[Voice]

[paragonbrosca]

So, I can't be the only one who's been smacked in the face with culture shock, right? Or technology-shock, because a lot of the shit that's here I've never seen or heard of and have no idea how it works. I've figured out a couple of things through trial and error, but I'm not too proud to admit most of my reaction is still 'no fucking clue'. For those in the same boat, how long did it take you to adjust? What's the craziest discovery you've made? And for those that aren't, care to lend some advice? I'll pay you in drinks or other stuff; if you've the patience to endure all my questions, you've earned it. 

I've said it elsewhere, but just repeating myself now: if you're on that hit list and not that great at defending yourself, let me know. I'm pretty damn good at that, and so is the large war dog at my side. [Said war dog lets out an eager bark.]

Comments

[paragonbrosca]

Well, I'm not a lady. Not by birth, anyway. There aren't any actual mounts here, though, are they? Or is it just those mechanical things?

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor laughs softly ]

Mother always told me that all women are ladies, irregardless of their birth, and should be treated appropriately!

But no, just the mechanical things.

[paragonbrosca]

You wouldn't say that if you met my mother, trust me.

Dang. Ever since I saw these nuggalope things in someone's dream, I've been itching to ride them again. They're bigger version of nugs with horns! What's not to like?

[bythewaves]

[ He laughs ]

Well, I don't meet many dwarrowdams, this is true! I don't think I know what a nuggalope is?

[paragonbrosca]

Well, normal nugs are like subterranean bunny-pigs. Long ears, no fur. Dwarves tend to eat them, but some humans are weird enough to want them for pets. I've never seen a nuggalope in person, not really, but when I walked into someone else's dream, there was one. It's much bigger, big enough to ride, with these huge curling horns. I love it.

[bythewaves]

I don't think I've ever seen those - I suppose they might not be native to my world, but ever since the fall of Khazad-dum, the dwarves grow wary and open their doors to few. It does sound very interesting though!

[paragonbrosca]

Huh. With Orzammar, they let surfacers in to trade all the time. It's the dwarves who can't leave, unless they want to lose their caste. Go to the surface and you don't expect to be allowed back, for the most part.

[bythewaves]

That seems... a little counterintuitive. [ Maglor blinks ]

I assume the dwarves of your world must have a reason, but it seems a strange one! We may not have always got along, but we were allies, and few stauncher did we have that the Broadbeams of Belegost, Gabilgathol in their tongue, in those long ago days.

[paragonbrosca]

I agree, it's completely ass-backwards. But the traditional types are all 'we can't, we'll lose our Stone-sense and blah blah blah'. They just don't like the idea that dwarves can thrive on the surface without stupid castes.

[Huff.]

They don't go and start wars on the surface, but I don't know what counts as real allies for Orzammar, outside the Grey Wardens and even then that's because they're obligated to. We have treaties giving us the right to request aid from any who've signed them, and they go with it because no one wants to be the asshole who let a Blight spread unchecked.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor looks just as puzzled ]

I agree, that is a rather strange thought - surely keeping outsiders out of ancestral lands as ours do would make more sense, in that regard? Well, no accounting for how some folk think, I suppose.

[ He brightens to talk of his allies though ]

Well, for our part, we had both trade and learning of each other, in those days, apart from the obvious military alliances. Several of my brothers spent a good deal of time exchanging forge secrets with Belegost, after my elder brother Maedhros saved Azhagal once. Azhagal repaid us that favor many times over, and we mourned him greatly when he died. Maedhros is here, if you ever want to learn more - it has been a long time, but they were very good friends, and I am sure he would not mind talking about him. The other of my brothers here, Curufin, was one of those who traded knowledge and skill, if you were interested in that part! And his son, Celebrimbor... the dwarves called him friend, and with the artisan Narvi they built the West Doors of Khazad-dum to immortalise their friendship, there at the gate between their kingdoms. He, too, is here.

[paragonbrosca]

Eh, keeping outsiders away would be bad for business and dwarves losing their Stone-sense only happens when they go to the surface and stay there. So I get it on that level, but it's still not incentive enough to stay. So I can't sense the Stone, oh well. At least on the surface, tradition isn't followed to the point where it fucks you up. I'll take it.

...wow, you have a lot of family here. Lucky. Is that normal? 'Cause I haven't had a single person recognize me, or vice versa. [Impressed and also maybe a touch wistful. There are a couple of people she'd love to see again.]

I don't know my way around a forge, but the rest sounds interesting. If we're going to be down here, we might as well find ways to keep ourselves busy, right? So exchanging what we know is a good place to start.

[bythewaves]

How would you lose such a thing? Is it not a part of your very nature?

[ he says, puzzled ]

I am unusually fortunate in that regard, I think. But I also come from a large family who were never particularly noted for...er...moderation in our moods. If I had to guess, I'd say we were too tempting a target for our hosts.

Well, Maedhros and Curufin both work with the guards here, as does our cousin Fingon. I am sure they would be glad to speak with you. And I am a bard myself, and not much for the forge, so I understand you there!

[paragonbrosca]

You lose it by not being near the Stone. I lost that after a while on the surface...though I wonder if I'd gain it back, now that I'm below ground again? Huh.

[Something to ponder, for later.]

I mean, elves were supposed to be immortal way back when, but humans showed up and they started aging like the rest of us. So I guess some things can be changed with exposure.

...I thought about checking out the guard, just for something to do. Are they in charge, or do I have to speak to someone else?

[bythewaves]

Your world sounds very strange. How does one lose a part of oneself? We are tied to the earth, to live as it lives and die when it does - such things are not rescinded lightly or easily, let alone for a whole race!

I don't know if anyone in particular is in charge, as such? It cannot do any harm to ask though.

[paragonbrosca]

Hey, how do you know which is strange and which isn't? Maybe yours is the strange one! We should take a poll.

[Just joking, she isn't offended. Thedas is pretty weird.]

I'll check in on that. Barkspawn needs stuff to do anyway, or he gets bored and destructive. That's the downside of having a really smart mabari. [Cue a canine whine from her end.] Oh hush, you know it's true.

[bythewaves]

[ He laughs ]

But that would be an unfair poll, if you are the only one here from your world, yes?

Barkspawn - your mabari [ He tests the word out ] - he is a hound of some form, I take it?

[paragonbrosca]

Yep! He's a magically-bred war dog. Mabari are incredibly smart and loyal, and they're kind of the mascot for the kingdom of Ferelden, the place on the surface where I live now.

[bythewaves]

What makes them 'magical'? Their intelligence? [ Maglor cocks his head curiously ]

Although I cannot say I could argue with a hound as a mascot! They are always good companions.

[paragonbrosca]

They aren't magical, but the means to breed them is; the Formari do that stuff, that's all I know.

Say hi, buddy!

[She angles the phone so that her hound can be seen as he sprawls on the floor. But the moment he realizes attention is on him, he barks happily, wagging h tail.]

[bythewaves]

Hello there! [ Maglor smiles and waves at him ] He is a beautiful beast. I wonder why they require magic for the breeding, but I cannot argue with the results!

[paragonbrosca]

He's pretty damn smart, so that's probably because of whatever they do! I can give him complex commands and he understands just about everything I say. Which is less fun than it sounds when it's bath time.

[Cue pitiful whine from the mabari. No baths, please.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor chuckles ]

Well, I have found in my time that a well-trained hound understands a good deal more than you might guess, even if not bred specifically for that reason! Baths, I think, few have ever enjoyed!

[paragonbrosca]

[Aren strokes him to stop the whining.]

Cecily has a mabari, too. Now that I live with her, at least he has a playmate...but knowing them it'll be twice the trouble and twice the mess, too.

[bythewaves]

At least they will have each other for company, aye! And a large hound like that... there are few places to run him, here. Although I suppose you could take him hunting?

[paragonbrosca]

[Barkspawn perks up at that, as Aren raises an eyebrow.]

Not a bad idea. What's around here to hunt?