maskormenace | 2nd Oration / Voice

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2nd Oration / Voice

[Dooku's voice on the Network is difficult to miss: deep, resonant, rich, and inexplicably British despite him being from space.]

Good evening, my friends. As his probation officer, I feel it is my duty to inform you that Death the Kid has departed from this universe.

[Pause]

A pity, really. He only had a few days remaining on his sentence. I was looking forward to recommending his freedom from government supervision.

Now then, there is another matter I wish to discuss. I have been considering the role of emotion in the matters of power. ImPort abilities often seem tied to how we feel. Passions such as anger and fear can threaten our control, yet they can also spur our powers to greater heights in times of need.

In my Galaxy, there are two philosophies which have debated these issues for many thousands of years. One believes in the denial of passion. They insist upon tranquility and harmony. It is their belief that only a calm heart, without attachments, can attain true wisdom in serving others. They do not even allow themselves to fall in love...

[The Count's voice drops slightly, becoming a touch darker.]

The other perspective calls this a lie. It accepts passion as the truth of all living things, and draws power from it. It teaches that even the strongest of emotions can be embraced, and disciplined, and used to great effect.

I would be interested to know what my fellow imPorts think on this matter. Are our feelings to be repressed, or embraced? Which path do you believe will lead to greater fulfillment?

[Talk to the Sith Lord about feelings, Network. Also, if you're tagging him for the first time it's a good idea to check out his permissions post!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There is wisdom in what you say. Rigidity is a weakness easily exploited.

But it is the nature of most beings to crave stability and purpose in their lives, to seek structure to help define them. Perhaps that is why so many submit to one point of view or another, despite the risks of excluding other perspectives.

Congratulations. You just defined religion.

[The Count chuckles. He can appreciate a dry wit.]

Did I, really? Or did I also define politics and philosophy? Or even sport and friendship as well?

People find their purpose where they must. And while there is strength in flexibility, there is also power in commitment.

Commitment without critical thought sours quickly, turns bonds to bondage.

All too often, yes. But consider those beings who go through their lives without devotion or purpose, driven only by the most base impulses. Is it not the case that those who stand for nothing fall so very easily?

The latter system you described sounds dangerously close to that -- only, of course, with a few fancy window dressings. I'm sure there's someone at the top to capitalize on it, too.

Edited 2016-05-07 17:34 (UTC)

That is not quite the case.

[Yeah that's pretty much exactly the case. Emphasis on the part where someone is at the top.]

Within both systems, members are taught to think beyond their own selves. Both claim to bring greater benefits to the wider Galaxy around them. They seek to spread their visions of tranquility or change... of peace or order. Those petty individuals I just mentioned have no such vision.

You're trying to convince me that those "petty" individuals are worse because they're not shilling for someone else, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

As I said, there is power in finding something to commit to. Or to... 'shill' for, as you put it. Each being must choose carefully whether the benefits of a cause are worth the costs of submission.

[Unless of course most beings are simply too selfish and stupid to make the right choice for the common good. In that case, the wise and the powerful among them- individuals like Dooku- must step in and persuade them to accept the greater imperative of Order, imposing badly-needed structure upon a chaotic universe.

But that's a speech to give at a different time. Preferably once the Count has an army or two handy to back his decrees.]

All power coming at a price. [ At least there's one constant in every universe. ] As it should be.

That much, at least, holds true across dimensions. There is no strength without sacrifice.

[Even for the Dark Side. The quicker path, yes, the easier path, certainly. But not the painless path- never.]

It is much the same in this world. The Porter grants special abilities to those it brings to this planet... at the cost of the abduction, and the restrictions imposed by our gracious hosts in return for their hospitality.

[ There's a smile in his voice. ]

Power and strength are not always the same thing, tempting though it is to see them as such. But perhaps you have a point.

I am pleased to hear you say so, sir. But now you have intrigued me. Might I know what difference you perceive between 'power' and 'strength'?

Power is something you assume to tip the scales in your favor. It has more to do with privilege and advantages than strength, always needing someone to oppose or compare yourself with to really matter. Power, you can buy and sell. You can be without power and still bear yourself up with strength. Strength is all you and has nothing to do with what it gives you over another person. That, no one's ever been able to bottle and hand out. Not even me.

I see. You have made a subtle and clever distinction, I think. Power is an asset. Strength is a matter of character. I will remember those words.

Do you often 'bottle and hand out' power then, Mister... Gold, isn't it?

Oh, I never hand things out.

And I don't believe we've been formally introduced.

No, I don't believe we have. I am Count Dooku, sir, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Likewise, though better to save such pleasantries for meetings in person. Most call me Gold, as you are already aware.

Perhaps we will meet soon, then. There are always events which tend to draw our sort together.

And may I ask what is your business, Gold, which involves never handing things out?

[You've got him curious now, Gold.]

My current assigned occupation is as a craftsman. [ Said rather humbly, but then he switches the feed. ]

[Private]

But there are so many interpretations of the word.

[Well, this just gets more and more interesting, doesn't it?]

[Private]

I can appreciate a person willing to be flexible in their interpretations. If this post has established anything, it is that there are always multiple perspectives available. I must say, you have sparked my curiosity regarding your... Craftsmanship.

I suspected I would.

What would you care to know of it?

I find myself in the market for a variety of tools. Technology, for instance. Or protection.

Are items of this sort within your field?

Technology, on occasion, though I lack my old connections, sadly. I prefer to play on the other side of the coin. Simpler rules. And then the only human error is what you bring, yourself.

What manner of protection do you seek?

Sorcery, you mean. How interesting.

Perhaps something that would serve to protect against power nullifiers. I have had an... unfortunate experience with such technology.

But it would have to be something that was itself immune to nullification effects. There would be little point, otherwise.

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