bravenewworld | Descent into Darkness

Descent into Darkness

As the characters arrive, they will find what appears to be a rather deep cavern. Upon entering, the caverns are quite narrow, with twists and turns everywhere and different tunnels that all seem to be interconnected. As characters travel deeper within the caverns, reality around them will start to warp, they will start to see and hear things that aren’t necessarily there - images of old enemies, past failures, voices of condemnation, visions that strike at the soul and core of the characters. Once this begins, it will only increase in power and volume, demanding it be confronted, lest they be trapped within these caves forever.

[OOC: This event will run for a week. All characters who enter the caves will be subject to some of their deepest fears, darkest demons, and most abject failures. To overcome them, characters must help each other out, finding their purpose through strength of character and resolve to move forward. In general, these visions should require characters to come to grips with themselves. Illusory images and voices can and will appear and can take any number of forms, depending on what is most appropriate to a character. Additionally, characters may thread with each other and are encouraged to help each other out to overcome these personal demons. For those who wish to take part, they are able and encouraged to narrate their own personal demons, which will be on display for everyone who enters their thread. IC threads may be made in this post.]

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[The gentleman stood silent, dark eyes boring into the young academic while he puffed on his cigar. Waver, unnerved by the intensity of the man's gaze, averted his eyes.]

....Fighting a system like that is frustrating. There's nothing that they're willing to teach me anyway.

I don't know what you're talking about, but... aren't there other ways to learn? Other places to learn? Other people to teach you?

[Merrill never really got the full story of Waver's history.]

[However, those were already valid points.]

"You've already abandoned the towers of Sanctuary-- unless you were just acting on impulse and didn't put your heart in it."

[The man squeezed the bridge of his nose, as if he were trying to fend off a headache.]

"There's nothing I hate more than spineless fools."

[Waver wheeled back onto the stranger, eyes flashing in fury.]

I didn't just leave because I wanted to! [He protested,] I mean, who really wants to leave a place like that when all you want to do is learn about things? But, I....I--!

[Change was hard, man! Of course a first time adventurer would second guess every step of the journey. Even if home was uncomfortable, it was still something he knew.

It was human instinct to fear the unknown, and embrace discomfort if they had never known anything else.]

If he wanted to learn and no one would teach him, it's only natural to go somewhere else to seek knowledge. I did something very similar myself. It doesn't mean he's abandoned anything - he's simply walking a different path to enlightenment.

[Merrill, in contrast is very matter of fact about all of this. To her, it's an obvious way of looking at the world.]

[The gentleman waved a hand, almost dismissively.]

"That isn't the problem. The problem is that he still thinks it's possible to go back. We both know for a fact that it isn't."

[Waver didn't argue-- instead, he was searching his own mind. Sure, he always spoke in the negative, but...]

One way or the other, that's still the place I grew up. Even if they can't teach me anything, I can still learn-- and-- and maybe one day I can show them what it means to be a Magus in today's society!

[Merrill shakes her head.]

Nothing is impossible. Not if you try. Not if you believe.

[Idealistic, yes, but it's the way she's lived her life so far, and she's been doing just fine.]

Waver's stronger than that.

[The gentleman regarded the two of them for a tense beat that seemed to last for an eternity, dark eyes searching for something amidst the smoke and dust of that old library. Inevitably he sighed, and stepped aside.]

"Very well. It's a fool's errand, but you might just be the fool to do it."

[And with that he was gone within a blink, seeming to teleport away.

It was as if he had never been there. Instead, a door stood just beyond where the man had been, beckoning for them to step forth.]

[Merrill looks at the door briefly, but then silently turns her attention to Waver, tilting her head curiously. She isn't sure exactly what to ask, but she senses there is quite a story to be told.]

[Waver, for his part, seemed desperately uncomfortable. He didn't like being thought of as a fool, but this cave seemed to be exposing everyone to things that would unnerve them.

He glanced up at Merrill, an equally curious look in his eyes.]

I may be a psychic-type, but I can't read minds Merrill. What is it?

Who was that, just now? And... you're from Sanctuary, Waver?

With the cigar? I haven't a clue.

[Merrill could extrapolate however she wanted, but Waver was equally lost on that front.]

But...yes, I am. Yuuna figured me out on my first day in, too-- I'm surprised she didn't mention it. For the most part, I've been trying to keep it quiet from a lot of people.

That's strange... from the way he was speaking, it seemed like he knew you. Or thought he knew you. I don't think he really did.

[If only she knew.]

Yuuna did? Ah, well... maybe that's why.

[Merrill hesitates for a moment.]

...Waver? If you're from Sanctuary, does that mean you know about the blood magic they use there?

[It would be a mystery to them all.....]

--No, that was a surprise for me, [Waver muttered, looking uncomfortable.] It's the one thing that makes me glad that I couldn't get someone to teach me properly too-- I don't want to be involved in something quite like that.

Lives are important, but the dead deserve their respect too.

[Merrill lets out a sigh of relief at that, her posture relaxing.]

Good. I think so too. I was worried when I saw the Magi of Sanctuary using that kind of magic for things like that. I knew it could be used for that, but I'd never imagined anyone would really do it.

[Speaking as a practitioner of the art herself. Which she hasn't mentioned before.]

[The subtle intonations aren't lost on Waver. He looked up, curious.]

Merrill, are you saying that...?

[...He wasn't even sure how to finish the sentence. His own ignornance of the subject meant he lacked understanding of even the most basic words.]

[Merrill draws in a short breath before nodding.]

...Yes. I'm a blood mage too. But the way I learned it was very different then the Magi of Sanctuary, I'm sure.

Can't tell you one way or the other on that front, [Waver said, crossing his arms while he spoke. There was a tired but serious look in his eyes.] But if you're giving everything it's due respect, then it's got to be a better system.

[There was something viceral and bone chilling about the notion of blood magic. It was something he would never dare to learn, but he wouldn't disrespect a magus for their art.]

Well, I've never used it to do anything like that, at least.

[The very thought of it disgusts her. The Dalish have a lot of respect for both the living and the dead. Twisting them into something like that... it's unthinkable.]

I thought that might be the case, from what we've talked about all ready.

[He cast her a curious look.]

Do you mind if we talk about that some day? I'd like to hear about how it works for you.

[And, maybe, he could use some of the theories and apply them in ways that could potentially subvert any projects that the Magi had going on behind closed doors. While he knew that they were on the up and up with inter-city relations.....he didn't trust them.]

Of course. I'd be happy to. I'll even show you if you'd like.

[Merrill is generally appropriately cautious about this sort of thing, but once she's familiar with someone, she opens right up.]

...Maybe sometime in the future then, [he said, almost shyly.] Let's try to get back to the surface first.

Oh. Yes. We should probably do that. I'd almost forgotten.

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Descent into Darkness

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