driftfleet | A call in the dark

[It won't be long before the Marsiva leaves the system. Not once has the fleet's Host Ship gone near the green, mysterious planet, choosing instead to keep it only at the far edges of her reach. All the while, the party deck has remained open and welcoming, tempting passengers to stay and try their luck for last-minute prizes.

And just when it seems like the fleet may leave the Lagan system without incident- a sudden rush of energy flares out across the green planet's surface and beyond, rippling far past its atmosphere until it reaches every ship in the fleet. The energy buffets the hulls and scrambles the instruments for one or two very dramatic minutes - just as it had before, but much more powerful in its reach. The wave is still invisible, save for a confusing warp in the way light describes shapes, but those who are sensitive to various energies--psionic, magical, life-force, or otherwise--will be able to feel an overwhelming force comb through their entire being, before the phenomenon passes over and ends.

However, unlike last time, this wave of energy is not silent. Across both the speakers of every communication device and console, and in the minds of anyone sensitive to the energy, comes the message:]

Yei equoa seh ouat ti unduo ti akun. Yiat deht quoi yiat seh kiskhan. Yiaht seh yesui ti yiat seh enduan, tal yei vissai atuav yei ti esat yiat lehir hanui. Esat yiat lehir evess. Esat yiat lehir illua tal giskat deht. Wes sahat lehir enila yei, wes yei vissai seh nan sahat ista, sahat yayet quoi adaht woru vitsahn. Hanui gisketi ideht yesui ti tokia gisketi ideht uaru, tal adrifa deseht adtah.

[Those who had been investigating the wreckage's systems may notice that this message is the very same as the one coded in the distress signal. Perhaps the Virsua was trying once last time to communicate.]

[OOC: Feel free to use this post as a mingle--either for broadcasts over the network or in-person interactions. The Marsiva is still within range of the planet for another day or two, so any in-person threads can be on the planet's surface, aboard various ships or stations, or in the Marsiva's party room.

For those who had learned a translated word before, now is a great chance to put that knowledge to use!

While the mods continue to sort out the upcoming happenings with the Drift Fleet, we thought a final themed mingle would be fun to play with in the meantime. Enjoy!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm just not a fan of having them in the first place, really. They caused me nothing but trouble.

... Books would be good, I guess. Always my go-to attempt one at solutions...

Provided you can find the right ones. Felix Harrowgate has quite a collection or so I'm given to understand. You might be able to find something there, but... Well. I've never heard of anyone being able to entirely banish their powers without becoming Tranquil. And that's not a fate anyone should seek.

[A shadow crosses Adalwolfe's expression at the mention of Tranquility, betraying a clench in his jaw. It's relevant, but it's still not something he likes to talk about.]

[Ah. He hesitates, unsure.]

... Tranquil?

[He hates to poke, but. It sounds kind of critical to know.]

You don't want to look into it, trust me.

[He considers the wisdom of leaving it there, but to leave Sam with no information beyond a cryptic warning is to invite him to go seeking. That's what he would do if their situations were reversed, at any rate, so he decides he should explain.]

The only way - at least on Thedas - for a mage to be severed from their magic is to be made Tranquil. This is a punishment that's supposed to only be used if a mage is deemed too weak to pass their Harrowing before it comes, which is a test to make sure a mage's resolve is strong enough to resist the demons that will dog them in the Fade their entire life. If a mage is considered too weak, the Chantry makes them Tranquil by branding their forehead with lyrium, effectively cutting off the mage's connection to the Fade. It doesn't just sever the connection to magic, though. It makes them...

[He shakes his head.]

A Tranquil has no emotions, no desires of their own. They just... are. They do what they're told because there's no will not to. It's a horrible fate, one that takes away all that a person is in the name of safety. It's not something that should ever have been developed, not even for use on the most heinous blood mage.

[And the Templars have been abusing the Rite for years.]

... Jesus.

[He rubs a hand over his mouth, thoughtful.]

It sounds like someone going soulless.

Maybe. I don't know for certain, but whether it is or it isn't is a moot point. It's still a horrible fate and as far as I'm aware there's no way to sever someone from their magic without putting them in this state. It's better to learn to control it.

[He feels very strongly about this.]

... Maybe.

I'll be careful. Promise.

[Read: As careful as he can be while still potentially being dangerous.]

See that you do. There is a cure of sorts, but I don't know if we could actually manage it here without being able to call on Fade spirits.

[Anders had told him there was a cure, but in needing a spirit to do it, it's not really an option here in the Fleet.]

A call in the dark

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