Kim the Strange’s Comments (group member since Oct 19, 2013)

Kim the Strange’s comments from the Spells, Space & Screams: Collections & Anthologies in Fantasy, Science Fiction, & Horror group.

Other:

City of Ghosts

Chapter Eleven
"We all know there’s safety in numbers. But what about fun? An apartment in Cuesta Verde guarantees you a lovely modern home, friendly neighbors who share your interests, and proximity to the Church! "—Advertising pamphlet for Cuesta Ver

Chapter Twelve

"Of course, no home is complete without a copy of The Book of Truth, and the Church provides these in colors to match any décor." —Your Home, Your Sanctuary, by Delilah Rossde Apartment Homes


Chapter Thirty-seven

" I was certainly scared when I got on the elevator, and even more scared when it stopped and my Liaiser led me into the antechamber where I met the spirit of my dead great-grandfather. But there was no need to be afraid, and I managed to trace back four more generations of my family with his help! "—“My Visit with the Dead,” by Etherida Pilcher, from It’s You! magazine, March 2000

Elder Speeches:

Unholy ghosts:

Chapter 6

'So henceforth it shall be called Triumph City, because it is the seat of the triumph of Truth, and here we shall make our glorious home" The Grand Elder, dedication speech, December 1, 1997 (after truth)


Sacrificial Magic

Chapter 1

"Only the bravest fight the dead." Grand Elder Thomas, speech to graduating students, 2007


Chasing Magic

Chapter 15

"Living in Truth does not mean living in innocence. The man who does not take precautions to safeguard his family and possessions is not holy. He is a fool." From a speech by Grand Elder Wickens, Jan 2010

Her bag is faded green like an antique army bag


Contents of her bag:

Cauldron, Pill Box, chalk, graveyard dirt, underwear, cigarettes, lighter, asafetida, psychopomp, ,melidia weed, crow's bone, corrideria, wolfsbane, Salt, hand, lock picking kit, syringe, baby wipes. Spectrometer

Her Pillbox:

:

Wedding Ceremony:

Chasing Magic:

Wedding Ceremony:

"Elder Ramos spoke. “Thaddeus Aurelius Griffin, you have requested to enter into the legal and magical binding known as marriage with this man, Keith Richard Freeling. Is that your wish?” “Yes.”“Keith Richard Freeling, you have requested to enter into the legal and magical binding known as marriage with this man, Thaddeus Aurelius Griffin. Is that your wish?” “Yes.” A long chain of specially grown blue roses and two lengths of white silk hung from the crook at the top of the stang. Elder Ramos picked up the rose chain and draped it over Elder Griffin’s and Keith’s shoulders, so they both stood inside the loop. “Your wishes are Fact. Facts are Truth.” “Facts are Truth,” the audience responded. From an inner pocket in his blue velvet Church suit, Elder Ramos pulled a ritual knife. The blade caught the candlelight and reflected it back, like a sharp piece of flame itself, hovering between the two men. “Marriages are bound by blood. Do you consent to being so bound?” “We do.” Elder Griffin and Keith let go of each other’s hands but kept their arms out, turning them to expose their palms and wrists. One of the Goodys—Goody Martin, who Chess liked—crossed the floor to kneel in front of them, holding the iron
ceremonial goblet. The knife came down, drawing lines of blood on the fleshy parts of each man’s palm. Elder Ramos handed the knife to Goody Martin and grabbed the men’s hands, pressing them together. “Paratu lakondia herondia.” Magic pulsed warm and bright over the crowd. Chess sighed from it; everyone sighed from it, at least all of the witches—all of the Church employees. She looked up at Terrible again, just to check on him. He didn’t take his eyes off the ceremony but held her hand tighter, pulled it onto his lap. “As your blood runs in each other’s veins, so you are bound. As your blood enters each other’s
bodies, so you are bound. As your energies combine to create a new energy, so you are bound.” “We are bound.” Just like her Binding, a few months before. Well, not quite: A marriage binding connected the souls, transferred some of each person’s energy to the other through blood and magic. The magic wasn’t necessary in this case, since Elder Griffin’s blood already contained magic, but it was part of the ritual. By giving Keith his blood—even that small amount—he was giving Keith some of his energy, his power. And the magic in his blood reacted to Keith’s energy, so Elder Griffin’s changed ever so slightly itself. They were one couple with the same energy."

Tattooing Ceremony:

Unholy ghosts:

"It was a very different room from the one where she'd been given her tattoos, in the ceremony that had officially made her a debunker. That room was a pure, pale blue, bare save the table and the artists equipment, and her fellow initiates and the few older debunkers attending had knelt, changing, increasing the energy in the room until she'd felt ready to pass out and hadn't noticed the pain of the needle anymore, or the power searing itself into her."

Credos:

Unholy Ghosts:

“I have no need for faith.” Hundreds of voices raised together, intoning the Credo; Chess imagined other Church buildings, other parts of the country, of the world, with everyone speaking in unison. “I do not need faith because I know the Truth. I do not need to believe. Belief is unnecessary when fact is Truth. I do not pray to a god. Prayer implies faith and gods do not exist. Only energy exists, and this is Truth. The Church shows me the Truth and protects me. If I hold to these Truths I will enter the City of Eternity, and there I will stay.”

Unholy Ghosts:

Chapter Thirteen-
“There is no proof, of course, that a clean, well-run home automatically equals a safe, ghost-free one, but why take chances?”

Chapter Thirty-three-
“It is always wise to have a fireproof safe, or perhaps a safe-deposit box located elsewhere, in which to store family photos and documents, particularly those of a genealogical nature. You never know when disaster might strike.”

Unholy Magic:

Chapter Nine-
"Being married, being joined by love and blood and magic in the eyes of the Church and society, is a sacred trust. We cleave ourselves unto our spouses in hope, in love, and in obligation."

Chapter Twenty-seven-
" It’s always good to keep some basic first-aid treatments in the home. You never know when you might need them, and helping others is the best and surest way to feel good about ourselves."

City of Ghosts:

Chapter Four-
"Be proud of the wrinkles and lines that life has given you! They’re a symbol of the promises you’ve made to your family and of your achievements. All important events leave scars."

Chapter Nine-
"Remember the power inherent in blood. I recommend burning anything it touches. This may seem like an extreme measure, but better safe than sorry! "

Chapter Fourteen-
"Family is the most important thing there is, and you should encourage your beloved spouse to be close to your children. "

Chapter Nineteen-
"Don’t forget the Church. They’re always willing to help, and should be the first place you turn when there’s trouble, whether it’s ghosts or fights with your beloved husband."

Chapter Thirty-one-
"It’s always tempting to think you can get what you want by giving a man what he wants. Don’t be fooled by this! And teach your daughters not to be fooled either."

Sacrificial Magic:

Chapter 17:
"A well-managed home is always ready to receive guests."

Chapter 29:
"Your job is to support your husband, and to help him and your children live in Truth. Whatever else you do may be fulfilling, but is not as important as that."


Chasing Magic:

Chapter 2:
"The best kind of surprises are intangible! The warmth of a sudden visit from a friend far outweighs material goods."

Chapter 8:
"Home décor says so much about a person, after all."

Chapter 20:
"What we do affects others. All actions have consequences. A good homekeeper and spouse makes sure her actions create positive effects. A poor or lazy one may find herself alone."

Really Melissa, that's crossed my mind too. So would that mean Terrible would be in charge? Because that's how I see it. But, that opens up a whole new level of problems...

Hmmmm

The Church gave her purpose & stability, but I do agree the relationship is odd.

Well Chess has never (at least to me) been a blind follower of the Church. She says that while she think the festival is a yearly needed reminder of the Churches power, it's also something they can't prevent. It would happen regardless of the Church.

As far as her drug use, that's super tricky. I don't think she'll ever completely sober. But I would like for her to find a way to deal with her past without the drugs.

Oh definitely......

haha yeah it has seemed like FOREVER..but I do think we'll get it next year!

Do it!!!

Careers in the Church: A Guide for Teens, by Praxis Turpin:

Unholy Ghosts


Chapter Three -
"Above all, to work for the Church is to be entrusted with the protection not only of yourself and your loved ones, but of the human race. You must never forget this responsibility."

Chapter Seven -
"Debunking often looks like the most appealing of Church positions, but very few possess the skill, intelligence, and above all, integrity required."

Chapter Thirty -
"The Debunker protects, first and foremost. He or she protects the Church from fraud and falsehood, yes; but above all the Debunker protects humanity. From spirits, from their own natures, and from others who seek to do them harm. "


Unholy Magic

Chapter Six -
"Not every family situation will be pleasant; not every home is happy. Your job will be to determine whether that displeasure has drifted into dishonesty. "

Chapter Thirteen -
"Dangerous magic exists; it will tempt you. This is why a Church employee must be honorable first and foremost."

Chapter Fifteen -
"A good Debunker is ready for anything, never surprised, never caught off guard. "



City of Ghosts


Chapter Six -
"Be aware that when you work for the Church you belong to the Church, body and soul. You cannot serve two masters. "

Chapter Eighteen -
"The creation of a psychopomp is a complex process, one only designated Church employees may perform. It is to them we entrust the safety of all humanity."


Sacrificial Magic:

Chapter 16 -
"Being tested is nothing to worry about . Better to worry when you are not tested."


Chasing Magic:

Chapter 23 -
" Investigation subjects can get emotional--in fact, they should be encouraged to do so. But a Church employee may never do the same. Not if they expect a fruitful investigation."

Families and Truth, a Church pamphlet by Elder Barrett:


Unholy Ghosts


Chapter Twenty -
"Often we find ourselves as parent unsure how to guide our children. In those cases we should simply look for the Truth, and we will be correct. Protecting our children is the highest way of serving humanity and Truth."

Chapter Twenty-five -
" Once a person has begun to break the laws, they will continue unless punishment is received so their souls may be cleansed. For this reason it is important to watch your neighbors and your friends as well as your family, in order to protect them from damning themselves."

Chapter Twenty-six -
"It's tempting to view faking a haunting as an easy way to earn money. After all, the Church has promised to protect us, and to make amends when it fails. But be warned! You will be caught. Debunkers are among the most highly trained, intelligent, and skilled employees in the Church, and they are not easily fooled. "

Unholy Magic


Chapter Twenty-three -
"Secrets are never to be recommended, not amongst families or those you love. Again, we look to the Church for advice, and the Church tells us Truth is always best."

Chapter Twenty-eight -
"Minds and mouths lie. Souls do not."


Sacrificial Magic


Chapter Two -
"Teach your children at a young age to be careful in their choice of friendship. Unwise acquaintances can have unforeseen consequences. "

Chasing Magic


Chapter Nine -
"Because what matters is that we bond with those we love, and stay with them, and live in Truth."


Chapter Nineteen -
"Everyone has secrets."

Debunking: A Practical Guide:

City of Ghosts


Chapter Forty -
"At the end of a case, all you can take with you is the knowledge that you dud your part, that you acted as the Church would desire and defended the Church against those who sought to defile it. If you did those things, you have succeeded, no matter how you may feel."


Sacrificial Magic

Chapter Twelve -
"As a Debunker, your job is to observe, not to participate."

Chapter Fifteen -
"People will seek to hide even the most innocuous of secrets. But they also seek to hide the important ones."

Chapter Twenty-six -
"Debunkers do their work in private, in secret. Beyond the initial meeting, your subjects will rarely know you're there. "


Chasing Magic

Chapter Three -
" You must always be ready."

Chapter Eleven -
"Vigilance is important. Work is important. But intuition and instinct are important, also."

Chapter Sixteen -
"In Debunking--as in so many other things--one mistake can ruin everything."

Psychopomps: The key to Church Rituals:

Unholy Magic


Chapter Fourteen -

"The wild psychopomp is dangerous and unpredictable. What they do is given to them by instinct, bu energy and magic itself; their wisdom surpasses ours and is cruel and unfeeling when manipulated.

Chapter Twenty-nine -
"To use a wile psychopomp is a serious crime; to cause the death of a psychopomp is a grave one, and puts both the life and soul of the murderer in jeopardy."


City of Ghosts


Chapter Twenty-eight -

"The Church provides these psychopomps not because only Church-trained psychopomps can take souls to the City, but because only Church-trained psychopomps are proven safe for ritual use. A wild psychopomp is still a wild animal."

Sacrificial Magic


Chapter Nineteen -
"The psychopomp exists solely to do its duty. It has no other thought or purpose. We would do well to emulate it."


Chasing Magic


Chapter Four -
"Murder is a crime. Murder by psychopomp is an evil.

You Can Do This! A Guide for Beginners, by Molly Brooks-Cahill

Unholy Ghosts

Chapter Thirty-one

"Remember, you're not a Church employee--some spells will simply be beyond your reach. That's okay! There are still lots of fun rituals to do in the privacy of your own home, and the results will amaze you.

Chapter Thirty-six -
"Leave soul magic to the Church."

Unholy Magic

Chapter Ten

"A further note: The spells within contain common, legal ingredients. You may be told you can gain greater results by using herbs or symbols forbidden to the public. Don't believe it! Forbidden herbs are forbidden for a reason."

City of Ghosts


Chapter Seven
"Don't be afriad to admit to yourself what results you're looking for, or to ask your friends for help."

Chapter Sixteen
"Laws are made for our safety and should be followed. Don't think that just because you want to do something, you should. Leave complicated magic to the Church."

Sacrificial Magic


Chapter Eight

"You might not think it's true, but it is: Everyone is capable of some magic, no matter how small. Everyone can change things in their lives. Even you."

Chapter Thirty-seven
"These spells take energy from outside sources. Any spell that requires too much from you is better left to Church employees. Putting yourself into a spell can be dangerous."

Chasing Magic


Chapter Thirteen
"Anyone can do magic, and everyone should! You just have to be careful what kind of magic."

Chapter Twenty-four

"The possibilities are endless! Soon you'll be making magic as part of your daily routine, and you'll wonder why you waited so long to get started."

Rise to Power: How the Church Made the World.


Sacrificial Magic

Chapter Fourteen

"It is not a surprise that the Church was so quickly able to take over and fix the Old Government's destroyed systems, because the Church's power comes from magic and Truth, and from the righteous."

The Example is You, the guidebook for Church Employees:

Unholy Ghosts:

Chapter 23:
"all church employees are expected to comport themselves in a manner befitting their stations at all times. You represent everything that is right and holy in the world we must never forget it. "

Unholy Magic:

Chapter 1:
" not all of your duties will be pleasant. But that is the sacrifice you make, for as a Church employee you must always remember that you are privileged above all others."



Chapter 12:

" The Church has trained you. The Church has put its trust in you. The people have put their trust in you. It surrounds you like an aura wherever you go; and you must never forget it."

Chapter 18:

"You are of course encouraged to speak to children, to answer their questions with the kind of Truth appropriate to their age and situations. Never forget they are not yet mature; they are children. "

Chapter 20:

" You represent Truth. You are Truth. This should be your highest goal, above all others; Church employees do not lie, even to themselves. "


City of Ghosts:

Chapter 1:
" not all of your duties will be pleasant. But that is the sacrifice you make, for as a Church employee you must always remember that you are privileged above all others."

Chapter 24:
" A Church employee does not get distracted. Does not lose sight of the goal. Does not waver in his or her objective, which is to defend the Church and to protect humanity, whatever the cost."

Chapter 31:
" Not all danger comes from without. But most of it does."

Chapter 33:
" Church employees work together, united in their common goals: to protect humanity, to punish the guilt, and to live in the Truth. "

Sacrificial Magic:

Chapter 11:
"A Church employee never panics in the face of danger, because a Church employee knows the Truth of the afterlife."

Chapter 32:

"Vigilance and awareness are two qualities a Church employee must possess."

Chasing Magic:

Chapter 7:

"You must always look beneath the surface. The real solutions are always hidden. So are the real mysteries."


Chapter 14:
"Is it a burden? Yes, it can be. But it is also a privilege, to be a Church employee and to demonstrate to the public the kind of obedience required."

Chapter 27:

"You may not falter. You may not lose your focus. You represent the Church, and in the eyes of those you encounter you are the Church."