hadriel | ✘ Round 9

Greetings, residents of this city-prison. Now that we have been transported to a new land, an environment that I imagine must be significantly harsher for most of you, I feel that it now may be a pertinent time to make an offer.

I am not bothered by this climate; in fact, I thrive in it. [He's not going to switch on the video and show why; even after years of being stuck here, Glacius is still wary about how and to whom he reveals himself.] So, I am offering my services as a hunter and forager to those that may be worried about their abilities to provide for themselves in the long-term. There is wildlife here that can be hunted for their meat, pelt, and parts; I can procure and deliver such items to you, should you need them. I estimate that I could feed a handful of you every couple of days without risking overhunting; I am capable of providing more, and every day at that, but we do not want to abuse and deplete what resources are naturally available to us. [Every hunter should know how to respect the lands, after all—especially when they do not have not-so-benevolent god-beings to magically manifest things for them. Glacius has always tried to remain self-sufficient from them wherever possible; now it is time to help others do the same.]

So ask of me if you have need, and I will manage the logistics of providing as much I can without overhunting. I already hunt for my partner and I and regularly patrol to be sure that no threats prowl too close to us, so this is not far out of my way.

[He seems like he might leave it at that, but after a moment he adds on:] Ah, and as far as plants go... they exist, as I imagine most of you know by now, but they are sparse. I have managed to absorb nutrients from some of them, but you are likely better relying on the orchards and perhaps the gardens should you make an arrangement with their owners. I have also determined that water is available deep under the ice of frozen bodies of water, but I am not certain whether or not it needs to be purified to be safe for your consumption.

So these are my findings and my offers. Rest assured, we can survive just fine without the absence of the gods, and I will do what I can to make it so.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Poison chuckles softly.]

You're feeling guilty for nothing. I don't expect you to invite me out with you. I don't think I could keep up.

[His adaption to the climate aside, the sheer difference in size and strength is enough for her to be able to easily admit that she could never match him.]

But I can do my part. We should all help each other where we can out here, right?

Oh... my mistake, then. When you said you wanted to help, and had just before mentioned hunting, I thought that was your way of asking to come with me on a hunt.

But—yes. We should. I have to admit you are saying things that make it easy to believe we could have been good friends... and could become so once again. How would you like to help?

Oh, if I wanted to come out with you I would have just asked that. [She tells him bluntly, though not unkindly. If nothing else, she's generally plainly spoken in requesting what she wants.]

I know how to lay snares and traps, and I'm good at foraging. And I think... somewhere like this, we should have a cold store. In case the supplies run out again.

[Glacius does not seem bothered by the bluntness; it is not unlike how his people tend to speak, and it is becoming easier and easier to see why he might have gotten on well with Poison in another world.] I could certainly check traps for you. I am also confident in my ability to look out for you should we forage together at some point; I would not mind having a human along to show me what would be edible to them.

As for the cold store... I agree that it would be a good idea to have supplies stocked up. You would have to tell me a bit more about it, and we would likely have to find people to watch it so that others do not decide to try and ransack it, but... I am willing to try anything that would make the general populace less dependent on the gods.

Then it sounds like we have a plan.

[She can't keep up with him when he's hunting, but there are things that she can do, and she's determined to do them. Poison has never been very good at sitting idle.

The young woman cants her head thoughtfully, her attention drifting offside briefly.]

Maybe more than one. In case we're attacked. There must be people here who can help with something like that.

I am sure there are. We will not have to work very hard to keep the building cold, at least, given the general environment here. Probably the hardest part will be building it, but I can certainly assist there if given proper guidelines.

I've never taken on a project like that before. [Poison trails off thoughtfully.]

But if I can handle being Hierophant... how hard could it be?

I am sorry, being what now..?

Oh-- It was my... job. Where I came from.

[She smiles briefly.]

Much more difficult than building an ice cellar.

Well, I could surmise as much. I was simply curious as to what it entailed, if it is something you would not mind talking about.

I suppose not. [Even if the last time she did, some woman called Rosie got all up on her high horse about it. She doesn't think Glacius is cut from the same cloth.]

The Hierophant is... the person who writes the laws, stories, and destiny of the Realms in my world. Everything that is so, is so because the Hierophant wrote it that way, all the way back to the very first one who brought the world into existence.

You make it sound like you are some sort of god. [This is noted with just a slight bit of wariness; he has found that he is not too fond of those that refer to themselves as such, if his experiences here are anything to go by.] I am trying to understand. How does one "write" the destiny of others—is that not something we define for ourselves? Would you claim to be able to dictate the path that those in your world will walk?

[Sigh. She's always going to get that reaction, isn't she.]

We don't have gods.

[Poison frowns, and rubs the back of her neck.] I write stories. The important ones. The Archivists go out into the realms and gather them. It doesn't have to be a person's whole life, but something they did that made a difference. They did it themselves, but they're guided. There's always a choice. [She smiles, then. Faint and distant.]

Except for me. I didn't get a choice. Not really.

✘ Round 9 | [Audio]

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