abraxas inbox

[magicalarchaeologist]

Comments

[familysucks]

Yes, an offering by the coast. Lucky guess?

[magicalarchaeologist]

No, a giant sea turtle washed up on the banks of the city closest to Solvunn. We were asked to come help get it back into the water.

[familysucks]

A massive shark beached itself on one of Solvunn's shores. Presumably the Free Cities has a visitor of its own.

One wonders if they were running from something, or being drawn to a point.

[magicalarchaeologist]

Is that what you think they were hoping for? What did they ask for in the ritual, if you could hear them?

[familysucks]

They asked to be blessed with a prosperous new year. I doubt this is the outcome they expected, given we're not being asked to butcher the beasts for consumption.

[magicalarchaeologist]

So they don't necessarily know if what they're doing will work.

[familysucks]

There's a saying where I'm from: God works in mysterious ways.

They received a response. The majority consider that a success.

[magicalarchaeologist]

That doesn't bode well for whatever this 'success' leads them to try next.

[familysucks]

I expect that will depend which god is listening when next they call. The natives have history from before our arrival; these rituals can't be entirely self-destructive.

[magicalarchaeologist]

As far as I can tell though, these rituals have only been making drastic changes due to our presence here. The Singularity is different because of us. So they might be able to try things they couldn't before.

[familysucks]

We will find out. They aren't going to stop because of our presence, either.

[magicalarchaeologist]

No, I expect they plan to use it to their advantage. Damn. Did they have any of you take part in it?

[familysucks]

The invitation was open to all. They solicited offerings from everyone present, but the elders performed the ceremony.

[magicalarchaeologist]

What were the offerings?

[familysucks]

Appropriately themed for their choice of location: fish, for the most part. No Summoned were sacrificed.

[magicalarchaeologist]

I wonder if the animals we have beached are known for eating fish. Removing them from the ocean even for a week would change how many are eaten.

[familysucks]

I'll have to ask. A boon in exchange for the effort of putting these creatures back seems possible.

Are public rituals of this type ever held in Thorne?

[magicalarchaeologist]

No, they would consider backward, although one might suggest they pay closer attention considering the results.

[familysucks]

I assume the unpredictable nature of the results would be undesirable for magical practitioners. You'd know better than I.

[magicalarchaeologist]

Yes it would, which is why my organization forbid anything of the sort. But they still knew how. Perhaps it is for the best though, I would not want to encourage Thorne to get any more power than they currently have. Only more opportunity for them to control us and the rest of this place.

[familysucks]

I'm sure you'll forgive me for sharing that sentiment.

The Solvunn elders don't seem to wish to hide that they were responsible for this. One can only hope no one in Thorne finds it inspirational.

[magicalarchaeologist]

They turn their nose up to it now, but if they get wind that it's all successful, that might change things. Any chance they get to take power they will. Lucifer wants to see if there is a way to rescue some of the others and get them out of Thorne before things get worse.

[familysucks]

If they learn to control the flying leviathans, it won't matter how far away anyone is. Don't make the cleanup seem too effortless.

[He's thinking of the golden serpents glimpsed during their recent sea voyage, coiling up from the waves and out into the stars. They'd seemed formidable creatures.]

[magicalarchaeologist]

I have a strong suspicion that you may be in the faction that actually presents the most potential danger to the rest of us, Michael. Please be careful.

[familysucks]

I'll try not to land myself on any sacrificial altars. I'm certain nothing pleasant would answer.