001 ☾ video

[grasstiara]

[She’s definitely glad she went to Earth instead of staying in Arlia; there’s only so much you can do in a rural village and her stay on Earth has at least taught her how to use a communicator. Though some other technological inventions are still an anomaly to her, she’ll figure it out eventually.

When the feed turns on, a blue-haired girl with pointed ears is shown with a light-hearted smile. In the background, the lone tree in the garden can be seen.]

Hello everyone! My name is Rena. Rena Lanford. I’m sorry for interrupting, but I’d like to ask a few questions if you have the time to spare. It shouldn’t take too much of your time!

[She takes in a quick, deep breathe before continuing.]

First of all, is it possible to venture out of your official job position? Like assist in other sections? I mean I’d still do the job I was assigned foremost, but I feel like it’s such a waste to not use healing Symbology, you know?

Second, since people are from other worlds, does “magic” seem familiar to any of you? From what I read in stories it seems similar to Symbology so I’d like to compare them!

Lastly: is there any way to get any items from back home? I was sure I had my hairpin, but I seem to have misplaced it…

[And it was a gift from her mother so she’d really like that back.]

Anyway, I... believe that's it! Thank you for the time! And… sorry. I didn’t mean to talk so much.

Comments

[lethen]

Somewhat. All mages are capable, but as the name implies it is fueled by blood. It can be your own or others, but they are not often willing. Its connection to the Fade is weaker than other types of magic.

[Fenris sure knows a lot about it. If only because he hates it so much, has witnessed it firsthand, had his life ruined because of it, etc. He doesn't often have to explain it to those unfamiliar.]

Aiding others is an admirable feat. You seem young, but perhaps your world is not prone to the same corruption as my own.

[He's giving you the benefit of the doubt!]

[grasstiara]

Well, my world doesn't have demons possessing us if we use symbology so there's that.

[And from what she understood that corruption is primarily focused on people who can cast magic so she believes she'll be alright.]

But using other people's blood for your own purposes? That's not right... [It's said more to herself than the other.] Would that mean your world's magic comes from that "Fade" thing then?

[lethen]

[He wonders if his world would be a vastly difference place if demons did not exist. It's difficult to imagine.]

The Fade is a place separated from the physical world. When you sleep, your mind enters this realm. Mages can enter it consciously and it is the reason for their connection to magic.

[To put it simply. The Fade is a strange, mysterious place, and he's just learned someone is ripping it wide open in the future.]

What of those in your world who cannot use symbology?

[grasstiara]

Wow, your world's magic seems to be a lot more complicated than my world's...

[Though it's probably for the best since she can't imagine the possibility of getting possessed just for having the innate ability to cast symbology. She tilts her head at his question.]

Hm? What about them?

[lethen]

[Tell him about it.]

Are they resentful toward those with magic?

[Those in Tevinter were, if only because of the societal structure. The better and more talented a mage, the more prestigious their place in power.]

[grasstiara]

Not at all, actually! No matter what planet we passed, Symbology seems to be pretty well-received by non-symbologists.

[Most Symbologists she has met are scholars to some degree and they would rather bury their heads in books than use them for nefarious purposes.]

Are people like that in your world?

[lethen]

[It's difficult for him to imagine this peaceful utopia where mages aren't corrupted into demons, don't kill people for their own purposes, and aren't repressed by the rest of society.]

No. In the south, mages are controlled by Circles so they don't abuse their power. Templars are trained to protect others from magical threats. Their abilities allow them to counter mages specifically and cut them off from the Fade.

In the north, however, mages have declared themselves Magisters and rule all of those beneath them who lack the same magic. They've even enslaved those deemed lesser than themselves. Magisters are corrupt and power-hungry individuals, and blood magic is a common method of displaying that greed.

[There really is no happy middle ground in Thedas, only two extremes. He personally believes the south a preferable option.]

You must be tired of hearing of my world. Symbology does not suffer the same consequences, it seems.

[grasstiara]

[She remains quiet as she takes in the information, nodding every once in a while to show her understanding. Magic in his world seems to be a major issue if there are people who are specially trained to counter mages. As long as you interrupt someone casting a spell in her world, the spell wouldn't even be invoked.

A small smile appears on her face at his statement; that's silly, she would never think such a thing!]

I'm not; I was the one who asked, after all. Plus, it's interesting to hear about other people's worlds!

[Though it must be tiresome talking about his own world this much so she hums lightly, attempting to think of an example of Symbology having a negative influence.]

Actually, now that I think about it, there were some consequences to Symbology, but it isn't to the extent of your world. I guess you can consider the planet I came from to be similar to the north in a way? I only have vague memories of the place as a child, but during our adventures we learned that it used to rule the universe 3.7 billion years ago through the advancement of symbology.

Unlike your north however, they realized the destructive capabilities of the power after some internal strife and locked themselves away from the rest of the universe until my friends and I appeared there.

[If she hadn't gone to Earth, she admits this would be confusing to her so she wouldn't blame him if she has any questions pertaining to this.]

[lethen]

[He doesn't mind discussing Thedas, although it is far easier to focus on the negative about his world. He's found only few things have given him an optimistic perspective - mostly people. Kirkwall felt free compared to the rest of the world.]

That is mature of your kind. Most would take advantage of such power, rather than seclude themselves from the rest.

[It causes Fenris to think for a while. Although there is little known of the history of elves, he is aware of some legends.]

It is said that once, elves ruled in a similar fashion. Their magical abilities allowed them to live forever. At least until they came into contact with humans, who sought to conquer them. So the stories say.

You and your friends have reached that place? What happened?

[grasstiara]

[She taps a finger on her chin as her brows furrows in thought--that is a long story to tell if he wants the details of everything that happened on the planet. She's unsure if he would be entertained by that, so she'll settle with an explanation of how they arrived there for now.]

Well, apparently, we were transported there after the planet I grew up on, Expel, crashed into the barrier that was keeping the more advanced planet, Energy Nede, secluded. I'm still unsure of how it happened, really, but I think it's because the group we were battling accidentally brought us along with them somehow. Luckily for us, we were nowhere near them when we came to.

[Which is a better alternative to getting erased from existence so she's not complaining.]

I'm kind of curious though--do you have any legends that are... hopeful? The one you gave as an example is kind of depressing.

[Her ideas of legends are ones filled with hope and prosper--not ones that tell of former glory and despair.]

[lethen]

[He mostly follows the explanation, although it's a bit more than he understands. He realizes he'll have to suspend some disbelief in this place.]

Legends? Hm...

[There aren't many hopeful ones in Thedas. Although there is one he's interested in.]

There was once an enslaved elf named Shartan who led a rebellion against his captors. He was successful, and many elves were able to find a home in the south, a place named the Dales.

[Fenris owns a book detailing this legend, though he's not sure if he'll ever be able to read it. Perhaps one day. He does know the legend is a bit darker and bittersweet, but the victory remains.]

ahh this is so late sorry :(

[grasstiara]

[While the concept of slavery concerned her, she assumes it must have been abolished by now considering the ending of the tale and doesn't linger on the thought. Though she is somewhat relieved to hear that it was a joyful end; she was beginning to believe everything in Thedas is disheartening.]

Oh, so you guys do have them! That's pretty amazing how someone can rally against their captors in that situation.

[Typically people are too afraid to rise up against their oppressors from what she's read so she admires Shartan's charisma.]

Was that story told in your village?

no worries, we can be backtag buddies

[lethen]

[Slavery is far from abolished, as if the explanations of Thedas aren't grim enough. The story of Shartan has even been eradicated from most scriptures of the Chantry. As though it never happened.]

I wouldn't call the Imperium a village. It has cities, and they are quite expansive.

[Large enough to dominate the northern part of the continent.]

But no, Shartan is not widely known. While there was a book written of him, most slaves are not taught to read or write, so they have little access to that legend.