Book of Eddie, subsection 4.03.1 :
Deep in the heart of the EverQuest design teams' cubicles they sit and play their new creation exclaiming "Look at the way the Sword Swings" "boy is this a cool spell" "gotta sharpen those pixels on the orcs". When suddenly they stop, looking up in annoyance as a janitor comes in, stopping at the water cooler and emptying the trash. Spying a quarter, they picks it up and flips it saying "well who dropped this? lucky me!" and goes on his way. But the design teams eyes grow large in their head, and admist many a smack to the forehead and groans of "Doh!" and "Woah!", they discover a new thing. And they call it Treasure! And this Treasure is coded into the game, giving "Drops" (in honor of the Janitor).
And the High Priest (CEO) sees how this expands game play and encourages long life, and is pleased. He extends his blessing for it is good.
And EverQuest goes on for many many seasons. And the design team is congratulated and given bonuses, and the CEO if given larger bonuses, and the Shareholders become rich. and the Custodian (knowing not what he wroght) is given every hour of his work, an extra quarter - as reward for that which started it all...
And the High Priest (CEO) sees how this expands game play and encourages long life, and is pleased. He extends his blessing for it is good.
And EverQuest goes on for many many seasons. And the design team is congratulated and given bonuses, and the CEO if given larger bonuses, and the Shareholders become rich. and the Custodian (knowing not what he wroght) is given every hour of his work, an extra quarter - as reward for that which started it all...
I reflect upon this subsection and it makes me wonder my children. Wonder if we are still true to The Way. For you see, it brings to mind a conversation I had with one of our followers the other night. Let me share that conversation with you here.
Rev. Jax - (deep in thought, suddenly sitting bolt upright) arrgh!!
Follower - Reverend Jax! What is the matter?
Rev.Jax - Nothing my son. I just discovered some terrible news about our SL existance.
Follower - !! oh my! whatever is that Reverend?
Rev. Jax - it seems, young zack, that we (SL'ers) have no Souls!
Follower - *gasp*! no soul??? How can this be??? please explain Reverend!!
Rev. Jax - of course. See it is like this. I was musing about my time with another congregation ('nother game) and in that congregation they had Soul. now.. to them, Soul was a word used to quantify the motions their avatars made throughout the game. How they sat, how they stood, how they walked, etc.. And they could, when desired *change* the Soul of their Avatar to another preset, thus giving them a whole new look as they interacted with the world. In that SL does not have this. SL has no Soul. (sad frown).
Follower - Oh Reverend! SL without Soul!!?? We are doomed!
Rev. Jax - Dont dispair young zack. Keep faith. For the Higher Powers (Linden Labs Development Team) are very resourceful and bless us. we must believe young man. we must believe.
Follower - Yes Reverend!
Now my friends, I must admit, that I failed in my faith for a moment. Aye, tis true! I saw before me the lack of Soul in my beloved SL and I did dispair. For I thought of the horrible amount of work it would take to bring Soul into our lives. The world (SL) already created, nothing implemented to include our Souls. Aye, friends. I knew a moment of weakness.
But as I thought my black thoughts, the rays of truth did shine down upon me! They whispered to me. "Jax. tis but code in a file. you have seen them change behaviors before with new editions. It cannot be impossible to include the ability to change the presets on individual avatars!". And this gave me hope! For is it not true that The Higher Powers are mighty in their resourcefulness! Why is it not true that in the very world we have those who constantly astound us with the miracles they create daily (scripters)? How then could be possibly think that this is not possible? How then if Soul has been added in another (older, less sophisticated, more limited) world, can we not have the same?? In that world, Souls could be created by the congregation (advanced players)!! So we too can have this ability! we too can have Soul!
My Brethren and Sisteren, think about it! To be able to sit like a head football coach, or prim as a victorian lady. To be able to stand with parade-ground precision, or slouch like a dejected teen. To walk with a worldly swagger, or sway with wanton sexuality. Why even to hop instead of walking - as if you were no more than a giant bunny rabbit!!! This is The Way my children! Pray with me, and let our voices be carried up to the heavens. Let us say it TOGETHER!!
GIVE US SOULS NOW!!!!!
Amen.
Lets us bow our heads in silence for a few moments, firming our prays within our hearts and minds, and reflecting upon the many blessings the Higher Powers (Linden Labs Development Team) has already granted.
While we pray, brothers will begin passing about the collection baskets - make checks payable to Jax's (own a sim) Foundation.
Thank you.
