'Tis but a scratch

[foundmyselfagain]

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Gareth
RECIPIENT: All of you guys
WHAT: Gareth has a very necessary question regarding the anchor shards
WHEN: Now
WHERE: Everywhere that has a person with a crystal
NOTES: tw for dismemberment discussions probably

[ A new voice pops up on the Crystals, cheery despite the nature of his query. ]

So, I've been wondering. Has anyone tried just removing the hand their anchor shard is on? Would that get rid of it, or would you just get a glowing green stump?

...If no one has done it, I'm not volunteering, for the record. I've got my finger on my nose. You can't see it, but it's there. I'm just curious about possible options, here.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

[Dryly.]

For the record, the Rifts and the Veil project does not encourage hand removal.

[faithlikeaseed]

But if someone were to try it we'd want to record the attempt, right?

[foundmyselfagain]

Does it forbid hand removal?

[iceblade]

Haven't tried, not going to try. I use a two-handed blade, so that would be a problem.

[foundmyselfagain]

Well, I'm certainly not going to insist that someone try. I'm just curious.

[aforethought]

[ gravely, ]

Tried it.

[ she has not. ]

[foundmyselfagain]

...And?

[ Did u die ]

[gatheringstorm]

It's not always their hand that has the shard. Sometimes, it's somewhere more vital.

[foundmyselfagain]

I've heard about the woman with the shard in her chest. In her case, I think it would be obvious that she shouldn't attempt to remove it. Bad idea, sticking a knife in that area, anyway. A lot of vital arteries and whatnot.

[ He'd know. ]

[sulena]

It is... not an extreme measure that I have heard of happening before. Though I imagine it be easier on someone to try removing the shard itself first instead of removing a limb, yes?

( hmm. still, she thinks to sina and sighs. ) How is yours, Gareth? You are not in pain because of it, are you?

[foundmyselfagain]

Have people figured out how to remove the shard without removing the limb? Because if they have, I'm all ears.

Eh. [ The shrug can't be seen, but it can be assumed. It was pretty unpleasant when I first got it, but now that I've dragged myself here, it's fine. I barely notice it, if I have my gloves on. [ Which he usually does. ]

It's certainly not bad enough to go around hacking my hands off. But I like contingency plans.

[galvanising]

...Gareth?

[foundmyselfagain]

Why! If it isn't Nell. Fancy meeting you here!

[ What a complete surprise that absolutely no one could have foreseen. ]

[apologist]

If it were to become a trend, Thedas would be in a difficult position. We rely on those with anchors to close the rifts.

[foundmyselfagain]

I wonder if the severed hands could be used. Surely the magic imbedded in them doesn't necessitate a pulse to work.

[el_tybs]

Is there a name that goes with the voice?

You know, just in case there is a sudden increase in the infirmary of people cutting off their hands.

[justice_is_blond]

Maker forbid...

[foundmyselfagain]

Yes, of course. My name is Kostos Averesch, and I fully accept all blame for lost limbs because of this.

[ :3c ]

[justice_is_blond]

I'm going to copy Inessa and say that the Infirmary does not encourage hand removal either. Or limb removal in general.

...But if someone is stupid enough to try, at least be close to the infirmary so you don't bleed to death because that's a genuine risk.

[foundmyselfagain]

You could always do it at the infirmary for maximum efficiency.

[wheretheferngrows]

[helpfully,]

--my dad chopped half his thumb clear off when I was little, there was blood everywhere. Some of it even got on some of the partridges, I've never seen birds look traumatized before, but they looked it--

[a pause]

--anyway, it looked awful, I don't think you should try it.

[foundmyselfagain]

........

[ Okay, then. ]

If I do, I'll be sure to avoid traumatizing any local wildlife.

[crowncitizen]

Well... I mean, it could probably work? But the shards are helpful with closing the Rifts. Also, apparently some people's shards are in places that they need to live, so...

[foundmyselfagain]

That's why there's been discussion on if the shards could still work without being attached to the person. Of course, that would necessitate people going around waving other people's dismembered hands...

Anyway, I'd probably recommend saving it for a last resort.

[hearher]

Uh...

That seems really extreme.

Are you ok?

[foundmyselfagain]

[ Dryly: ]

If people keep assuming that I want to chop my hand off, even after I said I didn't want to, I'm going to do it for real. Just to be contrary. [ That's a lie. ]

...So yes, I'm fantastic. Thank you for asking.

[in_death_sacrifice]

I've never heard of such a measure being taken, and I'm certainly not willing to volunteer. There must be some other way to resolve the problem of the shards. There must be.

[foundmyselfagain]

Well, I'm open to suggestions.