dreamcrystals | open 💀 third recording

Beat's heart is in the right place, but I'm afraid he lacks the vocabulary to elaborate. I'm the curator of the archives, which means I spend much of my time reviewing submissions. In the waking world, I was a scholar specializing in the undead and magical corruption. My whole life has been dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. It goes a bit beyond "liking reading."

[ You reading this, Beat?? ]

I see you are trying to get a better understanding, so I thought I might provide specifics. [ He sees Ienzo's not interested and it's fine, honestly. IT'S MORE THAN "LIKING BOOKS," BEAT. ]

That's quite fascinating! In the system of magic that your world is familiar with, are the 'undead' a subset of 'magical corruption' - or are these two different categories that you had studied?

I appreciate that, thank you. I admit that I am a researcher myself, and I am spoiled by this dream in that I get to learn so much about so many other worlds I've never encountered before.

Isn't it fascinating? The simple act of speaking with another brings to mind possibilities beyond the constraints of what I was familiar with at home. Compiling raw data to see how one's experiences interacts with Songerein's native environment has been so fulfilling. If this sort of thing interests you, I suggest you stop by the archives sometime. Even if I'm not there, my staff is dedicated and knowledgeable and would be more than willing to help you. And to answer your question, yes and no. My field of expertise was specifically corruption wrought by a dragon whose magical domain was of death, and one particular effect of its corruption was raising the dead as mindless minions under its control. I came across other types of undead in my research, but I did not read too much into it as it I was most interested in draconic corruption, specifically.

I would like that very much, thank you kindly for your invitation. I hope I won't end up wearing out my welcome. I've been told that once I've gotten my hands on a trove of new material, I can become entirely absorbed by it. Honestly, I'm looking forward to it.

Interesting. So a dragon within this context is a being of magic? Rather than another species of fauna particular to your world, that is to say. Was the corruption something that twisted its nature, causing it to act on its own - or was the corruption an effort to control it, raising its army on the whim of another?

No such thing. We get daily visitors, and the building is open at all hours to accommodate those with odd schedules. We'd be happy to have you.

[ Moving on-- SORRY IMMEDIATELY FOR THE LORE DUMP. ]

In a sense, yes. The Elder Dragons are primordial beings - while they have physical forms, and can be seen, touched, and fought, they are a part of nature itself, and have existed as a key part to my world's magic cycle for millennia. The energy they exude spreads beyond its conscious control and corrupts almost all that come into contact with it. Those turned by these energies are then directed by the dragon's latent instincts, often to destroy and consume all not already in the dragon's grasp. That said, given the potency of draconic corruption, studying it is hazardous, and often fatal, even with advances in modern technology. The awakening of the dragons is an omen of worldwide destruction - my purpose was to undo the undead dragon's corruption and cleanse the land that had fallen to it. That was my part in our fight against the dragons. I apologize for such a long-winded answer. I hope it's to your satisfaction.

Please, don't apologize!

[ Ienzo was smiling so hard at his journal that his face hurt a little. ]

That's fascinating. Please, anything you're willing to share, I'm happy to learn. Though perhaps we should talk in person about it sometime.

So, in a way, these dragons are avatars for the fundamental forces within your world. Being such intense fonts of power, they would naturally affect the land and creatures around them. Become extensions of them.

No wonder studying them must be dangerous.

Have you learned what had caused the corruption to begin with? I would think that knowing how it all began might give you a clue as to how to prevent such corruption from occurring again.

As the undead dragon awakened, it began to exert its influence on the land around it. The former human kingdom it had made its home had been so thoroughly tainted that the illness had essentially become a part of the land's lifeblood itself. Luckily, however, any illness can be countered with the proper medicine, and I am pleased to inform you that I was successful in my plight. The corruption was undone, and the dragon was slain. No longer will its reach spread, and what remains of its influence will slowly be whittled away.

[ If only he could see all that for himself. ]

It was a decades-long process, one that took my entire life. But I am more than happy to discuss details with you in person - I doubt there would be any room left in my notebook if I were to start writing down all the nitty-gritty.

[ That's a joke, because the notebook is technically infinite. ]

But what had caused the dragon to awaken?

... Forgive me, I'm forgetting myself. I'm very pleased to hear that the illness was treatable, and that you were able to quell the blight that had tormented that land. Even if it had become your life's work - it sounded like a worthy calling.

If you have the patience for all of my questions, I'd be delighted to speak with you in person sometime. And, of course, you should feel free to sate your curiosity by asking me anything you'd like in turn.

The natural magical cycle of our world, unfortunately. The dragons awaken every ten thousand years or so to gorge themselves on magic, before returning to slumber. Magic consumed slowly seeps out, and when enough has left their beings, they reawaken. We were simply unfortunate enough to have been born into a time where the dragons were awakening. But yes - that is all in the past now. You'll have to forgive me, as I'll ramble on and on if I've no one or nothing to stop me. We should meet to discuss further. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. And I can tell by your questions, your manner of thought that you are a scholar of sorts as well. I would love to know what you specialized in, and if you're willing to share details.

Don't apologize. I invited your explanation, and as curious as I am, I'm the last person who would stop you at all. This is fascinating, believe me.

I am a scholar, true - a researcher and scientist. My research has been incredibly broad for much of my life, studying various worlds and their magic - especially when it concerns hearts. The light or darkness within them can both influence various phenomena as well as attract them. When I had begun my research, it was rather specifically focused on the darkness within hearts.

Now, however, I am more avidly focused on restoring worlds and studying how light returns to them. The ground work, if you will, is done by other individuals - but the information I can gather and the conclusions I draw is the support I provide for them.

Fascinating. It sounds to me as though your expertise would be quite useful in analyzing the effects of dream and nightmare on the spirits of those residing here in Reverein. Have you encountered much in the way of similarities or correlation? Or does light/dark reflect on the heart differently than dream/nightmare? Your research spans worlds! I insist we set aside some time to meet and discuss this - humans traversing worlds (assuming you are human, and my apologies if you are not) has been of a personal interest of mine since arriving here, and I would like nothing more than to gain greater insight into the phenomenon from an expert.

Do you really think so? That's encouraging. This place on paper would be similar to the 'Dreaming Worlds' my friends had explored - but to be honest, the similarities end there. There's been phenomena here that are far different, and this place also lacks some key features of those worlds they explored.

But, you're correct; on the subject of light and darkness, there are similarities in that they influence dreams. It's not a direct correlation, mind you. Emotions are not 'good' or 'bad', even if we dislike them or they're painful. And these dreams seem to be influenced more fundamentally on emotions. That's what my preliminary research thus far seems to have uncovered.

But light and darkness are different than emotion. Like anything, emotions can drive them - but light and darkness are more about ... choices, more or less. What one does with their fear, or their excitement. One can be very afraid and be filled with light, deciding to work towards helping others - or one can be confident and excited and hurt others instead.

That's a rather simplistic way of putting it - by in large, all people have a mix of both darkness and light in their hearts. It's how that mixture tips in one direction or another that can influence the world around them to a great extent.

... Ah, now I have gotten far more into the weeds in my explanation. Forgive me. I am human indeed. It seems there is much for us to discuss in the future.

So it is not a one-to-one similarity, which is both simultaneously disappointing and invigorating. It would help our understanding of dream/nightmare if it were, but the prospect that these properties are unique to those of other worlds' is just as exciting, and warrants its own respect. Regardless, your research sounds exciting - I have never met another who has specialized in a metaphysical topic like the light and darkness of hearts. But I can see how it might be useful, especially if such a thing plays a big role in the systems of magic where you come from. I would love to have you come by the archives sometime - I can show you what we do and what sort of information we have already, and I would be more than happy to assist you if you're inclined to contribute. It would also be a perfect opportunity for us to continue this conversation further.

[ --WAIT ]

And my name is Trahearne.

I was thinking the same thing. It would be nice and much more practical if I already understood everything that's going on here. And yet, and it's probably selfish, but I'm enjoying the challenge of learning something entirely new.

It's very useful and, I'd say, much more concrete than metaphysical in application. I'd be happy to speak about my work assisting others in restoring worlds. It's been very rewarding, and there is still so much to do in that regard once I wake up.

That's a generous offer, I'd be happy for your assistance. I've found that I'm far better working with others than alone.

My name is Ienzo. It's really a pleasure meeting you, even if not in person yet.

It certainly is not selfish - if anything, it gives those of us who are more used to spending our time among books something to do and think about. All who have come here have gravitated towards things they find more familiar; you are not alone. You have my best wishes that your research is fruitful for when you wake up. The sentiment is mutual! I'm looking forward to meeting you in person, Ienzo.

The same to you - whatever you focus your studies on next, I wish you all the best in the waking world.

[ Oh. Hm. That's a bit awkward.

For a few moments, Trahearne debates saying something, but ultimately decides not to. Perhaps that's something he'll broach with Ienzo when they're a little closer. Just...not now, and not over the journals.

Nonetheless, the sentiment is appreciated. ]

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