maskormenace | 01. voice. angels dancing on the head of a pin

[ Chidi has been contemplating it ever since his arrival—what does the fact that people have powers here mean for the state of ethics in this world? Are people being responsible with what they’ve been given? Is everyone here like him, a person who could never have dreamed of having these types of powers in the worlds he came from?

In the end, he makes a decision that he needs to get more input before deciding. The communicator he’s been given is familiar technology, and he has no problem navigating its interface. He turns on the voice function and begins to broadcast. ]

I have a question for everyone here. Actually, a few questions. I’d like to get everyone’s input, if I can—don’t feel like you’re bothering me with your answer. I want to know everyone’s experience with this and everyone’s opinion.

First, a little background on me. My field of expertise is in the field of ethics and moral philosophy. I have written a lot about this subject, and I’d like to start a new study based on how these fields may be different in this world than in the one I was trained in.

So, here are my questions:

One: Do you personally come from a world where people have the kinds of powers that they have here? Furthermore, did you have powers yourself?

Two: If so, what were the moral and ethical implications of people deciding to use these powers, or choosing not to use them? And if not, do you feel a moral and ethical obligation to use your powers to help people?

And three: Do you consider yourself a good person?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I would hope so, with a position like that.

Do you believe yourself to be sentient? Having the ability to make independent decisions?

Oh, that sounds like a very interesting discussion to be involved in. I would like to be able to participate in such a debate before weighing in on it, personally. But the question is intriguing.

Can I ask—is this debate at least partly responsible for you being unsure of the answer to the third question?

You know, I never believed in an 'almighty' until recently. And now, the mechanics of the afterlife look like so much bureaucracy and nothing more. But I suppose that means we are accountable to something, somehow.

I might take a bit of exception to the idea there's a destiny, however.

This all depends on your approach to ethics to begin with—is there an obligation to use one's abilities as one is able to help others? Is taking an oath, as you say, simply a fulfillment of this obligation? Is it a function of recognizing that one has a duty already? Say you had an aptitude to be a heart surgeon. Does that make you obligated to become one?

[ Chidi sighs. ]

Honestly this was all so much easier before...well, before I knew there was an afterlife. There seems to be a set of criteria for judging people's actions that I have not been made privy to, but I know enough about it to know I was mistaken about some of my assumptions, even after being in the field of ethics for over ten years.

I think so. If you don't mind my asking... How was your world in danger? How did your powers end up coming into play in saving it.

[ Chidi actually chuckles at that. ]

Oh yeah, I'm a real cut-up at parties. People just wind me up and watch me go.

I see what you're saying. But I don't think I could define every instance of what would make someone good or bad in the space of a text message.

I see.

And the form you're in here—does it resemble a human body or have you been able to take your true form?

I have my human disguise, but I can take it off.

Is there a reason you've decided to stick with the disguise?

That's direct, sir. [ He sounds amused. ]

I think that's difficult to answer. I was programmed to be able to make decisions based on the information I've either acquired or had in my files. If I'm programmed to make a choice, is the choice I've made independent?

That said, there have been many occasions where I've gone beyond or outside of what I know I was programmed for. That does seem to indicate a development in the right direction.

It just feels weird going without it now. I'm getting used to it, though, and I sometimes go out without it now.

Since when do questions have prongs? Does that mean I just pick which part I wanna answer?

Yeaaah, seems about right. Is there a better word for that?

Then I’m afraid I don’t know how to answer your question.

You don't think there's a destiny? [ A pause. ]

Why not? Do you think you're exempt, or...

An afterlife. [He laughs nervously. Newt wished he believed you were joking, but he's met literal gods and guys who were back from the dead, so...] So, what...there's...Judgement? A Good Place and a Bad Place?

...how ethical is it to hold us to criteria that we are NOT made privy to?

[A split-second of pause-] A lot of people hate me- what I am, more specifically, but that was even before the responsibility of action was introduced.

I think it's more a matter of perspective. To some people, I'm sure I'm evil incarnate. Morally, I know I'm right. Ethically- within my own sub-group, I'm right. But overall? I don't know.

[Dryly:]

I don't see the point in lying. All it would take is an elf or a Solamnic knight from my world showing up here to reveal the truth.

[A quick pause, and he continues.]

Created by magic from the stolen eggs, yes, but flesh and blood the same as you.

About thirty years after the war ended, a god who had been imprisoned for millenia was released. He claimed to be Chaos, the Father of All and Nothing, and wanted to return Krynn to nothingness. Of course, we all quite liked existing, and the other gods didn't want to lose their pet mortals. It took the efforts of all twenty-one gods along with many mortals to defeat him and his armies, and even then, all that could be done was imprison him once again. [He snorts.] With all the other gods distracted, Takhisis saw her chance, and once Chaos was dealt with, she stole the world to another plane entirely.

[She actually is willing to explain, but first she has to point out teasingly:] A short and blunt question gets a short and blunt answer.

[he is literally so taken aback by someone who's new (or anyone at all, really) deciding that they first off want to go to uni that he just... stands there, comm to his head, mouth hanging open for a few moments. he has ABSOLUTELY no idea how to process this.]

No problem? [okay stop fly catching] I--I think this is a good idea, I mean. For imPorts specifically. You'll certainly be able to bring a unique point of view of things to the table.

Mate. Mate, we need to do this. Me and you, a few bottles of brown, and you tryin' to tell me why people can't murder annoyin' folks.

I've met them.

Morals and ethics? Hah! You'd have a field day in my world studying all that nonsense, darling.

[ Maeve wears an amused smile. ]

Truth is when people are given the opportunity and believe there are no consequences for their actions, they will do just about anything. You'll find that here as well. Give people power over a population, very little prison time, and you have a recipe for disaster. Though there are some who use their power responsibly. I assume you will be one of them?

Trying might not be enough, though.

Why ask about such a thing?

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