Gathering of the Lost

In a small abode in the poorer district of Breg Epona a gathering assembles. The individuals come from different walks of life, some are Landers and others Adventurers. Some were recently destitute, while others are scholars of the esoteric. Varying reasons, differing outlooks, and yet there is a unifying factor and commitment to assist each other. They've become one of many conclaves throughout Yamato, members of the Cult of the Lost.

The room is lit only by a series of candles and incense clouds the air. A couple black hooded individuals already surround a table in the center of the room and sing a slow droning song, the Chant of the Lost, a new song that was created for the cult and has been a factor in drawing the attention of the Landers to it.

Other members are still arriving. Some already wear the cults ceremonial black cloaks while others arrive in regular clothing and change into the ceremonial garbs once inside. Seliana stands near the door entrance and gives each member a nod as they arrive, before they move to stand around the central table. Her black hood shadows her face and the cloak conceals what else she may be wearing. Tonight they would discuss news that may effect the cult and the direction of its research.

    Merek wears the cloak along with anyone else that is, wrapped about him, the hood up. He seems to be waiting to see what will be said, in thought. He nods a bit while he begins to settle in and look.

With everyone now gathered, the cloaked individuals surrounding the table, Seliana steps into the opening that was left for her. "Welcome everyone. Thank you for being able to come. As you may be aware I am now travelling to the different root towns to share our new findings and to collect results." She slowly looks around the table - these were many of the leaders within the Cult in Breg Epona, each of them having their own conclave they worked with.

After her silence as she inspected each one closely Seliana continues. "First, we have recently found Indieglut Lugh, which appears as a glowing white tree within an underground cavern. The area apparently is known as Lost Grounds and the tree is said to hold the Lost Ones." As one of the Landers is about to comment Seliana holds up her hand to request silence. "One moment, let me finish the summary before we discuss further."

The Lander nods and gestures for Seliana to continue. "We are not yet sure if the Lost Ones are actually those who have died. From what little we know they may be the remnants of those who had their whole world destroyed, and the tree is likely not be native to this world. However, we also have reason to believe it is possible for all being in the world to become Lost Ones. Adventurers, Landers, Monsters, everything."

"It seems the area may be dangerous to be near for any length of time, so we are being cautious in our research. This tree, Indieglut Lugh, may lead to a breakthrough in our understanding of death but also it may be an entity which influences or effects the natural Law of Alba."

    Merek nods a bit to Seliana, while he would listen. He takes the time to settle in while he takes a drink from a flask of whiskey which he keeps with him. The man seems to be content while he watches all of that as well.

"Next" Seliana continues on with her update "It was previously confirmed that for some Adventurers they seem to dream during their death, and when they revive it is like there is a hole in their memory or a feeling of something having been lost. For others it is like they blinked, with no time passing at all, and they do not feel much more then a sense of special disorientation." At this there a few nods of acknowledgement from those here, this was nothing new.

"However, we have now found evidence that it is possible for the death of an Adventurer to effect the memories of others still alive." Seliana's voice is a constant and quiet monotone as she goes through the information. "During one of the Boss battles in the tower one Adventurer were killed, and then immediately people who knew them suddenly forgot who they were. It is possible or likely this happened for others who've died. Those that forgot could remember that they knew /someone/ and they could remember interactions with them even earlier in the day, but suddenly they couldn't remember their name, face, or other defining information about them."

At this one of the Adventurers at the gathering cursed under their breath, but ignoring this Seliana continues "One Adventurer who recognized that they suddenly seemed to be unable to remember went to stay at the Church, and when the Adventurer who had died was resurrected they were able to recall their name again when they saw them. This indicates that memory loss may not be permanent."

Seliana is silent a moment as she quickly scans the faces of those gathered "Yes, this is of concern. There is more that goes on during Adventurer death then we first thought. It is like Adventurers, and also Landers, are tied to the world and information about them can shift during death."

    Merek looks up when that is mentioned, while he takes a moment to look to the woman, Seliana. "Wait, that's kind of what that was like when my sword ate the character data of mine," he notes, then he looks to the weapon with him, then it's back to the people, and to Seliana. "Alright, are you sure about this, all that you are saying could be important." He then pulls back the hood of the cloak, while he speaks along into the chimlink.

Seliana looks down toward Merek's sword. She had previously inspected it - it was a cursed item of some sort. It was curious, but as he asks for assurance she nods. "Yes, this comes from a reliable source. I am not yet aware of what exactly happened during the Boss fight in question however. Perhaps there was something special about the way the Adventurer died that was different to a normal death?" She then looks around the table at those gathered. "If any of you are able to find more information about this, please let me know. The way the Adventurer's died could be a key to understanding the effects."

Seliana looks up to the ceiling as she considers then returns her gaze to those gathered. "We do know that depending on the situation of a Lander's death it can influence or allow entities to take over and control their energy on death to become ghosts or other kinds of spirits. It would not be a stretch to assume that the way an Adventurer dies, or the emotional state they are in during their death, could play a factor in what happens."

"We've also had members confirm that certain rituals or magical practices performed around the death of a Lander can also cause other transformations." And with this she gives a nod to Merek. "So it is important to look at the greater picture including what was going on in the area of the death, as this could influence what happens. This is further supported by the knowledge that it is possible for those with skills to influence the death energy of monsters to form tokens. That those with the skill are able to more reliably cause the monster energy to form into these tokens."

    Merek listens to the chimlink, then he nods a bit to Seliana, "I have two new pieces of data. The sword belonged to someone named 'Demiurge'. While there is someone that was a person that experienced memory loss back in Fragment." The man nods a bit along to people.

Seliana tilts her head as she again looks towards the sword. "Demiurge? I am not familiar with that name." She looks back up at Merek with her ashen red eyes "It does give you something to research I suppose to find out more about it."

Seliana then closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, as she opens her eyes again she continues. "While there is more to discuss, I will leave some of it for the next gathering as we already have much to do." Raising a hand she starts to count on her fingers so everyone is able to see. "First, I will continue to investigate Indieglut Lugh to see if I can learn more of what it is and what Lost Ones actually are. Second, we need to find out more information on what occurred in the Tower Boss fights that may have been different from regular Adventurer deaths - likely by talking to any Adventurers who may have participated directly. And third, investigate who Demiurge is and if the cursed sword has a similar effect on memory as deaths do."

Lowering her hand she looks around the table. "Are there any final questions or topics to discuss before we part for now?"

    Merek nods a bit, "That's all for me for the moment," he notes, while he takes a drink of the whiskey in thought.

As no others have topics they wish to still discuss Seliana begins a droning chant, other members start to sing as well. While Seliana's inflectionless voice remains constant, the other members are able to provide chorus. Others chant in a complementary harmony that creates a kind of steady chord for the base of the song. After a minute the chant comes to a close and people begin to act much more casual.

A few members give bows and make their way out of the home to return to other tasks, while a few drop their hoods and move over to munch on some snacks and have drinks that were been set aside as they catch up on more trivial matters.

With many more conclaves to visit and research to conduct, Seliana bows to the others and is one of those who decides to leave. Before she does her cloak blurs and is suddenly gone as it is returned to her inventory. Her long white hair now flowing down along her back in a single ponytail, and a red and black frilly dress vibrantly displayed on her figure. "Until we next meet" she says in parting before going out the door.