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I know this question has probably been asked to death around here, but ill ask it anyway since i didnt find it on Brians links to previous descussions.  This is just an inquery as to what you all think the riddle is.  Im especailly curious as to what jake, brian, ect think....  My personal opinion, following Conan, which the riddle seems to be based on, is that one must not only know, but truely understand that (in the words of james earl jones), steel is strong, but flesh is stronger.  after all, what is the sword compared to the hand that wields it?  ALthough there are some disconnections to this theory, such as that doesnt really make you understand god or make you invincible, it does seem to be a good lesson.  So, what are all of your opinions (personal or theories)???

Thanks

This question could easily be answered by any of the characters that any of us have played.  The Riddle is different for all of us, but the same thread runs throughout.

To me, the riddle is balance.  Balance in that "eastern" sense... maintaining a sense of evenness throughout all of your actions and inactions.  Enlightenment.  Emptyness while living a full life.  Sure it sounds esoteric and vague, but through contemplation you find that there is nothing you really need to contemplate.... Just exist and maintain the balance, it's that easy.  Or maybe not so easy.  One must find the point at which they are comfortable and happy, this is the place of magic, a place where great breakthroughs are accomplished with a lack of real effort.  For instance; the first time you throw your opponent to the ground with a mere flick of the wrist, or the first time you relax and bowl a strike without thinking about it.  Unconcious awareness, patience, and effortless action are all key ingredients in balance.  When you know without having to think about it, when, where, and how to take the needed action without having to "force" it, then you have acheived balance.  And to me, balance is the riddle in it's purest form.

Sorry if I've gotten too philosophical here, I've been up all night :)

Hello,

Here are some older threads to check out:
Why Riddle of Steel - the title
What is a bladeslinger?
What do you think the Riddle is?

Best,
Ron

Considered from the game's mechanical point of view as it pertains to in-game reality, it's that you have to follow your SAs. That is, in this world of adventure, the man successful in battle is the man who follows his passions, drives, and destiny (and has a little luck along the way). The one who denies these things, and still fights, ends up dead in a pool of his own viscera.

Mike

The Riddle, to me, is taking life and eventually giving it for that which fuels your universe. SAs, I suppose.

But it's also all that stuff in the poem like thing at the front of the book.

For me.

Jake

The answer to the riddle is that there is no answer.  The harder you seek it, the further you get from finding it.  This is the great cosmic joke.  Filled with desire, you see only the manifestations.

It would appear to me that the riddle in itself is just the question: What is worth dying for?

It would allow you to strike with all and be struck by none.
It would let you know yourself.
It is peace when you know you are dying for something you belive in.
It allows one to focus ones abilities on the task at hand.
And it prevents you from going quietly into the night.

Thats my take at least.

I like that answer.

Jake

Maybe the Riddle is that the search for the answer is more important than any answer you could find.

That's a very important point. "Life's a journey, not a destination," as it were.

So here's the next logical question--how do you handle Riddle-seeking in your games. Does it have a mechanical equivalent? Is it attainable in your games? How? Why? Why not?

Jake

lol its funny you bring that up.  in our games its more like everyone coming to terms with things of their own, often involving their realization that they dont need to kill others, they dont need to steal ect... it varies for everyone.  but i had one new guy in our group come in and he handed me a basic outline of his character and he was so obsessed with finding the riddle his SA's looked like this:

Desitny: To discover the ROS
Drive: To discover the ROS
Faith: Riddleseeking

The closest equivilant i come to in my games is that when characters have more insight and therefore have higher priorities, it could mean that they are comnig closer to enlightenment or something like that.  the main game purpose it has is just motivation and a little bit of fun mystery, there isnt really any actual mechanics for "once a play has discovered TROS he..."

Or when the character discovers the Riddle (GM call I'd think) then that character is forcibly retired. He has discovered an enlightenment that is beyond the ken of even the GM :)

lol, well i wouldnt say that knowing more than the GM is possible in any game, even discovering the riddle of steel....however it is still up there lol.

As far as my games are concerned, the riddle is unattainable.  Not because I would have any issues with character power levels or anything like that, but because there's never any point where you can't learn something...  I'm running a game currently for my friend's character, Marcus Tiberus, who's amassed in the neighborhood of 35 insight points.  It may not sound like alot, but I tend to be a little stingy with my SAs, giving them out at the end of the session.... I figure that if the character roleplayed a Spiritual Attribute well, it'll stand out in my mind.
Anyway, Marcus' current "goal" outside of his SAs is to overthrow the Saparan empire (my own game world).  If he succedes with this goal, to some GMs, the story stops there... well, what if it doesn't?  Why not play a character to his death?  If he does overthrow the empire, then he'll have to resist the desire to just leave his followers hanging and "retire" with his woman and his daughter.  I don't think that the people who put him in the position to take the empire would just sit back and watch him not lead.  Anyway, my point is that, for most people, the story doesn't end when you break up with your girlfriend or quit your job or whatever...  
I like to play the story until it ends.
anyway, that's just my two cents

G

...to truly live without fear.