"It is the same on my world," Jigano agreed with more than a little relief at finding someone else who would understand how strange Caido's more limited population could be. "But not so, here. I asked because I was reminded of two-legged predators... well. There are only three races, here. Perhaps four, if you count mages separately from normal humans. But... in a way 'human' is the default. Humans can choose to become 'Ascended' which are... on my world, I would say they are similar to 'vampires.' They have sharp teeth with which they can drink blood, and an aversion to sunlight. They also feel no pain, and heal with astonishing speed. But their primary mode of sustenance comes from their god, a being called simply "The Voice." They are people like any other, however... some good, some bad, most, I suppose, somewhere in the middle. But the ones who let go of their humanity can be dangerous, especially at night." Jigano delivered this information solemnly, and a little grimly.
Caiside's question was not an easy one, and it involved years' worth of complexities that Jigano had not shared with his closest friends on Caido, but honesty still came more easily to him than deception, and he gave his companion a sincere answer without going into unnecessarily painful details. The other man's courtesy was received with a nod of gratitude and a flicker of a wry smile as Jigano glanced up from his cup with a sigh of quiet regret. "You are kind to say so," he thanked Caiside, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the statement, but appreciating the sentiment behind it.
The lorekeeper nodded slowly as Caiside outlined his reasons. They were ones Jigano could understand, in some ways. Certainly the suffering and joy. He had abandoned his secular power long before he left his world, though, and had no wish to take the burden up again. "The loss of magic is frustrating," he agreed ruefully, with the usual twinge of frustration when he was reminded of it. "Many here have some measure of power over the elements. It is... difficult to see them and wonder 'why them, and not me?' but the transition to this world seems to take people strangely. Taking away, in some cases; gifting with a surfeit in others." He gave a little shake of his head before his customary wry smile returned and he nodded at Caiside "If you don't mind me asking, what shape did your magic take on your world?"
Caiside's question was not an easy one, and it involved years' worth of complexities that Jigano had not shared with his closest friends on Caido, but honesty still came more easily to him than deception, and he gave his companion a sincere answer without going into unnecessarily painful details. The other man's courtesy was received with a nod of gratitude and a flicker of a wry smile as Jigano glanced up from his cup with a sigh of quiet regret. "You are kind to say so," he thanked Caiside, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the statement, but appreciating the sentiment behind it.
The lorekeeper nodded slowly as Caiside outlined his reasons. They were ones Jigano could understand, in some ways. Certainly the suffering and joy. He had abandoned his secular power long before he left his world, though, and had no wish to take the burden up again. "The loss of magic is frustrating," he agreed ruefully, with the usual twinge of frustration when he was reminded of it. "Many here have some measure of power over the elements. It is... difficult to see them and wonder 'why them, and not me?' but the transition to this world seems to take people strangely. Taking away, in some cases; gifting with a surfeit in others." He gave a little shake of his head before his customary wry smile returned and he nodded at Caiside "If you don't mind me asking, what shape did your magic take on your world?"
