Floor 16

[not_a_rock]

I hope everyone is okay... after those messages about bleeding and mutiny and... well.

[sigh]

No matter what I try, I can't seem to get a clear message through from Ishtar. So I'm wondering, how do the rest of you worship? And what are your gods like, where you come from?

Comments

[oblique_wisdom]

[Zelda has not forgotten at the very least that Ki is a shrine maiden.]

There are three goddesses of Hyrule dedicated to her people. They were responsible for the creation of the land, for offering wisdom to the inhabitants so they may uphold the idea of what was 'lawful', and the other for the very basis theory of what is and is not 'lawful'.

Although we refer to them and pray for their guidance, it does not appear that we have any direct temple that was made primarily for them. There is one in the castle town that would hold direct relevance, but it was created for the purpose of protecting the ancient relic that the goddesses left behind upon their departure from Hyrule.

I would know little of how others would request time and attention from the goddesses, yet I would not find it any different from the praying I do with my personal time.

What are your traditions, Miss Ki?

[not_a_rock]

[Squee Zelda!]

Well, our stories have it that long ago our gods fought the demons to bring order from chaos. In a way, they gave us law as well.

Ishtar is the patron goddess of Babilym, so there is a great temple devoted to Her. Or was, before the invasion... People came to make offerings, and shrine maidens such as myself would relay the words of the Goddess.

People also pray in their homes, usually to their own household or family gods.

I think that Link said something about your goddesses leaving Hyrule... that's very sad. Do you know why?

[oblique_wisdom]

You have claimed that your goddess, Ishtar, is incapable of hearing your prayers, then? Has this only recently occurred, or perhaps it began when you initially boarded this vessel...? It would not surprise me in the least that such a thing would take place here.

The three goddesses left Hyrule after they believed their positions and their obligations had been fulfilled. It would appear that they felt their presence was not required on Hyrule, but rather that their eyes remained on her people. As to why they would leave such a potentially dangerous artifact in the hands of their creations I still have not theorized, though I tend to think that they did not believe corruption would claim their offspring so easily.

[This is some nice food for thought. Zelda hasn't explained this for quite some time.]

[not_a_rock]

I'm certain it started when I got here. And - I do not believe my prayers cannot reach Her so much as I think it must be that there is something obscuring a clear response. I get fragments here and there, but... I cannot make anything out.

Ah. Corruption. Anu turned his face from us in disappointment for the greed and hubris shown by mankind towards a great treasure He had gifted us.

[yousoundblue]

Let's see, there's the Church of the Light Immanent, but they don't worship deities so much as revere a concept of the oneness of humankind. Honestly, they're more of a philosophical school than a religion, now, but the name stuck.

There are the Eschatonics. They're a primarily Martian sect that preaches the end of the universe is going to come next year when the calendar rolls over to Diaspora 500. Which isn't going to happen, so the Martian government has counselors standing by. They're, ah, a bit out-there, but they throw great parties.

The Europans practice a state-sponsored form of ancestor worship. The shrines are sometimes tacky, in my opinion, but they don't get upset if you have your helpmate edit them out of your visual field.

Oh. There's a "church" that preaches that telepaths are "higher beings." They're disgusting. You can always tell one of them because they get all servile and you end up feeling like your psyche's been dipped in oil if you spend any length of time around them.

[not_a_rock]

[Oh my god most of that went straight over her head.]

Goodness, that's... abstract.

Wait, some people think you're a god?

[yousoundblue]

[Lika won't insult people by dumbing down her explanations until asked.]

I personally probably only rate "demigod," but telepaths in the abstract...something like that.

[not_a_rock]

How... very unusual. Typically when a mortal is seen as a god it's through their own efforts and ambition to attain godhood - awfully hubristic, of course. I've never heard of someone being nominated against their will.

Saturn is a very unusual place.

[ttlynotawizard]

I've got a few friends who worship Kah, goddess of fighters. One or two who pull for Gelasia. I don't really know much about them, sorry to say. I've been in a few temples and went through some motions, but I really didn't know what I was doing.

[not_a_rock]

Well, they should have explained things! That's not a very good way to make people want to follow your gods at all.

[ttlynotawizard]

Well what if I'm not sure I want to follow any?

[not_a_rock]

That's fine of course! But they should put their best foot forwards anyway.

[does_everything]

A lot like me, baby.

[not_a_rock]

[Giggle.]

Daxter! I heard you were back! I'm glad, Jak was so very worried.

[does_everything]

Ah, you knew me too, huh sugar? You sound cute. Did we date?

[not_a_rock]

I did know you!

Ah... "date?"

[weifengyiyu]

We got gods for just about everyone, and they're all different.

Who's Ishtar?

[not_a_rock]

Ah, that sounds like home!

Ishtar is the goddess of love.... and war, depending on the school of thought. She is also the goddess who believed there was good in humanity worth saving when the Father of Heaven turned away from us.

[weifengyiyu]

Love and war? Sounds like a contradiction, ain't no love in war.

[not_a_rock]

Do people not fight for what they love? To defend it?