❧ Of Gods & Magic [video]

[leveilleur]

[ It takes a moment for Alphinaud to set up everything just right but once he does, the video feed goes live revealing the faces of elven twins solemnly gazing into the camera. Alphinaud Leveilleur towards the right dressed in blues and whites with his sister Alisaie, dressed in red and khaki, towards the left. They look identical in every way but there are subtle differences that only a keen eye would notice. Nevertheless, Alphinaud takes a moment to clear his throat before finally introducing himself. ]

Greetings & Salutations to All,

I am Alphinaud Leveilleur and this ---[ He gestures to the girl standing at his left. ]-- is my sister Alisaie.

[ Alisaie raises a hand in greeting. She seems to be regarding the device with some skepticism, and so she's a bit more subdued than normal. ]

Greetings to you all.

[ The boy doesn't feel the need to address that they're identical twins since he's certain the audience has eyes. However, if anyone makes any rude comments about their appearance, they'll be promptly blocked. Alphinaud doesn't have much patience for those who make fun of his allegedly girlish looks. ]

We hail from the realm of Hydaelyn, a wondrous world plagued by both strife and great unrest. We are members of a faction known as the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, peacekeepers if you will, who strive in earnest to bring an end to the bloodshed that plagues our world.

-----------

Due to great circumstances, we've been summoned to Prismatica along with all of you, by unknown powers. It has come to my attention that this fantastical realm is chock full of wonders, many of which we Moonblessed fail to comprehend. With that said, I wish to hold a forum regarding these wonders in hopes that we can further understand more about this world.

[ Alisaie leans in a bit more, cutting off Alphinaud from view for the moment. ]

-- We're interested in talking about where the Moonblessings supposedly come from. These beast gods, Sanguis, Iris, and Cordis. It's not the first time we've heard of such things.

[ She glances knowingly over to her brother.]

Not the first time-- [He states looking somewhat remorseful now.] Nor will it be the last, I fear.

[ Alphinaud comes into view again looking rather grim now. This not a light topic meant for the faint of heart. ]

In the region of Eorzea and even beyond her, false deities called “primals” offer succor in the form of blind fanatical servitude promising the moon and stars to all who worship them. Their promises are nothing more than lies told to bewitch their followers into supplying them endless aether in the form of great sacrifice.

The payment---one’s own life.

[ His gaze narrows some as he ponders about the deities of this realm. The more he thinks about these foreign gods, the more they truly sound lime “primals” to him. ]

We know naught if this payment would be the same in regards to the deities here within Prismatica but servitude certainly seems to be one of them.

[ Alisaie speaks up now. ]

Think about it. We are 'blessed' by these gods and they ask that we generate energy in return. Sound similar? The energy itself is benign so far, but then they twist and change our bodies and call it a gift.

[ She shakes her head. ]

I realize the people of this star depend on Chroma, and that it changed their way of life. I also know this life is better for some of you. But we deserve to know why we have been brought here and changed, not just be given some blind venerated explanation.

[ Her voice gets more earnest as she speaks, ending with her slamming her fist down on the surface the video device is propped on. She has to right it after it tilts, and then stills, taking a deep breath. Alphinaud takes over. ]

This is all we ask.

[ He chimes in after a moment of thought. It seems there’s something else on his mind but the boy hesitates to state it. Instead, he directs this introduction to a swift end. ]

We ask to know and understand the meaning behind our arrival here so that in turn, we could perhaps undo what has been done.

[ Alphinaud takes a breath. This is quite the intro and it will surely gain them some scorn. Nevertheless, he’s content. ]

I open up the forum for others to speak.

Comments

[Video]

[burnt_offering]

[Ace has very complicated feelings about this. He takes a breath, hesitating before he speaks. The two have a good point, and while it's easy to just live here, he also feels strongly that there's far more at play than what's been shared.]

I don't wanna leave. This place is important to me. But I want to know more about what's really going on. I don't think for a minute that we're getting the whole story.

[ video ]

[swordfighting]

That's precisely the point. We know little and less about what we have here.

[ a small sigh. ]

While I would admittedly prefer not to remain here, I do not begrudge those who would wish to. I just want the chance for both kinds to make an informed decision.

[ video ]

[leveilleur]

[ That much is understandable at least. Alphinaud realizes that perhaps his assessment upon the situation is erroneous at best but still, the situation here in Prismatica reminds him too similarly of the blight at plagues his world. False deities are a dime of dozen within Eorzea alone nevertheless Othard. ]

Nor do we wish for anyone to feel forced to leave.

[ The boy quickly states with a kind smile. ]

Like you, I simply desire to know the truth. As of how to find this truth, I do not know.

video

[hyperjammer]

I just got here myself, so I can't help you much. But it all sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?

I'll be damned if I survived all the shit I went through back home just to die for some happy-go-lucky hippy dippy aliens.

[ video ]

[swordfighting]

It's precisely the promise I've heard made a thousand times before. Give unto me yourself, that you may be free of worry.

[ she can't help but think of lakshmi, summoned in a mother's grief. also, she wrinkles her nose a bit. 'hippy dippy' ??? ]

I can at least say they seem not the slightest bit interested in our lives, according to all the lore my brother's found. But if that ever changed...

Voice;

[stabbersinyerfambles]

You think these moons are Ei--Primals. N'that we've been Tempered. Right?

'Feel no urge to bend a knee and offer Sanguis any worship nor've I even seen anything I'd call a Primal. Being Tempered means being in one's presence first, does it not?

voice;

[swordfighting]

On Hydaelyn, yes. But just as we could easily be wrong to call them Primals of a sort, we'd be fools to think they play by the same rules. We hardly know the extent of Primals in Eorzea, either.

[ it's hard not to think of ysayle, or yotsuyu. they hadn't even realized humans could become primals, and that'd been a massive blind spot. ]

Furthermore, do you remember exactly how you came onto that moon? It's possible we never remembered seeing them.

voice;

[givemewings]

I’m supposed to be dead. I died before ever showing up here...So why am I here? What happens if I leave, or if something happens to this place? Existing here feels somewhat insidious.

I have a sense that the answer isn’t pretty, and if I were them, I likely wouldn’t want to spill it easy. After all, we’re useful.

Re: voice;

[leveilleur]

[Dead? Alphinaud cannot help but look a little stunned to learn of that. The girl before him looks no older than him almost. It's shocking to know that the girl in the video is supposed to be dead, especially since she's so well preserved and animated, unlike poor Anamika.]

I will not pretend to know what would happen if you left this realm. However, you are the first I've met who've been successfully resurrected by unknown forces.

[His thoughts dwell upon the words his Warrior of Light told him concerning another. According to her, Minfilla lives yet still but within Hydaelyn itself.]

The only thing I know is that something nefarious is afoot and even so, that within itself is nothing more than a theory without proof.

video, un: hexadin

[halforc]

I don't think they want blind veneration. If that was the case, I wouldn't be able to sense my patron goddess at all, it would have been so easy for them to cut off that link given everything else that has happened.

[ He can't Commune with the Wildmother but he can sense her power in his spells, which is a huge comfort. ]

Re: video, un: academician

[leveilleur]

Truly?

[Unlike some of the responses prior, Alphinaud takes the lead and decides to answer. Especially since the man within the video looks like a roegadyn of some kind. There are hints of Hydaelyn here and there. Just enough to make Alphinaud question the gods' motives even further. ]

I suppose you're right about that considering that my sister and I can still feel the aetherial flow of our realm.

[If they couldn't, Alphinaud wouldn't be able to still summon his Carbuncle and all of his magic would've been nullified here.]

Even so, I cannot help but question the deities here when they do not attempt to communicate with us.

video;

[mcring]

[ Why would you come specifically for Noctis with this post?? But even more important than the topic of gods who want to kill you is— ]

You're... twins?

[ Yeah, he knew Prompto's girlfriend for months, lived next to her, talked to her all the time, and yet somehow managed to never realize the brother she mentioned often was actually her twin, so... This is kind of freaky. It's like looking at two Alisaies. How did Prompto never tell him about this??? ]

Re: video;

[leveilleur]

[Despite his apparent dismay at that question, Alphinaud cannot help but crack a smile. He did proclaim to Alisaie that he would subsequently block anyone who mentions their appearance but he's feeling somewhat lenient. That and the fact he's oddly curious about this blue-eyed lad.]

Indeed, we are. [He cannot help but smirk a bit more.] Are we truly such a rarity here?

voice; un: username02

[darkduplication]

There it is. There was a point to listening to all that after all.

Hearing about unrest among the batteries with legs? That might make the locals restless... Aren't you making where you stand a little too obvious?

voice;

[swordfighting]

There's naught to be gained as the Moonblessed have been. And perhaps we're in the minority here, but answers should be something all groups - Prismals, Moonblessed who wish to stay and those who wish to leave - would want.

It's not as if we're pointing a mob at Scientia and telling them to storm it.

Video;

[porcelainandblood]

[Oh, splendid. More people from their world, which actually does genuinely thrill Perne who has never had much exposure to them due to upbringing. Not that she's particularly good at emoting that.

The names are not unfamiliar either, though she's never met the twins personally. This is a bit like Estinien's acquaintanceship—an honour.]

I cannot help thinking that those who have been here for quite some time might have benefited from such a gathering. I am surprised to hear others make mention of the concept. I have not been here long and do not have a particular fondness for staying, yet I suspect there are some here who might not agree.

I will be quite interested to hear the input of the other Moonblessed. [If only because Perne doesn't feel she possesses enough knowledge to properly contribute. Or mayhaps that too is upbringing. If she has naught of value to add, then she must needs speak as little as possible.]

video;

[swordfighting]

[ well, this person is definitely eorzean! she'd recognize that hairstyle anywhere. alisaie smiles a little bit. ]

For those who would rather stay, I do not see a downside to them doing so. Indeed, several people have expressed such a preference. But knowing who you are staying with is something I can see benefiting them.

[ informed decisions and all that. ]

Perhaps we've taken the information wrongly, and it does not seem as dire at first look. Others speaking up should help clear the air on that as well.

Text | un: ruemorgue

[telltaleschemer]

As you describe it— it's not an unconvincing argument? Although it predisposes some things. I don't know enough about your circumstances to agree they might mirror these ones.

...I've been investigating the library here in attempt to find anything beyond what's already common knowledge. But those kinds of record have been suspiciously absent.

text;

[swordfighting]

The presumptions are what make us hesitate to do more than draw comparisons. Primals aren't fully understood on our star either, unfortunately. But they do share some similarities; my brother's studied them more thoroughly.

As for records - it's strange that nothing new has been discovered in regards to the deities after their loss of knowledge. They remain almost folklorish.

[ or cultish, as alisaie might say, but she's trying to mind her tone. ]

video | un: demonchef

[satanslash]

[Here's another twin! Without... his twin. And it's been that way for a while so there's a slight pang of jealousy at knowing that these two got to stick together.

But that's not something any of them have any control over.

In actual response to that rambling post, though - ]

I don't know any more than you guys do, and I think that's... normal? Weird as it might sound to say that, but uh. I've been through this before? In another place. All the people that got dragged there were supposed to help rebuild a town that had been messed up by a curse, and we managed to do it in like a year but we never saw the people responsible for it or ever got much more than the story about what happened and why.

As far as I can tell though the Prismals here are just the unlucky people who got screwed over when the way they got power and whatever went tits up. If there's an end goal it either hasn't been said or can't be reached cause it seems like the moonlacin' shit has to be pretty constant?

But, I mean, don't take my word for it. I only "know" [air quotes] what I do 'cause I picked it up from the place I was in before and I could be totally off.

video: un: alisaieleveil (she ran out of characters)

[swordfighting]

[ honestly, she doesn't know what she would have done had she not found alphinaud. being without him in eorzea was terrible enough. ]

So you've been through a similar situation before. I'll admit it's not the first time I've been pulled to a strange place either. But it was... not anything like this place.

[ she listens to his explanation, focused. ]

Any information helps. I do believe whatever force is pulling us here is doing so in order to help the massive lack of chroma. But these people did survive before we arrived. Surely there's some compromise to be made.

Or perhaps there's nothing to be done. I'd rather try, at the very least.

video;

[soulburningfights]

Thal. How do you even-- ah just forget. I need to talk privately whether it be here or in person, it matters naught.

[Aka, 'can't lock this thing for the life of me'.]

Re: video;

[leveilleur]

[Alphinaud arches his brows once he sees Shar's response. Honestly, he's quite confused here.]

I see no reason for the offense but I'm certainly willing to talk but perhaps in person away from prying eyes.

Video

[foolishjustice]

The energy we're producing, Chroma, is also the life force of this planet. It's necessary for everything here, and evidently on other planets in this universe as well, to survive. The locals seem unable to produce it, and I think the reason for that is the real mystery here. Cultural evidence suggests that wasn't always the case.

Unfortunately, all records from before the Calamity that stripped this planet of most of its Chroma seem to have been either lost or destroyed. Our best leads so far have been on the Iris moon, but the language used in the ruins is...let's just say, the translation efforts are a work in progress.

I suspect King Majestas is fairly similar to what you're talking about, though. He was depicted in scrolls found in ruins on Iris, and another god-like being calling herself royalty was sealed there until a few months ago.

video;

[swordfighting]

And there's no reason that, knowing that loss of chroma and the necessity of it, the ones that can and want to remain shall, while the ones that don't wish to may seek passage home.

[ he'll likely get her brother too, but alisaie pops up immediately. ]

You've found records of this Majestas being before? We were looking, but had yet to find anything of note. Can you share what it was, or point us to somewhere we could examine it ourselves?

[Video] | un: music2myears

[afoolshope]

You're assuming they know the reason for us being here. What if they don't?

[ A small sigh and pursed lips. ]

I know what it's like to give up one's own life for others. [ Yup, another person who was dead back home. He also has the 'benefit' of feeling his life slip away little by little for one month, so he has that experience to back up his next sentence. ] Chroma and the moonlacing that generates it feels nothing like it. So I don't think that's what it is in this case, even if the changes themselves are for better or worse.

video; un: alisaieleveil

[swordfighting]

Allegedly, they don't. But I find it odd that their take on it seems very lackadaisical. It feels like we're just supposed to accept it, and not try to find a way home, and just hope it happens to take us back at some point.

[ she definitely understands the desire to stay - and that desire to give ones life, though she hasn't gone through that, obviously. ]

The situation of giving oneself in service to a greater being is something we've seen end in tragedy. That being said, we could easily be wrong. But we won't know unless there's an effort to find answers of some kind.

It could also help people who don't wish to return home as well.

video; un: 1stQadrMargaFan

[wearingguess]

Hello, Alphinaud and Alisaie! I am Titus Alexius.

Is it possible you are overthinking all of this?

video: un: alisaieleveil (im sorry, she's offended)

[swordfighting]

Oh, yes, I'm definitely overthinking being stolen from my home for the second time, and being placed under a strange moon's influence and told that I should feel blessed. Nothing nefarious about that idea at all!

Video; un: completionist

[sassian]

[The face of the man on screen twists into a mockery of shocked horror as he raises a hand to his brow.]

Primals, you say? Oh, Twelve have mercy on us all! Who could imagine summoning such horrors at so dear a cost! Nay, it is all too much to bear.

[He lets the hand drop as his face settles into an amused smirk.]

Really, must you Scions be so alarmist? It nearly borders on the absurd.

video; un: academician

[leveilleur]

Alarmists?!

[ Oh, that certainly catches Alphinaud's ire quickly. It's rather evident that this man is mocking them but not only that, mocking the very idea of their plight along with the threat that the Primals. Alphinaud cannot help but scowl.]

I know quite well of the horrors the Primals have inflicted upon Eorzea and beyond her. If the deities of this realm are anything remotely similar to those beasts, then the Moonblessed as indeed in danger.

[The only thing absurd around here is this man's hair in Alphinaud's opinion. However, he hardly that petty to state that.]

There's blight here among the Moonblessed and I fear this blight is complacency.

voice;

[unresolving]

If it makes you feel any better, I've not encountered anything of the sort in the months that I've been here. Then again, one might argue that that is even more concerning.

[No news wasn't necessarily good news when it's basically your job to be suspicious of... well, everything.]

I know how the two of you feel. While I would hesitate to say that everything is as it appears, I also have the feeling it may not be quite as sinister as you might like to believe.

[Which wasn't to say that he wasn't keeping an eye on things anyway—he was very much still snooping around in everyone's business, as was tradition—but as far as he'd seen so far, "too good to be true" was the Prismals' greatest and only crime.]

voice;

[swordfighting]

It's reassuring to confirm there doesn't seem to be any immediate threats.

[ a lack of information still worries her, of course. but this is the elezen that threw herself at an ascian with naught but a sword. she can be stubborn when she wants to be.

still, she'd feel bad if they both brought a house of problems onto thancred. ]

If it isn't, then I'll be pleasantly surprised. At the very least, we've gathered some information that makes it clear the comparisons aren't as obvious as they'd seemed at first.

[ she is listening she promises. ]

voice;

[darkcharge]

You do realize what rules and laws that govern your world do not necessarily translate to others, right? I've been to plenty of different worlds and some things are the same and others are different.

What should be more disconcerting is the fact that those of us who can cross over into other worlds or realms can't anymore.

Now I don't trust this place. I don't trust the Prismals at all and know for a fact that they don't always tell the truth. Now if you got some way to actually overcome the obstacle of actually obtaining the truth, I am all ears. Otherwise? You're not really doing much but talking and words are nice and pretty and all, but they are meaningless without some sort of plan.

voice;

[swordfighting]

The fact that you can't is something new to have learned.

And I feel as if we made it fairly clear we were looking for information and options on how to discuss this. Perhaps it came off as more dire, but we cannot ignore the similarities. However, we are more interested in working together and this includes helping the Prismals with their research.

( voice )

[tayoru]

[ Just like Noctis, this subject poses a bit of a sore spot for Ignis, and he's initially honestly not all that interested in giving his two cents worth of vengeful opinions on "Gods". There is no need to pose a scene. But the mention of Alisaie is what keeps his attention on the discussion.

While Ignis is unable to see the feed of the video, he recognizes Alisaie's voice as soon as she speaks, and Ignis' immediate question is, of course, 'Does she remember any of her time here previously?' And if she doesn't, well... it's not the first time Ignis reunites with someone that used to be in the city that no longer remembers it, and he's had enough experiences in that regard that he has no real high hopes. ]

...I'm afraid it may be some time until you receive a proper response to your inquiry. I've been here many months, and not once have I or others gained so much as a hint of where the true source of our blessings resides, nor the means of transport from our world to this one.

[ Also, even though he is blind, mother is always watching, so Ignis feels like he needs to add on: ]

If I may, I must advise that as new arrivals, it would be best for you to refrain from exchanging Demichroma from other residents. Such a thing is impossible. And in this particular case, quite stupid of him to even try.

voice;

[leveilleur]

[ Instead of getting his dear sister, Alphinaud responds this time. He's been busy conversing with the other commenters here alongside Alisaie. It seems that this network post has caused quite a stir. This doesn't surprise him considering the nature of the conversation but the general unfavorable response isn't what he expected.

In all honesty, it's as if half the masses here have been tempered already. How else could one explain the general complacency of the Moonblessed here? Alphinaud is honestly quite dismayed. ]

Truly? [ He cannot help but sound a bit doubtful but if it's as this man claims--- ] How is it even remotely possible for the Prismals to remain so secretive?

Surely someone must know something about these blessings and the deities behind them.

[He trails off suddenly once that last bit is mentioned. Alphinaud has no bloody idea what he's referring too.]

I beg your pardon, sir? I...I don't know of what you mean by that but it's duly noted.

Video | un: dakkisigal

[castcure]

It's heartening to see more Scions here, even... if this place is what it is.

[The young woman smiles, and briefly lowers her eyes sheepishly. They likely won't know her. She'll likely have to prove herself, somehow.]

I'm... ah, that is, I'm from Hydaelin as well! And I've been here for over half a year, by local reckoning. I've some thoughts of my own, if you'd care to hear them?

[She hopes that they do. She looks a little uncertain, even through her smile, though.]

video ➤ un: academician

[leveilleur]

[Alphinaud blinks his eyes owlishly when this young woman suddenly appears upon his screen. It's clear that they've met before somewhere judging from the hint of familiarity in her gaze but Alphinaud doesn't seem to remember. If anything, the boy looks oddly puzzled as he leans a bit closer. He keeps searching the young woman's face for answers but he can't seem to find anything. It's then that he realizes he gawking at her.]

Oh, my apologies! [A faint chuckle escapes him as he leans back a bit.] I could've sworn you were someone I knew---

[The boy briefly clears his throat to offset the awkwardness before replying.]

A fellow native of Hydaelyn? Goodness, there seems to be quite a few of us scattered throughout the masses.

[That's a good thing in his opinion but also quite worrying.]

Feel free to speak. The floor is yours, madam.

[He graces her with a rather kind smile.]

video, un: thereth

[unholy_rebirth]

[Identical twins are super cute but Thereth will not mention that right now. This is clearly an important topic, especially to them, so she will treat it with respect. That said, they certainly gave a lot to think about, and she's brand-new here herself, so her tone is somewhat befuddled.]

There is much about this place that I do not understand...but I don't know much about technology, and only a little about magic, really.

Forgive me, dear - what is "aether"?

video, un: alisaieleveil

[swordfighting]

[ thereth gets a bit of a surprised look from the sister twin; they have many different races, but not quite one that looks like her. still, alisaie smiles a bit. ]

Ah - on our world, aether is the energy which every living being contains. It's used in magic and alchemy. It's essentially part of the living land of our star itself; an overuse of specific kinds of aether can cause an upset, which has disastrous results.

When we die, our aether leaves our body and returns to the aetherflow of the land. When a new child is born, they are infused with aether from that same flow.

video; un: milesedgeworth

[bratworth]

( Have a tired-looking man wearing an extremely fancy suit. )

For the better or the worse, the government of this place is either incapable or uninterested in providing us further answers to our questions.

( A wry smile. )

The last time I asked, I was given coffee vouchers.

video ➤ un: academician

[leveilleur]

[That's a rather fancy suit, sir. A bit too fancy for this odd little world but fancy enough to catch Alphinaud's eye. The other almost looks like some Ishgardian nobleman.]

Surely you jest! [The boy exclaims in absolute dismay.] Have they nothing to say to us?

Nothing at all? This is absurd.

video; un: adagium

[profanation]

My, aren't you the industrious ones!

[ He'd listened and watched a few of the feeds that were of interest to him. This was not the Alisae who had been close to Prompto (and, therefore, Noctis), and thus he didn't truly care about her or her brother's presence here. Emet-Selch's responses had been interesting, to say the least. Always good to know how his dear friend got along with the people from his own world. ]

You'll forgive an old man for not having quite the same level of energy. [ He smiled at them, pleasant and warm, almost like a doting uncle. ] It's been a long life of being the plaything of uncaring gods. You learn to just roll with it.

[ And while you're rolling and face down in the dirt, they don't notice you sneaking a peek from time to time. ]

Any little glimpse one can catch while tumbling around in their dice games and doll houses is something special, isn't it?

video;

[swordfighting]

[ it's the sister who answers this one - and she looks a bit cross with ardyn already, considering his interruption in her conversation with noctis. still, she has no other reason to dislike him, so it's just irritation with that showing through. and even that softens a bit when he speaks. ]

I take it you have experience being the plaything of an uncaring god then?