The Third Commandment

The Third commandment is, Let not there be Slaughter, only Mercy.

I spent some time serving as a Praetorian. I feel doing so truly gave me an understanding of how difficult the third commandment can be to uphold.

The mission of those who serve the crown is to protect the realm. Often times our foes may stand easily defined, and thus be easily targeted by our forces. To defend the innocent from those whom would bring them harm though is not the same as crusading through their homes butchering our enemies. Even though they are misguided, it is not our place to commit genocide.

To grant mercy though, is also something that one must do with fine measure. To be merciful one day, staying your hand from a killing blow. Could inevitably result in those you spare doing more harm. must stand your ground. An immovable object will harm those that throw themselves against it.

Let not there be Slaughter, only Mercy. To achieve this one must strike a balance. One must lead with a merciful hand, but be prepared to strike down a foe who may bring harm to others. In this commandment a novice might believe we are divided by caste. Alas this is far from true. As a Sigil or a Praetorian we must strike forth with the proper measure. Failure to do so can see your very own soul lost to the very darkness you seek to stand against.

Authored by Lelleiala Afearv, Sigil of the Crown.