Quote
“Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying 'End-of-the-World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH', the paint wouldn't even have time to dry.”
― Terry Pratchett, Thief of Time
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For Chanterelle
Chanterelle nurses a bittersweet ache in her chest that mirrors the one she yearns to possess. It had been a magnificent chest, crafted from a wood that shimmered with an otherworldly iridescence. Its brass locks pulsed with a faint inner light, and whispers of forgotten magic seemed to cling to its ornately carved surface. It had held more than just valuables; it held the promise of forgotten adventures. But fate, that fickle jester, had snatched it away, again and again.
Time passed since its disappearance, leaving a void no new acquisition could fill. Every antique store, every dusty marketplace became a desperate search. Disappointment became a familiar companion, a constant reminder of what could have been. Yet, as they say, hope springs eternal.
One night, hunched over the smutty book she was reading before bed, she saw it. In a dimly lit corner of her room, something was there that hadn’t been before. Chanterelle felt a flicker of sensation down her spine and instinctively reach for the object. Her fingers brushed against a smooth, cool surface – wood, unmistakably. A jolt of adrenaline shot through her as she pulled the chest closer. Its iridescence a faint echo against her reading lamp.
As Chanterelle touched the chest, a low, rhythmic hum emanated from within, a sound that resonated deep in her bones. A whisper, chilling yet strangely alluring, brushed against the edges of her mind. "Open," it murmured, a seductive command. Her heart pounded a frantic counterpoint to the thrumming hum. This wasn't just a chest; it was a living entity, awakened from its slumber. It had heard her call, and it had chosen her.
Hesitation warred with desperate yearning. The universe, in its own inscrutable way, was offering a second chance, but with an unknown price. Is Chanterelle prepared to pay it? With a trembling hand, she reached for the latch. The hum intensified, and the room seemed to shimmer around her, anticipation thick in the air. This is only the beginning. This isn't just about claiming a lost treasure anymore.
So Chanterelle, will you open the box?
Or do you let this opportunity, the last you will get, float by once more?
I guess I’ll leave that up to you.
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For the rest of the Invictus crew
Good News:
The Devourer has been banished to the Null.
The Drow threat within Absalom Station is over.
Bad News:
The Drow still poses a danger outside the station.
You have lost Tybar.
Benny has been taken.
New Opportunity:
Unknown individuals will ask for passage on your ship.
They also want to buy Ash’s father’s newly acquired ship. (You have not learned of the ship yet)
The offer they present is seemingly impossible to refuse.
Uncertainties:
Benny's well-being is unknown.
Pam, your new crewmate. She is beautiful, but she is beautiful in the way a forest fire is beautiful: something to be admired from a distance, not up close.
Recommendations for the Crew:
1) Prioritise Crew Safety
While the Drow threats inside the station are gone, caution is necessary outside its territory. Be prepared for potential conflict.
2) Evaluate the Offer
Approach the individual's proposal with suspicion. "An offer you can't refuse" often indicates hidden costs or dangers.
Gather as much information as possible about the individuals, their motives, and the details of the offer (passage, ship purchase, the un-refusable offer).
Carefully consider the potential consequences of accepting or declining.
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