* Add paintings by Minasunda
* Attempted refresh of hidden door's responders (only open from inside is working correctly as far as camera and overriding first person, not sure why)
* Add Jules' journal from DapperAndy with cover by Tweek
* Add Carl's notebook to Kelsei
* Update Tenny's journals
* Update Kelsei's journal
* Update Chiso commentary journal
* Adjust desk cameras and collision
* Fix some collision issues to keep avatar and camera out of pillars per Ehren
@ -1248,11 +1248,11 @@ When first Linking in, you can tell it's a D'ni Age. Rows and rows of shelves fo
The mosaics when you first Link in seem quite familiar. They, along with the tree mural and Guild of Writers symbol on the floor, seem quite symbolic. The tree itself leads to nine pedestals at the other end of the building, which themselves have "branches" surrounding the metal pedestals themselves. Perfect to display Age Books for easy Linking.
Strangely, most of the inner structure is not made of nara as usual, but of a rather durable redwood. The bookshelves and book stands set into the walls are also made of this wood...and the design of the latter seems oddly familiar.
Strangely, most of the inner structure is not made of nara as usual, but of a rather durable redwood. The bookshelves and book stands set into the walls are also made of this wood...and the design of the latter seems oddly familiar.
While we weren't able to find an exit to the outdoors, they were clearly visible through the large ornate windows at the opposite end of the library. The blue skies and rolling green fields, while beautiful, humorously reminded many of us of a certain default wallpaper for a certain computer operating system. Even so, we're anxious to get out and explore the land!
The building itself seems structurally sound. Just the minor wear and tear: some cracks here or there. The only concerning damage is a a significant hole in the roof off to the side. The debris was cleared away by someone, but the hole itself was never patched, allowing the foliage from outside to creep in slightly and the sounds of the outdoors to drift into the chamber. THe elements don't seem to have worn away the surrounding structure, so despite the "gaping wound", it shouldn't be a problem structurally.
The building itself seems structurally sound. Just the minor wear and tear: some cracks here or there. The only concerning damage is a a significant hole in the roof off to the side. The debris was cleared away by someone, but the hole itself was never patched, allowing the foliage from outside to creep in slightly and the sounds of the outdoors to drift into the chamber. THe elements don't seem to have worn away the surrounding structure, so despite the "gaping wound", it shouldn't be a problem structurally.
What could have cause it though?
@ -1278,7 +1278,7 @@ Need to think more on this. Like many other Ages we've stumbled upon, something
Our translation team truly is remarkable! They've been able to piece together most of what happened through the basic writings of the indigenous people of the Age and more documents we were able to uncover in Teshafee.
It seems, in 7349 DE, the Caltauc, a tribe of people native to this area of the Age, had approached the D'ni while they were building the library...and were none too happy that the latter were destroying and spoiling this patch of land for their own ends. The Age's Writer and head of the expedition to build the library, Relsahn, did not want to start a war with these people, so he worked with them to strike a bargain: they would trade the tribe a small batch of nara, the strongest stone work they had, for their people to use however they see fit. This would be along with a few other supplies, such as food and medicines that were found to improve the health of the Caltauc.
It seems, in 7349 DE, the Caltauc, a tribe of people native to this area of the Age, had approached the D'ni while they were building the library...and were none too happy that the latter were destroying and spoiling this patch of land for their own ends. The Age's Writer and head of the expedition to build the library, Relsahn, did not want to start a war with these people, so he worked with them to strike a bargain: they would trade the tribe a small batch of nara, the strongest stone work they had, for their people to use however they see fit. This would be along with a few other supplies, such as food and medicines that were found to improve the health of the Caltauc.
For a time, there was peace, until an accident occured during the final days of construction. A boy from the tribe, curious about what was going on, had wandered into the unfinished structure to explore. Tragically, he caused the collapse of one of the heavy wooden pillars and was crushed. He died instantly.
@ -1304,7 +1304,7 @@ Success! We've finally found an exit to the library . . . and quite by accident!
Who knew this library was someone like a haunted mansion . . . as in actual secret passages. I guess it makes sense given the tense relations with the Caltauc at the time. One of our volunteers was doing a bit of dusting (something that is constantly needed, it seems) and stumbled upon the mechanism that opens up one of the bookcases to reveal a passageway leading downward further into the hill's rocky interior.
This "basement" is about the same size above, but contains many private study rooms an only a few shelves. This looks to be where the D'ni did quite a bit of Writing. We discovered more blank Books and the precious ink that goes with them. I guess, in their haste to evacuate, the D'ni had forgotten them. Good to know we're not the only ones that forget something important during a big move!
This "basement" is about the same size above, but contains even more desks and shelves, plus a lovely office overlooking the land outside. This looks to be where the D'ni did quite a bit of Writing. We discovered more blank Books and the precious ink that goes with them. I guess, in their haste to evacuate, the D'ni had forgotten them. Good to know we're not the only ones that forget something important during a big move!
As such, we took all we found and have stockpiled them in the usual place, as well as donated some to the other groups working in the cavern. Hopefully, they'll be of some use someday.<pb>9-19-19
@ -1314,7 +1314,7 @@ I've come to the decision that this library should be open to all of our friends
I'll consult with our usual people to make sure this place is ready for the public.<pb>2-10-20
So busy with other projects, but the work here is important too. It's been discussed, and we'd like to turn this library into a hub for a new restoration of sorts, led by the Called...the explorers who have come to D'ni to seek adventure, enlightenment, knowledge, belonging...and fun, of course!
So busy with other projects, but the work here is important too. It's been discussed, and we'd like to turn this library into a hub for a new restoration of sorts, led by the Called...the explorers who have come to D'ni to seek adventure, enlightenment, knowledge, belonging...and fun, of course!
I should probably get in touch with members of the DRC again to consult them on this and get their advice. If anyone knows what should go into a restoration of this magnitude, it's them.
@ -1324,7 +1324,7 @@ With all that's going on on the surface, it's good to get away to what is litera
For now, I'll be adding Books to our own works, namely the Guild of Messengers Pub in Ae'gura and Veelay Tsahvahn. They're both perfect showcases of the fantastic work many have done over the years and should both be ready for the foot traffic releasing them to the general public will entail.<pb>8-20-20
It's come down to this. Tomorrow . . . finally . . . Chiso Preniv will be open to the public! I've also "come out of the shadows", so to speak, and done a bit of public relations by chatting up explorers in the Watcher's Pub, where we've opened up a new Book room to house the Linking Book here. Their enthusiasm is so infectious...but also makes me even more nervous for tomorrow!
It's come down to this. Tomorrow . . . finally . . . Chiso Preniv will be open to the public! I've also "come out of the shadows", so to speak, and done a bit of public relations by chatting up explorers in the Watcher's Pub, where we've opened up a new Book room to house the Linking Book here. Their enthusiasm is so infectious...but also makes me even more nervous for tomorrow!
Time to get back to my speech! Wish me luck, inanimate journal notebook! Ha!<pb>8-23-20
@ -1340,7 +1340,7 @@ After ten thousand years of history, a catastrophic event that nearly destroyed
"In that endeavor, I believe we have been very successful over the years. You've made this place your home away from home and have gone forth on the adventure of understanding the D'ni people, how they lived, and, of course, the worlds they visited via the Art. We have also forged bonds with one another that have remained strong throughout the often joyous and occasionally troubled times.
"Good or bad, we have faced it together, and because of our strength of character, persistence...and most importantly, those aforementioned bonds...
"Good or bad, we have faced it together, and because of our strength of character, persistence...and most importantly, those aforementioned bonds...
" . . . after almost two *decades* . . .
@ -1350,19 +1350,19 @@ After ten thousand years of history, a catastrophic event that nearly destroyed
"But now . . . finally . . . it's our turn.
"Today, we officially begin a new restoration . . . *our* restoration . . . to continue what our predecessors started and to expand our knowledge of the D'ni through their home in the cavern and the incredible Ages contained here. It is with that in mind that we are here today...to open the door to a new era in D'ni.
"Today, we officially begin a new restoration . . . *our* restoration . . . to continue what our predecessors started and to expand our knowledge of the D'ni through their home in the cavern and the incredible Ages contained here. It is with that in mind that we are here today...to open the door to a new era in D'ni.
"A new path . . . a new chronicle . . . a new journey.
"Chiso Preniv, the Age you're about to visit, will be the first gateway to a new gathering of Ages and points of interest here in the cavern that have been restored...or in some cases, Written...by us, the explorers of D'ni. The Books you find there now are just the beginning. I'm hoping, as the months and years pass, fellow explorers will present more of their work to the library, and their contributions will be most welcome there.
"Chiso Preniv, the Age you're about to visit, will be the first gateway to a new gathering of Ages and points of interest here in the cavern that have been restored...or in some cases, Written...by us, the explorers of D'ni. The Books you find there now are just the beginning. I'm hoping, as the months and years pass, fellow explorers will present more of their work to the library, and their contributions will be most welcome there.
"This is, and will continue to be, the culmination of years of work by our fellow explorers, all contributing their time, efforts, and talents to making things ready for you all to see. This is the fruit of their tireless labor. For that, from the bottom of my heart, I thank them. *All* of them.
"There are too many names to mention . . . but each and every one has been an important part of launching this new era. If they would like to make themselves known...I leave that decision to them, as I would respect any choices of anonymity...but if they do speak up, be sure to give them thanks! They are often the unsung heroes here in the cavern. They put in untold weeks, months, and even years of labor on an entirely volunteer basis to bring us all the amazing things we will see and experience.
"There are too many names to mention . . . but each and every one has been an important part of launching this new era. If they would like to make themselves known...I leave that decision to them, as I would respect any choices of anonymity...but if they do speak up, be sure to give them thanks! They are often the unsung heroes here in the cavern. They put in untold weeks, months, and even years of labor on an entirely volunteer basis to bring us all the amazing things we will see and experience.
"Put simply, we would *not* be here today without them.
"There is one more group I'd like to turn our thoughts to today: our friends that are no longer with us. They too are an important part of why we're all still here today. They are with us now in spirit...and as we go into the future, they will always be with us.
"There is one more group I'd like to turn our thoughts to today: our friends that are no longer with us. They too are an important part of why we're all still here today. They are with us now in spirit...and as we go into the future, they will always be with us.
This is as much for them as it is for us.
"We've all come a long way and experienced much. Yet there is still *so* much more out there for us to explore!
@ -1372,7 +1372,7 @@ Now, more than ever, these words ring true:
"With all that said . . . I give you Chiso Preniv . . . the first step towards a new future in D'ni!"
Wow...rereading that, I can't believe it was me who wrote that! Ha!
Wow...rereading that, I can't believe it was me who wrote that! Ha!
I've given some well-earned time off to my team. They could use the break, as could I. Off to vacation!<pb>12-10-20
@ -1406,7 +1406,7 @@ On that note, the two Ages and one cavern location we've been focusing on lately
Thankfully, the swells in Tre'bivdil have subsided. Now we just need to dry things out and make sure there's no toxic mold or anything. People would be surprised how much scrubbing with disinfectant is involved. LOTS of scrubbing, in fact.
Serene seems the most . . . well, serene . . . after the storms subsided. We'll probably be able to release that Age first. As a born and raised Minnesotan, I was NOT keen on shoveling that walkway...but it had to be done!
Serene seems the most . . . well, serene . . . after the storms subsided. We'll probably be able to release that Age first. As a born and raised Minnesotan, I was NOT keen on shoveling that walkway...but it had to be done!
Now to head to the Ae'gura Messengers Pub to let my arms fall off. Ha!<pb>3-17-21
@ -1522,7 +1522,25 @@ Given the demand, I think it's probably time to officially open up the lower flo
The wall is still being worked over. I honestly think, if Hazado never saw the interior of the Maintainer's Nexus again, he'd be very happy. Still, if the wall functions quite well at the end of it all, it'll be due to his tireless work.
Keith Lord has mentioned he's close to getting the Highgarden area of Fahets ready to open. His restoration process is quite methodical and always worth the wait. Plus, with some of the photos he's been taking of the Age, I'm even more keen to see it in person!</translation>
Keith Lord has mentioned he's close to getting the Highgarden area of Fahets ready to open. His restoration process is quite methodical and always worth the wait. Plus, with some of the photos he's been taking of the Age, I'm even more keen to see it in person!<pb>4-25-22
As always, I'm amazed by the immense talent of this community. This time, Minasunda, one of our prominent event planners in the cavern, has donated some fine artwork of Ae'gura. I've decided, in order to spruce up our office here a bit, to display them prominently on the walls.<pb>5-7-22
I hate to admit that I've been so busy lately that I have not been able to keep up on current events as much as I'd like. It tends to happen sometimes when I get buried in my work, and I constantly need to remind myself to come up for air every once in awhile.
Luckily, I'm able to keep loose track on the D'ni Explorer forums provided by Keith. I try to get a post in here or there too. I'm glad there's a place where people can keep clued into the various goings on in the cavern and beyond.<pb>5-26-22
We're slowly getting the lower floor cleaned up for visitors. I'm glad the others are as enthusiastic as I am to give people a sneak peek at what's in the works from various people and groups, even moreso than the AGM.
Again, more goings on in the cavern. I'm glad we have so many that are diligently chronicling things as they happen. Reminds me of the days I volunteered for the explorer-led Guild of Messengers and, even further back, the relayers!<pb>6-10-22
More work again in the Vale. We're very close to getting the mechanics working again. I honestly can't wait to see what will happen when we get things running again. As mentioned, the mix of D'ni architecture with the local fixtures is still intriguing.
Hopefully, when we're able to explore more of this Age, more questions will be answerd.
On the cavern side of things, Kotsahvosahn continues to come along nicely. We've also been learning more about Lothias and his exploits (still one of our primary focuses) as well as the people who came before him and worked in that neighborhood for the GoMe.
Time to head back to the surface for an extended break. Hopefully, I'll be able to get back down to drop into the All Guilds Meeting next month!</translation>
@ -4056,11 +4074,9 @@ I had to take a break to deal with some matters on the surface. Such a frightful
I'll probably just be using this to keep track of things in addition to the Naybree journal- should probably keep those thoughts separated.
1/4/22
Spoke with X, Scharm, Nosi, and Mafasa about the Kirel Audio Podium recording, earlier. X thought I was pulling her leg over it, but, nope! I'd never pull anyone's leg over something like this! At PodHopper's Relaxation Session now. Should be a good few hours of peace and quiet.
1/27/22
Saw some photos Semjay posted of her work in Kalamee, today. I'm thoroughly impressed! It looks amazing, and I can't wait to be able to explore it. From what little I know of the age, a D'ni Survivor also lived there at one point. I don't know if they still live there or not.
I was working on more Caltauc translations for Patrick when I heard a series of heavy footsteps behind me at my desk.
@ -4070,7 +4086,6 @@ I heard heavy breathing and someone moaning like a ghost and I whirled around an
Let it be known that Maintainer Suits protect against coffee just as well as they do any element. Good grief. That boy... I don't know what gets into him sometimes. Once he stopped laughing, he asked me to help him take the helmet off. Not happening, buster! Get yourself out of that thing on your own.
2/5/22
Found Calum asleep on a cliff in Naybree this morning, near the Maintainer Marker. Why he sleeps in the strangest places I have no idea...
Well, I woke him up, and told him about the Descriptive Book I'd found in Naybree. He wanted to take a look at it immediately. He's been poring over the Descriptive Book's pages ever since. Good grief, what did I do?
@ -4094,7 +4109,6 @@ Well, Calum was certainly head deep in the book, waiting on an Er'cana oven cycl
AGM over. I've emailed Patrick. Someone trolled the damnable speaker button. How rude!
2/10/22
I missed out on attending any of the anniversary events this week, alas. Surface life and translation work for Patrick had me busy. Speaking of, Patrick's talking about opening up the downstairs area of Chiso later this year. Sounds like an interesting time to be had eventually.
2/22/22
@ -4103,7 +4117,6 @@ It's "Two"sday. :D
And I've just served as a middle messenger between Taliana and Jules regarding a German translation of the Kirel Podium messages. 'Tis what I get for going on stage at the AGM, it seems. That, and I need to check my KI more often.
3/5/22
Woke up to the sound of fire engines rushing down the street, sirens blaring, at around 8 this morning. I am not a happy Kelsei. And Yay, an email from mother asking me to a family reunion with a family group I don't even recognize the name of. Plus no Fil live today? Drat! What a day today is shaping out to be already!
Calum's asked me to do his Er'cana Pellet run for this morning. I really ought to just copy his oven settings over to mine at this point. It'd save me the extraneous jog. He brought up that he thinks the Exten-col book is stable enough for a visit. I'll bring it up with Patrick later.
@ -4149,23 +4162,19 @@ Translation is going to be an issue. Do they speak D'ni? Will we need someone fl
200 years is a long time when considering these things. Our information is so out of date it's not even funny. I know Athsheba left the book, along with a link back to the Cathedral, but why? For others to find, she implied in her journal. So does that mean she's told the locals to expect strangers to appear from thin air someday?
3/6/22
I voiced these concerns to Calum this morning. He took one look, and said, "I sincerely hope one of us doesn't end up in a Doctor Jackson role." Good grief- always equating things to fiction!
Also ran into Carl again at the RFD show. Had a brief chat up, but got distracted explaining things to others before he wandered off again.
3/7/22
Paid my respects to the Kahlo Pub Memorial. Been a while since I did that. Decided to hang out in Ae'gura after. Wound up speaking with [zane], TikiBear, HenryMikel, Dalken Starbyne, Lutra, and Opcode_ for a bit, too.
Was an interesting conversation on drama, the past, and other things. Not much to say other than I ended up repeating myself regarding the Cathedral again- did that when Carl dropped by during Radio Free D'ni yesterday.
3/10/22
Well, it'll be another busy day at work, it looks like. A shame, I'd have liked to have gotten to go to the Country Evening in the Cleft this week. Maybe I can swing some time and get tomorrow off for the last of the International Women's Week stuff.
3/11/22
Got the day off, made my way to Kirel for the first talk... very early. I could use the rest though. :)
---
Was a fun evening all around. Spoke a bit with Diranda while we waited. Kirel's next quarterly recording should be ready to go soon-ish. I did hand off the notes to Patrick to approve, though, last I'd heard it'd been cut down in time a bit. Something about trying to keep them under six minutes?
@ -4173,15 +4182,12 @@ Was a fun evening all around. Spoke a bit with Diranda while we waited. Kirel's
Owly's talk about Yeesha was very interesting. And Iwonk's "Wonky Talk" Stream after was very entertaining and fun to watch. Iwonk is such a clever artist in addition to a witty pun maker and cookie baker. I'd watch more streams of hers any day!
3/13/22
Time changes throw me off. Had to leave in the middle of RFD for dinner because it started an hour later. Also woke up an hour later than usual. Meanwhile, I see Calum has spent a sizable chunk of the day uploading old transcripts to the forums' new transcripts section. Where does he find the time?
3/14/22
HAPPY PI DAY! Grab yourself a Pie of some kind! I don't have much to say except that it's Monday, and Mondays go as Mondays go. I'm hearing it's about ten days until the anticipated release of the Wall- though we'll see if that holds true. Apparently Calum gave Scharminius and Nosila a tour of Naybree today. Wish I could've been there for it.
3/17/22
St. Patricks Day, and it snows at home. Calum's complained to me already about not being able to go to the store for groceries. I thought to shop ahead! ...Is what I'd like to say, because, no I didn't. I'm in just as sorry of a state of food prep. Damned snow.
This is on top of waking up late (Cursed time change) AND waking up after having had a dream that a snake bit me on the thumb! A glove I was wearing prevented it from penetrating skin, but it still hurt, and in the dream, my parents were heavily concerned... And then wanted to get me somewhere I didn't want to go, so I ran off? Ugh. Dreams. I swear, the nonsense within them sometimes.
@ -4204,7 +4210,6 @@ Calum hit his head. Says some woman breached security and shoved him to the grou
I need to get a grip. Get myself calmed down. I'm not going to do anyone any good if I don't.
3/18/22
Calum's been talking in his sleep again. At least he's not sleep walking, but it's just as disturbing hearing him ramble in his sleep.
"Free floating seeds loose from the pot."
@ -4216,7 +4221,6 @@ Other variations on those topics. I'm reminded of his stint with the Vertigo Cry
Oh, no. I am NOT finishing that sentence. I do not have time to unpack that right now.
3/19/22
With Calum sleeping now, I thought I'd take a break for the evening and relax at the Mid-Stairs Landing after the last few days of 'excitement.' Tomorrow I'll be heading down to the archives again to check on if we have any information regarding who wrote Naybree. It's a mystery that should keep my mind off of things.
I still can't get over it! That someone would have the gall to just-! Push Calum over like that! How utterly frustrating. If I ever meet this woman, I'll- I'll--!!
@ -4228,15 +4232,12 @@ Well, I was up far later than I intended to be. Calum's still asleep though, has
...That's good. Maybe I can sleep soundly tonight.
3/22/22
I honestly have no idea what to write. My thoughts are a hurricane scale swirling mess of conflicted emotions right now.
3/25/22
Calum's grandmother is back and I'm officially out of excuses to keep tabs on him. I can't say it.
3/27/22
I'm going to be honest. After the last week of surface life getting on my nerves, I need a break. The sheer amount of back and forth talk about things is... Yes! We need plans at work. I get that. We need plans for what we're doing.
Why do I feel like I'm the only one contributing to those planning stages? I know that's not the case. But. Ye Gods, I feel like I'm the only one contributing some of these things actively. Meanwhile, everyone else is talking about how we should do things without actually doing those things? I- oh.
@ -4250,21 +4251,17 @@ How can he be so sympathetic to someone whose only interaction with him was to p
And I'm- I can't even bring myself to write the words let alone TELL him- but HOW does he not SEE!? Plus yet another firescare yesterday. I'm. Tired. I'm tempted to call in sick tomorrow... I think I might, actually.
3/29/22
Work needed me yesterday and I had to fill in for someone else who called in sick. So I beat them to the punch and did it today. I need the break.
Visited an explorer's Relto... I was a little unnerved over the reclaimed Bahro Poles in their yard. I heard one scream even while I was there. Good grief.
Some mild chatter between Carl and Tiernan and Ereshkigal while I tried to relax at relaxing session today. Fortunately I think they got the hint I wasnt in the mood for much socializing after a bit.
3/30/22
How sweet, Calum heard how tired I was yesterday and got me a cute little toy-scale motor scooter, with a little pull back and launch method too. I think I'll keep it on my desk in Chiso. Now if only I had a little doll or figure that was the right scale for it! Oh well, that can wait for another time.
4/6/22
I'm seeing ghosts, I have to be. There's no reason for that 'Sami' girl to be stalking me on the surface, let alone looking terrified out of her wits while doing it.
4/15/22
Busy, busy, busy. How has it been half a month already since I got that little toy from Calum? Patrick's officially announced planning to open up the lower Chiso Library area to the public- so who knows how long that'll take before it's officially open and what not.
Dr. Quinlan had his Sanctuary Clinic open house today, which went off successfully, it seems. I couldn't make it due to work. Seems like we all missed one hell of a party afterwards- someone smashed up one of the patient rooms!
@ -4276,27 +4273,21 @@ In other news, Tenny's poked me to ask Calum about how his exam went. I've texte
What? That's impossible. It's - that's - Calum's latest scans show no signs of a concussion at all- not even healed ones. That's... Calum thinks it may be the Vertigo Crystals? Damn it all.
4/16/22
Met up with Calum at the Island this morning before he went out on errands. I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't seeing the images infront of my own eyes. The scans taken when he was hurt versus yesterday are impossibly different. This can't be right?? How? How could this be possible?
4/20/22
Repeat scans repeat the trend. Calum's head is HEALED. How in the world...? Not even showing signs of damage. This... This makes no sense unless the Crystals did something??? But... how? Why??
4/24/22
Apparently TikiBear has lost a Gnome? Poor thing. Who would *dare* steal a Garden Gnome!? Still, somehow I'd rather focus on the thought of a lost Garden Gnome over medical improbabilities.
4/29/22
Elonin is released, and what a line! I could see it going on from the book clear to the link in! Filming was a bit of a tedious task, though. Danged camera screen kept flickering at me. Fortunately, Calum says the video isn't corrupted. So, that's good. I'll have to check the video tomorrow. I'm quite a bit tired now, and I think I'll be heading to bed soon. What a day!
5/5/22
Calum's posting vague poems to the internet again. This one sounds like something describing Naybree. I wonder why? My thoughts come back to the age, considering it's soon-to-be-released nebulous status of the whims of restoration. The Age of Naybree, and Vertigo's crystals... It's a strange confounding mess of threads, tangling together. And I wish I could write if not for a constant string of TEXT MESSAGES! Damned Surface Work.
5/7/22
You get stuck working on the surface for ONE DAY! And suddenly all kinds of PROPHECY breaks loose!!! How Jules knows two different psychics of the past and future seeing varriety, I don't know nor do I care to know just yet. I'll read up on the forums later.
---
So. Jules knew Echo McKenzie, an apparent psychic who sees the future. He wanted to learn more about it, so he went to this "Astral Bureau of Circulation" place in Boston. Met this Madame Sophia there.
@ -4336,19 +4327,16 @@ Echo reaches the large crack outside the Kadish Gallery and stops.
"They fell. With both books. The ground split, and they fell."
5/11/22
Not much to say except I had a lovely afternoon break off for Fil Live. Work continues to hound me on the surface. Hoping Calum's not overstressing himself with Naybree work.
I've also heard that apparently that rascal Wayne has decided to come back down after getting a replacement Relto Book- I'm hearing talk that he's requested a desk downstairs in Chiso.
5/13/22
Iwonk's Wonky Talk stream is today! I've managed to secure my afternoon off work for it. I'm now settled in at the Guild of Cookies hood. I'm an hour early but so what?
---
Was a good show! Glad I could catch most of it! Just sorry I had to leave early at the end to catch dinner. Oh well.
Had an interesting evening chatting with Carl, Tenny, and quite a few explorers tonight. Discussed the whole prophecy thing. Some interesting theories came up. Also discussed the nature of capitalism in the modern psychic industry. Not quite sure where I thought the evening would go.
5/19/22
Jules and his friend Ed stumbled on an Amnesiac Explorer earlier today. Behind the barricades in the lower library floors, name of "Benavud." I'm not familiar with the name, and I can't find a record of it in the work crew records. I'll have to wait for crowds to form in Ae'gura or the night-time hood gathering to ask folks.
---
Talked with the night-hood crowd tonight. Sia, Cody Herd, Captain Jericho, Root Beer, Malaclypse, Choupette, Jet Blast, D'ni Seeker 5, and Carl Palmner in attendance- among others I forgot to write down the names of.
@ -4356,11 +4344,9 @@ Talked with the night-hood crowd tonight. Sia, Cody Herd, Captain Jericho, Root
Nobody knows Benavud, alas. We discussed the events of the 'prophecies' earlier this month. I'm tired. With my uncle flying in tomorrow, and things going crazy in D'ni... May I please have a break?
5/20/22
I wasn't asking for a literal snow storm in the tail end of May, by the way.
5/24/22
I've had a few explorers reach out to me about Calum sleepwalking in the city last night. I've been given a chatlog that I'm pouring over now. Good grief, just what we needed now of all times.
---
Calum's not responding to texts or KI messages. Getting concerned. I'll have to go investigate the usual haunts and see if he's anywhere...
@ -4393,17 +4379,14 @@ Rei'schu: or Exten-Col, as I've called it. Extension. Collection. The Descriptiv
I need to talk with Patrick in the morning about heading into this potentially still inhabited age. We may have already lost a chance at a controlled first contact scneario.
5/25/22
Damn it all- *Calum Used The Book!* Jules and Tenny have volunteered to go with me- regardless of Patrick's decision on the matter. Looks like we've got a mission building.
---
Patrick's advised that any expedition is taken cautiously, and in a group. Well, that's good, I suppose.
5/28/22
Had a mostly relaxing day after we got back from Rei'schu. Wrote up my report, spent time at Karaoke, and hung out in Ae'gura all night. Managed to get Sky caught up on events as well. What a damnable mess the last trip was. I have some priestesses to talk to tomorrow about some strange dreams.
5/29/22
Strange, tiring day. Suited up again, and returned to Rei'schu. The younger Priestesses claimed no insight into the dream I'd had that lead me to find the Naybree book in the first place. The eldest Priestess- Karin'da, was her name- she told a different tale.
"The Lady Chezahcen may sometimes reach out outside of the connections of the Crystals, across the spans of space and time and worlds, to encourage events into a favorable outcome. In this tale, I cannot say for certain whether the dream you had was one of these events."
@ -4427,15 +4410,12 @@ Perhaps sensing my unsease, Karin'da redirected the topic to asking me- that she
I told her, I don't know either. He may just not be built for such things. The smile i got in turn was definitely sympathetic. The knowing hum of sound that accompanied it transcended language, as well.
5/30/22
...I. What? Benavud's not genetically Earth-human? He's... Well, he's either from a parallel Earth, or he's a bookworlder. How in the - I just -- *What???*
6/1/22
Happy bahro flipping shroomie burgers at the local bahro dive bar!! How is it June already!!?
6/2/22
Just saw Sami's name listed on the URU Obsession hood imager's visitor list, near the bottom on the 19th. Good grief, I must have had my mind so full of events after that day to have not noticed. The 19th was when Benavud was found.
Honestly, it's a miracle I spotted the name when I did- it was almost pushed to the bottom of the imager and off the board. Only my and Calum's names kept it from being totally erased. I'm not sure whether to consider that a sign from someone, or just a mere coincidence.
@ -4449,7 +4429,6 @@ I've done a cyclical pass of the cavern a few times tonight. Going to do one mor
I've Notified Skyisblu. Hopefully between her and the others I've asked and the imager board notif I've posted, things will go okay and I'll get that KI# soon. I just hope I'm not too late.
6/3/22
I've had a few folks point out my imager board notice was a bit... estranged and confrontational.
---
I've managed to get the KI#, though, and reached out. We'll see if I get a response.
@ -4457,60 +4436,117 @@ I've managed to get the KI#, though, and reached out. We'll see if I get a respo
Met Tenny's boyfriend Logan Marcus today. Gosh, they look adorable together. Well, atleast someone's managed to find love in the last few months. Can't say the same for myself.
6/4/22
With everything that's happened, I completely forgot to get Murry the Vertigo Crystal samples he requested. I suited up and went to Vertigo this morning to get them, and felt... Watched. It's a feeling I've had before, but it was more stand out this time.
It's funny, knowing I've likely got a tie right back to Calum right now without even going to Rei'schu. The melodic humming within the age is... a bit more offputting, in retrospect.
Still, I decided to try something. I asked for two crystal samples for research. I wasn't expecting any response but... Here they came. Two little fragments of red and blue, just floating down towards me from above.
I took them and returned to Chiso immediately. Murry can do his experiments infront of the rest of us in relative safety. And if things go wrong like they did with Calum, atleast we know where to go to resolve it.</translation>
I took them and returned to Chiso immediately. Murry can do his experiments infront of the rest of us in relative safety. And if things go wrong like they did with Calum, atleast we know where to go to resolve it.
6/9/22
With Calum out in Rei'schu for the foreseeable future, I've been assigned his duties, to a large degree as I can take on whatever I can. Beyond extraordinary situations, such as Patrick calling me in to do initial surveying in Descent, or my own inexplicable drive to locate and restore Eder Naybree, I'm rarely doing this actual survey work.
The Age: Fahets; the place: Highgarden.
Yes, that's right, a specific part of a larger age. Fahets is one of Keith's ages, dating back to his "The Third Path" group which existed far before I ever set foot in the Cavern with my cousin, Dawn. All I'm aware of the Age's history is that there was some form of calamity that nearly befel the Age, and it was... rectified with modifications to the Descriptive Book? I want to say, but can't with any certainty.
(Needless to say, the similarities in travesty to Rei'schu/Ext-col have me interested for a varriety of reasons.)
It's quiet, and night time as I've arrived now, Linking in at a ring of standard Garden Architecture. I have no idea of the Age's history, so I can't say for certain if this place was part of the "Garden Binge" that Kemo, Delin, Tsogahl, and Naybree hail from, or if some explorer was just *very* dedicated at recreating the standardized forms.
The sky above is starry, and a massive green nebula hangs overhead. I'm reminded vaguely of Rei'schu's moons, but honestly- what a sight! There's a moon, encased half way in shadow. It looks vaguely similar to Earth's lunar partner, but I can't quite see enough of it. Something seems off, regardless.
Beyond the sky, it's astoundingly dark. I can barely see where I'm going if not for the occasional lamp. I sure picked a real doozy of a time to arrive, didn't I? Naybree was practically glowing at night with all the excessive lighting put in place there. In contrast, Highgarden seems to be a diametric opposition of intent there. It favors the night sky almost exclusively over anything else.
More familiar garden age Architecture. Gazebos. I really must ask Keith where these pieces came from. The plant life is VERY alien in appearance, though. I wonder if people are asking Keith about these as much as Calum's been asked about Naybree's plant-life?
I'll have to come back when it's brighter. I can't see a thing to do any surveying work right now.
6/10/22
Ow. The stupid irony of not doing research work in an Age during the middle of the night, only to trip on ones own bed after turning out the lights and crashing into a bookshelf. My shoulder hurts- not constantly, so I doubt I broke anything, but it's sore enough I'm not doing any heavy lifting work for a while.
6/12/22
Happy Children's Day, in the US. I'm only making note of this due to hearing about it in Iwonk's last stream session. I didn't know it was even a thing until then. We'll be doing a meet and greet with Benavud today. I've got some questions to ask him.
---
Well, Ben's probably not from Chiso Preniv, or Rei'schu- between my questioning and Murry's he's debunked the latter, atleast. No instinctual knowledge of those places... Nor did he recognize Sami or Fasyk's names- not that I'd expect he would if they're fake IDs. Even so...
He knew what basketball was just by looking at a logo, and knew New Mexico was part of the United States. It's looking like he's from Earth- atleast, *AN* Earth. Whether he's from ours or not is up to debate. I'm tempted to ask him some generic meme or pop culture knowledge from the last 20 years, see what he knws or not.
Maybe I should start with that danged Dress everyone was in a fuss over a few years ago?</translation>
Reporting this to you, since Calum's still quarantined. I've been looking into events around the cavern as asked, regarding our mysterious new visitor as well as these unnamed troublemakers.
Regarding the troublemakers, here's what I've learned, in addition to what we already know about:
-Three explorer's journals went missing from one of the hoods. They are positive they left them there, and were only gone for a few minutes.
-Some explorers set up a sound system in a hood to have a party. Apparently almost no one came. The hosts went to AeGura to try to find people, and when they got back, the speakers had been smashed and the equipment ruined.
-A note was tacked on to the wall in Watcher's Sanctuary with the words "Leave the cavern or the gnome dies!" I can only assume they mean TikiBear's garden gnome. Not sure if this is our troublemakers or someone else playing a prank.
-Someone had a portable heater in Delin for the cold snowy season. It disappeared overnight.
-Calum's Lego chess set, which I borrowed, has now gone missing. He's not going to be happy with me about that.
Regarding the troublemakers, here's the new information I've gleaned:
- Three explorer's journals went missing from one of the hoods. They are positive they left them there. The explorers were only gone for a few minutes.
- Some explorers set up a sound system in a hood to have a party. Apparently almost no one came. The hosts went to AeGura to try to find people, and when they got back, the speakers had been smashed and the equipment ruined.
- A note was tacked onto the wall in Watcher's Sanctuary with the words "Leave the cavern or the gnome dies!" I can only assume they mean TikiBear's garden gnome. Not sure if this is our troublemakers or someone else playing a prank.
- Someone had a portable heater in Delin for the cold snowy season. It disappeared overnight.
- Calum's Lego chess set, which I borrowed, has now gone missing. He's not going to be happy with me about that.
Most frustratingly, no one has seen the saboteurs and thieves since Calum's encounter with them. I'm keeping an eye on Tiernan Quinlan, since they seem to have a personal vendetta against him, although why they would is beyond me. I'll keep my eyes open. Maybe we should think about hiring some security?
With regard to Benavud, I'm afraid I've hit a dead end. Nobody--and I mean NOBODY--seems to know him. It's pretty exasperating that the guy can't remember anything himself. All we know about him is that he was injured and dressed in a Yeesha shirt when Jules found him. His bloodwork indicates he's not human, which would indicate a D'ni or Bookworlder--except that the clothing he was wearing was typical surface clothing and he speaks fluent English. I suspect the same troublemakers who are stealing other things are probably responsible for stealing his Books, but how they got to his Relto I have no idea. If Benavud could remember anything about his life before Jules found him, we'd probably know a lot more. I think we should keep an eye on him, and be ready in case his people--whoever they are--come looking for him.
With regard to Benavud, I'm afraid I've hit a dead end. Nobody--and I mean NOBODY--seems to know him. It's pretty exasperating that the guy can't remember anything himself. All we know about him is that he was injured and dressed in a Yeesha shirt when Jules found him. His bloodwork indicates he's not human, which would imply a D'ni or Bookworlder--except that the clothing he was wearing (besides the shirt) was typical surface clothing and he speaks fluent English. I suspect the same troublemakers who are stealing other things are probably responsible for stealing his Books, but how they got to his Relto I have no idea. If Benavud could remember anything about his life before Jules found him, we'd probably know a lot more. I think we should keep an eye on him, and be ready in case his people--whoever they are--come looking for him.
I've also asked around about the Saturday Prophecies (that's my name for Madame Sophia's premonition and Echo's vision the same day). While everyone has theories, nobody's come to any firm conclusion on what they mean. I'm inclined to think Calum was right about not putting much stock into prophecies.
<translation language="English"><cover src="greatzerojournals01.hsm"><margin left=62 right=62 top=48><font size=16 face=Michelle><p align=left>The Great Zero Journals
by Diranda Valerian, PhD
Website: https://diranda13.wordpress.com/
I discovered a slim little Journal in my researches into the Great Zero and its Keeper. While I was looking around the neighborhood the Keeper lived in, I found a cache of little books. I think these were written by the Keeper’s daughter, a girl named Sarai. Though I’m not entirely certain. Some of these books are written in a different hand, which I believe might be a young man named Tayeth.
But I found a story, which I’m not sure at the moment is a historical record or just a fiction, about the first time Sarai met Tayeth, when they were children. It’s fascinating! I’ve been spending most of my time looking through these homes, trying to find any kind of documentation about the Great Zero.
Welcome to the Great Zero Journals
March 11, 2022
I found a scrap of paper with the word key on it. That doesn’t mean our ‘KI’s, as that’s a name the DRC invented for the devices. I’d like to find more about this Key.
This is a record of my explorations within the Deep City, and what I found there.
Diranda Valerian
Dr. Tenny has been busy lately! He’s met someone named Logan… I haven’t met this person, but apparently Tenny’s very interested in him. It’s very cute actually. I’ve never seen Tiernan blush, but he does when he talks about Logan.<pb>Gahreesen Wall Tourney
May 6, 2022
I’d wanted to go to see this event, it looked like it was a lot of fun! Unfortunately, I had to consult with Dr. Tenny about a small injury I’d sustained a few weeks ago, so while we were x-raying my ankle, I had to miss the beginning of the event.
My time in the Cavern
March 11, 2022
Even worse, once we were done, I hurried over to the neighborhood and managed to get over to Gahreesen to see the event and I missed a jump! I Reltoed out and before I could get back there, the event had concluded.
I’ve been working in the Cavern, this time, for several weeks. At this point, I have focused most of my research on the Great Zero complex and the history behind this enigmatic location. I have been working on D’ni research for many years, having become involved in the project back in the 1990s, when the first DRC researchers began to investigate the Cavern. However, many other projects have diverted my studies, including some work in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as well as the Pacific Northwest. Only recently have I been able to return to the Cavern to help with the restoration efforts there.
I’ve just been having one of those crazy, forgetful days today. However, I did head over to the Great Zero to take some more photographs.
I have settled into my neighborhood, a ‘Bevin’ type. This one is mine, however, as opposed to the first neighborhood I used as a base, which was shared by several other explorers. Unfortunately, the neighborhood I was assigned doesn’t have a D’ni clock, but I was very happy to be able to find one that was in good condition and was unclaimed. A clock is just a bonus. I’m grateful to Calum, who helped me find one so quickly.
Water Power
March 15, 2022
Looking at the complex, there is a set of water channels from the lake outside the complex into the building, which appears to be responsible, at least in part, for powering the mechanical functions of the Emitter.
I have been looking over the channels and have realized that they run underneath part of the Calibration chamber, which means there is a channel within the interior of the building. In order to keep the machines running correctly, there most likely had to have been a team, or at least a single maintenance person on hand, perhaps occasionally anyway, to oversee the continued operation of the Emitter.
I’d like to try to get through one of the doors I have found in the complex, but so far, no luck. It’s possible it’s not even a door, really, but as a window, it makes no sense. I have tried to see if there’s something on the other side that would make the window theory work, but there’s only the raised platform in the actual Calibration chamber.
I have consulted with a few other explorers regarding my investigations, so they’re aware I’m attempting to find a way inside the interior. I’m not sure if they believe me or just think I’m mad… the crazy lady who’s obsessed with the Great Zero…
I do wonder if I misplaced my research last month, now! Though other folks have reported things missing, including a garden gnome?<pb>New Journal
Missing Equipment
March 16, 2022
I seem to have misplaced my current journal and the writing supplies I’d left at the Zero last night. I’m not sure if I just forgot where I put them or if someone came by and saw them and picked them up to return to me.
I do hope I find them soon, most of my current research on the people who worked in this complex was in that book.
Oh dear.
New Journal
March 18, 2022
Well, since I have yet to find my previous journal, I started a new book. I’ll just have to remember to keep it on me at all times.
I honestly didn’t think anyone else was interested in the Great Zero, at least I never see anyone here, so I was surprised to find my work gone.
@ -4523,61 +4559,105 @@ I have found some other interesting artifacts in the Library as well as in the a
It’s interesting, the kinds of gemstones the D’ni used in their jewelry as well as creation of gaming materials and decoration. I found a lovely little Gemedet set in the Jeweler’s Manor, made from what looks to be white jade. It was apparently in the process of being finished when the Family had to abandon the City.
It’s rather poignant, such a lovely little item just sitting there, abandoned.<pb>Missing Equipment
March 16, 2022
It’s rather poignant, such a lovely little item just sitting there, abandoned.
I seem to have misplaced my current journal and the writing supplies I’d left at the Zero last night. I’m not sure if I just forgot where I put them or if someone came by and saw them and picked them up to return to me.
I do hope I find them soon, most of my current research on the people who worked in this complex was in that book.
Gahreesen Wall Tourney
May 6, 2022
Oh dear.<pb>Water Power
March 15, 2022
I’d wanted to go to see this event, it looked like it was a lot of fun! Unfortunately, I had to consult with Dr. Tenny about a small injury I’d sustained a few weeks ago, so while we were x-raying my ankle, I had to miss the beginning of the event.
Looking at the complex, there is a set of water channels from the lake outside the complex into the building, which appears to be responsible, at least in part, for powering the mechanical functions of the Emitter.
Even worse, once we were done, I hurried over to the neighborhood and managed to get over to Gahreesen to see the event and I missed a jump! I Reltoed out and before I could get back there, the event had concluded.
I have been looking over the channels and have realized that they run underneath part of the Calibration chamber, which means there is a channel within the interior of the building. In order to keep the machines running correctly, there most likely had to have been a team, or at least a single maintenance person on hand, perhaps occasionally anyway, to oversee the continued operation of the Emitter.
I’ve just been having one of those crazy, forgetful days today. However, I did head over to the Great Zero to take some more photographs.
I’d like to try to get through one of the doors I have found in the complex, but so far, no luck. It’s possible it’s not even a door, really, but as a window, it makes no sense. I have tried to see if there’s something on the other side that would make the window theory work, but there’s only the raised platform in the actual Calibration chamber.
I do wonder if I misplaced my research last month, now! Though other folks have reported things missing, including a garden gnome?
I have consulted with a few other explorers regarding my investigations, so they’re aware I’m attempting to find a way inside the interior. I’m not sure if they believe me or just think I’m mad… the crazy lady who’s obsessed with the Great Zero…<pb>My time in the Cavern
March 11, 2022
I’ve been working in the Cavern, this time, for several weeks. At this point, I have focused most of my research on the Great Zero complex and the history behind this enigmatic location. I have been working on D’ni research for many years, having become involved in the project back in the 1990s, when the first DRC researchers began to investigate the Cavern. However, many other projects have diverted my studies, including some work in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as well as the Pacific Northwest. Only recently have I been able to return to the Cavern to help with the restoration efforts there.
New Stories and Friends
May 17, 2022
I have settled into my neighborhood, a ‘Bevin’ type. This one is mine, however, as opposed to the first neighborhood I used as a base, which was shared by several other explorers. Unfortunately, the neighborhood I was assigned doesn’t have a D’ni clock, but I was very happy to be able to find one that was in good condition and was unclaimed. A clock is just a bonus. I’m grateful to Calum, who helped me find one so quickly.<pb>Welcome to the Great Zero Journals
March 11, 2022
I discovered a slim little Journal in my researches into the Great Zero and its Keeper. While I was looking around the neighborhood the Keeper lived in, I found a cache of little books. I think these were written by the Keeper’s daughter, a girl named Sarai. Though I’m not entirely certain. Some of these books are written in a different hand, which I believe might be a young man named Tayeth.
This is a record of my explorations within the Deep City, and what I found there.
Diranda Valerian</translation>
But I found a story, which I’m not sure at the moment is a historical record or just a fiction, about the first time Sarai met Tayeth, when they were children. It’s fascinating! I’ve been spending most of my time looking through these homes, trying to find any kind of documentation about the Great Zero.
I found a scrap of paper with the word key on it. That doesn’t mean our ‘KI’s, as that’s a name the DRC invented for the devices. I’d like to find more about this Key.
Dr. Tenny has been busy lately! He’s met someone named Logan… I haven’t met this person, but apparently Tenny’s very interested in him. It’s very cute actually. I’ve never seen Tiernan blush, but he does when he talks about Logan.
The Key to Zero
June 10, 2022
I’ve been thinking a lot about the word ‘Key’ and how it relates to the materials I found in the Lyara Neighborhood, where the Keeper and his daughter lived, as well as the Jeweler’s Family.
I saw a sketch in one of Sarai’s journals, of what seems to be a key. It certainly looks like the keys from other D’ni places we have discovered.
She noted in it, so I took a picture and sent it to Tiernan’s grandmother, who is a D’ni linguist.
Molly said that as far as she could decipher, considering the words were faded and written in a child’s hand, that the description says “My key to Zero”.
I think it might be a key to a room, but I haven’t found the room yet. I do wonder why Sarai had a ‘key to Zero’, and I wonder if the key might work on one of the ‘doors’ I found in the Great Zero complex. I’m not sure.
I also found a small box with the word ‘Firemarbles’ on it. When I opened it, it was empty, unfortunately.
In one of Sarai’s journals, there are a few pages with the word ‘Firemarbles’ on them, but again, I can’t seem to read what she’s written there. I might send them to Molly, if she has time, but I’m also thinking of perhaps asking one of the linguists here in the Cavern about them.
Since things have been going missing lately, I’ve been very hesitant to share too many of the discoveries I’ve made, which makes me sad, but Tiernan and Kelsei agree it’s probably better right now. I wish Calum were back, I think he’d find this fascinating. I only hope he’s feeling better soon!
I might ask Dr. Lavisham to look over these things though. I think he might find them interesting.</translation>
Well, after the tests came back, we found out Ben seems to not be human, exactly. Of course Carl went into this a bit more on his journal: “A Non-Human Newcomer”. People were excited about this and speculation went a bit wild. Unfortunately this week, poor Ben seems to have been too overwhelmed with things and I’ve made the decision to keep visitors away for a while until he feels better. So I asked my helpers, the young folks from ASU, to keep him company and keep an eye on him when I’m not in the Clinic.
Logan came by, since I’ve been so busy with Ben, we haven’t had a lot of time to do much together lately. He was, of course, very curious about Ben, but I’m not letting anyone see him, not even Jules and Carl. I think Logan understands, he seemed to.
Welcome to my journal
March 19, 2022
Logan’s offered to visit me at the Clinic though, so while I’m working, he’s planning to come over for coffee and ‘mini-dates’ (his words!).
I’m a retired medical doctor and I have finally been able to answer the Call I have had for so very long.
I think we’re a couple… Alex says we are, anyway. She just grins whenever Logan comes by and Jamie winks. Logan is incredibly sweet, at any rate. I may offer him a place to stay here, since he mentioned his current neighborhood is a bit crowded with other Explorers.
I’ve relocated to the D’ni city, Ae’gura, to help with the restoration and research efforts there.
He noticed something and pointed it out to me though. The ‘mysterious visitors’ continue to show up on our Clinic roster, yet nobody here has ever seen them. Not even Alex and Nyota, who are here pretty much all the time. This is beginning to concern Dorrian, who’s been helping with security in the Clinic, along with Mysty. He and Jamie are setting up a watch during the night, just to keep everyone there safe. Their group has pretty much moved into the Clinic, which is great, because now I have people to keep me company as well as Ben!
Jamie is very interesting, he’s been helping me with my satellite uplinks, since we still have occasional connectivity problems. He’s also been discussing working with Dira’s brother’s Argon Labs group, and it sounds very much like Corey is going to be offering Jamie and his friends jobs!
The Clinic is coming along
March 22, 2022
I took a ‘KI selfie’ picture today of Logan and I! I love it and he wanted a copy sent to his KI as well.<pb>Clinic’s First Guest and a Mystery
May 19, 2022
I have been figuring out where to set up rooms for the Clinic, exploring my neighborhood and looking at all options.
Jules called me today about an injured man he’d found behind the Great Library. So once we got the poor fellow back to the Clinic, I set to work fixing him up. The poor boy was very confused and disoriented, but considering he’d taken a bit of a tumble, it’s not surprising.
At the moment, I have set up my office and telescope monitoring equipment in the ‘Classroom’, with my satellite equipment in the foyer near the clock. I don’t expect it to interfere with the clock mechanism, and thus far, it hasn’t.
Unfortunately he’d taken a bit of a bump to the head and seems to have temporary amnesia. Dr. Lavisham is looking into trying to find out a bit more about him. All we know about him at this point is that his name is Benavud, which we got from his KI Device.
I think the little observation room next to the classroom might be a good examination room. It’s private and quiet. It will just need a bit better lighting.
Jules, Kelsei and Carl are asking around, to see if anyone might recognize him or know about him, while Calum is looking at the broken KI.
The light gardens are a nice place for people to wait and relax. I’m primarily considering a good location for the emergency OR as well as patient rooms, but I will probably put one of the townhouses to use as a hospital ward at some point.
Strange visitors
May 10, 2022
A couple of former workers on the Overflow station, who left the project a few weeks ago have been showing up on the visitor logs in the Clinic.
Calum let me know that these people had quit shortly after they took a leave of absence and as far as we knew, they’d left the area.
However, Tati Masser and Fasyk Casing have since been in the Clinic at least three times since they went ‘missing’. They seem to appear whenever I’m out on rounds or otherwise occupied in the Clinic, so I have yet to encounter them.
Hopefully we will be able to learn more about him, to help him out. In the mean time, he’s resting at the Clinic and we’re looking after him.
I suppose if his name sounds familiar to anyone in the Cavern, please let Dr. Lavisham, Kelsei, Carl or myself know, so we can make sure his family and/or friends are notified that he’s in our care and is alright.<pb>Relaxing Evening and A KIMail
Explorers in the Cavern
May 11, 2022
This evening, while I was walking down to the Pub, I met a gentleman, Logan. He’s a newcomer to the Cavern, from the town my grandmother lives in, Sedona. We went over to the pub and had a couple of drinks and a nice, long conversation. Though he’s been here longer than I have, he arrived in December and has been exploring Ages and following the Journey. He’d just recently finished the Journey and was trying to find out more about the most recent news that Echo McKenzie was seen recently, which I’d heard about but didn’t see. I understand Dr. Lavisham spoke with her, however.
Unfortunately I couldn’t provide Logan with any new information about that, but we talked quite a bit about the Cavern, recent events and our work. He was very friendly and I enjoyed meeting him.
Logan Visited
May 15, 2022
So Logan stopped by the Clinic today. He was curious about where I was staying and I showed him around the Clinic. We stopped by the Radio Free D’ni show for a while as well but ended up spending most of our time wandering around Ae’gura, listening to the show on my phone.
He’s kind of amazing! So interesting and funny! I haven’t had a friend like him in a very long time and I didn’t realize how much I missed just hanging out with someone and sharing D’ni.
I think Grandmama would like him. There’s just something about him that is different.
We spent most of the evening in the Library, reading and sharing the information we’ve learned. He knows D’ni! Much better than I do! He was translating a book of poetry and it was just magical to hear his pronunciation of the words. It’s almost as if he were D’ni in a past life.
I’d love to introduce him to Carl, Jules and Calum, but Logan’s been kind of hesitant to meet more people. I’m not sure why. I think he’s just shy.
Relaxing Evening and A KIMail
May 17, 2022
Logan and I stole away to spend the evening sitting in Elonin, gazing at the Lake, sipping wine. A few other Explorers were looking around, trying to solve the puzzles, which was fun to watch.
@ -4598,48 +4678,364 @@ I think they’d both be stunned at what exists here below the desert floor of N
I’m hoping they might visit for the summer season, then they can meet Logan, Calum, Kelsei, Diranda, Jules and Carl. That would be so fun! I’d love to show a youngster around the Cavern!
Diranda told me her friends have been researching an Age that Calum found and they’re hoping he might let them visit it eventually. Calum mentioned that this age has crystals with some very unusual properties, which apparently caught the attention of Alex, Jamie and Nyota. They’re anxious to explore but Calum is being careful in who he’s letting visit, which I definitely agree with. I’d like to explore that Age as well but I respect Calum’s wishes in this case. I know he doesn’t want anyone to get hurt and I agree.<pb>Logan Visited
May 15, 2022
So Logan stopped by the Clinic today. He was curious about where I was staying and I showed him around the Clinic. We stopped by the Radio Free D’ni show for a while as well but ended up spending most of our time wandering around Ae’gura, listening to the show on my phone.
Diranda told me her friends have been researching an Age that Calum found and they’re hoping he might let them visit it eventually. Calum mentioned that this age has crystals with some very unusual properties, which apparently caught the attention of Alex, Jamie and Nyota. They’re anxious to explore but Calum is being careful in who he’s letting visit, which I definitely agree with. I’d like to explore that Age as well but I respect Calum’s wishes in this case. I know he doesn’t want anyone to get hurt and I agree.
He’s kind of amazing! So interesting and funny! I haven’t had a friend like him in a very long time and I didn’t realize how much I missed just hanging out with someone and sharing D’ni.
I think Grandmama would like him. There’s just something about him that is different.
Clinic’s First Guest and a Mystery
May 19, 2022
We spent most of the evening in the Library, reading and sharing the information we’ve learned. He knows D’ni! Much better than I do! He was translating a book of poetry and it was just magical to hear his pronunciation of the words. It’s almost as if he were D’ni in a past life.
Jules called me today about an injured man he’d found behind the Great Library. So once we got the poor fellow back to the Clinic, I set to work fixing him up. The poor boy was very confused and disoriented, but considering he’d taken a bit of a tumble, it’s not surprising.
I’d love to introduce him to Carl, Jules and Calum, but Logan’s been kind of hesitant to meet more people. I’m not sure why. I think he’s just shy.<pb>Explorers in the Cavern
May 11, 2022
Unfortunately he’d taken a bit of a bump to the head and seems to have temporary amnesia. Dr. Lavisham is looking into trying to find out a bit more about him. All we know about him at this point is that his name is Benavud, which we got from his KI Device.
This evening, while I was walking down to the Pub, I met a gentleman, Logan. He’s a newcomer to the Cavern, from the town my grandmother lives in, Sedona. We went over to the pub and had a couple of drinks and a nice, long conversation. Though he’s been here longer than I have, he arrived in December and has been exploring Ages and following the Journey. He’d just recently finished the Journey and was trying to find out more about the most recent news that Echo McKenzie was seen recently, which I’d heard about but didn’t see. I understand Dr. Lavisham spoke with her, however.
Jules, Kelsei and Carl are asking around, to see if anyone might recognize him or know about him, while Calum is looking at the broken KI.
Unfortunately I couldn’t provide Logan with any new information about that, but we talked quite a bit about the Cavern, recent events and our work. He was very friendly and I enjoyed meeting him.<pb>Strange visitors
May 10, 2022
Hopefully we will be able to learn more about him, to help him out. In the mean time, he’s resting at the Clinic and we’re looking after him.
A couple of former workers on the Overflow station, who left the project a few weeks ago have been showing up on the visitor logs in the Clinic.
I suppose if his name sounds familiar to anyone in the Cavern, please let Dr. Lavisham, Kelsei, Carl or myself know, so we can make sure his family and/or friends are notified that he’s in our care and is alright.
Calum let me know that these people had quit shortly after they took a leave of absence and as far as we knew, they’d left the area.
However, Tati Masser and Fasyk Casing have since been in the Clinic at least three times since they went ‘missing’. They seem to appear whenever I’m out on rounds or otherwise occupied in the Clinic, so I have yet to encounter them.
Added Office Hours and Appointments
April 25, 2022 / Leave a comment / Edit
Logan and Benavud
June 2, 2022
I’ve set up a contact form for those requesting appointments as well as a list of hours I will be in the Clinic. Please feel free to contact me if you’d like an appointment.<pb>The Clinic is coming along
March 22, 2022
Well, after the tests came back, we found out Ben seems to not be human, exactly. Of course Carl went into this a bit more on his journal: “A Non-Human Newcomer”. People were excited about this and speculation went a bit wild. Unfortunately this week, poor Ben seems to have been too overwhelmed with things and I’ve made the decision to keep visitors away for a while until he feels better. So I asked my helpers, the young folks from ASU, to keep him company and keep an eye on him when I’m not in the Clinic.
I have been figuring out where to set up rooms for the Clinic, exploring my neighborhood and looking at all options.
Logan came by, since I’ve been so busy with Ben, we haven’t had a lot of time to do much together lately. He was, of course, very curious about Ben, but I’m not letting anyone see him, not even Jules and Carl. I think Logan understands, he seemed to.
At the moment, I have set up my office and telescope monitoring equipment in the ‘Classroom’, with my satellite equipment in the foyer near the clock. I don’t expect it to interfere with the clock mechanism, and thus far, it hasn’t.
Logan’s offered to visit me at the Clinic though, so while I’m working, he’s planning to come over for coffee and ‘mini-dates’ (his words!).
I think the little observation room next to the classroom might be a good examination room. It’s private and quiet. It will just need a bit better lighting.
I think we’re a couple… Alex says we are, anyway. She just grins whenever Logan comes by and Jamie winks. Logan is incredibly sweet, at any rate. I may offer him a place to stay here, since he mentioned his current neighborhood is a bit crowded with other Explorers.
The light gardens are a nice place for people to wait and relax. I’m primarily considering a good location for the emergency OR as well as patient rooms, but I will probably put one of the townhouses to use as a hospital ward at some point.<pb>Welcome to my journal
March 19, 2022
He noticed something and pointed it out to me though. The ‘mysterious visitors’ continue to show up on our Clinic roster, yet nobody here has ever seen them. Not even Alex and Nyota, who are here pretty much all the time. This is beginning to concern Dorrian, who’s been helping with security in the Clinic, along with Mysty. He and Jamie are setting up a watch during the night, just to keep everyone there safe. Their group has pretty much moved into the Clinic, which is great, because now I have people to keep me company as well as Ben!
I’m a retired medical doctor and I have finally been able to answer the Call I have had for so very long.
Jamie is very interesting, he’s been helping me with my satellite uplinks, since we still have occasional connectivity problems. He’s also been discussing working with Dira’s brother’s Argon Labs group, and it sounds very much like Corey is going to be offering Jamie and his friends jobs!
I’ve relocated to the D’ni city, Ae’gura, to help with the restoration and research efforts there.</translation>
I took a ‘KI selfie’ picture today of Logan and I! I love it and he wanted a copy sent to his KI as well.</translation>
With the whole of the UK remaining on lockdown for the foreseeable future and the walls of the flat continuing to close in on me, I’ve decided to start a new journal. It’s been the longest time since I’ve felt the need to make a personal account, a testament to the period of relative stability in my own life for the past several years. But at this point, with all that is happening in the world I will happily throw myself into anything that can occupy me, no matter how temporary the respite it provides.
Ed and I are managing the best that we can, myself with hosting my subject lectures over Zoom and he with his ongoing duties to the University Archive. I am fortunate indeed for his company and for the structure that our work is providing. I can only begin to imagine what those who are living alone must be going through. It would be wrong of me to say that it is easy, though. There is a restlessness that is growing within me, and I must be careful not to allow it to manifest in ways that I will subsequently regret.
17/05/2020
This morning, Ed walked in on me engaged in a blazing row with the living room carpet for daring to get in the way of the coffee I had spilt on it moments before.
I think confinement is starting to take its toll.
23/05/2020
Enough! There is only so much work I can pour myself into, so many books and other distractions that I can focus my attention on in order to stave off the increasing mental fatigue that clouds my waking moments. The human mind was not meant for these long periods of confinement. I of course know what’s at stake, and I will not chance putting myself or those I care about at risk. But truly I do not know how much more of all this that I can stand.
How I long for a change of scenery. To travel once more, feel the air of somewhere new on my face, experience the thrill of discovery. If only such a thing were possible without taking a step outside the flat.
01/06/2020
Re-reading the previous entry of this journal with fresh eyes, I cannot believe I did not come to the answer right there and then.
And such an obvious one at that. My mind has cleared as if it had comprehended the paradox of Zeno’s Arrow for the first time. Such is my excitement and the effect of the last three months’ confinement that, had I not checked myself, I am sure I would have grabbed the Relto book from its drawer in my study and immediately used it without a second thought.
No. No rushing. Let’s do this right, I say to myself. But already I can feel my breath catch in my mouth, my hands trembling with a re-ignited excitement.
02/06/2020
Travelling items assembled, plan of action drawn up. I asked Ed if he wanted to join me, but he politely declined, citing his responsibilities to the Archive and the prospect of having some “me-time”. Entirely fair. I’ve promised him that I will be on the next flight back to the UK the second that he asks it. After months of putting up with me in close quarters, it’s the very least that I can do for him.
Alright. He we go. Ready to make my goodbyes and return to my island in the clouds.
It’s time for another adventure.
03/06/2020
Hello, D’ni. It’s good to see you again.
It looks like I won’t be alone again either, judging by the names popping up on my newly-acquired KI. Time to get to know the neighbours and work out what’s what.
05/06/2020
Right. Bearings have been acquired. Suffice it to say, this old place has been busy since my time down here over a decade or so ago. Fortunately there has been little contact with the surface since the events of the last few months have unfolded, and no reported cases amongst the community, so it looks like it will be safe to mingle with others, at least for the time being.
First of all, the practicals. The cavern WIFI seems to be holding firm, so contact can be maintained to the surface without having to keep hiking out to that sweltering gas station a couple of miles out from the caldera. Means I should be able to stick to my lesson plans for the foreseeable, if anyone asks I’ll chalk up the change of scenery to some particularly immersive Zoom wallpapers. Food and drink shouldn’t be an issue either, along with my provisions there’s a number of active groups down here who have been spending the last decade getting the commune living down to a fine art. Between everyone chipping in with their contributions, the occasional supply run to the Surface and a few canny explorer’s own agricultural efforts, this place has gotten nicely self-sufficient over the years. Remarkable.
Doesn’t seem to be any one group in charge of things down here, there’s certainly no equivalent presence to the DRC. From what I’ve gathered, the nearest there is to that kind of setup is a collection of age restorers, surveyors, technicians and the like who have bandied together and have been quite successful in working together for the past few years in fixing up new ages and select areas of the cavern. Indeed, my timing is quite fortuitous as there are plans to release several of these restored areas to the explorers within the next few months!
08/06/2020
A few names keep cropping up amongst my readings and via conversations with others. Patrick Dulebohn seems to be the main figurehead, insomuch as that role applies to whatever autonomous collective lash up they’ve got going on down here. Very impressed with what he and the others have accomplished to date.
What started as simply a change of scenery to keep my mind from unravelling has taken on the potential to revive my dream of being able to teach the history of D’ni as part of a formal institutional syllabus. I should start getting a submission together. Maybe enough time has passed for it to be worth another shot.
03/08/2020
Resisting the urge to stay too connected to things on the surface, the news only succeeds in depressing me at the moment. The UK in particular seems to have gone completely off its head. “Eat out to help out”?! Evidently my country’s policy decisions are being written by the ghost of Sid James.
20/08/2020
Woken up to an absolute bonfire of emails from the faculty this morning. The UK government couldn’t have made a bigger disaster of this years’ A-Level results unless they were actually rounding up students from state schools on horseback with big nets.
Bloody typical. First rumblings of new publicly released ages in D’ni for over a decade, and the entire national UK university system is on the verge of imploding. I’m not saying it’s the stated goal of the universe to mess with me personally, but by the GODS it would certainly explain a few things.
21/08/2020
Ended up having to miss the Chiso Preniv opening ceremony due to the A-Level results fallout requiring me to stay glued to my workstation. Fortunately Ed managed to talk me through getting set up on this Twitch streaming thingy, so I was able to watch it unfold live in between putting out the fires. Remarkable to see over three hundred or so people assembled in the Watcher’s Pub, with Patrick delivering a very heartfelt and sincere address to the community that genuinely felt like the beginnings of something exciting.
I truly believe we will look back on this as the moment that the New Era in D’ni began.
24/08/2020
Finally taken a look at Chiso Preniv. Will be fascinated to know the history of this place and when it was in use, it has something of the feel of one of my old Cambridge establishments about it. In any case, I am going to get SO much good reading done here.
While poking around the library, I met up with a delightful young fellow named Calum Traveler who has been assisting the new restoration with assorted projects. Very sound head on his shoulders, seems to have a good idea as to what’s what down here.
25/08/2020
THEY’VE ONLY GONE AND RESTORED A PUB. AND FULLY STOCKED IT TOO.
This pleases me. And while I’m not entirely sure what a Suhru Spring Wine is, it’s making me feel like that Keep On Truckin’ fellow had the right idea about things.
I feel like the Guild of Messengers Pub is going to become a regular stop-off of mine.
28/08/2020
Wonderful reunion with Echo in the city tonight. After all these years, it really feels like no time at all has passed between us.
I must make sure to set aside time to reconnect properly.
03/09/2020
Report on the new ages done and submitted to the faculty. Fingers crossed they have the imagination to see the promise of future restoration efforts, even without official DRC oversight.
The lack of an official presence has always been a sticking point for them, it was what torpedoed my last efforts to get D’ni history officially recognized by the RNU back in the days of the Third Restoration. If only I could get them on board with this new explorer restoration and the work they've been doing. Surely they must see the significance of this new undertaking and what it could mean for the entire field of history itself?!
There'd be those in the dept who won't see it that way. Quintus never regained his interest once the truth behind Ahnonay's time-travel was uncovered. I keep hearing Beddingfield's jibe about "shacking up with the Mole People" on repeat in my head. Vulgar idiot.
If only it was easier to make the journey from home to the cavern. Just having a linking book to somewhere in the UK would cut down on SO much faffing around with travel logistics. Somewhere like London would be ideal. No more trans-Atlantic flights.
I should make some enquiries. Someone in the restoration must be in touch with someone who has been experimenting with age writing.
22/09/2020
Got my call-up papers from the faculty. Looks like they want me on-site for the new semester. I had a feeling remote-working from Ae’gura was only going to take me so far.
Time to start assembling.
27/09/2020
Feels strange to be back on the surface after the excitement of the past few months. Already missing the city, along with the promise of what more remains to be discovered. Still, the Relto book on my study shelf is a welcoming sight to me, and the London link was managed without too much incident. I now have my means of returning to the city at a moment’s notice.
I WILL be back. And I’ll be bringing those eager to learn the history of this magnificent civilization with me.
30/09/2020
Got my reply from Nkeiru today. Without an official DRC presence, it doesn’t look like I’m able to be taken anything I discover further, at least in terms of spinning a syllabus out of it all. The prospect of funding is definitely out of the question. It seems the memory of 2008 still lingers in the minds of the faculty.
Predictable. Absolutely justified, the potential liabilities alone were enough to make it a logistical impossibility. Still, bit of a kick in the teeth. Unless something major changes, it looks like any insights will be strictly mine alone, and on my time, to be shared with others at entirely my own risk.
So it goes.
01/10/2020
Could it have been different
If we had showed them, taught them how it worked, made the connection
should I have
No. No regrets. There’s no question. It was the right thing to do then, it remains so now.
I just
want it all to get easier
02/11/2020
National lockdown happening again. Gee, who could have foreseen.
07/01/2021
It’s been a long time since I’ve been this deflated. Felt like I haven’t looked up from a book for months. My teaching duties and the RNU Archive is proving a welcome distraction from politics, both personal and worldwide.
Must be wary not to allow myself to become untethered from the surface world. The urge to wander the stacks and lose myself in the vastness for good grows by the day.
I must remember what it is that keeps me here.
10/02/2021
Long chats with Ed and Echo have managed to re-align my head somewhat. Between them both, they have made me realise that there is more than one way to bring the wisdom and knowledge of D’ni to the world.
What’s most important right now is to ensure that the work of the explorer restoration continues to progress. I’ve decided that I will volunteer my efforts to help them succeed in this very thing.
D’ni has given much to me in the last several decades of my life. Perhaps it’s finally time I gave something back.
18/02/2021
This commentary on Chiso Preniv makes reference to a secret passageway somewhere in the library.
Damn you, Patrick. DAMN you. You know EXACTLY what you are doing when you make these kinds of casual off-hand comments to the likes of us.
25/05/2021
Enjoying some jelly babies and sticky buns down in Podhopper’s hood. A relaxation sesh with sugar and e-numbers, what could possibly go wrong I ask myself.
-
brb alphabetizing my cravats
27/05/2021
Dropped into Er’cana tonight, got the old machinery up and running again. I always did enjoy my old baking routine. Partly out of the collaborative nature of the Lake Lighting project. Partly out of the primal monkey brain dopamine kick of seeing an arbitrary number go up.
Found a recipe in one of my old journals to get a nice uncomplicated bake going on. Definite room for increasing the potency though. Will try some experimentation, see what can be done.
04/06/2021
There seem to be some rumours flying around about a recent document leak. All kinds of information about ages and city areas that the DRC were working on back in the day.
Interesting. If true, the timing would be most fortuitous given the recent uptake in interest from those with a knack for age restoration.
05/06/2021
Managed to get some solid networking done today. Made the acquaintances of Kelsei Taylor, Briggs and Patrick Dulebohn during the Trebivdil unveiling. I’m always worried that my particular flavour of small-talking is off-putting to those outside my particular niches, but I consistently find myself at ease in this community. One of the many reasons I find myself coming back to it time and again.
In a follow-up message, I broached the subject to Patrick of volunteering my services to the restoration committee. He said that he was putting together an expedition of the Great Shaft in the coming weeks and that he would be up for having Kelsei and myself come along to help. I don’t think I’ve responded in the affirmative to something so quickly in my entire life.
18/06/2021
Drinks with Cal in the pub tonight, the very thing after several long weeks of exam invigilation. Spoke at length about the Lake Lighting project. Must remember to keep visiting Er’cana and have a constant batch on the go.
Also, to whoever stashed a dozen or so cones in the pub backroom tonight, my compliments to the sheer Tetris lunacy of your work. An installation at the Tate Modern is surely yours for the asking.
27/06/2021
An incredible journey from the surface to the Great Shaft. Will be documenting my experience into a separate account.
For now, all I can say is… wow.
02/07/2021
Just finished from a visit to the Vothol Gallery, had a nice cultured viewing with Kelsei and assorted others. I’m unsure as to whether the name Vothol refers to the location, or to its possible owner. What I’ve seen of it gives the impression of a small, private collection, which lends itself more to the latter, although given the lack of any distinguishing landmarks nearby or Great Zero beam for reference this is pure speculation on my part.
The pictures on display are beautiful indeed. Painted on glass or some other reflective material, illuminated by the gallery’s multiple light sources. Would be very interested to know who the subjects were. Significant figures from D’ni culture, maybe? Personal acquaintances of the gallery owner, commissioned specially?
Was puzzled by one of the works in particular. Clearly damaged, no light shining on it. So why go to the bother of displaying it? Was the damage accidental, a result of the Fall? Or perhaps its very presence is a statement by the artist?
Still, plenty to think about. Will keep an eye on the place and see if any restoration commentaries turn up, there’s a history here I would love to know more about.
01/08/2021
Rummaging through my old journals tonight, I came across the account of my first meeting with Echo all those years ago in the City. Reading back, it definitely possesses a number of the overindulgences and amateur flourishes that typified my writing at the time (and even now still rears its head, despite my best efforts). Still, was a fun trip down memory lane.
There may be others who would find it of enjoyment to read. And those shelves in Chiso Preniv look nice and inviting. I’ll shoot Patrick a few lines, see what the process is for accepting donated works. In the meantime, let’s see if I can make this prose a little less purple…
18/08/2021
Took a stroll through Kirel today, remembering Dr Watson’s old restoration addresses on the auditorium pedestal. I found myself struck by a thought. Right now, there isn’t a single centralized location for communicating to explorers who’s working on what, new areas that have been opened up, updates on current projects. The Guild of Messengers are doing solid writeups of things like the AGM, but social media being what it is it’s proving very easy for them to get lost in the general online noise.
What if we were able to get the old pedestal up and running again, perhaps with new recordings on all the restoration projects happening down here?
This could work, it really could. Just need to get the right people interested.
19/08/21
Looked over the podium with Cal yesterday. It’s definitely beyond my expertise, but I think I sold him on the general concept. If I can get Patrick on board, I think we’ll be in business.
Cal didn’t seem in a good way. Losing his train of thought, apparently not sleeping right. He’s been mucking about with those crystals and it looks like they’re having a disturbing affect on him. I didn’t press the issue. Perhaps I should have, given Ed and I’s own past experiences with -
No, I’m overreacting. But I did promise to bring down some chamomile with me next time I grab some provisions from up top, so I’ll things there for now.
25/08/2021
Very enjoyable catchup with Tyion. Lots of fun reconnecting over our CCN days. Felt myself slip up and call him “Mister” on more than one occasion, which amused him greatly. He seemed very interested in the discussed plans for the Kirel announcements, think he would be up for being involved, me writing and him voicing.
Now we just need to get the thing working.
06/09/2021
Cal and Patrick have managed to put me in touch with the right people for the Kirel auditorium sound system. Hazado in particular has been very helpful in hashing out the mechanisms. Said he had some ideas about incorporating surface and D’ni tech together to make it compatible with our audio input equipment.
Sounds frankly terrifying, quite honestly, but it seems like he knows what he’s doing. Time for me to touch base with Ty and hash out some topics.
16/09/2021
Spent the evening in the Hall of Kings, reading up on the reign of King Ti’amel. Or, more accurately, that of his wife Shama, who was for all intents and purposes ruling D’ni in the absence of any effective leadership from the former.
Accomplished though she was, I’m somewhat aghast at the notion that Shama advocated against D’ni women holding government positions whilst she was effectively running the whole empire herself. Talk about pulling up the ladder behind her. Once again, I’m reminded that the lowest natures of human and D’ni are at times not so different.
06/10/2021
Finished up recording the Kirel announcement with Tyion. The volume output’s going to need some adjustment, but it feels like this is going to work.
07/10/21
Came across an amusing image on the Classics side of Twitter today about finding the Library of Alexandria. Not thinking, I showed it to Edward. He just looked at me with a wistful look on his face and sighed, “I had that dream once, too”.
I’m worried I may have done some damage.
20/10/21
Met with Kelsei for a drink yesterday, bought her up to speed on things re the Relto book they pulled out of the lake before enjoying a lovely music session courtesy of Fil Rowan.
I’m really enjoying these musical gatherings that the community is putting on, they’re doing a lot to make the Cavern come to life down here. Must make sure they get acknowledged in the Kirel announcements.
21/10/21
Had a listen to the audio recording in the Kirel auditorium today. Think we’ve got the sound levels to where they need to be. Barring any last minute amendments or tech hiccups to be sorted, this should be ready for listening in the next month or so.
Some of the sound engineers had the excellent idea of seeing if there were any bilingual French/German/Italian/Spanish speakers who would be up for doing translations. Going to take soundings and see if anyone’s interested.
25/10/21
Just left the docks following a remarkable encounter from the returning Wayne Todd, owner of the waterlogged Relto. Chap is in dire need of a good meal and a scrub, but otherwise all of him is present and accounted for.
He came bearing remarkable news. The lake algae is alive, and in a healthier state than currently thought! His estimations as to the return of a functioning lake light cycle may be in the region of a year or so, maybe even months. The equipment he was surveying has something to do with the regulation of the algae’s food. It’s going to take time and significant manpower to get it back up and running again, but if we can pull it off, it’ll give the cavern day/night cycle a SIGNIFICANT shot in the arm.
Time to step up my visits to Er’cana. After all these years, its moment may have finally come.
02/11/21
Formally announced the Kirel Podium audio restoration tonight. My first foray into officially managing a D’ni Restoration project.
No turning back now. I’m committed for good. Time to make it happen.
07/11/21
What a fantastic lecture. So good to see JD in his element again, he and Gary Buddell delivered a fascinating examination of the Mee-Dis War in the Watcher’s Pub tonight.
Very much hoping for more of these Deep City Lectures in future.
24/11/21
Worrying news from Cal about possible lake contamination, looks like there’s been a spike in metal content which could have a negative effect on the lake algae. He and Kelsei are doing some investigations at the overflow station, and it sounds like they’ve narrowed down the source of it.
Bad business. Hoping it gets dealt with soon. That’s over a decade’s worth of lake restoration at risk of being undone.
25/11/21
VERY interesting project in the works from Christopher Therberg. A memorial for the D’ni cavern, honouring those who lost their lives in the Fall. Looks like he’s planning to erect it at the King’s Memorial Plaza in Ae’Gura. Some design schematics and a concept for the plaza layout have been uploaded to the Beneath forums for feedback.
10/12/21
Talk about a Uni pub quiz for the ages. For a number of reasons.
Haven’t seen Quintus since yesterday evening. Here’s hoping he managed to break the cycle.
15/12/21
Now THAT was a satisfying library restocking. Seems I’ve picked up more than a couple of things after helping Ed with the RNU Archive for all these years.
Took the opportunity to properly catalogue my account of Echo and I’s first meeting (which I’ve dubbed “The Painter”, once again proving I never could quite get the hang of titles) and find a nice place for it on the shelves. Feels good to finally get it out there for people to read. Here’s hoping if I turn up any more of my older works it doesn’t take me so long to edit it down into something readable.
Right. Time for a drink with Cal. Bloody well earned it, we have.
16/12/21
Spending the evening with a warm mug of vanilla chai and the second of the Deep City Lectures. Bliss.
20/12/21
Bags packed, documents assembled, fetching panama hat retrieved from storage and sufficiently dusted down. Officially ready for my jaunt to sunnier climes for the festive season.
Saddened that I’ll be missing the Tiam unveiling today, but looking forward to exploring it in the New Year. I have no doubt that Ametist will give it the best possible introduction.
04/01/22
Suitably recovered from seasonal adventures and New Years Eve shindigs on the surface and elsewhere, though still slightly wobbly in places. Nkeiru’s home-made Bramble Gin takes no prisoners, it must be said.
Looking forward to what 2022 may bring, particularly in regards to the restoration. In particular, I must set aside some time during this week to give Tiam a proper going over.
24/01/22
Took a visit to Veelay Tsahvahn today, have a quiet moment’s contemplation of those no longer with us. I was quite surprised to find something there, something I was not expecting to see again after all these years.
Not even going to begin speculating as to who placed it there or what this could mean.
For now, I am content just to sit and lose myself to the vastness.
03/02/22
Met one of Cal’s old collaborators tonight, Carl Palmner, who ran the Heritage Nights with him way back in the day. Really quite heartening to see more of the explorer community’s old hands popping back in to see what’s going on. Here’s hoping he sticks around.
13/02/22
Resting from a long day of cutting back the overgrown vines and other creeping foliage in Eder Naybree with Cal. Was fun to give the machete an airing, been a long time since the old sword-arm saw some action. Don’t think he was quite expecting the full extent of the collection I had bought down with me, must admit to being amused by the look on his face. Probably for the best he didn’t ask how I came by them.
16/02/22
I do not possess many berserk buttons, but seeing tech-bros appropriate the words of Marcus Aurelius in order to convince others to invest in whatever “crypto-currency” is… well, that’s definitely one of them.
Sometimes I really do wonder if the Internet was a mistake.
18/02/22
Ran into a couple of new explorers in the City tonight, a pair of musicians by the name of Nick Knight and Joe Abraham. Friendly lads, freshly arrived from up top. Had a good chat, gave them a couple of pointers as to what’s what down here. Must remember to look up their music.
Damn, should have asked them for links to it. What would it be, Bandcamp? One of those Spotifys? I vaguely remember Grooveshark being a thing, is that still a thing?
I am -so- behind the zeitgeist it hurts. Must ask Ed if he can give me a crash course on what the Internets are all about these days.
21/02/22
Bumped into Cal in the Pub tonight tinkering with the Nexus terminal. Sounds like if he can score some replacement parts he’ll be able to get it hooked up to the Lattice and have it working again. Will be nice to cut down the legwork needed to drop in.
22/02/22
Kelsei introduced me to an explorer named Taliana during tonight’s relaxation session in PodHopper’s hood. Offered to help with German translation duties for the Kirel broadcast, which is all kinds of excellent.
I really must crack on with that this week and get the next one done. This particular kind of endeavour isn’t going to lend itself well to a Douglas Adams approach to deadlines.
03/03/22
Little bit saddened I won’t be making this Saturday’s Deep City Lecture. Still, it’s not every weekend I get to attend a conference on Anglo-Saxon history at the Brighton Pavilion. I’m sure JD won’t hold it against me.
Ed’ll be joining me, said something about “giving his pineal gland a tune-up”. The mind boggles.
12/03/22
Back from Brighton. Conference was fantastic, the presentation on Anglo-Saxon artifacts from the Dunshelm region in particular was really something special. Nice follow-up chat with Dr Boyd, we had a LOT to talk about in terms of our mutual (and somewhat unique) encounter with this period of history.
Currently I am in the process of recharging from Ed’s various counter-cultural activities, which were something of a wild wide. Definitely a life he’s more cut out for than me. Still, it’s one that’s always fun to drop in on from time to time.
Quiet weekend is in order, I think. Let’s see about finishing off that Tom Sharpe that’s been sitting atop my pile for the past month.
19/03/22
Just got back from a few days up in Cambridge. Was good to meet up with family, along with checking in with my old colleague Tamara Baylis who is working with the English Heritage restoration team at Wrest Park estate. Lovely old manor and grounds, especially now that Spring is finally here. Also excellent to see Tamara doing well with herself, it’s good to know there’s a life and career after the RNU, at least for those of us who somehow manage to escape.
Ugh, train commuting taking it out of me. Travelling by Linking Book has spoiled me as of late. Some green tea and bit of Erik Satie on Radio 3, that’ll sort me out.
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Reading the Beneath forums with horror at Cal’s recent encounter at the Pellet Overflow Station that saw him attacked.
Tiredness be damned. Heading down to the Cavern now.
20/03/22
Spoke to Cal over KI. Seems ok. Sounds like the harm caused was more accidental than anything else. Decided not to press the issue. The last thing he wants is me overreacting again like last time with the crystals. At least nowadays he has Kelsei looking after him.
Also spoke to a new arrival while I was down, Tiernan Quinlan. Sound chap, seems to be a Doctor of Medicine. Told him about Cal’s altercation. Was disturbed to hear that he’s had his own encounter with a worker who was acting suspicious. Between these two incidents and the recent rash of explorer thefts, we could be looking at the makings of something more sinister in the works.
Still, feels good to have a medical chap close to hand.
27/03/22
I finally managed to catch up with Cal in-person this weekend. Nice chat, talked assorted projects. Some very interesting discussions about what can be done with the KIs, utilizing the audio speech/text functions. There’s the making of a solid idea here. Going to develop it a little further and see if it can catch the imagination of one of the other restoration techies.
05/04/22
Patrick is apparently of a mind to making our work area in the lower level of Chiso Preniv public knowledge to explorers. I’m certainly all for making ourselves as accessible to the community as possible, and it would help to ensure we remain as accountable at all levels in the way that the DRC of old was not.
The recent thefts and sabotages do give me some cause for concern, though. I may have to give some thought as to what items I am comfortable leaving unattended. DEFINITELY keeping the drinks cabinet locked for the time being.
27/04/22
Spoke with Capt. Jericho in the Chiso library today, brought her up to speed about the recent explorer thefts. The good Captain assured me that her own stocks of ammo, anti-material weapons and landmines remained untouched, which disturbed me somewhat, although the reference to the nuclear submarine in the lake suggests she was giving my leg a thorough pulling.
I certainly hope to the Gods she was. Regardless of who is behind these recent thefts and sabotages, the last thing we want is actual military hardware falling into their hands.
07/05/22
Today has definitely been a day where the lines separating the known realms have been a bit on the thin side.
Following the AGM, who should make an appearance but my old friend Madame Sophia, from the Astral Bureau of Circulation in Boston. Back in the early days of my friendship with Echo (that would be, what, 2007? 2008? Ugh, the linear passage of time strikes again) I had thought there may have been a psychic aspect to her visions, and had been pointed in the direction of the ABC as a legitimate source of understanding as to mediums and their practices. I have always, and have continued to maintain, what I consider to be a healthy skepticism of the field and its abstract brethren, knowing something of the damage that can be inflicted upon the emotionally vulnerable by predatory manipulators. It was therefore quite refreshing to find in Sophia a pragmatic and academic-orientated woman who welcomed both my skepticism and my desire for tangible knowledge, and who left me with a greater understanding of what lies beyond the sundered veil.
All in all, it was something of a shock to see her step forward as the proceedings in Kirel wound down. She didn’t look at all comfortable with her surroundings, and I have a feeling that she may have arrived freshly from the surface. She certainly had little time for pleasantries, arriving simply to deliver some cryptic words of prophetic warning (of which I cannot pretend to offer any insight beyond the superficial) before leaving just as quickly as she had appeared.
The encounter was swiftly followed by a meeting up with Echo, who proceeded to undergo one of her Narrative Insights. Another story of the Fall, this time concerning a child taken by two strangers from a group at the Concert Hall.
What could they mean? And could there be a connection between the two? Damnation, I wish I possessed the kind of mind suitable for abstract thought. After all these years, it still feels like I know so much yet understand so little.
19/05/22
Ed and I made a shocking discovery today. An injured young man, found on the lower levels of the Great Library. No idea as to the nature of his injuries, they were either the result of a dodgy step or some unstable masonry had tried to do him in.
Luckily we were able to get Tenny down quick-sharpish, and he’s currently resting in his Sanctuary Clinic. He seemed in a bad way, was unable to recall anything about himself, or even recognize where he was. All that’s known so far is the name pulled from his damaged KI: Benavud. Hopefully somebody will come forward with more information.
25/05/22
DAMN it, Cal. What’s were you THINKING?!
I knew I should have talked you out of messing with those bloody crystals when I had the chance.
Too late now. Only thing that can be done is to make sure he comes back from Rei’schu alive.
So much for that catchup weekend I’d planned. Was looking for a nice sedate couple of days with some Vivaldi and that hardback JB Priestley I found in the Archive. Instead, I’m currently having an existential crisis about an imminent First Contact situation and not knowing what tea to bring with me.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER, YOU ONLY GET ONE AND OUR FATES COULD ALL HINGE ON EITHER PU-ERH OR THE CHAI LATTE
Damn it. Get it together, Jules. Your A-Game is needed on this one.
26/05/22
Here we go. Time to get our Cal back.
Once more unto the breach, and so forth.
28/05/22
Well that was an adventure and a half.
Cal’s safe, at least for now. Currently stuck in Rei’schu, working his way through a local ailment he picked up there. A timely reminder that the D’ni had Maintainer suits for a reason.
Lots to be sussed out in respect of the inhabitants. There’s going to be some finessing needed before things get disclosed to the larger community. For now, I’m just relieved things turned out the way they did.
(And let the records show it was the Eton Mess that won them over.)
29/05/22
So it seems like my nerves can’t catch a single break these days.
In the process of ascertaining Benavud’s medical history and to try to get some idea as to where he came from, Tenny did a standard series of tests. Blood, allergens, DNA, the usual.
Turns out he’s anything but. The DNA test came back and the results are DEFINITELY non-human. The possibility of dealing with a book-worlder is now very real. Perhaps even…
No. Not going there. Absolutely no point right now. I’m still processing everything that happened on Rei’schu and what it could mean for the restoration.
But we need to get to the bottom of this. If he HAS come from another age, more come looking for him and he’s found injured in our care, we could be staring down the barrel of a serious diplomatic incident. One that’s going to take more than a nice cuppa to resolve peacefully.
06/06/2022
Resting following Jubilee Bank Holiday on the surface. Felt unmoved by the whole thing. I can remember a time when the pageantry and the historical prestige of it all meant something to me on an emotional level. Nowadays it all rings so false. Words and symbols that I am no longer able to connect with, with nothing of worth behind them.
The last two decades of my life have seen my eyes open to so much. So many rich truths and wonderful possibilities. But so many more comfortable falsehoods and hollow promises have laid themselves bare in that time. And sometimes it feels like there are so many more of the latter to be found.
11/06/2022
Carl and I spoke with Benavud today, with Tenny’s agreement. Seems to be on the up and up, certainly better than he was a couple of weeks ago. Still has no idea about who he is or where he came from, but he did find the KI snaps that DS5 took of the Great Library vaguely familiar. So there’s *something* to be pieced together. We just have no idea what it is yet.
Benavud’s agreed to make the trip to the Great Tree Hood tomorrow to meet the wider explorer community, field some questions. Tenny’s given it the ok, though for obvious reasons he’ll be keeping him under observation throughout.
Tried to leave a few gifts for Ben on the way out, unfortunately the good Doctor was a bit too quick off the mark for me. The box of green tea was permitted, but the bottle of Morgans Spiced that Ed sent me in with got swiftly confiscated. Thankfully Tenny took it all in good humour, but I should probably leave it a day or two before broaching the subject of its return.
12/06/2022
Benavud’s first public appearance went fantastic. Everyone exceedingly polite, yet curious to find out more about him. Ben seemed to take everything well, even going so far as to joint the Great Tree Hood at the end of it. I have no doubt he’s going to fit right in with everyone else.
The idea was hit upon of explorers showing him around the Journey Ages, since we found him with Yeesha’s shirt and apparently he holds the Bahro Journey ring in his Relto. Have to admit, not a bad notion. Will be interested to see if it jogs any latent memories.</translation>
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compiled/dat/ChisoPreniv_District_Chiso.prp (Stored with Git LFS)
