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[beshackled]

"This is Erichthonios. Apologies if I have missed your transmission. Should you feel inclined, pray leave a message, and I shall be sure to return word to you."

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Action; backdated to earlier in the month

[emet_sulk]

[ Difficult conversations needed to be had. Emet-Selch hadn't anticipated Lahabrea's son to be inquisitive enough to ask him what he had meant by discarding mortal flesh. In fairness, he could have skirted the truth as well. He didn't have to be brutally honest. But is keeping such a secret hidden to the boy's benefit? He doesn't know.

And that's why they're here, at this tavern, in one of the private rooms as promised. After the server delivers their drinks and food - if any - Emet-Selch waits for the door to shut and weaves a soundproof ward over the room. ]

...I'm sure you have questions. Speak.

[ He will take a sip of wine then start eating. ]

[beshackled]

[To the point. And eager as Erichthonios is for answers, he is as well.]

I wish to know what Hydaelyn is. And why it attacked us. You said... You said you, and my father, and Themis were the only ones to avoid its strike. Is...

[Is it so powerful? The dread inside him sinks deep, pulling his thoughts down, and down, like gazing into a yawning abyss.

His food remains untouched.]

...How many did it kill?

[emet_sulk]

[ He only takes small bites. Morsels easily and quickly swallowed before he has to answer. Erichthonios, he knows, will have many questions and if Emet-Selch doesn't eat when he can then he won't stop talking and his food will grow cold. ]

--Firstly, Hydaelyn is not some beast or creature. To explain I must start from the beginning.

[ That said, it's been...a long time. He hasn't had to frame such an explanation in one of his own's people's terms before - mortals have a different context of time - so he pauses to gather his thoughts before speaking. ]

...I suppose it was before the issue with Pandaemonium arose that this sorry saga begins. I was sent to Elpis to assess candidacy of a man called Hermes for the seat of Fandaniel. In the process I discovered, with the help of-- Azem's familiar, that Hermes had sent a flock of unregistered creations beyond the bounds of our star in search of other sentient beings some a century or so ago. And it just so happened that the result of that search was due to be transmitted back to his locus the very next day.

To summarise: there was no life to be found. Any being that yet lived promptly ended it when his creations asked of them their reason for being alive. Thus the flock settled at the very edge of creation, overcome by the despair of a myriad of stars, and sought to bring about the end of the only one remaining: Etheirys.

When we learnt this terrible truth, I initially tried to bring Hermes' creation in for questioning so that the Convocation could deliberate on its course. But Hermes stole it away and, after confrontation, wiped our memories - his own included - so that mankind could face its judgement fairly.

[ He waves his fork vaguely. ] Well, the star did nearly face its end. Hermes' creation would have destroyed it utterly had half our people not offered their lives in sacrifice to create a god capable of reinforcing the star's battered aetherial currents. We managed to hold our end...temporarily.

Another sacrifice was made to stir the elements anew and bring life back to the soil, air, and waters. It was at that point that a new conflict arose...from amongst our own people.

[ He pauses, staring morosely at his plate. ] Do you recall the previous Azem?

[beshackled]

[Before the incident at Pandaemonium, yes. But not long. So recent is the chain of events that the tale readily sparks his memories. He murmurs, reflecting upon the story. Some parts do not yet make sense, but others...]

So the Chief Overseer's most cherished concept did not dissipate after all... and the accident at Ktisis Hyperboreia was no accident...

[Ere he can descend fully into his thoughts, he lifts his head. Emet-Selch has asked a question, and 'tis better that he answers it ere his mind wanders too far.]

I know of her, yes. Venat. But she did not come to Pandaemonium, so I've no personal connection to her. The current Azem's familiar, I have met. We've become good friends.