OOC: I went ahead and started the RP for anyone who wants to join, I mentinoed it in a earlier forum, I decided to start right after your cast out of the city, and to write out the controntation in a story format, (I did my best to make them letting the priestesses live plausible not sure if theirs a better way to be fair) Try coming up with someone who would be there, and again note that an apocthery, merchant, or swordsmith could be as interesting, as a priestess or mage.
Be it for a few days, months, or for one or two of you, decades, you have worshipped the Dark maiden, done her honor, you know only so much of her worship, save only these things, she is honored, by by dance and song, discourages murder, and slavery, and encourages a peaceful return to the surface.
You have have prayed, have suffered, have cautiously sought converts, but always, lost your nerve when discussing the greatest hope, yet also a terrible fear in all your hearts...
Maybe their was a Traitor in your camp, or maybe one of you wasnt cautious enough in who to approach...
*****
"Treason!" the matron Mother spat fuming as you were all Bound before her. "You have stirred up Discontent amongst Lloths faithful, you have Illegally stolen, and set loose, a number of slaves, you have renounced the spider queen and lifted up a False and treacherous upstart goddess" She spat.. her snakeheadedw hipping twitching before you..
"And most Damningly of all, you have DISRUPTED a raiding paty, by giving Darthir advance notice of our intentions. How could you do such a thing to yourselves, your houses and your city?"
WIth a voice yet quiet, yet with far more noble authority, then the Matron Mother could ever hope to Muster Veladorn replied.
"First Eilistraee is NOT an upstart, and as for treacherous, I would say that alone of all the drow gods she is free of the stench of treachery" The matron was bewildered "YOU dare to infer TREAcHeroury against the great lloth, who has guided and protected us since-" Veladorn interrupted heedless of the consequences
"Spare me the revisionist history, "guided and protected us" Lloth is the greatest traitor of them all" even some of the others there to be sentenced gasped at this awesome display of bravado.
"the matron spat "Eilistraee Collaborated with teh Darthirs accursed gods the seldarine when lloth sought to-"
Veladorn, agian cut her off coldly "she collaborated with no one, she was a member of the Seldarine, she alone stood firm, of all the Dark Seldarine and refused to become involved in treason"
Others were going "HOW DARE YOU!!!" but the matron mother saw the dillemna... most cases of Heresy charges, involved vhaurenites, who worshiped a god they revered, mostly out of self interest... Eilistraeeans, on the other hand, worshipped a goddes built around conviction, they would not be as inclined to make pleas for mercy, on the very very, very very very, small chance, it MIGHT find a sympathetic ear from the matron. (or she might enjoy shocking a crowd)
The Dillemna was to execute such a blatant well spoken heretic, Would be to create a martyr,
she had but to look in the womans eyes, and knew she would get know wailing renunciation, no pathetic groveling... to torture her to death, could inspire others to if nothing else admire her courage, sure most drow might see she was stupid, and the blatant attacks firat on lloth, then open, undilluted PRAISE , of the Darthir and their gods, would only rile most drow, but some might start to put those prejudices aside, and consider her words in the light she'd presented them which, idd yes, seem rational on the surface.
Clearly one comparison she'd been about to make would be pointless at this point in time.
"I'll admit, I'd been about to make comparisons to you and your fellows to the Darthir" she sneered "But it would be lost on you wouldnt it, you might even actualy read it as a compliment You clearly view her as having "stood firm" when all else were corrupted, their will be little dissuading you"
With the same quiet dignity Veladorn said
"Matron Salara You can have us raped, tortured, mutilated, and burned alive, and we will not renounce our faith, we belong to Eilistraee, we may never make the trek we once dreamed of, but someone else may now, for our exampe will inspire them. And they knwo you are not invulnerable, that you FEAR us" another priestess drw her snake headed whip "ENoguh of this nonsense " and prepared to strike "HOLD IT" wasthe angry reply from matron Salara...
""This trek you speak of you mean a sojourj to the Surface?"
She said... thinking "this could be the solution... kill them you make them martyr,s give them what they want, and have them starve to death in some col tunnels, and their name will fade into the mists of time, and this resurgence of eilistraees worship will be a historical footnote."
she laughed then and said "By all means, go" everyone including the prisoners Stared at her her own daugher shouted "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?" she glared a look of warning which quited her
"By all means go, we will be better off without you go seek your mythical "paradise" let the drow know that the matriarchy has nothing to fear from deluded idealists such as yourselves.
you were taken past the boundries of the city and allowed to go yes, but with nothing but the clothes on your backs, and possibly one or two toolds you had at the time of your capture you must make your way somewhere to build a new home, or die in the attempt.
Step out of Darkness...
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NathreeDe'Shezbron
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Zyeke looked with deep sorrow at the retreating backs of their escorts. His scarred knuckles tightened on his well worn calcified mushroom staff, but there was no violence in his demeanor, only a deep regret. He sighed, and with a shrug of his shoulders, turned to look at the group as a whole. All of them had been spared by the "mercy" of the Matron Mother, but he knew the darker designs behind the farce. And he was fairly certain of the outcome as well. Exiling a drow to the surface world was akin to sending a rothe calf from it's pack. Granted it could survive, but the chances were slim.
He shook his head to clear away the thoughts of doubt. His was the life of a wanderer, and he had no concerns for the material needs of the body, his concentration transcended those base needs. He could go weeks without feeling the pangs of hunger or thirst, and he had forsaken sleep long ago for a sort of meditative state, even his breathing had slowed to such an extent that it seemed as if he no longer drew breath. Cold and heat were sensations he could ignore as readily as a soft summer's breeze. His knuckles once again tightened their grip on his staff, and an aura of calm emanated from this bald drow. His eyes roamed across the group, and in a soft voice that carried incredibly far, he said.
[color=blue:2j7kpvpj]"I guess we are on our own now. I suppose the first order of business is to introduce ourselves. My name is Zyeke Nautsinssrinil, I was not born to a House, and have spent my life within a small monastery, a couple miles to the south of the city. I abhor murder, and I shall not kill any opponent who attacks me. I would ask that you do the same, however I have spent a century training to not kill in a fight, so I know this is not a reasonable request to make. While I do not particularly devote myself to Eilistraee, out of all the gods the drow have given us, she is the closest to my heart."[/color:2j7kpvpj] He chuckled, [color=blue:2j7kpvpj]"I suppose now would be as good a time as any to convert to her faith, seeing as we will most assuredly need her help on this journey."[/color:2j7kpvpj]
Zyeke bowed deeply, and his loose tunic hung low enough to just see the lattice of scars that crisscrossed his upper chest. There was no pack on his back, so it was instantly obvious that the only clothes he owned were the set he wore at this time. In fact all of his possessions were limited to the things in plain view. If anyone checked, his loose black tunic held no magics, and neither did his threadbare pants nor his simple looking staff. Not a single ring or other artifact of jewelry glinted on his person. His skin was paler than that of the average drow. He sat on the ground, staff resting on his crossed legs, open palms laying on his knees.
He shook his head to clear away the thoughts of doubt. His was the life of a wanderer, and he had no concerns for the material needs of the body, his concentration transcended those base needs. He could go weeks without feeling the pangs of hunger or thirst, and he had forsaken sleep long ago for a sort of meditative state, even his breathing had slowed to such an extent that it seemed as if he no longer drew breath. Cold and heat were sensations he could ignore as readily as a soft summer's breeze. His knuckles once again tightened their grip on his staff, and an aura of calm emanated from this bald drow. His eyes roamed across the group, and in a soft voice that carried incredibly far, he said.
[color=blue:2j7kpvpj]"I guess we are on our own now. I suppose the first order of business is to introduce ourselves. My name is Zyeke Nautsinssrinil, I was not born to a House, and have spent my life within a small monastery, a couple miles to the south of the city. I abhor murder, and I shall not kill any opponent who attacks me. I would ask that you do the same, however I have spent a century training to not kill in a fight, so I know this is not a reasonable request to make. While I do not particularly devote myself to Eilistraee, out of all the gods the drow have given us, she is the closest to my heart."[/color:2j7kpvpj] He chuckled, [color=blue:2j7kpvpj]"I suppose now would be as good a time as any to convert to her faith, seeing as we will most assuredly need her help on this journey."[/color:2j7kpvpj]
Zyeke bowed deeply, and his loose tunic hung low enough to just see the lattice of scars that crisscrossed his upper chest. There was no pack on his back, so it was instantly obvious that the only clothes he owned were the set he wore at this time. In fact all of his possessions were limited to the things in plain view. If anyone checked, his loose black tunic held no magics, and neither did his threadbare pants nor his simple looking staff. Not a single ring or other artifact of jewelry glinted on his person. His skin was paler than that of the average drow. He sat on the ground, staff resting on his crossed legs, open palms laying on his knees.
A fight need not end with the death of participant. A fight also ends when the desire to do violence is gone.
Zyeke
Zyeke
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Kirintha the Fair
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A Male looking late middle agedcomes forward and says "Im Darcel, I hav3 no surname, I've never been affiliated with any noble house, or merchant clan, but I've been one of the faithful for most of my life, so I may have some insighs, I've also ran an Inn for some time..." admits then continues
"I've thought about some issues we need to decide on, its all well and good to say theirs no matron mothers amongst us, but we need some kind of leadership, furthermore, most of the priestesses I've heard, ahave told me that the dark maiden, frowns on slavery, and on theft, but how are wegoing to get resources on the way back to the surface? Charity is by no means common in the underdark..." he states the painfully obvious fact "and we'll need weeks maybe even months to make the journey to the surface, and from there, what? We'll need to obtain a variety of things, including food and tools. on one hand I have no desire to offend the dark maiden, and invalidate our whole reason for this trek, but its just as dangerous to hem ourselves in with impossible codes of conduct" he finishes seeming sincere and waiting to see if any of you have anything to say.
"I've thought about some issues we need to decide on, its all well and good to say theirs no matron mothers amongst us, but we need some kind of leadership, furthermore, most of the priestesses I've heard, ahave told me that the dark maiden, frowns on slavery, and on theft, but how are wegoing to get resources on the way back to the surface? Charity is by no means common in the underdark..." he states the painfully obvious fact "and we'll need weeks maybe even months to make the journey to the surface, and from there, what? We'll need to obtain a variety of things, including food and tools. on one hand I have no desire to offend the dark maiden, and invalidate our whole reason for this trek, but its just as dangerous to hem ourselves in with impossible codes of conduct" he finishes seeming sincere and waiting to see if any of you have anything to say.
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NathreeDe'Shezbron
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Zyeke nodded.
[color=blue:3e9ymyip]"A wise decision, we must not forget who we are, even in difficult times, or else we will never know who we are."[/color:3e9ymyip] He chuckled, [color=blue:3e9ymyip]"Are there perhaps, any of the Dancing Maiden's clergy with us here? Or did Matron Mother Baenrae's mercy not extend to them?"[/color:3e9ymyip]
[color=blue:3e9ymyip]"A wise decision, we must not forget who we are, even in difficult times, or else we will never know who we are."[/color:3e9ymyip] He chuckled, [color=blue:3e9ymyip]"Are there perhaps, any of the Dancing Maiden's clergy with us here? Or did Matron Mother Baenrae's mercy not extend to them?"[/color:3e9ymyip]
A fight need not end with the death of participant. A fight also ends when the desire to do violence is gone.
Zyeke
Zyeke
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Kirintha the Fair
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"Hard to say yes or no" one says a bit sadly
[color=darkblue:1oagqfwb]"we have some who can cast spells that only elistraee could grant... but do we ahve any fully versed in some of the ancient traditions?[/color:1oagqfwb] " sighs and shakes her head
[color=darkblue:1oagqfwb]"It could take centurys to peice the anceitn practices back together"[/color:1oagqfwb]
Another says "[color=indigo:1oagqfwb]We CANT Putthe ancient traditions back together" [/color:1oagqfwb]
sighs shaking her head CLEARLY considerign the other to be deluded
[color=indigo:1oagqfwb]"Were not going to be come the priestesses of ancient Illythir and Milytari, nor is such a thing desirable, were a new brand of priestess for a new Era, I say. in those days Eilistraee herself was little more then a child opposing Ghaundar, and vhaurens, corruption"[/color:1oagqfwb]
sighs a bit sadly before continuing
[color=indigo:1oagqfwb]"we dont merely need to sooth hurt feelings, we have to redeem a people who have spent all their lives in corruption and despair"
"I believe we can do it to... with a lot of hardwork dedication and trust."[/color:1oagqfwb]
she sighs before continuing [color=indigo:1oagqfwb] "We'llbuild new traditions though, traditions more suited to a new era[/color:1oagqfwb]"
Other priestes "[color=darkblue:1oagqfwb]tradition has a purpose! it keeps us in touch with who we are-"[/color:1oagqfwb]
another priestess Velador who had acted as spokes peson to Matron Salara says simply
"[color=white:1oagqfwb]Enough, theirs points on both sides, but we can worry aobut ressurecting or discarding ancient traditions, when things like a supply of food have been Secured[/color:1oagqfwb]"
[color=darkblue:1oagqfwb]"we have some who can cast spells that only elistraee could grant... but do we ahve any fully versed in some of the ancient traditions?[/color:1oagqfwb] " sighs and shakes her head
[color=darkblue:1oagqfwb]"It could take centurys to peice the anceitn practices back together"[/color:1oagqfwb]
Another says "[color=indigo:1oagqfwb]We CANT Putthe ancient traditions back together" [/color:1oagqfwb]
sighs shaking her head CLEARLY considerign the other to be deluded
[color=indigo:1oagqfwb]"Were not going to be come the priestesses of ancient Illythir and Milytari, nor is such a thing desirable, were a new brand of priestess for a new Era, I say. in those days Eilistraee herself was little more then a child opposing Ghaundar, and vhaurens, corruption"[/color:1oagqfwb]
sighs a bit sadly before continuing
[color=indigo:1oagqfwb]"we dont merely need to sooth hurt feelings, we have to redeem a people who have spent all their lives in corruption and despair"
"I believe we can do it to... with a lot of hardwork dedication and trust."[/color:1oagqfwb]
she sighs before continuing [color=indigo:1oagqfwb] "We'llbuild new traditions though, traditions more suited to a new era[/color:1oagqfwb]"
Other priestes "[color=darkblue:1oagqfwb]tradition has a purpose! it keeps us in touch with who we are-"[/color:1oagqfwb]
another priestess Velador who had acted as spokes peson to Matron Salara says simply
"[color=white:1oagqfwb]Enough, theirs points on both sides, but we can worry aobut ressurecting or discarding ancient traditions, when things like a supply of food have been Secured[/color:1oagqfwb]"
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NathreeDe'Shezbron
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Zyeke sighed.
[color=blue:1m2l4hsq]"All of those goals are admirable. However, they are also looking too far to the future or past. We live in neither."[/color:1m2l4hsq] He looked around once again at the gathered drow, [color=blue:1m2l4hsq]"It is true, those are the purposes of our pilgrimage, however, those goals may be too lofty for us to attain at the present. Therefore, let us focus on our survival and traditions next."[/color:1m2l4hsq] He scratched his bald head, [color=blue:1m2l4hsq]"However, that being said, we should not lose ourselves to the trials ahead, as our brethren in the city have...[/color:1m2l4hsq] He paused a moment, his hand on his chin, [color=blue:1m2l4hsq]"And we must decide now, whether or not to avoid cities. If we should try and pick up new converts to our cause, or head straight to the surface.[/color:1m2l4hsq]
[color=blue:1m2l4hsq]"All of those goals are admirable. However, they are also looking too far to the future or past. We live in neither."[/color:1m2l4hsq] He looked around once again at the gathered drow, [color=blue:1m2l4hsq]"It is true, those are the purposes of our pilgrimage, however, those goals may be too lofty for us to attain at the present. Therefore, let us focus on our survival and traditions next."[/color:1m2l4hsq] He scratched his bald head, [color=blue:1m2l4hsq]"However, that being said, we should not lose ourselves to the trials ahead, as our brethren in the city have...[/color:1m2l4hsq] He paused a moment, his hand on his chin, [color=blue:1m2l4hsq]"And we must decide now, whether or not to avoid cities. If we should try and pick up new converts to our cause, or head straight to the surface.[/color:1m2l4hsq]
A fight need not end with the death of participant. A fight also ends when the desire to do violence is gone.
Zyeke
Zyeke
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Kirintha the Fair
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Veladorn nods "All too true... we have to live in the present...I am against making any signifacant detours"
Others nod she sighs
"also I ask us all WHERE do we draw a line at what defines "losing ourselves"
"some amognts humans argue against wielding weapons under ANY circumstances... others that retaining more wealth then absolutely neccessary iscruel, as that wealth COULD go to the poor to help feed them.
Thething is are we trying to create rules for hopefully a new drow society, or for a new monastic community?" sighsand turns to you
"I mean no offense by this please understand"
is it permissible, if not strictly commendable to utilize theft, if its the only way to procure pvisions? honor cannot fill a mans belly."
"or more subtly, some could argue that sending in emisarys cloaked by illusion to conduct trade is another form of deception"
"We need to be CAUTIOUS with this issue. Its not unheard of for people to try holding to impossible codes of conduct... andtoget both themselves and others killed, because of an unwlilingness to accept essentialy superficial compromises. Though going the other way isalso bad I agree it goes without saying"
Others nod she sighs
"also I ask us all WHERE do we draw a line at what defines "losing ourselves"
"some amognts humans argue against wielding weapons under ANY circumstances... others that retaining more wealth then absolutely neccessary iscruel, as that wealth COULD go to the poor to help feed them.
Thething is are we trying to create rules for hopefully a new drow society, or for a new monastic community?" sighsand turns to you
"I mean no offense by this please understand"
is it permissible, if not strictly commendable to utilize theft, if its the only way to procure pvisions? honor cannot fill a mans belly."
"or more subtly, some could argue that sending in emisarys cloaked by illusion to conduct trade is another form of deception"
"We need to be CAUTIOUS with this issue. Its not unheard of for people to try holding to impossible codes of conduct... andtoget both themselves and others killed, because of an unwlilingness to accept essentialy superficial compromises. Though going the other way isalso bad I agree it goes without saying"
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NathreeDe'Shezbron
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Zyeke smiled at that comment.
[color=blue:2ufelxri]"I have taken the vows of poverty and peace. In the former, we are told to give away that which we cannot carry in our hand in coins of gold. And even those are to be spent only on clothing and food. I believe that theft is not the answer to procuring provisions, I work for my daily bread.[/color:2ufelxri] He shrugged, [color=blue:2ufelxri]"In all honesty, the fulfillment of a vow or a rule is the individual responsibility of the one who adopts them. The elders of my order have always said that we answer only to ourselves, and our inner truth will tell us if we have stayed true to our vows or not."[/color:2ufelxri]
Zyeke leaned on his staff, and looked at Veladorn,
[color=blue:2ufelxri]"As to the vows of peace... there is a dilemma there. Our order does not advocate meaningless sacrifice of oneself. We were all brought into this world for the betterment of ourselves, body and spirit. Therefore, your own life is not something that one cannot protect. We are encouraged to learn the arts martial, as a means of defense, however all students swear a vow to never kill an opponent."[/color:2ufelxri]
Zyeke pointed to a younger drow, who had a large sword strapped across his back, [color=blue:2ufelxri]"That sword, have you ever gone to battle without it?"[/color:2ufelxri] He asked.
The drow shook his head, and Zyeke nodded, [color=blue:2ufelxri]"And if it was taken from you, would you not pause to reconsider if attacking was a wise decision? Especially if I were to take it from you with my own bare hands?"[/color:2ufelxri]
Zyeke looked back at Veladorn, [color=blue:2ufelxri]"To me, that is the essance of a peaceful man. Do not seek to end conflict by the death of an assailant, however, seek a quicker resolution to the conflict by attacking their will to do harm."[/color:2ufelxri]
[color=blue:2ufelxri]"I have taken the vows of poverty and peace. In the former, we are told to give away that which we cannot carry in our hand in coins of gold. And even those are to be spent only on clothing and food. I believe that theft is not the answer to procuring provisions, I work for my daily bread.[/color:2ufelxri] He shrugged, [color=blue:2ufelxri]"In all honesty, the fulfillment of a vow or a rule is the individual responsibility of the one who adopts them. The elders of my order have always said that we answer only to ourselves, and our inner truth will tell us if we have stayed true to our vows or not."[/color:2ufelxri]
Zyeke leaned on his staff, and looked at Veladorn,
[color=blue:2ufelxri]"As to the vows of peace... there is a dilemma there. Our order does not advocate meaningless sacrifice of oneself. We were all brought into this world for the betterment of ourselves, body and spirit. Therefore, your own life is not something that one cannot protect. We are encouraged to learn the arts martial, as a means of defense, however all students swear a vow to never kill an opponent."[/color:2ufelxri]
Zyeke pointed to a younger drow, who had a large sword strapped across his back, [color=blue:2ufelxri]"That sword, have you ever gone to battle without it?"[/color:2ufelxri] He asked.
The drow shook his head, and Zyeke nodded, [color=blue:2ufelxri]"And if it was taken from you, would you not pause to reconsider if attacking was a wise decision? Especially if I were to take it from you with my own bare hands?"[/color:2ufelxri]
Zyeke looked back at Veladorn, [color=blue:2ufelxri]"To me, that is the essance of a peaceful man. Do not seek to end conflict by the death of an assailant, however, seek a quicker resolution to the conflict by attacking their will to do harm."[/color:2ufelxri]
A fight need not end with the death of participant. A fight also ends when the desire to do violence is gone.
Zyeke
Zyeke
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Kirintha the Fair
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NathreeDe'Shezbron
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Zyeke chuckled,
[color=blue:3dmfpi8d]"Nor did I say you must. It took me almost four decades to train myself in order to not kill anyone. My point was not the vows themselves, but rather that a vow is the matter of an individual. I beleive that the Dancing Maiden has chosen this specific group for a reason. She doe not sound like a goddess who would meaninglessly throw away her followers. I say that this is a wonderful opportunity for each one of us to sharpen our resolve and test the strength of our bond to the Dancing Maiden."[/color:3dmfpi8d]
Zyeke raised his staff, [color=blue:3dmfpi8d]"In any case i think it would be wisest to continue this discussion as we walked. By no means is the Underdark a place of disscussion and not action."[/color:3dmfpi8d]
Waving to Veladorn he started off, his calcified staff clicking across the stone floor as he walked. A sizeable group of the younger drow in particular followed after him, helping along the elderly who couldn't stand on their own.
[color=blue:3dmfpi8d]"Nor did I say you must. It took me almost four decades to train myself in order to not kill anyone. My point was not the vows themselves, but rather that a vow is the matter of an individual. I beleive that the Dancing Maiden has chosen this specific group for a reason. She doe not sound like a goddess who would meaninglessly throw away her followers. I say that this is a wonderful opportunity for each one of us to sharpen our resolve and test the strength of our bond to the Dancing Maiden."[/color:3dmfpi8d]
Zyeke raised his staff, [color=blue:3dmfpi8d]"In any case i think it would be wisest to continue this discussion as we walked. By no means is the Underdark a place of disscussion and not action."[/color:3dmfpi8d]
Waving to Veladorn he started off, his calcified staff clicking across the stone floor as he walked. A sizeable group of the younger drow in particular followed after him, helping along the elderly who couldn't stand on their own.
A fight need not end with the death of participant. A fight also ends when the desire to do violence is gone.
Zyeke
Zyeke