50 Shades of Undeath [M2]

[Flession]

Another one continues to raise their hands, a bit more eagerly. "As a being with ties to both life and death, have you experienced any insights into the nature of the multiverse that elude ordinary mortals? Do you feel more attuned to the mysteries of the planes?"

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"I'm afraid I'm neither a scholar nor a sage." He rubs his neck sheepishly, "and while I've seen and done much in my life, I'm still only a burgeoning plane-walker. But as a life-long adventurer I've certainly sent many to what I can only assume was their true death." He thinks back, "None of them went willingly, but went they did. I can't help but wonder if the quickest road to true death is to die without regrets, desires, or ties to life?"

[Akh Uur Hoon]

"This is so.' Akh interceded, answering the question. "Those who are sent into death against their will usually don't happen to be truly dead. This is only your wishful thinking, Cyprian, speaking here, that the deaths you caused are clean and final. In most cases the unwillingly dead remain restless and unwittingly cling to the world, though only rarely in ways that makes them be manifested - harmful or just annoying. Their suffering in a fraction of existence they still have is unabateable on their own as their agency is greatly reduced. It falls to us to aid them in final departure toward the release of True Death. Proper funerary rites and removing their anchors by resolving their unfinished business usually goes a long way. This is one of the callings of the Dustmen, to bestow that mercy on those entrapped in fragmentary existence."

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"Ahh I see." He nods his head. "I... see." A little bit of remorse comes through as he thinks on the fates of *some* of his victims. Mostly the ones whose only fault was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. "That's a very empathetic way of thinking. And don't misunderstand, I always try to limit bloodshed. But even cultists mad with fervor and proselytizing about their death gods, often have a change of heart at the very end." He crosses his arms in contemplation. "Do they see something we don't? Or is the attraction to life unbreakable without death?"

[Akh Uur Hoon]

"Life and death are inextricably tied to one another. Overabundance or persistence of life can be devastating, and mortality is a necessary balancing mechanism because even intelligent life has problems with self-restraint in amassing, consuming, invading and spreading. The resources upon which it can feast are limited, both locally and probably also universally. It is therefore quite a natural conclusion that some life has to be regularly phased out, at the very least to make room for another life. This is not any call for culling or encouraging suicide, however. I actively discourage both. Incomplete death makes life's debris and detritus linger. Only True Death has the cleansing value. The role of our faction here is to make it more accessible, even if it is sometimes only by personal example."

[Flession]

The students nod their heads, listening to it while taking some notes. After a long moment of silence to contemplate what has been said, another student raises their hand. "Do you see your Dhampir nature as a gift or a curse? How has it shaped your perceptions of mortality and your place in the world; is it similar to how we Dustmen reflect upon our own existence?"

[Cyprian Kircheis]

Listening to Akh speak had a strange and calming effect on Cyprian. The question pulled him from his enchantment and back into reality. "Umm, right." He blinked, "What was the question?"

"Oh! It's..." he chuckles. "... well when one is born with something. It matters little whether they regard it as a deficiency or a boon. It's simply something one must learn to live with." He thinks very seriously for a moment, "I'd say... I rather like NOT being immortal. But given the choice I'd rather be human with about half the lifespan of a Dhampir."

[Flession]

The student nods and sits down once more.

"How do others in the world react to your unique nature? Do they fear you as an undead, or do they accept you as a living being despite your heritage?"

[Cyprian Kircheis]

Often times he does enjoy talking about himself. But this line of questioning made him feel more like an exhibit than a guest speaker.

"... well it depends. Often times I make sure to bring it up at some point. But in general I'd say most accept me well enough."

He thought it might be inappropriate to mention most women's reaction to learning about his dhampiric nature. And his friends call him thirsty.

[Akh Uur Hoon]

Akh smiled ever so gently, reading the room for any remaining questions.