@BURGERKING— @ALL

[dipolar]

I understand some of you are reluctant to change your names or use a different moniker when we make the drop in 1916's Gallipoli. If you're not from a standardized Earth, I suggest you reconsider. If you need assistance, I'll assign you one myself. You don't have to consider them names but codenames to be discarded after we return to BASE.

An example of this: Rider is now Kale. I told him I would notify you all of this alteration.

Think wisely about the impact small things could have on a timeline. They add up and any amount of skepticism brought about by our foolishness is too much. Thanks.

Comments

[excelsus]

I tell you, you tell your friends, the next thing I know it'll be just like old times

old annoying times

you can't tell, but I am laughing. they spend so much time underground that they might as well be fairtales to be perfectly honest.

[dipolar]

Understood. I won't pry.

Noctis says to show you're laughing over text messages, you say LMAO. What are they like in person? The Varric one sounds irritating.

[excelsus]

Varric isn't all bad, aside from being a tricksey bastard at times. He gambles and that I can appreciate.

Dwarves in general? I suppose it depends, surface dwarves are more practical and less rigid than their underground dwelling brethren. Many of which have never seen the sky and believe that you could fall into the sky if you leave. I've not once fallen into the sky in my experience. They have pride, a great deal of pride, but their pride eclipses them more often than not, condescending to other races while boasting of their own superiority. Granted that's common in a lot of places.

And they're short.

[dipolar]

Sounds like a summary the human race, except that bit about living underground and falling into the sky. I wouldn't recommend it, it's not particularly pleasant.

Thanks for the info, though. Do you like the dwarves? What are you?

[excelsus]

you're probably right, most human societies are not completely different, on the surface, but they have unique social quirks that are distinctly their own. We could go on for quite some time about the subject.

I've no problem with dwarves, personally, I'm not certain I would survive as one...but I hardly fit in anyway. The allure of pariahhood is too strong. I'm human though...well I am a mage and in some places you cannot be both.

[dipolar]

I just mean to say that everyone's typically a prideful fool. It's a universal constant.

I would consider being a mage a profession of a human. Why is it you can't be both?

[excelsus]

I suppose that's true as well.

In my world human's, elves, and qunari can all be born as mages. depending on where you are in the world you stop being any of these things and are simply seen as a mage when you come into your magic.

Like when saliva leaves your mouth it becomes spit.

in the south you're rounded up and typically spend the rest of you life in a circle of magi.

among the qun you're leashed and your mouth is sewn shut.

the southern chantry expedites this by espousing the evils and dangers of mages, we're abominations who practice blood magic.

Can a mage be a danger? It's true, but no more dangerous than anyone else with too much power.

[dipolar]

I can relate, if only a bit. Humans fear Contractors for what we can do and both sides are guilty in trying to wipe each other out. We're monsters to them.

But any man is as dangerous as the next. It's intelligence that's a truly intimidating weapon.

What all can you do, with "blood magic"?

[excelsus]

Seems we have a thing or two in common. I won't sit here and pretend that mages are not dangerous, if my homeland is anything to base one's judgment by, we can be corrupt...but no more corrupt than any other country run by those who posses no magic.

Most of the fear comes from southern rhetoric.

So it is as you say, magic is dangerous just as a sword is dangeous, it's what lies at the heart of every individual.

I will start off by saying that I was taught this: blood magic is the last resort of a weak mind.

Blood magic isn't inherently evil, what's the harm in using your own blood or that of a willing participant. The problem is this, what is permitted only gets you so much power, what if you need more. This leads to sacrificial blood magic and demon summoning...bloo magic can get you...anything you want. It can achieve anything you can imagine, give you a leg up, boost you where needed...but the more you want the greater the sacrifices. Prices must always be paid.

[dipolar]

So you use blood magic? Your own blood, or the sacrificial blood of others?

(look, he's gotta ask.)

[excelsus]

I don't use blood magic at all, it's a slippery slope and I've a stronger mind than that.

[dipolar]

Understood. Blood should be the end of things. You hurt them, they bleed, they die. That's it.

Unless they power you, or do what bodies normally do.

[excelsus]

It does depend on how much blood we're talking about here. A little bit of blood, no harm done, but once you get into sacrifices then you see the death.

Something one must avoid is the sacrifices.

[dipolar]

Death is fine. It's the tampering with the soul. They should be left where they belong.

[excelsus]

as a Necromancer, temporary tampering is somewhat unavoidable.

[dipolar]

What do you mean by temporary?

[excelsus]

Long enough to defeat my enemies I suppose.

Here is how it works: a group of cretins attack me I manage to kill a few of them, I can ressurect their...souls, spirits, whatever you like. They help me fight off of the rest of their cretin friends, and then off they pop to the fade.

It's the least they could do after trying to kill me, yes?

[dipolar]

Sure, I have nothing against disturbing the dead. So long as the soul's released after the fact.

Those have places to go.

[excelsus]

I've no need of them beyond that point, where would I keep them all honestly?

[dipolar]

That's my question. If you don't, then it's fine.

[excelsus]

Souls I can't use, but energy from the dead is something I can re-purpose and absorb.

[dipolar]

I see. Then I look forward to seeing what you can do. Preferably not during our mission where magic is barred.

Is there anything else you need from me?

[excelsus]

Sadly, I cannot promise to keep my magic completely barred, it would be like asking me to stop breathing.

Nothing jumps out at me. No.

[dipolar]

You'll have to hold your breath, unfortunately.

Our correspondence is at an end. I'll see you in the trenches.