Tryll's Paragon Quest (Tryll)

[Yuthirin]

In the short time that Vul'lath takes to explain, Calleigh has: Examined a book on mushrooms, gnawed a small bit on one of the corners, and then fallen asleep in the crease of the opened book.

Meanwhile, Tryll is attentive. 'I see. Yes, that makes sense.'

[Anastasia]

"Yes, in other words, these written words are the same in any language and cannot be changed. The transliterations of them are consistent, even when logic suggests otherwise. They are a useful reference when come on, sort of a marker-stone that is always true. Immortal languages, such as Infernal or Auran, are also highly resistant to change, but not as immutable as those languages of primal power. Lingual drift can be measured in lifetimes in a typical human society, while the same is in eons in an immortal society. It becomes more interesting in certain cultures, as outsider pressures further conform the language."

A moment to pause and stop pacing, turning to you, "For example, Infernal is one of the slowest changing languages. The devils are murderously precise about its usage, failing to use it properly is grounds for a devil to be punished. The slightest mispronunciation is an insult. Thus Infernal changes vastly slower than even other immortal languages, with the rare exception of certain names when there is a regime change in Hell.  Of course, any right thinking devil will quickly always parrot that it was always this way."

"Ahem," Vul'lath pauses, "In contrast, a language like Slaadi changes faster relatively, but far slower than you would expect. While each speaker has a good deal of lingual drift, shared lingual drift is far rarer, as the slaad seldom agree on the same changes enough to make it a universal change. Therefore, while not as useful as words of power, the immortal languages are still useful in these matters, and even lingual drift can be invaluable for determining an approximate age of the writing."

[Yuthirin]

Muffled snoring is staunchly ignored. 'I see. That would explain why our travels in Limbo were so smooth.'

[Anastasia]

"Oh?" Sage Vul'lath asks, "Elaborate." His voice is cool, curious. "How would that impact travel?"

[Yuthirin]

'We traveled Limbo extensively for a number of years. When we initially set out, I'd wondered how slaadi communicated. Imagine my surprise when they all spoke roughly the same language. But please, continue.'

[Anastasia]

"Yes, not even slaad are immune from the unity of a racial language - such as it is." Sage Vul'lath grimaces, "A miserable mongrel of a language, but a language nonetheless."

[Yuthirin]

'We are digressing.'

[Anastasia]

"Yes. To the point, we need you to produce some sort of bodily fluid," Vul'lath says, giving you a look.

[Yuthirin]

'While I'm certain that such a thing can be done, I'm more concerned with possible changes wrought by the ritual.'

[Anastasia]

"Mmm," Sage Vul'lath says, "I suggest divinations then, the strongest ones you can manage."

[Yuthirin]

'Perhaps we should see Balyss then. I believe she is good at them. I can perform them, though I am by no means specialized.'

[Anastasia]

"I am as well," Sage Vul'lath says, "I am a diviner, if you did not know." He smiles slightly, "The future is open to me, when needs must, and the past is but a book waiting to be read."

[Yuthirin]

'Oh! I had no idea. You're just so...private! Yes. Would you mind aiding us, then?'

[Anastasia]

Sage Vul'lath merely smiles slightly.

What sort of spells are you aiming for here?

[Yuthirin]

Some sort of powerful divination spell. We got anything better than Divination?