futurology | video; username: julius

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video; username: julius

Hello everyone. My name is Julius Visconti.

Allow me to take this opportunity to formally thank all of you. I was held in prison for some time along with some others. I understand how much trouble you went through just to aid us.

There isn't a lot I can do to repay the favor. For that I apologize.

[He bows his head down in apology.]

I promise that I'll work even harder from now. [It's the least he can do around here. Julius isn't going to waste his time.]

On another note, I'd like to ask you all a question.

What do you know about magic? I've been intrigued by its concept and origins for some time, yet I hardly know anything. Magic is a difficult thing for me to grasp. I'd appreciate it if we could sit down and discuss it in detail.

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It could be related to both. In my world not every race can use magic, but every race which can, can use blood magic.

( she smiles, briefly, and offers a nod in acknowledgement. this world is strange, and interesting, though she isn't sure they'll ever figure much of it out. that isn't strictly necessary to accomplishing what they need to to restore peace. )

Well, where I come from, there're several forms of magic, the most common being the magic that comes from a mage using her mana and special connection with the Fade to draw from the spirits who reside there. There's also blood magic and Blight magic, but the former shouldn't be practised and the latter is--( a pause; what chased her family out of their home, and hard to accurately explain to anyone who hasn't seen the Corruption first hand. ) weird. And relatively rare, but it spreads like a disease and can destroy anything living, including the land itself. Blood magic comes from the power held innately within life's blood but requires sacrifices. Naturally, they're often unwilling ones. Blight magic comes from the folly of man trying to approach the Maker, Ages ago, when they set foot into and corrupted the Golden City. Basically, it comes from some people who had egos so big, they almost broke the world.

Magic is often dangerous, yes, but it's just a tool as any other. It requires one to be diligent and controlled but it can accomplish some pretty handy things.

Blood magic sounds unruly and dangerous as you said. It shouldn't be used recklessly. [He imagines disasters happening at the flick of a finger. It's not a pretty sight, though he does keep everything in mind and absorbs the new information with care.]

Thoughtless use of magic could result in many deaths including death of the wielder themselves. [It's all so crazy, but magic is definitely real and it's something that Julius must acknowledge. He nods.]

You're quite right. Tools should be used responsibly whether it would be magic or something more commonly found.

Just as unruly and dangerous as people can be, to be sure. It shouldn't be used at all because no-one is above temptation. ( she says this last part fairly plainly; it's something she's come to believe is essentially true in the same way the statement 'water is wet' is also true. )

That's true as well. It's also possible for a mage to cast herself to death if she's not being careful.

If there's not magic in your world, what other tools are there that are 'more commonly found'? Machines?

You're correct. [Nods.]

Technology overrides most of my world. Magic's been lost and there are no records of it to be found. [To be honest, he's been exposed to magic for a while now. It makes him curious.]

I would have to say that the closest thing we have to magic is the Power of Blood. Only a few individuals have the potential to unlock it. It's basically a manifestation of willpower.

[He explains to Marian what kind of forces exist in his world.]

I hear that magic requires a great deal of concentration. In that regard I'd say it's similar.

If there's no records of it, how do you know it's been lost? I mean, once it's found, it doesn't seem like something that's easy to ever forget. ( that seems a little strange to her; sure, their written records from even a thousand years ago aren't so clear, but a major detail like magic and how to use it fading from the collective conscious is hard to imagine, no matter how many people would no doubt want it. )

They certainly sound similar. But it's basically genetic, isn't it? The Force school of magic is somewhat similar, it relies mostly on harnessing your willpower. Like you said, magic requires a great deal of concentration and focus, which this school really does. The spells I know from this school are some of the few I can perform here at the same proficiency as I can at home.

Where I'm from most of civilization has been destroyed by a god. It is possible for magical records to exist under all those ruins.
[There's the City of Mercy. It's practically all rubble now. Who even knows what life was like before the gods came and ruined everything? His eyes narrow at that. Julius wonders if there's any magic users in his time. ]

You can't be certain without proof though. [Too bad they can't exactly send people out for a search party and see if anything magical related remains still.]

Your abilities haven't been affected in any way since we arrived here. How have you been utilizing your magic? Do you mind if I inquire further?

( wrathful as this god obviously it is, it's at least interesting to hear of another world where gods exist, much less get involved in the affairs of the world. the idea of a world not having gods at all--as some here apparently are from--is something she's still trying to wrap her mind around. ) Right. And there're more important things to do than digging through rubble looking for some pieces of paper. What happened, did someone try and one-up him?

( she nods, briefly, appreciating that he thought to be so sensitive about it. who doesn't like that? ) No, not at all. I have been able to do some magic, at least the kinds that don't require too much borrowed strength from the Fade. That's probably it--the Fade just doesn't exist here. I also haven't been dreaming. Though I have been getting some really solid sleep. That's something.

[Thankfully it's not like that. No one really upset the godly being in the first place. It's just the way things are.]

The gods I know destroy things by nature. It's the only thing they're capable of doing. [Similar to how humans need to breathe to function. These gods just break everything on instinct.]

It must be alarming to have all of these changes happen to you so suddenly. Adjusting to it sounds rather difficult.

[You need to be aware of what you can and can't do. ]

Not all of them, surely. Don't you have a creator or Maker? ( how else does a world start? also who else would sit on a cloud throne and judge the lowly humans, etc. )

Well. ( she looks down, away, for a moment. then kind of just shrugs. ) We're all going through adjustments. The important thing is doing a good job now. Though you're taking it rather well, I must say. All of this. A lot of people seem to be, even now, sure that magic isn't real. Have to hand it to them, though, that kind of stubbornness takes a lot of energy.

People did worship a god similar to the one you're describing before.

[Julius does remember visiting the fallen church in the middle of a desolated city. The people who went to that place likely praised a true holy god and not a being of destruction.]

It's like you say not all of them were dangerous. Most of them were though.

[Humanity doesn't do so well against huge threats man.]

I suppose you're right. They can choose believe what they like. If they decide that magic isn't real then so be it. [It's more of their loss.]

What, before he left? Or maybe got tired of his job? Or something else entirely only his ineffable mind can understand. ( she laughs, seemingly amused, but also a tiny titch weary. ) I guess they're all a lot like humans, finding being massively unpleasant a good use of their time. Ah, well. ( she waves a hand dismissively. )

Though it can be rather troublesome. At least you're asking and willing to understand. I'm not sure how we're actually going to do our job unless we can figure out a way to undo the spell. ( oh ye little faith/scientific expertise. )

Indeed. Other people here should be just as willing to accept new possibilities as I am.

That's something we'll have to figure out for ourselves. No one will do it for us. I don't want to find out what should happen if we were to fail this mission.

[Will Chantes be in darkness forever without a sun of their own? ALASTAIR forced them to work but even Julius understands that these people need help. He's willing to go along with it for now.]

Or at least listen. I mean, really, what else could explain the disappearance of an entire sun?

Worse comes to worse, there won't be anything else for the two sides to fight over. Already it's pretty pointless, not that it matters or anything. As for our role--well. Were you one of the ones initially 'recruited' by ALASTAIR?

I was with the group who showed up here initially, yes. [Nodding.]

We're making some progress, but it's incredibly difficult for us to be efficient and work as a group when we don't even know who our allies are.

[It'll be fine. They've run into some pitfalls but they've managed to get out of it each time so far..]

The way you say that, it sounds like you don't consider our initial employers our allies. ( well, obviously, considering what happened. )

I don't see why everyone isn't. Besides for one obviously radical element who's actually the problem, no-one should be unwilling, or unable, to work with us. Maybe they want an apology?

To some extent, yes. [Julius sounds slightly uncertain when he responds. He's formed some opinions about this place but he'll keep standing on his toes.]

Maybe. It's hard to discern the truth from our perspectives alone. Our problems are present, but we don't have answers to them. Do you think we should keep better track of things that go on around here?

[No one even knows what happened before the initial recruits came. That in itself is kind of a problem.]

( she notices, but then she's not really in a place to comment on this herself. honestly, it's all a great headache, and what she really wants to do is just magic the sun back if only she could. then try and get the stupid humans and goblins to negotiate which, she's sure, they'll be more willing to do when a bit of sunlight and relief puts everyone into a better mood.

as for the half-breeds, well. you can't solve every problem, you can only ask people to not be total dicks to each other for things they can't help. ) It would help us do our job, so sure, but I don't think focussing on politics first will get us where we need to be. I think we would have more success trying to get answers out of the goblins and those who can use the goblin-magic, and who're likely to have been consorting with whatever gods Michel said were talking to him. It's pretty obvious what's behind all this.

So you'd like to see us approach this by looking into the magical aspects rather than the political ones.

I'll try talking to some of the goblins here. Within a few days I'll contact you if I manage to get any information.

May I have your name? [Getting Hawke's name is probably important. How else is Julius going to contact her later!]

Until there's a better alternative, yes. ( which she doesn't think is likely, but. who knows? foresight isn't her strong suit. )

Sounds good. I've been thinking of venturing over into 'enemy' territory, but there's been a few things I've needed to take care of otherwise before setting out on another adventurous task.

Hawke. ( he'll have to forgive her, it's still a bit strange for her to have to introduce herself. noble blood aside, she's rather notorious at home these days so introductions are few and far between. ) Yours is Julius, I presume?

You would be right about that. It's an honor to meet you Hawke. [Julius seems to have found someone competent to speak with. Hawke has taught him quite a lot already. He appears to be comfortable speaking with her despite the fact that they just met a moment ago.]

Well, if you're planning on going somewhere dangerous it wouldn't hurt to be careful. Please stay safe.

Likewise. I look forward to working together. ( she smiles because she means it. he's direct and she likes that kind of thing; his apparent manners also don't hurt. though she'd laugh a bit if he called her competent, she'd appreciate his compliment, able to trust that it was truly meant. )

Well, to be fair, things tend to turn dangerous around me. ( a slight shrug. ) But I'll do my best. I don't want to endanger the mission when so many are counting on us. What great motivation, honestly.

The question is does trouble come to you or do you make trouble? [Julius laughs a little.]

Ignore that thought. I'm just thinking to myself out loud. That's great.

You understand that all of us need you for this mission.

( no way is she letting that go. and she's not sorry, either, who doesn't want to have a bit of fun? she's glad he's capable of jokes even in such a serious conversation. it makes things easier. )

Now that is the question. I'm sure it depends on whom you ask.

( she shakes her head a bit. ) Just as sure as I need everyone else. You can be a bloody Champion, but you still need your companions to actually get anything done.

Agreed. One man can't accomplish so much in the end. You'll need help from others to see any significant changes.

Well, I know I'll be counting on you from here on out. [Plus it helps to have another set of eyes from someone you can trust. Hawke is someone Julius is ready to rely on.]

Change? ( she laughs, though not derisively. ) That's definitely something that requires a lot of help.

Same. For what it's worth, I've got your back whenever you'll have me. ( it's always a little strange to her when anyone seems to trust her, but it's still gratifying. and she means what he says; he doesn't seem like a nonsensical type of guy. )

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