exsilium | 01 [video]

[This is his first time addressing people in this fashion. While he’s used to presenting in front of groups at small info swaps in Sybak, this is a whole new experience. While there’s a smile on his face, he’s a little nervous. ]

This isn’t what I had in mind when I first set out to do field research. It’s quite interesting, in any case.

[A pause. He’s had time to settle in, albeit a short amount of time, and has a general idea of what’s been going on. Hearing about the recent bombs was especially unsettling, which is why he’s outside the living quarters just looking at his surroundings. He’s eager to help out in this new place, even if he's not sure where to start. The people here had been through a lot already. It was apparent even from a casual glance at the last posts.]

For the time being, I’d like to offer my services to help reconstruction efforts in any way I can. I’ve only just arrived, but I hope I can be of some use.

[His expertise is research over anything else so while he looks useless, he can at least put a band-aid on someone. Or give them a hug. Or hold a nail while someone whacks it with a hammer. Before he ends the chat, he appears to remember something and quickly asks: ]

Are the words Tethe’Alla or Sylvarant familiar to anyone here? If it’s not any trouble, I’d like to talk to you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[While Aster always subscribed to the theory of a world tree, he understands where this comes from. Aster isn't too familiar with Sylvarant, so perhaps the belief was predominant over there as well. At least until recently for obvious reasons.

There's really no way to explain this with talking about the world reunification or being intentionally vague about it. Ah well, maybe he can just let a little info slide. It's for the sake of discussing science.]

That's correct. It's become more widespread due to various changes.

[LIKE IT ACTUALLY HAPPENING.]

The Church and their followers may still subscribe to that, but most believe the origin of mana to be the Kharlan tree.

I assume some of those changes are matters of evidence supporting the theory. [otherwise they're dumb changes don't just switch from one baseless belief to another!! which brings Jade to his next point] Is it understood in any way how the Kharlan tree provides mana?

[tell him of the science, emil. he wants to know the science]

[Shut up you don't understand our sciency feelings we switch when we want!!

Infodump time.]

It's not fully understood at this time, but there are a few factors to consider. Previously, Magitechnology used so much mana that the world tree was nearly killed in the process. Which shows the most important being that mana cannot be used quicker than it can be replenished. It must be recycled from somewhere or whatever is left of that expanded mana creates the base for the world tree to begin the cycle again. I suppose it's like air in that way.

The summon spirit Ratatosk may be able to provide a complete analysis since it was the guardian of the Kharlan tree.

[Missed opportunities man. Aster doesn't quite sigh, but he's obviously disappointed.]

My partner and I were actually speaking to him before I was brought here.

[Not that it was going well but uh. Still. Let's pretend. ]

[Jade, of course, is happy to get an infodump. Talk science to him, Aster.]

Unfortunate that the information was cut short. A cyclical structure does seem reasonable to assume from that data. Is there any evidence to suggest that the mana linkages that the summon spirits formerly formed [thanks for explaining that bit of the plot btw he was missing it] is similar or related to the function of the Kharlan tree?

Yes, that's correct.

Along with keeping the worlds in a state of give and take, the links formed by summon spirits also protected what was left of the Kharlan Tree-the Great Seed. They offered a way of balancing out the mana between the worlds.

[Now Aster wasn't around for this part, so he takes a second to reflect on what he knows about it. Mostly through the grapevine stuff and from researching on his own. So enjoy more plot Jade. ]

When the mana links were split, the Kharlan Tree went out of control and required a large burst of mana from the summon spirits to re-stabilize it. The spirits, or similar beings with influence over mana, are necessary to the function of the world tree so it will never be overwhelmed or underwhelmed by the mana around it.

Edited (ICCCCCCONS) 2013-07-19 05:41 (UTC)

[All very interesting. Jade can't quite imagine the aggregate sentiences performing such a role.]

Is anything known about how Summon Spirits come to exist?

[Aster could draw them.

Summon spirit doodles.

Ratatosk might be difficult though.]

There is a lab in Meltokio that specializes in the creation of summon spirits and there has been one successful attempt. However the artificial process and natural process of forming summon spirits have their differences. As you can imagine, more is known about the artificial method.

I'd be interested to hear about that method, if you have the time. [Because he likes maying players of scientist characters have a hard time! (I will happily accept an implicit summary if it's never revealed)]

[That's fine because googlefu drama cd powers can go toe to toe with Jade questions sometimes. Or at least provide some kind of answer.]

Of course. The notes are no longer in my possession, but I think I remember the more important aspects from my visit.

[He looks down at his own papers, none of which are too helpful right now, and shuts his eyes to collect his thoughts.]

I suppose I should start with that artificial summon spirits aren't like their counterparts entirely. They are closer to monsters than spirits, but their properties are similar enough that it makes them a valuable asset to study. Monsters also form in areas with large amounts of mana, so the creation method is focusing mana in a way and under circumstances that would allow such a creature to form, which can be difficult to accomplish in a laboratory setting.

[Had Aster known about the centurions before, it may have allowed the other researchers a smoother transition when creating artificial spirits. It was valuable information about monsters and how they behaved.]

Sentience is the most valued quality in the artificial spirit creation since we are unable to understand regular monsters. The ability to communicate with each other is extremely important and makes the process time consuming.

[Jade listens along before posing his question.] Do you need teach them language after creation, then?

Yes, from what I have read and if the artificial spirit is uncooperative, it can make things especially difficult.

[That's probably why it's only ever worked the one time.]