thisavrou | [video]

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[ the feed flickers once, twice, before it settles on Thisavrou's latest Turian resident. ]

I have heard of machine-gods that could harvest entire civilizations and render them into nothingness in nanoseconds, or even create a symbiotic relationship between machines and organics...but I have never heard of the likes of machinery that could resuscitate the dead.

Yet, I am led to believe the technology here is so highly advanced that it is as common as any other glitch in a program. Is that right?

[ here, Saren pauses, clearly disbelieving. ]

I seek more credible answers, which surely someone must have uncovered by now. Is there more to how we arrived here? What is known about our gracious hosts, is there information regarding them or their government?

Humans are known for their arrogance and non-compliance. I cannot imagine that all of you have been content to act as no better than cogs in a machine, submitting so that our gracious hosts could reap the benefits of your contribution.

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No.

[ It's a pretty deadpan "no'". Don't ruin a good thing, Dorian. You're like the first human Saren hasn't outright insulted. ]

The views on biotics vary depending on the culture and species. In my home world, Palaven, biotics face a similar stigma to your "mages". Biotics are treated with distrust by military ranks because we are something of a rarity. Biotics of my species are not imprisoned, but they are shipped off to the Cabals at a young age. They are trained by the hierarchy to serve them as an elite group, rarely seen. I kept my biotics hidden during my time in the military, so I did not meet that fate.

[ It helped Saren had a high ranking brother who prevented that from being a possibility. ]

It might have interesting results. I am curious to see if there are any similarities, and if you are as talented as you say, perhaps my biotics could be of use to you somehow.

[ And him, but hey, who's to say what Saren's motives are. ]

Edited (words) 2017-03-22 00:39 (UTC)

[Don't worry, Dorian ultimately ruins things and somehow, he's okay with that. Well, not really, but he has coping mechanisms.]

I'm not entirely certain what a Cabal is, but I am imagining something similar to a mage Circle, as soon as a mage's abilities manifest they attend a Circle which is similar to a school in my homeland. Further south it's more like a prisn, large towers where mages spend their entier lives isolated from the rest of the world. Mages also undergo Harrowings, which is simply a test to see if you can face and overcome a demon in the Fade...which is a metaphysical Beyond place. Where I am from Harrowings are not...well...harrowing, but the south tends to slaughter mages who fail or the mage can choose to become a Tranquil instead of taking their Harrowing...which is like living death anyway.

[It's not hard to tell that Dorian finds the practice distasteful given the look of disgust he's wearing.]

The south is rather famous for its path of least resistance when it comes to mages, kill them is, typically, the answer.

[Instead of investing in the lyrium to save them from the demons they are forced to face whether they are ready or not.]

I suppose you'll have to find out if I am as talented as I say and it would give me great pleasure to see what your biotics are capable of regardless. I imagine I will see in time, but what are your capabilities?

The Cabals are a military unit, as I described. I suppose you could describe it as a school since they learn to utilize their powers to suit the needs of the hierarchy. They are trained, rather than imprisoned or killed. I believe this is also true for human biotics. They are trained by their "alliance". Why waste a resource that you can use?

The future is not so barbaric, though some things remain the same. Given the prejudice biotics face, certain parties lobby to have us registered. Others who are more ignorant choose to attack or kill what they do not appreciate or understand.

[He's read reports about mobs and riots, and biotic victims who chose not to defend themselves. Not just human biotics, but Turian victims as well. Though he's equally disgusted, Saren is not as passionate about fighting for biotics as Dorian is for mages.]

There are many misconceptions about the capabilities of biotics, which I'm sure you're familiar with. They vary a great deal, and competent biotics can be highly dangerous. Hence the distrust and suspicion. Biotic children are generally considered unstable, until they receive proper training and implants to help them control their powers.

[Implants? Basically brain surgery but Dorian's free to take it how he wants.]

We use biotics to warp the air around us, either by increasing or decreasing mass.

For instance, you could pull an enemy toward you and use them as a meat shield against their ally. Biotics can block high velocity objects such as projectiles. Biotics can rip apart objects or other organics at a cellular level. Biotics can also do damage to an organics nervous system, and rip apart their brain if they so choose.

[You make them sound so nice, Saren.]

Magic is as mundane to me as a rouge with a bow or a warrior with a sword, there's nothing wrong with a properly used tool. Sadly there are elements in the Thedas that condemn magic, remarkably short-sighted elements at that. The southern Chantry pollutes the mind of common people regularly with rhetoric so their only association and understanding of magic is what the Chantry tells them. Usually things about blood magic, Abominations, demons, and how dangerous magic is as opposed to how helpful it can be. They would gladly waste a good resource out of fear and want for control.

[That's not to say that Dorian approves of certain practices, he, of course, does not approve of blood magic...but he's also aware that in the south it is a response to unreasonable treatment of mages. Corner an animal, they will attack ferociously.]

It seems that mages and biotics have quite a bit in common, at least in terms of being misunderstood...it's only natural though. There are good people and not so good people not matter where you turn your head. I like to think that the proportion f people who would not abuse their abilities outweighs those that would...so why punish the lot?

[Dorian might think of implants as like a ages staff, he can use magic without it of course, but it is more wieldy with a conduit to channel the energy.]

Not too different from what we go with magic, except we are warping the Fade.

[Of course the distance from the Fade has made it harder to control his magic, but still.]

Well that certainly sounds exciting. [It could sound worse, it could sound like blood magic.]

I presume this "Chantry" is a human religious organization, as that level of ignorance and short-sightedness is exactly what I have come to expect from your species. It is unfortunate your species is so unsophisicated that they cannot see how such rhetoric can be used against them. A more intelligent species would purpose your mages to be used in militia groups, and give them enough of a favorable structure to follow so that they do not rebel.

[You know, like his species.

Saren is a pragmatic fellow. He disapproved of the idea of letting any resource go to waste, especially a powerful one. Dorian's charming endorsement of his fellow humans just confirmed to him what trash they were. ]

I believe you already answered your own question. It is due to fear and want for control. Those without power seek to containment it however they can, because their incomprehension of it makes them weak. You will find that in time their arrogance will prove to be their own undoing.

[ Saren's definitely storing away a lot of the terminology that Dorian is throwing at him, while dumbing down his own science. A more in depth conversation could come later. ]

If you were hoping for a demonstration, I'm afraid that will have to wait.

[ Let's be honest, he probably uses his biotics so ruthlessly it's almost like blood magic. ]

Not restricted to human's, but predominately yes - there are dwarves and elves as well. There is also the Qun religion which comes off a bit more like what you are proposing, nothing is wasted within the Qun, but there's little to no room for vertical mobility, if someone says you are a warrior then you are a warrior. Their treatment of mages is...well...even more unfortunate.

[The southern Circles are almost better by comparison, but the point is the Qun still utilize their mages as weapons, they simply have no will or freedom at all, constantly shackled with their mouths sewn shut.]

I certainly hope for reform, after all the mages have rebelled and so there is no going back to what things were once. I fully intend to generate changes as soon as I return to the Imperium...well, if that happens.

[Dorian is growing accustomed to science speak in that he is aware it means something and will, eventually, find out what. For now he'll just use context.]

Part of me was, a little bit, but I suppose it would not be as impressive like this.

I suppose in terms of vertical mobility, being regulated to the Cabals means that you are segregated from whatever profession you may have wanted to pursue. [Which is why Desolas prevented that path for Saren.] They are repurposed, to believe that the sacrifice of their personal wants is necessary for the hierarchy. Your Qun sounds the most sensible in this regard, but you disagree with them? Some sort of barbaric nature in their treatment, I assume.

[Unsurprisingly, of course Saren approved of a basic idea of the Qun.]

So, you're a politician, then?

[And also unsurprisingly, Saren sounded like he disapproved here. He doesn't seem to have a favorable opinion of human politicians, go figure.]

Are you often stationed in that Apothecary you mentioned?

As a mage I happen to disagree with their treatment of their mages, certainly. They are leashed and collared, with their mouths sewn shut, or worse, their tongues cut out. Their mages are attack dogs that are not especially trained and so when they are forced to fight they are not at all effective against mages that have been trained. What is the point of having a resource like that if you chain it up and refuse to maximize the potential?

[Not that mages should be used as weapons just because they had abilities, Dorian would much rather live how he pleases.]

Not really, no. My father is a Magister and the Magisterium's edicts rule the Imperium, his hope would be that I would one day take his place as Magister, but that didn't go according to his plan...because I am a social pariah for starters...and other reasons. I'm an Altus and at best I've take part in Lower Floor debates.

[Not that Dorian doesn't aspire to politics as a means to change his homeland.]

Five days of the week for six hours each day, I'm an evening sort of man if you want to catch me there. An Apothecary open only in the evenings seems to add a certain mystery to it as well...a forbidden touch.

I can see how that's wasteful. I suppose this Qun utilizes them more for a show of their own force? Some sort of example. It would be more beneficent to train these mages properly, give them a reason to follow you.

[Saren doesn't really care either way, honestly, so Dorian's not going to find much outrage if he expected any. It's more due to a serious disconnect from empathy than anything, though.]

I doubt it is a suitable setting for researching biotics or your arcane, but I'll stop by. I'm curious about your wares and we can discuss things in more detail.

[There goes Dorian's innuendo, flat out ignored and unacknowledged by Saren.]

Edited (god I'm sorry I suck) 2017-03-26 19:15 (UTC)

Or fodder, expendable in times of war. Not that I can claim to fully understand the Qunari.

[Dorian is a mage and so his outrage comes from being a mage, but he was also priviledged and as such he has no shared experiences of being shackled.]

Oh? Well in that case what do you eat or drink?

[The best laid plans, Dorian can't always expect to be successful.]

Nothing human.

[Said like a dirty word.]

Don't bother, you'll only get it wrong.

[Besides, he really is just interested in Dorian's more deadly crafts. But if Dorian really wanted to impress, hard alcohol was the way to go.]

Oh, I've no intention of cooking, I was going to have something made. My cooking would probably kill you.

[Dorian likes dirty words, you're going to have to work hard at offending him.]

When it comes to ale, however, I never get it wrong.

[He's a pro when it comes to alcohol, look at him, he's such a high functioning alcoholic.]

What I meant was not to bother with your human social conventions. I've no interest in them.

[Saren greatly disapproves.]

I doubt that wisdom includes alien beverages. But if you can find the equivalent of Turian liquor, I might be inclined to be impressed.

Who says that it's entierly for you? I happen to enjoy eating myself, I just don't enjoy the actual making of food.

[Man's gotta eat too.]

As far as I'm concerned everything is an alien beverage, yes? That is, if my understanding of alien is correct, then I imagine we are all aliens. We'll see what I can bring to the table, however - I know a dwarf, there is nothing more potent than dwarven ale to my knowledge...of course I enjoy a challenge.

If that's what you want, then suit yourself.

[Saren doesn't particularly care for indulgences but he wouldn't say no to old fashioned alcohol, especially if it won't kill him because it's not dextro.]

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