Splicing
- "The drow," she says in a respectful tone, "is perish'd. I don'know how, but in'is final momen's he had the conscious ef'ert to sacrifice'mself, fora'nother. He died so Ace may live. But Ace is only partly alive. Dark magic has many side'ffects, one of which the eladrin experienc'd. A body can become split'n twain, is call'd 'splicin'. 'is body is 'ere, but it also be in another place."
Seeing the dumbfounded looks on their faces, she continues. "He must be found, poor soul. Pro'lly don't even'know 'e's been splic'd. He's in danger, grave danger. There be some foul creatures who hunt the splic'd, use'm for terrible deeds. To them, they'll know his nature. The longer he be splic'd, the greater his chance of endin' up like the poor drow boy. Glitwyrm knows anything and will help you locate 'em. Should be in'is office. Best of luck t'ya'all." At this point, Arroway seems almost about to cry, before she goes back to tending to Magdalin.
- Professor Arroway, Four Heroes Down and Back to Town Post 128 & 129
- "I would be inclined to say that the 'splicing' was the eladrin's own damn fault, but the fact of the matter is it is rather unpredictable - but it always caused from an interaction of a kind deed against great dark magic. I've been told the account of what happened, and the eladrin boy, while stupid, did spare the girl's life." He flicks his wand towards a glass tumbler nearby, conjures water inside, and consumes the lot. "It's clear none of you took my class on the effects of dark magic, as we discuss this very thing. What I get for making it an elective. Nonetheless, it seems you will all be learning about it today."
The professor moves to his coziest chair, and places himself within its plush frame while carrying his glass. "Splicing occurs when the body is split into two. It is not unlike the dark magic of 'cloning' that some practice, except what happens to one, happens to the other. Were the body in the Infirmary to get incinerated," he smirks devilishly at Argond, who he knows is rather jumpy at his teaching, "the body running around would suffer the same fate." He repeats the water-filling process, and consumes a portion of the liquid as his words set in with the group. "Arroway has already discovered marks and scars on the boy, showing he's taken some injuries since his splicing. Unfortunately, there is but one way to pinpoint where the other body is: by taking a piece of the splice. Generally, the practice is to sever a toe, and use that. It tends to be less needed than a finger or ear." He pauses, awaiting any response to his superior knowledge on the subject.
- Professor Glitwyrm, Four Heroes Down and Back to Town Post 142