maskormenace | second level; video

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second level; video

[ Merle's gotten a bit better at using the video function on his device by now. He knows enough to use video on purpose, rather than thinking he's using voice and accidentally recording a close up view of his mouth and beard. In any case, today he's set up the video to record himself sitting on his back deck, surrounded by potted plants of all varieties, holding a very important book. ]

Alright, imPorts. What I'm here to talk to ya about today can be considered a touchy subject in some circles, but I promise I just mean to have an open and honest discussion about it.

I mean Religion. Faith. Belief-- in whatever deity or deities or higher powers you choose to believe in. I've been thinkin' about it a lot lately, and I think just because my god is cut off from this world, an' I can't talk to him while I'm here, I don't think that oughta stop me from practicing my faith. I don't think it should stop any of us!

Now, I've heard some not-so-great things about the calibre of the native churches on this world. Far be it for me to condemn the way anyone worships, but I get the feeling that we imPorts who hold faith in other gods besides that one guy who sent his son down to Earth or whatever he did or didn't do... I get the feeling we wouldn't be so welcome at those native churches.

So that's why I'm thinkin' o' putting my own place together. A sort of church where anyone'd be welcome, where you could come an' practice whatever faith you want. --Except, maybe not the kind of faith that involves ritual murder... [ He's looking at you, Dark Brotherhood. ] But for all those other kinda faiths that need a place to go to pray, or meditate, or do whatever. Whaddaya think? Good idea? What sorta things would you need to practice your religion on this world? How could I make that easier for you?

[ He places his hand over his Extreme Teen Bible and closes his eyes briefly. ]

As our Pan-enly Father said, "You’re not from this world. And, so, technically speaking, that means I’m not your Pan. But you will always be my Merle."

...Okay, maybe that was a little thing he said specifically to me, but... The message is still the same! Okay, bye!

[ Embarrassed by his snafu, he hastily ends the recording. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Hello! Here is a man Merle's definitely never talked to before, smiling warmly.]

That sounds like a lovely idea, for those faiths that engage in public worship. My own places more emphasis on the private and personal nature of prayer, but I'm sure this would bring comfort to many.

In my homeland, most chapels have altars for each of the gods who watch over the people, but are dedicated specifically to one among them. I assume there would be no such dedication here?

[ WHY HELLO STRANGER! ]

Gee, thanks! Most temples back home are like that too, dedicated to one god or goddess, but they'll let any same-aligned person get healing there. Nah, it doesn't really make sense to have the place be dedicated to one deity in particular, but I do like the idea for having a buncha custom altars there for people to worship at.

The temples I've seen favored a semi-circular chapel so that each god had an equal place. ...Though they did always place the first of the gods at the center. I'm not sure how to arrange them more equitably, but there might be some way.

Would it be possible for those of other faiths to come pay respects to the gods who will accept the offerings of outsiders? I'd like to be polite and acknowledge the other gods we have represented among the faiths here.

Why stop at semi-circular? I'll make my temple a big ol' circle! with different altars around the edges like the spokes of a wheel!

[ Excuse him while he jots down this idea so as not to forget it. ]

Yeah, I don't see why not! I know Pan'd accept ya! I mean... I think he would. And as his sole representative on this plane, I can pretty reliably speak for him, so... Yeah!

They had to make room for pews and the priest's quarters below, I think. But if public sermons aren't going to be given, I suppose it wouldn't be an issue. And the wheel idea sounds precisely like the stories of the world's creation that I've always heard. A fine concept for a temple that includes everything.

I'm honored to hear that. My own gods are patrons of my people, so I can't extend the same. But I'm sure if you were ever to join us, they would extend their grace to you as well.

Oh pews, pews... Sure, those are important. How the hells am I gonna fit pews in a giant circle?

Ah, thanks but no thanks. I'm pretty tight with Pan, so I'm not exactly in the market for a new deity.

Maybe two floors? One for sermons, one for altars?

Oh, I didn't mean to suggest that you do so, just to let you know I think you'd be a very interesting addition to our faith, if you were ever to become applicable for it.

Oh, now that's an idea!

[ He jots that down as well. ]

Yeahhhhh, well, Pan's got me booked in this life and then next, and the next after that.

More lives? I get just the one. But after that I'll join my parents and my family who've passed on. I'm not sure what I'd even do with multiple lives to live.

Oh, I was pretty sure this was gonna be my last go, too, but then I found myself here! So it's kind of all started up again.

[ Technically, Merle has only lived one life. It's just that he lived one year a hundred times over. And he's died eighty-seven times. ]

Being here counts as another life? I suppose that whole reviving thing they've talked about would count, certainly.

I'm not keen on experiencing what that's like, however. It sounds too much like necromancy to me.

'Nother chance on life, anyway! Might as well take it as an opportunity to try something new.

Oooooh, me neither. I stay away from that undead stuff.

Aw damn. As a ritual murderist I feel excluded.

This is a cool idea, Merle.

Thanks!

[ He's been around Taako long enough to recognize some healthy sarcasm when he hears it. ]

Any inclination to help out? We could use young members to draw people in! Corner the youth market!

Ummmm. You know I'm a dead atheist descended from a pagan nature god in a doomed cosmos.

The market is just me.

But I don't mind helping out with some landscaping or whatever.

[ Merle raises a finger. ]

For the record, I did not know that.

But hey! A pagan nature god's kid would have a seat at Pan's table!

Oh. -- Uh. Sorry, I thought we covered all my weird bases already.

I don't even really offer to my dad. It might be weird to sit at another nature dad's table.

Did we? [ He may have forgotten. ] Oh well, that's okay. I've got plenty of weird bases we haven't covered.

That's fine. You're just not the religious type. Well, I'll give you a call if any of the shrubs need trimming!

You can cover your weird bases in your own time. I just sort of like to get mine out of the way.

I'm more of a grower than a trimmer.

[ Merle laughs a hearty laugh. The kind of laugh that one usually laughs at innuendo if they're irreverent like Merle. ]

Ha-hah! I hear ya, kid.

[Oh, Merle.]

This is a good idea.

[Not one he'd necessarily utilize himself, but a nice idea all the same.]

Thanks! You're welcome to come and worship whoever you want when I get it off the ground.

I'll keep it in mind.

What's your god like?

Pan? Oh, he's the best. he's a nature god, kind of a satyr type fella.
Real furry, bug horns.

*Big

anyyyway, he's nice and friendly. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you sat in and prayed to him!

[A nature god, huh? Well, Frey isn't exactly a Satyr, nor would Hearth call him "furry", but. He can infer the parallels nonetheless - or, at the very least, he can see why something like that might be appealing.]

Sure.

I could sit in.

[There won't be any praying, but what's the harm in listening to someone else do it? Something about this whole thing, it's just so...endearing, somehow.

[Merle really is a pretty cool dwarf, all things considered.]

great! We'd love to have ya!

Do you suppose that faiths promoting ritualized murder are rather common among the ImPort population?

[Asking for a friend.]

i dunno about common, but they exist... just see that anonymous post the other day!

[Oh, he saw it, alright.]

Yes, I saw. Though, I am wondering if there are any other such faiths that you know to exist within this world or your own.

It's quite the curious matter, I think.

I'm not sure WHAT all kinda faiths exist in this world.

in my own world, there's cults and necromancers and liches, but not all liches are bad guys. some of them are bad ASSES.

Dare I ask what exactly it is that you mean by "liches"?

liches are undead magic users who rely on their magic power to keep living after death. you can beat em if you destroy their phylactery.

I think this could be a wonderful idea. If it's something you're interested in continuing to pursue, and would like support from further up, I might be able to provide some from my office.

[ Merle has to squint at the name on the communicator for a moment before it clicks. ]

Ohhhh, you're the ambassador lady, right? Yeah, I'm sure some support from you would help me get this off the ground!

Oh, and, sorry about that whole thing with the plants.

Let me know if you would like some and I will see what I can do. And yes, I'm the Ambassador lady. Amidala, if you don't mind.

The plants? That was -- ah, are you friends with Magnus and Lucretia?

Pleasure to meet you, Miss Amidala. You can call me Merle.

Yep! We're all from the same world. Magnus 'n' I used ta work for Lucretia at her super secret Bureau.

[ Just blabbin' all the Director's secrets, nbd. ]

It's good to meet you too, Merle.

Her secret Bureau?

Yuh-huh!

[ He pauses, wincing internally. ]

I probably shouldn't blab too much about it, though.

[ She laughs a little. ]

That's why I chose to make it private. I feel that she wouldn't like that news getting too far, somehow.

I won't press any further.

Do you have any specific plans in mind for this church yet, or are you still in the early planning stages?

Oh, is this thing private?

[ how do phones even work ]

Well, this one guy brought up the idea of having it be sort of wheel-shaped, with different altars for different gods or goddesses at each of the spokes of the wheel. Though I'm thinking maybe we just have a couple preset altars and then some sort of blank ones people can rent out for their own custom services when they need to, yanno?

It is now, at least.

The extent of what can be done would depend in part on the funding that can be found. If it is possible to build something large enough, we could perhaps find a way to have areas designated to those who have a few worshippers here.

A blank area is something that I think could be worked with, certainly. If renting out is necessary to maintain it, perhaps, but if we can get the correct funding it will not be necessary to ask people for money for that.

It seems it could be very useful to people.

Ah, then I suppose I could tell you about the Bureau. You seem trustworthy enough.

[ Make better choices, Merle. ]

It doesn't need to be too big. Just big enough to hold a few altars and some worshippers. Maybe some pews, I dunno.

That's what I thought, too, that it could be useful for people to have a place to come to worship.

While I do hope that I am trustworthy, I would caution against finding someone trustworthy simply for privating a conversation.

[ A small word of advice?? ]

If we can acquire enough funding to have places for several different altars or perhaps side rooms for some religions, that would be I think a very good thing for many people in the community.

I'll talk to some people and see what I can do, and you continue to do what you can on your end. I'm sure we can find a way to make this a reality.

[ He just shrugs but she can't tell because it's voice. ]

Thanks, madame Ambassador! I promise, I'll run a clean ship, worthy of your contributions!

I'll speak to some of my own people, but if you find yourself running into any specific problems please, feel free to let me know.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

second level; video

[video, not anonymous this time :P]

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