Elendor
3053 Dol Amorth Tournament Event - The Debates
The greatest minds of Dol Amroth come together to debate the topic of the will and heroism.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Dol Amroth: Theater(#32104)
Game Date: November 3053
IC Time: Evening
Weather: Clear
Description: Short Summary: King Theoden and Lord Arathis vs. Squire Lominzil and Admiral Elusul on the Nature of Heroism
Date (real-life): 2011-09-10
Scene Location: Theater, Dol Amroth
After a brief applause, he turns towards the team for the Affirmative, "When you are ready, you may begin your opening argument."
[Elusul(#30120)]
Elusul rises, a piece of paper in hand. He begins his speech with a dignified air.
"Resolved: The highest and noblest expression of heroism is an unflinching will. In Gondor's long history, it has seen countless occasions when the unflinching will has been all that has stood between her and total destruction. Our main value in this argument is that rightful authority must be obeyed for the good of the many. Our kingdom's founding itself comes from an unflinching will when the Faithful of Numenor chose to continue to honor the Gods and defy the Enemy at great cost. Many found their way into his evil temple, but still they did not yield and thus were delivered from the Great Wave and its destruction. The Gods of the West and their laws trump the will of Man, even that of a king. Thus he and his own perished while those who remained faithful survived.
"Again we see with our first kings Isildur and Anarion the need for an unflinching will. Once more beset by the Enemy, our ancestors faced utter destruction. By their will to fight on, their valor in battle against superior numbers were they able to persevere and hold on against the dark tide until reinforcements were able to arrive from the North. Down through history we have seen this. When Gondor has been led by kings of unbending will, she has thrived and expended her borders, bringing peace to all her people. When the will to maintain Gondor was not there, her foes found her vulnerable and thus death was brought upon her people.
"But not only in battle have we seen the need for the unflinching will. The Enemy has sent against us countless agents attempting to cause us to swerve from our mission of defending the Westlands from the tide of darkness. If we were to waver only slightly, if we were to give in to silent whispers of doubt, of self-interest, the commonwealth would rot from within and all would perish. Even now, there have been questions of infiltration. Yet our unflinching will will see us through our difficulties and prevent the overthrow of Gondor and all her people. Thank you."
A nod from Gwendion, "The Opposed position, your questions for the Affirmative?"
[Theoden(#15851)]
Sitting at the table for the Negative is the Rohir that some have seen about. Now he stands, raising his head proudly. And it is none else than Theoden, king of the Rohirrim. His eyes flicker, and he nods his head to the opposing team. "Your arguments are compelling," he says, and his voice, though clear, is almost gentle. "And rightly you name the Faithful, who came to these shores and founded your great land. But was not Ar-Pharazon their king also possessed of an unflinching will? His goal to have everlasting life that he set his will unflinchingly, strongly, againsgt the very gods themselves. Was he not then a hero?"
[Elusul(#30120)]
Elusul nods in deference to the king of the Mark. He listens to the question and then answers, "No, not a hero, my lord. As we stated in our opening remarks, wills are often opposed, but it is the will that supports lawful authority that when it perseveres brings the greatest good to the greatest number of people."
[Theoden(#15851)]
"Ah. Lawful authority. Yes." Theoden smiles broadly, and his voice lifts, taking in it a nobler sound. "A king does have lawful authority over his people. But yes, if you must set conditions on unflinching will, then, I will speak of Gondor, a bastion of lawful intent, and Gondor's rightful kings. A king, then, who wishes to defeat a great enemy who wishes to destroy the people. An enemy such as the Witch-King, who has long sought the destruction of the descendants of Elendil. This, surely, must be a heroic ideal. Surely Earnur King, in his unbending, unflinching desire to destroy a great enemy, surely then he was heroic, by your definition? But is the destruction of an entire lineage and the rendering of a great land kingless.... truly ... heroic?"
[Elusul(#30120)]
Elusul listens to this speechifying in place of asking a question for what it's worth. When the question gets to being actually asked, he answers readily as if this very point has been expected and already considered. "King Earnur is an excellent example of when unbending will turns to arrogance. All know that Earnur was a prideful man who through better of his skill at arms than the welfare of the kingdom. Motive must be considered when judging his actions and how that motive applies to our value of the good of the many. Was his acceptance of the Witch-king's challenge his acceptance of a chance to rid Gondor of an enemy or a chance for his own personal glory? As you say, his line was ended, he left no heir. Earnur followed in the footsteps of his distant kinsman Ar-Pharazon and both met their end."
[Theoden(#15851)]
"Ah. another condition." Theoden nods his head. "I thought this was about unflinching will being the *single* highest and noblest expression of heroism, not that it must be attached to lawful authority and rightful motive." He clears his throat. "I ask your indulgence while I preface this question. You see, I know of a ruler, one who has long sought to defeat enemies who took his land. He has sought to destroy his foe through cunning, which would hurt only his enemy. Failing that, he has sent our champions to fight, that might decide the question. For his enemy came without invitation into his domains and took land without leave, and he has sought long to defeat this foe with single-minded dedication. Truly this, one who devotes his whole being to his cause, one that will benefit his people, surely this must be the paragon of heroism? Yet..." Theoden leans against the table. "Yet I speak of the Enemy. How is unflinching will such a pinnacle of heroism when he possesses it in such abundance?"
Elusul's face pales and he turns to look directly at Theoden and speaks warily. "You would set forth the Nameless One as an example of a benevolent king, the highest and noblest expression of heroism? Gorthaur the Abomination, Deceiver of Men?" Elusul's voice rises. "He has no people! His purpose is only to further his will through the enslavement of Man! Liar and deceiver!"
[Lominzil(#31527)]
On the side of the Knight-Admiral, Lominzil crosses his arms.
With a cough, Gwendion says, "And that was the first round of our questions and answers."
He motions towards the Opposing Team, "If you could bring your opening argument, please."
[Elusul(#30120)]
Elusul slowly returns to his seat beside Lominzil, still startled and pale.
[Theoden(#15851)]
When Elesul has finished his answer, Theoden but gives a slight nod. He returns to his seat in silence, his expression cyptic.
[Arathis(#30050)]
The Lord Herald stands, a familiar chastisement cast flatly towards Elusul. His bass rings out then, composed and deliberate in his tongue's spacing, with no parchment to be seen before him.
"Allow me first to commend our judges for a question most germane to our city's fate for in the wake of our incautious losses at Caldur, it is tasked to our noble knights to again consider this matter wholly -- of what nature is a hero's courage --, so that we may train our young squires truthfully, and trust that their wills as our next knights will not fall seduced by falsity into corruption and misjudgment. It is a great honor to be joined by the King Theoden on this matter but it is too a sadness to know that his wisdom and lore was not sought before, so as to stem our mourned losses in advance.
"Now, it shall be best here to establish our question: Is an unflinching will the highest and noblest expression of heroism? For it is my fear that my opponent countryman has patently misunderstood it, and that his arguments have thus inadvertently lent support only to our more careful position. When faced with the consequences of his charge, with lore's sad tales of the most unflinching wills -- of Ar-Pharazon the Usurper, most willful to conquer life of Earnur the Lost and Last King, most willful to defeat the ravager of Arnor past and of our Enemy, most willful to enslave the Free Peoples --, he is loathe to name a known villain or known fool a hero, and so finds recourse in claiming that these unflinching wills instead lacked the Rightful and the Good. I must here agree with him: a will tempered with the right and the good shall fuse any true hero but it is his due, I shall remind, to support an unflinching one.
"But I need not rely on my opponent's thinking. All here may, if they have not frightfully seen it, with ease conjure the image of two swordsmen before the Enemy. Let us imagine them, shields affixed in hopeless battle, both of unflinching will to confront and overcome their foes. The one, however, knowing that the battle is lost, forsakes his lust and retreats wisely, opting for another battle from which his Steward and Prince may gain the other, steadfast and without prudence in his will, remains to be torn by the Enemy's black iron. It is an obvious and happy impression to this Captain of Men that it is the first swordsman, master of his desires, who displays here the truest heroism and it is the unflinching will of the latter who, alas, expresses only the highest errors of a beast.
"Thus reason forces me to object most fervently to the notion that an unflinching will is the highest and noblest expression of heroism, when it is, as even my opponent allows, so often the highest and contemptible expression of foolery."
[Lominzil(#31527)]
Lominzil stands, staidly dressed, his voice professionally projected, but bland: "The Lord Arathis speaks of heroic retreat in the midst of a hopeless battle, a comparison of the wise shieldsman and the foolish.
"But to whose authority is the battle considered hopeless? To whose decision does it fall, amid torn armies and ragged standards, to let an army fall at last to the machination of the Enemy who, by the strength of his will, may decide that -- alas, there is no hope? Is it not the weak general who, having strove with powers beyond strength of arms and shields, quails against the unseen will of the Unnamed is it not the broken who flinches at last under overwhelming despair and want of courage?"
[Arathis(#30050)]
Arathis smiles upon Lominzil, and answers him decidedly. "No, it is not. The squire wishes to mark every retreated general a coward. Allow me to refer the young squire to our war against Khand, where a strategic retreat goaded our Enemy into overextension and eventual defeat."
[Lominzil(#31527)]
Lominzil inclines his head. "Let us speak not of tactics, then."
"I know the histories. I understand that Gondor was desperate, its king slain. Did Earnil prevail by a keen mind for strategy and formation, or was his victory driven by an unwillingness to break?
[Arathis(#30050)]
"You ask me to split the two wrongly," answers Arathis plainly.
[Lominzil(#31527)]
Says the Squire, "Entertain my youth and ignorance, Captain: tactics are of the mind a steadfast will is of the heart.
"And as this tournament was gathered to observe the Resolve of our people, do you wonder at why we have stood so long, against an Enemy seemingly endless in malice? Was it Patience, or Kindness? Is will not the strength that upholds our heroes and allows them to stand upright?"
[Arathis(#30050)]
"Squire," begins Arathis, gesturing towards the addressed, "I entertain the question before us. Let me say as you have, that tactics or rightful thinking is of the mind and a steadfast will is of the heart I then claim that a mindless heart shall make no hero.
"Your questions seem to guide, as if by King Earnil or by our very history, that somehow Judgment and Will must prove split. For what? If you wish me to admit that a hero must possess will, heed that I have admitted it already I had however added that it is a tempered will, such that I must deny the bifurcation of the Judgment and the Will, advancing instead, as I have, that the two are married in the figure of any hero.
[Elusul(#30120)]
Having used the time during Lominzil's questioning, Elusul immediately rises and begins speaking.
"I would like to start with my opponent's points from his speech. The knight-herald mentioned the shieldman who turns to flight rather than stay in the line though it means death for him. But our topic is the highest and noblest expression of heroism and it is in our society the Man who gives all for his comrades who is seen as the grestest of heroes. A Man in single combat has a choice to turn and run, but Men of Gondor hold the line against their foes with unbending will precisely because they know that such heroism is all that stands between the East and the peaceful westlands behind the bulwark of Gondor.
"As to my own points, it is suggested that we have added to the topic mitigating conditions, rightfulness, lawfulness, actions having good consequences, which allow us to pass over those whose unflinching wills have led to darkness and death. The hero's unflinching will is driven by his love for his comrades, his people, his country. His love arises naturally and his freely given. The infamous of history, Ar-Pharazon, Earnur, the Nameless One, all have been duped, shown or told what they cannot have, and then are driven to destruction by their greed or arrogance. Pharazon, deathless life no mortal can hope to attain, Earnur, glory over an enemy he had no hope of felling, the Nameless One, dominion over Middle-earth and all its creatures though we know only One Above All has such power. This is not unflinching will leading to heroism, this willful folly."
Elusul nods to the judge and sits.
As Elusul speaks before he is called on, Gwendion frowns, "I assume that was the rebuttal of the Affirmative. Now if the Negative would offer their rebuttal."
[Arathis(#30050)]
The Lord Arathis rises once more to the full of his height, allowing the pass of a moment to burden the airs ere he rebuts.
"I would too begin with my opponent's points," he begins, looking between the judge and Elusul, "if I were blessed to understand them, and where indeed they were meant to contradict my own. When presented with history's misfortunes, he has proven himself that unflinching wills alone express no heroism, as the Admiral is not fool enough to claim, say, that a swine before the troth most determined to gorge is a hero for it.
"For each willful villain and willful fool he has named new conditions that must calculate and temper the will, whereby the willful villain and willful fool shall no longer prove a hero: the will must be saddled by the Good, the Right, the Love for country, the Lawful, and all else that ranks among the virtues of men, he says. But then it is no longer a man's unflinching will that can determine the hero, being instead whether his will is a virtuous one for here is the truth of our argument's joint course: it is the virtuous will that is the highest and noblest expression of heroism."
[Arathis(#30050)]
With this, Arathis sits.
[Lominzil(#31527)]
"Men and women of the Free Peoples.
"We have seen throughout the history that strength of will is basis for the precedent of many noble and heroic acts. Gondor, in the time of its Kings, prospered beneath those who stood steadfast against the travails of their day, yet when they turned inward and forsook their resolve, the realm crumbled.
"Even now, we stand united against an Enemy of great strength, both in force of arms and in mind, and it is will that keeps us in our place, at our posts: resolve to remain firm, through which other things, like military genius, charisma, are wrung in times of need.
"Without the resolve to stand, armies crumble and kingdoms fail. Without willpower, good judgment, though virtuous, hasn't the support to engender feats of heroism, and prudence is flavored overmuch with fearful caution. Amid this, we agree that a being's will can be corrupted to malice or desire for selfish gain. Yet without a steadfast will, nothing arises, not even defense in time of need.
"Rather, heroism, which we are addressing -- and not successful leadership or good management -- begins with the desire to stand firm, for love -- love of those whom we must protect, and for faith of our brothers and sisters, in whom we place our trust and goodwill. And that desire leads a man, mere man among all the Powers of the world, to great deeds: that is the will of which we speak now.
"Those deeds are thus concentrated at this tournament of Resolve, and are celebrated even today. Let us honor those who have remained steadfast."
Lominzil bows to judges, Elusul, and opponents he sits.
Gwendion nods and looks to the King of Rohan, "And the closing statement from the Opposing team."
[Theoden(#15851)]
Once again Theoden rises, and he stands very still for a moment. Then he takes a few steps forwards, clasping his hands behind his back. "Our opponents have made a compelling argument for indomitable will being a defining characteristic of a hero. They have presented cases of instances in which an indomitable will has been the difference between death and life, between hope and despair, between darkness and light. They have shown clearly that an indomitable, unflinching will is so very often a characteristic of heroes. But that is not the proposal set before us today. The proposal set before us today is that unflinching will is the highest and noblest expression of heroism.
We have well-shown that unflinching will alone does not make a hero, and our opponents have confirmed such, and both my worthy opponents and my esteemed teammate have named so many of those graces and virtues that must temper an unyielding will for to make a hero. I know I have given offence in my questioning, yet I do not apologise for it. For it is no lie that the Enemy has a will harder, crueller, and more strong than any barbed iron. And many are those whose own wills did not waver, but simply broke, not through lack of heroism but by being put to a test far beyond their strength."
Once again theoden closes his eyes a brief moment, and when he opens them again they are glittering. "Much has been spoken here of kings and authority and law. I, above any here, am qualified to speak of that. I have seen amny a spear-thane fight and live and die, both for my land the Riddermark and for our alliance with our Oath-brethren, the people of Gondor. I have fought on the battlenfields before many here were even born, and I have had many live and die in my service. And in that time I have learned many things. Heroes are not just made on the battlefield. Heroes are to be found in the man who leaps in front of another to take a thrust meant for him. But it is also found in the man who jumps into a river to save a complete stranger, a woman who runs into a burning building upon hearing a cry for help. This is heroism, yet it does not require a will of iron, a will that cannot be broken. I will say this, as a king of a free people, as a king of a noble people. What makes men heroes is not will. That is a virtue, but it is not what makes the man what he is. It is not the highest virtue. Alone it is not enough. Alone it can lead to death, destruction, hatred. Indomitable will must be fettered, or another Dark Lord will rise. And so I submit to you as a king who has had many a hero live and die at his command, that steadfast will is not the pinnacle of heroism. The highest expressions of heroism are the things the Enemy cannot have. Not knowledge, but wisdom. Not obedience, but fidelity. And above all, not lust or infatuation or desire, but love. That is what makes a hero."
Gwendion nods, "My thanks to both teams. The judges will confer and the winners shall be announced at the Grand Melee!"
Date (real-life): 2011-09-10
Scene Location: Theater, Dol Amroth
Dol Amroth: Theater
The structure of this grand building is composed entirely of stone walls and floors of a smooth and largely unsullied texture, plus an ornate domed roof. The entire base of the theatre is also slightly sloped, the ground in the east declining via occasional steps that stretch across the whole of the theatre as it descends westwards, eventually passing down several meters from its highest point and ending at a small hollow before the stage, which seems to be reserved for players and musicians that might be involved in any acts.
The stage itself is a raised affair, set a meter or two above the floor and accessible via steps on either side, and its broad expanse implies flexibility for a whole variety of settings and uses. It also makes the the ingenuity instilled into the whole design only more plain, for even the simplest words uttered on the platform echo throughout all of the theatre with empowering reverb and clarity, reaching across all of the audience and even up to the raised booths in the east reserved for high nobility. The acoustics of the theatre can be altered at will, however, courtesy of the thick curtains hanging from long metal rails that run along the northern and southern walls, being dragged open or closed at will to dim or amplify the sound levels within, according to the needs of the performance.
Contents:
Elusul
Lominzil
Menelglir
Theoden
Calardan
Niphredil
Gwendion
Obvious exits:
White Town
After a brief applause, he turns towards the team for the Affirmative, "When you are ready, you may begin your opening argument."
[Elusul(#30120)]
Elusul rises, a piece of paper in hand. He begins his speech with a dignified air.
"Resolved: The highest and noblest expression of heroism is an unflinching will. In Gondor's long history, it has seen countless occasions when the unflinching will has been all that has stood between her and total destruction. Our main value in this argument is that rightful authority must be obeyed for the good of the many. Our kingdom's founding itself comes from an unflinching will when the Faithful of Numenor chose to continue to honor the Gods and defy the Enemy at great cost. Many found their way into his evil temple, but still they did not yield and thus were delivered from the Great Wave and its destruction. The Gods of the West and their laws trump the will of Man, even that of a king. Thus he and his own perished while those who remained faithful survived.
"Again we see with our first kings Isildur and Anarion the need for an unflinching will. Once more beset by the Enemy, our ancestors faced utter destruction. By their will to fight on, their valor in battle against superior numbers were they able to persevere and hold on against the dark tide until reinforcements were able to arrive from the North. Down through history we have seen this. When Gondor has been led by kings of unbending will, she has thrived and expended her borders, bringing peace to all her people. When the will to maintain Gondor was not there, her foes found her vulnerable and thus death was brought upon her people.
"But not only in battle have we seen the need for the unflinching will. The Enemy has sent against us countless agents attempting to cause us to swerve from our mission of defending the Westlands from the tide of darkness. If we were to waver only slightly, if we were to give in to silent whispers of doubt, of self-interest, the commonwealth would rot from within and all would perish. Even now, there have been questions of infiltration. Yet our unflinching will will see us through our difficulties and prevent the overthrow of Gondor and all her people. Thank you."
A nod from Gwendion, "The Opposed position, your questions for the Affirmative?"
[Theoden(#15851)]
Sitting at the table for the Negative is the Rohir that some have seen about. Now he stands, raising his head proudly. And it is none else than Theoden, king of the Rohirrim. His eyes flicker, and he nods his head to the opposing team. "Your arguments are compelling," he says, and his voice, though clear, is almost gentle. "And rightly you name the Faithful, who came to these shores and founded your great land. But was not Ar-Pharazon their king also possessed of an unflinching will? His goal to have everlasting life that he set his will unflinchingly, strongly, againsgt the very gods themselves. Was he not then a hero?"
[Elusul(#30120)]
Elusul nods in deference to the king of the Mark. He listens to the question and then answers, "No, not a hero, my lord. As we stated in our opening remarks, wills are often opposed, but it is the will that supports lawful authority that when it perseveres brings the greatest good to the greatest number of people."
[Theoden(#15851)]
"Ah. Lawful authority. Yes." Theoden smiles broadly, and his voice lifts, taking in it a nobler sound. "A king does have lawful authority over his people. But yes, if you must set conditions on unflinching will, then, I will speak of Gondor, a bastion of lawful intent, and Gondor's rightful kings. A king, then, who wishes to defeat a great enemy who wishes to destroy the people. An enemy such as the Witch-King, who has long sought the destruction of the descendants of Elendil. This, surely, must be a heroic ideal. Surely Earnur King, in his unbending, unflinching desire to destroy a great enemy, surely then he was heroic, by your definition? But is the destruction of an entire lineage and the rendering of a great land kingless.... truly ... heroic?"
[Elusul(#30120)]
Elusul listens to this speechifying in place of asking a question for what it's worth. When the question gets to being actually asked, he answers readily as if this very point has been expected and already considered. "King Earnur is an excellent example of when unbending will turns to arrogance. All know that Earnur was a prideful man who through better of his skill at arms than the welfare of the kingdom. Motive must be considered when judging his actions and how that motive applies to our value of the good of the many. Was his acceptance of the Witch-king's challenge his acceptance of a chance to rid Gondor of an enemy or a chance for his own personal glory? As you say, his line was ended, he left no heir. Earnur followed in the footsteps of his distant kinsman Ar-Pharazon and both met their end."
[Theoden(#15851)]
"Ah. another condition." Theoden nods his head. "I thought this was about unflinching will being the *single* highest and noblest expression of heroism, not that it must be attached to lawful authority and rightful motive." He clears his throat. "I ask your indulgence while I preface this question. You see, I know of a ruler, one who has long sought to defeat enemies who took his land. He has sought to destroy his foe through cunning, which would hurt only his enemy. Failing that, he has sent our champions to fight, that might decide the question. For his enemy came without invitation into his domains and took land without leave, and he has sought long to defeat this foe with single-minded dedication. Truly this, one who devotes his whole being to his cause, one that will benefit his people, surely this must be the paragon of heroism? Yet..." Theoden leans against the table. "Yet I speak of the Enemy. How is unflinching will such a pinnacle of heroism when he possesses it in such abundance?"
Elusul's face pales and he turns to look directly at Theoden and speaks warily. "You would set forth the Nameless One as an example of a benevolent king, the highest and noblest expression of heroism? Gorthaur the Abomination, Deceiver of Men?" Elusul's voice rises. "He has no people! His purpose is only to further his will through the enslavement of Man! Liar and deceiver!"
[Lominzil(#31527)]
On the side of the Knight-Admiral, Lominzil crosses his arms.
With a cough, Gwendion says, "And that was the first round of our questions and answers."
He motions towards the Opposing Team, "If you could bring your opening argument, please."
[Elusul(#30120)]
Elusul slowly returns to his seat beside Lominzil, still startled and pale.
[Theoden(#15851)]
When Elesul has finished his answer, Theoden but gives a slight nod. He returns to his seat in silence, his expression cyptic.
[Arathis(#30050)]
The Lord Herald stands, a familiar chastisement cast flatly towards Elusul. His bass rings out then, composed and deliberate in his tongue's spacing, with no parchment to be seen before him.
"Allow me first to commend our judges for a question most germane to our city's fate for in the wake of our incautious losses at Caldur, it is tasked to our noble knights to again consider this matter wholly -- of what nature is a hero's courage --, so that we may train our young squires truthfully, and trust that their wills as our next knights will not fall seduced by falsity into corruption and misjudgment. It is a great honor to be joined by the King Theoden on this matter but it is too a sadness to know that his wisdom and lore was not sought before, so as to stem our mourned losses in advance.
"Now, it shall be best here to establish our question: Is an unflinching will the highest and noblest expression of heroism? For it is my fear that my opponent countryman has patently misunderstood it, and that his arguments have thus inadvertently lent support only to our more careful position. When faced with the consequences of his charge, with lore's sad tales of the most unflinching wills -- of Ar-Pharazon the Usurper, most willful to conquer life of Earnur the Lost and Last King, most willful to defeat the ravager of Arnor past and of our Enemy, most willful to enslave the Free Peoples --, he is loathe to name a known villain or known fool a hero, and so finds recourse in claiming that these unflinching wills instead lacked the Rightful and the Good. I must here agree with him: a will tempered with the right and the good shall fuse any true hero but it is his due, I shall remind, to support an unflinching one.
"But I need not rely on my opponent's thinking. All here may, if they have not frightfully seen it, with ease conjure the image of two swordsmen before the Enemy. Let us imagine them, shields affixed in hopeless battle, both of unflinching will to confront and overcome their foes. The one, however, knowing that the battle is lost, forsakes his lust and retreats wisely, opting for another battle from which his Steward and Prince may gain the other, steadfast and without prudence in his will, remains to be torn by the Enemy's black iron. It is an obvious and happy impression to this Captain of Men that it is the first swordsman, master of his desires, who displays here the truest heroism and it is the unflinching will of the latter who, alas, expresses only the highest errors of a beast.
"Thus reason forces me to object most fervently to the notion that an unflinching will is the highest and noblest expression of heroism, when it is, as even my opponent allows, so often the highest and contemptible expression of foolery."
[Lominzil(#31527)]
Lominzil stands, staidly dressed, his voice professionally projected, but bland: "The Lord Arathis speaks of heroic retreat in the midst of a hopeless battle, a comparison of the wise shieldsman and the foolish.
"But to whose authority is the battle considered hopeless? To whose decision does it fall, amid torn armies and ragged standards, to let an army fall at last to the machination of the Enemy who, by the strength of his will, may decide that -- alas, there is no hope? Is it not the weak general who, having strove with powers beyond strength of arms and shields, quails against the unseen will of the Unnamed is it not the broken who flinches at last under overwhelming despair and want of courage?"
[Arathis(#30050)]
Arathis smiles upon Lominzil, and answers him decidedly. "No, it is not. The squire wishes to mark every retreated general a coward. Allow me to refer the young squire to our war against Khand, where a strategic retreat goaded our Enemy into overextension and eventual defeat."
[Lominzil(#31527)]
Lominzil inclines his head. "Let us speak not of tactics, then."
"I know the histories. I understand that Gondor was desperate, its king slain. Did Earnil prevail by a keen mind for strategy and formation, or was his victory driven by an unwillingness to break?
[Arathis(#30050)]
"You ask me to split the two wrongly," answers Arathis plainly.
[Lominzil(#31527)]
Says the Squire, "Entertain my youth and ignorance, Captain: tactics are of the mind a steadfast will is of the heart.
"And as this tournament was gathered to observe the Resolve of our people, do you wonder at why we have stood so long, against an Enemy seemingly endless in malice? Was it Patience, or Kindness? Is will not the strength that upholds our heroes and allows them to stand upright?"
[Arathis(#30050)]
"Squire," begins Arathis, gesturing towards the addressed, "I entertain the question before us. Let me say as you have, that tactics or rightful thinking is of the mind and a steadfast will is of the heart I then claim that a mindless heart shall make no hero.
"Your questions seem to guide, as if by King Earnil or by our very history, that somehow Judgment and Will must prove split. For what? If you wish me to admit that a hero must possess will, heed that I have admitted it already I had however added that it is a tempered will, such that I must deny the bifurcation of the Judgment and the Will, advancing instead, as I have, that the two are married in the figure of any hero.
[Elusul(#30120)]
Having used the time during Lominzil's questioning, Elusul immediately rises and begins speaking.
"I would like to start with my opponent's points from his speech. The knight-herald mentioned the shieldman who turns to flight rather than stay in the line though it means death for him. But our topic is the highest and noblest expression of heroism and it is in our society the Man who gives all for his comrades who is seen as the grestest of heroes. A Man in single combat has a choice to turn and run, but Men of Gondor hold the line against their foes with unbending will precisely because they know that such heroism is all that stands between the East and the peaceful westlands behind the bulwark of Gondor.
"As to my own points, it is suggested that we have added to the topic mitigating conditions, rightfulness, lawfulness, actions having good consequences, which allow us to pass over those whose unflinching wills have led to darkness and death. The hero's unflinching will is driven by his love for his comrades, his people, his country. His love arises naturally and his freely given. The infamous of history, Ar-Pharazon, Earnur, the Nameless One, all have been duped, shown or told what they cannot have, and then are driven to destruction by their greed or arrogance. Pharazon, deathless life no mortal can hope to attain, Earnur, glory over an enemy he had no hope of felling, the Nameless One, dominion over Middle-earth and all its creatures though we know only One Above All has such power. This is not unflinching will leading to heroism, this willful folly."
Elusul nods to the judge and sits.
As Elusul speaks before he is called on, Gwendion frowns, "I assume that was the rebuttal of the Affirmative. Now if the Negative would offer their rebuttal."
[Arathis(#30050)]
The Lord Arathis rises once more to the full of his height, allowing the pass of a moment to burden the airs ere he rebuts.
"I would too begin with my opponent's points," he begins, looking between the judge and Elusul, "if I were blessed to understand them, and where indeed they were meant to contradict my own. When presented with history's misfortunes, he has proven himself that unflinching wills alone express no heroism, as the Admiral is not fool enough to claim, say, that a swine before the troth most determined to gorge is a hero for it.
"For each willful villain and willful fool he has named new conditions that must calculate and temper the will, whereby the willful villain and willful fool shall no longer prove a hero: the will must be saddled by the Good, the Right, the Love for country, the Lawful, and all else that ranks among the virtues of men, he says. But then it is no longer a man's unflinching will that can determine the hero, being instead whether his will is a virtuous one for here is the truth of our argument's joint course: it is the virtuous will that is the highest and noblest expression of heroism."
[Arathis(#30050)]
With this, Arathis sits.
[Lominzil(#31527)]
"Men and women of the Free Peoples.
"We have seen throughout the history that strength of will is basis for the precedent of many noble and heroic acts. Gondor, in the time of its Kings, prospered beneath those who stood steadfast against the travails of their day, yet when they turned inward and forsook their resolve, the realm crumbled.
"Even now, we stand united against an Enemy of great strength, both in force of arms and in mind, and it is will that keeps us in our place, at our posts: resolve to remain firm, through which other things, like military genius, charisma, are wrung in times of need.
"Without the resolve to stand, armies crumble and kingdoms fail. Without willpower, good judgment, though virtuous, hasn't the support to engender feats of heroism, and prudence is flavored overmuch with fearful caution. Amid this, we agree that a being's will can be corrupted to malice or desire for selfish gain. Yet without a steadfast will, nothing arises, not even defense in time of need.
"Rather, heroism, which we are addressing -- and not successful leadership or good management -- begins with the desire to stand firm, for love -- love of those whom we must protect, and for faith of our brothers and sisters, in whom we place our trust and goodwill. And that desire leads a man, mere man among all the Powers of the world, to great deeds: that is the will of which we speak now.
"Those deeds are thus concentrated at this tournament of Resolve, and are celebrated even today. Let us honor those who have remained steadfast."
Lominzil bows to judges, Elusul, and opponents he sits.
Gwendion nods and looks to the King of Rohan, "And the closing statement from the Opposing team."
[Theoden(#15851)]
Once again Theoden rises, and he stands very still for a moment. Then he takes a few steps forwards, clasping his hands behind his back. "Our opponents have made a compelling argument for indomitable will being a defining characteristic of a hero. They have presented cases of instances in which an indomitable will has been the difference between death and life, between hope and despair, between darkness and light. They have shown clearly that an indomitable, unflinching will is so very often a characteristic of heroes. But that is not the proposal set before us today. The proposal set before us today is that unflinching will is the highest and noblest expression of heroism.
We have well-shown that unflinching will alone does not make a hero, and our opponents have confirmed such, and both my worthy opponents and my esteemed teammate have named so many of those graces and virtues that must temper an unyielding will for to make a hero. I know I have given offence in my questioning, yet I do not apologise for it. For it is no lie that the Enemy has a will harder, crueller, and more strong than any barbed iron. And many are those whose own wills did not waver, but simply broke, not through lack of heroism but by being put to a test far beyond their strength."
Once again theoden closes his eyes a brief moment, and when he opens them again they are glittering. "Much has been spoken here of kings and authority and law. I, above any here, am qualified to speak of that. I have seen amny a spear-thane fight and live and die, both for my land the Riddermark and for our alliance with our Oath-brethren, the people of Gondor. I have fought on the battlenfields before many here were even born, and I have had many live and die in my service. And in that time I have learned many things. Heroes are not just made on the battlefield. Heroes are to be found in the man who leaps in front of another to take a thrust meant for him. But it is also found in the man who jumps into a river to save a complete stranger, a woman who runs into a burning building upon hearing a cry for help. This is heroism, yet it does not require a will of iron, a will that cannot be broken. I will say this, as a king of a free people, as a king of a noble people. What makes men heroes is not will. That is a virtue, but it is not what makes the man what he is. It is not the highest virtue. Alone it is not enough. Alone it can lead to death, destruction, hatred. Indomitable will must be fettered, or another Dark Lord will rise. And so I submit to you as a king who has had many a hero live and die at his command, that steadfast will is not the pinnacle of heroism. The highest expressions of heroism are the things the Enemy cannot have. Not knowledge, but wisdom. Not obedience, but fidelity. And above all, not lust or infatuation or desire, but love. That is what makes a hero."
Gwendion nods, "My thanks to both teams. The judges will confer and the winners shall be announced at the Grand Melee!"
Players: Tourny, DA, debates, Arathis, Elusul, Gwendion, Lominzil, Theoden
Located in: Gondorian
