❧ 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

[leveilleur]

[A decent plan or strategy can easily turn the tides even in the worst of times. Alphinaud knows this quite intimately thanks to all his adventures thus forth. He graduated as valedictorian for a reason after all. That's why he's trying his best to unearth as much information as possible about the Prismals and their fickle deities.

However, it's becoming quite the challenge now that more people are joining the conversation. Alphinaud finds himself lagging behind his sister here. She's been chatting it up with nearly everyone while he jots away in his journal.

There's so much information]

That's certainly an idea I plan to enact as soon as possible. [He states once he's finished writing a few keynotes.] There's plenty of those among the Moonblessed who have shown allegiance to the Moon Knights.

While the Prismals have their secrets, a fellow Moonblessed has fewer reasons to stay so tightlipped.

[burnt_offering]

[Valedictorian huh? That's a fancy word Ace wouldn't recognize. He never even went to school. But he's always done well with his responsibilities, he's good at getting people to want to listen to him, and people flock to him like they turn towards the sun. But without his father, without a reason to lead, he's lagging behind in a different way.

He doesn't know how to deal with a life without piracy. And he doesn't know how to carefully move when he's afraid of change. And he's got a feeling that serious change is going to happen.]

Depends. Sometimes when you get into groups like that, everyone gets caught up in it. But if you can find someone willing to talk? That's a start. It's not everything though. Just 'cause you're both Moonblessed doesn't mean they're gonna trust you or open up. So it gets tricky there too. You gotta find someone like minded and connected.