audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen (After Newt's post)

[bindsthedead]

I have some good news, and a request.

I've worked with Doctor Geizler, and it seems that some types of magic are effective against the infection- except I'm not sure it's an infection. Spells designed to purge magical corruption seem to be effective- particularly when combined with Finn's blood. More ordinary curative magic, the kind I was taught to use against ordinary infections doesn't work.

[Which raises even more questions about the origin of the infection. If it came from the orb, what does that say about the orb's nature? Or is this just a consequence of misusing it?]

But while that combination helps more than either alone, it's not a cure. For that, it's likely we'll need more magical power- either from So-Yeon and the orb, or from other mages among our number- or preferably, both.

If anyone here has some experience in the matter of purging magical corruption, we could use your help. The more of us working together, the greater the chance we can devise a true cure.

[There's a long pause before her next words, one born of hesitation. Sabriel's regret- the one she's here to undo- is the death of her friends and classmates. Schoolgirls who'd died because they'd needed more mages to open Kerrigor's coffin, and they'd been the only ones nearby. If she takes on students... Sabriel's not sure if she'll end up sending them into harms way too.

Except they're all in danger already, just by the nature of their mission. And future missions will probably put them in danger too.]

Or if you lack such experience and wish to learn... The magic I use can be passed on by baptism, and taught. Charter Magic takes time and dedication to master, and carelessness can be dangerous to both the mage and anyone around them- but more magical help would be useful, and the sooner people start learning, the sooner they can work up to learning the relevant spells.

Comments

Audio | UN: Syrlya

[chronosynthesis]

[Magic corruption is exactly what he expected since realizing it was the orb, but he doesn't have any such healing abilities himself. That someone does is, honestly, a relief. However...]

Is it strenuous magic for you to cast? [There's slight hesitance in his voice, but it isn't for his own sake. Powerful magic is dangerous to any one individual... he wonders if it's really right to put any expectations on her to use the orb directly.]

[bindsthedead]

Somewhat? It's a moderately advanced spell, and if I needed to cast it on a large number of people... I'd need help if I didn't want to collapse when I was done.

[chronosynthesis]

Well, that won't do. I am a mage, though I have no experience in corruption cleansing. I'm willing to learn. Or try to.

[There's the obvious question of whether he can manipulate other forms of magic and how much of what he's using is the location vs. innate. But, he can try.] Besides that, the orb is likely our best chance for something permanent. And we've seen what making demands of it can result in. Are you all right with using it?

[bindsthedead]

My preference would be to try to combine my power with So-Yeon's- she seems to have some experience with tapping into its power, and doing so without turning innocent people into monsters.

Have you any experience in healing magic? I can try to explain the theory, and see if it translates to what you use. Or try to teach you what I do, although that would require baptism.

( video | un: jaguar )

[scarcastically]

So can we sign up?

[ he heard the rest, but magic!! ]

[bindsthedead]

If you're willing?

[She was expecting questions, not volunteers. This is a pleasant surprise.]

[scarcastically]

Definitely. Here for it.

Shift to action?

[bindsthedead]

Right. Meet me at the courtyard, I just need to gather a few things.

[Gather some wood ash, and get a bottle of water, mainly.]

audio (un: major.yzak.jule)

[coordination]

No effect at all from the infection-curing spells? Huh.

Does magical corruption you've dealt with have similar limits to things like infection, though? In that it can reach a point where it's done so much damage that a full reversal or recovery isn't possible anymore?

[bindsthedead]

None. Which suggests it's not an ordinary illness, or at least not something people's bodies can naturally fight against. Although if the local healers were trying to treat it like one, that might explain why they've failed so far.

Eventually. Although by that point, people are generally dead or have lost their minds.

[But Sabriel speaks again, her voice firm.]

But that's not going to happen. We have a clear path to the cure, we just need to work with So-Yeon and any other mages we can find.

[coordination]

That's why I asked. Because working fast is optimal either way, but when we're on a timer we don't have a set deadline for, that makes everything more stressful.

But we're making good progress already. Those samples we managed to grab only took Newton three days to get some answers out of. Hopefully getting into contact with So-Yeon won't be a pain in the ass.

[bindsthedead]

It's not ideal, but we just need to focus on our goal. There's a number of mages and similar practitioners here, and with magic... when mages combine their efforts, they can amplify each other.

[Team work makes the dream work and all that.]

As for So-Yeon... she's reached out to us, hasn't she? Those of us who've been infected. And she wants to help the infected people- if we can show that we can help with that, I'm sure she'll be willing to offer her assistance.

audio; un: oswin

[bossily]

I'd like to learn, if you're sure you don't mind teaching.

[She wants to be more useful on this mission and any future ones, and thinks this is a good way to start on that path.]

[bindsthedead]

I don't mind, Miss Oswin. I tutored students at my school, and I think that the more of us who can help, the better.

All I ask is that you take it seriously- Charter magic requires focus and dedication, and if misused, can be dangerous not just to the caster, but the people around them. But it's also useful... And I think we will have need of more mages.

[bossily]

I'm a teacher back home, so I understand the taking it seriously thing. I'd like to be able to help more, and anything I can learn to do that would be an asset. And please, call me Clara. No need for formality.

[bindsthedead]

All right, Clara. Meet me in the courtyard outside our rooms. Charter magic requires a baptism, so that will be the first thing... And after that, you'll learn your first spells.

audio; un: username

[skelepun]

[ Though he's not about to say so, it was heartening, seeing all the ways that people were coming together to work through this. Magic was an interest of his, even beyond simply being made of the stuff, and he would've probably been content to passively read through the post and replies without contributing...

Well, if it weren't for that last part. ]

Did I hear you right, Sabs? You teach?

audio;

[bindsthedead]

It's Sabriel, actually, but- yes I do. As of now, anyway, although I did help tutor the younger students at my school.

This probably won't be the only time we'll need magic users, after all. And there's strength in numbers.

audio;

[skelepun]

Right, Sabs, that's what I said. [ And moving breezily along. ] But seriously, the kind of magic you do. It's not something people are born with?

[ It was kind of hard to wrap his mind around. Magic was as integral to the physical structure of his species as water was to humans. The idea of it existing separately -- in some distinct harnessable form -- was a lot to take in. ]

un: zee | voice

[directrix]

[ She'd known, eventually, she'd fail in the goal she'd been given to not use her magic. She's been far too accustomed to using it regularly for too long and it's too useful. But she had hoped she'd hold out a bit longer. ]

I expect our magics are different, but perhaps we should talk.

[bindsthedead]

Given how different the magic native to here is from what I'm used to, that wouldn't surprise me. Perhaps magic is just unique to whatever world it comes from.

Given your task, I'm not sure if it would be fair to ask for your help, Mrs. Spellman.

[Sabriel wants to help their infected crewmates, but part of it is also about recovering the Orb, and getting one step closer to undoing her regret. Would it be fair to ask someone else to give that up, if she's not sure if she would?]

[directrix]

That would make sense. In your world, magic can apparently be taught to those with no prior knowledge or experience of it? Is that correct? In mine, you're born a witch, but our gifts aren't entirely our own either.

[ The silence is heavy. Zelda knows why she agreed to come to this place, to do any of this. For Sabrina. Could she risk her chance to correct that for strangers? Would she risk it for strangers? ]

Nothing is ever fair. [ There might be a trace of bitterness coming through. ] A consulting role, then. Unless you can't do it without me.

voice; un: clarke

[romancekiller]

[this has been frustrating for clarke to deal with if only because despite all her medical knowledge she hasn't been able to really help as much as she would like so the part about learning magic does catch her attention] I don't have any experience but you'd be able to teach it though?

voice;

[bindsthedead]

I can, yes. I've already started teaching students.

[Which is both a relief and encouraging. The more mages around, the better, in Sabriel's opinion.]

[romancekiller]

I want to learn if you're still open to teaching more people.