Shadow Cities: an Architect Interview
19 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
Interview transcript
Date: Wednesday 19 October 20–
Time: 3.50-4.13pm
Location: Ajax88′s Realm, South Western Sydney (location withheld)
Interviewed by: Trudi Bland
Subject: An exclusive interview with Mystic Ajax88 (a.k.a. “unknown”) a mage of the Architects on the Shadow world, spirits and being a Mage.
TB: Thanks for this Interview Ajax, I w…
AJAX: That’s Mystic Ajax88 if you don’t mind. Professional reasons, I hope you understand.
TB: Of course, could you just start by just telling me briefly about yourself?
AJAX: My pseudonym is obviously Ajax88 and I patrol and control a realm in the West of Sydney for the Architect faction of Mages. My rank is Mystic which means I’m well on the way to senior ranks. I’ve already been chosen several times by Architect High Command for important missions and expect my rise to the elite of the faction is imminent.
TB: That would be Awakened? Those with the highest skills, I understand, are called the Awakened?
AJAX: Ur…yes they are the faction’s elite, yes. But I am an integral support member to our Awakened.
TB: Right….lovely. Could you tell me in simple terms what is the Shadow World for those who can not go there?
AJAX: The Shadow World is a space between planes of existence. There are many such planes, probably infinite numbers, but most beings never leave their native planes. Some have learnt to move beyond and in this plane they are called mages. Nothing is indigenous to the Shadow World as it’s sterile, but many arrive either through skill like the mages or through rifts in the fabric of the planes, called gateways, like the spirits. The Shadow World is where mages fight the spirits to keep our plane safe.
TB: What do these spirits want, are they truly dangerous?
AJAX: Before the rifts’ discovery emotional issues: depression, strong passions, violent crimes and suicides had been on the increase. It seemed the spirits adrift from their plane and lacking their usual food supplies were encouraging and subsisting on these negative emotions. With mages keeping the spirit numbers down we’ve seen a steady decline of these negative effects. As to dangerous, ask anyone who has suffered these negative feelings if they feel the spirits are dangerous.
It is also believed if the concentrations of spirits increased they may be able to break into this plane and then the average person would see how very dangerous these spirits are. Anyone who has been into the Shadow World and confronted a spirit does not need convincing as to the threat spirits pose.
TB: Could to explain what the spirits are like, as simple as possible?
AJAX: I’m afraid it’s not simple. In the Shadow World all senses are one sense. You see sounds, hear colours, feel tastes and with your whole being. A crackling ball of energy makes a quick and definite impression on you. And when these things attack the sensation is sometimes too much to bear and mages are banished from the Shadow World. These attacks can be so traumatic that I’ve heard of some Animators who are unable to re-enter the Shadow World at all.
TB: You mention the Animators. Who are they and how are they different from Architects?
AJAX: They’re an opposing philosophy. They’re a faction with arcane ideas of how to deal with the Spirit threat. Not to say they’re any older, the Architects can trace themselves back to the very early Masonic traditions amongst humans and before that in closely guarded dwarven texts. I believe the Animators have an elven tradition but I couldn’t say. To really find out what they think for certain you’ll have to ask an Animator.
TB: I’d love to, but none are interested in an interview. Do you know any that would be interested?
AJAX: I don’t associate with…I don’t wish to know any Animators.
TB: Okay. May I ask why you agreed to this interview?
AJAX: I believe the public need to hear what the Architects are doing to keep them safe. They need to understand the sacrifice.
[A pause]
Besides, a mage can not live on mana alone.
TB Mana? The energy supply that you use to fight the spirits?
AJAX: Yes. All mages naturally have mana and regenerate it to varying degrees. I happen to have a very high vitality so…
TB: Excellent, but please I understand that mana is used as trade and that the factions hold a monopoly on its distribution?
AJAX: I wouldn’t say monopoly…
[Nervous laugh]
…mana is of no use to those who aren’t mages and it is a rare commodity. Mana is only used by mages fighting spirits of very high levels or taking on large numbers of spirits…
TB: Or fighting Animators? I understand that the factions are in constant battle for power and influence. Do you have anything to say about that?
AJAX: Pirate Animators attack Architect realms regularly. Destroying infrastructure is an easy way for such low-lives to gain easy energy, as well as gaining favour with their superiors. It is thought that Animator High Command actually encourages such raid, but again you’d have to speak to an Animator about that.
TB: And Architects don’t raid Animator’s realms?
AJAX: Only for the most noble reasons I can assure you. To reclaim stolen realms and take back vital sites like gateways. Piratical behaviour only diminishes the ability of the Architects to fulfil their mission of fighting off the Spirit threat.
TB: I have also heard rumours that the mana distributed by the Factions is made of the very spirits collected by the mages. What do you know of how the mana is made?
AJAX: I’m afraid I can’t comment on that.
TB: Is that to say that you don’t know or…
AJAX: There is nothing about the Architect Faction and its working I am not privy too. I am just not at liberty to say.
TB: So I’d need to talk to a more senior Architect…?
AJAX: I’m afraid they would give you the same answer I have just provided, no comment.
TB: Have you heard the old saying that silence is as good as an admission?
AJAX: I think this interview has run its course, thank you.
[Mystic Ajax88 leaves the interview]
TB: Stuck-up git.
Transcript Ends…
