He had known that the information he shared might be alarming or upsetting to some, so when Maea rose and fled he wasn't surprised. It still brought a painful twist to his chest to see his gentle young guildmate so overcome with emotions he had not felt in many years. He had just turned her world upside down... he hoped that she would forgive him for it someday.
But with her exit the only sound was the faint shuffle of uncomfortable feet and the chirp of spring crickets in the back of the Temple. No one else seemed interested in forming a government, and Jigano felt an uncomfortable twist in his gut at how little they all seemed to care. No mind for consequences, nor preparing to meet an outside world that had every reason to be hostile towards them, if their records contained the reason why the gods had erected the barrier around the Hollowed Grounds in the first place.
Weary from more than just his lack of sleep, Jigano saw Remi's hand raise and gave the young man a tired smile and a nod. The reminder of how different the worlds so many Outlanders came from was timely, if unwelcome, and he gave one last searching look among the rest of those gathered, hoping someone might speak up. When none did he turned his attention back to Remi and drew himself straight again.
"Well. Perhaps no one here is quite ready for politics," he said with a wry smile that masked his worry. "As you say, finding common ground among the Outlanders will be difficult when we're all from such different worlds, and the naturals haven't had to deal with it for a couple generations, at least. But perhaps we can still try and put together some teams to go exploring the world beyond, if the barrier ever falls." he took a breath, weighing his words carefully. "In many ways, I think the outside world will be as foreign to those who live here as it will be to those of us who come from elsewhere. But Attuned of any heritage will be invaluable in providing eyes in the sky and scouting the general terrain, while those with swift groundbound shapes can help to fill in the details." He gave Remi a grin, considering the flexibility of the alchemist's two shapes that he knew of. "Many of our Abandoned would be welcome as well, to help provide protection for the shapeshifters." He winked at Edy, knowing from experience that her flames were perfect for dissuading belligerent local fauna from taking bites out of them. "Of course our Ascended brethren will be needed for night scouting," he looked more solemnly to Sam, though he doubted the bookmaker would do anything that took him from Remi's side. "And many Accepted, both Natural and Outlander, have skills and experience that will be integral to keeping teams functioning as units, rather than loose cannons." He offered Ronin a respectful nod.
"Of course, any teams that accept this challenge and agree to help should decide their own most effective size and make up," he added. "Given the size of the forest, groups will likely be separated and may remain on their own for an extended period of time while they explore. It's better to have people who know each other and can work together under pressure than to try and force strangers together at the last minute." He gave a small shrug, hiding the sting of failure at his inability to inspire anyone but Maea into discussing options for a government. "Without anyone in charge, we'll be operating with even more difficulty, but I will volunteer the Loreseekers Guild to help coordinate the expeditions and compile the information they bring back, to be regularly posted on the Notice Board for all to see," he added at the stroke of inspiration.
"I don't suppose anyone here would be interested in forming a scouting group?" he asked, looking around with far less optimism this time. "We'll likely need several, to push out in at least three directions, to start: north, south, and west." He paused, then shook his head with a grim smile. "You don't have to decide today, of course. I know not many people showed up, and I hope that you'll take word of what was said here back to your own friends, families, and guilds. But when you're ready, please send someone to the Loreseekers Guildhall in the Atheneum to let us know who is going and what direction you intend to take. It will let us know if there is a direction that isn't being checked for dangers... and gives us an idea of what direction to send a rescue party if you don't come back by the time you expect to."
But with her exit the only sound was the faint shuffle of uncomfortable feet and the chirp of spring crickets in the back of the Temple. No one else seemed interested in forming a government, and Jigano felt an uncomfortable twist in his gut at how little they all seemed to care. No mind for consequences, nor preparing to meet an outside world that had every reason to be hostile towards them, if their records contained the reason why the gods had erected the barrier around the Hollowed Grounds in the first place.
Weary from more than just his lack of sleep, Jigano saw Remi's hand raise and gave the young man a tired smile and a nod. The reminder of how different the worlds so many Outlanders came from was timely, if unwelcome, and he gave one last searching look among the rest of those gathered, hoping someone might speak up. When none did he turned his attention back to Remi and drew himself straight again.
"Well. Perhaps no one here is quite ready for politics," he said with a wry smile that masked his worry. "As you say, finding common ground among the Outlanders will be difficult when we're all from such different worlds, and the naturals haven't had to deal with it for a couple generations, at least. But perhaps we can still try and put together some teams to go exploring the world beyond, if the barrier ever falls." he took a breath, weighing his words carefully. "In many ways, I think the outside world will be as foreign to those who live here as it will be to those of us who come from elsewhere. But Attuned of any heritage will be invaluable in providing eyes in the sky and scouting the general terrain, while those with swift groundbound shapes can help to fill in the details." He gave Remi a grin, considering the flexibility of the alchemist's two shapes that he knew of. "Many of our Abandoned would be welcome as well, to help provide protection for the shapeshifters." He winked at Edy, knowing from experience that her flames were perfect for dissuading belligerent local fauna from taking bites out of them. "Of course our Ascended brethren will be needed for night scouting," he looked more solemnly to Sam, though he doubted the bookmaker would do anything that took him from Remi's side. "And many Accepted, both Natural and Outlander, have skills and experience that will be integral to keeping teams functioning as units, rather than loose cannons." He offered Ronin a respectful nod.
"Of course, any teams that accept this challenge and agree to help should decide their own most effective size and make up," he added. "Given the size of the forest, groups will likely be separated and may remain on their own for an extended period of time while they explore. It's better to have people who know each other and can work together under pressure than to try and force strangers together at the last minute." He gave a small shrug, hiding the sting of failure at his inability to inspire anyone but Maea into discussing options for a government. "Without anyone in charge, we'll be operating with even more difficulty, but I will volunteer the Loreseekers Guild to help coordinate the expeditions and compile the information they bring back, to be regularly posted on the Notice Board for all to see," he added at the stroke of inspiration.
"I don't suppose anyone here would be interested in forming a scouting group?" he asked, looking around with far less optimism this time. "We'll likely need several, to push out in at least three directions, to start: north, south, and west." He paused, then shook his head with a grim smile. "You don't have to decide today, of course. I know not many people showed up, and I hope that you'll take word of what was said here back to your own friends, families, and guilds. But when you're ready, please send someone to the Loreseekers Guildhall in the Atheneum to let us know who is going and what direction you intend to take. It will let us know if there is a direction that isn't being checked for dangers... and gives us an idea of what direction to send a rescue party if you don't come back by the time you expect to."
