shellphones | voice; un: maelfaecence

Entry tags:

voice; un: maelfaecence

Type:Voice
Sender ID: malefaecence (Malleus Draconia)
To: General
Subject: Questions: Magic, Travel & Rifts
Warnings: None

[ Malleus is not one to use technology much, especially phones, but he is today. ]

Good afternoon, for those who are unaware, I am Malleus Draconia. I have some inquiries for all of you.

Since my arrival, I have learned that if you had magic back home you can acquire a tattoo to use it here. Or if you had no magic, you can gain it through the same process. However, what I'm most curious to learn is if someone lost their magic before arriving in this world, would the tattoos be able to give it back to them or could they only acquire the magic found here?

[ Only two people know why Malleus is asking about this, and it's likely to stay that way. ]

As for another of my inquiries, I'm well-aware that finding this Rift-Creating Artifact is quite the monumental task and likely means the end of our journey here for many. That there is no true rhyme or reason to who comes and who leaves as of yet, but any information you may have on the Rifts and your discoveries on how they work would be greatly appreciated. I wish to invest some of my time into learning how these Rifts work or at the very most, being able to manipulate them to some extent.

[ And Malleus has a lot of time to spare. ]

For those with the ability, whether it be by ship or some other means, have you ever ventured on a different path than the leviathans? Tried traveling beyond what seem to be their destinations. Would anyone be interested in trying such a thing?

[ There's a bit of a pause where one might think Malleus has ended the feed or lost his train of thought. Either way, he obviously had a lot on his mind - a curiosity that has grown the longer he spent time here. ]

My last question is perhaps a bit more personal for those who wish to share their answer. If given the choice, would you remain here in this world or go home? Is there a reason you would prefer to stay?

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For your first question, I needed to get a tattoo to use the powers I had at home, that my Vision grants me. I believe that's the same for most people, though I haven't done a comprehensive survey.

As to the second question, I recommend you contact Cid, as the Hideaway crew is involved in searching for the relics and the rifts. You may also wish to contact Emet-Selch. To my knowledge, there is no way to manipulate them.

And finally...I will be going home. That's always been my goal--I have too much I can't leave behind. However...I intend to find a method to retain my memories. And...ideally, if it's possible, I'd like to find a way to bring those who wish to come with me, back to Teyvat.

Well-met, Ser Draconia. I am Dion Lesage.

[After a beat, he continues.]

For the first, I did have to acquire a tattoo to access the abilities afforded me upon my own star, and they were acquired well enough, even though I had exhausted the breadth of my Aether before my arrival. I'm told we also have access to other magicks here, whether we possess those of our own or not. I have yet to explore this theory.

For the second, as Kaveh has already mentioned, Captain Cid and our crew seek the relic of which you speak and we welcome any and all who would be willing to join that quest. I would be more than willing to lend what aid I may to the exploration of uncharted waters.

[And the pause here mirrors Malleus' own before he finishes.]

Our crew seeks the relic that many of us might remain. For several among our number, it is the only chance at a life of our own we have.

Yes, I'm far more interested in whether someone can get a tattoo for powers that were already lost back home. Someone who had magic but lost it over time, not due to the fact that they arrived in this world.

To the best of my knowledge, Artifacts are magical items and magic can be manipulated. I will seek out this Cid and Emet-Selch to find out what they have learned.

I see. Yes, I imagine many have much to do in their own worlds as well. If that is your preference, would you remain here even after a way home is discovered if you could not retain your memories?

...I'm not sure. I don't know if anyone here has experienced such a thing...I know the tattoos have made my vision stronger, so perhaps they could rejuvenate lost magic?

[Kaveh sighs.] I believe it's been attempted before, but given we're all still looking for a method to even understand these rifts, that should say plenty about how much success those attempts had.

[That last question...he's quiet for a while.] I'd still go home. We can't stay here. But I can't pretend it wouldn't be a difficult parting. Nor can I simply accept the violation and theft of memories that belong to us.

A pleasure to meet you, Lesage.

[ Interesting. This is perhaps the first person who spoke of having exhausted what Malleus assumes to be his magic. ]

You had very little magic ability remaining upon your arrival? Do you find your experience acquiring the tattoo and regaining your magic different from those who simply lost it upon entering this world?

[ Another person naming this Cid individual for the relic. ]

I have no intention on joining a crew at this time, but if you require an extra hand when your crew is actively following a lead, I would like to be included. If it's not much trouble. As I do not have a ship of my own, I will need to reacquire one of my abilities as this place has decided to make a mockery of it before we take to uncharted exploration.

[ A sigh, because his baby dragon form isn't going to get very far nor will he be able to carry any passengers. Oh, this is possibly very relevant information. ]

You speak of freedom or continued existence?

[She'll let everyone else handle the questions about the magic. She has a particular interest in the rifts and is quietly laughing to herself about how Kaveh and Dion both thought it was Cid who he should contact. She will let him bother him anyway—]

While you could speak with Cidolfus as the others have mentioned, I have done more extensive research on the rifts myself and have come up short at just about every turn. Even those who still remain from the first batch of riftfarers have made no progress, and they have been around for at least five years prior to my own arrival, which says plenty, I think, of the state of things.

[Her voice is a low drawl, carrying her weariness on the subject. It's been several years for her and she has yet to find anything. It's exhausting.]

But I suspect that it may have something to do with the magic of the lost Ancient Levithans.

Edited 2025-12-01 18:15 (UTC)

Perhaps then this could serve as your survey. To see if anyone has experienced such a thing.

[ Oh? ] What sort of outcome did these attempts have? Do you know who attempted them?

[ When he finds out... he's going to have some words with Azul. ]

From my understanding, when you leave here it's to the moment you left from. Why not choose to stay here and live out your life, then return? I'm certain the magic involved would involve changing your appearance back to that which you arrived here with. You could live a much longer life.

The pleasure is mine, Draconia.

To be frank, I was dying. I had exhausted all my reserves before my travel through the rift. I have no memory of the journey, in fact. I was quite unconcious, but the process of rekindling Bahamut's Aether and accessing it did not differ to my knowledge, no.

[A pause here as he nods once, then remembers he is, in fact, only communicating through voice.]

Of course. I mean not to presume, and we often partner with like-minded individuals who claim no place within our ranks. [But he does chuckle here slightly.] I would urge caution, even if this ability of yours is acquired. We know not the distance beyond the charted courses. Even my wings would be strained after a time.

[Dion also is a baby dragon when he transforms, but even large Bahamut would be tasked after a while.]

Both. Those possessing of magic on my star have much decided for us, in myriad ways, though some of us have also given quite literally all we might to change that fate. In Escordvi, that need not be our end.

Edited 2025-12-01 18:20 (UTC)

I'm not sure, but no one's gone home, have they? It's the kind of thing that a success would be impossible to hide.

[Kaveh ain't snitching on that octopus, Malleus.

He audibly snorts at the last question.]

To live out my life as though it was all some sort of dream? But there's no guarantee we return to our homes upon death. This world is dangerous, just as much as many of the worlds we came from. For those who have nowhere to return to...I would never deny them their new home.

But I'd like my bones to rest in the same world my fathers' do. Besides, stories like the one you propose always have a tragic ending. No, I'd rather search for the solution I'm seeking, rather than trying to find a loophole that doesn't backfire.

[ A private message. It takes him a moment to ensure his settings are the same. Someone else is mentioning Cid(olfus) but also offering up her own information on them as well. ]

I sense weariness on the topic, and perhaps that is what the original riftfarers also feel. They prioritize what is right in front of them, which I cannot fault them for, and it seems as if they have lowered the priority on finding this said Rift Artifact.

[ Now this is interesting. ]

Lost Ancient Leviathans?

[ A very long pause as he considers Dion's words. ]

I see. That is very helpful information, thank you.

[ If he could only... ]

Your offer is appreciated, however. [ Since Malleus often feels like he must be invited places. "Wings"? ] While I'm uncertain how far my own wings can carry me, my magic should suffice to help cover most distances.

[ Since he doesn't draw on his magic to be in his dragon form, unlike the Eikons, he could easily go quite far. Funny how similar fae and Eikons are. ]

I'm sorry to hear this of your world. So this place is a refuge and a new beginning for you and your brethren.

There are many that wish to return home, as well as those who do not. I've a feeling that many of them simply set it aside when no information could be found.

[Where she falls on that spectrum, she does not say, but it is, indeed, a tired subject. Frustrating.]

As for the Ancients, they are the original Leviathans of this world from before the Flood happened. Some have been around for more than a thousand years, based on what I have read. We have only been able to uncover one of them—Norhpip, a crab.

Haven't they? Just because someone successfully found a way home doesn't necessarily mean it would be shared knowledge. While I'm not saying your words are untrue, there is always the possibility that an individual would keep that information to themselves for various reasons.

[ Nah, but that octopus might tell him. ]

I don't recall saying to live here until death, "live out your life" could also refer to achieving your desire to retain your memories and allowing free travel to your world.

You need not thank me. I only pray it is as helpful as you say.

[And he actually means that.]

If an expedition is organized, I shall contact you. Those seeking the relic are all of one mind, after all. Be it to return or to remain, we seek to control the commencement of the journey.

[Yes, but--]

There is but one certainty of which I would warn: your abilities must needs be granted by the mark provided. If you seek to delve into secrets the Leviathans, whose magic fuels our tattoos, would rather remain hidden, relying upon your own abilities rather than something more...substantial would be folly. They allow you to use your magic through your mark. They can just as easily take it away. If you were to journey beyond the reach of mundane travel, you may well be trapped beyond rescue. An exploratory vessel would be recommended.

And yes, it is both. Escordvi is a world of singular beauty, mystery, and wonder. I do not mind coming to call it home. I take it you have traversed the rifts but recently?

Edited (really, I will learn to proofread one day. But not today.) 2025-12-01 18:50 (UTC)

I think it's unlikely that the relics aren't closely related, if not the same one entirely. But I wasn't speaking of dying of old age, either.

It's reckless to believe that Death cannot come for you at any age. [After all, Kaveh's father was younger than Kaveh is now...

After all, Alhaitham was even younger, if he had drowned on Norhpip.] Life is resilient, Mr. Malleus. But it is also...so surprisingly fragile.

Hm, a lack of information is certainly disheartening. However, I've plenty of time to spare to continue this endeavor on their behalf.

[ Not being mortal means he could dedicate years and years of his to it. Even though he asked the question, Malleus hasn't answered it either. ]

A crab. [ He's quietly considering this information. ] You and other riftfarers before have been searching these waters for five years, and discovered many water-based Leviathans. Has there been any information about searching the skies? With the Flood, land Leviathans - if there were any - might have had a hard time surviving, but the gift of flight could have saved those with wings or with the ability to take to the skies.

Only time will tell, I suppose.

[ Time and the "luck" of this relic at the moment. ]

Interesting, I will take this information into account when planning any future expeditions into the unknown. It seems that free travel is not an easy task and this brings up even more questions that may not yet have an answer. My plans will have to be extensive for exploration.

[ With the information he's getting from Benadikta, he may need to commission a flying ship. ]

I arrived during Ghoul's Moon month, but these questions have been on my mind for some time. Before I posed them to the public, I researched what I could.

[ Good job, Kaveh. Now Malleus is unsettling quiet - not in the way he was between his questions - but in the sense that there is something deeply wrong here with no idea what is going through his head. ]

It is my understanding that people from the same world have arrived from different times. I, myself, am from further along than two individuals I know. Yet any death they may or may not have suffered here did not interfere with their lives back home.

[ Almost like his toy, where his dragon lives out the lifespan and leaves behind a new life to continue the cycle. ]

Do you believe that dying here means that you cannot go home or that it somehow impacts your life back there?

I'm not a gambling man, Mr. Malleus.

[Why risk it? Why take the horrific chance to find out?]

My, you have a lot of questions today, don't you?

[Not that Azul can even pretend to be surprised. That said, he does mark this as private before answering.]

To start with... I think it would be worth trying if Lilia-san ever arrives here. I've spoken with people who had no magic whatsoever before arriving here and now can perform at least some elementary level magic after having acquired a tattoo and taking the time to study how to cast spells. I don't see why it wouldn't be possible for it to work with giving Lilia-san the ability to cast magic again, even if perhaps not immediately at the level he was once capable of.

Name's Faulkner, I don't think we've met. I'm afraid I can't help with most of that. I have new magic here, and I've been tryin' to look into the rifts but I've not discovered anything new.

[ A pause. ]

As to your last question: I wish to stay. My reasons are my own.

[ He's only told--or at least heavily implied to--one person that he'd probably just die if people return to the moment they left. He hasn't told anyone most of the other reasons. ]

I would, perhaps, bring a person here. This world is kinder than our own, in many ways.

[ Would his sister be grateful, or hate him more than she already did? Does it matter, if she's safer? ]

[ He looks curious over the fact that this is private, but only until Lilia's name is dropped. ]

I have far more time on my hands here than I do at school, it has left me with ample opportunity to think.

[ Think about Lilia's situation, about this world, what the two would be like if the two should meet. ]

I'm sure he would be happy enough to rely on the magic of this world should he arrive here, though I can't help but be curious if he could regain his own magic through the tattoos.

No, I don't believe we have. A pleasure to be meeting you now.

[ He takes note that Faulkner at least seems interested in the rifts and investigating them, for any future plans surrounding that. Though he doesn't push for any of those reasons, there is a similarity between them in that they would bring someone here. ]

Admittedly, that is where my interest lies, in drawing someone here to live. Though being able to control who is sent home also has its own appeal, of course.

So there is not enough proof for you, despite all that you have seen or been involved in yourself.

[ Meaning no one has died here, at least not that has been announced or in this current group of riftfarers. ]

Honestly, I think the only way we will know for sure about that will be if he arrives here to properly test this on, rather than mere speculation about it.

As for the rest of your questions... well, I'm sure you can already guess what my answer is on which I prefer, in regard to staying here or on returning home.

Wait, there's an artifact that makes rifts?

[Nico hasn't really been paying attention to the going's on. He just assumes he'll go home whenever the fates decide and this is nice vacation from the chaos back home.]

I am one person who had no magic before arriving here, and there is no magic the likes of this in my world. I do not know if restoring lost magic is possible, but given the flexibility of magic in this world, they may find something that works to their needs. They may even be able to switch elements until they find one they prefer, though I have no experience with that. I only have the light magic I am still learning how to use. There are plenty of enchanted items that may further assist them.

[ It might be a small comfort. The same magic might be lost, but that doesn't stop them from having magic at all. ]

You've already gotten information about traveling and who to contact, so I will not waste time repeating the same. I have a few theories about the rifts but have not been able to investigate them thoroughly. It seems that as soon as the rifts take someone from one world, it is easier for the rifts to take more people from that world. I've no concrete proof yet, but the pattern is too strong to discount entirely. With the infinite number of worlds that appear to exist, too many people know each other or of the same world for it to be completely random.

As for whether or not I would choose to return to my home world that answer has become more difficult the longer I am here. No matter which I choose, I lose something and will be left alone in the end. My only comfort is that I do not have to make a decision at this time.

It is possible, and I do not think the skies are out of the question, given that this world did not used to be made up entirely of water.

[She lowers her voice, as if someone else might be eavesdropping in spite of the more private nature of their call. She is only sharing this information because the more people working on the rifts, the better, and if she knows who and what they know, then it works out for her—]

Though, you did not hear this from me, but I have my suspicions of an Ancient bird. Possibly horses, too.

There is a manner of travel that is useful for returning to places once reached, a Ring of Returning. It's enchantements can be enhanced for a price to travel to multiple locations.

[He inclines his head.]

Well, you will find no shortage of people here willing to assist in what way they are able.

Is that so? I haven't heard about too many others havin' that goal in mind.

[ Though he supposes he hasn't gone and asked everyone for their thoughts on the matter like this. ]

But yes, control over either or both would put us much better off than we are now. This place could be a very good thing, if we were able to make use of it.

[ It's already a good thing for him, assuming he can stay. ]

I'm surprised you haven't broken your Shellphone yet, lizard.

[Because it's no secret technology and Malleus don't mix.]

'm sure plenty of others already answered most of your questions, so I won't waste time on those. If the old bat does come here, the tattoos will work. On the other hand, why not use the time you got to study how you can reverse the process back in Twisted Wonderland?

[Yeah, Leona's not going to answer at all about whether or not he wants to stay or go home. That's, uh, something he doesn't want to talk about at all right now.]

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