Soneillon. Part 2. (Updated 10/7)

[Dakkareth]

There were two discrete points at which I was particularily amazed-surprised-overwhelmed, the point, where they speak about 'loosing the horror' on whatever was in their way and when Mostin declared his intent and subsequently posed an metagnostic inquiry to that pseudonatural.

After that I was already blown away so far, that in a state of profound amazement I could do barely more than gape at the web of motes, its overwhelming implications passing through a cloudy mind without evoking the appropriate resonance.

This segment is nothing short of incredible. It combines the philosophical deepness of Eadrics parley with Titivilus with Mostin's staggering madness and the hint of infinite connections and realities beyond the visible as in the scene, where the implications of the heroes' actions on planar politics are shown. Add the nifty RP/RL/mechanic component and it reaches yet another level of incredibility.


Great originality and utterly unreal creativeness composed in masterfully applied language make this part one of the best pieces of literature I've ever read. And I'm saying this not lightly at all and in absolute honesty.


-Dakkareth

 

[Celtavian]

re

Is Sep planning to publish his world? If so, he has a great kernel with his unique religion. It would probably take alot of work to develop a unique magic system and rename his pantheon, or at least differentiate it from the D&D version of certain celestial creatures, so that he would have full copyright protection for his creation.

 

[AI]

I've been devouring all that I can find of this particular Story Hour and hopefully I haven't overlooked what I am about to ask for, but has there been a discourse yet between Nwm and Oronthon's proxy, Tramst?

I loved the scene between Tramst and Shomei and I can only imagine what a discussion/debate between Tramst and Nwm would be like. Kudos to Nwm's player for keeping his character's personality so consistent. I love his pragmatic and "down to earth" attitude. I am just intensely curious to see if a run in with Tramst would alter any of his practical world-views at all.

In Shomei's case, even she was not able to leave a meeting with Oronthon unscathed, so to speak. And we all know how stubborn women are.

[Edit: Initially spelled "Oronthon" incorrectly. Forgive me, Tramst.]

 

[grodog]

A revelation occurred to me.

[Soneillon] knelt slightly too close for decency, her perfume a heady combination of musk and spice. She turned her head, and her breath was warm in his ear as she whispered.

"Nothing becomes."

This quotation from the latest update of Soneillon Part II is, remarkably but not exactly unexpectedly, the concluduing phrase to Eadric's revelation when he first meets Tramst at the beginning of Rape of Morne II:

([Tramst] Leans forward and touches Eadric lightly on the forehead).

SEEING FOR THE FIRST TIME I-THOU BEING-NONBEING-BECOMING KNOWING-UNKNOWING SEEKING-FINDING-LOSING-FINDING TIME-BEING ETERNITY-NONBEING NOW-BECOMING EVERYTHING-NOTHING IDENTITY-DIFFERENCE RELATIVE-ABSOLUTE. NOTHING IS. NOTHING IS NOT. NOTHING BECOMES.

“Saizha*,” Oronthon said.

Eadric wasn’t sure if it was a question, or not, and knew that it didn’t matter. Duality had evaporated in a soaring ecstasy.

I wonder if Oronthon's scope of revelation and change for his priesthood, for Wyre's reality, is much greater than we had previously imagined:

If Nehael is able to reconcile the Fallen with the Green, through her redemption, is Eadric about to reconcile nothingness (Soneillon) with actuality/reality (as embodied in himself)???

Given Sep's explanation of Saizha in the second post of Rape of Morne II---

NOTHING IS. NOTHING IS NOT. NOTHING BECOMES

The final, bold assertion framed as a threefold dialectic of negation, and reiterating the ontological questions raised before. The Real cannot be described as either existing or not existing, or as being in the process of becoming. This is the central mystical assertion of saizhan.

---I think that Soneillon, on some level, represents the subjectivity of reality in a Schroedinger's-Cat-like manner: she's there, she's not, but she's still real and still nothingness, existing (and not existing) in both states at the same time.

Further, when the magi of Wyre descend into hell to bind Gihaahia, they encounter the following:

"[The wave of hatred] will pass," Jovol assured them. "It is merely an echo of an event long past, or one which happened in another time – depending on your perspective. Dream remembers all potentiality – realized or not, past, present or future. Parallel, perpendicular, or extending into an infinity of dimensions."

"What is/was/will be the event?" The Alienist asked, careful not to frame his question in the language of conventional linear time.

"That also depends on your perspective," the Ogre grinned. "The Prime Nodality. The beginning of dualism. The birth of the dialectic. The planting of the seeds of knowledge or damnation."

"The Fall," Shomei said.

"If you subscribe to that particular paradigm," Jovol nodded. "For the moment, we should adopt it whatever our respective world-views: it is relevant to our situation. Let’s just assume that it’s provisionally correct, and act accordingly. We are on the fringes of Hell."

A possible nod to Gaiman's Sandman series (re: Morpheus' escape from Hell and confrontation with Lucifer) follows this discussion:

"And Devils dream?" Mostin asked incredulously. "I’ve never seen one sleep, and I’ve known a few."

"Everything dreams," Jovol answered.

"Twaddle," Shomei muttered.

I think there are connections to the Web of Motes, too: the web sights into alternative realities, each of which may be equally and validly real (and not real), according to the final saizhan assertion. Soneillon may be the key to resolving the unreality of Nothingness with Creation. Perhaps Eadric must turn her.... Perhaps all of the story's activity to date has been Oronthon trying to resolve his separation from Demogorgon, the uttermost ontic negation? Will the love-child of Eadric and Soneillon (or of Eadric and Nehael) be the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, of exalted damnation, which will repair that rift for once and for all?

===

Unrelatedly, I seem to be having email problems again: no outbound mail for the past day+. I'll get compilations out as soon as I'm able.

EDIT: added Gihaahia passage, Gaiman comment, fruit comment

 

[The Forsaken One]

That's deep Grodog, that's deep.

 

[Cinerarium]

There went my weekend

I was supposed to be converting my character for Destan's campaign over to 3.5 as well as updating his journal before we play on Tuesday. Instead I spent almost all of my free time over the weekend finally getting completely caught up with this Story Hour.

Wow.

Thanks also to Cheiromancer for compiling the whole thing in one thread, without comments.

But let me get back to the heaping of praise part.

Wow.

I gotta say, I'm not a huge fan of the Zen aspects of Saizhan, but just having those kinds of conversations IC in a game is... well, very impressive.

Bravo to Sep and his players for doing such an amazing job, both as good gamers and good role-players!

My hat's off to you,
Cinerarium

 

[Seravin]

Sep,
It's been awhile since I said this was a Great Story Hour, but it is and it's worth repeating along with everyone else.

It's a Great Story Hour - my personal favorite out of the handfull I read. Thanks for taking the time to write it out for us. Also, thanks for the advice and praise for your readers in Destan's storyhour.

Again, thanks for taking the time.

oh...

and 'wow'.

<edit: fixed a small spacing issue>

 

[Lela]

Also, thanks for the advice and praise for your readers in Destan's storyhour.

Aw, might as well reference it then,

Hi Destan

Sorry to leave it so long before replying - I've been following since the outset. It seems almost gauche to add my praises now, but you have a profound gift with words - don't ever let anyone else tell you differently.

The more you write, the better you'll get. Keep writing. I'm still new to the process, and often terribly intimidated by it.

Every day, sit down and write, if you can - even if it's only a line or a paragraph. There will be times when all you want to do is smash the screen of your monitor, or you feel sick with it, or blocked, or whatever. Sometimes, you will despise the people who praise you, and resent their incessant nagging for an update. Writing will interfere with your social life, your personal life and, ironically, the time you have to prepare for and play the game itself. It will consume you.

You must do it. You know this.

A year from now, you'll probably look back and be embarrassed by your early posts - I certainly am by mine. They will feel naïve and awkward. Struggling to express ideas is the most frustrating thing in the world, but I think it becomes easier and more natural. Maybe. As I say, I'm still - comparatively - a virgin when it comes to this.

Never relent in your criticism of yourself, and try to accept praise gracefully - something which is very awkward for me to do, and something I often feel guilty about. I really should acknowledge people's positive comments more than I do, and I'm conscious that I might sometimes come across as stand-offish and arrogant - something that I need to work on

The ENWorld boards are a wonderful community and resource. And although I have, at times, resented my readers' "incessant nagging ," I couldn't have come this far without them. Prodding, nudging, encouraging, supporting, and making me sit down again at the computer. They have my profound gratitude.

Best to you, and here's hoping that you can find a groove that you're comfortable with.


Jim Ferris.

Also, big pimp for Destan's Work while I'm at it.

 

[Garlok]

This is Fantastic!!

Yes I know I'm comming in a bit late but I only discovered this Story on Sunday and I am now up to date.

I can only say as has already been said by many others:

WRITE A BOOK!!!

Even if it means no updates for quite some time. I'm thinking that once you make your pile 'O $$$ that you can then direct more time into doing writing and updates and we will all be the better off for it.

I am just floored with how good this story is....

 

[Celtavian]

re

Do those requesting he write a book have any idea how much he would have to alter the material to control the property? Not to mention having to sign certain agreements with the players for claim on each character concept and name.

Its no easy feat to create a literary property and writing one is the easiest part.

I'm all for someone obtaining success. Sep definitely has some good writing skills as well as an excellent vocabulary.

I hope those pushing for him to write a book understand that he would have to pull every single ounce of material from this Story Hour. He would have to have grodog and everyone who has downloaded the current material delete their files. He certainly couldn't write on this Story Hour forum anymore without having problems controlling the copyright for his material.

If Sep is at all interested in making his creation into a profitable literary property, he should speak to someone in his area who understands copyright laws.

I don't know whether Sep is seriously considering publishing his world, but if so, he should definitely take the steps necessary to protect his material.

If not, then keep on writing Sep. I'm enjoying what I am reading so far. If you write for personal enjoyment, more power to you.