exsilium | Entry I

[The screen is black for a long moment, though the speakers seem to be working, passing along the soothing and lovely sound of someone banging their finger against a spot too near the microphone. Finally, though, the camera blooms to life, and give those watching a great look at the massive brown eye being shoved right up against the camera. A young woman’s voice is again too close to the mic]

Honestly, whoever enchanted this thing is a master artist. I can’t even detect a hint of magic around it, and yet it seems to be working just fine. I’m not sure why they made it look like a flat brick and not a proper crystal ball or mirror is beyond me.

[She sighs, pulling back slightly to reveal a young woman with slightly pointed ears and exotic features who looks anywhere between 15 and 23]

Oh wait, right, that would require someone to become a powerful archmage without going so utterly mad that they start running around creating whatever pops into their heads. [She holds it back further and shakes her head.] At least it isn’t an owlbear.

So, am I to take it there are those out there who can hear me?

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[She'd die of misery.]

Turnip powered?

[Welcome to a world without running water]

Turnip powered.

Or so the gnome who owned it claimed. Then again, he linked everything and anything to turnips at the first opportunity.

I don't think that's how turnips really work.

That's what I said, but I'll be damned if that gnome couldn't do some truly amazing things with a turnip.

Who would have thought that the turnip would be so powerful.

They are rather amazing vegetables, aren't they?

Though their secrets are a bit too esoteric for me. I'll stick to magic, far simpler.

Can't say I like the taste of them too much, though.

I like good ol' technology myself.

After traveling with Jan Jansen for a few weeks, I doubt I can even look at a turnip again, much less eat one.

We have forging and water wheels where I come from, and some lands supposedly have more than that, but nothing like this.

[Shepard nods slowly. She's met several people who come from lands with less technology. The culture shock has got to be terrifying at first.] After awhile, you tend to just get used to what's around you.

[For Reya it's not precisely terrifying, because at least some of what they can do her world can replicate with magic. The lack of magic is disquieting though, as is how available this all is] Adaptability out of necessity is a personal talent of mine. I've had to adjust to a great changes in my time.

I take it you are more familiar with technology?

Edited 2012-08-07 23:46 (UTC)

I know exactly how that feels. [Shepard flashes a trademark smirk Reya's way before her face slips into a more thoughtful look.]

Something like that. I come from a technologically advanced time myself. I haven't really been on a planet for this long since I was a kid.

[That gets a bemused raised eyebrow] Then you have my deepest sympathies.

Then your home plane has the power to travel between the planes as well? I don't suppose there's a chance they might stage a rescue? [She thinks Shepard is talking about traveling between dimensions, because what's a spaceship?]

Not... planes. Planets. Traveling among the stars, the heavens, space. [It's both equally frustrating and amusing to explain space travel and technology sometimes. Sigh. They should have classes for this offered here in Exsilium.]

Don't expect an interdimension rescue anytime soon, though.

You mean you don't walk between planes of existence, you travel to the stars? [Yes, she actually considers dimensional travel less weird than space travel. Magic man.] But that's...Selune's grace.

I have read many theories about what the stars are, scholars have argued constantly about it. I'd supposed the legends of dead lion monarchs and paintings on the inside of a bowl were absurd, but they are really other worlds like my own? Well, this will give a few thinkers heart palpitations. [She seems excited at that prospect]

I'm not really sure if there are other planes of existence to be walking into. I'm sure the asari would have discovered that by now.

[A grin.] Some are like this planet here and probably your own. Some are just balls of gas, burning or freezing anything that tries to land on it. They're just as varied as anything else in this universe.

They may not be connected to your Prime Material Plane, but I assure you they are there. I've been to several, and spoken with or killed inhabitants of others. Indeed, my current home was originally built to travel between planes.

[She smiles, looking a little more her age] And somehow that is more wondrous and magical than any theory of gods or spirits could be. Perhaps I will get the chance to visit them one day.

Great, just more things to worry about, honestly. [Shepard runs a hand over her face before sighing good-naturedly.]

I recommend it. There's... nothing else quite like being out there. [She sounds wistful. Being grounded is hard for her, especially after she had just got her freedom.]

My sympathies. Perhaps any planes connected to yours lack the magic needed to travel between worlds and cause messes you are forced to clean up. [Because if Bioware proves anything, it's that the protagonists are the only beings capable of getting anything done]

I'd say I can imagine, but I really cannot. [Imagine traveling in space at least, her tone says she understands entirely how it feels to be trapped] If I'm able to devise a magical means to travel the heavens, you will have to give me a tour.

One can only hope at this point, particularly since magic isn't a thing where I'm from. [Science and technology and messed up brain chemistry.] But that doesn't mean that if they're there, nobody won't create a machine to go to them.

I'll be glad to give you one.

[Resigned nod] Life always finds a way to make things more complicated.

And now I find myself with an interesting project. Thank you.

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