View source for Dance for the Spirits, Lecture II

Dance for the Spirits Part II Lecture - Trabe Plateau - 04.29.2020, 8:00 PM EST****

Aaoskar says, "Thank you all for coming to the Arid Steppe. I will speak briefly before turning things over to Quentiana, a member of the Tribes."

Aaoskar says, "Months ago, we gathered to discuss what we call Dream Theory - the theory that our unconscious minds affect the Plane of Probability."

Aaoskar says, "Some of you might enjoy hearing another exhaustive examination of the theory, but I suspect that might put most of you to sleep. So I won't do that today."

Aaoskar says, "The salient point in the theory is that, due to planar overlap, our unconscious minds can cause not only change in the Microcosm, where Moon Mages use Astral Travel, but in probability itself. The dreams that lie behind the conscious mind, which we ordinarily cannot truly control, can become reality and can alter probability."

Aaoskar says, "We need not discuss the level of danger faced by this plane if our proposition is true."

Aaoskar says, "When we presented the Dream theory, we theorized that in entering a state where our unconscious mind can exert no influence on Probability, we will instead open our minds to hear the true whisper of Fate. By opening our minds and removing our bias, we may receive whatever messages Fate has for us instead of making selfish demands."

Aaoskar says, "Many of our sects have traditions that would lend themselves to such a pursuit but given that the focus of our research of late has been the prophetess Nera, we felt compelled to start with the Tribes. I turn now to Quentiana, a, shall we say, well-seasoned member of the Nomads of the Arid Steppe to speak on how the Tribes transcend to release their unconscious desires and learn to hear the whispers of the Spirits."

Quentiana says, "I admit I do not know how to begin. I have never spoken to so many who are not of my tribe at one time. I wish to teach you of what I consider to be the deeper truths of the Nomads, of how we transcend the mind to better hear our ancestors. I think it best to start from the beginning."

Quentiana says, "You may know us as the Nomads or the Tribes, but we call ourselves the People. This windswept steppe is our home. Our history is a long one, marred by the violence of wars we waged against each other before we were united under the stewardship of a great leader, the man we call the True Kir. Although now united, we still retain our separate tribal identities.

Quentiana says, "Descriptions of the tribes and some of their stories are easily found in the written word of your kind. But you can know every story of the People and still never understand us. It is through dance, through ritual, through soul-transforming visions, and by being at peace with the Spirits that makes us who we are."

Quentiana says, "When you understand the deeper truths of the People you, too, might begin to find peace with the Spirits."

Quentiana says, "The shamans of the Skindancers, the tribe of the True Kir and of Cherulisa, knew these truths. They, who felt most alive beneath the open sky, created a ritual dance born of ecstasy and pain to open their minds to the whispers of Fate."

Quentiana says, "You see, the People have their differences but all of us feel the moving of the Spirits in all things, even inanimate things. There is not this world and the spiritual world. They are one. Our ancestors are with us and we with them."

Quentiana says, "We know these things to be true because we can hear their whispers and feel their presence. All the earth and the heavens, the rocks and the grains, the shadows and the sunlight, the rain and the wind, the stars and moons, and yes, even our ancestors speak to us and guide us, if only we pause to listen."

Quentiana says, "So many have convinced themselves that the Spirits have left us instead of realizing that they no longer hear the Spirits because they have covered their ears. And yet others insist that they speak to us, but only in rage."

Quentiana says, "Both are foolish. The Spirits were with us long ago and they are with us today."

Quentiana says, "From the words passed down to through the ages, from elder to younger, we know that the Spirits - and some say shadowmagi - whispered profound secrets to the True Kir, the bringer of Peace to the People. And even today, Cherulisa's eyes glaze over before she tells us secrets whispered to her, and when she does not know the answer to a question she tells us to ask it of the Spirits."

Quentiana says, "Truly, there should be no debate, because even those not trained to listen to the whispers of the Spirits can still feel their nearness through the Tenebrous Sense spell. Once under its influence, know that the movements you will see in the corner of your eye are not tricks, and the slickening shadows and sibilant whispers are not imaginary. They are real."

Quentiana says, "I have been told that instead of listening to the guidance of our Ancestors that some attempted to draw the Spirits to the Obelisk at Taisgath to force them to speak, and sometime later attempted to thread fate upon itself to speak through the echoes of time. This is not the way."

Quentiana says, "It surprises me not at all that the Spirits spoke harshly to you at the Obelisk. You cannot force them to comply with your demands."

Quentiana says, "I do not mean to be unkind. You and others crave the connection my people have come to know. We know that we must accept, not take. I will show you one way how."

Quentiana says, "Some ingest intoxicants to help release their unconscious desires in order to place their minds in a receptive state sufficient to receive communications from the Spirits. Others have communicated with the Spirits when close to death, including our Kir."

Quentiana says, "As a young and troubled man, the Kir wandered off alone into the frozen wild. Several months later he returned to unite the People and end our wars, recounting tales of visitations from the Spirits and claiming that, for months, his physical body was sustained only by the truths he learned."

Quentiana says, "I will not ask you to go to such great lengths."

Quentiana says, "Instead, we will gather here beneath the open sky to pursue a gentler path toward communion with the Spirits. In the coming days, when the full faces of Yavash and Katamba bring our Perception magic to its apex, we will perform the Oshu Sarhhtha, the ritual dance of the Skindancers."

Quentiana says, "Through drums, dance, and smoke, we will release our desires, both known and unknown, to open our minds and hearts to receive whatever message the Spirits would tell us."

Aaoskar says, "Thank you, Quentiana. I look forward to learning how to open our minds to Fate."

Aaoskar says, "A few words, if I may, before we end the gathering for this evening. We invite Moon Mages of all sects to attend our next meeting. If the Spirits do speak, we believe that those with an innate connection to probability may be most likely to hear."

Aaoskar says, "There may be some members of other guilds here who do not believe they need to attend the Dance for the Spirits. To the contrary, seekers of all kinds are welcome."

Aaoskar says, "For example, Empaths, who are highly attuned to the life forces of other living creatures, can help to provide attendees with a sense of ease. Rangers, too, with their deep connection to nature, are welcome. They, more than most, understand the need for unity with the spirit of the Wilds."

Aaoskar says, "Clerics, familiar with Spirits of other kinds, might lend their knowledge of the spiritual plane and help us to identify unseen entities through the use of the Revelation spell."

Aaoskar says, "Bards can help us find the rhythm we need to complete our dance and may wish to evoke memories of the past to help us understand what we might see."

Aaoskar says, "And Paladins are welcome most of all for their pure souls."

Aaoskar says, "I thank you all for coming here today. Please feel free to pose any questions lurking in your mind."