<span style="color: #FFFF00">Magically Saturated Zones:</span>Benefits: Over the course of the Last War, large areas became saturated with magical energy, creating the Magically Saturated Zones. The undirected magical radiation in a MSZ will naturally bind itself to any spell cast within the area, adding energy to the spell and allowing for far more ambitious spellcrafting than would be normally feasible. As an example of how these zones can be beneficial to humanity, the Manufactorium's proximity to the Munich Dead Zone is what enables them to manifest matter in useful amounts.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF00">Teleportation:</span>Before, during and after the Last War, several attempts at teleportation where made by Modern mages. There are many studies on the physics of it, but the long and the short of it is this: The only known feasible way is through a fold in space-time. In order to move any object larger than the size of a clenched fist, the caster must be standing in a magically saturated zone, and be attempting to travel to another magically saturated zone, otherwise they will not be capable of keeping the fold open wide enough or for long enough for matter transferal. Origin Mages do not have these restrictions- many are able to teleport short distances through the medium of their element, though their methods seemingly cannot be replicated through Modern Magic.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF00">Smoking:</span>While smoking was all but eradicated hundreds of year ago, the finding of a cure for cancer has allowed some to revive it as an acceptable addiction. It is still seen as a bit of a dirty habit, but without the long term consequences it is no longer as stigmatized as it once was. However, despite the many ads attempting to revive tobacco's “cool” image, the largest portion of the tobacco companies clientele are Origin Mages who lived through eras when smoking was widespread, with relatively few others taking it up.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">------------------</div><br/><span style="color: #8000BF">Cassius:</span><br/>The man barks out a short harsh laugh; he quickly recomposes his countenance into a frown, but a slight glint of amusement has entered his dark eyes, and when next he speaks there is the tiniest hint of regard in his gruff voice. "A scientist I have yet to see, but you fight well enough with words. Perhaps Alice made no mistake with you. What is your name, artist who is scientist and warrior?”<br/><br/>In the midst of Cassius' answer, one of the sailors salutes the old man, speaking soon after she has finished. “First Mate Socrates, you are needed at the mooring line.”<br/><br/>The man spits, exasperation infusing his voice as he answers. “Bah- None of these pups can undo a knot tied by an old man? I'm comin'- keep your pants on.”<br/><br/>Before the man leaves, he turns to Cassius, going through his earlier transformation in reverse as he speaks. “There are many that believe there is no place for you on a ship of exploration. If blades are drawn I will bring discipline, but make no mistake- I'm not your ally; not yet. You'll have to prove yourself capable of more than words for that... however... I have been a sailor for three thousand and forty seven years and a priest of Poseidon for seven more, and before this day only one artist dared voice a defence of their presence on a ship's crew to me... that's earned you some time. Make your name worth remembering."<br/><div style="text-align: center;">------------------</div><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Kindle:</span><br/>“You've already guessed what my magic is, though that isn't too surprising- mind reading is an interesting guess.” Aisa says.<br/><br/>“I... hope that didn't make you uncomfortable; it's not mind reading. I'm just... taking information from conversations we might have had. It... helps to skip conversations that would slow things down.”<br/><br/>The slight tinge of doubtful worry clears from Aisa's face, and she smiles up at Kindle, clasping her hands behind her back as she rocks back and forth on her brightly coloured heels. "Most people guess Oracle straight away because..." Her smile slowly fades away and she looks away from Kindle and down towards the ground, placing her arms back to her sides. "um... because of the eyes."<br/><br/>"They assume that Oracles are all blind... it is nice, meeting someone who at least questions the rumours."<br/><br/>The ship leaves the dock with a slight lurch, the engines powering on, and Aisa seems to gather herself, sweeping her dark hair out of her face as she meets Kindle's gaze once more, her eyes seemingly sharper, the look she gives oddly intense. "Kindle Brant. I have a Prediction for you." she says, the precise intonation somehow conveying the capital letter upon the word.<br/><br/>"You set out for many reasons, not least of which is in search of what might remain of your family. Before this ship loses sight of land, another of your blood will set foot on the deck."<br/><br/>A cry goes up from the docks as some kind of commotion breaks out.<br/><br/>"This I Predict."<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">------------------</div><br/><span style="color: #80FF00">Niko:</span><br/>Anne throws back her head and laughs before answering in french, her accent strengthening into the silky smooth tones of Paris's upper crust. “Je n'ai pas pensé que tu seulement fait blagues! Tu as toujours été tellement sérieux avant ... mais je m'attends à la présence du général était responsable, oui?"<I did not think you even made jokes! You have always been so serious before... though I expect the General's presence was to blame, yes?><br/><br/>The woman declines the cigarette with a smile. "I do not smoke, Docteur. Ze cancer might be no great matter, as it iz unlikely to cause trouble before our return, but ze addiction and ze yellowed fingers, dealing with zem is more trouble zan it is worth.”<br/><br/>As Niko climbs the stairs, she calls after him in a more serious voice “I am sorry; I know how time sensitive your experiments are, Docteur, but more is at stake in these moments zan you know.”<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">------------------</div><br/><span style="color: #FFFF00">Hikari:</span><br/>John's handshake is firm and steady, conveying an air of confident honesty. In response to Hikari's question and palm-full of light, he grins wide and raises his hand- a gentle breeze runs over her face, blowing a few strands of hair away from her eyes. "Air, actually. Not much power, but remarkable flexibility, or so they tell me. A little breeze like this is about all I can muster- not much use for anything 'cept making bits of art for pretty gels. Bit of static electricity for the cigar." He holds his thumb and forefinger about an inch apart, a tiny spark jumping between them after a moment.<br/><br/>"Well, I wouldn't say you're famous or nothing. Bit of prying into the personnel files, bit of time sifting at the rumor mill; a light mage with an Artifact helping people all about, well, word gets around... and I make a point to introduce myself to every gel I can." John winks and takes another puff of the cigar.<br/><br/>"Wanna know a secret? -this isn't a real cigar, it just makes water vapour or something- some kind of magic. Don't tell anyone, but I can't stand actually smoking, it feels like I'm going to cough up a lung every time." he blows the fake smoke out, streams of air twisting it into a tiny whitish flower. Placing his hand carefully around it, he holds it out "For you." he says, eyes twinkling. Just then, the boat leaves the dock, the shock dissipating the flower. John throws his arms up in mock exasperation. He opens his mouth to speak, but before he does so he is distracted by something- straining his eyes, shading them with one hand, he looks intently at the shore, his other hand unconsciously reaching for a weapon that is not there.<br/><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">------------------</div><br/><br/>ALL:<br/><br/>There are a few pictures taken of shaking hands, Oliver wishes the crew of the Bandersnatch good luck, and the band starts up as the champagne bottle is smashed on the hull. Confetti flies through the air accompanied by fireworks, magically enhanced to show up during the day. The ship sets off, slowly pulling away from land under the engines smooth power as the crowd cheers and waves enthusiastically.<br/><br/>Without warning, Victor's bracelet, which had settled on a dull orange earlier in the day, began to change rapidly, almost instantly going to red, brighter and brighter. The music crashes to a halt with one last trumpet wail. Out in the crowd there is a commotion as people move out of a circular area roughly five meters in diameter- the reason is not immediately evident, but observation over a few moments shows that the air within the circle is warping, like a shimmer over a hot road. Sigils wrought in grey flame burst into being at head height along the circle's perimeter as the shimmering intensifies, and those who had not left the circle already are lifted into the air and moved to its edge before being deposited gently back on the docks.<br/><br/>Security personnel push their way through the crowd, urging the people away from the area as they raise a cry of “Get back! Incoming teleport!” with incredulousness in their voices, as if not believing the words they say- and why should they? When not a single teleport has been made without a high magic saturation already present at both the origin point and destination to supplement the caster's own power?<br/><br/>Reporters turn camera and eye to the circle, eager to record this latest development before it collapses, as it will inevitably do when the magus at the other side exhausts himself. “Any moment now...” they all think to themselves, reporters, security guards, sailors, and sailors alike.