[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?

[shiroganeheir]

I am an investigator. I have questioned many suspects in many cases, and I have developed an instinct about who is telling the truth. In addition, people who I put my own trust in have spoken to their belief that he is being truthful. As I said, however, I do have the power to compel a truthful answer. I believe proving his innocence in this way will likely be helpful. Beyond that, he has sent me to find a Champion of Void, whom I am currently searching.

Perhaps it is my personal experience, but I have come to distrust wishes. At home, I did something very similar to this quest, going to another world sometimes a few times a week to fight monsters and to save people. It is tiring, it is draining, that is true. Having something to work towards does help, however in this case, I am somewhat worried about the Valence itself. The last time the Valence was claimed, someone died. It is very possible that her wish literally caused her death.

Wishes are double-edged swords. If you make a wish, and it comes true, what are the consequences of the action? Perhaps it is to one person's benefit, but the detriment of others. Even if we try to get a consensus among the Travelers, would it even work for an Investigator? If we wished for something for 'home', whose home would it be? The person wishing? Liminal Space? Everyone's connected home? There are too many questions. I would not oppose anyone who would use it, but I have my reservations.

That being said, I need more evidence to believe the quest is harmful to this place.

[mysunnydisposition]

No offense, and I get believing and people and all, but... trust isn't exactly evidence. I'm just saying. I get that the case is years cold by now, so maybe there isn't evidence and all we've got to go on is what people say, but still...

If you can just make him tell the truth, why haven't you yet? What're you waiting for?

And the valence... If it were dangerous in itself, don't you think we'd have more stories of things going wrong than the last time? People aren't stupid, and from what I understand, guiding and warning the newbies is practically what the Oracles are for. One death claiming a valence out of who knows how many that have appeared... That's coincidence, not proof. It's barely a suggestion of maybe something being screwed up here.

But the point is, one of us could claim it. Maybe without even meaning to, because who knows how these things work? I just feel like we should have a contingency plan if it happens, so it doesn't go wrong like you're talking about. We should at least start working on one.

[shiroganeheir]

I am waiting for the correct public moment. Him saying something to me even with my powers, is, as you say, no more believable than without. I need witnesses. I am certainly working towards that. This is not, by any means my first investigation. I know what I am doing.

I have heard very little about the history of things beyond the last time the Valence was claimed. People do not talk about it. The person I spoke to was indicating that there have been problems through the history of these quests, but he did not give specifics. It seems mostly that the last quest was an utter disaster for everyone, including the person who did get the Valence.

I have little opinion on what is done with it if an Investigator were to get it, other than this: I have a theory that the Valence itself it somewhat sentient, and is what is guiding us here. I think consideration should be given to giving the Valence back to Questing Country. Setting it free, if you will. Somewhat like the Genie in Aladdin.