Wayfarer Comms

[Ambyssin]

Uhhh, I'm hoping it doesn't come to this, but... do keep your eyes peeled and let me know if you spot Powehi. He's made it abundantly clear that if we overstep how much we're imposing on Forlas, he will likely intervene to try and force us out. Like with Lorrel.

And, uh, mass summoning more offworlders with direct ties to us sure sounds like overstepping to me.

Maybe he understands he's outnumbered and outmuscled given what happened with Alexander, but when I spoke with him before it sounded like some sort of deeper instinct thing. So, yeah. Just stay vigilant.

Somewhat related... if anyone else is in the 'Betel couldn't yoink someone else from my world' club, we're having our first meeting tonight. There'll be cider and donuts.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Anyway. I'm so glad you're all right, Beetle! Congrats on evolving! Feels incredible, doesn't it?

(...Did, uh. Did you say the first porygon2 'in millennia', though???)

It does feel rather wonderful, yes! Tactile interaction with the material world, too. Even if it can be rather uncomfortable in some respects, I enjoy having a definitive existence as a distinct and discernible entity.

Yes, that is correct! Porygon have not been manufactured on Forlas for a very long time. The Aurichalcan civilisation were the original designers of the species, and when their society collapsed, so too did the creation of new porygon.

Maybe he understands he's outnumbered and outmuscled

Actually, I do not think that Powehi is necessarily outmatched by the Wayfarers, Nova...

...especially as he no longer had Alexander specifically contesting his domain. He will be stronger now. As I understood it, his parameters for intervention were quite specific, however. I think it more likely that he has other concerns, and perhaps nothing new to say.

After all, if he appeared and reminded you of what he had previously communicated, would that change anything?

 

[Shiny Phantump]

This is Lillian Mohn. Can you read me? I think there should be a Gladion Mohn connected to this, right? Over.

Lillie? Holy shit. I was, uhh, not expecting you. Where are you?​

Lillian. I’m in Modareno with Blue, Twig, Odette, Guzma, and Gladius.

Only one of those I know is Odette. Shit, that’s a lot of new people. And… Gladius, is he one of the new ones, or…​

No, he’s been here for a long time. He’s a faller.

Oh fuck, Lillie, watch your back around him. I know he might sound like me, but he’s dangerous. He—​

He was willing to take a bullet for me.

—called to have Odette, myself, and a bunch of other people shelled. I doubt he’d draw the line at using you, either.​

Ohh, is that why she’s like that. She was—

Yes. That is why my friend Odette is “like that.” If you want to litigate anything, come talk to me in person. I’m pretty sure anyone can listen in on this if they want.​

Fine! I’ll see you soon.

See you soon…​

 

[canisaries]

Hey, uh, hello, everyone. It's Andre. There's something I need to confess.

I am a murderer.

In my homeworld, I have killed nine people. I committed these crimes out of what I considered to be justice, but I now understand... I am now beginning to understand that it was no justice. Only my own obsession and... sickness.

One of these people was Ben's trainer, Mike. What Ben has accused me of actually happened. I am sorry for attempting to deceive you all.

I will be turning myself in to the authorities after answering any questions you may have.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Howlers' shit. Shit shit shit—

I need to stop this turning into a PR nightmare. I'm on it. Nobody fucking lose their heads, thanks.

How interesting. This is an unexpected confession.

Nine individuals cannot be readily explained by mitigating circumstances. You are a wicked one, aren't you?​

 

[Chibi Pika]

What? Huh??

Ah, so the deer is a murderer after all. Well, this simplifies things for Ben—I recommend taking whatever retribution you see fit.​

You just got here and you knew about this?? And, hang on, don't just recommend that so casually!

 

[Cresselia92]

Silver:

---

…So you finally admit it. You admit being a murderous, pathological psycho. And you were trying to gaslight me and the others into believing that Ben was delusional? What kinda disgusting scumbag are you?!​

Lyra:

---

Wha… Andre, you… did you really k-kill people…?​

Silver:

---

(Oh crap.) Kotone, you might want to step back for a bit…​

Lyra:

---

I’m not some fragile glass doll, Silver! I-I can handle this, really, it’s just, like, I mean…!​

Silver:

---

You’re very obviously freaking out. You’re not ‘handling this’ well.​

Lyra:

---

…

B-But Betey… they s-summoned heroes, so I… why are you here, Andre?! It’s just… I don’t understand!​

Silver:

---

Kotone. Please, lemme handle this. I’ll give you a rundown later, okay?​

Lyra:

---

…Okay…​

Silver:

---

(Gods. That’s gonna be hell to fix later…)​

Silver:

---

Well, since you’re offering, Andre… What kinda twisted justification did you use to murder nine people? Boss in my world’s Team Rocket often hired mercenaries to… remove problems that hampered her business, but you became a murderer in the name of, tch, ‘justice’? And it took you offing nine freaking people to realize that maybe killing is wrong? What gives?!​

 

[canisaries]

Nine individuals cannot be readily explained by mitigating circumstances. You are a wicked one, aren't you?

…So you finally admit it. You admit being a murderous, pathological psycho. And you were trying to gaslight me and the others into believing that Ben was delusional? What kinda disgusting scumbag are you?!

B-But Betey… they s-summoned heroes, so I… why are you here, Andre?! It’s just… I don’t understand!

...

I would also like to know.​

Well, since you’re offering, Andre… What kinda twisted justification did you use to murder nine people? Boss in my world’s Team Rocket often hired mercenaries to… remove problems that hampered her business, but you became a murderer in the name of, tch, ‘justice’? And it took you offing nine freaking people to realize that maybe killing is wrong? What gives?!

I thought... I thought I was helping people. These people were scumbags. By removing these people from the world, I thought I could bring justice to those they had hurt and prevent future incidents from occurring.

Mike was never anything but good to me. How can you possibly call him a scumbag?
​

Ben, he didn't even let you have a phone or use the internet.

I didn't need those things! They would have just distracted me from training, anyway!
​

He also admitted to beating his ex-girlfriend.

When? Were you torturing him?
​

...Not at that point. That came later.

...You did what?
​

Yes. I tortured him. I tortured all of them but the first one. Again, I thought it was just.

How could torture ever be just?! You -- you're sick. You're absolutely sick. I can't believe I share a world with you. I can't believe this Betel person thinks you're a hero!
​

It's not Betel's fault. I'm sure they... I'm sure they didn't know.

I certainly hope so!​

 

[Jackie Cat]

Oh... Oh dear.
​

I suppose... I should try to explain.​

​

1. I did not know.

Or rather, I could not be certain, not at first. I was newly-made when I summoned you, and did not even have my own opinions on morality and ethics. And by the time I understood what Andre had done, I had already chosen to leave well enough alone. I believed he would not do further harm on Forlas. I determined that I would intervene if he should ever attempt to take a life.
​

2. I do not... choose you.

'Individually'; 'specifically'; 'voluntarily'... If that is how you have imagined your summoning, then you have imagined inaccurately. I send out a signal into the multiverse, and that signal returns a soul. I set certain criteria, but those criteria are 'subject to interpretation' by the recipient world from which they hail. The signal is encoded, filtered, translated...
​

I cannot see into other worlds, nor vet the souls they send here. I can only ask for help.​

​

3. I asked the multiverse for heroic spirits.

Heroic individuals come in many forms, and they are not always admirable to everyone. To some, heroism means to be a noble defender of the innocent. To others, though, to be heroic is to be determined, to be righteous, to accomplish bold acts. To strike down evil.​

I do not know if Andre's victims deserved to die; I do not believe I will ever know.​

 

[Tetra]

...What? What! Y-you tortured people? Nine people? Wh-What kind of justice involves torture you monster?

Detestable. The law of the wild would dictate Ben is entitled to take retribution against you. To kill may be necessary but to torture is meaningless. Why would you committ such an act? Regardless it sounds as if Ben should get to choose a fitting punishment.​

Wait, Anubis- You know what. Nevermind. First, someone should find him and make sure he turns himself in.

 

[Ambyssin]

Legitimate question: Can we send him home? How's it productive for Forlas for him to remain here?

 

[Weazel]

You're... But... Back then, in Lumirror Forest. The "disagreeable" things you said you done. That was...?

Thought you'd take justice into your own hooves, huh? Killing is one thing. If you got something worth fighting for, worth dying for, that's worth killing for, too. But torture? Any Outlaw'd tell you that's just a sick little game. You can't torture the truth outta anyone. They'll tell you whatever you want to hear, just to make it stop.
​

I'm sorry everyone. Maybe back then, if I'd've pushed him harder. We were made to share secrets, and he was being so evasive. If we'd known back then, maybe Gladion, Ghaspius, and I...

 

[Phoenixsong]

So, let's see. A dozen total strangers are in my head without my permission, arguing with each other. These strangers have decided to open this cheerful little "hey there, welcome to the hivemind!" conversation with a confession to nine serial murders and also torture, and half the hivemind thinks some other guy should go revenge murder the first guy about it. Have I got all that right?

Okay, then. That's cool. That's great. Really great. This place is great! I am super happy and grateful to be a part of your group now!

How the fuck do I go home.​

Blue, stop it, that's not what's...! Ugh. Just tune it out. I'll explain later.

You're fine, Beetle. So are you, Archie. The only one who's done anything wrong is the one who killed a bunch of people and then lied to us about it.

Why did you even come here? Did you think that because Beetle asked for help there'd be lots of fresh victims for you? Every time you bothered turning up for a mission, it was just to size up new toys for your sick game while the rest of us were actually trying to solve things?!

God. They can't get you behind bars fast enough.

 

[canisaries]

...What? What! Y-you tortured people? Nine people? Wh-What kind of justice involves torture you monster?

I actually only tortured eight since I killed the first one on the stree- you know what, it doesn't matter.

You can't torture the truth outta anyone. They'll tell you whatever you want to hear, just to make it stop.

I'd already gotten the truth out of them before that. The torture was just to make them feel pain like the pain they'd inflicted on others.

...No, actually. I should be fully honest.

It was also because I liked it.

Why did you even come here? Did you think that because Beetle asked for help there'd be lots of fresh victims for you? Every time you bothered turning up for a mission, it was just to size up new toys for your sick game while the rest of us were actually trying to solve things?!

I'm sorry. I came here because I wanted to help. Honest.

And how have you helped? Have you already k-killed some people here?
​

No. I've killed no one here. I didn't think I had the right to pass judgment in a foreign world.

But you thought you had the right in ours?!
​

Yes. I... I thought so. I'm trying not to think that anymore. Sorry.

 

[Jackie Cat]

I cannot dismiss a summoned soul on a whim... nor would that be necessarily a beneficial act.​

Look, we're not doing any fucking revenge-murder or whatever. Also it's not a hivemind it's a fucking conference call. Howls afar.

We have a number of 'justice-oriented' minds in this... community. It's no wonder that several would be inclined towards retribution.
​

Do not offer to eat him. Also, Andre, maybe shut the fuck up. I'm like ninety percent sure you're sincere right now but it's not helping.

I wasn't going to. Although, I could... Rather, I simply mean to point out that some form of penance would bring psychological relief to some.
​

We can figure out how to punish Andre without using him as a role model.

Oh, certainly. I recommend humiliation and laborious recompense.
​

Laura is screaming internally!​

 

[Ambyssin]

Who's Laura's buddy buddy? I like this guy.

 

[Jackie Cat]

You may call me Malachai. I am Laura's battle-partner, a noivern, and a new arrival to this world. I take it you are one of the original group?
​

That's Nova. He's an RKS chimera. One of two in the team.

Fascinating... The cosmos certainly is mysterious.​

 

[Jackie Cat]

Hello, everyone! Betelgeuse here. I hope all the new arrivals are well and settling in after everyone's displacement. Once again, my apologies for the unplanned excursion... so, so sorry. But whatever state you all are in, there is little time to lose! It seems as if significant changes are coming to the Covenant in the imminent future, and I believe I should give everyone a Status Update.

Ahem. One clears one's throat before giving a presentation, isn't that so? I do not really have a throat as such, but I do have ventilation fans. Please imagine that you hear them whirring. Thank you.

The Red Star

While everyone was away, many of you observed or were told about a 'red star' in the east, somewhere near the Luctemarene coast. According to Articuno, this phenomenon is in fact a Mystery Dungeon that has been forming ever since the Covenant's attempt to summon Victini. Its increasing luminosity is a sign that the walls of the world are growing thinner in that location... We can assume that Victini Lorrel is inside the rift, and may be getting pulled into Forlas. Once the Mystery Dungeon coalesces fully, we must find a way to enter and stabilise it.

For those of you who are new to this... Victini Lorrel was a human hero who disappeared five thousand years ago, but never fully left Forlas. Many in the Covenant revere him, and some have been trying to bring him back. We don't know what he will do when he returns.

[ ] Campaign Objective: enter the Victory Star.
[ ] Campaign Objective: stabilise the Victory Star.
[ ] Campaign Objective: locate Victini Lorrel.

 

[Jackie Cat]

The Scholar King

Once that is done, all else notwithstanding, our final priority on this world is to put a stop to the plans of Calyrex Arthur, the secret master of the Covenant. Arthur is also a human from another world, and he believes he is morally bound to 'save' Forlas by remaking it in his own image. He intends to use the powers of Radiance and Shadow together, and travel through an especially large rift to the Astral Plains, where he will be able to change the rules of reality. The risks of such a thing are enormous, even if one were to sympathise with his objective... or believe he has the right to try.

Before intervening in his plan, it may be a good idea to learn more about him. He has been on Forlas preparing for this moment for hundreds of years, and we know very little of his past. Our best lead right now is that there is an unresolved mystery in the tundra land of Malantau, and his steed, Spectrier, seems to have a connection to the one who guards that cursed place... Glastrier. Whatever we learn may give us valuable insight into how he thinks, and why it is so important to him that the world be kept safe through 'perfect order'.

Arthur really does seem to have a sincere wish to do the right thing. Nonetheless, becoming the god of this world is a unique responsibility, to say the least! There is much that could go terribly wrong, and so, I think we ought to prevent this...

[ ] Campaign Objective: investigate Arthur's history.
[ ] Campaign Objective: confront Calyrex Arthur.
[ ] Campaign Objective: save the world.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Couping the Covenant

In the meantime, the Covenant is vulnerable and in disarray, and Articuno is planning a coup of its leadership! After several Wayfarers infiltrated the CDE—the Commission for Directed Evolution, a secret society within a secret society—Articuno now has a wealth of evidence to expose their inner workings. When you last saw them, they did not seem at all well... Hopefully their exposure to Radiance and Shadow are not proving too arduous for them to handle.

In the basement of the Shining Congress, you discovered that the CDE has been experimenting with exotic energies for some time, and even gone so far as to create their own means of summoning humans to Forlas, without the need for a Voice of Life. That is to say, they created... me. This project has proven to be quite dangerous, and it may have been better if it... were never completed to begin with.

The objective of their experiments was to create an immensely powerful force, akin to a knightly order or police service, but for the whole world. Essentially, to protect the world with an organisation of mass-summoned humans and/or mass-produced ARK Units, empowered with the sacred light of Radiance. One imagines this force would take the place of Saints and mortal governments alike...

These experiments, having continually strained the fabric of the world and caused various problems at considerable cost, have now disillusioned various Covenant members, including Koraidon Professor Sada and Inteleon Nolan. Even the head of the CDE, Zoroark Gladius Mohn, seems to be having second thoughts...

[ ] Chapter Objective: put an end to the CDE, and assist in Articuno's coup.