006 - Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives

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Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives New Imprints ▲ Comments The Ground Shakes
It begins unremarkably enough, with the light tremors of the ground so small they might easily go unnoticed, or else dismissed as the movement of some creature nearby. As time goes on, however, those little tremors begin to grow in both strength and duration, the length of time shortening between each one. To begin with only small, light, unsecured objects are rattled loose by the rumbling of the ground, but as the tremors grow in strength there is a growing danger of much larger things being moved.

The realm’s clear lack of understanding of how things work cannot be relied upon in such a situation. If the tremors have grown strong enough to throw all the books of Hammerhead to the ground and throw over all the clothes rails and capsule machines and furniture in the Academy, then what if they grow strong enough to move the heavy blanket of snow atop Mount Silver? What if they grow strong enough to damage the caverns within?

Then there is the question of how, or why, the realm has made the land shake. It must surely have picked up the idea of an earthquake from someone, right? An answer to the question is not immediately forthcoming, but should one stay low to the ground and listen, they might well hear the muffled, distorted sound of screaming.

Creature Chaos
As the rumbling and shaking continues, it is clear to see that the local wildlife has been disturbed, and they seem remarkably active. Critters can be seen running and flying to and fro, and any who go out to investigate may find themselves the center of attention. Brushboys may paint arrows on the ground in an effort to lead them somewhere, or bluurgobos might actively offer rides, or the flying cat-like creatures will excitedly circle someone before attempting to lead them somewhere. Going along with them will lead to one of two places:

1. The meaty, pulsating, cavernous tunnels of Mementos shudder and convulse in a way quite unlike before, and closer inspection will quickly reveal why. The flesh has been cut and torn, hacked apart, leaving gaping and bleeding wounds to spill over the subway tracks. Whichever critter has brought someone here excitedly gestures towards the wounds, and as it does a giant and painful shudder goes through the tunnels and shakes the earth. All those earthquakes… could this be the source?


2. The road to the Hammerlocke Citadel Ruins are as long as winding as ever, and precarious with the risk of an earthquake dislodging snow and rock from the mountainside. The animal that has taken the lead is on a mission, however, as unclear as that mission might be. On arriving, it turns its attention to a group of the spiky, bear-headed beasts that are lazing about as though the land is not currently shaking and quaking around them, and tries to draw their attention. Clearly, these bear heads are expected to do something, and they aren’t doing it.

First Words
Though the tremors have finally stopped, they have left a significant change to the World in their wake. Where the ground above was once flat and untouched, there now lay cracks and fissures that glow with a strange, but enchantingly warm light. There doesn’t seem to be a single area that has been left untouched by them - though the number of cracks are denser in some places than others, it’s difficult to find a place completely devoid of them. Could this be the world’s attempt at trying to heal itself?

If all of that wasn’t enough to warrant investigation, the sound of whispers that appear to be coming from they might do the trick. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that the whispers aren’t coming from the lights, but from inside your own head. Focus a little more, and some of the voices may sound familiar…

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Comments

[forceofnature]

Hm...

[Viridi takes a few bites of flower cake.]

Acceptable! Good work today, all.

[It's less awkward to compliment the robot if she compliments everyone in general.]

Well, that wasn't so bad. As usual, nature has the answer to all of life's ills. With enough time, these children should be able to patch up what's wrong.

As long as whatever did this doesn't come back.

[forwearemany]

(And as Geth are used to functioning as a collective whole, this doesn't bother Leigon one bit.)

Acknowledged. (Nature is also the cause of many ills, but they won't point that out.)

Data: native lifeforms are distressed by what has been done to this world. Hypothesis: This damage is the result of a fellow captive.

[forceofnature]

[the ill of BEING TOO AMAZING
...ok well Viridi will probably acknowledge that there are some pretty bizarre things happening out in the natural world]

...You think so?

[She stops to blink.]

I just thought it had accidentally incorporated some sort of damage from another world. You think this was deliberate sabotage?

Ooh, the plot thickens.

[forwearemany]

(Look, Legion has nothing against the natural world, and believes that destroying it for the sake of technology is wrong. But there's enough awfulness out there that the idea that it was all deliberately created to be like that by a god is horrifying. It has a lot of ills.)

It seems likely.

(Incorporated damage seems less likely, as the native life has previously adapted to such changes seamlessly, as though things had always been that way.)

[forceofnature]

Mm.

Well, far be it for me to suggest any affection for this place, but it seems like a bad plan to go around carving wounds into the flesh tunnels.

I'll ask some of the children to keep an eye out.

[The 'children' are now half-comatose as they have consumed all the cake and are ready for naps. Viridi sighs and scoops them up.]

I think we're good for today, though. I'm heading back to town.

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged. Thank you.

(She has assisted them. They are grateful.

That said, they're also rather glad to be able to part ways.)