tushanshu | III. ♔ Video

[Time for your scheduled public service announcement. At his console, Richard's arms are folded and his tone level. After talking to Sadie, he has realized that they can't continue with people being ignorant of the situation.]

For those who aren't yet aware, in Sinbrilee, there are marble arches with runes on them. The gateways with runs that seem to glow with a faint light lead to the realm of Dreaming, while the gates to Death have runes oozing a black substance.

Be careful of both. The worlds both shape themselves to the minds of those within. Dreaming can be pleasant, if you are in such a state of mind, but if you are not, it can be cruel. Death is always malicious. If you come to harm in either realm, that injury may prove to be very real. [Hidden in the folds of his sleeves, his hand tightens into a fist.] In at least one case, an injury has been. It's most likely that healing magic won't work there, nor any other abilities to protect you that require Tu Vishan's energy to function.

[Richard unfolds his arms so he can brush his bangs from his eyes.] I'd like to know if anyone has done any research on the gateways themselves or the realms beyond. Given that one seems the home territory of the being we've been brought here to handle, some understanding of how to move in and out of it could be an advantage.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I could try. I was thinking of keeping a copy with me so I can decipher it. With all of the books in such a bad condition though, there's not much I can base it on. Still, it's worth a shot.

I don't think we were meant to go through them though. I have a bad feeling about the fact that they're still active after all this time.

It's concerning that they still stand, isn't it? Then again, Amarcian technology was always impressively long-lasting. [Hmm. He nods at Traci's suggestion.] If you can try, at least we will know whether we have anywhere to go from there. But if you're doing anything risky, I'd like to be there, or someone else you trust and who might be able to help. I wouldn't want you to try alone.

[What if something happens and no one's there to get Traci help? Protect your friends. It's the cardinal rule of Ephinea.]

Well, two's a company. I wouldn't mind that, if it means getting some answers. Have you been in the darker one? The malice in that makes me shudder.

I.. have, yes. Not my favourite experience. [At all. He is keeping that calm, level-headed persona he wears when he has work to do, but wow did he not enjoy it in there.]

Figured not. Think it's related to that threat people mentioned? Like a way to stop it, or cause it?

From what I hear, Death is very much that threat's domain, and the malice it shows is somewhat new to how it was last time our own visited.

[Wait, what?] What do you mean by that?

From what I've gathered from others, the realm of Death was . . . oppressive, yes, and brought a sense of fear and misery to those within, but it didn't attack and target those from within. The constructs it creates to torment us appear a new addition.

So someone just tampered with it? [A frown.] Guess it really does require more investigating to see. Still, who would do that and why?

The proposed responsible party would be the threat we fight itself, presumably to keep us out.

A giant 'Keep-out' sign wasn't good enough for him? Or a door? [Really. It was an arch where people can come in and out.]

Perhaps it's hard to get blacksmiths in Death.

I wonder why.

Well, I'll just try to check it out a little more. Energy signal's off the charts anyway, but strangely hard to track to the source. Whoever did this was good.

[He had no idea Traci could track magic sources but he takes it in stride.] Unfortunate that they source is slipping away. Tell me if you find anything.

No problem! You too, all right? If you figure something out, let me know.

Of course.

III. ♔ Video

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