#sloth lore

[localsloth]

A Haunted Planet

{Once again I find my path converging with the orb. Or more accurately, multiple orbs.}

{This time, however, the fear I’ve previously harboured seems to have vanished as I find myself standing face to face with what seems to be a version of myself through the orbs that is different. Something about them is …off. }

{I am no longer scared by the orbs —but curious. Curious? No, curiosity is not what I feel. I am… entranced.}

{A single orb hovers in front of me, whirring in stillness while other orbs aimlessly float through the air like bubbles waiting to burst. The lone orb’s distortion of the landscape behind it twists and morphs into what I can only describe as… me?}

{This… version… of myself is much older, much wiser than I, with knowledge far beyond my current comprehension.}

{They speak of memories we both share, and others I have yet to make. Of forging our own vessels piece by piece after the Void Mother blessed us with the knowledge. They tell me of splendours and follies, new friends and ancient enemies.}

{I lose track of how many times the sun sets and the moon rises as we converse. It could have been minutes. It could have been years.}

{Soon enough though I cannot ignore what I had foolishly been ignorant of. Something had began to stir within me. Something I so very deeply did not want to a knowledge. Then, all at once it hits me as my hazard protection wails with frantic warning screams.}

{“WHO ARE YOU?” I cry at the orb, begging for something — anything — to make sense of this twisted game I’ve been pulled into.}

{To my horror, I watch as the projection of what I thought was “me” warp and distort as the being begins to fall apart, limb by limb, until all that is left is a disembodied head. Floating. Laughing.}

{“My dear friend,” the head hisses, “must you really ask who I am? Are we not one and the same? Are we not truly “we”?}

{I wince in agony. I hear the sound of metal and hydraulic lines pulling and tearing apart while searing pain roars through my sensors. The world falls out of focus as I watch as the orbs float closer and closer, in by inch, and each breath I take becomes laboured in tandem with the orbs’ approach.}

{“I promise you this, Traveller. I am no stranger to you. You know exactly who I am” the hums from the head claim, each word growing more distant than the last.}

{Then all at once, like waking up from a fevered stupor, the orb disappears as the world screams into focus, violently and unwelcome. The horizon glimmers as a beautiful sunrise washes over the valley while fauna meander in packs, unaware of what I’ve just witnessed.}

{The planet is calm.}

{Once again I find my thoughts drifting towards the Centre of my galaxy. After all, I am happy. There is no need for anxiety or panic for I’ve met a new friend. I hope I see them again soon.}

{I smile at the thought of continuing my journey.}

{Bliss.}

{Time to get back to it.)

Sudzerbal Galaxy

[localsloth]

{I fear the orbs are following me again, Traveller.}

{I do not feel in control of my being. I do not feel in control of my destiny.}

{The ground warps around me into monstrous walls as I become suspended in space and time.}

{Like a tomb, I’m encased in deathly silence and regret.}

{I hear the echoes of Travellers, their words licking my audio sensors - but distorted and unclear. There’s a familiarity in their voices that I cannot quite make out, leaving me uneasy and on edge. Why is this happening to me? Why are the orbs following me? I thought I was free from their torment. From their rage. Their wrath.}

{I have laid my sights upon horrors one could not imagine, I’ve seen monsters tower over settlements, I’ve watched as entire fleets were eviscerated - yet none stirred any ounce of fear within me.}

{But this… world. These orbs…}

{I’m scared, Traveller.}

{I cannot even begin to comprehend what or who they are or why they follow me, and that terrifies me.}

{I am scared, Traveller.}

Sudzerbal Galaxy

[localsloth]

{ …I don’t know what to make of this. }

{ What has this Traveller seen? Do they know of the orb? }

{ They left before I could get an answer. }

{ I can’t fight the pull to the centre, no matter what seems to be thrown my way to pull me off course. It’s almost as if I’m a puppet being pulled by the strings to inch my way closer and closer. I’ve been thrown into black holes. I’ve been interrupted by Relic Gates. And now, I’m approached by this Traveller from some far distant place in space. }

{ Would it be foolish to continue my journey? Probably. Since being flung out to this corner of Sudzerbal I haven’t encountered the orb, and escaping it was the explanation running through my circuitry. But… I still feel… off. This isn’t where I’m supposed to be. I HAVE to make it to the centre. I NEED to know what’s been pulling me through all of this. I need answers. }

[localsloth]

{I thought I’d escaped the orb by running away to a distance galaxy.}

{How could I allow my self to become so arrogant?!}

{Even as I stand here, awash with pitiful, childish ambition under the glow of the Atlas, I hear it beckon for my return.}

{As the Atlas pulses in front of me, seemingly unaware of my strife, I find myself overcome with the strange ambition to return to Sudzerbal.}

{I must reach the centre.}

{I must escape the orb.}

{I must reach the centre.}

{I relax. I smile.}

{I must reach the centre.}

Hilbert Dimension

[localsloth]

{I’ve finally crossed over the 400,000LY barrier!}

{After m o n t h s exploring the stars in the 400,000LY range, so this moment leaves me feeling like a kid leaving home for college.}

{I just want to b-line it for the centre now, not stopping for anything or anyone along the way. But I know I can’t do that… I know the urgency to flee stems from, if I’m being honest, the fear of the orb catching up to me again.}

{I refuse to let that fear dictate my path.}

{I will visit systems, and explore new worlds. I won’t run. I might move with an ounce of haste, but I will not sprint to the end. I’m here to enjoy the journey - I am a Traveller, after all.}

{As for you, my friend, stay safe.}

[localsloth]

{Through the orb I see myself. Is that me as I stand now? Or perhaps in the future? The past? A different iteration of myself entirely? I can’t quite make it out, but something feels off. If what I’m looking at truly isn’t “me”, then where am I now?}

{My vision tunnels. Time swirls around me, unfurling and flowing, clashing and dancing all while I lose myself staring into the depths of the orb.}

{Finally, I pull myself from its trance. My body feels as though I’ve lived ten thousand lifetimes, while also feeling as if I’ve just been reborn.}

{I hear the faint buzz of a Lightning Creature behind me. The orb disappears in the blink of an eye, then thirteen more orbs appear all around me. …What is this place…? I… I’d better get going.}

Sudzerbal Galaxy

[localsloth]

I’m just trying to enjoy the expedition, why is the orb following me? The desire to return to Sudzerbal almost overtakes me completely but I must prevail. I swear I’ll reach the centre soon. For now, though, I have distress calls to track down.