[thearchitect] image/text

[emet_sulk]

[ The photograph attached to the post depicts the front of a small shop called Polydegmon's Lapidary and Brew. It's got that 'new store' look, where everything looks pristine and nothing has been touched by grime or dust settling in the corners yet. It's not the most terribly modern-looking place (look, the rent was cheap).

He wouldn't even be advertising it here if a certain someone didn't bug him to. Honestly, he could do without the publicity... ]

I am now accepting commissions as a goldsmith and alchemist. My hours are from midday to six, weekdays only. Or whatever it is you call them. No, my prices are not negotiable.

[ Attached beneath the above terse remark is the address to the store. ]

Additionally, I will NOT accept requests for items to use in warfare of any sort. At all. If I find that you have done so then I will make sure you regret it for the remainder of your days.


(ooc: Please respect that a character will suffer some kind of IC consequence if they try and use his products as IC war propaganda or in serious IC war efforts. Doubly so if they deceive him for it.

[CW: Discussions of warfare in certain threads. Please use discretion when reading.]

Comments

TEXT: UN: HAMMERTIME

[forgeabettertomorrow]

A goldsmith! Interesting!

If you dont mind my asking why do you prohibit your items to be used in warfare? Im not suggesting youre wrong but as a blacksmith my wares tend to find their way onto the battlefield

[emet_sulk]

I despise it. That's all. A world where a blacksmith is expected to forge weapons is a sad one indeed.

[ Is that really all it is though? ]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Im no fan of war either trust me I especially hate blacksmiths that profiteer on it

But I think its a little unrealistic to expect that your wares will never wind up in a battle

To that end I just do my best to make something thatll at least protect the person who commissioned me

Does that make sense?

[emet_sulk]

Unrealistic? You say that because you have never known a world free of strife.

I will not be offering my services to those who join their voices in calls for war and that is final.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Im not disagreeing with you

But youre telling me you come from a literal perfect world free of any type of fighting?

[emet_sulk]

I do. I did.

The very thought of physically harming another was abhorrent amongst my people.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Thats

[Darin considers this for a moment. He has a lot of questions. A lot.]

So were there just no disputes at all? Everyone agreed? No one got angry enough to want to throttle someone?

[emet_sulk]

No, of course not. We weren't made of stone.

[ Case in point: himself. ]

Disagreements were not uncommon. But rather than come to blows over them, the topic would be debated until both parties came to an understanding - even if that understanding was that they would agree to disagree.

Quite frankly, I find the idea of wishing to throttle someone over a differing point of view obscene. Anger deafens one to reason. My people understood that.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I agree to a point but

I mean not all fights are born out of ignorance or differing opinions

Havent you ever heard the phrase 'something worth fighting for?' Im not trying to advocate for war or anything but it just seems like

When something is absent theres a lack of balance

I just find it really hard to believe

[emet_sulk]

[ At this point he's getting fed up. He's had variations of this conversation thousands upon thousands of times in the past with people exactly like this person on the other end of the screen.

He's angry.

He's tired.

He's sick of trying to debate with mortals who refuse to believe lasting peace can exist. ]

Since we're sharing trite idioms, have one in return:

An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

This conversation is over.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I think I get how you can have an entire society with no war or 'strife'

Its super easy to do it when you just ignore the other party and bury your head in the sand

Id rather have a society with passion and different perspectives than an emotionally lobotomized world

[emet_sulk]

[ There is, unfortunately, no response.

Even if he wants so very badly to say just how wrong they are about his people. ]

text; un: notarchitect

[weenwoon]

[Hi Darin, have another Pacifist Weirdo. :D

OOC: I hope the threadjack is okay, I got Emet's player's permission but lmk if you'd rather not do this! o/]

Pray forgive my friend his curtness. I doubt he would be fine with me disclosing much about him, but I will simply say that he has his reasons to feel the way he does.

Now... I can understand your frustrations somewhat. The idea of an utterly peaceful society seems impossible to many here, almost affronting at times; but I would say that in this case it simply stems from fundamental differences between our societies. :) The mortal worlds are indeed wildly varied, almost by their very definition and the laws they bend to. 'Tis understandable that to you the kind of thinking and perception of the world that my people have would be alien, with little way to adopt it but have it forced upon you. There is some delightful little saying - a square peg and a round hole, I believe? 'Twould be quite fitting for this situation.

But I do hope you do not truly believe our society was emotionally empty. Different opinions were not only common, but encouraged - for how can man strive towards knowledge when he is blinded to all but his own view? And a colleague of ours, he who held the post of the Speaker, was quite famous and admired for his skill and passion in oratory. Amaurot, our greatest city, is home to many artists of all disciplines. No, emotion has ever been quite an important part of our lives. :)

But in spirit of this discussion may I ask you this: what would be reason enough for you to kill a man?

text; un: konpeito_oni

[konpeito_aji]

Because he's intent on killing others.

[Oda's been GOOD so far about not hijacking all he reads, despite his general personality, but this he HAS to know more about.]

Or worse. Forcing them to toil under false gods, and not even enjoy what short life they have. I've never killed due to passion, so I can't speak for others, but simply maintaining peace for the sake of it doesn't help starving peasants, or keep the demons in check.

You say you debated with words instead of using force, yet he ran away. In my view, because his emotions got the better of him. I want to know what makes this lifestyle superior then? How do you enforce no use of force? What are the consequences for such if not violence itself?

I have long believed creating a world where productivity giving everyone a chance to shine would be superior, but even in the future of my country, there are still restless demons who rebel for the sake of rebelling. Are you saying then, none such exist? How? The only way that seems possible is without free will, and chaos substituted for permanent stasis with no chance to improve or grow.

[weenwoon]

[Fortunately (very fortunately), Hythlodaeus is not Emet, because boy some of these things! Some of these topics!]

My friend's circumstances are different than my own. He has long been away from our home, and carries pain I can scarce imagine. It is no surprise his responses are different from mine.

[Please no bully his husband, he already has breakdowns at least once a month. :'( ]

But once again, we come to the fundamental differences between our worlds. But I shall not give up my love for my home and our way of life. I know that it is possible for mankind to coexist in peace, if each and every one of them agrees to regard themselves and the others as allies, not threats, if they can trust one another. Unfortunately, I know not whether such trust is possible for mortals.

But to explain more thoroughly: my kind are blessed with long lives, measuring in thousands of mortal years, and powers of creation as well. The kind of scenarios you describe are simply impossible in our world. Why would one strive for power and take away others' freedom when he himself is free? You say that you would kill in self-defense, or other manners of defense, but what need is there for such defense when there is no offense that warrants it in the first place?

The workings of our society differ as well from those that I have seen here, those my friends have told me of. We have ever had a strong connection to one another; part of the whole, while mortals seem to be... apart. On my arrival here, 'twas a truly terrifying thing to feel this loneliness, this separation, yet even more terrifying was learning that kindness here is oft repaid with exploitation. A matter which I yet cannot wrap my mind around - in my world, such toil for the others' happiness is only appreciated and returned in kind.

All we have ever done we have done as one people, working for the sake of one another. Surely you would not call love for your fellow man lack of free will?

And that is what it all comes down to. Such peace is possible in my world for none are neglected or overlooked to such degree that they would seek to lash out at the world. None need starve, for even if the harvest is scarce we would share with one another. None need fear the chill of winter nor the blazing heat of summer; there would be a warm home or a cool shelter for all. If one were to stumble, another would help them up, and such would be true for every man on our star. Each person is free to choose their path, and none would choose a path of destruction, for each knows themselves to be a person among people, a part of a whole, not a stranger among strangers. And there is so much more for mankind to turn our energy to than fighting one another.

[konpeito_aji]

[THERE'S A REASON EMET TRIED TO PUNCH HIM :D!]

[As for not bullying him, that's Nobunaga's thiiiing though!]

Thank you, I know you speak the truth, but it might be impossible for beings who don't often live past 50 years.

[He REALLY doubts it's the length of years. Because:]

Demons delight in chaos, perhaps you are free from such entities, but I saw no options other than to bind them to my will by force or elimination. Many of them would much rather drag each other down than even help each other succeed or even escape from Hell. If such a thing didn't require force, I'd be happy to employ it.

[After all, he was the one telling people, produce better. Whatever could be gained from war, could be gained better by production. BUILDING. But whatever. Demon King. It's not like he's used to being listened to except when people are afraid he's going to chop off heads.]

A united front is certainly a lot easier to pressure and corner others, but how would you go about it starting from scratch, such as in this place?

[Genuinely asking.]

[weenwoon]

[FIFTY YEARS....... Y'ALL HAVE YOU TRIED LIVING LONGER.]

Demons... I have heard and read of such entities in this world, yes, but they were unknown on our star. They do sound like difficult creatures to deal with.

[We are NOT talking about Final Days thx]

I am uncertain about your wording of pressuring and cornering others - I assume that is the tactic you would employ in your world to subdue those demons?..

To answer your question, however, I would first point out that the presence and capriciousness of the fae on this star make it quite... difficult to elaborate on such a scenario of uniting people. Nevertheless, I shall do my best, and for the purpose of this assume that one cannot persuade people to simply care for one another.

As with any problem, of course, the solution is found by first identifying the underlying reasons and then removing them. Why is it that people fight? What do they seek to gain from it? If 'tis from lack of food, shelter, security in their lives - then they must needs be granted those things. Those that seek power and control most likely require comfort of the emotional sort, but I must needs say there is yet much I do not understand when it comes to the hearts of mortals.

But that is another thing. People must needs understand their own wants, needs, feelings, and more than that - be able to express them to one another. Thus we come to the cultural side: developing the knowledge of the human psyche and sharing it freely, so that people may understand one another better. With that selfsame knowledge, raise children to truly understand the principles of kindness.

My thinking would be along those lines. Of course, 'tis hard for me to propose a clear-cut course of action when I yet know and understand little about this world and its people.

[konpeito_aji]

[He 100% laughs out loud.]

[That was actually his thought and what he said, and told others! So he's glad he's on the same track?]

[But understanding one's wants. That is INDEED the troublesome part, isn't it?]

From everything I have seen, I have the same assessment. I suppose the difficult part now is just to help people understand what they could have here without invading.

That we can produce and create better here than can be gotten through invasion.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I dont know who you are friend but I couldnt have said it better myself

Sounds like you come from a world similar to mine

[konpeito_aji]

Oda Nobunaga, Demon King of the 6th Heaven.
I'm from Japan, 1582 by the Western calendar.
My army fighting the god of war and others had a motto, "Rule the world by force." It was the only way to stop idiots from doing more war, ironically.

If you wish to join the army and defense forces, I'll be running daily drills and mounting defenses, including for natural weather disasters, which are even more devastating in my experience.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Im sorry did you say 'demon king?'

[He'll...get to the other stuff in a moment]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

(OOC: Totally okay! This is good stuff!)

[Darin was a little surprise to see a follow-up message from an unrecognized user name, but he takes his time to read the response thoroughly.]

I dont think the idea is affronting at all it just seems untenable without some pretty drastic measures

Im sorry if I came off as harsh but with such sharp rhetoric and rebuttal it felt like the only way to do what youve managed was through some sort of force. I firmly believe that every situation should be looked at through every available perspective and your friend wasnt exactly forthcoming with his

And to answer your question I think that its a loaded one. I could easily say Id never kill another person unless my life were in danger but I think you and I are smart enough to know that any admission of being willing to take another life is a sliding scale. It starts with 'self defense' and then it expands to 'my loved ones were in danger.'

Before we know it people will murder for king and country or whatever god they believe in that day.

Ill answer your question though. I have killed a man. I was framed for the murder of another and I was on the run. He was ordered to bring me in dead or alive and he chose 'dead.' Believe me when I say that Im not proud of what I did but I dont regret it if it means I can stop others from being killed

Which I intend

[weenwoon]

I fear that this manner of argument is a much-repeated occurrence for my friend. 'Tis not out of malice that he withdraws, but out of weariness. Like I have mentioned, my people live for thousands of years: he has seen endless repetitions of such discussions that nevertheless failed to stop conflict, and rather more pain and suffering than a heart can take. Though your frustration with his choice of words and action is understandable, I would ask you to be kind to him.

And I am sorry to hear that you had to make such a choice. I do not think I could have done the same, but neither would I know what, if aught at all, to do in such a situation. I do not understand how there could have been a murder for you to be framed for at all - that is not to say that I disbelieve you, but I cannot understand what would prompt a man to kill another first if not out of self-defense or aught of the kind.

Heavens, what a thought to dwell on...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I was trying to be kind

I get it. Anyone would get tired of explaining something like this over and over again especially to people doubting you from the outset. Its a never ending uphill battle. But if youre going to talk about a society with no war or strife I would think a little more patience would make some sense. Especially since I wasnt trying to doubt him. Just

Learn I guess. Ruminate. It sounds too good to be true.

[Which means is usually is. But Darin keeps that to himself.]

Its a long involved story

If you dont mind my asking what would you have done in my shoes?

[weenwoon]

Then I shall ask him to be more patient with you as well. 'Tis heartening to know that you meant no harm and that we may yet come to a mutual understanding. :) Although mayhap I should warn you that he is on the ornery side in casual conversation as well... but personally I see it as a charm point of his. He is a very caring man, one of the kindest I have ever known, but he must needs have his defenses.

[Read: he's a tsundere.

Also kind of an asshole in general, which Hythlodaeus is unfortunately not aware enough of.]

I confess that the idea of "too good to be true" rings somewhat alien to me as well. May I ask what it means?

But to answer your question... I would have tried to plead my case that I am not guilty. Though from the way you speak, that likely would have resulted in myself being arrested or killed... but I cannot imagine what else I could have done.