Faerzen asks Nick about the universe

[13:50] <@visceralVanguard> SS: im going to borrow the code for a dress shirt or something, good luck in that weird dark place
[13:51] <@visceralVanguard> Oh, greetings, Nick!
[13:51] <@visceralVanguard> Please, do feel free to borrow whatever clothing codes you desire.
[13:52] <@visceralVanguard> Alchemization, if done properly, should not affect the original constituent items so it makes little difference to me.
[13:52] <@visceralVanguard> Is there anything in particular you are attempting to make?
[13:52] <solemnSketcher> "dont worry, i kept the originals safe and sound"
[13:52] <solemnSketcher> "i wanted to make another pair of clothes, as... the smell of the ones i was wearing was not particularly pleasant
[13:53] <@visceralVanguard> Ah yes indeed.
[13:53] <solemnSketcher> "did you notice"
[13:53] <solemnSketcher> "?"
[13:55] <@visceralVanguard> Perhaps.
[13:55] <solemnSketcher> oh dear... wasn't quite keeping track of that, sorry if it bothered
[13:55] <@visceralVanguard> I simply attributed it to the standards of your time period.
[13:55] <@visceralVanguard> I was not under the impression that laundry with clean water was particularly common or frequent in your time.
[13:56] <solemnSketcher> we washed stuff, not as frequent, but we did.
[13:57] <@visceralVanguard> I dare say the prevalence all of these hygiene mechanisms must be quite different from what you are used to then!
[13:57] <solemnSketcher> having just 2 sets of clothes makes for having to take care of them
[13:57] <solemnSketcher> and i have been neglecting mine
[13:57] <solemnSketcher> so, that's why i made more. what do you think?
[13:58] <@visceralVanguard> What do I think of what?
[13:58]  * solemnSketcher has sent an image "hithere.jpg"
[13:58] <@visceralVanguard> ((what does it look like))
[13:59] <solemnSketcher> [nick seems to be in a chill snowy island wearing something similar to this http://cdn12.lbstatic.nu/files/looks/large/2013/12/12/3450351_felipe-vidotto-hipster-lookbook-brazil-fashion-chic-collar-black-pants-graduation-boy-man-model-male-photo-fashion-man-formal-tie-shirt-t-shit-black-and-white-shoes-leather.jpg?1386865678]
[14:00] <solemnSketcher> [without a tie]
[14:01] <@visceralVanguard> How spiffy!
[14:02] <@visceralVanguard> ((also lol I love the photoshopped blur effect in that photo :P))
[14:03] <solemnSketcher> ((yeah. its the most hipster thing i found in that short span of time. perhaps this http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/1974029395_1/HOT-2014-New-Fashion-men-s-casual-shirt-Hipster-long-sleeved-stitching-boutique-gentlemen-dress-shirts.jpg ]
[14:04] <solemnSketcher> "oh nice!"
[14:05] <solemnSketcher> "i must say, this is way softer than what im used to. feels nice :p
[14:05] <@visceralVanguard> The wonders of modern materials! :)
[14:05] <@visceralVanguard> Where are you? I do not recall seeing snow anywhere in the near vicinity my house.
[14:06] <solemnSketcher> flew for a bit, every island seems to be different
[14:07] <solemnSketcher> there are squirrels around
[14:07] <solemnSketcher> but they seem to be scared of the "big bad guy with black wings" :p
[14:08] <@visceralVanguard> :)
[14:08] <@visceralVanguard> I know this may seem quite out of the blue with little to no context, but I have an inquiry for you.
[14:09] <solemnSketcher> oh
[14:09] <@visceralVanguard> Depending on your predilections and background, it may be very easy for you to give an answer very quickly, but I would ask if that is the case that you instead pause for a moment to ponder your response.
[14:10] <solemnSketcher> ...
[14:10] <@visceralVanguard> My question regards the Earth that we left behind, and I already realize that your response will be limited by the breadth of your knowledge and experiences from the time period you originated in so do not worry about that.
[14:11] <solemnSketcher> this... sounds ominous
[14:12] <solemnSketcher> is everything ok?
[14:12] <@visceralVanguard> If you consider all of humanity on the earth, both past and present, how would you consider the sum total of humanity's existence? If you factor in the birth, the death, the creativity and science, the war and famine, the love, the cruelty, the joy, the poverty, the beauty, the disease..... And you look at the net happiness or well-being of the planet. Would you say that the net sum of humanity's existence was negative enough that it would have been better off never having existed?
[14:18] <solemnSketcher> ...
[14:18] <solemnSketcher> oh dear. let me think how i can word this for a second ok?
[14:19] <@visceralVanguard> Take all the time you need to properly arrange your thoughts into words.
[14:21] <solemnSketcher> humanity lives in constant strife... there's always pain, there's always war, hunger, hate, and even more. but you know, in the time we spent i think one of us said that just saying the negative will outweight anything possitive that you may say later...
[14:21] <solemnSketcher> yet, there's art
[14:21] <solemnSketcher> there's birth
[14:21] <solemnSketcher> there's... existance
[14:22] <solemnSketcher> why cry because your life may end one day, might as well just enjoy the time you have until then.
[14:22] <solemnSketcher> it would be... stupid, to not give anyone a chance
[14:23] <solemnSketcher> carpe diem. everyone deserves to enjoy their lifes
[14:23] <@visceralVanguard> What if by allowing life you force the existence of lives that cannot be enjoyed?
[14:23] <@visceralVanguard> Everyone deserves to enjoy their lives, but not everyone can.
[14:24] <solemnSketcher> you cant make everyone happy. would you prefer to commit mass genocide just for the sake of a fistful of people?
[14:24] <solemnSketcher> i am guessing this is related to the game, in a way
[14:24] <solemnSketcher> are we those people?
[14:24] <@visceralVanguard> Not necessarily.
[14:25] <@visceralVanguard> What if it isn't just a fistful of people?
[14:25] <@visceralVanguard> War ravages nations.
[14:25] <@visceralVanguard> Poverty and hunger used to be significant world problems before they were mostly addressed by technology in the late 21st century.
[14:25] <solemnSketcher> constant conquest
[14:25] <solemnSketcher> people kill people
[14:26] <solemnSketcher> man will kill just because he can
[14:26] <solemnSketcher> we build weapons. we kill with weapons
[14:26] <solemnSketcher> we mourn the fallen
[14:26] <solemnSketcher> other people still live
[14:26] <@visceralVanguard> Yes, I agree that those things are inevitable, but do you think that those negative aspects of human civilization detract enough from the whole experience of humanity that the net happiness of the human race would be higher were it to never have existed?
[14:26] <solemnSketcher> ....your crosssbow is a statement of that.
[14:26] <solemnSketcher> well
[14:26] <solemnSketcher> there cant be happiness without existance
[14:28] <@visceralVanguard> However, existence also implies unhappiness inherently.
[14:28] <@visceralVanguard> Do you think that the total pain and unhappiness present in humanity outweighs the happiness and beauty such that the human race would have been better off never have existing? You are somewhat avoiding the question.
[14:29] <solemnSketcher> and you are pushing the subject, faerzen
[14:30] <solemnSketcher> i think i already gave you my answer
[14:31] <@visceralVanguard> You have explained some of your thoughts on the topic, but you have yet to say "yes" or "no".
[14:31] <solemnSketcher>  no, i do not think suffering outweights the happiness. i am a living statement of it aint i?
[14:32] <solemnSketcher> atleast the last few days have been peaceful.
[14:32] <@visceralVanguard> Thank you for your thoughtful response. I appreciate it.
[14:33] <solemnSketcher> why.
[14:33] <solemnSketcher> why this question
[14:34] <@visceralVanguard> As you mentioned, it is related to this game. I sincerely apologize for the morbidity or dark nature of the inquiry.
[14:34] <@visceralVanguard> Given the fact that if we succeed in this game it seems we will be creating a new world, it is important that we thoroughly consider the ethical consequences of our actions.
[14:35] <@visceralVanguard> Our actions will affect not only ourselves, but they also have the potential of impacting eons of beings after us.
[14:35] <solemnSketcher> ...oh
[14:36] <solemnSketcher> that's... a scary thought
[14:36] <@visceralVanguard> I realize that not everyone here may have the same perspectives or backgrounds as myself so I do not wish to jump to any hasty conclusions.
[14:36] <@visceralVanguard> And yes, it is quite a weighty prospect.
[14:37] <@visceralVanguard> It is honestly quite terrifying thinking that my actions could potentially be responsible for the success or failure of the entire history of the entire existence of a race of people.
[14:37] <@visceralVanguard> Look at how much damage I can already do when it is simply short-term interactions with myself and those around me!
[14:38] == yzabtech [[email protected]] has joined #RPGStuck_CaveOfMysteries
[14:38] <solemnSketcher> that's a good point
[14:38] <@visceralVanguard> I hesitate to trust myself with something so weighty when I can hardly handle what I already have in my current circumstances as it is.
[14:38] <solemnSketcher> faerzen
[14:38] <solemnSketcher> you are doing a good job right now, dont stress it out
[14:38] <solemnSketcher> be fucking honest
[14:39] <solemnSketcher> we can work this kind of things when we get there
[14:39] <solemnSketcher> we need to learn what role we will play there first
[14:39] <solemnSketcher> honestly. i just wanted to live a normal life after this
[14:39] <@visceralVanguard> Of course.
[14:39] <@visceralVanguard> My question was directed at a very preliminary line of investigation.
[14:40] <@visceralVanguard> There are a whole slew of details that are so obscured right now, endeavoring to make a plan or moral decisions based on speculations of the future is entirely naive and fruitless.
[14:40] <@visceralVanguard> However, the simple question of whether or not we should even be attempting to go about winning this game and creating a new world is a question we can begin to address in the present.
[14:41] <solemnSketcher> ...
[14:41] <solemnSketcher> why shouldn't we win?
[14:42] <@visceralVanguard> I realize that not everyone here may have the same perspectives or backgrounds as myself so I do not wish to jump to any hasty conclusions. I agree with you that the sum of humanity's net experience is not SO negative that it would be better off not existing and thus it would likely be a moral crime to create a new world here.
[14:42] <@visceralVanguard> However, I realize that my background in Norway in your relative future may skew my perspective and opinions on these issues.
[14:43] <solemnSketcher> how so
[14:43] <@visceralVanguard> Simply because I have led a life that has led me to draw these conclusions does not mean that the rest of our team agrees with me.
[14:43] <@visceralVanguard> Some could make the argument that my life has been much more pleasant and enjoyable and many others.
[14:43] <@visceralVanguard> You have seen my life compared to yours!
[14:44] <@visceralVanguard> We have widespread healthcare, an enormous supply of clean clothes, a governing group that cares about our well-being, plenty of food, enjoyable pasttimes
[14:44] <@visceralVanguard> Yes, there is still war, there is still conflict, there is still pain, there is still death.
[14:45] <@visceralVanguard> Even in Norway I haven't been immune to that as some may think. However, I would not disagree with the statement that the quality of my life has likely been above average compared to the rest of the world.
[14:46] <solemnSketcher> sigh
[14:46] <solemnSketcher> you dont trust yourself to do this, do you?
[14:47] <@visceralVanguard> As I said, Nick, I agree with your sentiment on this issue that simply looking at the net happiness of humanity is not a justification for choosing not to win this game.
[14:47] <@visceralVanguard> However, I do not want to assume that my judgement on this particular issue should stand for the entire team.
[14:48] <solemnSketcher> so... there are people that think otherwise
[14:48] <solemnSketcher> ....can i take a wild guess and say its lyra? she is as fatalistic as someone can get
[14:49] <@visceralVanguard> I never said that there were people that disagreed with me, I said that I do not want to assume that everyone agrees with me. Especially when the matter at hand is something so significant and impactful as this.
[14:50] <solemnSketcher> faerzen
[14:50] <solemnSketcher> i think most of us will agree on that
[14:50] <@visceralVanguard> That is my opinion.
[14:50] <@visceralVanguard> That is your opinion.
[14:50] <solemnSketcher> just... you sound so fucking insecure sometimes
[14:50] <@visceralVanguard> I believe most will agree with me, but that is why I am asking you this.
[14:50] <@visceralVanguard> To double check.
[14:50] <solemnSketcher> damage control, all the way down
[14:51] <@visceralVanguard> What is that supposed to mean?
[14:51] <@visceralVanguard> What's wrong with controlling the consequences of my actions to minimize harm and maximize success?
[14:52] <solemnSketcher> nothing directly
[14:52] <@visceralVanguard> Would you rather me simply make decisions and just run with it to hell with the consequences?
[14:53] <@visceralVanguard> This is the ENTIRE fucking existence of an ENTIRE new world, Nick.
[14:53] <@visceralVanguard> I cannot afford to make mistakes.
[14:53] <solemnSketcher> WE cannot afford to make mistakes
[14:54] <solemnSketcher> OF COURSE you are going to double check
[14:54] <@visceralVanguard> So what is the issue with me double checking here?
[14:54] <solemnSketcher> but you take the choices, and just make sure everyone agrees. i dont remember the last time i dod something meaningful towards the session
[14:54] <solemnSketcher> *did
[14:55] <solemnSketcher> you are fucking shouldering TOO MUCH WEIGHT
[14:56] <@visceralVanguard> I'm not shouldering anything! What exactly is it that you propose I do?
[14:56] <@visceralVanguard> I am physically doing just the same as anyone else here, it simply seems I am more mentally invested in the outcomes of our actions. I am not DOING anything.
[14:57] <@visceralVanguard> It isn't like I have a MASSIVE pile of fucking stuff to do and I refuse to let anyone else do anything, Nick!
[14:57] <@visceralVanguard> It isn't like I just have some tasks I can dole out to people!
[14:57] <@visceralVanguard> Please do tell me what it is I am doing wrong and how you propose to "fix" it.
[14:57] <solemnSketcher> dole out to people
[14:58] <solemnSketcher> ...
[14:58] <solemnSketcher> sigh.
[14:58] <solemnSketcher> look, sorry, but it seems like you are doing so much more in comparison to everyone else.
[14:59] <@visceralVanguard> What is it that I am ACTUALLY accomplishing that would make you think that?
[14:59] <solemnSketcher> im kind of biased in these matters
[15:00] <@visceralVanguard> Well I don't care, please fucking illuminate me anyways because apparently I am missing the point here.
[15:00] <solemnSketcher> faerzen, i dont want to do this
[15:01] <solemnSketcher> it just SEEMS like you are doing more stuff, maybe, i dont know. im tense
[15:02] <@visceralVanguard> We all are, Nick. Even Byron to some degree.
[15:02] <solemnSketcher> god, been a while since freaking last saw a pityful imp
[15:02] <solemnSketcher> this place is so empty
[15:02] <solemnSketcher> and there's the matter that it seems like there's a fucking shadow following me
[15:03] <@visceralVanguard> A shadow?
[15:03] <@visceralVanguard> Fuck.
[15:04] <solemnSketcher> a freaking shadow
[15:04] <@visceralVanguard> There is essentially no way that can be beneficial.
[15:05] <solemnSketcher> saw it while flying, and then it freaking went into the weird darkness below
[15:05] <@visceralVanguard> I was hoping it was not associated with the darkness. FUCK.
[15:05] <@visceralVanguard> I suppose this makes my quest to uncover how to remove this darkness all the more urgent.
[15:07] <solemnSketcher> ...
[15:07] <solemnSketcher> just be careful down there
[15:08] <@visceralVanguard> I am.
[15:08] <@visceralVanguard> I found what seems as though it will be a great deal of information on the matter.
[15:09] <solemnSketcher> anything on those weird names?
[15:10] <@visceralVanguard> No, not any more information than I already told you.
[15:10] <@visceralVanguard> I doubt my sources here will contain anything specific pertaining to the names of others, but there may be more general information regarding why the names exist in the first place.
[15:10] <solemnSketcher> alright
[15:10] <@visceralVanguard> I am doubtful, but I shall be sure to keep you posted.
[15:11] <solemnSketcher> that's good to know
[15:11] <solemnSketcher> i.... made us lunch
[15:11] <solemnSketcher> for when you come back, i have it in my sylladex
[15:13] <@visceralVanguard> Excellent! :)
[15:13] <solemnSketcher> and... i made sure to lock the doors.
[15:13] <solemnSketcher> sorry for being that agressive earlier. im just feeling so fucking restless
[15:14] <@visceralVanguard> No, I think what you were frustrated about may have some nuggets of truth in it.
[15:14] <@visceralVanguard> I was being overly aggressive as well.
[15:14] <@visceralVanguard> We can discuss the matter more thoroughly in person when I return home.
[15:16] <solemnSketcher> that... sounds nice
[15:16] <@visceralVanguard> Indeed.
[15:16] <@visceralVanguard> One parting note before I continue my work here.
[15:17] <solemnSketcher> faerzen, do you have anything i could do, now that im out...
[15:17] <solemnSketcher> i... need things to do
[15:17] <solemnSketcher> something
[15:17] <solemnSketcher> anything
[15:17] <@visceralVanguard> If that shadow is in fact associated with the Nothing, be careful. My research here has indicated that the Nothing is able to pass through any physical matter, so even my houses's security system will do little to protect you.
[15:17] <@visceralVanguard> As for what you can do?
[15:18] <@visceralVanguard> I am sorry but I do not know.
[15:18] <@visceralVanguard> Looking for monsters to fight to earn grist could be worthwhile at the very least.
[15:18] <@visceralVanguard> I have rarely encountered monsters above the darkness, but they do exist if you look hard enough.
[15:18] <solemnSketcher> that's the problem. this place is so fucking empty
[15:19] <solemnSketcher> how were you even supposed to leave the main island without those stupidly magnificent wings
[20:20] <visceralVanguard> I haven't the foggiest.
[17:44] <@visceralVanguard> GCS implicated those gates in the ability to travel around the land, but all I have observed thus far with them is the transportation between separate worlds.
[17:44] <@visceralVanguard> Perhaps this game knew I would eventually acquire wings?
[17:44] <@visceralVanguard> Perhaps given the structure of this land it necessitated acquiring some mode of transportation, and then eventually I would have figured something out?
[17:45] <solemnsketcher> that seems surprisingly likely
[17:45] <@visceralVanguard> Even I cannot truly comprehend the inner workings of this game sometimes.
[17:45] <@visceralVanguard> Your guess is likely as accurate as mine.
[17:46] <solemnsketcher> ...how's your exploration of the library going?
[17:46] <@visceralVanguard> Slow, as is to be expected.
[17:46] <solemnsketcher> huh
[17:47] <@visceralVanguard> The vast majority of the information stored here is not of any relevance at the present, so sifting and searching for the nuggets I desire is time-consuming.
[17:47] <solemnsketcher> ...i really need things to do, even that sounds more interesting than just.... sitting around
[17:47] <solemnsketcher> hell, i WORKED in a library at one point
[17:48] <solemnsketcher> ms. arreyel kept secret books beneath the woodwork in the backroom.
[17:49] <solemnsketcher> ...i think i should keep flying
[17:49] <@visceralVanguard> It would seem that the equivalent of that location is where I am at the present.
[17:49] <solemnsketcher> heh.
[17:49] <@visceralVanguard> I was led to believe that there would be some sort of ethical and moral examination to determine if I should be granted access to this section of the library.
[17:49] <@visceralVanguard> However, it seems that piece of information was false.
[17:50] <solemnsketcher> such is this game
[17:50] <solemnsketcher> tell me, what ridiculous things are you doing then?
[17:50] <@visceralVanguard> More than likely, such a test was present when this library was actually managed by living beings. It seems as though that security process vanished along with them.
[17:50] <@visceralVanguard> All I found was a stone tablet that conjured some ridiculous text about me being a hero and then the door opened.
[17:51] <@visceralVanguard> I have yet to uncover why all of these books are segregated from the others.
[17:51] <@visceralVanguard> I have not encountered any information thus far that I would deem particularly dangerous or "restricted"
[17:51] <@visceralVanguard> Well, other than "biological reproduction" that is.
[17:51] <solemnsketcher> what
[17:52] <@visceralVanguard> I saw a section of books out of the corner of my eye that seemed to be demarcated as such. I have not investigated any further however.
[17:53] <solemnsketcher> im... im not going to ask why a library in the middle of fuck-knows-where has possibly NOT informative books on that matter
[17:54] <solemnsketcher> well. it would seem like a rather ironic coincidence that the restricted area was just the area with books oriented more at adults
[17:54] <solemnsketcher> wouldn't it be?
[17:55] <@visceralVanguard> From what I have read thus far, it seems as though a fair amount of the material in this library pertains to some sort of "magic".
[17:56] <solemnsketcher> magic you say?
[17:56] <@visceralVanguard> Whatever creatures lived here previously were quite versed in whatever it was, and it seems to have been the root cause of this darkness obliterating everything.
[17:56] <solemnsketcher> i wouldn't be surprised
[17:56] <solemnsketcher> the arts of the arcane were... forbidden around my time
[17:57] <solemnsketcher> esoteric and dark arts dont paint well in a time so religious
[17:58] <@visceralVanguard> I was never aware of there actually being any merit or substance behind such "arts". They were always described as being archaic occurrences of old that the uneducated people of the times simply attributed to more advanced phenomena than they could understand.
[17:59] <solemnsketcher> indeed.
[17:59] <@visceralVanguard> I am skeptical about what precisely all of this history points to, but I am not going to make any assumptions about anything being impossible inside this game.
[17:59] <solemnsketcher> but as a counterpoint. we have wings, magic mask, magic crown, magic crossbow and all that
[17:59] <solemnsketcher> well. your time didn't have france and italy bombarded by meteorites
[18:01] <@visceralVanguard> I still do not understand how that discrepancy in timelines resolves itself, but I have resigned myself to the likely possibility that I shall never actually know.
[18:01] <solemnsketcher> i have always wondered, do you think that now that we are inside this game, we have some sort of latent power on ourselves? the ominous titles and such seem to point that way
[18:01] <@visceralVanguard> The most likely possibility, given that we--and anyone else who is successful in playing this game--may end up creating a new world, seems that we were actually from separate but parallel worlds.
[18:01] <solemnsketcher> that seems to make sense
[18:02] <@visceralVanguard> It is also entirely a wild hypothesis based on little to no evidence.
[18:02] <@visceralVanguard> However, it is the most likely possibility at this point so I am simply resolving to use it to sooth the nagging itch of uncertainty in the back of my mind.
[18:02] <solemnsketcher> atleast its an hypothesis
[18:03] <solemnsketcher> well, we could take some time to investigate, if the oportunity arises
[18:03] <solemnsketcher> oh god
[18:03] <@visceralVanguard> What is the matter?
[18:04] <solemnsketcher> a squirrel dropped a tiny rock at me
[18:05] <solemnsketcher> this is amusing on many levels
[18:06] <solemnsketcher> ....
[18:07] <@visceralVanguard> A tiny rock?
[18:07] <solemnsketcher> a really tiny rock.
[18:07] <@visceralVanguard> Okay, I suppose.
[18:07] <solemnsketcher> the squirrel is looking at me
[18:08] <solemnsketcher> faerzen help, im going crazy again and im painfully aware of it
[18:08] <@visceralVanguard> How do you mean?
[18:08] <solemnsketcher> i think its similar to that itch in your mind
[18:09] <solemnsketcher> im... itching for adventure. yet this place just keeps dropping a stalker and unpolite animals at me
[18:09] <@visceralVanguard> I hate to break it to you, Nick, but if you are looking for adventure, this land is not the place to begin your search.
[18:09] <solemnsketcher> its like... i know i should be supposed to be doing something important, but WHAT?!
[18:10] <solemnsketcher> i know. i have realized as much.
[18:10] <@visceralVanguard> A world specifically constructed to be tailored to the personal identity of a boy from Norway whose greatest pastimes are sitting inside working and sitting outside gardening and shooting his crossbow is not going to be adventurous and exciting.
[18:10]  * solemnsketcher is now making a videocall
[18:11] <solemnsketcher> "HEY! i figured that out!"
[18:11] <@visceralVanguard> Hmmmm.
[18:11] <@visceralVanguard> I am not entirely certain I can provide any sort of useful return video feed.
[18:11] <@visceralVanguard> These glasses have a camera and projector, but not pointed at my face.
[18:11] <@visceralVanguard> Here, please hold for a brief moment,
[18:12] <solemnsketcher> perhaps i will find a shooting range somewhere or something
[18:12]  * visceralVanguard turns the projector and camera on
[18:12]  * visceralVanguard answers the video call
[18:12] <solemnsketcher> actually. gardening sounds pretty fine
[18:12]  * solemnsketcher waves
[18:13] <@visceralVanguard> ((you see Faerzen sitting at a desk without his glasses on. The room seems rather dimly lit with bookshelves EVERYWHERE.
[18:13] <@visceralVanguard> ((the camera seems to be sitting on the desk pointing at him because you can see the front edge of the desk at the bottom of your screen, really close and out of focus))
[18:13] <@visceralVanguard> Greetings!
[18:13]  * visceralVanguard waves
[18:14] <@visceralVanguard> I simply flipped my glasses around to point at me while they are off my face.
[18:14] <@visceralVanguard> It is rather strange seeing the world not through my glasses though.....
[18:14] <solemnsketcher> ((you see nick leaning against a tree, he is wearing a fancy shirt and in the background you can see a squirrel))
[18:15] <solemnsketcher> ((the camera seems to be on the portable computer in his lap))
[18:15] <solemnsketcher> is your visual impairement that bad?
[18:15]  * visceralVanguard rubs his glasses-less eyes
[18:15] <@visceralVanguard> I actually do not have any visual impairment.
[18:16] <solemnsketcher> my god.... when was the last time you slept?
[18:16] <solemnsketcher> you seem to have some eyebags there
[18:16] <@visceralVanguard> These glasses are not to fix faulty vision but to augment existing vision.
[18:16] <solemnsketcher> and... that sounds useful
[18:16] <solemnsketcher> specially for something that works in the long range or with precision tools like you
[18:17] <@visceralVanguard> It assists with rapid response changes in focus, as well as a wide variety of heads-up displays to analyze and provide information on whatever is in my current field of view.
[18:17] <@visceralVanguard> I have been able to use it to translate some of these books simply by looking at them.
[18:18] <solemnsketcher> oh! those are written in another language then?
[18:18] <@visceralVanguard> It is useful. That is precisely why I made them.
[18:18]  * visceralVanguard smiles
[18:18]  * solemnsketcher smiles back
[18:18] <@visceralVanguard> Some of them are, not all of them though.
[18:19] <solemnsketcher> interesting
[18:19] <solemnsketcher> you could trace back the language to the time this society was in. a clue as to how long ago this happened
[18:20] <solemnsketcher> what is it, by the by?
[18:20] <@visceralVanguard> How do you mean? I have no information on the history of language in this society so I have no data with which to interpolate or extrapolate time periods from these books.
[18:21] <@visceralVanguard> Everything seems to be written in English, save for a couple of volumes which have been written in Latin.
[18:21] <solemnsketcher> its just a clue, as i said. as you can see there, english and latin are slightly far apart. so taking the english into consideration you can get a good sense of the time around when the calamity happened
[18:22] <solemnsketcher> and latin being a sign of how long they have been around
[18:23] <solemnsketcher> ...im rambling aint i?
[18:24] <@visceralVanguard> Perhaps.
[18:25] <@visceralVanguard> Not any more than I do though.
[18:25]  * visceralVanguard smiles
[18:25] <solemnsketcher> tell me if im wrong
[18:25] <solemnsketcher> latin is NOT a root to english
[18:25] <@visceralVanguard> On Earth.
[18:25] <solemnsketcher> or any planet with common sense
[18:25] <@visceralVanguard> Who knows what their linguistical history is here.
[18:26] <@visceralVanguard> Perhaps they used both languages simultaneously and Latin was used more for historical and important writing, as well as with "magic".
[18:26] <solemnsketcher> ...that seems more likely than anything i have said thus far
[18:26] <@visceralVanguard> Latin is still used to some extent in my time, Nick.
[18:26] <solemnsketcher> and mine :p
[18:26]  * solemnsketcher smirks
[18:27] <@visceralVanguard> Based on the contents of some of the tomes I have been reading, some of the most recent additions to this library seem to have been written in Latin, others in English.
[18:27] <@visceralVanguard> I have yet to encounter anything in Norwegian.
[18:28] <solemnsketcher> tell me, have you found anything in esoteric knowhows?
[18:30] <solemnsketcher> it would be interesting to know how this society developed its own... magic
[18:30] <@visceralVanguard> How do you mean "esoteric knowhows"?
[18:31] <solemnsketcher> eh, just some stringed words for "arcane knowledge"
[18:33] <solemnsketcher> ((you see the squirrel in the background holding another small peeble))
[18:34] <@visceralVanguard> Yes, as I said before, it seems a fair amount of this so-called "restricted section" contains information on that.
[18:34] <@visceralVanguard> I will most certainly be further investigating what it actually was that they did as soon as I finish gaining context for the most recent events.
[18:38] <solemnsketcher> interesting. i wonder how much of that is made as to teach someone
[18:40] <solemnsketcher> >you see nick grabbing thecomputer and putting it on top of something, then he takes a few steps away as he stretches. and looks at the islands in the distance
[18:41] <solemnsketcher> "you hear me?" you faintly hear
[18:45] <solemnsketcher> you still have my metallic gauntlets?
[18:55]  * visceralVanguard pulls out a periodic table chart, scanning it briefly
[18:55] <@visceralVanguard> Yes, it seems I do.
[18:55] <@visceralVanguard> Apologies for that.
[18:56] <solemnsketcher> >you continue to see nick stretching
[18:56] <@visceralVanguard> About you going crazy again though.
[18:56] <@visceralVanguard> I think this is important to discuss, at least for a moment.
[18:56] <@visceralVanguard> I think you may have some misconceptions about yourself that I would at least like to share my thoughts on.
[18:57] <solemnsketcher> oh
[18:57]  * solemnsketcher approaches the computer again
[18:57] <@visceralVanguard> People are built very differently. This is the reason why psychological analyses are so complex and nuanced, because every single mind functions in slightly different ways and those slight differences can result in significant practical differences.
[18:58] <@visceralVanguard> For example, I am perfectly content to spend my time reading in order to better equip myself for the coming trials. Learning, experimenting, searching, exploring.
[18:59] <@visceralVanguard> Learning for the sake of learning has little use, but I enjoy what I am doing because I can directly apply the knowledge and experience I am gaining to concrete situations we as a team are, or are going to be, facing.
[18:59] <@visceralVanguard> That is different from how your mind is constructed. What makes you tick.
[19:00] <@visceralVanguard> As we have both found, you are not content living such a life that seems "idle" to you.
[19:00] <@visceralVanguard> You love diving into new experiences, exploring, expressing yourself, dominating, proving yourself, and seeing concrete results of what you have been doing.
[19:00] <@visceralVanguard> Very few of those are present here on the Land of Wicks and Bulbs.
[19:01] <@visceralVanguard> I would hesitate to bring up your insanity again.
[19:01] <@visceralVanguard> Instead, I would say you are likely feeling a tad stir crazy.
[19:01] <@visceralVanguard> Being cooped up for too long with nothing in particular to do. Feeling powerless of imprisoned. Bored.
[19:02] <@visceralVanguard> These are all totally normal responses to external stimuli that fulfill those descriptions for a particular person
[19:03] <@visceralVanguard> Just as you are feeling these things while being on my world for a long period of time, I would be reasonably confident I would begin to feel the same way if I was always around crows and circuses for days and days.
[19:03] <solemnsketcher> of course
[19:03] <solemnsketcher> i did not mean completely that comment about my current state of sanity.
[19:04] <@visceralVanguard> Given.... potential alternative connotations of what you said, I would caution against throwing that word around without being particularly clear what you mean by it.
[19:05] <solemnsketcher> ill be more careful around my wording for the next time
[19:05] <@visceralVanguard> Thank you. I appreciate it.
[19:05]  * visceralVanguard smiles
[19:05] <solemnsketcher> sorry if that... stirred some sort of bad memory
[19:05]  * solemnsketcher apologetically smiles back
[19:06] <@visceralVanguard> I know that the original intention was for us to spend some extended time together, but please do not feel obligated to remain here simply because I am somewhere on the planet.
[19:06] <@visceralVanguard> I find it likely that you would find your land much more interesting to adventure on.
[19:06] <@visceralVanguard> Caves and crows and circuses and volcanoes?
[19:07] <@visceralVanguard> I apologize that my absence has been so prolonged as to leave you alone in such an uninteresting location.
[19:07]  * solemnsketcher shudders
[19:08] <solemnsketcher> dont worry about it. i like being here. i really do, but..... at the same time i dont, as you said, i love doing new things
[19:08] <@visceralVanguard> Are you okay?
[19:08] <solemnsketcher> im okay, you reminded me of something
[19:09] <solemnsketcher> and... its a bit cold here.
[19:10] <@visceralVanguard> It seems so.
[19:10] <solemnsketcher> so... as i said earlier, i moved my dreaming body towards my own planet. so i can be at both places at the same time
[19:10] <solemnsketcher> so... its just the matter of sleeping, but im not feeling particularly sleepy
[19:12] <@visceralVanguard> I would make a brief comment on the wildlife here.
[19:12] <@visceralVanguard> You mentioned the squirrel earlier.
[19:12] <@visceralVanguard> It seems that the animal life on this planet is more intelligent than the typical animals on Earth.
[19:13] <solemnsketcher> really?
[19:13] <solemnsketcher> so... the squirrel did it on purpose
[19:13] <@visceralVanguard> I am not necessarily implying anything specifically as to the motivations behind the squirrel's actions, but do not necessarily dismiss it immediately as something silly.
[19:13]  * visceralVanguard turns around
[19:14] <@visceralVanguard> ((You see a pigeon perched on one of his wings near his back))
[19:14] <@visceralVanguard> One of the birds I found has been interacting with me and traveling with me, which is entirely atypical of traditional wildlife on Earth.
[19:15]  * solemnsketcher raises his eyebrows in surprise
[19:15] <solemnsketcher> interesting.
[19:15] <solemnsketcher> so... wildlife is smarter than it seems, useful to keep in mind
[19:18] <solemnsketcher> ...
[19:18] <solemnsketcher> i wonder why they dont like me :/
[19:19] <@visceralVanguard> That is something I do not know. :)
[19:19] <@visceralVanguard> I have never been particularly good with animals.
[19:20] <@visceralVanguard> The only explanation that comes to mind is that they recognize you as not the original person this world was created for, but that seems somewhat far-fetched.
[19:20] <solemnsketcher> good point
[19:21] <solemnsketcher> this world IS tailored for you
[19:22] <solemnsketcher> i guess i should be going?
[19:23] <solemnsketcher> dont want to delay your discoveries further
[19:24] <solemnsketcher> have fun my dear
[19:25] <@visceralVanguard> I shall try. :
[19:25]  * visceralVanguard smiles
[19:25]  * solemnsketcher smiles back
[19:25]  * solemnsketcher ends the call