Cora's Adult League Chronicles
Nov 23, 2016 19:08:13 GMT -8
Post by Cora on Nov 23, 2016 19:08:13 GMT -8
Hekona's Notes - November 2016
Dear Mother,
I am finally starting to understand this new lesson. I am sorry that it has taken me so many years to comprehend. Thank you for being patient with me - after I had awoken from hibernation, I know it must have been tempting to come back to the tower basement where I waited, to give me a hint or a push toward resolution - but now I see that the lesson would have been lost if you had done so. What a stubborn student I was, assuming that since you had left no instructions, I should stand by and do nothing! Even as the dust collected and my hunger grew, I still waited and waited. How could I have been so blind?
I am glad that you did not make the answer too obvious, that I had to battle my own doubts while I scratched at the locked basement door. For once I had worn away the splintered wood enough to hurl my body against it and break through, my path had become clear. Finally, finally, it dawned upon me that I was poised to transition into a new stage of learning. There is only so much one can know from lectures and written words, after all, and you knew that well. What good is a student without independence, initiative, curiosity? It was time for me to gain practical experience, to overcome uncertainty and step out into the world. Your methods are brilliant as always.
While I miss you, Mother, I am honored that I have graduated into an adventurer. I know that I will be graded for my every action during this time, so I will begin compiling my notes so that you can see my learning process after you inevitably return. I have completed my first day of missions in Pinnacle and have already experienced a wide swath of subjects.
On Cultural Sociology, Religion and Economics
On our way through the Pinnacle quad a group of mixed species stopped us to converse. Upon seeing my appearance they began addressing me with admiration and reverence, with references to the divine. One held out an ink pen to me and declared it a “sacrifice.” Upon accepting, they moved on before I was able to offer something in exchange. I have determined that a “sacrifice” is something given with nothing received in return - perhaps also with a religious connotation, but not always. Others throughout the day offered me sacrifices as well, including a leaf and a drawing from a foreign elf who may be named “Valor,” and a hand from several individuals. Strangely, those who offered me their hands pulled them away before I could finish examining and separating them from their bodies. Perhaps more study is needed of the cultural context for sacrifices, and the appropriate practices for accepting them.
On Personal History
An adventurer named Rune says that she has heard stories of you, mother! I remember history lessons involving her progenitor, Nina Earthshooter. But Rune has never met you in person. Exactly how long have you been away, I wonder?
On Modern Linguistic Pragmatics
One hobbit student with the appellation “Mel” has taught me a new phrase: “Saa duid.” From her repeated usage, I was able to conclude that this phrase is a universal greeting, but it is likely to be a very local dialect, as many of the other adventurers were not familiar with it either. This particular hobbit also has a curious habit of regarding seemingly unrelated actions, people, and objects and declaring that she is the “same”. More study is needed to uncover the meaning of this.
On Spiritualism and the Culinary Arts
The teacher Katie Moonswane presented us with baked goods, which were infused with a spirit in each. To my delight, these sated my hunger! I must study the technique that created these. Others consumed them as well, with a variety of effects: some became able to see the spirit world, and some had their metabolisms affected by an overproduction of adrenaline.
On Primary Sources
Some of the other adventurers located a number of ripped papers, which when put together showed a captain’s log of one named Jacques Suea from approximately 40 years ago. I attempted to listen when it was read aloud, but the streets were so full of conflicting voices and sounds that I was unable to concentrate. A member of the Semi Martials’ Guild asked for a copy in exchange for access to Pinnacle’s libraries, but was refused. Later, the group took the log to the Keychain, who provided additional information, including the name of a mute Lake Clan nobleman who was likely included in the shipwreck that the log referenced. This “Keychain” seems a valuable resource, as they provide historical knowledge as a sacrifice.
On Zoology and Necrozoology
One mission detailed a report of erratic animal behavior to the north: a group including horses, wolves, and possibly a single raccoon were all running the same direction. When we arrived, the group of horses were traveling in an orbit around a cloaked woman, who was able to control their movements with gestures. The precision and synchronization of these animals was remarkable, and the technique required to do so deserves more study. The woman herself was noteworthy as well, since she appeared to be an elf, but with five fingers.
The creatures that the woman and horses had been fleeing were undead felines, who had powerful claws and seemed to attack indiscriminately. Some proposed that they may have been former Wind Runners or Zephyr Cats who had been turned into undead. People seemed surprised by this notion; it makes sense that they would not be used to the presence of necromancers capable of such things since you’ve been away, mother!
On Ethics
During this day I have observed several conflicting pieces of information, which I will now try to reconcile:
1. Violence is socially unacceptable when initiated.
2. Violence is socially acceptable when retaliating.
3. Violence is socially acceptable against a group designated “hostile,” even if individuals in the group have not yet initiated violence.
4. Violence against undead is socially acceptable, for all undead are considered “hostile” unless specifically proven otherwise. Adventurers proposed multiple times to hunt down and destroy “undead” as a general term.
5. I am perceived as not “hostile” and so violence against me is socially unacceptable.
6. The difference between myself and “hostile” undead is that “hostile” undead attack without a perceived reason.
7. I commit violence for the purpose of feeding. This is not a socially acceptable reason for violence and may change my designation into “hostile”.
8. However, it is slightly more socially acceptable to feed on those already designated “hostile.”
9. Additionally, some have expressed that violence for the purpose of feeding is “natural.” This can likely be utilized.
10. Lastly, some accept violence against those designated “hostile” as long as it is not perceived by the group at large. Therefore, when committing violence for the purpose of feeding, I should ensure that as few individuals perceive it as possible.
Dear Mother,
I am finally starting to understand this new lesson. I am sorry that it has taken me so many years to comprehend. Thank you for being patient with me - after I had awoken from hibernation, I know it must have been tempting to come back to the tower basement where I waited, to give me a hint or a push toward resolution - but now I see that the lesson would have been lost if you had done so. What a stubborn student I was, assuming that since you had left no instructions, I should stand by and do nothing! Even as the dust collected and my hunger grew, I still waited and waited. How could I have been so blind?
I am glad that you did not make the answer too obvious, that I had to battle my own doubts while I scratched at the locked basement door. For once I had worn away the splintered wood enough to hurl my body against it and break through, my path had become clear. Finally, finally, it dawned upon me that I was poised to transition into a new stage of learning. There is only so much one can know from lectures and written words, after all, and you knew that well. What good is a student without independence, initiative, curiosity? It was time for me to gain practical experience, to overcome uncertainty and step out into the world. Your methods are brilliant as always.
While I miss you, Mother, I am honored that I have graduated into an adventurer. I know that I will be graded for my every action during this time, so I will begin compiling my notes so that you can see my learning process after you inevitably return. I have completed my first day of missions in Pinnacle and have already experienced a wide swath of subjects.
On Cultural Sociology, Religion and Economics
On our way through the Pinnacle quad a group of mixed species stopped us to converse. Upon seeing my appearance they began addressing me with admiration and reverence, with references to the divine. One held out an ink pen to me and declared it a “sacrifice.” Upon accepting, they moved on before I was able to offer something in exchange. I have determined that a “sacrifice” is something given with nothing received in return - perhaps also with a religious connotation, but not always. Others throughout the day offered me sacrifices as well, including a leaf and a drawing from a foreign elf who may be named “Valor,” and a hand from several individuals. Strangely, those who offered me their hands pulled them away before I could finish examining and separating them from their bodies. Perhaps more study is needed of the cultural context for sacrifices, and the appropriate practices for accepting them.
On Personal History
An adventurer named Rune says that she has heard stories of you, mother! I remember history lessons involving her progenitor, Nina Earthshooter. But Rune has never met you in person. Exactly how long have you been away, I wonder?
On Modern Linguistic Pragmatics
One hobbit student with the appellation “Mel” has taught me a new phrase: “Saa duid.” From her repeated usage, I was able to conclude that this phrase is a universal greeting, but it is likely to be a very local dialect, as many of the other adventurers were not familiar with it either. This particular hobbit also has a curious habit of regarding seemingly unrelated actions, people, and objects and declaring that she is the “same”. More study is needed to uncover the meaning of this.
On Spiritualism and the Culinary Arts
The teacher Katie Moonswane presented us with baked goods, which were infused with a spirit in each. To my delight, these sated my hunger! I must study the technique that created these. Others consumed them as well, with a variety of effects: some became able to see the spirit world, and some had their metabolisms affected by an overproduction of adrenaline.
On Primary Sources
Some of the other adventurers located a number of ripped papers, which when put together showed a captain’s log of one named Jacques Suea from approximately 40 years ago. I attempted to listen when it was read aloud, but the streets were so full of conflicting voices and sounds that I was unable to concentrate. A member of the Semi Martials’ Guild asked for a copy in exchange for access to Pinnacle’s libraries, but was refused. Later, the group took the log to the Keychain, who provided additional information, including the name of a mute Lake Clan nobleman who was likely included in the shipwreck that the log referenced. This “Keychain” seems a valuable resource, as they provide historical knowledge as a sacrifice.
On Zoology and Necrozoology
One mission detailed a report of erratic animal behavior to the north: a group including horses, wolves, and possibly a single raccoon were all running the same direction. When we arrived, the group of horses were traveling in an orbit around a cloaked woman, who was able to control their movements with gestures. The precision and synchronization of these animals was remarkable, and the technique required to do so deserves more study. The woman herself was noteworthy as well, since she appeared to be an elf, but with five fingers.
The creatures that the woman and horses had been fleeing were undead felines, who had powerful claws and seemed to attack indiscriminately. Some proposed that they may have been former Wind Runners or Zephyr Cats who had been turned into undead. People seemed surprised by this notion; it makes sense that they would not be used to the presence of necromancers capable of such things since you’ve been away, mother!
On Ethics
During this day I have observed several conflicting pieces of information, which I will now try to reconcile:
1. Violence is socially unacceptable when initiated.
2. Violence is socially acceptable when retaliating.
3. Violence is socially acceptable against a group designated “hostile,” even if individuals in the group have not yet initiated violence.
4. Violence against undead is socially acceptable, for all undead are considered “hostile” unless specifically proven otherwise. Adventurers proposed multiple times to hunt down and destroy “undead” as a general term.
5. I am perceived as not “hostile” and so violence against me is socially unacceptable.
6. The difference between myself and “hostile” undead is that “hostile” undead attack without a perceived reason.
7. I commit violence for the purpose of feeding. This is not a socially acceptable reason for violence and may change my designation into “hostile”.
8. However, it is slightly more socially acceptable to feed on those already designated “hostile.”
9. Additionally, some have expressed that violence for the purpose of feeding is “natural.” This can likely be utilized.
10. Lastly, some accept violence against those designated “hostile” as long as it is not perceived by the group at large. Therefore, when committing violence for the purpose of feeding, I should ensure that as few individuals perceive it as possible.