It's finally been figured out!

[Trihan]

This theory is brought to you by the collaborative efforts of Trihan, Yuri and Impossible.
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Okay, what I am about to say may shock and amaze you. You will wonder why you never saw it before, you will laugh, you will cry, but most of all you will realise that this is the only possible explanation.

THE WAY IS IRC.

Think about it.

The Pontifex Tetzel could be considered the creator of everything, so he must symbolise Khaled Mardam-Bey, the creator of mIRC.

The Way itself is an IRC network. Within this network are "stretches" or channels. Most people are Wanderers, and travel from channel to channel. Some settle down and stick with a channel they like. The Lyn ranks represent different levels of IRC superiority, the highest being the network creator, or the Pharaphalyn. Further down, you have a channel founder for each channel, the Straphalyn. Then there are autoops, Vandralyn. After that come tempops, Portalyn. Then hops, Deralyn. Corlyn are voices, Hilyn are normal users and Plyn are n00bs. The Plunge itself represents the Slap! command, each user performing it until one has just had enough and gives up. Blade arts are sophisticated mIRC scripts that enhance the Slap! command to give the user an edge in combat.

People who are currently connected to the network can change their names at will, and people won't always recognise them for who they are. This is largely because of the aura or "IP Address". This can also change. People see a new name with a familiar IP and think "Isn't that...nah, must be coincidence." Some people, like Gaius, can use the /whois command and sense auras.

The Guided represent annoying IRCops who don't actually want anyone to use IRC, so they're constantly trying to get people to leave channels. The Vigilante Council represents OperServ, the hub of operations for IRCops, while Shadow Feet are normal IRCops charged with upholding justice on the network. Estrana represents the "core" of the network.

Then we come to the question of the Phantom Slasher, and events like the destruction of Janwen and Estrana. Well obviously, the Phantom Slasher is peer, randomly disconnecting people from the network. The destruction of major settlements (channels) such as #estrana and #janwen are of course netsplits.

And last but not least, the Unguided are those stupid AOL kids who sometimes hang out in your channel.

So there you have it, the mystery is solved. Feel free to contribute anything you think I've missed.

[Greatchickenman]

If this wasn't a joke, I would have come to your house and beat your ass.



But since it is, that was very funny. thank you for your theory.

[Fitz Tayo]

Can't we go to his house and beat his ass anyway?

[Gizmo]

Wouldn't that be kind of...harsh?

[Fitz Tayo]

Your point being?

[Gizmo]

Well, if you beat him he could...you know, be hurt. Or maybe even die.

[Fitz Tayo]

That IS the point. Anywho let's stop spamming.

[Gizmo]

Good idea. Nice theory Trihan.

[Impossible]

Hey, it was a collaborative effort. >_>

Clarification on a couple of things: Sensers = /whoisers, although that should be clear. Trihan just didn't use the actual term. And the Guided don't want people to not use IRC, they just want people to wander around without staying in a channel for a long time.

Edit: Hey, I just got an idea - Guided are people who hate and try to get rid of idlers!

We're still missing Blood Lyn and Blana Sera, so feel free to add your own suggestions for them.

[Nurazhi]

If this wasn't a joke, you wouldn't have to beat anyone's ass, because the universe would collapse.

But seriously, that's pretty funny. It does work a little too well.

[Telephalsion]

Blood lyn are all those who use password protected channels

[Shindy]

nice theory. cant believe i didnt see it before.

[Cocoa]

As an artist I'm always happpy when people draw their own conclusions about the meaning of my work. It's always meaningful and insightful, I've come to enjoy the quaint naivety of my audience, and I am usually more than happy to hear their childish opinons of my art, except this time.

Rather than go into detail as to why you are wrong I will keep it short and simple so that my abruptness multiplies the effect I'm going for.

Here goes: YOU... ARE... RETARDED...

[Roara]

Yeah, you definately ARE retarded to post such a foolish idea.
Seriously, can't you see that The Way is really this forum?
Lun, obviously, is the pharaphalyn.
The Guided are people who don't like it when people repost old theories. (Each theory, of course, being a strech of The Way)
The Lyn are people who post about theories; the gain in combat ability in The Way is a reprentation of the gain in knowledge of theories. This also explains how all the party members and monsters all continuously get stronger as the game goes on. Furthermore, Notch Items are representations of "evidence", such as evidence about Gaius and the Phantom Slasher looking alike.
The Blue Scarves are people who spam, and make up dumb theories like this.
And the Phantom Slasher is Impossible, of course.

Now to work on who the Blood Lyn and the Vigilante are, and my theory's solid.

[loona]

Well, the mods are the Shadow Foots, clearly.