The bard nodded gravely to Rex and stepped forward, gaze sweeping the gathering. Almost all of those he saw had chosen the wisest course of sheltering somewhere safer for LongNight, and he was glad and relieved at their choice. So many, that would survive this year. So many who he would see again in Flowerbirth. It warmed his heart and gave him strength as he gathered his thoughts.
"Hopefully you have all heard something about what is coming," he began, finding comfort that the audience was mostly Outlanders, and that he would be giving them an Outlander perspective rather than preaching to Naturals. "In a little over a week the sun will set and the sky will go dark. There will be no stars. No moon. No dawn, for a full week. Wherever you are staying, it's important to have light sources - candles, lanterns, fire, magic - near at hand, for the world will go black without them." His expression was solemn as he nodded to those who had survived the previous year and knew what to expect from that aspect.
"In the grounds we will also need wood and coal, fires to burn and keep us warm through the last week of winter. In Torchline things should be easier, though in Halo the cold will be brutal." Lethally so, from what he'd heard.
"The true danger within the Grounds, however, are the monsters that come during the week of darkness." His jaw tightened, eyes turning grim and shadowed as he glanced towards the doors that Rexanna had once opened to save himself and Rory. "What we know is that they are Ascended... or the remains of them, at least. Failed experiments that the Voice allows to roam free during LongNight, with no natural light to harm them. They have powers - upgrades - that allow them to mimic others, but the real danger is that they can touch minds. They can drive those out in the dark with them to madness, turn friend against friend. Or they can sift memories from those behind the safety of locked doors, using their voices and the little things you think you know about your loved ones to cloak themselves in illusion and convince you to open doors to them." He swallowed hard against the memory of his first LongNight, a mere two years ago. "They seek Ascended upgrades and magic items to strengthen themselves, but more, they seem to hate the living. They will attack any they can find outside, and they will try to reach those inside as well. Some are stronger than others, with more physical form. Others are mere shadows. But every one of them is dangerous and will try to kill you. And they will hold the souls of those who die during LongNight captive even beyond death, denying them Mort's Halls." There was a cold anger in his voice at that, but he forced himself to take a breath and continue calmly.
"They can't stand the light from luxere or the Sparkbird, however. Something in the glow of magical light - particularly good magical light - wards them off. If we can coax the Spark Bird to return to us this year and perch in Sanctuary, it will do much to save the lives of those left. So I ask of you, even those who are leaving, please leave offerings for her at the Perch. Winter fruit, baked goods, carved toys, candles... gifts in her honor to let her know she is appreciated and desperately needed, and that we would welcome her presence here," he finished quietly, before ceding the floor to Deimos.
"Hopefully you have all heard something about what is coming," he began, finding comfort that the audience was mostly Outlanders, and that he would be giving them an Outlander perspective rather than preaching to Naturals. "In a little over a week the sun will set and the sky will go dark. There will be no stars. No moon. No dawn, for a full week. Wherever you are staying, it's important to have light sources - candles, lanterns, fire, magic - near at hand, for the world will go black without them." His expression was solemn as he nodded to those who had survived the previous year and knew what to expect from that aspect.
"In the grounds we will also need wood and coal, fires to burn and keep us warm through the last week of winter. In Torchline things should be easier, though in Halo the cold will be brutal." Lethally so, from what he'd heard.
"The true danger within the Grounds, however, are the monsters that come during the week of darkness." His jaw tightened, eyes turning grim and shadowed as he glanced towards the doors that Rexanna had once opened to save himself and Rory. "What we know is that they are Ascended... or the remains of them, at least. Failed experiments that the Voice allows to roam free during LongNight, with no natural light to harm them. They have powers - upgrades - that allow them to mimic others, but the real danger is that they can touch minds. They can drive those out in the dark with them to madness, turn friend against friend. Or they can sift memories from those behind the safety of locked doors, using their voices and the little things you think you know about your loved ones to cloak themselves in illusion and convince you to open doors to them." He swallowed hard against the memory of his first LongNight, a mere two years ago. "They seek Ascended upgrades and magic items to strengthen themselves, but more, they seem to hate the living. They will attack any they can find outside, and they will try to reach those inside as well. Some are stronger than others, with more physical form. Others are mere shadows. But every one of them is dangerous and will try to kill you. And they will hold the souls of those who die during LongNight captive even beyond death, denying them Mort's Halls." There was a cold anger in his voice at that, but he forced himself to take a breath and continue calmly.
"They can't stand the light from luxere or the Sparkbird, however. Something in the glow of magical light - particularly good magical light - wards them off. If we can coax the Spark Bird to return to us this year and perch in Sanctuary, it will do much to save the lives of those left. So I ask of you, even those who are leaving, please leave offerings for her at the Perch. Winter fruit, baked goods, carved toys, candles... gifts in her honor to let her know she is appreciated and desperately needed, and that we would welcome her presence here," he finished quietly, before ceding the floor to Deimos.
