#vorbis

[pratchettquotes]

Vorbis turned his head slightly, looking sidelong at Brutha as if he was trying to hide behind his own face.

Terry Pratchett, Small Gods

[cake-apostate]

What gets to me about Vorbis is that he's sincere. He's not corrupt, he's not a hypocrite; he is a pious follower of the Church of Om who obeys every rule. And yet he is one of the evilest people on the Disc.

I'm only casually familiar, but I get the feeling that there's a common plot where there's a corrupt and decadent religion that is returned to its good roots by a humble believer. The villains are often priests who put up a veneer of piety in public while they secretly hoard wealth and get drunk in violation of their religion's tenets.

Small Gods is not that plot. Brutha isn't fighting the corruption of Om's words, nor is he fighting people who use religion as a means to wealth and power. If anything, he's the one who 'corrupted' Omnianism into a religion of peace and debate.

The church under Vorbis isn't a corruption of Om's words as much as a distillation; at the very start, Om only cared about getting new followers and putting unbelievers to the sword, and now he has countries conquered in his name and heretics put to the knife. And Vorbis doesn't seek wealth or power for himself; he denies himself pleasures of the flesh, and dedicates himself entirely to his religion (or so he thinks).

When Vorbis kills the porpoise, not even Brutha can find a word in the books of the Prophets against that. When Didactylos burns the Library of Ephebe, he says it's in part a way to keep its knowledge out of Vorbis's hands, but Brutha knows that Vorbis would not read a single scroll. And the scene where Om and Brutha are eating the melon in Ephebe hits me every time; Om thinks that Vorbis is feasting, while Brutha says that he only eats stale bread. He adds that he sits and waits for the bread to get stale.

[dimity-lawn]

[aeshnacyanea2000]

'You know,' he said, turning to Simony. 'Now I know Vorbis is evil. He burned my city. Well, the Tsorteans do it sometimes, and we burn theirs. It's just war. It's all part of history. And he lies and cheats and claws power for himself, and lots of people do that, too. But do you know what's special? Do you know what it is?' 'Of course,' said Simony. 'It's what he's doing to-' 'It's what he's done to you.' 'What? ' 'He turns other people into copies of himself.'

-- Terry Pratchett- Small Gods

[grouper]

[Spoilers]

I really liked your Vorbis analysis!! Especially the part about him not receiving some kind of Eternal Punishment (like he threatened so many others with)... because obviously that would be completely against the theme of the book.

I find it fascinating how Vorbis's mind is repeatedly described as impenetrable ("like a steel ball," I think is the simile). No ideas in or out. It evokes an inhumanity, almost an automaton-ity. He flips a turtle on its back simply because he can. I wonder if that's why he shuts down at the end? Because there's nothing to do in the black desert except introspect... something Vorbis is utterly incapable of.

It seems ambiguous to me whether Vorbis really believes in the tenets of Omnianism in any form (even the corrupted institution of The Church, which stole the belief of Om). I don't really think he believes in anything at all.

My reading is that he's mechanical, unspiritual, not fully human, on account of his disconnection from sincerity and idealism (the things that fuel Brutha). And thus, when there's no more material reality for him to connive about, he's rendered inert.

you knowwww i've been mulling this one over for a bit now and i think i've got my interpretation of vorbis figured out, which is funny because i've landed on sort of the opposite side of the spectrum of interpretation?? i think?? bare with me pls lol

pratchett opens Small Gods by describing a torture chamber, the workplace of the inquisitors. with cards from family pinned up on the wall, everybody's mugs (world's best dad, etc) lined up in the break room. immediately, we are offered a theme: anyone can be a horrible person. you don't need to have a special kind of mind.

with vorbis, i don't believe there is anything deeper than what we are told. mind like a steel ball yes- but i don't find that to be indicative of concealment. with a steel ball, there's nothing to penetrate into. moreover, it can't be dented or changed in any way. it just sits there, shining coldly, and it's cold steel all the way through.

now i think this is still really interesting, because we are given certain cues to indicate how seriously harmful this state of mind is to Vorbis the Man.

A conversation about Vorbis's presentation and authenticity is had .

Brutha shoots this down with certainty. And we're meant to trust Brutha, i think. Otherwise anything goes, narrative-wise. Brutha also explains elsewhere that Vorbis waits for bread to get stale before eating it.

this truth is all but proven when Brutha finds Vorbis in the desert. Vorbis is described as incredibly frail and brittle. Pratchett states that Brutha could break him in his hands. that is not the body of a healthy man. I believe that he truly gave his life to the church, i believe that he lives by the rules of Omnianism to the letter. and i also believe that

I also don't believe that Vorbis is unthinking or unfeeling, or even unspiritual. No... i think it's way scarier to imagine that he is a completely "normal" person. I believe his brain operates normally- he is human, just like everyone else in the quisition. but Vorbis is the highest extreme of what it means to give everything you have to a corrupt belief system.

IE, he is a representation of what occurs when one becomes entirely mentally closed-off from the world. Instead of healthy human behavior, he derives the only pleasure he can ever feel from having power over others.

An important point: he literally dies to save Omnia. His death is the lynchpin in the development of the country.

So, let's run this down. Vorbis is shown to deny himself all earthly pleasures, including things like food which are physically necessary to live. His death upon the symbolic turtle (cross) was the sign of the age of the new prophet. Also, he was said to have nails (✝️!!) sewn into his underclothes. I believe he feels: i believe he feels incredible suffering at all times.

I'm Keeping in mind the story's biblical themes, I believe that Vorbis is actually meant to be read as the story's martyr.

Now, it becomes more complicated when considering Brutha's role in all of this- i have yet to crack that one. But i'll have to keep thinking about it. And i understand that this isn't proof that Vorbis isn't some kind of human robot - he could be described that way still.

But all things considered, this is the reasoning for my own interpretation.

monsters are scariest when they're desperate.

sidenote: I also believe that in chapter 92, we are meant to draw a semi-direct parallel between Vorbis and the starving desert lion. It may be the furthest look we get into Vorbis's psyche. I may be way off, so take that how u will.

other sidenote: i have a mental thing about vorbis and brutha both being martyr. but. i'll come to that eventually

[blindantigone]

My Personal List of Most Horrific Things in Discworld So Far (in no particular order)

-the Rat King from The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents. Eight rats with their tails tied together and mind control powers? Horrifying *bristles in disgust*

-the wolf-man hybrid who begs for death in Witches Abroad. So sad and disturbing, I wish he could have been saved

-Vorbis in Small Gods, he is just terrifying everything he does, chilling--especially because there is nothing supernatural about him, there are real people in this world just like him

[witch-in-pointy-hat]

Bored in class so here's a quick sketch of Vorbis from Small Gods. Yes he does look suspiciously like the grand inquisitor from star wars because that's how I imagined him reading the book.

[linuxgamenews]

Get Geneforge 2 - Infestation: The Enhanced RPG Experience

Geneforge 2 - Infestation open-ended adventure game is playable on Linux via Proton with Windows PC and Mac. Thanks to the skilled team at Spiderweb Software for making this happen. Available on both Steam and GOG. If you're into RPGs and looking for something new to dive into, check this out: Geneforge 2 - Infestation has just landed on PC and Mac, and it's playable on Linux. This isn't just any release; it's a complete overhaul of the cult favorite "Geneforge 2" from 2003.

All of our games run well under WINE emulation. We’ve done it in the past, and I’m afraid they don’t sell.

Although Spiderweb Software doesn't offer native ports, their games are compatible with WINE, which extends to Proton too. It's a bit of a letdown not to have a native build, but at least there's a workaround for Linux players. The team at Spiderweb Software has gone all out here, expanding on the original into Geneforge 2 - Infestation. Along with added storylines, quests, and adventures, not to mention a slick, updated UI. But don't worry, they've kept all the elements that made fans like the original. It's all about striking that balance between the new and the nostalgic, and it looks like they've nailed it.

Geneforge 2 - Infestation Trailer

You get to play as Shapers, incredibly powerful wizards with the ability to create life. The twist? Your creations, once loyal, are now rebelling. Caught in the middle, you're faced with a huge decision: support the Shapers or join forces with the rebels. It's a complex setup that offers a ton of freedom in how you approach the situation. The enthusiasm for the Geneforge 2 - Infestation release is a given. A hugely successful Kickstarter campaign raised over $76,500, thanks to more than 1,500 backers. This support has allowed the developers to pack in even more content. We're talking about over 50 hours of playtime, multiple endings, and loads of replay potential. Whether you're into direct combat or prefer a more strategic, diplomatic approach, there's a playstyle for everyone. And choices matter here; they shape the world and your experience. Geneforge 2 - Infestation isn't just a simple touch-up; it's a full revamp with new areas, quests, characters, and dialogue. The team has reworked everything to bring it up to modern standards without losing the charm of the original. Jeff Vogel, the founder of Spiderweb Software, sums it up well. He's a veteran in the industry, and "Geneforge 2" is one of their biggest successes. According to him, the depth and variety in player choices. Such as being able to go through the entire thing without fighting. While making it stand out even two decades later. So, if you're on the hunt for a solid, old-school open-ended adventure game with a fantastic story and lots of freedom, Geneforge 2 - Infestation is definitely worth checking out. It's available right now Windows PC and Mac, but playable on Linux via Proton on Steam and GOG. Priced at $16.99 USD / £14.23 / 16,57€ with the 15% discount.

[daemonhxckergrrl]

changing my mind on webm (we'll see about webp) but the filesize difference between two identical video streams in mp4 and webm, plus vp8/9 and vorbis/opus being open codecs (even if vp8/9 was developed by a company google acquired, and vorbis is kinda old now). i hope av1 ends up making it as standard in webm since it's completely open (no google offering it openly but also holding patents on some parts nonsense).

i do wish they'd pick a different file extension (i'm a bikeshedder, alright ? )

[tiodolma]

vorbis's mental gymnastics tho

[two-40-foot-slabs]

all my OCs in their halloween costumes =)

[dimity-lawn]

[ansatsu-sha]

The Tyrant nodded.

'As you wish. In the meantime, the palace is at your disposal. There are many fine temples and works of art should you wish to inspect them. When you require meals, mention the fact to the nearest slave.'

'Slave is an Ephebian word. In Om we have no word for slave,' said Vorbis.

'So I understand,' said the Tyrant. 'I imagine that fish have no word for water.' He smiled the fleeting smile again.

Terry Pratchett / Small Gods

[grouper]

I was patiently following your Vorbis Posting, waiting with bated breath for you to get to The Part At The End, in the black desert.

Have you read another Discworld book, titled Pyramids? I think you would also like Dios.

thank you for the ask anon!!

putting my vorbis stuff here to illustrate.

OK. OK OK OK listen. yes ive read pyramids, i really liked it! dios is definitely very similar, but very different. the idea of needing things to stay the same, needing to 'keep things running'. though i believe that dios was spurred on by his sense of duty, whereas vorbis is motivated by self-interest.

on to vorbis. it's a chunk of text 😃

note: i'm currently giving small gods a second listen-through, just to get some things straight. i'm filling up a doc with vorbis stuff which i'm hoping to do something with eventually- but his character is so complicated it's been a bit of an exercise to get everything straight.

re: the part at the end. i think it's good and right that it happened that way, and it also gives me the feels in a huge good way. BUT i also am struggling to reconcile it with the rest of vorbis's character! he looked inside himself and immediately became lost. and he stayed at the edge of the desert until brutha came to him, and they walked the desert together. that is how i understand the actual plot points.

all i can think of is that- when vorbis's personal belief system was dismantled entirely, he was left with nothing. he was not equipped to be left alone with no power, no influence, and only his own mind for company. part of what makes it feel so sad to me is that it feels like brutha became his caretaker in the desert originally- and even more so when they walked together into the black desert. it felt to me like vorbis almost regressed back to a childlike mindset, since he never learned any other way of being if that makes sense? it seems like the only way vorbis could cope.

the point of importance here is the narrative's magnaminity: vorbis might be shocked, scared, or lost- but he is not being 'punished for his sins'. the narrative allows vorbis to be forgiven. vorbis has paid, "just-us" has been served, and now vorbis is just left with nothing. effectively, he becomes innocent again.

now, i am still processing vorbis's original journey through the desert with brutha and Om. i can't decide on what level of lucidity he was at throughout, as different interpretations greatly change the narrative!

you'll hear more vorbis stuff from me as i continue to relisten. i'm really impressed with small gods if you couldn't tell. i'm so happy to find some intelligent fiction that really resonates for me. :D

tiny edit: i would really appreciate corrections to any points i might have missed/misconstrued.

[blindantigone]

Vorbis being Terrifying and Murdering Innocent People in Cold Blood

Nothing graphic, and yet much scarier and more disturbing than most of the gory horror movies I've seen.