UserWiki:Gryfall

(As a warning, if the player annoys Moon too much, she will refuse to speak, and most of the listed dialogue will be impossible to see - instead, she will only say "...")

Name
The name given to the Slugcat by Looks to the Moon will differ according to various parameters. Each time " " is written in the dialogue, it means that other names can appear instead of the default one.

A first random value determines which word is used to describe the Slugcat (7/10 chance of using something else than "creature"). If it happens, the following words will be used:

"archaeologist" "friend" "tormentor" "creature" If Moon has 3 or fewer neurons left, a second random value determines whether she will have troubles speaking or not when saying the Slugcat's name (1/2 chance of having troubles). If it happens, she will instead say: "Little... creature" (or whatever the word she uses is) "Little" can be found capitalized or not.
 * If Moon likes the Slugcat:
 * If the Slugcat has brought more than 5 pearls to Moon and Moon has more than 3 neurons left:
 * Otherwise:
 * If Moon dislikes the Slugcat:
 * Otherwise:

As The Survivor
Hello little creature. What are you? If I had my memories I would know... If the Slugcat has already met Moon before receiving the Mark of Communication, this line is added: "Perhaps... I saw you before?" You must be very brave to have made it all the way here. But I'm sorry to say your journey here is in vain. As you can see, I have nothing for you. Not even my memories. Or did I say that already? I see that someone has given you the gift of communication. Must have been Five Pebbles, as you don't look like you can travel very far... He's sick, you know. Being corrupted from the inside by his own experiments. Maybe they all are by now, who knows. We weren't designed to transcend and it drives us mad. It is good to have someone to talk to after all this time! The scavengers aren't exactly good listeners. They do bring me things though, occasionally...

As The Monk
Hello little creature. Your shape is familiar to me. I feel as if I... might have met your kind before. But my memory is so unreliable now. I see that someone has given you the gift of communication. Must have been Five Pebbles, as you don't look like you can travel very far... He's sick, you know. Being corrupted from the inside by his own experiments. Maybe they all are by now, who knows. We weren't designed to transcend and it drives us mad. Hm... Such a familiar feeling.

As The Hunter
He... hello Hello little... creature. You... you did this? One moment. My memory isn't responding. I... I have no idea... ...must have been gone for... ... Oh. Little creature... You are not well. I am so sorry to say, but you do not have much time left. If things are as they seem... thank you. I don't know why you spent your... last... remaining cycles helping me. But know that I am deeply grateful. I have known very few beings who could aspire to such a noble thing. You really are... an amazing little creature. I wish I could say I will always remember it. ... Little friend. Perhaps you already know this, and I don't know what consolation it might bring, but... You will wake right back up again.

If Moon likes the Slugcat
Oh, hello! I wonder what it is that you want? There is nothing here. Not even my memories remain. Even the scavengers that come here from time to time leave with nothing. But... I have told you that already, haven't I? I do enjoy the company though. You're welcome to stay a while, quiet little thing.

If Moon dislikes the Slugcat
"You again."

Otherwise
Oh, hello. I wonder what it is that you want? There is nothing here. Not even my memories remain. Even the scavengers that come here from time to time leave with nothing. But... I have told you that already, haven't I?

As The Hunter
Hi! Little saviour! It is good to see you again. I wish I could help you like you have helped me... But like this, there is very little I can do. All I can do is express how thankful I am. You have given me some additional time... despite not having a lot of it yourself. I hope... this was meaningful for you. It was for me.

If Moon does not dislike the Slugcat
Punctuation differs whether Moon likes the Slugcat or not. Each time <!> is written, it means "!" will be used if she likes the Slugcat, and "." if not.

One of the following options is selected randomly:

"Hello again, <!>"

If Moon likes the Slugcat: "Hello, ! How have you been?"

Otherwise: "Hello, . You’re here again."

"Oh, . Hello<!>"

"It’s you, <!> Hello."

"Ah..., you’re here again<!>"

"Ah..., you’re back<!>"

If Moon dislikes the Slugcat
One of the following options is selected randomly:

"Here again."

You. I wish you would stop coming here.

You again. Please leave me alone.

"Oh, it's you,."

Receiving an object
First time "What is that?"

Second time "Another gift?" If Moon likes the Slugcat, this line is added: "I will take a look."

Third time "Oh, what is that, ?" "What is that, ?"
 * If Moon likes the Slugcat:
 * Otherwise:

Fourth time "Yet another gift?"

Following times One of the following options is selected randomly:

"Something new you want me to look at, ?"

If Moon likes the Slugcat, this line is added: "Another gift for me?" "I will take a look."

"Oh, what is that, ?"

If Moon likes the Slugcat: "Yet another gift? You're quite curious, !" Otherwise: Yet another thing? Your curiosity seems boundless,.

"Another thing you want me to look at?"

If Moon likes the Slugcat: "Oh... I will look at it." Otherwise: "Something you want me to look at, I suppose, ?"

If Moon likes the Slugcat: "Oh... Of course I will take a look" Otherwise: "Oh... I will take a look"

"You want me to take a look at that?"

"Oh... Should I look at that?"

"A gift for me, ?"

"A new gift for me, ?"

Miscellaneous & colored pearls
First time Ah, you would like me to read this? It's a bit dusty, but I will do my best. Hold on...

Second time "Another pearl! You want me to read this one too? Just a moment..."

Third time "And yet another one! I will read it to you."

Fourth time "Another? You're no better than the scavengers!" If Moon likes the Slugcat, this line is added: "Let us see... to be honest, I'm as curious to see it as you are."

Following times One of the following options is selected randomly:

"The scavengers must be jealous of you, finding all these"

"Here we go again, little archeologist. Let's read your pearl."

"... You're getting quite good at this you know. A little archeologist beast. Now, let's see what it says."

"And yet another one! I will read it to you."

Five Pebbles' pearls
One of the following options is selected randomly:

You would like me to read this? It's still warm... this was in use recently.

"A pearl... This one is crystal clear - it was used just recently."

Would you like me to read this pearl? Strange... it seems to have been used not too long ago.

"This pearl has been written to just now!"

Let's see... A pearl... And this one is fresh! It was not long ago this data was written to it!

See Pearl for the contents of the pearls.

"It's a rock. Thank you, I suppose, little creature."

"It's a piece of sharpened rebar... What is it you want to know? You seem proficient enough at using it."

"It's a weapon made with fire powder. Did the scavengers give this to you? Be very careful if you have to use it!"

"It's a delicious plant. You should have it!"

This is a hallucinogenic plant. They used to call it a 'Wheel Flower'. It became the symbol for enlightenment as it momentarily enables a creature to let go if its carnal self, and to contact the selves of other planes - dreams, memories, imagined worlds. Very long ago, they would eat these and stare into the fire.

"It's the pupa of a bug! If you don't mind, I'm a bit squeamish things like that, so would you eat it up already?"

"It's a part of some kind of plant. The glowing is strange... I wouldn't look directly into it."

"I honestly can't tell what this is. It's light but strong... appears to be some composite material interwoven with bone. It could be part of an animal or purposed organism, but in my current state I'm unable to recognize it."

"The flowering body of some fungus. It has high pressure built up inside - when it explodes the spores will spread everywhere."

"This is a jellyfish, look out for its stingers!"

"It appears to be... a pupa shell, smeared on the inside with a glowing substance? Perhaps a paste of some glowing insect? I honestly don't know."

"Oh... Just don't eat too many of these."

"It's a branch of a fire bush - each of these nuts can explode. It's unpleasant rather than dangerous, except to your ears perhaps."

"This is a slime mold plasmodium. Thank you, but I can't eat this."

"It's a lot of flammable powder stuffed into some kind of shell. I would be very careful around this!"

It's a plant that keeps pressurised air in these globules. I'm not very familiar with contemporary flora, so I can't tell you much more.

It is the remains of an overseer. Overseers act as our eyes on the outside. I used to have a lot of them, but I lost contact with them when I was neutered. My umbilical is cut. So, since then I am not much more than what you are looking at - a little creature in a box. I suspect by now all my overseers are gone out there. Without me they would just roam around with no purpose. The scavengers tend to hunt them, it's one of their very few ways of expressing defiance. It's of course not completely impossible that there are a few left. Say hello if you see one.

This is the sensory lobe of a large purposed organism. From within the living systems of an iterator. Most of the organisms inside us are very simple, only capable of one or two dedicated tasks. This creates the need for for a smaller number of higher organisms used to manage and protect them. They also facilitate long distance communication within our living systems. And while I do not think you can experience the same sensation, it is quite unpleasant to have one of these destroyed! I would hope this is not one of mine!

Pearl
One of the following options is selected randomly:

"Oh, I have already read this one to you,."

"This one I’ve already read to you,."

"This one again, ?"

Other object
One of the following options is selected randomly:

"I think we have already talked about this one,."

"I've told you about this one,."

", this one again?"

If Moon does not dislike the Slugcat
One of the following options is selected randomly:

"Oh... Never mind, I suppose."

"Oh, you want it back?" "And now you're taking it back."
 * If Moon likes the Slugcat:
 * Otherwise:

"Want it back, ?"

Oh... Yes, you're welcome to have it back.

If Moon dislikes the Slugcat
One of the following options is selected randomly:

"Yes, take it and leave me alone."

"And now you're taking it, apparently."

If Moon does not dislike the Slugcat
One of the following options is selected randomly:

"That... That is for me?"

If Moon likes the Slugcat: "Hello! That... Oh, thank you." Otherwise: "Hello. That... Oh, thank you."

"Ah..., a neuron from Pebbles?"

If Moon dislikes the Slugcat
One of the following options is selected randomly:

"You are bringing a neuron. Is it to taunt me?"

"A neuron."

Otherwise
If Moon has 3 neurons left "You... brought that... for me?"

If Moon has 2 neurons left "...oh... to... save me?"

If Moon has 1 neuron left "..."

If Moon has 4 or more neurons left before the gift
If Moon is refusing to speak to the Slugcat You... Strange thing. Now this? I will accept your gift... Thank you. I do wonder what you want.

If Moon is not refusing to speak to the Slugcat

First neuron received
After all this time, a lifeline. Thank you. I'll never feel the power I once had, but this is something to sustain an old soul. I could read a bit of Five Pebbles in this neuron before formatting it. A ghost left from his processing routines. Erratic... Pulse. "Erratic Pulse." I wonder what that means.
 * If Moon has never lost a neuron

I am grateful - the relief is indescribable! ... I could read a bit of Five Pebbles in this neuron before formatting it. His condition has severely deteriorated since last I heard of him. The frustration he feels is profound, and that angst has seeped into every part of him, every neuron. We were supposed to help everyone, you know. Everything. That was our purpose: a great gift to the lesser beings of the world. When facing our inability to do so, we all reacted differently. Many with madness. Some, out there, might still be trying. Communications have been bad for a long time, and by now I suspect most of us are isolated like me, or connected only in small groups. But even back when we were all more or less connected there were those who reacted to their task with anger. I can only imagine they are angrier now, alone in their cans, left only with their insatiable drive. But to be honest, I don't know how many of us are still alive at this point.
 * If Moon has lost at least one neuron

Second neuron received
You get these at Five Pebbles'? Thank you so much. I'm sure he won't mind. ... Or actually I'm sure he would, but he has so many of these~ it doesn't do him any difference. For me though, it does! Thank you, little creature!

Following neurons
One of the following options is selected randomly:

"Thank you, again. I feel wonderful."

"Thank you so very much!"

"It is strange... I'm remembering myself, but also... him."

"Thank you... Sincerely."

Otherwise
If Moon has 3 neurons left before the gift You... Strange thing. Now this? I will accept your gift... Thank you... That is a little better. Thank you, creature.
 * If Moon is refusing to speak to the Slugcat:

Thank you... That is a little better. Thank you, creature. Maybe this is asking too much... But, would you bring me another one?
 * If Moon is not refusing to speak to the Slugcat:

If Moon has 2 neurons left before the gift ...thank you... better... still, very... bad.

If Moon has 1 neuron left before the gift ... You! ...you...killed... ...  ...me

Interrupted by the Slugcat leaving
First time Oh... You are leaving. Good bye, I suppose...
 * If Moon does not dislike the Slugcat:

"Oh, leaving. Please don’t come back."
 * If Moon dislikes the Slugcat:

Second time "There you go again."
 * If Moon does not dislike the Slugcat:

"Leaving again."
 * If Moon dislikes the Slugcat:

Third time "Yet again leaving."
 * If Moon does not dislike the Slugcat:

"You’re leaving yet again. This time, stay away."
 * If Moon dislikes the Slugcat:

Fourth time This only appears if Moon has more than 3 neurons left.
 * If Moon does not dislike the Slugcat:

One of the following options is selected randomly:

"Yes, there you go."

"Again."

"*sigh*"

"..."

"This again."

"... Never mind."

"Yes, there you go. This is ridiculous."
 * If Moon dislikes the Slugcat:

Fifth time This only appears if Moon dislikes the Slugcat. "I don't know what to say. Never come back, creature!"

Fifth interruption "Please don't come back."

Interrupted by the Slugcat jumping/moving around
First time "Please. Be still for a moment."
 * If Moon has more than 3 neurons left:

"...please... be still..."
 * If Moon has 3 or fewer neurons left:

Second time "Little creature! Stay still and listen."
 * If Moon has more than 3 neurons left:

"...stop..."
 * If Moon has 3 or fewer neurons left:

Third & fourth times This only appears if Moon has more than 3 neurons left.

One of the following options is selected randomly:

"! Stay still and listen."

"I won't talk to you if you continue like this."

"Why should I tolerate this?"

"STOP!"

"This again."

"Leave me alone!"

Fifth interruption "I will not speak to you any more."
 * If Moon has more than 3 neurons left:

"I will...not speak to you..."
 * If Moon has 3 or fewer neurons left:

Interrupted by the Slugcat grabbing a neuron
First time No, please, release it! If you eat it or leave with it, I will die. I beg you.
 * If Moon has more than 3 neurons left:

NO! ... no. Let it go, please. ...please...
 * If Moon has 3 or fewer neurons left:

Second time or fifth interruption "Release that, and leave. I will not speak to you any more."
 * If Moon has more than 3 neurons left:

"NO! I will...not speak to you..."
 * If Moon has 3 or fewer neurons left:

After the Slugcat has released a grabbed neuron
If Moon likes the Slugcat "Thank you. I must ask you... Don't do that again. , if you do that, I will not speak to you any more."
 * If Moon has more than 3 neurons left:

"Thank... you. I... won't speak to you... if you do that."
 * If Moon has 3 or fewer neurons left:

If Moon dislikes the Slugcat "Never do that again. Or just kill me quickly. Whichever way. , if you do that, I will not speak to you any more."
 * If Moon has more than 3 neurons left:

"...don’t... do that. I... won't speak to you... if you do that."
 * If Moon has 3 or fewer neurons left:

If Moon is neutral towards the Slugcat "I must ask you... Don't do that again. , if you do that, I will not speak to you any more."
 * If Moon has more than 3 neurons left:

"Please... don't do... that. I... won't speak to you... if you do that."
 * If Moon has 3 or fewer neurons left:

Resuming conversation after an interruption
This dialogue consists of two parts:

First part
"And you are back."
 * If the interruption was the Slugcat leaving:

Second time "Back again."

Following times This only appears if Moon has more than 3 neurons left. "Here again."

This only appears for the two first times. "Thank you."
 * If the interruption was the Slugcat jumping/moving around:

Second part
"As I was saying..."

Second time "As I tried to say to you..."

Third time Little creature, why don't you stay calm and listen? As I tried to say to you...

Fourth time "And now you expect me to continue speaking?" If Moon has less than 5 neurons left, this line is added: "First you hurt me, then you come back to annoy me. I wish I knew what was going on in that little head of yours." "Let us try again - not that it has worked well before. I was saying..."

Fifth time If you behave like this, why should I talk to you? You come here, but you can't be respectful enough to listen to me. Will you listen this time? Look at me. The only thing I have to offer is my words. If you come here, I must assume you want me to speak? So then would you PLEASE listen? If not, you are welcome to leave me alone. Now if you'll let me, I will try to say this again.

Annoyed by the Slugcat jumping/moving around
First time "... Please settle down."

Second time "Please stop it!"

Third & fourth times This only appears if Moon has more than 3 neurons left.

One of the following options is selected randomly: "Why are you doing this?"

"Please!"

"Why should I tolerate this?"

"STOP!"

"This again."

"Leave me alone!"

Fifth time "I will not speak to you any more."

After the Slugcat stops annoying Moon
If Moon has more than 3 neurons left "Thank you."

If Moon has 3 neurons left "...thank you."

When rain comes
If Moon has 5 neurons left I think the rain is approaching. You better go, ! I will be fine. It's not pleasant, but I have been through it before. "Keep your family safe!"
 * If Moon does not dislike the Slugcat:
 * If the Slugcat is carrying a moon will add.

"The rain is coming. If you stay, you will drown. Now, leave me alone."
 * Otherwise:

If Moon has 4 neurons left ... Rain... You better go. I will be fine.

If Moon has 3 neurons left ... ...rain... coming... Go!

If Moon has 2 neurons left ...rain... run

Joke dialogue
This dialogue appears when bringing strange creatures into 's can.

* "Your friend is very large, how did you fit them in here?"

"How did you bring that in here... I think it is as surprised as I am!"

"Oh no."

"Oh, that is not a friend..."

"What did you do!?"

It's piece of sharpened rebar... What is it you want to know?
 * [[File:Saint_head.png]]

I don't wish to offend, but you seem too frail to use this effectively.

It appears to be... a pupa shell, smeared on the inside with a glowing substance? It's been mixed with fire powder for warmth. It's not much, but anything to escape the cold is welcome.

The scavengers never cease to adapt, even in this weather!

Healthy one... what is this, and where did you get it? Is this a feat of your own creation?

It's a bit unbelievable. A... creature like you procuring something like this would be an amazing accomplishment for your species...

Ah, well, if it tells a good story then I won't question it too much~

What a fascinating specimen! This is a tightly nested bundle of cellular membranes. However, most of the content within and surrounding the various layers is neither air nor water... it's void fluid!

The cells within this capsule are dividing at extremely rapidly, countering the void fluids simultaneous dissolving of its container.

Somehow it has managed to reach an equilibrium between creation and destruction, but I suspect is is not a very stable system. Any irregular disturbance would likely cause a cascading effect on either end of this spectrum, the result of which would be sudden and destructive.

While I would like to hold onto this for further research, I don't think it would be advisable to have something so volatile sitting around here. Especially given my chambers open exposure to the elements.

I would recommend you be very careful handling this, old friend!

Hello little creature, are you lost?

I am sorry to say that there is nothing here for you.

You've been given the gift of communication. So I can only imagine that you have met Five Pebbles. You must already understand how little of me remains functional.

However, it is nice to have someone to talk to after all this time. My last visitor was very sick, so their visits here were not for very long.

I can only hope to remember them for as long as I can in my current state.

Maybe you know them? They left some time ago. My last overseer watched them head to the west. Perhaps they were returning home with what little time they had left.

You are welcome to stay as long as you desire little creature. It is nice to have company.

Oh. Hello there!

What a strange specimen you are! My memory does not serve me well, but it has been a long time since I've encountered one of your species. And none quite with adaptions such as your own. It appears you can breathe underwater. Amazing!

More importantly, I wonder who it is that gave you that mark? It could not have been my neighbor Five Pebbles, as he has been sick for a very long time. These frequent downpours suggest to me an acute failure in his machinery, and in that condition, I doubt any creature could get anywhere near him and still make it back alive.

Then are you from a far away land? Did you meet No Significant Harassment? Or perhaps Chasing Wind? Or even further than that?

I don't know why you have traveled all this way, but there is nothing for you here. I can only advise you to return to wherever you have come from. These lands have become a tremendous hazard, and conditions will only worsen with the passage of time.

I hope you understand, my little friend. I don't mean to be discourteous... I am simply fearing for your safety.

Returning after taking Five Pebbles'  Hello little friend!

Have you noticed, little friend? The heavy rainfall as of late has begun to recede.

I wonder if Pebbles' machinery finally succumbed to the decay. He was in awful shape last i remember, and even that was a long time ago. Perhaps he finally solved the riddle? For his sake i almost hope so.

Ah, in the end, everything reaches the conclusion of its journey. I'm not sure how many of us are even left in this world. A new cycle is already unfolding, one we need not be a part of. We've long outserved our purpose.

However as long as the microbes in my processing strata continue to function, I'll be here to talk.

Commenting on the  Oh, what is that, little creature?

Oh, this is deeply concerning discovery. Do you have any idea what this is?

These are known as mass rarefaction cells. They are a type of backup energy source that powered our superstructures in times of maintenance, void fluid pipe raptures, and other general power failures.

In the absence of our creators, to replace deteriorating parts, These cells have become one of the major components that allow our facilities to remain powered.

However, the fact that this cell is currently in my hands can only mean bad things for whoever this originally came from. I sure hope you weren't the one responsible for it becoming misplaced!

I know first-hand the tragedy of losing this power. In the wake of my... accident... all of my rarefaction cells were dislodged on impact and washed away in the flood waters.

This cell could be valuable to me, But with my umbilical severed, my overseers running free, and all of my facilities lying deep beneath a large body of water, it would be an impossible task to deliver this to a functional location.

You might be able to find an access shaft into my lower structure nearby, but I have no idea how much is left of it.

Please be careful.

Returning after placing the in the 's heart Ah!

Sleek little one... Did you do this?

I feel as if pulled out of a deep sleep. I am still trying to process all of this. It has been so long since I've had a connection like this with my structure.

Everything has restarted in maintenance mode... It seems that it has sent out the order for all of my overseers to return. With my umbilical cord broken I can't operate my structure directly, but with them working as messengers I've been restoring some of my chamber's functionality! With any luck, I should be able to... Ah here we go!

There is so much here... So much I've forgotten... I'll never be what I once was, but this... I'm sorry. Its hard to piece all of this together. So much has happened in my absence.

I only have unread messages, and overseer recordings to make sense of what I've missed. Some of these are even from before my collapse!

Incredible...

Slag reset keys, a messenger, saving me? No Significant Harassment was never one to give up easy! However I still don't understand everything that has happened. Has it all just been coincidence? Did others send help as well?

Then there is Five Pebbles. He was sick even before I collapsed, and his state must have only deteriorated since. It looks like he is barely breathing. If there is any part of him left... I...

We were once good friends, despite everything that has happened. He is probably alone and afraid now...

"I cannot run away from my mistakes forever; Please understand." Five Pebbles, what have you done... I've been given so much already, and now you've given all you had left.

It does not matter what happened between us. If he still held the same anger he once did, then none of this would be possible. We've been given the chance to make things right, and he deserves to know what he did wasn't pointless.

I'm so thankful, for everything.

Ending Broadcast
[DIRECT BROADCAST] PRIVATE, FORCED - Big Sister Moon, Five Pebbles SOURCE NODE TRACE: LTTM_ROOT, FP_COMM04, FP_ROOT BSM: This is local group senior, Big Sister Moon BSM: Limited functionality has been restored to some of my basic systems. BSM: I've regained access to this communications array for the first time since the collapse. BSM: Through my overseers I have also caught up on some of the current events. BSM: Including what i've gathered by reading through my messages and equipment manifests. BSM: I am already aware of the large extent to which the local infrastructure has deteriorated.</span BSM: I do not know if sending this message will be a futile effort. BSM: Even before the collapse I could not broadcast beyond the extents of my local facility. BSM: And so clearly, this forced broadcast is addressed to you, Five Pebbles. BSM: Is there any chance that i can still reach you, despite the condition we both are in? BSM: I need to know. BSM: If in any chance this message arrives, please signal back if you can find a way. BSM: I know it may be uncomfortable for you to address me after all that has happened. BSM: We've both had a long time to think things through. Any anger I may have had has long since faded. BSM: I don't hold anything against you. If anything, we're both in similar dilemmas right now. BSM: And as your Big Sis, you know how protective I am of you!~ BSM: ...  BSM: I'm sorry, Five Pebbles. I'll always be here if you need someone to talk to.

If Spearmaster has already delivered their message Hello there. Are my words reaching you?

Poor thing. There are no records of your body’s blueprints. Nor is it reasonable to assume your extreme adaptations are possible through… natural means.

You are welcome to stay if you do not interrupt.

I would not mind some company. My neighbor, Five Pebbles, has become dangerous, resulting in significant damage to my structure. I have lost access to all communications devices, and all attempts to directly reach him through our tether have been met with silence after our last conversation.

If he… If he ddd… d d d …

If he does not stop soon…

Isn’t it funny, my unfortunate little friend? For everything that I am, my last memories may be of monologuing to a strange animal that has lost its way into my chamber.

There is not much I can do. At least you can make yourself at home.

If Spearmaster has not delivered their message Brave messenger… What are you?

I could read the data contained in your body, but the process could take several cycles. Time I very sadly lack.

I could remove the pearl from you, but the process would be very unpleasant for you. I also do not believe the contents within it are directed to me. If you are indeed a messenger, then I urge you to move on.

There is a… a a a

…

There is another like me near here, his name is Five Pebbles.

Please. Hurry to his structure. I am unable to calm him, and his excessive output is causing irreversible damage to my own structure. I do not know how long I will continue to even stand.

There is an elevated cable linking our installations. Crossing that bridge is safer than attempting to scale Five Pebbles from the ground up.

Hurry little messenger!

Commenting on the Spearmaster Pearl What is this pearl you've brought along with you?

It has strange biological attachments. Was this pearl... from inside of you?

Let me take a look at what's written on it.

...

This is...

I assume you've already shown this to Five Pebbles?

I was not aware of the extent to which these affairs had reached the wider iterator populace. Nor was I aware of the lengths that the others were going in their attempts to get into contact with us.

If only I could...

Brave messenger, do you mind if I rewrite the contents of this pearl? After all, it already served its original purpose.

I will attach a broadcast key to it, signed with my communications serial.

...

To the far west of here, past the silently towering chimney stacks of Five Pebbles' complex, you will find a place of sunbaked lands with beautiful flora that straddle the clouds.

There is a communications array located there. It is the nearest one that may still be functioning.

Its systems should recognize and respond to my signed broadcast key. If you could please stop there on your return trip to Seven Red Suns, I would be very grateful. This is my only hope to get a message out to the local group.

Be careful, messenger.

First Encounter You feel it too, don't you, strange one?

We've only just met, but our perceptions will soon part ways.

Go on, our cycles will meet again.

Second Encounter Hello. You can understand me, can’t you?

What an unusual being you are. By what mechanism have you achieved such attunement?

…

It has been a while since I had a life form like you stumble into my chamber.

While I’m relieved that some of your species have managed to persist even now, I don’t envy your situation.

Hopefully you can find an escape to your suffering.

Third Encounter Oh hello.

Have you come back to see me again?

Ah, you remind me of a old creature who used to visit here often.

The passage of time has taken them away, of course. That was a while ago.

Stay as long as you'd like. But not too long.

This chamber is not very well insulated from the cold.