LAR01: Far and Wide

[dm_screen]

[Over the course of a few minutes, seemingly by way of brush, an image is drawn onto a page in the Liber Nuntiorum.]



[A short while later, a new individual's handwriting graces the book's pages.]

I've drawn map of Concord. Mind, the pictures of the landmarks aren't really to scale, but they're in the right locations.

[Another little pause.]

I'm Larus Moon-In-Water, the guy from the Outlands who lives in a tent outside the gates of the South Quarter. I'm sorry I wasn't available for everyone's questions over the last few days, but I was busy making sure I had all of the details right.

[Beat.]

If you do have any questions about what you all call 'Outlanders' I can answer them now if you'd like.

Oh, thank you! This will be really useful. I can move this up to the front of the book so everyone has easy access! -A

[Naturally, that happens a moment later. How she did it is anyone's guess.]

Comments

[songbird_slayer]

You did all of this to get the map right? That's very thoughtful of you.

I have interest in pursuing the path of the Outlander, but wish to know what to expect. Should I train in the woods?

[dm_screen]

Since I'm stuck here, I needed some way to pass the time. It gave me something to do with all the walking I've been doing.

You don't need to train in the woods, but you'll want to spend a lot of time outside. It's a lot more

tame here than where I'm from, but you need to wean yourself from doing things the easy and convenient way. And everyone loves sleeping under the stars, right?

[...Or was that just him?]

[songbird_slayer]

Sleeping under the stars is ideal, I'd say... I may consider finding myself a tent and living my life that way! Life in the unit is a mite tense.

Still, I'm curious to see what comes from my training. Perhaps I'll see you around?

[bladeofconquest]

Greetings Larus, it's nice to meet you. I'm Corrin. I'm afraid I don't have any questions about the path of the Outlander specifically, but if you don't mind me leaning on your talents as a scout, I'd be grateful.

You've mapped this territory out pretty thoroughly. Are there any areas you think might be of interest to us Starfallen to begin our task? Any ruins or possibly cavern systems from before the world cracked? Something that might be worthwhile for us to explore and look for answers.

[dm_screen]

I passed by some interesting places when I first came here, but

now that the world's like this I have no idea where they are anymore. But it won't be hard finding something from before the world cracked. You can just look under your feet! I haven't noticed many differences around here since it all happened. Not in the lay of the land, anyway.

[Beat.]

Until you get to the edge, of course. That is different.

[a_sweet_little_peach]

Oh! Hello, Larus! I don't know that I've any interest in being an 'Outlander', but I hope you've been taking care of yourself! If you're ever in town, look for a Ralsei. I'll be sure to bake you a cake, if you like!

[dm_screen]

Most people here aren't interested. They probably find it strange. Or maybe they just find me strange.

I don't think I've seen a Ralsei before. What do they look like?

[a_sweet_little_peach]

Oh, I just don't think I'd be any good at it! I don't think you're strange.

Oh, and silly me... not a Ralsei, just that's my name. I'm pretty hard to miss, I usually wear bright green robes and a hat. Fuzzy and short! I'm sharing a place at Concord Crossing, if you're ever in the area: I'll put a big heart on our door, so you know which one's us!

[nobold]

Larus. I could swear I've heard that name before...

But perhaps that's mere Deja Vu. I am Cecil; traditionally, I am a monk, but only my training has arrived with me and not the ability to use my ki. The other classes lack something similar and I wonder if Outlanders have something that would suffice.

Though I am now curious what a natural Outlander would call themselves. By your description, that name was given by the locals.

[dm_screen]

That's weird. Cecil sounds familiar too. Maybe it's one of those names. But you're right, it's something that other people tend to call us. We call ourselves the Ke-Mo.

I don't know anything about ki, but it sounds a lot like chakras. And we actually have two different methods for that sort of thing depending on how you use it.

Learning how to listen to your own body is one of the most important traditions we have.

[nobold]

That it is. Monastic training involves balancing the body and soul, something that one may argue is important to everyone.

But that delves more into theology than the Outlander class. Chakras do sound rather similar and may even share a few practices. Even if it's not exactly what I'm familiar with, it should suffice, so long as I can utilize some of my training. I must admit that the sudden arrival into a new, broken world from




where I was before is a rather sudden change of pace. Still, to choose one direction is better than losing to indecision and classes are a convenient direction.

[mindofathief]

I can't express my thanks for meeting such a map-loving guy like you. [Thanks, Furry Mapson.]

I found your tent a few days ago so I never had a chance to ask about that book. Are Outlanders more like hand-to-hand combatants?

[dm_screen]

Just saying thanks is fine. Thank you!

[...]

For saying thank you. [way to go, Larus.]

Yes. Some of us are, anyway. And among those who are, there are two different

styles, I guess you'd call them. Is that the sort of thing you want to learn more about?

[mindofathief]

Yeah. I never fought with a weapon - unless you count tools - and what I saw in that book seemed more like my thing.

[raisedbybirds]

I appreciate the map, thank you.

What were the Outlands like before the land was sundered? What kinds of flora and fauna are dangerous there?

[dm_screen]

They're

vast. And very lush. The forests here may as well be farmlands by comparison. In fact everything from the rivers to the mountains here just feels so [...] mild in comparison. If I ever make it back there I hope it hasn't changed much.

As for the dangers,

would you accept 'a lot of them' or do you want me to start listing which ones are the most dangerous?

[raisedbybirds]

If not a list then more of your artistic representations would be satisfactory enough.

I've made it my life's career hunting dangerous creatures, I like to know what I'm getting into.

[meroon]

How are the rivers and ponds faring out in the Outlands? And is it true that your seas are made of stars? I have not been able to go out and see for myself yet.

[dm_screen]

I don't know what they're like now. I've been stuck here ever since the world broke apart like this. I hope they're still as clear and beautiful as I remember.

The Sea of Stars isn't the ocean as we remember it, either. It's what everyone calls the

starry sky that starts where the ground stops. Though I do wonder what has happened to the ocean since everything broke apart.

[tequilasunset]

Can you make me do motherfucking spin kicks again

I miss doing motherfucking spin kicks

[dm_screen]

[This talk of mother fucking was making him a little uneasy.]

If

[if...]

I understand you correctly, there's a somewhat similar technique I know of.

[lowercase_dragon]

Hey, Larus? Thanks for helping everyone out learning about your home and teaching them things. I know it can be really hard when you're trapped seemingly unable to return home.

Don't lose heart, okay? We're glad to talk to you and keep your spirits up until we find a way to take you back there!

[dm_screen]

Thank you.

As I understand it, you Starfallen are in a similar situation, aren't you?

At least as much as you've come here and don't have a way back.

[einspine]

[Ah, a map! That's very handy. Nyeh heh. So many uncharted places to explore. So many new things to see... Wowie. He'll have to get on that soon!]

I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, AM CERTAINLY INTRIGUED! THIS WORLD'S SO DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I'M USED TO.

MAINLY BECAUSE I'M USED TO ONLY LIVING AROUND MONSTERS AND BEING TRAPPED UNDERGROUND AND EMBRACING THE TIME-HONORED TRADITION OF PUZZLES...

BUT ALSO BECAUSE MY MAGIC ISN'T WORKING AND THAT'S A BIT UNSETTLING. BUT NO MATTER! NEW WORLD. NEW RULES. AND THE FACT THAT YOU WENT TO ALL THIS TROUBLE FOR US SPEAKS OF YOUR INCREDIBLE INTEGRITY!!!

[dm_screen]

Thank you. It's [...] just a map, but thank you.

You wrote that you were "trapped underground"; does that mean this is your first time seeing the sky?