aefenglom | (no subject)

Well, I'd say not exploding is a pretty big benefit.

Edited 2020-02-18 22:27 (UTC)

Have you or someone you know personally exploded without being bonded?

No, but my friends and I also haven't needed to die from poison to know that can kill you too.

And I have seen monsters go feral and witches start having the mental side-effects, so I'm willing to believe the rest is true.

Then I applaud you for not drinking suspected poisons but I do not feel like "not exploding" is a very informative personal experience.

If you have seen people turn feral or experience mental side effects that is closer to what I wonder about. Have you spent no significant time here yourself without a bond?

You're the one who asked for practical benefits.

Not really, I got one by my third week. Staying unbonded didn't seem worth the risk.

[Cause you know, the whole exploding aspect]

Perhaps when I explode I will think back on your testimony.

Three weeks does not seem very long. Do you recall experiencing anything noteworthy during that time that was remedied by bonding?

[Kay lady your funeral. Elliot's encountered enough of these stubborn anti-bonding types that he just....let's the sarcasm go]

Not much, it's been awhile. Mostly I remember feeling overly twitchy and anxious about things as the weeks went on, along with some headaches. But once I started bonding it felt a lot better.

Now we get somewhere. Perhaps at the time these minor symptoms did not feel so minor.

[ A possibility, she can admit that. Still, she would try other remedies for headaches and bodily tension first. ]

It sounds as though you have been here for quite some time.

Actually I didn't realize what they were until I got a bond. I just thought I was more stressed than usual. It has a way of building over time, so you don't realize what it is for awhile.

[Cause thats the issue when you have anxiety problems. Sometimes it's hard to tell when something's off, or if your brain's just decided to scream]

Nearly nine months now.

[ To her credit, she keeps the fact that she is pretty certain she would recognize a difference in her own mind and behavior to herself.

But she does think it very hard. ]

And you have been bonded for all but three weeks of that time?

To the same person, or have you had temporary bonds?

That's right.

And to the same person, but I've had other bonds permanent and temporary as well since then.

That seems inconvenient. How are multiple bonds not distracting?

It can be, but you get used to it. Unless there's a strong emotion, most of what I get from my bonds feel like background noise to me.

A babbling brook is background noise. Cicadas, frogs, the wind through trees. Bardsong, if you are unfortunate.

If we can grow accustomed to being aware of the innermost feelings and thoughts of others I suppose we truly are resilient.

[Elliot could address how he can be accustomed to the thoughts and feelings of others, and that he's had prior experience.

But. He narrows in on something more important in Morrigan's comment]

You don't like musicians?

I doubt there is a bard I would miss if they all spontaneously chose to walk into the sea. I have no interest in rose-colored tales of heroism and high drama set to music, and I have no need for any of doom and gloom.

Music alone is fine.

[ .... 💧 ..... ]

Suddenly I feel thankful I stick to instrumental work.

[ Ah, that explains the question.

Well. She cannot regret her honesty on the subject. ]

I am thankful as well.

[Yeah being the one bard in existence with a sense of caution, he values his own survival so he's just...gonna try to wrap up this conversation. ]

Well then...I hope you find the information you're looking for about Bonds!

My permanent Bonded is a merrow. My general element of study is fire, but I can cast very strong water-aligned spells, well above the power and skill that I would likely be able to, otherwise. It remains very draining, but it can be used to surprise effect. My overall power has increased as well, and feels more stable.

While I was Bonded to a chimera, for as short a time as it was, I found myself more resilient than not. A graze from a shotgun wound seemed less dire, and my magic resistance seemed higher against the Witches I fought.

The Monsters gain some effects from the Witches as well. It is mutually beneficial, though I still hesitate to call it necessary.

How interesting. I feel there is a great deal made of how important it is, but the information you have shared is much more useful to me.

I agree that it does not seem particularly necessary. What of the time you spent without a Bond? Did you notice ill effects then?

Yes, there were ill effects. The headache was the worst part, and it got more intense around the new moon. I've never had migraines before, but the dizziness and nausea track with what I have known of people with the most debilitating of afflictions. Then, there were hallucinations.

The Coven estimates most Witches will only survive around four months without a Bond. Clever use of familiars, potions, suppressants, and one temporary Bond to drop the mana off on to, and I was doing decently well at six. But then I decided to take a permanent Bond. It's been more convenient than not.

An honest enough endorsement.

I am not inclined to bind myself to anyone without a pressing reason, but I know little of the temporary kind. Did you decide the length of it in advance?

You are not the only one. People refuse here for myriad reasons, and death not being a deterrent opens up several possibilities for experimentation.

That Bond was simply for our trip to Dorchacht - it served more purpose than just a repository for mana, as the person in question was also someone that I wished to keep tabs on, but it wasn't much longer than that. We didn't... really decide on how long it should be that time. It was done in the style of a permanent Bond, we just broke it once we returned.

There are also the potions. They wear off naturally after a while, or you can take a second potion to null the effects of it. The potions are a much weaker form of a Bond, but... they'll keep one alive.

Edited 2020-02-20 05:05 (UTC)

[ There is a lot of information to digest but that thought interests her, the use of a Bond to keep track of someone. Bonds may never have appeal but there is something to be said for multiple practical uses. ]

Survival is the ultimate goal.

I appreciate your candor. The personal experience has been helpful to hear. Can I assume you will not mind terribly if I have further questions at some point?

I don't see why not. They're a fairly simple concept, though there are some things to them that I think are so normal to the average resident here that they forget to mention them to those of us who aren't sure what to expect. [As long as like, none of the questions get too prying into her own self and past, personally, or are done in some kind of sardonic way. But she doesn't feel like this will be that bad.]

Of that I have no doubt.

With all of this in mind I see no reason to rush into anything. Do you generally find that the locals are as interested in your well-being as they are in their own?

The Coven is helpful as far as giving information is concerned. Outside of that, no. As long as we're willing to do odd jobs and help them out, for the most part, they're willing to pay us. Other than that, it is two disparate parties who are mostly content to leave each other alone.

There are, as well, extremists in the city that have particularly taken a disliking to us, but they've been driven underground lately. They may be back, but for now they're out of the picture.

[It's true what they say about absence and the heart's fondness. Amazing, how even the barest precursor to rational thought on display lifts the soul.]

And when you write that death is not a deterrent - be so kind as to elaborate.

If you're experimenting with alternatives to Bonding, you could easily think you have a solution and end up killing yourself when it fails. If you
fear not death, then it's easy enough to throw yourself into such experiments.

Unless you mean personally? In which case no, I have no particular fear of dying. But that was not why I took to a Bond.

I think you should gt a bond. IF... you plan on practicing ltos of magic. The benefits the Coven warns you of are true.

Then you believe there is demonstrable benefit on the use of magic.

[ Arguably her weakness when it comes to the argument against bonding. She does want to be every bit as comfortable and capable with her abilities here as she was in her own world. ]

What have you noticed?

Welllllll it sure does make it easier. That was the life! Casting magic's easy as pie when you're Bonded. And I've even heard that dpending on the Monster, you get some boosts. If you want to specialize in gruesome and gorey illusions (or just regular illusions), Bond with a Fae. They're pretty and fun, with their antennae and mischievousness! Bondwith a Turnskin for Transmutation, I bet. Turnskins are one of m ypersonal favorites, since they can turn into animals! What's not to like?

But if you have a Bond, you also wont hallucinate, if you dont already. If you doo well youll do it worse. If you remain without a Bond, you might not be able to sleep,either. It's super fun, if you thrive on mental instability! Then comes the part where yoy go KABOOM. don''t think any of us have had that happen YET, but...

Edited (OOPS realized a day later that I mixed up some phrasing) 2020-02-24 19:12 (UTC)

[ Text may be a difficult medium for conveying tone, but this person still strikes her as a bit too positive about it all. ]

Interesting. You have tried all of these bonds yourself?

[ Potentially useful information, although thinking of multiple bonds appeals even less. ]

I prefer keeping my wits about me and having all of my organs in their proper place, but so far I have been just fine.

No. I've only Bonded with a Vamprie, once. But I really like Monsters, so I read about them as much as I can. I bet there are properties yet undiscovered, especially if the individual Monster is to be considered. There might be a Dragonwith special properties that lend itself well to mind control spells... Spooky!

It starts to get harder a few months in. The more you do magic by yourself, the harder itgets. So you dont have to make any hasty decisions, but if you wanna keep your head firmy on your shoulders and not lobbed off in crazytown, consider a Bond. ok?

Sharpened focus. Balance. Efficiency.

Edited 2020-02-25 05:02 (UTC)

All something to strive for. But all beyond what you could accomplish on your own?

In this world, without a doubt.

i went about four months without a bond, because nobody seemed like someone i would want to share that with. it was exhausting, honestly. toward the end, i was jittery, unfocused, paranoid, ill-tempered, and had worse insomnia than during the midnight sun back home. my spells were starting to backfire.

my bonded is another witch, so i still have to be careful, but i have two familiars to help out, and we both practice magic regularly. it's a lot better having one than not, even an unconventional bond.

[ This is a thoughtful answer and she appreciates that, but it still disappoints somewhat to know that four to six months may be all the stubbornness she can afford. ]

Is the midnight sun what it sounds like?

I have difficulty imagining how one of these bonds could do anything but distract but several are claiming their focus has improved.

yes. when the sun doesn't set for days and days. i guess that doesn't happen here, or at least it hasn't yet.

why do you think it would be a distraction? and a distraction from what?

I've been here four months without a Bond and six with one.

You may think you can recognize when it starts affecting you, but it all happens gradually. If you're wary of others you become paranoid. You become irritable to the point of wanting to murder the person asking a wrong question or making a wrong remark. If you're a Witch your magic will burn you from inside out, no matter how many spells you cast daily. If you're a Monster you become more feral, your instincts and impulses going into overdrive. Each Full Moon effects go worse.

Moreover, you can't go outside the city, since the effects intensify tenfold. Your magic or senses starts to get out of control. Monsters can tell if Witch overflows with magical energy - it feels like scent of delicious meal while you're starving.

It doesn't matter if you're trying to stave off the worst effects using potions, tea, sex or temporary Bonds. It will catch up to you sooner or later. You'll become a threat to yourself and others.

Definite benefits of a Bond are more than a few. First and foremost is grounding. It may not sound as much, but after suffering any side effects of going without a Bond it's something to appreciate. There's a boost from your Bonded's element, either to magic or your abilities, sometimes both. You have a vague sense where they are and, with some practice, you can pinpoint it. You can feel them and you may get a hint of their feelings.

Edited (I can html) 2020-02-27 16:13 (UTC)

Are you saying that the more mana fills me the more likely I am to attract unwanted attention like prey in the wilds?

[ Ugh. She wants SO badly to scoff, just on principle. And if she were less familiar with the heady thrill of magical prickling along her skin perhaps she would.

As it is, no. With what she has learned so far of the way this world works it does not actually seem too dramatic an analogy. ]

I would prefer not to have a hint of anyone else's feelings. You were four months without a Bond and you believe you were a threat in that time?

Unfortunately you will. Monsters without a Bond can notice it immediately. I could tell when the witch I've been living with did not cast spells. He was in a very bad mood (to put it mildly) while I had the urge to take some of his magic. We've been lucky to survive.

[His tone would be very dry if he was saying it aloud. Though Archer recognizes her name and wonders if she's from his world.]

Not at first, but with each Moon it was getting worse. I know what I'm capable of. Had my control slipped then the result would be bloody.

I've seen some witches that came pretty close to losing it. I'd say that's a good reason.

I'm not a witch, but I'd say there are some other pretty decent perks. It's a pretty weird concept but take what you can get, right?

And what do you consider a decent perk?

apparently it makes you stronger. something about monsters consuming magic and purifying it or some shit. but i guess it's supposed to be easier to use and more effective that way

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un: Maria

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sorry for the delay! recovering from a cold

np!

un: PXW

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un: xXx_tWiStEd_MiNd_xXx

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sorry for the delay! recovering from a cold

no worries, I hope you're feeling better!

text | un: wangxian

sorry for slowness! got taken out by a cold

i'd wait a lifetime for morrigan. hope you feel better!

text; un: hiccup

sorry for the delay! recovering from a cold

no worries!

text; un: Archer

so sorry for the delay! recovering from a cold

it's okay! I hope you're feeling better now

no subject

sorry for slowness! got taken out by a cold

no worries!!