Pantheon 2.0 - Game Thread

[Bhakti]

They choose. But in this instance, they chose power - power and the chance to perfect their bodies. All life is the strive for power and perfection. It is easy because that is how life is; if anything, my followers are more honest. It is hard for you because your beliefs are contradictory - love and nature are really at odds: nature is essentially unforgiving and obeys the laws of power. Love, is more of a mindset that is limiting. Further, love will get no one anywhere. The same way altruism weakens one.

An interesting slant, to be sure. But "choose" is not a particularly accurate word. When one's family is murdered; when food is scarce, and one's child dies; when terror strikes as the world cracks; when one is the recipient of forced mutation... Turning to Malice is a reaction, not a considered choice. It is easy to lose track of Love amongst all that misery.

But I will put that aside for the moment, and ask this: What would happen if all beings chose Malice? They would have no choice but to act Maliciously against their own brethren. Your way, all eventually die. Even the last one living would have no choice but to act Maliciously toward him/herself. And that would be the end of Malice. Malice is self-destroying.

But if all were followers of Love? Try to imagine what would happen then!

[Injerian Praetus II]

An interesting slant, to be sure. But "choose" is not a particularly accurate word. When one's family is murdered; when food is scarce, and one's child dies; when terror strikes as the world cracks; when one is the recipient of forced mutation... Turning to Malice is a reaction, not a considered choice. It is easy to lose track of Love amongst all that misery.

Actually, you misrepresent me. Everyone is free to choose to worship me. My followers were lured by power and being given a new form - whether it is to be transformed into a killing machine or having a beautiful physique. I do admit I transformed all of Nor Pupae following the great transformation - but given the King permitted me to do so, and it is his land - I have the right.

But I will put that aside for the moment, and ask this: What would happen if all beings chose Malice? They would have no choice but to act Maliciously against their own brethren. Your way, all eventually die. Even the last one living would have no choice but to act Maliciously toward him/herself.

I salute you in your attempt at philosophy, but I must admit you are wrong. There would be change if the world was just malice. In fact, it would be no different from the jungle world. That is, life would be all about the strive for power - to perfect oneself. Power and it's application would be all that matters, and I find that beautiful.

Malice is self-destroying.

Malice is empowering. Malice is honesty.

But if all were followers of Love? Try to imagine what would happen then!

Love would lead to ruin. For if one learned to love everything then what would one act on? How is it possible to make any act if you love another? If you love the world, how can you even act against it out of necessity? You would be more concerned of making the wrong choice or of harming another (and what is the wrong choice?). Sometimes, you have to be cruel in order to be kind. Hate has its uses; love just blinds one or ties one's hands behind one's back.

I prefer malice.

[Norn]

I myself prefer silence, although I doubt that Eiran will ever enjoy such a thing.

I believe that the rift in the Fabric of Reality is the greatest danger facing Eiran at this time and that our request to the All-Father should therefore be focused on closing it and preventing any more from opening.

Perhaps we could ask that the All-Father "pour his power into the Fabric of Reality, fortifying each and every thread so that any existing tears are mended, any existing weaknesses are strengthened, and the Fabric itself is protected against any future damage".

Not a final answer, merely a thought to help us continue in our discussions.

[Bhakti]

Actually, you misrepresent me. Everyone is free to choose to worship me. My followers were lured by power and being given a new form - whether it is to be transformed into a killing machine or having a beautiful physique.

Yes, your followers are lured by power. Because they have been powerless - helpless, tortured - for far too long. The next time you find a parent stealing food to feed his starving son, show him a vision of your way, where his son could become strong, bashing the head of his friend to survive if need be. Where he will never meet a more powerful foe, but will always be able to kill his opponent. Then show him a vision of my way, where his son lives among his friends and family, all working to ensure that all are fed. Where the strength of one's arms comes from building homes and tilling fields and raising your baby to the sky. Then ask him to choose.

I salute you in your attempt at philosophy, but I must admit you are wrong. There would be change if the world was just malice. In fact, it would be no different from the jungle world. That is, life would be all about the strive for power - to perfect oneself. Power and it's application would be all that matters, and I find that beautiful.

As always, you attempt to define Malice in fun ways that would make you seem much more noble than you are. Answer me this. What happens when there is War? When people are killing each other in huge numbers; when soldiers rape the women of the invaded lands; when crops are burned, supply lines are cut, starvation sets in, and neighbor kills neighbor for a crust of bread; when family watches in helpless rage as family coughs up blood with the last breaths of life... Tell me - does your strength grow? Of course it does, because that is Malice. That is the source of your Power.

Malice is empowering.

Such is often the case.

Malice is honesty.

Malice can exist in honesty, it is true. "I am going to cut your head off." *whump* See? He told the truth.

Love would lead to ruin. For if one learned to love everything then what would one act on? How is it possible to make any act if you love another? If you love the world, how can you even act against it out of necessity? You would be more concerned of making the wrong choice or of harming another (and what is the wrong choice?).

Jove will be quite upset when she learns we may no longer Make Love. That we must let Zephyr die of neglect. And our poor followers, who may never raise their voices in song, celebrating the Joy of Love and Life. Who may never...

Ah, forgive me. It is difficult to continue to speak through my laughter! *wiping tears*

love just blinds one or ties one's hands behind one's back.

It saddens me to think that your followers must suffer from this weakness. Just say the word, and I will remove all Love from the Hearts of your followers. I would likely require a DRP or two from you, but I imagine you would consider it Power well-spent.

[Bhakti]

Perhaps we could ask that the All-Father "pour his power into the Fabric of Reality, fortifying each and every thread so that any existing tears are mended, any existing weaknesses are strengthened, and the Fabric itself is protected against any future damage".

Not a bad wording.

[Norn]

I have always had a way with words.

[Bhakti]

Indeed! The problem is shutting you up!!




:LOLS:

[Mistress Cathy]

Yes, I agree Norn, very well put.

[Injerian Praetus II]

. . .Then show him a vision of my way, where his son lives among his friends and family, all working to ensure that all are fed. Where the strength of one's arms comes from building homes and tilling fields and raising your baby to the sky. Then ask him to choose.

Unfortunately, we do not live in a world of ideals. The world is a harsh place, and one in which I intend to improve. Do you think I wish permanent misery and ruin? I wish to see a world where no one can live in fear. The means to achieve this is through engineering new life.

Answer me this. What happens when there is War? When people are killing each other in huge numbers; when soldiers rape the women of the invaded lands; when crops are burned, supply lines are cut, starvation sets in, and neighbor kills neighbor for a crust of bread; when family watches in helpless rage as family coughs up blood with the last breaths of life... Tell me - does your strength grow? Of course it does, because that is Malice. That is the source of your Power.

I do not deny I gain power from this. But the Malice I espouse is that of willingness to utilise power. Pain and suffering are as much an anethema for me as they are for you.

Jove will be quite upset when she learns we may no longer Make Love. That we must let Zephyr die of neglect. And our poor followers, who may never raise their voices in song, celebrating the Joy of Love and Life.

You speak of love as though it's noble. I think it's a convenient way to mask passions and biases - to replace blindness with a convenient label. Looking at the world through rose-coloured lenses.

It saddens me to think that your followers must suffer from this weakness. Just say the word, and I will remove all Love from the Hearts of your followers. I would likely require a DRP or two from you, but I imagine you would consider it Power well-spent.

Love of a god is good; love between followers confuses things and affects decision making. One should only love ones good and to have a clear mind.

[Bhakti]

Unfortunately, we do not live in a world of ideals. The world is a harsh place, and one in which I intend to improve.

Even if we agreed on the definition of "improve," I would not agree that the end justifies the means.

Do you think I wish permanent misery and ruin?

Absolutely. Because:

I do not deny I gain power from this.

When the misery and ruin end, so does your Power. Do you expect me to believe you desire the end of your own Power?

But the Malice I espouse is that of willingness to utilise power.

One can use power in many ways that do not cause others things like pain, despair, terror, sadness. But you would have no Power if all used power in those ways.

Pain and suffering are as much an anethema for me as they are for you.

Pain and suffering give rise to Malice - the source of your Power. Do not pretend you loathe your own source of Power. If you Love anything, it is your own Power.

You speak of love as though it's noble. I think it's a convenient way to mask passions and biases - to replace blindness with a convenient label.

You're saying Love is blind? How droll.

Looking at the world through rose-coloured lenses.

Pretty!

It saddens me to think that your followers must suffer from this weakness. Just say the word, and I will remove all Love from the Hearts of your followers. I would likely require a DRP or two from you, but I imagine you would consider it Power well-spent.

Love of a god is good; love between followers confuses things and affects decision making. One should only love ones good and to have a clear mind.

Oh, come now. Your followers could worship you without Loving you. One need not Love Malice in order to worship it. For that matter, one need not worship Malice in order for you to gain Power from their Malicious deeds. Adomorn's warriors, drunk on battle and victory, may be temporarily ruled by a mob mentality, rape and torture, and still worship Adomorn when it is over. And though they never think your name, though they may be appalled at the thought of having done so, their deeds give you Power. Come, lend me the Power to cleanse your worshipers' Hearts!!

[Vadhaka]

Cease your squabbling fools. Can you not see that there is something infintely more important afoot? If squabble you must, squablle in the next turn.

This is an incredible opportunity.

I would support Simjen's suggestion that everybodies power is increased during this turn, so long as it is not used against any other deity. That way has the most potential.

However, if Nor Yekith must stand by his refusal to acede to a plan that will cost him nothing, then I shall support Norn.

As we should know from our history, the fabric of reality is a delicate one, which nonetheless touches all our existence.

I second Norn's suggestion that the fabric be sealed, strengthened, and protected, for all of time.

It's bad enough that you lot are constantly sniping at each other without adding in weird life-draining creatures from other dimensions.

Now cease your endless bickering, all of you, and VOTE.

I further move that the result of the vote be declared unanimous, and that all deities swear by the AllFather to be bound by it's result. This will prevent sour grapes from costing us this chance to do something meaningful to ensure the worlds, and thus our, continued existence here.

Time is not inexhaustible bretheren. Vote.

[Injerian Praetus II]

However, if Nor Yekith must stand by his refusal to acede to a plan that will cost him nothing, then I shall support Norn. . . .
I second Norn's suggestion that the fabric be sealed, strengthened, and protected, for all of time.

The former is not needed for the latter to occur.

[Norn]

I am unsure of what you are trying to say Nor Yekith. Do you not believe that the opportunity given to us by the All-Father should be used to seal the current rift in the Fabric of Reality and prevent any future rifts or weaknesses?

[Vadhaka]

I too do not understand. If you would be so good as to say what you mean for a change and save the cryptic for when it is less important.

[Injerian Praetus II]

Your attitude does not please me, Vadhaka. Kindly change your tone. It is not wise to anger the god of malice.

I mean that we do not need a boost in deific power to stop the rift. Why not request the All-Father to stop the rift? If we grant a temporary increase in power there will be many complications. Who is to say some of us would not use all of it for less than noble ends?

[Bhakti]

Some of you are never satisfied! At least Yek and I aren't fighting! Merely discussing philosophies.

In any event, Argothoth and I have already agreed to that idea. So there are four of us. And Yek agreed to support any of three choices, and that was one of them. So there's five.

Who else will join us?

[Norn]

I mean that we do not need a boost in deific power to stop the rift. Why not request the All-Father to stop the rift?

But that's what I'm suggesting, and what Vadhaka has said he will support since you are unwilling to agree to having every deities powers increased.

[Vadhaka]

Your attitude does not please me, Vadhaka. Kindly change your tone. It is not wise to anger the god of malice.

Attitude is a function of perception. You may take it how you choose, for I do not control your reaction. If veiled threats make you feel better, by all means go ahead. I assure you that they will change my attitude not one whit.

Why not request the All-Father to stop the rift? If we grant a temporary increase in power there will be many complications. Who is to say some of us would not use all of it for less than noble ends?

This is exactly what I am proposing.

Excellent. Five already in favour. Speak up the rest of you.

[Injerian Praetus II]

I mean that we do not need a boost in deific power to stop the rift. Why not request the All-Father to stop the rift?

But that's what I'm suggesting, and what Vadhaka has said he will support since you are unwilling to agree to having every deities powers increased.

I stated my stance earlier; all it would have taken is for you and Vadhaka to do some research and see my intentions without having to coerce me to repeat myself.

Attitude is a function of perception.

Nice attempt to absolve guilt or blame. All I see is your panicking over this threat and lashing out and Bhakti and I for debating philosophies. There is no need to rush us - we have plenty of time to deal with it.

[Norn]

I was not intending to coerce you to do anything - merely to more fully understand your position.