limacharlie | D5, Nightrunner Channel

[ The nightrunner channel comes to life in the mid-afternoon. ]

This is Nightrider Lambert. We'll be making a stop at a new world tomorrow. For some of you, it'll be the first time, so if you've got any questions now's the time to get them out of the way.

Keep a lookout for trouble and tell me or another nightrunner if you can't get ahold of me. You're not on a leash, but I'd better hear from you at least once a day, even if it's just to tell me there's nothing to report.

We also got a warning that we might need to watch for any sign of other fae. A lot of you won't know what that looks or feels like, so Strange will fill you in.

[ And he lapses into silence for Strange to take it away. ]

If you aren't magically sensitive then I'm terribly sorry, but you might not be able to tell fae magic apart from other magic in the first place. For those of you who are, the thing that I've always associated with fae magic is the sheer power behind it. Even a faerie artifact can radiate more power than your average magic user and certain spells can linger long after the enchanter dies. It's also...simple, in a way? Carnival magic is a bit of a hodge-podge, a combination of all sorts of magics from different worlds. Fae magic is more pure and...primordial, perhaps. [ Strange is 100% not certain about that word choice! ]

Though, at least with the Portland fae we've encountered, they weren't too good at making certain things fit their surroundings. Mysterious berries, a large gathering of birds, roses springing up out of nowhere...if you see something that looks out of place, take a picture and ask someone about it before you decide to metaphorically poke it with a stick.

[ And Lambert will tack on: ]

One person screwing up is all it takes to land us all in a load of shit. So if you see someone doing something that could be a problem? Stop them. Be ready for anything.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Hi team, here's Rita, using this channel for the first time since enlisting as a mercenary.]

A warning about fae? Can't you be more specific?

The message the Acquisitioner got from the Summerlands was just as vague.

'Consider the rose, and consider a time when you have tasted its thorns before. These flowers are alike in more than Name.''

[There's a pause as she processes that.]

So the warning came from the Summerlands... [That's one question answered, though the rest is awfully cryptic.]

They mean the rose from the manor...?

He seems pretty convinced of that. [ However, he's less convinced the threat to look out for is solely from the outside. ] Without seeing the letter for myself, we'll have to take his word for it.

It's the most straightforward interpretation, but straightforward isn't exactly what the fae are known for being. [ Although... ] You were a changeling too, weren't you? Can you remember anything that might be related to this?

Edited 2018-01-17 08:18 (UTC)

No... not off the top of my head. The other me was a lot more familiar with Ignatius than with the Rose Queen, anyway.

But I remember what their magic was like. If we encounter any trace of them, I'm sure I'd be able to identify it.

Could you identify fae magic that doesn't belong to one we've met? Or if someone was in thrall to one?

I'd be able to identify that it is fae magic, at least. Could probably tell if it's Summer or Winter related, too.

As for a brainwashing situation... I haven't had much opportunity to test it out, but probably, yes. The closer the target is, and the less interference, the better my chances are of clearly making out the signs of enchantment. That magic analysis technique I showed you can be used to confirm, too.

Would it help you to see someone being controlled? It won't look the same as fae magic, but maybe there'd be similarities. I can probably get one of the others to play along.

[There's an audible ugh, because gross, mind control magic is the worst... but...]

If you can get someone to go along with it... sure. [Her tone is reluctant as all hell.] It's true that observing such techniques will make it easier to identify similar spells down the road.

9S can do it. It looks like he's got a way of undoing it so he doesn't stay under long, either.

[ So Rita will find it useful, probably. ]

What? Oh, come on! Does it have to be me?

[Rita's thrown off by the suggestion, too.]

Yeah, what...

... Wait, you did this before!? [It might not be the only way Lambert would know 9S can undo brainwashing on himself, but it sure is the likeliest scenario.]

Yeah, while we were sparring.

[ What's the problem here? Although 'sparring' might be too generous a word to call it. ]

I mean, I could see if I could get Strange running around the arena again if that'd be more useful. Just pick someone.

[ Just how many people has Lambert used Axii on? A lot, apparently. ]

[Grumble grumble grumble he's not saying anything until Rita picks who's going to be the poor sap getting brainwashed. He hopes it isn't him!!!]

L... like I said, I'm only going to practice on someone who agrees! If 9S doesn't want to do it, then forget it!

[If it seems a bit like Rita's being soft on 9S here, it's because she totally is.]

[ and the peanut gallery quickly pipes in with, ] Since I know the make-up of that spell, I'll probably be able to break it on my own before Rita gets a good look.

[ aka make 9S do it. ]

Edited 2018-01-20 01:37 (UTC)

Don't you want more practice fighting off brainwashing?

Don't you want someone to be brainwashed long enough for Rita to properly examine it? I've gotten better at spell-breaking so it wouldn't last too long.

Sounds like she's being soft on 9S, so it looks like you're it.

Excuse me!?

That's not really a surprise, [ Strange grumbles, entirely unaware that bringing up the fact that Rita's got a crush MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST IDEA. Still, he's got a feeling that Lambert won't let this go, so how best to try and make this LESS of a disaster. ]

We'll both do it. That way Rita can have multiple people to examine.

[ he says, straight up volunteering 9S. ]

Isn't it?

[ He sure does wonder what Strange means about that! But anyway, he's proposed something that sounds infinitely more useful, so Lambert will latch onto it. ]

Not a bad idea. Anyone else you think might be up for it?