(1xp for posting, 1xp for talking about my subplot, 1xp for mentioning some of Chris' and Austin's stuff, 1xp for furthering the main plot a tiny bit.)
Woah... time sure does fly by fast, doesn't it? I was so focused into doing... work... for my new friends that I almost forgot to think about you guys. At least, until I received that message from you, Christian. Then, something clicked in my mind. That person you saw, I had seen her a few times before. Her name is Amelia. She wasn't really a close friend of mine before that day, but I had seen her around. She's a really cute girl, you would love her Christian. She's short, maybe an inch or two shorter than Lizzie, not really really good with heights. Red hair down to the shoulder, innocent face... but that's only a facade, I'm telling you. She has a naughty and tricky side to her, more on that later. Before I received your message, I knew her through the network of known ferals in Toronto. Found her cute and her fox form is really adorable, but nothing more. Then it changed.
Gotta admit here, I may have stalked her a bit. I mean, when someone tells you the cute girl he never met may be important to your life, you gotta try to look more into it, right? Anyyyyyway, a week ago, I saw her leaving a party organized by us with a strange boy. It wasn't a private party, so there was more than just us ferals there, but that boy just felt... off. You know, like when you go walking in the forest and it's all silent suddenly? Yeah, kind of weird. So being a curious kitty, I followed them. What happened next... kind of a blur, really, but...
Turns out the guy was a werewolf and led her to one of their Hollows, where others were waiting. I didn't hear everything, but I think they were pissed because of some ferals stepping on the territory of the wolves in the City and wanted to make an example out of Amelia. I wish I could tell you more, but I barely remember it. I felt so angry, so protective of that girl that I changed into my deadliest shape and faced the wolves. The rest is a blank... all I know is that I've been stuck in this Hospital bed for a week now. Broken ribs, lots of cuts. Official story is that I've been attacked by a wildcat, but I know better. I lost the battle, there's no doubt about that and I've stirred up the tense territory disputes between the ferals, the werewolves and the skin thieves, but I couldn't care less about at the moment.
The girl... I've actually saved her. According to her, she fled during my intervention, then called on the cops. The wolves had injured me a lot by the time the cops arrived and I've been brought here. Since then, Amelia has been visiting me every day. It's... every time I see her, I forget the pain, I forget my situation and I feel so good. Last time I've felt like this, it was... well... yeah, sorry Lizzie. Am I cheating on you? Not sure. I hope you still want to be my friend if this hospital flirt turns out to be anything serious afterward...
Oh... and Darrel, I'm not sure if there's anything you can do, but I think I may be on the wolves' enemy list, or something. If you have any tip to help me survive in a hopefully diplomatic way, it would be great. I don't want to become wolf meat the moment I get out of here.
By the way, sorry Chris. I know I'm supposed to be helping the world, but my live is a bit of a turmoil at the moment. Doesn't mean I got nothing new, though. My recording allowed me to film these ghostly figures on the lake. They appear in the middle of the day, which is really weird since nobody else saw them. They look like ghosts, but shaped like monstrous mermaids. Amelia has been bringing me a few books, since reading and watching TV is pretty much the only things I've been able to do in the hospital. I didn't get a lot so far, but my theory is that those ghosts may be linked to the Underworld, or may be trying to affect the minds of the people who are on boats in the Lakes. I will personally go there as soon as I can. Who know, maybe Amelia will want to go on a 'romantic' cruise date with me.
-Rick
PS: Your view of the world is interesting, Austin. I'm gonna look into that too.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Austin's Entry for February 2012
((Mwuhaha. 1 point for relatively on time, 1 point for subplot, 1 point for progress))
The confusion never seems to ebb. It seems like there just aren't any questions out there content to simply have an answer. Every question always has more questions, always. I don't feel like I have much time for charity, for love, or for sentimentality. Quite frankly I'm exhausted. You know what's a good something to compare me too? Those AI's from the Halo books. Spend my life thinking so much I forget to breath. Only ever seems to get worse, too, but I'll be damned if I start generalizing again; I can't afford to do that. If life is too short not to generalize a little, well, then I intend not to die, thanks.
But... progress! Progress of a sort! It hit me the other day. In the magical community you'll often hear the phrase 'Distance is an illusion'. While in the community of physicists it'll sometimes be said that 'The universe is a 3d projection, like a hologram'. For the most part I was ready to dismiss both of these claims, but then a few days ago a monstrous epiphany attacked me, and I thought “Christ on a cracker! These two go together don't they?!” I'd never really spared much thought for either concept before, but now I think I understand. If the universe really is holographic than certainly distance IS an illusion. You could compare quantum mechanics to the operating system of a computer. If there was a man living in a virtual world, and you told him that all his reality could be described with and is in fact composed of ones and zeros, he might ask how far apart they are, or how big they are, or where they are. These are all ridiculous questions. Or I suppose they are, since I'm not a programmer. But what I believe is that none of them could be answered, except to say that the ones and zero have no size, no and no relative position, just like atoms. You can't ever see them; it wouldn't be like those dumb scenes in the matrix where they flow up and down the walls, but they create the world.
And of course, Mr. Virtual world would not be moving, even if it looked as if he was. Nothing in his world could truly move as we understand it. I'm not sure exactly what you would call it; perhaps transforming one’s environment into one's destination. Yet this of course raises all the scary questions that don't leave me alone. If distance is an illusion, does that mean individuality is an illusion too? There has to be a better word to use than illusion, what could it be? The more I delve into ontological magic the more I find myself willing to forgive those who chose to keep their 'firm foundations' and cozy identities. Any evidence for free will? Nopenopenope, not yet. What even is free will, anyway? I'd give anything to just pick a path and take a side like I used to.
Now, to the matter at hand. I can't imagine what specifically could help us besides more knowledge. Whose god is rushing to our aid now? I know very little about the divine, but it seems to me like whether allies or not the... supernal... avatars, aren't exactly enthroned in this universe. Rather... though I don't mean to be dramatic, and while yes it is all just speculation on my part, it seems like the old gods, and in particular the 'outer' gods, are the true masters of this world. Effectively, anyway. My theory is that... these beings are so unfathomably different from us and so huge, that they don't even really notice us much. I suspect... though it's painful to contemplate, that they aren't even particularly malevolent towards us, no more so than when you or I wash our hands with soap to kill bacteria. That's how I think we should think of ourselves right now. We're like a colony of germs inhabiting a single skin-cell on great Yog-Sothoth's forehead. Even if he knows we're there, do you really expect him to stop showering?
Now, speaking of, what bolsters my idea, I think, is the frequent description in cultist literature of lord Yog-Sothoth and lord Az'sothoth as the center of the universe. Now, the universe HAS no physical center, so the only meaning I can derive is metaphysical, which is to say if the Outer Gods are the center of the universe, then they are likely in charge of the universe, in command of its laws to some... probably significant extent. Likely they stole the throne; seems to be what the stories say. Anyway, that's my theory. A... curiosity at best. C'thulu and his cohorts are of course another matter entirely, but... basically just trying to keep things in perspective. If you think about it, the situation is so incredibly desperate right now that there really isn't any point to be afraid. All we can do is our best.
Now, here's what I've been doing. I've never really been one to initiate things, but we're famous now, so I haven’t had to. I get to meet a lot people and have a lot of discussions. It's very fortunate that the Free Council doesn't play host to very many convention or super conventional people, plus with all the scary shit going down people's minds are probably a bit more open than usual. So... what we're after... is the Necronomicon. We need knowledge, and that book offers knowledge potentially from the very heart of reality, or close to it. At any rate it should help us to understand the danger better. It turns out the Deep Web does have the Necronomicon; actually turns out that's pretty common knowledge on the Deep Web. The pages are all spread out, encoded in packettes all over. Now the problem is, they're all in ancient Arabic. I don't speak Arabic; I don't know anyone I can trust who speaks Arabic. The question must be asked whether anyone has ever translated it, or whether it can be translated without losing too much of its substance. Anyone I might ask about it is crotchety and old, and probably has something like your ridiculous mindset, Chris: Bad book! Bad book! No! Shew! No touchey! But, sorry, I was staring into abyssal maws way before this shit started going down.
And of course, this is why I'm also looking into time. I remember, Lizzie, and I remember how back then I barely gave a piss about time. I remember I asked you once or twice what exactly made you so fascinated about it. Never got a clear answer; kinda' assumed it was just... a thing, and left it that. In my case I can tell you exactly why I'm interested: ontology. I'm not even sure why exactly, I just strongly suspect that time, and likely space as well, is the key to understanding the true nature of reality. Knowledge like that, for me, would be its own reward, and knowledge is power. Power is its own reward too. Whatever you do, don't let time and space meet up. You know what happens? A universe happens. Stuff gets everywhere. I have to ask, why Japan? Is there something I missed? Floods happen. Natural disasters happen. I mean the tsunami was only a few years ago.
Better wrap this up. If anyone of you know anything about how to get hold of a legible English translation of the Necronomicon, you know who to either go to right away, or avoid at all costs.
P.S. Ricky, I miss you. I got a cat. His name is Bismarck. He's really sweet. You jelly?
The confusion never seems to ebb. It seems like there just aren't any questions out there content to simply have an answer. Every question always has more questions, always. I don't feel like I have much time for charity, for love, or for sentimentality. Quite frankly I'm exhausted. You know what's a good something to compare me too? Those AI's from the Halo books. Spend my life thinking so much I forget to breath. Only ever seems to get worse, too, but I'll be damned if I start generalizing again; I can't afford to do that. If life is too short not to generalize a little, well, then I intend not to die, thanks.
But... progress! Progress of a sort! It hit me the other day. In the magical community you'll often hear the phrase 'Distance is an illusion'. While in the community of physicists it'll sometimes be said that 'The universe is a 3d projection, like a hologram'. For the most part I was ready to dismiss both of these claims, but then a few days ago a monstrous epiphany attacked me, and I thought “Christ on a cracker! These two go together don't they?!” I'd never really spared much thought for either concept before, but now I think I understand. If the universe really is holographic than certainly distance IS an illusion. You could compare quantum mechanics to the operating system of a computer. If there was a man living in a virtual world, and you told him that all his reality could be described with and is in fact composed of ones and zeros, he might ask how far apart they are, or how big they are, or where they are. These are all ridiculous questions. Or I suppose they are, since I'm not a programmer. But what I believe is that none of them could be answered, except to say that the ones and zero have no size, no and no relative position, just like atoms. You can't ever see them; it wouldn't be like those dumb scenes in the matrix where they flow up and down the walls, but they create the world.
And of course, Mr. Virtual world would not be moving, even if it looked as if he was. Nothing in his world could truly move as we understand it. I'm not sure exactly what you would call it; perhaps transforming one’s environment into one's destination. Yet this of course raises all the scary questions that don't leave me alone. If distance is an illusion, does that mean individuality is an illusion too? There has to be a better word to use than illusion, what could it be? The more I delve into ontological magic the more I find myself willing to forgive those who chose to keep their 'firm foundations' and cozy identities. Any evidence for free will? Nopenopenope, not yet. What even is free will, anyway? I'd give anything to just pick a path and take a side like I used to.
Now, to the matter at hand. I can't imagine what specifically could help us besides more knowledge. Whose god is rushing to our aid now? I know very little about the divine, but it seems to me like whether allies or not the... supernal... avatars, aren't exactly enthroned in this universe. Rather... though I don't mean to be dramatic, and while yes it is all just speculation on my part, it seems like the old gods, and in particular the 'outer' gods, are the true masters of this world. Effectively, anyway. My theory is that... these beings are so unfathomably different from us and so huge, that they don't even really notice us much. I suspect... though it's painful to contemplate, that they aren't even particularly malevolent towards us, no more so than when you or I wash our hands with soap to kill bacteria. That's how I think we should think of ourselves right now. We're like a colony of germs inhabiting a single skin-cell on great Yog-Sothoth's forehead. Even if he knows we're there, do you really expect him to stop showering?
Now, speaking of, what bolsters my idea, I think, is the frequent description in cultist literature of lord Yog-Sothoth and lord Az'sothoth as the center of the universe. Now, the universe HAS no physical center, so the only meaning I can derive is metaphysical, which is to say if the Outer Gods are the center of the universe, then they are likely in charge of the universe, in command of its laws to some... probably significant extent. Likely they stole the throne; seems to be what the stories say. Anyway, that's my theory. A... curiosity at best. C'thulu and his cohorts are of course another matter entirely, but... basically just trying to keep things in perspective. If you think about it, the situation is so incredibly desperate right now that there really isn't any point to be afraid. All we can do is our best.
Now, here's what I've been doing. I've never really been one to initiate things, but we're famous now, so I haven’t had to. I get to meet a lot people and have a lot of discussions. It's very fortunate that the Free Council doesn't play host to very many convention or super conventional people, plus with all the scary shit going down people's minds are probably a bit more open than usual. So... what we're after... is the Necronomicon. We need knowledge, and that book offers knowledge potentially from the very heart of reality, or close to it. At any rate it should help us to understand the danger better. It turns out the Deep Web does have the Necronomicon; actually turns out that's pretty common knowledge on the Deep Web. The pages are all spread out, encoded in packettes all over. Now the problem is, they're all in ancient Arabic. I don't speak Arabic; I don't know anyone I can trust who speaks Arabic. The question must be asked whether anyone has ever translated it, or whether it can be translated without losing too much of its substance. Anyone I might ask about it is crotchety and old, and probably has something like your ridiculous mindset, Chris: Bad book! Bad book! No! Shew! No touchey! But, sorry, I was staring into abyssal maws way before this shit started going down.
And of course, this is why I'm also looking into time. I remember, Lizzie, and I remember how back then I barely gave a piss about time. I remember I asked you once or twice what exactly made you so fascinated about it. Never got a clear answer; kinda' assumed it was just... a thing, and left it that. In my case I can tell you exactly why I'm interested: ontology. I'm not even sure why exactly, I just strongly suspect that time, and likely space as well, is the key to understanding the true nature of reality. Knowledge like that, for me, would be its own reward, and knowledge is power. Power is its own reward too. Whatever you do, don't let time and space meet up. You know what happens? A universe happens. Stuff gets everywhere. I have to ask, why Japan? Is there something I missed? Floods happen. Natural disasters happen. I mean the tsunami was only a few years ago.
Better wrap this up. If anyone of you know anything about how to get hold of a legible English translation of the Necronomicon, you know who to either go to right away, or avoid at all costs.
P.S. Ricky, I miss you. I got a cat. His name is Bismarck. He's really sweet. You jelly?
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Christian's Entry for February 2012
((Yo-yo everybodypeople. I finally got a chance to look at all-y’all’s posts, so I can start on my reply. I dunno how long it will take to write a reply post while in the field... I guess you will all find out. So I enjoyed all your posts, except for my sister’s that I did not get to read. I’ll respond to it next month I guess, sorry! And now, time to write. Fiction time!))
Hi everybody! It’s been ages since I got to use this thing. I spent an awful lot of time thinking about you all, but only until just now did I have even a free second to talk to you. It’s so awesome to have this chance, and so rare. I work very hard as I prepare to take my oath at the end of the month. That’s gonna be a... difficult time. Must not think about it must not think about it must not think about it... Oh look, I’m thinking about it. Fun fact: the fastest anyone ever prepared to take the vow was one year, and they never came back. I have to leave in a /month/, a month! That’s so crazy to me. I often feel crazy for being here, as though I am totally insane for giving up everything and coming out here. I miss my family, I miss you. I miss electronics and making out with all the girls all the time. Don’t judge me I totally did.
Life here is very hard, just like before. Perhaps not as hard as for you Darrel, since I do not have to worry about fighting for my life for the moment. There are spirits here, but spirits work /with/ mages. One of those little perks I guess. What is happening with the Shadow is interesting, Darrel. On the subject of time like Austin was talking about, I hear stories that the deeper you go into Shadow the more time is distorted and closer to the first days of Earth. Maybe you could go to one of these areas and ask a powerful spirit or something to teach you what happened when the earth was made. Ricky: don’t be afraid of the werewolves. Just stay away from their Hallows and they probably won’t even notice you. OH! Those new friends... is one of them a fox? A red fox? I do love me some red heads... has to be a girl though,.. just so we’re clear. And no fuglies.
Keep me updated on how those goals go, both the meeting of new people and the learning about the world. What specifically are you researching? I hope it uses your animal talents somehow... gotta put those to use. I can’t stop thinking of your red-headed fox friend I just made up. Tell her your best friend has rockin’ abs and has discovered the key to supernal enlightenment. He wants her number and his wizardry is the very strongest.
Speaking of wizardry, check out this awesome rote I learned today. I’ll tell you the words... the gestures are below, in my best stick-figures. Good luck.
“Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”
Seriously my favorite rote ever, probably better than I have learned before. It’s a prime rote, so sorry Austin for not being time or fate. Extremely useful. It’s supposed to help us learn charity. Charity is the love of the master, and the thing we need above all else. I’m not sure how well it worked... but without it, I would not have lasted this long. You guys have probably learned all sorts of awesome magic... I wish I had. All I’ve learned is dumb rituals and scripture. The scripture isn’t dumb, but it doesn’t help us much right now... And frankly it doesn’t seem to match the world around us. A world created by a loving God made for the glorification of man. That isn’t how this place looks. I guess this is my own version of Austin’s own psychological soul-searching...
I had a vision the other day, that was pretty cool. I haven’t ever had anything so intense before... and before you ask, it came from a spell, nothing supernatural or nothin’. A spell isn’t supernatural, HA! I was alone in the dark, and the cold. There was a mist of darkness, which clouded all my vision and made it impossible to see anything but my own body. I was holding something, clutching something heavy to my chest. I didn’t know what it was, until I saw Ramira. She was whole... but dead too, holding in her hand a little birthday candle, nearly burned down to the skin. She just barely reached me as it started to sputter out, catching the edge of what I was holding. A heavy wooden torch, with cotton on the end soaked in thick oil. It was wet with sea water, which choked and sputtered green flames as the water nearly drowned Rami’s little flame. That was when I saw all of you. Rick had a torch burning already, and so did you Megan. The light they had was faint, but it was enough. The flames were slow in kindling, but when they caught they really caught good, and the heat nearly burned my face. I lifted the torch high above my head, and in its light I saw the huddled, homeless masses. I had been studying lots of scripture, and scripture popped into mind. “Whoso has done it unto the least of these, my beloved brethren, he has done it unto me. I knew my torch was burning down, but I didn’t care. I stepped forward into the dark, and lit the humble candles of everyone I passed. A few carried torches, and those joined behind me, even as I followed in His footsteps, though I could not see him. “I am.” Said God to Moses. I think I saw a vision of the one I am seeking, the Oracle. She gave the last gift, the first gift, and the greatest. Purpose. She lit the first candle of the vigil, whose flame passed down to us. Just so long as we never lose track of our purpose, we can all keep that vigil still. Each to our own way of looking at it. We’re all one big happy family of Earthians.
That’s super important. Think about it... each of us has a calling. Darrel, the spirit world, and werewolves are yours to worry about. Don’t mess up. Rick... that hot redhead fox friend of yours... and the rest of nature. But you’ve got to save the fox for me. Man girls are so awesome. All the girls in here are way too old. Speaking of girls Lizzie, your duty’s one of the most important, and I wish I could help you right now. Helping those who cannot help themselves is way important. Back when I was still super religious, I used to think the Father’s Plan had a way prepared to save the dead. Well if there is a God, I bet he does have a plan to help the helpless, and that plan is you. Funny how someone so small (giggle) was chosen for something so important. I know you will not disappoint. Just remember that the Master loveth those that labor in His vineyard, and he will be beside you all the day long. You are doing sacred work to save souls.
The worth of souls is great in the sight of God. The life of a street vagrant worth more than the wealth of the richest king. You all have seen that there are things in the awful World of Darkness we live in that can extinguish men’s souls. Unto these must show no mercy. You don’t need me to tell you this Lizzie, but... save souls. I am sending you something of mine to help you with that. I have asked the Master of Fate here at the Monastery to enchant it so that it finds you. I know you will know it when you see it. It is the light that cannot be hid. It will burn for you and give light to all those dead in its presence so that the scales of death are lifted from their eyes. I wish I had gifts like this to give everyone... but this was given to me, and it is my duty to pass it to someone who can use it. Next time they give me artifacts, I will keep all of you in mind.
Back to what I was saying. Megan, I’m not sure if you are still helping us after the Arctic, but if you are then the far are your responsibility. Now there are two of us whose responsibilities are less clear. Austin and me. Humanity itself perhaps. If Austin awakens too, it’ll be great but also confusing. I guess I don’t know for sure. Maybe it’s our job to find out that, too.
Lizzie, you asked if I got freedom here. Not really, none. Not even in my thoughts. There has been cool stuff, though! Like experiencing shape-changing magic for the first time. Man that was wild. But not my main focus right now. Still, I think I may be forced to learn some as part of the oath, so we’ll see. I do get a little time to relax, like right now. I mostly spend it weaving tass: solidified mana... into different things. It’s fun I guess, but not nearly as fun as spending time with you. Remember that time one Halloween we went camping in my backyard and we stayed up all night telling stories? I miss telling stories. And roleplaying. I am sorry to hear things are restricted with you too Lizzie, and I wish you luck in your escape.
I was hardly reassured by your stories of what is happening, Austin. I am on Earth... the monastery is in a big American city as it happens, but I swore not to say more. There’s no tech in here... so lame. I’ll be able to use all the tech I want once I get out of here, but it won’t make a difference I don’t think. What I really need is understanding, not news. Unto he that asketh, the Master answereth. My question is this: How do we kill the unknown? Cthulu, Nyarlathotep, and the Mighty whose name should not be spoken. If not kill, then banish. There MUST be a way... if we need to invent one, then so be it. We will. But I am hoping there is some sort of baseline to work with out there. A foundation. But if we need to, we can always build one.
Well all, my time to talk is running short. As our group’s little de-facto leader I repeat the admonition: shine your torches proudly in the dark. Light others, because we need all the help we can get. I will be listening eagerly to hear of your lives. Please tell me how your investigations are going. Starting next month, I will be out in the world under vow. I am afraid, but not so much I am unwilling. Be safe everybody. Don’t die, and look out for each other any way we can. If you discover something new and dangerous, share it! Farewell to you all.
((So there’s my post! Hope it was okay. Oh, and nobody forget your exp totals on the posts you make. Mine was 4exp again. Please include it at the start of your post if you can. This RP idea seems to be working great, and I am eager for next month and my next chance to post. Also for the game Ricky, please get on that.))
Hi everybody! It’s been ages since I got to use this thing. I spent an awful lot of time thinking about you all, but only until just now did I have even a free second to talk to you. It’s so awesome to have this chance, and so rare. I work very hard as I prepare to take my oath at the end of the month. That’s gonna be a... difficult time. Must not think about it must not think about it must not think about it... Oh look, I’m thinking about it. Fun fact: the fastest anyone ever prepared to take the vow was one year, and they never came back. I have to leave in a /month/, a month! That’s so crazy to me. I often feel crazy for being here, as though I am totally insane for giving up everything and coming out here. I miss my family, I miss you. I miss electronics and making out with all the girls all the time. Don’t judge me I totally did.
Life here is very hard, just like before. Perhaps not as hard as for you Darrel, since I do not have to worry about fighting for my life for the moment. There are spirits here, but spirits work /with/ mages. One of those little perks I guess. What is happening with the Shadow is interesting, Darrel. On the subject of time like Austin was talking about, I hear stories that the deeper you go into Shadow the more time is distorted and closer to the first days of Earth. Maybe you could go to one of these areas and ask a powerful spirit or something to teach you what happened when the earth was made. Ricky: don’t be afraid of the werewolves. Just stay away from their Hallows and they probably won’t even notice you. OH! Those new friends... is one of them a fox? A red fox? I do love me some red heads... has to be a girl though,.. just so we’re clear. And no fuglies.
Keep me updated on how those goals go, both the meeting of new people and the learning about the world. What specifically are you researching? I hope it uses your animal talents somehow... gotta put those to use. I can’t stop thinking of your red-headed fox friend I just made up. Tell her your best friend has rockin’ abs and has discovered the key to supernal enlightenment. He wants her number and his wizardry is the very strongest.
Speaking of wizardry, check out this awesome rote I learned today. I’ll tell you the words... the gestures are below, in my best stick-figures. Good luck.
“Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”
Seriously my favorite rote ever, probably better than I have learned before. It’s a prime rote, so sorry Austin for not being time or fate. Extremely useful. It’s supposed to help us learn charity. Charity is the love of the master, and the thing we need above all else. I’m not sure how well it worked... but without it, I would not have lasted this long. You guys have probably learned all sorts of awesome magic... I wish I had. All I’ve learned is dumb rituals and scripture. The scripture isn’t dumb, but it doesn’t help us much right now... And frankly it doesn’t seem to match the world around us. A world created by a loving God made for the glorification of man. That isn’t how this place looks. I guess this is my own version of Austin’s own psychological soul-searching...
I had a vision the other day, that was pretty cool. I haven’t ever had anything so intense before... and before you ask, it came from a spell, nothing supernatural or nothin’. A spell isn’t supernatural, HA! I was alone in the dark, and the cold. There was a mist of darkness, which clouded all my vision and made it impossible to see anything but my own body. I was holding something, clutching something heavy to my chest. I didn’t know what it was, until I saw Ramira. She was whole... but dead too, holding in her hand a little birthday candle, nearly burned down to the skin. She just barely reached me as it started to sputter out, catching the edge of what I was holding. A heavy wooden torch, with cotton on the end soaked in thick oil. It was wet with sea water, which choked and sputtered green flames as the water nearly drowned Rami’s little flame. That was when I saw all of you. Rick had a torch burning already, and so did you Megan. The light they had was faint, but it was enough. The flames were slow in kindling, but when they caught they really caught good, and the heat nearly burned my face. I lifted the torch high above my head, and in its light I saw the huddled, homeless masses. I had been studying lots of scripture, and scripture popped into mind. “Whoso has done it unto the least of these, my beloved brethren, he has done it unto me. I knew my torch was burning down, but I didn’t care. I stepped forward into the dark, and lit the humble candles of everyone I passed. A few carried torches, and those joined behind me, even as I followed in His footsteps, though I could not see him. “I am.” Said God to Moses. I think I saw a vision of the one I am seeking, the Oracle. She gave the last gift, the first gift, and the greatest. Purpose. She lit the first candle of the vigil, whose flame passed down to us. Just so long as we never lose track of our purpose, we can all keep that vigil still. Each to our own way of looking at it. We’re all one big happy family of Earthians.
That’s super important. Think about it... each of us has a calling. Darrel, the spirit world, and werewolves are yours to worry about. Don’t mess up. Rick... that hot redhead fox friend of yours... and the rest of nature. But you’ve got to save the fox for me. Man girls are so awesome. All the girls in here are way too old. Speaking of girls Lizzie, your duty’s one of the most important, and I wish I could help you right now. Helping those who cannot help themselves is way important. Back when I was still super religious, I used to think the Father’s Plan had a way prepared to save the dead. Well if there is a God, I bet he does have a plan to help the helpless, and that plan is you. Funny how someone so small (giggle) was chosen for something so important. I know you will not disappoint. Just remember that the Master loveth those that labor in His vineyard, and he will be beside you all the day long. You are doing sacred work to save souls.
The worth of souls is great in the sight of God. The life of a street vagrant worth more than the wealth of the richest king. You all have seen that there are things in the awful World of Darkness we live in that can extinguish men’s souls. Unto these must show no mercy. You don’t need me to tell you this Lizzie, but... save souls. I am sending you something of mine to help you with that. I have asked the Master of Fate here at the Monastery to enchant it so that it finds you. I know you will know it when you see it. It is the light that cannot be hid. It will burn for you and give light to all those dead in its presence so that the scales of death are lifted from their eyes. I wish I had gifts like this to give everyone... but this was given to me, and it is my duty to pass it to someone who can use it. Next time they give me artifacts, I will keep all of you in mind.
Back to what I was saying. Megan, I’m not sure if you are still helping us after the Arctic, but if you are then the far are your responsibility. Now there are two of us whose responsibilities are less clear. Austin and me. Humanity itself perhaps. If Austin awakens too, it’ll be great but also confusing. I guess I don’t know for sure. Maybe it’s our job to find out that, too.
Lizzie, you asked if I got freedom here. Not really, none. Not even in my thoughts. There has been cool stuff, though! Like experiencing shape-changing magic for the first time. Man that was wild. But not my main focus right now. Still, I think I may be forced to learn some as part of the oath, so we’ll see. I do get a little time to relax, like right now. I mostly spend it weaving tass: solidified mana... into different things. It’s fun I guess, but not nearly as fun as spending time with you. Remember that time one Halloween we went camping in my backyard and we stayed up all night telling stories? I miss telling stories. And roleplaying. I am sorry to hear things are restricted with you too Lizzie, and I wish you luck in your escape.
I was hardly reassured by your stories of what is happening, Austin. I am on Earth... the monastery is in a big American city as it happens, but I swore not to say more. There’s no tech in here... so lame. I’ll be able to use all the tech I want once I get out of here, but it won’t make a difference I don’t think. What I really need is understanding, not news. Unto he that asketh, the Master answereth. My question is this: How do we kill the unknown? Cthulu, Nyarlathotep, and the Mighty whose name should not be spoken. If not kill, then banish. There MUST be a way... if we need to invent one, then so be it. We will. But I am hoping there is some sort of baseline to work with out there. A foundation. But if we need to, we can always build one.
Well all, my time to talk is running short. As our group’s little de-facto leader I repeat the admonition: shine your torches proudly in the dark. Light others, because we need all the help we can get. I will be listening eagerly to hear of your lives. Please tell me how your investigations are going. Starting next month, I will be out in the world under vow. I am afraid, but not so much I am unwilling. Be safe everybody. Don’t die, and look out for each other any way we can. If you discover something new and dangerous, share it! Farewell to you all.
((So there’s my post! Hope it was okay. Oh, and nobody forget your exp totals on the posts you make. Mine was 4exp again. Please include it at the start of your post if you can. This RP idea seems to be working great, and I am eager for next month and my next chance to post. Also for the game Ricky, please get on that.))
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Rick's Entry for January 2012
(( One point for on time, one point for subplot (moving in Toronto), one point for talking about others (Lizzy break and other's doing), one point for furthering the plot (Investigating the lake and having a cam set up). So all four points. I think. Yay! ))
Hello everyone...and Lizzy...
I suppose I would eventually have done this, since we were told to go somewhere and because I wasn't being the man I wanted to be for Lizzy and I needed some time away to figure things out, but I never thought Lizzy would just run away like that, without telling me in person. I don't really like discussing my private life things publicly and I'm only forced to do so now because I obviously don't have any other way to communicate with Lizzy. Who know where she is exactly now. Anyway, I suppose I will forgive her at some point and forgive myself for not having been right. Sorry Lizzy...
With that past me, now onto more positive things. So, as I was saying, I already was thinking on leaving the city to fulfill two goals. The first goal, as you may have already learned, is to learn more about the new me, to learn how to control myself and to be the man I once was for Lizzy. The second goal is to help solve the mysteries of this world of darkness that opened itself to us on that dreaded night. That is why I moved here in Toronto about three days ago. It's certainly different here, the weather is much colder. On a side note, the Lynx in me to tell you that he loves the cold and the snow. Must be his Canadian heritage, eh?
Luckily, I don't have to live outside. Thanks to the money the Union has given me, I was able to get a nice apartment not far from the Lake. It got a nice view on it, so I've installed a camera in my window and I'm going to film everything that's going on. Surely, I'm going to see something someday. Either that, or I will go crazy from being around all that snow.
I would, anyway, if I wasn't given a contact with people here who are like me. I don't just mean, able to shift into animals, I mean, real lynx people, like me. There are three of us and a few others of different species. I don't know much about them yet, but I have the feeling we will get along well. They've been really cool with me so far, gave me tips and make me feel at home. Maybe I am, it's part of my blood, after all. Maybe I will move out here when I'm done. I think Lizzy would like it. The biggest lakes in the world! :P
Seriously though, what's left... moved, ferals, Lizzy, the cam... oh! Last thing, I'm going to apply for a new job next week. It's more of an apprentice job, really, since I didn't have time to finish my course, but it's better than a minimum pay job serving overfattened burgers with fries with too much salt. And don't get me started on those soft drinks...
I think that's all!
-Rick
PS: Oh, wait, how could I forget! I've talked so much about me, I forgot to talk about you guys. I know it's a pain to have you all so far away, it's a world of difference compared to the game nights of old. I'm sure you will be strong Christian, you have always been, that's why you always led our games. Austin, don't try to overthink things too much, ok? I know you're in a Free place, but being free doesn't meant being silly and irresponsible, :P Lizzy... you know I want to say, so... good luck over there in Japan. I hope your geist is having fun around all that water. (Kiss) And the others, I hope to hear from you guys soon, I'm getting worried.
Hello everyone...and Lizzy...
I suppose I would eventually have done this, since we were told to go somewhere and because I wasn't being the man I wanted to be for Lizzy and I needed some time away to figure things out, but I never thought Lizzy would just run away like that, without telling me in person. I don't really like discussing my private life things publicly and I'm only forced to do so now because I obviously don't have any other way to communicate with Lizzy. Who know where she is exactly now. Anyway, I suppose I will forgive her at some point and forgive myself for not having been right. Sorry Lizzy...
With that past me, now onto more positive things. So, as I was saying, I already was thinking on leaving the city to fulfill two goals. The first goal, as you may have already learned, is to learn more about the new me, to learn how to control myself and to be the man I once was for Lizzy. The second goal is to help solve the mysteries of this world of darkness that opened itself to us on that dreaded night. That is why I moved here in Toronto about three days ago. It's certainly different here, the weather is much colder. On a side note, the Lynx in me to tell you that he loves the cold and the snow. Must be his Canadian heritage, eh?
Luckily, I don't have to live outside. Thanks to the money the Union has given me, I was able to get a nice apartment not far from the Lake. It got a nice view on it, so I've installed a camera in my window and I'm going to film everything that's going on. Surely, I'm going to see something someday. Either that, or I will go crazy from being around all that snow.
I would, anyway, if I wasn't given a contact with people here who are like me. I don't just mean, able to shift into animals, I mean, real lynx people, like me. There are three of us and a few others of different species. I don't know much about them yet, but I have the feeling we will get along well. They've been really cool with me so far, gave me tips and make me feel at home. Maybe I am, it's part of my blood, after all. Maybe I will move out here when I'm done. I think Lizzy would like it. The biggest lakes in the world! :P
Seriously though, what's left... moved, ferals, Lizzy, the cam... oh! Last thing, I'm going to apply for a new job next week. It's more of an apprentice job, really, since I didn't have time to finish my course, but it's better than a minimum pay job serving overfattened burgers with fries with too much salt. And don't get me started on those soft drinks...
I think that's all!
-Rick
PS: Oh, wait, how could I forget! I've talked so much about me, I forgot to talk about you guys. I know it's a pain to have you all so far away, it's a world of difference compared to the game nights of old. I'm sure you will be strong Christian, you have always been, that's why you always led our games. Austin, don't try to overthink things too much, ok? I know you're in a Free place, but being free doesn't meant being silly and irresponsible, :P Lizzy... you know I want to say, so... good luck over there in Japan. I hope your geist is having fun around all that water. (Kiss) And the others, I hope to hear from you guys soon, I'm getting worried.
Lizzie's Entry for January 2012
((Sorry for preempting you Ricky, but I wanted to include this post in my letter to Kris today.
1exp on time + 1exp subplot +1exp referencing others +1exp goal progress = 4exp))
Hey guys, good to see this is working out. Nice to be able to keep in touch, even if I don’t completely understand how this works. I suppose I should tell you what I’ve been up to, though. It might be important.
Well, first of all, the Dim Suns aren’t nearly as strict as any of those mage orders, and I’m quite happy for that. I don’t know how long I’d be able to last just doing chores and meditation all the time. Don’t you get any time to relax, Christian? Any freedom? I suppose not now with that oath you took. Living as a street urchin doesn’t sound that relaxing at all. Now if it were a sea urchin maybe… but I digress.
The Free Council doesn’t sound much better, but I’m not sure what your role in it exactly is, Austin. Good luck with your studies, though. I dunno if you remember, but time magic was something that really interested me when we first started our group. Well, magic and technology, but we weren’t exactly out there looking for mad scientists. Although, these days… I’ve heard some interesting rumors among the Krewe about people who are able to give life to dead flesh. It’s only rumors, though. With everything that’s come into the light recently, I’m sure someone in the Union would’ve noticed if there was a modern-day Frankenstein running around.
I still haven’t gotten around to actually telling you what I’ve been doing recently, have I. Well, I still haven’t gone through with the ceremony to join the Dim Suns for real, despite how much they keep bugging me to do so. Stupid legends about us. I don’t want all this attention. I suppose there’s nothing for it, though. I get away when I can, but they seem to be keeping an eye on me more often. I’m not sure if they’re worried about something happening to me, or if they want to be there when I do something.
One thing you guys might be interested in… I visited the caves the other day where we originally encountered the cultists. The place where Ramira… Anyways, there wasn’t much there anymore, but we did find traces of it being a low place. You know, like in the sub-basement of our headquarters, where the world is closest to the Underworld and you can often find or make an Avernian Gate. Anyways, there were definite signs that a Gate was there, but we couldn’t open it. Jade thinks maybe we need to actually have the key, despite the fact Sin-Eaters can open Gates without the key. All the same, I’m taking this as a good sign. It means Rami might’ve gotten pulled into the Underworld, and not some alien plane of existence after all. We just need to figure out how to actually open the Gate.
I’m not sure where to start looking, so I’m just going to get away for awhile. Maybe try to escape my Dim Suns bodyguards. I’ll head to Japan and investigate that flood. If anything, I’ll be able to help with the victims, and any members of the Krewe out there will probably be too busy doing the same to notice me. I hope you don’t mind, Ricky. I know things have been a bit tense between us recently, so… maybe some time apart will help us both cool off. Hades knows I need a change of scenery anyways.
I’ll be sure to keep in touch no matter where I end up, and I know everyone else will do the same. I doubt I’ll really be gone that long anyways, but still. Until next time everyone!
-Lizzie
Monday, January 2, 2012
Austin's Entry for January 2012
Signin on
Well Chris I honestly feel like I understand less now about what you're trying to achieve out there then I did before you wrote us. An oath like that seems particularly pointless; I look forward to hearing all manner of fascinating stories which I will be given exactly no semi-empirical reason to believe... besides the fact that I trust you, of course. Still I've gathered the Order has a solid, reliable background if nothing else. I'm not sure about the others at the moment. As for me I'm currently trying to take stock of what's going on here on Earth, for now. Presumably that's not where you are. You really wouldn't believe the kind of hysterics going on right now; not outright panic, it's more subtle than that. Every prejudice and superstition anyone has ever held has been reinforced ten-fold the past few months, and there is understandable widespread hoarding of perishables and water. There are also rampant arrests and confusion amongst the police and military. Society isn't exactly unraveling, nor does it seem like it's about to, but anything might happen and we're as powerless to do anything about it as ever. T'is the emergent order.
My priority of late has been the Council. It's a shame how well democrats fit in here and feel so at home. For all its commitment to the dissemination of truth the FC has revealed itself to be overwhelmingly communist in sentiment, or at least populist, which actually shouldn't be too surprising. Yet at the same time there are definitely people like me, here, perhaps all of them; people the other orders would have immediately spat out. I'm making friends, and we're all putting out feelers and trying to figure out what exactly we ought to do. Seems pretty obvious to me that all we really can do for now is learn and stay on our toes. Intellectual minorities stand to benefit the most from Magic; now that I've had some time to brood it's literally impossible for me not to expend at least some of my energy conceiving of ways to use theosophic knowledge and power to frustrate the political class.
So alright... it's been a bit difficult. My mentors tell me I have not truly awoken, but I continue to study. I've taken a fascination with the arcanum of Time and Fate since they were most intriguing and disturbing. We stand to potentially answer once and for all the question of free will (violent shudder).Yet there is also probably Ontological wisdom to be sought in this field. It seems to me that at the center of our prosaic understanding of existence is a logical fallacy; either existence has to have always existed (impossible) or it must have been created (impossible). One of these must be true, even if both seem impossible. I don't know what exactly I stand to gain in terms of applied spell-weaving assuming I even make it that far. There are probably so many more immediately practical things to learn, and I DO try to stay diversified somewhat... but, well finding out how to shapeshift has become quite a high priority as well. Anyway this arcanum frightened me the most, and I have become irresistibly drawn to it, and yet of course knowledge IS power.
Anyway again, clearly I've been just waiting for an opportunity to go on and on about myself. I'm missing you all. No matter who I'm around I feel lonely without you chaps. It was always nice after a ridiculous day full of dregs and drones, to come home to the feeling of “Ahh... real people.” Keep me posted. I'm as anxious for insights of any kind as much as Chris.
Well Chris I honestly feel like I understand less now about what you're trying to achieve out there then I did before you wrote us. An oath like that seems particularly pointless; I look forward to hearing all manner of fascinating stories which I will be given exactly no semi-empirical reason to believe... besides the fact that I trust you, of course. Still I've gathered the Order has a solid, reliable background if nothing else. I'm not sure about the others at the moment. As for me I'm currently trying to take stock of what's going on here on Earth, for now. Presumably that's not where you are. You really wouldn't believe the kind of hysterics going on right now; not outright panic, it's more subtle than that. Every prejudice and superstition anyone has ever held has been reinforced ten-fold the past few months, and there is understandable widespread hoarding of perishables and water. There are also rampant arrests and confusion amongst the police and military. Society isn't exactly unraveling, nor does it seem like it's about to, but anything might happen and we're as powerless to do anything about it as ever. T'is the emergent order.
My priority of late has been the Council. It's a shame how well democrats fit in here and feel so at home. For all its commitment to the dissemination of truth the FC has revealed itself to be overwhelmingly communist in sentiment, or at least populist, which actually shouldn't be too surprising. Yet at the same time there are definitely people like me, here, perhaps all of them; people the other orders would have immediately spat out. I'm making friends, and we're all putting out feelers and trying to figure out what exactly we ought to do. Seems pretty obvious to me that all we really can do for now is learn and stay on our toes. Intellectual minorities stand to benefit the most from Magic; now that I've had some time to brood it's literally impossible for me not to expend at least some of my energy conceiving of ways to use theosophic knowledge and power to frustrate the political class.
So alright... it's been a bit difficult. My mentors tell me I have not truly awoken, but I continue to study. I've taken a fascination with the arcanum of Time and Fate since they were most intriguing and disturbing. We stand to potentially answer once and for all the question of free will (violent shudder).Yet there is also probably Ontological wisdom to be sought in this field. It seems to me that at the center of our prosaic understanding of existence is a logical fallacy; either existence has to have always existed (impossible) or it must have been created (impossible). One of these must be true, even if both seem impossible. I don't know what exactly I stand to gain in terms of applied spell-weaving assuming I even make it that far. There are probably so many more immediately practical things to learn, and I DO try to stay diversified somewhat... but, well finding out how to shapeshift has become quite a high priority as well. Anyway this arcanum frightened me the most, and I have become irresistibly drawn to it, and yet of course knowledge IS power.
Anyway again, clearly I've been just waiting for an opportunity to go on and on about myself. I'm missing you all. No matter who I'm around I feel lonely without you chaps. It was always nice after a ridiculous day full of dregs and drones, to come home to the feeling of “Ahh... real people.” Keep me posted. I'm as anxious for insights of any kind as much as Chris.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Christian's Entry for January 2012
((OOC: Hi everybody! It's been awhile, I know. But I need to stay on topic here with my post. So like every post you guys do, please start your post with a total of the exp earned by your post. For instance: 1exp on time, 1exp subplot, 1exp included stuff from other people's, 1exp progress towards goal = 4exp))
Hey everybody. I apologize for taking so long to write; you have no idea how busy I have been. You'd think that the Free Council would be more of a party Order, but as it stands, it seems that my time has been extremely limited.
Don't anyone think that I am not committed to our cause: Believe me. I was there that night we fought the Deep Ones. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the stand we made against the shoggoths. I hope anyone reading this will be sensitive to my ability ( or lack there of) to write to you all. I do want to let you know how things are going, and especially tell you all everything in case something is relevant to what you all are doing.
So, I joined “the Carpenter’s order” the day we got back from Antarctica, and none of you have seen me since, not even my family. It’s quite the commitment to join the Order, but a commitment well worth it I think. You will understand when I tell you what I hope to learn here and what I hope to win to our cause. My gosh where to start...
How about how I live? That’s a nice place to start I think. Life here is... very hard. No electronics, no music, no fun. All we do here is serve: following the example of the greatest master who ever lived. I spend hours reading from dusty tomes, and hours more waxing floors, shoveling snow... and uncountable other things. I subjected myself to all of it, and still do... I read and heard from all that only a call of the Oracles could unite the Orders, and this is the only of the Legacies that knows the first things about how to find one. I would not resist if I had to spend two years to find out if they even exist... at least I would if I could. But we don’t know a thing about when the Old Gods will return. We have no clue what time and day it will be. I might not have two years. The fastest any apprentice has climbed the ranks of his order is five years. I am hoping to accomplish the same in just that many months. MONTHS! Crazy, I know, but that’s how these things work. We’re special... not just me, all of you... and I have moved more swiftly through the ranks than any other apprentices. Not because they just flipped a switch, but because I am genuinely getting the material. It’s so similar to what I had in religion that I understand it without too much trouble.
I hate being so cut off from the real world here, despite how nice everybody is. Real world things are happening, and I bet they matter to our investigations! Did any of you hear anything about some huge storm that flooded Tokyo? What about those weird crustacean bodies washing to shore on the great lakes, then vanishing later on? What about all those tweenage kids going missing in NYC? Somebody has to know more, and if not, they must be looked into. If there is other notable news anybody knows about PLEASE TELL ME! I want to know everything that you’ve learned, especially if it is relevant to our investigations.
So this next month is going to be the start of a really hard time for me. Has anyone here heard of the “Vow of Stranger?” It’s an awful thing... the worst. But in order to be initiated into the order I MUST stay a stranger until I make those I care about know me. I really don’t know what that means, but I do know the words of the spell. The rote, the vow... whatever that means.
“I am not myself. I die today to be reborn the day my soul is real without its body. I am the faceless stranger now. The orphan and the beggar. The prostitute and the thief. I will be in their world, I will know their wisdom. In my anonymity I will also know the unknown, though I will hide behind different eyes”
There are many here like me which have never made this covenant before, and they’re all pretty ordinary. There are few that have made this promise and still came back, and they all bear some scarring. Some of them seem a little insane, while others are missing limbs or otherwise physically disabled. Creepy stuff. When you make the promise, you swear never to talk about how you learn things, only what you learn. So I will never be able to give specifics about what happens to me... nothing you could use to positively identify me. Suffice it to say that there are some parts that don’t seem so bad, though you’d laugh if I told you what those were.
So I won’t mention them. Instead I’ll tell you about a legend I head about while living here, a bit of interesting lore that might be important yo us. When the world first began, there were no other races. There was no magic, only pain. So man suffered, they were enslaved and eaten and driven across the land. That was until man learned to speak. The words were not a spell, since there were no Mages, but they were magic. Words bring power, and these “FIRST WORDS” brought more power than any before. When these words were spoken, the Dragon Spirits came and ministered to men, teaching them the way to Atlantis. Other spirits came also, binding with them and fathering children and producing half-spirit offspring. People started escaping from Arcadia, bringing some of that power back to Earth.
I don’t know if there is any truth to the story, but... if we could find more about it... possibly even speak these words again... Imagine what might happen! We could change the world again, as much as it was changed the first time! That power is not to be trifled with, I don’t think, though everyone I spoke to called it a myth. Myth, please! How much of what we research has been a myth.
So that’s the majority of what has happened to me over the last month or so. Spending my Christmas away from my family dressed in rough cloth and doing nothing but awful confusing ritual and boring service... is no fun really. Please everyone, enlighten me with the subjects of your own research. How is all y’all doin’? What interesting are you doing? I don’t know when I will get a computer again, but when I do I would love to hear from you all!
Warm Regards,
Christian
((Well there we are! The first post in the new RP, letter edition! I hope it was alright, and offered plenty of new elements for everybody to use in their own posts. That said, please DO NOT hesitate to invent your own W.o.D. stuff. The only things you need to ask permission for are actual magical effects your character learns, and even then only if you are adding an effect that exp could not normally buy (either because it’s new or because it couldn’t ordinarily be bought).
Also ask me if you are doing some research or whatever, so you can ask me what you find. Just include as much info about the line of inquary as possible. Feel free to write these questions to me via paper, as with paper you can expect about a week turnaround on everything you send me. Remember the posting schedule, and thank you to those who play with me: I appreciate it. Not being alone.
-FD))
Hey everybody. I apologize for taking so long to write; you have no idea how busy I have been. You'd think that the Free Council would be more of a party Order, but as it stands, it seems that my time has been extremely limited.
Don't anyone think that I am not committed to our cause: Believe me. I was there that night we fought the Deep Ones. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the stand we made against the shoggoths. I hope anyone reading this will be sensitive to my ability ( or lack there of) to write to you all. I do want to let you know how things are going, and especially tell you all everything in case something is relevant to what you all are doing.
So, I joined “the Carpenter’s order” the day we got back from Antarctica, and none of you have seen me since, not even my family. It’s quite the commitment to join the Order, but a commitment well worth it I think. You will understand when I tell you what I hope to learn here and what I hope to win to our cause. My gosh where to start...
How about how I live? That’s a nice place to start I think. Life here is... very hard. No electronics, no music, no fun. All we do here is serve: following the example of the greatest master who ever lived. I spend hours reading from dusty tomes, and hours more waxing floors, shoveling snow... and uncountable other things. I subjected myself to all of it, and still do... I read and heard from all that only a call of the Oracles could unite the Orders, and this is the only of the Legacies that knows the first things about how to find one. I would not resist if I had to spend two years to find out if they even exist... at least I would if I could. But we don’t know a thing about when the Old Gods will return. We have no clue what time and day it will be. I might not have two years. The fastest any apprentice has climbed the ranks of his order is five years. I am hoping to accomplish the same in just that many months. MONTHS! Crazy, I know, but that’s how these things work. We’re special... not just me, all of you... and I have moved more swiftly through the ranks than any other apprentices. Not because they just flipped a switch, but because I am genuinely getting the material. It’s so similar to what I had in religion that I understand it without too much trouble.
I hate being so cut off from the real world here, despite how nice everybody is. Real world things are happening, and I bet they matter to our investigations! Did any of you hear anything about some huge storm that flooded Tokyo? What about those weird crustacean bodies washing to shore on the great lakes, then vanishing later on? What about all those tweenage kids going missing in NYC? Somebody has to know more, and if not, they must be looked into. If there is other notable news anybody knows about PLEASE TELL ME! I want to know everything that you’ve learned, especially if it is relevant to our investigations.
So this next month is going to be the start of a really hard time for me. Has anyone here heard of the “Vow of Stranger?” It’s an awful thing... the worst. But in order to be initiated into the order I MUST stay a stranger until I make those I care about know me. I really don’t know what that means, but I do know the words of the spell. The rote, the vow... whatever that means.
“I am not myself. I die today to be reborn the day my soul is real without its body. I am the faceless stranger now. The orphan and the beggar. The prostitute and the thief. I will be in their world, I will know their wisdom. In my anonymity I will also know the unknown, though I will hide behind different eyes”
There are many here like me which have never made this covenant before, and they’re all pretty ordinary. There are few that have made this promise and still came back, and they all bear some scarring. Some of them seem a little insane, while others are missing limbs or otherwise physically disabled. Creepy stuff. When you make the promise, you swear never to talk about how you learn things, only what you learn. So I will never be able to give specifics about what happens to me... nothing you could use to positively identify me. Suffice it to say that there are some parts that don’t seem so bad, though you’d laugh if I told you what those were.
So I won’t mention them. Instead I’ll tell you about a legend I head about while living here, a bit of interesting lore that might be important yo us. When the world first began, there were no other races. There was no magic, only pain. So man suffered, they were enslaved and eaten and driven across the land. That was until man learned to speak. The words were not a spell, since there were no Mages, but they were magic. Words bring power, and these “FIRST WORDS” brought more power than any before. When these words were spoken, the Dragon Spirits came and ministered to men, teaching them the way to Atlantis. Other spirits came also, binding with them and fathering children and producing half-spirit offspring. People started escaping from Arcadia, bringing some of that power back to Earth.
I don’t know if there is any truth to the story, but... if we could find more about it... possibly even speak these words again... Imagine what might happen! We could change the world again, as much as it was changed the first time! That power is not to be trifled with, I don’t think, though everyone I spoke to called it a myth. Myth, please! How much of what we research has been a myth.
So that’s the majority of what has happened to me over the last month or so. Spending my Christmas away from my family dressed in rough cloth and doing nothing but awful confusing ritual and boring service... is no fun really. Please everyone, enlighten me with the subjects of your own research. How is all y’all doin’? What interesting are you doing? I don’t know when I will get a computer again, but when I do I would love to hear from you all!
Warm Regards,
Christian
((Well there we are! The first post in the new RP, letter edition! I hope it was alright, and offered plenty of new elements for everybody to use in their own posts. That said, please DO NOT hesitate to invent your own W.o.D. stuff. The only things you need to ask permission for are actual magical effects your character learns, and even then only if you are adding an effect that exp could not normally buy (either because it’s new or because it couldn’t ordinarily be bought).
Also ask me if you are doing some research or whatever, so you can ask me what you find. Just include as much info about the line of inquary as possible. Feel free to write these questions to me via paper, as with paper you can expect about a week turnaround on everything you send me. Remember the posting schedule, and thank you to those who play with me: I appreciate it. Not being alone.
-FD))
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