My name's Jocoserious, but most people call me Joco. I've had my Minecraft account since 2013, been thinking about streaming for a couple years but finally hit Go Live recently!
You can find me on Youtube and Twitch, and I post writing about my [Untitled] SMP character on AO3! I'm still figuring out streaming some, so I might jump between the two a bit before settling on one for streaming. VODs will be posted on Youtube, and hopefully some other videos!
About me:
I enjoy sorting chests, even downloaded the Hermitcraft Season 8 world just to sort Grian's storage building. My favorite part of moving bases is getting to reorganize the storage!
I've been on [Untitled] for almost 2 years now, and I've made many good friends there! It took me 2 application tries to get in, and I'm so glad I did!
Undertale was the first piece of media that I participated in the fandom of, and it's how I was introduced to Tumblr and AO3!
I love all animals, but cats hold a special place in my heart.
About my [U]SMP character:
Their name is Joco Serious, a nickname they were given by a friend that never went away.
They use they/he pronouns, leaning more towards they/them
They're over 600 years old, but because they age around 40x slower than most humans, they still only look to be in their mid-late 20s.
He's part of the Corroded faction, a group of people living in the western badlands under anarchy, although they have unofficial leadership in the form of the Wizard.
Every world they've been moved to by the Unknown has been destroyed, except for one they got banned from for being a bit of an ass.
Because they were neighbors last season, c!Joco holds Flick and the Wizard in a special place in his heart. He got he/him from them, pronoun osmosis.
He used to appear fully human, but after the journey through the Hallways between worlds, his body turned more cat-like due to eating a diet of only raw cod for months. Another few months later, he went through another period of eating lots of fish and woke up with a tail. In all, his catboy traits include sharper teeth, ears, hand/foot pads, a tail, and tapetum lucidum.
[03/10/26] - Starting Over (Cyrus / Scintilla / The Wizard / Ivy)
Players: Cyrus (Joco), Cinder (Scintilla), Cass (The Wizard, Ivy)
Four individuals from another world find themselves transported to another universe entirely when a ritual performed by a child of the void goes unexpectedly.
Transcript Masterlist
[Editor's Note: Sorry about the formatting on this one being inconsistent! Ran into an issue with the amount of line breaks allowed, but got around it :)]
Full summary below the cut
In another world entirely, Joco and Scintilla prepare themselves for a ritual to attempt to remove Joco’s curse. The ritual works a little too well, and transports Joco and Scintilla, along with the Wizard and Ivy and a Verde Drug remembered in memories of someone long gone.
Joco begins to spiral, questioning how they could possibly have done this, trekking through the unfamiliar world with Scintilla on his heels. They discover a strange location with the letters “GH” on the front, which resembles a slightly wrong Verde Drug. The small group convenes as Joco and Scintilla discover the Wizard and Ivy inside.
The Wizard confesses that he and Ivy were once Unknowns, but not anymore (though Ivy argues that she still has immense power). Joco and the Wizard come to the sudden understanding that Joco has aged, which means that not only was the werewolf curse removed, but also the flaw in their Code that caused them to stop aging. When going to introduce themself to the boisterous robot Ivy, Joco remembers the name that their parents gave them, Cyrus. They remark that Scintilla has done something incredible, seemingly without realizing.
The Wizard brings up that without the previous world’s protections, they might be in danger of alerting the Unknowns to their presence, and should work quickly to figure out how to create protections of their own. Scintilla asks which of them it should stay with, and Cyrus responds that they should all stick together and stay in whatever this new “Verde Drug” is, while they figure out what’s happening.
+ ★ +
[Somewhere, in another universe entirely…Joco grabs a handful of bluets from a barrel. They stare at them, and then hastily shove them back in, shaking their head as they grab a handful of daisies instead. A scrawled list sits beside them, covered in chicken scratch and diagrams, cross-referencing a book in their inventory.]
[17:55:44] <[RP] ✦Joco> No, no, it's gotta be more round
[Scintilla, above in the attic, moves atop the haybales they’ve settled on. They knock a bale of tightly bound hay to the ground with a thump. Joco’s ears twitch, and they glance towards the noise. Their body goes very still.]
[17:56:45] <[RP] ✦Joco> Candles. I need white candles, the wax and the bonemeal are in the basement.
[They tread lightly towards the guest house entrance, poking their head in to look around. Scintilla sighs and hops down off of the hay pile, quiet except for the sound of their pointed feet hitting the wooden floor. Better clean up after itself.
Joco calls out:]
[17:58:44] <[RP] ✦Joco> Hello?
[17:58:54] <[RP] ✦Joco> Is someone... Is someone here?
[17:58:55] <[RP] ✦Joco> Doc?
[Scintilla is focused on trying to put the hay bale back into place. They’re not really listening for anything, and don’t respond. Quietly, to themself:]
[18:00:00] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Why keep so much hay up here?
[Joco hears the sound, muffled through the wall but clearer coming through the window. Joco murmurs:]
[18:01:06] <[RP] ✦Joco> The attic?
[18:01:40] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Okay, there. Better!
[Joco considers the ladder option, climbing to the treetops to see into the attic, but shake their head and pull out their axe instead. They hesitate before opening up the door to Cinder’s room.]
[18:02:52] <[RP] ✦Joco> Wolf???
[Scintilla hears Joco below, and pops their head down from the trap door, hanging upside down.]
[18:03:11] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Joco! Hello!
[Joco screams. Scintilla screams too, but mostly out of confusion.]
[18:03:50] <[RP] ✦Joco> WHY
[18:03:52] <[RP] ✦Joco> HI
[18:03:56] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Hi!
[18:04:00] <[RP] ✦Joco> Why are you up there
[18:04:07] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I did it right this time! I was not right in your face!
[The attic’s allay flies down happily towards Joco. They flinch away from it.]
[18:04:17] <[RP] ✦Joco> You! You did
[18:04:23] <[RP] ✦Joco> Good job!
[18:04:28] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Well you told me where your house was! And this attic had an easy entry
[18:04:42] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> And lots of hay, very comfortable to lie down on. So I've been doing that!
[18:04:52] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> You know, since it's empty besides that strange little creature
[18:04:59] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> And they didn't seem to mind the company
[18:05:05] <[RP] ✦Joco> That- yeah.
[18:05:11] <[RP] ✦Joco> Yeah that's. That's an Allay
[18:05:17] <[RP] ✦Joco> They retrieve things
[18:05:31] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Well how is it meant to do that when trapped up there?
[18:05:29] <[RP] ✦Joco> You've been. Hanging out up there??
[18:05:41] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Yes! You were not in your house so I waited
[18:05:49] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> And then I left, then I came back and waited again!
[18:05:55] <[RP] ✦Joco> Ah. I've been, sorry I. Yeah
[18:05:58] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I thought that was the best place to do so.
[18:06:04] <[RP] ✦Joco> Okay, sure. Yeah.
[18:06:07] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> No one's using it, right?
[18:06:16] <[RP] ✦Joco> No- no, they're not
[18:06:47] <[RP] ✦Joco> It's supposed to be- but, no, it won't get used ever
[18:06:53] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> What was it meant for?
[18:07:01] <[RP] ✦Joco> My friend
[18:07:20] <[RP] ✦Joco> A guest area, for them to- fly, in. Learn to fly.
[18:07:20] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Which one? Why won't they use it, don't they like it?
[18:07:29] <[RP] ✦Joco> This is the friend that died
[18:08:03] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Ah, the one who returned to Void, I remember.
[18:08:05] <[RP] ✦Joco> Yes
[18:08:10] <[RP] ✦Joco> They had wings
[18:08:21] <[RP] ✦Joco> But, the wings were. Bad
[18:08:32] <[RP] ✦Joco> So, no learning to fly
[18:08:42] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> And also they are dead
[18:08:53] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> That makes it hard to learn to fly too
[18:08:59] <[RP] ✦Joco> Yes, that's why it won't be used
[18:09:27] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> So is it a problem that I was up there?
[18:09:33] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> You're making a strange face
[18:09:47] <[RP] ✦Joco> Mmm
[18:09:52] <[RP] ✦Joco> I just
[18:10:11] <[RP] ✦Joco> You don't knOW
[The allay flies near Joco’s face, startling them.]
[18:10:25] <[RP] ✦Joco> gaghu
[18:10:35] <[RP] ✦Joco> The uh. Mourning thing I told you? It's like that
[18:10:45] <[RP] ✦Joco> I designed this before ae died.
[18:10:59] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Right. Lots of emotions that turn bad
[18:11:17] <[RP] ✦Joco> And it hurt to not build it. And it hurt to have it built with no aer to stay here
[18:11:33] <[RP] ✦Joco> And having someone else here. Feels wrong
[18:12:19] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Right. I should not be there then.
[18:12:35] <[RP] ✦Joco> The uh- the allay. It stays up there because the wings frighten me sometimes. And if I let it loose, it'll get lost, and I can't lose it that's- yeah.
[18:13:02] <[RP] ✦Joco> Maybe? You can- I don't. I'm not sure. It's not hurting anything, right?
[18:13:19] <[RP] ✦Joco> The werewolf thing, yeah. Wings aren't. Awesome on my brain
[18:13:32] <[RP] ✦Joco> You don't smell like wing dust, though. You just smell like space
[18:13:51] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> So should I... Go?
[Joco ducks under the allay as it zips past them again. It considers the lily in the pot, and then disappears back up into the attic.]
[18:14:10] <[RP] ✦Joco> I- that feels rude
[18:14:39] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Princebot says being rude is effective communication
[18:14:58] <[RP] ✦Joco> Your wings aren't really wings like. It's bird wings that my brain hates. Yours is a cape, like moths
[18:15:04] <[RP] ✦Joco> Princebot isn't an effective communicator
[18:15:16] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I do not have much other point of reference!
[18:15:32] <[RP] ✦Joco> I- Hm.
[18:15:37] <[RP] ✦Joco> No one here is normal enough
[18:16:01] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> That's what The Wizard said when I first met him. You two are a bit similar
[18:16:09] <[RP] ✦Joco> Don't base on Doc he's Doc. I'm... dealing. Wiz is? Gone?
[18:16:18] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Yep, gone.
[Processing what Scintilla’d said:] [18:16:20] <[RP] ✦Joco> That's. Touching
[There’s a brief moment where a remarkable sadness overtakes Joco. It leaves quickly.]
[18:16:33] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I have never met Doc. What is he like?
[18:16:58] <[RP] ✦Joco> Abnormal
[18:17:13] <[RP] ✦Joco> He's. God, what is he like?
[Joco moves out of the doorway to lean against the desk with the flower planter.]
[18:18:00] <[RP] ✦Joco> He isn't from here, hit his head on the way. So he's got bad memory. And Prince hurt him terribly
[18:18:05] <[RP] ✦Joco> Which made his brain Worse, somehow
[18:18:20] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I'm not from here either. Maybe he could be interesting
[18:18:26] <[RP] ✦Joco> Maybe!
[18:18:59] <[RP] ✦Joco> Flick is the most normal local
[18:19:03] <[RP] ✦Joco> I think
[18:19:05] <[RP] ✦Joco> Nearby
[18:19:14] <[RP] ✦Joco> He's bird
[18:19:17] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I've never met anyone else. Wasn't sure if I should
[18:19:22] <[RP] ✦Joco> You can bond over-
[Joco flinches.]
[18:19:30] <[RP] ✦Joco> Meeting people is good
[18:20:02] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> You were fun. It's a good sign
[18:20:12] <[RP] ✦Joco> Yes!
[18:20:14] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Why weren't you in your house for a long time?
[Joco flexes their ears back. The allay soars down from above, Joco bats it away lightly.]
[18:20:49] <[RP] ✦Joco> I have a place I feel- less afraid? In?
[18:20:59] <[RP] ✦Joco> The werewolf thing makes me afraid so I made a safe place.
[18:21:11] <[RP] ✦Joco> But! I have ideas to try, so I'm here to. Try it. The idea.
[18:21:31] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> And the idea will stop you being afraid?
[18:21:40] <[RP] ✦Joco> Maybe!
[18:21:46] <[RP] ✦Joco> I. I hope.
[18:21:46] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> What is being afraid like?
[18:21:48] <[RP] ✦Joco> Bad
[18:22:10] <[RP] ✦Joco> Your brain tells you to get away from the thing or fight it or curl up into a ball to get safe
[18:22:16] <[RP] ✦Joco> And it can make other thoughts hard
[18:22:58] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I think I've been that, once
[18:23:33] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> What is your idea to fix it?
[18:24:03] <[RP] ✦Joco> Some stories have a- ritual? To fix? It?
[18:24:13] <[RP] ✦Joco> And I know a ritual . That works with Code
[18:24:33] <[RP] ✦Joco> So I'm going to change things, and. Try to fix me. With ritual stuff.
[Scintilla freezes at the mention of a ritual. It stiffens up completely. Then, it relaxes, just as fast as it froze. It tilts its head curiously.]
[18:25:56] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> How will that work?
[Joco blinks at the reaction, but writes it off. They’re just paranoid, over-noticing.]
[18:26:29] <[RP] ✦Joco> Uh, I've got. Torches, and flowers, and. A circular spot. And I've made a chant.
[18:26:38] <[RP] ✦Joco> In Code-understanding language.
[18:27:22] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I would like to be there.
[18:27:26] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> When you... Do the ritual.
[18:27:28] <[RP] ✦Joco> ?
[18:27:40] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I want to be there.
[18:27:40] <[RP] ✦Joco> To.. watch? You can watch, sure?
[18:27:46] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Okay.
[18:28:02] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I don't... I don't know why.
[18:28:10] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I don't know why I want to?
[18:28:19] <[RP] ✦Joco> Hm
[18:28:34] <[RP] ✦Joco> Do you... want to come see? My farms?
[18:28:42] <[RP] ✦Joco> It would help me.
[18:28:45] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I would like that.
[18:28:53] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> You let me stay in your attic
[18:28:58] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I will repay the favour
[18:28:58] <[RP] ✦Joco> I- yes
[18:29:00] <[RP] ✦Joco> Ok?
[18:29:07] <[RP] ✦Joco> That. Ok sure
[18:29:12] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Well I suppose you did not let me but I did it and you didn't stop me.
[18:29:15] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Can I do it again?
[18:29:28] <[RP] ✦Joco> Yes?
[18:29:37] <[RP] ✦Joco> It's. Better to be used than not, that space
[18:29:56] <[RP] ✦Joco> If you get bored, I would not scold you for messing with the hay. You can make bread from wheat.
[18:30:12] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I think your creature needs the company. Do they have a name?
[18:30:28] <[RP] ✦Joco> They- yeah, I uh. I call 'em Baby Bird
[18:30:40] <[RP] ✦Joco> They reminded me of. Of someone. So I named accordingly
[18:31:05] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> That's funny. Birds eat bugs and yet it is so much smaller than me!
[Joco huffs out a laugh.]
[18:31:15] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I will not eat your Bird, I promise.
[18:31:21] <[RP] ✦Joco> Thanks, bud
[18:31:41] <[RP] ✦Joco> Not every bird eats bugs, and not every bug is eaten by birds, y'know?
[18:31:41] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Where do you go, when you're afraid? Can I go there too?
[Joco blinks.]
[18:32:05] <[RP] ✦Joco> Sure?
[18:32:20] <[RP] ✦Joco> Doc visits me, you might meet him there. Maybe
[18:32:41] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I would like to meet your strange friend!
[18:32:56] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I hope he is just as interesting as you. And answers my questions just as much.
[Joco smiles a bit mischievously.]
[18:33:22] <[RP] ✦Joco> oh I think he loves answering questions
[18:33:25] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> The Wizard taught me how to do conversation and I am quite good at it now. Ask a lot of invasive questions and you win!
[18:33:29] <[RP] ✦Joco> Every question about everything
[18:33:36] <[RP] ✦Joco> EVERY question
[18:34:19] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I am glad you told me where your house was. It feels nice to be here.
[18:34:40] <[RP] ✦Joco> oh, I'm. That's very sweet, I'm glad too
[18:34:54] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I like being at The Wizards house but Prince doesn't talk to me so it is awkward sometimes when I'm with Princebot. And I do not have any other place to be.
[18:35:12] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Houses are interesting places
[18:35:19] <[RP] ✦Joco> They ARE, yes
[18:35:34] <[RP] ✦Joco> Here, let's. Go find wax and stuff. While my brain is nicer.
[18:35:48] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I'm glad your brain is nicer
[18:36:26] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> And that I smell of space and not wing dust. That means I'm allowed back, right? Even when it's not?
[18:36:31] <[RP] ✦Joco> Yes
[18:36:35] <[RP] ✦Joco> Yes, you're allowed back
[18:37:05] <[RP] ✦Joco> I'd not- you're very sweet. Of course you're allowed back
[18:37:27] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I don't think I've ever been called 'sweet' before.
[18:37:45] <[RP] ✦Joco> Well, it's. True, I think
[18:38:11] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I thought people generally didn't like it when you broke into their houses. That's what Princebot said when I told him where I was going.
[18:38:19] <[RP] ✦Joco> Oh, they don't
[18:38:30] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Well I'm glad you like it!
[18:38:31] <[RP] ✦Joco> 'm too old n tired to care
[18:39:48] <[RP] ✦Joco> C'mon, the basement calls
[18:40:01] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I don't think I can hear anything from the basement
[18:40:07] <[RP] ✦Joco> It's a saying
[18:40:23] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> You people say such strange things
[18:41:35] <[RP] ✦Joco> OH
[18:41:42] <[RP] ✦Joco> You didn't know! Ok so
[18:41:46] <[RP] ✦Joco> Ok so!
[18:41:49] <[RP] ✦Joco> This is weed
[18:41:55] <[RP] ✦Joco> These plants
[18:42:02] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Like the plants we pulled out at the garden?
[18:42:14] <[RP] ✦Joco> No! It's different! But with the same name!
[18:42:16] <[RP] ✦Joco> Silly thing
[18:42:23] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Oh! The other one!
[18:42:25] <[RP] ✦Joco> Cannabis is better name
[18:42:45] <[RP] ✦Joco> If you bake it then smoke it or eat it, it does things to the brain. Which is fun.
[18:42:52] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Do you 'smoke weed' like how Princebot used to
[18:43:00] <[RP] ✦Joco> I don't smoke normally, just eat
[18:43:03] <[RP] ✦Joco> Put it in brownies
[Opening a birch trapdoor and hesitating for a moment before beginning the climb:]
[18:43:12] <[RP] ✦Joco> We're going down this ladder
[18:43:19] <[RP] ✦Joco> And nothing is down here to kill us
[18:43:24] <[RP] ✦Joco> And nothing will kill us
[18:43:50] <[RP] ✦Joco> This is more plants to know
[18:43:54] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> That was a very specific clarification!
[Scintilla lands just behind Joco as they look around the space suspiciously.]
[18:44:01] <[RP] ✦Joco> That was! For me
[18:44:09] <[RP] ✦Joco> Don't worry
[Leading Scintilla left from the ladder, past four wool sheep, Joco stops to tap on a pair of glass blocks.]
[18:44:24] <[RP] ✦Joco> Here are my chickens. They don't flap and I can't smell them so it is OK
[Walking onward, Joco stops in front of a larger window. Behind it, two beehives sit, some bees flying in and out of them to gather nectar from flowers planted inside.]
[18:44:29] <[RP] ✦Joco> THIS is bees
[18:45:01] <[RP] ✦Joco> My bee farm collects honey and wax from the bees
[Bending down to pull some honeycomb out of a chest below the glass:]
[18:45:11] <[RP] ✦Joco> So then I can use them for stuff
[18:45:17] <[RP] ✦Joco> Like! Candles
[Their ears twitch as a bee bonks against the glass, and they swiftly move back over to the ladders, surrounded on both sides by an auto-composting setup.]
[18:45:22] <[RP] ✦Joco> And over here
[18:45:30] <[RP] ✦Joco> Composters make bonemeal
[Pulling bonemeal out of a chest tucked under the ladder:]
[18:45:34] <[RP] ✦Joco> Which helps farms AND
[Crafting quickly:] [18:45:36] <[RP] ✦Joco> White dye
[18:45:41] <[RP] ✦Joco> For candles!
[18:45:46] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> There are so many systems involved. How did you discover all of this?
[18:45:55] <[RP] ✦Joco> Other people!
[18:46:03] <[RP] ✦Joco> Other people discovered, and I gathered knowledge
[18:46:08] <[RP] ✦Joco> And I just. Put it in one place
[Gesturing to each farm in turn:] [18:46:18] <[RP] ✦Joco> The sheep farms gather wool
[18:46:32] <[RP] ✦Joco> There are melon and pumpkin farms that gather those things for me
[18:46:47] <[RP] ✦Joco> I am an accumulation of thousands of people's knowledge
[18:47:02] <[RP] ✦Joco> Millions, even
[18:47:07] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I think I understand. I'm an accumulation of all of my Mother’s
[18:47:31] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> It knows a lot of things. I thought all of them, but I'm starting to realise that isn't the case.
[18:47:31] <[RP] ✦Joco> And! You're gaining more, from Wiz and me and. Princes
[18:47:52] <[RP] ✦Joco> The Void does not know things as they live in their environments
[Staring into nothing, toward the floor.] [18:47:58] <[RP] ✦Joco> It does not know things as they live
[18:48:26] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> And I suppose I'm doing that now. Living. Maybe that's why things are so confusing
[Clapping their hands and looking back up:] [18:48:39] <[RP] ✦Joco> yes!
[18:48:49] <[RP] ✦Joco> New
[18:48:55] <[RP] ✦Joco> Fun, scary, confusing
[18:49:22] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> I guess those are emotions. I might have them after all.
[18:49:27] <[RP] ✦Joco> Maybe!
[18:49:35] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> You seem to have far too many
[18:49:37] <[RP] ✦Joco> Yes
[18:49:46] <[RP] ✦Joco> It's. The ritual will help. I hope
[18:49:58] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Which is why we need the wax
[18:50:07] <[RP] ✦Joco> And bonemeal!
[18:50:14] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> And bonemeal!
[18:50:20] <[RP] ✦Joco> Now back. Up the ladder
[They turn to look up the ladder, feet glued in place.]
[18:50:31] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Would you like me to go first?
[18:50:51] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> If there is anything up there I can decimate it ^-^
[18:50:59] <[RP] ✦Joco> Oh, that
[18:51:06] <[RP] ✦Joco> Yeah, that. That would help. Yes
[18:51:24] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> Nothing up here but cannabis!
[Joco steels themself below, taking in a deep breath. They follow Scintilla up the ladder.]
[18:51:45] <[RP] ✦Joco> Cannabis, and
[18:51:54] <[RP] ✦Joco> You know this flower, it's at the island
[18:52:28] <[RP] ✦Scintilla> It's a .... Cornflower?
[18:52:34] <[RP] ✦Joco> Yes!
[18:52:37] <[RP] ✦Joco> Good job!
[They fall into conversation and preparation. The ritual site is readied. Scintilla joins Joco within it. They sit together inside the circle of prepared items. They chant softly under their breath as they do so. Joco’s eyes are screwed shut tight, but Scintilla seems to have very little expression at all. Something happens. A rush of wind, the whisper of unclear voices, and the overwhelming hum of the Void itself. There is a feeling like electricity spiking through the body. Joco stumbles and falls backwards, one hand reaching up to feel their face while the other braces them against the ground. Something had felt Wrong about their skin, for just a moment.]
[18:56:12] <[RP] Joco> WHAT
[Joco pats their face. They look around, noticing the sudden lack of shadows on the ground. The boughs of…acacia trees rise up into the sky, not dark oak.]
[18:56:44] <[RP] Joco> WHAT???
[Beside them, Scintilla falls onto their knees. Their face splits opens in a wide maw as they begin to retch. A pool of dark, sparkling liquid spreads forth from them, and they shudder slightly. Joco watches the bug, chest heaving. They whisper:] [18:57:08] <[RP] Joco> what
[Shakily:] [18:57:23] <[RP] Scintilla> I do not think It liked me doing that
[Joco stands slowly. Sunlight crests over the savannah. They stand inside a courtyard, the same one they’d been in for the last few minutes.]
[18:57:30] <[RP] Joco> What did you DO
[18:57:44] <[RP] Joco> That. Did you change the biome???
[18:57:50] <[RP] Joco> Or did you. Move? Us?
[18:57:55] <[RP] Scintilla> You wanted to get something Out, right? I just pulled it out!
[18:58:37] <[RP] Scintilla> There was something wrong and I could see it, once we started doing all the chanting and the candles and the- you know! I knew what to do!
[Joco grabs their tail. It’s less fluffy now, more akin to the cat’s tail they’d been used to not even a year prior. It’s yellow-tan and striped with black.]
[18:59:04] <[RP] Joco> You knew?? What to do????
[18:59:07] <[RP] Scintilla> I knew how to do it somehow, so I did! Did it work? Are you better now?
[18:59:11] <[RP] Joco> I mean. Okay. Okay sure, yeah. Yeah ok.
[18:59:19] <[RP] Joco> Yeah, the.
[Joco takes a deep breath, searching for what this might mean.]
[18:59:37] <[RP] Joco> Yeah. You fixed it, kid
[18:59:43] <[RP] Joco> But what ELSE did you do????
[19:00:01] <[RP] Joco> Where?? Are we?
[19:00:09] <[RP] Scintilla> I'm not... Sure.
[19:00:23] <[RP] Scintilla> We aren't Nowhere, so that is good!
[Forming an eye so ae can express facially:] [19:00:39] <[RP] Scintilla> My Mother would not appreciate a houseguest ^-^
[Joco leaves the courtyard, patting the walls as they go.]
[19:00:36] <[RP] Joco> This is a savannah
[19:00:43] <[RP] Joco> Scintilla this is. This is a savannah?
[19:00:59] <[RP] Joco> Scintilla where in the world
[19:01:05] <[RP] Scintilla> More trees and grass, that seems the same as where we were, no?
[19:01:14] <[RP] Joco> No this is a different. biome
[19:01:21] <[RP] Joco> The trees and grass are different
[19:01:08] <[RP] Joco> We're still in. The world, right
[19:01:23] <[RP] Joco> My HOUSE
[19:01:30] <[RP] Joco> My house is gone
[19:01:35] <[RP] Scintilla> This is definitely the world! It isn't my Home, now is it?
[19:01:47] <[RP] Joco> Are we in the same world as before?
[19:01:49] <[RP] Joco> There are many worlds
[19:01:54] <[RP] Joco> Not just Void and World
[19:01:57] <[RP] Joco> There are so many worlds
[19:02:09] <[RP] Scintilla> Everything changes itself all of the time, no World is really the same each time you blink
[19:02:20] <[RP] Scintilla> So perhaps, and perhaps not!
[Joco looks at the Void entity incredulously. They blink several times, then turn around and keep walking in the direction the stairs were pointing. Scintilla follows eagerly, close at Joco’s heels.]
[19:04:06] <[RP] Joco> I didn't explore the world enough to know. If we're even . What the heck
[19:04:18] <[RP] Scintilla> All I know is that I fixed the problem. I don't know how, but it just did what I thought it should do!
[19:04:28] <[RP] Joco> You've caused! Other problems in the fixing
[19:04:47] <[RP] Scintilla> What other problems? We're safe, are we not?
[19:04:55] <[RP] Joco> I appreciate the fixing, kid, I really do. But I've got FRIENDS back there! If we're actually out of the world, then .
[A stutter in their step.] [19:05:02] <[RP] Joco> Then we might never see those guys again
[19:05:25] <[RP] Scintilla> Well if there's so many worlds, surely there are more friends here. What would it matter?
[19:05:38] <[RP] Joco> Keeping the same friends is nice
[19:05:57] <[RP] Joco> If you... liked a toy, would you want to have to find a new one?? That's not a good comparison. That's a bad comparison.
[19:06:10] <[RP] Scintilla> What is a toy?
[19:06:29] <[RP] Joco> A toy is. I'm not explaining that right now
[19:06:18] <[RP] Joco> If your mother somehow became not your mother. And a new Void took its place.
[19:06:23] <[RP] Joco> Would you be enthused?
[19:06:36] <[RP] Scintilla> There is no Void that isn't Void
[19:06:50] <[RP] Joco> Okay but if somehow there Was
[19:07:11] <[RP] Scintilla> My Mother cannot be something, It is what is not
[19:07:11] <[RP] Joco> If something in the universe changed, and the Void became a differently behaved entity, and you could never experience the same Void you knew before
[19:07:20] <[RP] Joco> That'd be bad, right
[19:07:28] <[RP] Joco> You could never go back to your mom.
[19:07:30] <[RP] Joco> Ever
[19:07:37] <[RP] Joco> You had to accept a new mom
[19:07:44] <[RP] Scintilla> My Mother does not want me back
[19:07:50] <[RP] Scintilla> It would not be so different
[19:07:52] <[RP] Joco> Does that feel?? Good?
[19:07:54] <[RP] Scintilla> I do not understand you
[19:07:58] <[RP] Joco> Okay so you're already living this.
[19:08:05] <[RP] Scintilla> It doesn't feel like Anything
[19:08:06] <[RP] Joco> Does it feel good to not be able to go back home
[19:08:43] <[RP] Scintilla> I am no use to my Mother as I am now. There is no use thinking on it further
[19:08:48] <[RP] Joco> Hm
[19:09:01] <[RP] Joco> Sounds like avoidance
[Hitting their forehead with the base of their hand:]
[19:09:11] <[RP] Joco> GOD
[19:09:17] <[RP] Scintilla> That is what you do too, no?
[19:09:18] <[RP] Joco> I built an entire Verde Drug!! AGAIN
[19:09:30] <[RP] Scintilla> You built this?
[19:09:37] <[RP] Joco> We don't need to talk about my emotions right now because at least I acknowledge them.
[Joco, who had been looking where they stepped rather than forward, turns back to Scintilla, then looks back to where they’d been heading.]
[19:16:30] <[RP] Joco> I built- WHAT?
[19:16:33] <[RP] Scintilla> You people care so much about feelings
[19:16:51] <[RP] Scintilla> That is- hmm
[A large building appears just ahead of them in the distance. Its shape is…familiar.]
[19:16:54] <[RP] Joco> IS THAT FUCKING VERDE DRUG
[19:17:05] <[RP] Joco> No. No. It's wrong. It's . What the hell is GH
[19:17:15] <[RP] Scintilla> Is that a place you know?
[19:17:23] <[RP] Joco> THE
[19:17:31] <[RP] Joco> I've been many places
[19:17:45] <[RP] Scintilla> I have been very few!
[19:18:00] <[RP] Joco> Is this the fucking. Refuge camp. From a CENTURY ago
[19:18:07] <[RP] Scintilla> Well if you know this place, we are clearly right where we should be, no?
[19:18:18] <[RP] Joco> I DON'T know this place!! It's!!
[19:18:25] <[RP] Joco> There's a squid in that window!!
[19:18:35] <[RP] Joco> This is Verde Drug but SO off
[19:18:46] <[RP] Scintilla> Maybe it lives there. Who are we to say where a squid should be
[Joco moves to stare into the window.]
[19:19:06] <[RP] Joco> Two..
[Joco rests their forehead and a hand on the glass.]
[19:20:10] <[RP] Scintilla> Well, are we in your Home? Or are we elsewhere? Are you okay, you have a strange look on your face.
[Joco fake knocks their fist on the glass.]
[19:20:58] <[RP] Joco> Kid, I have no idea
[Inside, the Wizard stumbles as the ground of what he believes is Wolf Trap stops shaking. Ivy sits on the ground from where he dropped her proxy.]
[19:19:21] <[RP] The Wizard> The hell...
[19:19:38] <[RP] The Wizard> Ivy are you alright?
[19:19:54] <[RP] The Wizard> Something just happened
[19:19:59] <[RP] Ivy> Yeesh, yeah I'm fine
[19:20:09] <[RP] Ivy> Don't drop me again geezer
[19:20:35] <[RP] The Wizard> Sorry about that, I'll try not to.
[19:20:46] <[RP] Ivy> Whatever. Let's just...let's go home
[19:21:15] <[RP] The Wizard> Now you want to go home
[19:21:32] <[RP] Ivy> Uh yeah, I'm sick of this creepy mirror place
[19:21:44] <[RP] The Wizard> Mirror place…
[Outside, Joco’s ears twitch at the faint sounds of talking from inside. They keep staring at the stupid squid.]
[19:22:10] <[RP] Scintilla> Is there something wrong with the squid?
[Joco sighs.]
[19:22:31] <[RP] Joco> They're too big for this tank, for one.
[19:22:54] <[RP] Scintilla> Maybe it is what they are used to
[19:22:58] <[RP] Joco> They're for.... oceans, and rivers, and caves.
[19:23:33] <[RP] Joco> They can't live properly in the wrong home
[19:23:52] <[RP] Scintilla> So they need to be somewhere else?
[19:23:59] <[RP] Joco> That's a problem for another time
[Inside, the Wizard gets his bearings. He looks around at the strange, warped Verde Drug-Wolf Trap-something else.]
[19:22:01] <[RP] The Wizard> This didn't...this didn't look like this a second ago
[19:22:24] <[RP] Ivy> Okay, so what did it look like?
[19:22:29] <[RP] The Wizard> Not like this...
[19:22:40] <[RP] Ivy> Super helpful nimrod
[19:22:55] <[RP] The Wizard> Hey now. I'm not joking, something's up
[19:23:58] <[RP] Ivy> What are you scaredddddd ooooooh ooooooh Archie's scareddddd
[19:24:14] <[RP] The Wizard> I'm not scared, just cautious
[Joco rests their palm on the glass once more, than stands up straight.]
[19:24:06] <[RP] Joco> Do we. In?
[19:24:14] <[RP] Joco> Go in? Thoughts?
[19:24:14] <[RP] Scintilla> A door is made to be opened!
[19:24:21] <[RP] Joco> Yeah okay sure
[Joco opens the door. They shout into the building.]
[19:24:36] <[RP] Joco> THIS IS FUCKING VERDE DRUG
[19:24:46] <[RP] The Wizard> Okay now I'm scared
[19:24:48] <[RP] Joco> SCINTILLA
[19:24:51] <[RP] Scintilla> Yes?
[19:24:59] <[RP] Joco> THIS IS
[19:25:05] <[RP] Joco> it's verde drug but WRONG
[19:25:18] <[RP] Joco> Wiz's shops are fucked up
[19:24:50] <[RP] Ivy> Huh
[19:25:01] <[RP] Ivy> That sounded like
[19:25:19] <[RP] The Wizard> Oh Void I'm being haunted
[19:25:37] <[RP] Ivy> No idiot that sounded like your stupid gay friend
[19:25:56] <[RP] The Wizard> Ivy, that's not-
[Joco approaches the wall where the horse mural used to be.]
[19:25:23] <[RP] Joco> The gay horses....
[19:25:29] <[RP] Scintilla> i don't know how I'm meant to know that, I've never seen it!
[Joco rests a hand on the wall. They turn, spotting a figure through the magenta glass.]
[19:25:54] <[RP] Joco> HELLO?
[19:25:59] <[RP] Joco> DO YOU KNOW INTELLE-
[Joco squints.]
[19:26:02] <[RP] Joco> WIZARD?
[19:26:05] <[RP] The Wizard> Joco?
[19:26:14] <[RP] The Wizard> This has got to be a dream
[Scintilla peers around the corner.]
[19:26:14] <[RP] Scintilla> Oh, the Wizard is here! Hello!
[Scintilla waves with excitement. Joco throws their hands up and walks back out the still open door.]
[19:26:40] <[RP] Scintilla> Joco, where are you going?
[19:26:26] <[RP] The Wizard> Well...maybe a nightmare
[19:26:37] <[RP] The Wizard> Definitely a nightmare
[19:26:47] <[RP] Ivy> Looks like the bug thingy is here too
[19:26:57] <[RP] The Wizard> Scintilla...yes...
[19:27:10] <[RP] The Wizard> Should we follow-
[19:27:15] <[RP] Ivy> YES. OBVIOUSLY.
[Joco yells out into the savannah.]
[19:26:43] <[RP] Joco> What the FUCK
[19:26:52] <[RP] Scintilla> We found one of your friends! You just said you wanted those!
[Joco holds out their hands, shaking them like they’re pretending to strangle Scintilla.]
[19:27:27] <[RP] Scintilla> haha you are so silly ^-^
[19:27:40] <[RP] Joco> What!! The FUCK
[19:27:59] <[RP] Joco> Why is there! A weird-ass Verde!! With WIZ INSIDE
[19:28:08] <[RP] Joco> What did you DO
[The Wizard walks cautiously through the “Verde Drug”, towards the entrance.]
[19:27:57] <[RP] The Wizard> Huh. Like it, but not quite
[Scintilla stands in the doorway.]
[19:28:08] <[RP] Scintilla> Hello The Wizard! It has been a long time!
[19:28:20] <[RP] The Wizard> Oh. Hello Scintilla. Yes, yes it has, hasn't it?
[19:28:36] <[RP] Scintilla> I fixed your problem. Anything else was... An accident.
[19:28:40] <[RP] The Wizard> Do...are we dreaming?
[19:28:46] <[RP] The Wizard> ...Huh.
[19:36:54] <[RP] Scintilla> We are right where we should be, I think!
[19:37:09] <[RP] Scintilla> I didn't ask to be moved, but I suppose my Mother knows best.
[19:37:10] <[RP] Joco> It's so dry
[19:37:32] <[RP] Joco> GOD
[19:37:40] <[RP] Joco> I'm going to make lotion again
[19:37:36] <[RP] The Wizard> ...It’s a lot like Verdigris
[19:37:55] <[RP] Joco> Verdigris was mesa, though
[The Wizard finally looks at Joco for the first time.]
[19:38:04] <[RP] The Wizard> …
[They look back.]
[19:38:07] <[RP] Joco> Hi
[Slapping their forehead:]
[19:38:10] <[RP] Joco> FUCK
[19:38:33] <[RP] Joco> Hi, Wiz, sorry I never visited 'n shit. I was having troubles with emotional regulation and werewolf shit.
[The Wizard tears up slightly, and then looks away. He doesn’t even seem to have registered what Joco just said. Scintilla watches them, completely oblivious to any tension or emotion.]
[19:38:32] <[RP] The Wizard> You're...you're older
[19:38:35] <[RP] Joco> I'm WHAT
[19:38:52] <[RP] The Wizard> You don't look like a youngin' anymore
[Joco slaps their hand to their face again.]
[19:38:55] <[RP] Joco> SCINTILLA
[19:39:00] <[RP] Scintilla> Yes?
[19:38:57] <[RP] Joco> WHAT THE FUCK
[19:39:07] <[RP] Joco> I thought!! My skin just felt weird!! Because it's DRY HERE
[19:39:15] <[RP] Ivy> Freaaaaaky bug stuff, I'm telling ya
[19:39:24] <[RP] Ivy> This thing probably fucked this world right up
[Joco looks at their arms, showing far more age and sun damage than hours before.]
[19:39:30] <[RP] Scintilla> I did not ask for anything strange to happen!
[19:39:47] <[RP] The Wizard> That's alright, Scintilla
[19:39:44] <[RP] Joco> I do not like your mother
[19:39:49] <[RP] Joco> Wiz we're aware of its mother, right
[19:39:55] <[RP] The Wizard> Vaguely
[19:40:09] <[RP] The Wizard> Only in my own assumptions based on our previous conversations
[19:40:03] <[RP] Joco> Void
[19:40:04] <[RP] Joco> The Void
[19:40:17] <[RP] The Wizard> Well...that does indeed clarify some things
[19:40:23] <[RP] The Wizard> And make a whole mess of others
[19:40:26] <[RP] Ivy> What the fuck
[19:40:28] <[RP] Scintilla> My Mother does not care much for you either Joco do not worry! ^-^
[19:40:33] <[RP] Ivy> Void mother
[19:40:46] <[RP] Ivy> Oh this bug is REALLY fucked up
[19:40:56] <[RP] Ivy> Where did you find this thing
[19:41:07] <[RP] Scintilla> Your robot is very vocal
[19:41:19] <[RP] The Wizard> I'm sorry about Ivy, really, truly, sorry
[19:41:26] <[RP] Ivy> I'm perfect
[Joco sighs and stares at their now slightly wrinkled hands.]
[19:41:01] <[RP] Joco> Holy shit you can see my veins now
[Moving towards him excitedly:]
[19:41:06] <[RP] Joco> WIZ YOU CAN-
[Remembering they’ve not talked in months:]
[19:41:08] <[RP] Joco> Hi
[19:41:21] <[RP] Joco> Where did you find this thing, Wiz
[The Wizard sighs.]
[19:41:36] <[RP] The Wizard> It's a long story
[19:41:49] <[RP] Scintilla> I found him more than he found me!
[19:42:05] <[RP] Joco> Ae found me at the memorial
[19:42:19] <[RP] The Wizard> Scintilla and I also met there, as well
[19:42:23] <[RP] Joco> Ahhhh
[19:42:26] <[RP] The Wizard> It was perched within the tree
[19:42:29] <[RP] Joco> Loiterer
[Good naturedly:]
[19:42:40] <[RP] The Wizard> Hey now
[19:42:51] <[RP] Scintilla> That is the place it felt most right to be, and then the Wizard found me and started asking me many silly questions
[19:43:15] <[RP] Joco> Silly questions like. Who are you and why are you in the tree?
[19:43:21] <[RP] Scintilla> Yes!
[19:43:24] <[RP] The Wizard> I do believe that was about it
[Sarcastically:]
[19:43:34] <[RP] Joco> Wow Wiz what silly questions
[19:43:45] <[RP] Scintilla> I'm so glad you understand Joco
[19:43:57] <[RP] Joco> This is like babysitting four year olds
[19:44:08] <[RP] Joco> But it's just. One freakishly tall one
[19:44:40] <[RP] The Wizard> They do indeed seem to lack in the social department, Scintilla, you are not very old, correct?
[19:44:53] <[RP] Ivy> Ayoooooooo
[19:45:27] <[RP] Scintilla> I am made of things as old as the world and also I have spent a few moon cycles being my Self
[19:45:30] <[RP] Scintilla> So yes and no!
[19:45:32] <[RP] Joco> Oh my god it's a baby
[19:45:33] <[RP] Ivy> They may be a freak but they're a baby freak
[19:45:42] <[RP] Ivy> Fraby
[19:45:46] <[RP] Joco> Frabyyyy
[Sing-song:]
[19:45:56] <[RP] Ivy> Frabyyyy why you so freakyyyyy
[19:45:50] <[RP] Joco> HEY WAIT
[19:45:54] <[RP] Joco> Why were y'all inside
[19:46:10] <[RP] The Wizard> It's where I found Ivy
[19:46:17] <[RP] The Wizard> At least...in the one with the dogs
[19:46:33] <[RP] Ivy> It smelled like dogs and hair and ass
[19:46:23] <[RP] Joco> YOU WERE IN WOLF TRAP?
[19:46:45] <[RP] The Wizard> If that's what it was called, then yes, I do believe so!
[19:46:46] <[RP] Joco> That's what happens when there's. I think I counted 400 before giving up
[19:46:48] <[RP] Joco> 400 wolves
[19:46:56] <[RP] Ivy> Goddamn
[19:47:11] <[RP] The Wizard> That is a good many wolves, indeed
[Joco seems to have begun to calm down, they look at the robot in the Wizard’s hands.]
[19:47:10] <[RP] Joco> You. Said this? Was your sister??
[19:47:25] <[RP] The Wizard> Yes, my younger sister
[19:47:37] <[RP] Joco> ,,,, did you Build Her Recently? Hence younger??
[19:47:51] <[RP] The Wizard> Oh! No, she's-
[Musically:]
[19:48:07] <[RP] Ivy> I've been stuck in a gem for like thirty years
[19:48:16] <[RP] The Wizard> Well, that's exaggerating
[19:48:30] <[RP] Ivy> His ass trapped me in an emerald, used me as a battery, and then he realized I was actually alive
[19:48:34] <[RP] Scintilla> You seem to have lots of people who are constructs around you, The Wizard
[19:48:48] <[RP] The Wizard> Do I...?
[19:48:51] <[RP] Joco> I mean
[19:48:55] <[RP] Joco> More than standard, yeah
[19:48:54] <[RP] The Wizard> Ah, yes! The Princes
[19:49:08] <[RP] The Wizard> I suppose that is a good deal more than normal
[19:49:30] <[RP] The Wizard> But yes, I realized that Ivy was still sentient, much, much too late-
[19:49:34] <[RP] Ivy> MUCH too late
[19:49:42] <[RP] The Wizard> I've begun constructing her a body
[19:49:54] <[RP] Joco> Well then! Okay.
[19:49:36] <[RP] Scintilla> This one, the Princes, myself in some ways. I wonder what about you brings together so many things pretending to be people
[19:49:56] <[RP] The Wizard> ...An interesting way to put it
[19:50:02] <[RP] Ivy> I'm a person!!!!!
[19:50:07] <[RP] Ivy> I'm a full fucking person!!!!!!!!!
[19:50:10] <[RP] Joco> I think I'm a person.
[19:50:17] <[RP] Joco> Some guy said that's enough proof, right
[19:50:19] <[RP] Joco> Yeah
[19:50:29] <[RP] Joco> Hi then, Wiz's sister who's a person. I'm J-
[19:50:30] <[RP] Joco> WAIT
[They grab the sides of their head.]
[19:50:38] <[RP] Ivy> J
[19:50:44] <[RP] Ivy> I thought your name was Joco
[19:50:38] <[RP] Joco> WAIT MY NAME'S CYRUS
[19:50:47] <[RP] Joco> HOLY SHIT THAT'S TOTALLY MY NAME
[19:50:47] <[RP] Scintilla> No your name is Joco
[19:50:50] <[RP] The Wizard> Cyrus?
[19:50:58] <[RP] Scintilla> Is it different now?
[19:50:59] <[RP] Joco> My parents!! Named me Cyrus!!!
[19:51:08] <[RP] The Wizard> ...Oh wow...to remember that
[19:51:09] <[RP] Joco> I FORGOT it for Reasons!! And just! Joco! Oh my GOD
[19:51:24] <[RP] The Wizard> I'm so happy for you- Cyrus...?
[Staring at the sunset:]
[19:51:25] <[RP] Joco> My favorite food was parsnips. What the fuckkkkkkk
[19:51:32] <[RP] Scintilla> Cyrus... Hmm, that works nicely!
[Something shifts within them. Maybe this is who they’ve always been…]
[19:51:42] <[RP] Cyrus> What did you do, Stinkbug
[19:51:54] <[RP] Scintilla> I wanted to fix things for you
[19:51:56] <[RP] The Wizard> Scintilla did all of that...
[19:52:00] <[RP] The Wizard> Wait- WAIT
[19:52:07] <[RP] The Wizard> YOU AGED.
[19:52:12] <[RP] Cyrus> I AGED
[19:52:13] <[RP] The Wizard> YOU AGED AND YOU REMEMBERED
[19:52:15] <[RP] Cyrus> OH MY GOD I AGED
[19:52:23] <[RP] The Wizard> What does that mean???
[19:52:35] <[RP] The Wizard> That means...so much...so incredibly much
[19:52:35] <[RP] Scintilla> Something inside you was broken, and it was hurting you. That's why we did the ritual, yes? I simply wanted it fixed, and I thought I could do it. And I... Did? Perhaps?
[19:52:58] <[RP] The Wizard> Oh Void...
[19:53:02] <[RP] Cyrus> We! Were doing a ritual based on NOTHING AT ALL!! To cure me of lycanthropy!
[19:53:09] <[RP] Scintilla> Maybe there was more broken than I thought
[19:53:13] <[RP] Cyrus> And Scintilla took the opportunity! To bring us here!!
[19:54:05] <[RP] Scintilla> I did not mean to bring anyone anywhere. I do not know what happened. I just... Wanted things to be right
[19:53:13] <[RP] The Wizard> If you can...remove something not even OPERATORS could do-
[Bitterly:]
[19:53:20] <[RP] Cyrus> Or would do
[19:53:39] <[RP] The Wizard> The implications are fascinating
[19:53:40] <[RP] Cyrus> I'm pretty sure they were capable of fixing my shit. They just.... didn't
[19:53:49] <[RP] The Wizard> I see...
[19:53:54] <[RP] Ivy> They do like an anomaly
[19:53:55] <[RP] Cyrus> Lab rat being interesting n whatnot
[19:54:08] <[RP] Ivy> To study, dissect, and spread through time
[19:54:11] <[RP] Cyrus> And a way to clear out unwanted worlds
[19:54:22] <[RP] Ivy> Oh that was YOU
[19:54:33] <[RP] Cyrus> ??
[19:54:35] <[RP] Ivy> You cleaned up a lot of problems back in the day
[19:54:45] <[RP] Cyrus> ?????
[19:55:01] <[RP] Scintilla> What does Wizard's sister mean?
[19:55:14] <[RP] Cyrus> They barely let students at the Academy look at me. What do you mean
[19:54:46] <[RP] The Wizard> You knew them?
[19:55:14] <[RP] Ivy> Oh yeah, I knew of them, there was like a name they gave it? Protocol [Last]?
[Stepping back:]
[19:55:28] <[RP] Cyrus> YEAH
[19:55:30] <[RP] Cyrus> HEY
[19:55:31] <[RP] Cyrus> YEAH
[19:55:40] <[RP] The Wizard> By the Code...
[19:55:58] <[RP] Cyrus> HEY WHAT. HEY
[19:56:00] <[RP] Ivy> Nova told me about it...not to brag
[19:56:13] <[RP] Cyrus> Wiz was your sister a fucking Unknown
[19:56:15] <[RP] Cyrus> Wiz? Wiz
[19:56:29] <[RP] Ivy> I was a mercenary put some respect on my name
[19:56:36] <[RP] Cyrus> I ain't doing SHIT
[19:56:40] <[RP] The Wizard> Technically...we both were...so to speak
[Scintilla bristles, their feathers puff up, and they seem to loom a little taller.]
[19:56:53] <[RP] Ivy> Oh yeah they sent me to deal with a lottttt of people
[19:56:59] <[RP] The Wizard> Ivy, maybe not the time-
[19:57:01] <[RP] Scintilla> You were both Unknown?
[Whispered as they take a few more steps back: ]
[19:57:20] <[RP] Cyrus> what the fuckkkkkkk
[19:57:53] <[RP] The Wizard> ...It was how I had access to "magic", and more importantly, how I learned to read Code
[19:58:05] <[RP] The Wizard> I was a lesser being, not even a true one
[19:58:17] <[RP] The Wizard> Our sire repurposed us to be heirs
[19:58:21] <[RP] Ivy> And we RULEDDDDD
[19:58:25] <[RP] Ivy> At least I did
[Scintilla steps back to put a wing in front of Cyrus, protective.]
[19:58:28] <[RP] Cyrus> ?????
[19:58:32] <[RP] Ivy> Archie didn't have the stomach for it
[19:58:35] <[RP] Cyrus> ARCHIE?
[19:59:00] <[RP] Ivy> Yeah! Arcanus, Archie
[19:59:20] <[RP] The Wizard> When I transformed Ivy into the gem, I stood trial
[19:59:29] <[RP] The Wizard> I was stripped of my title and turned fully Player
[19:59:43] <[RP] The Wizard> I spent many years wandering through worlds until I met the Voidwalker
[The Wizard looks up nervously at Cyrus.]
[19:59:49] <[RP] The Wizard> It's how we met
[Cyrus puts a hand on Scintilla’s wing, just holding the top of it.]
[20:00:11] <[RP] The Wizard> ...
[20:00:16] <[RP] The Wizard> That's it. All of it
[20:00:17] <[RP] Cyrus> You can't be telling me that an Unknown went by Archie
[20:00:20] <[RP] Cyrus> You cannot
[20:00:40] <[RP] Ivy> Of course not, he wasn't like, cloak and dagger Unknown
[20:00:57] <[RP] Ivy> He was Arcanus Dracon! Esteemed Scholar of the Great Shining Academy of the Arcane!
[Cyrus snickers.]
[20:01:13] <[RP] Ivy> Basically a nerdy stooge teaching future generations
[20:09:06] <[RP] Cyrus> The vibes are different but I'd just. Say that's being thrown from a dark oak forest to.
[They blink.]
[20:09:28] <[RP] Cyrus> Stars. Okay. Okay! I'm. So calm and rational about this whole mess
[20:09:56] <[RP] Cyrus> Rational about my close dear friend being a sub-Unknown and having a sister. And Being in a different world. And never seeing those people again
[The Wizard smiles to himself hearing “close dear friend”.]
[20:09:45] <[RP] Scintilla> I could try and take us back? But, well
[20:10:06] <[RP] Scintilla> I cannot guarantee all of you would make it without losing something of yourself
[20:10:18] <[RP] Cyrus> You don't recognize a difference between tree species. You are NOT moving us across worlds again
[20:10:25] <[RP] Scintilla> :(
[20:10:27] <[RP] Ivy> Yeah let's veto that then, I JUST got back to full consciousness
[20:12:15] <[RP] Scintilla> Well we are somewhere else, with nothing. Surely this place is for us then? Since you two know it already
[20:12:32] <[RP] The Wizard> I suppose...
[20:12:46] <[RP] The Wizard> We may have no other option, and oh Void
[20:12:57] <[RP] The Wizard> We won't have the other world's protections
[20:13:12] <[RP] Cyrus> They might find us.
[20:13:15] <[RP] Scintilla> Protections?
[20:13:19] <[RP] The Wizard> My thoughts exactly
[20:13:49] <[RP] The Wizard> We should seek out this world's administrator and either try to appeal to them to let me alter this world's Code, or find out more about where we are
[20:14:24] <[RP] Cyrus> This is so fucked up
[20:14:25] <[RP] Scintilla> Are we not safe here? how do you know?
[20:14:37] <[RP] The Wizard> The unfortunate thing is we won't know until it's too late
[20:14:57] <[RP] The Wizard> We may get lucky, and an observer may find us interesting
[20:15:03] <[RP] The Wizard> That would buy us some time
[20:15:05] <[RP] Cyrus> Maybe they won't recognize me. I'm so old now
[The Wizard laughs lightly.]
[20:15:28] <[RP] The Wizard> We can hope that might be the case!
[20:15:40] <[RP] Ivy> Don't hold your breath kittycat
[20:15:55] <[RP] Cyrus> There was a lava pond over there. I'll just. Make an obsidian box and nothing can See us or Grab us or
[20:16:24] <[RP] The Wizard> Well...That's definitely an option...but how about we try something else and use that as a last resort?
[Scintilla looks up at the looming green and gold sign overhead.]
[20:16:12] <[RP] Scintilla> We will be safe inside this place
[20:16:24] <[RP] Scintilla> I feel... Sure of that.
[20:16:30] <[RP] The Wizard> Interesting...
[20:16:36] <[RP] The Wizard> I'm obliged to trust Scintilla
[20:16:44] <[RP] Cyrus> I'll make the box in the building I don't care
[The Wizard looks Cyrus up and down. Cyrus looks down at their dirty clothes, like that might be what the Wizard is looking at.]
[20:17:06] <[RP] The Wizard> If they can fix your Code...perhaps they can shield us as well
[20:17:28] <[RP] Cyrus> Ae did that accidentally, though. Vibes-based.
[20:18:00] <[RP] The Wizard> This is true
[20:17:37] <[RP] Ivy> Oh great we get to live in Fraby Freak's Funhouse
[20:17:57] <[RP] Scintilla> Wizard does your robot have an off switch? ^-^
[20:17:58] <[RP] Cyrus> I think it's. If GH stands for something I recognize. Then
[Cyrus chokes on their next words.]
[20:18:11] <[RP] The Wizard> Unfortunately she does not!
[20:18:15] <[RP] Ivy> IT WOULD BE CRUEL TO BUILD ONE
[20:18:16] <[RP] Cyrus> YOU SHOULD INSTALL ONE
[20:18:24] <[RP] Ivy> HEY FUCK YOU MAN
[20:18:34] <[RP] Cyrus> I'M NOT THE GUY THREATENING TO KILL EVERYONE
[20:18:39] <[RP] Cyrus> ASSHOLE
[20:18:42] <[RP] Ivy> YOU'RE AN ASSHOLE!!!!
[20:18:37] <[RP] The Wizard> ...Perhaps a volume switch?
[20:18:49] <[RP] Ivy> YOU'RE ALL ASSHOLES
[20:18:48] <[RP] Cyrus> Wiz can I throw it into the sea
[20:18:52] <[RP] Cyrus> Wizard. Archie.
[20:18:54] <[RP] Cyrus> Archie surely
[They throw their hands into the air and go back to pacing in circles.]
[20:19:05] <[RP] Cyrus> STARS. FUCKING ARCHIE
[20:19:08] <[RP] The Wizard> Oh no not you too?
[20:19:08] <[RP] Scintilla> Archie... Is that what we should call you now?
[20:19:17] <[RP] Ivy> YES. YES YESSSSS
[The Wizard sighs.]
[20:19:23] <[RP] The Wizard> You can, if you'd like
[20:19:29] <[RP] The Wizard> The Wizard is fine too
[20:19:37] <[RP] Cyrus> The Wizard is so fucking cheesy
[20:19:39] <[RP] Cyrus> And so is Archie
[20:19:43] <[RP] Cyrus> fucking MAGIC DRAGON
[20:19:46] <[RP] The Wizard> ....I like them....
[20:19:50] <[RP] Ivy> GOD yeah YEAH YEAH YEAH
[20:19:59] <[RP] Ivy> OH KITTYCAT YOU'LL LIKE THIS
[20:20:04] <[RP] Ivy> I CALLED HIM CHEESE
[20:20:09] <[RP] Ivy> CALL HIM CHEESE WITH ME
[20:20:10] <[RP] Cyrus> YOU CALLED HIM CHEESE?
[20:20:15] <[RP] Cyrus> OH MY GOD. CHEESE
[20:20:33] <[RP] Ivy> I COULDN'T SAY aRcAnUS or ArCHiE AS A KID SO I CALLED HIM CHEESE
[20:20:35] <[RP] Cyrus> It fits as well as any of your names
[20:20:37] <[RP] Cyrus> holy shit
[20:20:16] <[RP] Scintilla> Your name is as made up as mine, it's okay The Wizard Archie!
[20:20:42] <[RP] The Wizard> ...Thank you Scintilla...
[20:21:10] <[RP] Cyrus> The Wizard, Cheese
[20:21:21] <[RP] Cyrus> What's that make you, a brie? A cheddar?
[20:21:24] <[RP] Cyrus> Provolone?
[20:21:36] <[RP] Scintilla> I do not know any of these words!
[The Wizard sighs again.]
[20:21:40] <[RP] The Wizard> I always thought I would make a good gouda
[20:21:49] <[RP] Cyrus> You'd be fuckin' Provel
[20:22:01] <[RP] Ivy> He WOULD be a provolone
[20:22:02] <[RP] Cyrus> You're not good-a enough for gouda
[The Wizard rolls his eyes with a smile at Cyrus’s pun.]
[20:22:11] <[RP] Cyrus> No, no, not provolone. Provel
[20:22:20] <[RP] Ivy> Provel??? What the fuck is provel
[20:22:20] <[RP] Cyrus> It's a mix of cheeses. For pizza
[20:22:25] <[RP] Cyrus> Specificically for pizza
[20:22:32] <[RP] Cyrus> There've been a few worlds with it
[20:22:47] <[RP] Cyrus> cheddar n provolone n.
[20:22:52] <[RP] Cyrus> I think? switzerlandish?
[20:22:27] <[RP] Ivy> PIZZA.....
[20:22:41] <[RP] Ivy> I haven't had pizza in years. DECADES. CENTURIES
[20:22:28] <[RP] Scintilla> These are... Foods?
[20:22:49] <[RP] The Wizard> They're all delicious foods, indeed
[20:22:59] <[RP] The Wizard> We'll have to make some for you
[20:22:59] <[RP] Scintilla> I know very few foods
[20:23:10] <[RP] Cyrus> We'll show you foods, Stinkbug
[20:23:29] <[RP] Cyrus> God
[20:23:29] <[RP] Scintilla> Bread, and apples, and... Blueberries? Though I do not recall where I saw that one
[20:23:35] <[RP] Cyrus> Blueberries??
[20:23:39] <[RP] The Wizard> Blueberries...?
[20:23:42] <[RP] Cyrus> There's. Last world didn't have those?
[20:23:51] <[RP] The Wizard> No, I don't believe they did
[20:23:52] <[RP] Cyrus> Where DID you see those?
[20:23:56] <[RP] The Wizard> Yes, where?
[20:24:07] <[RP] Cyrus> I was going to show... where the FUCK
[20:24:14] <[RP] Scintilla> I suppose it was something my Mother knew about, perhaps? It passed a lot down to me
[20:24:30] <[RP] The Wizard> I see...if your mother is indeed the Void, then it would make sense
[20:24:33] <[RP] Cyrus> Of all the foods, it only gave you blueberries?
[20:24:41] <[RP] The Wizard> The Void has everything, but yes, why that specifically?
[20:24:51] <[RP] Scintilla> I do not claim to understand Its specificities
[20:25:04] <[RP] Cyrus> Heck, maybe this world's got more berries
[20:25:11] <[RP] The Wizard> I hope so…
[20:25:20] <[RP] The Wizard> I do love a good berry pie
[20:25:12] <[RP] Cyrus> I think I spotted onions back there
[20:25:17] <[RP] Cyrus> Proper onions
[20:25:24] <[RP] The Wizard> Really?
[20:25:37] <[RP] Cyrus> Yeah, not just the singles of alliums
[20:25:58] <[RP] The Wizard> Is it strange that I feel sort of, excited?
[20:26:13] <[RP] Ivy> Yah
[20:26:13] <[RP] Cyrus> Maybe we'll find your kin here, Cheese
[The Wizard grins.]
[20:26:34] <[RP] The Wizard> I missed you a lot, friend
[20:26:22] <[RP] Scintilla> If we are all here together with nothing, will we live together? Because I do not know if I'm meant to live with Cyrus or The Wizard
[20:26:46] <[RP] The Wizard> Well, I think you can do what you please
[20:26:55] <[RP] The Wizard> I'll probably stick around here with you both regardless
[20:26:58] <[RP] Cyrus> This place is already built.
[20:27:03] <[RP] The Wizard> Better to be safe than sorry
[20:27:11] <[RP] Cyrus> Safety in numbers
[20:27:12] <[RP] Cyrus> Joyous
[20:27:52] <[RP] Scintilla> I do want to know what's inside of this place
[20:28:20] <[RP] Cyrus> I'm going to blame this place on you. So I assume it's as big as you'd make it.
[20:28:35] <[RP] Scintilla> I do not know how big I would make something
[20:28:45] <[RP] The Wizard> It seems to go on for quite a bit, in the glance of it I got
[20:29:06] <[RP] Scintilla> I suppose if I was to make something like what I knew, it would be like Home
[20:29:09] <[RP] Cyrus> joy
[20:29:20] <[RP] Scintilla> So perhaps it only continues and continues upon itself?
[20:29:30] <[RP] The Wizard> That would be fascinating to explore...
[20:29:44] <[RP] Cyrus> I. Hm.
[Cyrus swings a leg.]
[20:30:08] <[RP] Cyrus> My knees got older. We've been standing for over an hour.
[20:30:20] <[RP] Cyrus> Can we. Explore the infinite cavern . Later
[20:30:22] <[RP] Cyrus> Please
[20:30:27] <[RP] The Wizard> Ahhhh, welcome to the wonderful world of aging, my friend
[20:30:45] <[RP] Scintilla> That sounds unpleasant. I am glad to not have knees
[20:30:47] <[RP] Scintilla> Or an age
[Going between swinging each leg thoughtfully:]
[20:31:04] <[RP] Cyrus> Have you ever... lost all the flesh on some fingertips, and touched them together?
[20:31:20] <[RP] Scintilla> I do not think I have flesh I can lose!
[20:31:28] <[RP] The Wizard> I cannot say I have...
[20:31:26] <[RP] Cyrus> My knee bones feel like that.
[20:31:37] <[RP] The Wizard> Ah, yes, let's take a rest, then
[20:32:00] <[RP] Scintilla> Perhaps you should sit down. Surely somewhere inside of this place would be suitable for your fleshless knees?
[20:32:13] <[RP] Cyrus> We could totally make them fleshless
[20:32:22] <[RP] Scintilla> Is that a request?
[20:32:24] <[RP] The Wizard> Perhaps we refrain from doing that-
[20:32:29] <[RP] Ivy> DO IT
[20:32:35] <[RP] Ivy> I WANNA SEE THAT
[20:32:46] <[RP] Cyrus> We're not doing that !
[20:32:53] <[RP] Cyrus> Specifically because of her!
[20:32:58] <[RP] Ivy> Oh COME ON
[20:33:27] <[RP] Cyrus> I'm allowed to hold a grudge, I was in y'alls hold for... basically your whole lives wait .
[20:33:45] <[RP] Cyrus> We were similarly aged last we talked, right
[20:33:56] <[RP] The Wizard> I think so
[20:34:09] <[RP] Cyrus> I could've been an Unknown lab-rat as long as you'd been alive .
[20:34:19] <[RP] The Wizard> ...Void
[20:34:20] <[RP] Cyrus> That's weird. It's normal when it's normal lifespans but it's weirder when it's.
[20:34:23] <[RP] Cyrus> Ew
[20:35:31] <[RP] The Wizard> Well...
[20:35:37] <[RP] Cyrus> Okay. Resting. Resting and then exploring. And then maybe finding the actual spawn here.
[20:35:45] <[RP] The Wizard> I like that plan
[20:35:51] <[RP] Cyrus> And FREEING THOSE SQUID
[20:35:59] <[RP] Cyrus> Why squid?? Why in THERE
[20:36:04] <[RP] Scintilla> so I fixed things okay? Despite it going sort of wrong?
[20:36:21] <[RP] The Wizard> Well, we won't know quite yet, but everything seems to be alright for now
[20:36:24] <[RP] Cyrus> I- yeah. Yeah, I mean. We're. Alive
[20:36:35] <[RP] The Wizard> That's the most important bit
[20:37:01] <[RP] Cyrus> Aw, shit, Doc was due to check in on me in a couple days
[20:37:24] <[RP] The Wizard> Oh Void...Doc...and Flick
[20:37:36] <[RP] Cyrus> Our funny little GUY
[20:37:38] <[RP] The Wizard> They won't know what's happened to us
[20:37:45] <[RP] Scintilla> We found the Wizard here. Maybe... They would be here too? Somehow?
[20:37:58] <[RP] The Wizard> There's always a chance
[20:38:02] <[RP] Cyrus> Surely they would've been nearby if so
[20:38:09] <[RP] The Wizard> ...I had thought so as well
[20:38:16] <[RP] Cyrus> Damn
[20:38:16] <[RP] Scintilla> Perhaps not then
[20:38:25] <[RP] Scintilla> I'm... Sorry?
[Cyrus pats aers shoulder.]
[20:38:46] <[RP] Cyrus> Accidents happen
[20:38:51] <[RP] The Wizard> It's alright, we can always find a way to reach out to them, too
[20:39:12] <[RP] The Wizard> Though contacting that world might prove difficult...
[20:39:20] <[RP] Cyrus> There are so many protections
[20:39:24] <[RP] The Wizard> However...I was a teacher once
[20:39:46] <[RP] The Wizard> Scintilla, you may just need guidance. We could perhaps figure out how your abilities work, together
[Cyrus snorts.]
[20:39:59] <[RP] Cyrus> Mister Cheese
[Cyrus cracks up.]
[20:40:10] <[RP] The Wizard> Yes Mister Cyrus
[20:40:13] <[RP] Scintilla> I would like to be able to... Help you two. If I could.
[20:40:30] <[RP] The Wizard> Absolutely, Scintilla
[Cyrus crouches to catch their breath and, just, keeps with momentum and lays on the ground.]
[20:40:40] <[RP] Cyrus> Stars......
[20:40:44] <[RP] Cyrus> This is so stupid.
[20:40:52] <[RP] Scintilla> Cyrus it is better to lie down inside rather than outside, I have been told
[20:40:59] <[RP] Cyrus> No no I'm great here
[The Wizard smiles, he moves to sit next to Cyrus, laying in the half-grass half-entryway. The sun has fully set, and the stars spread above them.]
[20:41:16] <[RP] The Wizard> You can come look at the sky from here
[20:41:26] <[RP] The Wizard> Can't do that from inside
[Scintilla shrugs and lies down next to Cyrus, laying stiffly, like they’re in a coffin.]
[20:41:51] <[RP] Ivy> Bunch a nerds
[20:41:56] <[RP] Ivy> Lying in the grass
[20:41:56] <[RP] Scintilla> The stars are familiar, I suppose. I do like them
[20:42:06] <[RP] The Wizard> Familiar...
[20:42:26] <[RP] The Wizard> I know constellations don't always come between worlds, but...I don't recognize any of these
[20:42:21] <[RP] Cyrus> I didn't spend enough time looking at the stars
[Cyrus points up at a configuration in the sky.]
[20:42:34] <[RP] Cyrus> But that constellation did NOT exist in the world
[Cyrus points at another one.]
[20:42:48] <[RP] Cyrus> I've seen that one before I think. One star off.
[20:42:39] <[RP] Scintilla> Not to the old world. To my Mother. The stars are in there, sometimes
[20:43:03] <[RP] The Wizard> Sometimes? Do they come in and out?
[20:43:40] <[RP] Scintilla> It goes on forever, and one cannot stay in the same place. They are sometimes visible from certain places, though. I always liked them
[20:43:51] <[RP] Scintilla> They're nicer out here than they were inside, though.
[20:44:03] <[RP] Cyrus> Real
[20:44:18] <[RP] The Wizard> That's lovely
[The three lay in the grass, and look up at the stars. The question of what comes next can be left for a little while later, just for the moment.]
[02/02/26] - The Young Reader's Program (Pekoe / Nettle / Viola)
Players: Joco (Pekoe), Cass (Viola)
Pekoe and Nettle head to the library to learn more about the Young Reader’s Program Viola mentioned in her letter reply to Pekoe. They get Pekoe signed up for a library card, as well as the Young Reader’s Program and get some books for him to check out.
Viola helps Pekoe out with what grade level books to choose, before recommending Nettle a fantasy book she recently enjoyed. Pekoe chooses a few age-appropriate books, while also getting his hands on a copy of “The Plague Warden’s Journal”. After some discussion Nettle agrees that they can read it together. Pekoe leaves with a backpack full of books.
[Nettle lands on the central Wayship, placing Pekoe down on the wooden deck. Immediately, the pup takes off, running almost a full circle around the central pit to head in the direction of the library]
[00:19:21] <[RP] Pekoe> LIBARY
[Arriving at the door, he pulls it open excitedly, tail wagging at the speed of sound. Nettle hurries in after Pekoe, relaxing when they see he’s gone up to the counter.]
[00:20:23] <[RP] Pekoe> BRARIAN
[Viola looks up from her book.]
[00:20:36] <[RP] Viola> Oh! Hi Pekoe!
[00:20:38] <[RP] Pekoe> HI!!!
[00:20:54] <[RP] Viola> It's good to see you, and hey, Nettle's here too!
[Nettle gives a small wave. Viola sets her book down.]
[00:21:08] <[RP] Pekoe> Yeah!!
[00:21:04] <[RP] Pekoe> You!!!
[Pekoe pulls Viola’s letter out of his spider backpack, smacking it down on the table.]
[00:21:04] <[RP] Pekoe> Letter!!!!
[00:21:17] <[RP] Viola> Oh hey, you got my letter!
[00:21:21] <[RP] Pekoe> :D
[00:22:02] <[RP] Viola> Soooo what can I do for you two?
[Pekoe turns to look at Nettle.]
[00:22:33] <[RP] Pekoe> Uh!
[00:22:36] <[RP] Pekoe> Net
[00:22:47] <[RP] Pekoe> program
[00:22:52] <[RP] Pekoe> ?
[00:22:58] <[RP] Pekoe> Program?
[00:23:04] <[RP] Viola> Oh the Young Readers Program?
[00:26:24] <[RP] Pekoe> Yeah!!
[00:26:27] <[RP] Pekoe> Readers !
[00:26:41] <[RP] Pekoe> I love readering!
[00:26:59] <[RP] Viola> That's awesome!
[00:27:10] <[RP] Viola> Well I'm super happy you've come by, let's get you signed up!
[00:27:34] <[RP] Viola> First off, we're going to need to get you a library card
[Viola reaches under the desk and pulls out a small card. On one side is the four-pointed emblem of the Wayships, on the other is a line for a name and a signature. Viola pulls a pen from a cup on the desk.]
[00:28:35] <[RP] Viola> Now Pekoe, have you learned to sign your name yet?
[Pekoe points at the sign on the front of the desk.]
[00:29:15] <[RP] Pekoe> Like? Sign?
[Quietly:]
[00:29:30] <[RP] Nettle> Like writing your name, Pekoe
[00:29:37] <[RP] Viola> Exactly!
[00:29:52] <[RP] Pekoe> Unc'a Net!! Showed me that!
[Viola writes Pekoe’s name on the first line in neat print.]
[00:30:30] <[RP] Viola> Alright, now I've written your name on here so everyone knows the card belongs to you. Now, you'll sign the line beneath it, so everyone knows it belongs to you!
[Viola puts the card in front of Pekoe, handing him the pen. Pekoe jumps up and down on his tippy-toes to try and see over the counter.]
[00:31:33] <[RP] Viola> Ah. You're still growing there, right.
[Pekoe climbs up on top of the desk.]
[00:31:45] <[RP] Viola> Oh here, let me get you a stepstool
[Viola scoots a stepstool in front of Pekoe, who drops onto it. He grabs the pen from the desk and squints at the card.]
[00:32:58] <[RP] Pekoe> Small?
[00:33:31] <[RP] Viola> Yeah, you've gotta keep it a little small on the second line, under where I wrote your name
[Pekoe has never written in letters this tiny before. He spends five seconds on the first letter. Viola smiles down at him warmly, looking up from Pekoe’s hard work to smile at Nettle before looking back down at the painstaking effort of the signature. Pekoe pushes the card towards Viola when he’s done. The writing is too big on the line. It’s shaky. He’s proud of it. Nettle pats Pekoe’s shoulder.]
[00:35:44] <[RP] Nettle> Very nice !
[Viola picks it up to inspect it, shaking it slightly to dry the ink.]
[00:35:52] <[RP] Viola> This is a perfect signature!
[Looking like he’s about to explode:]
[00:36:05] <[RP] Pekoe> YEAH?
[00:36:13] <[RP] Pekoe> REALLY?
[00:36:20] <[RP] Viola> Absolutely!!
[Viola pulls something out of her pocket, a worn library card with a hole punched in it to be worn on a lanyard. Viola sets it on the table so Pekoe can see it. Pekoe hops from foot to foot on the stool, holding the desk for balance. There’s a shaky signature on the card from a young Viola.]
[00:37:33] <[RP] Viola> Look at mine!!
[Pekoe gasps.]
[00:37:43] <[RP] Pekoe> NECK'ACE?
[00:37:50] <[RP] Pekoe> CAN I ?
[Viola punches a hole in Pekoe’s library card and pulls out several choices of lanyard from under the desk.]
[00:38:02] <[RP] Viola> YOU BET YOU CAN!!!
[00:38:06] <[RP] Pekoe> :D
[There’s a lanyard with compasses, a lanyard with different seabirds, a lanyard that's solid blue, and a lanyard with maple, oak, and birch leaves on it.]
[00:38:33] <[RP] Viola> Take your pick!
[Pekoe vibrates with excitement like he’s going to explode.]
[00:39:05] <[RP] Pekoe> UH
[Pekoe whines, looking rapidly between the options.]
[00:40:18] <[RP] Pekoe> Uhhhhhhh
[00:40:42] <[RP] Pekoe> Leafs?
[Viola holds it out for Pekoe to look at. Pekoe sniffs at the lanyard.]
[00:41:25] <[RP] Pekoe> Like th' dragon's friend. Leafs. Mhm.
[00:41:31] <[RP] Viola> Oh?
[Pekoe nods decisively.]
[00:41:39] <[RP] Pekoe> Uhuh!
[00:41:50] <[RP] Viola> The dragon...Asha had a friend named Leafs?
[00:41:59] <[RP] Pekoe> Nuh uh, friend WAS leafs!
[00:42:03] <[RP] Pekoe> Air in the leafs!
[00:42:10] <[RP] Viola> ...Was leafs...that's super cool
[00:42:13] <[RP] Nettle> The wind, specifically
[Pekoe points at Nettle.]
[00:42:23] <[RP] Pekoe> Yeah!
[Viola nods, snapping her fingers.]
[00:42:27] <[RP] Viola> Oh yeah that makes sense
[00:42:37] <[RP] Pekoe> Not-ghost
[Viola grabs a piece of paper from underneath the desk as Pekoe chooses a lanyard. The sheet is a bright orange piece of paper with yellow wording and images reading "YOUNG READERS PROGRAM". There are rewards every few books read, culminating up to a mystery prize.]
[00:45:41] <[RP] Pekoe> 'ellow
[00:45:56] <[RP] Pekoe> How big books?
[00:46:28] <[RP] Viola> Yes, that's the question, isn't it!
[00:46:34] <[RP] Viola> How many books to get to an awesome prize?
[Pekoe nods aggressively.]
[00:46:59] <[RP] Viola> Well, we'll have to determine your reading level, this is usually done by your level in schooling, but I'm not sure you attend a traditional school
[00:47:12] <[RP] Viola> So! Instead, I'll ask about what you can read now
[00:47:39] <[RP] Viola> Do you like chapter books or picture books?
[00:47:48] <[RP] Pekoe> Uhhhhhh
[00:48:08] <[RP] Pekoe> Amanac? Has pictures?
[00:48:19] <[RP] Viola> Almanac?
[00:48:22] <[RP] Pekoe> Yeah!
[00:48:25] <[RP] Pekoe> I like it
[00:48:28] <[RP] Viola> ...You read the farmer's almanac?
[00:48:35] <[RP] Pekoe> Net n Doc help me with hard words
[00:48:46] <[RP] Viola> Oh I see! That's really great to hear
[00:49:00] <[RP] Viola> How many words would you say you don't recognize on a page reading it today?
[00:49:13] <[RP] Pekoe> UHHH
[00:49:39] <[RP] Pekoe> 'pends
[Viola nods.]
[00:49:48] <[RP] Pekoe> Cause some're all same words
[00:51:19] <[RP] Viola> I gotcha...
[00:51:33] <[RP] Nettle> A couple words on the pages with a lot of text, 5-10 words at most I'd say Pekoe needs help on?
[00:51:47] <[RP] Viola> Awesome! How about we start you out at a 4th grade reading level, and then see from there?
[00:52:02] <[RP] Pekoe> Four.....
[00:52:17] <[RP] Viola> Each book you read will have to be at a 4th grade reading level or above to count towards your sheet
[00:52:28] <[RP] Viola> It'll give us a great place to start
[00:52:59] <[RP] Pekoe> What's a grade reading level mean?
[00:53:20] <[RP] Viola> Grade reading level typically means the level of book you read at a certain year of school
[00:53:38] <[RP] Viola> A fourth grader has been at school for five whole years, and is typically 10 or 11 years old
[00:54:00] <[RP] Pekoe> I've been learnin' for two! But I'm ten! Prob'ly !
[00:54:40] <[RP] Viola> Perfect! Let's hope we hit the mark with it then
[00:54:56] <[RP] Viola> It seems you like reading the farmer's almanac! That's pretty dense non-fiction! What other sorts of books do you like to read?
[00:56:06] <[RP] Viola> Oooh, I see. You like books that talk about real science facts and helpful agriculture practices?
[Pekoe nods.]
[00:56:24] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc got me Little Farmer, but it's not int'resting
[00:56:46] <[RP] Viola> Hmm, yeah if I remember correctly, that one is really better for younger kids learning about a farm
[00:56:59] <[RP] Viola> Are you more interested in how someone might work on a farm year-to-year?
[00:57:12] <[RP] Pekoe> Mmmmmaybe?
[Viola nods thoughtfully.]
[00:57:21] <[RP] Pekoe> Like House on th' Prarie?
[00:58:15] <[RP] Viola> Let's get you two books to start, I'll show you the section we have for our younger readers, and the section I keep stocked for farmers
[00:58:37] <[RP] Pekoe> I farm! With Unc'a Netty!
[00:58:49] <[RP] Viola> Well then, seems like it'd be perfect for you!
[Viola leads Pekoe over to a small section on the first floor.]
[00:59:20] <[RP] Viola> Here, over here in this corner is our young readers section, take a look and see if any books seem interesting to you!
[00:59:30] <[RP] Viola> Once you're done, I'll take you upstairs to the farming section
[Viola turns to Nettle as Pekoe looks at books. Pekoe stares intently at the books, sniffing some occasionally, taking some out to look more at before sliding most carefully back into place.]
[01:01:47] <[RP] Viola> Are you interested in any books yourself?
[Nettle pauses to think.]
[01:02:43] <[RP] Nettle> Not... specifically? But I wouldn't mind poking around in here while Pekoe's reading, sometime.
[01:03:06] <[RP] Viola> Feel free! Let me know if anything catches your eye, or if you want any recommendations!!
[01:03:34] <[RP] Nettle> Well- recommendations, what sorts of books do you enjoy the most?
[01:04:10] <[RP] Viola> Wellllll, I like to think I'm a pretty voracious reader
[01:04:15] <[RP] Viola> I read a lot of a lot
[01:04:38] <[RP] Viola> I like fiction primarily, but I won't turn my nose up at a good non-fiction text
[01:05:13] <[RP] Viola> Fantasy books are my favorite, but I'm also partial to sci-fi and speculative fiction
[01:05:35] <[RP] Viola> What do you like to read, yourself?
[01:06:53] <[RP] Nettle> Fantasy's a good one, I've enjoyed those :) .
[01:07:56] <[RP] Viola> Ooh, if you like high fantasy, I've gotta recommend "The Widow's Tomb"
[01:08:59] <[RP] Nettle> The Widow's Tomb sounds interesting! I'll have to check it out :)
[01:09:39] <[RP] Viola> It's SUPER interesting, imagine with me: assassin who works for a high ranking noble is given a prophecy of their own death, and has to try to figure out which noble is out to kill them to prevent it from happening
[01:12:38] <[RP] Nettle> Oh, that sounds right down my alley
[01:13:17] <[RP] Viola> Awesome!! I'll see if I have a copy, I'll send it with you
[01:13:29] <[RP] Nettle> Wonderful, thank you :)
[Viola goes to search for the book.]
[01:13:36] <[RP] Viola> Pekoe did you find anything you like?
[Pekoe has a small pile by his feet, including The Fieldmouse’s Teaching (For Kids!), If You Give A Cow A Cookie, and a book about cats and dogs.]
[01:14:29] <[RP] Viola> Woah, looks like you've found quite a few! Do you want me to put these on the counter for you to check out?
[Pekoe holds a book in his hands, reading intently.]
[01:16:28] <[RP] Viola> What are you reading there?
[01:16:31] <[RP] Pekoe> This one doesn' have pictures!
[01:16:44] <[RP] Viola> It doesn't does it?
[Viola’s face pales.]
[01:16:54] <[RP] Viola> Did you...grab that one from one of the higher sections?
[01:17:13] <[RP] Pekoe> It was high up!
[01:17:17] <[RP] Pekoe> :D
[01:17:20] <[RP] Viola> Ah!
[01:17:28] <[RP] Viola> Would you mind if I took a look at that book for a second!
[01:17:29] <[RP] Pekoe> It's got numbers!
[01:18:06] <[RP] Pekoe> Here!
[01:18:09] <[RP] Pekoe> :D
[Viola grabs the copy of “The Plague Warden’s Journal” from Pekoe.]
[01:18:14] <[RP] Viola> …
[Viola glances at Nettle, grimacing slightly.]
[01:18:31] <[RP] Pekoe> It's like a crops report!
[01:19:05] <[RP] Viola> This one is a little different than the books you were looking at
[01:19:07] <[RP] Pekoe> Crops but if people were crops!
[01:19:14] <[RP] Viola> ...Yep a little bit
[01:19:16] <[RP] Pekoe> An' the. The crop sick was people sick!
[01:19:55] <[RP] Viola> It absolutely was. There was a time a little bit ago where a lot of people got really sick and passed away. This book talks about it from the writing of someone who was there
[Pekoe gasps a little.]
[01:20:18] <[RP] Pekoe> Like Ash' said!
[01:20:26] <[RP] Viola> ...Oh?
[01:20:40] <[RP] Viola> Yeah, Asha was there during the Fading. I was too, but I was your age
[01:20:48] <[RP] Pekoe> She's hiding from it!
[01:21:01] <[RP] Pekoe> LIKE WHEN YOU HIDE HEALTHY SEEDS
[01:21:06] <[RP] Pekoe> UNC'A NET
[01:21:15] <[RP] Nettle> Hi!
[01:21:10] <[RP] Pekoe> SHE'S LIKE SEEDS
[01:21:18] <[RP] Pekoe> LIKE WHEN YOU SEEDS
[01:21:30] <[RP] Nettle> Like when I take the seeds in the fall?
[01:21:44] <[RP] Pekoe> Like when!! When!!! Gotta hide good seeds from sick seeds!!!
[01:22:17] <[RP] Nettle> .... Yes, I suppose that is similar, yes.
[Quietly, to no one in particular.]
[01:22:33] <[RP] Nettle> Is it rude to call someone seeds
[01:23:27] <[RP] Viola> This book is slightly above your reading level, so how about we come back to this one after you've read some of these other books?
[01:23:33] <[RP] Pekoe> D:
[01:23:38] <[RP] Pekoe> But I knew all the words!
[01:23:54] <[RP] Viola> Hmmm…
[Viola flips through the book, and looks down at Pekoe. Pekoe looks up at her with big puppy eyes.]
[01:24:36] <[RP] Nettle> Sometimes books are for older people, even if you know all the words.
[01:25:04] <[RP] Nettle> Like they might be scary, and you won't have a good time reading them.
[Viola nods at what Nettle says, kneeling down next to Pekoe.]
[01:25:13] <[RP] Viola> This book deals with a pretty heavy topic, and it can be a little scary to read sometimes. If you really do want to read it, I'd suggest talking about it with Nettle and Doc
[01:25:20] <[RP] Pekoe> I'm not scared of books!
[Viola narrows her eyes slightly, looking up at the shelf above Pekoe.]
[01:25:45] <[RP] Viola> Not scared of books you say....
[01:26:11] <[RP] Nettle> I read a book when I was a kid that made me scared of bunnies. Sometimes you think you aren't scared, and then something just gets to you.
[Pekoe giggles.]
[01:26:47] <[RP] Pekoe> But we eat bunnies!
[01:25:53] <[RP] Pekoe> Books can't kill me! Like... like the creepers! And zombies! And
[01:26:19] <[RP] Pekoe> One time a creeper blewed up and hurt my leg! That's scary!
[01:26:50] <[RP] Nettle> Was this. recently?? Are you okay?
[01:26:58] <[RP] Viola> That's very scary!
[01:27:16] <[RP] Pekoe> I was real little, Mama tells me about it to make me not go near em
[01:27:47] <[RP] Pekoe> 'Cause creepers don' attack wolves, but they attack me, 'n she didnt knowed they attack me
[01:27:48] <[RP] Nettle> Pekoe, if you want to read the book, can you make sure you do it with Doc or me there? In case you have questions about anything?
[Pekoe nods eagerly. Viola reaches up above Pekoe’s head to grab a chapter book. The front cover read “Hairraisers”.]
[01:29:12] <[RP] Viola> Let's see, I have this one, or if Nettle is alright with it, I have the Plague Warden's Journal
[01:29:35] <[RP] Pekoe> Wha's that one?
[01:30:00] <[RP] Viola> It's called a "Hairraiser"! Said to be scary enough to raise the hair on your arms or the back of your neck!
[01:30:14] <[RP] Pekoe> I can do that on my own! Look
[Pekoe poofs up his fur. Viola laughs.]
[01:30:31] <[RP] Viola> Yes you can!
[01:31:02] <[RP] Viola> Well, if you think you're brave enough, maybe you could get through a whole Hairraiser book without getting scared
[01:31:14] <[RP] Viola> They've got some spooooky stories in them :)
[Pekoe looks like a dog with a toy dangled in front of it. Viola grins.]
[01:31:42] <[RP] Pekoe> Both?
[01:31:48] <[RP] Pekoe> Both book??
[Viola looks at Nettle.]
[01:32:01] <[RP] Viola> Well, as long as Nettle's alright with it, you absolutely can
[Pekoe looks at Nettle with the biggest, soppiest, wettest puppy dog eyes.]
[01:32:40] <[RP] Nettle> I'm alright with it, but we'll try to keep it at my house, okay, Pekoe? Until we have to bring it back.
[01:32:48] <[RP] Pekoe> :D
[01:33:09] <[RP] Viola> Sounds great! Pekoe, why don't you grab all of the books you're going to check out and bring them to the counter
[Pekoe picks up the pile of books carefully, the stack is high enough he has to tip his head to see over it.]
[01:34:16] <[RP] Nettle> Do you need a hand with it?
[Affimative.]
[01:34:23] <[RP] Pekoe> Uhuh
[Nettle grabs a few off of Pekoe’s pile.]
[01:34:33] <[RP] Nettle> Alrighty
[Viola takes out a sheet of paper and begins to write down the names of books on it. She pulls the sheet in half, keeping on for herself, and handing one to Pekoe.]
[01:35:26] <[RP] Viola> Alright Pekoe, there you go! Your first ever library check out!
[01:35:33] <[RP] Pekoe> :D
[01:35:38] <[RP] Viola> Now, all of your books will either have to be returned or renewed in two weeks
[01:35:42] <[RP] Pekoe> D:
[01:35:57] <[RP] Viola> That just means you either need to bring them back, or let me know if you're keeping them for an extra two weeks
[Pekoe looks up at Nettle.]
[01:36:46] <[RP] Pekoe> Renew forever?
[01:37:16] <[RP] Nettle> No, a library is a place to borrow things. So we have to give it back.
[01:37:00] <[RP] Viola> Aww, I'm sorry kiddo
[01:37:21] <[RP] Viola> We need to return books to the library to make sure everyone gets a chance to read them
[01:37:37] <[RP] Viola> Although....we do have a book fair every three months!
[01:37:46] <[RP] Pekoe> Like when... when I borrowed Net's hoe?
[01:37:57] <[RP] Pekoe> 'n then got my own after?
[01:38:23] <[RP] Viola> If we're selling a book at the fair you've read, then yeah!
[01:38:34] <[RP] Nettle> Similar, definitely. We can come by the book fair when there is one, if you'd like to.
[01:38:40] <[RP] Pekoe> :O
[Pekoe nods enthusiastically.]
[01:39:04] <[RP] Viola> Awesome!! We'll see you guys there
[01:39:28] <[RP] Pekoe> Yay!
[01:39:32] <[RP] Nettle> Great!
[01:39:39] <[RP] Viola> Enjoy your books you two!
[01:39:49] <[RP] Pekoe> Thank you!
[01:40:00] <[RP] Nettle> Thank you, very much :)
[Pekoe gently but forcefully shoves as many books he can into his backpack. Viola waves goodbye as Pekoe and Nettle head home.]
Magnolia tries stocking his shop at spawn but is interrupted by Jadis. They talk about the cards Magnolia is trying to find and the cemetery. Pekoe suddenly enters the conversation and the two adults express concern over there not being anyone to watch him. Pekoe asks the two various questions. When his attempts to push Magnolia into the water do not work Pekoe swims off. Magnolia offers that Jadis can stop by the inn anytime before getting back to work.
[Magnolia messes with the barrels outside the little shop at the end of the east pier, going inside and coming back out over and over as he fixes up the stock.
Jadis leaves the post office and slowly begins walking around spawn, trying to avoid the more bustling parts of the Wayships. Jadis notices the farm shop and the familiar cat that's standing outside of it.
Magnolia gets too close to Not be aware of his neighbour(...?). He looks at his book and quill, and then pats his trouser pocket.
Jadis approaches the distracted Magnolia. Looming over him as they stand a little too close. Magnolia looks up at Jadis, stepping back by a hair.]
[20:28:03] <[RP] Jadis> Good day, Mr. Candlewick
[20:28:28] <[RP] Magnolia> Uh, Yeah, good day 'n all
[Magnolia grips the book in his hands, shoulders tense. He eyes Jadis warily.]
[20:29:10] <[RP] Magnolia> d'ya... need, somethin,?
[20:29:44] <[RP] Jadis> I simply... noticed you... and thought to say... hello
[20:30:17] <[RP] Magnolia> Yeah, uh, Howdy
[20:30:34] <[RP] Magnolia> Oh- uh
[20:30:53] <[RP] Magnolia> I've been lookin fer those cards i mentioned, havent found em yet, but
[20:30:59] <[RP] Jadis> Oh?
[20:31:05] <[RP] Magnolia> uh
[20:31:28] <[RP] Magnolia> No where to be seen, yep, but i still got a few places ta look
[20:32:19] <[RP] Jadis> I hope... you will be able to find... those cards
[20:32:28] <[RP] Jadis> Such a shame... if they were lost
[20:32:47] <[RP] Magnolia> i'm not sure either way, at this point
[20:33:02] <[RP] Magnolia> uh, they could be ashes, or just a tad singed
[20:33:15] <[RP] Magnolia> or in perfect order like the rest of the farm
[20:33:26] <[RP] Magnolia> just in th'attic or somewhere under a haybale
[20:33:51] <[RP] Magnolia> pretty organised now, but, not then
[20:33:56] <[RP] Jadis> An undignified place... for such things... but preferable to ashes
[20:34:40] <[RP] Magnolia> 's been a while since she was alive, can't help it
[20:35:14] <[RP] Jadis> Ah yes... I had been going to... ask
[20:35:46] <[RP] Jadis> Is she... buried in Ignis Fatuus... by chance?
[20:36:18] <[RP] Magnolia> Ignis... uh, That's the ol' cemetery 'round the town, yeah?
[20:36:31] <[RP] Jadis> In the swamp... yes
[20:37:24] <[RP] Magnolia> Mmmm... I can't say fer sure, no time to go 'round 'n pay my respects, but,
[20:37:27] <[RP] Jadis> I saw the name... Candlewick... on some graves
[Magnolia perks up.]
[20:37:38] <[RP] Magnolia> Really?
[20:37:51] <[RP] Jadis> Yes
[20:38:06] <[RP] Jadis> Quite old... like most of the graves
[20:39:22] <[RP] Magnolia> Well uh... m'gram was named Gloria, if that rings a cowbell
[Jadis tilts their head with a creak.]
[20:40:11] <[RP] Jadis> Hm... Perhaps
[Magnolia has to hold back a grimace, ears swivelling back for just a moment at the noise.]
[20:41:38] <[RP] Magnolia> Perhaps? You don't know, 'xactly?
[20:42:09] <[RP] Jadis> First names... are harder to remember... more familiar
[20:42:24] <[RP] Magnolia> s'pose that could be true
[20:42:38] <[RP] Magnolia> Uh.... Does Ferus stoke any flames?
[20:43:07] <[RP] Jadis> Oh yes... I think I saw that one
[20:43:54] <[RP] Magnolia> Then Gloria's gotta be there, that's 'er husband
[20:44:13] <[RP] Jadis> The graves were... next to each other
[20:44:53] <[RP] Magnolia> Good ta know the headstones 'ave survived the test of time, at least
[Magnolia relaxes. Just slightly.]
[20:46:05] <[RP] Jadis> Oh yes... age wears... but Dian hates to see... tombs damaged
[Magnolia nods understandingly. He doesn't know who that is, presumably a god or deity, but he didn't want to be rude.]
[20:47:54] <[RP] Magnolia> I'd hate to see 'em damaged, too
[20:48:15] <[RP] Magnolia> Burial upkeep is rough, now 'n again
[20:49:00] <[RP] Jadis> I have been doing my... best to help it... it's only right
[Magnolia nods again.]
[20:50:11] <[RP] Magnolia> I can respect that. Lotsa folk wish they coulda done the same, when they were younger. I hear about it from travellers passin' through
[20:50:43] <[RP] Magnolia> Takes grit and perseverence, 'specially after storms. 'SPECIALLY if you've got vandals 'round
[20:53:35] <[RP] Magnolia> Ahh, yeah, that could do it
[20:53:44] <[RP] Jadis> She has... been looking out for me... for a while
[20:54:53] <[RP] Magnolia> Sounds like a good score. Reminds me'a cattle. They don't trust just anyone, but they're real friendly with those they trust. Not to confuse yer Dian with cattle, 'course.
[Behind Magnolia a little wolf head suddenly pops out of the water.]
[20:55:18] <[RP] Pekoe> I like cattle
[Magnolia spins around to look at Pekoe, ears perked and turned his way.]
[20:56:28] <[RP] Jadis> Oh... Young Master Pekoe
[20:56:32] <[RP] Magnolia> Uh, the-
[20:56:40] <[RP] Magnolia> Pekoe, yeah
[20:56:43] <[RP] Pekoe> Hi!
[20:57:00] <[RP] Magnolia> Don'tcha got caretakers ta look after ya?
[Pekoe climbs out of the water and plops on the floor. He is sopping wet with seaweed tangled around parts of his body.]
[20:57:14] <[RP] Pekoe> Huh?
[20:58:24] <[RP] Jadis> The good Doctor or... I don't believe I caught the others name
[20:58:40] <[RP] Pekoe> Oh!
[20:58:46] <[RP] Pekoe> Unc'a Nettle 'n Doc!
[20:58:51] <[RP] Magnolia> [Definitely remembering:] Yeah, those two
[20:58:54] <[RP] Pekoe> They're at home :D
[20:59:06] <[RP] Magnolia> 'nd why aren't you there?
[20:59:10] <[RP] Jadis> A child... should not be left... alone
[20:59:29] <[RP] Pekoe> I'm big!
[20:59:34] <[RP] Pekoe> Big 'nough to help on hunts!
[20:59:45] <[RP] Pekoe> Big 'nough to go swimmin
[20:59:58] <[RP] Magnolia> Not so sure 'bout that
[21:00:01] <[RP] Jadis> Even older children... should have a guardian nearby
[21:00:27] <[RP] Magnolia> Yeah. You've got the adults ta look after ya.
[21:00:36] <[RP] Pekoe> I'm ten summers, an' the other pups all leave after two! So! I'm big 'nough!
[21:01:07] <[RP] Jadis> Only... ten?
[21:01:13] <[RP] Magnolia> Well, I guess... I can't judge.
[21:01:14] <[RP] Pekoe> Already ten!
[21:01:28] <[RP] Pekoe> Tha's what Mama says!
[21:01:39] <[RP] Pekoe> So I don' feel bad about not goin'!
[Jadis shakes their head.]
[21:02:11] <[RP] Jadis> Ten is still... young enough for supervision
[21:02:37] <[RP] Pekoe> The boat's're safe!
[21:02:43] <[RP] Pekoe> Can't even' drown!
[21:03:24] <[RP] Magnolia> Still, ya can't go 'round alone like that
[21:03:29] <[RP] Pekoe> Why not?
[21:03:41] <[RP] Magnolia> What if somethin' happened 'n you could'n tell yer caregivers anythin'?
[21:03:59] <[RP] Pekoe> What'd happen?
[21:04:08] <[RP] Pekoe> I don' stay dead! It's ok!
[21:04:11] <[RP] Pekoe> :D
[21:04:14] <[RP] Jadis> You should wait... until you are tall enough... to see in a crowd
[Pekoe points at Magnolia.]
[21:04:26] <[RP] Pekoe> He's me-size
[21:04:35] <[RP] Magnolia> >:(
[Jadis glances at Magnolia and looks back at Pekoe.]
[21:04:55] <[RP] Jadis> Are you... a cat?
[21:05:28] <[RP] Magnolia> Uh, me?
[21:05:31] <[RP] Magnolia> 'least a little
[21:05:43] <[RP] Pekoe> I'm a pup!
[21:06:15] <[RP] Jadis> Then... you will get... taller
[21:06:28] <[RP] Jadis> Cat height... does not apply... to growing pups
[Jadis sounds slightly amused saying this.]
[21:07:05] <[RP] Magnolia> 'n if you don' wanna be stuck that height, you gotta eat yer... uh, prolly just meats?
[Pekoe looks Very disgruntled. Who are these adults to tell him what to do? Not his uncles, not his Mama.]
[21:07:22] <[RP] Pekoe> I eat my veggies
[21:07:25] <[RP] Pekoe> An' my meats
[21:07:37] <[RP] Magnolia> but yes [slightly aggressive:] cat height does not equate to dog height. Never has.
[21:07:57] <[RP] Magnolia> Right, yer not a carnivore 'xactly, are ya?
[21:08:24] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc says I'm a opportuny omnivore
[21:08:43] <[RP] Magnolia> You really are like'a real wolf, seems.
[Jadis' eyes slowly look back and forth between Magnolia and Pekoe as they exchange words.]
[21:09:00] <[RP] Pekoe> My Mama and Papa an' Rize an' Chai are wolves
[21:09:06] <[RP] Pekoe> An' I am too
[21:09:32] <[RP] Pekoe> I'm jus' slower
[21:09:49] <[RP] Magnolia> Hm. I guess that makes sense. Can't judge, still
[21:10:17] <[RP] Pekoe> Mama says I can be outside on my own 'cause it's safer here. An' Mama gets more say.
[21:10:23] <[RP] Pekoe> Than strangers
[Pekoe copies Jadis’ slow shifty eyes and looks at them both.]
[21:10:41] <[RP] Jadis> I thought... we were acquainted... not strangers?
[Magnolia sighs.]
[21:10:52] <[RP] Pekoe> I'on' know you
[21:10:56] <[RP] Jadis> We met... before
[21:11:12] <[RP] Magnolia> takes a lot t'be considered more'n strangers, these days
[Pekoe points at Magnolia, glaring at Jadis.]
[21:11:30] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... I was... not aware
[21:11:48] <[RP] Jadis> My apologies.... Master Pekoe
[21:12:13] <[RP] Pekoe> Hm
[21:12:30] <[RP] Pekoe> Did'ja know you don' drown here?
[21:12:39] <[RP] Jadis> I did not
[21:12:50] <[RP] Magnolia> Can't swim, wouldn't test that fer myself.
[21:13:02] <[RP] Pekoe> I' been under for two!! Hours!!
[21:13:06] <[RP] Jadis> You... cannot swim?
[21:13:23] <[RP] Pekoe> You're gonna drown
[21:13:36] <[RP] Magnolia> too busy writin' ledgers ta drown
[21:13:43] <[RP] Pekoe> Tha's not good, what'll your Mama say?
[Magnolia's ears swivel backwards.]
[21:14:05] <[RP] Pekoe> My Mama made sure I swimmed
[21:14:43] <[RP] Magnolia> some've us lost our Mamas early on 'n couldn't learn
[21:14:52] <[RP] Magnolia> fact'a life
[21:15:12] <[RP] Jadis> My... condolences
[21:15:15] <[RP] Pekoe> Hm
[21:15:22] <[RP] Pekoe> 'n no papa?
[21:15:29] <[RP] Pekoe> Or uncle? Or. The other one
[21:43:18] <[RP] Pekoe> I'm s'posed to worry about that
[21:43:19] <[RP] Pekoe> :D
[21:43:19] <[RP] Jadis> I... am not a thief
[21:43:26] <[RP] Pekoe> ok!
[21:43:30] <[RP] Magnolia> no. less ya think we're botherin' ya too much?
[21:44:03] <[RP] Magnolia> not my nature ta steal, 'sides that
[Pekoe cocks his head.]
[21:44:32] <[RP] Pekoe> You're weird
[21:44:38] <[RP] Magnolia> weird??
[21:44:58] <[RP] Pekoe> mhm
[21:45:10] <[RP] Magnolia> i'm perfectly normal
[21:45:16] <[RP] Pekoe> Eh
[21:45:43] <[RP] Jadis> How... is Mr Candlewick... weird?
[21:46:20] <[RP] Pekoe> Well
[21:47:21] <[RP] Pekoe> You told me... what to do? And now you're.
[He gestures at Magnolia who's taken visible steps away.]
[21:47:33] <[RP] Pekoe> Pushy 'n then not pushy
[21:48:03] <[RP] Jadis> Hm... that makes... sense I think
[21:48:32] <[RP] Magnolia> mmmm. Well my 'sponsibilities as an adult mean providin' care fer kids. i don' wanna make ya feel bad jus' cause i told you ya need guidance
[21:49:07] <[RP] Pekoe> Hm
[21:49:17] <[RP] Magnolia> too many big words?
[21:49:23] <[RP] Pekoe> I don' think I need guidance. I can swim. 'n you can't
[21:49:49] <[RP] Magnolia> well y'cant write a ledger, can you?
[21:50:06] <[RP] Pekoe> I write records on my harvests! I like numbers
[21:50:31] <[RP] Magnolia> [stubborn:] ...Okay. Right
[21:51:08] <[RP] Pekoe> How deep d'you think this is?
[Jadis silently watches the exchange, glad the attention is off them.]
[21:51:19] <[RP] Magnolia> Don't matter t'me
[21:51:28] <[RP] Pekoe> Don' you worry ?
[21:51:32] <[RP] Pekoe> Fall in, can' get out?
[21:51:44] <[RP] Magnolia> i don't walk close 'nough to the edge
[21:52:04] <[RP] Pekoe> 'n how d'you get to shops?
[21:52:25] <[RP] Magnolia> well... if i gotta, i try to keep my balance
[21:52:33] <[RP] Pekoe> An' when you slip?
[21:52:33] <[RP] Magnolia> but i don't usually shop 'less i got to
[21:52:49] <[RP] Pekoe> Slip? Fall in? Can' help y'self?
[21:52:54] <[RP] Magnolia> when i slip i got the reflexes to catch m'self. or Hal's round the corner 'n i can call
[Pekoe steps closer to the feline.]
[21:53:08] <[RP] Pekoe> Hal?
[21:53:16] <[RP] Pekoe> Big? Not here?
[21:53:22] <[RP] Magnolia> my- uh, best friend, yeah
[21:53:42] <[RP] Pekoe> Big 'n can' help if you fall?
[21:53:48] <[RP] Magnolia> eeyup?
[21:54:41] <[RP] Pekoe> I'm safer here 'n you. Where's your caretaker?
[21:55:17] <[RP] Pekoe> I swim. You don't. On water.
[21:55:40] <[RP] Pekoe> Your mama never taught you hunt
[21:55:47] <[RP] Magnolia> i don't need a caretaker. i'm 25 whole years.
[21:56:05] <[RP] Magnolia> 'course my mama never taught me to hunt, i didn't need to.
[Pekoe snickers.]
[21:57:05] <[RP] Pekoe> Like y'don' need swimmin?
[21:57:33] <[RP] Magnolia> I don't have time to swim.
[21:57:42] <[RP] Pekoe> Y've got time. Right now.
[21:57:48] <[RP] Magnolia> No.
[Magnolia takes a deep breath to calm himself. He’s trying his best with the kid.]
[21:58:34] <[RP] Magnolia> Why're you so intent on it?
[Pekoe pushes Magnolia back, using all the strength he can with his puppy arms.]
[21:59:34] <[RP] Pekoe> If y'ain' old. And y'can' swim. You're a pup
[21:59:43] <[RP] Jadis> Oh my...
[21:59:49] <[RP] Magnolia> Hey, don't play rough, kiddo, s'not very nice.
[21:59:55] <[RP] Pekoe> You're a pup. An' pups have t' learn.
[22:00:09] <[RP] Magnolia> I'm over twice yer age, s'nothin' y'need to worry about
[Jadis inhales harshly as their brow furrows again.]
[22:03:18] <[RP] Magnolia> What?
[Pekoe shoves Magnolia back again. Magnolia lets him shove him back, moving slightly to the side this time so that the water isn't at his back. It is pretty obvious that Pekoe’s intention was to try and shove Magnolia into the water.]
[22:04:33] <[RP] Pekoe> Pups learn swimmin' in safe waters.
[Pekoe points at the ocean.]
[22:04:44] <[RP] Pekoe> Safe 'nough
[22:06:28] <[RP] Magnolia> I don't want to. I've got things ta handle.
[22:06:39] <[RP] Pekoe> Like what
[Magnolia gestures to the store.]
[22:06:51] <[RP] Magnolia> Stockin'
[22:07:03] <[RP] Magnolia> can't stock if m'ledgers all wet.
[22:07:04] <[RP] Pekoe> Y've been talkin. For a hour.
[22:07:17] <[RP] Pekoe> Why's ledger in pockets
[22:07:20] <[RP] Magnolia> Breaks're fine. Not wet breaks.
[22:07:31] <[RP] Magnolia> I need it fer my work.
[22:07:55] <[RP] Magnolia> I wasn't taught ta swim, that's fine,
[22:08:03] <[RP] Pekoe> Nuh uh
[22:08:12] <[RP] Pekoe> 's dangerous
[22:09:47] <[RP] Pekoe> You're not a good pup, I think
[22:10:07] <[RP] Magnolia> Yeah, 'cus i'm not a pup.
[22:10:13] <[RP] Pekoe> No wonder you don' have a Mama or Uncle or Papa or anyone.
[Magnolia’s face scrunches up. Pekoe pushes Magnolia again and runs away, diving into the ocean.]
[22:10:45] <[RP] Jadis> Oh...
[22:11:08] <[RP] Jadis> That was... quite rude
[Magnolia holds his fingers to the bridge of his nose, pinching it as he breathes out slowly.]
[22:11:30] <[RP] Magnolia> Yeah, well....
[22:11:36] <[RP] Magnolia> Kids're like that, sometimes
[22:11:58] <[RP] Magnolia> i was tryin' real hard t'be nice
[22:12:15] <[RP] Jadis> You did... admirably
[22:12:56] <[RP] Magnolia> but... don't think that ones got enough social 'xperience
[22:13:18] <[RP] Magnolia> don' think 'e understands people jus' yet
[22:13:47] <[RP] Jadis> I can... understand that
[22:14:02] <[RP] Jadis> I also... do not have much... experience with people
[22:17:37] <[RP] Magnolia> yeah, i mean, i don' see ya 'round often
[22:17:41] <[RP] Magnolia> if ever, really
[Magnolia jumps back in surprise when he turns to Jadis only to find them standing closer than expected.]
[22:17:59] <[RP] Jadis> I am... a bit of a homebody... I suppose
[22:18:18] <[RP] Magnolia> I'd say the same on that. can't always stay home, though, got things t'do
[22:18:48] <[RP] Jadis> I do not... but I am attempting... to be more social
[22:19:22] <[RP] Magnolia> [with hesitation:] Well... uhh, yer always, welcome ta be social
[Jadis straightens a bit.]
[22:19:55] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... how kind
[22:20:03] <[RP] Magnolia> long as y'don't try t'steal anythin 'r whatever else
[22:20:06] <[RP] Magnolia> yeah, well
[22:20:12] <[RP] Magnolia> kindness... goes far
[22:20:13] <[RP] Jadis> Oh no... I am not a thief
[22:20:22] <[RP] Magnolia> ju's sayin
[22:20:28] <[RP] Magnolia> jus'. whatevs
[22:21:36] <[RP] Jadis> I would be... delighted... to give your fair inn...a social call
[22:22:10] <[RP] Magnolia> Yes... well, uh, we're always available by letter,
[22:22:32] <[RP] Magnolia> could always just come 'round the inn side 'n sit for a spell
[22:22:35] <[RP] Magnolia> uh,
[22:22:38] <[RP] Magnolia> Yeah
[Jadis steps even closer.]
[22:23:56] <[RP] Jadis> I will be sure... to do so
[Magnolia holds back a grimace.]
[22:24:13] <[RP] Magnolia> ...Gotcha
[22:24:39] <[RP] Magnolia> I'll keep'n eye out
[22:25:16] <[RP] Magnolia> don' come round later than sundown, though
[22:25:33] <[RP] Magnolia> we don't 'cept visitors after sundown
[22:25:35] <[RP] Jadis> Oh yes... it would be rude... to come calling so late
[22:25:58] <[RP] Jadis> Too much... to be done at night.. anyhow
[Magnolia feels around his pocket again.]
[22:26:19] <[RP] Magnolia> Uh, yeah, as a cemetery-keeper, that you are, I think, that makes... sense
[22:26:54] <[RP] Jadis> Oh... yes I suppose... you could call me that
[22:26:54] <[RP] Magnolia> i should... prolly git goin' though, 'less you've got more fer me
[22:27:07] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... my apologies... I have intruded on your work
[22:27:08] <[RP] Magnolia> I gotta round up the rest'a my stock
[22:27:14] <[RP] Magnolia> It's- it's, just fine
[22:27:27] <[RP] Magnolia> conversation is the fuel'a the mind, 'r whatever they say
[22:27:39] <[RP] Jadis> What an interesting... saying
[22:28:05] <[RP] Magnolia> Yes, uh.. some'a my folks used t'say it
[22:28:29] <[RP] Jadis> I see
[22:28:53] <[RP] Magnolia> i'll be seein' you, n' all that
[22:29:07] <[RP] Jadis> Of course.... good day, Mr Candlewick
[22:29:08] <[RP] Magnolia> don't be a... stranger, 'n have a good'n
[Magnolia gives an awkward wave... before hurrying back to the shop. Jadis stares after Magnolia before turning and leaving.]
A letter in Viola's mailbox, the edges smudged with curry powder
Written Roleplay Masterlist
[Writer: Joco (@jocogames)]
Miss Viola,
This is Pekoe! Uncle Nettle is writing this for me because I am too excited to hold a pencil. We found where Asha lives, but she is very afraid of getting sickness from people so she doesn't want visitors. When are you coming for dinner? I hope soon. We're making the curry right now, Uncle Nettle didn't put in a lot of the spicies, just in case. Asha is really big, but isn't a bug. Also purple. (Pekoe has gotten distracted drawing them- I've put it in the envelope as well. I cut down on the spices because I'm not certain which ones could make him sick. Hopefully, none!)
A written study on the God known by many names, by refer to a singular Wolf God.
Written Roleplay Masterlist
[Writer: Joco @jocogames]
The Wandering Wolf, Hunting Hound, Wild One, Protector, Sneak, Abettor, Amah, Guide, Chechen, Athol, and any other number of names all refer to a single Wolf God, known to wander between worlds. It was unknown for some time if it truly was one God, given its tendency to change forms between worlds and lack of solid domain. While Gods normally drift between domains over time, the Wolf's domain changes in every world it visits, taking up what the world's Gods did not, or even seemingly 'pushing' a God out of its domain so long as the Wolf is present.
Its most common and reputable domains include:
- The Wild, both flora and fauna
- The Untamed, definition differing
- Family, or Parenthood
- The Hunt, both hunter and hunted
- Travel
- Wanderers
The Wild
In worlds where the Wild One takes up the domain of the Wild, it is generally worshipped by homesteaders, caretakers of nature, and explorers. It favors those that respect the lands they travel through, even being noted to have lead injured people to healing herbs and lost people back to civilization.
Prayers to the Wild One include flourishing of local flora and fauna, for means of harvest, beauty, or simple ecosystem health. Regardless of prayer or sacrifice, the Wild One leaves wide swaths teeming with wildlife, unbalanced ecosystems suddenly balanced, once-barren landscapes growing even the most sensitive plants.
Those who abuse the land and its life are more likely to be killed by wolves when the Wild One is present, be it the Wild One itself or its pack.
The Untamed
In worlds where the Wild One takes up the domain of the Untamed, it is prayed to by caretakers of nature and explorers, and specifically feared/loathed by farmers and land developers. Similar to its nature when in care of the Wild, it is seen to lead the lost back to civilization, but most often it is seen to 'ruin' cultivated lands, be they farmland, lawns, or some other manicured land. Spaces deforested to become pasture sprout full-grown trees and understory, crops fail and native plants grow in their place, predators and prey alike return to lands that had been cleared of them. The Untamed Wild One takes the efforts of players to use the land, and revokes them as it wanders through.
The Wolf is most likely to take up this mantle in heavily inhabited worlds, ones whose Gods have abandoned the domains of Untamed or Wild altogether. Its presence is easily noted as reports of farm failure spread, including reports of livestock slaughter and oft-permanent sport-hunter deaths.
Some believe that enough cruelty towards the land summons the Wild One, but results of testing this are almost always inconclusive because followers of it flock to the worlds as soon as word gets out. These followers act in its stead, some taking care to replant and care for the tarnished land, and others hunting the causes, killing them or otherwise 'bringing them to justice'. For this reason, this author heavily suggests that such tests not be partaken in or even proposed.
Family/Parenthood
Worlds in which the Protector takes up the domain of Family, usually taking it from a resident God, the only indicator is a large decrease in familial and marital abuse, as perpetrators both known and yet unknown go missing, and incidents of death due to childbirth and child death drop drastically. Tamed dogs in these worlds often play a part in the protection of the family, leading the abusers out and away from their families, protecting children from preventable injury, and leading help to children in need.
In these worlds, those with families and those who have lost family members alike pray to the Protector, to defend their own and to keep others from experiencing the loss they have. Offerings are left on stoops or on the edges of wilderness as wolves are seen in the area. Those hoping to become parents or lovers may pray to the Protector, although it is unknown if it takes up any part of the domains of Love or Fertility.
The Hunt
The Hunting Hound or Sneak, as it is known when it takes up domain of the Hunt, takes up more than just the act of hunting. It is the God of both hunter and hunted, aiding those fleeing harm and helping those who hunt for sustenance. It does not aid all who hunt, for example, those who hunt for sport and those who do not respect their prey do not see boon from the Hound. It respects the reason for hunting, and it respects the prey that is hunted. Those fleeing consequences for the harm they have caused do not see boon from the Sneak, same with those who cause undue harm in their efforts to escape.
It has been known for packs of wolves to distract hunting dogs from fox hunts, to nip at the heels of horses and mules whose riders leave behind the fruits of their hunts. It has also been noted for wolves to chase those running from consequence into the nets of their pursuers.
Alongside those acts of consequence, it is also noted that wolves in these lands may aid in hunts, herding prey towards waiting hunters, protecting them from aggressive mobs, and even, in rare cases, nursing those who succumb to the elements to health enough to return home.
The Hound is worshipped by hunter and escapee alike, with hunters leaving offerings of part of their catch and the hunted making small piles of what foods they can afford to give up.
Travel/Wanderers
The Wandering Wolf, or Wanderer, is oft worshipped regardless of its presence the world. Those who travel for any reason may pray to it, although those who travel to find new land to abuse only pray to it when uneducated on it or when the Wanderer is known to not be present. Signs along trails may feature paws, or a wolf's head, or some other motif of the Wolf to denote its being protected and maintained. Those who wander without direction pray to the Wanderer in hope for an end-game, protection, luck in finding supplies, and any sort of aid in their travels. Many who regularly travel between worlds carry some sign of the Wolf on their bags, making it easy to find companionship with fellow travelers.
Despite 'living' this domain the most of all its mantles, it is unknown if the Wanderer ever has only been in possession of this domain. Often, it has been paired with others, such as Family or the Wild.
Temples and Offerings
Temples to the Wolf in the worlds it visits are temporary, open-concept, and not often visited. It is rare for the Wolf to visit them, although it is known to visit more shrine-like temples to take food offerings. Due to its nature, offerings are often made by larger groups, to minimize the loss of food and animal life. Worlds where many families make bigger offerings to the Wolf often experience upset, thought to be because of the Wolf's distaste for the waste.
The Wolf is not known to visit temples or shrines when players are present, and may even attack or flee the world suddenly if cornered. Approaching it is inadvisable.
Worshippers/Cultists
Wilders are those who follow the Wild One, worshipping it regardless of presence in the domain of the Untamed. They wear wolf insignia, often wolf masks when their worship breaks laws. Players from any walk of life may join this sect, although they are not well-described due to their secretive nature. Wilders have also been known to enforce the efforts of the Wolf as the Protector, attacking those who harm their own family and aiding those in need.
Trekkers are those who follow the Wanderer, working to make travel safer without harming the environment about the trails they blaze. Rocks carved with the head or paw of a wolf, cairns topped with bones or shed antlers, and general symbols of the wolf painted on trees and stone walls are all trail markers made by Trekkers. It is common for travelers to follow these markers without worshipping the Wanderer due to its prevalence in highly-travelled areas, even maintaining and spreading the concept without knowledge of its origin. Trekkers are generally hunters, traders, or frontiersmen, many of whom have never even been in the same world as the Wanderer.
Pack-members are those who wander between worlds, carrying the symbol of the Wanderer and communing when they can. Wander-packs can be found in many worlds, especially Core, with inns and taverns designated as Dens to host these followers of the Wanderer. These places often also serve as libraries, tales written down by travelers or those who have heard their tales.
Wilders are polarizing in the Pack community, either accepted into Dens with no questions asked, or banned from entering because of their potential to be criminals running from the law.
I count myself the luckiest of individuals to have had the chance to explore every square inch of this fair and fine world; teasing out from it the secrets that lay nestled and tucked within the folds that sits perched upon Mother Void.
I have spoken with Spirits of river and ice, treatised with Spirits of flame and ash, and been led deep into the earth by psychopomps of ghostly grey to watch as they untether a lost soul. It is here that I have written of what I have discovered in this little hideaway of rich life and power.
I did not expect this, coming from the Bluestone Palace. What a treat it has been to have read about and understood spirits from purely an academic purview, only to be slapped in the face with reality like a particularly cold and wet fish. The Spirits we have studied in our home world are docile and tame through years of domestication by Player-kind. These are the first truly wild spirits I have ever encountered, they are so much more lively, and powerful, than we could ever imagine.
This leads me to draw a conclusion in the later half of this manual, that Spirits who are predisposed to wildness have a spark that is lost in those who have been domesticated for Player purposes. Of course, further study is needed, but I do not hasten to say this with my full support behind it.
Written Document Masterlist
Spirits of the Natural
Very early into my research I connected with a Witch in this world who specializes in the care and tending of Spirits. It was through them that I managed to even gain a deeper gleaning of their world. Spirits are protected here, cared for, not called to heel.
The most common of Spirits, those who the Witch worked with in particular, are those of the natural world. They described it to me as such:
“The voice of the Chorus hummed vibration through everything. It dispersed in most instances, but in some it resonated. That hum remained for ages and ages. Those Spirits of water, fire, earth, air, and ash, carry the song of the Chorus within them.”
This is understood by the Academy Lazuli to be one of the fundamental refrains of the Chorus, however, there is some manner of embellishment here. I do believe that this is true, that the Chorus had some hand in animating spirits and breathing life into them. This manner of thinking would lead me to believe that this hum would have animated all spirits at once, but we have evidence that spirits can be born, in a way. I would theorize that this “hum” does exist, and is intrinsic to each world. It would explain the difference in spirits between worlds, as well as the ability for spirits to come into being long after the song of the Chorus ended.
Most dead worlds, those without earth to stand on or water to drink, still have Spirits of Air or Void.
Their customs regarding spirits are foreign to our understanding as well. They do not cage or chain spirits, as we might be familiar with. In fact, as far as I can tell Spiritmetal never reached this world.
Instead, Players build structures known as Shrines. These Shrines are able to house Spirits, where they can be fed and tended to. In exchange, these Spirits will leave alone crops, animals, and structures. When a relationship has been well tended to, these Spirits often act as helpful or friendly entities to the individuals or families that take charge of their care.
House Spirits, as they are called, often live within small carved Shrines within a home. Some have outlived generations of Players who have tended to them, and are simply seen as part of the family.
I wish I could describe to you in detail every individual Spirit I have met while I have walked among them here within this world. There are so many myriad Spirits here, that this is not possible. I have observed that they do fall into the five basic categories described by the Scholar Lomai.
Water and Ice; Fire and Ash; Wind and Smoke; Earth and Leaf; and Star and Void. I managed to find even a Spirit from the elusive Star and Void category. They tend to be the rarest individuals in the majority of worlds.
However, this world is unique in that it has what I would describe as “cusping” Spirits. That is, Spirits who might be between categories. Most notably, this world has mist Spirits. I would describe them as somewhere between a water and wind Spirit. Often, they take the shape of dense clouds, rolling over the mountainous regions where the land, sky, and sea all come to meet.
The Witch of the Wild has told me that the Spirits of this world are changing. They have been very vague in this fact, which I cannot say is not their nature. What exactly they mean by this, I can only be led to speculate, so here is where I draw my conclusion.
Spirits who live on their own are wild and powerful. Whatever they possess within them, be that described as something of magic or science, gives them abilities vast and great. Spirits subjugated by Players grow weak and soft, they are often unable to live without the care of Players, and their abilities are lessened because of it.
What does this mean for the relationship between Players and Spirits? We cannot live without them and we seemingly cannot live with them at the very same time. Our natures buffet off one another.
I think this world may be the key. Mutualism, more than anything, seems to be the answer. Symbiosis may be the better term. They give us something, and we give them something in return. Wild but tame, caught yet free.
Spirits of the Dead
The strangest phenomenon I have come to witness within this world is the existence of Spirits of the dead. These spirits are NOT to be confused with ghosts or lost souls, as the Witch of the Wild has come to tell me many, many times. We, in the shining city of Azurel, are quite familiar with our own spirits. We refer to those whose souls have been unable to return to the Void interchangeably as “spirits” and “ghosts”. However, it is a very off-worlder concept to refer to those who were once Players that have become untethered from their corporeal forms as Spirits. A true, wild Spirit could never become something that lurches and moans and haunts that which tethers it to the world, as the Witch often reminds me.
Instead, these are a different type of being entirely. The Witch explains it to me as such:
“An ancient world, this one is. Many have died within it. There was once a force that caused the barrier between the World and the Void to become difficult to pass between. The Spirits of the Dead rose in reaction to this. They alone could find the gaps in the barrier, and could lead those lost spirits through it, and into the beyond.”
Here, ghosts and “lost souls” are the more common terminology.
The Witch of the Wild was not a steward of these Spirits, and as such was unable to aid me in the observation of them. However, they were able to point me in the direction of a cemetery poised upon a cavernous maze of tunnels cut through the earth. It was here that I came upon a figure that was not entirely humanoid and not entirely animal, but entirely composed of a thick, misty smoke.
I mistook this individual for a Spirit of the Natural at first, but it was when this Spirit drew from itself a censure of burning oil that I understood that it was something else entirely. As night fell, I watched as the silent figure walked among the headstones, swinging the censure from side to side. The smoke of its body wafted out and settled upon the ground like a thick fog. Most curiously of all, the Spirit whistled as it did this work.
As the moon hung high overhead, the smoke upon the ground began to undulate and move. From it, there were several figures that drew themselves from the fog, visages obscured as it clung heavy to their forms. They followed the Whistler out of the graveyard and into the mouth of a yawning cavern. I followed after this ghastly procession for some manner of minutes, before realizing that we had delved so deeply I was unsure I would know where we had come from. As I exited the cavern, the sun had risen over the horizon, and the fog was gone, dissipated by its rays.
It was later, in a conversation with some locals to the area, that I learned that every person understands almost from birth that if you hear whistling in a graveyard, to turn around immediately. This is because, I am told, if you are not careful, the Whistler will mistake you for a ghost, and lead you down into the caverns below. All who are brought below will never see the sunrise again. How dreadful that it was nearly my fate!
I have only heard tales about other Spirits of the Dead. The Ferryman in the East, the Whistler to the West, common in graveyards or cemeteries, and one that is less of a singular Spirit, and more of a category of such. The Grim, a canine Spirit who waits at crossroads. There is also mention of those Spirits who protect graves, and prepare ghosts to be led into the next life, however I have not encountered these Spirits myself.
I am curious as to why this world is so full of this manner of Spirit. I had never heard of them previously, but perhaps there is a reason they are so common here and unheard of from where I hail. This line of reasoning stands for more investigation.
There are far more Spirits in this world than there are Gods. In fact, there are fewer Gods here than I had ever expected. These are, at least, the Gods who I either spoke to, or whose temples I was able to find. Strangely enough, there are more dead gods in this world than live ones. Very odd.
Written Document Masterlist
Minor Gods
Those of the lesser power are plentiful here. There is more tending to of Spirits here than worship of Gods, and those that cusp along the edge of this definition are known as Minor Gods.
These Gods typically have altars to them rather than large scale temples, which can be either kept in homes, or maintained outside similar to larger shrines.
The Frog:
The most commonly worshipped Minor God I have discovered in my time here. Altars or tributes to this God are found around small bodies of water in places where the liquid is coveted. To worship the Frog is to worship respite in the least expected places.
The lesser associated domain of the Frog, but one that appears to be gaining popularity in recent times, has been an aspect of the Frog as the God of Bellowing Song. Musicians more and more frequently have paid tribute to the God, and appear to be given blessings in return. It is fascinating to watch the shifting, or perhaps adoption of a domain in real time. (Or as real-time as a long term shifting like a domain can be).
The Cat:
Altars to the Cat are typically found in villages or around homes. The Cat was a trickster spirit who was coaxed into godhood by the care and love of the people around it. Though the Cat is a friendly spirit, it still draws on its trickster roots, and can turn a worshipper’s luck either for good, or for bad.
Many villages will at least have a larger altar for the Cat, and will celebrate at least one festival or feast in its honor. However, the Cat is also very commonly worshipped by thieves and sneaks. Keeping a traveling altar to the Cat, often a wooden incense box that can be opened up and used as a makeshift altar for prayer and offerings. I happened to stumble my way into an old tavern to the South, where I met an old woman drinking at the bar. We happened to strike up a conversation when I saw her leave an offering on the small altar and shrine they kept for the Cat and a local ore spirit respectively.
She told me that in her youth, she ran with a gang of sneaks who would rob caravans on their way through the Northwestern savannahs, and that they would pool their resources before every run to buy the largest, juiciest fish they could, and leave it for the Cat. “I had so many close calls,” she told me, “but we always made it out with nothing more than a scratch.” Apparently, she has made offerings to the Cat ever since, and claimed, to me, that she believes if she continues to do so, the Cat may continue to extend her its nine lives as protection.
The Dog:
A loyal protector to the end, the Dog is a God that, in times long past, was the primary God of worship in this world. To the West, where the ruins of a once powerful kingdom lay, I stumbled upon the evidence to this claim.
A dark stone castle, destroyed with age, surrounded by a large city of small homes and businesses. In nearly every one was an abandoned altar to the Dog. Towards the castle, was a temple to the God. As I entered, I noted that the place felt very stale. There was nothing present in this place of worship. I didn’t understand that I had approached the altar until I was right beside it. Someone had taken some manner of hammer to it. The God had been forcibly pushed from this place.
However, strangely, as I wandered to the castle itself, I saw no evidence that the Dog had taken any form of retribution for this act against one of its holy places. It was here in the castle that I met the lonesome God. It was asleep at the foot of the throne, and for a moment I thought it was a stray who had found a bit of warmth here away from the cold.
It turned its head as I approached, and when it opened its eyes, two perfect pools of flawless obsidian, I knew I was in the audience with the God itself. It asked me why I had come, and I responded that it was to discover the Gods of this place. It scoffed at this, and told me that there were no Gods in this place anymore.
No matter how often I asked, the God would not tell me what had happened here, nor why it lay at the foot of the throne. It eventually tired of me, but it never bared its fangs. It simply lay its head down, and went back to sleep.
The Dog is a God of protection, especially of children. It is a God who is known as a watcher, and is somewhat associated with prophecy. I have seen altars to the Dog in homes closer to the Wayships, but their caretakers say that offerings often go uneaten.
I cannot say what happened to that dead kingdom, or its people. Nor can I rightly claim to know when it fell. However, as I departed, I noted that there was a small courtyard in the western wing of the castle. Within it, was a large oak stretching towards the sky. Beneath its boughs, were three small gravestones. The date of death was all the same.
Major Gods
The Fieldmouse:
An agrarian God is not one someone would think of as being a Major God, but in this world, the Fieldmouse is known for its humble temples and large worshipping population. Farmers make up this God’s primary congregation, who often look to the Fieldmouse’s primary legends as the basis for their tenants.
Upon visiting a temple myself, I was welcomed in with fresh bread and a jar of ice cold milk. Apparently, it is customary to make certain that visitors are fed. The God is unique in that it boasts a modern hierarchy of worship. Priests oversee the intake of offerings and make prayers for those who cannot pray in their own time, Caretakers tend to the temple itself, ensuring that it is clean and hospitable for those entering, and Worshippers come to bring offerings and make their prayers to the Fieldmouse.
There is a weekly gathering on the day of the full moon where worshippers gather to hear the stories of the Fieldmouse and share in the plenty they have gathered from the fields.
These rituals come from the primary legend of the Fieldmouse, the story of starvation and rebirth. It is said that the Fieldmouse was once a Player, small in stature who cared deeply about the people around them. When the Fieldmouse was into young adulthood, there was a terrible pestilence that affected the world, and killed the majority of the cropfields. The farmers struggled to survive and feed their people, and many went hungry. The Fieldmouse worked extremely hard to make sure everyone would be fed, especially the young children. They would often go without meals, continuing to work even on an empty stomach. The Fieldmouse found alternative food sources, helped create resistant crops, and made sure everyone was fed and taken care of. At the end of the hard period, the Fieldmouse gathered everyone together, and fed them a meal of warm, fresh bread, and milk cooled in the nearby rivers.
Everyone ate their fill with the Fieldmouse watching over them, and in the end, all of the food was eaten without the Fieldmouse even taking a morsel. They had become thin and sallow in this time, but their eyes still gleamed with pride looking out at their people eating a good, solid meal. The Fieldmouse was said to have stood and given the first sermon to the people, speaking of the importance of work and of feeding those around us before ourselves. It was almost immediately after that they were said to have collapsed upon the ground, succumbing to starvation.
The people mourned their friend and community leader, burying them in the fields, where they spent so much of their time. It was a week later, on the day after the full moon, a mourner went to visit the grave, only to find that a massive hickory tree had sprouted from the ground where the Fieldmouse rested. The mourner knelt before the tree, and saw that the ground beneath it had been churned upwards. The mourner looked up, and saw that the Fieldmouse sat within the branches of the tree, looking down. They tossed down their final gift, the nut of the hickory tree, before ascending to Godhood.
While I have my thoughts on whether or not this entity could be truly considered a God, their worship is fervent throughout the Eastern part of this world. Though starvation is not one of the tenants of this religion, hard work over anything, the feeding of others, and self-sacrifice are clear primary parts of worship. I was told that while they do eat during the communal meal, many observant priests almost completely subsist off of hickory nuts.
Dead Gods
The Serpent:
On one of my excursions, I had the true pleasure of being taken by a ship captain to the ruins of the temple of the Serpent. While many other dead gods I encountered were either only left in pictograms or empty temples, leaving one to only grasp at while their names or domains might have been, the Serpent is a well documented God of ages past. However, the Serpent is wrapped in mystery. Its worshippers have almost completely been wiped from history. Who these people were are a great unsolved intrigue.
Paintings and statues of the Serpent have been found painted on the walls of sea caves, with an island located in a sea to the Southeast boasting the only known temple to the God. It is depicted as being as large as an island, and consuming massive amounts of fish. The remains of offerings have led seafarers to believe that it may have been a God of sailors in particular.
For some unknown reason, the God disappeared, and its people with it.
The Nameless God:
I deliberated much over whether this God belonged in the category of “Major” or “Dead”. I have only heard whispers of this God’s titles. It has no true name, or even a common epithet.
The One With Oil-Black Wings, The Croaker, The Lord of the Murder, or the most common description, The God of Talon-Foot and Serrated Beak, are all ways that have been used to describe this God.
It is not a kind God, or one of mercy. It is hateful, vengeful, and most importantly, hungry. According, strangely enough, to the Witch of the Wild, whose purview is primary Spirits, there was a powerful Cult that surrounded this God that peaked some three hundred years ago. In the legends of this world (desiring of a compilation and categorization of its own), there is a story of how the Cult managed to either steal or enchant (sources conflict) the God’s Cloak of Oil-Black Feathers to cover the world in endless night. A hero wielding a blade made of light pieced the darkness, and cut away the cloak after years of night, returning the day. It was after this event that the Cult began to decline, and eventually, recorded worship of the God ended. As far as is known, the God’s temples were destroyed, and The Croaker fell silent. In the eyes of our studies, this God should be dead, the Witch of the Wilds doesn’t believe it to be so.
This journal was given to me by an associate of one of the former Plague Wardens towards the end of the Fading pandemic. It was one that she wrote in during her time acting as a medic and Plague Warden, traveling across the world to tend to and prevent the spread of the virus. It captures the descent of the virus, one that I myself remember very well.
This journal is a partial remainder of its original form. It was saved from being burned, but not without the first section being almost entirely destroyed.
As it details an individual’s loss to the sickness, reader discretion is highly advised. This is a journal that is meant to remind us of the reality of this illness, and a piece of history.
- Jameson Clearsky, Librarian
Written Document Masterlist
12 Aug.
We have suspended travel since the middle of July, and people still don’t seem to want to listen to reason. I think half of the outbreaks near the center Wayships have to be from people taking boats with one another to try and get out through the Doorway. This thing spreads faster than news, because the CWA shut down portal access weeks ago.
The center deck has been clogged with folks, and now we have another outbreak to contain. I keep being summoned halfway across the world to deal with another one. I can’t believe we thought it was over three months ago. Of course it wasn’t. A disease like this has a mind of its own.
15 Aug.
Heading North again.
19 Aug.
20 more dead since last week. People keep trying to flee like rats from a ship. Apparently people trust hope over reason. We can’t test for this thing yet, so we can’t let you go even if you promise you have no exposure. We can’t let carriers of this thing out into the rest of the world. We don’t want a fucking universal pandemic on our hands.
I keep telling them, stay put. If you isolate, you’ll stay free of it. I don’t want to blame how jittery these people are on the war, but goddamn, is there a certain fear in their eyes.
22 Aug.
South again.
30 Aug.
35 more dead. It’s not entirely fatal, we know that. The survivors are still fucked, though.
15 Sep.
30 more dead. I made a scene. Norma wasn’t happy about it. People got the fuck out of the Wayships. We’ve divided them up, in all cardinal directions. That hasn’t stopped people from coming in every day. We never have enough beds.
The main hospital is here, for the most severe cases. We’ve got three separate ships that ferry people in and out, those who are recovering get sent to one of the holds further out.
[There are several equations and dosage amounts hastily scratched down, along with what appear to be patient initials.]
20 Sep.
Norma got me this damn thing so I would write about something other than work. Even this journal has become work.
29 Sep.
49 Dead. I feel like shit all the time. I can’t remember the last time I slept.
1 Oct.
Going West. Unsure how long.
6 Oct.
Arrived at a town, people are strange. They tried to deal with the infection themselves up until now. About half of their population is dead. Other half is either sick or survivors. It’s really fucked them up.
It’s confusing me, they seem to have taken necessary precautions, infection is still as bad as non-precautioned towns. Even weirder - their percentage of recovery is better. Post-illness effects are still the same, forgetfulness, memory loss, and other dementia-like symptoms.
8 Oct.
Possibly infected. Quarantining. Didn’t say bye to Norma.
9 Oct.
No symptoms. Wrote a letter for Norma, if I start to get sick, I’m sending it.
10 Oct.
No symptoms.
It’s incredibly boring in a room by yourself. I didn’t even bring anything to do.
11 Oct.
Symptoms. Flu-like. So far, just like the coming of a cold. My chest feels slightly heavy, which is odd. I’ve been brought food every few hours, and my appetite appears to be holding stable.
Porridge rice stewed with broth and mushrooms for breakfast. Chicken leg, noodles in a light broth, and dried seaweed for lunch. Stewed meat from what seems like a communal pot, and hard bread for dinner.
12 Oct.
I sent the letter to Norma. Symptoms are the same. Bread and broth for breakfast, rice and sauce for lunch, roast vegetables and baked potatoes for dinner.
I hate having a cold.
13 Oct.
Symptoms worse today. Broth for breakfast. No lunch. Rice for dinner. I didn’t keep dinner down.
14 Oct.
Slept most of the day. Broth for dinner? I had it at some point today.
15
I think there’s something in my room. I can’t prove it, I haven’t seen it, but I think it’s here. Always when my back is turned someone is watching me.
I know someone is watching me I think someone is watching me, I can’t be sure but I’m CERTAIN.
16
There is a sickness within me and I am the illness and it is me and I dream of a wide black sky as dark and empty as the void but something is there and it is watching me and I am aware of it and it is as real as the thing that watches me when I turn my back and I can’t be anything but very, very afraid
===
I follow you through dream after dream but you never turn your face to me. Please let me see you, I know you, I know who you are, I swear I know who you are, but I cannot remember your name or face. I am left with a feeling and only a feeling. There is something crawling under my skin that makes me not me. Through closed eyes I see the afterimage of a tower of blinding light at the edge of the sky. Beneath it there is a shadow of a figure. I think it is you. I know it is you. The light is burning my skin but I continue to walk forward towards it. It will burn my skin away and then it might force the thing that crawls below my skin to the light and everyone might see it for what it truly is
===
22?
I am so hungry but I cannot eat, the broth tastes like a rotten ocean. I wish my friend was here. I wish I had called her friend. I wish I could eat broth that tastes like the tower of light.
I am coming in and out now. I don’t think I’m going to make it. I never understood the people who sobbed before they died. They couldn’t make peace with it? Death comes for all of us, soaring on black wings along a darkened sky. I can’t stop crying. I think I get it now. It’s not you, it’s who you leave behind. You can’t finish everything, you can’t make everything right. Who doesn’t die with regrets?
At least I can record it, maybe that’ll save someone else. Day one is mild in the upper-respiratory. Day two is worsening cold symptoms, appetite begins to lessen. Day three, lethargy begins to set in, I experienced a significant brain fog. Day four, significant lethargy, all I wanted to do was sleep. Day five, I began to experience gradually more intense paranoia.
I don’t remember much of the next few days. I slept a lot. My dreams were very strange.
I can feel when I am in “control”, I can feel when I begin to lose it, but the period without control, I don’t think I have any idea who I am. My consciousness feels like thick mud that I am climbing through, I cannot see the ground I stand on, and I cannot see my hands.
===
I’m losing my grip, the mud’s too thick.
===
They put something in the water something’s in the water someone put something in the water I think someone put something in the water there’s something in the water no more water I can’t drink more water no more someone put something in the water
===
I know what is watching me. I can smell it now. It smells like mud and pitch. I cannot see it. It will not let me see it. I am here but I am not fully here. I am two halves of a whole. There is someone here who is doing this. They are not the source but they are the disciple. It is a plague. It is a plague. It is a plague. It is a plague. Like the stories spoke of. A curse.
Retribution. Hungry. Angry.
===
Found them. They are dead. Fire. I will use fire. I will not make it. I will burn with them. I will not survive. I would rather make that choice for myself.
Players: Al (Doc), Doro (Hal), Ion (Ion), Nev (Jadis), Zippy (Magnolia), Joco (Pekoe), Cass (Viola)
An advertising poster has been hung up at spawn; it reads as follows: “Are you tired of the everyday way of doing things? Interested in modern magical knowledge? Of course you are! Come meet your world’s new Magician Consultant this Sunday evening! Be amazed by the services she can offer you!”
As the designated time approaches several people await the arrival of the magician, becoming acquainted with each other. When the magician appears she gives out gifts to those attending. Conversation happens and plans are made for people to visit each other at later dates.
Transcript Masterlist
[There is a hustle and bustle of people moving about spawn as they go about their daily tasks, shopping. Several figures loiter about spawn, waiting to see the Magician whose posters have littered the entrance for several days…]
[Viola scribbles in a book as she leans against a post. She turns to check the poster, hopefully she's here on time?]
[A shadow falls over Viola as someone very tall reads the poster over her shoulder.]
[19:17:47] <[RP] Viola> Hmm?
[19:17:51] <[RP] Viola> Woah! Hey-
[19:18:00] <[RP] Viola> Can I help you?
[19:18:06] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... Apologies miss
[19:18:18] <[RP] Jadis> I was.. merely reading the poster
[19:18:49] <[RP] Viola> Oh, ah, of course.
[19:19:03] <[RP] Viola> There's supposed to be some sort of "Magician Consultant" here today.
[19:19:22] <[RP] Viola> I wanted to see if it's the real deal, or just like, a fancy party trick
[19:19:28] <[RP] Jadis> Yes... I am quite curious to see them as well
[19:20:15] <[RP] Viola> Oh, sure, sure.
[Viola sticks out her hand.]
[19:20:44] <[RP] Viola> I'm Viola
[Jadis accepts with their gloved hand, nails clearly quite long under the fabric]
[19:21:20] <[RP] Jadis> Jadis Degaré
[19:21:28] <[RP] Jadis> A pleasure, Miss Viola
[19:21:46] <[RP] Viola> Very nice to meet you as well. Are you new around here? I know most of the people who live here
[19:21:59] <[RP] Jadis> I have been here... quite some time
[19:22:35] <[RP] Viola> Oh! Just must've never crossed paths. I'm usually all over the world, so strange that it didn't happen
[19:22:49] <[RP] Viola> Well, happen sooner, I should say
[19:22:57] <[RP] Jadis> The world is large Miss Viola
[19:23:01] <[RP] Jadis> but I have… been around
[19:23:34] <[RP] Viola> Don't have to tell me twice, I've barely been out past the desert in the West, and people say that there are temples buried under the sand far further than there
[19:23:47] <[RP] Jadis> How... fascinating
[Magnolia stands next to Hal cautiously, waiting for something to happen- someone to appear.]
[19:18:21] <[RP] Magnolia> [quietly, to Hal:] don't suppose the clock was wrong. seems like there's a few folks at the poster...
[19:19:25] <[RP] Magnolia> just don't stray too far. it's busy out here today
[Hal looks down at Magnolia, smiling gently with a nod]
[19:19:40] <[RP] Hal> awright, lead the way
[Magnolia stamps his feet onto the planks below, frustrated by a wait time he's put onto himself alone. An ear flicks, and he stomps over to the posters with the same energy, not facing the two by them and trying to just read the poster again.]
[Hal mosies along gently behind his smaller friend.]
[19:24:33] <[RP] Magnolia> Doesn' it take little effort to be on time for somethin you planned yourself???
[19:24:57] <[RP] Hal> Aw, settle down, Nolia, hah
[Jadis turns to Magnolia and Hal.]
[19:24:52] <[RP] Jadis> Ah. Misters Candlewick and Copperboot
[19:24:54] <[RP] Viola> Woah, lots of people here today for this thing, huh
[19:25:05] <[RP] Viola> Candlewick and Copperboot...?
[19:25:07] <[RP] Magnolia> gggggh., Hello
[19:25:15] <[RP] Hal> howdy!
[19:25:32] <[RP] Hal> you must be, ummh...
[19:25:34] <[RP] Magnolia> Right. Howdy. I'm Magnolia. Candlewick's the last name
[Hal struggles to come up with a name for a new face.]
[19:25:47] <[RP] Magnolia> You uh. Seem kinda f'miliar
[19:26:09] <[RP] Magnolia> But I don't know you. I kinda.... know you?
[Magnolia gestures to Jadis vaguely.]
[19:26:35] <[RP] Jadis> Yes. In passing
[19:26:30] <[RP] Viola> Where do I know you two...?
[Viola taps her fingers on the back of her book]
[19:26:58] <[RP] Magnolia> [Bristling:] Kindlewheat Farm. We bring much as we can to the market.
[19:27:14] <[RP] Magnolia> I 'magine it's prob'ly that
[19:27:38] <[RP] Jadis> Such... a lovely farm. I have seen it from town.
[19:27:50] <[RP] Hal> n'aww, thank ya kindly…
[Doc idly walks a little way away from the group, watching Ion skulk around above the people milling about spawn.]
[Viola snaps her fingers]
[19:28:03] <[RP] Viola> The Froglight Festival! It was maybe fifteen years ago, but you two were trying to see how many frogs you could catch by the old docks!
[19:28:15] <[RP] Hal> !
[19:28:25] <[RP] Hal> shucks, you remember somethin' like that?
[19:28:47] <[RP] Magnolia> Tha's prob'ly right.
[Viola taps her temple]
[19:28:55] <[RP] Viola> I've got the best memory of anyone I know
[19:29:49] <[RP] Jadis> A good memory... is quite a blessing
[19:29:09] <[RP] Hal> 'scuse me, can't say the same about m'self, hah!
[19:29:19] <[RP] Viola> Hmm?
[19:29:20] <[RP] Viola> Oh!
[19:29:24] <[RP] Viola> Viola. I'm Viola
[Hal extends a hand to Viola, for a firm handshake]
[19:29:49] <[RP] Hal> Hal Copperboot!
[Viola shakes Hal's hand firmly.]
[19:30:01] <[RP] Viola> Very nice to re-meet you
[19:29:53] <[RP] Magnolia> [in an unhappy tone:] Right happy to meet ya.
[Viola looks at Magnolia]
[19:30:11] <[RP] Viola> And you...
[19:30:15] <[RP] Viola> Did you have a sister?
[Magnolia stiffens for a moment before settling himself back down, realigning himself next to Hal.]
[19:30:52] <[RP] Magnolia> No, I didn't. Only child.
[19:30:57] <[RP] Viola> Oh...
[19:30:59] <[RP] Viola> Oh!
[19:31:07] <[RP] Viola> Very nice to re-meet you as well, then
[19:31:29] <[RP] Magnolia> Yeah, well... nice to meet you 'n all that
[Ion swoops down towards the group on elytra, appearing before them suddenly in a burst of fireworks.]
[19:31:40] <[RP] Viola> Woah!
[19:31:45] <[RP] Jadis> Oh…
[Magnolia scrambles backwards in surprise.]
[19:31:45] <[RP] Ion> hulloo future clients
[Hal startles just a bit from the loud sound, ears perking as he goes to grab for Magnolia protectively.]
[19:32:49] <[RP] Hal> Uhh! quite the entrance, there, hah!
[19:31:55] <[RP] Ion> apologies for my tardiness
[Doc follows Ion to the group.]
[19:31:58] <[RP] Doc> Mnm, so that's what you were doing up there.
[19:32:07] <[RP] Ion> hows it going folks?
[19:32:19] <[RP] Jadis> I am.. well
[Viola gives a little round of applause]
[19:32:35] <[RP] Ion> thank you thank you
[19:32:48] <[RP] Magnolia> You oughta be less tardy if you're wantin' to make good impressions!
[19:32:51] <[RP] Ion> i am the magician, ion by name
[19:33:11] <[RP] Ion> i will be your world's resident consultant
[19:33:17] <[RP] Ion> lucky folks
[19:33:22] <[RP] Magnolia> consultant?
[19:33:44] <[RP] Ion> specialising in potions, but with expertise in transport and animatus
[19:33:50] <[RP] Ion> speaking of which
[19:34:10] <[RP] Hal> ?
[19:34:16] <[RP] Ion> gifts of the trade
[Ion hands a sack to each person, the clink of gems and bottles can be heard]
[19:34:23] <[RP] Doc> What is this supposed to be, a gift bag?
[19:34:47] <[RP] Ion> providing modern magical technologies alongside an assortment of magical items
[Jadis peers into the bag it was handed. Inside is a potion, a cake, some amethyst & coal, a waystone, and a warp stone.]
[19:34:50] <[RP] Jadis> An array of items....
[19:35:07] <[RP] Viola> How interesting...
[19:35:30] <[RP] Ion> if you should have any questions, hesitate not. I am still setting up the establishment, but we should be fully functional in no time
[19:35:40] <[RP] Doc> Establishment?
[19:36:03] <[RP] Magnolia> Why would we want these 'magical technologies'?
[19:36:20] <[RP] Ion> for ease of transport mainly here
[19:37:00] <[RP] Magnolia> Ease of transport? We've got 'orses
[Hal takes a peek into the sack he was given.]
[19:35:51] <[RP] Hal> aw shoot, nolia! lookie here!
[19:36:06] <[RP] Magnolia> Huh?
[19:36:14] <[RP] Hal> there's some pretty little gems in here!
[19:36:22] <[RP] Doc> Ooh, gems?
[19:36:32] <[RP] Magnolia> Looks like amethyst... I think?
[Pekoe lands in a scrambled roll at spawn, elytra tucked in. He looks around and spots Doc.]
[19:36:36] <[RP] Jadis> Modern magicks?
[19:36:51] <[RP] Jadis> Would you.. elaborate miss?
[19:36:59] <[RP] Ion> of course
[19:37:06] <[RP] Viola> I'm also very, very curious about how this works
[19:37:06] <[RP] Ion> this seems an old world
[19:37:13] <[RP] Ion> old magics abound
[19:37:23] <[RP] Ion> but developments have been made
[19:37:41] <[RP] Ion> i hark from the central worlds, where magicians work on new technologies
[19:37:48] <[RP] Ion> like these warp stones
[19:38:01] <[RP] Ion> no longer do you need to travel to a special point
[19:38:05] <[RP] Viola> ...Woah, all the way from the core worlds?
[19:38:14] <[RP] Ion> they allow instantaneous transport
[19:38:23] <[RP] Ion> yes the core worlds exactly
[Pekoe quietly sneaks around to stand behind Doc, grabbing his leg.]
[Doc jolted for a moment, glancing down and seeing the child, he returned to the conversation.]
[19:38:29] <[RP] Doc> Oh, the core worlds? What does that mean?
[19:38:39] <[RP] Doc> Who are you? What's your name.
[19:38:46] <[RP] Ion> i go by ion
[19:39:01] <[RP] Ion> you may call me magician ion for now i suppose
[19:39:02] <[RP] Doc> Like the charged particle, ion?
[19:39:04] <[RP] Magnolia> core worlds're big-name worlds full'a loads of big folks who don't know simple ways.
[19:39:12] <[RP] Viola> Is it true that there are libraries there bigger than a mountain?
[19:39:37] <[RP] Doc> ...Wouldn't that depend on how big the mountain is?
[Ion focuses on Magnolia]
[19:39:41] <[RP] Ion> I object to that statement, I'm afraid I don't know your name, feline?
[Hal scratches the back of his head awkwardly, with a nervous grin.]
[19:40:51] <[RP] Magnolia> I'm sayin' that core world folks are too high strung in their luxuries to enjoy a good pot roast. or Horses! a waystone, really?
[Viola begins to jot down notes in her book.]
[19:41:22] <[RP] Ion> a good folk like yourself, I suppose I will need to learn the lay of the land from you
[19:41:23] <[RP] Hal> they're just different from us folk, Nolia! don't mean they ain't good people, too!
[Magnolia shuffles in his spot.]
[19:41:51] <[RP] Magnolia> Fine, fine
[19:41:16] <[RP] Doc> What's a core world?
[19:42:09] <[RP] Magnolia> Can someone answer that question? I'm not good at explainin'
[19:42:20] <[RP] Viola> Oh, the core worlds?
[19:42:25] <[RP] Ion> a core world is an interconnected community of folks from many different worlds, but it's true I'm new here. there are all sorts of plants that i need to learn to incorporate in my daily magics after al
[19:43:09] <[RP] Viola> They're also filled with ancient knowledge, different spirits and gods, and SO MUCH forgotten lore
[19:43:14] <[RP] Viola> Oh to travel to a core world...
[Pekoe crawls on top of the waystone to see everyone, frustrated with having to duck around it to stare at Viola and Ion]
[19:43:30] <[RP] Doc> Everything is filled with spirits and gods
[19:43:46] <[RP] Viola> Sure, sure, but the core worlds have DIFFERENT ones
[19:43:49] <[RP] Viola> Can you imagine?
[19:44:02] <[RP] Magnolia> There's spirits 'n gods here. they're good'nough for me.
[19:44:13] <[RP] Viola> Oh yeah, this place is filled with lots of that stuff from wayyyy back in the day
[19:44:16] <[RP] Doc> No. Dead gods are still gods. All of them are the same everywhere and they all exist in all worlds
[19:43:14] <[RP] Jadis> There is... old witchcraft here.... you could perhaps reference
[Ion turns to Jadis]
[19:43:51] <[RP] Ion> old witchcraft you say?
[19:44:17] <[RP] Jadis> I am... a practicer myself
[Viola points at Jadis]
[19:44:38] <[RP] Viola> We're gonna have a conversation later
[19:44:34] <[RP] Pekoe> Does that make you a witchcrafter?
[19:44:37] <[RP] Ion> intriguing
[19:44:53] <[RP] Jadis> A witch. Young master wolf
[19:45:09] <[RP] Doc> And what quite does that entail?
[19:46:01] <[RP] Jadis> Depends on your... interests I suppose
[19:45:54] <[RP] Ion> this appears to be a group of people that can aid greatly in the magic development of this world. We should have tea sometime
[19:45:55] <[RP] Magnolia> a witch? like those folk that sacrifice animals to the nether rather than spirits?
[19:46:25] <[RP] Doc> You can sacrifice anything to anyone, that doesn't matter a tick
[19:46:43] <[RP] Magnolia> I s'pose...
[Magnolia’s tail flicks]
[19:46:47] <[RP] Jadis> I have… no interest… in the nether beyond its sand
[19:47:02] <[RP] Doc> Everyone is some amount of dead, after all
[Ion glances at Doc, momentarily distracted.]
[19:47:52] <[RP] Pekoe> [whispered:] Doc, how many dead 'm I?
[19:48:11] <[RP] Doc> [whispers:] You're on the far not dead side of the scale.
[Pekoe nods gravely]
[19:48:20] <[RP] Ion> well, should you have questions of a magical nature, I am the one to which you can address those
[Hal scratches at his nose, placing a hand on his hip as he listens to these people talk about something he has no clue about.]
[19:48:41] <[RP] Hal> That's, uhh
[19:48:45] <[RP] Hal> Nice n' all!
[19:48:52] <[RP] Doc> What if I do not want to do that.
[19:48:55] <[RP] Jadis> I will... be sure to take you up on your offer... of tea sometime
[19:49:02] <[RP] Ion> fantastic
[19:49:08] <[RP] Hal> I think this is a lotta stuff for a simple feller like me, I'm good how I am!
[19:49:17] <[RP] Hal> Thank ya kindly, though!
[Viola finishes scribbling in her book]
[19:49:21] <[RP] Viola> Oh I have SO many questions
[19:49:21] <[RP] Ion> my good sir, doc? is it? It appears your son is curious at least
[19:49:36] <[RP] Doc> My what?
[19:49:45] <[RP] Ion> your ... child?
[Viola points at Pekoe]
[19:50:08] <[RP] Viola> The little guy on the stone
[Pekoe stares at Doc. He doesn't remember what son means.]
[19:50:39] <[RP] Doc> This is a sentient wolf.
[19:50:48] <[RP] Doc> Go on, introduce yourself
[19:50:56] <[RP] Pekoe> My name is Pekoe! My mama and papa are wolves
[19:51:02] <[RP] Pekoe> I'm a wolves!
[19:51:23] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc's my.... aunt?
[19:51:28] <[RP] Ion> oh, my apologies for the error, we see all sorts of families on core worlds you see
[19:51:36] <[RP] Ion> aunt, got it
[19:51:38] <[RP] Doc> Sure. Close enough
[Pekoe grins proudly. He still has baby teeth to lose]
[19:51:20] <[RP] Jadis> A pleasure, young Master Pekoe
[Pekoe stares at Jadis. Jadis stares back]
[19:52:22] <[RP] Pekoe> You have hunter eyes
[19:52:42] <[RP] Jadis> My thanks? For the... compliment
[Pekoe blinks. Jadis does not.]
[19:52:35] <[RP] Doc> I do not bring my children with me when I travel.
[19:52:53] <[RP] Doc> Not when I do not know the content of the world
[19:53:15] <[RP] Ion> ah, a fellow traveller, good good
[Pekoe's tail wags, and he hops down from the waystone]
[19:53:39] <[RP] Doc> Why is that good.
[19:54:06] <[RP] Pekoe> 're you gonna sacrifices Doc?
[19:54:09] <[RP] Ion> just nice to have folk on the same page here, is all
[19:54:20] <[RP] Doc> No, I worship no god.
[19:54:36] <[RP] Pekoe> No, no, is . [points at Ion] That guy gonna sacrifices YOU
[19:55:04] <[RP] Doc> Oh! Well, they wouldn't be the first to try. But no. No one is going to sacrifice me.
[Pekoe nods, and starts staring at Hal. It’s never seen someone so big.]
[19:54:42] <[RP] Magnolia> y'want folk on the same page so you can spread about your magic, I assume?
[19:55:00] <[RP] Magnolia> I won't have any quarrel with ya unless you're hurtin' people or ruinin' the land
[Hal nods, agreeing with Magnolia]
[19:55:05] <[RP] Ion> I would like to help out in what way I can, yes
[19:55:05] <[RP] Magnolia> That's all I ask
[19:55:24] <[RP] Magnolia> Well....... alright.
[19:55:49] <[RP] Ion> i would never want quarrel with the honest folk of this world
[19:55:44] <[RP] Viola> Then welcome to the world Magician Ion!
[19:55:57] <[RP] Ion> thank you kindly for that
[19:56:45] <[RP] Magnolia> Well... yeah, welcome
[Hal notices there's a tiny set of eyes on him, glancing over]
[19:58:19] <[RP] Pekoe> Yeah!! And he let me make em bigger!!!
[19:58:26] <[RP] Pekoe> They're SO bigger!
[19:58:29] <[RP] Magnolia> You?
[19:58:42] <[RP] Pekoe> Me!
[Pekoe looks very proud of this, tail wagging.]
[19:59:17] <[RP] Hal> N'aww! I bet you're gettin' real strong doin' a lotta that work, huh?
[19:59:26] <[RP] Magnolia> [Awkwardly:] That's a lotta work.
[Pekoe nods vigorously, practically vibrating with excitement.]
[19:59:46] <[RP] Hal> I bet you'll be just as big as me, one day!
[Hal puffs out his chest with a wink at Pekoe, who giggles]
[20:00:15] <[RP] Pekoe> You're really big!
[Hal grins again, with a soft, fond chuckle.]
[20:00:30] <[RP] Hal> Yup!
[20:00:49] <[RP] Hal> I got this big doin' lots of work on the farm n' eatin' all my veggies!
[Pekoe looks at Magnolia]
[20:00:38] <[RP] Pekoe> You're me-sized
[20:00:44] <[RP] Pekoe> How big're you gonna get?
[Magnolia’s tail flicks]
[20:01:08] <[RP] Magnolia> Not any bigger, I'm stuck like this.
[20:01:24] <[RP] Hal> Well, you're still strong too, Nolia!
[20:01:39] <[RP] Magnolia> I'd be stronger if I wasn't the size of a tomato.
[20:02:06] <[RP] Pekoe> You're like... 5 tomatoes
[20:01:53] <[RP] Pekoe> Did you forget to cook the veggies before eating 'em? Doc says I have to cook half of 'em or else I don't get all the nutrents
[Hal puts a comforting hand on Magnolia's shoulder]
[20:02:23] <[RP] Magnolia> I cook all my food! I'm a very good cook
[20:02:31] <[RP] Pekoe> Hmmmm
[20:02:33] <[RP] Hal> Even if ya ain't as big as me, you've still gotta ton of stuff i ain't got!
[20:02:46] <[RP] Pekoe> Not a better cook than Unc'a Netty, I bet
[20:02:48] <[RP] Hal> ya run a whole inn!
[20:03:19] <[RP] Magnolia> I run an inn with a whole breakfast assortment. I'm a pretty dang good cook.
[20:03:28] <[RP] Pekoe> Hmmmmm
[20:03:55] <[RP] Pekoe> Unc'a Netty's got the best food
[20:04:07] <[RP] Magnolia> [in a dry doubtful tone:] I'm sure.
[While Pekoe talks to the farmers the others continue talking about more magical topics:]
[19:57:10] <[RP] Doc> You [he points at Jadis] Tell me about your interest in the nether sands.
[19:57:46] <[RP] Jadis> Ghosts and.... souls. Are an area of interest.... for me
[Ion also intrigues before getting distracted by Viola]
[19:58:33] <[RP] Doc> Mnm, delightful. We may have to converse at a later time.
[19:58:46] <[RP] Jadis> Of course..... good Doctor
[Doc cracks a.. weird smile.]
[19:59:21] <[RP] Jadis> How rude of me... I have not... introduced myself to you
[19:59:31] <[RP] Doc> And not I to you
[19:59:37] <[RP] Jadis> Jadis Degaré
[20:00:38] <[RP] Doc> A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Doctor Krayn, though most choose to use the nickname
[Neither offers their hand to shake. The two simply observe each other.]
[20:01:14] <[RP] Jadis> An honorable profession.... Doctor Krayn
[20:02:15] <[RP] Doc> Well, I'm glad you think so.
[Jadis stiffly nods in acknowledgement.]
[Doc turns to watch Pekoe talk to Magnolia and Hal. Jadis turns to watch Viola and Ion.]
[19:58:53] <[RP] Viola> Magician Ion, you have to tell me all about the core world you came from
[19:59:10] <[RP] Ion> oh, thats a long story, far too long for right now i fear
[19:59:27] <[RP] Viola> Oh, really? Dang, that's too bad
[19:59:53] <[RP] Viola> If you ever need to learn anything about our world, or have any books you want to trade, I run the library system! I'm always...somewhere in the world
[19:59:53] <[RP] Ion> but tell me about you my lady, I believe you are a local here?
[20:00:08] <[RP] Viola> I am indeed
[20:01:01] <[RP] Viola> Born and raised here, and now I work to keep the library stocked, and go out to the temples and shrines to find more research about the world
[20:01:09] <[RP] Viola> There's a lot here, it's a pretty old place
[20:01:41] <[RP] Ion> fascinating, this library, i will have to visit at some point
[20:01:57] <[RP] Viola> PLEASE you're the most interesting thing to blow into town in a while
[20:03:42] <[RP] Ion> that's quite the compliment
[Ion glances at a nearby clock]
[20:03:53] <[RP] Ion> oh i would love to chat more
[20:04:02] <[RP] Ion> but i must keep track of the time
[20:04:15] <[RP] Viola> Oh, of course. Can't keep a busy magician!
[20:04:18] <[RP] Ion> i have a personal project to attend to, i'm afraid
[20:04:32] <[RP] Ion> but lets chat sometime soon, my good lady
[20:04:39] <[RP] Viola> Aw, well it was great to meet you, and thank you for the gift
[20:04:49] <[RP] Viola> I'm so looking forward to it
[20:05:03] <[RP] Jadis> Farewell, Miss Ion
[20:05:06] <[RP] Ion> and for all you folks, i am happy to serve as your humble magician consultant
[20:05:13] <[RP] Ion> fare thee well for now
[A burst of fireworks light at Ion’s feet and they disappear in the puff of smoke]
[20:05:47] <[RP] Viola> Woah! Just disappeared
[20:05:53] <[RP] Viola> That Magician is something else…
[Hal startles from the loud sound]
[20:05:54] <[RP] Hal> shoo-wee!
[20:06:04] <[RP] Magnolia> Don't they know some'f us have sensitive ears???
[20:06:14] <[RP] Doc> Magician, what a title for yourself. Sounds like a gimmick
[20:06:20] <[RP] Jadis> An intriguing sort...
[20:06:30] <[RP] Viola> I mean, coolest thing to happen here in a while
[Hal places a hand over his chest, taking a breath.]
[20:06:54] <[RP] Viola> You said something earlier about witchcraft?
[20:07:00] <[RP] Viola> You're really a witch?
[20:07:09] <[RP] Jadis> I... am
[20:07:23] <[RP] Viola> This day just keeps getting better!
[20:07:32] <[RP] Viola> Maybe this letter will finally get them to come visit...
[20:07:41] <[RP] Jadis> I have been practicing... for a long as I ... can remember
[20:07:54] <[RP] Viola> Oh my gods, what sort of practice do you do?
[20:08:06] <[RP] Viola> Do you have tomes? A grimoire?
[20:08:20] <[RP] Viola> Something even cooler???
[20:08:26] <[RP] Jadis> Books are a useful.... resource, yes
[Viola beams]
[20:08:40] <[RP] Jadis> I also... deal in cards
[20:08:44] <[RP] Viola> Cards?
[20:08:48] <[RP] Viola> Like playing cards?
[20:08:55] <[RP] Jadis> In... a way
[20:09:17] <[RP] Viola> Oh wow, even playing cards could be used for witchcraft...
[20:09:32] <[RP] Jadis> They can be... quite useful
[20:09:58] <[RP] Viola> Super, super cool
[20:10:00] <[RP] Jadis> They provide... information... usually
[20:10:36] <[RP] Viola> Have you always had your materials? Where do you get them? Do you make them yourself??
[20:10:51] <[RP] Jadis> Some... are found... some... were made
[20:11:14] <[RP] Viola> Woah. Woah! I've gotta be writing this down
[Viola flips open her books and begins writing.]
[20:11:51] <[RP] Jadis> You have an interest... in magicks... Miss Viola?
[Viola laughs almost awkwardly, pushing up her glasses.]
[20:12:09] <[RP] Viola> I have an interest in everything
[20:12:27] <[RP] Jadis> How lovely... to be passionate about so much
[20:12:47] <[RP] Viola> I think I'd go crazy if I didn't have some sort of passion
[20:13:55] <[RP] Viola> Would you ever be able to show me some of your books?
[20:14:08] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... possibly...
[20:14:22] <[RP] Jadis> I am afraid I am rather... disorganized
[Viola laughs almost too loudly]
[20:14:40] <[RP] Viola> Oh girl, you haven't seen my office
[20:14:51] <[RP] Viola> I'm under the definition of disorganized
[Jadis tilts their head sharply... Did Viola hear a crack? Viola furrows her brow slightly, but her smile doesn't falter.]
[20:17:16] <[RP] Jadis> Ah.. then perhaps... you would find something.... in the mess
[20:17:37] <[RP] Viola> Yeah....Yeah! I'm super good at finding things
[Jadis' head returns upright as sharply as it tilted]
[20:18:34] <[RP] Jadis> What.... do you do... Miss Viola?
[Viola pauses for a moment too long before responding]
[20:19:09] <[RP] Viola> Uh...oh! I'm the librarian. Or well I'm A librarian
[20:19:33] <[RP] Viola> I have different libraries around the world I travel to, and I keep books there from certain regions
[20:19:51] <[RP] Viola> It helps me keep in touch with the farther flung locals too
[20:19:46] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... no wonder you are so.... ravenous... for information
[20:19:56] <[RP] Viola> Yeah seriously!
[20:20:04] <[RP] Viola> I'm always looking for more stuff
[20:20:30] <[RP] Jadis> Well... you are free... to drop by sometime... and peruse my books
[20:20:38] <[RP] Viola> I would so so absolutely love that
[Viola scratches down something on a piece of paper]
[Jadis glances at the paper but says nothing. The paper is mostly half written notes and questions, the last thing Viola appears to have written is "lead for Asha?"]
[20:22:18] <[RP] Viola> Awesome, awesome, awesome
[20:22:49] <[RP] Viola> Thanks for indulging me, it will absolutely happen again
[20:22:57] <[RP] Jadis> Of course, Miss Viola
[Viola checks her watch.]
[20:23:09] <[RP] Viola> Oh shit! I'm gonna be late for dinner
[20:23:18] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... farewell then
[Viola waves goodbye as she puts her book into a sidebag]
[20:23:33] <[RP] Viola> Bye Jadis, awesome to meet you!!
[20:23:40] <[RP] Jadis> A pleasure to meet you
[Viola runs off further into the wayships. Jadis turns to the others after Viola disappears from sight. Silently observing.....]
[After Ion left Pekoe had gone back to asking Hal and Magnolia questions:]
[20:04:17] <[RP] Pekoe> Are your mama and papa the savanna cows? Netty showed me some of 'em, you've got horns like 'em
[Hal glances away, caught off guard by the little one's question.]
[20:05:02] <[RP] Hal> uhh!
[Magnolia looks to Hal very hurriedly to look for his reaction.]
[20:05:11] <[RP] Hal> y'know? uhh.
[Hal struggles to find the right words.]
[20:05:33] <[RP] Magnolia> They're just like him! Not cows!
[Pekoe cocks his oversized puppy head]
[20:05:55] <[RP] Pekoe> not cow?
[20:06:33] <[RP] Doc> Pekoe, sometimes horns are inherited, and sometimes not.
[20:06:43] <[RP] Pekoe> Like yours?
[20:06:50] <[RP] Doc> Mine are not inherited
[Pekoe nods]
[20:07:26] <[RP] Doc> Does that make sense.
[20:07:27] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc, they have a farm like we do!
[20:07:36] <[RP] Pekoe> And the tiny one likes to cook! Like Netty!
[Hal begins to hang back just slightly, letting conversation unfold without him for a spell.]
[20:07:47] <[RP] Magnolia> >:(
[20:07:53] <[RP] Doc> ... Yes. I heard something about that
[20:08:15] <[RP] Pekoe> OH
[20:08:20] <[RP] Pekoe> Do y'all grow 'em all?
[20:08:28] <[RP] Magnolia> Like, crops?
[20:08:38] <[RP] Pekoe> We grow 'em all 'cept pump'ins and melons
[20:08:49] <[RP] Pekoe> Mhm! Crops!
[20:08:50] <[RP] Magnolia> We grow em all, we've got the space for it
[20:09:06] <[RP] Pekoe> Even pump'ins and melons?
[20:09:21] <[RP] Magnolia> we're a lil low on pumpkins 'n melons, considerin' a recent festival, but yeah.
[20:09:34] <[RP] Pekoe> Wowee
[20:09:40] <[RP] Pekoe> That's so cool!!!
[20:09:51] <[RP] Doc> Do you want pumpkins and melons?
[20:09:57] <[RP] Magnolia> we also raise a bit 'a livestock. They're good eat'n.
[20:10:05] <[RP] Magnolia> uhhh, me?
[20:10:12] <[RP] Magnolia> Or the lil one?
[20:10:13] <[RP] Pekoe> I don' like harvesting them. They're too big
[20:10:29] <[RP] Doc> Him, and very well.
[Pekoe nods]
[20:10:26] <[RP] Magnolia> Hal harvests 'em
[Hal joins the conversation again once mentioned:]
[20:10:36] <[RP] Hal> yessir, i do!
[20:10:59] <[RP] Pekoe> I like the pigs, they're fun eating
[Magnolia nods.]
[20:11:09] <[RP] Magnolia> Pigs're my favourite
[20:11:18] <[RP] Magnolia> both as animals and as eat'n
[20:11:35] <[RP] Pekoe> Do you have cows? We have cows
[20:11:44] <[RP] Magnolia> we've got plen'y of cows
[Pekoe side-eyes Hal about that]
[20:11:58] <[RP] Pekoe> For.. eatin'?
[Hal glances back with an unknowing smile.]
[20:12:25] <[RP] Magnolia> [sigh:] Yes, for eat'n.
[20:12:32] <[RP] Pekoe> Hmm
[20:12:35] <[RP] Doc> Farms can serve many purposes
[20:12:42] <[RP] Magnolia> We also have wolves like you
[20:12:45] <[RP] Magnolia> 'n cats.
[20:12:50] <[RP] Pekoe> :O
[20:13:14] <[RP] Pekoe> My pack lives in my den, 'n we have some other wolves for protecting the aminals
[20:13:36] <[RP] Hal> Wolves make mighty good protectors!
[20:13:36] <[RP] Pekoe> Do your pack live in your den?
[20:13:48] <[RP] Magnolia> aint got a den, got a barn
[20:13:57] <[RP] Magnolia> they sleep there or with me 'n the farmhouse.
[20:14:25] <[RP] Pekoe> Barns're for aminals, yeah?
[20:14:32] <[RP] Pekoe> 'n not people?
[20:14:40] <[RP] Pekoe> But? He's not a cow?
[20:14:41] <[RP] Magnolia> Animals 'n produce 'n hay
[20:14:53] <[RP] Doc> People can live in many different places.
[20:14:54] <[RP] Hal> Who, me?
[20:15:08] <[RP] Magnolia> Hal lives in the barn, still
[20:15:14] <[RP] Hal> Yeah, Imma cow! Differn't sort, though.
[20:15:27] <[RP] Pekoe> That one said you weren't a cow, though!
[20:15:30] <[RP] Magnolia> diff'rent sort.
[20:15:54] <[RP] Hal> Well, uh, I ain't the same kinda cow as the ones ya milk n' eat!
[Pekoe nods]
[20:16:14] <[RP] Pekoe> Like Netty couldn't collar me!
[20:16:31] <[RP] Hal> Yeah, we're all a lil' differn't!
[20:16:36] <[RP] Pekoe> :D
[Pekoe nods]
[20:17:01] <[RP] Pekoe> Fun world
[20:17:07] <[RP] Hal> Yup!
[20:17:15] <[RP] Pekoe> Cow 'n Kitty
[20:17:21] <[RP] Pekoe> I'm Pekoe
[20:17:35] <[RP] Hal> [With a welcoming grin:] Nice to meetcha! I'm Hal!
[20:17:38] <[RP] Magnolia> Int'restin' name. Did you pick it?
[20:17:46] <[RP] Pekoe> Nope!
[20:17:56] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc has fun tea names
[20:17:58] <[RP] Magnolia> Me neither. Name's Magnolia.
[20:18:09] <[RP] Magnolia> Doc?
[Pekoe points at Doc]
[20:18:19] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc
[20:18:24] <[RP] Doc> He knocked the canister off the counter. I said the name and he responded to it.
[20:18:24] <[RP] Magnolia> Ah.
[20:18:27] <[RP] Hal> Howdy, Doc!
[20:18:34] <[RP] Doc> Hello.
[Hal extends a hand to shake Doc's, country style.]
[Doc does shake his hand, staring at him.]
[Hal gives a firm handshake, and a grin, before stepping back.]
[20:19:06] <[RP] Pekoe> Hal-olia
[20:19:20] <[RP] Magnolia> Hal-olia?
[Pekoe nods.]
[20:19:29] <[RP] Pekoe> Halolia
[20:19:45] <[RP] Magnolia> Are you just combinin' our names?
[20:19:45] <[RP] Hal> wuzzat mean, lil' bud?
[20:19:49] <[RP] Doc> He likes to combine names.
[20:20:00] <[RP] Pekoe> Noc <3
[20:20:05] <[RP] Magnolia> Kids're strange. Makes sense.
[20:20:10] <[RP] Hal> heheh, you're a silly guy, huh?
[20:20:14] <[RP] Pekoe> Noc 'n Halolia 'n Mapa 'n
[20:20:45] <[RP] Pekoe> Mama says I'm weird
[20:20:48] <[RP] Hal> halolia soun's like some kinda soup!
[20:21:06] <[RP] Doc> Everyone is some variety of weird.
[20:21:13] <[RP] Pekoe> 'n Doc says that when I tell him
[20:21:23] <[RP] Doc> Because it is correct
[20:21:31] <[RP] Pekoe> He says that a lot, too
[20:21:45] <[RP] Hal> Well y'ain't wrong!
[20:21:52] <[RP] Magnolia> I see kids sometimes at the inn. They're all weird 'n their own ways, like you
[20:22:07] <[RP] Pekoe> :D
[Hal tilts his head towards Magnolia:]
[20:22:13] <[RP] Hal> we're weird too, you n' me!
[20:22:26] <[RP] Magnolia> I guess so
[20:22:16] <[RP] Doc> I am seldom wrong
[20:22:24] <[RP] Pekoe> All the other pups growed up an' left the pack
[20:22:36] <[RP] Hal> Yea?
[20:22:40] <[RP] Magnolia> Do ya grow like a wolf or like a person?
[20:23:24] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc says person, 'cause I'm still a pup 'n everyone else growed
[20:23:36] <[RP] Doc> Yes, and you walk on two legs.
[20:23:41] <[RP] Doc> And talk.
[20:23:41] <[RP] Hal> musta gotten mighty lonely, huh?
[20:23:51] <[RP] Pekoe> Mama talks, you just don't listen
[20:24:11] <[RP] Doc> Perhaps she just does not talk to me.
[20:24:27] <[RP] Pekoe> She calls you mean things
[Doc nodded, sighing.]
[20:22:42] <[RP] Doc> Pekoe, would you like to visit their inn at some later time?
[20:23:24] <[RP] Magnolia> Inn's always open for guests.
[20:23:37] <[RP] Magnolia> Speakin' of... we should get back'ta the farm, shouldn't we?
[20:23:51] <[RP] Hal> !
[20:24:08] <[RP] Hal> yeah, guess we oughtta
[20:24:18] <[RP] Magnolia> Well... our farm is, uh,
[20:24:34] <[RP] Magnolia> East and a lil south 'o here
[20:24:49] <[RP] Pekoe> Wha's it called?
[Doc pulls out a small map and pen]
[20:24:51] <[RP] Doc> I'll mark it.
[20:24:52] <[RP] Pekoe> Your farm?
[20:24:55] <[RP] Magnolia> Kindlewheat
[20:25:00] <[RP] Pekoe> Like fire?
[Magnolia stiffens very suddenly.]
[20:25:13] <[RP] Magnolia> I guess.
[Hal steps back a bit more.]
[20:25:35] <[RP] Hal> Y'know, I think, uh.
[Pekoe nods, oblivious to the sudden tenseness he’s caused]
[20:25:38] <[RP] Pekoe> Our farm doesn't have a name I think
[Doc’s takes notice of their reactions, staring intensely.]
[20:25:50] <[RP] Magnolia> We should be goin', it's plen'y late
[20:26:05] <[RP] Magnolia> I've got dinner to cook 'n animals to tend
[20:26:23] <[RP] Magnolia> You two have a save ride home, however ya got here
[20:26:34] <[RP] Hal> yup! yup.
[20:26:36] <[RP] Pekoe> I flew in! Like Netty does!
[20:26:47] <[RP] Magnolia> Right.
[Hal offers one last, albeit forced, smile to Pekoe]
[20:27:18] <[RP] Hal> You keep eatin' good, y'hear?
[20:27:22] <[RP] Pekoe> Yessir!
[20:27:26] <[RP] Hal> heheheh
[20:27:26] <[RP] Magnolia> G'bye, y'all
[Magnolia and Hal begin heading for a nearby nether portal]
[Pekoe smiles bigly and waves at the other two, then zeroes in on Doc]
[Doc waved goodbye as well]
[20:27:37] <[RP] Pekoe> Doc would you harvest pump'ns for me
[20:28:02] <[RP] Doc> Yes, I will get some melons and pumpkins growing. I need some anyway for potions.
[20:28:08] <[RP] Pekoe> :D
[Pekoe begins trying to move through the spawn, tugging on Doc’s hand.]
[20:28:57] <[RP] Doc> Hold on a moment, I need to speak to the witch
[They both turn and look at Jadis, who had been inspecting the things given to them by Ion, but looks up at the mention of its name.]
[20:29:39] <[RP] Jadis> You wish... to speak?
[20:29:56] <[RP] Doc> That's correct..
[Pekoe nods and runs away to stare at fish in the water]
[20:30:28] <[RP] Jadis> Then... my time is yours... good doctor
[20:31:06] <[RP] Doc> There is a soul in you, yes?
[20:31:23] <[RP] Jadis> Yes, I believe...
[20:31:56] <[RP] Doc> I can see it, your soul, I mean.
[20:32:03] <[RP] Jadis> Ah....
[20:32:12] <[RP] Jadis> How... reassuring
[20:32:24] <[RP] Doc> I have never been accused of being such.
[20:32:33] <[RP] Jadis> My... apologies
[20:32:48] <[RP] Doc> Not to worry. Have you ever seen your own soul?
[20:33:02] <[RP] Jadis> I have not
[20:33:12] <[RP] Doc> [In a slightly manic tone:] WOuld you like to?
[Jadis tilts their head, and steeples their fingers.]
[20:34:38] <[RP] Jadis> What does it... entail
[20:35:36] <[RP] Doc> We have several options. I can create a sculpture, or a gemstone.
[20:35:55] <[RP] Jadis> I will... simply be seeing it?
[20:36:15] <[RP] Doc> Yes. If you cannot see souls normally, I will not attempt to shift this.
[20:36:35] <[RP] Jadis> I cannot... see yours
[20:36:47] <[RP] Doc> That is not a good benchmark. Mine is not in my body.
[20:37:03] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... how... interesting
[20:37:36] <[RP] Doc> I keep it elsewhere.
[20:37:50] <[RP] Jadis> I have... no preference... to how I see my soul
[20:38:39] <[RP] Doc> Very well. I will construct a replica
[20:39:18] <[RP] Jadis> Such an… intriguing proposition.... for someone you just met
[20:39:43] <[RP] Doc> I have removed souls in people I have known for briefer. I enjoy the poppy in your hat.
[20:39:52] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... my thanks
[20:40:14] <[RP] Doc> They grow often on battlefields and corpses.
[20:40:19] <[RP] Jadis> Yes they do
[20:40:40] <[RP] Jadis> Quite.... a lovely flower
[20:41:00] <[RP] Doc> Have you ever seen a battlefield filled with poppies? After the battle?
[20:41:12] <[RP] Jadis> Not that I... recall
[20:41:39] <[RP] Doc> I suppose it would be difficult for others to see. Especially now.
[20:42:20] <[RP] Jadis> I'm not sure that I am unfamiliar... with battles
[20:42:43] <[RP] Doc> That is fortunate for you.
[20:43:08] <[RP] Doc> Your pupils are very small.
[20:43:35] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... Are they?
[20:44:03] <[RP] Doc> Yes. They are. How familiar are you with battles, would you say?
[20:44:23] <[RP] Jadis> I do not know
[20:44:38] <[RP] Jadis> I know... very little.. about myself
[20:45:02] <[RP] Doc> How unfortunate. Perhaps I could assist with this issue.
[20:45:12] <[RP] Jadis> Ah...?
[20:46:05] <[RP] Doc> Is that where your interest in souls lies? Trying to reconnect your past?
[20:46:27] <[RP] Jadis> Yes.... in a way
[20:48:06] <[RP] Doc> Well, if you like my help, it is available.
[20:48:19] <[RP] Doc> if not, it does not change the availability of my assistance.
[20:48:26] <[RP] Jadis> A kind offer
[20:48:40] <[RP] Jadis> I will... take you up on it... someday
[20:49:03] <[RP] Doc> Yes, I presume you want to do some research on your own to begin with
[20:49:46] <[RP] Jadis> I appreciate... the consideration
[20:50:22] <[RP] Doc> I am here to do research on the souls of these worlds, it would be irresponsible to not offer my assistance.
[20:51:04] <[RP] Jadis> I would offer... my services... to you as well then
[20:51:21] <[RP] Jadis> if you are ever in need of.... assistance
[20:51:20] <[RP] Doc> And what are the services you provide?
[Doc raises an eyebrow.]
[20:52:00] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... things related to ghosts... or some spirits... divining....
[20:53:06] <[RP] Jadis> Magicks along those lines
[20:53:09] <[RP] Doc> Oh. I do not assume I will need assistance with such things. I am generally capable of handling such things on my own.
[20:53:44] <[RP] Jadis> Ah... forgive my... presumption... in offering.... help
[20:54:36] <[RP] Doc> It has been a necessity for me to learn due to my... unique circumstances
[Jadis nods in acknowledgement]
[20:56:38] <[RP] Doc> Do you know your age?
[20:56:45] <[RP] Jadis> I do not
[20:58:18] <[RP] Doc> Does this world have any historical records?
[20:58:50] <[RP] Jadis> I suppose.... if there was... Miss Viola would know
[20:59:11] <[RP] Doc> Mnm. That may be a good place to start.
[20:59:26] <[RP] Doc> I will speak to her
[21:02:04] <[RP] Jadis> Do you have... any other questions for me... Doctor Krayn
[21:02:41] <[RP] Doc> Not at the current moment. I will contact you if that changes
[21:03:13] <[RP] Jadis> Of course.... It was... good to meet you
[21:03:20] <[RP] Doc> Likewise
[Doc looks around to depart but doesn't see Pekoe through the bustle of spawn.]
[21:04:37] <[RP] Doc> Hm. I will need to find Pekoe before I depart
[21:05:01] <[RP] Jadis> I believe the young Master... went to the water
[21:05:09] <[RP] Doc> Why do you call him that?
[21:05:33] <[RP] Jadis> It is... only proper... to be... polite
[21:06:13] <[RP] Doc> It is not a phrase I hear often
[Doc looks in the direction Jadis indicated and sees Pekoe watching the water]
[21:06:34] <[RP] Doc> Ah, there he is. Have a safe trip home. Jadis.
[21:06:42] <[RP] Jadis> Too you.. as well
[Jadis fiddles with the warp stone from Ion, suddenly disappearing in a puff of purple particles.]
[Doc approaches Pekoe]
[21:07:21] <[RP] Doc> Have you caught anything
[21:07:26] <[RP] Pekoe> I saw a fish eat a fish
[21:07:34] <[RP] Doc> Did you enjoy that?
[21:07:41] <[RP] Pekoe> Ye
[21:07:54] <[RP] Doc> Would you like a fish?
[21:08:04] <[RP] Pekoe> Yeah!
[Doc grabs a knife from his bag before jumping into the ocean. He brings back a dead clownfish for Pekoe.]
Wayfinder SMP is a private, whitelisted, multiplayer server with a focus on roleplay, storytelling, and world-building. We are not currently accepting new players, but we may do so in the future.
This blog acts as an archive for art, build screenshots, transcripts from roleplaying sessions, written documents, and information about the world as a whole.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send in an ask!
Lore
The World Lore of Wayfinder is a collaborative effort completed together. At the dawn of the creation, an ephemeral group of voices sung the world into existence. Each voice added a different "rule" to the world, creating the Frameworks by which the universe spins.
You can read more about world lore here.
Transcript Masterlist
Roleplay on Wayfinder is primarily done through the in-game chat. As a result, we are able to save the logs and turn them into transcripts. These transcripts are a labor of love by their editors, and often add extra details not included in the original session.
Each transcript functions as an original post, but a masterlist linking all of the transcripts can be found here.
Written Document Masterlist
Outside of chat roleplay, some players might also write letters to one another, or someone might take a book out of the library.
These documents are compiled here. They are often also linked in the transcript itself, if they are referenced.
Wayfinder SMP is a private, whitelisted, multiplayer server with a focus on roleplay, storytelling, and world-building. We are not currently accepting new players, but we may do so in the future.
This blog acts as an archive for art, build screenshots, transcripts from roleplaying sessions, written documents, and information about the world as a whole.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send in an ask!
Lore
The World Lore of Wayfinder is a collaborative effort completed together. At the dawn of the creation, an ephemeral group of voices sung the world into existence. Each voice added a different "rule" to the world, creating the Frameworks by which the universe spins.
You can read more about world lore here.
Transcript Masterlist
Roleplay on Wayfinder is primarily done through the in-game chat. As a result, we are able to save the logs and turn them into transcripts. These transcripts are a labor of love by their editors, and often add extra details not included in the original session.
Each transcript functions as an original post, but a masterlist linking all of the transcripts can be found here.
Written Document Masterlist
Outside of chat roleplay, some players might also write letters to one another, or someone might take a book out of the library.
These documents are compiled here. They are often also linked in the transcript itself, if they are referenced.
