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 Upon the banks of the Gloriana River.
 The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The heavens have truly opened, and a heavy rainstorm is in full force. Soft sandy soil and long grasses ling this river bank. The sound of the Gloriana's flow mingles with birdcalls and the gentle breeze stirring the sands. The river itself although accessible to the southwest, flows northwards towards the nearby Inner Sea. To the north, the line of the Great Southern Highway is visible as a break in the grasses. The only thing spoiling this tranquility is the shadow of Glomdoring Forest, like a bloated black cloud crouching over the southeastern hills. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings.
 You see exits leading north and southeast.
 
 Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.
 
 You think to yourself: Visions...
 
 Your mandibles twitch slightly as you voice a brief, curious chirr.
 
 You think to yourself: ...Auguries and Lord Silence...
 
 Your snout twitches and trembles at the air, sensing through a striped badger nose upon your face the faint traces of others in the surrounding area.
 
 A cloud of gnats surrounds you for a moment before moving on.
 
 You cough softly.
 
 You flail about helplessly.
 
 The storm clouds turn a deep, dark black and the downpour batters you with the force of a waterfall.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi squints skyward, then pulls down the brim of his hat to shield his face from the rain.
 
 You sense the piercing eyes of Tridemon looking upon you.
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Hello!"
 
 The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "River-Gurashi!"
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Yes!"
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Am writing things and watching waters."
 
 The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Watching the waters is very soothing, yes."
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Is like musics."
 
 The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Music which is full of fish."
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "The fish do not usually sing. Have not seen any at least."
 
 Your mandibles twitch slightly as you voice a brief, curious chirr.
 
 You think to yourself: Right...
 
 You think to yourself: Fish do not sing?
 
 A faint gurgling noise bubbles up briefly from the river.
 
 You blink.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi leans forward, peering at the river.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "...if fishes start singing right now, will ... well, do not know."
 
 The lonely cry of a circling hawk fills you with unexplained remorse.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi leans forward, tilting his head.
 
 The surface of the river bulges and shifts as if something unseen is moving just beneath.
 
 You tilt your head curiously.
 
 The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "The fish don't sing, they're part of the music!"
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "...is bad if admit that kind of hoped they would sing."
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi leans a little closer to the river, then back again, pondering the waters nearer to him.
 
 Reality wavers and bucks, the world stopping and starting erratically around you. The sound of chisel upon stone and the felling of trees echoes across Lusternia as a Distant Timequake comes into existence.
 
 The water grows still once more as you feel something slide along your back, gurgling splutters and strange clicking noises echoing from just behind your head.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi slowly lifts his head from the water, staring at the banks across from him. A moment of silence, before looking back into the water, leaning forward, as if to catch a glimpse of what might be behind him.
 
 You think to yourself: ... do not make moves...
 
 The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "I'm not sure if there are singing fish somewhere. Probably."
 
 You think to yourself: .... s... s... s-s-s-s-singing fish....
 
 Confused gurgles reach your ears as you twist and turn to try and catch a glimpse of what lingers nearby. You catch the faintest glimpse of a strange, twisted shape attached to your back - or an empty space where the creature should be. You feel a numbness seeping into you as your vision begins to dim.
 
 The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "So what are you writing?"
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi takes a shaky step towards the bank, then stumbles as the feeling begins to flee from his limbs and vision growing dark. "W-wait," He whispers, reaching out a hand as if it might stop his sudden disorientation.
 
 You think to yourself: What is it.
 
 You think to yourself: What is it...
 
 The muted growl of a predator fills you with wariness.
 
 You think to yourself: What are you?
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi tries to look back over his shoulder again, forcing himself with all his might.
 
 Great waves crash over one another as they pour in from the southeast, finally swirling together before solidifying into Tridemon.
 
 Your vision suddenly snaps back to full focus and the numbness is replaced with a sharp, blinding pain at your last thought.
 
 You give a horrified gasp.
 
 What am I?
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi collapses suddenly, hands clutching his head as his knees break into the cold muddy banks of the river. He heaves for air, feeling at the ground.
 
 Tridemon blinks.
 
 Straining for breath, you ask, "What are you!?"
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... Are you talking to me?"
 
 Tridemon peers about himself unscrupulously.
 
 "WhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamIWhatamI" - a single, painful thought cleaves into your mind over and over. Then, with Tridemon's entrance, you feel the creature suddenly disengage in surprise, folding in upon itself and vanishing completely.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi opens his eyes, squinting as if his vision hurts before settling on Tridemon, disbelief on his face.
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "The only things here are you, me, and Bizirik."
 
 Tridemon removes a Brooch of Elemental Water.
 A Brooch of Elemental Water grows dim as the frothing water that makes up Tridemon's form collapses into a puddle out of which he rises, regaining his original form.
 
 Tridemon creases his brow in a frown.
 
 Tridemon spins slowly around in a circle, causing water to bubble and froth, becoming pure and clean.
 
 Tridemon stretches out his hand, intently focused as he murmurs ancient words of power. Sprays of ocean mist and surges of seawater accompany the ascent of a towering glacier as it rises to dominate the area at his behest.
 
 Tridemon stamps his foot, opening up a vent beneath the waves from which springs a warmer current.
 
 Waves crash together, sending gouts of salt spray up into the air.
 A current of warm water flows past you, the soothing warmth easing your pains and healing your wounds.
 An invigorating sea breeze carries restorative mists around Tridemon.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi folds his arms uncomfortably across his chest, leaning forward and trembling from antennae to foot. "T-T-The Auguries."
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "The Auguries?"
 
 Tridemon ponders the situation.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi blinks a few times, his trembling lessening as the anxiety begins to work its way out of his system. "...it was here... t-the thing they have seen. The clicking, the... -thing-!"
 
 Rambling on, terrified, you say, "A-and it doesn't know what it is!! It doesn't know what it is s-so, probably doesn't know, u-uhm."
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I'm... extremely confused. What clicking?"
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "There was something here, yes, but I'm not even remotely sure of what it was- I only saw space rippling behind you."
 
 The glowing fireflies confound your vision with their chaotic dance.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi finally works his way back to his feet, the effort seeming to take a great deal of energy in the process. "...space ... rippling..." He whispers, quickly reaching behind himself and touching his back.
 
 Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
 It is now the 7th of Vestian, 548 years after the Coming of Estarra.
 There are 6 days until the New Moon
 
 Nervous, you ask Tridemon, "Quick - is still there?"
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "Sit. Breathe. Focus on the mists that are warming you. Breathe. It's not there."
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It's gone."
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi continues to flail, though the motion seems significantly calmer than before.
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Breathe."
 
 Waving his arms, you say, "B-but, the Auguries saw it, and then Esei saw it - it... it..."
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "It was ..."
 
 The rowdy notes of a drinking song, faint at first, then rising to the undisputed intensity of a Dwarf On A Mission, herald the arrival of Ironbeard the Magnanimous who casts his beam of a smile about himself as he arrives.
 Bowing deeply, and a bit unstably, Ironbeard the Magnanimous pronounces his blessing, "A gift for Tridemon. Oh yes!"
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi leans forward, swaying in his spot as he tries to recount the event just moments before. "It was ... making this ... noise ... this, clicking, this ... cannot really describe. Like when do this, but..."
 
 You chitter at Tridemon with energetic clicks of your mandibles.
 
 You stare implacably at Ironbeard the Magnanimous.
 Ironbeard the Magnanimous's eyes twinkle enchantingly at you.
 
 With a sudden look of concentration, Ironbeard the Magnanimous smiles a crooked smile, rubs his ample stomach, and fades to nothingness, followed by the sound of a distant belch.
 
 You blink.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say to Tridemon, "And... could not -see- it. Was -there- but, it was painful to look at it."
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "And it was... -on- me, and then, was starting to get hard to breathe, and stand, and move..."
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "So, an overwhelming, otherworldly, insectoid being that burrows through space and time to bring you into an internal world of nothingness, lightlessness, spacelessness, despair, and pain?"
 
 You stare implacably at Tridemon.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say to Tridemon, "...n-no, It... didn't know what it was."
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say to Tridemon, "It was .... confused."
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "A-asked it what it was and it, it just ... it didn't know..."
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Well, if it doesn't know, why don't you tell it?"
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi touches his head, as if recalling something. He shakes his head a moment later.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "...you showed up before could answer it and think it got scared..."
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say to Tridemon, "T-there is ... a confused... -something- out there..."
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Hmm."
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Well... if it comes to you again, why don't you try giving it a name?"
 
 You blink.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "...a name..."
 
 Tridemon faces the shimmering glacier and closes his outstretched fist, the glacier shuddering and dissolving to his will.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi reaches back behind his head, touching his neck gingerly, a look of concern crossing his face.
 
 You think to yourself: ...almost saw it... almost...
 
 You think to yourself: How can find it, then...?
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Names are important."
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "If whatever it is doesn't have one, maybe it just needs one."
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi looks back at Tridemon, confused, fascinated, exhausted. "...oh..."
 
 You think to yourself: A name...
 
 The glowing fireflies confound your vision with their chaotic dance.
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "If you didn't have a name, I'm sure you'd be very confused, too. If only from people saying 'Hey, you' a lot."
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi stares at Tridemon, listening at half attention and watching the fireflies as they swarm about.
 
 Tridemon slips into a Brooch of Elemental Water.
 A Brooch of Elemental Water glows with a deep, blue light as small beads of water develop along Tridemon's body. In an instant, his physical form dissolves - twisting and turning in upon itself as it transforms to crystal blue waters. Through sheer force of will, Tridemon bends the liquid into a humanoid shape. A gentle mist forms around him as he finally assumes the form of water elemental.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi looks back off towards the north where the 'creature' fled, antennae raising in curiosity.
 
 The surrounding wildlife suddenly falls completely silent as a presence stalks through the area, whispers trailing behind it.
 
 You blink.
 
 You see the following people here:
 Tridemon, Gurashi.
 
 Tridemon peers about himself unscrupulously.
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... it occurs to me that this is very near the domain of Lord Shikari."
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi lifts his head suddenly, turning on his heels and attempting to brush the mud from his knees.
 
 Whispering nervously, you say to Tridemon, "Is not Lord Predator."
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Well, if you're certain."
 
 (Trasto): You say, "*crying*."
 
 You stare implacably at Tridemon.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi turns his attention towards the clearing, uncomfortable, but attempting to be polite. "...h-hello?"
 
 Bizirik, the leothin snorts.
 
 You feel a gaze fixed upon you, chill creeping into your carapace as icy fingers prod the area where the creature had previously attached itself.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi shudders, bowing his head and staring at the ground below, his wings snapping open and shut in response to the presence.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi practically burns a hole into the ground below, staring hard, tense.
 
 The whispers increase sharply in volume for a brief moment before a shimmer passes through the air - the presence seeming to vanish in an instant.
 
 You blink.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "...w-wait, are go..."
 
 Turning on heel, you ask, "Hello?"
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi twiddles his thumbs together, looking quite confused, disregarding the light coming from the Serenwilde. "Is ... looking for it."
 
 Your snout twitches and trembles at the air, sensing through a striped badger nose upon your face the faint traces of others in the surrounding area.
 You make out the scent of Tridemon coming from upon the banks of the Gloriana River.
 
 Looking north and pointing, you ask Tridemon, "Went that way, right?"
 
 Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I honestly couldn't tell."
 
 You flail about helplessly.
 
 Great Southern Highway approaching Gloriana Bridge. (road).
 The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. One or two light fluffy clouds drift lazily through the sky. Running parallel to the Southern Mountains, the highway meanders through the lower boundaries of the basin of civilization. The ground is smoothed by time, by feet, by beasts of burden, all of whom continually press down upon any vegetation who dares to try to shoot a sprout up in the path of commerce. The journey on this highway is as monotonous as it is dependable, as the landscape is mostly made up of an expanse of moors and fields that stretch off towards the Southern Mountains to the south and the Inner Sea to the north. A statue of Crumkane stands here, memorialising His noble spirit. A carriage pulled by two dashros travels here.
 You see exits leading southeast, south, and west.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi looks this way and that, squinting, as if trying to see anything extraordinary.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you ask Bizirik, the leothin, "... have a good nose! Where did They go?"
 
 Bizirik, the leothin stares at you, bewildered, snorting and tossing its head.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say to Bizirik, the leothin, "...well figure it out!!?"
 
 Bizirik, the leothin snorts again.
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Are SURE did not see what direction went??"
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "T-think was Lord Silence - think was looking for whatever thing was."
 
 Great Southern Highway. (road).
 The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. It is quite mild. A statue of Crumkane stands here, memorialising His noble spirit.
 You see exits leading east and west.
 
 You sweat profusely as you wring your hands nervously.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "Left, right, left right."
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi covers his eyes, whispering to himself and counting back and forth.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi finally winds up pointing to the right, peering through his fingers.
 
 You peer about yourself unscrupulously.
 
 Gloriana Bridge. (road).
 The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. There is but a light breeze blowing. The road continues to the northwest across this ancient stone bridge. The grey granite blocks are scarred and cracked with time, whilst the actual pathway across has been worn smooth by the passage of many feet and hooves. The Gloriana River flows down from the southern mountains to these grasslands, its muddy waters flowing fast and strong towards Bondero Bay. A statue of Crumkane stands here, memorialising His noble spirit.
 You see exits leading southeast and northwest.
 
 The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "It was just whispers, stalking through the area. No direction to it when it vanished. It just... vanished."
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "...hnn."
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Something very weird is going on, and is not related to Lady Enchantress, or Lady of Roses do not think."
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Was weird. Felt -weird-. have never felt something that -weird- before."
 
 Calling out over the bridge, you say, "Hellooooooo~Oo?"
 
 The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Well, at least it sounds like it wasn't turning your brain inside out on purpose."
 
 The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "... Oh, right, you never said what it was you were writing?"
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "O-oh..."
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi pauses at the edge of the bridge, sighing heavily as he peers over it.
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Just working on song for Festival's contest."
 
 A faint gurgling replies to your call.
 
 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Is only thing that want to participate in, so hope can do Lady of Roses proud... is tough to please, think!"
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi leans heavily on his arm, staring down at the water. He scans the surface, antennae raised in interest.
 
 Bizirik, the leothin continues further down the bridge, hopping up against the railing for a moment to let the wind whip through its coat. It licks its lips and hops down again, thrumming a soft, melodic little tune.
 
 Something moves just beneath the surface of the water, twisting its way slowly towards the bridge.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi blinks, watching the water's surface...
 
 Very gently, you ask, "...hello...?"
 
 Bizirik, the leothin sticks its nose through one of the gaps in the bridge, snorting softly, unable to see the goings-on.
 
 Clickclickclick comes a reply from somewhere behind you.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi pauses, then straightens, mandibles clicking softly in response.
 
 You click your mandibles together energetically, chittering to yourself.
 
 The shape still twists its way through the river, but more gurgling echoes off from behind as well as farther down the bridge.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi stays very still, keeping his eyes on the water and slowly moving closer to the source of the sound. "...are O-K ...?" He chitters gently, not sure what he's looking for, and very aware of the lingering presence behind him.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you sing, "...hellooo~o~?"
 
 You can sense multiple forms circling you, spluttering noises drawing a little closer with each passing moment.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi trembles a bit, lifting his head, carefully scanning his periphery before truly looking. He reaches into a pouch on his bag, then holds out... a single cookie.
 
 You drop a white chocolate and peppermint solstice cookie.
 
 You suddenly scoop up a white chocolate and peppermint solstice cookie.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi stares at the cookie. Bizirik joins in the staring, nostrils flaring.
 
 You think to yourself: ...stay there cookie.
 
 You drop a white chocolate and peppermint solstice cookie.
 
 You suddenly scoop up a white chocolate and peppermint solstice cookie.
 
 Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.
 
 Suddenly the shape beneath the water charges forward, and the gurgling noises around you begin to close in with alarming speed.
 
 Raising his hands, you say, "Wh-whoawaitwhataredoing."
 
 In a panicked, high voice, you exclaim, "Have like fifty cookies can s-share!"
 
 You catch the faintest glimpse of an outline as the form is suddenly inches from your face - then reality briefly peels back and you feel something physically lift you through a rift in space.
 
 Trail through the woods.
 A fresh breeze is blowing through the area. The oaks and ashes are thick here, weaved with dying brambles, heather and gorse to form a natural barrier. Only a small trail of grass separates this vegetation, an animal trail or dried brook perhaps. The trees are scraggly and broken, some thin sticks with no greenery at all, others decorated by mangy patches of growth along their mottled trunks. A blackthorn sapling clings tenaciously to the ground here. An elder ravenwood tree thrusts up from the ground here, the air around it thick and dark.
 You see exits leading southeast and northwest.
 You are transported by the power of the Divine.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "Oof."
 
 You give a horrified gasp.
 
 Staggering and catching his breath, you say, "Oh - uungh."
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "Bizi..."
 
 You put your fingers in your mouth and let out a high-pitched whistle, then hope for the best.
 Bizirik, the leothin trots in with head high.
 
 You hug Bizirik, the leothin compassionately.
 Perking up, Bizirik, the leothin begins to chitter and thrum, its tail sweeping back and forth across the ground. It cranes its neck to gently headbutt your side contentedly.
 
 Bewildered, you say, "W-what was that."
 
 "Be careful what prey you hunt, little one..."
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi looks about, frowning. "What is it??" He asks insistently. "Peoples have been seeing it... do know??"
 
 Bowing forward, as if trying to see beneath a hidden veil, you ask, "...is you Mister Lord Silence? Are feeling better?"
 
 Continuing the hunt for his dark mate, Father Sun presses forward in his journey, lowering himself in the sky yet still casting even, full light upon the land.
 
 Bizirik, the leothin snorts, tossing its head and looking about gleefully.
 
 You think to yourself: ...was about to die?
 
 You crease your brow in a frown.
 
 You think to yourself: Hello...?
 
 You sweat profusely as you wring your hands nervously.
 
 You think to yourself: Heck, oh heck.
 
 You think to yourself: Xenthos and Rancoura and Snald and Crek, none are awake.
 
 You think to yourself: O-K O-K, uhm already told Rancoura sort of, oh gosh.
 
 You think to yourself: What -was- that thing...!
 
 After a long, dazed pause, you ask, "...are we all in danger?"
 
 Waggling a finger at nothing, you say, "Because think if are in danger is job to let us know."
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "...please."
 
 The wind whistles eerily through the branches overhead.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi sighs, shivering again and tightening his cloak over his shoulders. He rests a reassuring hand on Bizirik's back. "Is O-K... will tell them next month and will be fine."
 
 You crease your brow in a frown.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "But... it was like one and many..."
 
 You think to yourself: Why is Lord Silence looking for it?
 
 You think to yourself: Is something that can tell Lady Rancoura...
 
 Your mandibles twitch slightly as you voice a brief, curious chirr.
 
 **walky toward home**
 
 You think to yourself: Is here though, and not at home.
 
 Bursting open, the clouds in the sky release a light pitter-patter of rain.
 
 You pet Bizirik, the leothin ingratiatingly.
 Perking up, Bizirik, the leothin begins to chitter and thrum, its tail sweeping back and forth across the ground. It cranes its neck to gently headbutt your side contentedly.
 
 GO HOME
 You portal to The Hoard and the Hive.
 A chilling, forestal curiosities room.
 The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The first discernible sensation upon entering this room is a mixture of earthy smells; mulch, petrichor, decaying wood, and the heady scent of Wyrden roses saturate the air. As one's eyes adjust to the darkness, barely abated by shadowflame sconces hung on the walls, tall figures begin to emerge. Expansive shelves carved to look like tree trunks seem to grow out of the floor and reach clear to the ceiling. The moss-green rug has been cut to fit neatly between each root and around each curve, giving the illusion of springy turf underfoot. Gently glowing fungi, which seem to be growing out of the shelves at random, make it just possible to see their contents. On one shelf, a scorched dragonturtle shell and a dried starfish sit beside a glistening glasswork recreation of a pile of salmon roe. On another, a pair of arrows with heart-shaped heads are arranged with one crossed over the other, and a scented love-letter lies on top of them. Other shelves are crammed with an increasingly peculiar assortment of knickknacks: an ice pick, a tiny red stone, a dusty brown bottle with "Alchywhole" written in a barely legible script, a cuddly stuffed Tae'dae bear, a miniature rockeater figurine, an ornate ivory pipe, a pile of glittering Czigany coins, and a charm bracelet that looks to be of Fae origin. One rather macabre shelf holds a coiled slave master's whip and a skull that appears to have belonged to a Krokani before it made its way here. Still other shelves lie bare, waiting to be filled with more mementos of adventure to come, and in the corner of one of them a tiny black spider has made its web. Hanging from fine silver, this large snowflake lantern has light blue gems dangling beneath it, causing a gentle sway. A broad glass-faced display rack for musical instruments stands proudly here. A painting of Gurashi's Staring Contest is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall. A painting of blackthorn thicket has been thrown on the ground here. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. A painting of "Harvest" has been thrown on the ground here. A painting of A Wee Highland Cow has been thrown on the ground here. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system.
 You see exits leading north and south (closed door).
 
 You are exhausted and open your mouth in an enormous yawn.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say, "...what even was it ... was not like a bug, do not think. Not like me."
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi ponders Bizirik closely, then cups her face in his hands, studying her closely. "You can make sound again, yes? For when see Lady Rancounra?"
 
 Bizirik, the leothin snorts once, lips peeling back as it makes an eerily similar clickclickclick to the creature from before. Immediately after, it yawns, looking around boredly.
 
 You pet Bizirik, the leothin ingratiatingly.
 Perking up, Bizirik, the leothin begins to chitter and thrum, its tail sweeping back and forth across the ground. It cranes its neck to gently headbutt your side contentedly.
 
 Faintly buzzing, you say to Bizirik, the leothin, "Good girl. Very good."
 
 Bizirik, the leothin leans on you seeking consolation.
 
 You have emoted: Gurashi lifts his head, staring off into the dark, quiet hallways of his manse as he consolingly pets his leothin. "Is a bad feeling," He whispers.