The Light of Dawn: A Readceran Morality Play, Part 1: Charity and Generosity

The Light of Dawn: A Readceran Morality Play, Part 1: Charity and Generosity
General
Equipment slot	Unequippable
Item type	Book
Category	Other item
Value	0
Technical
Item ID	lore_book_readceran_morality_play_1

The Light of Dawn: A Readceran Morality Play, Part 1: Charity and Generosity is a book in Pillars of Eternity.

Description

“

Characters, in order of appearance Man Male, a Ghostly Being Female, a Ghostly Being Beggar Starving Man Injured Man Setting: Empty field. No trees or buildings in sight. A man lies on the ground center stage. He wakes slowly and looks around. Two Ghostly Beings approach him, a male from the stage left, a female from stage right. MAN: Where am I? What has happened? MALE: Nothing has happened. MAN: How did I get here? FEMALE: You did not arrive. You are just here. MAN: What is going on? MALE & FEMALE: You are traveling. We will travel with you. They both reach out a hand to him, insistently. He looks at them, not sure what to do. After a few moments of deliberation, he takes Male's hand and allows him to help. MALE (aside, to Female): His soul is strong. This decision will be easy. FEMALE (aside, to Male): Such arrogance surely will be your undoing. They walk to the end of the stage and encounter a Beggar, holding out a bowl BEGGAR: Will you help the needy? Will you hear the call of charity? What will you do for those less fortunate? MALE: Here is a beggar. What will you do? He has no food, no clothes. He is destitute and will surely die if no mercy is shown him. FEMALE: Surely he deserves no mercy. Look to his legs - do they not move? Look to his arms - can they not work? Look to his yes - can they not see? Surely he can provide for himself? MALE & FEMALE: What will you do? The man ponders for a moment, then reaches into his pocket and drops a coin in the Beggar's bowl. BEGGAR: Thank you, kind sir. May your charity come back to you in turn! MALE & FEMALE: Why did you give alms to this beggar? MAN: I saw a man in need. It is not for me to say if he deserves mercy, only that I need provide mercy if I am able. I have the means to help, so I help. If he has the ability to provide for himself and does not, that is on his head, not mine. If I can provide the light of dawn to a man in need, it is my duty to do so. MALE (aside, to Female): He knows Charity, even disguised as a beggar. His mind is open. FEMALE (aside, to Male): Even those with an open mind can be closed down. MALE & FEMALE: Let us continue our journey. They walk to the other edge of the stage, leaving the Beggar behind. They approach the Starving Man, who puts out his hands in supplication STARVING MAN: A crust? A morsel? Please? Surely generosity will not allow you to stand by and let someone starve! MALE: This man is starving. What will you do? He is on the brink of death. Only an act of generosity will save him. FEMALE: What need has this man that he cannot provide for himself? Why should you turn over that which you earned to one who has done no such act and who deserves nothing from you? MALE & FEMALE: What will you do? Again, the man considers what he will do. He reaches into his pocket and retrieves a piece of bread and gives it to the Starving Man. STARVING MAN: Thank you! Thank you, good sir! May your generosity be returned unto you tenfold! MALE & FEMALE: Why did you give food to the hungry? MAN: I saw a man who hungered. It is not for me to say if he deserves a morsel, only that I need provide a morsel if I am able. I have the food to spare, so I give. If I can open a man's eyes to the light, it is my duty to do so. MALE (aside, to Female): He knows Generosity, even disguised as a starving man. His heart is giving. FEMALE (aside, to Male): Even those with a giving heart can be greedy. MALE & FEMALE: We will continue our journey.

”