Empath Codes

As a member of the profession empath or healer, I strive to be an example of honor for those around me. None of us are perfect or in my case even near to it, but one can always have lofty goals to strive for. My feeling is that a healer, while not obligated in any way to heal others, we should be willing in most cases to do so when needed. Notice I don't say they should in ALL cases. Like others in the lands, we empaths like to socialize and hunt, and just be ourselves. While we ARE healers, we must be respected as multifaceted individuals and at times this is not what others would have us be. I myself have been prone to a thought-filled mood or wanting to hunt with a loved one and not wanted to get all scarred up since it could affect my hunt, delaying or possibly preventing the time myself and others have planned. I try to help those in need especially when there are no other empaths available. If someone were to bleed to death before me when I could have helped them but didn't, well I'm not sure I could live with that. Unlike other professions besides cleric, empaths have a gift that has great importance to others. One might desire an amulet, or a spell from others, but when a living being pours out his lifeblood and calls for an empath, it puts the need in a different light. I feel that the honorable thing to do in most cases is to realize that we are given a chance to give of ourselves, and that in giving, we are receiving a gift too. Helping others and receiving their gratitude and smile is a reward one cannot put a price on.  When you are on a hunt, it can be dangerous to heal in the field, many times people will ask this of an empath, or need a rescue in the presence of a fearsome creature. This is something each person must assess for themselves. Myself, I have passed up rescues when I knew I'd die doing it, or knew others would be fogging in too. But my own feeling is, someone without help, or someone I love dearly... that call I cannot pass on, regardless of the danger. The main reason to pass anyone in need in my opinion would be if in helping I would die and cause others to be injured for my efforts. A dead empath cannot help anyone.  Refusing aid as an empath is a serious consideration. It is akin to just killing someone although in many cases the person can and should be carrying herbs. I have refused aid only in a handful of cases. My reasons were that the person asking aid had hurt or killed a family member recently, or habitually and nastily stealing from working clerics and empaths. No other reasons such as personal dislike should enter into this although being mortals we all have weak days. I admit ashamedly that on occasion I have ignored one or two people asking in general for help for personal reasons.  Something many people and empaths disagree about is whether empaths have the 'right' to just come up and heal someone. This is a sticky situation no matter how you look at it. My own feelings are that when my loved ones are bleeding, I want them to be helped as soon as possible. I like to heal them, but if I were to tell an empath not to heal them, what might happen when I am not around? Perhaps because I have been around the bush a few times I see that training should not be a primary concern, it is much more considerate to give your friends and families health priority. I have had people say also that I shouldn't heal them unless they ask me to, now what person in their right mind wants to be hurt? I say if they are at the gate or a common healing area, they should button it or tell empaths they don't want healing before they get healed. Once they have been healed, sadly we cannot change that. Many times I wanted to give em back their wounds. One new remedy to this is for empaths to ask everyone if they want help, or 'call' a person using guildspeak. I have no problem with this if it is what all empaths in an area want, however I feel it to be tedious and much ado about nothing. Similarly a few empaths have run into conflicts when more than one fogger fogs to a downed party in need. I myself have been left behind when I fogged to help someone, and personally I didn't find it to be all that upsetting, but for those who do I say this... When you fog, know that it is possible someone has helped the party, if you can't deal with this fact, don't fog at all. Also if you see anyone fogging in and you are about to take a group to the gate, use good consideration and ask them before you leave if they want to join up. The golden rule applies to most anything in life, and truly you will get what you give in life. So give freely, expecting nothing in return and you will be rewarded with good as sure as the sun rises in the east. One thing I feel is good to consider regardless of profession is forgiveness.  I have had people say really nasty things to me, hurtful things which made me consider if I really should continue my trek in the Lands. Sometimes making me shed tears, I could easily stay angry at these individuals for life. I have found that a profound way to deal with this hurt is to let the person know you forgive them. This can be hard at first, and I wait until I truly CAN forgive the incident, maybe a day or two later when I am cooled off about it some. I take the next opportunity to either whisper to or take the adversary aside and privately let them know I would like to end any bad feelings and try to become friends. This can have amazing results and I hope that any of us in a hostile situation try it, you will be surprised how good it makes you feel, even if the other person rejects your offer of good will.