[It might be a little nippy outside today on this pristine morning but there's barely a cloud in sight. Elatus given up on wandering for the time being after waking at the pier. He settled within the park beside the pond for awhile just people watching for the time being. While he's honestly quite perturbed about his sudden arrival here, Elatus couldn't help but feel somewhat thankful.
Genessia is a rather beautiful city. It's a very modern metropolis, quite different from that of Illyria. There's no horse drawn carriages or the repugnant smell of garbage, manure and whatever the hell else on the streets. It's all quite different, almost surreal. Elatus couldn't help but be somewhat giddy. This a brand new experience, one he would treasure despite the nagging feeling that he honestly doesn't belong here. He's been putting off that thought for some time now and it's only becoming more persistent as he wanders aimlessly through town.
Eventually, Elatus decides that strolling around Genessia is too much of a nuisance and decides to experience the city from a different perspective. So if you're roaming around the city doing errands, try not to scream when something colorful zooms right past your head.]
[ video ]
This city is so big!
[Hello, Genessia. Don't mind the overgrown humanoid butterfly upon the screen. This cheery and colorful creature is one of the city's newest residents and it seems he's quite excited to be here. A little too excited given that he's just been kidnapped to some strange alternate reality in a world far, far away. Nevertheless, the faerie is all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Those large purple pupils are just getting wider and wider with excitement.]
Is everyone here from a different world? I already met an ambassador from the Tevinter...Tevinter--um. [A pause.] Oh, Imperium! Yes, Tevinter Imperium.
That's the place! A rather grand name, no? I hail from the Illyrian Empire. We're not as grand as the Tevinters but we have our quirks--
[The faerie pauses for a long moment once he finally catches his reflection within the screen of his phone. It seems he forgot that he's a giant sentient butterfly right now and not "human". Cue in the awkward ]
[ It's very clear from Dorian's expression that he has no idea what he's looking at. That being said, considering some of the things he's seen in his recent memory, a giant talking butterfly isn't all that spectacular.
However, seeing as he's the only "Ambassador of the Tevinter Imperium" around and he as no recollection of meeting said talking butterfly...it was time for some information collecting.
Thankfully, his headache from the previous evening has subsided. ]
Oh, we aren't as grand as many of us would like to believe, but, hopefully, that can be changed, given time.
[ He crosses his arms, looking at the video for a moment before adding. ]
I must have gotten very drunk last night. I don't remember meeting a giant talking butterfly man.
A faint sigh escapes the faerie once he sees the pompous mage. While he's still on the fence about this knave here, Elatus at least recognizes that the Ambassador isn't a threat. A nuisance, maybe. However, not a threat.
The two may have to 'agree to disagree' on regards to their differing philosophies but still.]
No, no! Alcholol wasn't involved here, I assure you.
[The odd creature says with a nervous chuckle.]
In fact our meeting happened a tad earlier before your rampart drunkenness.
[ The shade of blue sported by this man-butterfly is what tips him off first, as he's seen it in recent memory, and nothing else that color (though he wouldn't mind ropes if the hue, if he were honest. That could wait...until he started earn a paycheck, damn this place.
His eyebrows rise in recognition as his still-recovering mind finds another piece and attaches it to the first. ]
Professor Shape-Changer! [ He does, of course, recall his actual name. ] Is this the real you or vice versa?
[Once he sees those eyebrows go up, Elatus couldn't stop the child-like laughter that follows. It seems that this pompous ambassador finally put the dots together. Didn't take the mage too long at all. Elatus is a little surprised but then again, Pavus seems rather intelligent despite the showboating.]
I have a name, you know! [There's that trademark huff of his.] This is me! The real me.
[Those bright purple eyes grow wider with surprise.]
H-How?! Faeries are supernatural beings comprised of magic! We're one of the oldest races out there in the world.
[Honestly, do faeries not exist in Dorian's world? That certainly seems to be the case and that would explain some of their differences about magic. A pensive look settles upon the faery's face as he ponders about the absence of his kind.]
[ He pauses for a moment before he leans back in the chair in which he was reclining, crossing his arms and his legs, resting his ankle across his knee. ]
Care to entertain a hypothetical?
[ He only pauses for a moment, because really, he doesn't have a choice in the matter. ]
Suppose we are all from different worlds. In that regard, every world has a similar set of rules, methods, laws of nature, but they all differ. Now, assuming this to be true, for a moment, entertain the notion that the world of Thedas, from which I hail, does not follow this ideal of yours. We do not, as it were, have beings comprised of magic. In fact magic only has one pure, un-aspected form outside of the Fade: lyrium. It's a liquid, sometimes a solid, and not, in fact, a conscious being. In such a case, someone hailing from Thedas would have never heard of these "faeries", as they would be impossible.
[A thoughtful gleam lingers within those odd purple eyes. It almost feels "taboo" to think outside of the relative norm, especially since such a world as Dorian explains seems so dysfunctional. A world where religion governs magic? Dorian mentioned that the last time they spoke and now he's disapproving the existence of his kind in Thedas.
He frowns a bit. A world without faeriekind? That's kind of worrisome and almost insulting. Elatus bristles a little at that smartass comment at the end.]
I-I can understand just fine! [He almost shouts in a fit of annoyance.] I follow but...what a strange world you come from.
I mean not "strange" but unusual. How can such a world exist? Then again maybe...it's just how it is.
[There's confusion in his voice, almost disbelief.]
So, does this mean Genessia acts like something of a nexus point between all these worlds? That would be the logical assumption. How else could we be present here?
Perhaps, or, more likely, what you know as "faeries" we refer to as spirits.
[ He waves a hand. ] As I said, similar but differing laws of nature.
[ He pauses for a moment, looking thoughtful, raising a hand to stroke his chin before reaching into the folds of his robe to pull out a glittering jewel of opulant white, with glittering lights twinkling beneath it's surface. ]
This is a crystal of lyrium, enchanted to create one of the cleverest and most useful tools, but what's important here isn't what it does, but how it works. This, you see, is a Sending crystal. It and it's mate act as anchor points through the veil. When both are activated, they pull two points along the veil closer, connected through the Fade via an invisible, metaphysical tube. They allow for communications over long distances.
[ He tucks the crystal away. ]
Now, suppose for a moment this place, that Bay more specifically, were a focal point from which countless metaphysical tubes fan out, much like the hub of a wheel. When activated, the hub's target is encapsulated in the sarcophagus in which we all arrive, and moved through this conduit to out destinations. To be physically moved through the layers of existence would require a vessel, certainly.
In short, yes. This is a nexus point. It also eliminates the question of if. Is this happenstance? Hardly. Someone, or something, has gone to great lengths to assure we arrive.
[As Elatus peers closer into the screen, it's almost obvious that the faerie favors his right side quite a bit. He adjusts the camera ever so slightly towards the right. Something is amidst here but it's hard to garner why while he's in that form. In a hail of light, Elatus suddenly transforms. It's quick, sudden and almost blinding. Only a few seconds pass as he suddenly becomes human again. The strange magic he uses leaves a trail of diamond-like sparkles briefly likened to shimmering ash. Much like earlier he's still favoring his right side.]
Your "sending stones" reminds me of the Astrals preference for "waystones".
[Elatus doesn't dare elaborate any further than that. He doesn't want to interrupt, especially since he's very interested in this topic. Unraveling the secrets of this world is surprisingly amusing but worrisome.]
Then the culprit behind this mess has to be a mage of some kind or at least a powerful enough entity that can summon us from such different waypoints.
Or a mage who's ascended to godhood. [ He shrugs. ]
Or worse: something we have yet to contrive. These devices we use now, for communication. There is nothing magical about them, no enchantment. This, I've been told, is the power of "technology". We may be out of our depths without understanding how it works.
I'm almost hoping it's option "A" over "B" here. [He mutters quietly.] At least I would know how to handle it, somewhat. There's a hierarchy to us Astrals, the Astra Zero being the highest, almost godlike.
If this odd predicament deals more with the latter, then it's really out of my league. Magic is commonplace and technology comes second with limited sources thanks to the Empire's disdain for science.
[A pause.]
I suppose we better make friends with the locals, no? Surely they know something.
If I've learned anything recently, it's that things are rarely simple or easily solved. In fact, I'd be willing to assume this one is blatantly complicated, given no one's puzzled it out yet.
[ He nods. ]
And that, my sometimes cerulean friend, I'll leave to you. I realize my wit and charm suggest I could easily make friends anywhere, but I'd much rather stick to the research. I have a very low tolerance for stupidity.
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( video )
However, seeing as he's the only "Ambassador of the Tevinter Imperium" around and he as no recollection of meeting said talking butterfly...it was time for some information collecting.
Thankfully, his headache from the previous evening has subsided. ]
Oh, we aren't as grand as many of us would like to believe, but, hopefully, that can be changed, given time.
[ He crosses his arms, looking at the video for a moment before adding. ]
I must have gotten very drunk last night. I don't remember meeting a giant talking butterfly man.
Re: ( video )
A faint sigh escapes the faerie once he sees the pompous mage. While he's still on the fence about this knave here, Elatus at least recognizes that the Ambassador isn't a threat. A nuisance, maybe. However, not a threat.
The two may have to 'agree to disagree' on regards to their differing philosophies but still.]
No, no! Alcholol wasn't involved here, I assure you.
[The odd creature says with a nervous chuckle.]
In fact our meeting happened a tad earlier before your rampart drunkenness.
( video )
His eyebrows rise in recognition as his still-recovering mind finds another piece and attaches it to the first. ]
Professor Shape-Changer! [ He does, of course, recall his actual name. ] Is this the real you or vice versa?
Re: ( video )
I have a name, you know! [There's that trademark huff of his.] This is me! The real me.
See, I'm not an elf after all.
( video )
What are you, then?
Re: ( video )
[He says cheerfully with a playful wink. Elatus is quite amused right now. He could tell the ambassador is somewhat perplexed.]
What? You never seen one before?
[Faeries are pretty rare even in his world.]
( video )
...more to the point, I've never heard of one.
Re: ( video )
[Those bright purple eyes grow wider with surprise.]
H-How?! Faeries are supernatural beings comprised of magic! We're one of the oldest races out there in the world.
[Honestly, do faeries not exist in Dorian's world? That certainly seems to be the case and that would explain some of their differences about magic. A pensive look settles upon the faery's face as he ponders about the absence of his kind.]
...Maybe they all went into hiding.
[He's thinking aloud.]
( video )
Care to entertain a hypothetical?
[ He only pauses for a moment, because really, he doesn't have a choice in the matter. ]
Suppose we are all from different worlds. In that regard, every world has a similar set of rules, methods, laws of nature, but they all differ. Now, assuming this to be true, for a moment, entertain the notion that the world of Thedas, from which I hail, does not follow this ideal of yours. We do not, as it were, have beings comprised of magic. In fact magic only has one pure, un-aspected form outside of the Fade: lyrium. It's a liquid, sometimes a solid, and not, in fact, a conscious being. In such a case, someone hailing from Thedas would have never heard of these "faeries", as they would be impossible.
Am I speaking too quickly for you?
Re: ( video )
[A thoughtful gleam lingers within those odd purple eyes. It almost feels "taboo" to think outside of the relative norm, especially since such a world as Dorian explains seems so dysfunctional. A world where religion governs magic? Dorian mentioned that the last time they spoke and now he's disapproving the existence of his kind in Thedas.
He frowns a bit. A world without faeriekind? That's kind of worrisome and almost insulting. Elatus bristles a little at that smartass comment at the end.]
I-I can understand just fine! [He almost shouts in a fit of annoyance.] I follow but...what a strange world you come from.
I mean not "strange" but unusual. How can such a world exist? Then again maybe...it's just how it is.
[There's confusion in his voice, almost disbelief.]
So, does this mean Genessia acts like something of a nexus point between all these worlds? That would be the logical assumption. How else could we be present here?
( video )
[ He waves a hand. ] As I said, similar but differing laws of nature.
[ He pauses for a moment, looking thoughtful, raising a hand to stroke his chin before reaching into the folds of his robe to pull out a glittering jewel of opulant white, with glittering lights twinkling beneath it's surface. ]
This is a crystal of lyrium, enchanted to create one of the cleverest and most useful tools, but what's important here isn't what it does, but how it works. This, you see, is a Sending crystal. It and it's mate act as anchor points through the veil. When both are activated, they pull two points along the veil closer, connected through the Fade via an invisible, metaphysical tube. They allow for communications over long distances.
[ He tucks the crystal away. ]
Now, suppose for a moment this place, that Bay more specifically, were a focal point from which countless metaphysical tubes fan out, much like the hub of a wheel. When activated, the hub's target is encapsulated in the sarcophagus in which we all arrive, and moved through this conduit to out destinations. To be physically moved through the layers of existence would require a vessel, certainly.
In short, yes. This is a nexus point. It also eliminates the question of if. Is this happenstance? Hardly. Someone, or something, has gone to great lengths to assure we arrive.
But why?
Re: ( video )
Your "sending stones" reminds me of the Astrals preference for "waystones".
[Elatus doesn't dare elaborate any further than that. He doesn't want to interrupt, especially since he's very interested in this topic. Unraveling the secrets of this world is surprisingly amusing but worrisome.]
Then the culprit behind this mess has to be a mage of some kind or at least a powerful enough entity that can summon us from such different waypoints.
( video )
Or worse: something we have yet to contrive. These devices we use now, for communication. There is nothing magical about them, no enchantment. This, I've been told, is the power of "technology". We may be out of our depths without understanding how it works.
Re: ( video )
If this odd predicament deals more with the latter, then it's really out of my league. Magic is commonplace and technology comes second with limited sources thanks to the Empire's disdain for science.
[A pause.]
I suppose we better make friends with the locals, no? Surely they know something.
( video )
[ He nods. ]
And that, my sometimes cerulean friend, I'll leave to you. I realize my wit and charm suggest I could easily make friends anywhere, but I'd much rather stick to the research. I have a very low tolerance for stupidity.
Re: ( video )
What do you mean by that?
[He's eying the alleged ambassador with some ire now. He doesn't quite like how that last sentence is implied and it's somewhat obvious.]
( video )
Worried I'm referring to present company, Professor?
[ He chuckles. ]
I mean specifically what I said. If you'd like to befriend the locals, by all means. I'd rather stick to reference material.