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

[vermilloci]

Better to act first, with something like that...

[ And, because she doesn't want to sound as if she's pitying them, but instead hopeful for them, she adds: ]

At least, you won't have to worry about being summoned by me. I won't dare again.

[ramuhs]

Given the cost it has on you, I should hope not. But out of curiosity, who can you summon?

[vermilloci]

Oh. [ Only fair to tell him, considering that he told her who the Dominants are.

But, unfortunately, the answer is a little more complicated. ] In my world, there are many I can call... [ She folds her hands together. ] But my magic doesn't feel the same here. [ Hence, her attempting to summon Shiva, and getting Jill instead. ] Erm, I just haven't gotten around to trying who I could or couldn't. Among those you listed, Shiva, Bahamut, and Ifrit are in my arsen-- [ "--arsenal", is what she had been about to say, but seeing as that he just mentioned being treated as tools of battle, she clears her throat, amending: ] ...are within my authorization to call.

[ramuhs]

[That is certainly quite a few of them already... And while she tried, he still caught it, and even if she hadn't, it would still lead to his next question.]

And for what purpose would you need them? Especially at the cost of your own health?

[vermilloci]

[ Once regarded as war deities, they're now used as siege weapons, but that feels not at all appropriate to mention. ] You can probably guess this, but we use their might to turn the tide of battle. [ And then she pauses, looking at him.

Really looking at him. Peering, in fact. Maybe even... scrutinizing!

Rem only knows the summons that are listed in the Crystarium, and the Dominion's catalog of Eidolons numbers in the thousands. A mere mortal would never be able to achieve the power needed to call or bank them all-- only a l'cie would be capable of such a feat. However, she remembers spending endless nights studying to help her magic grow, pouring over scrolls and books far past archive hours; and she remembers the name of Ramuh listed next to his depiction. Humanoid, a wise magus, and lightning-type.

It occurs to her that she doesn't even know what their Eikon forms look like, and since she's never actually seen Ramuh, curiosity gets the better of her. Now she must inquire!

At last, Rem's nose crinkles, and she straightens. ]

I have to ask, I do. Do you, um... [ How to ask this without coming off as eager to learn! Unfortunately, Rem doesn't quite succeed, as she appears to perk up as she continues. ] When you summon yourself, do you have a [ She brings her hand to her chin, mimicking the action of stroking a longgggggggg beard. ] And a... staff? With a horned horse on it?

[ramuhs]

[He feels a little strange finding himself under that scrutinizing gaze, wondering what's going in that head of hers... But then at her questions, and at her eagerness, he can't help but chuckle a little. Is that what it is? Curious?]

Rather than "summon," we shift and transform into our Eikon. It's called "priming." As to Ramuh himself... [Another chuckle at her mimicking.] Aye, he's an ancient old man with the long beard and robes with a staff.

A horned horse however... [He has to think. He's held and stared at that staff many times, so it's not as if he can't remember it. But he rubs his chin in thought.] That I do not remember seeing on it. Suppose that must be something from the Ramuh of your world.

[vermilloci]

It’s.., ah, the horned beast is actually another summon, too… [ Her voice drifts. Because W O W. Oh, wow. Okay no horned horse staff, but he does apparently magically grow a long beard, and as he rubs his chin, she wonders if his Ramuh’s beard is— ] Is it fluffy?

[ —and she asks this aloud before stopping herself. She’s only ever seen depictions, and according to the texts the Ramuh of Orience apparently has a beard that resembles clouds. Obviously she must ask what it’s like, because she hopes that, due of the toll his Eikon demands, he won’t ever have to prime again.

Is it fluffy, or is it prickly like static…! ]

[ramuhs]

[Just a blink as he looks up at her and stares at her for a moment.]

Eh?

[What's fluffy??]

[vermilloci]

Your beard! [ She immediately clarifies, eye glimmering with an enthusiasm that hadn’t been there before. ] Er— Ramuh’s beard.

Like clouds, or… Or is it prickly like static?

[ramuhs]

[Just another blank stare before he laughs. A real, loud bellowing laugh as his shoulders shake and he half hunches over.]

Ramuh's beard—clouds—hah!

[He's been asked many questions about his Eikon before, but never about the old fart's beard—

Oh man, that's a good one. And he might have needed that what with everything else that's been going on. So after a few more moments, he finally calms, shaking his head.]

Maybe not a cloud, but it is surprisingly on the softer side, with a lot of volume to it.

1/2

[vermilloci]

[ It was a serious, curious question!! And yet, she finds herself surprised at not only the thunder (hah) of his laugh.

Caught off guard, her jaw quietly slackens as she simply stares at him for a few moments longer.

…

Then her expression softens.

And then a corner of her mouth twitches. ]

[vermilloci]

[ And then, at long last, a smile forms upon her lips in which it seems to not only melt away the wariness etched into her mien, but to bring added warmth to her eyes. ]

No cloud-beard, mm? I’m shocked, I tell you.

[ Pun absolutely intended. ]

[ramuhs]

[Catching it, he just chuckles.]

It certainly moves and floats like a cloud. Should I ever be able to prime, I'll let you have a chance to touch it. Maybe it feels different to others.

[vermilloci]

[ She raises her hand, covering her lips as she chuckles, mirth resonating in the sound. ]

I wouldn’t be able to give you a comparison, but… [ Her smile is kind, appreciative, and her eyes shine with the silly soulfulness of laughter. Even if she’d hope he would have no need to prime, this is amusing to think about. She would not dare touch an Orience-Ramuh’s beard. ] I’d be first in line to try, I would.

[ramuhs]

[Well wait until she hears that he discovered he turns into a mini-Ramuh. But that will be in the future—]

I'll be sure to let you know.

[A wink.]

Anything else you wish to know?

[vermilloci]

[ She will squish the bitty in a hug— ]

Mm… no. [ Well, maybe she does have other questions, but they can be asked later if they’re truly important. Rem’s hand falls from her mouth, and she places it upon her chest. Already she’s feeling a touch fatigued, but maybe that’s only because she’s finally allowing herself to relax in his presence.

A good thing overall, really. ] Not right now, anyway.

[ramuhs]

You know how to reach me if you do.

[And he still remembers what she said about a horse related to Ramuh...hmmm.]

But I think you could use a bit of a break. I'll get back to you on what the rest say about your proposal.

[vermilloci]

[ Rem nods at him, and, pivoting away, she lifts her hand to give him a tiny wave.

It makes a world of difference to not be entirely on-edge, and really, she’s grateful to not have more questions coming in her direction. ]

Mm, all right. I hope the rest of your day goes well.

[ And with that, she departs. ]