Reach. Feed. Grow.

A strangled, gurgling noise bubbles up from somewhere nearby.

You blink.

You crease your brow in a frown.

You ask Razhril, "Did... you hear that?"

Under a dark root.
The shadows violently writhe and twist along the ground here, indicating a war shrine of Nocht nearby. The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The first impression of this area is the thick smoke that obscures everything. This underground room consists of hollowed-out dirt walls, the soil packed back until there is a circle barely five feet across to stand in. The walls of the chamber are supported by great columns, looking like the wrinkled fingers or legs of a giant. On closer inspection the forks in these structures and the occasional tubers mark these wooden structures to be the roots of a great tree, which must still exist some distance above on the surface. Indeed, the various roots move upwards to meet at a giant root that forms the ceiling of the chamber. On the floor an area of dirt has been burrowed into to create a fire pit, in which a small fire lies. One of the tree-roots branches downwards into the centre of the chamber above the fire, and has been blackened and tarred by the fire-smoke. A patch of reishi mushroom thrives here. Sufficiently obscuring any light and resembling a fall of ethereal shadow, delicate black drapes of gossamer silk stir with the faintest breath of air. An intricately carved desk of webs within the willow sits in the corner. Suspended from the large black root hangs a bubbling black cauldron. There are 3 black direwolves here. Dressed in liquid shadows, Rowena Nightshade stands here regally poised. Disciple of the Tah'vrai, Razhril is here, shrouded. He wields a crouching spider nekai in each hand.
You see exits leading north and east.

(Walking to different location)

The Portals of Glomdoring.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The cylindrical chamber has been carved from marble veined with dark sediment, and polished to a lustrous smooth shine. Concentric circles are inlaid upon the floor, alternating with rings of black opal, onyx and dark amethyst. High above, the ceiling shines with a bright light that pulsates softly and steadily like a heartbeat. The air itself is charged with energy, veritably crackling with power. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system. There is an aetherways portal here.
You see a single exit leading out.

You crease your brow in a frown.

You think to yourself: Hello?

A strange, yet familiar shape partially materializes in the air - twisting in upon itself as it circles you curiously.

You murmur, "Hello."

The twisting form recoils at the sound of your voice, as if to flee, but pauses. It inches closer, curious gurgling filling the air.

You have emoted: Esei's lips curl into a soft smile, extending their hands. "I won't hurt you."

Thoughts intrude upon your own, almost painful in their sudden appearance - "HELLO. HELLO! HELLO? HELLO..."

You murmur, "Quieter, little one."

"QUIETER! QUIETER? QUIETER."
A wry smile spreads across your face.

You say, "Rounder, softer. Less sharp, as to not hurt others when you talk to them."

"SILENT?"

You ponder the situation.

You say, "You don't have to be."

"SILENT! SILENT?"

You crease your brow in a frown.

You say, "He is not here at the moment. I am sorry."

The shape shudders and ripples, reaching out towards you tentatively.

You have emoted: Esei winces but lifts their hands further up and out despite the pain. "It's okay," they try to soothe. "I can pray to Him. Tell Him you are here."

The reaching tendril of empty, yet not-empty space encircles your hand. You feel strength leaving you as it latches on, but something else as well - sensations? Memories? Emotions?

You are. You reach forth. You feed. You grow.

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

Reach.

Feed.

Grow.

Reach. Feed. Grow. Reach. Feed. Grow. Reach. Feed. Grow. Reach. Feed. Grow. Reach. Feed. Grow.

Rock crumbles beneath you. The mountainside slides into the earth below. The water begins to dry. Reach. Feed. Grow.

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

The shape detaches from you, a shimmer passing through its form as it gurgles and bubbles curiously at you.

"SILENT."

The shape hesitates, and then folds in upon itself, disappearing with a faint popping noise.

You crease your brow in a frown.

The Portals of Glomdoring.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The cylindrical chamber has been carved from marble veined with dark sediment, and polished to a lustrous smooth shine. Concentric circles are inlaid upon the floor, alternating with rings of black opal, onyx and dark amethyst. High above, the ceiling shines with a bright light that pulsates softly and steadily like a heartbeat. The air itself is charged with energy, veritably crackling with power. Dusan, a coruscant wyvern, lurks in the shadows here. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system. There is an aetherways portal here.
20:25:50 You see a single exit leading out.

You ask, "...little one?"

You murmur softly to yourself.

(Going to Nexus)

You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.

Gurashi looks to you, pinned to the ground underneath Ilistala, an enormous leopard.

Wheezing softly, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Help."

You give a pained sigh.

You pat Ilistala, an enormous leopard in a friendly manner.
A loud rumbling emanates from Ilistala as she rubs against you.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard is unaffected by your efforts.

(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "Push ilistala -> Ilistala, an enormous leopard is unaffected by your efforts."

Bizirik, the leothin watches from beside Xenthos, eyes half-lidded with possibly boredom. Or annoyance. Or jealousy.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard pounces off of Gurashi and heads over to nuzzle against you, purring loudly.

You say, "...I have seen our new friend again."

You blink.

Gurashi blinks.

You pet Ilistala, an enormous leopard ingratiatingly.
A loud rumbling emanates from Ilistala as she rubs against you.

Gurashi inhales sharply as he is freed from Ilistala, an enormous leopard's butt, dazed on the ground.

After a few wheezy moments, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks, "...wh-what friend?"

You say, "The gurgling not-presence."

Gurashi blinks.

Gurashi suddenly sits up, wincing before scrambling onto his feet.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "Really? Where?"

Gurashi frowns at you.

You murmur, "A prayer would have to suffice for now..."

You say to Gurashi, "It was at the tunnels again, and I'm fine, it was just... insistent with sharing."

You say to Gurashi, "It was... asking after Him, I think."

You pat a war shrine of Nocht in a friendly manner.

Gurashi blinks.

Gurashi stares implacably at you.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "...asking... after Him?"

Gurashi stares at you blinking, obviously confused.

The sound of wings flapping heralds a screeching murder of crows flying overhead.

You say, "It said Silent, repeatedly. Sometimes a question."

Gurashi nods once at you, considering the situation.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe asks you, "...did not... hurt or, give vision or anything?"

Gurashi sweats profusely and wrings his hands nervously.

You say, "It did."

You say, "Both of those."

Gurashi blinks.

Gurashi flails about helplessly.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "What HAPPENED?!"

Gurashi boggles at you.

You ponder the situation.

You say, "It was... hesitant to reach out, at first."

You say, "Almost as if it was scared of me."

You murmur, "A sapping of the strength, but in turn visions..."

Gurashi listens to you, expression filled with concern.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard blinks, staring at you.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard sniffs you, trying to decipher just what that smell emanating from you is.

You say, "I saw a mudslide, trapped... the water ran out."

You furrow your brow in thought.

You say, "It -shimmered-..."

Gurashi tilts his head and listens intently to you.

You say, "I asked for it to be a little quieter, softer, rounder, so it did not hurt me or others when it tried to talk."

You say, "It eventually devolved to saying silent..."

You ponder the situation.

Gurashi continues to listen to you, casting a glance about those gathered.

You murmur, "Did it confuse me for Him? But then that doesn't make sense..."

You ponder the situation.

You think to yourself: Lady Rancoura is His avatar, would it not latch onto her moreso than myself?

(insert coming to a realization)

You stare blankly into space.

You say, "...what if it is more than one."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "IS more than one."

Gurashi blinks.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "And, is probably because can sense that Mister Lord Silence is connected to."

You say, "What if the one that's talking to me is different than the one Lady Rancoura spoke with."

Reaching out to point at Esei's heart, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Is like, sensing it right there."

You stare implacably at Gurashi.

Gurashi nods his head at you.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Maybe it is."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Perhaps it doesn't understand 'not hurting'?"

The sound of drums rings violently in the air before falling back to a hushed rhythm.

You ponder the situation.

Gurashi nods at Xenthos's comment, folding his arms across his chest.

You say, "That may be an unfortunate case, but it would make sense."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Things in the Void are not exactly... safe."

You say to Gurashi, "There are people with quite more potent connections to Him than I."

Softly, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Wonder if are figuring out what are ..."

You shake your head.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Uh - is what -I- said."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "About self."

You stare implacably at Gurashi.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "You have way more connections than me!"

Gurashi flails about helplessly.

You say to Gurashi, "Lady Rancoura is His -avatar-."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe exclaims to you, "It makes sense!"

Evette raises an eyebrow questioningly.

You ponder the situation.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Do not see Lady Rancoura here in moment."

Shadows swirl around Gurashi's arm as the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree shifts and turns around his hand.

With your mighty index finger extended, you poke Gurashi.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "If needed to speak now, then picked you."

Finger extended, Gurashi pokes you.

Gurashi peers at you unscrupulously.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard extends her paw, poking both Gurashi and you.

Gurashi stares implacably at you.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "It came to, so it obviously needs something - is trying to -say- something."

Gurashi's mandibles twitch slightly as he voices a brief, curious chirr.

Gurashi reaches up to rub the side of his head, looking around. "Must be very confusing for whatever is."

You say, "Its communication skills are... somewhat poor."

You say, "Unfortunately, it only speaks with one word per sentence, but I doubt it had many things to talk to."

You say, "And incredibly painful."

Gurashi listens to you, nodding slowly.

Kneeling humbly, you press your palms together before you and close your eyes momentarily as you pray devoutly to Nocht, the Silent, "Lord Nocht, I have had a curious interaction with a creature that seems to be reaching out to members of Your order. It clicks, gurgles, and bubbles, with somewhat lackluster communication skills and the ability to give visions in exchange for pain and the sapping of one's strength. Please, when possible, Your advice would be welcomed. Thank You."

Gurashi frowns at you.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Am sorry that vision hurt."

You shrug helplessly.

You say to Gurashi, "Our arts are our pains."

Gurashi frowns at you.