lostcarnival | ⇨ THE SUMMERLANDS

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⇨ THE SUMMERLANDS

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 138 - Day 152
Where: The Summerlands
What: The Ringmaster brings the carnival to the Summerlands immediately after being freed from Portland so that everyone can take a fucking nap. Her included.
Warnings: Individually marked! Most likely discussion of torture and trauma in here.

DAYS OF SUMMER↴

You made it! And things are back to normal... more or less. Upon waking, you will be greeted with a clear blue sky and gentle breeze – the carnival has found itself situated between a pair of mountain peaks, with great fields of flowers extending in the distance. In the other direction, you’ll see mountain-top cities and tall waterfalls accenting vast swaths of forest.

Some of you will already know this place. It’s the Summerlands. You game here once to rest in safety nearly a year ago, and now you’ve come to rest once again.

► WAKING UP: Shortly after the carnival arrives, the Ringmaster will send out a somewhat cryptic radio message - but her immediate location won't be clear. Whatever items you had on your person at the time the Severing was broken will still be on your person, including whatever clothing. All of the animals and pets of the carnival will have returned to the grounds as well, though they are currently free from their designated living spaces. Things in the carnival will appeared to have naturally aged a month, as if the carnival was been sitting here empty and waiting while everyone was in Portland. The lawn needs mowing.

► SUMMER CITY: After the Summer Fae become aware of everyone's presence, they will welcome you into their city. There are stairs that lead up the sides of the mountains, but thankfully there are also magical means of getting up there as well. The Summer Fae will be willing to help workers with the injured as needed, offering herbal remedies and healing magic to those that want it. You'll also be invited to join them for dinner, but they will not be particularly offended if they are turned down, for now.

► SUMMER PEOPLE: The fae here will mostly enjoy the company of any carnival members that offer it - it doesn't seem that much happens here besides day after day of peaceful meditation and relaxation. It is not uncommon to see Summer Fae spent days doing exactly the same thing, whether that be enjoying the weather, listening to music, or dancing - the day and night periods may be similar to earth, but when you don't need rest it can all blur together just the same. Some of the fae work on feats of agriculture or craftsmanship, and while there is no particularly need to work in this place, they take pride in the fact that they do.

► NEW ARRIVALS: Though the Ringmaster will not be offering much guidance for the first week or so, eventually the carnival will begin running for a few small performance sessions, off and on, as a thank you to their fae hosts. The carnival will also be open to receiving new arrivals during that period, and so there will likely be some newbies to train and get orientated as well.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Strange can't help but laugh at Syrlya's statement--it's a bright, happy laugh though, not anything mocking. "We are. The realm of faerie is simply overflowing with magic."

And he finds it amazing. It's just so much easier to perform spells here than it is back home. English magic...it's still a bit stifled. Magic's slightly been brought back to England, but hasn't come back the full way. But faerie simply bleeds the stuff.

"Of course, I'm not complaining. As a magician myself, I say the easier it is to access magic, the better!

Syrlya brings his hand up to the air, looking a little critical as he curls his fingers. Yes, easier access is phenomenal--provided the person using it knows where there limits are.

"I admit, I am having a difficult time sensing it." He can tell that there's magic there, but without the years of study it takes to develop a sensitivity--it's like he can't pick it out from anything else. It's a muddled undercurrent of energy he can neither quite see nor reach. It isn't like chaos energy, where he knows what every slight twist of every mesmeric spell leaves in its wake.

"Have you ever attempted to manipulate their form of magic yourself?"

"You are?" Strange is a bit curious about that, frowning slightly. "I can sense it clear as day."

Especially since he came back from Portland. Strange was always slightly magically sensitive to begin with, but since coming back, it's only become clearer. And sorry Syrlya, the question's going to be a bit nerdy.

"I believe I manipulate their magic whenever I cast a spell. After all, the carnival's stopped in places without magic and I couldn't do a thing then, though I can perform the magic effortlessly within carnival grounds. But I haven't tried techniques of faerie magic yet--mine remains quite English."

Syrlya scrunches his face, gesturing vaguely with his hand. "I can tell that it is there, but I cannot precisely identify it. It is like another language, one I am not certain I can make sense of it I try to speak it." He's certain he can still feel the familiarity of his own magic, so he isn't worried so much as he finds it very enigmatic to try and sense.

He lowers his hand with a small frown. He doesn't like the idea of going to a place where he can't cast any spells. "What are their techniques like?"

Magic's always hard to explain. Strange knows that fae magic is different, that it's not English magic, but actually putting the words to his thoughts is harder than expected. It's like describing music, or an artist explaining why they used one brush stroke instead of another: it just is.

Still, Strange is the sort of person to talk even if they have nothing to say. So, he gives it a shot. "English magic is relational. Most of my spells involve asking an element to do something: ask the water to show me an image, ask the vines to spread and grab someone, things like that. Sometimes it's a bit esoteric--after all, asking the mirrors to make a door doesn't sound like something mirrors could do. I imagine that eventually my spells could get to a point where a verbal component isn't needed for some. I'm almost there with fire, myself." After all, fire wants to burn and it's perfectly easy to make a simple agreement to let the fire do what it wants.

"If we're comparing fae magic to English magic, then the fae have already gone above and beyond me with regards to those relations. I have to ask the tree to bear fruit, the fae are already so connected with the tree that they simple think it. Likewise, there's some magic that I simply can't do while the fae can. I can't do any sort of magic involving the mind. For example, the fae can reach in and change someone's memories or their personality."

Strange looks like he can ramble on about this sort of thing forever, hypothesizing about magic until the day ends. He's a big ol'nerd.

Syrlya still listens attentively, absently resting his cheek against his fingers as Strange goes on. In part, it's genuinely fascinating. Magic is an incredible, phenomenal power and he wouldn't be as prolific a Mesmer as he if it he wasn't interested in what he was working with.

But magic is also central to the biggest dangers his world is facing right now, and more information can at worst only be inapplicable to their situation.

As Strange goes on, there's recognition that lights Syrlya's face and it draws out a small smile. "That's interesting. So it is like you are attempting to connect with nature while standing outside of it, while the fae are already a part of that nature?"

It isn't unlike the innate magic of the Sylvari verses the magical professions, even his own Mesmerics. "Would you say you are incapable because you do not know the spells, or because you cannot tap into the right form of energy?"

Strange mirrors Syrlya's small smile with one of his own. Talking magical theory is a hobby of his, but talking magical theory with one who can keep up with him? All the better.

"I would say I'm incapable because I don't know the theory. Half of my spells involve me using existing magical theory of my world whether in creating my own spells or modifying those previously made. If there was an English magician who managed to understand the theory of how magic can change memories, then I'm certain I could do it myself."

Strange explains this all in a matter-of-fact tone, completely ignoring the fact that he's putting himself on a pedestal and implying that he's hot shit. It's just the truth. If he knew the theory, he could probably do it himself, it's as simple as that.

Syrlya shifts on one foot, regarding Strange thoughtfully. If it's the lack of knowledge, and Strange believes he's tapping into the magical energy natural to the fae, then either his magic is closely related to that magic to begin with, or "English" magic is really just the name of a specialization of spells.

"Have you tried to perform any non-English magic?" He can say he believes he could do it, but has he actually tried yet?

"Of a sort?" Strange admits, with a frown. This is obviously a bit of a tough subject the way he frowns and stalls for a moment but eventually, he relents. "I was able to perform black magic back in my world. That's a different magic that uses blood and the strength of the magician instead of the relational spells that my magic's used to. And before you ask, I haven't tried it in faerie and I'm not going to."

That last statement is said far too firmly. There's no need to raise the dead when you've got the Ringmaster to do it for you. Besides, raising the dead in the peninsula was...harrowing. Strange absolutely does not want to repeat that.

Syrlya raises a brow. 'Black magic' has him curious, but he can see it's not a favorable topic for Strange. He probably doesn't want nosy questions about it... yet, anyway.

"But is that really different magic, or merely a different set of spells? I wonder how limited our ability to use one another's magic is if the base energy is of a different source." He could hazard a guess if he pieced together what he already knows about magic on Tyria, but Strange is someone already here who might be able to answer those questions, or at least give him a starting point, quicker.

"At least in my mind, it's a different magic entirely." But that small frown on his face tells Syrlya that Strange isn't too sure about it. It was still magic from the Raven King: a wilder and more dangerous magic, but magic nonetheless. Perhaps it's not as different as he thought?

"Here: tell me more about your world's magic, if it has such a thing. I shall try to replicate one of your spells and we'll see how that goes."

Syrlya chokes on a sudden laugh at that. He leans back to recover, waving a hand quickly to dissuade Strange from asking about the outburst.

"Everything about Tyria is steeped in magic. It is a force of energy just like the water and the air, and using it only requires that you know how to reach it, pull it in, and change it. That is conscious magic." The purposeful use of spells versus the magic engrained in someone's being, which is much harder for him to teach Strange.

"I can tell you the most about Mesmerics, but that is magic of the mind and illusions. We twist reality. Mimicking the spells of an Elementalist sounds closer to what you do, but I can tell you nothing of their casting." He shrugs.

Edited 2017-08-10 00:51 (UTC)

Though Strange doesn't ask about the outburst, it's obvious he noticed it: he gives Syrlya a downright confused frown. Thankfully, an explanation is coming so he pauses and listens.

An elemental force that you pull and change...Strange knew that magic of his world was a force of some sort. After all, it could leave England and be reintroduced to England. But it doesn't sound as permanent and as malleable as Syrlya's magic sounds. He's not entirely jealous, but he is certainly interested.

"Then tell me about Mesmerics. I might not be able to replicate your work but I am interested in spells to do with the mind. For personal reasons, of course." Because when Nightshade restored his memories, she did it with all the grace of someone using a chainsaw. Was it always like that?

"What other reason would there be?" He says with a coy tone, but his expression shifts to something more serious and thoughtful as he works out his phrasing. It's one thing to explain magic to someone who has simply never practiced it, but another to explain it to someone who may not actually be familiar with it.

"Mesmers are illusionists. We manipulate chaos energy for an array of spells designed to alter other's perception of the world around them and briefly change what is and isn't real. With further study we can learn to manipulate time as well, to a small scale."

He gestures to himself. "My skills are mostly combative, so most of what I know is designed to hurt someone or give me the advantage in a fight. Ah... it is a very broad field, are you more interested in spells that influence the mind most directly?"

Chaos energy? Now that's a term Strange hasn't heard before. He can't help but frown slightly, listening intently as Syrlya continues to explain.

And honestly, if Syrlya could do even half the things he mentioned, Strange would be downright impressed. Altering perceptions, manipulating time, these are things that he has no idea how to coax his English magic to do in the first place.

"I am," Strange answers. "I...unfortunately have some experience being the victim of magic that targets the mind. Though before we start on that, you mentioned chaos energy. Is that another name for the force that your magic manipulates or is it something different?"

Syrlya tilts his head, curious. Being a 'victim' of mind magic could be a lot of different things. But an explanation is in order, first.

"It is a more precise name for what powers my abilities." Syrlya gestures his hands out for emphasis. "All magic is intertwined but there are different facets of it, and those facets are capable of being twisted into different spells. As a Mesmer, I pull in chaos energy for my spells because it is that facet of magic that alters reality. There is some overlap, of course, but for the most part every magical profession is specialized in using a different face of energy."

"I see," Strange responds, with a nod. "So, to put my magic in your terms, I suspect that nature itself would be considered a facet of energy. After all, I can create wind, water, and fire as well as manipulate them."

He's a bit hesitant with his analogy, as shown by the small frown on his face after he says it, but Strange just continues ahead anyway. "I'd love a demonstration at some point--though I don't mind waiting until you've settled in, of course."

"Perhaps? Or simply charged with that energy... at least in Tyria, magical energy is its own raw, tangible force." And, well, Syrlya isn't an Elementalist nor has he spent years in the classroom like other magic users might have. It's worth comparing if Strange's magic is anything like that, or if English magic behaves in an entirely separate set of rules.

"I suppose that depends how big of a demonstration you are looking for. It's... inadvisable for me to use most of my spells on you directly, but most of what I studied was in illusions and warping reality, anyway."

It's own raw, tangible force...that makes sense. There've been stops where Strange could feel the magic and others were he couldn't. Perhaps it was that sort of a force he was actually feeling?

"Then, if you don't mind, let's see an illusion or two!" Partly out of curiosity, partly now that he knows how Syrlya's magic works, he'll know what to look for. The ability to piece out the components of magic that he and Rita had was damn useful, but it would probably work best if he knew what components he was looking for in the first place.

"Mm, all right." Syrlya takes a step back to give space between them and holds out his hand, palm facing up. Watching his magic will be interesting for Strange both because and can see it with his third eye and, well, physically see it.

It has properties of glass, shards of energy flickering into focus as they draw towards his palm and, in the span of a few seconds, merge into a lifelike illusion of a pink lily. Once the illusion is together, there's no stray energy outside it, and if Strange wasn't privy to its magic with his new ability, it would be impossible to tell from reality--even to the touch.

He offers the flower to Strange. It's the most innocuous illusion he can offer, not wanting to startle the man with something to severe as a copy of himself or messing with his senses.

Visible. How interesting. Strange can't help but watch, obviously interested, as his eyes follow the shards of energy. Perhaps that, the energy that he could feel was what Syrlya called his chaos energy. How interesting. Strange simply thought of it as magic.

He gingerly takes the flower, as if touching it might cause the lily to break. Though oddly enough, as he holds the flower and gently touches the petals, Strange can't help but look a little disappointed. "Is that all?"

Syrlya might not want to startle Strange, but Strange isn't the sort of man to do anything small. He asked to see magic. Why wasn't Syrlya showing off more? Oh, the petals certainly felt real enough and he's certain that had he not had this new gift, he'd think this was real in the first place. But he at least got the impression that Syrlya could do great magic, not party tricks with flowers.

Syrlya raises his brows at the clear disappointment, a frown starting to develop. "Of course that is not--you said illusion." He gestures. It is an illusion!

He lowers his hand, and while Strange is messing with the lily the figure will suddenly break back into the glittering, purple-blue energy and dissipate. It will leave only a tingle on his fingers as the flower disappears.

Syrlya looks only mildly put off as a flash of that energy suddenly bursts around him, some of the magic warping from shards to small butterflies that evaporate quickly. And what looks to be Syrlya is still standing there with a stern expression.

But his voice comes from behind Strange. "As I said, most of my practice has been in combat, and I am not going to attack you in the middle of the carnival," he states with a cross of his arms.

The illusion doesn't mimic his movements, and instead puts one hand on its hip as it regains a more neutral expression. Almost like it's independent.

He can tell the magic is cast though, at the moment, Strange can't tell what it is. He frowns slightly at Syrlya, about to ask just what he cast...when he hears the man's voice behind him. Strange spins around, obviously a bit shocked and he takes a few steps backwards so that both Syrlyas are in eyesight.

And he can't help it: he just grins like a maniac. Now that's amazing. Strange isn't hiding the fact that he enjoys all this. He takes a few steps closer to the illusion-Syrlya and attempts to prod it in the shoulder, talking all the while.

"I do want you to attack me sometime, though," he says, launching into an explanation before Syrlya could question him. "We're both nightrunners, after all. I want to see what your magic's like in that sort of situation--it's really quite impressive, by the way."

The illusion glances around passively until Strange pokes it in the shoulder, and then it shifts to the side and fixes him with a look.

Syrlya, meanwhile, tips his chin up with pride. "Thank you! You said there was a training area... I'm sure we can find some time to spar. Knowing how each of us handles ourselves in battle is important." Lest soneone get beamed in the head with a stray spell or something.

"I would like to see what you do with your magic as well."

Edited (When u find a major typo hours later) 2017-08-11 17:22 (UTC)

As the illusion glares at him, Strange just looks back over to Syrlya with a grin on his face. He's downright impressed and that much is so obvious. Oh, the hours he could spend picking Srylya's brain, talking to him about magic and his world and how all these things work. Honestly, he's halfway tempted just to yank Syrlya over to the training grounds right now--though the rational part of Strange's brain, however small it is, points out that the man just arrived, give him time to breathe.

An hour or two should be plenty of time to get adjusted to the carnival. He'd simply bother Syrlya later! Though, as Syrlya mentions his magic, Strange's grin just grows even more.

"Would you want a demonstration now, or when we inevitably find time to spar?" He showed off some of his magic during their first meeting, but though mirror travel is impressive, Strange knows he's capable of so much more.

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hey who's ready for ME GIVING A TAG THAT'S 90% BULLSHIT

IT'S NOT LIKE CANON IS GOING TO CONTRADICT YOU \o/

WHOO HOO MAKING UP NONSENSE

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