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[judgementor]

I have a question for everyone here. That is, multiple questions relating to the same topic, if you'd indulge me.

On Tierra, the world I come from, humans were granted form and souls by the creator long ago. What they didn't know at that time was that the creator had also placed souls in other things. Souls that could not be seen or felt but were present nonetheless.

Over time, the humans realised the presence of these souls and discovered how to summon them into physical form. They did this because of an enemy that they couldn't fight on their own - they needed beings with more power, that would not be so easily killed. They found the weapons that they needed in their new creations, which would eventually come to be called 'Food Souls'. They could hold incredible magical ability and strength, and the humans still didn't fully understand where they came from.

Food Souls could be summoned and bound to the summoner, tied to their will, following their orders, and wishing to please them even through mistreatment. After the death of their master, the Food Soul would be left in the world without them.

My question then, is this. Should such beings exist in your world, how do you think they would be treated? How do you think that you would treat such a being? Would they be treated well, or discarded when they had outlived their usefulness?

I'm already aware through previous travels that my world is not entirely unique in this regard. I'm curious, too, how other summoned individuals would describe their experiences.





((any format is fine for reply - he'll answer like for like. text was just easier, given the amount of information he was putting across.))

Comments

text; un: username

[absentconstellation]

What you are referring to is slavery. Humans have enslaved anything, from animals to immortals, even each other. They have even attempted to enslave the Gods.

The desire to control others is inherent to human nature. However, I have observed that empathy is also inherent. Over time, those who have been enslaved will find allies among the free, and the injustice will be corrected. It does not always require interference on the part of the Gods.

[judgementor]

I'm very aware of what I'm referring to.

[He was vague on purpose regarding whether or not he might be one of the Food Souls of which he spoke, not wanting his own status to colour the answers he got.]

Your gods are still present in your world, then? Interesting.

[absentconstellation]

I should hope you are aware, but there are those who believe it's different if the slaves are not their own kind. It's how they justify unconscionable behavior.

The Gods are very active, for all they do not seem able to reach this Realm. They do not approve of slavery, but all beings have the right to choose their own paths and make their own mistakes.

[judgementor]

I've found humans often need little excuse. But Food Souls can be just as troublesome when left to their own devices.

[absentconstellation]

True enough.

Food Souls are living beings too, if I understand correctly. They too must make their own decisions.

[judgementor]

And they do. More so those who have already lost their Masters than not.

[absentconstellation]

You speak as though those who are slaves are incapable of making decisions.

[judgementor]

As I said, it's very difficult for a Food Soul to go against the wishes of their master.

[absentconstellation]

Difficult, but not impossible.

Humans so often fail to realize that such a choice is ultimately inevitable. Given time the dynamic will always resolve itself. The only question is how many will die in the process.

[judgementor]

If some Food Souls had their way, the answer would be 'many'.

Not that I entirely disapprove of their reasoning.
Only their methods.

[absentconstellation]

Violent uprisings do tend to be the fastest method to create change, and have an emotional appeal to those who take part. They are not very efficient, however, and the risk is much greater that failure will result in a significant worsening of circumstances.

How long do Food Souls typically live in the Mortal Realm? For humans peaceful change often takes several generations, which causes problems when organizing a concerted effort.

[judgementor]

We can't be killed by conventional means. In theory a Food Soul could live forever.

[absentconstellation]

In theory, perhaps. There have been immortals in the Mortal Realm made slaves by humans, and the conditions under which they work are often fatal. Typically those which are unable to communicate with humans are subjected to crueler methods of persuasion, however, which does not appear to be a problem Food Souls face.

[judgementor]

It hasn't generally stopped crueller methods being applied.

[absentconstellation]

Perhaps, but it is generally easier for humans to give verbal commands than attempt to harm a creature into performing tasks more complex than moving in a particular direciton.

[judgementor]

I'm curious, is the experience you seem to have in these matters purely observational?

[absentconstellation]

It is. I have seen slavery in many forms, in many Realms and cultures.

[judgementor]

I see.
And it always appears the same to you?

[absentconstellation]

For the most part. The details differ.