Day 7 LA-EE: Taking note (task)

[L'Orr-hui]

''Not quite libertarianism'' they countered ''All factions have their own ideological biases but it does not stop anyone from working in concert on certain things. The Free League simply demands that you never give or surrender your independence, power or truth to any outside authority...may it be a faction, king or even Fate itself''

[Cyprian Kircheis]

He sat back in contemplation for a spell. "This... gives me much to think on."

[L'Orr-hui]

''Mmmmh...I am afraid I need to give you more to think about.'' they added ''While I do believe that the Free League and yourself would benefit each other it is my impetus to make sure that any choice you make is an honest one, free from manipulations. To that effect I believe I must explain the greater nature of the factions''

The illithid paused for the reception of a written suggestion by a passing indept

''The understanding of the planes and their relationship to each other reveal one important fact: Good, Evil, Order and Chaos are all real, often objective and tangible...moral relativism often comes to die in places like Sigil. In that vein the Factions follow Ideas, philosophies often derived from these overarching concepts. While less tangible or clearly defined then Good or Evil, these ideas hold power and the universe responds to it. As an exemple for this, the promotion and the defense of freedom by us indepts makes the cosmos respond in kind: reality itself makes us harder to be controlled or held against our will.''

They steepled their fingers

''So you see...You are not signing up for an institution, a social club. You are taking a cosmic stance.'' They pointed out the stacks of papers ''Even if the day to day can appear quite mundane''

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"A... cosmic stance?"

He cocked his head.

"That seems a little..." a sufficient word alluded him. Arrogant? Presumptive? "... I think that's a bit much don't you? I mean after all, good, evil, order, chaos: these things are a constant across the planes. But before arriving here the Free League, Sensates, Dustmen - they don't exist. No that's not correct - they aren't known in the same vein. I mean sure, freedom, liberty, fraternity, independence. These concepts are as equally core to the fabric of the universe as the other four we've spoken on. But I believe the wider multiverse is indifferent to Sigil and its factions."

[L'Orr-hui]

''Does a kingdom in Kalamar care for the Guvner's laws? No, but that is limited thinking. The universe is morphic, I assure you, while not as much so as individual planes ideas and philosophies do influence it. You might never have met a Sensate before coming here, to your knowledge, but you have met their ideas. We are in a nexus, ser Cyprian, the reach of our actions here extend far out into the planes.''

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"I don't know the whole thing just feels tenuous. I mean, is there... proof of this? I've read this is the center of the multiverse. But I don't know how much I believe that. Of course I don't know how much of anything I believe anymore. Mysti arrived here twenty years before me I think she said? And she did this AFTER I'd disappeared years and years ago. Gizby has a similar story without as extreme a gap. But my point is that if time is variable, then what is constant?" He leans on the table in frustration. "All of this is so far beyond me I fear I'll never understand any of it."

There's another heavier sigh.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to doubt you. I'm just frustrated. The more I learn the less I understand."

[L'Orr-hui]

''Time is a complex matter but dilations are to be expected if one is not careful with plane hopping.'' they started to explain ''As I said: planes are morphic. Some more then others...usually the smaller they are. Pocket planes especially so. You know stories about the fey realms do you not? A child vanishes into fairie only to reappear looking decades older? Or the reverse: decades passes and the child reappears not having aged a day? The flow of time in a Fey Lord's domain can be slowed or accelerated compared to the Prime Materials.

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"Hmmm,"

"Yes," Cyprian thought aloud. "For years such occurrences have been gossiped about by towns people, travelers, far-flung tales in iambic-pentameter." For some reason that explanation was satisfying for Cyprian.

"That... helps." He nodded. "I never would have imagined how malleable the universe is."

[L'Orr-hui]

''To most people it is not, not in any meaningful sense that is, and there are still nigh immovable constants only creatures like gods or demigods can affect...but yes, one's actions and beliefs in places like Sigil holds great power. This is why I think throwing myself with the Free League was the best choice.''

[Cyprian Kircheis]

For some time Cyprian was quiet. These revelations gave him much to think on and he'd at some point acquired a beer to nurse in his contemplation. Independence was the one hold up for him. If one ties themselves to the Free League, but also to a Dustman, what might be the result of a conflict between the two? Could he bear to become a traitor to one to support the other? Perhaps once he could have. But this is a new home filled with wonderous new ideas, and also dangers. Walking between the factions as an unaffiliated indep might prove a precarious waltz. But then again he is a most dexterous acrobat.

"Hmmm," he cleared his throat at last. "Well, it pains me to say it but as I am I don't feel comfortable in adopting that cosmic stance." He sighed. "Perhaps in another life, or should circumstances change." He took another sip of his barley brew. Privately wishing it was blood instead.