Idea

[Dreadicon]

Say, I had an interesting idea. If the two opposing active forces in this world are Creation and Destruction rather than up-front Good vs. Evil, and the god of balance between these two is the almighty god, then couldn't there be something of an 'Order of the Phoenix,' which works to promote the balance between creation and destruction? I'm not suggesting anything in particular here, could be monks, neutral divine beings banded together, a more direct servant/avatar of Forganad, or something else for that matter. But basically a group that is potentially the most powerful faction because they draw from both sides (Creation and Destruction). Obviously not as active a group, but would be interesting, none the less.

Just an idea though. It just seemed to me that even if worshiping Forganad was considered 'sitting on the fence,' some people would still want to follow him because he is the most influential god, in addition to being the ultimate decider of Fate itself.

Haha, I'm running out of wiki to read.....

[Treijim]

Well as I said, I can only write so much at once I have things to do. I'm very happy you're enjoying it, though. As for your idea, it's a touchy subject. I'll ask Xennavor to post his thoughts here too. You've convinced me perhaps 30% (I'm a stubborn bloke) so I'm willing to see what other knowledgeable people think.

My only argument against your idea is that, as you said, following Forganad is seen as being indecisive and neutral, and trying to please everyone. Because of this, such an order cannot last long in theory. Even if it did, what would they do? Simple worship is quite pointless. Forganad gains power from both sides doing their job. A third global faction would be superfluous, if you get my meaning. They need a purpose and a reasonable excuse to have survived anything and everything that would have opposed them.

[Xennavor]

Hmmm, intersting idea. Though, not many poeple are aware of all the existing gods if not some. But yes it is true that you sit on the fence when you serve forganad and a lot would oppose you, even the paladins were almost driven out. I really like the idea but it is'nt really praticle enough, I mean, you can't oppose two forces, you can't get that strong, and in a way it's really three forces, creation , destruction, and humans (The Guards). Unless they kept themselves hidden, but whats the point of that?

[Treijim]

Indeed such factions as The Guards already label themselves as "neutral", though they do derive from Nikina. I suppose his point is that when it comes down to it, you are either creating or destroying. It's unfair to promote both forces.

[Dreadicon]

I just came up with the idea more as a matter of purpose. Because Forganad is the ultimate decider, no efforts for the world becoming a 'paradice' could ever be realised, because that would tip in favor of Nikina. Nor will the actions of wide-scale destruction ever be avoidable. Hence, what's the point of worshiping any god? or even acknowledging them as a superior being?

The logic the said group would have is, as I thought of it, as follows: If Forganad has assigned the two gods directly under his command to do apparently contradictory things, what's the point? Creation obviously makes things better for all, but destruction was ordaned by the same supreme god, therefore it must serve a role as well. It's not too hard to see the contradiction present between the two orders of Forganad to create and destroy, so I can't believe no one has tried to come up with a more substantial, tangible answer than 'he wants balance.' My proposition was that there was a group, Divine or Mortal, that would draw the conclusion or the Eturnal Circle found in real world eastern religions and ying-yang ideas. In my case of the Phoenix Order, it was perceiving it as the world must continually be reborn in order to attain it's intended form, but a Buddhist order of attaining spiritual balance would be valid under this as well.

It's really not my world, my gods, or my people though, so I can only relate it to the real world XD

[Treijim]

This conversation was completed in MSN:

...ΛιεΚΣǎИδεҒ... *sick* says (8:42 AM):
We're getting off track. Did you have anything else to say about the Forganad-followers? The conversation was shifted to msn somhow

Dreadicon says (8:45 AM):
lol, my doing. hmmm, just that it seems odd that there is no large group of people that have persued an enlightenment-type belief, or just given more thought to Forganad himself. I mean, he's the supreme being, and religous scholars never tried to find/follow his aim? i mean, he's basicly fate itself.

...ΛιεΚΣǎИδεҒ... *sick* says (8:46 AM):
The scientists of Trelinia tried to follow this neutral path, but that led to The Scouring. Then there is Velena in the mountains. Nobody knows who they worship. And then there is that aforementioned order that shall not be revealed. But such a faction has never been established as a great and public power

Dreadicon says (8:48 AM):
hahaha, OK, OK, I get it. I'll just have to wait to find out more about my favorite god in Riiga

[laurabeth]

Well, Treijim said it for me, I was thinking that this would make a whole other faction that would be allied to everyone: the Guards, the Paladins, and the Enemy. More like a group of peacekeepers or guardians for a limited few, methinks. But who would they guard over? Is there anyone who works for both the Enemy and supports the Guards equally... and yet is worth being pretected? I'm kinda confused, but that's nothing new.

[Treijim]

If one were to make a record of who works for who, it would be so complex it would have to be done from the viewpoint of the present year, and it would be harder again to take into account historical events that would have impacted such a group. At the moment, it's just a superfluous idea, but I'm not ruling it out completely.

[Oz]

Speaking as a follower of the world, not a creator, I can't KNOW about this, but I think Trei and Laura put it best.
A new sect of the 'Temple religion' (I find myself lacking an actual name) would be in everyones good books, no?
Although I personally like the idea, as it adds some realism and depth, considering that (E.G Christianity) religions all have different groups who follow them in different ways. (E.G Mainstream, and Quakers.)

[Treijim]

Well, the religions and belief systems of Riiga have yet to be categorised. That's a job for a rainy day, I suppose.

[Dreadicon]

hahaha.......i just realised, worship without any visual reward is what 75% of the world's population does here on earth XD. I suppose the group would only make itself known when they felt the world was becoming unbalanced.
There was a TV show called Charmed, which I didn't watch much of, but there was the good and evil factions, then a third faction known as "The Cleaners" who would intervene when one side gained an advantage of unbalancing size, or when their battles threatened to disrupt the 'normal' world too much. (that was about the only interesting thing from the show tho) Long story short, I thought such a group would make for an interesting effect. They would essentially be claiming to be preventing a 2nd Darkness by keeping the world from becoming too calm. Likely their actions would go unseen, like assasinations, infiltrating command, etc.
Anyhow, I felt like mentioning more on this topic. Just thoughts ^_^

[Treijim]

There may well be such a balancing force in Riiga, but how would anyone ever know about them? :3

[Dreadicon]

well, maybe if they feel The Enemy is taking too much ground, they would intervene behind the scenes to help fight them. or If the the nations were becoming extremely prosperous, they might incite unrest and civil war. The balancing group maintains power because they 1) stay behind the scenes unless absolutely necessary. 2) draw power from both creation and destruction, and 3) only act when the balance is starting to cascade in favor of one or the other.

How would anyone know about them? well, surely there have been partial info leaks from time to time. if a person was to notice the pattern by looking at events from a large period of time and subtle, fate-swaying figures, it would be possable to get the idea that they exist. mayby even know a bit about them.

[Treijim]

This is one of those topics that I cannot explain to you through OOC or non-Enc sources, because it would be straight-out telling you the workings of Riiga. This in itself is a topic worthy of another epic RP. That's what I can suggest if you want to find out the answers

[laurabeth]

On the Enc, though, it states that Nikina and Garukavar take counsel with Forganad when either powers are getting too big. It would seem that both good and evil can level each other out without the help of another group.