I will return. I need to see what's happened to my people, considering the events that lead to my death.
[ nooo he's so serious actually. your grandpa that doesn't fully understand but thinks your hobbies are neat. ]
A bit, yes, but she was planning to take inspiration from it and put it into her crafts due to the ringing, crystal sound of it. She argued with a more traditional musician amongst our companions that machines could make the same, clear sound as the Cleansing Bell.
In general, I think the same could be said of many in our numbers.
[ of course my child. maybe child. i'm not yaywonning. ]
Oh, yes, in many ways the adepti are all rather like that. But after so long, our traditional musician decided to move and live among mortals and has done so for quite some time now, and many of the others have started to dip their toes into a new world now that the nation of Liyue is being lead by mankind.
True. In most worlds people rarely choose their time of death, and of the people here, none died of old age. It's not surprising to have regrets or unfinished business. I hope that everyone is able to get what they want.
[ the second chance isn't a promise, after all. ]
The adepti? Was Liyue not governed by mankind before?
As am I... we shall see what the future has in store for us, and what judgement day will bring about. I'm quite interested to know what the process will entail, but I am patient enough to wait and see if you're unable to give details just yet.
[ zhongli is going to be peoples' coach over their second chances. but. ]
In many ways, yes. In others, they relied upon the adepti, which I am a part of even as Archon. Ah - aepti are illuminated beasts and gods of Liyue, and I was born as one. They looked to their Archon for guidance, but now look to their own for their leadership, and I'm quite content with it.
A lot of what this entails is just... Giving you space to figure yourselves out. To reflect on who you've been and who you'd like to be, and make an effort to be that person. Hopefully the best version of yourself.
[ hmm. they tip their head, not fully understanding. ]
So Adepti are like gods... Then what is an Archon?
I hope, then, that those more troubled of us will be able to learn something quite enlightening about themselves during this time.
[ not necessarily worried about himself, given that he's spent a good few thousand years reflecting on. you know. life in general. but he goes quiet and lets the techno wash over him as he thinks of how best to answer that. ]
An Archon is any entity or person that has acquired a gnosis, an item of power from the Heavenly Principles of Celestia. Each gnosis contains untold elemental power, and makes the Archon a sort of... god of gods, in a way. Anyone and anything may become an Archon, whether adeptus or wind elemental or human. In fact, an entire war that lasted nearly 2000 years was fought largely by gods or god-like beings to earn the right to the gnoses, to being crowned one of the Seven Archon - I participated in it if only to help protect Liyue from interlopers and usurpers, alongside other gods and the adepti, and as a byproduct was the one to become the Geo Archon.
That... is a very long time for a war. I can only imagine how many lives must have been lost... [ lives of gods? of human bystanders? they aren't sure how it works, but war is never good. ALSO: ] So having this gnosis is what makes you an Archon—a god of gods. What happens if you lose it? Or if someone takes it from you?
It was, and the casualties... [ he goes quiet, thinking about it - distant and sad, remembering. ] I felled many gods and monsters, and yet more died in battle alongside me. The people that were caught up in it, the needless destruction of mortal lives... they are the hardest to accept.
[ that they couldn't have saved more people, for all the sacrifices made. but at least they saved who they could. ]
It's not something to be lost, at least, even for the most forgetful. However - in the case of those that were already non-human, they revert to their previous power. I willingly forfeited mine in a contract when my people showed that they were ready to lead their nation without me, like a child inheriting their parents' mantle so to speak.
[ they nod, appropriately somber for the subject. ramiel is a little weird and sometimes hard to gauge the seriousness of, but they do have a heavy respect for lost lives and tragedies of war. ]
So you had stepped down, in a way. To allow the people to govern themselves.
Sometimes that's the best way for things to be. Otherwise the natural imbalance is... hard to bridge.
[ for the most part, zhongli doesn't mind ramiel's... well, everything. they've been good company so far. he's also used to the adepti being a little similar sometimes. ]
Indeed, on both counts. I can't speak the full details of the contract, but I agreed to give my gnosis to another Archon in her quest - but only if my people would be able to come together and achieve victory in a battle. Fortunately, my fellow adepti stepped up behind them to test that bridge themselves, but only as support.
I agree. It's now the age of man, in my opinion, and they more than proved it.
[ he shakes his head, though. ]
Another god, one that I had imprisoned in the sea thousands of years ago now. As far as they were aware at the time, I had died - but I had let those involved in the defense of Liyue know, after the fact, that I was still among them if ever they needed me.
What do you think the next age will be? After the age of man?
[ because despite saying it makes sense for humans to lead themselves, they think the direction of that power exchange is interesting. a higher power giving it to those who, individually, have less power.
to them it would make more sense for an era to end when a stronger kind of being took over. ]
Hm... I hope that I will be long passed by the time the age of man reaches its end. I'd like it to be in their hands for as long as it can be.
[ with obvious intent to return, after judgement day, as opposed to referring to his most recent death.
he does seem to be considering the question, despite this initial answer - it's something so far ahead, in his mind, that he can't conceive something beyond his people governing their nation. ]
I would not abandon them so wholly, but it's theirs to make decisions with as they see fit. I only stand with them as a resident, not their god.
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I will return. I need to see what's happened to my people, considering the events that lead to my death.
[ nooo he's so serious actually. your grandpa that doesn't fully understand but thinks your hobbies are neat. ]
A bit, yes, but she was planning to take inspiration from it and put it into her crafts due to the ringing, crystal sound of it. She argued with a more traditional musician amongst our companions that machines could make the same, clear sound as the Cleansing Bell.
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[ thanks grandpa 🥺 ]
There will always be people who resist advancement. I guess that it must feel like they're losing the world they knew.
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[ of course my child. maybe child. i'm not yaywonning. ]
Oh, yes, in many ways the adepti are all rather like that. But after so long, our traditional musician decided to move and live among mortals and has done so for quite some time now, and many of the others have started to dip their toes into a new world now that the nation of Liyue is being lead by mankind.
no subject
[ the second chance isn't a promise, after all. ]
The adepti? Was Liyue not governed by mankind before?
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[ zhongli is going to be peoples' coach over their second chances. but. ]
In many ways, yes. In others, they relied upon the adepti, which I am a part of even as Archon. Ah - aepti are illuminated beasts and gods of Liyue, and I was born as one. They looked to their Archon for guidance, but now look to their own for their leadership, and I'm quite content with it.
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[ hmm. they tip their head, not fully understanding. ]
So Adepti are like gods... Then what is an Archon?
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[ not necessarily worried about himself, given that he's spent a good few thousand years reflecting on. you know. life in general. but he goes quiet and lets the techno wash over him as he thinks of how best to answer that. ]
An Archon is any entity or person that has acquired a gnosis, an item of power from the Heavenly Principles of Celestia. Each gnosis contains untold elemental power, and makes the Archon a sort of... god of gods, in a way. Anyone and anything may become an Archon, whether adeptus or wind elemental or human. In fact, an entire war that lasted nearly 2000 years was fought largely by gods or god-like beings to earn the right to the gnoses, to being crowned one of the Seven Archon - I participated in it if only to help protect Liyue from interlopers and usurpers, alongside other gods and the adepti, and as a byproduct was the one to become the Geo Archon.
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[ optimism!!! ]
That... is a very long time for a war. I can only imagine how many lives must have been lost... [ lives of gods? of human bystanders? they aren't sure how it works, but war is never good. ALSO: ] So having this gnosis is what makes you an Archon—a god of gods. What happens if you lose it? Or if someone takes it from you?
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[ that they couldn't have saved more people, for all the sacrifices made. but at least they saved who they could. ]
It's not something to be lost, at least, even for the most forgetful. However - in the case of those that were already non-human, they revert to their previous power. I willingly forfeited mine in a contract when my people showed that they were ready to lead their nation without me, like a child inheriting their parents' mantle so to speak.
no subject
So you had stepped down, in a way. To allow the people to govern themselves.
Sometimes that's the best way for things to be. Otherwise the natural imbalance is... hard to bridge.
no subject
Indeed, on both counts. I can't speak the full details of the contract, but I agreed to give my gnosis to another Archon in her quest - but only if my people would be able to come together and achieve victory in a battle. Fortunately, my fellow adepti stepped up behind them to test that bridge themselves, but only as support.
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[ thinking... ]
Were they battling you? A God?
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[ he shakes his head, though. ]
Another god, one that I had imprisoned in the sea thousands of years ago now. As far as they were aware at the time, I had died - but I had let those involved in the defense of Liyue know, after the fact, that I was still among them if ever they needed me.
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[ because despite saying it makes sense for humans to lead themselves, they think the direction of that power exchange is interesting. a higher power giving it to those who, individually, have less power.
to them it would make more sense for an era to end when a stronger kind of being took over. ]
So you'll still look after them, in the end.
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[ with obvious intent to return, after judgement day, as opposed to referring to his most recent death.
he does seem to be considering the question, despite this initial answer - it's something so far ahead, in his mind, that he can't conceive something beyond his people governing their nation. ]
I would not abandon them so wholly, but it's theirs to make decisions with as they see fit. I only stand with them as a resident, not their god.
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[ this is probably a joke. ]
Like being retired from a counsel. You don't make the choices, but still have some power. What if they make choices that you don't approve of?