05/18/09 [DMFA #1004] - Words of Wisdom: Don't Die

[Arcblade]

It is also possible that dragons are procrastinators and a little on the lazy side.  They'll crush their enemies when they get around to it.

The word you're looking for is "careful."    It's a common failing of the more long-lived races.  They wait for the absolute perfect moment, and don't take anything less. 

[Aganerral]

I think that it is a safe bet that she is both large and at large.

Also considering that cubi clan leaders have psychic links to their clan and the fact that cubi can read thoughts and enter dreams, it is quite possible that they are like radio transmitters.  Now that the dragons have Edward, they are probably twiddling the knobs on their psychic radios to trace down the few clan members who have had the bad taste to survive.  Paintings and carvings on headboards wouldn't have this traceable aura.  It is also possible that dragons are procrastinators and a little on the lazy side.  They'll crush their enemies when they get around to it.

Except that Edward is a being, barring the Edward = Aniz theory   So having him probably wouldn't help too much to track down the cubi clans.

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

Something that occured to me, a weird branch of speculation.


We know that extremely powerful 'Cubi have to do something that makes them ascend to Tri-Wings, with a by-product of sterilization. That means any children that the clan founder wished to have must be born (or at least concieved. What happens if a pregnant succubus tries to ascend?) beforehand. Now, if all 'Cubi are part of some clan, it means that the clan founder, and probably his/her descendants make the switch to the new clan when this ascencion begins.


What I'm wondering is if a clan leader can be replaced. If you have whatever clan, and the clan founder dies, while I assume one of the descendants, if sufficiently powerful, can ascend him/herself and start a new clan, can one of them take the empty "seat" and ascend to the clan leader of the old one?

[Tapewolf]

What I'm wondering is if a clan leader can be replaced. If you have whatever clan, and the clan founder dies, while I assume one of the descendants, if sufficiently powerful, can ascend him/herself and start a new clan, can one of them take the empty "seat" and ascend to the clan leader of the old one?

I believe Aary's journal mentioned that it was possible to transfer the power of the clan leader to another member.  Dunno quite how canon that is, and I certainly don't know if it ascends the new leader.
Since ascension renders the founder immortal, they usually only die if they're killed.  That would tend to scupper any plans for passing on the baton...

[Jairus]

Since ascension renders the founder immortal, they usually only die if they're killed.  That would tend to scupper any plans for passing on the baton...

[Netrogo]

they usually only die if they're killed

[Tapewolf]

they usually only die if they're killed

By which I mean "deliberately killed".  Yes, that was written past my bedtime...

[Netrogo]

By which I mean "deliberately killed".  Yes, that was written past my bedtime...

Sorry couldn't resist. Atleast I didn't post the mile long image macro citing every time that blunder has shown up in anime

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

And Arryanna sensed Fa'Lina's aura after Fa'Lina had just left Lost Lake.  I imagine that the dragons are actively seeking Destania and Cyra both, and possibly have some kind of magical alarms covering Lost Lake, which is Destania's last known (to them) location.  However they haven't sent anyone to toss the place and finding the Cyra clan mark in a location that Destania has lived in for 25 years wouldn't be considered a clue.

I do wonder if Pyroduck isn't sent by the Dragons as well as Fa'Lina. He's certainly had enough access to find the Cyra Clan icons around the place...

[Shachza]

And Arryanna sensed Fa'Lina's aura after Fa'Lina had just left Lost Lake.  I imagine that the dragons are actively seeking Destania and Cyra both, and possibly have some kind of magical alarms covering Lost Lake, which is Destania's last known (to them) location.  However they haven't sent anyone to toss the place and finding the Cyra clan mark in a location that Destania has lived in for 25 years wouldn't be considered a clue.

I do wonder if Pyroduck isn't sent by the Dragons as well as Fa'Lina. He's certainly had enough access to find the Cyra Clan icons around the place...

Disturbed thought:  What if Pyroduck's involvement with Alexi is purposeful...   "Marry into the Cyra clan and secure peace."

[Naldru]

I do wonder if Pyroduck isn't sent by the Dragons as well as Fa'Lina. He's certainly had enough access to find the Cyra Clan icons around the place...

According to Demonology 101, dragons are generally solitary.  That would make think it unlikely that dragons would do anything as a large group.  However, there might be other dragons who want to end the hostilities and this faction could conceivably ask Pyroduck to see what he could do.  Perhaps Fa'lina saved a few baby dragons from death during the wars and they are trying to repay her by ending the war.  Anybody out there ever read the story Enemy Mine or seen the movie.  There could also be a few Fae (particularly Mab) trying to promote this peace making effort.

I can't see marrying into the Cyra clan to secure peace working unless Pyroduck belonged to the clan that was trying to wipe out the Siar and Cyra clans.

By the way, has anybody out there seen the Outer Limits episode Architects of Fear.  There are possibilities in that type of plot.

P.S.

For personal reasons, I will be unable to attend Anthrocon and I am really bummed out about it.

[Garsemor]

And Arryanna sensed Fa'Lina's aura after Fa'Lina had just left Lost Lake.  I imagine that the dragons are actively seeking Destania and Cyra both, and possibly have some kind of magical alarms covering Lost Lake, which is Destania's last known (to them) location.  However they haven't sent anyone to toss the place and finding the Cyra clan mark in a location that Destania has lived in for 25 years wouldn't be considered a clue.

I do wonder if Pyroduck isn't sent by the Dragons as well as Fa'Lina. He's certainly had enough access to find the Cyra Clan icons around the place...

Disturbed thought:  What if Pyroduck's involvement with Alexi is purposeful...   "Marry into the Cyra clan and secure peace."

Well he might have been sent by the dragons but not Fa'Lina if you remember page 729 Fa'Lina's words were "Seriously Ducky. What reason would you possibly want to be near the kill zone that makes up Destania's family." So she had no idea he he was near Cyra clan.
I dough that Pyro was asked by dragons to forge a peace 1) Pyro was met at random 2) he only stayed because Alexsi offered him a room + he is frightened by Fa'Lina's B talk. So if he is forming an peace he is hiding it super well.

[Cvstos]

Well he might have been sent by the dragons but not Fa'Lina if you remember page 729 Fa'Lina's words were "Seriously Ducky. What reason would you possibly want to be near the kill zone that makes up Destania's family." So she had no idea he he was near Cyra clan.
I dough that Pyro was asked by dragons to forge a peace 1) Pyro was met at random 2) he only stayed because Alexsi offered him a room + he is frightened by Fa'Lina's B talk. So if he is forming an peace he is hiding it super well.

Wait, what? I'm pretty sure that at the very least it strikes me as EXTREMELY likely that all three (Alexsi, Pyroduck, and Fa'Lina) knew that the clan involved is Cyra.

[Raffe]

Well he might have been sent by the dragons but not Fa'Lina if you remember page 729 Fa'Lina's words were "Seriously Ducky. What reason would you possibly want to be near the kill zone that makes up Destania's family." So she had no idea he he was near Cyra clan.
I dough that Pyro was asked by dragons to forge a peace 1) Pyro was met at random 2) he only stayed because Alexsi offered him a room + he is frightened by Fa'Lina's B talk. So if he is forming an peace he is hiding it super well.

Wait, what? I'm pretty sure that at the very least it strikes me as EXTREMELY likely that all three (Alexsi, Pyroduck, and Fa'Lina) knew that the clan involved is Cyra.

What she didnt know was that Pyroduck would hang around them, for all she knew, he could have been halfway around the world. (bar precognition)

[inuhanyo]

And Arryanna sensed Fa'Lina's aura after Fa'Lina had just left Lost Lake.  I imagine that the dragons are actively seeking Destania and Cyra both, and possibly have some kind of magical alarms covering Lost Lake, which is Destania's last known (to them) location.  However they haven't sent anyone to toss the place and finding the Cyra clan mark in a location that Destania has lived in for 25 years wouldn't be considered a clue.

I do wonder if Pyroduck isn't sent by the Dragons as well as Fa'Lina. He's certainly had enough access to find the Cyra Clan icons around the place...

Disturbed thought:  What if Pyroduck's involvement with Alexi is purposeful...   "Marry into the Cyra clan and secure peace."

Ah, but recall that Alexsi is Dan's half sister and Destania's step daughter, and therefore not part of clan Cyra. 

And while that could be changed, no one in canon has even thought about it.

I wonder how Cyra would react to an introduction to Alexsi?

[Shachza]

And Arryanna sensed Fa'Lina's aura after Fa'Lina had just left Lost Lake.  I imagine that the dragons are actively seeking Destania and Cyra both, and possibly have some kind of magical alarms covering Lost Lake, which is Destania's last known (to them) location.  However they haven't sent anyone to toss the place and finding the Cyra clan mark in a location that Destania has lived in for 25 years wouldn't be considered a clue.

I do wonder if Pyroduck isn't sent by the Dragons as well as Fa'Lina. He's certainly had enough access to find the Cyra Clan icons around the place...

Disturbed thought:  What if Pyroduck's involvement with Alexi is purposeful...   "Marry into the Cyra clan and secure peace."

Ah, but recall that Alexsi is Dan's half sister and Destania's step daughter, and therefore not part of clan Cyra. 

And while that could be changed, no one in canon has even thought about it.

I wonder how Cyra would react to an introduction to Alexsi?

Well, it's not so much about marrying into the clan as marrying someone who can influence the clan.  Dan was too something (I got nothing), Destania was on the hit-list, and Cyra was MIA.  Alexi would be plan B, and still be a good way to apply pressure on Dastania to back down.

Keep in mind we're talking dragons here.  You've gotta be prepared for fae-level multi-pronged forward thinking.
"If I get a butterfly to land on Jyrras' nose on april 17th at 3pm he'll swerve his bike to the left; 5 miles away 2 minutes later some being named Mengu will spill a cup of iced tea on Alexi so Pyro can offer her a towel and be offered a place to stay.  It's flawless!"

[Keleth]

Since ascension renders the founder immortal, they usually only die if they're killed. 

Immortal - not mortal; not liable or subject to death; undying: our immortal souls



I think what you people refer to as immortal is actually ageless. If something was actually immortal, it couldn't die. Therefore, cubi aren't immortal, neither are clan leaders. Just powerful ageless beings.

[Tapewolf]

I think what you people refer to as immortal is actually ageless. If something was actually immortal, it couldn't die. Therefore, cubi aren't immortal, neither are clan leaders. Just powerful ageless beings.

That may be.  Not my description, though - that's just how Amber worded it.

[Kenway975]

Since ascension renders the founder immortal, they usually only die if they're killed. 

Immortal - not mortal; not liable or subject to death; undying: our immortal souls



I think what you people refer to as immortal is actually ageless. If something was actually immortal, it couldn't die. Therefore, cubi aren't immortal, neither are clan leaders. Just powerful ageless beings.

Please note: while it is generally accepted that Gods are immortal, there have been several religions (both fictitious and real) where the God of the Dead/Afterlife was dead, by either choice or by being murdered. One example: the Ancient Egyptian god Osiris. If you go by the D&D 3.5 Deities and Demigods, while Gods might be immortal, they can still be killed off my the use of violence.

[inuhanyo]

Since ascension renders the founder immortal, they usually only die if they're killed. 

Immortal - not mortal; not liable or subject to death; undying: our immortal souls



I think what you people refer to as immortal is actually ageless. If something was actually immortal, it couldn't die. Therefore, cubi aren't immortal, neither are clan leaders. Just powerful ageless beings.

The word is almost never used precisely.  And, as Tapewolf points out, even some gods are not true immortals.  The Norse gods are another example.  They weren't even innately ageless.

[AmigaDragon]

Disturbed thought:  What if Pyroduck's involvement with Alexi is purposeful...   "Marry into the Cyra clan and secure peace."

Ah, but recall that Alexsi is Dan's half sister and Destania's step daughter, and therefore not part of clan Cyra. 

Darn, beat me to it! I guess that happens when I work more than a day a week.

And while that could be changed, no one in canon has even thought about it.

I wonder how Cyra would react to an introduction to Alexsi?

Well, it's not so much about marrying into the clan as marrying someone who can influence the clan.  Dan was too something (I got nothing), Destania was on the hit-list, and Cyra was MIA.  Alexi would be plan B, and still be a good way to apply pressure on Dastania to back down.

First, they'd have to know of Dee's marriage to Edward. Second, knowing that would paint a huge target on Dan, not Alexsi. And third,they'd have to assume that Alexsi can influence her or the clan enough for their purposes.

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

Don't the dragons know about Dee's marriage to Edward? I thought it was only my crackpot theory that suggested that Dee got involved because Edward did. Everyone else (and me too, I was really being devil's advocate above) seems to think that the Dragons grabbed Edward to put pressure on Dee.

[MT Hazard]

Don't the dragons know about Dee's marriage to Edward? I thought it was only my crackpot theory that suggested that Dee got involved because Edward did. Everyone else (and me too, I was really being devil's advocate above) seems to think that the Dragons grabbed Edward to put pressure on Dee.

Yes they do, they put him in stasis apparently.

Oh as far I can tell

Since ascension renders the founder immortal, they usually only die if they're killed.  

Immortal - not mortal; not liable or subject to death; undying: our immortal souls



I think what you people refer to as immortal is actually ageless. If something was actually immortal, it couldn't die. Therefore, cubi aren't immortal, neither are clan leaders. Just powerful ageless beings.

Please note: while it is generally accepted that Gods are immortal, there have been several religions (both fictitious and real) where the God of the Dead/Afterlife was dead, by either choice or by being murdered. One example: the Ancient Egyptian god Osiris. If you go by the D&D 3.5 Deities and Demigods, while Gods might be immortal, they can still be killed off my the use of violence.

I agree with immortal more likely meaning ageless. Invincible on the other hand means (mostly) that somebody can not be killed, but can die of old age. To add further confusion characters like the highlander are described as immortal and as a side effect, highly resilient but not invincible (decapitation does them in).

Every time someone has an 'immortal' character the concept is changed again, ranging from immortal thus god like to simply not subject to ageing, probably it just sounds better than 'they live a really long time'.

The word Invincible  is less often used, unless it's being shouted by someone who is due to die shortly.

[Naldru]

Actually invincible means that one can't be defeated.  In Marvel Comics, Galactus didn't appear able to be killed, but he was defeated a number of times.

I'm also not sure if invincible means that one can't be killed in combat.  If an individual launches a suicide attack against the enemy and destroys his target before he is killed, has he or she really been defeated.