Video

[terminally_clever]

[After spending some time looking around town, talking with locals, and efficiently gathering information, Fumi's ready to introduce herself to the network.  Except it's not so much an introduction as a combination lecture / interrogation.  She doesn't have time for idle pleasantries - there is a new research topic afoot.  Her face is expressionless as she launches right into her diatribe.]

Persona.

A concept first introduced by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung in the early twentieth century, described as 'a kind of mask, designed on the one hand to make a definite impression upon others, and on the other to conceal the true nature of the individual.'

[Dry and pedantic, just like she likes it.  Although at this point, her features take on a hint of frustration.]

I have vague memories of having heard this word shortly before waking up in this city, and given the rather abrupt nature of my arrival, I feel safe in assuming the word holds a more significant meaning in this place than would normally be suggested by traditional psychological terminology.  I've also gathered that I'm far from the only person to have arrived in this way, or to have experienced that vague dream upon arrival.

So, Hinoto-Ri, what can you tell me about the Persona phenomenon, and what is the most efficient way to awaken one?  Please make your responses as brief and concise as possible.  I may have found my next research topic.

[The woman smiles before ending the feed and waiting for responses.]

Comments

[terminally_clever]

The two intersect more often than most people are aware.

[greyerrant]

I've seen the intersection before. It was incredibly detrimental to the society I hail from. The galaxy burned because good men put their trust in ritual and mysticism, and it corrupted them.

[ There is a certain bitterness in the voice of the armored figure. ]

These things beyond cannot be controlled for well or accounted for in our present empirical methodology. They are inherently chaotic and disobedient to the natural laws we've figured out from years of observation. While an argument can be made that perhaps our research metholodogy is somehow in need of change to respond to these new truths, I wonder if they're not outside the bounds of human understanding entirely, if not anathema to us. I would compare it to standing near an unshielded nuclear reactor. There is power, but the power will kill us in the end.

[terminally_clever]

Those who chase power without the means or the will to control it deserve to be destroyed by that power, and they will be supplanted by someone who can. That's simply the way of the world. But the risk of such a thing occurring will always be present, and that's certainly no reason to abandon the search for knowledge entirely. Nothing is outside the bounds of human understanding.

[greyerrant]

I'm not advocating giving up the search for knowledge entirely. There are many worthy and useful avenues of research in this world, and in others. However, I am suggesting that some avenues lead down paths that will lead to irretrievable corruption and destruction: "I can control it! I am in charge, I have the techniques required to manipulate this power, and I have the will to master this!" is a phrase that is oft repeated in the texts I have read, such as the chronicles of Ursh.

[ THe armored figure leans into the video feed slightly. ]

All of these stories end in the death of those who tried to harness that sort of power.

I am uncertain of that the bounds of human understanding. These things they call gods or demons, they are... inscrutable, unquantifiable, and chaotic. They defy our science, the very laws of reality, and they manipulate us. There may be power and understanding to glean from investigating personas, perhaps, but it may also lead you to be under the sway of monstrous things.


[ A phrase occurs to him, one that Cypher once said on Aldurukh, during his undertaking there. 'Ignorance is a shield.' While in principle Loken disagrees, when it comes to persona, and sorcery and supernatural abilities in general, Loken can at least understand the idea. ]

[terminally_clever]

You give the human will too little credit. I've seen it rise up and triumph over exactly the sorts of things you describe. And if these things seek to manipulate us, as you claim, I believe it can only be to our benefit to study them rather than living in ignorance of their true capabilities. What's the phrase? Know thy enemy?

[greyerrant]

It is one thing to study them. It is another thing to use their abilities. [ After all, he's done a great deal of study on such things since his initiation into the... knights errant, as it were. ]

Your initial question suggests you wish to awaken a persona in either yourself or another. That may be... dangerous.

[ He doesn't say it as a threat. Well, no more than anything else he says is menacing. There's something almost like concern in his voice. ]

[terminally_clever]

From what I've heard so far, yes, I gather it will be.

[And she seems perfectly all right with that.]

[greyerrant]

You may open a door you can't close, then. And beware using a monster's weapons to fight a monster. For one thing, they'll be better with them. For another, they may turn you into a similar monster simply by utilizing them.

[ And with that he more or less just accidentally created the Purifier creed. Way to go Loken. ]

[terminally_clever]

I'm aware of all of this, yes.

[Now this is starting to annoy her. Warnings are nice, but Fumi doesn't appreciate being talked down to.]

[greyerrant]

Then why proceed? Surely there are other lines of inquiry that might prove more fruitful.

[terminally_clever]

Such as?

[greyerrant]

[ The armored figure removes his helm, looking her in the eyes with his own grey ones. ]

More about Nyarlathotep and Philemon. Information is victory, and they are the puppetmasters on either side.

[terminally_clever]

That's the first reasonable thing you've said. I intend to add them to my list, but not to the exclusion of Personas and demons.

[greyerrant]

I'm a stern man, not an unreasonable one. The exigencies of my work demand it of me. And learning about Personas and demons isn't a bad idea, but... personal interaction with them is more my concern.

[ He looks slightly pained at trying to explain this. Not for lack of any verbal capacity, but rather just used to people like Fumi seems to be, and remembering them without pleasure or fondness. ]

[terminally_clever]

And my work demands I know how to deal with things like demons.

[Fumi, on the other hand, simply looks tired and mildly annoyed with all of this.]

...I don't think this conversation is likely to go anywhere terribly productive.

[greyerrant]

That depends. What do you wish to know about demons?

[ Because that interests him terribly. ]

[terminally_clever]

I'm sure there's little you can tell me that I don't already know.