Glimpse Into What Once Was

[fractales]

Type: Video
Sender ID: fractales(Professor Turo)
To: General
Subject: Nilatast Finding
Warnings: TBA

Hello everyone- pardon the bit of a mess.

[Papers strewn about, along with a few tools in view, as Turo picked up his shellphone with excitement there in his voice. Setting it down on somethin out of view as he was moving and turning out lights in an office after pushing his desk out of the way.]

As others may have been, perhaps still are, working on various pieces of technology recovered from down so deep, there was an item I discovered in Nilatast that I have finally gotten working! To a small degree, at least— I have only been able to recover one thing on it, but...

[There was an item that was the size of a jewelry box, covered in stars and constellations formed in colored enamel and shined up jewels, that Turo had picked up and was sitting down in the middle of the space he had cleared. Pressing a 'button' at the top.

It sparked to life as suddenly a still image was projected above the box; full of living color and capturing a moment of laughter and fun. The light having warmth and even those creatures outside of such large windows seemed to sparkle. Looking as if everything could be touched—]

Look at this! [Almost looked as if Turo was there, moving to sort of sit by the picture box.] I was able to retrieve the data for this image, I might have found what worked as a photo album, but the item itself came from within one of the ruined buildings down there.

They lived there, played in that city.

[Of course there weren't just human children there, smiling faces all. This was something either a parent or some child that had also been there in the moment wanted to treasure even after the day was over.]

Just a small view into what once was, I suppose.

Comments

[beshackled]

'Tis difficult, between pressurization concerns, the miasma, and those already affected by it. I also understand there are traps of a sort there...

[He'd been more focused on observing rather than storming and prizing objects from the place. Thus the dangers he had personally encountered had more to do with the denizens of that place rather than thr systems put in place to safeguard the city.]

I mean to go back down there soon. Did anything in particular spark your interest?

[fractales]

Indeed. At the very least with the knowledge of what is there, those who are going back have far more time to prepare and know what is needed.

[The box was lifted up, turned off; it really was something that stood out, sleek and compact compared to most tech that existed. The colors were of various blues and purples with those glittering stones acting as stars that shaped a few constellations.

Turo had worked hard in his cleaning and restoration of it.]

As do I, as I have theorized for quite a while that technology levels here had once been more than what is currently had. All of it did, if I am to be honest—vague of an answer as that can be.

[beshackled]

This place has ever left me the impression that it is more than what it pretends to be...

[Head tipping back, he recalls his first moments upon the Paladins' ship.]

Truly, more advanced technology does not surprise me much. That it is more honestly displayed there is the more peculiar detail.

[fractales]

[There was a head tilt, and a slight frown-]

You must be a highly mistrustful, suspicious sort of person. You believe that a people living after something that nearly ended them to be purposefully hiding things?

[beshackled]

Nay, not the people. This place. There is something amiss with this place.

I have been altered.

[fractales]

I take it you are one of those that had certain.. abilities and/or items that you no longer have ease of access to? As if something was shut off?

[The shellphone was coming right along to a bookshelf, already searching along spines as Turo spoke.]

This world, more or less, not quite connecting as where the world you come from would.

[beshackled]

Yes, that. But more than that. The abilities that do not rely on external sources, too, have been tampered with. And my size. I cannot shake the feeling that the ground is so much closer.

Everything else is smaller, too... but it's uncanny. Like I'm walking amongst rows of dollhouses, shrunk to fit.

...Mind you, I don't assume the reasons to be malevolent. Chief Hythlodaeus and I share in the hypothesis that the restriction of some abilities may be for the overall safety of those here.

But.. you see where I might get the impression that things here are more than what they appear to be, do you not? Between this, and how I and others have arrived and taken our first steps in this place?

[fractales]

The magic of this world does what it can to keep some hold and sort of fold you into magics and other energies that may not rightly exist the same way as where you are from. I do agree it likely is for some form of safety, even if not wholly intentional and is simply what happens when one is pulled into this world.

[A book was plucked down off the shelf, balanced on an arm as he flipped pages with that same hand, walking still wit the shellphone.]

This has been an occurrence for five or so years in this world, supposedly due to magic let loose and going unchecked due to the source being lost. It is information that is very available, and those on the ship that you were on could tell you as such.

I actually have a copy of a book that holds some other stories of it as well, if you are interested. Some information is scattered, or various parts that do not appear to line up due to missing pieces.

I have been here for around two years, give or take a month or so.

[beshackled]

I do recall a tale similar to what you've mentioned being spoken when I first found myself here... about something that was lost potentially malfunctioning. But I am very much interested in these tales of yours. I wish to know more of this place. What it is. Why it is the way it is.

And the same for that lost civilization below. What happened to it, and why? Are there still people there, hidden somewhere? Where did they go? What became of them?

I have so many questions...

[fractales]

I am more than happy to share anything I've found, and discuss them as well—various views can help pick out pieces initially missed. Information is best shared as far as I am concerned.

There are so many stories that involve the flooding of this world, which is why so much of it is covered in water. Once there was more land, and perhaps that city below is one of what was perhaps more cities like it to some degree. It seems as if... something succeeded in destroying the place, as much of what is down there may be connected to "Mother" and... a great sadness and perhaps anger. Emotion mixed with magic taking form and corrupting.

You are more than welcome to come by Cosmo Conservatory on Eltrut, as that is where I am most of the time currently.

[beshackled]

...I think I would like that.

As for the city below, 'tis the sort of danger I am unfortunately familiar with, at least as far as anger, sadness, and foul magicks taking advantage of that go. I'm not afraid to go back down there, and I've already an idea of how I wish to proceed.

Still, without creation magicks, I will need to use a medium already present to transcribe my memories into... That, or rely upon the basic recording functions of these "shell phones"... and I know not if they are equal to the task.

[fractales]

There were methods found to help clear the miasma and whatever else some may call it there at least, and I certainly plan to return as it wouldn't be my first time dealing with systems like that to some degree.

[Just this time he wasn't locked behind it all-]

Ah, I've taken up journaling for that reason. Sketching and the like with it.

[beshackled]

The dust of a certain species of moth has been found to be particularly effective in clearing the malign emotional energies. I expect this would be the residue produced by the scaling on their wings, which resembles dust.

Though as much in demand as it shall be, I do hope that over-harvesting will not become an issue...

Mayhap protection of a sort would be advisable, to ensure the species is not abruptly hunted into extinction.

[fractales]

I believe there are also a 'moth fish' down there with the same effective clearing, and perhaps some work can be done to help both air and water moths not need to be overused. At the very least there are ways to collect the dust of moth wings without harming them- though I imagine some were over enthusiastic

Still, I work towards finding methods to help lessen the risks to flora and fauna whenever something like that becomes known. Part of why I helped co-found Cosmo Conservatory.

We work towards helping animals, to live and thrive, even if they stay with us long enough to heal or have permanent homes.

[beshackled]

Oh?

[The man's demeanor brightens upon hearing the purpose of the place.]

'Tis a wonderful thing you do. 'Tis most helpful, I am sure, to the myriad species of this place, unable to bolster their numbers with creation magicks as we are.

[He deflates a little again upon the recollection of that. Another reminder that his very nature has been interfered with -- adjusted to fit this place, according to current hypothesis. But it still feels grating. Unnerving. Wrong.]

[fractales]

Quite a few animals are hunted for parts, be it display or some piece of them is a component for something or other. At times it is more superstition than truth, but even those can carry some sort of luck in the mind.

Here we give a place for those rescued to heal up, and some certainly do simply pass through to carry on back to their homes before once well. Others remain, and some that are more inclined to it we re-home with people who will care for them as companions- such as the suddenly homeless cerebi dogs as their owners are no longer in this world.

[So even pets would not be left to wander alone if they could help it.]

We do what we can, and in a way we hope to also help through education; the reception building has books filled with information about the various wildlife, and there is always somethin new added given part of my field of research is discovering new animals and plants. Understanding them and how they tie into life of this world.

[beshackled]

...They're hunted to display their parts...?

[There is a quiet horror to his words. He can't fully wrap his mind around it. Why? Why do such a thing?]

Thank you. For rescuing them. For giving them a place to recover.

...You do all this in addition to surveying and studying extant life?

[fractales]

Indeed, they are referred to as 'trophies'. Normal hunters will have them at times, and they make use of the entire animal, but there are those who would fill an entire building with them.

[He'd had the insides of those Auction houses described to him, and the island made entirely of crystalized whale parts as well. The shiver such a memory of certain details gave, and knowing if he had not been rescued he'd have seen that 'island' and what was done.]

It is work I am more than happy to do, and a dream of Nanaki's that I am proud to have helped make reality here. We have those who volunteer as guards to help keep poachers out, amongst other odd jobs to help the animals remain comfortable and safe.

[Turo hummed softly—]

I do, yes. It has helped me better understand how flora and fauna are tied to this world and the magic of it, and all the better to treat the injured that are brought to Cosmo Conservatory.

[beshackled]

'Tis a wonder how you keep up with it all. Although... it sounds as though you've some good help to rely upon.

[He's glad for that. Truly.]

I should prepare for returning to the city below. I think I've rested enough. I expect the place will be too damp to bring a paper journal with me, based on my prior journey, but 'tis a simple enough feat to take notes upon my return.

[fractales]

Help that makes some of the work far easier and allows me to delve deeply into research. What helps here can do well for the long run, and creating various medicines for creatures and person alike.

[Better to keep both in mind rather than one over the other.]

You could always use a notes shellphone application for quick things, they seem waterproof enough to be easily brought along.

[beshackled]

They are...?

[How odd. The shellphones seem so levin-oriented he would not have thought to bring them into water.]

How interesting. I wonder if the depth will pose any trouble to them...

[fractales]

A few people took theirs down with them, if I remember seeing correctly.

[beshackled]

Ah, I see.

Well, if you do not hear from me in the near future about visiting, 'tis likely I will have damaged my shellphone attempting this. 'Tis worth a try though.

[fractales]

Should something happen there is the Shellphone store you can visit for any repairs or replacements. I do feel that it should be fine of course, but precaution is best all the same.

Easy enough to keep an eye on, so I would hope.