03 ⸸⸸ NETBOOK

[livlaughlove]

Who: livio and YOU
What: new guardian info!!
When: few days after the race
Where: netbook
Warnings: unsure, will warn if they come up


[straight to the point as usual, he doesn't bother with formalities or introductions. anyone who's been here a while will recognize his weirdly perfect handwriting.]

I talked to the River Guardian and the big lizard in the river. The River Guardian's name is Sinann. The lizard is called The Behemoth.

The Behemoth said she's a daughter of Callan, the Lake Guardian. Callan isn't fond of humans, so we should be careful of him. The lake is her home, too, so it would be good if we can help her get back through to it somehow.

She isn't strictly allies with the false god, but will ultimately side with whoever is better for the forest. It would be best if we treat her and the uncorrupted nature with respect. She suggested we plant things in or by the river that will make good food for fish. She likes meat. I'm going to see about building her a shrine.

[...]

Also, please don't try to catch her.

If anyone has anything to add, or more information, please do so.

Comments

[bloodyopus]

[ He was well-aware of how that sounds. But, after all, he had never once shied away from admitting the facts: that he was an independent assassin; that he had ended many lives, be it by his knives or his voice; and on top of that, he is an extremely dangerous individual, all thanks to his...unique ability, combined with the general instability of his mental state. Not in Rhodes Island, and certainly not in Aldric's Grove, either.

...If anything, being straightforward with them served as a warning for others: Stay away from me. ]

That remains to be seen, for the curtain has yet to rise on that particular act.

I suppose sending out a team with a few individuals first could not hurt, either way. If we cannot either distract Callan long enough or bribe him with offerings, then surely there is a back way to the cabin.

However, the fog...that would be another obstacle we would have to surmount. I do not suppose we have any sort of item that could stave off the potential of corruption for a while.

[livlaughlove]

You might ask Mizuki about warding the corruption. I don't know how exactly it works, but he manages to keep it from spreading further in people who are already afflicted.

Otherwise, I think I've heard folks say there's something you can get at the shop that might show you ways through the fog, if they exist.

Do you plan on going back, yourself? I've never been very good at diplomacy, but I'm handy in a pinch if things get dangerous.

[bloodyopus]

...I see. I could not claim that I know him well back in Rhodes Island, but I wasn't very surprised. It was to my understanding that Ægirs are...quite peculiar. Perhaps the origin of this ability is physiological in nature.

Ah, I do not mean it as an insult, of course. I might try to find him, since that ability would certainly come in handy for future explorations.

As for that...I do not suppose I have heard of that particular object. I already owned the concealing cloak, and I have heard of the 'glasses that show (you) the truth of things', but none about an object that could show you how to navigate through the fog. You certainly have my thanks — this information is very useful to me.

To answer your question: I would have to find a shovel first— but that would be for the graveyard. There is a large gold medallion there, half-buried and held by the dragon's massive claws. I do not know who is in command here, but perhaps we should organise an expedition, or at least, that is also something to look into.

In any case, I very much appreciate the offer. And...I have learnt the value of teamwork during my time in Rhodes Island. Perhaps we could go together? A third person would be ideal for this operation — I have Mizuki in mind, if he is willing to help us out. He might be better at diplomacy with Callan, considering that he's an Ægir, in addition to the special skill that you had mentioned.

...Fret not, I wore a special suppressant. My voice won't hurt you.

[ NOT FOR THE TIME BEING, LUCIAN, the VOICE in his head whispered.

...So long as he did not fall into the hands of the Forest through corruption or any other manner, either, since he's had his fears concerning that. ]

[livlaughlove]

The glasses sounds familiar, actually. That might be it.

I'm sure we can find a shovel. Or three, in this case. Did you happen to see if the medallion had an inscription?

Understood.

[bloodyopus]

Ah. Then it would be worth getting from Heimr. Unless borrowing it is an option, but I do not suppose we are pressed for time.

Indeed we could. I'll try to get some from the Shopkeeper too. Even if it turns out that we would not be the ones using them, those operators others who'd be willing to dig a bit around the graveyard would find them handy.

...Unfortunately, no. I tried to get a better glimpse at it, but my view was blocked by the dragon's claw bones and the dirt. I could not dig further with only my hands. But it was unmistakably a large, round object.

Then I'll contact you again later once I have established an understanding with Mizuki. I hope that would be the case. Might I ask your name?

[livlaughlove]

[oh yeah. oops. he didn't say that did he.]

Sorry. I'm Livio.

[bloodyopus]

[ No, but he actually felt like it was his fault. He's been yapping about this and that and not asking his interlocutor's name the entire time. ]

It is fine. Rather, I felt as if I should be the one who apologised for being lacking in manners.

Livio. A pleasure, then. I am Phantom, Rhodes Island operator. Like Mizuki...and some of the others.

[livlaughlove]

[in phantom's defense, livio just started going off in the netbook without introducing himself.]

You don't need to apologize to me.

Nice to meet you, too, Phantom.

[bloodyopus]

...Thank you. And the pleasure is mine.

In your initial post, you...also mentioned that Callan's daughter isn't exactly allies with the 'false god'. Are there Guardians or entities who sided with It?

...Also, I thought we are not supposed to consider 'It' as a god of any sort.

[livlaughlove]

I know at least Moder used to be corrupted.

I guess referring to it as false is meant to diminish its power. It's just what I was told.

[bloodyopus]

She did? So it was within Its ability to corrupt not only humans and other sentient creatures, but also Guardians. Additionally, It could gain Guardian allies by corrupting them, but...do we know if there is any Guardian who chose to be allies with It? Out of their own volition?

[ Certainly hoping not. ]

...Yes, I suppose it works. And that's what Gnosis thinks, too, although Sesa told me that we should not think of it as a deity in any shape or manner.

Hm...I suppose thinking of it as a demon is actually worse, perhaps...

[livlaughlove]

I don't know. It sounds like there's a possibility Callan has. I was told he believes in the creature's "will," but that's vague.

[bloodyopus]

Hmm. Not enough to form any sort of conclusion, indeed.

[ Now he's starting to sound like a certain Liberi. ]

Still, more reason to be on our guard around him. That might very well be why he is also hostile towards humans.