@everyone, end of week 2 (after solvunn visits)

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor’s hurried script is maybe familiar to some, but what’s different now (beyond the fact that it’s slightly more hurried) is that it appears on its own. Whatever this is about, it’s apparently important enough for him to make a rare solo appearance, a departure from his joint broadcast with Jayce. Right now, it's just him, relaying information as quickly and expediently as possible.

If you’re not necessarily familiar with Viktor himself, the words match those soliciting location information not too long ago. It seems this is the culmination of those efforts.]

We know where the captives are being held. It’s an island directly north of the Singularity crater, roughly three hours off the coast of Thorne’s border, where I am now. I’ve created a map in my Horizon to show the location, as well as the data from the trackers that allowed me to pinpoint it. The explanation is slightly technical, but suffice to say the system is improved to the point where I am confident in its accuracy. Jayce and I can answer any questions about it, though you may need to direct inquiries regarding the magical component to Stephen.

[Who is here, also.]

Thank you to those who offered to collect additional data with the receivers. We would not have been able to locate this place otherwise.

The island itself is not large, though we suspect it’s heavily warded, with the exact holding area magically concealed. We weren’t able to detect anyone coming or going, so it’s likely the captors are using portals to access it directly from various abduction sites. I imagine this aligns with other investigations.

What happens now will require cooperation. Sam has done what reconnaissance he can, but we're not sure of what awaits us on the island itself, nor do we know who is responsible. Accessing the island will require us to eliminate its magical defenses or otherwise dispel its enchantments—any additional information that anyone has gathered is, at this point, vital to share.

[ooc: full receipts are here for the curious! responses may come from any of the four characters currently investigating the island, and please thread jack away. pit people…feel free to receive snippets of this message as appropriate. for additional plotting/convergence of plots, hit me up on plurk at whitticus or discord at whitticus#8139.]

Comments

[funbreaker]

[ This is good news. It's what they've all been waiting for, and those with the technological and magical knowhow made it happen. As he trusted they would.

It feels like they're so close now. But Thancred also cannot help but worry. He is fairly certain Stephen must be there as well, whereas he's all the way in Solvunn currently. ]

You are on the island currently? I assume you have all taken precautions, if there are only a few of you there. By what means did you access it?

[hextechhead]

No, we are on the continent on the north-east border of Thorne. They gave us permission. We suspected it was nearby here so we wanted to get as close as possible.

now that i know this is after their other thread

[funbreaker]

From Solvunn all the way there, is it? You are becoming quite the world traveler.

[techmaturgy]

As Jayce said, not on the island itself, no. We're on the coast at the Thornean border, close enough to confirm my suspicion that the tracker signals are coming from the island.

[Have a handy map addendum! Now that they're here, there isn't any reason to withhold information, but Viktor hadn't wanted to telegraph the trip until he had something to show for it.]

We were allowed access via portal. Supervised, of course. There's no indiction that anyone or anything on the island knows that we're here.

[funbreaker]

I suppose with only four of you and with Stephen's concealing magicks, we can be fairly certain they haven't detected you. Yet I implore that you take care all the same.

[cointosser]

[It has been such a long few weeks already, having an answer to something -- the most important question, if you ask him -- does not even feel real. He can't feel real relief from it when nothing has come of it yet.

This is possibly the worst idea he has had yet.]

If I can get close enough, I will have enough time to fly to the island, barring any magical wards or glamours. And I suppose approaching will quickly make apparent what there is.

I can, at least, get eyes on the island itself.

From what I gleaned during the brief appearance by one of the taken Summoned, they are deep underground -- deep enough they cannot hear the ocean -- and hidden behind illusions, even in the location they are trapped in. I would guess it is such illusions that have hindered escape attempts, if any have been made. From the state of him, I don't -- I do not think they will be able to aid in their own escape. So it is solidly on us.

[hextechhead]

It's okay Jaskier, Sam did a flyover with his wings and was able to spot some things using magnifying glasses. You can fly over it if you want, but we were able to get a good view of it.

[cointosser]

But he did not land, did he?

[techmaturgy]

We'll be returning here soon enough, with much larger numbers. You'll get your chance.

Underground seems likely, with the entrance disguised. That will be the next piece of the puzzle. We'll get them out, Jaskier. You helped make this possible.

[ofthesword]

ł₴Ⱡ₳₦Đ? ₩Ɇ'ⱤɆ Ø₦ ₳ ₣Ʉ₵₭ł₦₲ ł₴Ⱡ₳₦Đ?

[techmaturgy]

[squinting]

Yes.

[cryptsleeper]

It would be to our advantage to begin building research teams and libraries now, with an emphasis on older types of magic then. Working across all three factions would allow for a harder to predict approach in regards to defenses. If one or two individuals could manage the project from each location, that would be ideal.

We should reach out to Luna and ask after their magic as well, so much as they can give. Unexpected edge.

Things to nullify magic would also be useful.

[And send to Viktor, privately:]

Thank you.

I am going to tear out their hearts.

[techmaturgy]

I'm hoping that other information will come to light, now that I've confirmed the location. Things that maybe didn't make sense before, but do now.

[just a casual reminder for everyone to start sharing with the class. Privately:]

I know. I wish it didn't have to be this way, but I'm not going to stop you.

[cryptsleeper]

I expect that to be the case. The more that's shared now the easier it is to form strategies for moving forward.

[Viktor you're one of the few people who know how bad it can approximately get.]

Thank you for understanding.

[ushiri]

On the Thornean peninsula near the island we found an illusion spell covering the area. It had to be dispelled with High Magic, not exactly common in Thorne.

[ Which might be the same on the island. ]

[thedevilwhorose]

Additionally, the guessing game to break the illusory magic required invoking the right god; I'm guessing this would ring true for dispelling other forms of High Magic, were we to come across them.

[cryptsleeper]

Good to know, most certainly time to be looking into knowledgeable resources.

[techmaturgy]

But you did dispel it. Is that what you're saying?

[theidlemaiden]

𝘐'𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘶𝘯𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴, 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐'𝘮 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬!

[ Magic goes way over her head, but she at least knows what she's good at. ]

[carmesi]

[thank you wonderful science men]

I will use all necessary magic for this. I don't care what it takes.

Josselyn Creed knows we are looking for them.
Whatever we do — we have to work quickly.

[techmaturgy]

Is she responsible? Why is she doing this?

[londonbound]

Thank you, Viktor.

How did you access the place you are now? Did the Free Cities' government provide portal access, and do you know if negotiations are underway to bring reinforcements once you've gathered the necessary information?

[techmaturgy]

I gave my findings to the Free Cities government and they allowed us to coordinate with similar efforts by Stephen Strange. We're here under guard.

I can't imagine Cadens and Thorne will sit idly once we tell them the location has been confirmed. It would be foolish of them otherwise.

[aquilus]

You're certain.

]It's almost a question, but — no. Viktor would not say it if he were not certain.]

Is there a way to determine WHAT magical defenses it has without setting foot there?

[techmaturgy]

If I wasn't, I would have said nothing.

Illusions, certainly. Wards. Beyond that, we're not sure.