Dom_Delouise
Posts: 76
1/20/2015
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Mentally revisiting the Trade in Souls storylet, I was wondering exactly how one could go about choosing the life of a spirifier. I've never been able to RP evil characters, so there's that, but seriously, the level of depravity needed to take that path is shocking.
So, does anyone share my feelings? Or do any of you black hearts wish to speak?
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Dom_Delouise
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dragonridingsorceress
Posts: 622
1/20/2015
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Dom_Delouise wrote:
Mentally revisiting the Trade in Souls storylet, I was wondering exactly how one could go about choosing the life of a spirifier. I've never been able to RP evil characters, so there's that, but seriously, the level of depravity needed to take that path is shocking.
So, does anyone share my feelings? Or do any of you black hearts wish to speak?
I utterly adore playing start-of-darkness arcs, and have done so spectacularly in the past. Evil characters are fascinating to play, because they let me explore the extremes of life.
That said, I took the pocket watch. It helps that DragonRidingSorceress is not an evil character at all, but it felt wrong to steal souls away. (Well, except when I'm stealing them from Hell.)
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DragonRidingSorceress is an Author of good standing. Mostly good standing. She's happy to accept any social action except Photographer and Loitering, but requests warnings before duping/poisoning/etc.
Seeker of Names is a... being with an obsession. They're willing to accept all invitations.
One who seeks to know all that is and may be. One who dances in the silence of the void. One whose fantasies make the reality come alive.
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Dom_Delouise
Posts: 76
1/20/2015
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Thank you for the varied and interesting perspectives. As much as I detest the soul trade, I find my self agreeing with Estelle. The soul trade is here to stay, and people can make their own choices...that said, there is a vast gap between the willing exchange of a soul and the theft of one.
Curious point Asclepius! I'm mostly struck with how *inexpensive* souls are. A POSI can earn the equivalent price in a few day's work.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Dom_Delouise
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Snowskeeper
Posts: 575
1/21/2015
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The Devils are far more interested in the quality of the soul than they are in the number of souls obtained, as indicated by the fact that the Devils rarely give a d__m about individuals stealing souls from Spirifers, and by their insatiable lust for particularly brilliant and coruscating souls--see the Fidgeting Writer storyline for an example. There's a very good reason for this--one which I do not want to divulge in such an easily accessible place.
Estelle, do you judge a pawn broker who buys a particularly valuable figurine, without giving up their own personal collection? I'd recommend focusing on the Spirifer's method, not their character.
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S.F., a midnight midnighter and invisible eminence. Impossible to locate them, personally, but there are dead drops and agents.
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Snowskeeper
Posts: 575
1/21/2015
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Estelle Knoht wrote:
Snowskeeper wrote:
Estelle, do you judge a pawn broker who buys a particularly valuable figurine, without giving up their own personal collection? I'd recommend focusing on the Spirifer's method, not their character.
No, I don't. I don't judge devils and sprifers that buys expensive soul without giving up their own portfolio of souls, based on your odd analogy.
And why not character? Methods are based on character, after all. With good character come, if not decent methods, at least etiquette and courtesy. Just like educating cheesemongers about food safety and responsibility, instead of laying a thousand laws on the curdle of milk.
A sprifer who experienced soullessness and decided it is not for them, yet take the time to educate their suppliers? Commendable.
A sprifer who jealously guard their own soul and wet their Parabolan blanket when they get tricked by a passing devil, then rush to beg Urchins for her soul, then proceeds to tell everyone how wonderful it is to be soulless afterward? Disgraceful.
One need not give up one's collection to understand the general feeling that doing so would cause, having been told of it by their customers. And I think you're giving the Devils rather more credit than they deserve, as far as honesty in the Soul Trade is concerned.
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S.F., a midnight midnighter and invisible eminence. Impossible to locate them, personally, but there are dead drops and agents.
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deadcrystal
Posts: 125
1/20/2015
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I'd have been tempted by the fork, if the CVR card weren't so absurdly powerful. I mean, a total menace clear? Love it.
And what value a soul anyway? They don't seem to do anything important, if anything at all, why, liberating them is as noble as removing an appendix.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Alice~Darkmoor
A determined Dolphin - Alexis
Great Grind Empress, and Knife and Candle Queen
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Estelle Knoht
Posts: 1751
1/20/2015
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As a long-time Shepherd, you might think I strive to stop the Soul Trade in its gap.
I don't. I work more for something akin to customer protection. I work to give people an out if they regret selling their souls due to misinformation, or to return unjustly stolen soul like a detective returning a watch.
There will be people who sell their souls, and have no regret - all is well here.
Not so well are people who got their soul stolen in a nap, or misled to sold their 312.5 Echoes worth of a soul for a penny.
Perhaps soul really does nothing. But like an appendix or a spare kidney, it is so awfully hard to replace. It is awfully inconsiderate to steal that for a few penny.
I think Hell is probably staying, whatever City it is. Barring the withdrawal or complete eradication of Hell from the Neath, stopping the trade is impossible. Perhaps they do have a proper reason for needing so many souls. Perhaps they don't. We don't know much about soul.
But keeping an open and honest business does everyone a world of good, no?
I do have a particular dislike for sprifers that keeps their own soul, though. It is bad enough that you lack a license. But one should have first hand experience in soullessness to help their suppliers make better informed decisions.
Many of them will go on and on about how there's no harm in soullessness, but only the ones that don't squeal like a pig and run to the Urchins when their own soul are taken deserve my respect and help (not that they need it).
Regrettably, my colleagues don't think so.
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Estelle Knoht, a juvenile, unreliable and respectable lady.
I currently do not accept any catbox, cider, suppers, calling cards or proteges.
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babelfishwars
Administrator
Posts: 1152
1/20/2015
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Dom_Delouise wrote:
Mentally revisiting the Trade in Souls storylet, I was wondering exactly how one could go about choosing the life of a spirifier. I've never been able to RP evil characters, so there's that, but seriously, the level of depravity needed to take that path is shocking.
So, does anyone share my feelings? Or do any of you black hearts wish to speak?
What price a soul? Priceless, or worthless? Maintaining a market, ensuring it isn't flooded, hoarding the most spectacular examples - gives them value. Still, better I gather them than a devil, I say. I store them. Cherish them.
(I collect souls. I treasure them so much more carefully than their careless owners.)
Depraved? Moi? Oh, maybe a little. But not because of my caretaking of the spiritually profligate.
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Mars, God of Fish; Leaning Tower of Fish
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