More Calipso than your patience has room for

Calipso tells you, "Ah finally, I find you."
Calipso tells you, "Havent been able to find you for ages."
Calipso tells you, "Have some time to talk?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "I might. What did you need?"
Calipso tells you, "Mmm, 5 cases we need to discuss."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "If you're fine discussing like this, I've got time. You've
caught me elbow-deep in some enchanting work I needed to do."
Calipso tells you, "Ah wonderfuly."
Calipso tells you, "Firstly, the Idreth."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Oh?"
Calipso tells you, "Apparently from the lore I reviewed, it was you at the time that came
upon the technique to ascend into an Idreth."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "I was the first, yes."
Calipso tells you, "And you found it within the Hall of Tornos? How did that happen
exactly?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "I recieved word from the Delve lads who'd been picking
around in the ruins that they'd found some Ankyrean texts related to the technique.
Ostensibly none of them had ever succeeded, but the theory was sound, so with a bit of
numerological application I was able to trigger the process."
Calipso tells you, "Interesting..hmm."
Calipso tells you, "And it was Ankyrean you say? hmm."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Indeed. Written in Kalsu and all."
Calipso tells you, "Hmm."
Calipso tells you, "So the Ankyreans already had the technique to ascension down..
question is what did they use it for. They certainly were not idreths."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "...Did you actually listen to what it was I said?"
Calipso tells you, "Yes."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Then I'm lost as to how you come to an erroneous conclusion.
"
Calipso tells you, "You said they had found ankyrean text in the ruins yes?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Yes. I also said that none of the had succeeded, and that
it was necessary to modify the tecnnique found in the documents to have it succeed."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "So no, they did not 'have it down'."
Calipso tells you, "Ah, I thought you meant the Delve researches had not succeeded in
manipulating it. Apologies."
Calipso tells you, "Researchers, rather."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "You'll find the Delve lads find the flailing about our
Ankyreans did to be an amusement at best."
Calipso tells you, "Oh my."
Calipso tells you, "That is worrisome."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Is it?"
Calipso tells you, "Quite. For centuries we have looked to the workings of the Ankyrean
as almost godlike processes, to think those from Albedos view them as feeble may mean
that they have seen much more powerful workings there."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "The Ankyreans, by and large, were a bunch of egotistical
gits. They were clever at times, but they were also awfully crude. As for technology and
what they've seen over on Albedos- well, you weren't alive for the Dreikathi war, so it's
understandable if the fact that they're much advanced from us catches you by surprise."
Calipso tells you, "Mm, however they did do workings far beyond what we can achieve today.
"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "You're overestimating their ability and underestimating the
potential of mortals."
Calipso tells you, "Except for tapping into theIdreth."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Current mortals, rather."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "...'tapping into'? You make it sound as if the process is
some mystical force."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Severn's beard, what are they teaching cabalists these days.
.."
Calipso tells you, "Mmm, consider it. Can we recreate the artifacts sold by Qeddwyn? The
enhanced non-decaying enchantments the magi hold?"
Calipso tells you, "The stormcaller experiment."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Consider this in response- has anyone bothered to put the
time and effort the Ankyreans did into the study of that?"
Calipso tells you, "I believe so yes, it is simply out of grasp."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "I'd like to hear who you think has put that much time and
effort and resources into the development of such things."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Names, if you please."
Calipso tells you, "I have even reviewed scrolls that speak of how the Ankyreans were
faster, stronger, smarter. They could decipher a foreign languae just by a few heard
words and gestures."
Calipso tells you, "Hmm, have you?"
Calipso tells you, "I would be surprised if I have heard you havent."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "I have no names, because by and large, nobody cares enough
for the sciences to actually attempt what the Ankyreans did. They're fine just using
relics and nodding dumbly when someone says 'an Ankyrean did it' as an explanation for
how it works."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "As for the supposed greatness of Ankyreans, it's easy to
blow the memory of a dead race out of proportion. What else are people going to embellish
around the campfire?"
Calipso tells you, "Mm, it was the detailed report of a Dreikathi actually."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Pardon?"
Calipso tells you, "Comparing each race seen and discovered upon their first journey here
centuries ago."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "And it's got a Dreikathi signature on it, does it? And we
even know what that looks like?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "It's also easy to misjudge the greatness of a civilisation
that's had time to develop while everyone else is just banging rocks together."
Calipso tells you, "It was deciphered from texts found within Tarissa's digsite."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Here's a word of advice for you, scholar. Putting anyone on
a pedestal is detrimental to proper science. You allow bias to cloud your data and
judgements."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "So we found a scrap of parchment in a dig-site. There's no
documentation for who wrote the thing except that it's assumed to be an Albedi."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "You could be reading the scribblings of a grunt who dreamed
he was a scholar. You could be reading the embellished concoction of a bard, for all you
know."
Calipso tells you, "Mm, I only detail the findings I have and the facts that present
themselves. It is simply fact that the Ankyreans accomplished much more than any of us
have ever done. Even the gods themselves viewed the Ankyreans with a measure of respect
and awe at their accomplishments. We have seen the workings of the Ankyreans present
themselves to us time and again and only stare dumbstruck and think "how did they make
this..". Yes I agree that the world was for a very long time following around upon ideals
of "Ankyrean this and that", but you cannot deny that the Ankyreans -were- infact
established in their workings and quite powerful."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "It is a fact that the Ankyreans achieved plenty that those
of our epoch have not. It is also a fact that nobody of our epoch has invested the time,
effort and resources that the Ankyreans did into their research. We have various texts
that sing the praises of the Ankyreans, but quite frankly, they're all dead and that's
the only other fact we have. Any more than that and you're edging into daydreams and
fantasy."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "The unscientific enjoy campfire tales of amazing creatures
that could learn a language from a word and craft mighty things as easily as breathing."
Calipso tells you, "Mm I agree, but we are now in an age where research and discovery are
abundant. Perhaps we could take the necessary steps to begin the path on progress
ourselves."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "You'd need a society of scientific minds, for that."
Calipso tells you, "Ah how I love how your mind works."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "And in regard to that notion, all I can do is gesture
helplessly at the city and the world at large."
Calipso tells you, "I came to the same conclusion months ago."
Calipso tells you, "Well then, moving on. I know of the events that lead to your leaving
of the Cabal, why have you never seeked to return though?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "The word you want is 'sought'."
Calipso tells you, "Yes.."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "In any case. At first, I had wanted to give the Cabal space.
 Allow the younger generation a chance at forging a way forward without me breathing down
their neck."
Calipso tells you, "With grammatical corrections im sure."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Eventually, though... the reason became disappointment."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "It seems the damage Helios did ran deeper than I thought,
because I haven't seen the Cabal recover. It's nothing like it used to be."
Calipso tells you, "Sigh, I have said the same. When I discovered of Helios' doing to the
Cabal...I felt a deep scar in the Guild."
Calipso tells you, "So many members left, so much of its spark was put out."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "It breaks my heart to see, and what could I do if I came
back? Try to wrestle it back under my grasp and piece it back together? There's even more
work to do than when I took the reins."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Besides that, the current Conduit seems to condone having a
known child-molester in her guild, and that is not a climate I wish to return to. I spent
years working to keep my novices safe from that man, so his immediate welcoming back-
well."
Calipso tells you, "Mmm, I understand, and I have had Ezrax put in his place. It seems he
is constantly with Gtoff and refusing to speak to guild members."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Funny, that. Did you know that trick gets him even more
novices than when he isn't sulking?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "They innocently go asking him why his name is red, and then
he's got a conversation to start and weasel his way into them."
Calipso tells you, "Blech."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "I warned everyone I could, about that man, but it seems
that the Cabal doesn't wish to learn from the past, and make its own mistakes all over
again. Gods help me, the guild is my home, but I think I can be forgiven for being
somewhat exasperated at this point."
Calipso tells you, "Yes, I have said as much to the Conduit about him, even telling her
of how he attempted to advance on me when I joined."
Calipso tells you, "He is slowly being pushed out. I wont rest until he is."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Good luck on that one. He made a mistake, with me. I doubt
he's deteriorated far enough to make it again."
Calipso tells you, "Oh, he apparently is refusing to speak to the leadership now and wont
be assisting the guild in any way until the leadership is gone. I have enough on him now
to have him gone. He was removed from council too. I love this guild too much to have a
pedophile have his way here."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Yes, he sulked like that with us, too. Luckily, I had a
council at the time who were unified and focused enough to hand down a firm directive-
when he was found to be violating this, he arced up and laid a slice of insubordination
on top of his crimes and that was enough to eject him from the guild."
Calipso tells you, "Until Helios with all this benevolence let him back in."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Helios was ammassing folk who'd vote for him. It was
blatant enough. Unfortunately, he was such a moron that he didn't realise that Ezrax is
rather adept at manipulation. He may be a decrepit old man now, but in his prime he was a
hell of a politician."
Calipso tells you, "How is it a moron like Helios was able to even get such a position?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "When a guild is quiet for a long time, folk start to resent
the leadership. That was how he won the first election, folk blaming me for the guild's
static situation rather than looking at themselves."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "As for the second election... well, I've no explanation for
that. Ask the Cabal why they wanted him, I suppose."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "It was at that point that I began to suspect that the guild
was getting what it deserved."
Calipso tells you, "Mm, you concocted a rather lovely novice advancement system."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Not lovely enough, apparently. It and the old Academy were
overdue for an overhaul by the time Helios started making a mess, but I'd not the help
nor the time to do it personally."
Calipso tells you, "Mm. Are you currently part of a guild?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "I am not."
Calipso tells you, "Hmm."
Calipso tells you, "When I first joined the guild, I was told my spark and unquenchable
desire for knowledge were what the guild had been missing for quite some time."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "It is true that the Cabal had suffered a dearth of
enthusiastic minds for quite some time."
Calipso tells you, "I was then even spoken to by some senior members and told how they
saw much life in me, no pun intended."
Calipso tells you, "Mm, I was even told that the current members were simply burnt out
from drama of the past, and for that reason so many were quiet."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Anyone who tells you that is kidding themselves."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "The Cabal has long been full of folk who barely string
three words together in a year."
Calipso tells you, "So then, what has changed?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "The only difference between my Cabal and the current one is
that there's nobody left in the current one that knows enough to actually teach. That and
the critical inexperience of youth which seems to be sufficient to keep the associated
enthusiasm and drive in check."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "And the undesirables I suppose, that's different, but
that's something you young ones are going to need to learn to handle if you're to succeed.
"
Calipso tells you, "Mmm I think you will see some rather nice changes in time."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "If that ends up occurring, well, it'll be a pleasant
surprise."
Calipso tells you, "And you are right about young leadership. It is good to give them the
reins. They tend to be less burnt out heh."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "I haven't seen evidence yet of improvement, unfortunately."
Calipso tells you, "I only got seven hand a few months ago. Give it time."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Well. I'll be watching- I always am."
Calipso tells you, "Yes, next case."
Calipso tells you, "Ahem. During your time as Conduit and within the Cabalist guild, did
you ever attempt to research and discover other skills that were more cabalist genre than
domination and such?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Last group who tried that were the Qu'dun, I think you'll
find. I had my work cut out getting folk to properly explore Numerology, let alone try
and think of new things. Besides that, resources were scarce for new ventures."
Calipso tells you, "Mmm."
Calipso tells you, "Going back to the halls of Tornos. It seems that once again another
biological laboratory and medical site was descovered where the Ankyreans did their
little plays at attempting to be gods. I wonder, did you ever find any backings or
research as to the methods they used?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Nothing in the way of documentation has been dug up on
those topics, no. A large proportion of Ankyrean documentation seems to have not
withstood the test of time, or been hidden remarkably well."
Calipso tells you, "Mmm."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Am I supposed to glean something from that response?"
Calipso tells you, "It seems to be all connected really, perhaps even they finally
accomplished their greatest work being Amal."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Amal was far from their greatest work. His full name was
'Amalgamated soldier prototype one'."
Calipso tells you, "Hmm."
Calipso tells you, "I wonder if they ever created the perfected form."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "If they did, we've not found it. Amal didn't know anything
about it, either."
Calipso tells you, "Perhaps beneath the ruins he was found in exists some form of stasis
prison holding the 'prepared soldiers' that were to war with the Dreikathi."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "You're welcome to try digging for it."
Calipso tells you, "Ah yes but I am missing my point. All these laboratories and surgical
rooms, even some in Spinesreach. It is far to say that the Ankyrean had established some
form of anatomical skill."
Calipso tells you, "Even to the point of creating life it seems, such as Amal."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Wish there was some documentation on how they got the
grafts to take. Not an easy feat, that."
Calipso tells you, "Yes, not to mention how in the world they cultivated the specimens."
Calipso tells you, "My next research project is discovering more into this skill."
Calipso tells you, "Perhaps even if successful, presenting it to the cabal for our
scientific workings."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Well, don't expect it to come out of nowhere without
decades of work and documentation."
Calipso tells you, "Like Numerology?"
Calipso tells you, "Sorry couldnt help it."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Advances in Numerology come of decades of research and
documentation too, yes."
Calipso tells you, "But the skill was pretty much discovered out of no where."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "...No it wasn't."
Calipso tells you, "Eocik was just a farmer."
Calipso tells you, "Well..re-discovered anyway."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "...Yes. Who found the collected decades of work and
documentation left behind by the Ankyreans."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "If you equate finding a cache to performing a successful
study and experimentation, it seems my loss of faith in the Cabal is warranted."
Calipso tells you, "Yes yes, but I am pretty much attempting to do the same thing. To
find the ankyreans' workings upon the subject."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "I thought you said your next research project was working
on their methods."
Calipso tells you, "On discovering them yes."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "A research project is different to a hopeful excavation."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Panning for gold is not the same as examining and
developing methods to extract or alchemise it."
Calipso tells you, "There are several sites within the land, I will be taking samples and
any information I can gather and attempting to see what I can salvage."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Well, I wish you luck. The SRS can supply resources and
funding as necessary."
Calipso tells you, "Ah thank you! I dont think that will be necessary though..at least I
hope not."
Calipso tells you, "Perhaps in time I may need to create a vat of sorts."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Wait, so you are talking about making your own studies
after all?"
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Are you panning for gold, child, or are you trying to make
it? You're not going to get anywhere if you keep jumping all over the place with little
clue of what direction you're pointing."
Calipso tells you, "Well at first I would be researching exactly how the Ankyreans did it
of course, I need to start somewhere. Afterwards I will be attempting to replicate and
create my own projects yes."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "I don't like your chances of finding useable documentation
any time soon, unfortunately."
Calipso tells you, "If there is a will there is a way."
Calipso tells you, "Besides there is already a surgical room within Spinesreach, so at
least I know where I can start everything."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "It's barely a useable facility at all. The room we had
built onto the Chamber of Disciples is much more suitable."
Calipso tells you, "Mmm, perhaps..im not sure if it would be big enough though..not to
mention the bodily stenches that may pervade the lounge next door."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "It is a scientific facility designed for scientific
pursuits. Are you telling me people aren't using it because they're worried about the
nonexistent people that sit around in the Chambers? Severn's teeth, what next."
Calipso tells you, "Mm, Severn's nose perhaps?"
Calipso tells you, "Hehe."
Calipso tells you, "I'll be sure to check both facilities to see functionality and use."
Calipso tells you, "Oh my, you are right, the guild laboratory is -much- more well
equipped."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "One wonders how you managed to become Seven-hand without
even a complete understanding of the guild's own facilities."
Calipso tells you, "Oh come now Eleanor, you musnt be so snippy all the time. I hadnt
considered anatomical studies before and simply never noticed."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "That is Director to you."
Calipso tells you, "Very well."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Folk don't get to use my birth-name unless I've said that
they can."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "And besides that- the Seven-hand is supposed to have a
solid grounding in all aspects of the Cabal and the world around them. How else are they
to teach it to the novices?"
Calipso tells you, "I suppose I could always hand the position over to Ezrax, he did seem
eager for it."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Oh my, do I detect a little bit of upset?"
Calipso tells you, "Perhaps alittle taste of my own snippiness I suppose."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Toughen up, youngster. You won't make it far if you can't
roll with the consequences of poor conversational handling."
Calipso tells you, "Well I must rest, be well Director."
You tell Seven-Hand Calipso, "Take care."