KENOMA | VOICE

[vivificantem]

[There's something different tonight in Paul's baseline, something strange and energized in a way that he usually is not; perhaps it's evident, in the way his emotions are coming across, that it isn't necessarily a good sort of energized - they're strange and scattershot, almost crackling with a sort of manic feel behind them, though his words are steady enough as he goes.]

As I've made known to several of you, I've never been a combatant; I don't fight, and I've never had reason to become proficient with a weapon. And yet I don't disagree with those of you that have made it clear that we need to play to our strengths, if this is going to be a war we're going to win.

My own strengths have always lay with people - providing guidance, providing leadership. Knowing what they need to hear in order to press on, and knowing what they need to see to carry through whatever needs to be carried through. Finding those willing to serve, and willing to spare nothing in their service.

I've found that there are those here that are more than willing to accept my guidance - in the service of the Regent, and the service of the Kenoma. After all, who better than an Aion to give them what they're after? Those I refer to are more than willing to give up their lives in the interest of that service; it's just a matter of directing them to use that willingness in a more productive way.

I've taken up a position in the sect of Our Dark Regent's Church of the Precious Blood. Decently respected in Achamoth, despite their harsher proclivities. They seem a prudent investment to make - if we're to be at war, we'll need resources of one sort or another, and people are an acceptable resource to have.

After all, that's how the gospel spreads.

Comments

[vivificantem]

It isn't just worship here. Not like it would be in most places.

[It's a start, anyway, more of that weird, manic energy crackling through the mental connection. In a way he usually doesn't, or if he does, he's usually better at keeping it to himself than this.]

Their devotion here often takes the form of sacrifice. Usually and most often possessions. Things that matter to them, things that are loved. Because they reject unconditional love here - for worldly things, for animals, for things that are important. It's a barrier to them. It obstructs them from doing what they consider good and necessary. They want as few true connections as possible.

The sect I'm guiding takes that a little far for some people's liking.

[He pauses for a second, but he's clearly still there. Just considering words.]

They want their lives to have meaning. They aren't just willing to give up the things they love, but things that are a bit more...necessary to them. As it stands now, they're unguided in doing so. But they're willing to give up their eyes. Their limbs. They find it most holy and sacred to give up their lives, believing the rituals involved in doing so will give their lives meaning.

There's something inherently useful in a congregation full of the extremely devout that are willing to give up their lives for a higher purpose. Those that will gladly die if a being they worship tells them to. I have firsthand experience in this. The resource I'm after isn't service so much as numbers that are willing to listen to the Aions, regardless of what they're told.

[lachtara]

[ He makes no effort to interject, letting the explanation and all of its implications unfold as it would. It certainly could be a valued resource. One could never underestimate the value of pure unfettered dedication with disregard for their very lives. Empires were built on the back of such things. ]

If their true desire is that their lives have meaning, and we have the means by which to grant it, then we should seek not to squander their fervor. The dedication of the devout can be a powerful thing indeed.

[vivificantem]

That's what I was thinking. Should that be what they want, then who am I to deprive them?

[Some small part of him wonders if he'd be this enthusiastic about doing this to the people of St. Patrick's, even knowing what he knows about them. But then, according to the Regent, St. Patrick's doesn't exist anymore.

Paul has faith that all of them received exactly what they deserved, one way or another.]

It seems to be their way of being closer to the Kenoma. Destruction and death is something to be celebrated, but only if it does have some sort of meaning attached to it. As interested in hedonism and a lack of prescribed purpose as they are, they don't seem interested in dying pointlessly.

They aren't the military, I'll admit that. But they are willing to do pretty much anything.

[lachtara]

One does not have to lift a sword to have a profound impact on a War. I have seen the power of dedication and prayer firsthand, and it has moved mountains where others thought it nigh impossible.

[ Though such 'prayer' in his world does have tangible power. It could empower Eikons themselves... ]

I offer my help to see those desires through to their end. However, I would like to do so with a more intimate knowledge of those you lead. Would you be willing to teach me more of their specific beliefs and practices or does one need to be a member?

[ Taking an interest doesn't seem necessary here to garner dedication, but it could help with effectiveness and knowing more about whom - and what - he's dealing with. ]

[vivificantem]

Being an Aion here gets you all sorts of privileges, and that includes people's willingness to teach you whatever you can think of to ask about. I could tell you with no issue, though if you want to attend some of the ritual services I'd be fine with bringing you. They don't really bar entry from us, at any rate.

[He does seem to be calming down a little; far less antagonistic, less defensive. Still kind of vibrating in some weird unconscious way, but that'll pass.]

[lachtara]

I would be eager to accompany you as a guest, if you would provide me with the whens and wheres.