Description
This dark dwarf stands about 55 inches or so in height and is powerfully
built. Legs like solid little tree trunks support a beer barrel for a frame.
His arms are corded with muscle from the rigors of his profession. He's got a
bristly black beard more like coarse wire than hair that is bound with a grea
bit of twine. A thin, pale scar runs from his left eye down to his jawline, a
a brief gleam of white reveals a ready grin.
Role
Background
Added Fri Apr 24 11:00:29 2020 at level 15:
Character Premise:
Phron has a gluttonous craving of having a hole in his belly that can
never be full. He greedily seeks to fill his need with gold, precious
stones, blood, titles, and power. There is no limit to his consumption,
nor does he have goals for by their very nature they imply satiation.
There can be no bystanders in his neverending conflict. All stand in
the way of Phron's boundless ambition and will be the focus of his
rage.
Sinning and Empire:
The Empire and its laws are but a means to an end. Phron knows
that the very foundations of the Empire are built to feed the greed
of the Emperor, followed by his Council and then the lower tiers.
The danger of the tiered system is complacency, but it is perfectly
designed to feed the sloth of the rich and powerful. By climbing
the Imperial ladder, Phron can use this construct to fill his own
needs while using its protection until he is strong enough to lay
atop the riches he deserves.
Personality:
Gruff but charasmatic, Phron is not above bending Imperial Law in
the name of his patron. He will wheedle and cajole to get what he
wants even a short term compromise if it furthers his long term goals.
Musings on Greed
Added Wed Apr 29 15:11:19 2020 at level 21:
What is Greed?
The desire for wealth, whether it be material like gold, or immaterial such as
fame. All beings know greed. Greed is an expression of self-interest. A wise man
once said: "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the
baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest."
A farmer giving away his crop for free will soon not be a farmer anymore.
The most honest merchant cares most about their own hearth and home rather
than the goodwill of their customers. Of course they want to provide a
lining their own coffers. The good merchant will never admit to his sin, though,
instead seeking to gussy it up with a fancy term like "profit motive." Even the
most altruistic Acolyte of the Fortress heals their friends with an eye toward
recognition and titles. The Maran Paladin who seeks to instruct others casts his
name out far and wide so that he is known as a benevolent teacher. They serve
their gods, but they also serve themselves. It is all the same.
Ask any of the aforementioned saints, though, and they will deny these
truths. Yet they are all sinners. The key to accepting the sin of Greed is
rationalization. As all beings know greed, they all rationalize their sin to a
degree. The beleaguered farmer tells the hungry children, "Stop stealing
my livelihood!" The tired merchant tells the exasperated customer, "I've
got to make a living somehow!" The sharp-eyed Maran Paladin, once
again examining his shiny equipment, says "It's for attacking the darkness!"
How far will people rationalize their greed?
It does not matter. In this way, all follow Lord Morius. Yet only those who
have ceased their rationalization, their posturing, and their excuses... those
who have accepted their sin of Greed... can be His children.
On Sin and Civilization
Added Thu May 14 18:09:56 2020 at level 29:
There are some who preach virtue and condemn vice, that if we all lived
virtuous lives, Thera would be a perfect utopia. Yet a share and share alike
community implies an unfair and unrealistic hegemony of race and class. We
are diverse! We are different! We have different goals and desires and
dreams! And we have different flaws that make us who we are!
In a virtuous utopia, two bakers will produce equal product because Honor and
Dedication demand they do their very best. One loaf, however, may be superior
to the other. What then, paragons of Purity? Do we accept the lesser loaf
with grateful smiles as it twists our bowels in the night? What Justice can
the shoddy baker expect?
We are naive to believe that those who preach against vice and sin do not
enjoy a good loaf. Show me the ascetic paladin, the altruistic healer who
wear but sackcloth and eat but ashes! Civilization is wealthy! Our stores are
stocked with goods, we wear fine clothes upon our backs, we benefit from
knowledgeable guildmasters paid to teach.
A wise man once said:
"The Root of evil Avarice,
That damn ill-natur'd baneful vice,
Was slave to Prodigality,
That Noble Sin whilst Luxury
Employ'd a Million of the Poor,
And odious Pride a Million more.
Envy itself, and Vanity
Were Ministers of Industry
Their darling Folly, Fickleness
In Diet, Furniture, and Dress,
That strange ridic'lous Vice, was made
The very Wheel, that turn'd the Trade."
Order, civilization, and trade are the happy result of Sin. In profiting
from society's vices, the hypocrisy of the virtuous is laid bare for all to
see. Embrace the truth. Indulge!
Wanting More
Added Thu May 28 19:19:46 2020 at level 36:
My tasks are complete. The heretic Fardrin has been reminded of his apostacy.
I learned Freadahr's lesson about his silly little doll... AND got the jewel
back (from Fardrin, no less!) that he demanded in exchange for my priesthood.
It's not enough, but then, I never expected it would be!
I've spoken with many about the truth of sin in general and Greed more
specifically throughout my life. Often, I am dismissed as a crackpot, or
worse, a liar. Especially galling is the retort that I know nothing of Greed.
I, a priest of Father Morius! My writings are published, but do any learn
from them, let alone read them? It fills me with such Anger that I am not
accorded the respect that should so rightly be mine. I dare not lash out and
voice my rage... Father Morius teaches us to embrace all sin, but I am a
Priest of Greed! Rage won't do... Anger will suffice.
PK Wins
Apr 28, 2020|Lv 20|The Redhorn Mountains|Kruissina vs 2: [20] Phron (17%, slash), [17] Rahmostha (82%)
May 4, 2020 |Lv 25|The Drogran Hills|Ichnaea vs 1: [25] Phron (100%, fatigue)
May 6, 2020 |Lv 25|Hidden Forest|Dvor vs 1: [25] Phron (100%, slash)
May 6, 2020 |Lv 25|A Wagon-Marked Road|Zipwherp vs 1: [25] Phron (100%, fatigue)
May 13, 2020|Lv 28|Forest of Prosimy|Tzirranei vs 2: [32] Draskarin (29%), [28] Phron (70%, pierce)
May 14, 2020|Lv 29|Galadon|Yaluavia vs 1: [29] Phron (100%, fatigue)
May 18, 2020|Lv 30|The Drogran Hills|Ayrihc vs 1: [30] Phron (100%, corrosive slice)
May 22, 2020|Lv 31|Galadon|Aldara vs 1: [31] Phron (100%, claw)
May 22, 2020|Lv 31|Northern Foothills|Garful vs 1: [31] Phron (100%, corrosive slice)
May 27, 2020|Lv 36|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Shobenhivel vs 2: [40] Vlalkon (53%), [36] Phron (46%, fatigue)
May 27, 2020|Lv 36|The Imperial Lands|Garful vs 1: [36] Phron (100%, torments)
May 28, 2020|Lv 36|Graveyard|Lunathas vs 1: [36] Phron (100%, torments)
May 28, 2020|Lv 36|The Eastern Road|Hararhar vs 1: [36] Phron (100%, fatigue)
May 28, 2020|Lv 36|Galadon|Luhgup vs 1: [36] Phron (100%, fatigue)
May 30, 2020|Lv 36|The Arena|Tykiin vs 1: [36] Phron (100%, fatigue)
Jun 2, 2020 |Lv 42|The Redhorn Mountains|Thiga vs 1: [42] Phron (100%, torments)
Jun 2, 2020 |Lv 42|The Imperial Lands|Qunluwar vs 1: [42] Phron (100%, torments)
Jun 8, 2020 |Lv 47|Feanwyyn Weald|Neajess vs 1: [47] Phron (100%, pierce)