My Existence

While the many versions of Jackdaw do have a...wide variety of answers, I (with my very limited understanding of Fate) think there is potential in the suggestion that a multitude of smaller effects will have more impact than the big ones. As Jackdaw said, our choices do matter.

I don't really know where I'm going with this, except maybe to say that Travance is pretty damn unified in our choice to keep you with us. So take that, fate.

-Annora

Annora,

I would defer to those who understand fate well, but I think perhaps you are onto something here, and it makes sense given what Jackdaw wrote. I do know that small choices along a path can have large impacts -- multiple small kindnesses and small sacrifices can be as powerful as one large one -- the opposite corollary of the saying a death by 1,000 small cuts.

Selby is tied to each one of us in Travance by their acts over years, whether directly or indirectly. Maybe there is a way for each of us, as Jackdaw suggests, to act as connection points and make the choice to "will" Selby into existence. I use the term "will" simply because I am uncertain what the metaphysical term is for those who work with fates might be -- it sounds like Jackdaw, when he is Jackdaw, may have some additional ideas. I am sure others would as well.

With respect,

-Faila

I've been collaborating with the Professor version of me, and we're work shopping a theory that the missing component is Selby's choices. We can't "will" the connections into place, not without Selby on the other side of it. Imagine a person in Travance chooses to rush to the aid of a commoner, and saves them. The Commoner is so full of gratitude that they rush home, decide to name their new born child after this Travancian and raise them on stories of the noble hero. Having heard stories of a hero the child grows up inspired to become a hero themselves, and choose to come to this town and train, and become a Paladin. They choose this life and rush into the woods to save someone. A choice influences a choice, influences a choice, and so the web of fate is crafted. Now imagine a work of fiction that inspires a child who comes to Travance with dreams of becoming a hero, and they go off and rescue someone. A number of choices were made in crafting the work of fiction but all of those choices were made by the author, who shaped the story. No matter how much the work of fiction influenced a person the characters in the story have no choices of their own, they are a figment of the author's imagination. People choosing to bind themselves to Selby is THEIR choice. They are in this metaphor the author, or the reader. We can create the anchor points, but Selby has to make choices that change our fates, in order to connect to those anchor points. Notably this is a theory, or a guess that me and... awkwardly myself are working off of, and it's not confirmed at this point. - Jackdaw

We'll make a proper scientist out of you yet.

-Selby

Did Devariatus specify the other soul which would need to be risked? Could you just pick a random soul, could someone volunteer? Or does he have a specific one in mind?

Did he give any indication in how it would be risked?

-Cade

I don't expect you too, Selby, but I am saying this for everyone else. Do not give into anything Devariatus asks. He will give you what you want... but twisted to his own purposes and it's not worth it. This is speaking from someone who has had something dear to them taken by him because of someone else's careless words. Once I figure out how to eliminate a Dark Arani I will tear him to shreds.

Either way, none of those sound like good options. We'll figure out something that works best for you.

~Khala Stormbringer

Cade,

It was very clear that he had someone specific in mind. He was not tempted by others in the room making the offer. I am unsure of what the cost to that person would be. Part of what I'm trying to work on is figuring out who that is because it implies the idea that there is someone else out there with the information.

Khala,

I don't make pacts or deals without very clear verbiage. If I were to make a deal with him, I would not allow a loophole to exist.

-Selby

I greatly appreciate your offer. I think everyone has a part to play here. If something comes to mind specifically with the talents I know you have, I will let you know.

-Selby

Everything comes at a cost. Some "higher powers" have more reasonable requirements for their aid than others, and some are open to negotiation on *who* pays the price.

There are options between "give yourself over to an Arani forever" and "kill all the gods." I will think on this.

-

While I generally think the world would be better off without them, I'm under no pretense that killing every god would be good for the fabric of our reality. At least not yet. Should that change, I'll be in line. In this case, I'm speaking of killing Devariatus and/or Callixto. I'll be waiting for your other options.

Get,

I can verify without a single doubt that Selby is indeed the Viceroy of my land. You forgetting is just more proof of how dire this situation is.

-Ebony Hale-MahoKetsui

Knight of Cups of Albriar

Get,

Thank you. You may not know me but that gives me some important information.

-Selby

Please know that I would rather fade from existence than ever turn down crisis cheese.

-Selby