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[jiyuujin]

[The video opens on a man who couldn't be called old, neither did he exactly appear young though the way he's dressed suggests that he's some noble from some ancient time. There's a cup of tea beside him and as he moves and speaks, it's with a kind of ethereal grace.]

For those of you from Japan you may be aware that Obon season is upon us. For those not familiar with it, Obon is a time to honor those that have departed the world, celebrate their life and invite their spirits back into our own lives for a few days. That may sound rather somber but it's really quite a joyous affair.

Although the particulars are somewhat unique to Japan, I believe there are similar traditions all over the world. I'd love to hear about them if you are familiar with any of them.

I would also like to extend an invitation to a festival that we will be having in a couple weeks around our home in Caihong. [He says our home as if he's done anything to make his housemates or employees aware of these plans. Maybe this explains the boxes they have been piling up in the back of their estate as of late.]

Make your way to the teahouse, Tsukiyo on the 14th of this month for a night of festival food and dancing. Light a lantern for someone you care about and end it all with a bang. There will be fireworks, to put it plainly. It hasn't quite felt like summer without any as of yet, don't you agree?

I hope to see you all there.

[He pauses here to sip his tea. Seems he's not quite done yet.]

Before I leave you, there is one small inquiry I'd like to make as well. I'm in need of someone capable of repairing a sword. I'm happy to pay for this service and I can guarantee a modest amount of additional business in return.

Comments

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[liberaltus]

I suppose the closest thing we have to celebrate the dead in Thedas would be All Souls Day at the beginning of Matrinalis. A somber day of remembrance for the dead though it can become festive, people in the northern regions dress up as spirits, or an approximation of spirits, and a parade is held on the streets after midnight.

In other, more devoutly religious areas, pyres are lit in the memory of Andraste, the bride of the Maker, and people put on plays depicting her death. A bit morbid really.

Of course, like most holidays, All Souls Day was sequestered from an entirely different holiday known as Funalis, but that's how these things go.

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[jiyuujin]

Ah naturally. Neither can Japan claim the origins of Obon. Rather it was adapted from the customs of a nearby nation when their faith was passed on to us. It was quite fascinating observe the transition.

Your All Souls Day seems reminiscent of a tradition known as Halloween in our world, particularly the part about dressing up for the occasion. Though I believe the costumes were meant to deter the spirits rather than emulate them. It's grown to be quite popular where I'm from though it lacks any theological connotations. Merely an excuse for celebration now. [Whether there's a problem with that or not, isn't for him to say though.]

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[liberaltus]

Funalis was a day designed to celebrate one of the old dragon gods, Dumat, but after the first Blight in our world and the corruption of Dumat into an Archdemon we've tried to distance ourselves from the celebration by transforming it into something else.

Ah, well it could be worse, Nevarra have their own methods for honoring the dead that involves creating a Grand Necropolis, filling it with the mummified corpses of the dead and stuffing them with wisps from the Fade so that their bodies may wader the city.

[jiyuujin]

Such is the effect of time and tragedy on all things. Men often find themselves carrying on with tradition for tradition's sake while losing sight of it's purpose. Until something else comes along to upset the status quo. At least, it's an innocuous fault most of the time.

I'm not sure going so far as to animate the corpses would be well received by most people of my world. Yes there are places where they do indeed parade the dead through the streets or invite them into their homes like honored guests. If they only had the skills to make it happen someone would have certainly tried it by now.

Perhaps it's fortunate that our magic is quite juvenile compared to the things I've witnessed here.

[liberaltus]

I think it's best we learn from our past mistakes as we are inclined to repeat them. Covering them up with something else as a means to cloud our own flaws has never made anything any better in my experience.

Ah, Necromancy isn't for everyone I'm afraid, aside from the Mortalitasi who oversee these cities of the dead, very few mages are open to the experience where I'm from. Most are afraid of it and think it taboo...as for me, I like the forbidden.

Mmmm this world does bring about variety in its magic users, things I've yet to personally witness in my own world.

[jiyuujin]

It's well enough to espouse such intentions. I've seen it again and again. But given enough of it, time still remains fatal to memory. Along with those who choose not to respect it.

Though it seems we've all been blessed with some new abilities. Since you sound rather accomplished with magic yourself, have you tried to learn anything new?

[liberaltus]

Always important to remind the masses of their humble beginnings even at the expense of everyone losing their collective minds.

Ah, yes, as a Cordis I have noticed some unique abilities though they are overshadowed by my own magic ultimately, I have winter magic that makes the ice magic I can perform here look like child's play. I can also use storm and inferno magic as well.

The speed and agility bit does enhance my fade step though. Fade step allows me to move short distances from one place to another instantaneously, with the additional speed and agility I can continue to move quickly until the cooldown period wears off and I can push it again. So, yes, I've been experimenting a little bit.

[jiyuujin]

That's it? No raising the dead?

[A shame his amusement can't carry through text.]

Ah well, you make it sound as though you've been blessed by all the moons and then some. I can only imagine how useful that must be. Unless everyone of your world shares the same gifts.

I suppose some manner of restorative ability must exist there as well? What of other elements? Such as time. Or the sort of power that allows one to hold sway over another?]

[liberaltus]

Necromancy tends to have that association, but technically I don't raise the dead. It's more about binding spirits that are drawn to death an creating a great deal of fear, or even controlling the flow of time.

No, not everyone can use magic, you have swathes of mages though and then you have a great number of those who cannot use and typically fear magic. Granted, of the mages that there are less than a handful that uses Necromancy as a specialization.

There are a number of branches and specializations, as I've just mentioned time control falls under the Necromancer specialization. There's Spirit, Force, Entropy, Elemental, Arcane, Nature, Healing, Fade, Shapeshifting, Creation, Primal, and Necromancy branches. Then there are forbidden branches like Blood magic and branches of magic that can only be performed by Darkspawn called Blight magic.