The Gray Horn
Description
Volorious is a young mercenary employed in an endless war between two implacable enemies. Or so it seems.
As his company is mistreated by both combatants he slowly comes to realize that the war serves the interests of both nation states at the expense of the people. He along with his friends eventually decide to strike out on their own in search of the fabled Gray Horn that is desired by both sides in the war.
In this quest he comes to examine the nature of the two enemies, Thrimbar the Divine and Jojus the Demonic. Are they truly opposite sides in a conflict with one another or are they actually simply one in the same with a different banner. If the divine and the demonic are equal, then is there a second choice? Does the coin have another side upon which people can choose a different way?
Ideology
The theme of the Gray Horn involves the idea that while we might imagine we have a choice between two things, those things are often actually one and the same. The world often presents us with such false choices. Then we must ask ourselves if there is, indeed, a second choice. If, upon examination, both sides of the coin are the same, is there an obverse at all?
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Characters
Aro
Aro is a member of the Wolves mercenary band who ends up traveling with Volorious and Tarragonus after they leave the employ of the two warring factions. He is handsome, charming, and has a way with the ladies. He is loyal to his friends and skilled with blades.
Captain Jon Aurelius
Captain Aurelius is the commander of the mercenary band known as the Wolves who are taking part in the endless war between the Divine forces of Thrimbar and the Demonic armies of Jojus. He is an able leader, strong, decisive, and cares for the men under his command.
Claire
Claire is a noble woman's slave who is freed by Volorious and his friends. She travels with the group offering sound advice and compassion in a group used to working only with men.
Hadrus
Hadrus is a warrior of Jojus the Black and rescued by the Wolves mercenary band. He eventually comes to travel with them as they seek out the Gray Horn although he remains loyal to his demonic ruler.
Tarragonus
Tarragonus is a druid in the employ of the Wolves mercenary band and nominally second in command. As he sees his friends being killed for no reason in an endless and useless war between the Divine Thrimbar and Demonic Jojus he comes to realize that there might be a better way.
Tuon
Tuon is a Bishop of Thrimbar and fiercely loyal to his divine patron. He eventually comes to travel with Volorious and his friends as they search for the Gray Horn. He must eventually choose between his loyalty to his God and the group.
Volorius
Volorious is a young and idealistic soldier in the employ of the Wolf Mercenary group. He finds himself on both sides of an endless conflict between two established nations and slowly learns that all is not as it seems.
Quotes
Captain Aurelius
Enemy he is, today at least, but he’s a brave man and the world is a better place when men of courage are upon it. Fetch him out.
Claire
Beauty is a fleeting song, will you still love me when it's gone?
Frimfrus
Those who live brave lives know death all too well. It is in the nature of bravery to face it and live after those you love have perished. It is a burden, but it makes you stronger, more determined, better. To know that you are living after they have died, that you must dare to dream on, must dare to act on, must face the dangers for not only yourself but for your fallen friends.
Shinamar
Your life is your own to lead. Your destiny is your own to forge.
Tithos
Those who act with alacrity often achieve more than those who wait. This is counterbalanced by the fact that those who act quickly and without thought often act in ways detrimental to their own desires.
Tithos
If you cannot inspire the people it is not because they are insipid, it is because you are uninspiring.
Tuon
The people are insipid, mindless things. They cannot be inspired by logic and reason. You must convince them with raw emotions. Cause them to fear. Cause them to hate someone else. Cause them to be utterly confused, which isn’t difficult.
Volorious
There must be a place like that. So many people want to live a life free of all those things, there must be. How could such a place not exist if so many desire it?
Volorious
Dangerous is the den wherein the enemy of my enemy lairs.
Volorious
There is no sense in trying to win favor from those who despise you. Box them in the ears and ensure the hate is deserved.