COMMENCE EXPERIMENT

[bathymetric]

Fun fact: Did you know that the Pacific Ocean has a surface area of 62.46 million miles? That's not even accounting for depth.

You awaken to a sharp jolt, like you've just hit the drop on a roller coaster. Then it passes, and you're in a bed, suddenly very clearly awake. Is that right? Were you asleep? Your memory is a little fuzzy as you come down off the adrenaline, but it puts itself into place soon enough. This is not, as one might say, your beautiful house. If you have a beautiful wife, she sure isn't here.

The positioning of the bed inside your new room gives you a very clear indication of where you are - or at least, where the building is. Above you is a decent-sized window looking out on... well, the ocean. But not in a fun beachside resort way, to say the least. Fish swim by pretty frequently, here to keep you company - but they cannot hear your screams, and do not seem particularly bothered if you tap on the glass unless they're right by it. It's thick, man.

On the bedside table, you'll find two things: a key card with a number between 1 and 25 on it (no points for guessing which one is on whose, unfortunately), and a small handheld device, a little like a smartphone but mostly like a blackberry? Remember those? Anyway, accessing it will reveal only a scarce few functions: a list of profiles, a map of the building, and a very ominous set of rules. You might try to ignore that last one! Unfortunately, you'll find them in a frame by your door. And in a frame somewhere in every room of the place, if you go out exploring at all. The tablet also has a message for you when you open it:

Greetings. Please take an hour to become accustomed to the facilities, then proceed to the meeting room north of your dormitories. Attendance is mandatory. - The Professor

But hey, it... it also lets you play Snake! Who doesn't love Snake, huh?

Anyway, head out into the halls! Make some new friends - or maybe enemies, wouldn't that be exciting? Look around a little! Just make sure to be back for whatever this meeting is - after all, you want a chance to face off with your captor, right?

Comments

[shieldsister]

I was young then, so personally I found the Troll the most difficult. It was far larger than anything I had faced before, and I was more confident with a bow than a dagger. It got far too close and I had to rely on the dagger, and though it did get a few good hits in, I emerged victorious. Not my proudest victory by a long shot, but one I learned a great deal from.

Now? I would consider dragons a far greater threat, though I can hardly count the one I fought as something I hunted.

[philoxenia]

[ That makes sense. All of it, honestly--Mira just admires her for fighting at all. It's nice to see someone with so much confidence, and rightly earned.

And then. ]

Dragons? You've fought a dragon?

[ holy shit aela you're so cool ]

[shieldsister]

Only briefly. The Harbinger killed it quickly. Dragons are a common problem for her, so that one was fairly easy for her to defeat so quickly. She's Dragonborn so they see her as an enemy - and she absorbs their souls once she's slain them.

[skyrim theme intensifies]

[philoxenia]

[ frequently i think about how similar the skyrim and pirates of the caribbean themes sound ]

Dragons don't exist where I'm from... but I've always thought they were neat. She can absorb their souls, though...? Is that because she's a Dragonborn?

[shieldsister]

[then boy have i got good news for you!!]

Yes, it is. Dragonborn are essentially mortals with the soul of a dragon. I don't claim to understand everything, but it seems like she's involved in stopping the return of the dragons. For a very long time, there simply weren't any, but they've come back very recently and they seem to be tied to her.

[philoxenia]

[ holy shit this is incredible, thank you so much ]

It seems like a heavy burden for one person to bear. She sounds capable, though, from how you've spoken of her.

[shieldsister]

[you're so welcome!!!]

She is. Kodlak wouldn't have chosen her to be the Harbinger otherwise.

[It's a bit bittersweet to think back on it.]

[philoxenia]

What does that mean? The Harbinger?

[shieldsister]

That's the title given to the leader of the Companions. It's more of a formality at this point, as the Circle works together to maintain order within Jorrvaskr. The Harbinger is often away tending to her own matters, but she earned Kodlak's trust and respect and was able to carry out his last wishes, so she deserves the title.

[she's the player character, she gets the title regardless smh!!!!]

[philoxenia]

[ gee dragonborn how come your mom lets you have ALL the titles ]

His last wishes? ... I'm sorry. But... it seems like he chose very well. And that you think very highly of her.

[shieldsister]

He did, yes. I wasn't convinced she would be anything special at first, but she's proven herself time and time again. I'm proud to have her as a shield-sister.

[philoxenia]

Aside from slaying the dragons, you mean?

[ that sounds like it'd impress anyone! but maybe skyrim is just Used To dragons ]

[shieldsister]

I didn't know about the dragon-slaying until recently. I was under the impression she was a perfectly average - albeit very strange - warrior.

[philoxenia]

Very strange?

[shieldsister]

Certainly. She's very quiet most of the time and has a bizarre fascination with plates, bowls, and buckets. I've seen her stand in the same place staring off into the distance for hours. She spends more time looting than she does slaying enemies.

I could keep going, but I'll spare you.

[Despite all of this, Aela still sounds pretty damn fond, okay.]

[philoxenia]

[ listen aela sometimes they just get in the way when you're trying to rob someone blind ]

She sounds... very interesting, certainly. [ A little laugh. ] Bowls, plates, and buckets? I suppose there are stranger things to be obsessed with...

[shieldsister]

Easily the strangest woman I've ever met. Her skill in battle is unparalleled, however. I'm honored to fight by her side.

[she's a weirdo but she's also a shield-sister, you know how it goes.]

[philoxenia]

Reliability and strength are important... I'm far from any kind of warrior, but I know that.

[shieldsister]

What is it you do where you're from?

[philoxenia]

Oh-- I'm a student. Literature. Nothing special, really.

[shieldsister]

Ah, a scholar. Why did you choose literature?

[...does aela look like she knows a single damn thing about all 337 books in skyrim??? no.]

[philoxenia]

[ what, is she NOT a jarth head? shameful. ]

Well... I like to read. And I like writing, so... I just decided from there. I'd like to be a researcher some day, actually, so this sort of prepares me.

[shieldsister]

[she is not......... letting bdg down............]

What is it you hope to research?