@Grandmaster | Audio

[paletteswap]

[Kuai has been here for over half a year and has never made a network post. The fact that this technophobe is using his tablet for something other than Sudoku is already pretty alarming. And then...]

Rosinante, General Hughes, and I went searching for the downtown area some had seen in their dreams, following the map that was created. We found it, but we found something else as well.

[Faint in the background is music, it sounds like they might be being pursued by a marching band. There's also hooting, hollering and sounds of general shenanigans in the distance.]

There is a group of forest spirits in some sort of a parade. They are heading towards town. We are trying to get back ahead of them, but if we do not, something is wrong about this. There's a sense of ... wanting to follow them.

Stay wary.

Comments

@scientia ; voice

[reigniter]

[This is alarming. The sounds less so, but the way Kuai talks about it-]

Another attack? Do they seem violent? Do you need a backup?

[There is a lot of snow now, Ignis won't sit idle.]

[paletteswap]

They don't seem violent, they're putting on some sort of show. But something about the music...

[There's a pause as he turns to look back.]

There's an enchantment around them perhaps. And there's far too many for the three of us to attack. We're attempting to slow them down; however.

@wayne

[pearlstrings]

Can you record the sound more clearly? The spirits use sound to communicate, we might be able to glean something from it.

[paletteswap]

I can try but I don't know if that's wise. There's some compulsive aspect to it we're trying to avoid.

@kingofwei; voice

[pure_havoc]

[WELL THEN]

Thank you for the warning. You three are all right?

@mollymauk; voice

[mollymocked]

But it sounds so delightful.

[Sarcastic tiefling is sarcastic.]

[paletteswap]

Perhaps you can join them then.

[He is in no mood.]

[paletteswap]

So far yes, we're trying to get back to town ahead of this. I'm not sure if they're following us or not, the music seems to be fading.

We did find additional housing and some stores, but we weren't able to investigate the stores.

@langit; voice

[arsarcanum]

[ Uh-oh. Sora doesn't know who this person is, exactly,, but Rosinante and a guy who may or may not be Maes? Not great. ]

Should we try to meet you halfway? [ sora why are you even asking??? you don't know!!! where they are!!! ]

[pure_havoc]

You're certain they're headed this way, then. No chance of them deciding they've gone far enough and ending before they reach us?

[mollymocked]

[No one is ever really in the mood for Molly.]

Tempting. Are you absolutely sure they're dangerous? I mean if they want you to follow them and they're headed here, then wouldn't that mean they're leading you back home? Am I getting this right?

[paletteswap]

I'm not sure of their intentions, but we thought it wise to warn others should it be dangerous.

And nearly everything here has proven to be somewhat malicious.

[So far the post master general and the librarian seem to be benign, but they might be the only ones.]

[paletteswap]

They were, it sounds like they either slowed down or have maybe gone another direction, we're far enough to not be able to see them right now. They're still out there though.

[pure_havoc]

Understood. Then, it's too soon to hope they'll go off and do their thing and not bother us here. Not that many people are outside but one never knows.

I take it the snow is no bother to you personally? Do make sure the commander doesn't break an ankle in it.

[paletteswap]

I don't think that'll be necessary. I also don't think I'd be able to give you proper directions to where we are, other than towards the west.

Once we're somewhere safer I can check the map to see coordinates.

[arsarcanum]

Okay. Stay in one piece out there. You're not alone. [ At the very least, he won't let them be alone. In the good way. ]

@silent | voice

[callada]

I marked the trees with paint on the way out here from the museum, but don't come out here right now. If you want to help, make sure everyone knows the spirits might be heading toward town. We don't know yet if this is harmless or not, don't panic, just be cautious and prepared to hole up if you need to.

[arsarcanum]

[ !! Oh, Rosinante. Good to hear from him. Also, does he remember this voice if it's not having a very weird emotional breakdown? Things to think about. ]

I think most people are still indoors because of the cold, but I can keep an eye out for stragglers. Don't worry, I have ways to get away fast if I hear anything. [ Avoid music. He can do that! Hopefully. ]

[pearlstrings]

Yes, you mentioned that you felt compelled?

But perhaps it might affect them in turn? To hear it back? It's a gambit with little to lose if you're unable to resist- and a record might be helpful when it's over if we can ask other spirits. Perhaps the librarian or post master.

I apologize for asking more. I realize you've already done your best to warn us.

[audio] @thursday

[freetobe]

Does the compulsion take effect only if you hear the music, or are you able to get within hearing distance if you block your ears?

[paletteswap]

The cold is not, but snow slows me down the same as others. Unfortunately.

[That's a little unfair, he should be immune to snow as hindering terrain.

But that last bit... If he wasn't so preoccupied with making sure the parade wasn't after them that might have actually gotten a chuckle out of him.]

We'll keep an eye on him.

[paletteswap]

We heard the music first and then went to investigate. After we realized what was happening, and where they were headed, we left before trying anything else.

The compulsion didn't start until we were closer though, it might have some visual component too.

not here but

[callada]

[He heard that!!]

voice

[patriotnow]

You mean like a pied piper?

[reigniter]

I can head out your, I just need a location.

Not to attack, but to keep an eye on things, should they go awry.

[He's not easily swayed by music.]