Wandering in the Dark

Story Event: Stirring Shadows

Prologue

Wandering in the Dark

Previous Quest

Whispers in the Abyss

Next Quest

Shadow over Teinsom

Summary

After Lathna unexpectedly runs away, Curran and Heinwald set off after her and arrive in a place called Teinsom, which is also known as the Immortal Village. But as they enter, a pack of scary locals surrounds them.

Dialogue

Please not that this story contains spoilers for the Accursed Archives event
*pant* *pant* *pant* N-no... Stay away! From what do you flee?

We are not your enemy.
You are not our sacrifice.
We are fragments. We two are one,
with wings and sight shared betwixt.
Slumbering corpses of trance
within a single cradle.
If the posted sign is plucked,
obfuscous becomes the path.
Accept the name prescribed you.
Accept the name of...

N Y A R L A T H O T E P NOOOOOO!

---

Heinwald! Heeeeinwald! I've got a case that you're gonna want to see, pronto! Well, this is sudden. I trust I can expect a sufficiently interesting case if you have come requesting my aid. Yeah, it's Lathna. She's gone. The one from the Case of the Accursed Archives? Fascinating. Was she stolen away in the night or somesuch? Witnesses say she left on her own accord. Why do you waste my time with this feckless drivel, Curran? I have no interest in seeking out sad runaway girls. "We are Chaos. We are the silver key that swings wide the gate. We are the crimson carpet of purity and befoulment stretched out upon the place of His advent." Come again? Evidently, that's what Lathna said just before she made like a bee and buzzed off. Doesn't that particular brand of nonsense remind you of a certain someone? Indeed it does. Perhaps your meager mind has brought me an interesting case after all, Curran. Well done. Er, thanks, I guess? So, what does this mean? I thought Lathna was just a regular girl from a regular village. Ah, but remember that, in our previous case, the dragon Nyarlathotep took pains to assume her appearance. If we suppose that was no mere coincidence... Or if we go a step further and assume they were resonating with one another for some reason... Chaos... The key... The Ancient One... Ha! How intriguing this all is! Er, perhaps you could hold off on the detours into your weirdo world until AFTER we're done with the sleuthing? Oh, please, Curran. If this case were one that could be solved here on the spot, you wouldn't have come to me in the first place, now would you? Heh. I suppose you got me there. Should we get to searching, then? "Get to searching" implies you have no idea where the girl might be. Is this, in fact, the case? No, I have a pretty good idea where she's gone. Then there is no need for me to specifically go, is there? Look, I asked for your help because I know you like tough cases, and this is definitely one of those. Lathna was headed to a village called Teinsom, which is also known as...

The Immortal Village.

---

Curran? When are we going to arrive in this Teinsom village of yours? Shouldn't be too long now! ...Er, but seeing as how it's not on any known map, that estimate might be a touch optimistic on my part. In what manner of place IS this village, anyway? It certainly has an outrageous appellation. According to rumor, anyone who visits the village can gain eternal life. Ah, I see. That's not the most unusual tale I've heard sprung from a secluded region--yet one I would take with an entire salt shaker and not just a grain. Fifty years ago, an old man from a fishing village near Saint Loiter supposedly set off on a journey to Teinsom. When he left, he was more than eighty. But when he returned recently, he looked like a man of significantly younger years. Very well, I'll bite. What happened to this supposedly 130-year-old man? He disappeared suddenly into the night--and his family along with him. Hmm. Now THAT is interesting. The next morning, some neighboring villagers found the bodies of the family. They appeared to have been mauled by some kind of giant beast. However, the body of the old man was never found--not the old version, nor the youthful. I heard some villagers had reported seeing a colossal monster earlier that evening. Everyone assumed they were just seeing things, but in the morning... I see. And now you have decided to drag ME into this questionable village. Because I knew you'd be thrilled! I mean, come on--this place is right up your spooky weirdo alley. Oh, I won't deny a healthy interest--I merely wish the village had been located a bit closer to home. I can't believe that you fast-talked me, of all people, into coming to such a remote and desolate place. If you walked as fast as you griped, we'd already be there by now. A true statement, but alas, a dull one. Wait, does that mean the truth is dull? Good heavens! Zip it and walk, pal, unless you wanna be hoofing it for the next yea... Huh? There's someone on the ground there. Curran, that is... ...... It's Lathna! What is she doing collapsed all the way out here?! Lathna! ...LATHNA! Nnngh... She's burning up with fever. We need to get her somewhere safe, now! Then it seems this village of yours is our only workable option. Right. Time to get busy, feet!

---

So this is Teinsom, mmm? It all seems rather unassuming at first blink. We'll worry about the village later. First, let's find an inn or something where Lathna can rest.

...And right on time, a villager approaches! You there! Hello! We need help!

......

Er, hello?

...Be gone.

Beg pardon?

Be gone.

Huh? What in the...?!

Be gone...

Be gone... Be gone... Be gone...

What the heck is going on here?!