khuioduan | Video | August 16th | Locked to Dreamfolk

[The room is mostly dark, but there's enough light to see that Valdis is sketching and almost not even paying attention to the camera.]

Ban Om. Kaka'i. The Sabonile. Tariku. Tifaut. Tia-Cheal.

[The six major religions in Aifaran had recently drawn her attention, but for less than ideal reasons.]

Organized religion is usually something to be wary of on some level, and while these may operate in the light of day, what of the ones that don't? Any summoning of powers based in the sensation of death, on harnessing the final moments of life, in consuming the moment the soul breaks...this is dark magic. Dangerous magic.

[She makes a few notes then goes back to whatever she is drawing.]

With the current state of Konryu, meaning the collisions between the planes, it is prudent to wonder about the darker side of things. There's an underworld to every religion. Parts that break away to interpret texts differently. Pieces that twist and morph and remake themselves. It is not exactly hard to think that at least one of these six has potential for darkness.

[She flips the book around to show the details of her sketch. Faceless figures wrapped in shadow, all surrounding a bound animal. But the animal isn't alive, its skin and fur are rotting off, leaving a half covered skull with gaping, empty eyes. To those who explored the depth of the Narrakra, they may recognize the animal to some extent.]

I just want to know which one.

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Even knowing what I know, I have little faith in any religion.

Life experiences have a way of doing that.

I'm simply tired of meddlesome deities and their games of chess...mortals do not understand the truth of what they worship, nor do they care to, unless it offers some sort of advantage to their goals.

[Valdis realizes belatedly that she doesn't recognize this ID]

I don't think we've met. My name is Valdis.

Raven.

[Yeah that's about it for her introduction.]

I know exactly what you mean. It's all fun and games until the satanic ritual actually works.

And then death and chaos reign.

[Trahearne gives her a small, encouraging smile. He's not as disturbed by these events personally, but if it did go beyond the death of a single animal, he'd start having serious issues with it. It really was best to cut it off at the pass.]

Indeed. Let's keep hoping for the best outcome even as we make sure it won't get any worse.

Isn't that what we usually do?

[Not that she'd interacted with Trahearne much, but in general.]

Playing with such magic may let things in, so we'll need to be vigilant.

And in that order, if you're really lucky.

[ To be fair, ‘accusations’ wasn’t intended the way it sounded. Rutile just always sounds contrary. ]

Perhaps draw them out instead. Make them come to you, somehow - offer up an animal for sacrifice, or make incendiary comments about the current state of affairs to find people who agree with you.

[ Several minutes later, Rutile sends another missive. ]

Or tell them something they want to hear. I have found that is highly effective.

Let's just hope that no more evil godly beings show up.

That would certainly take less time. Yet they've managed to remain hidden, so I doubt I will be able to draw them out so easily.

[Darkness knew how to hide.]

Besides, I don't want to alienate half the city in my pursuit of this. I may have to make nice and go temple by temple.

Yeah, about that.

[Those three words immediately put her on guard, so Valdis quickly switches to a private stream.]

I'm not sure what you are implying, but it is probably best to not announce it to every single Dreamer.

That depends entirely on whether remaining hidden is what they want. With great enough cause to emerge, they will surely do it on their own.

Obviously, I ask for your grace in this conversation remaining confidential. But I have also seen the corpse you are referring to, nevermind how... may I suggest that you start by interviewing the survivors of the Narrakra directly? Not about what happened, but about their religious affiliations, their lives here... with your sentry clearance, you ought to have access to that, right?

It would at least give you a lead.

It would, but I don't have the right clearance and I'm not currently in a position to make waves...

[That didn't mean she couldn't be covert about it, it would just require patience.]

This can remain confidential...but may I ask why?

That seems reason enough to obtain the right clearance. How far are you willing to go, that sort of thing.

I was under the impression much of what was found on the Narrakra was being kept mum, that’s all. Many Dreamfolk were on board that night.

I'm not sure my superiors would be inclined to allow that line of questioning. It seems rather irrelevant unless I explain my abilities and that's not something I'm willing to do.

[She couldn't imagine that anything tied to Death would go over well.]

It is...Don't worry, I won't turn you or anyone else in. I may work for the law, but that doesn't mean I don't know when to bend it.

[Her law degree had to be good for something]

Frame it as an investigation of something else. An item went missing from the ship. Funds were misappropriated. Foul play is suspected. I’m sure you could come up with something easily demonstrated that would give you some kind of access.

[ Rutile misunderstands, perhaps, how bureaucratic the law actually is. ]

I appreciate your understanding. I think we agree, at least, that some things are necessary for the greater good.

I haven't been assigned the case, but I can make a few inquiries.

[Valdis wasn't sure how far she'd get, but it's worth trying. Besides, Rutile has a few good points.][She was so going to get fired if she wasn't careful]

I wish you luck.

And should you need someone to confer with who has similar priorities... I realize we are not on the best of terms, but I am available.

I rarely operate on 'terms'. I'd ally with my greatest enemy if I thought it was for the best.

You are far from an enemy, however, so I'll keep you informed of my findings.

For some, it was, but for the person who was the symbol of the religion?

[ She sighs. ]

It could mean death.

[ Of course, that's not all. ]

The dead are often the center of world religions on my world, that doesn't sound incredibly unique.

[Therefore, there must be more to the story.]

[ Sheena pauses then makes an "ah" sound. ]

Ah. No. The religion doesn't worship someone who died. That's not the symbol. The symbol is someone called "The Chosen", who must go on a pilgrimage in order to save the world with a prayer to the Goddess.

What we didn't know for thousands of years was that the Goddess really did exist. Only she was someone who had been killed all those years ago and whose brother wanted to resurrect her by using the Chosen's body for her soul.

[ So, all kinds of death here. ]

[Sounded more like a sacrifice than a pilgrimage, so Valdis' expression shifts from neutral to restrained fury.]

That's rather...twisted.

[and repulsive.]</small.

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Video | August 16th | Locked to Dreamfolk

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