Heaven's BBS | Text

[adventurology]

Posted: 29th of May
Sender: Athena

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Hello to whomever might be reading this. My given name is Lara, and I am the current incarnation of Athena.


I've gathered I am not the first to bear her name, and I'd be interested in learning more about my predecessor. What sort of god was he/she? As I've begun settling into her temple here, I've found quite a lot of things that they probably left behind, and I also thought that perhaps it would be right to return them if any were on loan.

And I would also like to ask about the community's feelings on something. Truth be told, I've only recently begun to accept that the supernatural is real and there might be a higher power(s) at work. At least, until I woke up here and was hit in the face with it. It's a lot to absorb.

I'm feeling a touch overwhelmed and I'd like to know what role you believe a god should play. I've my own ideas, naturally, but I'm curious what others think. Do you want to live up to the legends of who came before? Do you want to change those legends into something else? Or is there something else you believe about divinity? I'm curious, so please, let me know your thoughts. It may help me better sort out my own.

Comments

from: Cho Hakkai

[reformedsinner]

I'm afraid, being a shinki, I can't help you with your questions about a god's role.

But I can tell you that the former Athena was a man by the name of Tenpou. Quite a book lover, I believe.

[fullcowl]

To be honest, I didn't really think a lot about gods an the related stuff until I got here either. As Aidos there's not a lot of history around anymore. I know my domains shame, modesty, humility, the quality of keeping men from doing wrong.

But if people are asking to help with their problems, then I want to. It feels like my responsibility to help them as much as I can.

From: Hestia

[small_reservations]

We gods are here to help others, it seems. We take on missions from the heavens and from our human followers, and fulfill them to the best of our abilities alongside our shinki.

Other than that... We're granted power, and freedom. I'm mostly ignoring the legends. They don't really fit me.

From: Artemis

[missingache]

I didn't know there were real gods other than Hades and maybe Zeus. From what I read the ones I know are a lot different. And there's so many!

I like helping people, and I think the gods we are suit us. Or I think that's what the Heavens think. I don't mind doing some of the things that Artemis did, like hunting.

[adventurology]

Hello again, Cho.

You say he's a book lover? I'd never have guessed from the library :) It's quite extensive. Fitting, I should think.

Did you know him well?

[adventurology]

Is knowing when to ask for help not a form of humility and modesty?

I think that sounds very much like living up to the name. In essence by helping out someone, I'd say you're rewarding the faithful. And that is an excellent point. One I should remember on my own.

[adventurology]

I've heard that, answering prayers and helping the Heavens take care of their business. But you are the first I've heard from that ignores the legends.

I take it you're not much of a homebody?

[adventurology]

Every culture looked to the sky and the stars for answers, so there being a lot really makes sense but you say you know Zeus and Hades? You mean before arriving here?

And it is nice to meet you, Artemis. I believe that would make us related, after a fashion.

[fullcowl]

You're right, it is. It's been a few months now and it's still weird to think of myself as a god.

My helping people doesn't have anything to do with my being a god here though. Even if I wasn't, I'd still want to help them in whatever way I could. I was training to be a hero at him, and helping people is part of that. Especially when it comes to ayakashi.

[freestyle_chrysalis]

Hello! My name is Rei Ryugazaki and I was the previous Shinki! I am currently teamed up with Azeban. I would love to talk to the current Athena!

[adventurology]

I expect that feeling never really goes away.

You were training to be a hero? Is there some sort of test for that? I had thought that simply doing what needs to be done was enough to qualify you.

[adventurology]

And the current Athena would love to talk to you. I've a few questions and I'd love to get to know more about you and the predecessor.

Would you like to Skype or something?

[fullcowl]

Probably not.

Back home there are pro-heroes. Most people have a quirk, or a power, of some type so you need to go to school for heroics and get certified before working. It's safer that way.

[hontobakabaka]

Hello, I'm Ruri Hoshino, and filling in for the god Omoikane. I can't say much about the previous Athena as I never met him, or her, or... I'm uncertain what to call men filling in for goddesses or women filling in for gods. Honestly the whole divine thing still is a bit ridiculous to me.

Generally I guess I am lucky as there are not too many legends, or oral traditions other than Omoikane was represented by a bell, which even I knew back home as my super computer was named after the god. Most of the prayers I get tend to be help on tests so I don't mind emailing study guides, beyond that I can't say as I know.

If you ever want some tea though I'd be glad to discuss it with you.

[reformedsinner]

Hello, Lara. That's a complicated question! We did speak a few times. Helios was a better friend of his.

I believe he had collected quite a few abandoned books from around the Heavens. If they're still there, they could be interesting reading material.

Please, feel free to call me Hakkai.

[gentilitea]

Ah, so he is to be replaced after all. [ And he's not sure how to feel about that, but, moving on… ]
But, to answer your first question: I have had the pleasure of his acquaintance previously, and have as a matter of fact come into possession with a few of his books, which I should return to you presently.
As for your second question…I do believe that that is out of my place as shinki to reply. [ Although he has his own ideas, and they may or may not involve aristocracies and etiquette training and feudalistic household management. ]

[oathkeeper]

a few people have already said what i would say. we're here to help where we can and keep the near shore from blowing up. we answer prayers and help human souls too.

aside from that i think it's a big job of ours to help our shinki. they're not tools to me, they're friends first. since shinki can't remember their lives i think it's a big part of our job to help them learn and grow and get stronger. they get a second chance with us, and i think it's important we make it the best that we can.

[adventurology]

Very well, Hakkai.

I'll have to go through them more properly, soon. That does sound interesting and probably enlightening, as a fellow bibliophile.

I admittedly have just been having a devil of a time setting up a living space. It's all quite cavernous, and I'm loathe to change too much.

[Or too absorbed in reading to care...]

[adventurology]

So super-heroes as professionals paid by society instead of costumed vigilantes and aliens living among us?

Sounds more logical than how comics have that work. And you're one such hero-to-be?

[adventurology]

Hello Ruri.

I admit, I'm rather familiar with Shinto folklore and I know very little of Omoikane beyond the scraps in the Kojiki and Nihon-Shoki about his role in Amaterasu's courts. I suppose that could be a relief.

As for tea, I'd never object to that. I'd be happy to host you or visit you to talk about some of that. Answering prayers without talking to people seems like quite a challenge.

[adventurology]

I'd rather not think of myself as replacing anyone. I'd prefer to think of it as fulfilling his duties while he goes back to his old life. He sounds well-liked, though and I hope I'll be able to prove worthy of the mantle.

As for the books, I'd happily take them back or leave them on loan if you've not finished them. I've yet to take an inventory, but it is on my list of priorities.

Would you be willing to talk about your relationship with him? I'd be interested in knowing what you did with him, what he was like, and if you ever worked with him on any of our shared duties? I don't want to throw out too much of his stuff or step on too many toes as I settle in.

[adventurology]

I've gotten that, Sora. :) It seems there's a lot of shared ideas on that.

But I absolutely agree. Or, I would. I have no shinki save that little soulless thing you saw me with. The ax. I'm not terribly sure where it came from, but I don't think it's one of the dead from the Near Shore.

[reformedsinner]

Is the clown statue still there?

[hontobakabaka]

I admit, most of my mythological information comes from the late 20th century historian Ray Harryhausen's translations of mythology but there wasn't much call for it other than naming ships in the belt. I'm not certain how accurate it is though as I got most of it from the Jovians.

As for tea, I make some every morning with sunrise. It is one of the few rituals from home I keep along with hanging the laundry for the morning sun. I guess that is the one good thing about being planetside.

Answering prayers I think depends on what your role is. Most of my prayers are things like "Help me pass a test" or "Help me figure out next quarter's sales figures." One is easy, the other is more irritating than anything else. However I fall under the knowledge deity preview, I can't even begin to think what kind of prayers a death, war, or even weather deity would get.

I believe there was an old temple to Athena, or at least the ruins of one near Peaceland Palace, but I never got the opportunity to visit it while I was there so I can't offer much helpful data there.

[missingache]

Sora met Hades, and he knew Hercules, so that's how I know them. Zeus was only talked about, never actually met him. Gods don't exists back home like they do here.

You can call me Roxas if you want. Artemis and Athena are sisters, right? I'm kind of the wrong gender to be a sister.