[NASTRANDIR] - STEADY HEARTBEATS LEAD ME

[lifeaftr_mods]

Who: Everyone!
What: A new friend makes themself available for questions, propositions, discussions...and answers
When: October 4th, and throughout the rest of the month
Where: Nastrandir
Warnings: Nothing of note!

For the second time in as many months, the waters about Ensō rise, though not nearly as much as they did in the month prior.

This time, the water's intent does not appear to be outright submersion, but rather seeking - small strands of water separate from the larger pools and wind their way across the island's surface until they've found what it is they seek. Namely, you. Someone to talk to.

Throughout the day, each islander is certain to spot the water behaving in this strange manner at least once, snaking its way towards them before curving and splitting into much more recognizable forms on the dirt below them.

It's forming words.

You seek many things. So do I. You can answer some of what I seek. I can answer some of what you question.

Beside the mana pool of Nastrandir. All are welcome.

Waiting for you in the once shallow recesses of the swamps, the great water dragon that battled alongside others in defense of Nastrandir is...smaller, having shed some of its bulk to make conversing more simple. Move as close as you'd like - or stay as far away as you're able. They don't mind. The Water's patience is unending, and this conversation will begin with you.

No matter how long it might take.

For the more cautious of characters, the Water will remain passive regardless of how long one needs to stake them out, only retaliating against attempts to attack them. Otherwise, the great creature remains in the water, looking only to those who step close to the waterline, and failing to do more until indicated that such actions are desired of it.

So speak up, friend, and let your intent be known. For there's much to discuss - and for you, only mortal amounts of time to do so.

This NPC will be available to interact with for the remainder of the month; characters do not have to approach them on the precise day to have a discussion!

Comments

[thankgods]

Yes.

[A simple enough response.]

You have made yourselves noticeable.

[lesbeau]

Well alright.

[She pretty much has nothing she can say against that, and it's not very important to what she wants to know, so forget it. Something to note, though. Just a little one.]

So what kind of intel are you looking for? Anything you're willing to pay for? Me n' my friends are pretty damn good at figuring out stuff people need to know, among other things.

[thankgods]

I'm interested in discerning just what you remember of this place.

Perhaps "remember" is not the right word. What you have....learned of it. I believe I might be close to an answer, but my memory is not as it was.

[lesbeau]

[Beau hums, crossing her arms. She's a little less forthcoming with what she knows than most around here, and she would rather get them talking first.]

How about you lay out what you're looking at and I'll see if I can fill in some gaps. If you've got the idea and everything.

[thankgods]

Things do not behave here as they should. This much is clear.

Have you noticed...perhaps this is the wrong way to put it.

Certain laws of the universe are nigh universal, no matter the world. Laws of time and of space. Have you noticed whenever those laws might have gone askew?

[lesbeau]

[She doesn't like being on the back foot like this, but they're backing her into a corner. Knowing she needs to get them talking, she'll opt to slip a little information their way to grease the wheels.]

People drop in here from all kinda points in time. Even from the same world it's not the same moment. Can even bring people from after they die. Doesn't make sense.

[thankgods]

No. It does not.

Time has been tampered with. The cycles of life and death have been tampered with. A great deal of things have been tampered with. This world should not be in the state that it is in, and yet...it is.

I find it troubling.

[lesbeau]

So what are you gonna do about it?

[Because that's the real kicker, the action. Beau knows full well she hasn't been able to influence anything really important, no connections and boons to lean on or trade. But they've always been good at allying themselves with powerful factions to get a job done, and things that call themselves gods are no exception.

Once she figures out if their motives sound like a good idea or not, of course.]

[thankgods]

The same as you, I imagine.

I intend to seek answers.

[lesbeau]

And what do you do with those answers? Just figure out what happened? If you just wanted to know, you wouldn't have to make yourself so public.

[Unless they hit a dead end, or got desperate. There's something here, or at least she thinks there is, and she wants to get through to it. And here she said she wasn't a good Cobalt Soul monk. Psssh.]

[thankgods]

I am in the dark about much that has transpired here, similarly to many of you. I would like to think that our goals are aligned - that we could find some of those answers to gether.

[lesbeau]

Maybe.

[She isn't sure if she can trust them yet, and that sort of thing seems dangerous.]

What're you bringing with you then? How are you gonna tell us what you find, and how do we know you're gonna tell us the truth?

[thankgods]

You don't.

[Well, there's that out of the way.]

I expect my memories will return with time. And the more I know about this place, the more I will be able to recall.

[lesbeau]

[She snorts, half in annoyance and half in respect. She'll take the fake truth over platitudes any day, but she also knows that it's oft used as a trick all the same. At least she got something out of this, and the potential for a good resource down the road.]

Fine. If I bring you stuff, you owe me what you remember in exchange. And if I don't think it's useful, I call this off. Deal?

[thankgods]

You're free to cooperate with me however you wish. If this means you do not wish to offer aid if I cannot remember what suits your tastes, then you are welcome to it.

[lesbeau]

Fine.

[At least they're terms she can sign off on and cancel when she wants. Good enough to have the knife in hand to cut free.]

So what do you wanna know first? I'll get my people on it. I know like, everything, but pick something you can cross off the list.

[thankgods]

How long have all of you been here? My understanding of time is rather...limited.

[lesbeau]

Just over two years, for some people. Me just over a year. Pretty sure I arrived on the year anniversary of the first boat. So... probably not long for you.

[thankgods]

Not very, no.

But perhaps long enough to have gathered something, if you've interaction with the gods in the vicinity.