[Voice/Action for Castlevania residents]

[what_is_a_man]

[Voice]

It has been some time, and I see that the creatures that are causing so much commotion around here are unlike anything I have seen before. That aside, I wish to ask the public a question. Should those who are undead truly be punished by Everglade's guardian for simply existing? It is not the dead who choose to roam the earth once more, and outlawing their existence is rather like blaming a man for being in the way of a knife as it sinks into his back.

[Action]

[It had been some time since Dracula had come out of his chambers in the Inverted Castle, leaving his house guests to fend for themselves. He had been both laying low since the encounter with Everglade's spirit, but also gathering his strength and attempting to come up with a plan of attack to destroy the spirit as well. Today however, he is in his throne room, looking... tired. Moreso than the walking corpse usually does. He had already dispatched a Fleaman to summon Sakuya to the throne, but it would undoubtedly be some time before the jittery creature approached her. For now, he simply sat, staring at the goblet of blood in his hand.]

Comments

[azaleafae]

[Azalea can wager a guess on what this is about. Of course she doesn't know the specifics, but the idea of one race fighting another just to survive. And this brings to mind the conflict back home between dragons and Beastclans.]

...Not for simply existing, no. Are you sure that's the true reason, though?

[what_is_a_man]

The "true" reason is because it exists outside what the current guardian sees as "right." A very narrow view of that concept as well. He does not care about those affected and would rather see them exterminated.

[Action]

[sakuya_izayoi]

It probably didn't take as long as Dracula anticipated. Only the time it took for the flea man to find and inform Sakuya. After all, with a simple tap of her watch she breached time's boundaries before making her way to the throne room. It was a bit strange really. It was rare that she be summoned like this, normally used to responding to those calling her name.

Still, she didn't question it, appearing in front of the thrown and bowing deeply, relaxed and completely calm. She didn't kneel though. She would only bend knee for Remilia. As was expected of a person in Sakuya's position. Some things must be reserved for the one she truly called master. "You sent for me Lord Tepes?"

[Action]

[what_is_a_man]

"Ah, yes, I did."

He took a moment to drain the goblet, setting it aside on the table near his throne before shifting his weight and crossing his legs. "I apologize for being out of touch with you and your mistress for some time. I have also noted the entrance of another vampire into my castle. I would like to meet with them."

voice;

[antibadstuff]

If anything, the laws should be to prevent the creation of the undead, not punish them if they're already there. Undead people can be good if they have souls or harmless if they have little chips in their head or- or are productive members of society. Provided they aren't going around murdering anyone but there are people who take care of that without law enforcement getting in the way. But, hey, people who got raised? Not at fault until they actually do something within their own will that deserves big punishment.

[ She's very, very adamant in her views about raising people from the dead and also humans not getting involved with demons in an organized fashion when they obviously have no idea what they're doing. She's seen both go the way of bad. ]

voice;

[what_is_a_man]

The ban on necromancy that is currently in affect, however, punishes those whose continued existence must be maintained through necromantic rituals and rites. To my knowledge, the undead population in Everglade have never been an issue in regards to keeping the peace, even those who raise the dead seem to do so for the benefit of the dead rather than themselves.

[dives_through_rock]

An interesting question... And I come from the standpoint of someone whose creation was definitely illegal. The Church's acceptance of me shows that, in the eyes of the Saint King, any who mean to do good are accepted... But on the other hand, I also kind of helped with something that ended in no modest number of deaths. My creator... Both won and lost, in the end. I'm glad to be free of him, now, but at the same time...

[what_is_a_man]

Your church sounds far more accepting than the one the current guardian and myself are familiar with. According to his faith, the undead are nothing more than a blight on the earth to be purged with holy fire. There is no tolerance in his dogma.

Voice;

[gammavirginis]

Ted is criminalizing necromancy, not undead.

Voice;

[what_is_a_man]

And what of those whose continued existence is reliant on routine necromantic rituals and rites? Should they be damned to a slow agonizing second death as their body decays and their minds remain?

voice;

[gullwingsgunner]

Well... I believe that they shouldn't be. However blaming those that bring them back to live without there permission should be punished because that's just unfair for those who didn't want to come back.

voice;

[what_is_a_man]

And what of the Necromancers who raise victims of violent crimes or natural disasters to give them a second chance at a life that was cut short? Should they be punished as well?

video;

[imnotcomplete]

[Daniella really had no idea how this thing worked. So when she manages to switch it on it only shows an eye staring back. She hasn't quite figured that she needs to hold it back.]

I don't quite understand all this commotion about zombies and blaming. What purpose was this all for?

voice;

[what_is_a_man]

[For now, Dracula is going to keep to audio, not feeling like putting on his aristocratic airs at the moment.]

The current guardian of Everglade has placed a blanket ban on any and all necromancy, which in turn is restricting the rights of the undead population within the city, primarily those who must renew their new found unlife through rituals.

[ audio ]

[deathsought]

Define 'undead.'

[ audio ]

[what_is_a_man]

Those who have died and come back to life, bear the curse of the nosferatu, or were otherwise artificially created.

Video

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy's looking a little unsure when she flips on the screen. She's been helping Ted and she doesn't think he's looking to do all that.]

Of course you shouldn't be punished for existing. It isn't your fault. I think it's just so that people don't misuse magic.

So that we can stop the knife... [She seems a little too kind-hearted but she hopes that she made sense.]

(Private)

[youfool]

Good of you to defend me, Levy, but it's for naught. Dracula did endanger the lives of...pretty much everyone in Genessia, come to think of it. It's doubtful that he's arguing in good faith.

By the by, are you handy when it comes to the arts? You seem pretty good with a pen. Can you draw?

Voice

[what_is_a_man]

And so you believe necromancy to be a wholly evil art? Consider then, if you would, those that raise the dead after a natural disaster, or victims of violent crimes so as to give them a second chance at life? Those practitioners are simply using their abilities in the service of justice in my eyes.

What our guardian fails to understand is that magic - in all its forms - is a tool. Alone it has no more agency than a sword locked away in a vault. It is the intent behind the wielder that makes something good or evil, and outlawing a branch of magic is as ludicrous as outlawing wrenches.

[Audio] Locked

[frostheartedrose]

[She'd listened to his posted question while drifting through the twisting and turning castle and certainly appreciated the opening of such a discussion. Blaming the child for being born, the creation for being created, Bridget could certainly understand the frustration of being considered an abomination simply for existing.]

These 'pocket monsters' are quite adorable at first but after some thought they cause me great concern. So innocent and open to having their powers abused. [A slight pause and suddenly something is purring very loudly near Bridget.] In any case, I haven't heard from you since the spirits broke loose. Are you faring well?

[Audio] Locked

[what_is_a_man]

I am well, if tired. I have been scouring my library for weeks without end, and to no avail. But that is not a matter to trouble yourself with my dear.

These creatures have their uses yes, but I find myself unable to commune with them without some difficulty. Centuries of being able to know instinctively what my minions are thinking have made communicating with these beasts... awkward.

[Video]

[purered]

Criminalizing dangerous magic is hardly akin to blaming the undead for their condition.

[Audio]

[what_is_a_man]

By that same token, perhaps we should outlaw scalpels as well. After all, in the hands of a madman, a scalpel is every bit as lethal and twice as painful as a dagger.

Necromancy is not some inherently evil thing, it requires intent, and while it can be used for evil, it can also be used for the benefit of all.

[Video]

[tonytonychopper]

[Hmmmm... After a long pause...]

From my experience, sometimes they're good, sometimes they're bad. But I really don't know all of what's going on. Is it something big enough that I should be alarmed?

[Video]

[what_is_a_man]

There is currently a ban on necromancy in Everglade, that is preventing those that rely on it to continue their existence from doing so in the open. Necromancy is not some great evil that the guardian makes it out to be, but rather a simple tool, that when banned causes more suffering than it prevents.

[Action]

[goddessinthefog]

[Izanami had been rather restless since her nephew left Genessia so suddenly...and after attempting, and failing, to find Dracula before, that hardly improved her mood. She had lashed out a few times now, taking on her true form for the explicit purpose of damaging as much as she could around her in a fit of hurt and rage. The castle would restore itself, she knew that.

Despite all that, though, the latest wave of strangeness crossing the cities had significantly calmed the Goddess' mood. Her little Bulbasaur seemed content to follow her everywhere, despite the feeling of death that clung around her. The other Pokémon she'd gathered kept her interest for a while, and she often doted on them, but that first one was definitely her favourite.

That evening, the sound of movement in the Throne Room caught her attention, as did the sight of a Fleaman leaving the room and scuttling down the hall...hm.

Once it was out of sight, she slipped into the room to investigate, pleasant surprise colouring her features as she saw the lord of the castle himself sat there.]

...It has been some time, Lord Tepes.

[The Pokémon followed her as always, settling at her heels and watching Dracula with a cautious curiosity.]

[Action]

[what_is_a_man]

[He glanced up as Izanami entered, taking a sip from the goblet. During his time researching he had been so consumed on his quest he had forgotten to feed for some time, leaving him somewhat drained.]

It has, and for that I apologize. I have been in my private quarters doing some research on our surroundings. Unfortunately, I have come up empty handed...