❧ 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.

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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

[swordfighting]

Then it's less a need for calls to action, and more a need for research and information.

[ which is... more alphinaud and thancred's expertise. she can research with the best of them, for sure - she didn't graduate near top of the studium for nothing - but it's not her preference. ]

We saw that there had been other visitors to Lunatia - foxes, and dragons, and such. And that there'd also been chances to leave this place itself for other worlds. But it's not very often, and seemed very regulated, outside of the regular trips to the moons. Am I right so far?

[ not like they can just jump outside and hunker down. ]

[unresolving]

Unfortunately, that is correct. Opportunities are few and far between, though not unexpectedly, I suppose. If I were to be generous, I'd say the condition of the land outside of the city appears to be only slightly better off than that of Norvrandt.

[It was an awfully familiar situation, in that sense. Maybe that was also part of what made the Lunatians' plight seem so believable, though. Why wouldn't they want to restore their world, now that an opportunity has presented itself? ...then again, it still did seem pretty fantastical, all things considered.]

I imagine even our Warriors are not immune to the effects of the land. On top of that, even if it were possible to travel at our leisure, our time here is still uncertain. Chances are good that any one of us may disappear before anything we learn can be put to use.

[In other words? This situation fucking sucks. It's tedious. It's a little weird to think that the situation on the First made more sense than this, but... it really kind of did!]

[swordfighting]

[ she lets out a heavy sigh when he says the lands beyond are not much better than the empty. she can understand the lunatian's desire to restore their land as well - it's just that kidnapping still does not sit well with her.

when he mentions disappearing, though: ]

You mean such as myself.

[ she gestures. ]

This and encounters before made it clear that I was here before, but have no memory of it. Any research I may have done would have been lost, since I've not been able to find my own notes.