@ 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

[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.

[sleepfan]

I will share everything I find. I will place it in Istredd's library as well as your domain if you permit it.

Excellent - that will make the conversions between data types much easier.

If you have any questions about magic that I can answer, I am happy to do so. I can also demonstrate in Horizon, though that is not the same as witnessing casting in its natural environment.

Do you have any information on lens making?

[techmaturgy]

I'm slightly familiar with magic in your world thanks to Claude and Hilda, but perhaps we can speak more about it after we solve the current problem.

Lens making? For what purpose?

[sleepfan]

Neither of them know very much about magic. I would be pleased to share what I know and answer questions.

I have seen theoretical construction of devices that allow one to look at very small things. I want to make them and see what magic's effects are on things very closely. It will be faster if you already know about this, as otherwise I am going to need to rely on trial and error and vague theories.

[Being a Renaissance-era scientist is difficult.]

[techmaturgy]

Oh. You want a microscope?

[They don't even have microscopes...]

If you're interested in studying the effects of magic on an object, I'm not sure you'd achieve the desired result by simply looking at it with a magnifying lens. Do you hope to observe physical effects, or metaphysical properties?

[sleepfan]

Yes.

I would like a microscope. And a far-seeing microscope.

I want to observe both - I want to compare the physical effects magic has on an object on small scales compared to doing the same thing with non-magical means. I also want to observe on a small scale to see how healing actually works. And I want to see if I can practice and use my magical senses and abilities on a smaller scale - could I move a grain of sand by less than millimeter? What about something I can only see or conceive of with the microscope? I would also like to be able to observe animals and plants more closely - I am trying to figure out the patterns of inheritance and that will be easier if I can observe my specimens more closely.

[Linhardt just wants to learn things. Is that so wrong?]

[techmaturgy]

A telescope. Is the other word you're looking for.

I think you should come to my laboratory in the Horizon. We could more easily design what you're looking for, and discuss how feasible it is to send to you in the real world.

[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.

[sleepfan]

Which is a form of arrogance. You are right that I know very little. Which is why if someone else is better suited, they should do so. If there is no one else, however, I agree that what Viktor is investigating is important and we should get him the readings he needs - or as close as possible. The question would then be the safest way to do so.

Do you believe seniority should be something considered in discussions?

Perhaps the back up situation is something we should discuss with people in other factions the next time we all go to Nocwich? Hilda indicated that was a regular occurrence.

[techmaturgy]

Just bring it to my laboratory in the Horizon. All of my work is here; I'm not going to someone else's domain to consolidate. If you end up with physical data, we can meet in Nocwich at the beginning of next month, provided the fabric of space-time doesn't implode or we aren't all obliterated by errant monsters.

[magicalarchaeologist]

Of course, this is your project. Any information we get we'll make sure you have for your data collection, either physical proof or in the Horizon. Thank you for gathering all of this.

[techmaturgy]

I want to collaborate--there is no solving this without information from all of the factions. Transparency in this is of utmost importance.

[magicalarchaeologist]

I would expect nothing less from the person who created the trackers that found us and collaborated with the rest of the Summoned for the rescue. I'll do whatever I can to get you the information on the Thorne end.

[sleepfan]

I will do so.

Would you be offended if I copied some of your work to Istredd's domain? I do not want all of your work on this matter to disappear if you do.

Space-time?

private

[techmaturgy]

I have contingencies in the event of my own disappearance. You might wish to ask yourself why Istredd positions himself as sole arbiter of all this information.

[As in, Viktor is asking himself this as well. Scholarly interest is one thing, attempting to have all the information consolidated in his domain is quite another, especially when Viktor is sure that nobody has a handle on the technological aspect the way he does. Irregardless, Linhardt and Istredd are relative strangers, and despite his willingness to exchange information, Viktor has other friends, ones he trusts with the things he's working on.]

Space, meaning the physical world--or worlds, in this case. Time, meaning the progression of events. I'm referring to the intersection of the two.

Always private

[sleepfan]

That is good - imagine if you disappeared and another you showed up and you made him start from scratch. My other selves would be very displeased.

I am questioning him. How people respond when you question them is often very enlightening. So far, I do not think he wants to be the sole arbiter of information. I think he has control issues. If there are Summoned who are working for their factions against their fellow Summoned, it's likely wise to have multiple types of backups as well as not have everybody know of them all. That would make it less likely that all information would disappear.

[All Linhardt cares about is the research not going to waste. Everything else is secondary.]

How do they intersect? I am not familiar - it intuitively makes sense to me that there is some relation: there have been certain arguments that state warp magic is more akin to skipping time than moving objects. Claude said your knowledge is more advanced than Fodlan's.

[magicalarchaeologist]

We'll definitely give Viktor everything we can for his project. It should primarily reside with him, and I'll put what we learn in mine as the back up instead. When we information share too, we'll all have the conclusions, so there's that.

I think everyone comes here with their own knowledge and experience and it's valid, but there is a lot that has happened here. For instance, we have a handful of people left from the first Summoning. They've told us what happened with Thorne threw them all in prison, how Thorne experimented on a Summoned, and how they escaped to the other factions. Without that knowledge, we'd be vulnerable to Thorne doing all of it again. Basically, just talking to each other is the best way.

Wanda and I plan on having a group Summoned event so we can go over many topics in person. I don't trust Nocwich much more than Thorne, it's the only way it is guaranteed privacy from our factions.

Private to Istredd

[sleepfan]

I agree that we should talk to one another and share information, however, we are vulnerable to them doing such things again regardless of whether we know about their previous activities or not. Are you going to raise arms if they attempt to experiment on us again? I do not think so. I think you would volunteer. Giving in to whatever our hosts desire is also not a long-term solution.

Why should we trust you and Wanda? Most people here, including you, have urged caution and skepticism of everything. That includes the two of you. That I like you does not make you trustworthy.

Private forever

[magicalarchaeologist]

I would not volunteer willingly, but if it was between me and one of the youths here, of course I would. We have teenagers and they're vulnerable. I sacrificed myself for them in the Pit and I would do it again. But we can't guarantee when Thorne will turn on us or if they will. I am being patient. My partner and I have been planning for a long time to find a way to get them out and where we could go to.

The first Summoned here were thrown into the dungeons. They tried to execute one of them. The only reason they escaped to the other two factions was two mysterious people called Oliver and Elizabeth showed up, froze all the mages, and opened portals to the Free Cities and Solvunn. That won't happen for us.

I'm not asking you to trust me, I'm asking you to listen to me.

[sleepfan]

Ah. So once someone is 20, throw them to the wolves. Perhaps I should start lying about my age.

[The statement both is and isn't a joke. Nobody in Fodlan seemed to care that they were sending teenagers into dangerous situations.]

Who is your partner? It's true that we can't know with certainty. I just worry you may be too complacent because you like the situation.

You are asking me to trust you - you want me to act - or not- as you wish based on the information you provide. Which entails trusting not only that you are a person who wants to tell me the truth, but also trusting your ability to assess and analyze your surroundings. I am currently evaluating my information sources in Abraxas, including you.

I am listening to you. That does not ensure that I will obey you, always heed your counsel, or come to the same conclusion that you do.