video; un:curtaincall

[endcaller]

[The feed blinks on to show Fandaniel leaning against a metallic wall, eyes gleaming, face set in a wide grin.]

Good morrow to you, my fellow Chosen!

[He chirps and twirls, landing on his tiptoes with one hand against his heart, the other raised in greeting.]

So much is happening of late, and I have much to say, but I promise to keep it brief. [A mischievous grin suggests this may not, in fact, be brief.]

Let us start with last month. That was quite a fun little vacation from sanity, wasn't it? I apologize for my rampage. Such devastation was not my intention.

[A pause, he thoughtfully tilts his head.]

My intention was to rain my Hell upon the Courthouse, but that structure is well protected these days. Such a pity. 'Twas my understanding we had a running gag of demolishing that place. Ah, well...

...[A longer pause as he stares into the middle distance, then remembers himself. He waves his hands.]

Ahem!

On to more important matters!

As some of you may remember, I backed up our AI to my dear assistant Hyperetes. Isn't that so, Hyperetes?

[The camera bobs as something beeps.]

A few days ago the AI finally deigned to communicate. It sent me three images, which I have attached to this feed, along with a single word...

"Help".

If anyone could assist me in finding the locations in the photos, well... Do let me know. I intend to set off on my search very soon.

That is all!

'Ta!

[He starts walking away, pauses suddenly, then whirls back to the camera with a gasp.]

Oh!

One more small detail... After the AI left its message, a countdown appeared on my device. It looks to be ticking down to the eleventh or so of next month. 'Tis fine, I'm sure. Naught to worry about!

[The feed cuts off. Anyone opening the attached files will see three photos:

-The view from a beach, facing an ocean. There’s a city on the other side of the ocean – it looks like what could be a fishing village.
-Bones on the same beach, along with some vague articles of clothing.
-The sight of a tentacle, with a golden blur that looks monstrous in the background.]

((ooc: people are welcome to threadjack in the comments.))

Comments

audio; un: spartan

[melnik]

[ He should have known who was responsible for that... or so Miller wants to think, but he had absolutely no way of predicting it. Despite how glibly Fandaniel speaks of it though, perhaps he can't be fully to blame for being struck by the effects of this world...

Either way, there is way too much pressing information that follows to get stuck on that. Miller hardly manages to sound as calm as Fandaniel does. Not that he even tries. ]

Nothing to worry about, my ass! [ A frustrated sound. ] We need to track those locations down. And fast. My best guess is off the coast of Rumpitur. I wasn't here for it myself, but I was told there was a battle against a sea monster some time ago. It was emitting miasma, corrupting everything around it.

[ This isn't the time to cut corners. ]

Let me come with you.

voice

[endcaller]

Why, Miller, I would be delighted for you to join my quite possibly doomed fellowship.

[Then, with slightly less humor in his voice...]

Could you tell me aught more of this sea monster?

[melnik]

Don't make it sound so inviting.

[ Sarcasm, of course. But okay, good, he really didn't want to beg. ]

I think the problem spread as far as Aldrip. This was in the "old" Aldrip, back before it became built up like this. Toph said that the Chosen fought it off and it turned into a smaller creature and fled. I don't know much else.

[endcaller]

You know...

I believe I remember that Adachi lad mentioning something about this whole sordid affair. The people of Rumpitur kidnapped Chosen and spirited them away to an abandoned island to feed to a sea beast.

You don't suppose this isle could be the location in the images?

[melnik]

It is a distinct possibility.

[ Traveling there is not the most convenient, but it's high up enough on the totem of guesses to feel worth the attempt. ]

Have you been to the ruins there before? If we comb the beaches of Rumpitur first, I believe we can catch a ferry from there.

[endcaller]

Alas!

[An amused chime rises in his voice.]

My one and only venture to Rumpitur was cut rather short. The tears in reality, or "glitches" as some called them, prevented me from passing the town's walls.

This shall be my first time truly exploring the area. I do hope that having an old man trudging through the ruins alongside you won't be an issue?

[melnik]

That's fine. I haven't gone to the island myself.

[ But okay, for a second there, he thought that remark was aimed in the opposite direction and now he's a little unsure how to take it. ]

"Old man?" I don't think I have any room to complain about that, do you? [ the man has metal feet ] We will make do. Assuming there isn't a different obstruction waiting for us.

[ That would also not be a surprise. ]

[endcaller]

Bah, you are not old. You couldn't possibly be much older than, oh, sixty summers? Plenty spry enough to deal with the horrid monstrosity that shall no doubt waylay us on our travels!

[melnik]

[ Decent guess, but it does lead one to question just how old this guy is exactly? ]

It won't be an issue. Just make sure you have everything you need before we head off. I won't be packing you a picnic lunch.