Remove ads

A Simple Transaction I

Reader mode
Rihaku said:
Such edge, he thought dully, and briefly smiled. What would his younger self had said, if he could see him now? He whose life was some ghoulish nightmare out of his darkest dreamings, who a thousand times had died gasping only to awaken into a realm colder still? He could hardly remember the boy he'd been once, faintest glimmerings of a threadbare identity.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Take a moment to appreciate the fact that Forebear's from Earth and also appreciates jokes at the expense of how 'edgy' something is.

Both of these factors line up in such a way that there's a non-zero chance that one of the most far reaching and influence things to ever exist in multiple universes and multiverses, outlasting pantheons and the previously unbroken flow of time itself, was the memes spawned because of the Shadow the Hedgehog video game or something ontologically similar.
 
HeWhoAdds said:
I mean, every universe he visited was irrevocably doomed to entropy, which (and this might seem like a pretty spicy take), was bad.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Aside from the aforementioned ability to use the Sword Praxis, consider the alternative: that these universes continue to be unspeakable torture for the vast majority of their inhabitants for an eternity. Compared to that horror, a finite but tolerable universe is massively preferable. Perhaps with time and effort, the peoples of this world may even learn to escape their situation.

Rather, I think the spirit of his methods is something to emulate. That uttermost focus, the drive to overcome even the direst circumstances, to only become sharper and sharper with time passing.
 
HeWhoAdds said:
Good point! Still a little rude, if you ask me!



Normally I'd disagree, but this is the Rihakuverse, where you can buy a magic system from a peddler for three goats and a sack of beans, so they'll probably figure something out.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Well, the alternative was a universe utterly slaved to one rather shitty being, with inhabitants not even conceptualizing choice, so a universe with entropy is a good trade, in my opinion. Positive side of being a cosmic janitor is that it's hard to make the situation worse.
 
So, on the topic of how Hunger should react to the Forebear. Here's my take:

The Forebear was fundamentally a good guy, who got kinda broken by his endless quest. I don't think Hunger should strive to be like the Forebear - he should strive to be better. The Forebear, as far as I can tell, is not a Cursebearer, he does not have the power of Progression - he made it as far as he did on his own merits. Hunger is not building from scratch - he's building on the shoulders of giants, the Forebear and the Accursed. The Forebear destroys, leaves the realms he passes through diminished, a shadow of their former selves, if a shadow that is far less horrible then the full version. With the power of a Cursebearer, I think Hunger can do better, fulfilling a similar role of ending horribleness but not leaving the worlds he goes through a shattered wreck in the process.

Hunger already has the tendency to topple kingdoms, and has put some efforts towards building them back up afterwards. Perhaps that is something we should lean into more.

And really, if the Forebear heard that someone was doing his thing, but better then he did, he seems like the type to be happy about that. As much as he can be happy anyway.
 
Tyrant_Rayne said:
Honestly I think it's a bit of both. It's obvious that the Forebear wasn't a bad person. He was just a guy that was trying to do the best he could. I think his skill and dedication are something Hunger should strive to achieve. However the reason he ended up in such a bleak situation was because all he could do was cut. He didn't have enough of a skill set to properly deal with every situation. He didn't use ruin to rebuild an entire world because it was the right thing to do. He used it because it was the only thing he could do. So while we should follow his example in skill and dedication we shouldn't limit ourselves to a single method of action. We need to either diversify and achieve mastery in everything or to delegate and let our allies succeed where we can't.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

He both had and used Sword in the Stone!

He mostly used it for Hour of Reckoning, but that's an entirely valid application of the Advancement!
 
HeWhoAdds said:
I mean, every universe he visited was irrevocably doomed to entropy, which (and this might seem like a pretty spicy take), was bad.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...


But by doing so he made it so that the Universe would bring something good to existence if even for a brief time.

The alternative was a universe that was utterly tormented to such an extent that putting it out of its misery is considered a mercy.
 
HoratioVonBecker said:
Dangit, everyone missed that he has Sharpbright.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Why did everyone rate this Funny? It's very clearly a Sharpbright reference.
Rihaku said:
"Do you regret sacrificing your name for power?" One foe remained, a statuesque woman dressed in silks. Space and time spooled about her like molten amber, her skin the pale bone white of her underlings' masks.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
It's Salem and her Grimm.
*unimpressedbert.jpg*
Rihaku said:
Three EFBs acquired in a single update is truly power beyond all reason!
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
That word. You keep using that word.
...please stop!
HeWhoAdds said:
I mean, every universe he visited was irrevocably doomed to entropy, which (and this might seem like a pretty spicy take), was bad.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Every universe? Where are you getting that from?
 
Mannan said:
But by doing so he made it so that the Universe would bring something good to existence if even for a brief time.

The alternative was a universe that was utterly tormented to such an extent that putting it out of its misery is considered a mercy.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Indeed! How luxurious, to only ever be confronted with problems that are simply solved with ultraviolence! Perhaps those are the only times when the Forebear should be emulated.


HoratioVonBecker said:
Every universe? Where are you getting that from?
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Poor reading comprehension.
 
ImperatorV said:
With nothing but skill. Seriously, WTF? If this is true, he's probably more impressive then even the Accursed - at least the Accursed started off as a solaroid exalt (we think, anyway).

Also, Amarlts being descendants of the Forebear confirmed? He starts a dynasty at every world he conquers.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

One does not 'start off' as a Solar Exalt, such a distinction must be earned! Similarly, the Forebear had much access to various supernatural phenomena over his many travels!
 
One more interesting bit to note from the Update:

Rihaku said:
"You, with your mere brute skill, your unseemly invincible power, would unseat me and make of this place the pale shadow of a paradise realm, something like the Earth which after all these eons anchors still your conceits of normality. Can you not see that such an act would shirk the purpose of all possible universes, reduce ineffably the grandeur of all that is? That you have discarded name and meaning, it does not follow that you must inflict the same upon every realm you tread!"
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

The Ur-Mother seems to be protesting the 4Bear's destruction of her universes on the grounds that they were creating with some kind of greater purpose in mind, perhaps simply to empower the Ur-Mother, or to accomplish some aspect of her ineffable goals. This strikes me as something similar to the way that Fate and the Hidden Ones seem to function in the Rihakuverse, building a particular narrative or ideal into a universe such that the world itself bends toward the fulfillment of that purpose. Moreover, I've previously speculated that opposing this sort of thing was part of the Accursed's agenda, and probably what got him dogpiled by a bunch of omniversal mega-super-gods. So maybe there is a connection between the Accursed and the Forebear in some way?

HoratioVonBecker said:
Sorry for dogpiling - if it helps, it was inadvertent.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

It's all good my dude.
 
Man, was the Forebear a sad dude; all the pains of Indenture with none of the perks! A grim reminder that in the infinite multiverse, there is in fact someone who has it worse than you. In a sense I do think it's good that we picked Trinity since it veers us away from repeating his foibles.

I think his own example is most relevant to our own Geas of Indenture, but even then our tribulation is finite! Wow, it really sucks to be the Forebear. Trying to keep our own Procession from becoming a cold march towards pain and suffering is what I gather most from this. Like Hunger said, you gotta be happy when you can, otherwise you won't be able to go on.

What I'm saying is, we really should have voted to Chill that one time; now look at where we are now!
 
Rihaku said:
He both had and used Sword in the Stone!

He mostly used it for Hour of Reckoning, but that's an entirely valid application of the Advancement!
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Thats what I'm talking about. Everything about the guy was the embodiment of cutting through. A powerful ability for certain but ultimately narrow in scope. I'm almost certain that the vast majority of his abilities that weren't for violence merely existed to empower future violence. His rulership ability doesn't solve severe threats to his holdings with the wisdom of a ruler. It just empowers his own personal ability to cut through. It's not a kings ability, it's the ability of a man forced to do something against his nature. It gets its intended purpose done but barely.
 
I mean Forebear is/was a pretty cool guy and super hardcore, but there's no way Hunger should try to emulate him. He's way too bitter and jaded not to mention seems to be all alone and unable to appreciate anything.
 
LordOfMurder said:
I mean Forebear is/was a pretty cool guy and super hardcore, but there's no way Hunger should try to emulate him. He's way too bitter and jaded not to mention seems to be all alone and unable to appreciate anything.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

I mean, yeah when his enemy was about to tell him what the fuck was up with his endless procession through increasingly hellish worlds, he wasn't even willing to hear her out for a few extra moments and didn't regret it a bit despite perhaps that knowledge someday proving useful to him.
 
HeWhoAdds said:
The Ur-Mother seems to be protesting the 4Bear's destruction of her universes on the grounds that they were creating with some kind of greater purpose in mind, perhaps simply to empower the Ur-Mother, or to accomplish some aspect of her ineffable goals. This strikes me as something similar to the way that Fate and the Hidden Ones seem to function in the Rihakuverse, building a particular narrative or ideal into a universe such that the world itself bends toward the fulfillment of that purpose. Moreover, I've previously speculated that opposing this sort of thing was part of the Accursed's agenda, and probably what got him dogpiled by a bunch of omniversal mega-super-gods. So maybe there is a connection between the Accursed and the Forebear in some way?
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
I think she's just complaining that going around making all the universes like what he remembers of Earth is reducing diversity amongst universes which forbear rightly says he doesn't care about.

Sara said:
I mean, yeah when his enemy was about to tell him what the fuck was up with his endless procession through increasingly hellish worlds, he wasn't even willing to hear her out for a few extra moments and didn't regret it a bit despite perhaps that knowledge someday proving useful to him.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
I think he'd preemptively rendered himself unable to comprehend language so he couldn't be persuaded no matter what.
 
Last edited:
Consider the Thorns of the Praxis of Swords. It's nature is to make a cut a thing of significance, even a small small significance. As we have grown greatly and have a target requiring struggle, it is a good time to explore what it means it cut.

What harm can cutting words do? Perhaps physical harm, but even if not, they cut at focus and attention.

What harm can a cutting glace do? Perhaps physical harm, but even if not, it strikes at moral and will to fight?

What harm can a handful of sand cast into the waters do? How small a cut does the scratch of motion swimming through silted waters make, though it still cuts.

Could acid be thought to cut, how much more so when full of Elderdross?

How about sunlight reflected by an edge of a blade? Mighty lasers cut, and yet are simply more beams of light then our mild reflection...
 
Sara said:
I mean, yeah when his enemy was about to tell him what the fuck was up with his endless procession through increasingly hellish worlds, he wasn't even willing to hear her out for a few extra moments and didn't regret it a bit despite perhaps that knowledge someday proving useful to him.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
It's not that he wasn't willing to hear her, he literally suppressed his hearing so he could Cut better for a moment. But even if he could hear, I don't think he would have cared with how numb he seemed to it all. And he did offer the Ur-Mother the chance to surrender anyway; it was just her own hubris that got her killed.
 
Urg, we are not going to get to keep the blade, are we?

To think, we took Trinity thinking it was all that, when the 4Bear advancement was forged by a being that casually smites Fates.

And then we didn't even get Threefold, which means the 4bear will come for his sword.

So much salt, and that's bad.

I spent most of the morning passing a Kidney Stone, I'm not supposed to have any salt for a least a week!
 
Reader mode
You must login or register to reply here.
Remove ads
Back
Top