And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth
If you don't know this poem, shame on you, google Robert Frost and come back when you're more educated. I'm sorry, that's probably a bit harsh, this post isn't about Frost anyway, I just happen to be a fan of the man's work. But no, this post is brought to you on request of a friend, he wants to spread a question around. What happens after you take the Path of Black Leaves? It is a good question, isn't it, going down that road is a changing experience for those with the fortune or misfortune to walk along its trail.
I have only ever entered the path once, and sometimes I still feel it, seeping into my head. I have never had hallucinations, and I'm not one to remember my own dreams, but there is something in that realm that changes you. When I first went in I knew far less than I do now, but I could feel the power of the place right away. The ground, the sky, it all reeked of a darkness and His power permeated the trees, and it all hit me at once. I... lost control, it's a place I have never taken it a second time for a reason, any power I hold over Cage is lost there, I all but blacked out as the cruelest part of my mind had more control than it had ever had before. Even when I left the path, my mind was clouded and dark, I couldn't think straight for weeks. It is a place that has more power over me than I prefer, so I largely leave it be, but there are still things that can be learned from it without actually taking the Path.
So little is truly well known about those trees, about that dark road, but some things are common knowledge:
- Everyone's favorite weight-loss success story has some major influence over the place. It is believed to be his realm, or perhaps a barrier between his world and ours.
- It can be used to accelerate travel, people can walk a few yards down the Path, and travel hundreds of miles on our land.
- Traveling there is not a good idea, especially if you are not prepared, it has a way of infecting your mind, and no qualms about killing off the occasional trespasser.
Yeah, that's about it, sorry guys, that's all I can find that is even slightly reliable and consistent. I should start scouring, more of the old blogs again, I suppose. But for this one I'm leaving you with a request, please feel free to share any experiences you have had with the path, or any theories you've developed on it, this is one of those posts where I'll probably come back and add in the details later.
See you around
-Cage
"Everyone's favorite weight-loss success story"
ReplyDelete....Best. Moniker. EVER.
Ahem, anyhoo, if you're looking for research... then apart from Missing Elephants, I believe there were a few detailed posts over on Observe and Terminate. My memory is a little hazy from there, as mention of the Path comes and goes in other blogs I've read. I'm pretty sure Steward used it a fair bit, but I don't recall if he talked about the experience much.
You're got the basics down though. Those three points are about the most solid facts on the place we have, I think. Everything else is... mostly speculation.
Ah yes, I saw this request on Robin's blog. Not much I could really say. I'm aware of the Path but I've never exactly came into contact with it.
ReplyDeleteAnd Aura has already answered him.
I do hope many comment here and there though. It will be interesting to gain more understanding of it.
Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. From what I've tasted of desire, I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to know that for destruction ice is also great, and would suffice.
ReplyDeletexo
BR
PS: Thanks for sharing this.
oh robin.
ReplyDeletewhy must we bring poetry into this?
leave the art alone. let it nor be infect by this insanity.
Well... I was more just reminded of it because it's my favorite Frost poem and it reminds me of Alva.
ReplyDeleteSo... does that count? :\
xo
BR
Actually, that's my favorite Frost peice as well, I think one should acknowledge the arts, facts and figures may be our wit, but music, art poetry, these are the things that comprise our soul. Forget them and we've lost ourselves, to great a price for any war, I belive.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm a bit sad there haven't been more comments here about the path, but I suppose that isn't entirely a suprise. I guess I'll try scouring some more of the dead blogs for information then, and update this later. Time for a new post I guess.
See you around
-Cage
I hope you find something because er well I guess it's of particular interest to me at the moment. You'd probably have more luck than I, at least. I don't know anyone here. It was never my gig.
ReplyDeleteAnyway good luck and happy holidays!
xo
BR
Beautiful poem. Such a pity I couldn't be commenting sooner, I had so much to say..
ReplyDeleteAll is well, we'll fix that with your newest posts, yes? Yes. Til then, Free, Cage, you know where I'm at.