Chrysalis

Well, the Great One never really became comfortable with what we thought of him, if I’m honest. It didn’t help that some people weren’t able to act… sensible about it. I never felt the Great One was all that annoyed when I was around. Well, no more than normal.

Eventually, he had to address it, at least a little. I think the Great One didn’t want to give any instructions or commands to his followers because it would make them seem more authentic. After things got… out of hand… a bit… he eventually passed down a few orders.

No Crusades. He didn’t think they were a good idea, for a lot of reasons.

No Fighting In General. There has always been plenty of fighting in the Dungeon, no need to add another one.

No Involuntary Anything. Some of the believers were… enthusiastic, about trying to get others into the faith, and the Great One didn’t like it.

Things were a lot more settled after the commands came down, which was good.

- Excerpt from the private notes of Templar Jern

[Can you describe the mental voice of Perrianon of Blood?]

[Sounded fairly classy. Polite. I didn’t expect it from someone who was ‘of blood’, but I was pleasantly surprised.]

[Would you describe the Ancient as sounding educated?]

[That’s classist.]

[You spoke with Arconidem, did you not?]

[Sort of. Arconidem looked at me, in a fierce sort of way. I haven’t seen them since I left the third stratum.]

[And how would you describe the Demon God?]

I mean… there’s a lot of ways I could describe Arconidem. None of which would be suitable for this audience.

[Seemed a little… mean? I’m not trying to throw shade at anyone, but I didn’t come away with a good impression.]

Arconidem… I’m not all that interested in talking to that one again, if I’m being honest. There’s a lot of weird stuff about the demons that I’d rather not have to worry about. Especially not now that I’ve got a brand new stratum on the verge of being explored. Leave the past in the past.

[You have a… fractious relationship with Theorazzn of the Decaying World.]

[I don’t have a relationship of any sort with that slimy piece of garbage. I hate that guy. And seriously, do you have to use the full title every time you name one of these monsters? They have names. If you say Theorazzn, then I’m not going to confuse them for another Theorazzn. How many are there?!]

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[It’s… respectful.]

[There’s no need to respect Theorazzn. Slimier than a lake full of mucus, that one. Threatened to kill me directly to my face! Sort of.]

If I was face to face with Theorazzn, then I would most definitely be dead. I have no idea what tier the Ancients are in terms of evolution, but they sure as heck aren’t tier eight. I fully intend to kick Theorazzn right in the butt, but it isn’t going to happen anytime soon.

[If it’s alright with you, we will maintain our regular standards regarding the Ancients. You can talk about them… however you like, and we will do the same.]

[So… what are you intending to call me? When I become an Ancient, or whatever? Anthony of the Shiny Carapace? Anthony of Amazingness?]

[Do you intend to become an Ancient?]

[No.]

They’re visibly disappointed by that one.

On and on it goes until I’ve had enough and decide to kick them out. There’s a great deal of protesting, because I ran out of patience before the agreed time, but seriously, there isn’t that much to say. I’ve exchanged no more than a few sentences with only a handful of Ancients, not sat down and had lunch with them.

[Those few words are as much as they’ve had to go on for thousands of years,] Granin tells me with a chuckle. [It might not seem like much to you, but it’s like a river of Heart Gold to them. They’ll be obsessing over this for the next century.]

[Wow. That seems… kinda sad.]

[The life of a cultist isn’t an easy one,] Granin says with a shrug. [We’re devoted, we can survive a long time on not much.]

[Well, please, don’t bring them down to talk to me again. I think I’ve had all the cultists I can deal with for one lifetime.]

[I assume that doesn’t include me.]

[Of course that doesn’t include you, Granin. Or Torrina, or Corun for that matter. I’ve cooperated, said everything I have to say. Unless I get further communication with the nineteen massive monsters who hang out in the center of Pangera, then there’s nothing more for me to say.]

[Alright, fine. But if you do talk to them some more, will you let me know? And not keep it to yourself for the sake of avoiding having to talk to more cultists?]

[... Fine.]

I totally would have too.

[It’s not like they’re going to reach out and say hello to me on a regular basis. Or at all.]

[That’s a shame,] Granin muses. [It would be nice if we could have some sort of access to the Ancients. The very thought is tantalising. If we could know what they’re thinking… what they wanted to tell us…]

[Granin, if they wanted to talk to you, then they would. There’s nothing stopping them, I assure you. I get the strong feeling they’ve said all they’re going to say to the small folk.]

[Small folk?]

[Granin, it’s hard to emphasise just how tiny you are to me now. Look! Look upon my hugeness! If I’m not careful, I worry that I’ll step on you and squish you flat.]

Granin scrapes away at his rock covered shoulder.

[You know, if you don’t want people to think of you as an Ancient, then you probably shouldn’t talk like that.]

[Bah! It doesn’t make me some mythical creature to note that I’m big.]

I clean my antennae as if casting away the whole issue.

[Great! That’s all done with, and good riddance. We’ve got more important things to worry about.]

[Right, like the evolution of your… your friends.]

Granin actually smiles.

[I’m looking forward to it. In fact, I think they’re ready to begin.]

[Well what are we standing around here for? Let’s get started!]