thefarshore | Heaven's BBS

Posted: May 23rd
From: Eros

[His tone is measured and purposeful, determined.]

Gods are powerful. No matter who we are, there's strength in all of us, terrifying strength we might not even understand. We can choose to control it, abuse it, and use it for whatever purpose suits our needs or the needs of the people.

But shinki aren't given that same choice.

As you might've heard... my shinki had a new name forced upon him while he was still in my care, by a god who couldn't have cared less and saw him as a tool. You heard what he had to say regarding freedom and rights and some of you even addressed his questions. ... You know he's afraid. You know that your shinki have wondered the same exact things from the moment they stood by your side. Whether we're trustworthy or kind or even worth their effort.

After all, we're strangers to them. And like it or not, we might as well be their biggest threat.

So... why not change that?

I want to form a defense team; a group dedicated to protecting shinki and their integrity. They shouldn't have to rely on us for their lives. They deserve proper rights and freedom and choice just as much as we do. And if any other gods believe the same, then I'd hope you'd consider working with me.

As for any shinki listening in: you aren't a tool. You're you before you're anyone else. If there's anything you need to say, tell me. I'll listen.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The higher-ups are definitely a hell of a lot more powerful than we are, yeah. On the other hand, it's going to be mostly among our number that this sort of thing happens, so powers shouldn't matter much if enough people are interested that we can cover the gods who are going to do things like that. Resources are the bigger problem, because we need a way to organise and a system that means shinki can actually come to us for help.

It shouldn't be difficult for shinki to address their issues. Regular meetings maybe, even anonymous ones if they'd feel safer. And not only that... but we need a way to prevent any suspicious gods from slipping through, gods who try to become part of this for the entirely wrong reasons.

I'll be honest... it seems impossible.

Meetings aren't necessary. What's most important is to give shinki access to a network of people who can help them in dealing with problems if they need it, and having enough organisation to know who's dealing with what. If you're concerned about infiltration, regular meetings would only make that easier.

Anyone taking advantage of something like that wouldn't be stupid enough to make their intentions obvious, so finding a way to prevent that should be the first priority.

I suppose that's true. I want to make this accessible, but... I can only be so lenient.

[Not trusting people is difficult for him.]

It looks like prevention is all he can manage for now. We can't read minds. Anyone can easily lie about their intentions.

I did speak with another god who mentioned creating charms and spells. She wants to work on something that would act as a barrier to prevent incidents like this from happening again. Do you think that would be enough to start?

That depends on whether they actually work. Magic from across worlds might not have the effect we want, but if she can pull something like that off, it should be a solid starting point.

Private

Speaking of leniency, what did you do to the god who forced a name on your shinki?

[Ah. That question... He switches to private too.]

Spoke to him. Asked him why.

[Maybe threatened him a little bit.]

He's not the scared or regretful type, so I don't doubt he could try something like this again.

If that's the case, you'd better not be leaving it at just that. Someone like that needs to be dealt with by more than words, and even if you couldn't do anything yourself there are plenty of others who'd go up against someone like that in a heartbeat.

Would you?

I wouldn't suggest something like that if I wasn't willing to take part in it. I'd need to know more about the target first.

I have a plan in mind for him first. If it works, maybe we'll be able to find out more.

As it is, I'd suggest just keeping close to your shinki for now.

Try not to do anything stupid, then. If you do find out more, I'd be interested to hear it.

I plan to stay by him, hearing this.

I'll be careful.

[Though now that he thinks about it...]

His god name is Loki, by the way. For your records.

[For his records is one thing, but that name...]

I've spoken to him on here before, then, about temple animals. I got the impression he was...probably not offended, but dissatisfied about other people having them when he didn't. Like he thought they were some kind of mark of power.

Temple animals? Like pets?

[Seems like a stupid thing to be upset about.]

Sort of. Some gods are strongly associated with certain animals, so those animals appear naturally at their temple. Other gods aren't or are but don't have temple animals, but bring their own animals in anyway, more like pets. I think he thought whether or not those animals appeared if you were associated with them depended on your power level.

[... what does that say about the random pairs of swans he sees at his temple. At any rate,]

Of course he'd see it that way. Though I wonder if he really cares about power or just messing around for the hell of it.

I want to know what his ulterior motives are, in any case. He's obviously after something.

Other than power for power's sake? Maybe. That's not something we'd find out easily, though.

If I learn anything, I'll let you know.

Or if we're lucky and my plan works out, he might just tell us ourselves. Keep an ear open, ok?

I always do. I'll leave you to your plan, then.

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