Shaman on the Run: Radio versus Spirit
“As you requested… Wise Master Shaman I have… searched… for him…”
Farseer Nobundo smiles a bit as he hears a familiar whisper in his left ear. He turns to face the wispy wind spirit and smiles a bit wider. He can`t remember this one`s name. Not because he doesn`t know his elemental friends and allies, but because this particular one hasn`t decided on a permanent name yet. In his mind the Farseer calls her ‘Lufie’, since that was the name used when she introduced himself.
Patiently he waits for the spirit to tell of her travels, where she looked and where she didn`t look. It never ceases to amaze just how chatty the messengers of the spirit world are. Or how extensive their network. ‘Lufie’ talked to no less than five air spirits about finding Qure`thell. Each one pointing to the next until the last simply said: “He just left the Exodar”.
Of course, this being messengers, this simple message took about half an hour to be given. First they renewed their friendship, establishing their relation to each other. Then they reviewed what news they had for each other. Only then did the other answer Lufies question.
Farseer Nobundu smiled to himself as ‘Lufie’ chats away, Qure`thell may just arrive before she is finished. Despite their incessant chatter, the Farseer had a special kinship with the spirits of air… Ah, ‘Lufie’ seems to be nearing her point.
“… Concluding….”
‘Lufie’ pauses for a moment, waiting for the word to sink in. Despite her nature, she does know how to deliver a message properly.
“… Qure`thell is advancing…. Upon us with…. Due… haste… Wise Master Shaman. He`ll …. Be here… within the… hour…”
The Krokul smiles warmly at his dear companion. His voice croaks as his damaged mind finds solace in the routines of polite conversation.
“Thank you sprite, for this message. I will keep our promise and recite a piece of poetry tonight. I hope you and your friends will like it.”
The air spirit giggles happily, doing a looping on the spot. Then she calms down again and looks at her good friend the Broken.
“Wise Master Shaman… there is…. Something you should know. Qure`thell…. Has done… something…”
“What would you like in return for this information, messenger?”
Nobundu mentally prays for clarity and wisdom, asking the spirit of water to clear his broken mind. Without this magical help his mind is slow and easily distracted. Like his body, his mind was broken, some would say corrupted, when that Orcish Warlock pumped Fell Magic into him, in Shattrath, so, so long ago.
A cool refreshing sea breeze answers his call, Nobundus mind clears up. History is swept aside. The First Shamans attention is now fully on the air sprite. The breeze even give a summary of what was said earlier. For this, it only asks that he teach Qure`thell. It seems he upset someone in the Elemental Court.
‘Lufie’ tells the story of Qure`thells dealings with Mother Zangar Ridge and her son Malachite. The seabreeze, who claims to have no name, just a title, informs him of the apprentice shamans run in with a mist-spirit.
The Farseer nods and smiles, thanking the spirits politely. Then he falls silent, quietly pondering how to return the wayward shaman to the path. Qure`thell could be a great shaman, if he only accepted it.
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“Student. You are late.”
The Farseers voice may be soft, there is a harsh undertone of disappointment. Qure`thell doesn`t respond immediately. First dismounting his frostsaber mount and thanking her for carrying him. Then he turns to the Broken teacher and bows deeply.
“I am not late, you didn`t specify a time for this meeting, honoured teacher.”
“I meant the healing class two weeks past, apprentice. We have much ground to cover.”
“My apologies, Farseer Nobundo, I didn`t know there was one. May I ask why you chose to send an air spirit? Instead of a letter or a radiomessage?”
Nobundo sighs deeply, his face darkens as he realizes he is being drawn into the same argument he and Qure`thell have been having for many months now. The Broken shaman speaks the words he has been repeating for three months now.
“When are you going to stop relying on toys, student? When are you going to rely on your own skills?”
Qure`thell harumpfs, his body language defiant. He waves dismissively.
“My skills? My skills are my ability to make devices and swing an a- er.. staff. Those are MY skills. Anything shamanic is not my own. That power is borrowed from another and therefore unreliable.”
“No one is truly independent, young one. We are all connected to each other. Some think of this interconnectedness as the Light. But regardless of what you call it, no one is really independent. No one is alone.”
The Draenei Shaman opens his mouth to interrupt. But a gesture from Nobundo cuts him off.
“I sent a wind sprite for my own reasons. One of them is privacy. The other is that I wanted to show you the reach of Shamanism. How long does it take a letter or radiomessage to reach you in Nagrand, apprentice?”
“Honoured teacher, I disagree. Spirits aren`t that discreet. We both know that they chat incessantly. So anything you tell them will be passed along until every wind spirit knows the message. Even if it wasn`t meant for them all.”
Nobundo nods slightly, his response is quick. Almost as though prepared beforehand.
“Yes, student, but when you send a radiomessage, it is audible to the whole world.”
“Not if you use a specific frequency, Master Shaman.”
“One could listen in on that too. Air spirits are reliable messengers. True, they tell every AIR spirit, but never another soul, except the recipient.”
“How can one be sure that a private message stays only with the Wind Spirits? How can one be sure the other recipients are listening in, but aren`t telling?”
“The same goes for radiomessages or letters, my young apprentice. Wind Spirits can also be asked to give information, not just bring messages. Can your radio do that?”
“Of course! If a friend is on the same frequency and he or she knows the information required. And unlike Spirits they do not ask a reward for every little thing they do.”
“Yes, they do. Your friends will call on you when they need a question answered. Or need help with something. Spirits are like people, people are like spirits. You would do well to remember that, Qure`thell.”
I open my mouth to speak again. But my teacher interrupts me with a warning look.
“I know what the problem is Qure`thell…”
He pauses for a moment to emphasize his words. He seems to be taking a deep breath, is he worried about something?
“… Control. You want to control your world Qure`thell. But how much can you control? And would you want to?”
I try to speak before thinking, but something stops me. I stop to ponder this question, it seems very important. How much do I want to control? Control means to control actors and influences, imposing my will on them. This leads to resistance, since all actors and most influences have their own agenda and will. This means that to control effectively I need to invest time and effort into each person I want to control.
Worse, I need to watch everyone and everything I want to control, to make sure they act as I want them too. The control costs, as management literature calls it, for controlling everything around me would be enormous. Yet if I don`t control, how can I get what I want? I have to control to...
An unbidden memory flashes before my mind`s eye. I see the disapproval turn in his eyes into loathing. He turns his back on me. His voice is harsh. I hear those horrible words again. My heart burns in pain. I hear someone gasp from pain.
I try to picture the blueprints of Miracle. Trying to find the flaws and imagine improvements. Designing new components and work-arounds in my head. Untill I feel the cool calm hand of logic pushing back the raging emotions in my heart.. I mean head. As the cool hand calms me I feel a surge of pain. I hear a low growl. Disappointing, angry, hurt. My teacher doesn`t seem to hear it.
“Do you have an answer?”
“Control prevents pain, teacher.”
“Control prevents good things too. It would mean no more pleasant surprises.”
“For us shamans there are NO pleasant surprises, just bad ones. Even our own people don`t like us. And those that do, only like us for what we can do to help them. And then mostly for free.”
“Qure`thell, life can`t be controlled. You know that, I will not argue with you about this. If a friend would ask for your help, would you deny it?”
“Of course not! I..”
“The spirits are a shamans friends. Just like your normal ones. Are your friends resources to be exploited?”
“No, that would violate the First Virtue.”
“Neither are spirits. They have a free will, just like you and me. They must be asked, not forced, if you want them to do something for you.”
“That is impractical in crises.”
“Is it?”
“In combat I expect that a command.. or request for help is followed by an action.”
“And a friend would respond to help you, if you were in trouble, yes or no?”
“Yes, teacher, but…”
“The price is too high? Is that really the case? Is helping you really so cheap that it isn`t worth a favour or two? The spirits stop doing what they are doing to aid you. Yet you won`t repay their kindness?”
“No, of course I will repay favours. But what about the times I have called them and they didn`t respond? Spirit are unreliable, unlike devices.”
“I can`t tell you why a certain spirit won`t heed your call, young apprentice. But tell me this: Have you ever refused to help someone?”
“Yes but..”
“… You had a good reason, didn`t you? How hard is it to believe that the spirit had a good reason too? Maybe someone else needed help more then you?”
“As you requested… Wise Master Shaman I have… searched… for him…”
Farseer Nobundo smiles a bit as he hears a familiar whisper in his left ear. He turns to face the wispy wind spirit and smiles a bit wider. He can`t remember this one`s name. Not because he doesn`t know his elemental friends and allies, but because this particular one hasn`t decided on a permanent name yet. In his mind the Farseer calls her ‘Lufie’, since that was the name used when she introduced himself.
Patiently he waits for the spirit to tell of her travels, where she looked and where she didn`t look. It never ceases to amaze just how chatty the messengers of the spirit world are. Or how extensive their network. ‘Lufie’ talked to no less than five air spirits about finding Qure`thell. Each one pointing to the next until the last simply said: “He just left the Exodar”.
Of course, this being messengers, this simple message took about half an hour to be given. First they renewed their friendship, establishing their relation to each other. Then they reviewed what news they had for each other. Only then did the other answer Lufies question.
Farseer Nobundu smiled to himself as ‘Lufie’ chats away, Qure`thell may just arrive before she is finished. Despite their incessant chatter, the Farseer had a special kinship with the spirits of air… Ah, ‘Lufie’ seems to be nearing her point.
“… Concluding….”
‘Lufie’ pauses for a moment, waiting for the word to sink in. Despite her nature, she does know how to deliver a message properly.
“… Qure`thell is advancing…. Upon us with…. Due… haste… Wise Master Shaman. He`ll …. Be here… within the… hour…”
The Krokul smiles warmly at his dear companion. His voice croaks as his damaged mind finds solace in the routines of polite conversation.
“Thank you sprite, for this message. I will keep our promise and recite a piece of poetry tonight. I hope you and your friends will like it.”
The air spirit giggles happily, doing a looping on the spot. Then she calms down again and looks at her good friend the Broken.
“Wise Master Shaman… there is…. Something you should know. Qure`thell…. Has done… something…”
“What would you like in return for this information, messenger?”
Nobundu mentally prays for clarity and wisdom, asking the spirit of water to clear his broken mind. Without this magical help his mind is slow and easily distracted. Like his body, his mind was broken, some would say corrupted, when that Orcish Warlock pumped Fell Magic into him, in Shattrath, so, so long ago.
A cool refreshing sea breeze answers his call, Nobundus mind clears up. History is swept aside. The First Shamans attention is now fully on the air sprite. The breeze even give a summary of what was said earlier. For this, it only asks that he teach Qure`thell. It seems he upset someone in the Elemental Court.
‘Lufie’ tells the story of Qure`thells dealings with Mother Zangar Ridge and her son Malachite. The seabreeze, who claims to have no name, just a title, informs him of the apprentice shamans run in with a mist-spirit.
The Farseer nods and smiles, thanking the spirits politely. Then he falls silent, quietly pondering how to return the wayward shaman to the path. Qure`thell could be a great shaman, if he only accepted it.
------------------------
“Student. You are late.”
The Farseers voice may be soft, there is a harsh undertone of disappointment. Qure`thell doesn`t respond immediately. First dismounting his frostsaber mount and thanking her for carrying him. Then he turns to the Broken teacher and bows deeply.
“I am not late, you didn`t specify a time for this meeting, honoured teacher.”
“I meant the healing class two weeks past, apprentice. We have much ground to cover.”
“My apologies, Farseer Nobundo, I didn`t know there was one. May I ask why you chose to send an air spirit? Instead of a letter or a radiomessage?”
Nobundo sighs deeply, his face darkens as he realizes he is being drawn into the same argument he and Qure`thell have been having for many months now. The Broken shaman speaks the words he has been repeating for three months now.
“When are you going to stop relying on toys, student? When are you going to rely on your own skills?”
Qure`thell harumpfs, his body language defiant. He waves dismissively.
“My skills? My skills are my ability to make devices and swing an a- er.. staff. Those are MY skills. Anything shamanic is not my own. That power is borrowed from another and therefore unreliable.”
“No one is truly independent, young one. We are all connected to each other. Some think of this interconnectedness as the Light. But regardless of what you call it, no one is really independent. No one is alone.”
The Draenei Shaman opens his mouth to interrupt. But a gesture from Nobundo cuts him off.
“I sent a wind sprite for my own reasons. One of them is privacy. The other is that I wanted to show you the reach of Shamanism. How long does it take a letter or radiomessage to reach you in Nagrand, apprentice?”
“Honoured teacher, I disagree. Spirits aren`t that discreet. We both know that they chat incessantly. So anything you tell them will be passed along until every wind spirit knows the message. Even if it wasn`t meant for them all.”
Nobundo nods slightly, his response is quick. Almost as though prepared beforehand.
“Yes, student, but when you send a radiomessage, it is audible to the whole world.”
“Not if you use a specific frequency, Master Shaman.”
“One could listen in on that too. Air spirits are reliable messengers. True, they tell every AIR spirit, but never another soul, except the recipient.”
“How can one be sure that a private message stays only with the Wind Spirits? How can one be sure the other recipients are listening in, but aren`t telling?”
“The same goes for radiomessages or letters, my young apprentice. Wind Spirits can also be asked to give information, not just bring messages. Can your radio do that?”
“Of course! If a friend is on the same frequency and he or she knows the information required. And unlike Spirits they do not ask a reward for every little thing they do.”
“Yes, they do. Your friends will call on you when they need a question answered. Or need help with something. Spirits are like people, people are like spirits. You would do well to remember that, Qure`thell.”
I open my mouth to speak again. But my teacher interrupts me with a warning look.
“I know what the problem is Qure`thell…”
He pauses for a moment to emphasize his words. He seems to be taking a deep breath, is he worried about something?
“… Control. You want to control your world Qure`thell. But how much can you control? And would you want to?”
I try to speak before thinking, but something stops me. I stop to ponder this question, it seems very important. How much do I want to control? Control means to control actors and influences, imposing my will on them. This leads to resistance, since all actors and most influences have their own agenda and will. This means that to control effectively I need to invest time and effort into each person I want to control.
Worse, I need to watch everyone and everything I want to control, to make sure they act as I want them too. The control costs, as management literature calls it, for controlling everything around me would be enormous. Yet if I don`t control, how can I get what I want? I have to control to...
An unbidden memory flashes before my mind`s eye. I see the disapproval turn in his eyes into loathing. He turns his back on me. His voice is harsh. I hear those horrible words again. My heart burns in pain. I hear someone gasp from pain.
I try to picture the blueprints of Miracle. Trying to find the flaws and imagine improvements. Designing new components and work-arounds in my head. Untill I feel the cool calm hand of logic pushing back the raging emotions in my heart.. I mean head. As the cool hand calms me I feel a surge of pain. I hear a low growl. Disappointing, angry, hurt. My teacher doesn`t seem to hear it.
“Do you have an answer?”
“Control prevents pain, teacher.”
“Control prevents good things too. It would mean no more pleasant surprises.”
“For us shamans there are NO pleasant surprises, just bad ones. Even our own people don`t like us. And those that do, only like us for what we can do to help them. And then mostly for free.”
“Qure`thell, life can`t be controlled. You know that, I will not argue with you about this. If a friend would ask for your help, would you deny it?”
“Of course not! I..”
“The spirits are a shamans friends. Just like your normal ones. Are your friends resources to be exploited?”
“No, that would violate the First Virtue.”
“Neither are spirits. They have a free will, just like you and me. They must be asked, not forced, if you want them to do something for you.”
“That is impractical in crises.”
“Is it?”
“In combat I expect that a command.. or request for help is followed by an action.”
“And a friend would respond to help you, if you were in trouble, yes or no?”
“Yes, teacher, but…”
“The price is too high? Is that really the case? Is helping you really so cheap that it isn`t worth a favour or two? The spirits stop doing what they are doing to aid you. Yet you won`t repay their kindness?”
“No, of course I will repay favours. But what about the times I have called them and they didn`t respond? Spirit are unreliable, unlike devices.”
“I can`t tell you why a certain spirit won`t heed your call, young apprentice. But tell me this: Have you ever refused to help someone?”
“Yes but..”
“… You had a good reason, didn`t you? How hard is it to believe that the spirit had a good reason too? Maybe someone else needed help more then you?”