In the distant past, a great calamity threatened all life. It began without warning. The very laws of the star were warped and broken, and chaos swiftly spread throughout the land. Faced with annihilation, we sought to imbue the star with its own will. Through prayer and sacrifice, the will of the star was made manifest. Zodiark was His name, and by His grace was the calamity averted. A savior mighty and magnificent, deserving of reverence and gratitude ... one would have thought.
Yet some thought otherwise. From the fears of these naysayers would rise Hydaelyn. As a counterbalance to Zodiark, Hydaelyn was created with the power to enervate Her foe. The singular ability strikes not as such banal things as flesh, but everything that defies the target, diluting its existence. For example, were She to strike you, two individuals she would make identical in appearance, yet reduced in all respects. Strength, intelligence, the soul itself --- all is halved.
And so they fought, and they fought, and they fought. And in the end Hydaelyn was victorious. With all Her strength She smote Him and His being was divided into fourteen. The selfsame fate befell not only Zodiark, but the very star. Into fourteen fragments was the star and all that dwell upon it shattered --- a source and thirteen reflections.
Those of us that survived the Sundering, few that we were, took it upon ourselves to rejoin the worlds. We discovered a connection ‘twixt Source and shard --- a flow of energy that maintains elemental balance. Disrupt the balance of aether on a shard, and it can be rejoined with the source. And thus do we toil to make the world whole again.
Your Starscourge is dark aspected. Creating such a disruption in balance is a delicate, tedious process. Yet have we to succeed in this aspect of aether though we have tried and failed.
Yes, and I am glad for it. So, you are certain of what becomes of them? You have done research?
If I think of it another way, in our memories or perhaps a soul being divided across two places . . . Yes, a memory returning to someone ends its existence, but it is also returning to its whole. Granted, I do not know how our memories exist without us. Could it also not be like that?
Seven times have we been successful, and thus seven times the source has been Rejoined. Memories I can not speak for, but I can guarantee their soul burns brighter with each Rejoining.
Upon full restoration would one remember all that they had lost before the Sundering? Would they remember the myriad of fractured lives that had lived or would it be a foggy memory, hard to grasp?
[He shrugs.]
Through trial and error we have made it thus far. And through trial and error will these answers become apparent.
You are doing what you believe best for all. But I worry that you are not considering the impact of your actions, only the results. I cannot help you in that effort, even if your research should prove valuable. The king, Absinthe, and I are not worth so much.
Thank you, truly, for your honesty. I know this is not an entirely trivial effort for you.
Do not. Long have I looked for a path of lesser tragedy.
[He looks upset, deeply so for a moment, before pulling his emotions back in.]
You would have them remain? They would live for nigh eternity should their souls become whole, their abilities restored. And while a long life does not make a quality one, would they remember, would they being complete begin to emulate that peaceful place, such conflicts, such wars, such brutality against each other, repeated over and over again, would have a chance to cease. Left as they are, they will give rise to conflict and tragedy without end.
[This plan has many, many grievous and very bad, bad problems. Completely riddled with them. Sadly, Emet-Selch does not believe that is the case.]
To pass judgment, to act on their behalf knowing nothing of them . . . I cannot do this. There is nothing that could give me that power, whatever my calling. You wish for something quite beautiful, but I have not seen it for myself.
I would still hold back. I do not have a promise that you will not use these results to your own ends, and I do not know if you would even be aware when they are used.
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Re: Day 188 - Early morning
Yet some thought otherwise. From the fears of these naysayers would rise Hydaelyn. As a counterbalance to Zodiark, Hydaelyn was created with the power to enervate Her foe. The singular ability strikes not as such banal things as flesh, but everything that defies the target, diluting its existence. For example, were She to strike you, two individuals she would make identical in appearance, yet reduced in all respects. Strength, intelligence, the soul itself --- all is halved.
And so they fought, and they fought, and they fought. And in the end Hydaelyn was victorious. With all Her strength She smote Him and His being was divided into fourteen. The selfsame fate befell not only Zodiark, but the very star. Into fourteen fragments was the star and all that dwell upon it shattered --- a source and thirteen reflections.
Those of us that survived the Sundering, few that we were, took it upon ourselves to rejoin the worlds. We discovered a connection ‘twixt Source and shard --- a flow of energy that maintains elemental balance. Disrupt the balance of aether on a shard, and it can be rejoined with the source. And thus do we toil to make the world whole again.
Your Starscourge is dark aspected. Creating such a disruption in balance is a delicate, tedious process. Yet have we to succeed in this aspect of aether though we have tried and failed.
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
You did ask for my honesty.
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
If I think of it another way, in our memories or perhaps a soul being divided across two places . . . Yes, a memory returning to someone ends its existence, but it is also returning to its whole. Granted, I do not know how our memories exist without us. Could it also not be like that?
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
Upon full restoration would one remember all that they had lost before the Sundering? Would they remember the myriad of fractured lives that had lived or would it be a foggy memory, hard to grasp?
[He shrugs.]
Through trial and error we have made it thus far. And through trial and error will these answers become apparent.
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
You are doing what you believe best for all. But I worry that you are not considering the impact of your actions, only the results. I cannot help you in that effort, even if your research should prove valuable. The king, Absinthe, and I are not worth so much.
Thank you, truly, for your honesty. I know this is not an entirely trivial effort for you.
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
[He looks upset, deeply so for a moment, before pulling his emotions back in.]
You would have them remain? They would live for nigh eternity should their souls become whole, their abilities restored. And while a long life does not make a quality one, would they remember, would they being complete begin to emulate that peaceful place, such conflicts, such wars, such brutality against each other, repeated over and over again, would have a chance to cease. Left as they are, they will give rise to conflict and tragedy without end.
[This plan has many, many grievous and very bad, bad problems. Completely riddled with them. Sadly, Emet-Selch does not believe that is the case.]
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
Perhaps if I can convince you of the trust of my word, we can continue.
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
[And in a swirl of purple and black magic, he takes his leave.]
Re: Day 188 - Early morning
[even if he's gone, just bowing to acknowledge him, and still uncomfortable when she straightens up]