Journal Text- Prior to Mirror Mirror event

[not_42]

Sender: Hermes
To: Everyone
Subject: A few questions

Fellow citizens of Reverin, if you have a moment, there are several questions that I've been meaning to ask. If one wanted to study and observe the local fauna in earnest, what would be the best location to do so? And would doing so be considered of benefit to the community? I've encountered some that routinely work with the local creatures and familiars but am uncertain if any detailed surveys or studies have been done.

And on a somewhat related note, is it possible to regain abilities that were once exclusive to certain Dreamscapes and use them in Reverin proper? I thank you all for your time and consideration.

Comments

Sender: Anya

[grandduchess_anya]

I’m not so certain since I don’t work as an animal expert back in my world. But I could say that the Wildlands is a great spot to find many of the local fauna out in the open. I think that gathering information on them will be handy in showing everyone how they behave in the wild.

As for getting specific abilities in Dreamscapes, I haven’t looked into it or experience this wholly just yet but it is entirely possible that we could regain them at some point.

[not_42]

I don't believe I've ever had cause to venture into the Wildlands. Is there aught you can tell me regarding its environment?

[The rest of the message is more or less what he expected.]

And I see; I shall have to look into it further then. During my time searching the forest, though I was robbed of my usual magics, I was given the ability to communicate with animals. Such an ability would be invaluable while studying them.

[grandduchess_anya]

Oh yes certainly. The place is very much forested and full of both normal looking species and mythical creatures. So nothing in the forests of the Wildlands is very much normal all the time. There is also a big lake that would change colors often. There is also a way to get to the Beach as well if you wish to get away from the town life for a while.

That sounds like a very useful ability to have. Being able to understand animals well is handy to get to learn things from them and what they want or feel.

[not_42]

A forest, a lake, and a beach... All sound promising. And it will provide an opportunity to make comparisons between aquatic life found in both salt water and fresh water environments.

Indeed. While one can learn much about an animal by observing its behavior, there are some things that that cannot tell us. Who knows what insights the mind of a creature wholly different from ourselves could provide, if they but had the means to express them in a way that we could understand?

[grandduchess_anya]

Yeah exactly. It will make for a great study on aquatic life found in the beach and the lake. So much variety in species to be found.

I’m also thinking about the same thing. It can be tricky to communicate with them due to these difficulties and not all of them are wholly sentient either. I didn’t know how I’ll be able to talk to them before until I came here and started developing it myself.

It might take time to get it to work properly but with enough time and practice, one can be able to communicate with various species of animal life in no time.

[not_42]

Most wild creatures rely far more on instinct than reason, yes, which may be where one of the fundamental difficulties of communication lies. Though the local 'Dreamotion' energy does present some fascinating possibilities in that regard. It seems to possess some of the same essential qualities of dynamis, a type of energy in my own world; it utilizes emotion to produce a tangible effect. And yet, unlike dynamis, it is unhindered by the presence of aether, the type of energy my people have in abundance and what is generally used in the performance of our magics. The possible relationships between the three types of energy is something else I hope to look into.

[grandduchess_anya]

Yeah, it is really worth trying to get into what similarities these energies share with each other and how dreamotion can function for various uses.

Especially with how versatile dreamotion can be in various situations and purposes.

[not_42]

Indeed. My experience with it is admittedly limited, though from what I've seen, it's every bit as versatile as my people's creation magics. Though not as easily controlled, likely due to being associated with emotions rather than the more logical mind.

[grandduchess_anya]

Exactly. I thought about the same thing as well. Since emotions can be difficult to control at times, especially when one tries to hide them as much as possible or has poor control over them, it does require a lot of focus and effort to make the most out of it.

[not_42]

I have been experimenting with it, and the results have been been somewhat mixed. Yet even an experiment that doesn't produce the desired result can still provide useful information. Indeed, failed experiments are often far more enlightening than successful ones.

[grandduchess_anya]

Yes. That is a really good observation. Failure doesn’t mean always that nothing good can come from it: there is going to be a something to learn from the failures and mistakes so we can get better at anything and a lot of new things to gain from trying and experimenting things out.

That is how I was able to learn to control some of my dreamotion abilities early on. Trying to get a hold of my singing’s effects on people and creatures was a bit difficult in the first few months I got it, nearly put myself and a few others to sleep on the first try.

[not_42]

[He smiles a bit at that, unseen.]

At least sleep would do little harm, even if it would have likely been rather inconvenient. Far better that than other potentially dangerous or destructive effects.

[grandduchess_anya]

Yeah it is true. It was a good thing that this was the first hiccup I encountered when I first learned to use. Otherwise things could have gotten very much upside from there.

[not_42]

Indeed. Magic can go awry in... interesting ways when one is inexperienced or lacking in focus.

[grandduchess_anya]

Especially if one has never experienced using magic before. In fact I didn’t have any magic whatsoever in my world before I came to this place.

Sender: Yato

[intertwinedfates]

I'd say we could definitely use more information on the wildlife around here. They're always coming up with kooky shit that would've been good to know about beforehand.

My advice to you when you go adventuring: wear two pairs of pants. There's several species out there that like to steal clothes.

[not_42]

[Creatures who steal clothing?]

I shall take that under advisement, thank you. But what I plan is less of an adventure and more of a scientific study. Interesting, perhaps, but not nearly as exciting as what you seem to be picturing.

[intertwinedfates]

[Yup. He experienced it firsthand. And arm. And leg.....]

That may be what you're planning, but that doesn't mean it won't turn out differently! This place has ways of surprising you when you least expect it.

All I'm saying is don't assume your little outing will just be a peaceful bird-watching trip.

[not_42]

Oh I'm well aware that working with animals can be unpredictable at the best of times. As can dealing with certain plants, as I found out to my chagrin while inspecting an adonis.

[It had taken days for that stench to dissipate, even with the help of wind magic.]

Let's just say that I have no intention of seeking out adventure, merely conducting observational studies.

[intertwinedfates]

Normal animals are unpredictable, the creatures here are just

menaces.

Do I dare ask what kind of trouble the plants have given you?

[Since forewarned is forearmed.]

Aw, but adventure is half the fun of being alive! What good is it if you follow everything to a predictable routine?

[not_42]

One can hardly fault a creature for acting according to its nature. Predators, for example, tend to be more aggressive than herbivores because their nature requires it. Many issues can be avoided with sufficient understanding of their physiology and behaviors, which is part of what I hope to achieve by studying them.

As to the adonis, a carnivorous seedkin known for- among other things- its foul stench, it partially swallowed me while I was inspecting it. While I suffered no notable injury, the smell of its innards lingered, and I was... unfit for company for several days afterward, even with the help of wind magic to assist in dissipating the odor.

[Read: he hid in his room until the stench of both the creature's bile and his own mortification faded.]

And I've never been an especially adventurous sort, I'm afraid. Though I seldom find my work routine or predictable either.

[stilljustyou]

What about a library?

Or.... the people here are really helpful when it comes to things you don't know.

[not_42]

I'm unlikely to find many creatures in a library, I'm afraid, though I could do a different sort of research there.

And yes, that's been my impression as well. We're fortunate to live in such a community.

[stilljustyou]

It'd be a place to start. There might be a lot of books on it.

Did anyone give you any good information when they saw this message?

[not_42]

They certainly did. I've been given information on the local geography as well as some potentially valuable information about the habits of certain creatures.

[AKA, he was warned that some of them apparently like to steal pants.]

[stilljustyou]

Creatures in the library?

[not_42]

[OK, he chuckled a bit reading that.]

No, creatures in the wildlands. I may well find further information on them in the library, however.

[stilljustyou]

I haven't seen the wildlands before. Are they dangerous?

[not_42]

Likely they are somewhat, yes. But I have a great deal of experience working with creatures- even dangerous ones- and will likely be alright o long as I exercise due caution.

[stilljustyou]

Can someone go with you to help?

[not_42]

Certainly, if they wish to, and provided that they too are willing to exercise due caution.

[stilljustyou]

I can.

At least then, you won't be doing it alone.