Story of a Traveller

[Holsety]

Atop a mountain peak sits a traveler. His ancient, forgotten lineage grants him great sight, such that he can view, from his solitary post, all the interactions in the wide world around him with great clarity, though perhaps not the clarity that those actually involved have of their own situations.

For all his vision, his heart aches to actually take part in the festivities which his fellows in the cities surrounding the mountain. However, the pebbles and trinkets he has collected on his journey are worth as nothing to those who are below, except insofar as they can each take part in an exchange in which he gains something rare and therefore potentially valuable to him in exchange. However, the recognition from this peak, that the exchanges are for valueless objects, means that he really lacks the heart to take part in the exchanges. He is worried, also, that people will pollute the peak upon which he sits when they realize he has brought valuable treasures from that locale, which he finds unique and therefore beautiful.

The belief in the value of the exchange, therefore, becomes the only valuable thing in his existence, and in all of theirs. When that is broken, the very distinction of order and chaos begins to unravel. Worrying that the treasures, common on the peaks of the mountain where he sits and rare in the city below, he chooses to make his living as best he can upon the peaks for fear of what bringing the truth downward might bring.

Then, with a surge of inspiration, he changes his mind for an instant and makes a spectacular throw of one single of these beautiful trinkets into the city, and waits to sees if anyone will climb up the peak towards him before he dies. The stone itself does little except, of course, somehow, beyond all expectation, unbalance an avalanche which destroys the peak on which he sits, killing him and raining hell on the city below. Or, perhaps he still lives, but without doubt the path upwards towards him has been smothered utterly.

(Improvisation of Echo and Narcissus, as I'm sure those with schooling in mythology will instantly recognize. BTW how the hell did SRD manage to write something so long and so worthwhile and actually try and peddle it for $$$. Who the hell was driving HIS illlusion. I want somma that action.)

[Linna Heartbooger]

...great sight, such that he can view, from his solitary post, all the interactions in the wide world around him with great clarity, though perhaps not the clarity that those actually involved have of their own situations.

For all his vision, his heart aches to actually take part in the festivities which his fellows in the cities surrounding the mountain...

However, the recognition from this peak, that the exchanges are for valueless objects, means that he really lacks the heart to take part in the exchanges.

Thanks for putting this out there... really especially liked the bits I quoted.

[Holsety]

Thanks for putting this out there... really especially liked the bits I quoted.

Ouch. Good selections though. Desperate for the exchange, you will find that I, if I am at all analogous to the traveler, continue to peddle my wares as best I can until my memory is reset by death and I find a new chance to make something of myself without knowing it is indeed a new chance.

[Linna Heartbooger]

Thanks for putting this out there... really especially liked the bits I quoted.

Ouch. Good selections though.

Why ouch? If they make some sense to me, it doesn't mean that's the place where I am now... I think time is a mercy; we don't have to think, feel and experience everything all at once.

...until my memory is reset by death and I find a new chance to make something of myself without knowing it is indeed a new chance.

Some yearn for oblivion, as it may the "best" option they imagine at the time?

[Holsety]

Some yearn for oblivion, as it may the "best" option they imagine at the time?

Well, like I think I have said, I do like sleep when I am tired of existence.

Some yearn for oblivion, as it may the "best" option they imagine at the time?

I would agree. I don't believe in true oblivion, but I wish I would go through death, which is to say, to cycle through such a different world from that of the one I am in that, when I return to the one I am in, I have no inkling I have been given another chance.

Whereas at this point, it seems like every day is a new chance which I feel doomed to mess up.

[Linna Heartbooger]

I would agree. I don't believe in true oblivion, but I wish I would go through death, which is to say, to cycle through such a different world from that of the one I am in that, when I return to the one I am in, I have no inkling I have been given another chance.

Hrmm. Thinking about that. (though more about what would make a person want that. sigh.)

Whereas at this point, it seems like every day is a new chance which I feel doomed to mess up.

MANY people have this experience. Of course, that's probably a small comfort, given that no other person has had -your- experience. (I think!)