[Simas Polchias]

im starting to think the IF is a consciousness giving device, an tekne operating system. a device that give flesh life from the scrane to the bashrag. But a creature that already has consciousness ie humans, nonman get a extra consciousness placed into them, similar to Ses heart and the mandate. a force that "drives" the flesh that is the body and the consciousness itself is driven by fear.

Wow. Much creepy, very consulty.

Also, your guess reminded me about Peter Watt's themes (intelligence without consciousness, philosophical zombies etc) & his short story "The Things", which is written from a perspective of the eponymous horror-film monster, while it's trying to understand the bodies of people it occupies. Quite an apologetical story, I must add.

[EkyannusIII]

No one wants damnation, but what the Inverse Fire shows, perhaps, is so factual, so seemingly determined, that it grants you escapism through the most extreme nihilism.  Damnation is insurmountable, salvation seemingly unobtainable, so hence why the Consult takes the alternative route of disabling damnation, not seeking salvation.

This has always been the oddest part of Bakkerverse's theologies to me.  There is literally no discussion of atonement and salvation on the part of anyone, even in regards to Inri Sejenus, which is a weird and glaring omission given that Sejenus is Not!Jesus.  The closest thing you get is the mention that some of the Hundred will save you to their particular, presumably customized and this distorted, paradise if you are a good customer of theirs. It's curiously lopsided.

[Wilshire]

Or, their own special form of hell. Its not even being saved, just picking your own misery.

[H]

There is the possibility that damnation is, essentially, unforgivable.  Once damned, always damned.  If you didn't back the right horse from the get go, you just lose.

I don't really believe that, but I think it is possible that Earwa is like that.

[Wilshire]

It certainly seems like that is what is presented so far.

[Somnambulist]

Mimara tells Galian it's not too late to change, as he's about to do some nasty stuff to her.  Difficult to say if she's just saying that, trying to appeal to whatever spark of humanity he might have left, or if she knows it based on her experience with the JE.  Implications.

[H]

Mimara tells Galian it's not too late to change, as he's about to do some nasty stuff to her.  Difficult to say if she's just saying that, trying to appeal to whatever spark of humanity he might have left, or if she knows it based on her experience with the JE.  Implications.

Indeed, that is a good question.  Also, she might actually believe it's true when it really isn't.

That being said, I do think one could be redeemed from damnation, but only if one completely devoted themselves to a god and venerated them with some overwhelming fidelity.

[Odium]

The Inverse Fire is named in Cunuroi or some other language in TGO, I think. If anyone could remind me what that name is (I can't seem to find it in my copy) I would be much obliged!

Edit - I actually ended up finding it. Xir’kirimakra

[Madness]

Was that in TGO or The False Sun, Odium?

[H]

Was that in TGO or The False Sun, Odium?

False Sun.

[Madness]

Just wondering if I missed a name drop in TGO. Lol.

[H]

Just wondering if I missed a name drop in TGO. Lol.

Yeah, I believe I said it before some where, but the spolier warning on the False Sun really doesn't seem to be about any of the books so far...which means, it must have spoilers for TUC...

[The Sharmat]

Belated "Why is it the Inverse Fire" comment here, but: I just assumed it was a play on Tolkien's concept of "The Secret Fire" (the power of true creation) and didn't think about it any further than that.

[Madness]

Belated "Why is it the Inverse Fire" comment here, but: I just assumed it was a play on Tolkien's concept of "The Secret Fire" (the power of true creation) and didn't think about it any further than that.

I've always assumed there's some kind of nod there but don't know the Silmarillion well enough to start guessing.

[The Sharmat]

IIRC (it's been years) The Secret Fire was the hidden power of creation that Eru Iluvatar used to create the world. All the Valar and Maiar could do was manipulate what was already created. Melkor's deep envy for this power caused his initial rebellion.