un : deft hand of little deaths (voice)

[scrapgege]

So, I talked to An- to Haltham.

[Is it a good idea to use Anurr's name on the network? Probably not, so let's stick to the other one. Most people know who this refers to anyway.]

Now, I'm not saying we should do what he asked because well, these people are still people, and they were enslaved a long time, and it feels only fair that they should be able to choose what they want to do with themselves.

But he says he might be able to help with their pain.

Except he also said that he doesn't know yet how.

.... That's not very helpful, is it? Sorry.

Comments

un: sprite bulb; audio

[bearshermark]

We can't trust him with them.

[He sounds rather set on the matter]

[scrapgege]

Well, I don't know that we can say that with absolute certainty, but... I also don't think it's really our decision to make.

What if they want to go with him after we tell them it's an option?

[bearshermark]

[The concept of that sounds foreign]

They're undead. Their souls need to find rest, not linger in their curse - most especially not under anyone's command.

[scrapgege]

If they don't want to go that way, would you force them to?

[bearshermark]

[Quiet for several long moments. Then, a frustrated noise]

Would you damn them to an eternal existence as a corruption of the people they used to be? They aren't- undeath is a miserable, unnatural existence. Nothing that's lived should ever want their souls to linger in such a way.

[scrapgege]

... My husband is a ghost, and I don't think he'd talk of it as a corruption of what he used to be, you know? And he wouldn't call himself miserable either. I don't think you can generalize like that.

[bearshermark]

[A nice, shocked silence. you're married??

Then, a very careful breath]

..Maybe not. But I don't think these undead have the level of reason that you're hoping for. Certainly, the ones we saw in Sa-Hareth didn't.

[scrapgege]

[He is married to a very pretty, very powerful Ghost King, El.]

Maybe not. But if they have enough conscience left, wouldn't it be right to ask them what they prefer?

If hey can't respond or they're too destructive that's different, of course. But if they can make a choice, why not let them? Or else, you're just imposing your own choice on them, aren't you?

[bearshermark]

[A touch begrudging]

..Someone was asking them, I think. At least about burial rites with the Attaryl. I can't understand why a soul would want to linger in such a way if they're aware of what they are. It's far worse than death.

Perhaps ghosts are less corrupted.

[scrapgege]

That's why I think it's important to talk to them.

I think they were probably brought back against their will, and that's terrible, but some people have a reason to stay. And it's only fair to hear them out.

[bearshermark]

[He hums, thoughtful]

I guess so. There aren't really ghosts in Erdrea. I've come across shades.. Hm. But most souls yearn to return to Yggdrasil for their rebirth rather than linger. I recall Archeval mentioned.. something.. I remember thinking it was beautiful. To rejoin the energy of the world as a sort of spectral guide after death.

[A short laugh, fond] Though, we were half-asleep then.

[scrapgege]

It's a little more complicated where I come from. Souls have... a lot of options, even after death, before they can be reborn. And often if they choose to stay, it's because of lingering attachments. They might have good reasons not to move on.

... Now, there are some bad spirits and ghosts too, don't get me wrong, but honestly the majority of them don't bother people too much. They never even notice them, most of the time. And if something bad happens, usually a prayer to your chosen god can get that sorted out.

[bearshermark]

Hm. The undead sorts in my world aren't usually peaceable. The rare exception, but largely aggressive and dangerous- as most things are. But it could be the growing darkness that's made it so. Certainly, now.

[He sighs] This world doesn't seem dissimilar in that way. It's unfortunate. I wonder sometimes if the blight on this world is because there's something interrupted in the cycle- if that's why there are so many undead.

[scrapgege]

Honestly sometimes it just feels like some them just... don't want to die. So they don't. It's not very common magic, but it does exist.

[bearshermark]

I understand some fear death, but it's only- or should only be- a gateway to the next life. Though I guess not everyone knows that here, without Yggdrasil.

..Maybe I should look more closely at the different faiths preached in this city.

[scrapgege]

It's not about fearing death, Eleven. It's about potentially leaving something behind that matters more to you than your own life or death, and that being more sad or scary than death itself.

And it's never a bad idea to get an interest in what people believe.

[bearshermark]

[Several heartbeats of silence]

I guess.. for a short while, but it's.. there isn't-

..I think if people knew, it wouldn't be so hard.

[scrapgege]

But your world's experience of death is not that of every world. Where I am from, souls know exactly what they are choosing when they don't drink the water of the dead to be reborn. If they choose to stay, it's willingly, most of the time.

[bearshermark]

[A breath]

Then I guess we need to find out what this world's cycle is supposed to be like.

[scrapgege]

It would probably help to explain why there are so many of them. I say all these things, but ghosts and humans usually live in separate places even where I am from, and they don't mingle like we've seen the undead do with the living here.

Something is different in this world.