(text - public post.)

[conclusively]

Type: Text
Sender ID: conclusively (Mycroft Holmes)
To: Public
Subject: Research Requests
Warnings: N/A


Greetings to my fellow travelers. I have recently joined your ranks, and am endeavoring to familiarize myself with what would have been unknown in my home realm but is remarkably common here. To that end, I am requesting aid in regards to texts on magical theory and the fundamentals of such. The Conservatory has been helpful in providing archives to sort through, but the sheer breadth of resources leaves me desiring some instruction on where to go for the most optimal education, as well as accounts from those knowledgeable that do not exist in a book's pages.

While magical theory is my primary focus, I would also welcome some direction regarding accounts of flora and fauna as well. They are no less critical to understanding this world, though the fundamentals of their research are not as opaque to me.

I am perfectly ready to negotiate for compensation to those that wish to lend their knowledge in this matter, should they wish.

-M.H.

Comments

voice | yuezun

[yuezun]

The crew known as 'Raiders of the Lost Arts', who reside aboard the Phantom Moon, will be able to answer much of your questions. We have gathered with the purpose of research the hidden magics of this world. Many of them are skilled in the matters you are asking after and have shown themselves willing to provide aid to those who are curious. How willing they are at this time is up to them. But if you wish to inquire among them, this venerable one gives you permission.

You may also find some answers with those from the crew of 'The Hideaway'. However, this venerable one has no say in how they conduct their matters. But this venerable one does know that many of them are also familiar with the topics you have asked after.

permatext.

[conclusively]

I thank you for the names and knowledge, and wish to know how I might make a more direct inquiry with your crew, so that you might be able to judge your own willingness. I realize I am a total stranger, but my intentions are purely to gain knowledge, and any expertise is viewed with the respect it deserves.

As for The Hideaway, if they make themselves known, I will ask them the same.

Permavoice

[yuezun]

[The voice is bored. Has been bored. Remains bored. No emotional inflection at all.]

This venerable one does not care why you wish the knowledge or how you intend to use it, so long as it is not used to harm his people or what belongs to him.

[conclusively]

Such would be unthinkable in my mind. If it is to be used for anything, only to help, not harm.

text;

[ligero]

Studying already. I should have known.

[conclusively]

I've spent far too many days adrift, Douglas. If our circumstances are not liable to swiftly reverse, then I cannot be blundering about as a willful ignoramus. It does us no good to act as though magic won't be part of enough dealings we'll face.

[ligero]

I would hardly call you a 'willful ignoramus', Holmes. Certainly not if you're going out of your way to learn magical theory. Is that not more in-depth that we'd need for simply encountering magic in our travels?

[Unless...] Don't tell me you wish to learn it?

[conclusively]

The idea has occurred to me only as an utter fantasy, I assure you. Regardless, I wish to be able to determine what we may encounter, be it from exposure or its effects on the world. It would not do to end up needing to consider a situation and overlook something obvious that magic was the source of.

[enough strange things could happen by normal hands alone. neglect to bring in magic when it exists, and things can only baffle.]

text ; un: torinoko

[torinoko]

I am fairly new to this world myself, but when it comes to generalized magical theory, I am something of an expert.

What sort of compensation were you thinking?

[conclusively]

My original thoughts were along the lines of an equal favor to be rendered in return, so long as it is within my capacity, but if you had more specific terms in mind, I am open to hearing them.

[this is the problem when you're new and don't have the same financial backing you've cultivated for years. but let it not be said he wasn't trying to be fair about it. information for information, or hours of his time in recompense - he'd not think about asking for this for no returns at all.]

[torinoko]

Oh, that would be quite sufficient, I just believe in verifying before agreeing to anything, you understand.

You're newly arrived, after all. It wouldn't make much sense to demand monetary compensation, would it?

[conclusively]

Sense has never stopped some men from asking what they dare.

[give him a moment, fiddling this over to direct messaging for the privacy of it.]

What would you consider equivalent for this assistance? Like you, I also believe in verification, and want to ensure I do not undervalue you.

[or, you know, not get yanked into something that's going to put him in peril for the favor repaid. at least, not without at least having that be a known factor.]

text

[fractales]

I've spent much of my time here, between other projects, studying the flora and fauna of this world. Most of my area of expertise consists of seeing how the environment can affect them and working from there in figuring out how any phenomenon may work.

Really, the variety of animals and even plants here have been quite fascinating.

[conclusively]

[what Turo won't see is how those words make Mycroft's eyes light up.]

That is the exact type of knowledge I'm looking to become at least passingly familiar with. Understanding the environment and what lives within it are so closely intertwined that one necessitates the other. Can one not predict the likelihood of rain by observing the actions of animals or the subtle changes in plants? Of course you can, and that is only the smallest fragment of what could be reasoned.

[fractales]

Indeed. Animals have their own patterns and can sense things in such unique ways that a person never may be able to. They have evolved with the land as it changes in so many ways, while people have adapted in other ways that isn't quite as in tune. Even the pattern of growth for leaves, a system of roots- there is so much that can be told simply by observation and study.

I've several filled notebooks already, along with a list of books I looked through at the Archives once I was allowed within their walls. It's a subject I'm rather glad I am able to continue looking into while in this world, honestly.

[This was very much a subject he could speak of for hours, quite happily, simply because.]

[conclusively]

[he's found his like minded folk. a good subject, provided there were no responsibilities to attend to, could engage Mycroft for a while.]

I admit you've already got me intrigued as to the results of your studies so far.

[and carefully moving to direct messaging:]

And as mentioned earlier, what you would consider fair for your time, I'm willing to discuss.

text

[standingonmyneck]

I know a few places that have a lot of old books and records that have been helpful to me personally. Sometimes the smaller libraries have a better scope to root through if you need something more specific.

But I have titles themselves as well.

[conclusively]

Either would be greatly welcome in my searches.

May I inquire as to what you yourself have been researching?

[standingonmyneck]

I’ve been trying to research how magic works here physically, literally, and theoretically.

Magic is a science and like all other science, no one can understand all of it. Especially when you travel from place to place.

text; un: indispensable

[indispensable]

Much like the others that have responded, I also have a list.

[It's still small since he's only just starting out and he finally found the right places, but also because he's reading just about everything else.]

In addition, I have some texts that go more into detail about the history of this world, if you are interested in those as well.

[conclusively]

While not mentioned initially, that certainly is an area I'd be ready to look into as well. To understand the history of a place is nigh foundational.

[indispensable]

It tends to be the best place to start from, in my experience.

[Well his experience is really just where he lives but it does contain several lost civilizations so. Same difference right?]

That is my primary focus at the moment, so it would be where I am able to share the most relevant information, should you require it.

text | un: netherese

[netherese]

It would seem we have a common interest! I, too, have been keen to learn more of this world's magic and its inner workings, having been a scholar of magic and magical theory in my own home world. Perhaps I may be of assistance? Or, if your needs have already been met, perhaps we can compare notes.

Regardless, knowledge and the sharing of it is it's own reward, in my opinion. Do let me know how I might be of aid.

Sincerely,
Gale of Waterdeep

[conclusively]

I could hardly consider my needs met when the subject is so vast and my starting knowledge so low. Saying "anything at all" is a rather imprecise statement, however, and so where I require aid the most at present is where a novice should look to embrace the fundamentals.

Magic does not exist in my world beyond various forms of fiction, so I find myself eager to adjust and change course upon coming to a world in which it very much does.

[netherese]

Ah, I see! Magic as a whole is an entirely new concept, in that case. That does tell me a great deal about how to start!

First things first. Have you acquired the ability to cast magic through this world's means as of yet, or are you looking to do a bit of research before taking the plunge, so to speak? Either way, I can most certainly be of assistance! It does my heart a world of good to see someone taking an interest in magic for the first time.