Notice of Progress

August 27, 2008 at 7:20 pm (General, Golden Sun, Ideas & Thoughts, Video Games)

DAYUM. It’s been a little over four months since I started posting here, and I now have over 1,500 hits! As I warned you, most of my posts have been relating to Golden Sun and my Myth of Laerad project. But that’s truthfully why I started this blog in the first place.

I feel that my progress on this work is at the point where it could be realized; made physical in the world. I started this project as a serious endeavor, and so it remains today. Although I don’t know how yet, I intend to get in touch with the developers of Golden Sun (Camelot®) and ask if this could work. I already know it could, and would work. But I need to hear criticism from the actual creators, for they know the true base of the games.

The best work I have done so far is “The Incarnadi” piece. It summarizes and expresses the immensity I feel when working on this project. But much remains to be shown… so I’ll tell you some of my hopes and dreams, as well as my next few steps:

  • I may soon be working with a few accomplices to create artwork of some of the locations in Mu.
  • I hope to work on an intro video of the game, using this as a script. Besides the artwork I want to be shown, I also want to find a narrator to read the script.
  • In the final game, there will be some amazing CG, for the intro, descent and ascent to Mu and Ji, and other story-based cut scenes. This could be done on DS, but better pulled off on Wii. I know a lot of you want the game to be on DS… I wouldn’t mind either way.
  • The game, as extant within my mind, is becoming quite allegorically mystical. Don’t be worried about this, because as Origins reveals, Golden Sun is already quite symbolic of such ancient mystic teachings.

The latest story piece is Gloom, which is the next part after Inception, except this takes place in Mu, not Ji. Inception drops a few more little hints about the cosmology and deities of the Myth of Laerad, while Mu tells a little of a certain character’s history and journey… oh, and yes; he will be important in the final plot.

That’s an update on my current progress. Any questions, head over to Contact.

- The Daft Monk

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Tom the Pickler

August 21, 2008 at 1:13 pm (Uncategorized)

I’m writing a story on my spare time about a fellow called Tom. He’s a pickler out in the country. Here’s what I have so far:

Once upon a time, there was a pickler, called Tom. He was quite a famous pickler, known for the variety and endurance of his produce. He pickled everything; cucumbers, garlic, onions, beets, carrots; heck, even rutabagas! He was a kind man, late 30’s, ruggedly handsome. He lived on the edge of a meadow in the foothills of Mt. Orüvar, a majestic peak that divided a sizable body of water, Lake Élios, from the semi-forested region in which Tom lived.

If anyone observed or even asked Tom how happy he was, he would affirm that he was all kinds of it. But, deep down, Tom was lonelier than a pickle without vinegar. He gazed about the vibrant world around him from his front porch, and felt apart from it. He wanted the opposite of this; to be connected and alive, united with this beautiful meadow and forest… and especially with the majestic  mountain which watched over him, Orüvar.

Suddenly Tom knew what to do. He would climb the mountain, hike up its steep trails and upon reaching the top, he would know what to do. It immediately sounded silly to his logical mind, but he knew his problem wasn’t mental… it was his heart that needed healing.

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The Way of the Fire Serpent

August 9, 2008 at 11:24 pm (General, Golden Sun, Ideas & Thoughts)

I’d like you to examine some world myths. Yggdrasil, the Garden of Eden (or Hesperides), or even Buddha’s Bodhi tree, for example. Upon examination, you’ll notice they all contain serpents. Nidhogg or Jörmungander, coiled around the roots of Yggdrasil; the tempting serpent of the Garden of Eden, coiled around the Tree of Knowledge; (the guardian serpent Ladon of the Hesperides could also be referenced) and the great snake Mucalinda that protected Buddha so he could reach enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. For some great info on these myths, go here.

There is an amazing link connecting these myths with human ascension, and you know what it is?

The spinal column.

Let me tell you now of a type of energy, called Kundalini, for it will tie all my ramblings together. The term Kundalini literally means “coiled snake”. It is a type of energy said to be coiled at the base of the spine. Sound anything like a serpent coiled around a Tree of Knowledge?

^ Garden of Eden and the snake

^ Garden of Hesperides and Ladon

^ Yggdrasil and Nidhogg

These and the other myths with rods or wands instead of trees, such as the Sumerian legend of Ningishzeda and of course the Wand of Hermes (Caduceus), have obvious links with this “serpentine power” lying dormant at the base of the spine… tempting us to know ourselves.

The wings symbolize the awakening, the staff the spinal cord, and the serpents the forces of active equilibrium (duality).

The other symbol representative of this concept is the epitome of all occult magick – Baphomet.

From what I can interpret, the words on his arms are the Alchemical motto; Solve et Coagula, and the object portrayed in his lap is the Caduceus – appropriately positioned at the base of the spine.

Of course, part of my research (beyond just the philo-sophic interests) does influence my work on the Myth of Laerad. If you are discerning, you probably know that this study is already embedded in the story’s mechanics, for what is Laerad but the Tree of Life? What is the quest but the acquiring of the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge?

Also, according to many scholars, the “one commonality present among numerous serpent symbols is the representation of psychic energy.” (psynergy). The Way of the Fire Serpent is a recondite practice forgotten to the majority of the world… it holds the true secret to transcendent alchemy.

I will continue my research. This is part of my own quest, I know this now. I’m glad I can share this part of it with you, and I hope you enjoy the product as much as I enjoy the writing of it.

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Inception

July 23, 2008 at 1:52 pm (Golden Sun)

The Wise One and his entire race were originally a mysterious small group of initiates made up of all four elemental signs. Their research delved into the deepest aspects of Alchemy, and their practices became known as revolutionary in the realms of philosophy and psynergy.

It occurred during the early study of superphysics. A young monk by the name of Varoq was examining the relation between psynergy flow and the second stage of alchemy; or albedo, when he accidently dropped a nearby sample of lodestone into his solution. Disgusted and disappointed that he’d have to start over again, he aborted the pure psynergy flow and used Jupiter psynergy to hover the stone away – but something happened out of nowhere. Immediately the lodestone shone a brilliant green, and an aura became visible surrounding the room. The room started to vibrate. Varoq’s eyes grew wide, and as he collapsed under the room’s now ineffable resonance, he had a vision appear to him out of blackness.

“Ah… thou hast achieved it at last. The first step to transcendent alchemy… the genesis of coronium. Dost thou comprehend the immensity of such an inception?”, said a voice in the dark. Varoq shook his head vigorously. Another voice spoke, with a softer tone. “Thou hath created an allotropical essence of corporeal Aether, young monk. This is beginning of Sangreal’s materialization… the creation of Lapis Exilis.”

“This process hath been achieved not in the last twelve hundred years, Varoq,” said a kind feminine voice. Out of the darkness then came the three speakers, two men and a woman.

“We are the governors of the Tree of Life, young monk,” said the first voice. “I am known as Osiris.”
“I am called Vitruvius.”
“And I am Gaia, dear Varoq,” said the lady. “We call our arboreal home Laerad.”

“I… am confused,” said Varoq. “What reasons do Gods and Goddesses have to visit me? Why have you come here?”
“The process thou hath conceived is a mark of your race’s evolution. You have been chosen by our grandmother, Wyrd, to enter into a relationship between yourselves and transcendent Alchemy, the process of inner transmutation. Henceforth, you and your fellows shall be known as Incarnadi; Avatars of Alchemy.”
As the room started coming back into focus, he heard the fading voices of the holy trio… “Goodbye, young Varoq… we shall meet again.”

~ To Be Continued… ~

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Over 1000 hits!

July 22, 2008 at 11:50 am (General)

Wow, that’s a lot! In my mind anyway. ;) Thanks to everyone who visited, to those who enjoyed what they saw, and to the few that commented too! :P You guys are the greatest!

So, another quick update: I’m finishing some online classes, so when I’m done I’ll resume work on The Myth of Laerad. This should only take a few more days (for the courses), so look forward to some insights! Take care!

~ The Daft Monk

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My Favourite Mac Apps

July 7, 2008 at 8:27 pm (Mac)

Free Apps:

Quicksilver

If you are a Mac junkie, you have no doubt heard about this jack-of-all-trades application launcher. It allows me to effortlessly navigate my Mac, accessing folders and applications in the blink of an eye (literally!). I highly recommend it.

Skitch

The most used application on my Mac, without a doubt, is Skitch. This amazing little app lets you take pictures of your screen, whether window, frame, screen, or selection; then annotate with text, doodles, and more, then upload to their webservers (appropriately called “mySkitch”) where it can be seen online by anyone you wish. A must-have!

Transmission

Transmission is a perfectly simple, yet surprisingly featured BitTorrent client. It has a great, clean UI, and does all you’d want it to. Definitely recommended!

VLC

Another well-known application, this mandatory piece of software plays all your video and audio files, whatever the format.

NewsFire

Likely the best news reader for OS X, NewsFire lets you handle your RSS feeds with ease and clarity.

Adium

Do you IM often? This great app lets you connect with your friends from AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and much more. You may never use Messenger again!

Proprietary Apps:

Pixelmator

If you think Photoshop’s too expensive, Gimp’s too difficult, and the others are just knock-offs… wait ’till you try Pixelmator. It’ll get nearly all your image editing needs met, and do a beautiful job of doing so. Yes, this may be the most beautiful Mac app there is! Download the trial, and see if you can’t resist buying it :)

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The Incarnadi

June 9, 2008 at 3:34 pm (Golden Sun, Ideas & Thoughts, Video Games)

This is actually one of the greatest ideas I’ve ever had (not the words on the page, the concept behind them), and I must admit I feel apprehensive about posting something so… personal, I guess.

Golden Sun is a part of it, but only a conduit. It is a waystation for the creative power that is flowing through me. I feel that this work is part of my own destiny; it’s the only explanation for the immensity I feel when writing and imagining it.

But I trust you with it. So, here it is. It’s meant to be the intro to the Myth of Laerad, as well as the backdrop of the entire series. A mysterious and compelling piece… designed to broaden the scope of Golden Sun, empowering it and enabling it to be a truly monumental Saga. Enjoy!

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Awe & Immensity in Education

June 5, 2008 at 11:50 am (Ideas & Thoughts)
Tags: , ,

From a remarkable book. As you can see, it’s from my Facebook note. Written on my birthday, and at my time (10:34 is my sacred number). I didn’t mean for that to happen, I just had to write it down then.

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Books!

June 4, 2008 at 10:58 am (Books)

Books are one of my favourite things, ever. They are my teachers and friends, and I value them very highly. Here are some of the books I’ve read recently, are reading at the moment and want to read in the future!

Recently Read:

  • The Divine Matrix
  • The Eye of The I: From Which Nothing is Hidden
  • Iron John
  • Visionseeker
Reading Now:
  • Soulcraft
  • The Secret Teachings of All Ages
  • The Power of Limits: Proportional Harmonies in Nature, Art & Architecture
  • The Hero With A Thousand Faces
Want to Read
  • The Spontaneous Healing of Belief: Shattering the Paradigms of False Limits

Lastly, I have to list my favorite books of all time:

  • Power vs Force
  • Journey of Socrates
  • His Dark Materials
  • Way of the Peaceful Warrior
  • The Redwall Series
  • Way of the Shaman
  • The Dark is Rising Sequence

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Video Games And Sex

May 28, 2008 at 10:32 pm (Ideas & Thoughts, Video Games, Videos)

I’m both shocked and humbled that an obviously experienced gamer is mature enough to explore this subject, let alone do so intelligently and with humor. Thank you so much Daniel!

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