Tales from the Dawn #3: "A Question of Life" (Hermes)

[tokinokanatae]

I dunno, Emet-Selch's line about whether half of the sundered would sacrifice their lives for the other kind of loses its weight if what he actually meant was "would half of you agree to be temporarily inconvienced until the other half figures out how to fix it?"

They died. It's like saying Papalymo didn't really sacrifice himself, he's just taking a temporary dip in the Aetherial Sea. Or what Ysayle did for us was no biggie because it's not like she gave up the possibility of reincarnation. Why bother getting upset over Haurchefant? Sure, his life was cut short, but his aether still exists, so no problem.

[KariTheFox]

They died. It's like saying Papalymo didn't really sacrifice himself, he's just taking a temporary dip in the Aetherial Sea. Or what Ysayle did for us was no biggie because it's not like she gave up the possibility of reincarnation. Why bother getting upset over Haurchefant? Sure, his life was cut short, but his aether still exists, so no problem.

The intention of the third sacrifice is to bring them back from the dead. Not reincarnate them or let them return to the aetheric sea, but fully and completely restore and revive them.

If that had been successful, then the finality of thier deaths would no longer have any sting. If they had sacrificed themselves assuming they would be brought back to life later, then thier sacrifices would be less meaningful than Ysayle or Papalymo's, who understood they were going to die and there was no coming back.

Edit: And just to be clear, I don't think the people of the first two sacrifices knew about any plans to try to revive them, because I do think those sacrifices are particularly meaningful and show the deep love and dedication the ancients had towards each other and thier star.

[tokinokanatae]

The intention of the third sacrifice is to bring them back from the dead. Not reincarnate them or let them return to the aetheric sea, but fully and completely restore and revive them.

If that had been successful, then the finality of thier deaths would no longer have any sting. If they had sacrificed themselves assuming they would be brought back to life later, then thier sacrifices would be less meaningful than Ysayle or Papalymo's, who understood they were going to die and there was no coming back.

Edit: And just to be clear, I don't think the people of the first two sacrifices knew about any plans to try to revive them, because I do think those sacrifices are particularly meaningful and show the deep love and dedication the ancients had towards each other and thier star.

I don’t agree with this characterization and can’t think of a place in the text where anyone says anything about restoring the bodies of those that sacrificed themselves—if you know of one I’m missing, please do point it out, seriously—but even taking putting forth your idea as absolutely correct, Hien is still brave and laudable when he faces off against Zenos to buy time until we arrive to take up the fight.

This idea that only the Ancients have to be 100% okay with being forever cut off from the cycle of life and rebirth—to be denied their chance to be the lifeblood of the Star, as is so important to them culturally—in order for their actions to be noble has never made sense to me, admittedly.

[KariTheFox]

I don’t agree with this characterization and can’t think of a place in the text where anyone says anything about restoring the bodies of those that sacrificed themselves—.

And from A Friendship of Record

His devotees then resolved to sow new life─a bounty of souls to take the place of their sacrificed brethren. In time would they reap this crop, and by rendering it unto their god would the lost be returned, and the world restored to the paradise it was and ever should have been.