Chasm
Document
See also: Know Your Path; Path, River, & Wheel
Crossing Your Chasm (author unknown)
As an Unbound, your ultimate source of power is your belief. As you translate your belief into impact, you will change the world. You will also change: you will grow in abilities and vision. You may feel unstoppable. But beyond a certain level of growth, all Unbound face an obstacle.
We call it the Chasm. The Chasm takes different forms for different individuals. For one Unbound, it may be a task on which they have procrastinated but must finally complete. For example, a cleric may now finally make a pilgrimage to their order's most revered holy site. For another Unbound, it may be a promise they have made that they must keep, even at great cost. For example, a paladin may take an Oath of Duty early in their career, but now finally renounce their family name and right of inheritance. For yet another Unbound, it may be ending a relationship that's hurting their heart. For example, a rogue inquisitive may have been mentored by a charming smuggler before joining the city watch. As an inspector they've covered for their mentor's operation in gratitude. But now the rogue finally tells their mentor that they'll stop looking the other way.
As an obstacle, the Chasm may have external challenges, mysteries, or costs. But ultimately, the barrier is within you. The cleric who makes the pilgrimage makes themselves vulnerable for a higher level of communion with their god or pantheon. The paladin who renounces their name puts aside ego, finally ready to be known only as a selfless champion. The rogue who breaks ties with their mentor finally commits to the belief that no one should be above the law. That kind of commitment is necessary to unlock the full potential of your belief.
You will face the Chasm many times. Each time may be like the last, or something completely different. You must face and overcome your Chasm to unlock your full potential.
Notes
Emlya taught this to Raptor Blue at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC (RB 3-17).
