[superhell] catchall for chandra

[ontrend]

Comments

week 0, sunday

[ontrend]

[later on, after the last ferry has returned any stragglers back to the main island, kuranosuke wanders into the library. he is about 1/4 of the way through a fishbowl.

upon spotting chandra, he waves.]

Yo. Looking for a book?

[astika]

[he doesn't wave back, barely glancing up from his book.]

More that there's little else of worth to do around here.

[he spends so much time in the library that he's going to be through all the shelves by the time satan's party rolls around.]

[ontrend]

[wanders over despite not getting a wave back]

Whatcha reading, anyway?

[astika]

[does not show him the book]

Don't approach books while holding a drink.

[ontrend]

...

[puts the fishbowl down.]

Okay. Whatcha reading?

[astika]

[wordlessly holds up a book [throws dart] it's probably some kind of mythology book]

[ontrend]

Oh, it's about gods...

[a beat.]

So like. How accurate is it?

[astika]

It would depend on your idea of "accuracy". Considering that we're dealing with wholly different universes—rather than view these things as inaccurate recounts, it'd make more sense to see them as stories about entirely different beings.

As names hold power, it's not too unusual to consider that they might be shared across worlds.

[ontrend]

Huh, that's pretty deep.

[...]

But are the stories in that book anything like the reality where you come from, though?

[astika]

At least in the mythology which shares names familiar to me—many of the gods' names are assigned to the same element, give or take some exceptions. We have little else in common, otherwise.

[and one text states the idea of "chandra" of being brahma's avatar which is a horrifying thought to this chandra, personally. no thanks.]

If anything, compared to these texts and what Zagreus has said of gods in his world, there are more differences than similarities.

[ontrend]

It's pretty wild stuff to think about! But like you said, names have power, so I guess it'd make sense that some names would be used for the same elements and stuff in different places...

[astika]

Mm.

If nothing else, learning how the divine are perceived in other worlds serves a purpose in illustrating the lives of humans.

[ontrend]

...if the gods are different in other worlds, what about the humans? Do we seem any different from the humans in your world?

[astika]

On a surface level, you're mostly the same. Though of course, there are likely inherent differences depending on the systems of your universe—presumably, you're lacking in the same type of birth attributes, for one.

[ontrend]

"Birth attributes"?

[astika]

When you were born determines which elements—which gods—you're affiliated with, which in turn decides the sort of magic you can use in life. Of course, presuming one has any affinity for magic, which is a separate matter.

[ontrend]

Oooh. That's super cool!

[kuranosuke actually does seem genuinely fascinated by this, and has totally forgotten about the booze he set down over there. no need to drink to forget when you've got distractions, apparently.]

So it's like astrology, but for gods and magic?

[astika]

I suppose, though this is something far more concrete rather than some vague idea of having an unlucky day or some such.

[ontrend]

Yeah? Like, can you give me an example of it?

[astika]

As I said, their usage of magic is strictly defined by their attributes, given that magic is calling upon the gods' power. To cast spells associated with light, for instance, would require a surya attribute.

There are complications that can arise, as well. Attributes are rendered nil if the god in question is no longer active in the universe, and human infants born with triple nil attributes are frequently stillborn.

[ontrend]

Triple nil...? So like, there's a time where it's just like... you're probably not gonna get born 'cause the gods that match up to that time don't exist anymore?

[astika]

Essentially, yes. Other gods will fill in for the missing attribute if they're able, but there isn't always an appropriate substitute.

[by whatever criteria there is that canon will probably not explain to us]

[ontrend]

Huh... Have you ever had to fill in for anyone?

[astika]

I'm one of the original attributes, so no.

[ontrend]

Ooh, nice! So anyone born under your time doesn't have to worry about that triple nil thing.