Aspects Shared by Immortals

[Jennifer]

I have found myself wondering lately (for various reasons) into which MG3K "camp" mathematics fall. I mean, are they intrinsically Terrapyre or Celestial?

Images of fractals are often used to illustrate the effects of Celestial attacks... but fractals appears forever repeated in nature which is made by God's own hand (not the after-effect hand of science).

Celestials are masters of genetics and quantum engineering... yet scripture, from earliest Greek and Hebrew verses, is utterly tied to numbers (see example here: www.greatdreams.com/nmbrsgod.htm).

Interesting, isn't it? Thought-provoking.

[artzygrrl]

I don't know that it falls into either camp intrinsically. I'd have to say, it depends on how it's used. Terrapyres are more intuitive, so their math is less likely to involve complex equations and chemistry. (though, naturally, there are the exceptions here) Celestials are more scientific and analytical by nature, so their side of things is likely to do with technology and nature and how they relate.

Terrapyres would see mathematics as the absolutely foundational evidence of a Creator. The design structure of One who formed the earth with the same basic building blocks so that everything on it could relate to the other things there.

Celestials would see mathematics as their way of harnessing and understanding their world. The patterns might be even another race whose technology is far too advanced for them to detect.

I think Terrapyres, too, would approach it from a sort of internal perspective. The patterns inside them, in their minds, that observe the world around them; whereas Celestials would approach it from an external perspective, concentrating on the patterns themselves rather than what they might have perceived as the reason behind them.

Just some thoughts.

[Launa]

I think it proves how very connected Terrapyres and Celestials really are. There are many undeniable, almost ironic similarities between the two. That and how universal math is.

To tell you the truth, it makes me wonder what else they share. What other truths affect both worlds just as equally and what do these truths say about the nature of the races?

[Jennifer]

*Great* additional points there, Abbie. Thank you -- you gave me even more to consider. And yeah, Launa, they do share quite a bit, really. I suppose that math is like the six Skills. Strangely and wonderfully, they share it all.

Hm. Perhaps this thread should be renamed? I'll go do that now.

[Cris]

Perhaps there is some kind of shared spark inherent in all sentient creatures, whether from this world or any other. Because we--as the writers of this universe--created Celestials, they have to be in our own image to a certain extent. We can imaging ourselves; we can imagine "other" (in the "not-us"), but I don't think that until humanity has experienced first contact that it's possible for us to truly imagine another species. Therefore, it seems only logical that Terrapyres and Celestials share not only six Skills, but also other aspects in their separate realities. I don't think you can exist as a Celestial--harvesting flora in particular--and not experience fractals, which are an integral part of mathematics... And besides, mathematics crosses language, culture, race... and time. It makes sense that it would encompass and touch our dimension the 4th dimension and all the others that are unknowable to us as well.

[artzygrrl]

Agreed. Perhaps Celestial minds are simply too complex and intricate for human beings to understand or keep pace with. But, I think Terrapyres have a better chance at it.

I think as far as Immortality goes, they probably share some of the same mentalities. Celestials mate to continue their race; they experience emotion and make the choice to love. Much in the same way, Terrapyres, fascinated by humans and the redeemable grace they experience, coupled with the faith they possess (Terrapyres don't particularly need the faith aspect of things, since they have genetic memory of biblical events and would know they are true), would choose to live and love, despite the sorrow of loss that they will inevitably experience.

Mathematics, as I mentioned before, seems to indicate that everything is created with the same basic patterns, so that everything works together as it ought to, that interface between objects and types of matter can be explored.

In this way, Immortals would have to be intrinsically linked. Much like predators who by various traits are mostly equally matched, they circle around similar prey, often warring with each other, but both trying in the best way they understand to survive.

Also I think that each has their own system of honor, according to their cultures and the customs they have experienced. Terrapyres see things the way Terrapyres do, and their view of life results in a code which they by and large honor. Celestials do the same, but since their worldview is different, their code of honor is also different, strange, even hostile and calculating to the Terrapyres; whereas the Terrapyrric (haha, I made up a word!) code would seem crude at best, and dangerously off-the-cuff at worst, to the Celestials who observe them.

Montegues and Capulets they seem to be, in so many ways. Though, their feud is noble and worthy on both sides, in their own ways.