Remi stayed silent and Amalia had not yet arrived, so Jigano drew in a breath, scanning the few people who had come with a sense of tightness in his gut at how little people seemed to care about the future of their world and themselves. Turning back, at last, to Ronin, the bard nodded and spoke up again. ”Outside the barrier to the east is an ocean,” he began. ”To the north and west is a forest, with trees far larger than what we know inside the barrier. There is magic there, in the plants and animals both. There are people outside the barrier, or were, three hundred years ago, both human and not. And there are other dangers, as well: lesser gods, genies, and demons who may pose a threat to a people unused to dealing with them.” He paused to look around and see the impact his words were having – if any – before continuing. ”The Loreseekers, thanks to Amalia and Safrin, have recently gained access to books written by those who were first trapped inside the barrier, including their maps and notes of the outside world. Thanks to Ludo, another has passed along information that outside the barrier currently are trees and animal life similar to what we have here.” But brighter. Healthier. More like the free-ranging life from the worlds various Outlanders had come from, though he hesitated to use those words in such mixed company, even though Maea and Sam had heard him speak of the differences before.
”That being said, we have learned a little more about the Spire as well.” again he nodded in acknowledgment to Ronin. ”It seems to have been erected by the Old Gods to contain the Ascended, if not the Voice herself, and quarantine them from the outside world. Information from Ludo indicates that specifics on the barrier – and presumably how to bring it down – will be found at the top of the Spire once we are inside it.”
He paused again, eyes seeking out Maea in the audience, though his gaze flickered to Edy and Remi as well. ”We also know that, once, the Abandoned were called ‘Acquired’. Some among their number sought greater power along their own lines, however, becoming what we now recognize as Ascended – so named because at least one of them successfully merged knowledge and magic to become strong enough to challenge the Old Gods. Why the naturals’ ancestors were locked in here, and why Ludo, Frey, and Safrin were as well is still unknown. Whether all Ascended were trapped in here when the barrier came up we also don’t know… but we can assume that the Old Gods may not be very happy if the barrier falls and the Voice is freed.” He shrugged a tad ruefully, a hint of his usual wry smile returning. ”Then again, the Old Gods’ representatives seem to be doing quite a bit to help us break out, and the Voice has, so far as I am aware, Ascended no one in here against their will, so the lines are not so clearly drawn as we might like.”
Blue eyes turned solemn, and he tilted his head at Ronin and Remi. ”But, as was determined in the town hall meeting during Deepfrost, there will be an attack on the Spire Demon. And if that is successful, once that mad guardian is gone there will be no one to defend the Spire. Someone will find a way inside and see the barrier brought down, sooner or later – either one of the Voice’s agents, or someone determined to escape the cage that has bound us all for greater or lesser lengths of time.” He spread elegant hands, wishing that more people had come but hoping that those who had gathered would be enough. ”So that is why I am asking: what should we do when that moment comes? And what should be done to prepare for it? Maea suggested a council, some sort of government for stability, and I agree with that. Are there any who disagree with it, or who have an alternative suggestion?”
”That being said, we have learned a little more about the Spire as well.” again he nodded in acknowledgment to Ronin. ”It seems to have been erected by the Old Gods to contain the Ascended, if not the Voice herself, and quarantine them from the outside world. Information from Ludo indicates that specifics on the barrier – and presumably how to bring it down – will be found at the top of the Spire once we are inside it.”
He paused again, eyes seeking out Maea in the audience, though his gaze flickered to Edy and Remi as well. ”We also know that, once, the Abandoned were called ‘Acquired’. Some among their number sought greater power along their own lines, however, becoming what we now recognize as Ascended – so named because at least one of them successfully merged knowledge and magic to become strong enough to challenge the Old Gods. Why the naturals’ ancestors were locked in here, and why Ludo, Frey, and Safrin were as well is still unknown. Whether all Ascended were trapped in here when the barrier came up we also don’t know… but we can assume that the Old Gods may not be very happy if the barrier falls and the Voice is freed.” He shrugged a tad ruefully, a hint of his usual wry smile returning. ”Then again, the Old Gods’ representatives seem to be doing quite a bit to help us break out, and the Voice has, so far as I am aware, Ascended no one in here against their will, so the lines are not so clearly drawn as we might like.”
Blue eyes turned solemn, and he tilted his head at Ronin and Remi. ”But, as was determined in the town hall meeting during Deepfrost, there will be an attack on the Spire Demon. And if that is successful, once that mad guardian is gone there will be no one to defend the Spire. Someone will find a way inside and see the barrier brought down, sooner or later – either one of the Voice’s agents, or someone determined to escape the cage that has bound us all for greater or lesser lengths of time.” He spread elegant hands, wishing that more people had come but hoping that those who had gathered would be enough. ”So that is why I am asking: what should we do when that moment comes? And what should be done to prepare for it? Maea suggested a council, some sort of government for stability, and I agree with that. Are there any who disagree with it, or who have an alternative suggestion?”
