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magicalarchaeologist
2024-06-25 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"It doesn't sound arrogant. Some people are more naturally inclined." Gale is talking to another magical expert here, someone who went through a full education in magic. It's a simple fact that some mages are stronger than others, and in his case, stronger in specific areas. Istredd is probably the best psionic mage of his generation, or since Stregobor. He's only reassuring Gale so he doesn't think he has to keep downplaying his skills to avoid seeming arrogant. Facts are facts.
That message given though Istredd listens to and considers the rest. So he had an affair with the goddess of magic, or at least that's what it sounds like. Istredd would have been confused about that before he came here, as gods don't openly exist in his sphere, but now he is only too familiar with them. He understands on a personal level the sort of drive that takes someone to act so irresponsibly.
"I see. And what is it you did to try and prove yourself worthy?" Clearly not something good. And unlikely to prove anything to her outside of that she was probably right to give him limitations.
That message given though Istredd listens to and considers the rest. So he had an affair with the goddess of magic, or at least that's what it sounds like. Istredd would have been confused about that before he came here, as gods don't openly exist in his sphere, but now he is only too familiar with them. He understands on a personal level the sort of drive that takes someone to act so irresponsibly.
"I see. And what is it you did to try and prove yourself worthy?" Clearly not something good. And unlikely to prove anything to her outside of that she was probably right to give him limitations.
He hesitates again, wary. Uncomfortable.
"Some more context may be required here. Many years before, a man by the name of Karsus sought to usurp the goddess of magic and become a god himself. Needless to say, he failed, and his empire -- Netheril -- fell with him. The dark power unleashed on that day was a chaotic, primal thing. It fragmented the weave, shattered it, prevented all the mortal realms using magic for some time until Mystra returned to power. She restored magic to us, reuniting all the shattered pieces of the weave. Or at least, so we thought. In my studies I had found hints that an ancient, Netherese tome still contained a fragment of the weave sealed away. Some part of Mystra kept beyond her reach, something that I could return to her. Surely, there was no deed more romantic? No greater act that could gain her trust? So, I sought out the book. I took it back to my library, and I opened it."
Gale frowns, hesitates, gestures with one hand. An illusion of his study paints the area behind them. A work table, littered with alchemical tools, and rows upon rows of books. Gale, with less grey in his hair, unlocks a bound tome and something leaps from it. Dark, powerful, hungry magic slamming into his chest. He staggers back, falls to his knees.
"Netherese blight. It feeds on magic, on the magic running through me and -- historically -- whatever I fed it. Enchanted rings, pendants, anything. When it first clawed its way into me it was... unstable. I could barely use magic anymore, and Mystra... cast me aside. I had nothing, and this... orb of magic in my chest... if I could not keep it stabilised, it threatened to detonate."
"Some more context may be required here. Many years before, a man by the name of Karsus sought to usurp the goddess of magic and become a god himself. Needless to say, he failed, and his empire -- Netheril -- fell with him. The dark power unleashed on that day was a chaotic, primal thing. It fragmented the weave, shattered it, prevented all the mortal realms using magic for some time until Mystra returned to power. She restored magic to us, reuniting all the shattered pieces of the weave. Or at least, so we thought. In my studies I had found hints that an ancient, Netherese tome still contained a fragment of the weave sealed away. Some part of Mystra kept beyond her reach, something that I could return to her. Surely, there was no deed more romantic? No greater act that could gain her trust? So, I sought out the book. I took it back to my library, and I opened it."
Gale frowns, hesitates, gestures with one hand. An illusion of his study paints the area behind them. A work table, littered with alchemical tools, and rows upon rows of books. Gale, with less grey in his hair, unlocks a bound tome and something leaps from it. Dark, powerful, hungry magic slamming into his chest. He staggers back, falls to his knees.
"Netherese blight. It feeds on magic, on the magic running through me and -- historically -- whatever I fed it. Enchanted rings, pendants, anything. When it first clawed its way into me it was... unstable. I could barely use magic anymore, and Mystra... cast me aside. I had nothing, and this... orb of magic in my chest... if I could not keep it stabilised, it threatened to detonate."
Istredd,
Not at all — I only regret that I've nothing to offer in return for it.
We have nothing quite like this where I'm from. I was once charged with researching the cause of a magical blight in my own world, and I learned that it stemmed from our very own ancient Mothercrystals, what we thought of as the source of all magic. I worried at first that the Singularity might be similar, but I've learned fairly quickly that their similarity is superficial at best. Thus, I hope to conduct my own inquiries to gain a better understanding of the Singularity.
From what little that I do understand, I find myself in agreement with many of your own conclusions thus far. I don't think that it means to harm the Summoned, or that it has especially malevolent intentions — if it can be said to have intentions at all.
For what it's worth, you have my word that I've no desire to act rashly or threaten it without good cause, and I'll see to it that others from my world stay their hands. I get the feeling you may have encountered a couple of them.
However... I don't like that it can be 'provoked' to such drastic ends, and I'm concerned about exactly who's doing the provoking. It seems like it isn't just the territories who are interested in it, and in us. My guess is that the gods of this world have also seen fit to use it to make a play for our attention... but it could be that there are other factions I'm as yet unaware of.
Thank you again for sharing your work on the matter. You've given me much to think about.
Can I ask — what drew you to the subject in your own world? I can't deny that it's fascinating, but my experience has been that sadly a rare few people are interested in learning for the sake of it. In the dream we shared, and even now, it seems as if you are one of those few.
~ Cid
Cid,
I do understand people always take their personal experiences wherever they go. It is normal to react when being triggered but I do encourage people to engage with it on new terms. While it has never spoken or felt anything toward me, I visit and speak to it, to continue establishing positive connections.
I agree it was very concerning what happened with the storms. The helplessness on our part in particular was painful. Even those close to the Singularity were unable to calm it down, and that is always a risk. Before we came here, it was quieter from what I can tell. The Summoned have woken it up, for good or for ill, and we've gained the attention of the gods too.
From what I can glean from the clown god we came across and his messages, he does appear to be informing us that he considers us gods rather than humans. The possessive 'you belong' says as much. The gods I'm afraid I have no access too, they only seem active daily in Solvunn, but they are very present there. I think the gods are more poentially dangerous than the Singularity. They've done more harm to us than it has.
The monoliths are ancient artifacts and I find historical accuracy immensely important. History being written by the victors only means no one ever learns from the past, so I sought to find truths about what's come before. The monoliths did have a story to tell, being gateways to other worlds, but no one knew that until recently.
And after I found out about their purpose, I was hoping to use them to bring the elves from my world to a safer sphere to live on. They have been hunted nearly to extinction, I thought it might be their only chance, but I'm afraid it didn't work out.
-Istredd
I do understand people always take their personal experiences wherever they go. It is normal to react when being triggered but I do encourage people to engage with it on new terms. While it has never spoken or felt anything toward me, I visit and speak to it, to continue establishing positive connections.
I agree it was very concerning what happened with the storms. The helplessness on our part in particular was painful. Even those close to the Singularity were unable to calm it down, and that is always a risk. Before we came here, it was quieter from what I can tell. The Summoned have woken it up, for good or for ill, and we've gained the attention of the gods too.
From what I can glean from the clown god we came across and his messages, he does appear to be informing us that he considers us gods rather than humans. The possessive 'you belong' says as much. The gods I'm afraid I have no access too, they only seem active daily in Solvunn, but they are very present there. I think the gods are more poentially dangerous than the Singularity. They've done more harm to us than it has.
The monoliths are ancient artifacts and I find historical accuracy immensely important. History being written by the victors only means no one ever learns from the past, so I sought to find truths about what's come before. The monoliths did have a story to tell, being gateways to other worlds, but no one knew that until recently.
And after I found out about their purpose, I was hoping to use them to bring the elves from my world to a safer sphere to live on. They have been hunted nearly to extinction, I thought it might be their only chance, but I'm afraid it didn't work out.
-Istredd
Istredd,
For all our sakes, I hope some good comes of it.
I'll do what I can to reach out to those in Solvunn, then. You and I are of an accord about the Gods. Regardless of the Singularity's power, I can't be certain that I have any understanding of the way it "thinks", but if the Gods would claim that we're like them, then it stands to reason they're something like us. Dangerous, yes, and fallible.
You remind me of a friend of mine. A man named Harpocrates, who also sought to find the truth of the world and its history, in order to help us forge a better tomorrow. I'm sorry to hear your plan didn't succeed. I attempted something far less ambitious, but with much the same hope — hiding Bearers who escaped the Empire's persecution, in the hope that they might be able to live and die on their own terms.
Do the elves still remain? Have you any hope of them finding some respite?
~ Cid
Cid,
My friend Wanda is an endless source of assistance in Solvunn, and she is close to one of the gods herself. As is Himeka who lives there. They may have more personal experiences with the gods to draw on and discuss. The gods, much like we were in that fantasy, seem to come when they are called mostly. Including the most recent experience with the clown, he was called by the thief. What he did next however was all his own choice.
I can't tell if they have their own motivations or goals, but I think they are as complex as the rest of us. I don't trust any of them. My first experience with them was when the three heralds showed up and burst into all of our minds and lives, bringing destruction and twisted minds with them. They were officially 'called' by a blood sacrifice in Solvunn, however.
They remain, but I couldn't convince them to leave even if given the chance. They wanted to stay and fight. I gave them information, hoping it would help them, but they used it the wrong way. I suppose that is a running theme for my existence.
-Istredd
[ Meaning as Cid knows from the AU, Istredd has a tendency to give information without thinking consequences through. He regrets now what he told them about Cirilla but at the time he meant well. ]
My friend Wanda is an endless source of assistance in Solvunn, and she is close to one of the gods herself. As is Himeka who lives there. They may have more personal experiences with the gods to draw on and discuss. The gods, much like we were in that fantasy, seem to come when they are called mostly. Including the most recent experience with the clown, he was called by the thief. What he did next however was all his own choice.
I can't tell if they have their own motivations or goals, but I think they are as complex as the rest of us. I don't trust any of them. My first experience with them was when the three heralds showed up and burst into all of our minds and lives, bringing destruction and twisted minds with them. They were officially 'called' by a blood sacrifice in Solvunn, however.
They remain, but I couldn't convince them to leave even if given the chance. They wanted to stay and fight. I gave them information, hoping it would help them, but they used it the wrong way. I suppose that is a running theme for my existence.
-Istredd
[ Meaning as Cid knows from the AU, Istredd has a tendency to give information without thinking consequences through. He regrets now what he told them about Cirilla but at the time he meant well. ]
Don't come back to the castle.
There was an attack. I don't think any of us were involved.
[HE DOESN'T ACTUALLY KNOW YET AS HE'S IN THE DUNGEON. Time to scrape and get info from Lucifer.]
There was an attack. I don't think any of us were involved.
[HE DOESN'T ACTUALLY KNOW YET AS HE'S IN THE DUNGEON. Time to scrape and get info from Lucifer.]
I would assume the Free Cities, not unlike how they retaliated against Nott the last time.
But we don't know for certain right now.
I'm fine, I assume the others are a bit shaken but alright.
I don't know the extent of the damage yet.
Sidwell will not be pleased. It makes him look weak.
But we don't know for certain right now.
I'm fine, I assume the others are a bit shaken but alright.
I don't know the extent of the damage yet.
Sidwell will not be pleased. It makes him look weak.
Istredd continues to not interrupt because he believes strongly that people need to tell the full story or details get lost. He also finds that people reveal more than they would if they are allowed to speak freely, and that has served him well in the past. He doesn't think Gale would hide things from him, he's talking about something very private and dark in his past, but no one knows what they'd admit to with silence stretched out.
Gale won't get any judgment out of Istredd on this. He understands mistakes made in the name of love and also in the name of greater knowledge. Whatever his reasons, what happened, happened, and now Gale has to live with it. A feeling that Istredd has experienced himself about his own choices.
His eyebrows go up at the last part though. "And you think you could still detonate here? Are you concerned about being unstable here?" It would be a reasonable thing to be concerned about! Istredd can carry that worry for both of them, for all the Summoned, if he has to. As a defender of them, but also as someone who cares for Gale. He reaches out and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Are you in danger?"
Gale won't get any judgment out of Istredd on this. He understands mistakes made in the name of love and also in the name of greater knowledge. Whatever his reasons, what happened, happened, and now Gale has to live with it. A feeling that Istredd has experienced himself about his own choices.
His eyebrows go up at the last part though. "And you think you could still detonate here? Are you concerned about being unstable here?" It would be a reasonable thing to be concerned about! Istredd can carry that worry for both of them, for all the Summoned, if he has to. As a defender of them, but also as someone who cares for Gale. He reaches out and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Are you in danger?"
Gale blinks at the open concern, at the touch. As if somehow, despite how kind Istredd had been to him before, he hadn't expected it. Had foreseen more rejection, or anger, or anything else.
He recovers, lifts one hand to gently touch Istredd's arm where it rests against his shoulder.
"That," Gale says, "is the question of the hour. Not long before I arrived here, I had come to an... agreement with Mystra. She sent a messenger to offer me a deal, I accepted and... in return, the orb was stabilised. I felt no hunger, no weakness, there was no... progression of its toxin through my body. All the same, after our little experience with the Singularity I found something... has changed."
There's a moment of hesitation, then Gale lifts one hand and gestures at himself. The purple tendrils of the orb spread a little further up his face, and softly begin to glow.
"I cannot say I... feel any different," he admits. All the same, something in him has changed. Why? What does it mean? Is Mystra's charm... failing, somehow?
He recovers, lifts one hand to gently touch Istredd's arm where it rests against his shoulder.
"That," Gale says, "is the question of the hour. Not long before I arrived here, I had come to an... agreement with Mystra. She sent a messenger to offer me a deal, I accepted and... in return, the orb was stabilised. I felt no hunger, no weakness, there was no... progression of its toxin through my body. All the same, after our little experience with the Singularity I found something... has changed."
There's a moment of hesitation, then Gale lifts one hand and gestures at himself. The purple tendrils of the orb spread a little further up his face, and softly begin to glow.
"I cannot say I... feel any different," he admits. All the same, something in him has changed. Why? What does it mean? Is Mystra's charm... failing, somehow?
Istredd,
Those two were exactly the people I had in mind.
In my experience, gods rarely have our best interests at heart — even in the dream, when we may have had the best of intentions, that distance from humanity made it so that the scale of our involvement and our limited understanding of peoples' lives often led to as much harm as it did good.
The things that are done to Bearers as a matter of course are monstrous, but I can't tell you the number of them who have refused my aid over the years, and remained within the familiar confines of their chains instead. You can't force people to be saved, as much as you might like to. For many, even terrible familiarity is preferable to the unknown.
Don't mistake my meaning, you're right in thinking that it would be wise to have care about what information you choose to share... after you've done it, there are few ways to control it. As gods, we lived to repeat our mistakes. As men, perhaps we will do better.
~ Cid
Cid,
I may not trust them but I don't rush to assume the worst out of them either. They've done what we didn't, which is on the whole stayed out of people's lives in this sphere. They only show up when called and mostly in Solvunn. In that fake future we witnessed, we were the ones who more aggressively intruded into the lives of the people.
I do think Thorne and the Free Cities ignore the gods at their own peril though. They are capable of doing a lot of damage if they want to. Lack of belief isn't going to save anyone.
It was wrong, ultimately, for me to think as an outsider I had any say in where they should go. It made sense to me to escape to another sphere, but the one we were on, it was theirs first. They have a right to stay there, even if it felt like folly. As an archaeologist, I should have been more cognizant of cultural needs over survival instincts.
A mistake I won't make again, and strive not to.
-Istredd
I may not trust them but I don't rush to assume the worst out of them either. They've done what we didn't, which is on the whole stayed out of people's lives in this sphere. They only show up when called and mostly in Solvunn. In that fake future we witnessed, we were the ones who more aggressively intruded into the lives of the people.
I do think Thorne and the Free Cities ignore the gods at their own peril though. They are capable of doing a lot of damage if they want to. Lack of belief isn't going to save anyone.
It was wrong, ultimately, for me to think as an outsider I had any say in where they should go. It made sense to me to escape to another sphere, but the one we were on, it was theirs first. They have a right to stay there, even if it felt like folly. As an archaeologist, I should have been more cognizant of cultural needs over survival instincts.
A mistake I won't make again, and strive not to.
-Istredd
"The Singularity is known for sometimes taking on elements people had with their former land or gods. It sustains them instead." Istredd has heard about it more than a few times, from Kell and Rhy's spiritual connection, to Adora's sword bond. It makes sense that the Singularity merely steps in. "If it senses an imbalance in this sphere, it may correct it. Gently." Istredd knows it doesn't think like a normal person, it wouldn't be conscious of what it is doing. More instinct than anything else.
"What I mean to say is ... you may not be in as much danger as you fear." Istredd has no proof of this, just a theory. Gale might have already detonated if he was this long away from his goddess otherwise. He takes a closer look at the purple tendrils. It must be difficult to have such an obvious physical reminder about a bad decision that nearly wrecked his life.
"You could go see it for yourself. I myself have never been able to connect with it." Istredd doesn't know if Gale could, but it's possible it is a solution.
"What I mean to say is ... you may not be in as much danger as you fear." Istredd has no proof of this, just a theory. Gale might have already detonated if he was this long away from his goddess otherwise. He takes a closer look at the purple tendrils. It must be difficult to have such an obvious physical reminder about a bad decision that nearly wrecked his life.
"You could go see it for yourself. I myself have never been able to connect with it." Istredd doesn't know if Gale could, but it's possible it is a solution.
Istredd,
Belief isn't going to save anyone either. Perhaps it's different for you, but I've only seen it bring out the worst in people. [ He's letting his emotions get the better of him, rather than looking at this particular thing more objectively. The crystals, despite all the terrible things they've been used for, are only objects. Ultima was the one who used them, and and perhaps countless others before Barnabas, before Clive had been able to save the rest of humanity. And that's to say nothing of Great Greagor and her ardent followers. ] Ignoring them is a mistake, aye, but only because it means that the Free Cities and Thorne both lack information.
Then there's a better path ahead of you already.
~ Cid
Cid,
My friend, I mean this with all the affection in my heart, you can't compare everything you've been through to the situation here. If you do, you'll act irrationally at the smallest of provocations, and that won't help anyone. I know you will always be the sum of your experiences, but this sphere is not ours. You must take it as it is to get anywhere.
I was raised in a toxic organization of mages, so I too have projected at times my negative experiences onto Thorne. It's best to judge them on their own merits and mistakes. Which are many. I can bitch with the best of them about this place, believe me, but it is its own mess.
-Istredd
My friend, I mean this with all the affection in my heart, you can't compare everything you've been through to the situation here. If you do, you'll act irrationally at the smallest of provocations, and that won't help anyone. I know you will always be the sum of your experiences, but this sphere is not ours. You must take it as it is to get anywhere.
I was raised in a toxic organization of mages, so I too have projected at times my negative experiences onto Thorne. It's best to judge them on their own merits and mistakes. Which are many. I can bitch with the best of them about this place, believe me, but it is its own mess.
-Istredd
"Go to the Singularity?" he prompts, eyes widening. "I have heard that some people have... communicated with it, felt its emotional state. You never have?"
Istredd has been here for longer than he has, after all, had far more opportunity to learn about it and the way it behaves. Why would he have been unable to connect with it? A strange thing. Could it be something about Istredd? Could it be a choice the Singularity was making, to block him out? Though again, the why of it all is puzzling. Surely it cannot consider the man a threat in some way? That doesn't make sense either, given how careful Istredd usually is. Nothing Gale can think of makes sense. Of all the people in Thorne, he'd have expected this man to find it easiest!
Istredd has been here for longer than he has, after all, had far more opportunity to learn about it and the way it behaves. Why would he have been unable to connect with it? A strange thing. Could it be something about Istredd? Could it be a choice the Singularity was making, to block him out? Though again, the why of it all is puzzling. Surely it cannot consider the man a threat in some way? That doesn't make sense either, given how careful Istredd usually is. Nothing Gale can think of makes sense. Of all the people in Thorne, he'd have expected this man to find it easiest!
Istredd,
Ouch, I felt that one.
Look... You're not wrong about why I feel the way that I do. My concern is — I forgot my past in that dream. What it led me to was happy enough, but it was... complacent. I'm not yet convinced that it was the right choice, even if the lens I look through now is colored by my past.
I'll not act without a firm understanding of what's at stake. I mean that. I'll do my best to see things as they are. Perhaps we will come to agree on all things, or perhaps it will make us bitter enemies in the end... but you have my respect. I'll not try anything without seeking your council, at the least. With equal affection — that's all I can promise.
~ Cid
Cid,
I'm not saying we have to forget everything we experienced or what made us who we are. It's just not always helpful to the situation at hand. There may be times when what you've gone through will directly solve situations here and be for the best. It's mostly about pinpointing when it is us being reasonable or being reactive.
And I'm not saying this is a you only problem. I've had this conversation with myself, with everyone I know, probably with the next group of Summoned when they arrive. We are stuck in this world for now and it is imperative to me not to make it worse intentionally.
It makes sense to be unnerved at how much we lost in that strange future, but if anything, it has been a warning we can learn from.
But please don't indicate we could be enemies, I am already too tired and stressed to worry about that!
-Istredd
I'm not saying we have to forget everything we experienced or what made us who we are. It's just not always helpful to the situation at hand. There may be times when what you've gone through will directly solve situations here and be for the best. It's mostly about pinpointing when it is us being reasonable or being reactive.
And I'm not saying this is a you only problem. I've had this conversation with myself, with everyone I know, probably with the next group of Summoned when they arrive. We are stuck in this world for now and it is imperative to me not to make it worse intentionally.
It makes sense to be unnerved at how much we lost in that strange future, but if anything, it has been a warning we can learn from.
But please don't indicate we could be enemies, I am already too tired and stressed to worry about that!
-Istredd
"You can physically go to it right here." Istredd nods in the direction of where it is from where they stand right now in his library. "In person, we can only go during the Dimming in December, but it reacts to people here. Certain people. It picks and chooses."
He is trying to say it with the least amount of bitterness possible because he refuses to let the giant magic rock hurt his feelings, but considering he is the biggest defender of the Singularity, the only person who has visited twice in person, it seems to be intentionally snubbing him. That's how it feels at least.
"Recently it appears to be more encouraging, wanting people to visit it." Istredd knows more people have made connections since their return, Lucifer included. He sighs and crosses his arms, shrugging. "I visit but it doesn't communicate with me. I don't know why."
He is trying to say it with the least amount of bitterness possible because he refuses to let the giant magic rock hurt his feelings, but considering he is the biggest defender of the Singularity, the only person who has visited twice in person, it seems to be intentionally snubbing him. That's how it feels at least.
"Recently it appears to be more encouraging, wanting people to visit it." Istredd knows more people have made connections since their return, Lucifer included. He sighs and crosses his arms, shrugging. "I visit but it doesn't communicate with me. I don't know why."
[ Unlike his usual messages, this is a more instinctive response, so Cid doesn't frame it up like a letter as he's accustomed to: ] Istredd... When was the last time you got some sleep?
Edited 2024-07-15 14:48 (UTC)
Istredd,
I trust Kyle isn't lying about the conditions of the dungeon, but out of an abundance of caution, I'd like a second opinion.
How are they treating you? When do you expect to be released?
I trust Kyle isn't lying about the conditions of the dungeon, but out of an abundance of caution, I'd like a second opinion.
How are they treating you? When do you expect to be released?
I'm fine. Coming back from our ordeal hasn't been easy, that's all.
They are as polite as the situation can be, considering they're keeping us captive.
We have food and access to personal items and books, not an unpleasant dungeon all around.
I truly don't know. I can't tell if they are waiting between questioning due to being busy or making us sweat. I don't think we're in danger, per se.
We have food and access to personal items and books, not an unpleasant dungeon all around.
I truly don't know. I can't tell if they are waiting between questioning due to being busy or making us sweat. I don't think we're in danger, per se.
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