#c2e133

But backing up a moment, Fjord's decision to tell the Xhorsian rangers to engage.

It seems cold as hell and a surprising call for a Paladin on the surface. But then you recall it's Fjord and he's a paladin of the Wildmother--of nature.

Nature is often ruthless.

Cad is ruthless when called for.

And I'm sure folk with more insight and further in the story have runminated on this moment (and had more time to dissect it) long before my late-to-the-game ass. But I had that initial visceral reaction of "FJORD!?!" and wanted to stop to think on it.

Fjord still has that ingrained history of having been used by people and thusly expecting to be used. Always expecting a tradeoff or cost for every little thing given or gained. It will take longer to change his internal attitudes about that than he's had, if he ever does.

He's only fairly recently really internalized the the Mighty Nien don't see him as a tool to be disposed of when his usefulness ends. They're his people & he will put the Mighty Nien's safety above other people.

But even beyond that, the moment made me recall his conversation with Cad about "can nature lie?"

Caduceus: "Well, do you feel that nature is honest, or do you feel that nature can lie? And does nature lie?" Fjord: "I think it can certainly be deceiving. Natural camouflage and colors and poisons and deterrents and all sorts of things. But it's also unyielding, it doesn't change for anyone." Caduceus: "I never really thought of it that way." Unwanted Reunions (c2e088)

And it goes back to my first thought that he's not just a Warlock turned Paladin. He's a Paladin of the Wildmother, and that kind of ruthlessness -- for survival, for protecting one's own (be that self or family or territory) -- is very much a part of nature.

He may never change that ruthless and pragmatic part of him, and I don't think that contradicts his position as a Paladin and a protector.

Because stopping Lucien's goals is world-ending-ly bigger of a thing to accomplish for the survival and safety of the larger world. So it's also not unreasonable to put them having the best chance of success ahead of the safety of other people.

Survival and success to the Mighty Nien's goals meant trying to get that extra time if it could possibly be had. So Fjord made the ruthless call, hoping that the delay and the aftermath might slow them down, might require the Tomb Takers try to rest before coming in the cavern.

Ultimately, he is acting as a Paladin of Nature in the sense of what nature really is -- not just the fluffy, crystal-hugging aesthetic idea of nature.

Just as Caduceus is a GRAVE Cleric of Nature, and (for all the pink and flowers and crystals and tea might give some folk the wrong impression) the cycle of death and decay is a large part of his path.