The Power of Command

[caamora]

If you were in Elena's place, how would you use the Power of Command?

Note, you are not Elena. You are yourself in her place. You don't know the future and you are unaware of what is happening in the war or with your army.

I, for one, would not have partaken immediately. I would have listened to Covenant and maybe even asked the Haruchai if they had any opinion. I probably would have gone back to the council and discussed things with them. I, however, am not a leader. I'm sure those of you who are "A" type personality would have a much different answer!

[Kinslaughterer]

Foul could probably manipulate or defeat practically anything the Power of Command could do. I think Kevin realized that and decided against its use. Was it any worse than the Ritual of Desecration?

Personally I would think about restoring the One Forest. Then the Colossus would have power again. It might only slow Foul down for a while but its an idea.

[Earthfriend]

In Elena's place, with the Land on the brink of war, i think i might have been tempted to Command Covenant to use his ring...which of course would have destroyed the Arch of Time, freeing Foul...

Oh well, back to the drawing board!

[Fist and Faith]

"The first of these hazards - first, but perhaps not foremost - is the one great limit of the Power. It holds no sway over anything which is not a natural part of the Earth's creation. Thus it is not possible to Command the Despiser to cease his warring. It is not possible to Command his death. He lived before the arch of Time was forged - the Power cannot compel him."

I doubt Covenant can be Commanded any more than the Despiser can.

[Damelon]

Perhaps, if I were in her place, I could command Caer Caveral's aid

[Earthfriend]

Probly a good thing, considering...

However, if the Power of Command was never meant to be used - why put it there? As a test?

[Kinslaughterer]

Since Kevin knew about it, Foul probably would have as well. They were pretty tight until the end, right? Foul already made plans for something like that.

[caamora]

Great idea, Kin. Certainly a more positive action than aggression.

[Fist and Faith]

However, if the Power of Command was never meant to be used - why put it there? As a test?

I just bumped my EarthBlood thread, which I had started for this very reason.

Perhaps, if I were in her place, I could command Caer Caveral's aid

Do you mean Caerroil Wildwood? CC hadn't been created yet when Elena drank the EarthBlood.

[Skyweir]

mmm .. this is an interesting thread .. what would we do in Elena's place? I wouldnt command Kevin back to life .. all commands she would utter would have irredeemable consequences ..

yet she didnt really spare much thought for the consequences .. like breaking the law of death and what that would mean for the Land ..

'course that is retrospective perspective

[amanibhavam]

I wonder if the Elohim could be commanded...

[Fist and Faith]

Yikes!! I'm ducking for cover now, before Infelice sees that post!!!

[Damelon]

Perhaps, if I were in her place, I could command Caer Caveral's aid

Do you mean Caerroil Wildwood? CC hadn't been created yet when Elena drank the EarthBlood.[/quote]

Your right! Wrong forestal. That would have been quite a feat.

Nonetheless, a forestal would not be beyond the arch of time and could be commanded.

[KaosArcana]

Kinslaughterer:

Foul could probably manipulate or defeat practically anything the Power of Command could do. I think Kevin realized that and decided against its use. Was it any worse than the Ritual of Desecration?

Personally I would think about restoring the One Forest. Then the Colossus would have power again. It might only slow Foul down for a while but its an idea.

Except it would probably also destroy the Land. The fertile sun was
just as evil as the others in the Sunbane. You would be breaking a
law of nature.

Not to mention that the sudden return of all those trees would
disrupt the lives of the creatures and people who had adapted
to their not being around ... it might destroy all the Stonedowns
and maybe even the Plains of Ra.

[[Syl]]

As a forestal, I'd also be tempted to command the return of the One Forest, and other creatures and cultures be damned. However, if it involved coercing nature to the point of breaking law, I wouldn't do it. There are balances to be maintained, and that I could not allow.

I think I'd demand to be given insight (not saying "give me knowledge" or "give me power" but "help me to fully understand"). The imminent peril would be worth the risk, and if the risk proved too great, at least it would only be myself that was destroyed.

[caamora]

But if you asked to" fully understand", then THAT would be your Command. You wouldn't get another. So how would understanding how to use the Power of Command help you? (Unless I completely misunderstand what you are trying to say )

[Infelice]

I wonder if the Elohim could be commanded...

Oh!!!!! That you would even THINK to command the Elohim is despicable!!!!
However, I don't know that the Elohim could escape The Power of Command. They are a natural part of the Earth's creation therefore I would assume that the Power of Command would hold sway over them.

.......we are the Wurd-the direct offspring of the creation of the Earth. From it we arose, and in it we have our being. Thus we are the heart, and the center, and the truth, and therefore we are what we are. We are all answers, just as we are every question.

Maybe they could have the answers but as they are a part of the Earth's creation and therefore bound by the Arch of Time, I doubt that they would know how to defeat Foul, who existed before the forging of the Arch of Time.
I would be really hesitant about using it to command anything of great Power like the Elohim. Who could tell what repercussions that action could have? Amok sort alluded to the fact that the drinker would have to be some kind of prophet to foresee these repercussions. Only someone with the ability to foresee the actions of Elohim would be a suitable candidate to drink and command them. Is there such a being? I think only Lord Foul and the Creator would fit into that category and the Power of Command holds no sway over them.

[Taiga Tzu]

Yes, as Damelon assumes, the Forestaal are not beyond the reach of the Power of Command. But as the fair Elohim Queen suggests, it is wise to avoid commanding some beings. I will put it more bluntly than she, and say that, if any were to Command me, it should be of a permanent nature. Because, if the Command has an endpoint, I will likely not be pleased about having had my will subverted.

Not to mention that the sudden return of all those trees would disrupt the lives of the creatures and people who had adapted to their not being around ... it might destroy all the Stonedowns and maybe even the Plains of Ra.

Do you have a point? Although, I do love the Ranyhyn, and would not want them to come to any harm.

Okay, I'm just kidding. Humans destroyed the One Forest, but vengeance is no longer my goal. That attitude did not help before. Learning to live together in peace might be a better course of action.

[[Syl]]

I didn't mean to fully understand the power of command. I think the power of command is too powerful to be useful, and still not powerful enough to subdue Foul.

What I meant by fully understand... enlightenment, pretty much. Not power (in a general sense), nor knowledge (if there's a distinction when it comes to lore).

"One thing more they swore -- Peace, a calmness of self to protect the Land from destructive emotions like those that maddened Kevin. For it was clear to all there gathered that power is a dreadful thing, and that the knowledge of power dims the seeing of the wise.

TC used it to defeat Foul. Mhoram had it. I think even Troy/Caer Caverall came to understand. Elena could've used some.

[Han-shan]

I see that Caer Sylvanus responded before I did. My thinking was along the same lines-

But if you asked to" fully understand", then THAT would be your Command. You wouldn't get another. So how would understanding how to use the Power of Command help you? (Unless I completely misunderstand what you are trying to say )

Perhaps Caer Sylvanus is looking for a more complete wisdom, not merely a full understanding of the Power of Command.

However, if he wanted to take the risk, it is entirely possible that he could take a second drink, and give a second Command. Amok said:

And none can endure more than a single draft - no mortal thew and bone can endure more than a single swallow of the Blood. It is too rare a fluid for any cup of flesh to hold.

But a Forestal is none of those things. I'm most curious about this.