Paladin

> *"This quest will be the adventure of a lifetime."*
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## Storyline

The Listener arranges a meeting between themselves and a very unusual guest. He requested to meet with them because he is going on a noble quest to save Sarrus and he will be needing the help of the criminal element - which is where the Listener comes in. He explains that a caravan of relics from the Temple of the Unseen one was ambushed and many of them were stolen while being transported through the Forest of Zetria. These ancienct powerful relics, should they fall into the wrong hands, could permanently alter the continent of Sarrus.

The Listener asks what it is for them and the paladin, expecting this, pulls out a full pardon for all their crimes signed by the Archdragon of the Unseen One, which would include any crimes they would have to commit for the sake of the quest. They don't believe it at first but the paladin hands it over for them to inspect it themselves. As they are checking it, he makes some observations on their character out loud. He says he sees good in them that could be put to better use in the service of the Unseen One, and that a "fair thing" such as themselves doesn't belong in a life of crime, suspecting that they were unwittingly drawn into it as a young, gullible thing. He advises them that, after the quest is done, they should find a nice suitor to do the thinking for them. The Listener interrupts the unsolicited sermon to threaten him with a dagger and he takes his words back. They explain, and he acknowledges, that they are the leader of their "band of rogues" and that they make their own decisions in life, not anyone else.

The paladin apologizes and asks if they will accept the quest. The Listener agrees but appears to ask if it will only be the two of them. He explains that there will be two more to add to their party but they still have to be recruited from the "far east" in Rapture and the "far south" from Laketon. According to the Draconic Oracle, the quest is dangerous and not all of them will return from it. The Listener asks for the specific words of the oracle and the paladin, amused, gives it to them after a handshake to seal the deal.

> "*A fallen man who is better for it, forsaken is his name and divorced is his blade. Despite all, death still quakes in his passing.*"
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> *"Life from death, death from life once more. An enemy last moon is tonight's accomplice when the sun will never rise again. A parasite driven by love, his soul transplants forever more. In Rapture he awaits his final dawn."*
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The Listener doesn't have much time to react. The paladin leaves it to them to pick their first destination, Doctin (spelling unconfirmed) or Rapture, and tells them he will be waiting outside while they say goodbye to their brigands.

## Personality

The paladin is morally upright and more than a little sanctimonious, uncomfortable at being seen in a "den of iniquity" and not very knowledgeable about criminal life. He appears to be high class, though whether he came from a noble family or it's because of his involvement in the temple we can only guess. He is also polite, honest, and, for now, optimistic about the quest. He fully trusts in the words of the Archdragon and the Draconic Oracle.

He is both confused and drawn by the Listener. He claims to see good in them, though whether it's because he's actually trying to convert them or he's biased by physical attraction remains to be seen.

## Trivia

### Paladin and the Temple of the Unseen One

* The magical relics have been protected from the Empire's purges because of their association with the temple.
* The temple appears to revere dragons, though it's not confirmed if the Unseen One themselves is a dragon. The leader of the temple is the Archdragon and there is a female Draconic Oracle, the High Oracle Draconia (might be a name or title).
* Calls the Listener "my good rogue" and "my rogue"

### The Listener

* A physically attractive person who leads a "band of rogues" in one of the Empire's cities (but not the capital). They have at least one dagger hidden on them and have the skill to use it. They are also somewhat proud and defensive of their life/reputation as a criminal.
* Their known crimes that are being pardoned:
	+ Theft
	+ Highway robbery
	+ Impersonation of a crownsguard
	+ Bribery
	+ Loitering
	+ Giant spider smuggling

### Fan Theories

* The Unseen One operates from the Sarcillian Empire and is run by actual dragons, hence the titles.
* This quest takes place after the Mad Emperor's reign.
* This quest takes place in the past after a previous arcane purge.
* The Fallen Man candidates according to the fans: Corrax, Lorcan, Pharos, Naro.
* The Rapturian Parasaite candidates according to the fans: Thalvich, Ortas.