festivals and mur--ahem, investigations 🎊🔍

[beleos]

COMMUNION WITH YIMA

After given some time for recovery and for Yima to hear reports of what transpired at the Tree of Life last month, a Communion message gently flows through the minds of each Shard-Bearer. They will have to choose to accept this message, and once they do, they will be greeted by Yima’s voice resonating pleasantly in their heads. She first apologizes for their harrowing experience with the Dryad, and that she hadn’t anticipated such a violent reaction from the Tree; she believes that their experiences point to an imbalance within the Tree itself, most likely brought about by the soon-to-come arrival of the Oracles.

She has spoken with Cyrus, and they have jointly decided that an investigation into the matter - and potentially the destruction of the Dryad - may be required to purge its influence from the Tree. Yima requests that any who would willingly seek out the Dryad volunteer to do so and will be outfitted with a ward against any tampering to prevent them from falling into the creature’s clutches a second time. It will take her a bit to fashion enough of these wards - but she anticipates being ready toward the end of the month.

She concludes her message with another heartfelt apology for your suffering, that she would not have sent any into such a situation she believed were truly dangerous. That being said, she takes responsibility for your ordeal and asks that if there is anything she can do in recompense, you have but to ask.

Yima will be available for Communion chatter here!

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE - HIGHSTORM

Takiltu is a month cycle the natives of Kenos regard with some amount of reverence and a hearty helping of excitement: the first part of the month (November) is spent reflecting on and celebrating the differing cultures and worlds each Kenosian represents. The second part of the month (December) is spent celebrating unity and togetherness, to come together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time.

Each city celebrates differently, the flavor of their festivals a reflection of their people.

In Highstorm, the first thirty days of Takiltu are spent in Remembrance. The city is decorated with string lights, paper lanterns, candles, and torches to illuminate the streets in beautiful colors and shimmering magical illusory shapes. The focal point of the festival takes place in The Court, where the reflecting pool has been especially decorated with arrangements of flowers and lights. Festival stands erected around the Courtyard peddle paper lanterns as well as refreshments, fanciful decorative items, and enchanted jewelry that is said to make one’s recollections of the past temporarily clearer.

The pool itself is the main attraction, here; citizens who approach its waters and gaze into its depths will find its normal abilities to reflect memories enhanced. The images are surreal for their clarity, vivid - and normally, one is requested to look into the eyes of those most precious to them whose souls remain lost, to pay homage to their memory and sacrifices, and to wish them rebirth in the new world to come. A purchased lantern is then lit and sent skyward where it floats into the moonlight, joining the others hovering above.

But this year, there is an addition to the usual fanfare. Emet-Selch has been asked to assist with the festival; as long as he is given permission, he can recreate the memory displayed in the reflecting pool. Yima has granted him a temporary blessing which enhances his natural creation abilities - a gift for their people she is grateful for. Your character can choose what it is they see in the water - whether it’s a place, a person, or the feelings of a certain point and time, he will temporarily recreate it around you. Everyone will be able to see this conjuring and interact with it while it is functional. It will last between 15 to 30 minutes before dissolving into beads of light that slowly trickle skyward before disappearing. You’ll be told to light a lantern, send it adrift, and that this will give peace to the part of you and your Shard that surely aches. But does it…?

Elsewhere in Highstorm, the High Theater has been painstakingly decorated and aglow with magical floating motes of light; the interior has been transformed into something of an Art Gallery. The pieces within are dedications to parts of worlds long gone, as well as the people in them; some are beautifully painted landscapes of exquisite, far-away places beyond the imagination. Some are more mundane and familiar snapshots of life in a home world not too different from your own. There are portraits of families, loved ones, and those the Zenites long for most. This is their time to mourn, to grieve, and to appreciate their pasts - the pasts that will lead them to a brighter future, one day. They must move on into the future, but treasuring that which came before is equally important to them.

Should you touch any of the motes of light that are around the art pieces decorating the Gallery, you will find yourself able to feel, hear, see, and taste a piece of the world the piece represents. Some of these are warm gatherings over a dinner table with family; others are heart-wrenching expressions of loss and bitterness and pain. Be cautious which you choose. Oh, and do be careful not to stand too closely with someone else when you touch one, or one accidentally touches you - the experience is absolutely contagious through Communion.

CELEBRATION OF CHERISHMENT - SPRINGSTAR

While Highstorm’s Festival of Remembrance is a more demure and reflective time, Springstar takes a much different approach to the season. In true Meri nature, the Celebration of Cherishment encapsulates celebrating life in all forms - and that means parties! The Psychagogía is the main hub of excitement considering, but festivities can be found in almost every single district of Springstar. Wherever you go, something is happening and someone is trying to rope you into having a good time.

The city has been decorated with bright and colorful multi-purpose magical ivy-like vines that sprouts buds that bloom over the course of the month into gorgeous flowers. These flowers are considered sacred, and their blooming is a momentous time of joy and good fortune. Each flower is left intact; disturbing one is tantamount to a war crime by the natives, so don’t get observed if you try to pluck one!

The Psychagogía is incredibly lively, teeming with people and events; almost every venue is peddling some kind of ‘Cherishment’ celebratory sale or discount. The first portion of the month includes what the locals call “the meri-ment” (and seem quite chuffed about that pun), in which Kenosians are encouraged to go bar hopping and taste the wide variety of specialty ales and liquor unkegged only around this time of year. Participants are highly encouraged to share stories of their worlds and cultures, to tell those they mingle with tales of the worlds they will one day return to and why they’re special, unique - to celebrate their one-day return.

Alongside this comes a great deal of outdoor grilling, fresh meats and vegetables sending tantalizing scents everywhere you go once the evening hours arrive. Some of these food and drinks can cause… interesting… effects if you consume them in excess, especially at the Emotional Damage - so try to show restraint. It would be a bit embarrassing to find yourself strangely infatuated with the first person you lay eyes on after your fifth night out on the town, or feeling compelled to express warm feelings aloud you wouldn’t normally commit to another. Luckily, it only lasts a short period of time - but beware the wicked hangover afterward. Strangely enough, if you’re suffering, you feel oddly compelled to seek out a little TLC from someone else - someone with whom you might have some unresolved feelings toward, positive or negative. Is it longing? Anger? Jealousy? Unspoken affections? Love? Whatever it is, you're more likely to seek them out for some care.

At the Coliseum, nightly brawls between Meris take place and the usual assortment of monsters are temporarily taken out of offer. This part of the festivities is one where each Kenosian is encouraged to settle any differences or misgivings with others and to get it out of their system, cleansing them of bad mojo - “leave it in the ring,” as it were. Despite beating each other bloody at times, most combatants willingly stop before it gets too serious and fighting to the death is not permitted. You must embrace your adversary before you leave, and your ‘bad blood’ will be considered purged and settled so you can start anew.

The Empório district is celebrating consumerism, because of course it is! All the usual goods are on a considerable discount, and for a brief time, gardening tools and supplies are free! The reason for this is that Springstar’s citizens are encouraged to plant one seedling in the gardens in Katoikitikós once the flowers lining the city have gone into full bloom. It is said this honors gods across cultures and time as well as invites good fortune. You are encouraged to plant a seedling in a group or pairing, as space is limited - and there are superstitions regarding this togetherness resulting in more favorable results. Should you plant a seedling with someone else, you might indeed find that something is beginning to blossom between you… Based on your Aspects, you might find yourselves feeling closer and more connected - or repulsed depending on your compatibility. This effect will last through the month after planting. Should you check on the seedling later, its health will be reflected in the state of your relationship. Friends will find the little plant thriving; enemies will find it is sickly and dying.

For those Shard-Bearers who have already harmonized with the Meridian or who have quarters in Heliopolis, you will find the communal meals much more lavish and indulgent than usual. There may even be a taste of home waiting for you among the spreads on offer, or some comfort food you haven’t had in a while. It is encouraged to share anything to your taste - or even to share why it is meaningful to you via Communion. Or you can just eat. You do you, man.

Once the flowers have bloomed and the festivities reach their peak, one might find the city loud and boisterous and sleep a little more difficult to come by. Springstar is absolutely thriving and alive - and you, too, feel more invigorated and energetic despite any lack of zzz’s. Should you leave the city, however, this effect will vanish and you might find yourself unnaturally fatigued and in need of more rest than is customary. Returning to Springstar will slowly build up your stamina again. This effect lasts until the end of the month.

THE MYSTERY OF ALENROUX

Once celebrations are in full-swing in the cities, some characters (i.e., any characters that choose to participate in this prompt) will be contacted by Cyrus or Yima, depending on their faction or whichever they feel a stronger inclination towards if they are currently Unharmonized. Both will explain that there’s something that they’d like you to investigate, but also to prepare and be careful, since this request doesn’t come without danger… A Shard has been lost in Alenroux, and they both hope you’ll be able to retrieve it.

MERIDIAN

“I’ve gotten word that a Zenith Shard-Bearer was sent to Alenroux a little bit before you arrived, and they haven’t come back yet. Normally, none of our business, but based on what some of the farmers have been saying, I think they’ve gotten hit by Discord. If it gets high enough, well… You don’t really have your mind anymore. We can help them through Purification. Even if it’s just for long enough to calm them down, it’s better than them being trapped in madness. It might be easier to dissipate them first, though, then Purify their Shard. They were last seen heading to the Northern forests. Let me know what I can give you to help, and make sure to help each other. Good luck.”

ZENITH

"Please heed my request, though I do not ask this of you lightly... One of the Zenith's children has been lost among the fields of Alenroux come nightfall and I fear the worst has befallen them. There are dangerous elements attracted to the presence of a soul, and the likelihood our brethren has been lost... it is great. Seek out the Shard - and if you are able to retrieve it, please do so. If it has suffered corruption too great to be saved or would place you in too great a danger to take back, then... I trust you to make the merciful choice. I place this in your hands and will give you whatever you require to see it through. Look out for your fellow Zenith and work together, as I do not want to lose more of you. Be well."

Both factions will offer their recruits access to standard weaponry and armor/protective clothing. If a character asks for more, they’ll be given a weapon or a piece of armor with minor magical properties which would normally cost 1 AC token to purchase. Magical weapons are on loan however. If your character takes these and/or chooses to keep it, please note this in your Committed Actions! If they choose to keep standard weaponry, Cyrus/Yima will just be disappointed in your dishonesty. :(

When you arrive during the day cycle, you’ll also find horses and magic hoverboards to use (they go the same speed tbh), because heading North to the forests is a bit of a trek, and you might not make it there in time on foot! As the sun starts to set, you’ll see the people in Alenroux start to leave, going clearly your opposite direction. Once night falls (Nov. 9th OOC), it doesn’t take long for things to change.

There’s just a sliver of a crescent moon in the sky, which makes the rolling hills and forests much more ominous than they were during the day. And as the stories say, it only takes an hour or two before you start to run into strange creatures. Closer to the Cornerstone, there are indeed strange creatures, and while they may not all look scary, they might present different kinds of dangers such as…

• A light in the dark looks like a fairy, but stare at it too long and you’ll find yourself hypnotized by a ghastly fish will lead you to a body of water to drown you.
• An innocuous puddle may form up into a mass of corrosive goo, complete with the bones and items of the last person it came across. When you slice it, it simply creates a copy of itself, so hopefully you realize this before you’re surrounded.
• A strange straw poppet (sans pins, of course) that possesses you once you touch it and will use your body to try and fight anyone else while your consciousness is trapped inside the doll. To be freed, you only have to destroy the doll, but you’ll feel the pain of how its destroyed even if you don’t bear any injuries from it.

However, as you get closer to the Northern forests, they become significantly more fearsome…

• With a roar, a massive, multiheaded beast descends, and each of its mouths is perfectly capable of taking a bite out of you. Watch out for the snake’s head in particular, since its venom will cause you to hallucinate your worst fears.
• As you come face to face with an odd creature, bioluminescence lights up on its skin, and the spins on its back quiver with a sound like a rattlesnake’s. As the spines quiver, you find it exceptionally difficult to take your eyes off them and move as it stalks closer slowly. You can fight blind, right?
• Diving in and out of larger shadows like its water is a slimy beast that’s incredibly fast. Its teeth may be small, but its tail is a razor-sharp whip that could remove a limb if you’re not careful.

These are just examples, however. There are many creatures lurking the wilds of Alenroux, so feel free to create your own monsters with unique effects.

It's a difficult trek North, and you may be tired from hours of running, fighting, or both… But eventually, a few people do find what they were looking for. They might have even missed it, if not for how their Shards suddenly felt like they were burning. From the shadows, a twisted creature of roots and lights which what looks like many crystals in a glowing mass appears and one of its eyes locks on you. It looks like now is your chance.

NOTES

Weather summary for the first 30 days of Takiltu (NOV & DEC):

Highstorm is in late fall, early winter season. Some flurries may occasionally fall and it is getting considerably cold out there! Bundle up!

Springstar is in the throes of early summer; the weather is climate and pleasantly warm for outdoor celebrations (but not sweltering). There are occasional afternoon showers, but they don’t last very long.

Notable city changes:

If you wander the Markets in Highstorm, you might notice some of the peddlers seem a bit wary of you. Hm, guess something happened around here! Probably totally unrelated, but Silco and Vander (or anyone with them) will be treated with nervous suspicion.

Similarly, if you're traveling with Set (or you're Set) in Springstar, you might occasionally find yourself getting strange looks. Ask Set why.

Faction updates:

There are no explicit changes in faction behavior at this time. This will be a staple in all future event write-ups to catalogue the fluidity of the conflict as it progresses, though, so we're including it here for posterity!

Event Notes:

The Reflecting Pool in the Courts of Highstorm can be observed normally with no addtional effects or can bring your memory to vivid life thanks to the help of Emet-Selch (and Yima). If you grant him permission (which can be handwaved), he will breathe life into whichever memory you have chosen to view! If this includes any NPC’s or interactive elements, you will be responsible for playing them out in any tags until they disappear. Please see Emet’s toplevel for any interactions you’d like to thread out with him as a part of this.

For the Gallery in Highstorm, the art depicted in and scenes experienced through the pieces are up to you to create! Feel free to go wild with any associated NPC's in the scene and worldbuild as you see fit. Highstorm holds a variety of citizens from across the multiverse, so you could feasibly go fantastical places, or experience something distinctly profound and beyond your imagination...

The drinks and refreshments in Springstar can be enchanted in just about any way you’d like, including bringing upon minor physical changes of the cute, fun, and flirty variety! Feel free to get creative (as long as you get permission from your thread partner), the Meris would also merrily insist growing extra fluffy, scaly, etc bits during the celebration will only help you party harder! 🥳

As reminders for Alenroux, once night falls, a character is not able to leave until sunrise, which is 24 hours later. If your character is dissipated, you can have a PC retrieve their Shard or the respective Faction they're allied with will send out a search party to find it. Remember to report character deaths!

CODING

Comments

YIMA

[kenosnpcs]

The ethereal matron of the Zenith is available to be reached through communion. Warm, patient, and encouraging, you can feel her soothing aura despite not being in her presence in person. Do you have questions or uncertainties? By all means, you only need to ask.

NOTE: Please tag into this thread no later than Wednesday 11/09 if you would like to interact with Yima. Loremasters will not be replying to tag-ins that come in after this date in order to accommodate everyone throughout the launch in a timely fashion. Thank you!

[lachtara]

[ Ah, if it isn't their gracious host. He will speak with the usual candor regardless of any recent information he's been given to cast doubt on her intentions. They would need to concentrate on the matter at hand regardless. But.... a few casual pleasantries first. ]

I would say 'good morning', but that greeting is rather subjective in Highstorm.

How have you been enjoying the festivities?

[kenosnpcs]

The day finds me well, Emet-Selch, as I hope it finds you.

I am enjoying myself indeed, though a walk through the Court leads me yet again to thank you for your help with the Festival this year. I cannot put a price on such a gift, and would not dare try - but I hope to repay you this kindness.

[lachtara]

[ There's the fleeting feeling of silent regard in return. It's as much of a 'your welcome' as he dares get. ]

One cannot help but notice that you have not requested a conjuring of your own. Surely, you have something that long to see again?

i hope starting here is ok!!

[zauneyete]

I have a...somewhat unrelated question, before I agree to taking any... action. Against the Dryad.

[ Ok, no, he actually does want to kill it, but even still...

Silco has questions of another sort. To Yima's soothing presence, Silco is cold, and icy, like being dunked in ice water, and drowned under the waves. It's not unexpected, given... Well.

Tales of it probably reached Yima's ears, of course. She's too astute to miss it. ]

of course!!

[kenosnpcs]

Silco...

[ there is a slight, subtle wave of ruefulness between them, but that is all Yima permits to slip through their bond. ]

I, too, have questions for you. Let me sate your curiosities first; please ask whatever you will.

[zauneyete]

[ Uh oh mommy... ]

You invited Cyrus's cohort along, do I understand that right? Do you expect everyone to...restrain themselves, if there is a heated moment?

[ Silco's communion is clumsy, and fumbling. he lets everything through, which is why he never uses it. There's apprehension, a desire for revenge, and violence. Gee, I wonder what that's about. ]

[baltimores]

[ He sits with her voice for a moment — the sound of it, the feel of her, the knowledge that everything is going to be alright. That if he dies again, he's not going to have to wake back up stuck in a perpetual loop of tree hell, because he's being given the chance to do something about it. It's nice. Comforting.

And doesn't actually do anything regarding the situation at hand, so, switching gears to something far more practical, ] How do we kill it?

[ The Dryad needs to die; there's no doubt in Amos' mind. And also it got a little personal on his end, but that doesn't change the fact of the matter that it's a threat. You're supposed to kill threats, so he's ready to do just that. ]

[kenosnpcs]

[ as soon as Yima feels Amos' presence on the other side of their bond, there is a rise of familiar greeting - like a warm and nostalgic embrace to bid him welcome.

and alongside it, apology, remorse, for what he had endured at the Tree. ]

Before we speak on such things, there is something I would ask you, Amos.

Do you wish to purge it to free the Tree, or do you seek vengeance?

[baltimores]

[ It's so instinctual, he doesn't even realize he's metaphysically leaning right back into that embrace. He just does; grateful for it, warmed by it.

But he also offers the sense of a shrug at her apology. Not that he doesn't believe it, not that he doesn't accept it. Just — it happened. It's over with, buried. All there really is left to do is kill it.

Overtop all of that is his voice, straightforward and without hesitation. ]

I want to free the Tree. It needs to be safe, right? Otherwise those of us who need it — [ whether through more Shard-Bearers arriving, or present ones who need revival — ] are gonna end up screwed.

Not like I don't want that thing dead too. I'd've killed it back there if I could've. [ But she probably already knows that, doesn't she. ] Things like that that toy with people, that make them their slaves? They deserve to die.

[ So... kind of yes to both, but mostly the first one. It just makes sense. ]

[impiety]

[ Kaeya told him that Yima would not mind him questioning her intentions. He has already joined the Zenith for the gift she gave, for the mentality that she has. But he supposes that he has more questions for her. Questions that only a foolish person who has come to live here would have.

He steps to her with a hand pressed against his chest, a slightly bowing of his head. ]

Good day to you, dear Yima. [ He smiles. ] I don't know if you care to be given any title, but I'm sure there are so many that find you dear and so... it is the first that came to mind.

[kenosnpcs]

[ the Archangel is lucky enough to find Yima between duties and enjoying the quiet solace of the courtyard beneath the Great Tree in the manor. the moons are high; it would be 'noonday sun' were this realm not nocturnal - and her deep blue robes seem almost aglow in the moonlight as she turns to give him a smile. like they're old friends. like they're reuniting after such a long time. ]

I have worn many titles over the years, yet this is the first I can remember being made 'dear.'

[ though it seems to please her. dear it is! she stretches a hand out to him in invitation for him to come closer and join her beneath the Tree's branches. ]

[impiety]

I'm pleased to be the first to call you such. I hope that it will catch on.

[ And he steps closer so that he can join her. He pauses to look up through the tree. An intrusive thought hits him -- he wonders if it has any sap and if it is as good as what he had tasted off his own body when he came to this world.

He smiles, brief, before returning to the matter at hand. ]

If I may, I have a question for you. I fear it may sound unkind and suspicious, however, so you can choose not to answer it before I say something that may offend.

slugs my way towards prince

[lockedon]

[ He listens, keeping his thoughts largely to himself until she finishes speaking. Of course, Communion being what it is, it's impossible to keep all his emotions at bay. A thread of suspicion winds its way through along with dislike, though whether that's towards Yima or the dryad remains to be seen. ]

Is there any chance of it coming back, if it's purged?

waggles my eyebrows, hey handsome you come here often

[kenosnpcs]

[ whatever... unpleasantness might be felt from Eustace's end, there is a serene and placid answer from Yima. ]

Eustace. Ever a man of few words.

[ it is lightly teasing. lightly. ]

No; as it is, it cannot exist outside of the Tree. Were we to sever its connection to the roots, it will be unable to maintain form and disappear.

[youngprodigy]

It's... nice to hear from you again.

[He sounds happy enough, if maybe a tad restless.]

...Do you believe there is a way to capture the dryad without is coming to bloodshed?

[kenosnpcs]

Cid.

[ his name is said in the way of greeting - with happiness, eagerness to speak to a treasured friend. ]

Have you been well? Before we get to business, let me ask after you.

[galdorleod]

[ The warm glow of Yima's mind is familiar to Howl by now. He accepts her message, but once he can tell it isn't quite applicable to him, his mind wanders away from the words' meaning and focuses more on the pleasant sense of calm and acceptance that the imprint of her mind conveys. It's nice. It's a big part of why he trusts her, and if someone were to point it out, he might not really care.

Once she's done, he simply has to say something, if only to indulge in a few minutes of conversation with her. ]

An imbalance in the Tree... [ maybe she noticed that Howl wasn't there to run into the Dryad. he wasn't playing hooky, he was cleaning his house (yes, really). but even if he wasn't there before — ] Would you like me to assist, or do you think our newer arrivals can handle it?

[kenosnpcs]

[ Howl's acceptance of her message - albeit received with a wandering mind - is met with a familiar and reassuring touch, like a hand cupping one's cheek. ]

I would not think to tear you away if there are more pressing matters, Howl.

[ is she teasing him for (checks notes) cleaning his house instead of coming to tree time

maybe, ]

[superbshot]

[Ah. Yes. Well! Caitlyn isn't going to turn away such a request. Why would she? Yima's been nothing short of kind.]

...Thank you for your apology, Yima.

[She's still, frankly, quite torn on the fact that she's chosen to side with Meridian for the time being. That's probably apparent in her communion, as there's a twinge of regret.]

What...can you tell me about the creature?

[kenosnpcs]

I pray you did not face much difficulty at the Tree, Caitlyn.

[ and regardless of Caitlyn's current harmonization to the Meridian, Yima's affectations seem no less sincere. ]

I am afraid I can only guess at its nature from the accounts brought back to Highstorm, but it appears as though a corrupted spirit taints the Tree's natural balance like a parasite.

[epiprocta]

[ He's mostly been ignoring that presence of hers prickling at the back of his mind, willing himself to pay it no mind. Not that it had always been easy -- that warmth had been terribly unfamiliar in many ways, unlike the chilly relationships he'd had with most older women in his life back home, while also far too reminiscent of someone else that stirred up too many emotions in him -- but he'd known better than to give in to the temptation.

It's only halfway through the month, after the matter of Alenroux has been dealt with one way or another, that that gentle presence of hers is finally addressed: ]

I'm leaving.

[ In contrast to Yima's soothing presence, Gen practically radiates distrust and caution; there's a forced, prickly edge to his voice as he continues, keeping his words harsh and curt. ]

So you can drop it already. That nice act.

[kenosnpcs]

Are you?

[ Yima's answer comes smoothly, patient, no ripples wavering the surface of the Communion's calm waters. ]

It is a shame, Gen. I pray in time you will return to us - but you already know you are no prisoner.

[ and she will not stand in his way.

...nor acknowledge the bit about this being an act, either, thank you very much, ]

slides in to reserve my place in the yima y(h)ours line before she closes her mental doors

[consolation]

We haven't met this way before. How unfortunate the circumstances.

[Having not yet alleviated the Discord resulting from her sacrifice to the Dryad, Caren still feels the chill of it - the muted anger and the phantom pain that occasionally sears through her ring finger. She rubs at it now while they have this conversation.]

This unchecked, the consequences of this anomaly - are there other ones we aren't aware of yet? [The advertised ones are bad enough already, but, thinking of the cities themselves, those who weren't caught in the game -] Your contrition is a heavy weight to bear for so many, so I imagine you wouldn't extend it if you weren't quite concerned.

i wink at you coquettishly except with both eyes so i just blink

[kenosnpcs]

[ Yima's ability to reach out to the Bearers via mental Communion is a stronger bond than that they share with one another. perhaps this is why Caren might feel the sensation of a pair of watchful - if gentle - eyes probing her, looking into her soul through the Shard that connects them. ]

Caren.

[ the name sounds familiar on her lips, as though Caren has heard it from Yima a thousand times before. ]

Your well-being is paramount to me. I would not permit you to suffer further consequences; the Dryad and your ailments will be dealt with. I will ensure it is so.