Amazing stuff, SethCreiyd.
Whenever I get a chance, I'm going to try and make a 3d model of a crossbow with axe blades attached
---
Olin knocks on the door to the kennel tower nervously, stoically phasing the chaos of child activity which follows her out of her senses. After a couple minutes without response, she lets herself in.
Inside, she finds everything pushed up against the walls, except for a giant mass of flailing teeth, claws, fur, and scales. An adamantine mask frequently appears above the mess. She calls out to SalmonGod, but can't get her voice over the collective roar of feral noises that fills the chamber. A loud whistle emanates from the corner, and within seconds every creature is sitting attentively in rows organized by species.
SalmonGod brushes himself off confusedly for a moment, before he notices Olin. "Ah. Thanks Collie. Olin, meet my new assistant."
Collie nods.
Olin regards the assembly for a moment. "I'm amazed at the transition from ferocity to discipline..."
Collie clears his throat. SalmonGod responds "Yes, the organizing rows by species was Collie's idea... anyway before that, I was just allowing the beasts to get some of their wild energies out in some battle training. Good for them in more ways than one."
"Impressive stuff, but I'm sure you know I didn't come up here to admire your work. I have things to discuss with you in private."
"Ok. Collie, take the dogs out." Collie rolls his eyes as the dogs follow him outside. "You see that? He wants my job. Badly. Thinks he's so smart. I need to keep my eye on him..."
"SalmonGod. Completely alone."
"...sure. Gorillas, stay here and play with the kids and get everyone else in their cages."
The throng of children erupt in a unified chorus of "YAAAAY!!" and fearlessly tackle the gorillas, who seem to take it very good-naturedly. Olin looks apprehensive...
"Oh don't worry. They have incredible paternal instincts. Very intelligent. Many uses actually. Could open a daycare or set up regular parasite groomings..." SalmonGod leads Olin upstairs to his personal chambers, and sits opposite from her at his dining table. "So... more therapy stuff?"
"No, actually. Although, you may have heard that Quakemortal now has a religious leader. A hierophant. I suggest we arrange a meeting with him. He may have insights about what happened to you. More importantly, I've come for some advice..." Olin takes a deep breath... "I'm troubled by the arrival of this new king. He seriously disturbs me. It's my job to closely monitor the mental health of our leaders, and Domas is
very elusive in our meetings. Even more than that, he's drops cryptic hints of information that I can't understand, but leave me with a sense of dread foreboding. Seth has a history with him, and doesn't trust him. I don't know how much you hear about what happens below, but there was an investigation..." Olin tells the whole story about Seth's embarrassing encounter with King Domas and the human law-giver. "The whole episode has left his confidence shattered. Not only that, but I don't think he was wrong. The whole story reminds me of the things you told me about your days as a wandering spirit. You said you saw dark forces at work, manipulating people. I think the nature of this place is no longer secret to anyone, much less Seth, but he hasn't
seen it the way you have. I don't think he's knows that he hasn't ruled dark manipulations out of his investigation, but he also doesn't fully understand them and Domas is crafty... We're losing a leader in the face of a new threat. I thought you might at least be able to suggest a starting point for re-launching this investigation."
If not for the mask, Olin would see the color gone from SalmonGod's face. "I'd like to help... I... may have some ideas. First, I didn't hear mention of the law-giver or the king wearing adamantine protection against influence. I think we should assume anyone without protection to be tampered with by default. Second... we need some way to observe spiritual energies, as I could when I was bodiless. This place won't survive without some way of doing so. I bet the hierophant could help devise something. Since I've been through it before, maybe I could even find some way to travel in spirit again... you know... without dying... I don't know. We should meet with the Hierophant, and see if he has any ideas. I'm sure he knows some rituals or something that could help."
Olin nods and contemplates for a moment... "You're right. There's not much more we can do here. I'll go arrange a meeting for us very soon. Be prepared, and don't let ANYONE know about this conversation. OK?"
"Yeah."
"... anything bothering you? I wish I could see past that mask... it really is welded to your face permanently, isn't it?"
"It IS my face. I was reborn from it... manifested through it. And no. I'll be ready."
"Good." Olin pats SalmonGod on the back and leaves him to his thoughts.
SalmonGod locks the door and sits for hours with his favorite leopard... lost in thought... what if the Hierophant understands what happened? How will his deed be judged? Deep down he knew he couldn't hide the truth forever, and the secret has weighed on him greater than he could have imagined. The future becomes blurred with a dread uncertainty, except for one thing... he'll do whatever it takes to protect Quakemortal.
An aggravated Collie tends to the rest of the day's animal care.