First Crystal [Audio post]

[cyclonia_rising]

I have a question, digital world. One that I'm quiet interested in hearing what you all believe the answer is. The subject you ask?

Empires.

What is it that makes an Empire and what separates the poor from the great? What are the components to a truly great Empire?

Furthermore, what is it that allows an Empire to stand the test of time? What could be done to erect an empire that would stand for thousands of years, if not an eternity?

I await your answers.

Comments

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

Nope. People, at least in large numbers, are unpredictable and unreliable. Lemme stick with the laws of physics. You can trust them.

[cyclonia_rising]

You are a scholar then? What other subjects do you study?

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

Physics is a pretty wide field, really.

I've done some chemistry, but mostly I focus on Mana interaction theory - including the development of formulas to produce effects with it. Yes, that is a branch of physics in practice - very tightly mathematical and consistent when you get down to it.

[cyclonia_rising]

Very interesting. I could love to hear your theories and discoveries in this field. I'm a scholar myself, though my expertise lie in crystals and their unique properties.

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

... Huh. Doesn't seem a very practical field to me. Then again, Blastia cores were pretty much the only crystals of use back home.

[cyclonia_rising]

In my world it's one of the most esteemed. Everything runs on crystals and their properties. Even magic.

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

I've found that if you call it 'magic', you're attaching a mode of thought to it that gets in the way of understanding it. People hear that and they let their logic turn off.

When the reality, of course, is that you need the opposite to use formulas. Thus why it's better to call them that.

[cyclonia_rising]

Most people, yes. Crystals of my world all have intricate matrices that can affect the environment around them. It's a science more than anything but those without knowledge enjoy calling it magic and entertain people like myself are witches. It's hilarious that some can't grasp the concepts.

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

Meh. Some people are like that about formulas, too. It's not like they're that complex, either. One full-size chalkboard full of notes isn't that difficult to follow!

[cyclonia_rising]

My thoughts exactly. I think it's simply lazy thinking.

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

Perhaps. Though I do have people say the amount I put into my work is beyond healthy sometimes...

[cyclonia_rising]

Depends. Do you still get sleep and remember to eat and drink?

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

Sleep is for the weak.

[cyclonia_rising]

But without proper rest how can you focus on your studies? A rested mind is a strong mind.

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

Caffeine does the job until I'm damn well done with a line of tests.

[cyclonia_rising]

Determined, aren't you? I would like to see some of your research sometime. Perhaps I could show you some of mine as well.

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

Perhaps the chance will come at some point. Hard to say with that sorta thing.

[cyclonia_rising]

Perhaps. Where is it you study?

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

I work at MAGI right now, actually.

[cyclonia_rising]

And what is MAGI like?

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

Research, study, and protection of magic, magical artifacts, blah blah blah you get the idea.

[cyclonia_rising]

I see. Sounds very interesting.

[blastiaobsessieanonymous]

It's a job. Perfectly adequate for what it's supposed to be.