Topic: Our Salvation: It Is Written (Read 262502 times)

Xantalos · « **Reply #330 on:** January 09, 2016, 01:43:56 pm »

"Oh for - sir woman knight who is most likely incredibly deadly with that sword of yours, believe it or not I'm actually an incredibly good actor as you can see from all this commotion I've caused. I'm actually about to horribly sacrifice this stoat in order to turn something into a profane object so that when I gather two other things in conjunction with it and bring them to the insane blacksmith kid, he'll make me a kickass sword! See, makes perfect sense.
..."
_{"huh, this has actually rather gotten a bit overly wild hasn't it."}

Jack shakes his head.

"Look, it's no matter anyway. The things I was gonna do to this poor bastard were of a calibre that it wouldn't really survive the next two minutes or so anyway, and as far as I'm aware there's no law against beating a dead stoat, which is what the majority of this is going to consist of. But because you have said big honking sword that you look very proficient with, and in the interests of my congregation who wish to get on with the obliteration part of the whole thing, I'll compromise. I'll stab him in the heart and then do what I was going to do. Sound good?"

Assuming the knight agrees, proceed with what I was doing before, only stab the stoat a dozen or so times in the heart area before I proceed.

If I'm overcome by demonic hunger for no real reason during this talking, do the sensible thing and direct it against the defenceless stoat instead of the armoured old grandma who could likely kick my naked ass six ways to Sunday.

Harry Baldman · « **Reply #331 on:** January 10, 2016, 08:01:17 am »

Quote from: penguinofhonor on January 09, 2016, 07:06:04 am

"From what I've seen, the meaning of these words depends on how you use them. Like regular words, I guess."

I look over to the crowd by the circle. "God, what are they doing over there? I hoped with that guy gone they'd stop... but one of my friends seems to have stepped in for him." I fume for a minute, imagining Mr. Daniels taking this even further. Eventually I have an idea and begin to focus on him. "You know what? You want to be barbaric, I'll show you barbaric. You already seem to thirst for blood but now you HUNGER for it."

HUNGER

[Word: 4]

Mr. Daniels pricks up his ears at the word. But he is not what you have spoken to. You feel it stir, on the edge of fully awakening. Fortunately, however, it does not. It is suggestible in this state, you find, filtering through Mr. Daniels' mind as it lays claim to the sacrificial stoat. It is also quite quick in its work, and has an unhealthy disrespect for the laws of nature.

As it does its thing and becomes dormant once more, whatever ritual they may have had in mind is definitely eliminated as a possibility. So you suppose you accomplished that.

You look at your minder companion. That was, uh, very impressive! Yes. Very good. Now how about you never do that again. It's, er, probably not good for the environment. Yes. Let's just go to the well. And avoid that Mr. Daniels person before he looks your way.

Quote from: AoshimaMichio on January 09, 2016, 09:18:50 am

"Oh. That... sucks." Leif is a bit loss for words too. His theory of a jealous queen and pretty lady is off by far.

"Well, let's talk about something not as sad. The stoat didn't know what electricity is. I'm kinda hoping here you would know."

Pay back for teachings of minders: teach her atomic theory and wonders of electricity.

[Miracles of Science: 3]

You tell your cellmate fabulous tales of electricity and atoms, the unseen magic of the modern world! The way of the future! The thing that smarter people work on where you're from, basically. Like minding, she suggests, and you agree, sort of. Electricity is pretty useful, though. It makes stuff work, basically. Magnets are involved somehow. And you can split the atom to make water boil, which makes electricity because it turns a turbine. But you need to be careful, because you can also make a big explosion if you're not careful when splitting the atom. Or fusing atoms. Either works.

The lady listens with attention. You think she gets the idea- wait, does she know what an atom is? She says that she understands the concept, yes. The atom is a small, indivisible element of matter. Everything's made of atoms, yes? She is familiar with the idea - it is not quite a popular theory, but an interesting one nevertheless. And you say that splitting this indivisible element causes large releases of energy? As does the fusion of the two? Seems an interesting concept, at least. You tell her it has something to do with mass and energy. And an atom isn't really indivisible, it's got these bits called protons, neutrons and electrons in it and around it. And those are made up of... quarks? You think it was quarks. And it goes further down, too. You don't remember what was further down.

Interesting, she says. How did they discover all this? You have to admit that you have little clue on the matter. Scientists can get pretty inscrutable. Like minders, she offers. Yes, like minders, you agree.

Quote from: Toaster on January 09, 2016, 09:32:02 am

Oh dear. "Um... well, I wouldn't want to cause trouble for the local police. Okay, sure? Maybe you'll know how I can get home. Which is all I want!"

Come quietly. Maybe this guard knows how to get there.

[Pursuit of Justice: 1]

You follow the guard quietly. The guard snorts in disappointment and guides you rudely down one of the hallways to what looks like a kitchen. A kitchen girl seems to be idling about, looking nervous. She scrambles away when the two of you arrive, and the guard chuckles. They're so skittish, the servants. Wouldn't you agree?

You are led down further into what looks like a wine cellar. The size of it is sufficient that even the castle's prolonged siege has failed to make more than a slight dent in the reserves - you see two other guards, probably sisters if you consider their mutual resemblance, making a heroic effort to change this situation, however, having a drinking contest over the brutalized body of what probably used to be an enterprising-looking teenager. He's still alive, and clearly not thankful for the fact.

Right, says your escort. The tone of his boss' voice indicated that you know something. He doesn't know what that is. But it's their job to find out. You wonder why he's facing away from you when he says that, but then you realize he's not actually talking to you. The two sisters size you up as he speaks. One of them whistles while the other starts laughing.

Good times will be had, they assure you. Good times will be had.

Quote from: Dermonster on January 09, 2016, 10:32:24 am

"I see.."

Right, time to leave. If she tries anything, introduce her to my friend the moon rock at high velocities.

Also, go see if I can get her removed for incompetence. I am the minister of moronic affairs!

Then... maybe theres a better healer in the town proper?

You leave without issue. The healer respects your desire for wholeness, however misguided it may be. Despite this, you think she's perhaps not the most qualified to hold this position. You decide to take this up with the local authority. The queen is within easy reach, fortunately. You tell her and her violent-looking guard captain that the doctor is wildly incompetent. As the Minister of Moronic Affairs, you feel this puts her under your jurisdiction.

[A Formal Complaint: 2]

A valid complaint, certainly, but good god, man, what the hell happened to you? And what's that boulder following you? You explain that it's a long story that you do not quite understand fully yourself, then ask again if they'll let someone else be the doctor.

The queen begins to reply, but the guard interjects to provide some much-needed precision. She says the only other person who really fits the qualifications (as in, has a knife, free time and a steady hand) is the turnkey. He was actually the first pick, and he politely declined the post when offered. And there was also the third pick, she supposes - the bone carver. He has enthusiasm, granted. Terrible bedside manner, though. Worse than the current doctor, if you can believe that.

You could try to wander into Anglefork proper, you think. It'd require you to come out of the castle and wade through a legion of stoatmen. You have shiny rock that could help with that, actually.

Quote from: Xantalos on January 09, 2016, 01:43:56 pm

"Oh for - sir woman knight who is most likely incredibly deadly with that sword of yours, believe it or not I'm actually an incredibly good actor as you can see from all this commotion I've caused. I'm actually about to horribly sacrifice this stoat in order to turn something into a profane object so that when I gather two other things in conjunction with it and bring them to the insane blacksmith kid, he'll make me a kickass sword! See, makes perfect sense.
..."
_{"huh, this has actually rather gotten a bit overly wild hasn't it."}

Jack shakes his head.

"Look, it's no matter anyway. The things I was gonna do to this poor bastard were of a calibre that it wouldn't really survive the next two minutes or so anyway, and as far as I'm aware there's no law against beating a dead stoat, which is what the majority of this is going to consist of. But because you have said big honking sword that you look very proficient with, and in the interests of my congregation who wish to get on with the obliteration part of the whole thing, I'll compromise. I'll stab him in the heart and then do what I was going to do. Sound good?"

Assuming the knight agrees, proceed with what I was doing before, only stab the stoat a dozen or so times in the heart area before I proceed.

If I'm overcome by demonic hunger for no real reason during this talking, do the sensible thing and direct it against the defenceless stoat instead of the armoured old grandma who could likely kick my naked ass six ways to Sunday.

[Knight's Patience: 4]

She stops in front of you, not terribly interested in your excuses. Move out of the way, she says. This has gone on far enough.

[Awakening: 6]

HUNGER

Your discipline holds at the right moment, a crucial instruction holding as your mind ceases to act. You take a seven-foot step back, finding yourself on the other side of the slab. You start shaking as you look down at the stoat, now released from the grip of the crowd, helpless before you. It will do. You grab its legs and arms and fold it up, contort it into a more manageable shape. It is usefully flexible for this purpose, though certain larger bones snap in the process.

Your chest opens, an aperture of ribs-turned-teeth, a long and hungry heart lowering to accommodate the large morsel. You force the stoatman down, your skin stretching, muscles reorganizing. The closing of the greater mouth completes the process of swallowing, and for a moment you stand there, bloated beyond human possibility. Your insides contract, a myriad of cracks issuing from the stoatman's body. It screams as it comes apart and you eat its final thoughts greedily. Not a drop of her is wasted. Your body contracts once more, crushing the stoat into somehow less than she was, and then a final time. You now look the same as before, seemingly unchanged by the experience.

Looking around, you wonder if time has somehow stopped. You look at the crowd and the knight doubtfully, waving your hand to check if they respond. A few people at the outer edges break into a sprint, tripping all over themselves to get away. They are soon followed by the people at an uncomfortable equilibrium between paralyzing fear and frightened wonder. The crowd thins rapidly as a consequence.

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

penguinofhonor · « **Reply #332 on:** January 10, 2016, 08:43:57 am »

"Holy fuck... that was not supposed to happen." I really need to watch my temper. For now, I hurry to the well before I draw any attention.

AoshimaMichio · « **Reply #333 on:** January 10, 2016, 08:57:37 am »

((Xantalos has interesting ability to find fleshwarper abilities everywhere. Oh, penguinofhonor, you could probably create black hole with HUNGER.))

Let's then explain how things work when scale is taken upwards few notches. Secret of the stars, gravity, monsters of the cosmos, galaxies, and stuff.

Dermonster · « **Reply #334 on:** January 10, 2016, 10:33:18 am »

Damnit. Ask where the baths and guest room is. Maybe I can sleep it off. After a lukewarm bath. Because bits are still falling off.

Xantalos · « **Reply #335 on:** January 11, 2016, 01:29:32 am »

"Er. What. What did I do."

Jack glances downward.

"Where'd the stoat go? Why am I over here now? This doesn't ... this smells metaphorically of magical fuckery of some kind. Knight grandma lady, what happened? Did I do something stupidly horrific? Why's everyone running away? Was it one of those magic words?"

Ascertain what my abomination status looked like to outsiders, gain IC info of said abominationing.

Harry Baldman · « **Reply #336 on:** January 11, 2016, 06:52:25 am »

Quote from: penguinofhonor on January 10, 2016, 08:43:57 am

"Holy fuck... that was not supposed to happen." I really need to watch my temper. For now, I hurry to the well before I draw any attention.

You go down the well by chain while the girl floats down under her own power, successfully avoiding Mr. Daniels' fell gaze. The area is still full of rat-eaten minder corpses, though in a slightly more advanced state of being eaten by rats. The girl pales as she regards them. Your thoughts didn't quite capture the smell.

Anyway, the hidden's door. She goes up to it, trying to open it up. She puts her hands on it, reading your expectations before you are finished forming them. The door does not appear to react, however. Maybe it does not like her for some reason, you think. The girl looks your way, wondering why it wouldn't like her. She's a perfectly good minder! What does this door know, anyway?

Quote from: AoshimaMichio on January 10, 2016, 08:57:37 am

((Xantalos has interesting ability to find fleshwarper abilities everywhere. Oh, penguinofhonor, you could probably create black hole with HUNGER.))

Let's then explain how things work when scale is taken upwards few notches. Secret of the stars, gravity, monsters of the cosmos, galaxies, and stuff.

[Miracles of Science: 2]

The universe is really old, you remark. Your cellmate agrees with this entirely reasonable notion. You clarify - like, really old. So old there's holes in it. She supposes that might also be possible. What kind of holes do you mean?

You are glad she asked! There's black and white ones, you tell her. Black ones, stuff goes in. White ones, stuff comes out. A common thing in space, you say. Okay, she says after a moment. You don't think she's buying it so much as humoring you for the sake of polite conversation.

Quote from: Dermonster on January 10, 2016, 10:33:18 am

Damnit. Ask where the baths and guest room is. Maybe I can sleep it off. After a lukewarm bath. Because bits are still falling off.

[Necessary Facilities: 4]

You know, the queen or her personal guard captain might not be the people to bother about this sort of thing. But they're going to give you this one. You look like you really need it. The queen calls up a nearby servant and tells her to draw you up a bath in one of the top floor chambers. You'd prefer it lukewarm, you mention. Luckily a single bathtub remains on hand.

It takes a little while to get it ready. But there you have it - a darkened bedroom, a tub of pleasantly lukewarm water, and even some soap. No lovely attendant to help you out or anything, the servant who fixed it having moved along on other business. It's reasonably good treatment, one supposes.

Quote from: Xantalos on January 11, 2016, 01:29:32 am

"Er. What. What did I do."

Jack glances downward.

"Where'd the stoat go? Why am I over here now? This doesn't ... this smells metaphorically of magical fuckery of some kind. Knight grandma lady, what happened? Did I do something stupidly horrific? Why's everyone running away? Was it one of those magic words?"

Ascertain what my abomination status looked like to outsiders, gain IC info of said abominationing.

[Knight's Explanation: 5]

You ate the stoat, she says, raising her sword. A hunger was called upon you by a woman in the crowd, driving you to wild excesses of grossly unnatural behavior. It is still in there, this hunger. Could come back out at any moment. That of course means you had best keep your distance from her. Now and forever. You don't suppose there's any problem with that notion as long as a certain standard of civility is maintained, right?

The elderly guard, meanwhile, seems fairly pleased, stepping closer. He had his reservations about you, he says, the barest trace of a grin on his face, but you seem to have acquitted yourself well with that last maneuver. Quick, efficient, complete. A very good encapsulation of the unfeeling, indiscriminate destruction of all things by time. Suboptimal that the master of ceremonies did not see it and was not present to explain the salient points to the less observant, but inspiration waits for no man. It was a privilege to have observed this, sir. Good show all around. If you will excuse him and the right honorable turnkey, however, they happen to have a prisoner to release.

The guard begins to walk off, but his three-eyed companion lingers a little longer, staring unblinkingly at your borrowed knife. He would very much like it returned, you assume from the intense look on his face. It is a very fine knife, after all.

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

Dermonster · « **Reply #337 on:** January 11, 2016, 08:03:11 am »

Right, well. Let's get cleaned up a bit. is there a bucket so I can get most of the stuff that'll flake off in the bath off first? Otherwise just get in the damn bath, wash up, and go find a bed.

AoshimaMichio · « **Reply #338 on:** January 11, 2016, 08:30:33 am »

"Science is difficult. Very complex and sophisticated methodology for repeated testing and confirming test results. And challenging old theories with new ideas to be proven right or wrong. I may not be the most qualified person to explain it, because I'm not a scientist. I wish I was, but I didn't pass university tests. Should have studied more, but young as I was, my main concern was partying and burning churches. Now I mine gold and silver in the world's most remote mine."

"Nice weather here, by the way."

Give up science. Mistakes of youth. Small talk.

penguinofhonor · « **Reply #339 on:** January 11, 2016, 09:24:03 am »

"Hm, it might only react to the people the minders brought here. It did say I was 'highly compatible'... Maybe whatever you saw in my mind has something to do with it?"

I touch the door to see what happens, but do not attempt to enter it.

Toaster · « **Reply #340 on:** January 11, 2016, 10:07:21 am »

"I assure you, good sir, I am as confused as anyone here, if not more. My sole desire is to leave this place, for I have surely missed a most important meeting with Mr. Munderly at Sureness Assurance in Albany. No one here seems to know how to get there, and I have been asking around. I'm not even sure how I got here, seeing as I woke up naked being dragged around in a sack. If you could find out who got me here, I'd be most appreciative."

He was quiet for a moment.

"This is quite the collection of wine. I trust you have your rarer specimens insured properly?"

Bad time for a sales pitch

Xantalos · « **Reply #341 on:** January 11, 2016, 06:49:03 pm »

"Hmm. An unnatural hunger, you say? Er. What exactly did I do? There doesn't seem to be any blood around here so I couldn't very much have eaten the stoat with my mouth.

I've no problem keeping my distance from you, of course. Do you perhaps know which woman it was that called the hunger on me? Which way she went, maybe?"

Jack looks askance at the turnkey.

"I'll be sure to give you your knife back, good sir. Just give me a moment to ... figure out exactly what just happened."

While requesting further clarification, ruminate upon the depths of my mind. Do I feel any sort of overwhelming hunger in there anywhere? Any metaphorical sleeping dragons in my head?

Harry Baldman · « **Reply #342 on:** January 12, 2016, 06:42:40 am »

Quote from: Dermonster on January 11, 2016, 08:03:11 am

Right, well. Let's get cleaned up a bit. is there a bucket so I can get most of the stuff that'll flake off in the bath off first? Otherwise just get in the damn bath, wash up, and go find a bed.

[Bath Time: 2]

You go ahead and wash off all the unsavory bits off yourself, leaving you quite shiny and clean. And despite the way you seem to have lost at least five pounds of burnt flesh in the process, producing the foulest twenty gallons of used bathwater you would ever admit responsibility for, you look relatively good, like a smaller, pinker version of yourself. This is probably not how burns work, but you're a little too tired to care.

Stepping out of the tub and shaking off the wetness, you go for the nearest bed. These being somewhat luxurious sleeping quarters, one is in very easy reach, complete with a down mattress, fancy pillow and mildly used sheets. A bit dusty, but certainly one of the better places for a bit of rest in this entire castle, you would wager.

Quote from: AoshimaMichio on January 11, 2016, 08:30:33 am

"Science is difficult. Very complex and sophisticated methodology for repeated testing and confirming test results. And challenging old theories with new ideas to be proven right or wrong. I may not be the most qualified person to explain it, because I'm not a scientist. I wish I was, but I didn't pass university tests. Should have studied more, but young as I was, my main concern was partying and burning churches. Now I mine gold and silver in the world's most remote mine."

"Nice weather here, by the way."

Give up science. Mistakes of youth. Small talk.

Your cellmate sympathizes, though she admits that her failure to become a minder did still mean she was the lady of the castle, so perhaps it was not really all that bad she didn't become a minder after all. And it is good to know that the weather in Anglefork remains fabulous - one of her favorite things about the place is that it hardly ever rains around here. Clouds have a hard time climbing up the mountainside, they say.

You hear somebody coming back to the dungeon. Oh my, has night fallen already? The steps close in quickly and your door unlocks, then opens to a carefully calculated crack. You see the elderly guardsman who put you in here on the other side. He greets you and bluntly explains that you are now free to go. Your information on the other prisoner was relevant to matters of castle security and would have earned you an earlier release, but your jail term expired before the stoatman could be captured and executed. It may or may not count for a reduction of any following jail term you may possibly incur (presumably counteracting the term increase normally levied at cases of recidivism).

Your cellmate congratulates you on your freedom. You have been a very good cellmate, and it was wonderful talking to you. She wishes you all the best on the outside.

Quote from: penguinofhonor on January 11, 2016, 09:24:03 am

"Hm, it might only react to the people the minders brought here. It did say I was 'highly compatible'... Maybe whatever you saw in my mind has something to do with it?"

I touch the door to see what happens, but do not attempt to enter it.

You touch the door, feeling it liquefy around your hand. A satiated heaviness flows into you as it starts to part before you, revealing nothing but utter and complete darkness. The threshold beckons, the well churns with anticipation. The girl stares at the opening door, trying in vain to make out what lies beyond.

You have brought a connection and a source. Both are valid offerings. The source may be redeemed for a desire and four questions. The connection may be redeemed for a desire and a question. Choose your preferred option.

Quote from: Toaster on January 11, 2016, 10:07:21 am

"I assure you, good sir, I am as confused as anyone here, if not more. My sole desire is to leave this place, for I have surely missed a most important meeting with Mr. Munderly at Sureness Assurance in Albany. No one here seems to know how to get there, and I have been asking around. I'm not even sure how I got here, seeing as I woke up naked being dragged around in a sack. If you could find out who got me here, I'd be most appreciative."

He was quiet for a moment.

"This is quite the collection of wine. I trust you have your rarer specimens insured properly?"

Bad time for a sales pitch

[Oblivious Endurance: 5]

You blink. A fist is driven into your back. You do not budge, and it does not hurt. One of the sisters knees you in the groin sharply with similar lack of results. The other whacks you across the head with a stool - a prop, you suspect, given how easily and painlessly it comes apart against your head. They seem to be a tad miffed at you not playing along.

You decide to use this opening to interrupt the roleplayers' harmless violence. This may be their idea of fun, but you do have serious matters to attend to. You explain that you have no idea what's going on and that you would like to get out of here as quickly as possible. Regrettably, they are as oblivious of the important concepts of Sureness Assurance, Mr. Munderly and even Albany as anyone you've met around here. Your refusal to play along does seem to have deflated their enthusiasm considerably, however, as now all three of the guards regard you with naked suspicion instead.

You try and break the ice by asking about the insurance on their wines, but they seem less than receptive in this regard as well.

Quote from: Xantalos on January 11, 2016, 06:49:03 pm

"Hmm. An unnatural hunger, you say? Er. What exactly did I do? There doesn't seem to be any blood around here so I couldn't very much have eaten the stoat with my mouth.

I've no problem keeping my distance from you, of course. Do you perhaps know which woman it was that called the hunger on me? Which way she went, maybe?"

Jack looks askance at the turnkey.

"I'll be sure to give you your knife back, good sir. Just give me a moment to ... figure out exactly what just happened."

While requesting further clarification, ruminate upon the depths of my mind. Do I feel any sort of overwhelming hunger in there anywhere? Any metaphorical sleeping dragons in my head?

You have a second mouth, the knight says. Right on your chest. And the woman that called it down on you, she made herself scarce in the chaos. Where she is, the knight does not know. But she intends to find out, she says as she strides away, occasionally glancing to make sure you're not following her.

The turnkey keeps staring at you. The elderly fellow tells him that they can come back in a moment and that there certainly is business to attend to, and the turnkey responds by handing him a ring of keys, his eyes still fixed on the knife, blinking a little more frequently now. The elderly guard shrugs and takes the keys, then walks off, bidding you farewell for now.

[Exploration of the Self: 1]

Not that you're really listening, of course. You're thinking inward, becoming distracted. Inward is deeper than you thought. And warmer.

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

AoshimaMichio · « **Reply #343 on:** January 12, 2016, 07:50:02 am »

"Likewise you were most pleasant cellmate I have had for... five years, maybe? I wish you swift recovery! Maybe we see again, maybe we don't. Farewell." Leif bids farewell to the lady.

"Thank you for your had work, my good man! I would offer you a drink if I had any. Now then, would you point me to the tower of minders?"

Proceed to minders tower. If any minders there make their presense known, demand they teach me their art. And since it seems they are not here, study the architecture and artwork a bit and learn secrets. Any secrets. For example location their secret stash of mead. Or location of actual clothes. Or... some other secrets.

Dermonster · « **Reply #344 on:** January 12, 2016, 08:05:43 am »

Time to find out if that hot tip of the day from when I smashed myself with that sack of gold was true. Block the door with the rock and, uh. 'rest'.

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Author Topic: Our Salvation: It Is Written (Read 262502 times)

Xantalos

Re: Our Salvation: Playing With Fire

Harry Baldman

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

penguinofhonor

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

AoshimaMichio

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

Dermonster

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

Xantalos

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

Harry Baldman

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

Dermonster

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

AoshimaMichio

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

penguinofhonor

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

Toaster

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

Xantalos

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

Harry Baldman

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

AoshimaMichio

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People

Dermonster

Re: Our Salvation: Bringing Out The Best In People