abraxaslogs | Rewriting history with the stories we tell

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Rewriting history with the stories we tell

Who: Istredd and you
When: September
Where: Thorne, Horizon
What: Catch-all, reaction to things going on, Singularity, and quest!

[ooc: hit me up if you want anything unique or just throw a wildcard at me.]

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A motorbike! So it is a transport of some kind. Istredd has no real interest in it outside of it being a peculiarity, but he is intrigued that people can simply create things in their domain that don't exist in their worlds. Of course that makes sense, it just hasn't occurred to him.

Istredd acts like a tourist might when walking through Kaer Morhen, taking in all of the details and the history that it feels like, despite being a mental domain. He knows the stories about Kaer Morhen, he is a historian, he knew witchers existed and their fraught history with mages. Everyone has fraught histories with mages. As an institution, they are as dangerous to the Sphere as Thorne is to this world. Lesser so with so few of them in comparison to the old days, but still questionable.

The medallion tree is where his eyes go next, he's seen Geralt's of course, and for a moment he wonders if that blonde hunter woman is in fact a witcher. They do look remarkably similar as medallions. But he brushes it off to focus on Geralt and what they have to talk about.

"Not enough, it is increasingly frustrating how little people know about it. I understand that they can't come near it, but I would think since everyone's arrived they would glean more information about it." Istredd is aware that Geralt told him they simply flung all the Summoned in there, and it wasn't a good experience for them, but it doesn't change that he thinks they should have then gotten a lot of information about it.

"I visit it in here regularly, I can feel it alive. I plan on visiting in person as soon as I can, I think Yennefer may be able to use her authority to help that happen. I don't know yet the tools I'll bring, but I have a list of people who have been there from Thorne." Stephen Strange, for example, who he plans on talking to. It's hard to know what tools he should bring at all, it's not as if he plans on cutting or digging into the Singularity. That's patently insane! Magic is more likely to be a good observation tool here.

"I know people believe it is the center of all magic across multiple spheres, and that it is sucking in energy and magic closer to itself as time goes on. I know about the Dimming and I have a strong concern that these summoning spells have drained it even more." He waves a hand around them.

"Arguably the Horizon existing for us to form and it occasionally giving us special abilities would indicate it wants us here ... but we could also be taking power from it, not being gifted." There is nothing he can see yet that says the Singularity wants them there or they are helping it. Which is a problem.

Istredd is pacing, which he often does when he's thinking, but he has a list of things in his head that he is getting out all at once. "The experiences you've all had recently seem like a flex. The memories, the nightmares. I heard that containing the creature that was in everyone's heads required high-level magic, and something was trying to break out." That is one thing Istredd wanted to know a lot about, these strange happenings that only were done to the Summoned. "I'd speculate that the Singularity is either trying to communicate with the Summoned, or it is learning about us and then planned on using the connection to get something."

Really it is impossible to know if the Singularity is their ally or not. He knows some people have connections to it and feel a certain way, but he hasn't seen any proof. "It should not be a surprise to you, Geralt, that this may be a legitimate crisis across Spheres. But I don't have enough information, they're frustratingly behind and blindly guessing." They being Thorne.

Geralt raises an eyebrow. He what? Visits it? He knows Julie has approached the Singularity in the Horizon, but her connection with it is unique. There's a flicker, a pause. There are answers he wants from Istredd. But he is also as protective of Julie's secrets as he is of Ciri's, and the problem is involving Istredd brushes him up against the two of them closely.

He doesn't press the matter, unwilling to draw attention to it. "Stephen's more likely to get you where you need."

Yennefer's connection is with the Queen, not Ambrose. And under the circumstances? He isn't certain the castle will let Yennefer out of their sight any time soon. Though that might go for all of the Summoned in Thorne. Disrupts their studies, no doubt, which is why he doubts Ambrose has anything to do with the war. Might even be against it, even if he'll not say it out loud.

"And the Singularity isn't making plans any more than a fucking tree makes plans in winter to shed its leaves." It's living, but it isn't sentient. It does not bear conscious, complex thoughts. It cannot make plans. At least no more than a wolf might make plans to stalk its prey. A reactive entity whose only priority is to survive, whether that means consuming other spheres or corrupting the magic of those who match it in power.

In any case. He sighs. Spreads out the sheets of parchment that are attached to the board Sam keeps tucked in his home. No. He's not made any effort to improve upon the drawings using the Horizon's advantages. They look as shit and as bare of discernible notes as they do in the physical world.

"Scholars were wrong once. About spheres disappearing after the Conjunction." He pushes one of the pages towards Istredd. "There are worlds where chaos is altogether absent. Magic and monsters are only stories to them. Believed by a rare few at best. I suspect those spheres sit the furthest from the Singularity. Maybe Thorne isn't sensing any disappearing spheres. Maybe all they're sensing is the drain of chaos from a land. But the spheres themselves remain. Just without magic."

"Stephen and I met at the ball, we agreed to talk again after everything, so I can approach him sooner rather than later." Both Yennefer and Geralt pointed him toward the sorcerer so he will definitely put him top of the list. Istredd is happy to meet any and all people who have things to say. He doesn't care if there are guesses or assumptions, every bit of information could be useful.

Istredd doesn't think he agrees with Geralt about that, but he is willing to acknowledge he knows more at this point in time. It doesn't mean he's right, but it does mean that he is better informed. He almost pushes back to talk about the nightmare situation, but then Geralt brings out parchment and Istredd immediately goes over to look at it. His eyes widen.

They don't look great, this is true, but they are clear at least, and he didn't expect visual aids. It's impressive, actually, and Istredd is reminded the witcher is much smarter than he originally thought. He can be a snob about these things, so it's a good thing to remember. He picks up easily on what the references are.

"Yes, it's entirely possible they wouldn't know how to sense a sphere without any chaos. It would be a blank spot to their spells, it could be seen as gone rather than invisible." Not with the spells they probably have access to. They search based on the power of the Singularity, on magic. "The only contrary point I would have is if that's true, how would the summoning spell work in spheres without magic? If they can use a summoning spell there, they must be able to see it, or at least tap into them."

It's a good theory and frankly, a more optimistic one if all they are tracking is the draining on magic from these worlds. Instead of them dying, they may be invisible to magic. It still could destroy worlds that are based on Chaos, but not a disaster across the universe. Possibly.

"I assume you've asked people from the other spheres if they have something like monoliths there? Other versions of portals, of conduits? The Singularity, if connected to all of them, should have something it is sourcing from." And the monoliths seems like an obvious example, but there must be others too. Yes the Singularity if powerful enough could just consume things, but it would make more sense to have a channel.

"What's the list of initials?"

Istredd can thank Sam for the existence of visual aids. Geralt does not make a habit of writing shit down, and it shows. Better than nothing, though.

Either way. That's a fair point, one that Geralt's not yet found an answer for—though it doesn't appear to bother him. His theories are only that. Theories. Untested, haphazard. They don't even know if the disappearing worlds, if true, even mean a calamity on the horizon. Isn't there always something predicted to bring forth the end of the world? The sun burning out, stars collapsing. That doesn't mean disaster is imminent.

Perhaps he's just too fucking old to feel any sense of urgency over nebulous claims that the end is nigh. Apparently.

He doesn't mention the so-named sundering and rejoining that affected Himeka's sphere. She hardly seems to understand it herself. But there's something to it, the fact that it occurred roughly two thousand years ago. Around the time of the Conjunction. Hers, breaking apart, while theirs collided.

"I have," he replies. Istredd moves on; Geralt offers no further details, instead turning his attention on the initials.

"Disappearances. In the Free Cities. I followed one boy, tracked his steps. A barmaid saw him exit the tavern, but no one outside the tavern saw him leave. He vanished beneath the doorway itself."

Sometimes theories are all people have. That's true of scholars as well, considering until recently he thought he understood monoliths and the history of them better than most. And he did, technically, but now he actually does. Including all of this makes the picture bigger, and perhaps someone else would have seen the unraveling of everything they knew as alarming or depressing. To him, it just means getting closer to the truth. That's all he's ever really cared about.

"You have. And? Do most of them have one?" Istredd already knows that Geralt is a man of few words, their brief time together he did speak more but mostly avoided saying anything concrete. A man of secrets. And if he wants his personal secrets kept that way, for now, Istredd is hardly going to be the one to bring up the mysterious girl (Cirilla of Cintra). But this part, he does need to ask about. It matters, if other spheres have monoliths.

"Perhaps the spells that bring us here aren't as binding as we think. Or they're doing it." The factions could be releasing people, perhaps when they aren't useful to them anymore. Dispelling whatever brought them here, and it makes someone go out like a blink. It would be a rather callous thing to do, but not unsurprising.

"Or, the Singularity could be doing it. We're not supposed to be here. It certainly would seem to have the type of power possible to remove people, considering it kills anyone from this world who comes near." Istredd is guessing, he doesn't have the information that Geralt does or knows enough about it. The logic is their captors are doing it or the Singularity wants to get rid of them like a virus in its system.

"Of those I've spoken to. Not exactly empirical data." Geralt likes to keep things close his chest, true. But he equally prefers not to speak of things he isn't entirely certain of, and that involves, mm.

Nearly every fucking thing about the Singularity.

No. He doesn't believe anyone's been released by the factions. There are easier ways to disappear the Summoned than disintegrating the magic that holds them. Besides, he's certain that if the territories have the ability to, how could the borders possibly keep that power from reaching? Would they not be able to simply vanish the ones from a rival nation? It seems more likely the Singularity chooses whose existence it sustains—perhaps based on how much the Singularity gains from them.

"Thorne remains the best place to find answers. The Free Cities would rather see it smashed to fuck. Can't hardly go gallivanting off to examine it for research."

Not without attracting the sort of attention he'd rather not. Especially not towards Ciri. Which means Istredd is his best chance at learning more, as the only person who both understands the monoliths of the Continent and also has access to the Singularity here. Unfortunately.

"It's data, empirical or not, so it matters. If I can make a recommendation, add that as one of your notes to write down. If most of these other spheres have something that could be used as a conduit, it could be important."

If nothing else, to know if there is a way the Singularity is connected to everywhere else, where it might come from. If it's drawing magic from other worlds, those may be the points it is doing it from. And knowing what to look for from those locations? May get them data.

"I can't be surprised that people somewhere are stupid enough to think destroying something they don't understand is the better path to go." That would describe the majority of people, in his opinion. Destroy or use. That's the instinct, isn't it? Thorne and Free Cities aren't that different from other people in that regard.

"I plan on going there as soon as I find out how and get permission. They're very controlling and I can't portal there." Which is frustrating! As someone who is used to coming and going as he likes, that is an adjustment. Luckily Yennefer is someone who he can lean on to help him when he's not being the most diplomatic.

"What do you know of Solvunn? It seems no one takes them seriously."

An arched eyebrow greets that remark. Geralt did not, in fact, make these notes for himself or Istredd. They came about while he was attempting to explain a dozen facts about the Continent, his world, that Sam struggled to grasp and ultimately demanded he write it down already.

Hence the utter dearth of context on the pages.

Explanations are not in his nature, though. So all he says is, "Write them yourself."

Istredd's here to do so now, isn't he? Anyway, Geralt doesn't write things down. Not for himself, at least. He pieces together information fine in his head. What Witcher's got time to pull out a notebook in the middle of a damn investigation?

At the mention of Solvunn, Geralt only shrugs. "That would be a mistake. For a nation with no standing army and few defences, they've held their ground for decades. Perhaps their balls are god-given."

Solvunn is hiding something. That much he knows. He just isn't sure what.

"I will, but you already are ahead of me, Geralt. I haven't been here for over a year like you." Istredd has followed the timeline, when Geralt said they were imprisoned and then when they separated. Also when other people started to be taken by the other factions. He has that written down too. He is a thorough note-taker, it's in his blood!

"I suppose I could ask people on the ... what is it called? When randomly you see words others are writing?" Istredd has seen it and thought it very strange, but he is interested, as he is in all things. But he doesn't know how one would do that. He's a telepath so maybe it would be easy for him if he tried. "But I don't know if everyone should be aware of the line of questioning."

As for Solvunn, he already suspected there were reasons to pay more attention to it, but he wanted Geralt's opinion. They may be very different people, but he does trust the witcher to up front.

"That's what I was thinking. I've read about High Magic, what they use primarily, and Thorne considers an ancient form of magic. But if it's survived this long, wouldn't that make it the initial type of magic?"

"No."

That reply comes firm. No. He does not trust the vast link that connects them all. He certainly doesn't trust everyone in this world, Summoned or not. There are too many agendas to account for. He doesn't trust Istredd's, either, frankly. He only trusts the man wants to learn about the Singularity above all else. Which at least makes him predictable.

As for Solvunn's magic. That's what he'd have believed before they travelled to Nocwich. Knowing what he does of their history now...

"The werewolves settled in Solvunn. If we're talking old magic, chances are it lies in Nocwich."

Solvunn's magic is old, but likely not the original. At least not to where it's evolved now. They haven't accounted for the fey, either. Mysterious, hidden in the woods. The rumours around them remind him of the dryads of Brokilon. Besides, at the end of the day, it's all Chaos, is it not? How it's harnessed—that changes. The source is the same.

It's why Yennefer can't access it. Any of it.

His gaze lands on Istredd, studying. "What's that got to do with the Singularity?"

"Why not? Sometimes you need to crowdsource."

Istredd is used to being on his own, but he does work with other people, when need be. He had a great relationship once upon a time with the humans working with him on the dig. He was closer to the people than most mages during that time. He does understand that not everyone can be trusted, but that doesn't mean they lack useful information. He is not for shutting doors at this point. And they're all in the same situation, aren't they? It's not that he distrusts Geralt, but he knows the man is generally untrusting, so he might be biased.

"Nocwich. And the Feywilds?" Now that would make a lot of sense. The Fey sound like elves, or something relatable. And the elves have a great deal of old knowledge, so it would be interesting if it is the same here. They could have disconnected from the world on purpose. He can access Nocwich more than he can Solvunn, so there's that at least. Or he thinks so.

Istredd frowns, lost in thought for a moment, and glances up at him. "Potentially? Everything. The original magic in this world could be what made the Singularity, or what the Singularity draws from, and may be running out of now." It would explain why it's dimming more with time. It has lost its source, or at least lost connection to it. Anything could be possible. He has no answers, just ideas.

"I know the history of this world might not seem obviously useful, but think about how the lack of clarity in our world led to us missing the true purpose of the monoliths. We have a chance here, to delve deeper than we did before."

Geralt leans forward. He has his reasons, but he doesn't especially care to lay out a debate. What is his point is this: "Do not involve the other Summoned at large. Or this will be the last conversation we have."

He cannot give a fuck about Istredd's thirst for knowledge. He's already well aware the mage will take advantage of war and massacre to get what he wants. It doesn't bother him—men have committed far worse for less—but it does mean he understands the kind of person he's dealing with.

Regardless, matters of old magic, the origins of the Singularity, it's speculation at best. He gives a shrug. What else is there to add? Istredd can look into what avenues he wishes. Geralt's interests lie closer to home—but he'll never turn down information. Whether it proves useful or not, that isn't important. He'd rather have all the knowledge in hand if he can.

"If I hear anything worthwhile on my end, I'll contact you. Otherwise, I suggest you lay low while in Thorne if you want to be left alone to do your research."

There's no telling what Thorne will do if they realize Istredd knows more than most. The Queen's proven unpredictable more than once.

Istredd leans forward too, blue eyes sparking. He may be a very calm person, outwardly and inwardly, but he is very much disinterested in leading down the same road of being dismissed.

"Let me be clear. I know I might seem like a weak academic to you, you are hardly the first person to think so, but that doesn't mean I plan on letting you order me around. If you want to work together to get answers, fine, and I appreciate what you've shared, but I'm not interested in being treated poorly because you're used to no one questioning you."

This may or may not be a reflection of some of Istredd's own frustrations toward his history and a projection of sorts, but he means it. He is too used to being treated like he doesn't matter. Decades of it, when he's been right for so long. He doesn't have to take it from all sides.

"If you don't want me to use the network because you don't trust people on it, that is all you had to say. Not give me some bullshit ultimatum. We're allies or we're not. And that's my bullshit ultimatum."

Istredd will take his advice about Thorne though, and he turns on his heel, heading out the way they came. He is rarely the one to storm off, and maybe it's unwise to lose his temper, but it is what it is.

There's a quirk of his eyebrow. Because isn't it just like the arrogance of a mage to tell themselves they're needed? Geralt should remind Istredd he's the one who chased after the Witcher for information. Twice now. Not the other way around.

But it's not important enough for him to make a conversation of it, nor is he one to bother with edging in to get the last word. If the man needs him again, he will come clutching his notebooks. If not, then that's an hour of his day Geralt has to do other things. He has little interest in courtesy for the sake of a mage's ego and ambition.

In the meantime, he lets Istredd sulk his way out into the winter frost outside. The doors swing shut, gentle, and the wolf sits politely outside.

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Rewriting history with the stories we tell

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