video;

[bearshermark]

[The feed opens to Elliott outside one of the portals]

H-hey so, the temple is empty!

[He glances back over his shoulder like he might be able to see the temple through the portal if he tries]

...Or it was a few minutes ago anyway, but I think this is the best chance we're going to get. We can end this corruption if someone else with a full set of stones comes with me to the altar.

And uh, maybe a few other people just in case? It's a little wild over there right now.

Comments

[darkforcerising]

What does the altar have to do with stopping this weird corruption stuff?

[he needs just a little more info]

[bearshermark]

Oh right, you weren't there.

Uh, well a bunch of us found Nadej's altar and released Her- Strach was already released by the looks of it- and we found an inscription saying that if the stones were replaced to be in balance, then the deities and everything would be- well, balanced again.

[darkforcerising]

Huh. I guess it's worth a try.

Why would this problem have a solution I understand with the laws of the natural world.

Might as well be stones on an altar.

[bearshermark]

I mean it is a different world.

[darkforcerising]

I'm biased. I think the laws of physics should be universal.

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[hardtoignore]

I can come if you need a backup set of stones. There’s eight, right?

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[bearshermark]

Yeah! Great. I'll see you there, then?

[hardtoignore]

You got it!

I tried to get a sketch of the alter before but they were pretty stingy about it. Guess I won’t have someone trying to rush me out now.

[bearshermark]

Yeah, I'm sure you'll have time for that now. I doubt it, but I kind of wonder if the altar will change it all once the stones are fixed properly.

[hardtoignore]

As long as it doesn’t change into anything gaudy and gold! I kind of appreciate how humble it is right now.

[bearshermark]

Eugh. Let's hope that was just a side effect of Neved's ignorance, yeah. Awful taste. Definitely something to be said for more natural cut stone.

[hardtoignore]

>Riiiight?! I mean, I’m all for kintsugi style stuff, gold is a great accent, but just using that and nothing else is never beautiful.

>Well, not NEVER because I’ve seen some nice POC ladies in fancy gold dresses that absolutely slay. But gold only in all your decor just makes you look tacky on top of being a show off.

[bearshermark]

I get what you mean. But yeah, hopefully with everything in balance, the temple will eventually redecorate to a more tasteful look.

[hardtoignore]

Yeah! I can't wait to see it. I sketched it before to try and get in Neved's good graces but that guy just ran away from me when that happened. Not sure what that was about.

[bearshermark]

Yeah, I dunno. I don't think anyone's seen him since still either.

[hardtoignore]

You know, for a guy who seems like he wants to be seen, that's pretty suspicious....

[bearshermark]

Yeah, it is. I thought he might have been the one we were following in that cave for awhile, but he wasn't so I dunno what to think. I hope he's okay or this might not work after all.

[hardtoignore]

>Well, if your theory is right and he's some sort of god or whatevs I doubt he'd be easy to kill at least. Maybe just get more corrupted?

>Oh, but he acted like he was scared when he saw me. Do you think it was Stratch affecting him too?

[bearshermark]

Dunno, I guess it depends how human he is- or any of them are? Think a text says Strach corrupted human hearts specifically. Who knows, really. All we can do is try. And maybe pray a little.

[hardtoignore]

>But they are acting human, and they look human enough. Maybe just having the bodies of humans is enough?

>Ngl, never prayed before in my life.

[bearshermark]

>Idk man.

>Me neither really, but I'll give it a try. Just not sure who to pray to. Worshipping only one of them is how this happened to start with. Maybe just all of them? However that works? I could pray to Yggdrasil but not sure that would help. It's more complicated than I thought.

[hardtoignore]

Praying seems like something that would only work for people who have a connection to them though, don't you think? Wouldn't it be, idk hypocritical of me to pray to them? Maybe I can just think positive thoughts for them to get better? Like sending a mental get well card? Jeez, that sounds lame but it's all I can think of.

[bearshermark]

Idk. I think obviously if you don't really believe in them, it'd be hypocritical..

Maybe I'll try Yggdrasil after all to be safe.

[hardtoignore]

That might be best. Don't wanna piss them off and make them stomp on your hard work.

[bearshermark]

Yeah no, the situation is too serious for something like that now.

[hardtoignore]

Welp, I can't help pray at all really but I'll be there for emotional support. Mental support? Can't really count on me getting physical with anyone.

[bearshermark]

Hey, that works. Happy for all the help I can get.

[hardtoignore]

Sure thing.

Imma grab some sandwiches and meet you there. I know we could probably eat in the market just fine after setting the stones, but if something weird happens we might want to have a backup supply just in case.

[Like if this turned out to be like a video game and they triggered some trap that got them locked inside the temple or something.]

[bearshermark]

Alright. Guess it could take longer than expected, too. I'm waiting for a few people so hopefully we can all go together.

[hardtoignore]

Sounds good. If we have a bigger team there's more of us to... I guess fight back if we end up having to do something like that.

[bearshermark]

Yeah. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that, but this is too important. We can't let anyone interfere, even if we have to forcefully keep everyone else out of the temple. Things should calm down when it's done.

[hardtoignore]

Yeesh. Then I hope someone with some muscle comes with us because I'm not the type to hold people back. I'd just get picked up and carried away.

Think you just having a sword could help scare some off if they try to crash?

[bearshermark]

It's been helping lately. I'm just afraid someone's going to call my bluff. I know how use it, but I don't want to actually hurt people, so.. Hoping for a few intimidating types myself, yeah.

[hardtoignore]

Maybe I could make my magic flash in my hands? It might scare some people away?

[bearshermark]

The corruption is supposed to be rooted in fear,
so maybe, if we have to. I could draw my sword, too.

But we'll worry about that only if it comes to it. Hopefully it doesn't.

[hardtoignore]

... Fear can make people do some crazy things.

But fair enough. You let me know if anything changes, but I'm going to get ready and head out.

[bearshermark]

Okay, will do. I'll see you there.

video;

[traceofeffort]

[Lisa's reply is... quick but not as quick as it usually is? The reason is made evident when the video kicks on; she's wearing not only a different outfit than she was when he picked her up this morning, but it looks like a comfortable T-shirt and shorts, with a towel wrapped around her hair, and no makeup. In exchange, she looks healthier all around - her eyes are still a little bloodshot but definitely not as bad as they were, and the veins are largely faded, though you can still see them. Not much to be done for the bruises, unfortunately, but it's a start? As she talks, she's not sitting still, apparently rushing to get ready - it might be a tiny bit hard to hear her as she scurries, but as she moves away she lets her tone pick up.]

Give me fifteen minutes, I'll be there. I've got a full set of stones and change and I've had enough of all this. Besides, sword or not, do you really think I'd let you do this without at least someone to watch your back? [Her tone's playful, but she looks like she's not going to take please stay home for an answer.]

video;

[bearshermark]

[Elliott laughs, then grins]

Yeah, fair. It's just for show, really. I mean I can use it, but I don't want to actually stab people, you know? Anyway, I'll wait for you.

[smilingarmor]

I don't have a full set, but if you need an extra set of eyes or hands, you can count me in, Elliot darling. This whole business has been hitting a bit too close to home lately for my taste, and we need to end it, for both worlds' sakes.

[bearshermark]

Yeah! Could definitely use a couple more people to make sure we make it there and aren't interrupted if the priests come back. We really can't afford to delay this anymore.

[smilingarmor]

[Emberto nods.]

Give me a few minutes then, darling, and I'll meet you by that portal; I think I know where it is.

[bearshermark]

We'll wait for you here then, thanks!