abraxasnet | TO: EVERYONE [mid-event #20]

[ This message is sent for all Summoned to see about a week after the dreams and Heralds made their presence known. ]

Hello everyone. I know we're all dealing with a lot right now, but I thought this was worth the surprise eyeball-script.

The Heralds of War likely need no introduction at this point, but some of us still remember when they first arrived a few years ago after a poorly performed ritual in Solvunn. During that time, I'd managed to make contact with Koth and have tried to maintain some communication.

[ Not necessarily advised--Himeka did this of her own accord and curiosity. Those who are aware of her tree-form may have noticed that some of the limbs have been wilting and rotting the more time she's spent reaching out to Koth. But that's neither here nor there. ]

She's not always easy to understand, but when we spoke when they first appeared, one word came through:

"Mission"

For years my friends and I have been wondering what this meant. Now that she's back, I sought clarity. Or...I guess confirmation.

I understand her more easily these days so I reached out to her earlier today and she did confirm that this is that mission. What's happening right now in all of our communities. I'm not sure if war itself is inevitable...but she seems to believe that what she's doing will help there to be peace afterwards.

I know many here have seen war in their own lives and on their own stars before this place. If you'd like to share your stories, I would welcome them. I don't think peace is ever as simple as we want it to be, but as for if this is the only path forward...

I'm rambling a bit. This may not be a grand revelation, but I thought it important to share that what is happening now may have been building for the last few years and mayhaps some time before that as well. Only now, we may have a part to play.

Please take care,

水

[ ooc; This is Himeka's interpretation! So it may not be 100% accurate. Based on the mod response here. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I have mixed feelings about understanding the perspective to a certain extent, but that's on me.

Have you formed your own thoughts, or are you still processing?

I don't think there's anything wrong with that. There are some people I've met that I wish I didn't understand.

Well...I have been thinking. There are natural cycles in world that aren't good or bad. They just are. Elements can be out of balance and the effects can cause issues for the people that live in that world, but the elements themselves aren't to blame. Maybe that's what she's thinking.

But I don't think war and peace are like that. To fiercely protect something you care about feels natural. But to condemn an entire group of people or entire nation doesn't.

...I'm going to gently push back on your last point, because I think war and peace are a cycle in the life of a territory. If one cares for their people and there are others who are threats, then there is a sort of inevitable cycle to it. One might think of a government or a nation as it's own comprehensive whole, then think at that next level up in terms of governing bodies or other factors.

Hmm...I admit that there are parts of me that want to believe what my hometown was trying to accomplish is possible. But it came with it's own problems, even if war wasn't one of them.

Even if I know it really isn't, but...

It's probably very hypocritical of me to try and judge any country on their reasons for war.

No, I don't think it is. Sometimes reasons are justified. Others, they're total bullshit regardless of what self-serving justification is given. The matter is nuanced, as these things always are. You are possibly overthinking this.

Possibly, yes.

I admit...because we're friends. There was quite a long time I thought I ought not to think about it much at all or just leave it up to others to guide me. And I'm sure that I cost more lives than necessary because of that.

I want to believe Koth if only because it seems easy to. Even if her intentions are "pure" as they can be, her actions... I don't think we can allow it.

Edited 2024-08-21 03:02 (UTC)

....Ah. You haven't found the middle ground yet. That's a skill, just like any other.

At this point, I don't think it is a question of "allow." Not really. I think it is more how we weather it, like ships in a storm. Koth and others are a part of the seascape at this point, regardless of any overall affections held.

I suppose not. I want to believe I've gotten better, but it still feels like there's a lot to improve upon. I could not have gotten as far as I have nor accomplished as much without my friends and every person I've met along the way.

You don't think we could stop the Heralds if we tried?

I feel compelled to do something. But I don't believe the normal method of going up to a god and trying to set it on fire may be encouraged here. And, truthfully, I don't really want to. Not at the moment, at least.

You have an entire lifetime to do that.

The Heralds are old, experienced, and know the ways of this world better than we do. I think that the odds would be too high against us to truly stop anything - and they seem to present themselves as more of a side effect of very human interactions rather than the cause. If that part is accurate, then we'd need to deal with our governments, not them.

................let's not set anything on fire.

I suppose that's true. A lifetime to make mistakes and learn from them.

I don't believe Solvunn will find much need to intervene, beholden to the gods as they are. But this could also be the push they need? It's hard to say. What do you think the Free Cities will do?

I promise I won't unless I have to.

I truly don't know what the Free Cities will do at this point. I'm loathe to guess as I expect I'll be proven wrong no matter what. I don't have a good grasp on the inner machinations of government aside from being constantly wary of it.

The military is always mobilized, isn't it? That's the impression I feel like I've been given.

And with Thorne's new rulers, would they be eager to stoke the fires? Mayhaps that was what the Heralds were waiting for.

For someone to make all of this formal and rip into open conflict? Most likely. If only to get it done and over with, instead of dancing along the line that has been going on for...what, a few months now?

Or years, if we think back to when we were first Summoned. If tensions have been brewing for decades or centuries, they've come at their boiling point now.

I know Solvunn wanted to stay out of the conflict which is in part why I've tried to make a place here, but if I learned anything from my hometown it's that you can't hide forever. Nor do I believe they're as neutral as they seem.

If anything, what we saw in our "future" shows what they're willing to do.

Or we became what tipped things over the edge. At this point, it is difficult to tell.

I think Solvunn is better at waiting and hiding their motives. And I think that what their real ones are do align with that future.

--And I don't know how much we're able to run interference with that.

It wouldn't be surprising if that were the case.

Neither do I. With Winifred gone, I do wonder if the Council will feel different. He was always less...imposing? Seems very down to earth. Mayhaps it would be worth talking with him.

Talk to him when you can and keep me in the loop.

I need to go back to checking records. If anything major happens here, I'll be in touch.

I shall, as always.

Take care, Alucard. Hopefully the next time we meet in person it will be just to exchange pastries.

TO: EVERYONE [mid-event #20]

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