[Questing Country]

[mysunnydisposition]

So... I think we've all figured out by now that we're probably here to get this valence, right? Big powerful magic wish-granting whatsit... It's all anyone talks about around here. Can't blame them.

But I've been wondering, if one of us wins it... What do we even use it for? Like... I can think of a few things I want, but somehow I don't feel like 'there's no place like home' is going to work here.

Should we have a plan or something?

Comments

[shiroganeheir]

I mean no disrespect, but are we certain of that?

It seems that the last Champion who got the Valence died in mysterious circumstances, and another Champion was blamed for it.

Not to mention, there are those out there who believe that the entire Valence quest is hurting this place, and thinks it should be stopped.

I could be wrong, but I have a feeling there are larger problems than the Valence itself.

[mysunnydisposition]

Ooookay, I haven't run into any of that.

Mind filling me in on the details here? I mean. Whatever you have.

[shiroganeheir]

Certainly. As to the death, it seems the last victorious champion, the Champion of Twilight died in an explosion either just as or after claiming the Valence. Most people seem to blame another, an Adversary, simply on the evidence that his dreamcatcher filled at the time of the death. It is a dubious connection at best, and I believe his word that he did not do it. I have a power to compel a truthful answer from someone, but I have yet to use that. I had thought to do so in a very public manner to prove the poor man's innocence. Other than that, I have no leads. I am still investigating.

As to the Valence quest itself, the person I spoke to said that the main purpose of everyone in this place is to protect their homeworlds from Shadow-like creatures that inhabit this land. Champions fight these creatures, I have fought a few myself, and protect both this land and their homes from them. The competition for the Valence takes away from that quest, and creates conflict where there need not be. To be truthful, I am uncertain if that is a truth, or simply an opinion, but it is certainly something to look into.

[mysunnydisposition]

Hmmm. That does sound a little sketchy, but... you're right, it's not a lot to go on. What makes you believe he was telling the truth? Please tell me it's more than 'he just seemed like a good guy'.

[ A moment of silence while she considers the rest of it. ]

I don't know if I buy that the valence quest is harmful, though. From what I hear, it's a once or twice in a generation sort of thing. For a few weeks, maybe a couple months, everyone focuses on this one thing... and I don't know if that's a bad thing. You live your normal life, every day, and then you go to sleep and you come here and fight to protect your whole world, and you wake up and you do it all over again... That's hard. Even here, it has to be hard.

It seems like it couldn't hurt to have something like this to make up for it. The chance to make one impossible wish and have it come true...

How's that a bad thing?

[willyousee]

There is some question as to whether or not the Valence ought to be our main concern; however, whether it is or not, it should not be ignored. It is an extremely potent power, and it can be no coincidence that we were brought here when it reappeared. The Trumps must want it for something, and it seems unlikely that they wish it destroyed, as this is a repetitive phenomenon.

In addition, there is the question of the death of the Champion of Twilight. If the Trumps had not wished us to have a hand in solving the mystery, they would have sent us to a different time with a different Valence. For whatever reason, we are to find out how Mina was killed.

...it may be worth considering that the Pillar of Mourning is one of those persons who appears from time to time, always infiltrating.

[shiroganeheir]

I have spoken to Zed-san, Alcuin, and I believe him. He has sent me to find the Champion of Void, which is my next priority.

I believe I spoke to the Pillar of Mourning at one point, but did not get anything useful.

[willyousee]

I am glad to hear it. I should like to hear what you find out from the Champion when you speak with him. If there is anything I might do to assist from afar, please do not hesitate to say so.

I intend to take some time and Sift the knowledge I gained from the Castle, the Lighthouse, and the Pillar and see if any new developments or hints show themselves and I shall surely share what I find.

[shiroganeheir]

Certainly. When I have more information and have put things together, I will absolutely share with everyone. I just did not think that the little I had was worth sharing just yet.

Excellent. If you wish an Assist or another Sift on that knowledge, please let me know. I would be more than happy to find you and help.

[mysunnydisposition]

[ God, this is like trying to work with Batman and the Batboys all over again. Everyone seems to know something, and Steph's out of the loop. Not her favorite feeling in the world, so there's an edge of frustration in her voice when she responds, after a long pause: ]

Well, no one told me we had a murder investigation on our hands, so sorry if I'm playing catch up here.

[ Deep breath, Steph. They're trying to be helpful. ]

Maybe the two are connected. Maybe we're supposed to use the valence to fix whatever went wrong the last time. Or... I don't know. Do we know what the Champion of Twilight wished for? Did she even get to make a wish before she died?

...and who's the Pillar of Mourning?

[willyousee]

My apologies, my lady, I don't believe that it is well-known as of yet. I met Naoto-kun earlier and explained what I knew about the situation, but perhaps I ought to have offered it to the Travelers at large. The fault is mine. Information is proving difficult to tease out of what I have gathered, but if I may, let me relate what I have heard thus far?

The Champion of Twilight, called Mina, was the successful questor for the last Valence some four years ago or so, and achieved the honor within Kingfisher Castle. At the time, she was Bonded to the Champion of Void and the Champion of Midnight, and contested with the Adversary of Rebirth. She did successfully make her wish. The Valence vanished. All was well until earlier this year. Mina died under mysterious circumstances, while the Adversary of Rebirth was Dreamcatching elsewhere. Approximately at the same time that she died, his dreamcatcher filled with power. Many of the inhabitants of this country see that as reason enough to condemn him for her death. One other thing of especial note occurred as a result of Mina's death - The Champion of Midnight, Perry, became the Pillar of Mourning. Shortly thereafter, though not in the same day, the new Valence appeared.

I myself have made the acquaintance of both Zed, the Adversary, and Perry - should you so wish, I can show you images of them - but I have not met the Champion of Void. I believe that he simply goes by "Beyond". [There's a slight upward lilt to the sentence that almost makes it a question.]

Many of these events are ambiguously defined at best. I was fortunate enough to spend some time at the Castle Dreamcatching for information, though I have not managed to assemble it all as of yet. I should like to find the place of Mina's death and try to gather more information there, and I believe the lighthouse may be of some use as well, if the rumors about it are true. Does it truly show you anything you wish to see?

[mysunnydisposition]

Thank you. That helps a lot, actually. ...has anyone, you know, done anything to the Adversary of Rebirth since the last Valence Quest? Manhunts, forced to go into hiding, something? Four years is a long time for a suspected murderer to go free...

Lighthouse sounds like it might be worth a try, though. I was out there earlier, and I didn't see much useful... but I can try again now that I know what I might be looking for.

[inexecution]

I doubt winning it is why we're here. Honestly, I don't think we ought to even try.

[mysunnydisposition]

The spirit animals sure seem to think we should... but I guess they don't have all the information either. Probably.

So we don't win, maybe. Do we try to make sure a certain person gets it? Or...?

The valence has to matter somehow, right? Otherwise why drop us in here in the middle of a quest that hardly ever happens?

[inexecution]

I don't have one, so I can't speak for the spirit animal's motivations... but they're a part of this place, and we are not. Their goals aren't necessarily ours.

I'm sure it's important, it seems to be everyone's goal. But we've been in situations like this before, and simply running after whatever everyone else desires isn't always the solution. Maybe we're here to disrupt the proceedings. I don't have enough information, unfortunately, to draw any real conclusions yet.

[howexciting]

... on the contrary, I think the Trumps want one of us to win the Valence. It surely cannot be coincidence that we had a wish-granting device this Jaunt and last Jaunt.

But... what do they want it for?

[mysunnydisposition]

I was a little out of the loop in Melasurei because of... angel things... [ She means murder plots.] ...but what did the last one get used for?

Because whatever it was... obviously didn't make them happy.

[inexecution]

[He's not really sure making comparisons to the last Jaunt is really a good thing, but...]

If the Trumps want it, they want it for themselves. All the more reason not to go after it.

[abweichend]

If one of us finds it, our priority should be to keep it away from the Trumps. They're powerful enough as it is.

[Why else would they have sent them here? Levi's of the opinion that the reason they'd failed the last Jaunt is because whoever found the Name had used it instead of being a good little hostage and turning it over, so maybe this is an attempt to collect something else to replace it.

It's fucking shady, is what it is.]

[mysunnydisposition]

Yeah, that... did cross my mind. Doesn't help much if we have no idea what they want out of this...

I wonder if one of us even could give it to them if we wanted. Or if they need us to make the wish for them, whatever it is they want out of this.

[ Hands, the Fool had said. Voices. Was this what he meant? ]

[abweichend]

I'm sure if anyone made those intentions clear they'd find a way to make it work in their favor. [They're good at that...] From what I understand it has to be won- the stupid thing chooses who's worthy, so this may be the only way they'll have access to it, if they're not qualified to enter the competition themselves.

[Three guesses why that is, fucking cheating, mind-fucking asshats...]

[flatteries]

.. even if finding it wouldn't be why we were here, wouldn't it still be useful to find it all the same? [ Inigo isn't entirely sure of what their goal in this place is supposed to be, but he has been thinking of this much, even if he's keeping himself out of that discussion. ]

I mean, if it can truly grant any wish...

[mysunnydisposition]

I think it's definitely worth thinking about. That's a lot to walk away from even if it's not what we're here for.

But... I don't know. Maybe it would hurt something basically, like... taking power out of this world? Maybe someone here really needs it for something and we should be helping them get it?

[darkhourdear]

Um! So, I ran into the... I actually don't know what she's calling herself, but she's got blood butterflies and stuff. She said her spirit animal was exploded, so she turned Adversary and I'm like 90% sure she's going to try to kill whoever did it. She said she didn't know the name of the person, just that they were 'kind of neon, super sketchy, and wears white.' So... we should probably try to find them.

[shiroganeheir]

I have heard about other exploding Spirit Animals as well. I am looking for the Adversary of Earth, who might be the same person you're referencing, Phillip. This Adversary is taking something from the Spirit Animals, and collecting this power for some unknown purpose.

Please be careful, everyone. Don't approach this person unless you're really comfortable with your defensive or combat abilities, and please be careful with your Spirit Animals if you have them.

[darkhourdear]

...This is a thing they keep doing? [oh now phillp's upset. what a bitch jerk.]