Race: Half Elf
Gender: Male
Class: Monk
Skin Color: Black
Other Physical Traits: Tatooed chest and shaven head. Tall and muscular for a half elf due to the fact that his true elven bloodlines are a couple of generations removed (ie. His mother was human, his father was half elf).
I'll write more about Xi's past when I have more time but for now I've just included a writeup I came up with a while back regarding his Order and thier beliefs. I tried to attach a pic but wasn't able to.
The Order of the Way
Welcome, young Apostle, to the Monastery. I am known as Xi and I bear you greetings on behalf of the brethren. Please, walk with me as I enlighten you in the Way.
We are followers of "The One" and daily we offer up our very lives as living sacrifices unto him. The sacrifices of discipline, training, focus, prayer, and worship. In this way we become part of that which truly is. Who is "The One" you ask? Well, he is that which is not created. He is the source and well spring of all that exists. He is beyond the gods of these forgotten realms and through Him, they have their being. His name? Names are the concern of those who are not the God. He is that which he is. The God exists apart from words, be it name or description. You may call him as you will. I have heard him referred to as The Ancient of Days, The Councilor, Mighty One, Lord, or even as "The One", but these are all simply titles given out of reverence by those who choose to seek him. And though he is sot, never will he be truely found in this worlds realm for he exists as part of the Prime Reality. That is, he is revealed through the shadows that he casts and thus is never directly known. For the creation is the brushstroke that defines the artist. Yet even though we are not lead by his words, he is faithful to work his life out through those who would seek Him. He is the embodiment of all that is good, just, noble, and true. What of evil then? I see you are sharp, and your mind keen. You will do well for yourself. These questions are the paradoxes that sharpen the mind. Dull is the mind that thinks it knows and the eye that thinks it sees. The wise never find the answers they seek and thus they grow keen of thought in age. You may find our thoughts do not always coalesce with one another but as iron sharpens iron, so to does a man's thoughts sharpen his brothers mind. Each mans opinions on these matters may be found in our scroll of dogmas. Oh, this does not mean that nothing can be known. For the God has provided the foundation to which we now build the house. There are facts which are fundamental. They are what unite us. We may differ in the way in which we build our dwellings but they are built on the same foundation. So ask me again what we believe and in short order it shall be made known to you.
So what are we to be known as then? What follows are not statements which we have chosen to make of ourselves, but those that know of us may then do so on our behalf. I have heard men refer to us as the Monks of the Way. And although this place is simply where we lay our heads, it is commonly referred to throughout the realms as The Monastery. It is here that the daily sacrifice is made. We sacrifice our bodies through training in the ways of physical strength, speed and control through the "martial" and weaponry arts. We sacrifice our thoughts and minds to the captivity of the God through meditation, worship, and prayer as well as the learning of the hidden arts that have been made known to us. Our thoughts are sharpened through the use of "the puzzle". As one works out subtle knot-works of word and math their mind grows keen. Through all of this we are able to attune to the "matrix" of reality and, in this way, have dominion over it. Through faith in the force of the creator, we master the creation. Foremost, ourselves and even beyond this. The energies that under-gird all reality are tapped into and thus when we strike with our fist, it is a strike that need not be limited by the framework of our reality. We can strike with a speed and force that are not limited by our physical bodies. We can move with a stealth that is not limited by the sound our feet make as they step. We can manipulate that which is exists in such as way as to seem "magical". But both our strike and our step are always done for the cause of that which is good. As the God is the embodiment of good, so to do we become more like him as we strive to be a source of that goodness. Caring for the hungry and sick, standing for those who do not have the strength to stand, living with our thoughts not upon ourselves and our personal gains but rather on him who is our neighbor. There is no greater gift than to lay down ones life for his brother. For the God has made it known that when you even give a cup of water to the least of mortals, you are giving it to Him who is everlasting. This is our sacrifice.
Statement of Faith
Again you ask what it is that we believe? Now that is a broad question indeed and I don't think you want me prattling on all day from point to point. I believe the sun will rise tomorrow. I believe that that three truths remain; Those being Faith, Hope and Love. The greatest of these being Love. I believe many things but you are more concerned with my thoughts on a few select areas. You have seen the compassion of the One reflected through us and you want to learn more of him. You have seen His strength channeled through us and you want to know of the reality which we tap into as the means of accessing that strength. Very well, you shall have the truth you seek but I wonder if you are truly ready to receive it? By and by the answer will be revealed.
You feel the grass between your toes, you catch scents in the air and see the world about you. All these things and more cause you to view Faerun as "absolute", as "reality". And in many ways, Faerun is truly reality to you but is it really the center of all things? Does reality start here or is this place, this world, just a product of some greater reality?
Surely you have heard the stories of the World Walkers? Men and women who journey from one plane of reality to the next. "To hell and back" as it were. It is true that there are many planes of existence with beings in each who either believe that their specific plane of existence is the "true" and "primary" reality or, who through majik of their own device or by means of portals, have found that reality exists in many forms.
So this begs the question which many a man hath sot; What is the basis or foundation of all of these realities? How is it that all of these realities find existence? "The gods" you say? Well now you shall see why we are not the most accepted of beliefs. "The gods as we know them are simply titled through a matter of perspective. They reign above us and provide us with both wants and needs. They can harm or heal. But do they really cause the realities. Think of it in this way. We care for those swine in the pens you saw. We feed them, care for them, and even eat them as our stomachs guide us. Are we therefore gods to them? And if we are, do we cause the "reality" that they exist in? Surely not, but then how can we in turn be sure that our gods create our existence. No, those beings that we refer to as "gods" are nothing but higher beings, just as we are to the pigs. I shall tell you a hidden truth that you may think upon. The gods themselves gain their existence from one hidden infinite source. That source posesses both conscience and will and we have heard him referred to as Ao.
But let us return to ponder his existence after we have looked closer at what it is that forms reality. If you were shaken by the thought of the "God of the gods" then let me attempt to unearth you entirely. All of the worlds, all of the planes, all that exists in which the world walkers walk are but an illusion. Yet not entirely an illusion for they do have substance but rather they are all shadows of a prime reality. This prime reality I speak of casts near infinite shadows and the farther the shadow is cast from the prime reality, the greater the chaos within that shadow. The variety that we see in the worlds that exists are as a result of their proximity to the "true" or "primary" reality.
Oh no, I have not seen the Prime Reality myself. No one who originates from shadow ever has. Those who have leaned to "sift though" the shadows as it were never come to the prime reality because the closer that one draws to the true reality, the more difficult it becomes to "sift" ones self into it. It is like an infinitely small point through which all true reality flows. We do not believe that it is utterly impossible for one who originates in shadows to make his way to the prime reality and the Monks of the Way have found a form of "compass" as it were in the existence of the Ki that we hope will one day lead us to that point of all truth. You see, since the Ki is really the creating force of "The One", it stands to reason that the Ki itself flows directly from "The One". In theory, if a person from shadow were to accurately follow the Ki "upstream", it would ultimately lead them to both the true reality and to absolute truth itself.
Even though none of the Followers of the Way have ever managed to reach the prime reality, we have learned much of its existence. Just as people exist in most shadows, there are also citizens who live within the prime reality, but they do not "exist" in the same way that you and I exists. And what is more, they do not actually have to leave the prime reality themselves because, as part of the prime reality, they either create or manipulate the shadows, and all those who live in shadow, by the force of their will or imagination alsone. It is believed that many who exist in shadow are simply creations of the minds of those who exist apart from shadow. Anyone in shadow can either be controlled or manipulated without knowing it by those who exist in the Prime Existence. We do not understand how or to what extent this occurs but we believe that it does occur. What is more, those who exist apart from shadow also gain their existence from "The One" and in the same way that we have the gods which are higher beings, so to does the prime reality have celestial forces and foremost among those is one called "The Adversary". He is the Hideous Strength that we fear and woe be the men of Shadow if that strength is ever unleashed in our realms.
How do I know all of this? It is simply a gift from the One as revealed through the use of "Ki". He has made it known to some and through that knowledge he has granted us the title of "Ambassadors" on His behalf to the realitys, which flows from Him. Oh no, I do not mean to infer that "The One" Himself is actually Ao. How shall I put this? In the same way that the shadows themselves that Ao rules over are not the prime reality, so to is Ao not the God of the prime reality but rather just the shadow that "The One" himself casts. Simply put, there is a prime reality which casts shadow realities and there is a single, infinite, all powerful being who himself cases a shadow in the form of Ao. That infinite hidden God of the Prime Reality is Good and Just and is the true source of all things and it is he who we worship as "The One".
Gender: Male
Class: Monk
Skin Color: Black
Other Physical Traits: Tatooed chest and shaven head. Tall and muscular for a half elf due to the fact that his true elven bloodlines are a couple of generations removed (ie. His mother was human, his father was half elf).
I'll write more about Xi's past when I have more time but for now I've just included a writeup I came up with a while back regarding his Order and thier beliefs. I tried to attach a pic but wasn't able to.
The Order of the Way
Welcome, young Apostle, to the Monastery. I am known as Xi and I bear you greetings on behalf of the brethren. Please, walk with me as I enlighten you in the Way.
We are followers of "The One" and daily we offer up our very lives as living sacrifices unto him. The sacrifices of discipline, training, focus, prayer, and worship. In this way we become part of that which truly is. Who is "The One" you ask? Well, he is that which is not created. He is the source and well spring of all that exists. He is beyond the gods of these forgotten realms and through Him, they have their being. His name? Names are the concern of those who are not the God. He is that which he is. The God exists apart from words, be it name or description. You may call him as you will. I have heard him referred to as The Ancient of Days, The Councilor, Mighty One, Lord, or even as "The One", but these are all simply titles given out of reverence by those who choose to seek him. And though he is sot, never will he be truely found in this worlds realm for he exists as part of the Prime Reality. That is, he is revealed through the shadows that he casts and thus is never directly known. For the creation is the brushstroke that defines the artist. Yet even though we are not lead by his words, he is faithful to work his life out through those who would seek Him. He is the embodiment of all that is good, just, noble, and true. What of evil then? I see you are sharp, and your mind keen. You will do well for yourself. These questions are the paradoxes that sharpen the mind. Dull is the mind that thinks it knows and the eye that thinks it sees. The wise never find the answers they seek and thus they grow keen of thought in age. You may find our thoughts do not always coalesce with one another but as iron sharpens iron, so to does a man's thoughts sharpen his brothers mind. Each mans opinions on these matters may be found in our scroll of dogmas. Oh, this does not mean that nothing can be known. For the God has provided the foundation to which we now build the house. There are facts which are fundamental. They are what unite us. We may differ in the way in which we build our dwellings but they are built on the same foundation. So ask me again what we believe and in short order it shall be made known to you.
So what are we to be known as then? What follows are not statements which we have chosen to make of ourselves, but those that know of us may then do so on our behalf. I have heard men refer to us as the Monks of the Way. And although this place is simply where we lay our heads, it is commonly referred to throughout the realms as The Monastery. It is here that the daily sacrifice is made. We sacrifice our bodies through training in the ways of physical strength, speed and control through the "martial" and weaponry arts. We sacrifice our thoughts and minds to the captivity of the God through meditation, worship, and prayer as well as the learning of the hidden arts that have been made known to us. Our thoughts are sharpened through the use of "the puzzle". As one works out subtle knot-works of word and math their mind grows keen. Through all of this we are able to attune to the "matrix" of reality and, in this way, have dominion over it. Through faith in the force of the creator, we master the creation. Foremost, ourselves and even beyond this. The energies that under-gird all reality are tapped into and thus when we strike with our fist, it is a strike that need not be limited by the framework of our reality. We can strike with a speed and force that are not limited by our physical bodies. We can move with a stealth that is not limited by the sound our feet make as they step. We can manipulate that which is exists in such as way as to seem "magical". But both our strike and our step are always done for the cause of that which is good. As the God is the embodiment of good, so to do we become more like him as we strive to be a source of that goodness. Caring for the hungry and sick, standing for those who do not have the strength to stand, living with our thoughts not upon ourselves and our personal gains but rather on him who is our neighbor. There is no greater gift than to lay down ones life for his brother. For the God has made it known that when you even give a cup of water to the least of mortals, you are giving it to Him who is everlasting. This is our sacrifice.
Statement of Faith
Again you ask what it is that we believe? Now that is a broad question indeed and I don't think you want me prattling on all day from point to point. I believe the sun will rise tomorrow. I believe that that three truths remain; Those being Faith, Hope and Love. The greatest of these being Love. I believe many things but you are more concerned with my thoughts on a few select areas. You have seen the compassion of the One reflected through us and you want to learn more of him. You have seen His strength channeled through us and you want to know of the reality which we tap into as the means of accessing that strength. Very well, you shall have the truth you seek but I wonder if you are truly ready to receive it? By and by the answer will be revealed.
You feel the grass between your toes, you catch scents in the air and see the world about you. All these things and more cause you to view Faerun as "absolute", as "reality". And in many ways, Faerun is truly reality to you but is it really the center of all things? Does reality start here or is this place, this world, just a product of some greater reality?
Surely you have heard the stories of the World Walkers? Men and women who journey from one plane of reality to the next. "To hell and back" as it were. It is true that there are many planes of existence with beings in each who either believe that their specific plane of existence is the "true" and "primary" reality or, who through majik of their own device or by means of portals, have found that reality exists in many forms.
So this begs the question which many a man hath sot; What is the basis or foundation of all of these realities? How is it that all of these realities find existence? "The gods" you say? Well now you shall see why we are not the most accepted of beliefs. "The gods as we know them are simply titled through a matter of perspective. They reign above us and provide us with both wants and needs. They can harm or heal. But do they really cause the realities. Think of it in this way. We care for those swine in the pens you saw. We feed them, care for them, and even eat them as our stomachs guide us. Are we therefore gods to them? And if we are, do we cause the "reality" that they exist in? Surely not, but then how can we in turn be sure that our gods create our existence. No, those beings that we refer to as "gods" are nothing but higher beings, just as we are to the pigs. I shall tell you a hidden truth that you may think upon. The gods themselves gain their existence from one hidden infinite source. That source posesses both conscience and will and we have heard him referred to as Ao.
But let us return to ponder his existence after we have looked closer at what it is that forms reality. If you were shaken by the thought of the "God of the gods" then let me attempt to unearth you entirely. All of the worlds, all of the planes, all that exists in which the world walkers walk are but an illusion. Yet not entirely an illusion for they do have substance but rather they are all shadows of a prime reality. This prime reality I speak of casts near infinite shadows and the farther the shadow is cast from the prime reality, the greater the chaos within that shadow. The variety that we see in the worlds that exists are as a result of their proximity to the "true" or "primary" reality.
Oh no, I have not seen the Prime Reality myself. No one who originates from shadow ever has. Those who have leaned to "sift though" the shadows as it were never come to the prime reality because the closer that one draws to the true reality, the more difficult it becomes to "sift" ones self into it. It is like an infinitely small point through which all true reality flows. We do not believe that it is utterly impossible for one who originates in shadows to make his way to the prime reality and the Monks of the Way have found a form of "compass" as it were in the existence of the Ki that we hope will one day lead us to that point of all truth. You see, since the Ki is really the creating force of "The One", it stands to reason that the Ki itself flows directly from "The One". In theory, if a person from shadow were to accurately follow the Ki "upstream", it would ultimately lead them to both the true reality and to absolute truth itself.
Even though none of the Followers of the Way have ever managed to reach the prime reality, we have learned much of its existence. Just as people exist in most shadows, there are also citizens who live within the prime reality, but they do not "exist" in the same way that you and I exists. And what is more, they do not actually have to leave the prime reality themselves because, as part of the prime reality, they either create or manipulate the shadows, and all those who live in shadow, by the force of their will or imagination alsone. It is believed that many who exist in shadow are simply creations of the minds of those who exist apart from shadow. Anyone in shadow can either be controlled or manipulated without knowing it by those who exist in the Prime Existence. We do not understand how or to what extent this occurs but we believe that it does occur. What is more, those who exist apart from shadow also gain their existence from "The One" and in the same way that we have the gods which are higher beings, so to does the prime reality have celestial forces and foremost among those is one called "The Adversary". He is the Hideous Strength that we fear and woe be the men of Shadow if that strength is ever unleashed in our realms.
How do I know all of this? It is simply a gift from the One as revealed through the use of "Ki". He has made it known to some and through that knowledge he has granted us the title of "Ambassadors" on His behalf to the realitys, which flows from Him. Oh no, I do not mean to infer that "The One" Himself is actually Ao. How shall I put this? In the same way that the shadows themselves that Ao rules over are not the prime reality, so to is Ao not the God of the prime reality but rather just the shadow that "The One" himself casts. Simply put, there is a prime reality which casts shadow realities and there is a single, infinite, all powerful being who himself cases a shadow in the form of Ao. That infinite hidden God of the Prime Reality is Good and Just and is the true source of all things and it is he who we worship as "The One".