(anonymous user) don't give theater kids cameras

[endcaller]

[In early July, before the glitches become more frequent and noticeable, a newcomer greets the network. He's hiding his ID, despite appearing in the center frame on camera. Light pouring in from the window casts his face in the shadow of his deep hood.

If it feels a bit like he's staged this shot, it's because he has.

The hooded man waves.]

Greetings, my fellow Chosen.

Pray allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Fandaniel.

[He twirls a hand before himself and bends forward in an elegant bow.]

That is, I am the man sitting the Seat of Fandaniel on the Convocation of Fourteen.

[Slowly, he rises again, lips pressed into a grin. He speaks of his title with pride, mustering all of his thespian experience to make the pride seem genuine.

It isn't. He doesn't feel any real attachment to his Seat. Now, as always, it's a means to an end.]

I do not expect those words to mean aught to any of you. Know only this: My title is that of the Assayer of Extant Phenomena and Overseer of Life. I am the Observer, a task I take to quite well, I must say! Why, I studied life before I ever inherited my position.

[The smirk fades slightly as he taps his chin and starts pacing.]

Consider me the one who watches. Now and always. Do not be alarmed, 'tis all in the pursuit of knowledge. To that end, you will find a survey attached to this message. Please do fill it out at your earliest convenience and be honest in your answers. Remember, this is for science. If you decide to toy with me in your responses that would break my poor heart. And why would you ever wish to do something so cruel?

[The pacing stops and his smile returns.]

I shall be eagerly awaiting your replies. Ta!

[He claps his hands and the feed ends. Attached to the video is a small file...]

<b>WHAT IS YOUR NAME?</b>: I trust I need not explain this. <b>WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORLD</b>: Tell me about the world you hail from, its politics, its geography, its people... Consider me curious about anything you wish to share. <b>WHAT IS YOUR CRIME?</b>: If you would rather not say, I cannot force you. But I hope you will choose to be open with me. <b>WHAT SPECIES DO YOU IDENTIFY AS?</b>: What are you? I hope this is self-explanatory as well. <b>WHAT GIVES YOUR LIFE PURPOSE?</b>: ___

Comments

text; un: firelighter - I'm sorry he's a bit crabby still after his arrival lol

[howyouseit]

We already have the Council who watches our every move now you're going to do the same? Sounds pretty creepy.

you're good! (voice)

[endcaller]

You too, hmm?

Pray tell me where I said I was watching your every move. All I said is that I am watching!

Whether you spend your days sitting on the latrine or slaying great beasts makes not a whit of a difference to me.

I wish only to know about each of you and then observe you as a mass population. Maybe then, I can find the pattern that will allow me to discover the mechanism by which our captors brought us here.

He'll stop being a moody bugger...eventually.

[howyouseit]

Still super creepy man.

You think studying us will help you find a way home? Why not do something more productive and pursue after the ones who brought us here. That's what I'm doing.

[endcaller]

Are you now?

If you have made any inroads into finding the ones who brought us here then do share!

[There is a teasing lilt in his voice.]

[howyouseit]

Only been here for a couple of weeks to make much headway on that front. But I'm just getting started.

[Color him curious about some of the stuff the other said besides the ominous watching tidbit.]

So what exactly is this Convocation of the Fourteen?

[endcaller]

[It takes him a moment to remember he'd invoked the name of the Convocation in his video.

Convincing people to trust him for his Seat while hiding his nature as a scientist, one with a reputation for madness, is exhausting.]

Ah. That.

They, --we, rather, are a secret shadow cabal who guide mankind along the road to enlightenment. Or something of that nature.

Between you and me we don't do much of late other than sit in circles moaning about the halcyon days of yore when the world was ours and yet we still all wished we were dead.

[howyouseit]

[Well that's...quite the mouthful to which Ekko really only understand about half of.]

So what you're saying is that you and your friends started some sort of cult is that right?

And what do you mean the world was 'yours' are you some sort of spirit God who ruled over it?

[He's heard stories of these fabled beings such as the famed Janna who was heralded as the protector of the bereft within Zaun. Despite how odd this person may be he was anything but dull.]

[endcaller]

Gods? Maybe by the standards of mortal men but it's not quite the term I'd use.

Ha...

How can I even begin to explain this?

The Convocation is all that remains of a people who were once the custodians of their star. They were the sole sentient inhabitants, if you do not include their myriad creations. Some members of our group longed to return to that distant era.

I'm glossing over many details, but were I to get into the twisted history of it all I'd be prattling at you all evening.

I'm the wrong man to ask about that history, anyway. My knowledge of it is mostly second-hand. Suffice it to say that it is a very long story and by the end of it, you likely wouldn't be any more knowledgeable about us than you are now. So dreary, so boring. I've heard it nearly a thousand times and have hated every minute.

[howyouseit]

So you can still die then.

You say some of your counterparts wished to return to this 'star' of yours but I take it you were not one of them. What was your own goal then?

[endcaller]

We die only as a result of extreme effort and that, as it turns out, was my aim.

To die.

[There is an audible smile in his voice. Is he joking?]

[howyouseit]

Wait hold up.

You want to die? Are you trying to mess with me right now?

[endcaller]

I may be. I have been known to do that.

[howyouseit]

So why would you want to die if all your so called friends wished to go back in time basically?

Why didn't you want to help them instead of rolling over and give up?

cw: suicidal ideation

[endcaller]

I wanted to die because I had no desire to be alive anymore.

I should think that much is obvious.

[howyouseit]

Never would have guessed with your lively attitude.

[Ekko might be teasing this guy just a little bit even though the subject matter is rather dark.]

What made you decide on this path? Don't you have people who would be saddened by your loss?

[endcaller]

Enough. Enough with the questions.

[That last syllable has a curl of barely contained laughter in it.]

You have asked so many without answering even one of mine. That is hardly fair, now, is it?

[howyouseit]

Fair enough.

I'll start with the first one. Name's Ekko.

[endcaller]

Ekko!

Hail and well met.

See, now, that wasn't so terribly difficult, was it?

Might you tell me about your world?

[howyouseit]

Guess not.

My world is called Runeterra. Where I'm from technology and magic are infused together. They call it 'Hextech' in Piltover which is powered more so by the arcane while down in the slums of Zaun we got something similar named 'Chemtech' which involves a more risky approach with toxic chemicals involved.

[endcaller]

Hextech and Chemtech, hm?

Where I am from this science is known as "Magitech". A similar, though distinct science, existed in ancient times called "Aetherochemistry"....

[A chirp of intrigue.]

Hm!

I suppose it makes sense that worlds with some notion of magic and technology would learn to combine the two.

You wouldn't happen to have an example of Hextech or Chemtech on hand, would you? If so, I would love to study it...

[howyouseit]

There are a lot of different forms of technology fused with other means in my world, we call it "Techmaturgy" as a whole.

Only one at the moment its a crystalized grenade which expands upon impact and ensnares its target, quite handy in a fight for subduing your enemies. I'm currently working on reacquiring my most ingenious invention though; A hoverboard capable of limitless flight.

How about you? Bring any of this "Magitech" stuff with you here?

[endcaller]

Alas, I came here with naught but the clothes on my back.

However, with the proper resources I am certain I could demonstrate aspects of Magitech theory to you.

...You wouldn't be willing to share how you are hoping to reacquire your invention, would you? "Reacquire" would suggest you are not building a new one.

[howyouseit]

That's too bad I'd love to see some otherworldly tech. Here's hoping we can find a way to make that happen.

Well if I had it my way I'd have stolen the hoverboard back from the person who took it from me upon my departure last time but we came to a deal. I fix the old one while they supply the necessary parts for a new model.

[endcaller]

I would like to study your hoverboard once you have repaired it. I shall promise to find a means of creating a Magitech device, or something comparable, to show you in return.

I trust this is a fair bargain?

[howyouseit]

Sounds like a deal. If you need help making this Magitech device I could potentially give you a hand.

Though I may not know how it works yet I'd like to think I am pretty good at figuring out just how things tick.