Video | un:tiera.erde

[manmade]

To those who are interested, a mission has been issued to take care of the chalice currently stuck in the portal. I've formulated a plan, but I require assistance.

[In the video feed, Tieria addresses the network with a serious expression. Though he thinks the whole situation with the chalice is ridiculous, he's still choosing to involve himself. He's been restless from too much free time and too little direction since he arrived, so when given the chance to do something familiar and productive, it's only natural for him to take it.]

There are two apparent options: destroy it, or push it back through the portal. Taako claims that only a god can destroy it, so unless one is present, our most likely option is to send it back.

It is unknown how much force, or even what kind, is needed to accomplish that. Based on what we do know, I propose we try two separate attempts, one with kinetic force and one with magic, to see if the chalice responds to either. I have the kinetic approach covered, though I need a Parameter Guard that isn't in training to supervise. For the magical approach...

[He's still coming to terms with the fact that magic even exists, but trying to deny it will only impede the mission.]

Since there isn't any magic where I'm from, someone trained in that subject is needed to cover that part of the operation.

Contact me if you are able to help.

Comments

[scholiast]

Not entirely, but–

(She sighs, propping her elbows up on the table so she can gesture with her hands, frowning.)

It's not so much about the chalice itself, but rather what is inside of it. If you wanted to destroy it, the light of creation would first have to be removed and... I could do that, if I only had my staff with me.

The best course of action is to push it back through the portal.

[manmade]

You're not the first person who has said that. While I agree that sending it back is likely the safer and preferable choice, I would've liked having the option to destroy it as backup.

[Even if it led to some permanent damage, that's still preferable to leaving the chalice where it is.]

You seem to know a lot about the chalice; have you dealt with it before?

[scholiast]

Yes. Sorry, I haven't introduced myself– my name is Lucretia. I... I have dealt with it before, yes.

(She's not really ready to go into detail about that; she glances away, chin in her hand.)

It would be unsafe to rely on destroying it as a back-up plan.

[manmade]

Tieria Erde.

[With details in short supply, the lack of them is glaring. It doesn’t matter what she does or does not want to share, he's going to press until he's satisfied.]

If we're unable to send it back, we can't just leave it be. Unless you have another way to deal with it, destruction might need to be an option. If it comes to that, what would the repercussions be?

[scholiast]

You can't destroy it, (she reminds him, a little frustrated now,) but if you were to...

(She trails off for a moment, brow furrowed. Truth be told, she's not entirely sure what the repercussions would be, but she can guess at them.)

If you destroyed the chalice, my guess is that it would reveal the light of creation, subsequently attracting a powerful force that has been following it for centuries now right to the city. We'd all die, Tieria Erde.

[manmade]

Would we.

[To be honest, he's more concerned about the potential harm the destruction of the chalice could do to the portal than whatever powerful force Lucretia is worried about.]

In this hypothetical situation, you'd rather we leave the chalice as is and cut off our only form of transportation between worlds? Along with whatever additional effects it might have.

[scholiast]

(She rolls her eyes.) Obviously leaving the chalice where it is is the worst case scenario; I believe the original plan was to go about forcing it back through the portal.

Shouldn't we be concentrating on forming a plan in that regard?

[manmade]

If you'd paid attention to what I originally said, you'd know that I'm already working on one to send it back.

[He doesn't appreciate having his abilities questioned, even by implication, and his demeanor becomes icy.]

So either help me draw up a contingency plan or stop wasting my time.

[scholiast]

If you had taken my initial warning as moot instead of trying to argue with me, we wouldn't still be talking about this.

(Despite her annoyance her tone is still deadly calm, her expression neutral and unfathomable.)

I'm only trying to help. Are there others? Or is it just the two of us?

[manmade]

All options should be considered, even the ones with the smallest of chances.

[And while he answers her question in full, it's done without a change to his aloof demeanor.]

There are several others, though it's possible more will join. Most of them have offered to provide magical support.

[scholiast]

(Lucretia raises an eyebrow.) When the outcome of one of the options is 'everybody dies', I think that's probably incentive enough to put that option to the side, don't you think?

(Whatever. This is getting them nowhere.)

Okay. Sounds like you have a lot to work with.