The Seekers of Illumination

[T.G. Oskar]

I, personally, would not like to say anything about the stunt the BoD is pulling off. I know they like to pull off some threats and some pranks, and I'm sure this is one of them. I won't say the BoD's influence is off this thread until half a year has passed. In the meantime...

The Masters as organization are more of a neutral group. Anomaly's character himself was an ultimate neutral, which could fight in both light and darkness. IN a sense, if the BoD were to lose, they are to become the "Dark" group on the grounds of proper balance. In fact, in a sense, they themselves balance the Tao.

However...I have quite a difficulty on the term of balance, especially since effectively neutralizing a band of good for the balance of the world is irrelevant in a world unbalanced by evil. So, regardless of the happening, I still vie for the good. For the Light, although Light and Altruism are not necessarily stuck together. Many times does so-called members of the "Light/Good" have done atrocities worse than imagination can allow.

Sinis...are you saying that you are not in tune with the club because you're a "lefty"? DO remember that, sinister derives from the term referring the left hand, as dextrous refers to the right hand. It is culture that relates the left hand (the sinister hand) to evil, while the right hand (the dextrous hand) is the one related to good. Pure hogwash. And, if you bypass that hogwash, then you must be aware that sinister merely has a negative connotation, but is not truly evil.

As a foreclose of the BoD's stunt, I will say that they have their own site where they can do what they want, as they are the mods and the admins. If they want to make the staff act as they want, they're dead wrong.

And...dead straight, I thought Vicky over here would have a slight bias over the BoD. Then again, being a staff member and a responsible individual that has helped form many good clubs and prune others, I commend the adherence to objectivity. Then they say that Toph goes in favor of the Masters...

Old saying says, "you reap what you sow". They desired to reap extermination, they got annihilated. Heck, Anomaly's godly character got wasted (and I know just how well-thought was that character, personally I must admit), that's a mention.

...all I finally have to say is, those gents are too addicted to TFF. They were born here, they will return here, in one way or the other. And more boisterous and preposterous as ever.

While that happens, I expect to build ourselves as a force to be reckoned, and also respected. After all, ID is another battlefield, one where the power of conviction, the smartest mind, and the greater amount of proofs make the discussions closed satisfactorily.

[OmniTense]

Oh, I'm quite aware of the assigned significance of the terms, Oskar. I have a long standing rapport with the word Sinister(that for the time has been revealed to enough people). But you may also see, via an inspection of my address (dexterward@bellsouth.net), that I am both principly ambidextrous and a fan of balance.

As for BoD, I anticipated this outcome should they lose, and they failed me not. I do not like to see them leave, the Masters PALE in comparison. "Tis meet the armor sketch the foe." Inversely like-wise so.

I might mention my utter lack of debating skills as well. As it stands I'm far from an idiot, far from by most standards, but I'm not one for conflict outside of a fencing strip and apparently an RPB. I like to listen and say my peace but apart from that, I'm not one to battle-charge an issue.

-Sin

[Mistress Sheena]

If The Masters failed in comparison, then why did they win? =P
I think they were severely underestimated. But that's just my opinion.

But anyway.. yeah, I'm not one to battle-charge an issue either. That's just sad. =(

[OmniTense]

I apologize my context was dubious. I meant that they pale in comparison in filling in the shoes of the "token bad guys". They just are. As Oskar said, sublimely neutral. They are no where near as daunting and evil. Their RPB skills being whatever.

I meant no slight to whatever skills they are believed to possess.


-Sin

[Silver]

I'm gonna miss those guys... *sniffles*
But then I do find it a little funny with the whole honour thing and now this little drama...

Anyways, on to Fishie's questions.

1) How do you know the religion you have faith in is true?

Honestly? I'm not 100% sure on anything. But I just know some things. No evidence or proof, but it's like instinct. I feel something there. And I see how things relate to it, even if I can't explain it all that well.

2) Do you think that religions in general are just a way to give people "false hope"?

I agree with what Govinda said. It gives some people false hope and is a tool used by some for screwing over the ignorant. There have been a few religion based cons...
But others it's very beneficial for. It gives them a goal, helps them make decisions that are good for others AND at times (depending on the religion) teaches that people should be tolerant of others and act justly, even if some branches of some religions seem to ignore that at times...

[OmniTense]

The BoD shall return...or atleast certain portions of them shall. At anyrate the great thing about clubs like the BoD is that it won't take long for a replacement to spring up. That is called the Tao balancing itself. The best custodian of the Tao is itself. "The way of heaven is good at overcoming though it does not fight." -TTC



1) How do you know the religion you have faith in is true?
It is supported by evidence that should be common sense to most of mankind and party to less obvious evidence that involves the misperceptions of our species caused by personal point of view and environmental determinism. The great thing about Taoism? Doesn't require evangelism. It is the sort of wisdom and religion that must be pursued rather than handed out in flyers or on churchsteps. You must earn it. And once you do, there is a reticence to share it.

2) Do you think that religions in general are just a way to give people "false hope"?
No. I think they are attempts to account for something. As the horrible David Hume once noted that if it was in the scope of mankind it would eventually become known. The problem is inherent in that afterlife, creation and likewise issues are only food for speculation based on available evidence.

Proceeding from this...one can assume that MAN knows nothing of it and never did and that the answer lies in nature(which is what Taoism is)...which rules out Christianity. Or that MAN does know or atleast has had it explained to him by the forces that be at some point in time..


@Celtic concerning his RPB. All very good, I would refrain from refering to it as a Ballestra lunge though, for redundancy sake no one calls it that anymore. Also it only involves feinting in the sense that it is a tempo-feint, no feinting blade work is implied or necessary but can often be found as an addition to the technique itself. It's executed by retaining weight on your back leg while kicking up with your front foot to balance a forward leap. It nearly always ends in a lunge but can end in a mere extension via prise de fer. But they can be given any number of personal flourishes that would make that definition inaccurate. It is merely maintained out of historical reasons. It has since become a way of covering ground in short bursts.

I swear some masters/manuals have the most anitquated definitions. ^^


-Sin

[Silver]

Originally Posted by Sinister

@Celtic concerning his RPB. All very good, I would refrain from refering to it as a Ballestra lunge though, for redundancy sake no one calls it that anymore. Also it only involves feinting in the sense that it is a tempo-feint, no feinting blade work is implied or necessary but can often be found as an addition to the technique itself. It's executed by retaining weight on your back leg while kicking up with your front foot to balance a forward leap. It nearly always ends in a lunge but can end in a mere extension via prise de fer. But they can be given any number of personal flourishes that would make that definition inaccurate. It is merely maintained out of historical reasons. It has since become a way of covering ground in short bursts.

I swear some masters/manuals have the most anitquated definitions. ^^


-Sin

Oh well over here I heard it used to describe a move I saw I thought was cool. Instead of a simple lunge it was a fake start and then he went in for the kill. Or the win really.

So what do they call it now then? I don't see how it's a redundancy as a lunge don't involve the feinting first.

[OmniTense]

It's funny...it's not really my pet peeve...but John Yarder, my old instructor used to rant about the old names and defs being misnomers and inaccurate. An added irony being that he took a great many of his lessons straight from the Verdadera Destreza manual(the parts that were translated) The more accurate term is just Ballestra(as lunges are generally the rule with that technique but not entirely necessary, the same with feinting.)

What you're describing sounds like a technique called a redebipoe(SP? Means redoublement or double-lunge). But I wouldn't know without seeing it firsthand.

They both are particularly decent techniques in their context, but if your opponent has any inkling that you are about to execute a Ballestra...well...it means your ass. Passata-soto. Rechambered parry of either primo or secondu or a sidecut or even something as simple as a disengaged bind and you are history. The same cannot be said of a redoublement as they tend to keep the opponent at some distance.

-Sin(sorry about sp I'm typing on my PS3 ^^; )

[Govinda]

Just a quick thing to say that Fishie and I are going to 'battle', to train up a little. It'll be cool, I think! We'll pwn the rest of you once we know what we're doing, just watch.

Speaking of fencing, the Spanish girl in my French class was talking about how the AUSU Fencing Team have a tradition of eating too much ice cream as punishment when they lose a tournament.

I think that's cool. I'm not really awake. Okay. Well. Just a word.

Cheerybye

[T.G. Oskar]

Whoo....that is some workout. Govi/Pablo, and Fishie, you may think again. I can't wait to finish this battle. Sinis has given me quite the workout, and he's pretty much ready. I should do this more often. Perhaps, after we finish, I might duke it again. I'm especially eager to see what would happen with a Oskar/Gabrielle fight, since essentially we are from the same race (except a different name, but that's artistic license. Who'd think about it?)

Eager to see the third battle go into fruition. I hope it's entertaining. At least, to last a few days or something...

One final thing. I like the Govinda name. She likes the Pablo name. I will formally refer with both names, as I can't decide upon one name or the other.

Decisions, decisions...

[Fishie]

Originally posted by Sinister
(sorry about sp I'm typing on my PS3 ^^; )

I envy you bro. I hope you're having an awesome time playing it. Assasin's Creed and Heavenly Sword FTW!

Originally posted by Pablo Honey
Just a quick thing to say that Fishie and I are going to 'battle', to train up a little. It'll be cool, I think! We'll pwn the rest of you once we know what we're doing, just watch.

haha Exactly!! We shall. Don't underestimate Shasta and Doughboy!!! We're gangsta.

On a serious note, I've have my RPB character sign-up for our RPB by tonight or tommorow for sure. I have a busy weekend at TFF. I'll be putting up pieces of poems I've been working on. I've decided to join Lunasa's RP and I need to work on Ann's RP as well.

[T.G. Oskar]

Um...again on inactivity. I excuse for not being here for the last few days, but I've had the server issues affecting me. Hopefully this'll stay fine, but if you hadn't watched me on the last days, I beg your pardon.

On other terms, I believe that the battle between Sinis and I has reached a finish, because I can't seem to make a move, and neither do him. A draw? Well, I cannot say, but that is a very good first battle. Cheers for more to come.

Well...I believe that's all I can honestly say. I added you guys to the family (though I believe you've noticed). Happy Easter, ladies and gents!!

...however you celebrate it, mind you.