[ It's not lost on Xenk, how they both would have needed to act. How they both would have fought -- not through any will of their own, but because of who they are. What they are.
It's not the same. A vampire's hold over his spawns is absolute. Xenk's Oath? Well, he'd never willingly break it. He wouldn't. But unlike Astarion, he has a choice. ]
It is always my choice. When I kill in service of my Oath. I do so with open eyes. Any blood that is shed is on my hands alone.
[ Astarion doesn't have the same luxury. All the terrible things, all the people he's hurt... that he still carries his guilt after 200 years speaks to his goodness. That he wishes to be seen as something evil is perhaps the greatest proof that he is not. ]
This was not the case for you. And while it is true that you did, and were forced to do, was not right... in my travels, I have learned that being good is not always right.
[ Damn, you kiss Tyr with that mouth? But he hasn't said anything unlawful, his Oath still sings in his heart. Astarion is good. He's misguided, and in pain, and possibly selfish at times, but deep down, Xenk knows. He just knows. ]
The person I see is someone who has suffered the very worst this world has to offer, but who seeks to yet hold the light. Someone who complains that his companions waste time in aiding people, yet who has not once stepped away from a responsibility he did not ask for.
[ You told him your tales and you made it worse for yourself here, Astarion. Now Xenk knows you're an adventurer, vampire or no. ]
You need not follow my example to carve goodness into this world. Your past need not be free of sin for your freedom to be deserved. And should I have killed you when we met, or had we met otherwise... it would have been right, but it would not have been good.
[ Which is a big deal for him to admit!! I wrote right and good so many times I hope this makes sense #talkingtoXenksucks ]
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It's not the same. A vampire's hold over his spawns is absolute. Xenk's Oath? Well, he'd never willingly break it. He wouldn't. But unlike Astarion, he has a choice. ]
It is always my choice. When I kill in service of my Oath. I do so with open eyes. Any blood that is shed is on my hands alone.
[ Astarion doesn't have the same luxury. All the terrible things, all the people he's hurt... that he still carries his guilt after 200 years speaks to his goodness. That he wishes to be seen as something evil is perhaps the greatest proof that he is not. ]
This was not the case for you. And while it is true that you did, and were forced to do, was not right... in my travels, I have learned that being good is not always right.
[ Damn, you kiss Tyr with that mouth? But he hasn't said anything unlawful, his Oath still sings in his heart. Astarion is good. He's misguided, and in pain, and possibly selfish at times, but deep down, Xenk knows. He just knows. ]
The person I see is someone who has suffered the very worst this world has to offer, but who seeks to yet hold the light. Someone who complains that his companions waste time in aiding people, yet who has not once stepped away from a responsibility he did not ask for.
[ You told him your tales and you made it worse for yourself here, Astarion. Now Xenk knows you're an adventurer, vampire or no. ]
You need not follow my example to carve goodness into this world. Your past need not be free of sin for your freedom to be deserved. And should I have killed you when we met, or had we met otherwise... it would have been right, but it would not have been good.
[ Which is a big deal for him to admit!! I wrote right and good so many times I hope this makes sense #talkingtoXenksucks ]