Notes: The Stone, Experiments, Results, and Theories pt. 2: Knowledge Gained

Knowledge Gained

* By some trigger (time or otherwise), Rahvin became a conduit for, (instead of merely affected by,) the Stone.

- Her mental reasoning was compromised.
- Her Choices seemed altered.
- Her ability to take in energy and retain it was affected.
- Her connection to the Stone remained.
- More unseen 'tendrils' reaching for magic and energy grew from her.
- It seemed to cause her hunger near starvation for such energy.

- Note: It is uncertain whether violence is an effect of this. Certainly un-logical behavior seems to be.

- At some points she was sparking with a strange energy.

- Note: Is it possible that the Stone makes this shift by giving a certain sort of energy? If it is energy given, it's quite possible it can be energy removed to undo the strange conduit-effect.

* Energy Intake

- It does not appear that the Stone directly takes in energy now.
- Instead, it was done much quicker by way of Rahvin.

- Note: This could possibly be likened instead to 'viable parasitic tethers'. It's not entirely certain what the purpose of altering those tethered to the stone is, other than a wider network of hosts to take in and siphon energy. The Stone itself may have deactivated its 'threat' level so as not to be assumed dangerous to any others who seek to touch it; thus, not immediately draining itself, and letting those connected deal with the elements of peril.
- Note: The stone seems confined to a finite existence. I am curious what happens once the stone takes in its capacity of energy. Phooka had mentioned a theory in letter to me on potentially overpowering it, but considering those connected, I am unsure what would occur to them then. This, while interesting, is rather something I'd not test.

- Likewise, energy was split between her and the stone.
- It is unknown whether Rahvin can still gain energy by normal, biological processes, or if the Stone has replaced such needs entirely by its own method.

* Energy Intake: Experiment and Result

- I had 'beaconed' a selection of Chaos energy that I intended to be taken in by the stone.

- Note: The beacon will remain; thus, I can look through the In-Between to determine where the energy has gone or become over time if I seek to.

- I attempted to see if the Stone itself would take in the energy.
- It did not.
- Instead, Rahvin took it in quite quickly.
- Part of it stayed with her, and seemed to help 'power' her.
- Part of it was 'stored' in the Stone.
- Thus far, it has not been converted nor transferred elsewhere.

- Note: Watch it, check it at every few intervals to be sure it has not changed.

* Energy Intake: Types

- It was confirmed by Lafey that the stone does in fact, take both magic and lifeforce.
- However, lifeforce seems to be in smaller quantities. (Though, clearly, the two are very closely knit regardless.)
- Thus, its focus is on magic primarily.
- When Rahvin drained Abrecan, an odd occurrance happened where she seemed to drain the effects of his pills taken instead of his life force.

- Note: This implies that the effects of Abrecan's pill are either a form of magic, or that the Energy Intake Process has shifted to also seeking to take out 'internal defenses against fatality'. Both are notable, and may have logical cause. It's also possible that she overwhelmed him with magic, but that would imply the latter thought in reasoning.

* Stone composition: Experiment and Result

- Though I was distracted from the actual process of this experiment, Sphae tested the stone to see if it was connected to any of the natural elements of Tyria; specifically related to fire and earth.
- According to her analysis, it was not. She seemed to find nothing in relation.
- Thus, several possibilities are ruled out, while others become more prominant.
- I assume the Bloodstones themselves would have some properties of Tyrian elements within them, however, I cannot be certain.
- What is certain is that it is not naturally formed.
- Thus, it is likely a creation, either by something of an outter Realm, or by individuals in this one.

* Rahvin

- In her mutterings, she mentioned something about 'Finding Veil'.
- It is uncertain what kind of veil she refers, or if Veil is a place or being.
- It is possible that 'Veil' is the name of the man she sought before.
- Mentioned 'getting her journal' and 'talking to him'.
- She may have muttered 'cheese' or 'chase'.
- Also uncertain of relevance, though it may be of use later.
- Donari has said that he will follow these leads and attempt to investigate what it is she means.

* Lafey's Analysis

- "The magic I've sensed insofar is general. Which means we could disrupt the connection without necessarily throwing off the lifebalance of those effected." (In theory)

* On retrieving Magically Infused Stones for Tether Severing

- Sphae says she has contacts which may be able to aid in the process of retrieving them without so much [blot] trouble.
- Phooka, Sphae, and Rafe have volunteered to go into the Wastes for these stones.
- Phooka likely also has a means of collecting them without them attuning to him or any other for secure transportation.
- Only those who are capable and able to withstand high concentrations of magic, potentially deadly combat against dragon minions, and harsh desert conditions should even consider going.

* On storing the Stone

- Rafe mentioned that it is the Jester's job to hold such things.
- Thus implying that they will be responsible for its ultimate containment.
- Currently, it resides with me within Phooka's pouch and runed box which opens only at proper combination.

Notes: The Stone, Experiments, Results, and Theories pt. 1: An Attack

Those Present

* Xsaiavlairnn
* Lafeyette Mihel
* Phooka Coltsfoot
* Sphae
* Abrecan
* Rafe
* Donari Mal di Bette
* Zaree of Many Titles
* Rahvin

Prior to Experimentation

* Rahvin wished to kill me.

- Or so it seemed.
- She would listen to no reason, and stormed into the lab attempting to grab hold of me.

- Note: Abrecan yelled at myself and Lafey, though ended up wishing to keep her from me.
- Note: Donari spoke on my behalf of not being killed, but thought she should be able to pummel me.
- Note: I did not allow her near to the best of my current ability. Normally I would not be so adverse to taking blows, but the Chaos was spiking, and such would only cause it to rise more and lash out against her without my guidance. [blot] The Chaos does not care for those who seek to injure me.

* Lafey and Phooka

- Were brilliant.
- And I love them very much.

* Lafey protected me several times by using herself to get in Rahvin's way.

- Later, she did so again when the Chaos left me to make sure I would not fall, though Rahvin was bound then.
- Lafey also attempted to speak reason in my favor.

* Lafey contributed both grand observation as events unfolded, as well as some excellent theories we will need to test.
* Phooka protected me a number of times, helped guide me, and helped me not to fall.

- He spoke reason in my favor as well, and was prepared for hostility.

* Phooka also gave some grand observations and theories for experimentation, and will be working on several devices.

* Sphae

- Helped defend me by words of reason and walls of stone.
- I am quite glad she was present as well, and gave some useful insight on the stone.

* Summary

- Rahvin sought to approach me with ill intent.
- The Chaos in me was unstable, so I teleported away as much as I could.
- All the while, there was shouting and anger. Rahvin was very upset that we broke into (apparently) her room, but would see absolutely no reason for it.
- At some point, the Chaos spiked, and I could no longer keep moving unless I wanted it to keep increasing. The In-Between held me tighter when I created a Bend, and could no longer teleport either, unless I wished to be lost. I sat and tried to calm the Chaos.
- Lafey and Phooka defended me.
- Abrecan shifted form to a bear to keep Rahvin from me.
- The Chaos left me, and [blot] all was gone.
- I woke to Lafey on top of me, Rafe asking questions, and Rahvin being.. strange.

* Rahvin

- She was sparking oddly. As she does not have much magical ability, this was quite unusual.
- I looked at her through the In-Between once it was determined it was safe enough.
- She was still tethered to the Stone
- There were more 'tendrils' from her reaching out, and grasping for magic in the air.
- She appeared to be starved for magic

- Note: By events afterward, it would appear that the stone has altered her typical process of energy gain; It now appears that she gains magic and nourishment from others, taking in their power and life force to herself, in which part of it is split between her and the stone. It is uncertain whether all tethered to the stone will become, in essence, 'parasites' for the stone itself.
- Note: I have not the slightest idea how this might affect me, should it be a gradual progression to this stage. My thoughts on the process are

1) The stone drains the target of life force and magic to the point that they are not able to sustain themselves,
2) A system of converting energy intake sets in (or perhaps just an additional method is presented),
3) The target becomes an extension of the stone, seeking out energy for it in a hungered frenzy while now having a way to sustain one's self.
4) Mental stability deteriorates the entire duration; reason becomes clouded to the point where energy intake is more important than any Choices one would make otherwise.
5) Beyond this point it unknown.

Due to this hypothetical trajectory, in my case, energy is not able to be drained from me in such a fashion; I will not run out of it. The Chaos will not leave me so long as I exist, it will not deplete. Thus, I will never be able to reach that 'desperation point'. Futhermore, due to my needed Balance, I cannot take more energy in without de-stablizing. And if the Chaos is destabilized to the point of being unable to reach me, then my body cannot function at all. [blot] So what will it do to me? Anything? Nothing? Will it simply use me as a conduit for Chaos energy until it can hold no more? I really don't know.

* Rahvin Attacked Rafe and Abrecan

- Rafe placed himself in front of myself and Lafey to defend us.
- Despite Phooka trying to forcefully urge him otherwise, he still [blot] let her have him.
- It seemed to drain the life and magic from him by her grasp.

- Note: It seems this 'draining' must be a conscious effort. She had fallen on Lafey previously, and it didn't seem to have such an effect on her. Or perhaps it requires skin contact, I was unable to see exactly from my vantage. If conscious, it backs up how the stone also affects the mind. If skin contact, it backs up the same methodology used in becoming tethered to the stone in the first place.
- Note: That makes me wonder if Rafe and Abrecan might now also be affected; if touching Rahvin is like touching the stone itself. I may need to look them over.

- After draining Rafe, Abrecan attempted to pry them apart.
- Rahvin drained him as well, however, she didn't drain life or magic from him so much as she drained the affects of his pill away. [blot]

- Note: This is unusual. Either the pill itself is some sort of magic-repressing-magic, however, still counts as 'magic' to the stone, or Rahvin was attempting to drain Abrecan of his 'mortal defenses', meaning that [blot]causing victims to be within inches of their life lost is somehow a virtue to the stone. This is theory alone, but it seems very odd that a norn with such vitality would have his defense against magic drained prior to his life force. Somehow this must have been more appealing to consume.

* Phooka incapacitated Rahvin.

- I thought a second-self might make an interesting distraction, however, Phooka got to her first and used some sort of solution to knock her out.
- The second self was not retained due to my instability.
- Rahvin was tied up and watched by Donari.

- Note: Again, this may support either conscious draining, or skin contact theory; I am uncertain if she was touched when being bound, though I think Donari touched her head at some points afterward, and did not appear drained. I will need to ask.

- Rafe and Abrecan were seen to.

* From here, I resumed the work started in the first place.

- Theories, Information, and Notes will continue on another page.

71, Scion, 1327

[blot]

I hardly know what to put here.

[a few more spots] We got it. We found the stone. As much as I am pleased, I also know I will likely find myself in more trouble, but [spot] I really don't care. I may find myself later evicted and cast out, but I still do not care. [blot] I feel what was done was right. And I will fight for my Choices.

As I will fight for their Choices unlost.

[blot]

I said before that I don't know what I will be left with if I leave. I suppose I don't know what I will be left with if I am cast out either. Likely the same things I had before I came. [a few more spots]

They are kind, and they are a family, and they are comfortable giving their lives for each other to hold. I am not. Though I have joined them, I [spot] do not fit. I still barely know them, and they barely know me. How can I be part of that? I doubt I fit. And I doubt I will be further welcome once this is done.

But that it is done is what is important.

They will keep to them what matters.

If a price must be paid, I am sure they'd prefer it be the one Unknown than their family.

[blot]

Now for thoughts and theories.

I wish to see if I can't disrupt, or attract the tether to something else of my likeness. I can create a foci, a link in crystal containment, to the In-Between; a place which has tempting amount of power, yet quite difficultly reached and converted. [blot] Of course, that may result in warping. The In-Between tends to try and... take what it claims. [spot]

Perhaps that isn't so wise.

Perhaps though, it may be better to find a source of power on Tyria? I would consider a portal to the Underworld, but what a mess that would be, a stone tethering to the souls there. If that isn't a disruption in the Rules and Balance, I am not sure what would be. So that should not... necessarily occur.

I should think, though, of ways other than redirection involving myself. [blot]

How to actually stop this. The stone itself draws energy, I wonder if there is a way to Bend the energy it draws in the process of its drawing that makes it unappealing enough to release. Something like 'tainting the supply'. We know that it repels Null Magic attempts. . . I wonder if it would be possible to, reverse the magic drained to the stone into something with nullifying magical properties before it reaches the Stone. If that may sever the connection? It is something I can replicate, certainly, but not for an extended amount of time, and not in all fronts. I am curious if Phooka could create such a device.. he spoke some in writing of reversing poles and negative fields. Might he be able to create a field around the stone which changes the energy that passes through it to something nullifying? If such a thing works, it may sever all ties at once.

Or, perhaps, it may be easier to create a device which might change the output of energy on a single person. [spot] This seems like it may be less dangerous; while it would render them magically inept while the device is worn, it would not, theoretically, alter the energy they output themselves, merely shift it before it escapes beyond themselves. In that case, I would not be adversely affected. So long as the Chaos flows through me, I am fine. If it were for a few moments that it flows through me, and escapes my body as Chaos, but something changes its general composure beyond there, it will not affect my ability to survive directly. [spot]

I'd like Lafey to look at the stone and see if it is stealing lifeforce, and from there, we can determine more ways to procede. Clearly it is connected to the soul, but it seems to drain life from humans. I wonder if it simply picks up on 'vital energy' and takes it, as the Chaos is.. [spot] close to such a thing for me.

Sphae could inspect it for ways it seems to react to the elements and forces of Tyria. It seems to have some.. [blot] well. I don't know, it, at times, looked to have a small flame in it. I wonder if it actually does? Might she be able to pick up on the sort of energy it holds? If it is really a stone at all, anything related to earth, or if it is some other sort of formation. She may be able to tell, and if it isn't of Tyria's natural forces, then perhaps it is a construction, and not what we've been led to think it is at all.

I would like to see if I can actually pick up on the Chaos it has taken in, if it is storing it, or converting it, or sending it elsewhere. It would take a particular bit of 'marked' Chaos to be taken, like a beacon in the energy tethered to the stone, and then watched through the Inbetween as to what happens to the energy the stone draws in, but it is possible. If we know where the energy goes, and what happens to it, that could give us further leads on preventing it altogether. I could only hope for my stability during such a process.

There is much more that can be done, but these sorts of things give us a place to start. I am not sure when that map will be found, but certainly for as long as it is searched for, experiments can be run on solutions.

70, Scion, 1327

I saw Lafey the other sun.

She called me out to the Secret place -[streak, spot]

She told me about where her life is, very subtly, and thought she may go with me somewhere to stay. It sounds as though that there is someone after her and the Neily, and that perhaps that troublesome doctor who left may return. She doesn't know what is happening, doesn't know if the one after them, a detective, perhaps is lying, or may want to lure them out to possibly kill them. ... Or was it another who may have wanted to kill them? Her words made it sound like it could have been that doctor, if taken differently.

[a few spots] I can tell that it worries her. She says she will figure it out, but she called for me and told me this; of course I want to help her. By the Winds, I will throw those trying to see her harmed to the In-Between if I must. [a few blots] Though I know that would cause a ripple effect, something that might only send more her way, so anything done of that sort needs to be careful. All possibilities accounted for as much as they could be. Unrelated connections would be a major factor, something too clearly with its own agenda to be string-connected to another. [spot]

But it was hard to think. Keeping the Chaos balanced now is like being in an ocean, trying to contain a whirlpool within my arms; it's so simple to get swept away, and it takes much of my focus to stay above the currents, nevermind try to keep the Chaos anywhere.

What am I if I cannot help or be there for the ones I love when they need me? What am I if I cannot be where I want to be?

But instead the ocean drained. She held me when the Chaos was kept from me, even through the returning storm. I felt her get colder, though I also felt my own warmth, as she remained. [a few spots] It was comforting, though.. I merely hope it simply was. A comforting 'was' in my temporary fading.

She went back with me to the Reach not long after, worried I should not go alone, and I gave her notes on the stone artifact then. She wishes to help me, and I would love her help, though [blot] I wish to help her too, and I hope she will allow me to if she wants it.

I wonder if she felt like this, feels like this. She spoke to me as though it is all too familiar, and I suppose it is, coming close to an earlier End, dealing with that which prevents the self from what could be a true potential. [a few spots] I feel I am so much less lately, and it is infuriating. I do not want to be that sort of weight on another, do not want to be something merely dragged around, potentially pitied, thought of as something 'unable' or 'non-viable' due to unwanted and unwelcome circumstance. I want to be able to do all I wish to do, all I am capable of doing, without having to tiptoe around this and how others may react to it. I hardly fit, and it causes me to fit less.

[blot]

I was glad to see her, though I want to be able to do what I can and what she hopes for. I was glad she stayed with me, but I don't want to be simpley an added burden thrown on the pile.

[spot]

I need to find a solution. And now is the time to start. No more waiting.

69, Scion, 1327

"The worst you can do is give in, and lose yourself."

Remember this.

Thank you for being there to remind me if I should forget. Thank you for having the patience to tell me to have patience.

[blot]

Thank you for telling me that I have a place in this world, even though I still don't know if I can believe that. It means a lot though, to hear, even if it might not be or remain true.

I will try my best to remember. To be patient. [blot] And to believe you.

You are a grand friend, and I trust you as much as my path can allow. I hope I don't let you down.

I hope I don't let me down.

May my Choices be sound enough, and the Winds and the Chaos be in my favor.

If they are not, I am sorry.

67, Scion, 1327

To write simply for writing.

What has happened that I haven't spoken beyond the small, strange decay of something else that seems to be occurring to me? It's both maddening and hilarious. And yet nothing at all, not really, since so much can be done that is not.

I don't plan to listen.

Last time, it didn't quite go as planned, but this time I won't let that matter.

[blot] And then, I think, what will I have then?

Such a strange, passing thought that, otherwise makes no sense, but right now, amidst the twisting currents of Chaos washing through me, it makes a perfectly logical dilemma. What will I have then?What. Will I have then?

[blot]

Echoes. Thoughts. Wishes to run. Uncertainties. I don't know if I will stay. I don't know if I will stay, as I am simply always reminded how much I do not fit here. What I am does not [blot]

What I am decays to something else. And perhaps in that decay, it only becomes all the more clear,what I am, to those who can't see it. Terrible. Unwell. Disturbing. [blot] And then there are those who think it is Grand, Fascinating. The most Artful of Messes. [a few more spots]

I think I understand a little now. I feel my thoughts are twisting. Something is different here, and I am not quite sure if it's a desperation. There is something desperate about it. Something desperate about everything I want, as though it may fall too late to want it any further. Too late before I am more Chaos than Body. [blot] even to them. [a few more spots]

But I shouldn't give in to it. I don't feel I will lose my Choices, but I also feel I may be wrong. I don't[blot] I can't just Leave. I don't want to just Leave. There is Phooka I must consider. And Sphae. And always Lafey. [a few spots] Of course there is Lafey, but I feel that, even if I leave the realm of a body, thatshe would be able to find me if she really wanted to. Something there feels [blot] Alright. The comforting sort. I cannot even explain quite why, but we both feel somewhat beyond how bodies hold us, and I think [blot] that is part of why she can create a place I fit so well. Of course, I could be wrong. I could be wrong about all of it, and it's not like I want to be away from them. Though would I really be so far away from them? I [blot]

Find myself having thoughts, so many thoughts, whispers, and [A few more spots] they seem like mine.The whispers of the Chaos bleed over to whispers of myself. Things I think and feel. There is and will always be a Choice, but here, the Chaos slowly takes me. The more I become unstable, the more it takes me, the more I will [more spots]

be Brought Back.

I don't know anymore. Is it right? Is that where I 'belong'? It seems more and more tempting, more and more it comes together like a stilling pool to make a discernible reflection, and that reflection tells me -[streak, spot]


When I take my Silence, everything is twisted. To find a calm, it is as though what twists squeezes sap from itself in tiny, golden liquid crystals which fall to a place far below to form something of more 'reality'. I am always higher with all that is warped, and must return to the ground to find what's more smooth. A shimmering creation, like a show of sparks. It becomes difficult to tell what is closer to 'reality' at all. You can never quite tell you are in a maze until you can look out above it. So then where is the reality I Choose?

Is it all the hard, even, sensible things that you run into when you place a hand before you?

Or is it really everything twisted that always seems a little further away, bleeding up higher? Is it in seeing that what falls from those twisted things is what creates the foundations of all that can be 'sensible' at all?

[a few more spots]

I should stop this. I should see what can be done.

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