exsilium | [Video]

For those of you who may not know me, I’m Nathaniel Howe, one of the newly promoted sergeants of the transport section of the Exsilium city watch. I will do my best to protect the citizens and the transports, and offer my services whenever needed.

However, there is something much more important that I need to discuss. I and my fellow Grey Warden Duncan have just returned from a brief reconnaissance excursion in United Earth territory. We weren’t able to glean very much new information regarding our enemy, but we did procure this:

[Nathaniel holds up a small vial--approximately half the size of a standard test-tube--filled with some unknown liquid]

We found this on one of the citizens of the United Earth, and we have great reason to believe that it contains the drug that is being used to keep the citizens docile, and to prevent them from rising up against their leaders.

Unfortunately, neither Duncan nor myself has been able to determine what exactly is contained in the solution. We are, of course, sharing what we’ve found with the Initiative, but I am also calling on my fellow transports to see if there is anyone who has the knowledge or means to possibly determine what ingredients are in the drug, and to hopefully find an antidote.

If you are interested in helping, please let me know. I’m also willing to answer whatever questions anyone might have about what we learned.

[OOC INFO: So Duncan and Nathaniel have been gone for about a week, scoping out the United Earth territory. The drug they brought back is a very small supply that all citizens are required to carry on them for emergency purposes.

The information provided by our lovely moderators is that no one will be able to determine the chemical make-up of the drug, as it contains futuristic ingredients that none of the transports would be familiar with. BUT! We would love to get some transports involved in trying, either by handwaving or logging or whatever. So yeah, everyone’s free to jump in on this!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The difficulty in finding a leader is to find one whom everyone trusts. There are so many people here from so many different worlds. And many of them seem to have been leaders themselves where they came from. How to pick which one is the most worthy, or will do the best for the transports?

This would indeed be a rather difficult choice, but perhaps looking to one man alone to lead us all might be the problem itself.

[He pauses briefly.]

...A council would do well here.

That... might be a possibility. It's not something practiced in the world I come from, so I'm not familiar with its machinations.

I assume everyone on the council has equal power?

That they would.

Not a single member of this council would hold more power than the other. They would all be deemed as equals much like the White Council during the start of the Second Age.

[Aragorn is using the White Council as a reference here. He doubts that Nathaniel knows of them, but he's more than willing to speak of them.]

The White Council was a meeting of the Wisest of Elves and Wizards ever known to Middle-earth. They were also known as the Council of the Wise, and handled dire matters that pertained to the longevity of our realm. Each member of this council represented not only themselves, but the interests of those who hail from their kingdoms. Although, let it be known that Wizards of my realm once represented the will of Ilúvatar himself, the One.

[Nathaniel's always been fascinated with learning things about other worlds, but there's one piece of information that stands out to him.]

Wizards? You allow mages--magic users--to be on the council? To hold a position of power?

[The surprise in Nathaniel's tone almost alarms him. Does this man also possess a dislike for magic? If so, then this man must hail from the same realm as Arthur.]

Is that truly so shocking? The Maiar, as they are called, herald the word of our Creator. They work under the blessing of the Valar and help shape our world. Of course not all of the Maia are pure at heart, but those who are strive for the sake of Middle-earth.

[Should he even bother mention fiasco that is Saruman or try to explain the creation of Sauron? Perhaps not this day.]

Not shocking, just surprising. In my world, magic is not considered a gift. Many people believe it is a curse, a punishment from the Maker himself.

[Something that Nathaniel used to believe, years ago. Not anymore, though.]

The Chant of Light states that mages are meant to serve, not rule.

A curse?

[Aragorn must have seemed somewhat confused.]

Why is it that the Chant of Light believes that? Magic is not a curse nor a punishment.

Mages are prone to being possessed by demons as they have a strong tie to the Fade, where demons dwell. Once corrupted they become abominations, set on enslaving others and causing destruction wherever they can. Because of this, mages are sent to special circles of magi at a young age, where they can be taught the proper ways of using magic, and to protect them from themselves and normal people.

[Video]

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