Chapter 8

A booming voice, akin that of Sarevok's, spoke from the skies.
- "I, Tyr the Even-Handed, the god of Justice, hear a soul reaching out. I hear a soul willing to cast aside its sin and emptiness, and willing to embrace a life of purpose. Do I hear right? Tazok of the tribe of Rabid Raccoon, do I hear you right?"
Tazok almost managed to look pale, a mixture of fear and fascination on his green face. He was weeping openly now, and gazing at the vision of Tyr. It was as if his underlings and companions didn't exist for him any more.
- "You hear me right," he answered solemnly.

- "The children of Bhaal, strong warriors who won their dark nature, led you to see. So I ask you this, Tazok of the tribe of Rabid Raccoon. Will you become my paladin? Will you become the holy warrior of Tyr, the holy warrior of justice? You will have to cast aside your ruthlessness as a bandit chief, but I will give you something much better. My holy power to aid you. Will you answer the call, or will you continue your meaningless living?"
An inner light seemed to emanate from Tazok.
- "Me answer the call," he said.
A warm, transluscent glow surrounded him, and a man materialized in front of him. The man only had one arm, but he had the bearings of a warrior.
- "Then take the Justiciar, my holy sword, to aid you in the mission I will charge you with."
He handed the silvery, glowing sword for Tazok, who eyed it with suspicion and awe.

- "Sar," whispered Emilia. "I thought I wouldn't be surprised about anything but I didn't see this coming."
- "Shhh," Sarevok frowned. "This is an important moment."
Tazok unseathed his greataxe and seathed the glowing sword to his waist instead. As if on cue, he bowed his head, and Tyr placed his holy symbol in the ogre's neck.
- "I hereby charge my newest paladin with an important mission," the god went on. "Justice is a multi-faceted thing. Prejudice is one of the things hindering justice. As you remarked a moment ago, it often creates expectations and preordered mindsets which uphold evil things. It is justice to regard everyone an equal, by his own merits, regardless of gender, color of skin, wealth, tusks or lack thereof. So I charge you with setting up the first knightly order for the so-called beastly races - kobolds, gnolls, ogres, orcs, hobgoblins, goblins... the green-skinned, tusked folk willing to make personal sacrifices to make this world a more just place."

- "Me... very honored and stuff," Tazok answered gruffly, still weeping but gaining control. "Me will lead this order like me lead the bandit company.... only me not will rob and kill," he hastied to explain.
- "Atonement for past sins is also a way of promoting justice," Tyr nodded. "I don't think there will be great difficulty in combining atonement and change of lifestyle with the idea of fighting prejudice in this order of yours. "
Sarevok seemed also moved, and addressed the dumbfounded group of Tazok's underlings.
- "Hear the Even-Handed!" he boomed. "Cast aside your meaningless blunders, join his cause instead! Follow Tazok, for he will lead you to a purpose! It is available for all!"
- "Thank you, child of Bhaal," Tyr said. "I..."

But a hesitating orc interrupted him.
- "Me know you a big god and all... so you please not fry me or something... but... me a bandit cause me have no food and job. Me would like this paladin stuff all right but me have to eat, yes?"
Tyr smiled.
- "Follow me, greenish one, and you will not have lack of food or entertainment! Take up my holy mission, and everything will follow! There will be dangers and hardships, but I will not see you troubled over material!"
He made an extravagant gesture, and suddenly there was a feast. Two orcish ladies, as shapely as Emilia, were wrestling in mud and having a great time doing so. A huge boar was roasting on a spit, and a band of shamans and bards wildly banging their drums and playing crude flutes made their blood race hot in their veins.

- "You, children of Bhaal, I would ask to aid this new order by riding by their side and offering any assistance you can," Tyr said.
- "Sounds okay," Emilia said and smiled. "I am kinda fed up with people thinking I am a bandit."
- "Where would I be without my sister and doing her plaits," Sarevok sighed, resigned.
- "Me have a... divine perspiration!" Tazok exclaimed loudly. "The name... will... be... The Order of Righteous Tusk!"
There was a wild cheer, and the vision of Tyr faded away.