Stsword
Versed in the lewd.
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I'm thinking this may be one of the forever people; but responsible now.
No, that's Lightray.
Hence the link Zoat provided.
He looks like this
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I'm thinking this may be one of the forever people; but responsible now.
So let's talk about signaling and countersignaling. Traditionally, while children like rich colors because they are visually stimulating and exciting, adults use them to show off. Because dyes are expensive, wearing heavily dyed clothing visually indicates your wealth to the world; it's a costly signal. However, as more people gain access to dyes, another layer emerges: countersignaling. This is when for instance, while all members of a court are obligated by social competition to wear colorful clothing, the most influential members wear boring, simple clothes; this indicates that their status is obvious; they don't need to show off because everybody already knows their influence. (This usually happens cyclically.) Which is, of course, itself a form of signaling among the very highest echelons- signaling through not signaling; in other words, countersignaling. Now, when we talk about "taste", this is better read as "the current state of signaling among the ingroup"; Paul sees himself as a high-class individual, and it happens to be that in his environment, colors are currently lower status, which is why he countersignals by wearing simple, functional apparel.And the clouds parts and I see that being a New God doesn't give you taste.
"It's very… Gold." Ragnar sounds puzzled. "Were they concerned about lasers?"
"Wouldn't that blind them when the sun shines on it?"
"We're not here to criticise their horrible taste in city decoration-."
"Horrible?" I glance at my other side, where a white-suited-. That's Lightray. "As opposed to your grim grey ensemble?"
Thank you, corrected.You and your colleagues may approach New Genesis.
He leads the way towards a…
No....are we about to find out that this is one of the continuities where all versions of a New God are actually the same person, aware of all the universes they manifest in, and the locals recognize Renegade Grayven's soul in Illustres Paul?
Thank you, corrected.
Glad to hear it.
New Gods are multiversal beings, one being with avatars in every universes. They have probaly met the Pauls from DCAU, DCAMU, etc... they are most likely used to him, especially from verses where Darkseid is more active
I'm pretty sure he is specifically advocating for anarcho-capitalism for Equestria because he thinks it would work there due to the peculiarities of the inhabitants, and he doesn't think that it would be the best system for other places.Really. Grayven is an ancap? With all that he's seen in the galaxy, including wild differences in both inherent power and inherent ability to be productive? How would he even embrace Conquest in ancapistan, except if he is actually unironically hoping for an interplanetary megacorp dystopia?
P.S.: I am not in any way discussing the pros or cons or anarchocapitalism irl. I am specifically only questioning why Grayven would favor it in the world he lives in. Don't ban me mods.
You're a human, aren't you?Really. Grayven is an ancap? With all that he's seen in the galaxy, including wild differences in both inherent power and inherent ability to be productive? How would he even embrace Conquest in ancapistan, except if he is actually unironically hoping for an interplanetary megacorp dystopia?
Thinking about the primitives… Oh, I just spotted… They've still got New God physiology, haven't they? So it's not as if they're making life all that difficult for themselves by returning to nature. It's… Like a human going 'off-grid' with a miniature nuclear power plant to fuel all the mod-cons made by their personal matter transmuter. Or like reaching the top of Everest in a plane. Or dynamite fishing rather than grabbing the fish with your bare hands. Living without technology is impressive when a normal human does it, but with New Gods
"They've removed all marks of industrial civilisation from their homeworld. Did they want a place to hunt?"
"No. Though I don't know enough of their history to know how they ended up like this
And the clouds parts and I see that being a New God doesn't give you taste.
I turn my head to make eye contact as he smirks.
"Have we met before?"
He blinks, frowning, before breaking into a grin.
"Hah
I suspect they'd regard Allyn with mild curiosity as an extant example of the Old Gods
Remarkably trusting... But He can probably scan their souls with relative ease given their lack of metaphysical defences (outside of spell eaters and OL's wards, neither of which are great against New God techniques...)
Yeah, quite an experience. Her race doesn't have any active local deities, do they?
No doubt He has a list of titles as logn as OL's arm, but most are likely the sort that only gets dragged out for super-special occasions like dick-waving contests with Darkseid
More specifically, Him telling Reality to 'sit down a sec, hush up and let me work'.
To be fair, His powers are somewhat nebulous, outside of 'speaker for the Source' and the usual New God buffs.
Once you hit a certain level of magitech, 'Civilisation' is just hanging out with other people.
Ah, Kirbytech at its finest. Seriously, look up his artstyle and picture that.
Yeah, New Genesis is artisanal and individualistic... Apokalips is more about brutalist style and functionalism.
Given that half the place looks like parklands, I doubt any one is better than another.
And I don't see Ragnar being patient enough to tolerate it before someone gets challenged to a duel...
Because shortly after that the white light fully revived all the Black Lanterns.I don't know why anyone would think Black Lanterns normally have souls when Deadman was floating around while his body was a black lantern.
Deadman was floating around from the very beginning of the first issue until the end of the last issue. Making it quite obvious that no, black lanterns don't have souls. That's basic "Did you even read the event?" level stuff.
Deadman coming back to life to be the first white lantern was the climatic ending.
Of course, you should know this, since I've already pointed this out to you.
When Robotman was confronted by his brainless body in Doom Patrol? Since Robotman was alive, which means his soul was rather preoccupied, again, making it obvious that no, black lanterns don't normally have souls.
When Katana, with her souleating sword, stabbed her "husband" only to find out that the lights were on but nobody was home in Outsiders?
When Deathstorm stayed around despite Jason and Ronnie being alive in Brightest Day? So exactly whose soul did you think Deathstorm had?
When the Black Lanterns included both Hawkman and Hawkgirl and their previous incarnations Prince Kufu and Princes Chay-Ara? i doubt they were using a time share deal there.
When Solomon Grundy joined the Black Lantern Corps despite Cyrus Gold's soul being in hell never to return as Solomon Grundy thanks to the Phantom Stranger?
The same issue the black lanterns revived the Orange Lanterns' bodies as black lanterns, they did the same to the planet Xanshi. Xanshi was not a living planet like Mogo, it was a hunk of rock hurtling through space. The black lanterns revived something that was never actually alive in the first place.
Black Lantern Spectre was the exception, not the rule.
Thank you, corrected.
Ah, no. Lightray spends most of his time with the dour Orion. He isn't used to people responding with self-depreciation.So either these versions have some level of the whole multiversal existence thing, or Lightray has heard about Earth and all of its various shenanigans, and how Paul is connected to a lot of them.
G5 sharing a setting with G4 makes no sense. Aside from anything else, the tribes are too interbred for a pure population to exist for more than one generation. There's actually a fanfic on FiMfiction where they trade foals of the wrong tribe between settlements.Oh, but if only he knew about G5. Leave ponies to their own devices and they go back to embracing racism. To the point that they lose access to their magic. (And I'm sure a lack of magic would torpedo the "special talents would let ancapistan work, honest" thing.)
Because shortly after that the white light fully revived all the Black Lanterns.
Now I'm getting the idea that the Bugs could have once been animals that the New Gods hunted, and after a while they were modified to become more intelligent and thus make a better challenge, but eventually developed sapience.
The whole point of that was reviving all the black lanterns to sever Nekron's connection to the universe...No, it didn't, it revived some of them.
It was stated categorically that the Dibnys didn't get resurrected.
It certainly didn't resurrect almost every single fallen green lantern ever- The Black Lanterns cleaned out the Crypts of the Green Lanterns. Someone would have noticed the GLC suddenly having hundreds of thousands, if not more, revived members.
So first, I'm not aware of a single Orange Lantern getting resurrected by the White Light Entity. So citation please.
Secondly, I'm not aware of Larfleeze being shown to keep an orange lantern construct when the member was resurrected. So I'm going to need a citation on that too.
The whole point of that was reviving all the black lanterns to sever Nekron's connection to the universe...
So is Rocket around?"I will speak with Orion. I think that it is best for all of us if he helps you."
And I don't think I'm a good enough public speaker to return the favour, but I can try if you want.
Is Lightray trying to humble Paul the way a normal god would an arrogant mortal? Because if he is, I'm glad Paul doesn't care enough or is just skilled and smart enough to get him to give up.Lightray nods. "Willing to wage war on Apokolips, human? I respect that. My oration at your funeral will make the crowd weep for your loss."
"Everyone is already at war with Apokolops. Darkseid gets the full Anti-Life Equation, that's the end of intelligent life in this universe. More than that, his agent has attacked my planet. I'm not going to pretend that I have an alternative. And while I appreciate your offer, I've been dead twice. It's not that big a deal. And I don't think I'm a good enough public speaker to return the favour, but I can try if you want."
"Twice? Once could be regarded as misfortune, but twice suggests carelessness."
"It was carelessness, so, that fits."
He throws up his hands and shakes his head as Highfather nods.
Or you could go for Razor.Bleez is a popular music star and political reformer. Ratchet is an Orange Lantern. I have no idea where to even begin looking for Dex-Starr, and… Honestly, between the Anti-Life and the Sheeda, he's probably dead. I don't know where Skallox is and I've got only the vaguest idea where Zilius Zox might be.
Is Lightray trying to humble Paul the way a normal god would an arrogant mortal? Because if he is, I'm glad Paul doesn't care enough or is just skilled and smart enough to get him to give up.
Doubt it Lightray just seems to not think highly of Paul.Is Lightray trying to humble Paul the way a normal god would an arrogant mortal? Because if he is, I'm glad Paul doesn't care enough or is just skilled and smart enough to get him to give up.
It might be a metaphor. Because he can literally lighten up your day. The spreading of joy will have to be done by his actions and words.Lightray is the god of joy.
Never mind he doesn't have empathic powers but light powers, because New God domains are generally useless drivel.
Which makes him one of the smartest people we have met so far.
Is Lightray trying to humble Paul the way a normal god would an arrogant mortal? Because if he is, I'm glad Paul doesn't care enough or is just skilled and smart enough to get him to give up.
Heh. Baby Boxes? I kid, I kid. Still, it's an interestingly casual look at the level of New Genesis' technology. Even the simplest child's toys have mechanisms that Earth is only just beginning to develop.20th January 2013
21:13 GMT
Highfather rises from the floating bench he was sitting on, watching a group of New God children playing with… Uh, some sort of gravity manipulating block toys. While I'm sure that their precise functionality is fascinating, they're not what I'm here for. Instead of scanning them to see what I can learn I just do a general scan for concealed people -none as far as I can tell- and then focus on my host, bowing at the waist.
He can't help but lean into the image of benevolent shepherd, can't He? I suppose it comes being being an avatar of Benevolent Leadership."Highfather, thank you for agreeing to meet with me."
He comes into convenient talking range, crosier held in his right hand and resting against his right shoulder.
Before a presence like His, you can't help but be polite."Rise, Illustres, and be at peace." "I offer you sanctuary."
I straighten, pleased that Ragnar and Lacuray both copied my action. Izaya is smiling politely. Expectantly.
Taking their measure in a mere glance, eh? Easy to figure them out, though."That doesn't seem very likely, but I'll try while I'm here. These are my colleagues, Lantern Ragnar and Lantern Lacuray."
Highfather makes eye contact with each of them before returning his full attention to me.
Admittedly, it's still up in the air if it's possible, but anything's worth a try. Desperate times, desperate measures and all that."You mentioned that there are things that you need for your plan to work. I am eager to hear what you think there is that can remove the Anti-Life."
"Life, naturally. I've been exposed to Anti-Life fragments before and it didn't do much. That's a product of… My relationship with the orange light. A Green Lantern colleague of mine who has achieved a similar relationship with the green light experienced the same phenomena. It's my belief that by combining multiple emotional colours it should be possible to purge an area of Anti-Life… I mean, maybe not the complete Equation, but a widespread infection like the Earth has."
Admittedly, once Apokalips adapted, they more or less kicked the Greenies' arses to a standstill.He raises his eyebrows, nodding slowly as he thinks it over.
"Green Lanterns have proven unusually resilient in the past, though it was a long time ago that the Green Lantern Corps last fought against Apokolips. I know of them and your Corps and of the yellow ring of fear used by Sinestro. What more do you need?"
Of course, tracking down an Indigo Tribesman is still going to be a challenge."There are seven colours that I need. In addition to those three my friend Alan Scott has a blue ring and the Zamarons have started using violet rings. That leaves two: red and indigo. There's a sophont beaver in Sector One Zero One Four with an indigo ring, and probably more where he came from. That leaves red. Two parts to that problem: I need to find the materials that can be used to make one and I need to find someone who can use it."
Ah, Highfather can already guess what OL is asking, can't He? Or perhaps He knew the whole time, what with that insight."What emotion is red tied to?"
"Anger and hate. I've sort of gotten the impression that they're not inherently different things, and…" His eyes narrow slightly and his face takes on a… Regretful.. expression? "And we just experience them differently depending on our mindset. Regardless, I need someone well-acquainted with both but who can still focus through them."
I mean, get him pissed off enough and he can manage that. Heck, just have his motherbox lay off the calming influence a few minutes, and you'll have all you need."You're here for Orion!" Lightray sounds surprised. "I know he can be a bit moody, but I'd hardly call him some sort of 'rage mystic'."
"No, but I imagine that he has experience fighting off the Anti-Life due to his fights with the forces of Apokolips. Really, we're just going to need him to fire the ring for a minute or so."
Though, do you really want a Red Ring out in the wild? Even if it doesn't replace the wearer's heart with a ball of Rage, anyone driven by it could be trouble later.Highfather nods resignedly. "And what becomes of him then?"
"Um, I don't mind? Assuming that the ring isn't owned by someone else, he's welcome to keep it."
Especially since any of the known Red Lanterns of any continuity haven't become Red Lanterns yet. Or are likely to."You don't understand. Orion has struggled to control his anger for his entire life. Asking him to manifest it outside of himself as Lanterns do may well undo all of the progress he has made."
"I know. But I don't have anyone better."
...Dang, Dex-starr might be dead (assuming her master isn't already...) Dangit, every Lantern Corps needs its cute animal member...Bleez is a popular music star and political reformer. Ratchet is an Orange Lantern. I have no idea where to even begin looking for Dex-Starr, and… Honestly, between the Anti-Life and the Sheeda, he's probably dead. I don't know where Skallox is and I've got only the vaguest idea where Zilius Zox might be.
I need someone angry. Angry now, but in control.
Good question. It's all supposition on OL's part. For all anyone knows, this will simply hasten the War of Light's beginning, and nothing more."Because if I did, I'd be there instead."
"How confident are you that this will work?"
Sheesh, you haven't even done the math yet? Taking a lot on faith, aren't you?"Pfffooooow."
I look up at the sky as I try to work out how to quantify something like that. I mean… Based on what the Anti-Life fragment appears to do…
Please, let's not give New Genesis any funky ideas. Remember the stupid, stupid Godhead arc from the"Let's say… Eighty percent chance to get rid of it entirely. Ten to just give everyone temporary immunity while the League and its allies destroy the transmitter without having to worry about mind controlled soldiers attacking them. Fifteen to deal with the after-effects while we deal with it some other way, so that we can actually rebuild afterwards. Chance of it flat out doing nothing… Two percent? Maybe? I mean, something should happen, but I can't use New God technology myself for obvious reasons. And… Of course… If it does work, then we can use the same technique on other worlds as well."
Still, humans are robust. Emotionally speaking, anyway. That might help them to recover a little sanity. Even if the essence of Status Quo has no power here."You expect it to expunge the Anti-Life, but your people to be mentally scarred."
"Most likely. But as I said, I can't evidence any of this." I shrug. "Honestly, we might be the ones who cause the trauma. But this is still the best plan I've been able to come up with. Have you got a better one?"
Oh, right. There's at least one Infinity Man knockoff running around on Earth...Lightray gives me stink eye. "Have a care, mortal."
"No, serious question. Highfather, you were friends with Prince Drax. Do you know a way to deactivate his robot?"
That's gonna take some superheroic therapy. Too bad there's no-one out there with the power of Mental Health Care."It would be a poor weapon if it were easy to deactivate." Highfather shakes his head solemnly. "I have been trying to communicate with Drax since that… Those events. The unity of thought which existed between the Forever People was broken by their exposure to Anti-Life, and without that reaching him is… Difficult, to say the least."
Two ways around that: help them heal or train…
Sadly, I don't think they're going to be much use anytime soon. Any other options, Highfather?I look over to the children playing with the blocks, and out of the corner of my eye see Highfather bow his head slightly.
Train replacements, because there're some things that can't be fixed.
No doubt they can be the first test of the combined effect? Or were you just planning to gather seven rings and just... Shine them on Earth, OL?"Naturally, I have no problem with using our power rings to help them recover, but… I don't think that any one colour would be much use on its own."
He nods. "Thank you. And what else would you do with that power?"
...Oh, you have no idea about divided loyalties, OL..."Not a lot. It would be split between seven different people, who would have to work with each other to make it work. And I strongly suspect that the Yellow Lantern will have loyalties that conflict with mine. I suppose I'd quite like to un-Anti-Life other places, but this is a bit… That's premature."
Lightray nods. "Willing to wage war on Apokolips, human? I respect that. My oration at your funeral will make the crowd weep for your loss."
It's like he's dying on purpose, you know."Everyone is already at war with Apokolops. Darkseid gets the full Anti-Life Equation, that's the end of intelligent life in this universe. More than that, his agent has attacked my planet. I'm not going to pretend that I have an alternative. And while I appreciate your offer, I've been dead twice. It's not that big a deal. And I don't think I'm a good enough public speaker to return the favour, but I can try if you want."
"Twice? Once could be regarded as misfortune, but twice suggests carelessness."
Well, that's progress."It was carelessness, so, that fits."
He throws up his hands and shakes his head as Highfather nods.
"I will speak with Orion. I think that it is best for all of us if he helps you."