Forum:Lore:Unconected

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Unconected is a Lore book introduced in Episode: Rebirth. Entries are unlocked by completing each Act of Episode: Rebirth. It is written from Tivon's perspective and describes the rise of his species, the Quassin and his rise into a Disciple of the Witness.

I: Alone in the Dark

A lone planet drifts in the darkness. No system to belong to, star to orbit or a black hole to slowly fall into and be torn apart by its superior gravity. A single tiny moon that had been caught in its gravity and dragged along on its endless journey is its only companion. With no star to warm its surface, the planet's surface is covered with miles of ice that reaches several miles down.

There is no life on the surface. While the icy surface is so thick that any meteors break upon it that an unkept sword against a shield and stray gamma-ray bursts cannot cut through it, leaving scars they leave quickly fade, any creature capable of surviving outside forces would need to survive in subzero temperatures with what can barely be described as an atmosphere so thin that it's virtually impossible to breathe.

And yet, deep under the ice in the freezing ocean, there is life.

- - -

Deep under miles of thick ice, the only warmth available comes from hydrothermal vents. Fish gather close to feed from the bacteria feeding from the inorganic components the vents produce and to warm themselves before venturing into the dark waters.

Beyond the borders of the bubble of light, at the weakest point, there is another light — a faint blue pulse. It catches the attention of one fish and it begins to drift towards it. In its transfixed state, it fails to see the figure hidden in the dark. Three sharp claws tip the ends of its webbed hands and feet. Its thin limbs lightly motion to keep it steady as blank bulbous eyes focus on the approaching little thing.

Suddenly, the creature lunges forward. The claws sink into the fish as it thrashes to escape. Rows of needle-sharp teeth rend into the flesh as the other fish, disturbed, flee into the shadows.

Now alone, the creature paddles to the vents to warm for a moment before returning to the dark and waiting.

Over time, though its passage was missing in the absence of light, this was how these creatures that would come to be known as the Quassin lived. Smarter than the fish they hunted, but still very much beasts. They learned to work in groups to catch larger food and create bladed weapons from rock and ice to kill more easily. The groups grew into Shoals and a primitive culture began to form - building primitive homes of soft rock and spit around the hydrothermal vents.

Masked and protected by the roof of ice over their heads, thicker than any cutting tool they could craft, they were free to craft, to hunt, to live in safety, cut off from the universe and the dangers it posed.

- - -

A hunter paddles with haste to the village, many move aside as he heads for their Shoal's leader, speaking of a crack in the Ice Roof and light leaking from it. Moments later, the hunter leaves, followed by Shoal-leader Akrish himself and three of his guards. It was rare for Shoal-leaders to venture beyond their group, and only for most dire circumstances. A Shoal is weak, disorganized and susceptible to larger predators without one.

Something leaks from cracks in the ice roof. It is glowing, brighter than any glow their ancestors and hunters used to lure simpler-minded prey can produce. It is pure... Beautiful. The hunter approaches slowly and reaches out a hand. Akrish's guards raise their weapons in defense, believing the leaking light to be a tactic of some great beast waiting to emerge and swallow him, like colossal Haze Fish that prey on any Quassin that wanders too far into the deep alone.

The light curls around the hunter's hand and settles in his palm. He can feel the potential in it. He can see a way to change the world to benefit them. Seeing it as safe, Akrish reached out next and he felt the same. More and more of the leader's escorts reach out. In time, more Shoal-leaders would learn of this leak and make a pilgrimage to investigate. They were greeted in kindness, rather than anger. They reached out to the next and the next until all of the Quassin knew the Light. They evolved at a rapid pace.

The Light allowed them to shape their world, creating materials never possible in their world before. It allowed them to build marvels, better weapons and homes, and even ways to dig through and survive on the surface. Upon reaching the surface, the Quassin would discover the source of the Light.

Their sky had two moons. One lies low in the sky, dominating their view, its bright white shell reminds them of a Pearl. A God-Pearl.

- - -

"And since then, we have held the God Pearl in high reverence, for it helped us break free!" proclaims Talekeeper Virish. The bioluminescent lighters illuminated his stage and the audience of Quassin children sat before him to listen to this recounting of their origins. Many clamored and whispered amongst themselves, but one Tivon nearly watched in silent wonder as the Talekeeper continued.

"And even though the God Pearl left our world, we have not lost our connection to its power. Perhaps one day, we will leave our home. Perhaps one day, we will find the God-Pearl." The Talekeeper spun as he paddled upward and outstretched his arms towards the sky. The gathering of young Quassin cheered and clapped in joy. Tivon looked up to the ice roof over their heads and imagined seeing the God Pearl with his own eyes.