Roen’s eyes widened. She did not know what she had expected, but certainly not this. Whatever was responsible for this place was actually willing to engage her. She had so many questions, her spinning thoughts were almost dizzying in their disorder.
“Who are you?†Roen asked quietly. “And… what is this place?â€
The nature of this place and our identities are one and the same. This place was constructed by peoples from a time long past. Through artful magicks and fervent faith did they weave a temple that they believed could peer into the realm of the gods themselves. In a manner of speaking, we would be those gods. The voice sounded forlorn and sad.
NAMES ARE MEANINGLESS. DUTY IS ALL THAT REMAINS. The second voice was strong and resolute.
“And what duty is what?â€
To banish what should be forgotten.
AND TO PRESERVE THAT WHICH SHOULD NOT.
Roen took a step forward, though she knew not from whence the voices came. Her eyes went to the moon above then to the reflected image below. “And how do you do this? What should be preserved? What should be forgotten?â€
Aether is the memory of the world. So do we take it within, and preserve what once was. All that you have seen once existed among the realm of men, and so do we keep it safe lest it be lost. Great works and wonders. Achievements and success. Mistakes and sorrow.
THE MINDS OF MORTALS BE FRAGILE THINGS, BUT OFT TIMES NOT FRAGILE ENOUGH. MYSTERIES ARE FLAME, AND TRUTH BURNS. TO PROTECT MAN FROM THE INFERNO IS TO HAVE NEED TO SNUFF THE FLAME FOREVER. WHAT YOU SEEK FROM THIS PLACE IS ONE SUCH FLAME.
Roen frowned. “Perhaps we are worthy of the truth. If we are not fragile enough, perhaps there is tenacity and strength that will allow us to endure such things. Is that not why you test others through these trials?â€
When they did not answer, she lifted her chin and looked up to the moon above. “Will you give me what I seek?â€
We cannot.
NOR SHALL WE. IT SHOULD REMAIN FORGOTTEN. The image of the moon on the frozen lake surface seemed to shake with indignation.
The paladin’s expression soured with that answer. “Then what was the trial for?†Her fist tightened, but she paused and exhaled, calming her tone. She looked back up at the moon imploringly. “You said it is your duty to preserve what should not be lost. But what good is preservation if those of the living cannot learn from it? Should we not gain even a glimpse of those truths, if there is a chance to grow? Or what if it meant the survival of an entire civilization? Like those that have come to learn of such places as this?â€
IN ALL OF THESE MILLENNIA, MORTALS HAVE NOT CHANGED. She could almost hear the moon snort in derision.
Some things that are forgotten must never be remembered. Not merely for those who forget, but for the world as well. You need only to look at the civilizations of man as they are today for assurance of that fact. What you seek is an old power long forgotten by most. Time has finished much of what we started, but bequeathing it to you would be to undo the costly work.
MORE ARE PUT INTO HARM’S WAY BY WHAT YOU SEEK BEING ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THE WORLD.
Providing but a glimpse of truth’s flame can cause all to come crashing down. Though it may save many, its existence, even its memory may condemn even more.
That made her pause. The impatience and the exasperation that was ignited just moments before was quickly extinguished. Her brow furrowed in thought.
“Then there must be other options,†Roen pondered out loud. “Surely through all the eras and the knowledge that you have collected, you must know another answer.†She took a step forward, her hands held out openly next to her. “I know not the exact nature of what it is these people seek. But I have come to learn of them through one man. And what I know of him, he too would not wish to condemn the rest for the sake of the few. And yet, the answer simply cannot end with no hope. There must be another path.â€
There exists one such path, yes.
THOUGH IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF YOU HAVE THE STRENGTH OF WILL TO CARRY IT OUT.
Should you wish it, we are capable of exerting our influence within this space, and may selectively partake of your aether.
YOUR MEMORIES OF THIS PLACE, AND HIS MEMORIES OF WHY HE SOUGHT US WILL VANISH, TO BE PRESERVED BY US HERE FOR ETERNITY.
And the turmoil will disappear with them.
Roen blinked. “He will… forget?†She slowly shook her head, as if to immediately dismiss their proposal. It was not acceptable. “But… then what will become of his people?â€
Civilizations are meant to ebb and flow like the tides. It is no injustice if it is their time to ebb.
“You may know that. But I do not. All people have the right to fight for their own survival!†She threw her hand to the side as if to gesture to an invisible figure standing there. “Khadai was sent on this perilous journey to seek you out! And for what? For you to offer to simply make him forget his home and his purpose?â€
The paladin shook her head again, stepping back now from the moon and the reflection, even though it was all encompassing in this mysterious place. “There must be another answer. Has he passed your trials? Surely he seeks the same thing I do. He will not accept this.â€
You may believe it to be so, but his soul is one that is plagued by memory. You know not of how much he would suffer if he knew that which should be lost, of the further discord that would be brought to the people he wishes to save. Would you willingly inflict such harm upon him? If we are permitted to take his memory of this place and his goal, of the heritage that burdens him so, he will be at peace. Is the peace of one worth naught?
The moon on the lake rumbled. CONSIDER ALL THE SOULS YOU HAVE SEEN.
Consider your mother, whose memory of your father’s machinations eventually spelled her death.
CONSIDER THE SMUGGLER WHO WAS SO TORMENTED BY THE SUFFERING OF HIS PAST, AND THE ATROCITIES HE WOULD COMMIT TO BRING JUSTICE TO A MEMORY.
Consider the kinslayer who turned to murder to defend her nation, split between her guilt and her righteousness.
CONSIDER THE LOYAL SERVANT WHOSE PLACE IN THIS WORLD WAS LOST WITH THE VESSEL OF HIS MASTERS, WILLING TO BREACH THE DOMAIN OF THE GODS TO RETURN THEM.
Consider your brother, constantly torn between deciding to hate and deciding to heal.
CONSIDER THE KNIGHT WHOSE LOVE WAS REWARDED WITH A SINGLE COLD BLADE.
They could be free from their burdens… as you could be free from your own that brought you to Coerthas, if only one could forget. How free from pain, guilt, and regret you would be if you allow us to take the scars from you.
“Who are you?†Roen asked quietly. “And… what is this place?â€
The nature of this place and our identities are one and the same. This place was constructed by peoples from a time long past. Through artful magicks and fervent faith did they weave a temple that they believed could peer into the realm of the gods themselves. In a manner of speaking, we would be those gods. The voice sounded forlorn and sad.
NAMES ARE MEANINGLESS. DUTY IS ALL THAT REMAINS. The second voice was strong and resolute.
“And what duty is what?â€
To banish what should be forgotten.
AND TO PRESERVE THAT WHICH SHOULD NOT.
Roen took a step forward, though she knew not from whence the voices came. Her eyes went to the moon above then to the reflected image below. “And how do you do this? What should be preserved? What should be forgotten?â€
Aether is the memory of the world. So do we take it within, and preserve what once was. All that you have seen once existed among the realm of men, and so do we keep it safe lest it be lost. Great works and wonders. Achievements and success. Mistakes and sorrow.
THE MINDS OF MORTALS BE FRAGILE THINGS, BUT OFT TIMES NOT FRAGILE ENOUGH. MYSTERIES ARE FLAME, AND TRUTH BURNS. TO PROTECT MAN FROM THE INFERNO IS TO HAVE NEED TO SNUFF THE FLAME FOREVER. WHAT YOU SEEK FROM THIS PLACE IS ONE SUCH FLAME.
Roen frowned. “Perhaps we are worthy of the truth. If we are not fragile enough, perhaps there is tenacity and strength that will allow us to endure such things. Is that not why you test others through these trials?â€
When they did not answer, she lifted her chin and looked up to the moon above. “Will you give me what I seek?â€
We cannot.
NOR SHALL WE. IT SHOULD REMAIN FORGOTTEN. The image of the moon on the frozen lake surface seemed to shake with indignation.
The paladin’s expression soured with that answer. “Then what was the trial for?†Her fist tightened, but she paused and exhaled, calming her tone. She looked back up at the moon imploringly. “You said it is your duty to preserve what should not be lost. But what good is preservation if those of the living cannot learn from it? Should we not gain even a glimpse of those truths, if there is a chance to grow? Or what if it meant the survival of an entire civilization? Like those that have come to learn of such places as this?â€
IN ALL OF THESE MILLENNIA, MORTALS HAVE NOT CHANGED. She could almost hear the moon snort in derision.
Some things that are forgotten must never be remembered. Not merely for those who forget, but for the world as well. You need only to look at the civilizations of man as they are today for assurance of that fact. What you seek is an old power long forgotten by most. Time has finished much of what we started, but bequeathing it to you would be to undo the costly work.
MORE ARE PUT INTO HARM’S WAY BY WHAT YOU SEEK BEING ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THE WORLD.
Providing but a glimpse of truth’s flame can cause all to come crashing down. Though it may save many, its existence, even its memory may condemn even more.
That made her pause. The impatience and the exasperation that was ignited just moments before was quickly extinguished. Her brow furrowed in thought.
“Then there must be other options,†Roen pondered out loud. “Surely through all the eras and the knowledge that you have collected, you must know another answer.†She took a step forward, her hands held out openly next to her. “I know not the exact nature of what it is these people seek. But I have come to learn of them through one man. And what I know of him, he too would not wish to condemn the rest for the sake of the few. And yet, the answer simply cannot end with no hope. There must be another path.â€
There exists one such path, yes.
THOUGH IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF YOU HAVE THE STRENGTH OF WILL TO CARRY IT OUT.
Should you wish it, we are capable of exerting our influence within this space, and may selectively partake of your aether.
YOUR MEMORIES OF THIS PLACE, AND HIS MEMORIES OF WHY HE SOUGHT US WILL VANISH, TO BE PRESERVED BY US HERE FOR ETERNITY.
And the turmoil will disappear with them.
Roen blinked. “He will… forget?†She slowly shook her head, as if to immediately dismiss their proposal. It was not acceptable. “But… then what will become of his people?â€
Civilizations are meant to ebb and flow like the tides. It is no injustice if it is their time to ebb.
“You may know that. But I do not. All people have the right to fight for their own survival!†She threw her hand to the side as if to gesture to an invisible figure standing there. “Khadai was sent on this perilous journey to seek you out! And for what? For you to offer to simply make him forget his home and his purpose?â€
The paladin shook her head again, stepping back now from the moon and the reflection, even though it was all encompassing in this mysterious place. “There must be another answer. Has he passed your trials? Surely he seeks the same thing I do. He will not accept this.â€
You may believe it to be so, but his soul is one that is plagued by memory. You know not of how much he would suffer if he knew that which should be lost, of the further discord that would be brought to the people he wishes to save. Would you willingly inflict such harm upon him? If we are permitted to take his memory of this place and his goal, of the heritage that burdens him so, he will be at peace. Is the peace of one worth naught?
The moon on the lake rumbled. CONSIDER ALL THE SOULS YOU HAVE SEEN.
Consider your mother, whose memory of your father’s machinations eventually spelled her death.
CONSIDER THE SMUGGLER WHO WAS SO TORMENTED BY THE SUFFERING OF HIS PAST, AND THE ATROCITIES HE WOULD COMMIT TO BRING JUSTICE TO A MEMORY.
Consider the kinslayer who turned to murder to defend her nation, split between her guilt and her righteousness.
CONSIDER THE LOYAL SERVANT WHOSE PLACE IN THIS WORLD WAS LOST WITH THE VESSEL OF HIS MASTERS, WILLING TO BREACH THE DOMAIN OF THE GODS TO RETURN THEM.
Consider your brother, constantly torn between deciding to hate and deciding to heal.
CONSIDER THE KNIGHT WHOSE LOVE WAS REWARDED WITH A SINGLE COLD BLADE.
They could be free from their burdens… as you could be free from your own that brought you to Coerthas, if only one could forget. How free from pain, guilt, and regret you would be if you allow us to take the scars from you.
