first ⚡ a topic on summoning

[ramuhs]

Type: Text
Sender ID: ramuhs
To: General public
Subject: Summoning other creatures and people
Warnings: None except maybe FFXVI spoilers in their respective threads?

[// PUBLIC PORTION //]
A curious question to my fellow riftfarers — to those who are capable of "summoning" or calling upon powerful beings or even people, how does it work in your world? Any particular requirements? Contracts?

And have you any luck doing so while here? Any changes you've discovered?

[This is a general broadcast type post, so anyone can threadhop if they'd like to swap stories or anything! Cid will be reading everything...with very keen interest.]

[// PRIVATE TO FFXVI CAST //]

In case you're wondering what this is about, while on that ghost ship a girl somehow managed to summon me from a rock she had—materia she called it. She also knew about Ramuh and some of the other Eikons from our world.

Given there was no warning and that she might not be the only one, thought I should give everyone a heads up. For now I'll be trying some tests with her to see how it works and will share the results.

Comments

[afflatusexarch]

So, then, theoretically... Providing a focus might be key. One would pull the aether towards the foci and it serves as the true medium.

Then it would be just a matter of turning that aether into the sort of magic you're calling for.

[ramuhs]

[Hmmm.]

It is a way, to be sure. Bearers who try to hide their identity use crystals, and to mask their own use of aether when they need it.

[Including himself—]

The catch is having a medium that could handle and replicate our more powerful spells, which crystals could not.

[afflatusexarch]

If it is anything like our primals, I assume you mean casting magicks like Hellfire, Judgement Bolt, and Diamond Dust. At least that is what those powerful ones are called upon my star.

It's true that I am uncertain whether or not there would be a focus able to contain that amount of aether. Though that isn't to say that one couldn't be developed.

The Archon Louisoix was able to gather and concentrate a vast amount of aether and very nearly succeeded in resealing the Elder Primal Bahamut once more. Thus it is possible, if the right components are found.

[ramuhs]

There's also the issue that magic works far differently in this world, so your work will certainly be cut out for you. We haven't even touched on sustainability, which is the real reason people used the Bearers as they did.

[...But wow, even the names are the same...]

But I'm also still finding it strange how similar our Eikons are to those of other worlds. Not only appearance, but their abilities as well.

[afflatusexarch]

Aetherology isn't my field of expertise, no. Though given enough time and resources, I might be able to manage. It would hardly be the first time I've had to help in new and innovative ways of managing magicks.

[ As for the rest... ]

I don't find it quite that strange, to be honest. Who is to say that an idea, a concept, cannot be shared between the stars? Realities?

[ramuhs]

[A small chuckle.]

I suppose. Though for us, we've only ever known our own star and never considered the possibility of others out there. Now it's a little easier to believe given, well. Where we are.

[afflatusexarch]

...I. [ There's a pause and then a chuckle. ] Well we have kept this secret for a while but -

[ The reason that G'raha might know about such things is - ]

Our star was split into Thirteen shards and its source. Thus some concepts still remain between those shards.

[ramuhs]

[...........What.]

Split? How in the world does that happen?

[afflatusexarch]

Ah that... Is a bit difficult to explain. Imagine, if you will, beings that are essentially aetherical in nature yet still are of the flesh. Manipulating aether to the degree of changing the very shape and fabric of creation is child's play.

Then imagine that these people would sacrifice themselves in order to create something not unlike eikons, only powerful enough to destroy creation or even bring it back to life.

[ramuhs]

[.................]

Not so difficult, really.

[Since that sounds exactly like a certain being, and there's a slight sharpness in his voice when he answered. It certainly makes him wonder quite a bit...]

So what was the purpose of this split?

[afflatusexarch]

[ G'raha isn't like his friend. The Warrior of Light has seen their star the way that it had originally been, prior to being fractured. Thus he doesn't really know how to explain that. ]

The foe that we faced is not a creature of aether. Rather, she is one of dynamis - a type of energy that reacts to emotion. The more a being is comprised of aether, the less they are able to have any real effect when it comes to dynamis.

[ Partially because of the over reliance on aether in the past, really. ]

So by breaking the Source apart, it allowed for us to be able to effect dynamis.

[ramuhs]

And I hope this plan proved successful.

[afflatusexarch]

I am here and speaking to you, correct? We were successful in saving our star.

It feels as though it has been a very long time since we have started such a journey.

[ramuhs]

[...Well... Could be dead, but he's not gonna say anything—]

Then that's good to hear.

But I'm still trying to comprehend all these...shards. Are they just exact, mirror images? Do they know the others exist? And did you actually destroy her or just weakened or seal her away?

[Throws bunch of questions, but there really are a lot he's trying to understand here.]

[afflatusexarch]

They are not exact mirror images. Some of the races that appear on the Shards are the same that you find on the Source. As far as history and culture go, they are completely different. Time between Shards vary, so what might be mere months on the Source may be many, many years on another Shard.

Some on the First are now aware of the existence of the Source. The same goes with individuals from the Thirteenth. In general, it is not common knowledge.

Then as far as the person who is ultimately responsible... My friend defeated her and then reached out in friendship.

[ramuhs]

[...This is...quite a bit... Especially when he considers how there seem to be a lot of similarities between their worlds. The idea is on his mind, but before he voices it, he's a bit surprised by the last bit.]

Friendship. You mean they somehow actually managed to change her mind and find a peaceful resolution?

[afflatusexarch]

Aye. There was a battle, yes. However, instead of killing her my companion sought to instill hope where she had been burdened by despair.

[ G'raha thinks very fondly of the Warrior of Light, thank you. ]

Then she not only ceased her song that brought death and destruction to many, but sought to undo it with a song of rebirth.

[ramuhs]

[...Hum.]

I'm not sure if I should call that bold or foolish.

[But there's a wry grin because he can't really fault that attempt. Perhaps if there were signs of saving, he would do the same. Clive as well, perhaps.]

And this song of rebirth. Did it truly bring back everything?

[afflatusexarch]

Undoing what has already been done is a daunting task. One that I know full well.

What was lost cannot be returned in this case. However, that hope can spark life where there was previously none. From the ashes of those fallen stars, something may yet thrive.

[ramuhs]

And it is that bit of hope that helps push the remaining forward.

[Yes, he can certainly understand that well.]

In any case, I'm glad things worked out for you and your worlds. What is your little goddess friend doing now then?

[afflatusexarch]

Naturally, yes. Who knows how long it may take, but life will find its way again.

[ Though Meteion is no goddess... It's interesting that Cid believes so. ]

Who knows what the little bird is doing. My friend might have been able to provide more of an answer than I.

[ramuhs]

So long as everything is fine, then that's all that matters.

But all this talk of your shards... I know it's not likely, especially since this world and the rifts alone prove there are so many different worlds and variations of them out there. But given how similar our worlds are, I couldn't help wonder if there may be a connection between our own. Do you know what the other shards are like?

[Would be one thing if there were only one or two similarities, but with the aether, the primals and eikons, crystals... Can't help but wonder a little. And he is a wondering man.]

[afflatusexarch]

In truth, I had wondered the same. Though I do wonder, considering the concepts behind our primals and your eikons are somewhat different. They did not exist on the First, you see. The Ixali were the ones to first create Garuda, Titan from the Kobolds, and Bahamut from Tiamat and their brood. So on and so forth...

[ He shakes his head. ]

The races that created the primals are unique to the Source, with a few exceptions. Dragons are not originally from our star either, so there would be no way for the idea of Bahamut to move between Source and Shard.

[ NOW THAT BEING SAID - ]

It does make one wonder about alternate timelines though.

[ramuhs]

[Meanwhile the Eikons were created by one being... And while he had no reason to think about it, he has to wonder now how their forms were chosen.]

...Alternate timelines. You mean the idea of a life similar to our own, but different situations or a result of a different outcome?

[afflatusexarch]

Something along those lines... It isn't entirely unheard of.