[ Nice. Very nice, V. The demon is squawking with laughter inside of him, and V manages not to wince, but just barely. A sigh. He's quiet himself for a moment as he tries to condense this story. ]
There is a man I know, very well. He's suffered for a long time, and-- [ Hmm. ] I know he used to love to play. I thought I would remind him.
[ The Warlock audibly hums in response to the rather succinct explanation. There are many things he can see when looking at Otherworlders and can discern on his own, though hearing them from a person's perspective is always significantly more interesting. ]
I was fucking with you on who it belonged to. [ Apologies V, he's an ass. ] Why do you think it bears reminding him of a past passion?
[ That actually stops V dead in his tracks for a minute. That sure does tell him! A lot about you! Jesus. This followup question is a bit more difficult for him though, and he tenses his jaw. ]
He did something ugly to me. And the only way I will ever forgive him is if he becomes a better man than he was.
[ It is the Warlock's turn to stop moving, eyes narrowing while regarding V. Immortal eyes that are able to discern far more than they should. ]
A worthwhile endeavor. Mortals are far more easily swayed to change than those that live for eons.
[ He gestures to a nearby door for V to enter. A lounge that is less ornate than perhaps other areas of the house that were open during the party. Lined with bookshelves of novels and trinkets, short bar, fireplace, and ample sitting area. The Warlock will follow him and take one of the less staunch looking chairs. ]
I am always surprised by those who find forgiveness possible to bestow upon others. The capacity to hold grudges during the short span of an entire mortal life is astonishing.
[ V places the bag with the violin on a little table, his gesture that he is entirely willing to return it. He sits down, resting his cane into his side while he laces his fingers together in an expression of struggle and thought.
He doesn't often talk so candidly about Vergil to anyone but the half-breed himself, but maybe it's also exhausting keeping it bottled up. ]
He's hardly mortal, but I have to learn from his mistakes. His inability to forgive has defined too much of him.
He's mortal enough. Human enough. Are you not proof of that?
[ He may have cheated and looked into V long enough to discern that. Sorry bud. ]
This world has a way of challenging what people thought to be true about themselves and forcing change and balance. Perhaps he too will learn to appropriately balance the odds within himself.
You can keep that, by the way. [ A nod to the violin. ]
[ Yeouch. V frowns at him under heavy brows. There's a difference between sharing it himself, and having it taken. But it's too late now, isn't it. His hands flex. ]
[ A sigh. He leans back into the chair, toying with the head of the cane. ]
I could have you define interesting.
[ But he won't. ]
She made her anti-war sentiments known, her incredulity of the faction leaders, and her interest in balance. Some of her points are compelling, but lack focused interpretation. The clearest action in her mind is to stop the ritual which summons us here.
[ He wasn't lying about wanting to give it to Vergil. So... well. He will. ]
Something you've both spoken on now is balance. What is unclear to me is how, and perhaps when, that balance was lost here. And I agree with the concern that bringing all these disparate Otherworlders, and our magic, and our needs is tipping the scales further.
[ Ah, right he's started rambling, ]
If you don't mind me asking your thoughts. Are you not the authority on magic?
[ The flattery isn't lost upon him as he smirks. Unnecessary as it is. ]
Less an authority and more the embodiment. If each God was a domain then yes, magic is mine, considering I am the Magician.
[ The title is said with a touch of distaste, as though it feels sour on his tongue. ]
Honest opinions do not come cheap from Gods, you know.
[ He sounds like he might be joking but, as V has experienced, he's a smidge of a jerk. ]
However you are the first to ask me and I feel compelled to reward intelligence, do consider this on the house.
Balance was lost upon the war beginning between the Emperor and Priestess, as they were two of the more prominent authorities in the world with investment in its citizens. They were informed by another party that the magic of Fellden was slowly losing its rate of replenishment, which would result in its untimely death. [ If it was true or not, he doesn't say. ] Unable to come to an agreement of how to best resolve the problem that the world, and thus all Otherworlds, were facing, war broke out. As time progressed and the war continued, balance was further skewed and magic was lost at a faster rate.
[ He has an idea of it anyway. He hesitates a moment, knowing that he's really pushed his luck with someone he overtly stole from. He should say his thank yous and stop, but-- ]
I agree with her, that the summoning rituals must do more harm than good in this unbalanced world. What can I do to interfere?
[ It's a difficult question. In theory, he would rather no risk himself at all. ]
Magic is what I know. This is the gambit I can make. But if I am found out by the faction leaders and cast out, I will lose many potential resources. And I don't have that many to spare.
Still, it seems the better option than hoping I can find my way the Priestess's ear. Wouldn't that be preferable? If they had any intention of listening to that argument, however, I suspect they would've done so by now. [ A sigh. ] Temperance provided me with a crystal, a 'spare life' she called it. It seems I could just about die for this.
[ The mention of a spare life has the Warlock rolling his eyes. ]
She put her own life in that so as not to draw upon the magic here.
[ He sounds annoyed but it passes. More important things to tend after. ]
I can tell you now, the Priestess will not listen to reason about this, nor will she stop. [ When you've been friends with a person for tens of thousands of years, you tend to know their maximum idiocy threshold. ]
Good, glad you're not a self-sacrificial martyr. There are too many of those here as it is and that's not what's needed if you want to stop them from performing the ritual again.
[ The Warlock rubs a hand over his mouth and exhales a sigh. ]
I make a note to not become involved in the war. It has allowed my people to exist without receiving the brunt of it but I grow tired of the faction leaders killing this land faster with their forsaken spell. If I were to help, I will provide you with certain resources but not involve myself directly. Understood?
I'm not interested in having people beholden to me for this. More ways to have this tied back to me, which I'd rather avoid if it's all the same to you. Disagree away.
[ Sufficient enough. ]
You will need more than just yourself. Knowing or having magic won't be enough. You can interrupt the ritual but how you manage it is up to you, it won't be easy. Let me know if you figure something out.
There's a member of the Priestess's personal guard, Yalin. He's easy to buy. Figure out a way to make him talk.
Was brainstorming what I could but on the CR meme to help involve other people here, realized I should have asked if the idk embodiment of magic knew of a more subtle way to disrupt the summoning ritual. Let me know if I should cut my losses on that one, but my goal is really trying to brainstorm how it can be turned over as possible things for other players to get involved in.
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[ The Warlock is quiet for a fleeting moment as he closes the door and begins walking, clearly expecting V to follow along. ]
Besides, I would care to hear the motive behind stealing the violin that belonged to my first mortal lover.
[ Oh no. ]
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There is a man I know, very well. He's suffered for a long time, and-- [ Hmm. ] I know he used to love to play. I thought I would remind him.
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I was fucking with you on who it belonged to. [ Apologies V, he's an ass. ] Why do you think it bears reminding him of a past passion?
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He did something ugly to me. And the only way I will ever forgive him is if he becomes a better man than he was.
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A worthwhile endeavor. Mortals are far more easily swayed to change than those that live for eons.
[ He gestures to a nearby door for V to enter. A lounge that is less ornate than perhaps other areas of the house that were open during the party. Lined with bookshelves of novels and trinkets, short bar, fireplace, and ample sitting area. The Warlock will follow him and take one of the less staunch looking chairs. ]
I am always surprised by those who find forgiveness possible to bestow upon others. The capacity to hold grudges during the short span of an entire mortal life is astonishing.
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He doesn't often talk so candidly about Vergil to anyone but the half-breed himself, but maybe it's also exhausting keeping it bottled up. ]
He's hardly mortal, but I have to learn from his mistakes. His inability to forgive has defined too much of him.
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[ He may have cheated and looked into V long enough to discern that. Sorry bud. ]
This world has a way of challenging what people thought to be true about themselves and forcing change and balance. Perhaps he too will learn to appropriately balance the odds within himself.
You can keep that, by the way. [ A nod to the violin. ]
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Just like that?
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[ Seems a rather small trade, doesn't it? ]
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Very well.
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[ The reigning God of magic means he's aware that she did something that night while speaking to V but not able to know exact specifics. ]
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I could have you define interesting.
[ But he won't. ]
She made her anti-war sentiments known, her incredulity of the faction leaders, and her interest in balance. Some of her points are compelling, but lack focused interpretation. The clearest action in her mind is to stop the ritual which summons us here.
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[ Hardly his problem though, is it? What with being so very "impartial" and all. ]
Violin is yours if you want to take it, I have no need for it.
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[ He wasn't lying about wanting to give it to Vergil. So... well. He will. ]
Something you've both spoken on now is balance. What is unclear to me is how, and perhaps when, that balance was lost here. And I agree with the concern that bringing all these disparate Otherworlders, and our magic, and our needs is tipping the scales further.
[ Ah, right he's started rambling, ]
If you don't mind me asking your thoughts. Are you not the authority on magic?
[ ...is that just. A smidge of flattery? ]
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[ The flattery isn't lost upon him as he smirks. Unnecessary as it is. ]
Less an authority and more the embodiment. If each God was a domain then yes, magic is mine, considering I am the Magician.
[ The title is said with a touch of distaste, as though it feels sour on his tongue. ]
Honest opinions do not come cheap from Gods, you know.
[ He sounds like he might be joking but, as V has experienced, he's a smidge of a jerk. ]
However you are the first to ask me and I feel compelled to reward intelligence, do consider this on the house.
Balance was lost upon the war beginning between the Emperor and Priestess, as they were two of the more prominent authorities in the world with investment in its citizens. They were informed by another party that the magic of Fellden was slowly losing its rate of replenishment, which would result in its untimely death. [ If it was true or not, he doesn't say. ] Unable to come to an agreement of how to best resolve the problem that the world, and thus all Otherworlds, were facing, war broke out. As time progressed and the war continued, balance was further skewed and magic was lost at a faster rate.
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Magic is what I have.
[ In an otherwise broken existence. Magic is what he respects. ]
Is this other party unnameable?
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[ He has an idea of it anyway. He hesitates a moment, knowing that he's really pushed his luck with someone he overtly stole from. He should say his thank yous and stop, but-- ]
I agree with her, that the summoning rituals must do more harm than good in this unbalanced world. What can I do to interfere?
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What would you risk to interfere? What are you willing to do?
[ There would be a great deal at stake to stop such a large ceremony after all. ]
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Magic is what I know. This is the gambit I can make. But if I am found out by the faction leaders and cast out, I will lose many potential resources. And I don't have that many to spare.
Still, it seems the better option than hoping I can find my way the Priestess's ear. Wouldn't that be preferable? If they had any intention of listening to that argument, however, I suspect they would've done so by now. [ A sigh. ] Temperance provided me with a crystal, a 'spare life' she called it. It seems I could just about die for this.
I would prefer not to.
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She put her own life in that so as not to draw upon the magic here.
[ He sounds annoyed but it passes. More important things to tend after. ]
I can tell you now, the Priestess will not listen to reason about this, nor will she stop. [ When you've been friends with a person for tens of thousands of years, you tend to know their maximum idiocy threshold. ]
Good, glad you're not a self-sacrificial martyr. There are too many of those here as it is and that's not what's needed if you want to stop them from performing the ritual again.
[ The Warlock rubs a hand over his mouth and exhales a sigh. ]
I make a note to not become involved in the war. It has allowed my people to exist without receiving the brunt of it but I grow tired of the faction leaders killing this land faster with their forsaken spell. If I were to help, I will provide you with certain resources but not involve myself directly. Understood?
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[ Hecking gods, he has his own agency, thanks! ]
We may disagree in the future, Warlock.
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[ Sufficient enough. ]
You will need more than just yourself. Knowing or having magic won't be enough. You can interrupt the ritual but how you manage it is up to you, it won't be easy. Let me know if you figure something out.
There's a member of the Priestess's personal guard, Yalin. He's easy to buy. Figure out a way to make him talk.
[ The Warlock smirks. ]
If you want. Or don't. Up to you.
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