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[shroudedsecrets]

Food for thought:

As this is the time of year in which this world seems the most vulnerable, it seems prudent to remind all to be cautious. Whether or not a disturbance occurs or not, it has been two years since the initial barrier's breach, and one year since, for lack of a better description, a ghostly invasion.

There have been tremors occurring near the factory which can be traced to some noticed issues, though none of the citizens thus far seem to have anything conclusive to report on it, unless they are hesitant to commit to it. Given the barrier in the mine seems to be more vulnerable than the one currently surrounding the city, it might well be considered a point of entry, even if our study of it is still yet limited at this time.

Considering the timing, we will see if this bears any interruption, or potential detraction, from any celebration they may intend to hold in the next coming month.

[ this has been your yearly informative PSA that probably explains nothing at all ]

Comments

[shroudedsecrets]

As I recall, your arrival was not long after the repair. We spoke much of it then.

[ And not long after, their own work of assessing had begun. ]

My theory would be that the outer barrier seems to be stronger than it once was, due to the fact that more energy has had time to coalesce since our arrival, for the choice to be made to grow and expand the sphere further. However, we do not know how much that may affect that barrier within the mineshaft.

Purification of this land may well extend to the outer part of the world of what the sky may touch, but within may remain more vulnerable, should the potential source be something which crawls within it. Conjecture, of course, with past messages.

[iustaegis]

It must be connected, how the barrier in the mine shaft is more vulnerable compared to other sections, and the tremors occurring near it.

I wonder if there's something more that we can do, more than what our conduits are doing to help offset the imbalance of energies, I mean.

[shroudedsecrets]

More conclusive data would be required for that rather than theory, though Lup has some consideration toward magical shields, perhaps.

Though I would question whether it is more vulnerable because it is within the ground or because it is exposed? If they delved too deeply, once, or if it is the realm of their "forgotten god" that might be affecting it more than the other. That knowledge seems beyond them at present, while all we retain are the cryptic passages.

[iustaegis]

I've been wondering that myself. [ She's even spoken to Regis about it, but that was so long ago... ] There's four temples for each of the four named gods in Havenwell, but maybe there are two additional ones for the Crawling One and the Flying One somewhere, too.

It'd make sense that the Crawling one's domain was in the ground, considering the texts from the archives.

[shroudedsecrets]

It would be a little 'on the nose', but such things have been so far that it is worth being mindful of. Particularly since the citizens had not even recognized the existence of the Winged one until we had uncovered the notes for them in the first place. Now it is celebrated, while the other remains obscure.

There has been another theory that I have been stirring that concerns the current layouts of the city and it's temples. That it is possible that the current locations for worship may have been altered at some point, whether it was intentional or a natural shift, when one also considers the divide between the divine and the more research minded individuals. Having them cooperate on such considerations remains as delicate as ever.

[iustaegis]

Oh? You think the temples were in a different place? Such as within shifted within the city itself, or maybe they had their original temples outside the city?

[shroudedsecrets]

I am less certain if there were 'original' temples involved. However, given what we have observed of the energy flow and know that it directs to the temples as they stand now, their placement and those of the research towers seem... quite deliberate. To wonder to what extent it was, or perhaps even an honest mistake not picked up upon due to their distress... theories will become unto themselves.

However, we do not know when the city itself was constructed, or how it came be be; aside from how it has been designed to accommodate those here after 'the change' with the expectation that it might support them.

[iustaegis]

A good point, if these temples are truly the originals or not.

So many questions and mysteries... if only we could gain access to the archives again, that might be helpful.

[shroudedsecrets]

Perhaps they have not been swayed enough with the right sort of petitioning of late for it, though I admit perhaps I have not made enough of an effort, myself.

Although I can understand why they would not freely have it open to us, considering the recent breach of trust, and other matters. To those like us, they are mysteries, but to them, it is still yet a history, however discarded or distanced it might be.

[iustaegis]

You're right about that, too. Maybe, until we regain their trust more, we should hold off before asking to go outside or to access the archives again.

[shroudedsecrets]

I do not see the harm in... expressing our interest in such things. It is all in how it is approached. Better to be up front about it, rather than turn to what may come across as deception. You already had made such inroads before.

Otherwise, they might simply feel as though their earned trust was a means to use them all along for it. Though they could think that anyway.