#alignment compass

[utilitycaster]

you can see the same patterns in Molly as would arise in Ashton both in terms of behaviors and the fandom response, which, fair, Taliesin didn't get to play Molly for very long. It's really interesting watching him be genuinely unsettled by Kylre's death and focus on helping Toya - both Kylre and Toya being part of the circus - and then often decline to get involved or stick his neck out for anyone but the others of the Nein. It's a great thing to explore in a character, but I have to admit I do find it worrying that both times a significant fandom response has been to look at someone who is very kind to their own in-crowd and not terribly inclined to care for others on a large scale and go "that's the moral compass."

[un-pearable]

the folks “he wouldn’t fucking say that” was about missed the point that large sections of fandom intentionally ignore fundamental character traits and backstories just to make them more palatable and less challenging to write bc they’re relatively new writers. which isn’t inherently bad but is an entirely different issue than what their reactionary “okay but in what situation would he say that” posts are saying

[thefadecodex]

One of the primary goals of The Fade Codex—at least to its creator—is to move beyond the rigid structure imposed by the Chantry and develop a flexible and nuanced classification system for spirits. Thus, the 'Spirit Alignment' classification system was created.

Spirit Alignment System:

Spirits are categorized based on their core ideals, emotions, or drives, rather than narrow, static definitions.

This approach provides a more adaptable and insightful exploration of their identities, behaviors, and transformations.

Spirit Evolution:

The Spirit Alignment system aims to address the evolution of spirits, showing how they grow from simpler forms into more complex, emotionally driven entities.

Example: Docktown's Spirit of Compassion evolving into Eulogy from In Memoriam in DATV

Now that we understand the goals of The Fade Codex, let’s explore its classification system and see how Spirit Alignment offers a different perspective on these enigmatic entities we call spirits!

Why Classifying Spirits is Helpful

Classifying spirits into 'Spirit Alignment' categories such as learning-based, hope-based, and others provides a structured framework for understanding their nature, purpose, and behavior within both the Fade and Thedas. Spirits are complex entities shaped by emotion, thought, and intention, making them inherently difficult to define. By organizing them into these thematic groups, scholars, mages, and Fade researchers can:

Identify Motivations: Each category highlights the primary drive behind a spirit's actions, whether it's the pursuit of knowledge, the will to survive, or the need to instill hope.

Predict Behavior: Spirits within a category often share behavioral patterns, making it easier to anticipate how they might interact with mortals or other spirits.

Assess Risk and Corruption: Different spirit types have unique vulnerabilities to corruption, and classification helps identify the potential demonic forms they might take.

Guide Interactions: Mages and mortals who deal with spirits can tailor their approaches based on a spirit's category, improving the chances of peaceful or productive interaction.

Preserve Knowledge: Organizing spirits into defined groups helps pass down knowledge more effectively, preventing misunderstandings or misclassifications that could lead to dangerous consequences.

How Spirits are Classified

Spirits are categorized based on their core essence and purpose, which reflects the emotions, ideals, or drives they embody. Each classification represents a fundamental aspect of mortal existence, as spirits themselves are shaped by mortal emotions and thoughts.

These categories are not rigid but serve as a flexible guide, acknowledging that spirits often overlap across multiple classifications depending on the circumstances. For example:

A Spirit of Passion, which is classified in the Spirit Alignment system as a survival-based spirit, it might also overlap with other alignments depending on what fuels its 'passion.'

The Fluid Nature of Spirit Alignment: A Case Study of Spite

Spite as a Spirit of Passion:

In datamined notes from DATV, Spite was originally described as a Spirit of Passion before being later redefined as a Spirit of Determination.

Spite was drawn to Lucanis because of his unwavering will to live.

Over time, Spite evolved into a Spirit of Obsession.

Spirit Alignment Classification:

This connection led the creator of The Fade Codex to classify Spirits of Passion under survival-based spirits.

Fluid Alignment of Passion Spirits:

The alignment of a Spirit of Passion can vary depending on what fuels their passion.

They might align with chaos, love, or strength, depending on their purpose and connection to the mortal they are drawn to.

Case Study: The Evolution of a Spirit – From Compassion to Eulogy

Stage 1: Spirit of Compassion

Purpose: A Spirit of Compassion manifests in Dock Town during a series of demonic murders, offering comfort to the fallen.

Awareness: It senses a connection between the victims, but lacks the knowledge to fully understand it.

Stage 2: Transformation into Eulogy

Catalyst: The repeated loss and a growing awareness of manipulation behind the deaths drive the spirit to evolve into Eulogy.

Purpose: Eulogy vows to remember the dead and protect others from demonic threats, gaining a clearer sense of purpose and identity.

Stage 3: Eulogy’s Role in Dock Town

Action: Eulogy actively protects Dock Town’s residents and seeks to prevent further manipulation.

Analysis of Spirit Evolution

Emotional Catalyst: Exposure to suffering and injustice pushed the Spirit of Compassion to evolve.

Outcome: Eulogy combines its original compassion with a clear mission of protection and remembrance.

Significance: This evolution highlights how spirits can grow from simple embodiments of emotion into complex entities with distinct goals.

Eulogy serves as an example of spirit evolution shaped by emotional resonance and purpose, showing how a spirit can adapt to meet the needs of those it watches over.

[holistichealingg]

It is time to let go. No more holding on to familiar, comfortable, self-sabotaging patterns, in order to release and welcome alignment.

[aplpaca]

I reblog a fair amount of posts talking about avoiding hypocrisy and pushing for "good leftism" bc they often make good points about moral consistency and stuff but like. you really should not care about whether you're being a Good Leftist™️, you should care about whether what you believe and what you do actually helps people and produces compassion in yourself and others.

[omegalawliet]

I don't think Light would be a republican tbh.

[yourhealingodyssey]

[carbonated-fenwater]

Imagine this:

You are at a party. It's kind of a shitty party if I'm being honest, and for some convoluted reason at this party there are two bowls of punch that everyone is voting for. Whichever bowl of punch gets the most votes is the one that EVERYONE has to drink from at the end of the night. No exceptions. If you are at this party, you have to drink from the winning punch bowl.

One of the punch bowls is just regular punch. Maybe it's a little sour or tastes like cough syrup, either way you're not a super huge fan of the flavor. The other punch bowl has rat poison in it. Definitively. You saw someone pouring looney tunes ACME amounts of rat poison into it and then start telling people at the party it was sugar.

Now some other people at the party know that the second bowl is poisoned, and are trying really hard to convince everyone to vote for the un-poisoned bowl. But a lot of other people are really gunning for that rat poison, insisting that what you saw was a fabrication, a hoax, a filthy slander of their precious punch bowl. Or they just wholeheartedly believe the rat poison won't also kill them, the punch is just that good.

Either way the fact remains, one bowl of punch just tastes bad and will probably leave your mouth feeling a little tacky, and the other bowl is full of rat poisoned punch.

You decide not to vote for either bowl because you don't really like either of the flavors.

This is how undecided voters sound to me. Vote Blue. Even if you don't agree, for the good of everyone, Vote Blue.

[syn4k]

the mental gymnastics this man is currently engaging in to justify theft could win him a gold metal at the olympics

[thefadecodex]

In DATV, our understanding of spirits deepens through two pivotal quests: In Memoriam and Spirits of the Dalish. These quests portray spirits as deeply empathetic entities shaped by emotions, capable of growth, distress, and healing.

The basic 'formula' can be used to figure out if a Spirit is going to become corrupted or return to the Fade: Purpose Disrupted → Emotional Distress → Catalyst Event → Mortal Intervention → Outcome (Corruption or Return).

In In Memoriam:

A Spirit of Compassion transforms into Eulogy through an act of remembrance.

This transformation highlights that spirits can evolve when guided by mortal intention.

In Spirits of the Dalish:

An 'Anxious Spirit', burdened by grief over the deaths of the Dalish, risks corruption.

Bellara observes that spirits overwhelmed by negative emotions are at risk of turning into something darker.

Spite identifies the Anxious Spirit as a Spirit of Comfort.

For the Spirit of Comfort to return to the Fade, it requires action, including: 1. Gathering mementos and 2. Holding a vigil.

This concept is briefly explored in DAI, but the encounter is so fleeting that it didn’t leave a strong impression on the creator, even after multiple playthroughs. However, it seems likely that this quest was laying the groundwork for a deeper exploration of the idea in DATV

In Burdens of Command (DAI):

A Spirit of Command struggles with the physical world’s refusal to obey its directives, unlike the fluid responsiveness of the Fade.

The spirit expresses frustration at its inability to exert control in the physical realm.

The Inquisitor aids the spirit by slaying the Rage Demon.

After receiving assistance, the spirit returns to the Fade with ease.

So, what does this tell us? Spirits are not static entities—they are deeply influenced by mortal intention, emotional states, and symbolic acts. Their stability hinges on fulfilling their purpose or finding resolution, without which they risk corruption or transformation.

1. Spirits Have a 'Threshold' for Emotional Distress

Implication: Spirits can endure negative emotions or experiences for only a limited time before risking corruption or transformation.

Significance: This suggests spirits have an internal tether to their purpose. When that tether is strained or broken, their identity unravels, leaving them vulnerable to corruption or transformation into darker forms (e.g., Comfort becoming Fear or Despair).

2. Spirits Require Resolution Through Action

Implication: The Anxious Spirit needed an act of closure (the vigil) to find peace, showing that spirits cannot simply "will" themselves back to their purpose—they require external, symbolic actions aligned with their nature.

Significance: Spirits rely on harmony between their emotional state and purpose, often needing external intervention to restore balance. This suggests they are not entirely self-sufficient and may depend on mortals or other spirits for stability.

3. Spirits Are Deeply Affected by Mortal Emotions and Experiences

Implication: The Anxious Spirit's distress stemmed from the violent, unresolved deaths of the Dalish, showing that spirits are deeply empathetic and can become trapped in emotional feedback loops tied to mortal events.

Significance: Spirits' emotional states are reactive and tethered to their surroundings, suggesting they can "absorb" ambient emotional energy, especially when it clashes with their purpose.

4. Corruption May Not Be Instantaneous, But a Process

Implication: Spirits do not immediately become corrupted when they encounter negative emotions. There is a window of opportunity to intervene, as seen with the Anxious Spirit.

Significance: This challenges the assumption that spirits are instantly corrupted by negative emotions.*

*Note: This is not including events where a spirit is bound against it's will and forced against it's purpose.

5. Action is Needed for Spirits

Implication: The vigil was not just a symbolic act for the Anxious Spirit—it was an anchor, grounding the spirit back to its original purpose.

Significance: Spirits often need ritual or symbolic acts to realign with their purpose after prolonged distress, highlighting their intrinsic connection to intention, symbolism, and the constructs of the Fade..

6. Time Is a Factor in Spirit Corruption

Implication: The longer a spirit exists in emotional distress, the closer they come to losing their purpose and becoming corrupted.

Significance: There seems to be an unspoken "time limit" during which intervention must occur. This "time limit" may different depending on the spirit as well--a more "simple" spirit, such as a Spirit of Comfort may have less time for an intervention vs a more "complex" spirit, such as a Spirit of Compassion.

[carverl]

I made a thing

[alicewritten]

i am capable of going towards what is meant for me, even if it feels scary. i deserve it

[polengl-blog]

There’s a stillness in true satisfaction.

A quiet yes that settles in your bones. It feels like alignment, like fullness, like coming home. Settling, on the other hand— it hums with unrest. It’s shrinking yourself just to stay. It’s holding your breath and calling it love. One nourishes. The other empties. And once you learn the difference, you’ll stop choosing half-loves and start waiting for what’s whole. You weren’t made to dim your light. You were made to feel at peace.

[dark-wackademia]

heal the wounds you never noticed being made.

[trashfangirlsworld]

Also I'm thinking about tallulah's response of "whatever" when qphil told her if people are in need then they should be helped... It's so much like what qwilbur taught her initially and she's come to accept that she's not capble of being the same person that he knew anymore and it's fine because even if he thinks she's different she has other family right? And then qphil tells her this and she realizes that her fathers are more similar than she thought so then... what if she's the odd one out of the family..?