【 Ⅰ 】𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋 💎 Journal

[crystalized_hope]

Sender: G'raha Tia
To: Anyone
Subject: Aetherytes

[Written in neat handwriting, anyone is free to receive this message.]

Greetings fellow dreamwalkers,

My name is G'raha Tia and I have recently arrived here. [In a dream world? Close enough.] Having spent some time learning the lay of the land and what Reverein has to offer, I have noticed the lack of aetherytes in the area. I am well aware that this is not at all the same world that I am familiar with, but I would like to provide my assistance in making life here a little bit easier if it is possible.

Where I come from, we have crystals that act as a means for teleportation and faster travel.

[They also take more aether than most can afford to use actively, but that wasn't important here. Taking a moment to try to imprint what they generally look like, this image will pop up for people to reference from.]

Normally in order to use these, you need to attune to them with your aether, though I doubt the same will work here. Once attuned to them, you'll be able to use them as a means to travel around the town.

I confess that I am not used to having downtime, so it is my proposition that I can spend my newly found free time to aid any other people who come here as well. I have recently found out that my dreamotion is crystal based and though I have not experimented enough with it just yet, I believe I may be able to recreate these aetherytes. There will be some trial and error and I cannot say how long it will take, but in order for these to work properly here, I imagine I will have to experiment with using dreamotion as a substitute for aether.

[And this has gotten a lot more technical than he had intended so...]

That said... I wanted to ask for any information people may have that may assist me in my research to make this a reality soon enough. I do not know enough about Reverein just yet to make any large strides presently.

Thank you for your time.

[OOC: G'raha is from the end of Shadowbringers, so there will be spoilers more than likely in comments and possibly icons. Please see my opt-out post if you are currently going through the story and would prefer not to be spoiled. This will allow me to know just how much I can share. Please and thank you!]

Comments

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda, admittedly, hasn't delved too deeply into the mystery of what happened to the people who built Reverein. She's had her hands full with other mysteries, like all the different universes the other dreamwalkers come from. ]

What factors determine one's level of aether? If it is an energy that comprises all living things, why would some be able to utilize it and not others?

[ His description of aether so far lines up neatly with her (admittedly limited) understanding of dreamotion energy. And as someone who is struggling with this world's magic, maybe she can extrapolate some things from Eorzea's aether. ]

[crystalized_hope]

[It is a mystery that they can worry about later. For now, he's not going to focus too heavily on it.]

Unfortunately, I do not have the answer to that. My hypothesis is that some people are inherently born with varying degrees of aether. The Garleans do not seem to possess the ability to manipulate aether, so they rely on magitek as a workaround.

[Though, considering the origin of the Garlean Empire, is it any wonder?]

Two of my friends have been affected by too much exposure to aether due to improper teleportation magicks.

[Well, forbidden anyway, but he couldn't fault Y'stola for the reasons for doing so.]

One of them is now able to see Aether without the means of technology to do it at the cost of her sight and the other has no access to manipulate aether at all anymore and relies on a gunblade and specially infused ammo. [Though, he hasn't asked for details about that from them.]

[multidisciplinary]

[ Fascinating. From his description, it seems like one's aether could be a variable trait based on genetics, external influences such as environment, or myriad other factors. That bears similarities to how magic works in Hyrule, where some people are inexplicably more gifted in it than others and no one quite understands why. ]

What determines the amount of aether needed to use an aetheryte? Is it a finite amount, such as casting a spell, or does the aether needed vary with factors like distance?

[ A few moments pass, as though she's finished, and then a little more text abruptly appears: ]

Thank you for answering all of my questions thusfar. I believe if we are able to determine how equivocable aether and dreamotion are to each other, we may be able to identify the ideal way to develop a network of aetherytes in Songerein. [ Dream-ytes? The name might need some workshopping. ] Dreamotion capability varies quite widely among us, so ease of use should be a high priority.

[ As someone who would count herself among those with the least skill in dreamotion, this is a high priority for Zelda specifically. ]

I'm doing so much BSing, I'm sorry

[crystalized_hope]

It varies with distance more often than not, but there are plenty of factors that can play a key role in this. It would be more ideal if they could be a finite amount here, but I'm afraid I can't give any promises on that front.

[He's also been considering a new name for the network here, but that's a work in progress.]

'Tis no problem. Ease of use would be a high priority, yes. With all the varying levels of mastery, I would rather keep it as efficient and less demanding as possible.

No worries, I understand completely!

[multidisciplinary]

[ She makes a few more notes with his answers to her questions. ]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are more knowledgeable on the subject of aether than the average inhabitant of your homeworld.

[ That's probably a conservative understatement, if anything. Though he hasn't said as much outright, G'raha Tia gives off the air of someone who is an expert in his field. Zelda has known enough researchers that she can tell the difference between someone who knows their stuff and someone who's full of hot air.]

[crystalized_hope]

Hmm... I would like to think I am well versed in the subject of aether, but I could hardly claim to be the most knowledgable. Alas if only Y'shtola were here, she would be able to further explain the topic.

[Or maybe even Ryne?]

My expertise lies more in the study of Allagan history, as it were, but I would say I've had plenty of time to learn about aether as well.

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda reads his words with a bit of skepticism. It seems like he might be selling himself short on the subject of aether; something Zelda knows a thing or two about, as she also sells herself short when asked about her knowledge of ancient technology.

'Allagan history' definitely catches her eye. ]

You are a scholar of historic civilizations?

[crystalized_hope]

I am, though I have a special interest in Allagan history in particular.

I have been passed down something of importance through my bloodline that sparked my interest. They call it the Allagan Eye, or Royal Eye. I was searching for answers and it ended up becoming a part of my life.

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda has to read G'raha's words twice just to make sure that she's seeing things correctly. A fellow scholar of an ancient civilization who also happens to have an unusual heritage from their royal ancestors? What are the odds of having that in common with someone? ]

Truly?? That is [ She visibly hesitates, trying to find the right words. ] quite an unexpected coincidence, to put it lightly.

I, too, am a student of ancient civilizations---their technology, to be precise---and the impetus of my study was the divine magic passed down through through the daughters of the royal family, my ancestors.

[crystalized_hope]

[That really was a coincidence. Who would have thought that they were so similar? In a way, it was a comfort to know someone else might understand first hand.]

Really? That certainly is interesting. I would love to hear more about it if you don't mind. What kind of divine magic?

[multidisciplinary]

The stupid kind. [ Zelda scribbles that out so fiercely that G'raha might not be able to make it out at all. She just really does not like magic. ]

To be honest, I am not entirely certain. When I was growing up, I was told that it was a powerful sealing magic, used to combat an ancient evil force that had the power to destroy all life. Little written information about it exists, for whatever reason. It seems most knowledge of this power was passed down orally from mother to daughter, but my mother died before I was old enough to begin my training.

It took me a long time to awaken that power on my own, but when I did, I felt as though there was... something more to it. More than the sealing power. If that makes any sense.

[ Zelda pauses, trying to think of how best to put into words the otherworldly power of her divine magic awakened. ] It felt like I had the power to reshape reality itself if I wanted to.

[crystalized_hope]

[G'raha managed to pick out a few of the letters but didn't linger on it for too long. If it was scribbled out, then it had to have a reason for it.]

Reshape reality... That's certainly impressive.

[Though not to confuse that with something she should like.]

Why was it only passed down orally? It seems like such knowledge would get lost easily [See: her example] over time. Especially if it's important enough to pass down to each daughter.

[multidisciplinary]

I have asked myself that same question many times. Perhaps there is a great secret that no one else must ever know, or perhaps the information somehow cannot be represented through text. Although I awakened my powers, I feel like there is much I still do not know. I wonder if the answers I seek died with my mother.

[crystalized_hope]

That's only natural. Especially if you were not given any information to go off of.

I hope you eventually find your answers.

[And then talked for a little while longer before letting her go about her business.]