(IC)Six Hobbits Driving

Something more important than local silliness has finally come up. I resigned all of my titles and posts. I am now officially on my own. Well, not really. I have my lovely, strong boy. We also have a few companions.

Poor Faramir, he's missing one of his silly games brought to life. We have a wizard, a bard, a fighter, a ranger, a rogue, and somehow the ranger acquired a squire. Now, we just need a cleric. Somehow, I think I know someone that could fulfill that role.

I wonder which of us gets to be the Hobbit thrown into the volcano? We are on a ring quest after all. All of our respective people have wished us well, granted us special equipment, and sent us on our way. We have the horrible artifact and the insanely powerful bad guy. The goal is for our people to distract the bad guy long enough to get the artifact where it needs to go.

First stop, enemy territory. Hopefully the enemy doesn't notice us, doesn't think we're an issue or decides that our quest is more important than their immediate need for blood. I bet they'd like a world to conquer. Kinda hard to conquer oblivion...

(IC)Cult of Personality

If those in our company think they are superior to those so employed, all they have to do is compare this evening's events. Our CEO is cultivating himself a cult of personality. Grandiose speeches that whip the young into a violent frenzy, blaming others for your own plots, using an outside group to distract those same young people and to gain power, etc... sound like anyone? These are tactics used by despots throughout the centuries. Pol Pot scapegoated the intellectuals, McCarthy the "reds," Hitler and Medieval Christianity the Jews, Nero the Christians, and so on.

We are even more animals than most people. That little piece of the mind that some refer to as the "reptile" portion of the brain, where fight or flight and the animalistic instincts reside, is an active portion of us. Existence for us is a constant fight against this thing taking us over and turning us into nothing more than ravenous beasts. It is our burden, our curse. By feeding into these baser instincts, the CEO undermines the attempt of all within that meeting to avoid an animalistic state. He undermines our very Humanity.

As we have learned from the like's of Hitler and Pol Pot, even destroying and disgracing a cult of personality doesn't stop it. Neo-Nazis the world over still worship their Fuhrer. Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge have an active say in Cambodia's coalition government. All we can hope to do is re-direct this foul force, minimalising it's negative impact. Perhaps weeding out the worst of the worst would be best.

God of power and mercy, maker and love of peace, to know you is to live,and to serve you is to reign. Through the intercession of St. Michael, the archangel, be our protection in battle against all evil. Help us to overcome war and violence and to establish your law of love and justice. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

(OC) I Was Made a Kindred

Here is a parody song that pretty much portrays Reginald's view of Kindred society.

I Was Made A Kindred
Original music and lyrics: Traditional (I Was Made a Christian)
Parody Lyrics: Erin Ruston

I was made a Kindred
When my soul was tak'n,
One of Caine's cursed children,
And an heir of Satan.
In the name of Kindred
I am damned now,
Evermore remember
My Clan's oath and vow.

I must, like a Kindred
Keep all evil rites,
Shun the faith of Jesus,
Block Him all my nights.
Called to be a Kindred
I will seek my gain,
Avoid His assistance
See what I attain.

All a Kindred's curses
I will claim for mine;
Unholy work and war,
Heaven I resign.
My Sire, Clan, and Sect,
Give me spite, that I,
Still exist a Kindred,
And a Kindred die.