audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen

[bindsthedead]

Right, that was enough excitement for one mission. Does anyone know why Viveca didn't teleport us out as soon as someone took the orb, like what happened last time? Or was it that Cheri- or Ruvia or whoever she really was- needed to give up ownership, and stealing it wasn't enough?

[If that's the case, they'll need to be ready to bargain and persuade on future missions, rather than hope that whoever they steal it from simply gives up hope of regaining the Orb.]

If anyone's injured- I know how to heal. You might need a few days of rest to make sure you don't disrupt the spells, but you'll mend more quickly than you would have otherwise. And if you're one of my students, feel free to come to the infirmary to help.

And- Apparently the Commander is real, and on the station. But what he said about the Orb growing vicious... are they shaped by the bargains they make, and the people that use them?

[It looked different from the Gyeonje Orb too, red instead of golden.]

Comments

Audio | UN: Syrlya

[chronosynthesis]

They seem capable of handling multiple bargains. Does it choose not to leave so long as it has an unfulfilled bargain? [So-Yeon managed to steal and use it, but it's hard to say if it considered its deal with the royals completed or not. And where does that put their bargain to put it all together?]

Let's... say it's some sort of pure magical power. [And not debate on whether it actually is magic.] If its core ability it to alter reality, and the power to do so is its form, perhaps it needs to change itself to be able to exert the right energy.

[bindsthedead]

From what Peter and Mr. Kovacs recorded, the Orb seemed rather willing to leave with us. But it might not be able to end a bargain on its own.

Hm... That's possible. That would mean it's shaped by what people ask it to do, in addition to its own nature.

[chronosynthesis]

We don't know exactly what kind of bargain she made, do we? [Bits and pieces of the effects, but what was it she really asked for? Immortality? Power? Whatever has cost her family.]

[bindsthedead]

She seemed able to use the orb to take others lifespan and magic, and add it to her own. But she was unable to do it without the Orb's cooperation.

[chronosynthesis]

[That's a really fucked up bargain.] Do you think she... intended it to give her power that way? Absorbing it from others?

[bindsthedead]

She seemed enthusiastic about using it for that purpose, but- given that she first used it on her parents, I think she understood what sort of deal she was making.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya hums, not really disagreeing.] Then we're lucky she had something more important than power, given how far she was willing to use it on others.

[He wouldn't say many who achieve power like that would give it up so easily.]

[bindsthedead]

That's true. Although I don't think giving up the Orb involved giving up the power and life she'd already stolen.

So perhaps it's for the best we won't be going back to Braccia.