@ 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 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.

[techmaturgy]

I'm not interested in years. If the fabric between worlds is fraying, then it's likely the speed with which it does so is exponential, like rolling something down a hill. We should have been focused on this from the start--certainly we'd be better positioned, after all this time.

That's not an accusation, simply a statement of fact. I was working on other things, too. I should have been working on this, but better now than not at all.

[viktor you were dying but ok]

What matters now is that we have the ability to directly observe these disturbances. We should take as much advantage of it as we can.

[magicalarchaeologist]

I agree with everything you just said. And the only thing we can do from here is go forward with whatever we find out. We won't be able to take any next steps until we do.

[techmaturgy]

Then I look forward to hearing an update from you.