[VIDEO]

[janus_scholar]

[The video feed presents an older british gentleman at his desk, surrounded by stacks of history books. He looks up into the camera and smiles warmly.]

Good evening, my name is Walter Strickler. I'm a new arrival here, and I thought it best that I introduce myself. More than that, actually, I was hoping to ask a question.

I am in the midst of familiarizing myself with the history of this world, and how it differs from my own... Most of the discrepancies have been fairly minute, others less so, but it lead me to wondering about other worlds. Your worlds, and the histories theirin; if you care to share them. I suppose I'm just curious, is it common for most of us... "imports" to be from worlds that are similar, or ones that are vastly different? Is there anything here that has struck you as odd?

[There's a small pause, an aside glance, as he arranges the wording of his next question carefully.]

And, are 'powers' common where you're from? Whether it be mutations, magic, or anything of the sort. Are these things familiar to you?

Please do forgive me if I take a moment to understand anything you have to share. I must admit, I am still attempting to process all of this... But I would not want to have anyone feeling put-out for my misgivings. Thank you. I look forward to getting to know you all better.

Comments

[janus_scholar]

[This is an all-star list for a mythological fan. Walter takes note of all, but underlines Morrigan in particular. In his world, many myths were a matter of misattributed facts. In this case, his own creator God, Morgana.]

Quite the combination. Are most people in your world aware of these reborn gods, or is it privileged information?

[He did notice the gravitas placed on Woden, but he doesn't have enough information yet to know why it's given.]

[craftpunk]

Oh yes. The gods are stars. [ David waved his hand, in emphasis. ]

It's a big well to do, the gods. They define the next near-century. The gods, their projects, and what they sing, or write, or show, helps mere mortals define how they approach life.

I can't even imagine what went through the heads of the 1920's pantheon.

[janus_scholar]

Opium, I would assume? [It's a bad joke, but he couldn't help himself.

Also, he can now conclusively mark this as a "different" world in his notes. Though the fact that their mythologies are similar, despite his being so out in the open, is very noteworthy.]

It's all very interesting, I must say. I can't imagine what such influence would look like, or the effect it would have on the cultural landscape. I may be a touch jealous.

[craftpunk]

World War Two. [ Buzzkill mcGee, here he is. ]

[ But, David laughs, regardless, after a sober moment. ] It's... the pantheon are something to envy, yes. Godlike power, the adoration of the world, and you can make people... experience things in your power. That is, of course, dependent on the god.

I've heard it's... life-changing, to hear them in that way.

[janus_scholar]

I'm... surprised you haven't heard them, then. I would think that, being a Professor of Pantheon studies, you would be examining this phenomena as closely as possible.

[He may be misunderstanding a key factor or two, but something about this sounds like it's not adding up.]

[craftpunk]

Oh, I am.

[ A lift of his lips. There's a freedom in others knowing who he is. ]

But with an intimate knowledge comes a certain inability to simply believe, which is what the gods take. They need believers, and faith. I know. It's very different.

[janus_scholar]

Right, of course. That's unfortunate for your sake, but I'm sure it would help you be... objective, in your studies.

[craftpunk]

[ Subjective. Right. ]

Oh, I don't know about subjective, but I have gotten an intimate look. Which really is best for the world at large, in the long run.