obi_wanmanshow | In-Character, Official Liason Contact

No, I'm afraid not. But it's not a bad idea, I'll look into it.

I've been here for nearly four months, with a few excursions into the field. Some Rifters predate me by a significant margin-- I'm by no means the most senior representative.

If you like, I can answer any questions you have, or direct you to someone who'll be able to answer them for you. I have time right now, if you're free.

I've sort of gotten a vague sense, but I guess first is - does anyone know what the rifts are? And how long have people been coming through them?

The first Rifters began arriving.... oh, perhaps eight months ago? Or a little longer, rather.

Precisely what the Rifts are isn't clear to me, but according to what I've learned, they're something like a gap in the Veil. Exactly what the Veil is is more challenging, but it's certainly some kind of....field, more or less. What powers it, is another matter-- everyone seems content to assume it's a natural phenomenon of this place, and I have no reason to doubt that conclusion. Functionally it keeps two nearby dimensions separate, like a division between our own, ordinary world, and the Fade.

The Fade is... complicated. And very dangerous. I'm sure anyone who's seen what happens around an active Rift can see why maintaining a safe distance between us and It might be in everyone's best interest.

Edited 2016-06-25 20:56 (UTC)

Okay. I mean, the parallel universe thing made me think some sort of wormholes, but I got a firsthand encounter with the creatures that come with it, and they have to come from somewhere too. And I'm not a physicist, so I don't have much room to theorize.

But it sounds like the people here have some experience with the Veil other than the Rifts? Or at least knowledge that predates them.

Yes, that's correct. You may have met a few people here calling themselves 'mages'? The primary difference, between a mage and a non-mage, to my understanding, is that mages are able to interact with the Fade directly through the Veil, while everyone else cannot.

Under normal circumstances, the strength and tenor of the Veil is considered a part of their practice of...ah, the usual mage abilities.

Rifts aren't wormholes, however; I'm familiar enough with those to tell you outright. They're only tears in the Veil-- it's possible that once, long ago, ordinary space and the Fade weren't separated at all. I've been considering a theory that they have been now for a very long time, and grown apart as a result. Divergent evolution, on a macro scale-- pure speculation, of course. I'm no kind of mage, myself.

[She seems interested, by her tone.]

Evolution? Like some sort of ecosystem, maybe? I mean, from the very little I'm gathering, it doesn't sound like the Veil is an organism itself, per se, but if it grows and reacts to stimuli somehow, that would be a fascinating explanation for how mages relate to it.

I'm sure someone among the mage population could give you better information than I-- perhaps ask after a man called Solas? He's an elf, but he seems quite knowledgeable on the subject. Additionally, he has some experience treating any pain you might be feeling, on account of the Shard you acquired upon your arrival.

Thanks, I'll look him up. I've had some glancing contact with healing - Christine Delacroix offered to help with the shard when I first arrived. It's interesting that their healing is so advanced in some areas but can do relatively little with the shard, isn't it?

I imagine a certain amount of that has to do with the frequency of life-threatening injury. Not that the ease of use, the... magic of it, makes it any less advanced, in its own way, of course.

That's the fascinating thing, isn't it? I've never known a human society that wouldn't explore something like that to the utmost-- and install a convenience resteraunt and a bar at the far end.

[She laughs.]

It's kind of nice to know that people's ability to make anything a tourist attraction is consistent. The place I was going to school has a festival to celebrate this guy who rolled the world's biggest ball of twine, so.

And I mean, I guess magic is to some degree a matter of semantics. We can do things where I'm from that people from a century earlier wouldn't be able to readily understand, much less replicate. I've just got to get used to some things I think are commonplace not being here at all and things I think of as impossible being easy.

It's a brave new world.

[And he doesn't sound upset about that at all; on the contrary.]

Is there anything else I could answer for you at this time? I'm usually available, if you contact me via crystal.

I won't take up too much of your time right now, but I'll probably be in touch, as long as it doesn't bother you.

Oh, I guess before I go. Can I ask about our relationship to the Inquisition, as Rifters? I mean, it seems like we're all stuck here for now, but I'm not sure what's expected.

[It's not like she has anywhere else to go. But still, she's curious.]

In a word, complicated.

As I understand it, you have a choice, to help the Inquisition or not. Even if you choose not to, you are welcome to stay on as their guest, provided you don't act against them. There are many Rifters who have chosen to join the Inquisition outright, as members. Those people are to be treated as no different from any other recruit, as if they were no more than another kind of refugee, of the kind you might see camping across the valley below Skyhold proper.

Many of the Rifters, such as myself, have taken a less formal role, helping the Inquisition in whatever capacity we are able, while remaining mostly un-committed. There have been a number of difficulties arising from this arrangement, not the least among them mistunderstandings as to the legality of individual rights, and the expectations of both Inquisition leadership and individual Rifters. We aren't one cohesive group, you understand, coming from so many worlds. I was appointed to my position by the Inquisition, not any vote of Rifters, or similar effort.

Not everyone here looks at we Rifters with any pleasure. More than once I've had it implied that I'm little more than a particularly eloquent Demon, born from the Fade. Be careful, and be circumspect, but so long as you're doing nothing actively malicious, you should be alright. If you get in trouble, it's my duty to stand for you, so please try not to put me in too much of a bind, hm?

Well, it definitely won't be my intention. I mean, I've been here long enough to know that I'm not exactly positioned to blend in even if I wanted to, so people with problems with Rifters aren't going to have a hard time finding me, but...

[She trails off, the audio equivalent of a shrug.]

I'm a scientist who skips her workout in favor of Netflix on the regular, Master Kenobi.

[He almost certainly does not know what Netflix is. Still.]

I'm not inclined to pick fights with the big guys walking around with the giant swords, I promise. No intentions of doing anything overtly demon-like.

And yet you may find that the kind of man who walks around carrying a giant sword might try to pick a fight with you, for many of those same reasons.

[i.e; that she is an easy target.]

But, point taken. I will trust to your own judgement on this. And if you do need help, call on me.

I will. Thanks - really. Even if you got picked for this without a vote or anything... it's still nice to know someone's kind of got my back.

I'll be in touch.

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