PDA

View Full Version : Undead Philosophy



Gannarak
04-20-2006, 11:25 AM
I go by the name of Doresain, I was not always Doresain, but it seems my old name no longer applied to the reality of my existence. I am part of the undead referred to as the Forsaken. Although I am not part of the mainstream Forsaken, as I do not seek what they seek or fight the battles they would like me to fight, as I understand this world, either you are Forsaken, or you are Scourge. It was in fact the first thing I was told, that I was salvaged, or saved, from the scourge. They say the real difference between us and them, is choice, though at first it would seem so, I have found that the difference lies not in choice, but in whether you are aware you are being used or not, choice remains mostly an illusion, we are tied to our duties. If we do not perform, we are tossed aside or destroyed, undead are tools, such was their purpose when first created, and still they are, though one could argue we are indeed ruled by other undead, but, that’s another category I suppose.

I often see my fellow Forsaken proclaim their freedom. It is evident that their individuality makes them free, well, in their own view. In a sense, having the freedom of thoughts is a form of freedom we are gifted with, but it does not mean that we are indeed free, at least, we are not mindless slaves, but is it such a blessing. I believe there is no worse feeling then being aware of our own condition, being an undead was never intended to be a blessing; it is a curse, a vile curse. We are given freedom of thought to be aware of our curse.

Of course, this curse can be turned in a blessing with sufficient focus and hate. Eternal existence can be considered a blessing with the sufficient drive to ignore all its inconvenience. Such drives can be power, revenge, thirst for knowledge or even act as guardian. To living beings given eternal life, it can very well be a blessing, because they do not deteriorate with time as a human would. To an undead, you loose everything for the profit of having time. Is time worth the thrill of life? To some, I suppose, but seeing how bitter most of the Forsaken are, I would guess it is not so pleasurable to be dead. Of course, it is always a question of perception and rank, as a lowly Forsaken, it would come to no surprise that I feel like a slave.

I do regret my past life. I do not feel like I used to feel. It seems the world has lost its color, its taste. Everything grows darker every day like shadowy claws that could grasp my soul and slowly take my perceptions away. As if the maggots crawling under my skin were eating away my humanity as they do my flesh. Even if I manage to get feeling out of this shell, it is never quite the same, to a point where even pain would be a relief if it was as before. All is left is the pain of the soul, but even that fades away as I grow more and more into an automaton without real feelings. It has come to a point where very high stimulation is required for me to react emotionally. I understand this is how most Forsaken get to perform the most horrible of deeds with little concern, a good thing that I am a cerebral person and that my morale is not dictated by emotions but rather by rationalization.

Existence as a Forsaken, in a sense, has not yet provided a clear goal to me. It would seem my immortality, or more accurately my perpetual existence, provides nothing because it lacks the natural drives life brings about. No need to accommodate an emotional need or even a physiological need, the notion of need becomes abstract because my existence is not threatened by inaction, I could even add that inaction guaranties my existence. So what is left? It seems to serve no purpose to seek more power or knowledge because I could have no applications for such things.

But of course, my thoughts are based on my very own perceptions, and as dark as it may seem, I cannot conceive that every undead went through the same process as I did, maybe I over think everything, or maybe am I mislead by my past experiences? I invite all of you to join this philosophical discussion, and give your own perception.

-Doresain, Student of the Arcane Art and Forsaken-

((Take two on stories for me, this one is open so you can all discuss. To avoid all confusion, Doresain is an alt of mine.

J-))

Keraph
04-20-2006, 01:11 PM
My friend, undeath is much like life. You will feel cursed to your perpetual existance with no real purpose until you find one. Set yourself to a goal, dedicate your existance to it. For me, dedication to the Dark Lady is enough. In life, I served the kings, so in death, serving Lordaeron only seems logical. I am honor-bound to this land, and now I have eternity to guard it.

For you, you differentiate eternal life and eternal undeath, when in truth, there is little difference. If it is the physical you desire, full skin convering your body, taste and color returning to you, then Mistress Clys is the one you seek. Though I have never really agreed with her pursuit for physical beauty, there is the chance that you would be restored to your previous being, or something even better.

As far as a considering your blessing a curse, take it as such: you have been stripped of your previous life. It is gone, it has been swallowed in the void of time. Let it go. From a warrior's standpoint, as my own, we are perfection. Strength, longevity, no need to rest or eat, we can remain underwater for extended periods of time, and our wills are unbreakable. We are militarily perfect. Of course, this may not matter to you, but truly the only difference you seem to make between the living and the dead is emotion. True, there is no 'need' to hold on to such, nor is there a 'need' for 'need', as you say, but I have seen many of our kind love, hate, care, and feel. Just because we lack our previous humanity does not mean we must release our emotions. In truth, little has really changed in how we choose to live our lives, only now we may live them longer. One might even seek eternal love, if one dared.

Embrace your new existance, be it blessing or curse, for what other choice do you have? There are ways to end yourself permanently, if you wish, or you could always choose to sleep eternally, or until something better comes along. The choice is yours, but it is a shame to waste an eternal existance.

EnheilRas
04-20-2006, 01:28 PM
As forsaken, I have only one warning, and this comes with utmost seriousness. As it has undoubtedly been said many times to you, you must heed this:

Beware the Shadow, and the Madness that follows.

Your freedom from the Consciousness of Ner'zhul is a temporary thing. There is indeed the beast that was inside you when you were the Scourge that still resides in every Forsaken. If Ner'zhul should regain his power and his presence, your willpower will be tested. If you fail, then the Shadow will engulf you, and the Madness and Mindlessness of the Beast you will epitomize. You will become everything that you have been instructed to fight, and your very allies will destroy you.

Gannarak
04-20-2006, 02:13 PM
It is indeed a grim fate that you remind us orc, Ner'zhul can come back at any time to hunt the Forsaken, but I believe we have the time to prepare for it, and weaken the Scourge before it happens. The only purpose I can find in my unlife is to fight the Scourge any way I can, and perfect my arcane arts, but I do not feel a sense of accomplishment doing so. Yes, I do have feelings, but my cerebral nature added to my new existence changes my views on the matter. As for eternal love, well, I guess we can rule out carnal desire, and I believe "love" is a feeling created by an urge to reproduce, this is something I need not to worry about anymore.

Sure, I could seek to regain real flesh, but it would only rot again, as I do not have the vital force necessary to sustain it, and I don't think it would fill the hollow that death brings. However, you speak the truth fellow Forsaken, if I dare ask your name, I cannot change what I am now. For a while, I contemplated the idea of helping towards the creation of the new plague, at the time, I felt great rage and jealousy towards the living, but now, it seems rather pointless, especially with the prospect of Ner'zhul coming back in the picture. I guess I need to forge my own purpose, but I have no drive still, no stimulation to push me in a direction, I am not satisfied with blind servitude or quests for knowledge. I still hope travelling the world and facing many challenges will provide the answer, but so far, I had very poor results.

-Doresain-

Keraph
04-20-2006, 05:49 PM
The name is Keraph, friend. Keraph Xalascent. And I understand your feelings; not all were raised as knights, as I was, so not all are content to serve under their leaders. As for your destiny, I can not say what you will find that will spark the life within you again, the only form of life we have left. The world is vast, and rife with problems. Surely you will someday find a cause to follow.

And Doresain, if you feel the need to speak with someone about your fate, seek me. I, along with Infection, wish for our people to regain the confidence they once had. Keep us in mind.

--Keraph