crystal;

[voidtransport]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Allumin
RECIPIENT: Everybody in Riftwatch
NOTES: gay panic in a couple threads (kinda spicy)

um, hello? [the voice is very soft and nervous at first.]

Pardon my anxiousness, I'm, ah, not used to this kind of communication being so... open?

I was told I'd need a staff and some guidance in order to use my own magic properly here. The general outlook on mages, however, has me doubting if devoting the time is a good idea or if I should focus my efforts elsewhere. However, if it's not as bad as I'm making it out to be in my head, and someone were interested and able in assisting me, I'd be happy to discuss fair compensation for your time.

Also, upon some recent reflection, I suppose I should offer myself up to one of the divisions of Riftwatch - not Diplomacy though, I'm not equipped for that.

Comments

[illithidnapped]

In regards to you opting not to join our resident diplomants, considering the number of ums and ahs you've managed to use, I can say it's an absolute relief to know you're processed of enough self-awareness to abstain.

Consider miring yourself at the nearest desk with all the other guileless academics.

[Oh but hold on, now. Give him a moment.]

—did you say compensation?

[voidtransport]

Oh, absolutely. Tell me who to look for, I'll be sure to trip you should you ever pass my way.

[He's not a fool, he just has anxiety.]

I did, but I doubt you're worth anything to me.

[illithidnapped]

Turning away potential help just like that? My my.

You won't be getting very far around here.

[luaithre]

And if it is as bad?

[ The voice that comes next is mild, analogue-Scottish, very lightly amused. ]

You'll choose not to be a mage?

[voidtransport]

I have some experience with melee weapons, so there's training more with that as an option, yes.

It wouldn't make me happy but it'd make me useful.

[luaithre]

If to train your magics would make you happy, then you ought to.

[ A pause, as he contemplates the many things he could address here. ]

If your concern is for the 'general outlook', then you should know the common man sees no difference between a proficient mage and a poor one. He'll fear them both.

[notathreat]

I asked about the magic thing and apparently people are shitty about it in general, but since there's a war, and mages are useful, they're slightly less shitty right now.

Riftwatch is mostly cool with it, though.

[voidtransport]

I see, so as long as I can reduce the enemy to bloody mess it's tolerable? Not usually what I use magic for but I'll keep that in mind.

Anyone I should avoid discussing or using magic around?

[notathreat]

Basically. But I wouldn't lead with the "bloody mess" part.

Uh, nobody I've met yet has been an asshole about it. Here, anyway. Just try to keep it on the down-low out in Kirkwall if you're not using it to defend yourself.

[ipseite]

As Mssr Rowntree observes, for those who view mages as a threat a lack of expertise will make little difference—indeed, given the nature of some inherently Thedosian dangers around magic, it may garner you more nervousness rather than less.

But I would advise you, as well, that those who arrived in Thedas through the rifts are beholden to the fate of mages regardless of whether they practise magic or not—regardless of whether they have the capacity to do so, or not. In which case...I can only encourage you to pursue what you believe to be both most practical and most satisfying. I admit, my own study of magic since arriving has been more for my own gratification than any true belief that it is how I will best serve the war effort.

( between her riding and her magic, she's so close to having hobbies if they were not also both practical talents and in the latter case, extremely politically charged. so close. )

[voidtransport]

I'll take that to heart then. It's fairly obvious in person that I'm not from here.

[Whether he chooses to be a mage for the war effort or not, the thought that he might still be able to enjoy it and discuss it with others is comforting.]

Do you have a specific kind of magic you like to study?

[ipseite]

That is not rare among rifters.

( petrana herself is occasionally mistaken for orlesian, but she's a human woman who's been here several years with an accent that's nearly close enough. )

For my own part, I'm more interested in the study of comparative magic. How magic has developed in Thedas, and the nature of its practise, as compared to other traditions now known through such strange arrivals. The comparison of its history to my own, or another's.

[armd]

... Glad I'm not the only person who finds the whole 'public audio channel' thing embarrassing.

[voidtransport]

I considered using the book but thought a voice was a better way to consult the masses as a faceless stranger.

[armd]

The book only reaches so many people anyway.

Are you going nameless, too?

just gonna private this right out the gate;

[icasm]

Allumin.

What has happened here?

private right back, thanks joselyn for the lesson

[voidtransport]

[There is a sound that would be a "well," except his voice breaks and so it's just kind of a sad honk.]

I got what was coming to me.

[inkindled]

How old are you, mate?

[voidtransport]

Not old enough to know better, apparently. [the shame will never go away]

Unfortunately, twenty-five. Would that I were older and wiser.

[altusimperius]

Well,

[in a lofty voice that's trying for patience,]

what sort of magic do you do?

[voidtransport]

Well, I happen to have a particularly useful one for stealth that allows me to turn someone temporarily into a vaporous form along with whatever they're carrying on their person, which means they can't be hurt and can pass through cracks or small openings in doors or windows.

There's another where I can adapt my physiology to breathe and swim underwater - one never knows when an ancient ruin is going to be partially underwater.

Also a bit of illusion magic that induces a state of fear on a person or creature, sometimes weakening the mind if it's a strong enough spell.

[There's more, there's so much more, but he's going to stop there for now.]

[molineux]

If you don't mind my asking, what makes you think you're not equipped for Diplomacy?

[voidtransport]

Well, aside from an unfortunate tendency to make a fool of myself in conversation I'm also not particularly comfortable at large social functions.

[wythersake]

[ well that was a lot]

Which do you think yourself equipped for?

[voidtransport]

Research is the most likely, though I could probably do scouting with some training.