: Ah, playing devil's advocate I see. Well, seeing as
: Ceiscoran is *immortal* he probably didn't die of old
: age or disease. And seeing as he's protected by the
: fiercest fighting force in the world, I doubt he'd
: fall in battle. And if he DID fall in battle, that
: fighting force, the Heron Guad would be a LOT more
: dishonoured than if he fell while they were away,
: right?!? It would mean they REALLY screwed up! It
: would mean they'd have to, like, KILL themselves or
: something, or at least take on a stiffer penance than
: becoming Jmen. Since they *didn't* become Jmen or
: anything more drastic at this point, he can't have
: died until they were at Bagrada, and then logically,
: Ceiscoran was the emperor that caused them to become
: Jmen, therefore he was the last one before Alric.
Why would the emperor's dying in battle alongside the Heron Guard be more of a stain on their honour? It would mean they at least did everything they could to defend him and were simply physically inadequate. It's going on a trip and finding out your liege was murdered while you were away that would be *really* embarrassing; you weren't even there to try to defend him. Also, I think becoming journeymen was about the worst thing they could think of to do to themselves. Suicide probably wouldn't be so scary for an immortal soldier; an eternity of healing mortals you have no interest in would be much more unpleasant. It mentions this in the manual; the Heron Guard chose to become healers as part of their self-punishment.
Everything else I have to say was already said by Forrest in his reply, so I won't repeat it. Again, I'm just being contrary.
--SiliconDream
