The Seekers of Illumination

[Imposter]

Welcome to the Seekers of Illumination Draken. Well if I may tell a tale stored deep in the pages of club lore.

Ahem...

"Not so long ago a beautiful red haired lass found that she could neither conform to the ways of good or evil, so she decided to stand and start something truly brilliant. Many that found themselves in the same boat stood beside her. And from there the Soldiers of the Moderates came forth.

Stuck in the middle they watched the sides of light and dark battle amongst themselves, until the BoD came out victorious the SotM had stayed on the side lines but with the scales now tipped out of balance they rose to meet the challenge after much debating between the two factions. However the idea of battle faded away amongst a few minor skirmishes.

It was at this time a group from The Masters crept into the SotM and tried to once again start the fires of war. This resulted in the emergence of The Masters to this realm and the exposing of them within the SotM.

From there not too much is known of what became of the SotM, the side of light had once again reestablished itself in the realm and the balance had been brought back to order. Many of the veteran soldiers took this time to make their leave of watching the balance, the rest of the SotM faded amongst the tides of time.

One drifter in particular washed up here."

I think that about sums up the history of the SotM, we weren't really gutted. I would agree and say dissolved is a good term. I had left early so I don't really know what happened in the final stretch of the club, I imagine people just let it expire and poof it did.

Well TG I hope that is suffice enough, I like it. Anyways I was wondering why you hadn't responded in a few days and now I know why, I'm excited to see how I do.

[LocoColt04]

I would agree and say dissolved is a good term. I had left early so I don't really know what happened in the final stretch of the club, I imagine people just let it expire and poof it did.

That's pretty much what happened to us. The majority of the club's members weren't active enough on the forums due to various things: work, school, a combination of the two, a lack of interest, etcetera. It sort of died out. The BoD issued a challenge, it was never accepted, and they claimed "victory" and "dominance" over the Soldiers of the Moderate. Yeah, claim victory over an inactive group. Real awesome.

[Sinister]

I apologize for my conduct as far as attendance, Brother. I know I'm being rather hard to read at the moment. But all for a good reason. Rest assured that you all know where my loyalties lie.

It won't be too long until all of this is just history and I'm back at my house. And then, it won't be too long until I have to go back yet again. ><

Discussion-wise:

I'd like to address a sobering question. Don't mistake this question for similar questions. This is a SoI version, so you should know what to expect. But how are all of you prepared to deal with your death and it's possible implications. This is all from a personal perspective. I don't mean how are you going to afford a funeral or what you want done with your remains. I mean what are your feelings to every single contingency?

If your personality and identity is to be completely erased from existence, are you afraid of it?

Are you too confident that it won't happen to even consider your feelings?

Are you going to heaven or hell?(presupposing the existence of both)

How are you going to deal with existing there forever?

Is there any other possibility you're prepared to accept?

Are you afraid?


When you answer the above questions, think about it. Envision your death and the following possibilities. Don't be afraid of thinking about it. It's going to happen whether you're afraid or not.

I'll post my answer later, but I'll tell you this now. My father raised me to look at the worst possible situation, then to estimate it's possibility, then to see if there's anyway to divert it. You can imagine why I go mad day and night with every religion and philosophy.

Dylan Thomas had it right. I won't go. *later I'll tell you all how*

-Sin

[Anomaly]

Hope I'm not treading on anyones toes, but I find this a fun question, so I'll start with it.

If your personality and identity is to be completely erased from existence, are you afraid of it?

No. I have experienced oblivion. There is no terror in it, so I cannot say that I fear it. I think more than anything I'd be a little disappointed, but also a little relieved, if that makes sense. Which is not to imply that I fear the concept of an after-life, so much as its a little overwhelming, and while it would be a shame for the wonderful being that is me to cease to exist, it would make things easier.

Are you too confident that it won't happen to even consider your feelings?

No. Oblivion does exist, whether we are consigned there in death or not. As I said, I've experienced it.

Are you going to heaven or hell?

Heaven I hope, Hell I fear, and Purgatory I hope not. I hope not Purgatory simply because it seems like a bland sort of after life.

How are you going to deal with existing there forever?

Heaven, by enjoying every moment God gives, Hell by trying to accept the pain, Purgatory by being bored out of my skull...maybe try my hand at composing songs in all three.

Is there any other possibility you're prepared to accept?

Re-incarnation I suppose. Not the 'instant- just add karma' kind, but I wouldn't mind being re-incarnated on a new earth provided I didn't have to run the gauntlet of divine judgment again.

Are you afraid?

No. I fear pain, but I merely seek to avoid death. If you can't accept your death, how can you accept being alive?

Now a few matters that I'm not going to bother quoting specific things, but will merely broadly reference them.

Soldiers of the Moderate - I'm sorry if my comments caused offense, but from my perspective the SotM didn't completely dissolve until after TM extracted from them. I realize they were dying already, which is why it was easy to infiltrate and assimilate. I will admit our plans didn't go where we wanted them to with that, but I think I'm justified in saying the Masters activity within SotM was the last flicker of the flame before they went out. Aside from that one guy that joined up with the BOD to try and instigate a war between TM and BOD early on. He was crazy.

Inter(inner)-faction RPBing - I'm well aware of its purposes as it part of our entrance exam. I merely was asking why you, Oskar, in particular were participating in what appears to be be solely inter-faction RPing of late. I mean no offense, rather I'm hungry to test out my new characters. I grant you I've written two of them as nigh godly, but they are both fragments of a god. If you'd like, you can face Fou-Lu who is totally mortal...but I definitely want to fight you again, and not just 'sometime in the future'. I want you soon. But I do realize that you're current battles may mean I might have to wait a bit.

Dominance, The Many Definitions of - Thats an interesting one, because you and I have similar definitions for what I'm talking about, but not exactly the same. Nor do I truly think the same as what Sin was implying. I think you and I seek the same thing Oskar, but unlike the BOD, not necessarily at the exclusion of the other. Of course that will always be an open door...it wouldn't be any fun if it were not a possibility, so unlike the burned out SotM I'll never rule out clan destruction. Death is the spice of Life. But not every battle has to be to the death, and not every conflict has to be a battle.
On the other hand, I'm not too interested in getting TM involved in forum politics again. We've been down that road a few times and each time its ended in the forums destruction. Not really a good result for a clan that thrives on conflict. Once the games over and done, there's nothing to do but fade into oblivion...

Might want to become acquaintances on instant messaging. You seem like you might enjoy meeting certain other acquaintances of mine.

That would be fine if we can find the time. We're both pretty busy though, so I'd suggest going back to our IM conversations starting out.

So in summation, hello everyone. Aerif we've worked together before, Atma I remember you well, Sin, you're an interesting character, Colt...are you going to Kon? (answer elsewhere obviously) and Oskar, I look forward to killing you soon! (ask a ninja.com reference, not literal, obviously)

[LocoColt04]

Soldiers of the Moderate - I'm sorry if my comments caused offense, but from my perspective the SotM didn't completely dissolve until after TM extracted from them. I realize they were dying already, which is why it was easy to infiltrate and assimilate. I will admit our plans didn't go where we wanted them to with that, but I think I'm justified in saying the Masters activity within SotM was the last flicker of the flame before they went out. Aside from that one guy that joined up with the BOD to try and instigate a war between TM and BOD early on. He was crazy.

I certainly don't take any offense, though I can't speak for any others.

I do remember when you guys first showed up though. You muscled your way in and then tried to take over, and we wouldn't stand for it. It all kind of died off after that point. Fun times. That really was the "last flicker," as you put it.

I honestly didn't like you guys very much at first. ^^;


Ah, reminiscing, such good times.

TGO, I have not forgotten your challenge to me from forever and a day ago, but you have your plate full at the current time. Anomaly, though it would be very slow-going due to our respective hectic scheduling, I would be willing to fuel your fire in the meantime. Atma, same goes for you, as I know you just expressed to me a few hours ago that you'd like to start writing with me again. If either of you is interested, let's take it to PM so we don't further hijack the thread.


You know, with the BoD gone and The Masters still holding a place of pseudo-neutrality, there's really nothing to mediate around here. Sooner or later, someone's going to have to come up with another "dark side" club.

[Imposter]

Sin I noticed a few posts up you mentioned a club rp. That sounds pretty interesting and therefore I am interested in it. I guess I have to go search it out and read up to see what you are referring to.

In respect to your questions Sin I will do my best to give you my thoughts. Most of the day was spent kinda just thinking them out.

If your personality and identity is to be completely erased from existence, are you afraid of it?

It seems a little weird but I'm not afraid if this was to happen. I know that nothing I have done will every have my name attached to it both good and bad. That is contained with mixed feelings itself, but in the end I suppose the pros weigh out the cons and I am ok with that. Not being missed is probably the greatest blessing in this scenario, I'm satisfied to think that all the times I've tried to esteem someone else in my stead won't be seen as glory to myself.

Are you too confident that it won't happen to even consider your feelings?

I guess I can't say that I am, because I am considering it although I would like to say that I am confident enough. I suppose I am not quite so strong in my faith that I can stand and say I don't sometimes doubt. Where the difference lies is that even though I doubt I don't act on that doubt but instead look for ways to defend against it.

Are you going to heaven or hell?(presupposing the existence of both)

Heaven, solely based on faith in promises that will be kept.

How are you going to deal with existing there forever?

I think I would take it quite well, spending eternity in the presence of the one who kept those promises will be something truly amazing. I hope that I will be thankful for every moment there knowing that I could've ended up somewheres else.

Is there any other possibility you're prepared to accept?

Actually no, I kinda think that conflicts with the whole purpose of faith. You know making a plan B just in case plan A falls through. I guess it doesn't seem like a very logical thing to do but then again faith isn't very logical to begin with.

Are you afraid?

No I'm not, I got over that fear a few years back. With what I have placed my faith in death isn't seen as a awful thing, just an unnatural end to the corruption of the life we are given. Death is just the gateway from the physical to the eternal or so I believe.

[Furore]

If your personality and identity is to be completely erased from existence, are you afraid of it?

Nope. Merely curious. I do not honestly believe all of a person ceases to exist regardless of what happens. Seems too damned wasteful.

Are you too confident that it won't happen to even consider your feelings?

My feelings are that ceasing to exist most likely won't happen. I just get a feeling. And even if I did cease to exist completely, what's the problem? You wouldn't really give a damn if you didn't exist, right?

Are you going to heaven or hell?(presupposing the existence of both)

I'd hope Heaven, but I'd imagine purgatory first for a good period of time. For the whole sin cleansing thing.

How are you going to deal with existing there forever?

Like I deal with existing here. Just gotta roll with it.
Forever is a long time, but if it's the ultimate destination...
Something would keep it interesting.

Is there any other possibility you're prepared to accept?

Whatever happens, happens. In the end we've done what we've done and will face the unknown. Even one who believes in Heaven and Hell cannot really know what either place will look like if they've never been there yet. So there's always that sense of the unknown.

Are you afraid?

Nope. More excited than anything else.. Me being rather curiousity driven half the time and all.

[Sinister]

Sin I noticed a few posts up you mentioned a club rp. That sounds pretty interesting and therefore I am interested in it. I guess I have to go search it out and read up to see what you are referring to.

I wish there was something to see. But it's still in the planning stages. The man with all the answers there would be Oskar. I've heard that he intends to use the same characters as our old RP, which ended somewhat unsuccessfully.


Now to my own questions:

If your personality and identity is to be completely erased from existence, are you afraid of it?
Honestly. Yes and No. Yes because I have become accustomed to how I am at this moment. No, because I KNOW that it is absolutely impossible for me not to exist in some form. I will be always a part of this universe. I don't remember anything before this life, because I lacked a brain that stored memories. If the worst I'm to endure is to go back being what I was before, I'm not too cursed. I'll have my fun first, though.



Are you too confident that it won't happen to even consider your feelings?
Nope. I am certain of nothing. I don't just believe and hope, I act. I make contingencies. If I sell myself that I will go to heaven and that there are big pearly gates and at some point I lose that faith, I am destroyed. Diversified as I am, I've explored plenty of options to last me my lifetime and more.


Are you going to heaven or hell?(presupposing the existence of both)
This is a tough one and depending on which denomination, the answer changes significantly. I believe that a man named Jesus existed and that he represented more than a human. I believe in God. I have been baptized. I protested my faith in front of a conglomeration with genuine feelings at the time. So rather than answer for all the denomination, that is it.


How are you going to deal with existing there forever?
As a mortal, an eternity doing anything makes me feel sick. Perhaps, in that respect, death is welcome. Not that I am ungrateful to my creator, but if he is asking which I'd rather, I'd rather not answer. But then my conception of Heaven is a stupid one based on ignorance rather than experience.


Is there any other possibility you're prepared to accept?
The possibility of Taoism seems the greatest to me. What is that? Return from where you came. The world, solar system, galaxy, universe all revolve around cycles. What happens once will likely happen again in an appreciably different way. I wouldn't call death the ultimate end, but it is for Brandon Zachary, whoever the hell he is, be he a collection of memories or a conscious entity.

Are you afraid?
I was, would be, but now it is more in the fashion of concern. I may feel differently when I lay dying. Death is portrayed as one big scary joke that hurts. Granted it takes a while for it to be funny. But I'll go ahead and start laughing.

-Sin

[T.G. Oskar]

About the RP...for Noah's knowledge: there was an RP done not so long ago, dealing with roleplaying some of the club's history, but it fell slightly on activity not very long afterwards. I sought to look for more activity in the club before reviving the RP, which would imply detailing the "realm" where the faction stands (much like the Halls, or the Pillars of Balance: us would be the Pillars of Illumination) Maybe around some time I might retake that work, hopefully before August. I've seen enough satisfactory movements around here.

Anyways, on to discussion. This is gonna be long, it seems:
If your personality and identity is to be completely erased from existence, are you afraid of it?
Yes, and no. I am very jealous, so to say, of my identity. I seek to avoid, subvert, and laugh at stereotypes. Trying as much not to be pigeonholed, given the varied number of applicable stereotypes (Latin, Puerto Rican, Geek, Otaku, Gamer, Nerd, Rocker, and so forth), seeking my own comfortable identity. It would suck that all my work would go to waste, so that would be the "yes" in that sense. But, if I am going to cease to exist, well, I gotta be resigned to it. Hence, the "no".

Are you too confident that it won't happen to even consider your feelings?
I can't seem to consider myself confident. Life is an open book, with the chapters delined by a higher source, but the actual action is the random whim of life with the small flicker of my willpower seeking to alter the results. I dunno when I'll die, or when I'll get married, so I seek not to be bothered by it.

Are you going to heaven or hell?(presupposing the existence of both)
Hopefully Heaven. Though, well, I guess good acts do not suffice. Taking a page from Dante, I guess...Limbo? Odd, since I'd rather believe in Dante's version of Hell rather than the general conception. Adds a certain depth and degree, some elegance that isn't seen in the "infinite space filled with angsty angst". Yet, unlike Dante, I believe in no Purgatory: for a Purgatory, we have this life, right?

How are you going to deal with existing there forever?
Like here? Having no worries on what'll happen later, as essentially afterwards it'll be either one heck of a free time or one heck of a torture. I can only guess: I bet I won't be bored in Heaven, and I won't have any time to think in Hell. Limbo...I'll drift in the boredom.

Is there any other possibility you're prepared to accept?
Um...no. Not really. Rather not get any illusions and expect the unexpected than believing in something like, say, reincarnation, or spiritual drift.

Are you afraid?
I think so. What terrifies me is not death itself, but the very process. That unknown moment where a person gets spirited away is much more terrifying than what'll happen later. We get an idea of what'll happen after death. And before.But during, that's the big unanswered question.

Now, I have a request for all of the members (and members only, this is a club-related question).

How, as members, do you consider is your drive in here? The discussions, or the promise of combat? You might be in an in-between, but there is something you'd probably prefer more than the other. I'll expect at least 3-4 answers before I reveal why I need that lil' questionnaire answered.

All I can say is, it's something left in the board, and now's the best moment to work around it.