[003] [video]

[heirwithouthope]

[Those that have seen Thorin before might recognize that his beard is fluffier than he normally keeps it, and his hair is loose. A lot of this having to do with the cast he still wears, but takes great lengths to keep out of the recording.]

One thing I have never understood about other races is your flippancy with names. At birth, my people are taught to guard the name they are given, and to address ourselves in the Common Speech wherever there are outsiders. I know many others do not practice this: they have but one name and give it freely to the world. I have always accounted this to foolishness.

[He stops to sip his beer, and when some runs into his prominent chin hair, he catches it with the same hand.] Then there is the matter of your "science." Which has yet to be proven to me as different from what my world knows as magic. Though many are swift to claim they are not the same, science only seems different in the name it is given.

We are brought here by the power of Men. But if we are expected to fight against forces we may have never encountered before, I want to know how did they come by it? And how is it theirs to wield?

Or perhaps 'science' is simply a word that means nothing.

Comments

voice;

[skort]

[ secret names, magic, and science... it's like this post was made to ping kara. ]

I know a lot of people who would agree with you about names. I think it depends on what world you come from and who you hang out with.

As for your question of magic and science, there's something a man from the world I call home once said that may be applicable. "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

voice;

[heirwithouthope]

It is not a common practice among other races in my world--and many here, as far as I have seen. It is not many that are as protective of their culture as we are.

[He blinks a couple times in sequence at that.] ...Then the weapons the warriors from the United Earth wield--?

voice;

[skort]

It's not too common a practice in the world I come from either. But there is a group of people I know who are protective of their names. Or, more specifically, things associated with their names.

[ kara smiles. ] Might as well be magic.

Video

[how_fascinating]

Why would 'science' be the invalid term between the two, if only one of them could be valid? [Vague touch of annoyance, here. Do not insult science.]

I would contend that magic is itself a science. It is a natural force, has laws that bind its capabilities. Its existence does not preclude science; it is merely an example of it.

Video

[heirwithouthope]

[He will see your annoyed tone with one of his own. Do not butt heads with a stubborn ass; also science made out with a hot dog once.] If someone cannot explain to me what it truly is, then I should not believe it bears validity.

[But what you just said there actually sounds more logical than anything else he's heard.] If that were true, then I should not be corrected when I claim something to be magic.

[Video]

[weapabilities]

My species has a somewhat similar practice, regarding names. Though for us taking up a different name is not quite as deep as all that.

[Video]

[heirwithouthope]

There is no depth to it. It is merely not for outsiders to know our true names.

voice

[imperfect]

Same question, isn't it? Magic's just a name, but the name tells you nothing. A name by itself doesn't have to give away anything more than a point of view.

voice

[heirwithouthope]

It is one I am more familiar with.

There is no question of its existence in my world--here it is not the same. I have been corrected by every person I have met. I want to know why.

permatext; permanon; also wow sorry for the wall of text

[thephix]

Names have power, but where I come from only a few know how to wield that power, so it's unnecessary, for most, to guard their names.

[Still, there's a reason she no longer uses Amelia.]

As for science, there is a quote by a famous author in my world that may be applicable:

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

It seems to sum up your point neatly, though I'd also imagine it suggests that just because you do not understand how something works, does not mean you can dimiss it. Science and magic are not interchangable, regardless of how similar they may look to those who don't understand one or the other (or both), there are things one can do the other cannot, with different mechanisms, rules and restrictions.

As such, I imagine the Initiative came by the technology by inventing it, which is a slow and laborous process, speaking from experience. If they were smart enough to create it, or - as is equally likely - cunning enough to steal it, then it is theirs to wield.

[Whether they have a "right" to it or not is different, but that topic is a lot more complicated.]

[Video] ESSAYS ARE LOVE

[heirwithouthope]

[He would write back his response, he really would. If figuring out how to type on the modern device wasn't hard enough being a former citizen of a medieval-flavored world, one of his arms is still out of commission and makes it quite difficult to type with one hand. So he's going to keep using video.]

It is not about power. It is about protecting what belongs to us. We have kept our language safe from the other races for thousands of years, and it has never steered my people wrong. Nor has it ever been deemed unnecessary.

If one does not understand the force of science, it is simply because no one has been able to provide an explanation of how they are different. All they claim is its existence in the absence of magic.

And if we are asked to aid these Men and fight against warriors bearing weapons designed by this science, then we must understand where it comes from.

[video]

[legal_eagle]

Hi. So the name we see displayed on the communicator here - not your real name?

[video]

[heirwithouthope]

It is my name in the language of Men--not my people.

permavideo;

[nevertells]

Magic and science are both parts of the world around us. They're merely classifications for different areas of research. One must remember every world has its own biological system. My world, for example, requires mana. But this world lacks all form of mana. Yet still it can continue to live and support life.

It's fascinating the different paths planets have explored and evolved along. Have you tried asking the Initiative for access to their files on the transporters?

permavideo;

[heirwithouthope]

[Biology. Mana. All Greek words to him.]

If there are other ways to have my questions answered, I would seek those other options, first. I do not wish to go to them for their advice.

[allucinator]

[He shrugs.]

A name's only important when they've got it written down. As for science-- why bother worryin' about it? It works.

[heirwithouthope]

[It works a little too well for his tastes. As demonstrated by his heavy frown.]

You are here because of it. Would it not interest you how they accomplished such a task? Or is this common in your world?

video;

[sacrificar]

A name can lead to power.

video;

[heirwithouthope]

How?

video;

[painfeels]

What if... you have a name, but can't use it?

video;

[heirwithouthope]

That would depend on the reason as to why you cannot.

voice;

[taijiya]

But why not just use your original name when people address you? Why hide it?

voice;

[heirwithouthope]

Our names are in our language, and the Dwarfish tongue must be kept secret--as well as the rest of our culture.

[voice]

[masterofpuppets]

Sure bro, I'll pose your question with another question: do you know where magic comes from and how it works?

[voice]

[heirwithouthope]

There is one I know that would be better suited for that question--but he is not here.