Races' Ken

[Visions of Khas]

I was under the impression that Zamara forged a link among Terrans resembling the Khala at the end of the first Dark Templar book. How would a human die from exposure to the Khala? Perhaps the human brain simply cannot handle the psionic energies that flow so readily through it? Burns out, instead of conducting it?

[Sarov]

I was under the impression that Zamara forged a link among Terrans resembling the Khala at the end of the first Dark Templar book. How would a human die from exposure to the Khala? Perhaps the human brain simply cannot handle the psionic energies that flow so readily through it? Burns out, instead of conducting it?

It was Jake that did that. He forged a link with everyone in the vincity in, against Zamara's wishes of course. It's what initially makes him forgive and, to an extent, feel sorry for Rosemary. I think it's because the human brains aren't meant to handle psionic energies, after all they are built like the Protoss'.

[XSOLDIER]

After reading the Dark Templar trilogy I get the feeling that Protoss really are not beyond the humans' ken. Zamara tells Jacob: "In a way Jacob, you understand us better than we do ourselves." This seems like a total crock to me: here we have this mysterious, enigmatic race beyond our comprehension, yet Jake here understands them better than they do themselves.

I think that this was more referring to Jake's unique and outside point of view point that gives him a way to analyze and look at the Protoss in ways that they don't by having an objective viewpoint, rather than an actual physical comprehension of everything Protoss.

I think that there are plenty of things that humans strive to comprehend, but I think that the depths of the Khala, and truly how it works is beyond Terran comprehension. Sure we can explain, and describe the mechanics of what allows it to function, but there isn't any REALLY/ understanding of the Khala without direct Protoss influence, because the Terran brains aren't built that way. Even Ghosts won't be able to reacha real understanding, because they're not Protoss, and the experimental hybrids, like the Gestalt project or Jake aren't the same, because Terran brains in that case have been directly physically manipulated in order to be able to reach an understanding of the Khala.


X

[Kimera757]

Andre Madrid from SC: Revelations entered the Khala, but died from it.

Tassadar gave him mercy by firing a psionic blast at his head. The Khala didn't kill him.

And in Shadow Hunters when Jake is near the huge crystal Zamara stops him from going into the khala.

Ramsey was already dying from brain cancer at that point. She kept trying to prevent him from using his abilities.

[Gradius]

I was under the impression that Zamara forged a link among Terrans resembling the Khala at the end of the first Dark Templar book. How would a human die from exposure to the Khala? Perhaps the human brain simply cannot handle the psionic energies that flow so readily through it? Burns out, instead of conducting it?

Jake simply shared the memory of how the Khala felt while simultaneously opening up everyones' minds to each other, so it was a fake version of the Khala. "Burns out, instead of conducting it" seems like an apt metaphor.

Tassadar gave him mercy by firing a psionic blast at his head. The Khala didn't kill him.

Yes, but Tassadar also connected to him to the Khala - he promised Madrid that he could give him peace:

"Reaching out with his consciousness, Madrid sensed Protoss spirits gathered around him. He became fleetingly aware of hundreds and then thousands of their minds, all scattered throughout the swirling ether that he beheld. Each of them emitted strength and nobility that beamed out of the vortex like white-hot rays of sunlight."

Ramsey was already dying from brain cancer at that point. She kept trying to prevent him from using his abilities.

I'm referring to p 231:

"Jake realized that he had been close - perilously close - to entering the Khala."

[n00bonicPlague]

Oh snap...so many spoilers :s

Gotta catch up on my reading......

[Xyvik]

I think that this was more referring to Jake's unique and outside point of view point that gives him a way to analyze and look at the Protoss in ways that they don't by having an objective viewpoint, rather than an actual physical comprehension of everything Protoss.

I have to agree with this statement. An objective party can, given enough information, see things that the non-objective party cannot, or that the N-O party simply doesn't remember. Or, when you're actually used to something you cease really think about, which is where an objective party can point something out. "to oneself through the eyes of another" is a long-held wish of humans, but not something they can ever fully do.

For Terrans, there are obviously vast amounts of knowledge that the Protoss know that Terrans simply cannot because they don't have the experience. It would rather be like trying to explain a sunset to a man born blind. You can reason and describe all you want, but it is truly beyond their ability to grasp it. I think that is the level the Xel'naga are to the Protoss, and the Protoss are to Terrans. I'd put the Overmind on about the same level as the Protoss, really, or maybe a little higher, but certainly not beyond their ken

[n00bonicPlague]

Is this a question on whether or not humans would be able to grasp the concept (understanding) or whether or not there exists a means to convey the concept (communication)? If the latter, then I would say obviously no, as humans have inefficient means of communication and don't live long enough to take it all in. However, if the former, then I would say yes. Sure, a blind man would have a hard time understanding a sunset if you tried to describe it to him. But what if you could take the very concept and plant it in his mind? Is not his blindness the only limit here?

Humans may be incompatible with the Khala (communication issue), but that doesn't mean that they
don't have the brain power to grasp the mysteries of the protoss and Xel'Naga (understanding).

[Alex06]

This is mentionned in "Void in the Darkness". It's a story in the latest SC Frontline manga volume (the 4th one). It looks like Protoss' 'ken' IS higher than that of the Terrans.

[Kacaier]

This is mentionned in "Void in the Darkness". It's a story in the latest SC Frontline manga volume (the 4th one). It looks like Protoss' 'ken' IS higher than that of the Terrans.

Do elaborate. Unless of course people have problems with spoilers or whatnot. But I don't really think that's a problem.