th Regiment of Spearmen during the first great war against the Hayyashi’im, may they be forever accursed, and for his courage and wisdom was rewarded with the vacant Guardianship of Ideb.

Know that my mother is Ar-Iriyya, of the rightly-guided lineage of Seneshar, and she is learned and patient. May her advice remain ever fresh in my mind.

Honor be to those who have gone before, may we of today prove worthy.

Know that my elder brother Ar-Ahrum walks in the right path, and even now trains to someday take up the guardianship of Ideb, so that its people shall not be left adrift in the winds – for we of Dehret know our duties and keep to the proper ways.

Know that I answered the call of the gods and duty to be trained as a Paladin of Lord Pelor, may he be honored by all, in the foreign yet right-thinking and pious city of Point of Origin. I have applied myself with diligence and completed my training. I shall serve as duty requires, and shall someday return to serve the Land of the Five Rivers against its foes, whether they be fell creatures of the Southern mountains, or the vile and aggressive barbarians realms of the interior - may the gods make their arms as straw and their blood as water.

Know that my younger sister Ar-Mirihaal learns well the correct and required lore, masters the arts both mundane and arcane, has passed the first tests and has become a magistrate-initiate of the central hierarchy, may it forever bond our land in strength.

Know that my younger brother Ar-Tahim, may he grow strong and wise, trains to take custody of our family businesses, for as it is said, gold does not feed, yet by it one may feed many.

Know that my youngest sister, Ar-Sinaia, may she grow strong and wise, is a good and dutiful child, though I have not yet had honor of meeting her, having left for my training prior to her birth.

Rightly we have done, rightly we do, and rightly may we do in the times to come.

O’ reader, now that you know who I am, know what I must do.

My training is complete, the time has come to set forth into the world, applying what I have been taught to help alleviate its troubles. I have been commanded by my masters, may they be blessed, to set forth with other new-trained Paladins, from many lands and of many orders. We are honored as well to be joined by Clerics of the gods. We are to work together as one. It is my duty to behave rightly and to shirk nothing. I shall answer that call and obey that duty. I shall hold the line, defending my allies and aiding them no matter the risk to myself, even if it cost me my life. As I would do at home, so I shall do in this land.

Honor to the great ones of the past, honor to those who share our burdens of today, and honor above all other to the gods.

O’ reader, do no less when your time comes and you are called. For that is the way.