Here it is, just as I promised. A story with some form of meaning,
for the masses...

-Balance-
----------
I could feel it in the wind that day. Distant voices of some higher
power carried to warn me of a challenge to come. Or maybe I was just
dillusional and desperate for something to fill my time...

Either way, I felt as though something awaited my consideration.
My grove, that day, beckoning me to venture out only furthered my
curiosity. So of course I went. I travelled elsewhere that day...

It wasn't long before I stumbled across a conflict on the outskirts of the
forrest. A Paladin and an Infernal. I didn't recognize them. They must
have been fairly new to the land. Most likely opposed on some feelings of
"duty."

I halted my step for a moment, not bothering to meet their gaze, but only
saying this: "Have you the honour you claim, gentlemen, you will take this
argument to less...humble grounds." With that, I continued, hearing the
arrogant chuckle of one, replying "So be it Druid, we will spare your
forrest critters the entertainment!"

How pitiful.

I took the long way to where ever it was I was going. I decided to take
in the sights that day, actively searching for whatever awaited
me...when I came across the two again. I suppose the long way had given
them time to intercept my path on their way to a dueling ground.

"I will not allow you to leave here alive, cretin! You have insulted my
honour, but most of all, my purpose!"

The paladin spoke firmly but held his ground, not overcome with rage, as
most would expect from that statement.

"Purpose? Ha!" The Infernal retorted smuggly. "You are so self-absorbed!
Purpose? What *is* your purpose?"

Those words hit sharply. "What *is* your purpose?" I had felt as though
they were directed toward me, though the two had failed to acknowledge my
presence. They suddenly became less important as I pondered what had
struck my mind.

"To maintain the balance of all, simple," I answered to myself. Yet
I felt that wasn't all. My mind told me I knew, but I did not understand.
I did not understand what I was maintaining. What was balance?
Now that I thought about it, it was true. I never knew. "Protect the
forrests." It was more than that.

The Druids are the only neutral guild dedicated to balance. Seeing the
two conflicters, I thought about the other guilds, always opposed
due to their ultimate goals. Then I realized it was all neccessary. If
one guild ever fell...the world would become top heavy to the opposer's
influence. If the fighting ever stopped, we would overcome the world.
If the fighting were never opposed, we would disappear.

So many possibilities flooded into my small mind I did not want to think
about it any longer, only realize that the perfect world...

The perfect world everyone complained about...already existed. This world
worked, and it worked well. Very well.

Returning to my grove later that day, I finalized my thoughts and recorded
them in my journal.

"This world works. My purpose is to keep the gears turning."

It all made sense that day...
----------

I hope you enjoyed this composition, and I hope others will contribute
their works some day as well. The character represented within is not
myself, nor anyone else, but should rather be thought of as everyone.

Until next I write, I rest my pen,
-Shadow Bard Eternus

Penned by my hand on the 18th of Scarlatan, in the year 249 AF.