[NPC | CONSOLE] Questions Answered (backdated to June 11th)

[ironwood]

[ Upon their return from Zirot, the Trojan immediately bring a message file to Charako, who scans it before uploading it to the network as she'd done the original communication. The screen once again shows Turchight, although the scenery behind him is different from the last time; now it shows an odd amount of greenery, especially considering Tavimbian cities are fairly metal and stone, being built inside mountains and all. ]

Foreigners: I have received your questions and as promised, you shall now have my answers.

For why I did not return to my world, it was not -- and remains not, in my knowledge -- possible to do willingly. Does your question imply that such is now under your control?

For where I have been, I was initially smuggled by a sympathetic party away from Tu Vishan, first aboard a ship, then to Siaxhi, then to Tavimbi. I was taken deeper inland, and eventually settled in Zirot.

[ He reaches off-screen, and pulls into view one of the soul lanterns that some of the more tenured Foreigners might recognize as the ones their souls were tethered to. They'd originally hung in the Palace, before being moved to the various Foreigner housings, and ultimately replaced by the soul gems. The latter change, it seems, never made it to Turchight. ]

This contains what other races call my 'soul'. My people have no analogous concept to this, but I do know without it... [ here, he seems pained and sorrowful ] ... that death is imminent.

[ He snorts, bull-like, at the next question. ]

I do not care if you believe I am a Foreigner or not.

It was long suspected by the other Foreigners that came at the same time as I had, that the only way to discover Ma-- the Enemy's weaknesses was to be taken in by him. Indeed, there was more than one Foreigner who fell prey to those dark urges, who turned against the rest of us. When news reached the other lands of his apparent defeat, and how all the Foreigners vanished, you must understand how it must have appeared.

I have not decided yet, whether I think it is wise to meet. Returning to Tu Vishan in the state that he is in, I fear for my... 'soul', or at least, its continued security.

I would like to know how you all resisted the Enemy's influence with no apparent ill effects. Eshai drew my group from as many worlds as she had to find all of you, and we had a wide variety of strengths and resistances. How is it that you all managed to be immune, against such odds? Or does the Enemy yet live, just buried deep within one or many of you?

The other lands have not turned a blind eye to Tu Vishan. News of the Chihuelan incursions onto the turtle have reached all corners of Konryu. You have both allies, and more enemies, that you have yet to meet.

[ The sorrow from earlier returns more fully. ]

My brood-sister Jehskel was lost some decades ago, when her lantern was accidentally destroyed. My mate Kethgha is heavy with egg, and that is another reason why I am not ready to meet you at this time.

My experiences... your question is too broad. Regardless, from what I have been told, the city and its people are vastly different than they were when I was on Tu Vishan. What do you expect my experiences to tell you?

[ Having answered all the questions, although some better than others, Turchight seems pensive. ]

Kethgha should lay our egg within a few months... but I fear for the child's life. Without a lantern, will it perish as my brood-sister did? If you can find a way to ensure my child's safety, I will meet with you.

Turchight, out.