voice | rabbit 4

[redprayer]

[Sometime after breakfast on the fourth day of Rabbit, a voice message plays over the network.]

Hello. My apologies if I am interrupting anyone in the midst of something important. Some of you may already know me, but for those who do not, my name is Rezo, and I have a favor to ask of you.

In my own world I devoted much of my time to researching magic and since being recruited by the train I have heard a few things about the abilities that some of you have. While it seems magic, or some concept thereof, is quite common among the various worlds, the way it works and the extent of what a person can do varies considerably.

I confess I have found myself rather curious about all this. Thus, if any of you are willing to speak with me about your own abilities and the magic systems that you have experience with, I would appreciate it if you would contact me. I will be staying near the ICP in the standard coach for much of today, if you would prefer to speak in person.

Of course, I understand that some of you may wonder what is in this for you. Worry not. I have rewards prepared for anyone who is willing to indulge my curiosity, and I shall compensate you accordingly.

[[ooc: since lore dumping and technical talk isn't necessarily everyone's jam feel free to do some handwaving if you think your character would respond to Rezo's request but you don't feel up to going into/making up a bunch of weird details.

and if you're wondering what the reward will be, it's a sticker.]]

Comments

[eternalinquiry]

Cultivation as a practice refers to devoting time into using your internal energy- or Qi, to perform feats. You cultivate your strength, hence the title. I use it primarily in conjunction with martial arts which can be strengthened by it, or to exorcise the dead.

[redprayer]

[That sounds similar to how magic works in his world- albeit a bit more obviously physical- so Rezo can see why people consider it as such.]

Does it have many uses outside of enhancing one's physical prowess or performing exorcisms?

[eternalinquiry]

Many and varied uses. Those are the two I am most proficient in, however one can use it in conjunction with talismans or arrays to achieve many other tasks. Sealing or noise cancelling, raising a corpse or immobilizing a person. I can use it to make someone refrain from speaking for up to an hour.

[redprayer]

[Solemn:]

Hm. That last one sounds like it must come in handy for people you don’t like.

[Jokes aside, the thing about sealing sounds promising. Well, more promising than most of what Rezo has gotten so far.]

Could you elaborate on the part about the sealing?

[eternalinquiry]

Sealing is a broad principle and can refer to many things. A typical sealing uses a talisman written in cinnabar and filled with energy, this can stop someone from moving or hold two doors closed. Stronger seals require a larger array and amount of energy, but can last for centuries.

[redprayer]

Can your sealing only be used for physical objects? You mentioned exorcism earlier so I assume you have some experience with spirits and other beings outside of the physical plane.

[eternalinquiry]

You can seal spirits in something physical, or ward them away from a place. Please elaborate on what you wish to seal and I will tell you if I can help. Spirits can manifest as ghosts or possess something in my world to interact with the physical plane.

[redprayer]

[The offer almost gives Rezo pause, since it hits a little close to the truth.]

There isn’t anything I need to seal away, but thank you.

[Not at the moment, anyway…]

Are you referring solely to spirits of dead mortals, or are there other kinds of spiritual beings?

[eternalinquiry]

Hm... That depends on your point of view. In my world, almost anything that lives long enough can cultivate a spirit. Whether that spirit is malicious or not depends on the energy it was surrounded by and potentially how it died. A tree for instance, would be a positive influence in life, then if destroyed by a person could become hostile.

[redprayer]

So it’s life that creates a spirit, then?

[That’s an interesting philosophical concept.]

[eternalinquiry]

That would be one way to phrase it. There are debates in my world about this concept but as I choose to understand it, plants and animals are living things. Live long enough and you will gain wisdom.

There are also monsters in my world, so they can influence the arguement.