Saragos/Logs/Othersight Attempt at Asemath

Othersight attempt on 7/6/2024. Conversation window only. POV: Navesi.

[17:06] Saragos says, "Thanks for coming, everyone. What I'm going to do here is give a brief lecture on Aether and Othersight, and what our plan is today. After that, I'll take questions while everyone makes their preparations for making a first attempt at using it to sense the world around us. Uryutis was unable to make it today, so we're just going to have to do our best on our own."

[17:07] You say, "If nothing else, we'll all learn a little more about what it is, and we can try it again later with his guidance."

[17:07] Saragos says, "I'll give you all time to prepare, but Warrior Mages may want to start the process of aligning to Aether now, as it can take a few minutes. You'll need to clear yourself of charge and realign."

[17:07] Aislynn wryly asks, "Muddling through delicate magical experiments without expert guidance is an adventurer's job, neh?"

[17:07] Saragos says to Aislynn, "Something like that."

[17:07] Saragos asks, "So. What is Othersight? And what are we going to do with it?"

[17:08] You say, "Bards, when the time comes, we may wish to step out to cast Echoes of Aether."

[17:08] Saragos says, "Many of you will not have heard much of it, but it's not something new. It's been mentioned several times in old books, particularly the Suur Pillar and Study of the Zaulfung Stones from the Gaeleranendae College of Magical History, where it's mentioned as a tool for magical analysis. There, it's used to determine that the Suur Pillar was opening portals to the Plane of Electricity (which is why the portal was opened to Zengmodaleth from there), and to determine some things about the mana contained within the Zaulfung Stones, how it flows between them, and even a suggestion that the mana may be changing type."

[17:09] Saragos asks, "The details of both of those are a discussion for another day. However, we can see it's been used to detect planar rifts and the presence and movement of mana in the past. So how does this work, and how might we use it here?"

[17:09] Saragos says, "Well, Othersight is based on Aether, and to explain that, we'll have to explain a bit more of Aether. I'll be summarizing quite a bit here from the lecture Uryutis did on Aether, which you'll find has been published in full, as well as summarized in the First Land Herald. You may also wish to study the Treatise on the Elements, if you wish to study further."

[17:10] Saragos says, "For those of you who don't know Uryutis well, he's an expert on Aether in particular."

[17:10] Saragos says, "The best way I can explain the nature of Aether is to quote Uryutis directly here, with his analogy of the Plane of Abiding as a painting:."

[17:10] Saragos says, ""'The planes are distinct, separate, whole and pure. Their influence bleeds into our own, shaping it and making it possible. Our plane is beautiful, unique in the mingling and suffusion of these planes, a magnificent painting whose every brush stroke is wrought in the elements themselves. Where these elements mix in their pure form, you have the chaotic flow of our existence. An ocean wave painted in Water, but also Air and Earth. Where these forces manifest, the Elements provide the substance for them to do so.'."

[17:11] Saragos says, "Other types of mana are visible in this 'painting' as well. The influence of the Immortals in Holy mana, the weight of Life itself, and the movements of the celestial bodies."

[17:11] Saragos says, "The natures of Fire, Air, Earth, and Water are well known. When you think of their influence on this plane, you will know immediately what to expect from them. Fire burns, Water flows, Air gusts, Earth is stable. Aether and Electricity, however, are more subtle, and were discovered much later. But they weren't just overlooked. They operate fundamentally differently."

[17:11] Saragos says, "Electricity is a whole other matter that we also won't be getting into today."

[17:12] Saragos says, "Aether, in particular, is a fundamental part of our plane. If those elements are the pigments in our painting, then Aether is the canvas that those pigments reside on. And like a canvas, Aether exists in a woven form, like a lattice or web."

[17:12] Saragos says, "This lattice of Aether is part (or possibly the whole) of what shields our plane from the Void. In fact, it's believed that Aether is everywhere that isn't Void. When a breach to another plane forms, it's a hole poked in this lattice of Aether."

[17:13] Saragos says, "Uryutis said, 'It flows and ebbs, in response to various influences and whims. It mends when torn, eventually. When you summon an Ethereal Fissure or weapon from another Plane, you are poking a fine hole in the canvas, a bridge that leads to another Plane, and drawing a small portion of it to you, here. These small punctures are fairly minor, and we see them repair almost the instant they are released, but the effects can be seen, even from afar.'."

[17:13] You whisper to Belzor, "The woven form of Aether is how one may use it to weave the fabric of a Plane."

[17:13] Saragos says, "Of Aethereal fissures and similarly small breaches, he described them as, 'untidy blobs of color or a splash of dissolving spirits, damaging the painting for a time.'."

[17:13] Saragos says, "Additionally, he said, 'More subtle still is the effect of the domains you called and concentrated. Each Plane has its own rules, rules distinct from our own. When you call a domain, the localized rules of our plane weaken and align to the rules of another. Imagine, perhaps, pressing a finger into the canvas of the painting, deforming it. These changes are subtle, and while they appear awfully strange from afar, like the smaller punctures, eventually relax back to normal.'."

[17:14] Saragos says, "So, these breaches, particularly small ones, will naturally heal over time, though it is certainly possible to cause damage at a faster rate than it can heal. One such way is Blackfire - you may think of Blackfire as a fire burning away this Aethereal canvas, and the Voidspell as pushing all elements out, thus snuffing out the fire... but allowing the Void to leak in to our plane."

[17:15] Saragos says, "For those who are unaware, it is believed that the hole made by the Voidspell is what enabled Maelshyve to gain a foothold in our plane in the first place."

[17:15] Saragos says, "This is why both forms of Sorcery are so dangerous to our plane, and why their negative effects may not be apparent from the initial use of the spell. Imagine you set fire to your house in the summer, and then put it out. The house is still standing, and you throw a coat of paint over the char and go about your life. However, months later when the rainy season comes, you discover that your roof now leaks in several places."

[17:16] Saragos asks, "So Aether is a fundamental part of our plane, and we can see why it would be involved in detecting planar rifts. What about mana?"

[17:17] Saragos says, "Aether is also the layer on which mana of all types sits, both in our plane, and in others. So anywhere that you see mana, whether it's in the Astral Plane, or the Plane of Electricity, or the Planar Observatory, it's sitting on that Aetheric lattice."

[17:17] Saragos says, "When we shape mana streams into spell patterns, we're making a pattern in those pigments that sit on the Aethereal canvas. This is why Aether is involved in targeted magic. Substratum allows Warrior Mages to see that Aetheric lattice or grid more clearly. When Warrior Mages use Aethereal Pathways, we are shaping a more convenient pathway in that Aether for our targeting matrix to deliver its destructive pattern. When we use Aether Cloak, we are shaping that Aether to disrupt and distort targeting matrices by changing the ground on which it sits."

[17:18] Saragos says, "You can think of it this way - if you want to change the direction a line is pointing, you can redraw the line, erase it somehow... or you could just adjust the paper it's drawn on."

[17:19] Saragos says, "Similarly, Bards can attune themselves to Aether with the Echoes of Aether spell to more easily access those mana streams, or disrupt others' access to them using Eches of Aether."

[17:19] Saragos says, "So Aether is the canvas that supports our plane and a barrier that protects it, and it is also where the mana sits. So what, then, is Othersight? I'll quote Uryutis again."

[17:20] Saragos says, "By tuning out the other senses, and feeling the Aetheric streams, we can induce them to carry our will, which can be directed, and reflected, lending a sense of the shape of things afar. Those of you that were able to see the streams while we were searching may not be entirely lost causes as Elementalists. Of note, Elemental charge gathered in our bodies reflects particularly well. We stand out like fireflies against the night sky...'."

[17:20] Saragos says, "What did he mean about "when we were searching"? Uryutis used Othersight to detect our initial planar experiments using Aether, and in the process many of us felt it. I'll quote you what I wrote in my journal of the incident. This will be a longer one."

[17:21] Saragos says, "'I felt rather than heard a low hiss emanating from a distant source. Deeply resonant, it played against my magical senses, and echoed around the area, seemingly without direction, reverberating off unseen structures. It felt distinctly unnatural, as if someone, or something, was... probing the local mana streams?'."

[17:21] Saragos says, "'Suddenly, I saw shifting streams of radiant aetheric mana superimposed over mu vision. Winding around all matter, gently evaporating and lightly billowing in unseen winds and forces, the soft glow permeating all that I could see.'."

[17:21] Saragos says, "'The hiss seemed to resonate along the aetheric streams, faintly playing along their bends and whisps. The streams seemed to buzz faintly in response, though to what end or purpose I could not tell. As I focused my magical senses, I became aware of... pulsating snarls, or gaps, or rends in the distance, the hiss echoing around and through these voids, leaving rippled impressions like a boulder disturbing a rivers flow.'."

[17:21] Saragos says, "'I sensed one of these snarls to the east of Riverhaven, another just outside of Shard, and another across a great ocean. As my attention was drawn to these locations, the hiss began to magnify, sibilent and deafening! The streams were buffeted and cast smoke-like emanations, glowing more brightly!'."

[17:21] Saragos says, "'The hiss began to shift, no longer emanating from the distance and omnidirectional, but closer, and focused upon me! As it probed, I felt the elemental charge within me reflecting the sound, an almost solid surface clearly marking my position and influences. The hiss swept across you a few times, and then suddenly, ceased.'."

[17:22] Saragos says, "'As the sound faded, so too did the radiance of the aetheric streams. I sensed as though nothing had changed, though whatever caused it was certainly aware of us, and what we had done!'."

[17:22] Aislynn quietly says, "Of course the Webweaver saw you. Pretty little fireflies that you were."

[17:23] You whisper to Aislynn, "Webweaver?"

[17:23] Tirost quietly says to Saragos, "The locations you mentioned are ominous..."

[17:23] Saragos says, "You can see there how changes in the Atheric lattice can be detected - like a spider sensing movement on its web, or seeing ripples in a pond. Or even how the theory goes that bats navigate by sound. It's all similar,."

[17:23] Aislynn whispers, "Harawep. She who repairs the Web."

[17:23] Saragos says, "We believe that those snarls represent large planar breaches - The Zaulfung east of Riverhaven, Taisgath over the ocean, and likely Darkmist Moor near Shard."

[17:23] You whisper to Aislynn, "I thought you might mean Her... when did She see us? To what are you referring?"

[17:23] Aislynn whispers, "And She would destroys corrupted parts."

[17:24] Saragos says, "Navesi had another experience with Othersight, demonstrated directly by Uryutis. I'll quote from your journal here, dear, as I didn't know if you'd make it."

[17:24] You say, "Of course, thank you."

[17:24] Saragos says, "'Uryutis placed his palm on my forehead and suddenly everything went dark. I heard a loud gong, high and pure, ring out from where Uryutis is standing. Its reverberation played off of Uryutis, and all the Warrior Mages standing nearby, clearly outlining them in a wave of sound. Another loud gong was struck, lower in pitch, and again echoed over the area, revealing the finer details of my surroundings, catching a bird in flight. A third gong rangs out, impossibly low, and I sensed the shape of things in the distance, bare whispers echoing against the impenetrable silent distance. After a moment, my vision returned, and Uryutis looks at me, nodded, and stepped back.'."

[17:24] Aislynn whispers, "That hissing... She is always watching what we do upon Her Web. We tend to cause more tangles when we purposefully touch the Web directly, amateur weavers that we are. We cause Her far more work when we meddle."

[17:25] Saragos says, "Bards, will experience Aether differently because of their relationship with music. They may even be better at it, or at least more precise with it. When the portal to Zengmodaleth was opened, Bards used their Othersight to guide Warrior Mages as we wove the strands of Aether to create a stable opening to the Plane of Electricity."

[17:26] Aislynn whispers, "Though, now... It might be that We need to learn to do what Her avatar used to tend to. We might need to learn to weave the Web, just as easily as we unmake it in our ignorance."

[17:26] You whisper to Aislynn, "An interesting perspective. The Web She weaves is Fate, of course, but perhaps She senses the Aether too?"

[17:26] Saragos says, "Of note, the original Aether experiments I mentioned were focused on shoring up our plane against outside threats. That turned out to be more difficult than we realized, but we hope that one day the theory used to create the stable opening to Zengmodaleth could be used to buttess Aether in areas in which it's damaged."

[17:27] Saragos says, "Uryutis said of Bards, 'Aether is the medium through which all others manifest, similarly to how sound is the vibration of Air. We can sense the Aether that is foundational to all things by sending energies along its streams, just like a Bard can hear a single instrument played among an orchestra.'."

[17:27] Saragos says, "So what we intend to practice is the skill of sensing probing that Atheric lattice. By first opening our senses to Aether, we hope to see the streams of mana. As Elementalists, we should expect to see only Elemental mana, though it is possible we might see traces or indentations of the streams of other types on the web, even if we cannot see the flows directly. This may grant us some insight into the state of mana around us and help us to understand what's happening with Wild Magic."

[17:27] Aislynn whispers, "The Web she weaves is Fate, but also Magic. Mana. When sorcerous elements twist the mana streams unnaturally, She does her best to straighten the threads. But sometimes they become so tangled that She must burn that portion of the Web entirely and reweave it from scratch."

[17:27] Aislynn whispers, "So it is absolutely Aether, yes."

[17:27] Saragos says, "Then, I will send a gentle pulse of Aether along the web. Just one, from me, so that we don't have competing pulses jarring each other and making the Aether impossible to read. This will hopefully give us a sense of the lay of the Aetheric lattice around us, possibly giving insight into planar breaches. If we see new ones that we did not before, that may be more evidence as that there is a planar breach component."

[17:28] You whisper to Aislynn, "I do recall how upset She was with the use of sorcery at one point."

[17:28] Aislynn whispers, "What Saragos said earlier, about Aether being the latice under all other magic... That is the Web. Absolutely."

[17:28] Saragos says, "I'll stop here and take questions. And while I do so, let's move outside, as this area isn't very conducive to magic. While we're talking, Warrior Mages, I encourage you to align to Aether, and cast Substratum and Aether Cloak. They may not help directly, but by infusing our senses with Aether we may be better able to open our senses to it. Bards, I encourage you to cast Echoes of Aether on yourselves."

[17:29] Saragos says, "Ok, moving in 10."

[17:29] Hamuk asks, "Any strength, as best we can do, or other?"

[17:29] You whisper to Jycanth, "Glad you could make it."

[17:29] Jycanth whispers, "Me too!"

[17:29] Saragos says, "This area should be fine for spelling up. Hope they don't mind us doing this in their hallway."

[17:30] Kerennya asks, "Where are we going?"

[17:30] Hamuk says, "I'm sure worse has been done here."

[17:30] Gwenddolyn says, "Let's not burn down the academy."

[17:30] Elurora asks, "Is there anything you'd like from those of us not elemental attuned?"

[17:30] Saragos says, "The best strength you can cast should be fine. As best as I can understand it, the spells aren't critical, but for those of us not used to sensing Aether directly I think they can help us to adjust our senses."

[17:30] Hamuk asks Saragos, "Should we give Substratum and AC the best we've got?"

[17:30] Avrenka says, "No moons up ... bah."

[17:30] You say, "Excuse me a moment, I will be right back."

[17:31] Aislynn whispers, "Several years ago, Harawep's avatar, the Great Spider, made it very clear that even She couldn't keep up with how much twisting we were doing of the Web's strands. I can only imagine it's gotten worse."

[17:31] Avrenka says to Saragos, "Are Warrior mages able to open aether fissures? Apologies for the basic question."

[17:31] You whisper to Aislynn, "Oh? I don't recall that meeting. Did someone record it?"

[17:32] Saragos says, "I'm opening an Aether fissure, yes. I'll use that to draw from and send the pulse."

[17:32] Saragos says, "It's a good question."

[17:32] Aislynn whispers, "It was not a meeting. I sat in the head of the Great Spider for many hours, connecting empathically with the Spider itself."

[17:32] Hamuk asks Saragos, "Should I increase my elemental charge or keep it low?"

[17:32] You whisper to Aislynn, "Fascinating."

[17:32] Tirost says, "Aligned to Aether, with Substratum and Aether Cloak active as well."

[17:32] Aislynn whispers, "I told several about it. I believe Elsabela watched over me."

[17:33] Avrenka says, "Be right back."

[17:33] Saragos says to Hamuk, "I have my charge high, but I think the alignment to Aether is more important."

[17:33] Saragos says, "The higher your charge is, the more visible you are to Othersight as well, but that shouldn't matter to sensing, the way I understand it."

[17:33] Hamuk says, "Can't hurt to charge up, I suppose."

[17:34] Hamuk says, "Or maybe it will. Either way, I'll learn something."

[17:34] Saragos says, "I will also warn you all that we are attempting a subtle art, and that since Uryutis was not able to make it, we may see nothing, or things that are merely confusing. We're new to this, and it's difficult. We'll get better with practice. We will also make another attempt at using Othersight soon within Zengmodaleth, from the vantage point of the Olkan Rae Audrus."

[17:34] Zalinyar says, "Alignment and cloak on Aether. Odd for me."

[17:34] Hamuk says, "I have literally never aligned to aether on purpose."

[17:34] Tirost asks Saragos, "Are you fully spelling up? Should we be ready for combat, just in case, or do I just spend too much time with the Northern Watch?"

[17:34] Harsh quietly says, "Ill save you."

[17:34] Zalinyar asks, "Should we expect violence?"

[17:35] Tirost says to Harsh, "You have, many times."

[17:35] Dantia says, "If you always expect violence, you'll never be unprepared."

[17:35] Crobin says, "Magic I do not understand."

[17:35] You say, "Violence is unlikely, but always possible I suppose."

[17:35] Crobin says, "Violence I do."

[17:35] Aislynn quietly says, "Please don't meddle with anything you see. We are unskilled at weaving the Web at this level, even the best of us. We can do great harm without meaning to."

[17:35] Avrenka says, "If you want peace, prepare for war, I believe how the old saying goes."

[17:35] Karthor says, "The moment ya rule it out, you'll find ya accidentally summon an aether selrek or somesuch."

[17:35] Saragos says, "OOC: If you check the calendar, the attempt at Zengmodaleth is already there, for next week."

[17:35] You say, "The only thing I could think of is perhaps our probing might alert someone else attuned to the Aetheral lattice, and that someone could be hostile."

[17:35] Dantia playfully exclaims to Karthor, "Or Srinoja dressed as one!"

[17:36] Saragos says, "Anyone else who's monitoring the web would sense our pulse, yes."

[17:36] Karthor says, "Or that, aye. She'll come board the hallway."

[17:36] Hamuk says, "I am so often in opposition to Aether this feels strange already."

[17:36] Avrenka says, "Would be interesting if a certain ... Liraxes detected us touching the web."

[17:36] Aislynn quietly says, "If anyone sees a selrek smoking a cigarillo... Do light it on fire."

[17:36] Saragos says, "My hope is that one day, when we're all trained in this, we'll be able to better sense planar incursions as they happen, like a spider sensing an insect on its web."

[17:36] Gwenddolyn says, "Board the academy."

[17:36] Crobin asks, "Which one?"

[17:36] Tirost says to Hamuk, "To me as well."

[17:36] Harsh quietly says, "Oops."

[17:36] Harsh quietly says, "My bad."

[17:36] Harsh quietly says, "Reckless magic user over here."

[17:37] Jycanth says, "We're all casting magic, could have happened to anyone."

[17:37] Hamuk says to Saragos, "I'm all set."

[17:37] Tekhelet asks, "We have Bards as well?"

[17:37] Dantia whispers to your group, "Just us."

[17:37] Dantia whispers to your group, "My apologies, meant to go to Madigan."

[17:37] You say to Tekhelet, "We have a few Bards."

[17:38] You say, "Myself and Jycanth, at least, that I can see."

[17:38] Miraeven whispers to your group, "Sweet nothings"

[17:38] Jycanth says, "I don't currently remember the Echoes of Aether spell, but luckily I had a scroll for now."

[17:38] Hamuk says, "I don't think I've seen this many folks spooling up magic that weren't about to drop the hammer on something ugly and marching towards the city."

[17:38] Gwenddolyn says, "Don't give them any ideas Hamuk."

[17:38] Karthor says, "Well now ya've said it out loud...somethin' ugly's probly makin' its way over here now."

[17:38] Jycanth says, "I also dropped down some Nexus and using Blessings of the Fae."

[17:39] Jaelia says to Karthor, "We I thin Harsh already arrived."

[17:39] Leayne softly says, "We have a Ball to attend."

[17:39] You say to Jycanth, "Good thinking."

[17:39] Hamuk says, "Drinks are on me after if I jinxed us."

[17:39] Tirost quietly says to Crobin, "Remind me not to wave to anyone."

[17:39] Crobin says, "I will do my best Tirost."

[17:39] Jaelia says to Harsh, "Aldauthian Priests, I always gotta keep an eye on you."

[17:39] Harsh quietly says to Jaelia, "That was so mean, and good, Im so proud of you."

[17:39] Saragos asks, "Does anyone need more time to make their preparations?"

[17:39] Tirost says to Saragos, "Ready."

[17:39] Kerennya says, "Me, I had research to finish."

[17:39] You say, "I could use a moment, forgive me."

[17:40] Briaen says to Saragos, "Not all preparations can be made with the watchful eyes about."

[17:42] Karthor says, "Silly question...any chance I could form a Link with one of ya elemental folks, see if I can't catch an odd glimpse of somethin' by proxy? Who knows, overlappin' brains might be good fer somethin'."

[17:42] You say to Saragos, "Ready."

[17:42] Hamuk says, "I wouldn't mind."

[17:42] Allye says, "Ooh, good idea."

[17:42] Tirost says, "Nor me."

[17:43] You say, "Anyone is welcome to link with me."

[17:43] Harsh quietly says, "Love me some links. The spicy ones."

[17:43] Karthor says, "We'll see whether it turns out to be a great or terrible idea."

[17:43] Saragos says, "Ok, everyone, let's begin. Let's have some quiet, and sit down. Anyone not joined with me may wish to in order to join hands. The physical touch of others sensing the Aether may help."

[17:43] Jycanth says, "We'll be fiiine."

[17:43] Avrenka says, "Experimentation always leads to good things ... even the ones in failure."

[17:43] Zalinyar says, "I can't meditate."

[17:44] Ruea says, "This isn't a "sit down" dress."

[17:44] Jaelia asks Zalinyar, "Do you want me to drop a few candles so you can focus on the flame?"

[17:44] Zalinyar says to Jaelia, "It's just that I'm having a hard time focusing."

[17:44] Gwenddolyn says, "Paladins do not sit."

[17:44] Saragos says, "Everyone. Focus away from your physical senses. Breathe in, and out."

[17:44] Ruea says, "That's the funniest thing I ever heard."

[17:45] Aislynn quietly says to Gwenddolyn, "Paladins need better chairs. I recommend recliners."

[17:45] Jaelia says to Zalinyar, "Focus on the flame. See the fire, Align with the Aether, imagine the fire as aether or such."

[17:45] Gwenddolyn says, "Can't guard and sit."

[17:45] Avrenka says, "Become one with the Aether."

[17:45] Saragos says, "Open yourself up to Aether. Look for where you sense the mana, where your spell patterns lie. Sense the flow and ebb of it around you, the web that is the foundation of our world."

[17:45] Avrenka says, "I am one with the Aether, and the Aether is with me."

[17:45] Aislynn quietly says to Gwenddolyn, "Hmm. Bar stool, then? Those are pretty.. Oh, we're meditating."

[17:46] Tekhelet says, "The mana streams are intense here."

[17:46] Saragos says, "Open yourself up to Aether. Look for where you sense the mana, where your spell patterns lie. Sense the flow and ebb of it around you, the web that is the foundation of our world. Sense the fissure that's in our room. Reach through your attunement. Try to see with your other sight."

[17:46] Elurora quietly says to Rileos, "You're not supposed to think so hard it hurts."

[17:46] Jycanth says, "Not sure if it matters, but the planar conditions seem overwhelmingly detrimental to casting Aether spells."

[17:47] Saragos says, "Prepare yourself to see the pulse. I will reach for a small mount of Aether from the fissure and push it outwards on the web."

[17:49] Saragos asks, "Anyone get anything?"

[17:49] Avrenka says, "I feel ... a little hungry."

[17:49] Hamuk says, "Just the slow pulsing of my attunement."

[17:50] Zalinyar says to Saragos, "Besides the breaking glass/."

[17:50] Aislynn quietly asks, "Anyone else need a snack?"

[17:50] Avrenka says, "Oh gods, eel."

[17:50] Aislynn cheerfully exclaims to Avrenka, "And fig!"

[17:50] Saragos says, "I didn't sense anything either. That was always a possibility. Given the state of magic, I'm not going to risk sending out a stronger pulse. I think we should gather again for the attempt inside of Zengmodaleth when Uryutis is able to be there."

[17:50] Avrenka says to Aislynn, "Yes um ... that was ... delicious! ... thank you ... *cough* ack* ... so much."

[17:51] Karthor says, "There's somethin' to be said fer expert guidance, I s'pose."

[17:51] Avrenka says to Aislynn, "Oh no, thank you, I've had ... enough, I'm actually really full."

[17:51] Saragos says, "Hopefully the practice here will serve us well when we make another attempt, and he can show us what we were doing wrong. Or perhaps it's just a matter of working on our sensitivity."

[17:51] You ask Saragos, "This would be a good time for questions, though, don't you think?"

[17:51] Avrenka asks, "Just one try? Really?"

[17:51] Avrenka says, "Nothing even happened ..."

[17:52] Aislynn quietly exclaims, "Oh, yes. Break it harder!"

[17:52] Jaelia says to Avrenka, "I believe you said that once and a few Vigils later Meraud and Firulf fixed a few things."

[17:52] You say to Avrenka, "It is not the easiest skill to master, especially without Uryutis to guide us."

[17:52] Jaelia says to Avrenka, "Patience."

[17:52] Zalinyar says, "Heck, lets light it up, burn the Aether."

[17:52] Rileos says, "Well, at least it ain't raining."

[17:53] Saragos whispers to your group, "OOC: FWIW, Koror sent an email out that due to changes in his plans he wasn't going to be able to be around for tonight when he originally planned to, so the chances of a GM response were low. That's why I'm not going to belabor this with multiple attempts."

[17:53] Hamuk says, "I like the rain, though."

[17:53] Avrenka whispers to your group, "OOC: oh ... sadge"

[17:53] Avrenka whispers to your group, "OOC: so ... you can do it like ten more times right? No risk!"

[17:53] Zalinyar whispers to your group, "OOC: that makes sense, wrap it up and try again"

[17:53] Saragos says, "I think the fragile state of magic right now makes it not a great idea for me to bludgeon the Aether streams with a huge pulse of mana."

[17:53] Hamuk asks, "Permission to slip back into my comfort alignment?"

[17:53] You whisper to Saragos, "Anyway, I suggest we take some questions?"

[17:54] Saragos says, "But I'm happy to take any questions now. There's a lot I covered about the nature of Aether and Othersight."

[17:54] Jycanth says, "It's alright, simply seeing the steps we intend to take and being more familiar with them is helpful."

[17:54] Aislynn hopefully asks Allye, "Snack?"

[17:54] Jaelia chants in a soprano voice:

[17:54] "Meraud, we seek your blessings. Please guide us in these attempts

[17:54] Firulf find us worthy of this quest, guide us in these attempts"

[17:54] Jaelia says, "They will hear, just be patient."

[17:54] Avrenka says, "Well I'm thankful for the lectures from Uryutis, I learned a lot ... there's almost no literature on Aether or the Aether Plane."

[17:54] Hamuk says to Jaelia, "The quest for knowledge is a noble one to them, I'm sure they'll hear our pleas."

[17:55] Crobin says, "See some of you soon."

[17:55] Tirost says to Saragos, "I'm glad we made the attempt. We should try again, as you mentioned."

[17:55] You quietly say to Ezathiel, "Curious feeling."

[17:55] Avrenka asks Saragos, "Would you know more about the Aether Plane? What is it like, do you know?"

[17:55] Saragos says to Avrenka, "We originally met Uryutis by doing some experiments with Aether because we wanted to understand it better to protect our plane."

[17:55] Hamuk says to Saragos, "I don't even know where I'd begin with questions, but I thank you for the primer."

[17:55] Aislynn quietly says to Jaelia, "The other Immortals might be terribly busy meddling with things They are not best equipped to handle. Which begs the question, of course, of why the Webweaver isn't able to manage this task on Her own."

[17:55] Madigan says, "Just so. Thank you for your efforts Saragos."

[17:55] Saragos says, "You don't learn anything without making an attempt."

[17:55] Buzan says to Saragos, "Thanks for the time and information."

[17:55] Saragos says, "Also, I encourage everyone to attuned Ruea's Blood Ball this evening."

[17:55] Elurora says to Saragos, "Thank you for the lesson at the very least."

[17:55] Avrenka asks, "It seems from the Aether Fissure it looks like chaotic light?"

[17:55] Ruea exclaims, "Thank you so much for that!"

[17:55] Tirost says to Tekhelet, "Thank you, my friend."

[17:56] Ruea says, "I have to steal Ayrell away so we can do some last minute preperations for it but thank you so much for hosting this."

[17:56] Avrenka asks, "If Aether is like the canvas to our paint and colors ... then is the Aether Plane just ... canvas?"

[17:56] Ruea asks Ayrell, "Ready?"

[17:56] Jaelia says, "There we go."

[17:56] Saragos says, "We opened a larger fissure, once, to the Plane of Aether. Though we couldn't go there - not safely."

[17:56] You say, "The Plane of Aether. We believe we glimpsed it, once."

[17:56] Avrenka says to you, "What did it look like? Or sound like."

[17:56] Tirost says to Saragos, "Discussing this makes me miss Perune."

[17:56] Saragos says, "Most Elemental planes don't have space the way we understand it. They're just... Fire. Or Aether."

[17:56] You say, "I wrote about it in the Herald, if you would like to read the full account. Let me find the article."

[17:57] Saragos says, "One person tried to go through the Aether anomaly and instantly ceased to exist."

[17:57] Avrenka says to you, "Yes I am perusing that article now."

[17:57] Hamuk exclaims, "Entirely?!"

[17:57] Allye exclaims, "Take care, everyone!"

[17:57] Saragos says to Tirost, "Very much, yes."

[17:57] Rileos says to Saragos, "So...uhhh...don't do that."

[17:57] Kerennya asks, "LIke walked teh Starry Road, ceased to exist?"

[17:57] Avrenka says, "Take care Polar Bear."

[17:57] You say, "'Warrior Mages and Bards Create Aetheric Anomaly'. 433-09-25."

[17:57] Madigan asks Dantia, "Back North?"

[17:57] Saragos says to Hamuk, "More like instantly collapsed into a single point, but basically."

[17:57] Avrenka says, "I see it, thanks."

[17:57] Hamuk says, "Ouch."

[17:58] Ezerak says, "Wel, thank you for the attempt."

[17:58] Avrenka says, "Fascinating."

[17:58] Hamuk says, "Noting not to do that."

[17:58] Madigan says, "Thanks again Saragos. We need people like you studying this issue."

[17:58] Harsh quietly says, "Thank you for this."

[17:58] Kerennya says to Saragos, "Thank you."

[17:58] Avrenka asks, "If there's alittle Aether in all of us ... what happens when that Aether is taken away?"

[17:58] You say, "A quotation from the article: Now the anomaly presented as a blue-tinted, amorphous sphere that hovered a few feet above the ground, ebbing and flowing with a strange rhythm. Roughly three feet across, it gave off neither heat nor cold, yet seemed to push back at its surroundings with a steady force. No matter the viewing angle, I felt as though I were observing the same side of the sphere, and it seemed almost to skitter back and forth across my vision, my perception struggling to make sense of conflicting information."

[17:58] Miskton says, "Thank you for the attempt, and the explanation of what you're trying to do."

[17:58] Jaelia says to Saragos, "It takes time do not let them distract you from your focus, you are on the right path. Sometimes they are just used to flashier powers too often and need to remember that patience is rewarded more often."

[17:59] You say, "When I closed my eyes to focus upon it, I heard a variety of unexpected sounds. A faint ringing surged into a resonant cacophony, winding along a range of scales before settling into a shifting, single note. The note pulsed in complex ways, the origin clearly the echoes of the area. A vague periodicity emerged in time with the anomaly's slow expansions and contractions, reminiscent of a beating heart. I could tell it was an echoing tunnel bored into our reality, with a brassy overtone and multiple bizarre accompaniments. I could sense what seemed to be a kind of call and response, as the anomaly translated the tones of each side for the other."

[17:59] You say, "Concentrating further, I could hear soothing fundamentals whispering in the distance, though I could not place their origin. Sibilant hissing began to build, drowning out the sounds, as the anomaly continued to pulse."

[17:59] Saragos says to Avrenka, "Well, the Voidspell was an attempt to remove all elements. That was highly destructive, and let the Planar Void in. Very bad. I have a theory that areas where we can't draw magic from, or can't send familiars to areas where the Aether is just a little disrupted, or somehow also warped."

[18:00] Hamuk says, "Much better."

[18:00] You say, "There is a lot more written about the anomaly in the article, but we believe it was a portal to the Plane of Aether."

[18:00] Avrenka asks Saragos, "Is Aether and Void diametrically opposed then?"

[18:00] Karthor says, "Right then, well ya folks take care. An interestin' lecture, if nothin' else."

[18:00] Aislynn whispers, "Which article was that? I want to read more."

[18:01] You say, "'Warrior Mages and Bards Create Aetheric Anomaly'. 433-09-25."

[18:01] Saragos says to Avrenka, "Also, when we opened the portal to the Plane of Electricity, we kind of moved the Aether aside and then wove a stable tunnel of the same stuff. Though that worked to open a portal because we were doing so in a place that already contained an area where the Plane of Electricity was manifesting."

[18:01] You whisper to Aislynn, "OOC: https://elanthipedia.play.net/The_First_Land_Herald/433-09-25"

[18:01] Tekhelet asks Saragos, "Do you know what happened in the Waste North of Riverhaven?"

[18:01] Avrenka says, "Hm."

[18:01] Aislynn quietly asks Tekhelet, "'Zaulfung?"

[18:01] Saragos says to Tekhelet, "My theory is the Voidspell, but nothing direct."

[18:01] You say to Avrenka, "It was quite the experience, weaving our way to another Plane."

[18:02] Hamuk says, "I regret that I was not around for those delvings."

[18:02] Saragos says, "It may be that the reason the Zaulfung is relatively more habitable is because of the Stones forcing the elements into the area, making the leakage of the Void less severe at that point of the breach."

[18:02] You say to Hamuk, "I wrote detailed accountings of them, so I hope that at least they will help."

[18:03] Hamuk says, "I have read some of them, and I thank you for that."

[18:03] Saragos says, "Despite the Zaulfung Stones being far more advanced than we could construct today, I think they're still rather crudely patching up the hole made by the Voidspell."

[18:03] Zalinyar says, "That's an interesting concept."

[18:04] Mahwel says, "Lord Sorrow found out the hard way."

[18:04] Tekhelet asks Saragos, "And you think the void opens they way for the demonic?"

[18:04] Briaen says to Saragos, "I'm afraid I will be unable to attend the Zaulfung experiement. I remain forever unwelcome in the north, despite being embraced by the Immortals themselves."

[18:04] Saragos says to Briaen, "Zengmodaleth, you mean."

[18:04] You say to Tekhelet, "I have said it before, but I believe demons, or at least the greater ones such as Maelshyve, are essentially planes themselves."

[18:04] Hamuk asks, "What, do you think, makes it "crude" despite being an advanced sort of construction?"

[18:04] Tirost says to Briaen, "You can attend with an escort, old friend, though I understand your feelings."

[18:04] Briaen says to Saragos, "Both, as it happens. Given the entrance."

[18:04] Avrenka says to you, "Now there's a thought."

[18:05] Zalinyar says to Briaen, "Many of your kind worship in that swamp, either undetected, or ignored."

[18:05] Avrenka asks you, "... a plane of Hunger, perhaps?"

[18:05] You say to Tekhelet, "But they are attracted to our Plane, yes. So when there is Void, they will attempt to encroach, and the areas that become their domains take on their rules -- just as if they were planes."

[18:05] Briaen says to Zalinyar, "I am wholy unique and unlike of any kind."

[18:05] You say to Avrenka, "You should visit the Soul of Maelshyve. You will see."

[18:05] Avrenka says to you, "I believe she might also have been called Entropy."

[18:06] You say to Avrenka, "Maelshyve turned the Zaulfung to her own set of rules. Within her soul, it is even more apparent that she IS this set of rules, foreign and terrible."

[18:06] Briaen says to Tirost, "I would not suffer a sitter, old friend. Nor would you, if reversed our places were."

[18:06] Saragos says to Hamuk, "Crude, because a real repair of the hole would be to re-knit the Aether lattice and then force the elements back through. But I think they didn't have the kind of knowledge of Aether in Imperial times that we do now, and certainly they never tried anything like we did, using Bards to guide the weaving of Warrior Mages with their more precise senses."

[18:07] You say to Avrenka, "We defeated her by blasting her with a device designed to force the rules of our Abiding plane upon her."

[18:07] Aislynn quietly asks, "I wonder if we can wander into the souls of our Immortals? Could we walk in Harawep's realm?"

[18:07] Avrenka asks you, "Do you know what rules she imposed?"

[18:07] Hamuk says to Saragos, "Thank you for the considered answer."

[18:07] Saragos says to Hamuk, "I think of it like plugging a hole in a dam with whatever's handy as opposed to actually repairing it properly."

[18:07] Hamuk says, "That makes sense."

[18:07] Tirost says to Briaen, "It's true that I'm prideful, but if you were to stand at my side, I would allow it - at least, I hope I would, if I could provide the sort of insight that you could."

[18:07] You say to Avrenka, "It's hard to describe, easier to see in person. But I did write a detailed accounting of that battle as well, if you are interested."

[18:07] Miskton says to Avrenka, "Space certainly operates in different ways than we would normally expect."

[18:07] Hamuk says, "I'm so much more a practical mage than theoretical or scholarly."

[18:08] You say, "'Death Blow to a Demon.' 430-09-35."

[18:08] You whisper to Avrenka, "OOC: https://elanthipedia.play.net/The_First_Land_Herald/430-09-35"

[18:08] Tirost says to you, "Great title."

[18:08] You say, "Thank you."

[18:08] Avrenka says to Saragos, "According to your notes on Uryutis, he said "Collaborations with Moon Mages entering or exiting from the Astral Plane reveals a framework of Aether, which I believe confirms my hypothesis that the Plane of Aether has suffused throughout the other Planes, making them possible. I don't believe it is merely my sensory bias - Aether is everywhere that isn't the Void."

[18:08] Saragos says to you, "I think that you're right. It may be true with all "big" extraplanar beings that they operate partially like a being and partially like a place. Almost like it's a giant that we could go inside."

[18:08] You say to Hamuk, "There is nothing wrong with being practical."

[18:08] Avrenka says, "So ... Aether is opposed to Void, diametrically so."

[18:09] Tirost says to Avrenka, "That is my understanding also."

[18:09] Avrenka asks, "But ... the Demon seemed to be sentient ... can planes be sentient?"

[18:09] Hamuk says to you, "I think it mostly means I have a lot of reading to do."

[18:09] You ask Avrenka, "Is there something that indicates to you they could not be?"

[18:10] Avrenka says to you, "Well it's interesting that there's a Plane of Aether, and yet it suffuses all of non-Void existence."

[18:10] Avrenka asks you, "If it forms the backbone of everything ... why is there a Plane of it?"

[18:10] Saragos says to Avrenka, "Maybe they can be? What the Bulwark is is an open question. I've theorized that the Bulwark helps to maintain our mixture of mana and influences in this plane in addition to the Aether, but I have no idea *what* it actually is."

[18:10] Tirost asks Hamuk, "Do you plan on traveling north for the Blood Ball, Hamuk?"

[18:10] You say, "Allow me to quote also from Religions of Elanthia."

[18:10] Avrenka says, "I thought Planes were supposed to be fixed separate places."

[18:10] Hamuk says to Avrenka, "I was just about to posit whether it was a plane at all, actually."

[18:11] Hamuk says to Tirost, "I hadn't planned to, no."

[18:11] You say, "'Out of the Void came into being the One, who joined with the Void. They created children, the Planes, each separated by uncrossable boundaries. Because of this, the Void shed tears, and each tear created a new life form. The One filled these forms with his own essence. These beings became the Immortals (the god Urrem'tier contained less of the One and more of the Void than any other god, and so Urrem'tier is vastly different than the other twelve Immortals). The One had given up too much of himself, and could no longer survive, and the Void was now filled with gods and Planes, and her own existence ended.'."

[18:11] Miskton says, "The elemental planes are not the only place in which their elements can be found, in general."

[18:11] Hamuk says, "I'm not dressed for blood and guts."

[18:11] Saragos says to Avrenka, "They are separate places, but they can also abut our plane in particular points."

[18:11] Tirost says to Hamuk, "Fair enough."

[18:12] Tirost says to Hamuk, "Your company would be most welcome, however, whatever your dress."

[18:12] Jaelia says, "I will be heading up."

[18:12] Hamuk says to Tirost, "Thank you. If I am able to make the trip, I certainly will."

[18:12] You say to Hamuk, "I won't be dressing for blood and guts, myself. I'll be dressing fabulously."

[18:12] Avrenka asks, "But the Aether Plane seems to be special ... I'm assuming we do not see Fire in the Earth Plane? And yet we see Aether in the Fire Plane?"

[18:13] Saragos says, "Anyway, to finish my thought, the Bulwark may be somehow our plane imbued with some sort of sentience? Who knows."

[18:13] Ezathiel pleasantly says to Saragos, "Thank you for a most provocative and intriguing lecture. I have lots to ponder but now I must make my way south. Safe paths to you."

[18:13] Jaelia says, "So I think it is about time, if you all are welcome to join I'd be happy to see you even if you leave a bit early. Always good to show support as groups for as much as we can in these days, other obligations aside of course."

[18:13] Jaelia says, "Thank you both, I understand a lot of things much better."

[18:13] Tirost says to Saragos, "Interesting notion."

[18:13] Jaelia exclaims, "To the North!"

[18:13] You say to Saragos, "Yes, fascinating."

[18:13] Jaelia says, "I will see others of you... soon."

[18:13] Hamuk says to Jaelia, "Thank you for your prayer earlier."

[18:13] Jaelia says to Hamuk, "What what."

[18:13] You say, "Anyway. I should go and change."

[18:13] Saragos says, "Likewise."

[18:13] Tirost says, "I should take my leave as well."

[18:13] Avrenka says, "Have fun yall."

[18:13] Jaelia says to Hamuk, "It is a specialty of mine, I hope it helps a bit though. But always welcome."

[18:13] Saragos says, "The rest of you, thank you for coming."

[18:14] You say, "Thank you everyone for coming, listening, asking questions. If you want to know more, you may always seek me out."

[18:14] Belzor says, "Thank you for sharing your wisdom."

[18:14] Tirost says to Briaen, "Please consider coming, Briaen."

[18:14] You say, "Mr. Huns is not attending? Is it because..."

[18:14] You whisper to Briaen, "Therengia?"

[18:14] Briaen says, "I'm not welcome, yes."

[18:14] Tirost says, "Not the ball, but Zaulfung and Zengmodaleth."

[18:14] Belzor asks, "Why is that?"

[18:15] You say, "I think you should come to Zengmodaleth. We may need you."

[18:15] Hamuk says to Saragos, "Thank you for the education and the attempt. This has been illuminating, even if I had to abandon my alingment."

[18:15] Briaen says to Belzor, "It appears that the north would deny even the most faithful of followers entrance. Haven't you heard? Those who are of faith are unwelcome in the whole of Therengia."

[18:15] Hamuk says, "Alignment."

[18:15] You say, "But I really must go. My outfit will take a while."

[18:15] Saragos says, "Glad to host it. Thank you for coming."

[18:15] Belzor says, "This is all new to me. I am still trying to figure things out."

[18:15] Miskton says to Avrenka, "Some of the elemental planes, I think it's difficult to talk about "seeing" anything in them at all, as some of them are singularities."