@ everyone

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor’s familiar, hurried script appears once again on its own. Without someone helping to facilitate the post, he is straight to the point, much as he was some months ago, announcing the location of the kidnapped Summoned.]

I’m well aware that most of us are occupied with the hostile creatures descending on various locations across the continent. However:

I’m more concerned with the nature of these phenomena and am currently improving the devices that the Academy will use to take measurements from the rifts. When I’m finished, the data will be more accurate than what the Cadens scientists could gather on their own. If there are similar efforts in the other factions, it is in our best interests to collaborate. I have theories of my own, as well.

[That’s, you know, the hint to pony up some intel.]

In the meantime, for those of you in the Free Cities who might be venturing to the rifts, I will need an escort. I would prefer to collect the readings myself, but I’m willing to part with one of the devices provided you are responsible with it. That may allow us to cover more ground.

As always, if you are in need of equipment or repairs, my workshop is open (unless I’m examining the rifts, in which case I’ll handle inquiries when I return).

- V

[ooc: here is a little bit about what Viktor has going on! for additional plotting/convergence of plots, hit me up on plurk at whitticus or discord at whitticus.]

Comments

[techmaturgy]

I know enough about both to consolidate the data. I find it hard to believe that the mages aren't conducing their own analysis.

[magicalarchaeologist]

It is likely they are. One of the prominent mages in Thorne has been boots on the floor of the situation, she's been near the rifts, it's likely she'll know. I'll see what I can find out and get back to you.

[techmaturgy]

Then, the question is how much they're willing to tell you. How forthcoming do you think she'll be?

[magicalarchaeologist]

I know someone who might have an in with her, and Stephen is trusted by Ambrose so he can ask. There is no telling how much they'll actually reveal, that's the problem with Thorne. But considering the rifts have brought forth creatures from our own spheres, it seems logical to think there may be a connection, as you said to Linhardt, between the rifts and the Summoning spell.

I've been concerned that the spell isn't as safe as they claim, they could very well be ripping apart time and space every time they use it. The rifts could be in reaction to something going wrong, tapping into the same spheres. Theoretically.

[techmaturgy]

Well, it's not as if the Free Cities are transparent, either.

I'd say it's likely they're ripping apart space and time whenever they use it. We already know the ritual is imperfect, even when conducted in Thorne. The possibility that the fabric between worlds is thinning or weakening cannot be discounted, especially not now. Drawing so continuously on the Singularity's power may have consequence as well. I think it might be learning from the continued use of the ritual, to the point it is now conducting it on its own.

[magicalarchaeologist]

I think it's more likely this is due to human error of the original spell, and its continued use despite evidence to the contrary that this was a good idea. We had more Summoned recently than ever before, and some of them have already identified these creatures as theirs. The chaos of more aggressive beasts and rifts opening so soon, it could be a coincidence, but it seems suspect.

If the Singularity is connected to other spheres and the power to do the spell derives from it, it wouldn't need to learn from the mages' ritual. It may already have these abilities on its own, connected to the multiverse as it is.

[techmaturgy]

There is no coincidence. Not in this matter, anyway.

Just because one has the power, doesn't mean one knows how to wield it. The Singularity is a neutral magical entity that exists in this world as its source of magic. It can be focused--directed. To think it wouldn't push back in some way, after such continued use, well. I find that foolish.

You speak with some authority on the subject. What evidence do you have for your theories?

[That's not meant to be challenging, or even contrary--he's genuinely interested.]

[magicalarchaeologist]

I agree, it seems unlikely to be a coincidence.

Typically I would say that there is no reason to assume the Singularity acts or feels the way a human would, but one of the people who reported on the visions that happened before the rifts implied that the Singularity was frightened. They felt its emotions. There is someone else I know who has connected to it, and has said before it feels things. Perhaps not the exact way humans do, but enough to recognize it.

I'm uncertain if that means it possibly did cause the rifts and was aware of it, thus sent the visions, or if it didn't cause them and was warning us of danger. Hard to say. I'm not one of the people with a closer connection.

I've spent the past year learning what I can about the Singularity. Obviously only through Thorne's lens so it is all up to question about the truth of any of it.

[techmaturgy]

The Singularity likely does not have emotions in the way we understand them, nor does it feel things the way humans do. To anthropomorphize it or otherwise assign it human morality could be dangerous. That said, I understand the need to contextualize what must have been an alarming vision in the terms one knows.

[That is, human terms. But Viktor spent enough time with the Hexcore to know that a magical entity--one that is capable of thinking for itself and learning--cannot be understood in that way. He assumes the Singularity is similar enough.]

And? Anything pertinent to mention, given the current situation?

[magicalarchaeologist]

The people who have connections to the Singularity or visions from it have a better sense of what they experienced than I do. The Singularity isn't human and doesn't react to anything the way humans do nor should it be expected to. But it may have learned how to communicate to some humans here in a way they'd understand.

Nothing that I think would help the data you're collecting out here in the real world.

[Vague on purpose, yep.]

I think we'll find that these beasts are similar to us and they're being "Summoned" to this sphere from ours. They are probably like us in every possible way, to the point where the Singularity is allowing them into the Horizon. I don't know that it is the Singularity though. What if it's a third party on the continent trying to learn the Summoning themselves? Nocwich might want their own Summoned. And if they don't know what they're doing, it could cause this.

[techmaturgy]

I find that hard to believe.

[He can read into the vague obfuscation in all this--Viktor is not so naive that he thinks any given Summoned is without their own agenda, especially those who have to navigate the precarious environment of Thorne.]

There is a philosophical exercise--a principle that dictates simplicity in problem-solving. If two theories explain the observed facts, the solution with the fewest variables is preferred. That is, barring further evidence, the less complicated explanation is more likely to be correct. Cadens and Solvunn stole knowledge of the ritual from Thorne--imperfect as it is, they didn't have to fumble through trial and error as Thorne did. Why would Nocwich?

[magicalarchaeologist]

Yes, I know the theory, but I would point out that nothing involving the Summoned or our situation has been simple. The variables are unknown, there is no way to logically come to a conclusion with what we have right now. We don't know if there were errors in the Summoning before us that were smoothed over before success. It also may not be doing the spell wrong, it could be that the thinning between realities is on the verge of breaking.

We'll get what data we can on the rifts. Some knowledge is better than none. It'll likely be years before we get closer to answers, it's already taken two to get this far. I love discussing theory, especially here, because I believe it has gotten us to ideas that can be proven. Maybe the end result of the rifts will do the same.

Private to Victor and Istredd

[sleepfan]

I think it would be wise to ask.

I also think it would be wise to have our own measurements.

[techmaturgy]

That would depend on the abilities of the person. Do you have skills or equipment that the Thornean mages do not, which would allow you to take your own measurements?

[sleepfan]

Skills, yes. Equipment, no. I am confident in my ability to take the readings if we are measuring magical information. If we are measuring physical or other properties, the lack of equipment in Thorne would be an obstacle.

[techmaturgy]

Yes, it often is. Whatever it is you plan to do, can you keep it hidden?

[sleepfan]

I'm guessing they would throw fits if I were to try to bring any devices back to Thorne in the future. The egos of those in charge are always a hinderance to progress.

Yes. I can.

[techmaturgy]

If you were caught with anything perceived to be from the Free Cities, it would end very badly for you.

What do you plan to do?

[sleepfan]

They're letting their egos get in the way of what they claim to want - an understanding of the Singularity.

In terms of the measurements or getting close to the rifts?

[techmaturgy]

In terms of your ability.

[sleepfan]

Ah. I understand.

I am a magical scholar and a healer. I have been assisting with healing here in Thorne and have been open about being a battlefield medic, so my being in the area should not inherently raise any eyebrows. I can teleport objects and do magic from a distance, so I would not need to be close to the rift in order to gather the information we require.

As a faith magic practitioner, I have refined enough magical senses to tell the difference between life energy and other forms of magic, as well as separate them and act on them. My knowledge is limited to Fodlan's systems at the moment, but I am beginning to sketch out the differences between Fodlan's magical variables and those here so if we are using Abraxan physics and magic as a default, I should be able to translate my findings into compatible forms. I also know the math and conversions between Fodlan's magic and purely physical forces so if you were looking for non-magical data, I may be able to provide some.

If you do not believe I would do a good job, do not trust me, or there is a better option for getting the information you need, that is understandable. I only care that the information is gathered and made available for collaboration. If someone else in Thorne - like Istredd or Stephen - is more capable and suited, I will leave it in their hands.

[Happily. Getting information without having to work for it is the dream.]

[techmaturgy]

If possible, then, I'd like you to tell me what you discover about the rifts.

In the interest of transparency, you should know that that I'm an inventor in Cadens. My work involves the technological harnessing of arcane forces, so I have an understanding of both mechanics and magic. I have no inborn ability of my own, however, so you must forgive my curiosity when it comes to real mages.

[magicalarchaeologist]

We have to be very cautious here, Linhardt. It's true that their arrogance is getting in the way and possibly be why this is all happening, it usually is. But they've tried to execute a Summoned before here in Thorne.

We can put the information gathered safely within my domain. It's a library where you can store anything you remember, we store many of our private sets of notes and theories there out of Thorne's view point.

[sleepfan]

They can be dangerous to my person and stupid. But I understand: I should not be arrogant either - yes?

[Istredd is...easier to figure out than most strangers so far, but Linhardt is not the most socially adept person. But Istredd accepts questions.]

I agree we should store the information in your library. Do you think someone else in Thorne would be better suited to this? Someone who isn't you doing it solely so that I or someone else doesn't need to.

[If Istredd truly is the most capable, then he should. But he shouldn't volunteer just to keep the rest of them out of danger.]

[magicalarchaeologist]

They're ignorant and that makes them particularly dangerous. It's not about arrogance, it is more that I would say you're new. You're a brilliant individual but you don't understand all the ins and outs of this place yet. Being cautious is wise.

I wouldn't be against a secondary location for much of this, there is always the possibility I disappear and my library and its information with it. I would want to store any knowledge you have there, but a back up would be smart for us to think about. For now, use the library though.