one.

[thraxios]

[The post is written in a confident hand.]

I've examined this book for some time now, but I don't recognize the school of magic from which its enchantment is derived. Admittedly, I'm most familiar with the marks of Cabaline and Eusebian magic; if it is a more complex work from another tradition, I hope I can be forgiven for failing to notice how it fits into the overarching doctrine associated.

In any case, it appears to function as a method of communication far quicker than notes sent at breakfast. (A mercy, I'm sure.) I had never guessed that the realms of the dead would be so inclined towards chatter...but perhaps eternal rest is less of a comfort than it sounds to the living.

Have any treatises been written on the theological basis for this place?

((OOC: As noted in paradisaooc yesterday, this is dated to after the expedition to Terra Haute gets going. I've just got a few other commitments today and want to get this post up when I have a moment.))

Comments

[Written]

[3nterprising]

[Faye doesn't recognize the handwriting. She supposes it isn't a bad idea to help acclimate him to the castle, at least. When she was new, she appreciated all the help she could get.]

I don't understand how it works either, but communication is always a good thing, I guess.

What do you mean, realms of the dead?

[thraxios]

It certainly seems convenient.

There are only so many places one might end up after dying.

[3nterprising]

Hm. I never thought of this place as the after life, but I guess it's possible.

And even if it is, why spend eternity without talking to anyone?

[thraxios]

Provided the denizens here are all dead, certainly.

Some people die weary of talking to others. [It's meant gently, though Gideon isn't certain, after writing it, that the good humor with which it's written will come across in writing alone.]

voiced, of course.

[kethedammit]

Hey, where're you from?

1/2

[thraxios]

[There are some things Gideon had thought to expect of this place. Mildmay's voice is not one of them.]

[thraxios]

[He listens to the message, horrified at the implication--what happened to Mildmay in those scant minutes to bring him here first? (Or is it some manner of trick on the part of this little book?) There's only one way to find out. He writes a single word in response, in large, clear characters so that Mildmay can read it.]

MILDMAY?

[kethedammit]

[And Mildmay recognizes that handwriting, even if he didn't recognize Gideon's normal script.]

...Shit, Gideon?

[thraxios]

YES.

[He can't think how to ask something as complicated as How in the world did you end up among the dead in a fashion short and clear enough that Mildmay might read it. It doesn't occur to him to just try writing that; Gideon is laboring under the assumption that Mildmay caught the word "Cabaline" from his original message.

After much consideration, he finally adds something to his message.]

HOW?

[losemycherry]

Whoa, so you're a mage? Like, with real spells and stuff?

[thraxios]

Yes. The word generally used in Mélusine is "wizard."

[losemycherry]

That. Is. AWESOME.

So I bet you were up to your eyeballs in female attention back in that world, huh?

[thraxios]

Thank you.

I sincerely doubt it.

/dictated

[hard_talker]

... Man, you just missed Felix, he'd probably know what you were talking about. As for me, y'might as well be speakin' Greek. Welcome to Castle Wonderfuck, anyway.

[thraxios]

So I've heard. [That he missed Felix, that is. No doubt Felix would be able to clear some things up, but that's not a conversation Gideon's yet ready to have anyway. :|]

Thank you. Are you very familiar with the place?

[hard_talker]

Pretty damn, yeah. I've been here over two years. Name's M--

Wait, back up. You said you'd heard. Heard what?

[thraxios]

[Better to say it and attempt to deflect towards better topics.] That Felix Harrowgate is away from this area.

What is your name?

[onlyanapple]

...Oh well, bollocks. If it doesn't rain it pours.

[thraxios]

I beg your pardon?

[onlyanapple]

You.

You know Felix, right? [He can see all those reactions, and they do not bode well]

[thraxios]

I did.

Are you an acquaintance of his?

written, conveniently pretending he missed Mildmay's replies

[lioneyed]

I'm fairly certain at this point that wherever we are, it isn't the realms of the dead - I think I'd feel better, physically speaking, if it were.

Where do you hail from? Melusine, or the Empire?

that's the best kind of convenience o/

[thraxios]

I've been thoroughly disabused of the notion by now, though I'm not sure I feel better or worse for that fact.

Mélusine most recently. And yourself?

[lioneyed]

I'd wait a bit to decide on that - this place is a strange one.

I am from Troia - and there are few here who'd recognize that name, or that of Melusine. Are you a wizard, as well?

[thraxios]

It does sound like it.

Troia? Are you Thamuris?

I am. My name is Gideon.