(OPEN) CALLING ALL MAGES

[heirring]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Wysteria Poppell
RECIPIENT: The Inquisition
WHAT: A very innocent inquiry with no ulterior motive whatsoever.
WHEN: Now
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: N/A

[A clear, ringing voice who is clearly reading from a statement she'd prepared prior to this moment:]

To the Inquisition's mages-- I am conducting a small study of the practical application and, er, practice of Thedosian magic and require a small sample of talented mages of various studies and schools of practice willing to perform a small sampling of casting and warding and so on under observation. As the study focuses on the spellwork and not on the individual, all identities will of course be of no consequence to my notes.

Please write-- [A short noise. Wysteria corrects herself.] Oh, ignore that part. I was originally going to put this in the book, but I haven't the time. Just send me a message if you care to help me.

[And for good measure:] I swear to have no nefarious purpose in mind.

Comments

[rathercommon]

Then what is your purpose?

[heirring]

Why, academical interest of course.

[rathercommon]

What - you're going on to teach it?

[thorndergod]

I would like to help! But I must know what I am helping first.

[heirring]

You would be assisting myself personally, sir! I've been doing rather a lot of reading, but would like to see the reality of the practice to compare it with [uh] ...other schools of magic.

[thorndergod]

So it is... scholastic? There is no flare to it?

[inkindled]

Right.

So is this the sort of thing where you knew that going out of your way to say you've got no nefarious purpose in mind sounds exactly like what someone might say if they did have a nefarious purpose in mind, and you decided to just say it anyways, or... what.

[heirring]

On the contrary! If I intended some nefarious end, surely I would do everything possible to avoid any mention of it whatsoever.

[inkindled]

All right, yeah. So that tells me you're not really nefarious, so good job there. 'Cause that's the right way to think of it. If you were some sort of snaker, you'd think the opposite way.

[Very knowingly--]

S' all mind stuff. Tricky.

[sarcophage]

What are you offering in exchange?

[heirring]

[Ah.]

My eternal gratitude, perhaps?

[sarcophage]

Mm-hmmm. And who are you, exactly?

private;

[aestivation]

When you say mechanical engineer — ah — what sort of mechanism?

private 5ever

[heirring]

Ah, uh-- different sorts, I suppose. I've most direct experience with the great looms of a place called Chardannon Square. But other kinds as well. Is there a reason you ask, sir?

[aestivation]

Looms,

[ thoughtfully. that trails off — a moment to recollect, then, hurried for the pause: ]

That is to say, there's a Dwarven clock in our possession. I've been seeing to its upkeep, but presently find myself unable to, ah. Manage it alone. Your work with these looms, did it shade your academic interests?

[ in magic ]

[malavhenan]

I'd be happy to help, but I'm also curious about what you're hoping to discover?

[heirring]

The mechanics of the task, primarily.

[faithlikeaseed]

I've an hour or two I could put at your disposal, Serah Poppell. Provided it really isn't anything nefarious you're up to; otherwise I'm afraid I'll need to cut it short, [said with a teasing breed of seriousness.]

[heirring]

[She breathes out a frankly violent sigh of relief.]

Thank the gods. You have no idea what a relief it is to hear you be straight forward, messere.

[faithlikeaseed]

At this point, being difficult about it would be entirely predictable, wouldn't it?

[chainlightning]

Oh! I'd be willing to help!

[heirring]

[She brightens considerably.]

Oh fantastic! I'd love to see how your practice is different from a Circle mage's. Is there any? Difference, I mean.

[chainlightning]

[ SHE GOT U ]

Oh, yes. The Dalish have magic that very specifically deals with the earth - plants and stone. It's not found in Circle mages... much, if ever.

And of course we're trained not to be utterly terrified by it. To be cautious, but not panic at the slightest sparkle.

LATE but here

[overharrowed]

I know that Myrobalan already offered to help, and I suspect our offerings may overlap a bit. But I would be open to helping on the condition you're willing to discuss your research a bit. I admit to being curious as to your results.

never late

[heirring]

Happily! And it never hurts to have multiple trials of the same material. I'm certain any overlap will be quite instructive.