ＤＲ． ＳＴＲＡＮＧＥ． (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
portalling) wrote2022-04-02 01:17 pm
portalling) wrote2022-04-02 01:17 pm
Entry tags:
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
[ ok deep breath, try to handle this with at least a little more delicacy than Gwenaëlle does with the new rifters— ]
The most likely explanation I’ve read and heard from the others here, after their years of observation and experimentation, is that rifters are actually a form of spirit. We’re— spirits who dreamt ourselves into reality. We’re affected by the Fade and lyrium in ways that others aren’t. We’re not literally physically the people from those other realms. You didn’t cross over between planes; you were made here, with all the memories of your other self.
But this, in your case, is very good news. Firstly, that I suspect this means you’re already free of that tadpole. Secondly, that whatever connection exists between Bhaal and Tav, it should be more malleable here than you expect.
The theories that Niehaus and I would like to test involve exploiting that malleability. Our natures as rifters are more mutable than most. We’re hoping that could go a way towards curing you.
The most likely explanation I’ve read and heard from the others here, after their years of observation and experimentation, is that rifters are actually a form of spirit. We’re— spirits who dreamt ourselves into reality. We’re affected by the Fade and lyrium in ways that others aren’t. We’re not literally physically the people from those other realms. You didn’t cross over between planes; you were made here, with all the memories of your other self.
But this, in your case, is very good news. Firstly, that I suspect this means you’re already free of that tadpole. Secondly, that whatever connection exists between Bhaal and Tav, it should be more malleable here than you expect.
The theories that Niehaus and I would like to test involve exploiting that malleability. Our natures as rifters are more mutable than most. We’re hoping that could go a way towards curing you.
Hm. [ Strange has crossed his arms again, leaning his weight against the nearest convenient piece of furniture. As a tangent, this part isn’t quite as immediately useful for Tav’s work in Riftwatch, and he doesn’t necessarily need to ask about it— but the doctor’s an incorrigibly curious man. He always wants to know more about these other worlds, their peculiarities and uniquenesses. ]
What were you going to be transformed into?
What were you going to be transformed into?
Good news about the tadpole. Been trying to rid myself of it since I realized it was there. Apparently, it's all part of a grand design that my other-- that I helped put together.
I've read about the Fade, though. It's something to do with dreaming, isn't it? He only comes out when I'm unconscious, do you think we could fight him in the Fade? Or are we talking about thinking him away.
I've read about the Fade, though. It's something to do with dreaming, isn't it? He only comes out when I'm unconscious, do you think we could fight him in the Fade? Or are we talking about thinking him away.
Which is…?
[ He draws out the word, questioning. Yes, Tav, it was deeply unhelpful. ]
[ He draws out the word, questioning. Yes, Tav, it was deeply unhelpful. ]
Thinking him away, yes. Which sounds astoundingly simple, but one must consider that the Fade is both the dream dimension and the source of magic here in this world, which means that exerting will over it is paramount. The local mages, some of them have the ability to lucid dream in the Fade, and thus have unprecedented control over their surroundings.
And sometimes rifters leave for long periods and then they come back changed, different— the Fade re-makes them differently based on what the spirit itself expects itself to be. Even back where I come from, one of the core tenets about shaping the dream dimension is belief.
So, basically, find a way re-make you in the Fade without that urge. Again, vastly simplified, we’ve some additional thoughts on having a mage train you for better self-control — they, too, have to battle the risk of possession in their dreams — and maybe have a templar involved to temporarily strip away magic and what makes you you so that the Fade can craft it anew… anyway, point being, Tav, we have some plans of attack. You’re not gonna be cooped up here forever.
[ —Maybe not a grandiose promise he should’ve made. But. Oh well. It’s done. ]
And sometimes rifters leave for long periods and then they come back changed, different— the Fade re-makes them differently based on what the spirit itself expects itself to be. Even back where I come from, one of the core tenets about shaping the dream dimension is belief.
So, basically, find a way re-make you in the Fade without that urge. Again, vastly simplified, we’ve some additional thoughts on having a mage train you for better self-control — they, too, have to battle the risk of possession in their dreams — and maybe have a templar involved to temporarily strip away magic and what makes you you so that the Fade can craft it anew… anyway, point being, Tav, we have some plans of attack. You’re not gonna be cooped up here forever.
[ —Maybe not a grandiose promise he should’ve made. But. Oh well. It’s done. ]
[Re-make him? Strip away what makes him him?
Tav is quiet for a long moment. He thinks of Alfira, brave Alfira, who only wanted to travel with their party and write songs of their adventures. Brave Alfira who met a gruesome and bloody death at Tav's hand, one of her horns sawed off and used as an instrument of her demise. He'd wondered how, in those last moments, if she remained just as brave or if fear penetrated her heart as it lay open and exposed to the world?
His own fear stirs in his gut. What if they strip him down and he doesn't come back? What if he can never use magic again?
Or, much worse, what if he's re-made into the other version of him permanently? What if he comes out of this nothing but a rabid animal?
It makes his incarceration much more minor in comparison.
And Tav, for once, is stunned into silence.]
Tav is quiet for a long moment. He thinks of Alfira, brave Alfira, who only wanted to travel with their party and write songs of their adventures. Brave Alfira who met a gruesome and bloody death at Tav's hand, one of her horns sawed off and used as an instrument of her demise. He'd wondered how, in those last moments, if she remained just as brave or if fear penetrated her heart as it lay open and exposed to the world?
His own fear stirs in his gut. What if they strip him down and he doesn't come back? What if he can never use magic again?
Or, much worse, what if he's re-made into the other version of him permanently? What if he comes out of this nothing but a rabid animal?
It makes his incarceration much more minor in comparison.
And Tav, for once, is stunned into silence.]
It's a little pathetic how quickly Benedict struggles to sit up when he sees and smells the broth, knowing full well he can't gorge himself the way he's desperately wanted to for so long, but not about to turn away what he can get.
He angles himself to go at it as quickly as he dares while someone's watching, nodding weakly to Strange's observation. Yep, he sure is.
He angles himself to go at it as quickly as he dares while someone's watching, nodding weakly to Strange's observation. Yep, he sure is.
Ah, the good ole purple tentacle-monster genotype, they’re an old classic—
But you said there was a chance you could have transformed into one?
But you said there was a chance you could have transformed into one?
[ He waits for a response,
and that horrified silence spins out instead, and Strange eventually sighs. Try as he might, that existential crisis was probably inevitable. After Tav doesn’t say anything: ]
Yeah, see, that’s why I asked if you were still up for pursuing this. Despite the risks.
and that horrified silence spins out instead, and Strange eventually sighs. Try as he might, that existential crisis was probably inevitable. After Tav doesn’t say anything: ]
Yeah, see, that’s why I asked if you were still up for pursuing this. Despite the risks.
[Tav lets the words hang between them for a beat or two longer, not to consider but simply to fathom the entirety of what’s been told to him.
However, he lands squarely on the fact that he never wants Alfira’s death to happen again. If that means he doesn’t come out the other side, then—]
When do we start?
However, he lands squarely on the fact that he never wants Alfira’s death to happen again. If that means he doesn’t come out the other side, then—]
When do we start?
“you probably won’t have to fight soon” [muffled explosions in background]
portalling
2024-04-09 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
I used to be the keeper of something called the Time Stone; with it, I could see the future and peer into possible timelines. It would’ve been a useful artifact and ability to retain in Thedas, but, alas.
Strange hesitates for only a moment before pulling up a visitor’s chair without asking, just planting himself beside Benedict’s bed and settling himself in without asking. Healer’s prerogative.
And he nods toward the bowl. “Go ahead,” he says, but, “Pace yourself though. Stomach might not be able to handle having something in it again that quickly. You don’t want to retch it all up again.”
And he nods toward the bowl. “Go ahead,” he says, but, “Pace yourself though. Stomach might not be able to handle having something in it again that quickly. You don’t want to retch it all up again.”
[ The corner of his mouth twitches, the ghost of a smile. ]
As soon as we’re not chasing down demons in the Gallows anymore. We’ll get there. Sit tight, kid.
As soon as we’re not chasing down demons in the Gallows anymore. We’ll get there. Sit tight, kid.
[ Strange can’t get enough of tangents himself, but for once in his life he manages to rein himself in. There’s a practicality which needs addressing first: ]
Hm. I’ll pick your brain about it later, rest assured. In the meantime, [ he points at Tav’s hands, the healed rope burns, the mark of magic having been done. ] That. That’d come in handy in the infirmary, y’know, if you ever wanted to pitch in over there.
Hm. I’ll pick your brain about it later, rest assured. In the meantime, [ he points at Tav’s hands, the healed rope burns, the mark of magic having been done. ] That. That’d come in handy in the infirmary, y’know, if you ever wanted to pitch in over there.
If Benedict is offended, he certainly doesn't say so, or give any indication otherwise. He's fixated on the broth, only barely slowing down to blow on each spoonful before eating it, a precaution he learned to take by scalding his mouth in desperation on his first night back.
"I heard about the Seneschal," he says in a rasp, after he's polished off the bowl, "was he badly hurt?"
"I heard about the Seneschal," he says in a rasp, after he's polished off the bowl, "was he badly hurt?"
Edited 2024-04-10 18:06 (UTC)
Good. I’ll add you to the call sheet. We’ll figure out what makes the most sense. [ Something where Tav can be called in to help in an emergency, and has some more work and tasks to keep him busy, but not something where he might pose a risk to the patients or alarm them on a daily basis, what with being under perpetual guard. ]
Realistically, speaking to the best use of your time, we don’t exactly need you to restock inventory — I have other hands for that — but your magic’s gonna be invaluable. We’re all trained in first aid, but most of the other helpers don’t have healing magic as you do. Myself included.
Realistically, speaking to the best use of your time, we don’t exactly need you to restock inventory — I have other hands for that — but your magic’s gonna be invaluable. We’re all trained in first aid, but most of the other helpers don’t have healing magic as you do. Myself included.
( It might be reasonable to be annoyed about that rudeness from her; but in this, at least, he knows himself well enough to be blandly self-aware: ) Because it sounds very cool and impressive and alarming to mention it.
Plus, I have successfully worked some time magic here, and I’m still studying what scraps I can find of the art. Might be relevant again someday.
( hope springs eternal )
Anyway. The question, Arany. Would you like to practice?
Plus, I have successfully worked some time magic here, and I’m still studying what scraps I can find of the art. Might be relevant again someday.
( hope springs eternal )
Anyway. The question, Arany. Would you like to practice?
Page 18 of 38