war table: the riftwatch cultural exposition.

[propulsion]

WHO: Innovators
WHAT: Riftwatch hosts a world's first Cultural Exposition
WHEN: Now
WHERE: University of Orlais
NOTES: OOC post

Music filters through the expansive hall of the University of Orlais. The knot of musicians here to underscore any awkward silences with gentle lute plucking and flute piping are stationed under the glow of tall stained glass windows, and seem to be playing a tune that a few people among Riftwatch may recognise resembles the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams". It echoes off the rounded stone walls, where small stages and displays await the curious for closer inspection.

Welcome to the Riftwatch Cultural Exposition.

The Exposition takes place over two long days. A printed program has neatly allotted everyone windows of time for presentation, in which those in attendance filter towards the designated banner, corner, or antechamber (as desired) to listen with reserved or perhaps enthusiastic interest to the otherworldly.marvels on display.

In between these presentations, a mix of academics, artists, merchants, and miscellaneous others wander the hall, chatting together, engaging members of Riftwatch in conversation. Anticipate some curiosity into not only the items or ideas you have on display, but also the world you come from, and how it differs from Thedas. And remember to keep certain innovative information under lock and key for now.

A small taskforce of undergraduates have been recruited to assist in running platters of pizza and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies around the hall, in helping to set up display stages or assist in interactive demonstrations, or to shepherd the nearby crowd closer when it comes time for your presentation, so make use of them.

NOTE: Consult the Points Distribution Chart to see what kinds of threads can earn us points and therefore results from the overall event! Honour system in place, so please only mark a Bank item complete if you progress a thread relevant to that item.

Once we have some points banked, we'll figure out how to distribute their spending, so don't spend 'em yet!

Drop any questions you have here.

Comments

[youwonscience]

He's not wrong, but at the same time: "Not everything you can see moving in there will hurt someone. But unfortunately, since they're all too small to see, there's no way to easily tell whether a particular drop of water has something harmful in it. But as my colleague said, bringing the water to a full boil will kill nearly everything in it."

The Brother looks dubious, but at least shaken enough not to be dismissive. "It seems like something people would have worked out, if it were true."

Shooting Strange a small glance, Cosima says, "You may not know why, but I bet most people who live outside cities know that moving water is safer to drink than still water. And if a particular well or water source goes 'bad,' the creatures you can't see may be the cause. I'm sure people know that water can make you sick, they just haven't had the tools to learn exactly why, before." Glancing back at Strange, a silent prompt to back her up.

[portalling]

“Hmmmm,” the Brother says. “I suppose that’s true. Not that I work much with the ill, it’s mostly the sisters. I tend to the paperwork and the vestry.”

Strange, long-suffering, tries to keep the ball rolling. “It’s like how villages will drink a lot of beer rather than water, the former making fewer people sick. The alcohol kills the small organisms, though you might not know that’s what’s happening. I’m sure there are other examples.”

He’s been drawing on as much medieval-adjacent trivia as he can recall, but it’s like dredging the bottom of the lake for whatever he can remember from eighth grade history, and he’s running low himself. He does add, though, “So if one does invest in this craftmanship, with glass-makers and adapting telescopes, people could build compound microscopes and witness this for themselves, and help keep their environments sterile and healthy. It could be good for researchers and academics and any Chantry brothers or sisters who would like to learn more about— how the Maker’s world functions.”

Paying that platitude to the Maker feels like pulling teeth. It makes him feel like a used car salesman: hustling, schmoozing, trying to pitch strangers on this microscope technology.

“I’ll consider it. Thank you,” the Brother says, crisp, and there’s a contemplative pause as if he’s trying to think of any further questions. He also must be running low, though, because he eventually turns to walk off and the rifters watch him go, wondering if that particular interaction was a colossal waste of time.

“Well, we survived without a priest punching me in the face, so,” Strange says, musingly, weary as he leans his weight back against their table. “I’m having flashbacks to medical conferences. I feel like I should be handing out business cards. But it’s not like they don’t know where to find us. The Gallows is— distinctive.”