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...Welcome, distinguished magi.
Though I understand you are not students in the conventional sense—being bearers of the Pride and Brand ranks—here and now, you are pupils of knowledge far beyond the grasp of most. What I am about to share is so critical, that if it were to reach the ears of an average magus, the consequences would be fatal for both the informant and the informed. Such is the weight of this knowledge, regardless of one's rank.
Now, let us begin.
You are all well-versed in the fundamentals: mana, the vital essence that flows through the world, the anima mundi itself. It is our lifeblood, the core of our magecraft, the very fuel that powers our spells. But what if I told you that another force exists, one that stands as the dark counterpart to mana? A source so tainted and malevolent, it could be described as mana's antithesis.
This alternative power, as observed by the current Wizard Marshal, Mr. Schweinorg, is not merely a different form of energy. It is a force steeped in hatred, malevolence, and destruction. Unlike mana, which both heal and destroy, this force is purely destructive in nature.
Imagine, for instance, a simple Gandr spell. Ordinarily, it might sap the health of its target, weakening them over time. But when powered by this dark source, a Gandr spell would become instantly lethal, leaving no chance for survival.
And if one were to wield a Finn spell with this energy... well, the devastation would be unimaginable.
There are complex issues associated with this power, which we have come to call "Miasma."
One of the most perplexing aspects is that there is only one source. Among the countless worlds that exist, this Miasma moves freely between them. Its elusive nature makes it nearly impossible to pin down and observe directly. Even Mr. Schweinorg, with his unparalleled magical prowess, can only gaze upon it for about ten minutes at a time. Beyond that, the sheer malevolence of the Miasma causes intense nausea and overwhelming fear, even for a man of his caliber.
It's worth noting that Mr. Schweinorg must layer approximately twenty spells of protection on himself before attempting such an observation. Despite all this, the strain is still immense, and he is currently recuperating from his latest encounter with the Miasma, which is why he is not here today to deliver this lecture himself.
Now, what am I aiming for? Simply put, I seek for us mages to harness this source of power. I believe that with enough mastery, Miasma could become a formidable weapon in our battles against Dead Apostles, and perhaps even the elusive Ghost Liners.
Some of you may find this idea laughable, but I assure you—we are closer to this goal than you might think-
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IT IS WORTH NOTING, MR. FREDREICH, ALONG WITH 23 PRIDE MEMBERS AND 10 BRAND, WENT MISSING WITHOUT A TRACE. THE ROOM ITSELF WENT BACK TO A STATE BEFORE THEY HAD ENTERED IT.
PLEASE MAKE A NOTE TO NOTIFY All LORDS.