This will teach me to walk into something with almost no knowledge ahead of time. I was completely caught off guard by the tainted leanings of the family, I had assumed they were something else. This changes things in a large way, not sure how I will proceed now.

Much thanks for the interaction! I had a blast!

Please feel free to offer any constructive criticism on how I could improve things in the future. I have the full log with timestamps and ansi color codes if anyone cares, just send me a PM.

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You ask Wielm Stryker, "Greetings, I assume you are a member of the Stryker family I have heard about?"

Wielm Stryker tilts his head curiously at you.

Wielm Stryker says, "Yea, human? What is it?"

You say to Wielm Stryker, "While I have been to this place before I have never tried to explore it in any detail, I was hoping to find some answers to some questions I had."

You say to Wielm Stryker, "I am mainly interested in the source of the Centre's power, I am specifically concerned that it draws on the Taint, or perhaps even directly from the Excoroperditio."

Wielm Stryker blinks incredulously at you.

You say to Wielm Stryker, "I am not sure if you or your family know the answer to that, but as you have spent more time here than most I thought I would ask."

Wielm Stryker says, "The Excorp...per..."

Wielm Stryker gives you the once-over, eyeing you suspiciously.

You say to Wielm Stryker, "I apologize, I often get carried away."

Wielm Stryker exclaims, "Stop makin' up words. What do I care how it flies? It flies!"

You say to Wielm Stryker, "The Excoroperditio is a fancy word for the Soulless."

Eyeing you, Wielm Stryker says, "Mhm..."

You say to Wielm Stryker, "The exact nature of its power might not matter to you, but it is of interest to others in the Basin."

Wielm Stryker says, "A good thing I live up here then, eh?"

Wielm Stryker nudges you suggestively.

Wielm Stryker says, "Me wife be the scholar. I don't care."

You say to Wielm Stryker, "My concern would be that if it did draw on such a power source you and your family might be in danger from long term exposure."

Wielm Stryker says, "Danger? HA! There is nothing Wielm Stryker can't handle."

You say to Wielm Stryker, "That is understandable, I myself did not put much thought into it before but the more the broadcasts are sent out the more my concern grows."

You flash Wielm Stryker a joyous smile.

You say to Wielm Stryker, "I am sure such an attitude has served you and your family well."
You say to Wielm Stryker, "It certainly takes a great deal of skill and courage to make a home in a place like this."

Wielm Stryker says, "Pah. He's just a lot of hot air, that Globglob."

Wielm Stryker watches the sky carefully, bow and arrow at his side.

Wielm Stryker smooths his hair back nonchalantly.

Wielm Stryker says, "I suppose it does."

You say to Wielm Stryker, "I am not directly concerned by what Globglob says, it is easy enough to ignore, it is the affect it has on the innocent travelers to the basin."
Wielm Stryker says, "That old toad is frustratingly annoying when he starts with his shouting. Ildil has taught our boys how to interfere a bit, at least."

Wielm Stryker snickers softly to himself.

Wielm Stryker says, "It actually works then? Well ain't that something."

You say to Wielm Stryker, "It does, thus my concern over the source of the power."

Wielm Stryker says, "Why not ask Globglob yerself?"

The sun reaches the zenith of the firmament, pausing in his quest to allow the land to bask in his shining golden rays.

Wielm Stryker says, "He loves talking."

Wielm Stryker says, "Ye can be asking just about anyone else really... I pay no mind to him anymore."

Wielm Stryker shrugs helplessly.

You say to Wielm Stryker, "I make it a point to avoid speaking with those who's minds have been twisted by the Excor...um the Taint."
nod

You nod your head emphatically.

You say to Wielm Stryker, "I have distracted you long enough, I can speak with your wife about the nature of the power source, I would suggest keeping a close watch on your family though in case you notice any changes from the long term exposure."

Wielm Stryker looks exhausted and opens his mouth in an enormous yawn.

Wielm Stryker says, "Yeah yeah."

You ask Wielm Stryker, "Would you accept an offer of food for your time?"
Wielm Stryker says, "I usually try to catch some birds from the platform here."
Wielm Stryker shows off his bow and arrow.

Wielm Stryker says, "Of course, the various beasties running around serve as good food too. I'll pay ye if you find any dead ones."

You give a platter of char-grilled salmon with fruit salsa to Wielm Stryker.
Wielm Stryker says, "Pfft. I have no need for a platter of char-grilled salmon with fruit salsa."
Wielm Stryker hands a platter of char-grilled salmon with fruit salsa back to you.

Your eyes sparkle with amusement.

You ask Wielm Stryker, "No taste for fish?"

You bow respectfully to Wielm Stryker.

You say to Wielm Stryker, "Good hunting!"

An alcove of glass.
Gazing forlornly out the window, Ildil Stryker paces back and forth here. Looking for trouble to get into, a mischievous young boy romps about the area. A sly young girl wanders cautiously about through the ruins.
You see a single exit leading west.

You bow respectfully to Ildil Stryker.

Ildil Stryker watches you from the corner of her eye, stroking the large chunk of earth in her hand.

You say to Ildil Stryker, "Greetings Miss, I was just speaking with your husband but I fear my questions were not of much interest to him so he sent me to speak with you."

You ask Ildil Stryker, "I hope I am not interrupting anything?"

Quietly, Ildil Stryker says, "There is not much to interrupt up here."

You say to Ildil Stryker, "I have only been up here a few times before myself, I find I know very little about the workings of the Centre and so I have decided to explore in more detail this time."

You say to Ildil Stryker, "When I have come before it was to help stop the mind control that Globglob was exerting over the Basin, things are much quieter at the moment."
A sly young girl says, "Mommy is very beautiful! She was going to be a Geomancer before she came here."
A mischievous young boy says, "Mother isn't very fun at all anymore. She just stares out the window all day now. She always gets angry if we sneak off too far without her permission."
The corners of a mischievous young boy's mouth turn up as he grins mischievously.

A sly young girl exclaims, "I want to grow up to be just like her!"

You crease your brow in a frown.

Ildil Stryker says, "Mmm. The quiet is the only peace we have anymore."

You ask Ildil Stryker, "Is it true what your daughter says, you wished to become a geomancer?"
Ildil Stryker caresses the earth in her hands tenderly, sighing to herself.

Ildil Stryker holds the piece of earth in her outstretched hand. The large chunk floats up, splitting into smaller pieces and swirling around before reforming into one solid piece.

Ildil Stryker says, "Long ago it was my wish to become a great Geomancer..."

You say to Ildil Stryker, "Interesting choice of vocation, the ones I have had the unfortunate chance to run into have all been clearly stark raving mad, their minds twisted by the Excoroperditio."

Ildil Stryker says, "Foolish boy. Not twisted... enlightened."

Ildil Stryker slaps her thigh, laughing hysterically.

You say to Ildil Stryker, "I see, well I personally avoid anything that comes from the same source as the Soulless, one false step and you will be consumed, I suppose my prudence is seen as weakness though."

Ildil Stryker says, "Fear... is the ultimate obstacle to true knowledge."

You say to Ildil Stryker, "I am sure many Elders who no longer exist would disagree, but still your knowledge is clearly greater than mine in this area which is a good sign, for I might learn something."

You ask Ildil Stryker, "Do you know any details about how Globglob powers his transmissions, specifically the mind control he is able to exert?"

You say to Ildil Stryker, "I suspect the Excoroperditio is involved but at this point any knowledge would be of use."

Ildil Stryker says, "I only know how to stop it. I do not know how it begins."

You ask Ildil Stryker, "You have not conducted any experiments, or explored the inner workings of the Centre?"

Looking out the window, Ildil Stryker says, "I do not care to see more of this place. I only wish to hold earth in my hands."

You say to Ildil Stryker, "I see, it seems you and your husband both share a lack of curiosity for this place you call home, I hope this ignorance does not bring harm to you or your children."

Ildil Stryker says, "Get out."

Your eyes sparkle with amusement.

Interesting.

So that's what you were going on about over the city aether.

Interesting stuff.