blackscales: Commission, Do Not Take! (8)
̶W̶R̶A̶T̶H̶I̶O̶N̶ ([personal profile] blackscales) wrote in [community profile] eastbound2022-10-17 02:43 pm

un: Black Prince; text

I see we have plenty of new faces. Welcome to Serthica, if you're lucky the stay will be brief.

[ It's not exactly a fun and enjoyable time. Anyway: ]

I've been looking into our friend the White Wanderer. Those newest among us may recall him present during what they called the 'Unwinding', dressed in white while handling tea and a small child. Recently, he was mentioned by our guide the Merchant himself -- a comparison of his attire to the Ellethia uniform. I had confirmed the White Wanderer was here a few years ago, in the Mouse House, just after the 'coal sick' ended. Perhaps a few days after, implying he may have been around during the 'curing' of it in the city proper. With the recent confirmation of his Ellethia uniform, and Ma'am Mariol informing me she thinks he had a daughter he recently lost, he does indeed seem to be a former member of the Institute in Ellethia.

Given we found the familiar symbol of Ellethia (an eye with a sun) in the Remembrance headquarters I'd say this all ties together that our White Wanderer was involved in what is happening. Animating mannequins with dark water, as Remembrance seems to be doing, certainly fits the scientific intrigue of Ellethia -- although if this is misuse of whatever he began we cannot say yet.

What I'd like to know, from those here before me, is this: think back. We've evidence of this figure in Ke-Waihu. Was there any mention of them before? A white-clad figure, in Taravast? In any location the Merchant took you before? Have you seen the symbol of Ellethia, the eye with a sun, anywhere? These things might have not been noteworthy before, not part of a pattern, but I've begun to believe we're following a trail here.

For our new members: worth noting, Ellethia is where our guide the Merchant previously lived and worked, trading technical equipment and wards. It's of interest if our guide is following an old colleague, and taking us along. Ellethia's Institute was attempting to 'cure' the problem of mortality, the detail of which we are somewhat lacking. It seems to have involved mirrors, dark powers, and it did not end well -- that much we know. Given most places we arrive, things are going poorly, a recurring figure with ties there is of note.

Lastly: our raven master companion mentions Vassarizhia. I'm increasingly convinced the clock tower itself is related to everything happening here. The cities rotate at certain times, but large scale events also happen at them. The Unwinding, most recently, right as the clock struck six. We were told the beacon is in the clock tower and would light within months, when the clock is due its annual winding. Given it presumably just 'unwound', and caused all this, I'm hoping access to the clock will allow us answers to the parts of this puzzle we are missing -- as well as a route out.
beitangmoran: (thinking)

un : dappled peals of the parted seas (voice)

[personal profile] beitangmoran 2022-10-17 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
The first I heard of him was from Don Bonaccorso in Taravast, although I only recently realized this myself after connecting several pieces of information a little belatedly.

I did not hear of him in Sa-Hareth, but as I mentioned to the Merchant, Anurr is, I believe, much older than whoever this White Wanderer is and predates him by at least two centuries, so he existed as he is now before the White Wanderer appeared.

The phenomenon of the undeath was a thing before him, but he seems to have managed to harness it somehow.
vdovy: (Default)

un: wooden sword

[personal profile] vdovy 2022-10-17 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
so this merchant is chasing someone from their past and we are all along for the ride
am i getting that right?
beitangmoran: (Default)

voice;

[personal profile] beitangmoran 2022-10-17 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I asked him what the real price was that was paid for Taravast's peace, since clearly the story of the witches was just a fairy tale made up to appease the people.

He said that he made a deal with a Brother White. And that he asked him for a guarantee in exchange for the weapons. He asked him to surrender something precious to him.

The heart that Master Kaneki picked up in the Spina Hunting Grounds is, I believe, his.

After making that connection, I have been thinking back about our time in Sa-Hareth, but there wasn't a tale of a White Wanderer there that I can remember. Anurr's legend didn't mention him.
vdovy: (don't call me honey)

[personal profile] vdovy 2022-10-17 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
has anyone tried to go it alone without his help??
vdovy: (breakfast at Tiffany's)

[personal profile] vdovy 2022-10-17 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
i'm sure he is getting some return on his investment
doesn't have to be in currency

so about this tower
have you been up there? seen it?
vdovy: (BLACK WIDOW 001)

[personal profile] vdovy 2022-10-17 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
you can learn a lot just from the surroundings
do you know the area at all?
vdovy: (eat it)

[personal profile] vdovy 2022-10-17 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
do you know if they can detect concealed weapons?
or weapons that don't look like weapons?
beitangmoran: (sweet2)

[personal profile] beitangmoran 2022-10-17 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a logical assumption given what we know now.
vdovy: (breakfast at Tiffany's)

[personal profile] vdovy 2022-10-17 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
yes, that could work.
i suggest we scope the place out as much as possible before trying to go in. perhaps even a dry run of the op once we get up there. see what will and won't work before the stakes are too high for failure.
vdovy: (BLACK WIDOW 141)

[personal profile] vdovy 2022-10-17 07:10 pm (UTC)(link)
there are many details it would be wise to gather before we try getting up there. every structure has multiple access points and multiple exits. how we escape is as important as how we get in.

and now that i think of it, that distraction you mentioned doesn't have to happen outside the tower. we could send in two teams: one meant to be caught and another one to reach the top while security is distracted.
vdovy: (those days are gone)

[personal profile] vdovy 2022-10-17 07:14 pm (UTC)(link)
do you think we could tip them off somehow? if we lure them in, we can count on their distraction instead of just hoping for it.
weifinder: (listen | don't push him son)

@yiling laozu

[personal profile] weifinder 2022-10-17 07:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Wasn't the one called Matthias or something of the sort the man who lost his daughter, and who they tried to regain?

Favouring children, the return of memories, the undoing of death but instead triggering its persistence and horror, and the recent nature of the undead plague of this world as compared to its older elements, such as Anurr.

I wish to speak with Zenobius, when he returns to wakefulness. He's been closer in the last three months, small improvement by small improvement. Of all who might know, he seems to be more reliable than Master Scorpion.
weifinder: (bros | his hands they shake)

[personal profile] weifinder 2022-10-17 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
When he first wakes, for I refuse to accept he will not, presume he will be less coherent. But I feel that distance from the Tower and its sway may help with his mentality over time. There was enough wrong in Ellethia, I don't think he was allowed to recall himself in full more than in passing moments.

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