[walkabout] - Day 180 - visual

[wholeheaded]

[ Ambrose projects an image to everyone: a grating somewhere in the sewer, chained and locked closed, but when he focuses on the lock the familiar sigil of the King in Yellow is clearly visible. ]

Unless you have the skills and know-how to magically bind an evil, madness-inducing primordial deity? Stay the hell away from this thing. If you do have that knowledge... someday I'd like to learn it but for now shoring up this seal would be great, thanks.

Comments

[set_your_watches_for_fun]

Where did you find that? [Tick-Tock actually sounds serious for once.]

[wholeheaded]

In one of the sewer areas in Liminal Space. [ a brief pause. ] Have you... seen it before?

[set_your_watches_for_fun]

Yes. You haven't a copy of it about, do you? If so, I would recommend ridding yourself of it as quickly as possible. Preferably with fire.

[wholeheaded]

[ burn it. oh he remembers fire, and for a few moments the psychic link goes silent. ]

Light, heat, open flame-- yes, that would... no, the sigil is engraved on the lock. Burn or melt the lock, the chains are useless, a-and the gate'll open. One of us knows a warding spell, that'll have to do.

[set_your_watches_for_fun]

Ah, so it isn't something you're carrying about, but something you've seen engraved on a lock. That's less innocuous ... I suppose. [still, Tick-Tock sounds troubled]

Are you saying it's being used as a seal? That doesn't fit with what I know of the sign ...

[wholeheaded]

That's the thing with this life, experience is... frequently subverted. [ and Ambrose sounds just a touch shaken. ]

I believe the mark's put on weak points in liminal space, usually involving plumbing. It might be the Trumps giving us fair warning for where this... thing might appear. So far the only times something's gotten lose is when someone's messed with whatever the mark is on.

[set_your_watches_for_fun]

Or calling him. From what I know of it, anyone who possesses a copy is vulnerable to the influence of the King, with rotten effect. [blows out his breath through his nose in a soft huff] But you say it's not here? It's back where we've come from?

[wholeheaded]

[ it's all very, very complicated and in the back of his mind there's a confused innkeeper who wants to think nothing more on the subject. but he's not Laing anymore so he has to. ]

Right, it's not in the chamber. Just in liminal space. I don't think we've ever found the mark in a Jaunt world since Harrogate.

[set_your_watches_for_fun]

Still, that doesn't sound good. It'll likely still be there when we return from this little adventure, I expect?

[The Colonel finds it interesting how often the people he's met here refer to places and times he's not been, as if he should know what they're talking about. He supposes it's his air of confidence. He has no idea how far back 'Harrogate' is, but some time, he imagines from context.]

[wholeheaded]

[ giving time by jaunt is long-term traveler shorthand. telling actual time gets dicey, especially when one is infiltrating. there's entire lifetimes or more wrapped up in a few weeks, and like many of them Ambrose has become careless in that regard. if asked, he will try and clarify. ]

...possibly, but likely in a different location because liminal space does what liminal space does. Changes very frequently, I mean, we're in something of a constant state of flux.

[set_your_watches_for_fun]

Then we shall have to look. Best be on our guards, what?

[wholeheaded]

That's pretty much the second rule, yeah.

[windlancer]

[consider Xaldin...unimpressed.]

And what is this, exactly?

[wholeheaded]

[ ...oh right, here we go. ]

The symbol of an entity known as the King in Yellow. It's a god-like creature bend on consuming the universe with madness, and then consuming it literally, from what I understand. A few jaunts ago the Travelers barely stopped it from being unleashed, and it's pursued us in Liminal Space ever since.

As far as we know, the only way for it or its... acolytes to get loose if for someone to let it out, but we have to take precautions anyway.

[windlancer]

...I see.

[It definitely sounds like something that should stay under lock and key. Not even the idea of making it into a Nobody for them to command makes it worth the risk.]

And these sigils are for...what, exactly?

[wholeheaded]

Warnings, maybe, that the King is making a move. They usually appear on things related to plumbing... pipes, drains, that kind of thing. He's associated with water, cold, and the dark.

[ heat, shine a light, open flame, that will keep the monster away, Ambrose will always remember. ]

[windlancer]

[In other words, the Darkness itself. Interesting. He'll keep this information to himself for now. Include it in his report when he finds something to write with, and on for that matter.]

And it takes a certain ability to remove these marks?

[wholeheaded]

Less remove, more... seal the bad guy in place. [ oh but sealing wickedness away can only work for so long, he knows this. ] But yeah, it's a magic spell or ritual that keeps it locked away. I could maybe cover over the mark with an illusion but, well, papering over a hole in the wall's not really gonna fix it.

[set_your_watches_for_fun]

If you find the sigil written down on anything, or on a book, sign, that sort of thing, do not pick it up. Try not to touch it.

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin, surprised, can't help projecting an audible gasp. Though it comes with a fair tinge of fear, a moment later he's all business.]

...Can you open a portal for me?

[wholeheaded]

[ oh, he can understand that, and is just containing his own dread. ]

Yeah, I think so, just a moment--

[ and one appears before Armin. hope he's got his rain boots on. ]

[neverfeltthatway]

[Though surprised by the news, Armin has already dropped everything and is ready to hop through the portal the moment it appears - an ability instilled in him both by fear and training in his own world, and by his wildly unpredictable life as a Traveler. If nothing else, his experiences have taught him to be adaptable.]

Thanks. Can - can you keep everyone away from here? I've... never actually done this before, but Leonardo taught me how. I think I can do it, but I need to concentrate.

[He's trying to sound confident, but it's fairly evident he is not. He takes a deep breath, turning to look at the sigil. Somehow, it seems more intimidating than a titan - with them, at least, he knows what they're capable of, what might happen. He's died before - the King's brand of madness scares him more than being eaten alive. And failing everyone else, failing Mikasa, condemning them - her - to the same fate... that scares him more than either end.]

[wholeheaded]

[ Ambrose nods in greeting and gratitude at Armin's appearance. any help they have now is a benefit, as he's all too aware of what's lacking, he just hopes his contribution will be sufficient. he himself had been spared the madness but had borne the brunt of the cruelty - cloying mud, small hands - and was prepared to turn his fear into determination. ].

Thank you, I'll... do what I can to keep you from getting interrupted.

[ he glances one way up the tunnel, then the other, then with a steadying breath holds his hands to his sides,palms outward. there's a purple shimmer ten feet away in each direction, and then sturdy brick walls appear to seal them in. Ambrose lets the breath out with a sign and a smile before folding his hands neatly before him. ]

Illusion, but... it'll at least be discouraging, and I'll know if anyone gets too close.

[brokers]

How wide-ranging are its effects?

[wholeheaded]

That I'm not sure of, Armin may know better. I'm basically thinking the sooner we get a proper lid on it, the better.

[brokers]

Will that stop the...let's call it a signal, for ease of discussion?

As a general question. I don't mean to put you personally on the spot.

[wholeheaded]

Historically it has. Leonardo...usually performs the spell, but Armin knows as well, apparently. We'll just have to hope history can be trusted.

[brokers]

That is often the dilemma, isn't it?

[wholeheaded]

Absolutely. Either way I'm going to make it a priority to learn the ritual or whatever myself after this. Are you at all versed in magic?

[brokers]

No. Magic does not exist in my reality. Unfortunately, I can't say the same of creatures such as you describe.

[wholeheaded]

Mine either, sort of. [ wicked witches, kings in yellow, the horror strikes on a similar level. he's not sure if he's relieved or crushed that such nightmares cross so many realities. ] I mean, magic exists where I'm from but... so do wicked things. Could you help keep the others away?

[brokers]

Yes. That I can do.

[wholeheaded]

Thank you. I don't believe anyone would tamper with the proceedings but I'll feel better with security.

[ he hasn't had much chance to get acquainted with Liara - Belljar was his first Jaunt - but he has confidence in her experience. ]

[brokers]

Even if no one would tamper deliberately, keeping the area clear is the best way to avoid accidental interference.

[wholeheaded]

....and that's a very good point too. The road to poorly-timed distraction is paved with good intentions, or something like that.

[brokers]

Is that a modified proverb? The phrasing sounds familiar.

[wholeheaded]

Yeah, it's a thing I do. S'posed to be the road to hell but since we've already pretty much been there some variation's in order.

[brokers]

I thought so.

[There's a pause, followed by a sense of vague chagrin.]

I wasn't criticizing, I just was not certain if it was a coincidence. I'm less an expert on xenolinguistics than I might occasionally wish.

[wholeheaded]

I get it. I mean... ditto. Same. I keep forgetting folks might not have the same linguistic reference points. Traveling broadens the mind.

[neverfeltthatway]

Properly sealed, neither the King or his creatures should be able to pass. At least, not without help from this side.

But that's only a temporary measure - next time liminal space changes, another will likely appear, and we will have to find it and seal it too. And the time after that, and so on. We have to be on constant alert.

[brokers]

And hope that no one has been coopted and instructed to open the way.

Still, temporary measures are better than no effective measures at all.