calderamemes | TDM #6

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!tdm

TDM #6

ARRIVAL

It happens in an instant. A heavy weight in your gut, a trembling of your limbs, the world spins and you barely have time to register that you're falling before you lose consciousness. And when you awaken, it's not where you were last. Dark, unadorned oak walls surround you in a tiny room, the only furniture the bed you are currently resting upon, and the bedside table with a folded piece of parchment resting atop it that simply reads:

"The Tavernkeeper is awaiting your arrival downstairs."

As you exit you find others like yourself emerging from the surrounding rooms. You are indeed in a tavern, but there is no hustle and bustle one might think to hear in such a place. The only person down on the main floor is a humanoid figure wiping down the bar, who smiles when they see you. They're familiar, but not, and you can't quite place their face. For some reason, however, their presence is comforting and warm.

"Welcome, Visitor. I'm sure you have a lot of questions."

And you most certainly do.

Due to popular demand, the starter tavern and the drinks provided are available to in game characters via a portal accessible only to those with a faction gem.

DRINK MENU

SHADOW ELIXER an inky black liquid that seems to absorb light rather than reflect it. Grants temporary invisibility in darkness, but also makes the drinker whisper secrets unknowingly.

WIDOWS KISS A velvety red-black wine. One sip fills you with irresistible charm.

FOOL'S ECLIPSE A deep, glossy black drink with a golden swirl that never fully mixes in. Every sip tastes slightly different: sometimes sweet, sometimes sour, sometimes oddly salty for no reason at all. After one drink, the drinker's speech becomes hilariously jumbled, replacing random words with completely unrelated ones.

BLURBERRY FIZZ A deep blue liquid that constantly fizzess with tiny silver bubbles. When poured, the bubbles briefly form random shapes: sometimes a cat, sometimes a shoe, sometimes... a tiny screaming face (but only for a second). The drinker will also hiccup tiny, harmless floating bubbles for five minutes.

VEIL OF MIDNIGHTA crystal-clear vodka cocktail with shifting black, shadowy swirls that never settle. Causes the drinker's shadow to detach and do whatever it wants for five minutes.

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY

As the effects of your drink wear off, the Tavernkeeper speaks once more:

"It is time, my friends, for you to find your new homes."

You are compelled to walk through the only door leading out of the tavern, finding yourself not outside, but in a deep black, seemingly endless room with five portals arranged in a circle. As the last of you leave and the door closes behind you, gone when you look back again and replaced with nothing but that black void, three of the portals illuminate:

The first portal is surrounded by an almost blinding light, prismatic rainbows shining brightly in the dewy air outside of the tavern. A soft breeze may gently caress you, pulling you toward it. The portal seems to lead to a city in the clouds, airships and winged beings of all sorts soaring through the skies. Of the little bits of visible land, much of it boasts giant waterfalls that look like clouds melting into the land below. The portal calls to those who crave independence and freedom; and especially to anyone that wishes to find the strong bond of a family not forged in blood.

The second portal is encircled by a fairy ring of spotted white-capped mushrooms, the faint scent of damp stone and rich earth wafting from within the faint green glow. Peering inside, one can see a sprawling harbor city of gray-hewn stone, a melting pot of humanoid beings going about their day, and beyond, rolling green farmland and cottages clustered in small villages. This portal is destined for those who crave stability and solid ground beneath their feet. A simple life, an adventurous one, and everything in between can be found within.

The last portal is adorned with broken shells and torn seaweed, the glow of blue around it flickering like a dying flame. Beyond it, you see a city housed inside a massive bubble deep under the ocean, its once-grand spiraling towers cracked and crumbling in places, encrusted with coral and debris from the destruction that came before. The streets are bustling, but an underlying tension lingers. Outside the bubble, merfolk swim, but some still bear the scars of battle, and the deep waters beyond are darker than they should be, as though something still lurks in the abyss. A sanctuary in the sea, one that calls to those with a hunger for knowledge and a desire to aid in rebuilding what was lost. Or perhaps it is the mystery that beckons you, the remnants of a catastrophe yet fully understood that bids you explore it.

Upon following the pull of the breeze through the first portal, you are thrust into the beauty of a lively city that goes by the name of Heaven's Bow. Much of this main city feels exactly as you would expect on a city below, but there are clouds surrounding every direction you look. The walls of buildings are made with light-colored limestone, and buildings are generally built up to heights made even more grandiose by their position in the sky.

The Skyfall Docks are the first thing you notice, boasting hundreds of airships sailing in and out across the clouds with shouts that accompany a typical port city. Just outside is a fantastic market with goods not only from the other regions of Caldera, but from what some shopkeepers claim are other worlds--items sold or left behind by Visitors. Almost anything can be found in the markets if one is willing to look hard enough. Transport to other locations throughout the sky and even to the land or sea can be found here.

If the docks are too lively for you, you may instead find yourself roaming the underbelly of Heaven's Bow and finding brothels and gambling parlors filled with the promise of pleasure and fortune. The guild house for the Sylphs can be found here as well, giving out quests and training to prospective adventurers and guards alike--though none of them seem concerned with the illicit activities that surround them. Perhaps the freedom the Sylphs boast of extends to what others may deem an undesirable activity.

But most curious of all, you find a shimmering opal gemstone in your hand. When placed anywhere on the body, it will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

If it was the second portal that called to you, you will find yourself in the busy city of Grey Ward, with its cobblestone streets and sturdy grey stone buildings. You are in the heart of the city, the Glass Market, so named for the colorful stained glass windows of the surrounding buildings. However, signs of destruction mar the once-thriving marketplace. Some windows shattered, stalls bearing scorch marks, and a few buildings reduced to rubble. The scent of cooking food still lingers in the air, but so too does the acrid smell of smoldering wood. Watchful guards keep an even keener eye out for pickpockets and opportunists in the wake of the recent chaos. Citizens go about their day, some with a newfound wariness in their eyes.

From here, one can investigate the rest of the city: the Sundown Docks, where both sea and sky faring ships transport people and goods, though repairs are ongoing in some areas. The Soot Spire, home of inventors and engineers, where efforts to rebuild have begun in earnest. The Hearthstill, the main residential area, bears the scars of collapsed roofs and damaged homes, with families working together to restore what was lost. The Downs, a smaller residential area for those with less means, has been hit the hardest, and aid workers scramble to provide relief to the displaced.

Outside the city walls, one can explore acres of farmlands to the east and west, or follow Terra’s Pass to the less settled areas, but take care. Past the Skyward Range, out in the smaller burrows and villages, the influence of the city guard diminishes quickly, and you’ll have to keep your wits about you. Bandits along the road are always a risk, and the wildlife are less controlled by regimented hunting.

In your hand is a gemstone, a brilliantly green emerald that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

If the last portal beckoned you through it, you find yourself within that bubble-covered city beneath the sea, the city of Salt Spire. Your ears pop with the change in pressure, and the smell of the salty sea fills your nostrils. All around you, buildings made of dark stone encrusted with coral and seagrass tower high above your head, but some are marred by cracks, with scaffolding and patches where reconstruction has begun. The backdrop outside the dome is a deep blue, but lingering shadows in the depths hint at what once emerged from below. People with gills on their necks and scales upon their vibrantly colored skin move with a determined purpose, their curiosity toward newcomers now mixed with cautious wariness. You have many options of where to visit in the city under the sea, but where oh where will you go first?

The Salt Spire Library is right before you, an impossibly large building housing thousands upon thousands of books of all genres. Fiction, non-fiction, romance and mystery and all between. You may even find books from your world and others! Oddly enough though, no Calderan history books are to be found, and if you ask for them, the librarians and locals all choose to ignore your questions.

If scholarly pursuits aren't to your interest currently, perhaps a trip to Bluetide Market would be more your style? The marketplace is host to every manner of shop one might ever need: artisans of all varieties, apothecaries and healers in the Shimmer Quarter, the most in fashion undersea clothing shops, food stalls, and all between can be found in Bluetide. There are also the Tideshore and Fogbottom docks on either end of the city. The former allows transport to the surface via large, magical bubbles for those that cannot hold their breath or make the swim themselves yet. The latter allows people to venture further into the sea. Those without their underwater abilities are offered rebreathers for travel that last for four hours before needing to be replaced.

In your hand is a gemstone, a shining sapphire that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

SOLEMN CELEBRATIONS

After the chaos and destruction, the people of Caldera come together to express their gratitude to the Visitors, whose sacrifices were crucial in summoning Vesper, the newly awakened star god. This event, though filled with warmth and appreciation, carries the weight of what is still to come.

In Salt Spire, the bubbled underwater city, the heart of the celebration takes place. The bioluminescent glow of deep-sea creatures lights the festivities, their soft illumination casting a peaceful glow on the gathering, even through the haze of darkness beyond. Tables are laden with treasures from all three cities—gifts of wood and stone carvings from Grey Ward, textiles and plants from Salt Spire, and intricate glass orbs from Heaven’s Bow. It’s a moment of unity, as everyone, native and visitor alike, celebrates their survival and the hope Vesper now represents.

Above the sea, in Grey Ward, a quieter but equally heartfelt celebration takes place. The city, normally known for its steady hands at rebuilding, hosts a gathering of its people and the Visitors who have come through. Lanterns hang from the buildings, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets. Music from the land flows through the air; melodies of hope, of survival, of community. The people of Grey Ward offer their craftsmanship, beautiful wood carvings, practical tools, and heirlooms passed down through generations. Their gratitude runs deep, though they know the fight ahead will be long.

Heaven’s Bow, distant and high above the rest, holds its own subdued gathering. The people here are quieter in their celebration, reserved in their gratitude. Though they were not as directly involved in the summoning of Vesper, their support is evident in the delicate glass orbs they offer, each infused with starlight—a symbol of their unwavering faith. Their contribution may be less physical, but their presence and belief in the unity of Caldera is no less important.

In Salt Spire, the people raise their glasses high. "To those who fought to protect us," they toast, their voices rising in harmony. The people of Grey Ward join, their songs and music a reminder of the resilience of the land. Even Heaven’s Bow contributes with their delicate, glimmering orbs. The Visitors, new and old, are welcomed with open arms, gifted with tokens of appreciation. No one is excluded, for their presence, newly arrived or not, is valued deeply.

VESPER'S REQUEST

But, as the celebration continues, an undeniable presence looms at the edge of Salt Spire. Vesper, a massive, shadowy knight, the star god born of the Visitors’ sacrifices, stands apart from the merrymaking, watching quietly. His form, still flickering with the remnants of his connection to Triton’s darkness, is not yet fully settled. He speaks to the crowd, his voice calm, though tinged with the weight of what lies ahead.

"I was born of your sacrifices," Vesper says, his gaze sweeping over the Visitors. "I will not forget what you’ve given me. But our fight is not over. The darkness that birthed me still lingers, and Triton’s influence has not been erased. We must prepare. I will stand with you, when the time comes. And together, we will face what threatens this world."

The mood shifts slightly, a quiet understanding passing between the people. The celebration, while still joyful, carries the undercurrent of an impending storm. Triton’s return is inevitable, and though Vesper has emerged as a beacon of hope, his power is still growing. He will need the strength of those who summoned him, those who sacrificed for him, to confront the coming challenge.

As the night wears on and the festivities continue, the people of Caldera remain united in their shared resolve. The threat of Triton still hangs over them, but for now, they take this moment to honor the Visitors—those who sacrificed so much, and those who have only just joined the fight—and to strengthen the bonds that will be vital in the days to come.

Vesper welcomes conversation, yet it does not come naturally to him. His words are brief, precise—always tethered to his purpose, the reason for his existence. And therein lies his quiet concern: that something is missing. He yearns to connect, especially with the Visitors—the ones who gave of themselves so that he could become what he is now. A new star god. The light meant to stand against Triton’s encroaching darkness.

He speaks with certainty: he is the good that Triton once was, the lost brilliance of a god now twisted by corruption. But he does not wish to be merely a reflection of what once existed. He wants to grow beyond the shadow of the past, to forge an identity that is wholly his own. And so he seeks help—not only in understanding what he is but in becoming something more.

"Find memories," he says. "And craft new ones with me."

Memories of Triton’s past linger in the world, echoes trapped in places of significance. These must be sought out, for they hold the key to understanding Vesper’s origins.

SPECIAL QUEST: ASTRAL ECHOES

Vesper seeks the Astral Echoes, shards of violet light scattered across Caldera, each holding a fragment of Triton’s past. To understand himself and shape his future, Vesper asks the Visitors to retrieve them. This special quest will last the duration of the TDM, and will reward 400 Bones when turned in.

◾MEMORY ONE: THE DESCENT:

Near Salt Spire, a Violet Crystal Shard hums softly in an ancient ruin. When taken, it pulls the mind into a vision.

Triton falls, a streak of violet fire tearing through the sky to Caldera, a barren wasteland below. He crashes, sending stardust into the air, his form radiant with light, deep indigo skin marked with glowing lines, and eyes burning violet. He touches the earth, rivers of light spread, and the world begins to take shape.

But he is not alone. Aella, the sky, sweeps through the heavens, breathing life into the winds. Cordelia, the sea, shapes the waters and the depths. Terra, the land, molds the earth, forming mountains and valleys. And in the shadows, another lingers, a distant vision, hard to define, their presence felt but not fully understood. Together, they craft the new world.

"There will be law where there is chaos," Triton says. "Light where there is shadow. Justice where there is none."

The vision fades as the Violet Crystal Shard is given to Vesper. He holds it, feeling its pulse.

"He did not come to rule," Vesper murmurs, "He came to protect."

The shard dims, its purpose fulfilled. Yet its memory lingers, a quiet ember.

"Caldera was formless," Vesper whispers, "And they shaped it into something just."

He lifts his gaze, something stirring within him—understanding or perhaps the weight of his path ahead.

◾MEMORY TWO: THEM:

In a cave deep within Ignacia's Cradle, a faint Violet Crystal Shard pulses softly. When a Visitor holds it, they are pulled into a distant memory—one of doubt and rebellion.

The world is young, full of light and order. Triton stands with his companions—Aella, Cordelia, and Terra—shaping Caldera. But in the shadows, something stirs.

A figure, hard to define, stands apart. Their form flickers between light and darkness, their eyes filled with uncertainty.

"This world was meant for something more," they whisper, voice tinged with frustration. "Why does it feel so controlled?"

Triton watches them, sorrow in his eyes, but they step further into the shadows, their form dissolving, lost to doubt.

"Maybe it should burn," they murmur. "Maybe it should fall apart and rise again—wild."

The Violet Crystal Shard pulses as the figure vanishes into the darkness, leaving only the echo of Triton’s sorrow: "They were never meant to follow the order. They were always meant to fall into the shadows."

The memory fades, the figure still a mystery, their true nature lost in the shadows of the past.

◾MEMORY THREE: THE EXILE:

On the broken cliffsides near Grey Ward, a Violet Crystal Shard lies half-buried in the earth, its faint glow drawing the Visitor in. Upon touching it, a vision fills their mind—Triton stands, his form radiant with celestial light, yet his expression is one of deep sorrow and rage.

A shadowed figure, barely discernible, is ripped from the land. The figure’s volcanic home follows, both hurtling into the sky. The moon is born from their exile, the caldera formed in the center of the realm all that remains.

"You cannot do this," Triton’s voice shakes with grief. "They were meant to shape, not to be cast away."

The figure fades into the distance, and Triton’s grief transforms into fury. "They were not yours to remove," he says, the words heavy with loss.

As the vision fades, Vesper holds the shard, feeling the surge of sorrow deep within. He breathes in slowly, understanding the weight of Triton’s loss.

"I was not meant to be a reflection," Vesper murmurs. The echo of Triton’s voice lingers: "I should have protected them."

The memory settles into Vesper’s heart, shaping his resolve. The past will not bind him; he must grow beyond it.

◾MEMORY FOUR: THE LAST STAND:

At the foot of Cordelia's tower, the final Violet Crystal Shard rests upon the weathered steps. It lies half-hidden, barely visible to the eye, as if waiting for the right moment to be found. Only now, as the Visitors approach, does it reveal itself.

Triton stands before Cordelia, his violet glow dimming as his power fades. The air between them crackles with tension, and his voice trembles with disbelief:

"You would strike me down, Cordelia?"

Cordelia stands tall, her sorrow evident but her resolve unshaken. "You leave me no choice."

With a final, desperate lunge, Triton reaches for the stars—the same stars he had once shaped—but they remain silent, indifferent. Cordelia’s blade pierces his chest, the sound of shattering power filling the air as Triton’s body cracks into violet shards, scattering across the land.

His final words echo through the vision, filled with regret: "Was I wrong?"

The vision fades, and Vesper stands on the steps, his hand still holding the shard. The weight of Triton’s question lingers, heavy in the silence.

Vesper’s breath catches, the sorrow of the moment settling deep within him. "He was more than just a fallen god," he whispers, his gaze searching. "He was a part of this world—his doubt, his pain. And it shapes me now."

The shard pulses one last time, and Vesper knows this memory is not just a reflection of the past—it is a part of his own journey, one that will lead him to forge his own path.

CHOOSE [HIS] DESTINY

When all shards are given to Vesper, he stands in silence, the weight of Triton’s past pressing upon him. Then, he speaks:

"I was born from a fractured god. But I am not him. The past shapes me, but it does not define me. So I ask you—what will I become?"

Visitors may influence his choice:

◾Option 1: Embody Triton’s Lost Virtues

Vesper embraces Triton’s virtues of justice, wisdom, and light, becoming a beacon of hope for Caldera. This choice grants him the strength of a god, with a deep understanding of the weight of justice. He will fight against the corruption Triton once embodied, drawing on the wisdom of the past to prevent its recurrence. "By standing for what is just, I will be ready to fight against what Triton has become."

Option 2: Forge a New Path

Vesper rejects the past, creating his own identity free from Triton’s shadow. This choice grants him freedom and strength, allowing him to reinvent himself as a new kind of star god. He will fight against Triton’s darkness, symbolizing the triumph of free will over legacy, and gaining the power to face both external and internal battles.

"I will not be a shadow of what came before. I will become something stronger."

Option 3: Balance Light and Shadow

Vesper accepts both the brilliance and downfall of Triton, walking the path of balance. This choice gives him the strength to wield both light and shadow, allowing him to understand Triton’s corruption and fight it from within. Vesper’s knowledge of both sides of existence will make him resilient in his battle against Triton’s darkness.

"I will fight with the strength of both light and shadow, knowing each part of me is necessary to stand against the darkness."

Once the Visitors make their choice, Vesper will stand in silence, the decision settling within him. He is no longer just the fractured god he once was, but something whole—ready for the battle ahead. Triton’s darkness still threatens Caldera, but Vesper is stronger, more prepared, and more determined.

"Thank you," he will say. "With your help, I’ve chosen my path. When the time comes to face Triton, I will bring the light he lost—or create something new to stop his darkness."

[With Vesper's awakening, shadow abilities have been unlocked for the Undine faction]

QUESTBOARD

Settled in? Good. It's time to make your way to the Questboard located in every city in numerous, easy to access locations. That is, if you want to make any kind of impact on the world or just get some Bones for anything you might wish to purchase. Visitors are given a very small stipend in which to survive every month, but all it does is keep you fed and housed. These quests will assure you greater wealth, and they're the main reason you're here: each finished quest helps the Calderans fix their shattering world.

Quests can be accepted at the questboard via magically signed parchment upon the board. Just sign your name to accept and the paper will be whisked away... somewhere. You're not actually sure. Probably nothing to concern yourself with.

Once quests are completed, earned Bones will be dropped off at the character's residence by Bonita, the mysterious artisan who has supposedly handcrafted every Bone circulating in Caldera. Please do not speak to her, she startles easily.

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Caldera's sixth TDM! All characters awaken in a strange tavern with nothing save the clothes on their backs, all of their powers stripped, and a piece of parchment directing them downstairs to the Tavernkeeper. There is a thread of all questions answered by the Tavernkeeper here, and if you have more, feel free to ask there for what would be offered ICly.

For OOC questions, please direct themhere.

To Choose Vesper's Path, please state which option you would like to choose here. prospective players are encouraged to weigh in!

The TDM is game canon and all completed quests can be carried over once accepted into the game.

The following pages have been updated:

◾Additional rewards have been added under the Undine section of the rewards page.

◾Vesper has been added to the NPC page.

Have fun, Visitors!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's cute, until that same partner decides you glow too much and he can't sleep.

The recognition on how they both seem to be stubborn gets another chuckle as Ferin shakes his head. "I could never tell."

"Arcane engineer? Huh, too bad I don't have any Asuran literature on me...they are at the forefront of arcane technology where I'm from. Hell, their main city in Metrica Province is a enormous cube floating on a single point." Resting his chin on the slowly lowering stack of books be shakes his head. "No, the glowing is just a part of the Sylvari race, not unlike how many plants have a bioluminescence. My Druidic magic is something I picked up in, well a very inhospitable place. I learned how to commune with nature and the stars to become a sort of Celestial avatar. Something that if I could I would be happy to demonstrate."

That actually does pull a quick, breathy laugh from Viktor, which then makes him cough a few times.

Viktor's gaze is drawn away from the stacks, to Ferin as he speaks of the cube.

"Incredible..." He murmurs. And what Ferin says of his own magic is no less impressive.

"You must get this ability back to show me," he urges.

Then, back to the books for a minute. Quiet, thinking, but it's almost as though his brain is an appliance that emits a low-frequency hum in the air. Viktor's thinking currently is deep, intense, venturing down new pathways, turning over ideas.

"It's funny," he remarks quietly. "Just before coming here, I had given up on all of my dreams. My legacy. Any impact I could make on the world before I died. But learning of all these kinds of magic, it is impossible not to feel... inspired."

"They are, I've worked with a few and even their young are geniuses. I have one who I have worked with for a while, a young girl named Taimi. So much of what she talks about goes right over my head, it's amazing to listen to. I'm not exactly the most...book smart person? I mean in the way that I've never had any formal teaching. I'm more the type to get my hands dirty than sit in a classroom." He rattles on, glancing at a few books that he might have to come back to read some time, making mental notes as they move through the stacks.

"I will endeavor to do my best so that I might indulge you in a presentation." He laughs, this time less of a chuckle and more of a full laugh. The silence that follows is far form awkward, the easy pulsing from Ferin lighting the book cases as they both put things away where they can, it's actually nice to Ferin. He had been through so much before coming here that it was nice to have some down time.

And then Viktor is talking again and Ferin cocks his head to the side, listening. A smile pulls at his lips and reaches his eyes in a way that portrays an understanding. "I can imagine. Sometimes it's when we think there is nothing left to do that we find the exact thing we need."

"Well, perhaps you just need a good teacher or peer," suggests Viktor. Someone who engages his interests, believes in him, challenges him, works with his learning style. Like he and Jayce were for each other. "But some things can only be learned by doing, you are right about that." Like experiments. Building. Inventing. "I have gotten my hands quite dirty, and I believe both are important for innovation."

Viktor smiles at him, encouragingly. "Good." Everyone could use something to work toward, especially when dumped into a new place without warning. Viktor will expect big things from Ferin, because he believes him capable.

Placing the last book on the shelf, Viktor cocks his head while still looking at it. "... Yes," he says, thoughtfully, as though debating whether he should say more. "But it was not just a thought in my head that there was nothing left. I was about to die of my illness. Weeks to live, perhaps only days. I had tried everything to save myself, and it ended disastrously. Now, I am here, and they say I will not die here, though I won't be cured either. I suppose it is a second chance, for however long it may last. A chance to make the impact I want to."

"Perhaps, maybe it is something I can try out while I am here. Maybe a tutor or somewhere I can move around while I learn would be easier. Unless I'm relaxing it's hard to sit still sometimes." The adhd is strong with this man even if he doesn't know what that is. Give him some fidgets and he should be good. "But you're right, both are incredibly important. The number of times I had to get the Vigil and the Priory to actually work together. The Vigil is a group known for their intellect and studies of various artifacts and the like while the Vigil was essentially a martial force. They were constantly butting heads."

He rolls his eyes, though the more jovial attitude lessens when Viktor talks about his illness and being close to death. It's not with pity that the ranger looks at his new companion but with a sort of understanding. He had seen many taken by illness, fighting, even some killed simply for being what they were. His own people especially. "Perhaps it will give you a way to save yourself once you are back? Give you the time you wouldn't have there. That is, assuming we remember all this when we are sent back. I am sorry though, illness is something that I know is hard for many other races." So far no Sylvari have been taken with illness, nor dragon corruption, but that didn't mean necrotic magics and similar things could not kill them.

"Well, you are welcome to study or work with me, if you like." Viktor's whole lab is one big fidget. Tons of bits and bobs to play with, and only some of them explosive. "When I am not focused in on studying like this, it is more dynamic. Working things out through discussion and brainstorming, building things, experimenting. I think you would like that part of the process." The hands-dirtying part. But though Ferin says it is hard to sit still, Viktor wasn't annoyed by his presence during these long library hours, so he must be at least a bit capable of focus.

He chuckles softly. "That doesn't surprise me. There is a lot of head-butting where I am from, too."

He's quiet for a moment as Ferin makes his suggestion, mulling it over. If he remembers his time here when he goes home, that would be feasible... But he can't use the hexcore to save himself as he thought, and there are no cures in Piltover. It seems a dead end any way he slices it.

"Perhaps," he says noncommittally. "Or I could put my talents to use improving lives for people in this realm, as I was brought here to do. I think I am beyond saving, so I should use my limited time to help others."

That was the only reason he wanted to save himself, anyway. To have more time to make a positive impact on the world, to be remembered for his life-saving contributions. If he has more time here, he ought to make use of it for something sure to help people, rather than toward a cure that may not ever exist.

"Anyway," he continues sheepishly. "Sorry, I am not sure why I told you that. We only just met."

Edited 2025-04-09 00:38 (UTC)

"I may just have to take you up on that, I may not be the most mathematically or scientific minded person but I'm always willing to learn. And as you said, a hands on approach might be better." Mulling it over, Ferin frowns in thought a moment before nodding. It wasn't a hardship for sure and if it meant he got to make a new friend, why not?

Ferin can't help but admire the man, even if it was only their first meeting. Viktor seemed a compassionate person who wanted to use his knowledge for the betterment of others, a noble cause if there ever was one. Ferin lets him talk, nodding along and letting out a huff of a laugh when Viktor apologizes.

"It's alright, I'm pretty used to it. I've been told I'm easy to talk to. I don't mind."

"Eh, no pressure," he assures lightly. "The work I do may not be of interest to you. You could always just move heavy things for me if you'd like some company," he jokes.

Viktor nods. Perhaps he feels a companionship with the man simply because he chose to sit nearby for so long. And, "I would agree, that you are easy to talk to. I should be getting home, though. I fear I overdid it today." He can barely stay on his feet, at this point. His body will surely not be happy tomorrow, and he may need to stay in bed.

"Now that is definitely something I can do." Nodding Ferin crosses his arms. He's used to manual labor, used to fighting and lifting heavy things. It was one of the reasons he chose to change his body like he had.

Watching Viktor, Ferin nodded again as they both seemed to be walking out. He should be getting back to the Grey Ward anyways. But first, "If I am over stepping at all let me know but, would you like someone to walk with? Not that I think you aren't capable, I just figured..." He sort of holds his hands out, shrugging with a sort of pained expression like he might anticipating a grumpy reaction sort of like what he gets from Taimi.

Oh, good. Because Viktor actually does need that kind of help these days. He nods, realizing he's just been picking up research and quest partners wherever he goes, despite not trying to. Who is he??

He leans heavily on his crutch as he hobbles slowly out of the library with Ferin.

"Ah..." Viktor looks a little surprised by the question. Growing up, he was always bullied and excluded by other kids for his disability, so he became a recluse, and mostly stayed that way into adulthood. It still surprises him a little when someone chooses to spend time with him if they don't need to, or chooses to help him when they don't know him well. Of course, it can sometimes be patronizing, but this isn't. It's just... A nice offer.

"Sure. I would like that." He's glad for the company, and there's also a non-zero chance he will pass out before he gets to his house, so it's a good idea safety-wise too. "If you don't mind how slow I am," he adds.

The near fearful look disappears at Viktor's agreement as Ferin smiles again and continues to walk beside Viktor, keeping pace with him.

"It's not a problem." He waves the comment off. "That girl, Taimi, who I mentioned? She has a hard time walking, degenerative bone disease. When she's not in or on her golem she refuses to accept help. So I just walk along with her, and she has much shorter legs than you." Not to mention all the times he's had to escort someone who just would not keep pace with him. Even while running.

Viktor smiles to himself. How sweet...

"It's nice that she has a companion like you," he murmurs warmly. Sort of like Jayce is to him. Someone always there, willing to help, even when it isn't wanted or needed. And when it's not wanted, the patience to be there anyway and allow her to do it herself even if it takes a lot longer.

"Did you say... Golem?"

"Yes well, she's a firecracker. It's hard not to like her, and even harder to convince her to let you help her. Definitely a good kid, but sometimes she needs to be reminded to eat, or sleep." Sometimes he feels like what he had heard and seen parents were like.

"Hm? Oh yeah, metal beings made and powered by arcane means. She has one, his name is Scruffy, and she uses him to get around. She's added some combat things to him as well so she can fight along side us but she prefers her lab. Even more so since she's got a new research partner named Gorrik." He chuckles, leaning a little closer to Viktor as they walk. "I have a feeling she fancies him, it's cute."

Wow. Aside from the firecracker bit, this girl sounds an awful lot like Viktor.

"A golem is a very good idea..." More inspiration acquired. Viktor could totally try to build a golem. Maybe. The tech in this world is severely lacking, but he could probably still figure it out.

"Ah... Young love," Viktor says with a smile, not that he knows anything about that. He has a rather close relationship with his own lab partner, but he's never had a romantic relationship.

"You must miss her."

"They're definitely something, at least up until they malfunction...then they're just a hazard. One I've had to handle a few times now, heh." But Ferin still nods along. "She worries about him so much, it's sweet. And yes, I do. But I know she is well cared for back home with all of our friends."

Even if her own mentor seems to have been holing herself away somewhere. He can't help but worry about her.

"I have to say though, it's been hard to miss home just yet. Everything here is new and interesting." And he is an adventurer through and through.

"There is risk with any invention," Viktor says, "but yes, I can see how a malfunction in a robot like that could cause much chaos." Especially with the more autonomous it is.

"Sounds a little like my lab partner," Viktor murmurs with a tiny smile. "It is a special sort of bond." He reaches into his pocket to touch the cog that reminds him of Jayce- but it's not there.

"Yes, there is much to take in. Hard to get a spare moment for nostalgia." Despite the fact that he just had one of those moments about Jayce seconds ago. He does miss him.

"Yeah....they have this whole thing about...like spinning their top half with their arms outstretched...it's awful." He's been knocked back by that a time or two, rattles him up a bit more than he'd like.

"Oh? What were they like, your lab partner I mean." He's never had a lab partner but the idea does make him think of a certain Sylvari, the same who's great sword he had started to wield...and now didn't have. Something he wanted so desperately to get back. Without Caladbolg he felt naked as the day he awoke from The Dream.

Viktor isn't the only one a little lost in thoughts of friends. Granted, even when he returns he won't get to see his old friend. The man had passed years ago, returned to The Dream and passed on his knowledge to future generations of Sylvari.

"Hm, that does sound rather nasty," Viktor agrees. Getting wacked by a metal robot arm spinning very fast- no thank you.

What is Jayce like? Huh. How to describe him.

"Bright. Brilliant. Hard-working, helpful, caring... A little egotistical, a little naive, a little dramatic. But he has an incredibly good heart, and he took good care of me."

As Vikto describes the man, Ferin smiles softly. In his mind a gentle smile flashes across his thoughts.

"That doesn't sound too different than my own partner was, well...not a lab partner but we worked together. He was something of a mentor for me and we became close friends." The Sylvari laughs quietly under his breath. "Well, he wasn't egotistical or naive by any means. He was one of the oldest of us, actually I think he was the oldest. Though by human standards that isn't all that old."

The hang ups of being a newer race born from an Elder Dragon and planted by a centaur.

"Your friend sounds like an amazing person."

"That does sound similar, though Jayce is about my age. Our mentor is incredibly old, however. Immortal."

Viktor sighs lightly, wistfully.

"Yes. I do miss him."

Ferin has his own wistful smile as they walk, nodding along with the conversation. "Trahearne would have been 32 by now if he hadn't...passed." If Ferin hadn't been made to kill him. Damn that vile dragon. Ferin almost wished him alive once more just to end him again. Him and all his Mordrem. There's a fraction of a moment where Ferin's wistful sort of look turns cold thinking about Mordremoth and all he had wrought. The Sylvari who had died, others scarred, or killed out of fear of them turning. It passes when Viktor speaks up again.

"I can imagine. I suppose it might be wishful thinking that your friend might show up here?"

"Oh... I'm sorry." He frowns. 32, though... That's Viktor's age. Odd to think he would be among the oldest of Ferin's kind.

"I do not know. I have no statistics on how common or likely that is." It seems pointless to speculate on something he has no evidence for or against, but he can't help but wonder.

"It's alright, I mean it's not but...it's been a few years now. He died fighting a great threat to our people and all of Tyria." Ferin will leave out the part where he had to be the one to deal the killing blow on his friend as the man begged him to kill him to end the Elder Dragon's control over him. To get rid of the final seed. It still weighs on him but it's not the sort of time for that.

"Sorry I seem to have turned the conversation into a rather unhappy one." It's hard to not just talk with Viktor, to share mirroring pains of loved ones not there. Even if Ferin's is dead and Viktor's is just not there.

"You're right though, there really is no way of knowing."

"It sounds like he was a great and noble man who will be remembered by many. He will live on through his legacy." Which is something Viktor can't say for himself. He'll be forgotten soon, if he isn't already.

"No, that's--" Viktor coughs. "That's alright." More coughs rip through his chest, and he stops walking to lean on his crutch until the fit passes. Unfortunately, once it does, he feels quite dizzy, and staggers slightly.

"He was, they even-" Ferin was about to mention the statue that had been erected for his fallen friend, though that changes when he catches Viktor wobbling and moves to help him.

"Easy...how far are we from your home?" He looks worried. He wants to offer to carry the smaller man somehow but also knows from experience that can backfire rather spectacularly. "Do you want a hand? I'm pretty strong, if you'd like I could carry you. You are obviously welcome to say no, I don't want to overstep."

TDM #6

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