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Entry tags:
[console; video]
[Just like every other time Conan used the consoles, the video begins with a blank screen and the sound of a scraping chair, quickly followed by the sight of the boy climbing up on the chair to reach the view of the camera.]
Hello! I've been thinking a lot recently. Lots of people have told me about how magic works around here. But I'm curious. How many people around here have been trying to see why things happen around here with science?
For example, has anyone looked at the dust with chemistry or forensics? Has anyone been tracking which items from home are found and what time they were first spotted?
Hello! I've been thinking a lot recently. Lots of people have told me about how magic works around here. But I'm curious. How many people around here have been trying to see why things happen around here with science?
For example, has anyone looked at the dust with chemistry or forensics? Has anyone been tracking which items from home are found and what time they were first spotted?
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I have done minimal testing on the particles known as Dust. However, I have had to take additional precautions so as to not allow it to affect my own systems during testing.
[She'd learned the hard way not too long ago that such things could affect her. Even if she didn't necessarily breathe them in....because she did not breathe.]
Item tracking, however, is far more difficult to accurately assess because it would require a completely accurate, but also voluntary testimony from every individual who has located an item of importance from a world beyond this one.
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Did you find anything from the dust?
That's a good point. Even one left out would make the results inaccurate.
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It is a synthetic substance that takes on the appearance of a fine, black powder, and has proven to effect the neurotransmissions of most organic, carbon-based life forms. It can produce hallucinogenic sensations of paranoia, susceptibility, and even extreme rage. Currently, there is no known cure, although its effects can subside with time.
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The original manufacturer would better be equipped to answer such a question, as she would know who was in possession of the necessary formula and process.
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I believe the Cherrywood Healer herself was involved. Milyn.
Are you familiar with the name?
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[Aya's words were, as of yet, spoken with a neutral tone. Betraying little in the way of personal bias one way or the other.]
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[Aya nodded her full intent to answer them, but not without a disclaimer first.]
The story behind their answers is long. As I suspect you would prefer the details to the summary...are you comfortable with a long duration of discussion?
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Very well.
The first thing you must understand is that Malicant was the original reason many of us were first recruited to this world's aid; his presence had caused no small amount of grief to the local population, and his takeover of the Great Turtle was thought to be deadly until his revival.
[...the Great Turtle's revival, of course. Not Malicant's.
that we know of]He sought power though control. The loss of total free will was at stake. In order to defeat him, we had to enter a parallel realm. A realm of Dreams.
It was...an interesting experience for me. I had never Dreamed before.
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I assume you defeated him. What happened? Is there a chance he could come back?
What is a realm of dreams?
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The Realm of Dreams...it is not something I am fully capable of describing.
There were many occurrences that did not seem to obey the laws of science.
[So, like any other dream.]
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There were individuals from my home universe who could not possibly have existed in that time and space, and yet were present.
In addition, time itself...did not flow at its typical pace. Many of my calculations were thrown by the unexpected catalysts.
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Their presence, and the lack of linear time. Although...strangely, it was the former that seemed to greater affect the process.
[Because she'd been emotionally compromised.]
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video;
You're speaking of it like they're mutually incompatible.
Re: video;
video;
[And yet so many people from mundane Earths have such trouble with magic, initially. It's downright peculiar, for someone to whom it's a natural fact of the world.]
video;
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[Honestly. Raine sighs.]
...in any case, that which is referred to as 'magic' in my world is the manipulation of the energy called 'mana', for specific purposes usually involving healing or elemental manifestation, often for combat.
More broadly, I would define magic as a non-physical manipulation of energy without the assistance of technology. Does that make sense?
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[She's not sure of his definition, so she turns it into a question, tilting her head a little.]
Magic can work harmoniously with technology, as well, which is another misconception I encounter sometimes. It does depend on the magic in question, and the magitechnology I'm most familiar with can be harmful to the environment in excess, but it allows people who aren't typically capable of magic to do something like it.
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[There's a mental note made of Conan's preferred terminology.]
Regarding your initial query, I have been making some studies of my own, though admittedly less so in recent months. Was there some aspect of this world in particular you were interested in?
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[Where to start.]
Unfortunately, it's still difficult to predict the Dreaming's effect on everyday life. Those items which appear from home are usually familiar ones, which fits in with what I've observed of the Dreaming before: that it responds best to familiarity and emotion. For instance, the rheaird I found from home, though there are any number of the machines, was recognizably the one I had always used.
As for the Dust, I believe some of the scientists at the College are studying it. I see more of its aftereffects.
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How can something respond to emotion?
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[Raine remembers him talking about it, in the console-wide broadcast regarding what steps were being taken.]
[At the latter, she looks faintly bemused; but then again, she has to recognize that not everyone has had the experiences with the Dreaming which she has.]
For instance, altering the landscape in response to a memory with strong emotion attached to it. You're familiar with how strong emotions can have a physical affect on the person experiencing them, correct?
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[It was why Conan had trained himself to divorce himself from any emotions while investigating a case. A detective could not afford to come to a wrong conclusion because of personal feelings interfering with the resolution of a case.]
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That's true, but it isn't what I asked.
Emotion does compromise rational judgment, but it's also worth taking into account that very few people can fully remove themselves from it.
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Think of it like that. Emotions strong enough to effect a physical change are certainly strong enough for the Dreaming to respond to. It's simply something else responding to the same stimuli.
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I have heard of alchemy and the Maesters learn of different metals before they are given their chains.
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Ah, they're fields of study where I come from. Chemistry is a branch of physical science that studies the composition, structure and properties of matter. Forensics is the application of science to criminal and civil laws. Someone who studies forensics collects, preserves and analyzes scientific evidence in aid of investigations.
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What's a maester?
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They are those trained in a variety of arts in the cities. Each one is given a chain, emphasizing what arts they have learned.
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