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Entry tags:
High Priestess: Solomon's Temple [Action] [Open]
Who: Lucy, participants
When: May 17, midnight
Where: Genessia City Library
Music: The Fate
A pale woman, in a pale gown, strode slowly towards the Genessia library. She spoke to the communicator.
"It would seem that no one in this world knows the way out of it. Very well; I will pierce the mystery, and uncover the secret of Genessia, and how to escape. To do this, I will need a place of contemplation."
She turned toward the large, ware-house like building. She raised her free hand, and delicately, slowly drew it across her vision.
The environment drastically changed, as if she were lifting the veil of an entire landscape. The night sky became clearer; the stars were blotted out in a wave, leaving only a sliver of moon for illumination. And yet, without starlight, the atmosphere was drastically clearer. Not a cloud remained in the sky, nor anything that might obstruct vision in the slightest. The grounds were wiped out of almost all furnishings. Park benches, monuments, even the roads seemed to simply vanish. All that replaced them was a measure of water, a few inches deep and extending for two miles in all directions.
The water was utterly serene, with nary a ripple or wave to be seen. The air was silent; all the nocturnal chatter of insects and buzzing electronics ceased, as if put to an endless sleep.
As the landscape, so the central building. The library, made of efficient, common materials, peeled away to reveal something much more ornate. Stone and glass gave way to gold, silver, and precious stones. Conventional gray was whitewashed into ivory-white. By degrees, the library was transformed into a temple. palm leaves at its feet, and a line of small pomegranate trees adorned either side of the main pathway leading up to its center door. The change finally finished, and she let down her arm.
The woman walked towards the center, gown trailing in the waters. It seemed as though the reverberations of her feet were the only disturbance the liquid would ever know. The doors opened for her, and she addressed her device.
"If any of you are fit to assist me in my endeavor, join me. But beware: not all are worthy. Only the wise among you may abide with me in this holy place. In two days, I shall either have the answer, or..." she glanced towards the moon, a look of fear disturbing her otherwise calm demeanor for an instant. "The waters will overtake." Gently, she held out her arm, and dropped the communicator into the depths.
As it bobbed up and down before finally sinking, the last thing one sees is her black hair, ascending up the temple steps. She enters, and the door is shut.
Here begins the super-fun High Priestess event. Before we begin, a few facts about the area around the library:
When: May 17, midnight
Where: Genessia City Library
Music: The Fate
A pale woman, in a pale gown, strode slowly towards the Genessia library. She spoke to the communicator.
"It would seem that no one in this world knows the way out of it. Very well; I will pierce the mystery, and uncover the secret of Genessia, and how to escape. To do this, I will need a place of contemplation."
She turned toward the large, ware-house like building. She raised her free hand, and delicately, slowly drew it across her vision.
The environment drastically changed, as if she were lifting the veil of an entire landscape. The night sky became clearer; the stars were blotted out in a wave, leaving only a sliver of moon for illumination. And yet, without starlight, the atmosphere was drastically clearer. Not a cloud remained in the sky, nor anything that might obstruct vision in the slightest. The grounds were wiped out of almost all furnishings. Park benches, monuments, even the roads seemed to simply vanish. All that replaced them was a measure of water, a few inches deep and extending for two miles in all directions.
The water was utterly serene, with nary a ripple or wave to be seen. The air was silent; all the nocturnal chatter of insects and buzzing electronics ceased, as if put to an endless sleep.
As the landscape, so the central building. The library, made of efficient, common materials, peeled away to reveal something much more ornate. Stone and glass gave way to gold, silver, and precious stones. Conventional gray was whitewashed into ivory-white. By degrees, the library was transformed into a temple. palm leaves at its feet, and a line of small pomegranate trees adorned either side of the main pathway leading up to its center door. The change finally finished, and she let down her arm.
The woman walked towards the center, gown trailing in the waters. It seemed as though the reverberations of her feet were the only disturbance the liquid would ever know. The doors opened for her, and she addressed her device.
"If any of you are fit to assist me in my endeavor, join me. But beware: not all are worthy. Only the wise among you may abide with me in this holy place. In two days, I shall either have the answer, or..." she glanced towards the moon, a look of fear disturbing her otherwise calm demeanor for an instant. "The waters will overtake." Gently, she held out her arm, and dropped the communicator into the depths.
As it bobbed up and down before finally sinking, the last thing one sees is her black hair, ascending up the temple steps. She enters, and the door is shut.
Here begins the super-fun High Priestess event. Before we begin, a few facts about the area around the library:
- Normal rules of libraries apply: No outside food or drink, no roughhousing, no cell phone use, and absolutely no superpowers. This is a library, not a coliseum you philistines! In addition, the temple itself is impregnable to all methods of entry, except, of course, the puzzles.
- The water has no apparent source, it simply ends two miles out. That said, as the two-day duration expires, they will get rougher and wilder. They're at their calmest now.
- Despite the duration being two days, the moon hangs perpetually in the sky, and it's always night. It will gradually fill into a full moon, and grow larger as well, whipping the waters into greater and more violent tides.
- The atmosphere has a slight calming effect, the most noticeable change being a marked indifference towards the passage of time. In addition, the heavy focus on mental facilities will put to rest most ordinary bodily process. In layman's terms, while here, your characters won't have to eat, sleep, or go to the bathroom.
- All employees of the library will be shewed off back into their homes, and unable to return to work for the in-game duration of the event. In the off-chance they were working at midnight, they will simply be warped back to their homes.
Think that about covers it. As for how to participate? Your character must simply approach the doors with a will to enter. Their first puzzle will come to them then. It's probably better to enter as a group, rather than run separate instances. Still, if you don't mind going through even if others have proceeded ahead, that's fine. Just be sure not to read any other comments than your own, if you wish to avoid spoilers or getting answers ahead of time.
Genessia's trial of wisdom is about to begin. The first puzzle will arrive shortly...
no subject
Jachin took all their things giddily, leaving Ejava's heavy sword to his brother, and smiling as Boaz struggled.
B: So you won't be dissuaded. *sigh* Very well, follow us.
The two brothers opened the doors, and led the way. They glided along a singular hallway, with countless books lining either side of them. Jachin was overjoyed, and tried to start up conversation about anything, so long as it had to do with facts. What were the crowning achievements of their philosophers? What were the cultural differences in their thought? What was their favorite food? No subject was too insignificant for him.
Boaz was content to remain silent, challenging or clarifying a bit, but otherwise leaving Jachin to his chatter. The sounds of water gently lapping could be heard outside, and the lighting was like moonlight, if odd for its constancy.
B: It may come as a surprise to you all that we've journeyed for an hour already. As...absorbing as you all find my brother, this is due instead to The Lady. She has constructed this temple for the express purpose of intellectual search. All other activities that might impede that have come to a halt, including any weariness that comes from the passage of time. And before you ask, no, I do not know how much longer we have to go, largely because that will depend on how long you take.
J: That almost sounded comforting. If you miss eating purely out of comfort, we have a supply of pomegranates on hand. My brother will tell you to eat the flesh, but I think that's just a test. I hope. Anyway, don't. Eat the flesh of the seeds instead.
Besides the look of books, the scenery had remained constant till now, as the path split. Jachin went to the left, Boaz to the right.
B: This is the next trial. Here your wisdom shall be tested in a more abstract sense.
J: Yes, not so much in its application, as its very nature. As it's a trickier subject, this trial has different rules.
To start, my brother and I will both take a different position regarding the question. There are two answers, and we'll represent each, making arguments for both. This is purely to stimulate your own thoughts, if you find it unnecessary, well...
B: Then please don't hesitate to shut us up. The rules are these: each of you must come down on one position or the other. No matter which you choose, you will be able to progress to the next riddle. However, choose wrongly, and a cost will be exacted, though less severe than failure at a riddle. You get one guess. You may vote as you please; unlike the riddles, these intersections allow for disagreement.
J: Please understand, we don't do this to harm. The Lady merely wants to insure that in addition to brainpower, you also have a balanced view on wisdom as a whole. That way she can filter those who are truly wise, and, well...
B: Fools who just so happen to do well at puzzles. [He gives Luke a look] Are you prepared for the dividing question?
1st Intersection: The plurality of wisdom
B: Not surprisingly, I disagree. (walks to the right) I say wisdom is best attained alone. I believe she left the library open for two reasons: as a courtesy, and because it is, after all, a public library. I seriously doubt whether anyone less wise than she could meaningfully contribute, and if they could, they should not need any outside help. You cannot even talk at once without the speech being rendered unintelligible; to think that group thought, with all its dissension and noise, could produce anything worthy is risible. In the end, the answer that was given was given by one mouth, speaking by itself. Need I mention how group study so often dissolves into mere socializing?
J: There you have it. Stand by the brother you most agree with, and we shall take you further.
no subject
She can empathize with Boaz rather strongly. If she had been in Genessia on her own, perhaps she would have been more in agrement with the other brother.
"Both brothers raise points that resonate with me. However.." The Guardian makes her way over toward Jachin. "Even with its faults I feel, for myself, a counsel is superior."
no subject
I choose counsel."
The Roseblack, as well, approached Jachin.
Puzzle #2: Micromanagement
Jachin: Just a slip of the tongue. Come along, and see if you've chosen correctly.
Boaz went his surly way while Jachin guided the rest of them along, gliding with a bit more pluck. They were rejoiced by boaz a minute later.
Jachin: I'm pleased to say that you've chosen correctly! Counsel is, of course, the best way to gain knowledge. Three heads are better than one, as they say. I'm glad you weren't silly enough to be persuaded by my brother. Always remember: just because someone speaks last, doesn't mean they're correct.
On he went for the next two hours. The conversation drifted on towards what kind of subjects they liked best in school, if they went. What areas of study do they wish they could pursue, if they had the time? The meaning of this would become clear when they reached the next room.
Moonlight poured into the room, casting its pale light on the bookshelves that lined the perimeter of the rectangular office they found themselves in. At the center stood five statues, each two feet apart. They were in the shape of women, each with different hairstyles and granite clothing. Behind them lay corridors, each with a different subject chiseled on the back wall: Biology, Math, History, English (or Grammar/language, if you prefer), and psychology. Upon closer inspection, each girl's name could be read on her chest. Alice, Brittany, Carol, Diane, and Eve. Each of the girl statues had embedded into her forehead a dial, which could be twisted to land on the numbers two, four, six, eight, and ten.
B: This is your next puzzle. As is so often the case, the wise must guide the steps of their lessors. Decisions that are impossible can become manageable under the guidance of the prudent.
Prove that you have the ability to do this. Each of these young women know neither their intended course of study, nor how long to spend studying. What you do know, however, is that each girl will occupy a different subject, and a different amount of time studying.
J: In other words, you must find five sets, composed of a girl, a subject, and a time allotted for study, none of which shall repeat. So, for example, Alice and Eve may not both be set to eight hours, nor can they both be put in the same subject.
B: To do this, push the statues into their correct corridors, then wind the timers in their skulls to the proper amount. As before, you have two attempts to get it right. You will have the following hints to guide you...
Re: Puzzle #2: Micromanagement
2. Alice must spend either 4 hours a week studying, or study history
3. Diane studies 2 hours less than the girl who studies history
4. The girl who studies psychology needs to study 4 hours more than the girl who studies math
5. Eve should study more than Brittany
6. of Eve and Carol, one should study for 6 hours a week, and another should English
7. Whomever studied biology should study 2 hours more than Carol
Boaz: This should be sufficient to correctly place each of the girls. Let me know if you are ready to submit an answer, or if you need help moving the statues, though personally I don't find them very heavy.
Apprentice Puzzle-Solver to the Rescue!
It doesn't take him too long before he pops back to his feet. The notebook page is a mess of scribbles by now, but it must make sense to him.
"Um, Miss Kiryuin? Miss...Guardian...General Tepet?" He tilts his head. "I've got the answer, but--um. I know I can't push the statues alone. And I can't reach the clocks."
Regardless, he startles rattling off the solution just the same. "Brittany studies math for 2 hours. Eve studies English for 4 hours. Carol studies psychology for 6 hours. Diane studies biology for 8 hours. And last, Alice studies history for 10 hours."
Intersection #2: The completeness of wisdom
"Masterfully done, and on your first try too! We'll meet the Lady in no time at this rate."
It would be four hours until their next stop, Jachin trying to fill the time by again talking about anything and everything. Thus far, seven hours had passed since the group first entered the temple. One could hear a sound similar to the ocean as the waves increased in noise. It was still a gentle lapping.
J: And now we come to our next intersection. The question is this: Is a little knowledge a dangerous thing? In the interests of fairness, I'll get the last word this time. If you would, Boaz.
B: Very well. (goes to the right) I agree; incomplete knowledge leads to harm. It is always the greenhorn who talks most, filling a lack of wisdom with many words. That speck of intelligence can give one the confidence to set upon a course of action that a real understanding would circumvent. Few know how dangerous it is to teach, especially in the way of wisdom. If you idly pass on what little you understand, that fraction of knowledge will doom its listeners to folly, said listeners lulled into the false belief that they "know it all", when nothing could be further from the truth.
J: (goes to the left) I disagree; a little knowledge is not a dangerous thing. Is the transmission of knowledge not the very reason this temple was built? Do we put warning labels on all of the books that read: "Warning: make sure you finish the whole thing"? Every bit of wisdom is precious, and should be treasured as such. That would be like scorning your personal plot of land because you did not own the entire country! The idea that only total comprehension is worthwhile is extremism to the...extreme!
B: Make your choice, seekers.
no subject
"It may be that a little knowledge is a necessary step on the way to greater knowledge. It may be that it is well worth the danger. Yet that doesn't mean the danger isn't there."
no subject
However in her mind there's no question that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. But that doesn't mean that there are times that she's forced to act upon what little she knows anyway. (And she herself has experienced such backfires). She wordlessly joins Boaz with a frown on her features. Deeper than usual.
no subject
On the one hand, he understands Ejava's point--the lack of knowledge can lead one to make poor decisions based on half-truths, and those half-truths can perpetuate themselves quickly to negative outcomes. Fast. On the other, waiting until one knows the whole story could result in missing the opportunity to act.
But what about choosing to act while you have the opportunity based on the knowledge you had then, making the most educated decision they could. For example, they're all in here now--and they don't know the whole story yet, do they?
If Luke had waited until he truly understood the Spectre of Misthallery before he'd contacted the Professor so many years ago, then they'd never had solved the mystery...
Luke crosses his arms before taking a half-step towards Boaz. Then, he stops, frozen.
"I have a question before I decide. Is that allowed?"
When Boaz grumbles his assent, he scuffs his shoes against the ground, looking at his feet. He's pretty sure he would've liked better if Jachin had said he could ask another question more than Boaz, but beggars can't be choosers.
"Do you mean the knowledge being incomplete, all by itself, is dangerous? Or do mean actions taken as a result of that knowledge are dangerous?" He glances up, and then back down to his shoes--Satsuki and Ejava had answered without issue, and here he is making a fuss. "Because that clarification makes a difference."
no subject
Jachin: Perhaps I can clear things up. We are talking, primarily, about the effect it has on men. Listening to my brother, he would say that the trouble with a "little knowledge" is the puffing up effect it has on the listener; in other words, it inflames pride. From there, he says, ruinous consequences are sure to follow.
Boaz: You may try and cut action and the thought behind it into water-tight pieces, but in practice one almost always follows the other. The ignorant know what they do not know, and the learned know what they know truly. The ones in-between are the fools and harbingers of folly.
Jachin: That contention is one I disagree with, finding all knowledge so lovely that the thought of abstinence for the sake of all-or-nothingness is abhorrent to me. Does that help?
Boaz: It ought to. I tend to doubt the genuineness of these questions; as you had hoped, brother, they are all lock-step thinkers. That the youngest among them would seriously consider thinking apart is too unlikely to countenance.
'lil nonconformist
So he hesitantly takes a few steps closer to Jachin, his gaze still on his shoes as he does so.
"When you don't know everything about something, you're aware of that. And you have to know that. And I suppose not everyone knows--"
He fidgets. Will they split them up? Will he get into trouble?
"--but, we're all here, right now, following you two. And I don't know all about what you're doing, and I'm still following you so isn't that the same as having incomplete knowledge? Making a decision, an educated if incomplete decision, based on what I already know."
He chews on his lip, swallowing. "I don't like having a different answer than everyone else. But sometimes you can't know everything about something."
Both hands are stuffed into his pockets and he tilts his gaze until his expression is obscured by his hat. "...it's kind of...um, conceited, I suppose, or silly, to think you could know everything about something, too."
no subject
"Even taking into account what has happened thus far, do you believe that we are not in danger at this very moment?"
no subject
He keeps looking at his shoes, too nervous to look up and meet anyone's gaze.
"This is dangerous. But..." Luke pauses before continuing. "When I asked the Professor to come and help, when the Spectre was destroying my whole town, I was sure it was the end of the world. I knew what I knew about the it...and he and his assistant Emmy came and we found out the rest. But we..."
Luke swallows, and then glances up at Satsuki. "Not knowing everything isn't good, and it can lead to harm, but it doesn't always. Sometimes incomplete knowledge just leads to learning the rest."
Even still, he takes a step away from Jachin, because he doesn't want to be split from the group, because it's clear he's being told to change his mind, that his decision is wrong. But he doesn't go far--he's only moved a step or so, otherwise rooted in place. He might want to appease Satsuki, but he just doesn't completely agree.
no subject
"You are focused on the process of learning.. Which may not be a bad thing, really, since that further leans toward Boaz's point. What you knew played its part, but it was due to the gained knowledge that the situation was diffused. This also applies to situations of a smaller scale. Consider that you have a spanish test at the end of the year. Will you pass if you attend all of your classes, or is the knowledge obtained from attending a few classes enough?"
"Even if you may not be fully convinced that Boaz is correct, perhaps you may come to see that Jachin is less so."
no subject
He remains rooted in place, nervously fiddling with his fingernails as he contemplates her answer. Satsuki has now gone from making it relatively clear to crystal clear that she is expecting him to come and side with her and Ejava.
Luke shakes his head slightly and turns to Boaz.
"Mr. Boaz."
He has to encourage himself to ask his question, to not fidget nervously as he does so, taking a steady breath. "If incomplete knowledge is dangerous, what are we supposed to do while we're learning?"
Unspoken is that here he is, the youngest here, still learning, still trying to understand. Is it better for the young and inexperienced to follow the wisdom of others, or to follow the understanding that they believe to be true?
no subject
Unfortunate for him, then, that Luke's doubt caused the apprentice to relentlessly question him for clarification. Boaz was reluctant to give it, hoping that his curt and insubstantial replies would make Luke leave him alone.
It didn't work. Eventually, Boaz was worn down, and he tried to impress these points upon the boy, careful to let him know that compulsion was not his aim:
1. Forget about what either position implies, or portends, or makes him feel, etc. Focus only on which is the wiser position.
2. Do not take either position to a ridiculous extreme. Stop referencing personal anecdotes or bizarre exceptions; instead, think of them as if they were "rules of thumb" rather than mandates.
Both of their irritations levels were fairly high. Boaz strict compliance to the law made him anxious of breaking it, so he tried to make it very clear that this was not meant to color Luke's opinions whatsoever, and that he must not let it. It was meant only to clarify the question and Boaz' position thereon, and only at Luke's explicit request. The fact that Boaz didn't like Luke and hated to wait for his indecision didn't help things.
Luke, on the other hand, was irritated at Boaz for two main reasons: He did, as some sensitive boys do, crave approval and fear wrath from adults, and just plain didn't like the guy, as most people would when confronted with someone so unpleasant.
Jachin did try and alleviate his brother's vexation by offering a bit more defense, but in the end, Boaz hoped that he had made things crystal clear, and not broken the law by adding more words than he ought.
Puzzle #3: Bird Balance
Jachin: That was a dirty trick you pulled, brother!
Boaz: Hmm?
Jachin: Don't play coy! I heard your little comment to the boy about "lock-step thinkers", as if them being united in discerning wisdom were a vice!
B: You're the one who held the incorrect view. If any should feel guilty about misleading someone, it is you.
J: Don't change the subject! You knew that practically all men of his age and experience have a rebellious urge; a need for separation and individuation! You knowingly appealed to it in an attempt to make him choose vanity!
B: Ah, that riddle was puzzling to me. Did Luke lean towards you out of imbecility, or immature temperament? In the end, I suppose it doesn't really matter.
J: Oooh, you fiend! What part of the law says that we must test their sentiments, on top of everything else?
B: None, though if one is foolish enough to put their juvenile yearnings above the pursuit of wisdom, they're manifestly unworthy. Besides, your accusations are all mere sentiments themselves; I should like to see you prove any of it.
J: Of course, the one well-versed in the law is the one who knows best how to wriggle around it. Your heart is as black as your skin! If you don't apologize, I won't speak to you the rest of the way!
B: I'll endeavor to endure it.
Jachin was quick to realize the weakness of the threat, but in honor of it he was quiet the rest of the journey anyway, inwardly fuming. After two hours of the silent treatment, Jachin sighed, relaxing his pace and letting Boaz get ahead. He sided up to Luke, and tried to whisper in his ear. "Try not to be angry with my brother. I know he can be difficult. Though we were both created to uphold this temple, our purposes often cross. It's a necessary, if at times trying, arrangement."
Jachin was still upset, and held his tongue, save for saying that if they grew bored on the way, they were welcome to peruse the many, many books they passed by. The only stipulation was that they be capable of walking and reading at once, and that they'd return whatever they borrowed.
The waters outside churned, slowly increasing in turbulence. Five hours passed since their last trial before they arrived at their next challenge.
******
Two features immediately struck out at them. The first was a gigantic bird, resting to their left. Luke might know of it as a Goliath Heron, though the one before him was far larger than even that mighty name would suggest. The second was the path ahead. They stood on a platform overlooking a watery expanse. In the far distance, if one's eyesight was keen, you could make out a similar platform on the other side. But water wasn't just below them, it was also above. The sky and the ground beneath both carried seemingly endless fathoms of water.
Jachin: Welcome to the next puzzle! You have previously set five young women on the path to academic success. Now you must lower yourselves, and properly train this dumb beast. (he gives the bird a pat on the wing)
Boaz: This heron will carry you across the way to your next destination, provided you set it up correctly. As Jachin mentioned, it is not well trained, sometimes flying too low or too high, like Icarus. We've devised a scheme of weights attached to its legs to insure that it will reach the proper flight elevation. Unfortunately, a saboteur has tampered with one of the weights. That deviancy must be removed if you hope to reach the next section dry.
Jachin: My brother can be surprisingly sensitive. And since he's shown such a fondness for unnecessary burdens, I believe now might be a good time to task him with this puzzle's operations.
Boaz: *sigh* Very well. None are permitted to handle these weights except myself and my brother. I cannot tell you their exact measurements; only by comparing them in any amount or arrangement you choose will you be able to find which is the odd one out. By putting some of them in either hand, I can tell you which load is heavier or lighter. You may attempt a weighing three times; after that I will tire.
In other words, you must find the mismatched weight, whether it be lighter or heavier than the rest, in three attempts. You are allowed two guesses, but the answer may reset if you fail the first time.
(There are 12 weights in total, all sizable masses of stone with differing shapes: a car, a school, a cottage, a book, a girl with short hair, a girl with long hair, a couch, a pen, an infant, a cat, an envelope, and an old man. Using any combination of weights on either of Boaz' hands, try and figure out which weighs differently than the rest in 3 trials. Good luck!)
Re: Puzzle #3: Bird Balance
"The first step must be that which cuts the problem down to the fewest possibilities. Weighing halves against each other will not be sufficient. There is a way instead to separate the blocks into thirds."
She stood up pointing out four of the blocks. "These you will weigh in your left hand," Indicating another group of four, she continued, "and these in your right. The last four blocks will remain on the ground."
"If the right hand group is heavier, then the sabotaged block must either be heavier and in the right hand, or lighter and in the left; the reverse if the hands are switched. If the groups are the same, then the mismatched piece can only be in the group that remains unweighed."
Re: Puzzle #3: Bird Balance
"The load in my left hand (1-4) is lighter."
Puzzle #3: Bird Balance
"The weights on the ground have to all be the same, right? Because there are twelve weights in all, and eleven of them are the same weight. That means that the ones on the ground can't be different, or there'd be more than two different weights."
He chews his lip contemplatively before looking at the weights in Boaz's left hand. "I think then we need to weigh those four weights, in two groups. Whichever is the lighter side has the different weight, and then you just weigh those two against each other."
He doesn't instruct Boaz to do that. Instead, he turns to Ejava and Satsuki to quietly ask their approval.
Re: Puzzle #3: Bird Balance
I never would have solved this ;-;
"Oh....but if we know that those eight weights have the mismatched weight, then those four on the ground are all exactly the same, right?"
Luke points as he speaks, tilting his head. "Can you weigh that first weight there? And then, swap out those three next to it please with three on the ground that we know are correct weights. Then, take those three--on your right hand, please, and put them on the ground. Put the other three from your left hand there."
When he realizes this probably sounds confusing, he adds: "let's pretend those weights in your left hand are 1, 2, 3 and 4. The ones in your right are 5, 6, 7 and 8. The ones on the floor don't matter at all. Take off weights 2, 3,4, 6, 7 and 8. Put three of the weights on the floor in your left hand, and then put the weights 2, 3 and 4 in your right. And then, please weigh them."
"Please!" Puzzle solving should never be rude.
Intersection #3: The foundation of wisdom
Jachin: Well done! It took you a while, but I'm glad that you were tenacious enough to solve it all the way through. With that defect out of the way, the bird can now soar as it used to. Everyone climb aboard!
Without struggle, the giant heron took off, carrying them to the next hallway. It flew smoothly, with little turbulence. The same could not be said for the waters heard outside; those were churning, and growing violent.
***
A day had passed since they'd ventured inside. The brothers stopped at their third intersection.
Jachin: Ah, I like this one! I'll start. *ahem* This question concerns the base upon which wisdom ultimately rests. My view is that is does so, somewhat paradoxically, on faith. For proof, look around you. See all the books that surround us. I don't wish to be morbid, but most of them were written by men now dead. In other words, for their transmission of knowledge to be successful, they'll require that you take what they've written on faith.
It's just the same with almost any knowledge, when you think about it. This isn't a precise statistic, but I'd go so far as to say that ninety percent of what you "know" is, in fact, based on faith. On what people have told you, what you've heard. If one cannot make that leap, one's knowledge will be very small indeed.
Boaz: I say that knowledge, real knowledge, is based upon personal experience. Can you really know anything until you've experienced it for yourself? Anyone can say anything, and claim that the truth is theirs. People often do. To take that knowledge on faith is to make an unjustifiable assumption in the veracity of one whose knowledge you've never tested. And if it needs be tested; needs be filtered, why rely on them at all? Better to know for yourself, and stand apart from faith.
Re: Intersection #3: The foundation of wisdom
Re: Intersection #3: The foundation of wisdom
(no subject)
Luke is going to f things up again isn't he gdi
nah, being right by coincidence is still being right :V
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Final Intersection: The potency of wisdom
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Final Puzzle: Choose the End
Luke is here to save the day. But first, let's solve this puzzle
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Hope you didn't want those feels today. Luke will solve the puzzles later, k?
U- ugh... *collapses*
Re: U- ugh... *collapses*
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All the way to the middle of July
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/joins thread unashamedly
Nope, no shamelessness for Luke.
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nah it's k, Luke hasn't met his monthly trauma quota yet
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