The First Land Herald/430-01-28
| Article Number: 11 |
| Dateline: 430-01-28 |
| MAGICAL MIND-SWAP REVERSED The following story was witnessed in its entirety by myself, Shannera Sheikah-Inukuro, and I report here directly what transpired. As I was out hunting, an unusual thought came across the gweth from Saragos: "I am looking for scholars and mages, particularly of the mind or the spirit. I will be hosting a discussion at Taelbert's bar starting in a few minutes, and I will need some opinions on a magical malady." Intrigued, I made my way to Taelbert's Inn. Upon my arrival I met Saragos and Navesi, with others arriving soon after, including Angel, Sereze and Ledia. The Necrolord Totenus was also present. It soon became clear to me that those suffering from the malady were Saragos, Navesi, Angel, Sereze, and Ledia, who were all clearly in pain, wincing and rubbing their heads. Totenus left soon after everyone had arrived, but I later confirmed with Navesi that he too was suffering and the unusual nature of the disease meant that he was not his usual threat. The malady itself was some kind of mind-switching between individuals (see Navesi’s article from 430-01-10). Those afflicted complained of horrible headaches and a ringing in the ears. Navesi turned to me in pain, telling me of it. But I quickly learned Navesi was not Navesi, but Saragos! Saragos and Navesi had "swapped" minds; Angel, Sereze and Ledia had been switched so that within Angel's body was the mind of Sereze, Sereze's body was inhabited by Ledia's mind, and Ledia's body had the mind of Angel inside! (Note: I will henceforth be referring to participants by the mind who is acting, not the body.) I quickly offered to sing an enchante to try to ease their minds, hoping to spare them even a little pain from the splitting headaches. They took me up on my offer and I sang Hodierna's Lilt. Navesi later told me that my enchante did provide some relief. Moon Mage Traim arrived, apologizing for his lateness. He explained that he had been researching possible remedies for the problem in question and had come up with three different plans to remedy the situation: The first option was that they could sacrifice themselves to a dark god. Thus the spirit would be separated from the body and, with the proper appropriations to the gods, should be driven back to its rightful home. They could also attempt to realign the minds with the appropriate bodies though an esoteric process Traim had devised, involving manipulating the threads of Fate connected to each person. His idea was to briefly disconnect the bodies from their Fates, so that when that Fate returned, the mind might find its way to the right body. Finally, Traim feared that the final option would be to turn to Necromancers, whom he believed might be able to tamper with their corpses to try to reverse the issue with what Traim felt was a limited expectation of success. I was then overcome by a vision that assaulted my mind, clouding out reality. I found myself kneeling at the bedside of a Kaldaran man, his face marked by the lines of a man who is stern and discerning -- yet now it was slack and faintly purple. As I clutched at his lifeless hand, great feelings of sorrow and loss welled within me, warring with anger. As I told the group of my vision, Saragos surmised that their minds were now leaking into other people, suggesting that what I saw was some piece of memory from one of the afflicted. They knew at this point that they must act quickly. The Necromantic option was immediately (and rightfully) rejected by the group. Initially, the group chose to place their faith in the gods, however they were unable to find a suitable Cleric to perform the ritual. With time pressing on and the searing headaches becoming more powerful, they held another short debate. It was decided that they would attempt to return the minds to the right bodies using the Fate-based ritual, which would be performed by Traim. We headed to the Hilltop Cemetery, where we gathered in front of an imposing marble crypt. Traim revealed a sphere of blackened moonsilver, which would need to be held by those attempting to return to their right bodies. Traim explained that while he worked the necessary magic, those touching the sphere should be concentrating on their strongest emotions while trying to reconnect to their physical selves. Originally, Traim suggested concentrating on their greatest fears, but Sereze brought up the possibility that a focus on what the person truly loves might also help to realign the minds. Everyone present agreed to try to focus on both fears and loves. Saragos and Navesi went first. They placed their hands on the blackened moonsilver sphere and centered themselves while Traim began his work, drawing a patterned circle in what appeared to be different colors of sand. As he gestured first at Saragos, and then Navesi, the color seeped from the world and left the area cloaked in monotone shadow. A vivid purple glow lingered around their forms. Then the world rapidly resaturated with color. The pair before us focused on their deepest fears and the things they loved as they held the sphere between them. Then Traim traced the lines of his circle backwards, erasing the patterns. A faint glow diffused throughout the circle, growing to a vibrant multicolored hue that slowly faded, taking the circle with it. I glanced at Traim at that moment, who looked peaceful as the circle vanished. Suddenly, Navesi gasped and Saragos took in a painful breath of air. Then both collapsed to the ground. I held my breath. Navesi groaned and sat up, then Saragos. The spell was a success: Saragos was Saragos again, and Navesi was Navesi. It was clear that both were disoriented, Navesi more so than Saragos. Saragos suggested he use electricity to shock Navesi’s system, which had a positive effect of bringing her back to herself more quickly. Traim encouraged Ledia, Angel, and Sereze to quickly follow suit, and in short order they too were put right again. The implications of this discovery are profound. I can only imagine with horror the consequences if knowledge of how to afflict this sickness were to fall into the wrong hands. This Bard will keep her fingers crossed that such power remains shrouded in mystery. May the truth bring you wisdom. Shannera Sheikah-Inukuro |
| Real Date: Unknown Date |
| Subject(s): Angel Cleric Hodierna's Lilt Immortals Kaldar Ledia Moonsilver Navesi Necromancer Saragos Taelbert's Inn Totenus Traim |
| Author(s): Shannera |