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[radiopalkiller]

[ Philip arrives. He'd rather not have. Moreso, he didn't think weird alternative dimensions could get any less straightforward, and yet... ]

Show of hands if you remember Wonderland¹.

¹ The one where you get endless free drinks within immediate walking distance and all the nightmares of your world come to life to haunt you, while your own reflection laughs at you from a pocket dimension nearby.

(So, not the one from the books.)

PS.: About those endless free drinks. Do you have that feature here? If yes, where? If no, where's the latest group of dedicated heroes looking to find a way out of this place immediately if not sooner, because I'd like to join up.

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[hotspurred]

The Null are machines who aim to annihilate the gods merely because they 'threaten their way of life' by making the Null feel. These eight gods are the last of their kind, and they are hunted.

At some point in the past they attempted to fight the Null. The creatures who once sustained the gods were killed in their entirety. Rage, Delight, Sorrow, Tranquility, Confusion and Love died in that battle. Hope and Fear survived by escaping. Fear then made active the Door, which brought us into this city. Hope proceeded to use us to gain power enough to revive their fallen kin.

We were kept ignorant.

About five months ago the Null almost breached this city, which forced the gods to speak honestly of our perilous circumstances. We narrowly escaped before they broke through. Two months ago the Null posted to the network. The gods knew not. The Null wish to communicate with us alone. They posted a second time in an attempt to entice us into assisting them by killing Hope.

It is only a matter of time until the Null attack again. The Null have no qualms slaughtering us in order to weaken the gods. They said so themselves.

Should you wish to read all that the gods and the Null have declared over the network, come by Guard headquarters. I have a year and eight months' worth on my phone. Only a mere few have been trapped here longer than myself.

Is there aught else you would know?

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[radiopalkiller]

[ It's good intel. For the part of him that believes he's actually left Wonderland. That part shudders towards the end, not even two years? He huffs a loud breath without sound. It's all the bitter laughter he's got in him. ]

Cheers, I'll take you up on that.

Just one more thing then: Where does everyone here stand on killing Hope versus fighting the Null?

[ Wait. ]

Wait, two more things, actually: What's the longest anyone's been here, and who's got that honor, currently?

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[hotspurred]

Most would rather fight the Null. But not all.

One year and eleven months, I believe. There are a couple. Cecily Trevelyan is most certainly one.

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[radiopalkiller]

Last question then: Anything I should know that I won't find written in the guide?

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[hotspurred]

The gods have phones. You may speak to them directly whensoever you choose, should they deign to respond.

In the past the gods have gifted us transitory blessings. Hope's affords one to power to heal wounds. Tranquility's affords one the power to put another to sleep at a touch, for as long as a day. I know not the others, but you are certain to find those who have possessed them.

The gods' human appearances are but masks meant to mollify us.

There is an area marked on the map as a danger. It is a corrupted place of nightmares made into flesh. Do not stray into it if you value your life.

Finally, be wary. We have a murderer in our midst.

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[radiopalkiller]

[ Huh. Now there's a more practical solution to god is always listening. Gotta wonder if those guys are more useful than the ones their churches cooked up back at home... ]

What, just one? That pretty much makes this a sanctuary compared to the last places I've been.

Any details like a name or face on that? Wouldn't want to invite the wrong guy to dinner all the same.

[hotspurred]

One of his victims drew a sketch of him.

He was transformed by the blood of another of his victims into one of their kind, so he might appear more feminine than portrayed.

[That's... a thing. Thanks, Wraeththu. He sends over a copy of Sharon's drawing of Beyond Birthday.]

[radiopalkiller]

[ He makes a mental note of the sketch. Well, half of one, anyway, before he gets distracted by the idea of... um. A lady-making monster? ]

Sorry, rewind for a second there. Transformed into one of their kind of what exactly?

[hotspurred]

Wraeththu, they names themselves. They are hermaphrodites with magic and some sort of caste. Their blood not only has the power to transform humans, but apparently it is a potent poison. Without care one is most likely to die painfully.

Or so I have been told. Pell and Seel are two of them.

[radiopalkiller]

Hermaphrodite killer with poison blood. Got it. Cheers.

[ Here's to hoping nobody puts that particular side dish on his growing plate of problems. But then, when did that ever work out? ]

In all seriousness, I really appreciate the information. I'll need some time to get through everything, but you gave me a good start.

[hotspurred]

You are welcome.

I am sure that you shall uncover plenty henceforth without assistance. Nonetheless, should I come across aught that is not common knowledge I will deliver it unto you.