The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Shatter He/Him]

1 hour ago, Ookla the Wallfacer said:

...

Key word: slightly

For words like university, High Imperial already expands it to 'wasing the where of the knows'

The word count in all the wiki pages is going to double, and stuff won't be clear. High Imperial is not a good option.

I'd like to conglang, even if it wasn't for the wiki pages. Our characters speaking a new, full-fledged language would be really cool.

Would you, Shatter, be interested in conlanging?

For the actual vote, I'm going to abstain. I feel like pages should match the creator's preferences.

Ok. HI is out. awwww. Right now, I'm trying to figure out the plot to TLT. And for the pages, I can just go around and edit as edits are made. 

[KaladinsSenseOfHumourSpren He/Him]

8 minutes ago, Ookla the Shattered said:

Ok. HI is out. awwww. Right now, I'm trying to figure out the plot to TLT. And for the pages, I can just go around and edit as edits are made. 

So...

Is that a yes to conlanging?

Should I make a PM or a forum topic

[Shatter He/Him]

7 minutes ago, Ookla the Wallfacer said:

So...

Is that a yes to conlanging?

Should I make a PM or a forum topic

not rn. What we do need is a history for TLT. I'm a bit lost

5 hours ago, Ookla the Married said:

Unintelligible grimaced. “I… look, I don’t have time to explain in detail. My…” he hesitated. “My friend Sequence, she was a Narrator. And she was wounded terribly, in a way that only a Narrator could survive. Then her powers were stolen. So now… now we’re here at this mansion, hoping the person who lives here can heal her. If he can’t, or we’re too late, then…” Unintelligible looked down at Sequence’s unconscious face, and his expression hardened. “No use thinking about it. If you want to follow us, then follow us.” With that, he stepped into the dim lighting of the mansion.

“I have no clue what’s happening, but I’m curious enough to follow. What’s the story? I've been out of the loop for about 50 years.”

btw, she looks like she's 18. Also, I genuinely don't know what's happening. What has been happening? Can Unintelligible give Ryna a running over of everything?

 

Edited December 15, 2025 by Ookla the Shattered

[KaladinsSenseOfHumourSpren He/Him]

18 minutes ago, Ookla the Shattered said:

not rn. What we do need is a history for TLT. I'm a bit lost

I've been lost for a while. I still don't even know a tip of the iceberg.

4000 pages of history is a lot, and I don't think it's necessary, since any new characters probably won't know anything either, and I've been figuring things out as they become relevant.

[Shatter He/Him]

true

[Keke They/he]

7 hours ago, Ookla the Shattered said:

No. *bonk* We're doing British English or Canadian English. Whoever edited the 12184 page converted it to British and that's what we're doing. If anything, it would be in High Imperial.

 

Do y'all prefer recognise or recognize?

Why dont we just let everyone do their pages how they want? The whole thing about this place is its difference in how people act/go about things. If the authors make their pages how they want. Wouldn’t that show the makings of the thread better? 

Ik i speak different from people cause i use weird grammar that people in Wyoming use. 

10 hours ago, Ookla the Shattered said:

“We should go say hello.” She points to the very obvious portal (it looks like one made by Dr. Strange) in front of them, leading to a mansion lawn.

 He follows. 

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

11 hours ago, Ookla the Shattered said:

“No. My name is Ryna. I'm a Chronicler. I know not of this Ivisyre or Sequence. I've been out of commission for a while. Your name is Unintelligible, right? What is going on?”

“Yeah. Let us talk to this Unintelligible.”

. 1 British, 1 Canadian, and 3 abstains. For Adonalsium's sake. We're going British.

I'm doing Cep's page in Southern US English. Whatever y'all do is fine

[Keke They/he]

5 minutes ago, Ookla the Kansan said:

I'm doing Cep's page in Southern US English. Whatever y'all do is fine

Thats how i feel like let people just talk how they talk.

also 

@Ookla the Shattered

i thought we had a rule that said dont change pages unless you had an actual edit to add

i had to go through and fix a bunch of stuff about erryin you changed.

viper isnt an era. viper is an alter ego type thing. like a villian. ea- cat woman is actually Selina. 

viper is erryin. erryin is viper. a defense persona created to protect them. Not quite like DID but more like it a comforting thing.

[ThroughTheLivingSequence she/her/they/them]

5 hours ago, Ookla the Shattered said:

not rn. What we do need is a history for TLT. I'm a bit lost

“I have no clue what’s happening, but I’m curious enough to follow. What’s the story? I've been out of the loop for about 50 years.”

btw, she looks like she's 18. Also, I genuinely don't know what's happening. What has been happening? Can Unintelligible give Ryna a running over of everything?

 

Aelinor stepped up, giving Ryna a mistrustful look. Willow, the knife, floated up too, still glowing red and buzzing. "Sequence and Ivisyre have been... enemies for a long time, and Ivisyre finally won, simple as that," Aelinor said with a sour look on her face. "Sequence had a planet where she lived, and Ivisyre snuck onto it and..." Aelinor grimaced. "Bargained for her Narration. They fought before, a thousand or so pages ago, and she was wounded. Her Narration was the only thing keeping her alive, and now that it's gone, she's dying. Why do you want to know? Where exactly did you come from?"

[NameIess]

15 hours ago, Ookla the Wallfacer said:

I was the British voter

And I'm not anymore

So 1 Canadian, 1 abstain, and 2 conlang

So conlang wins! We get to make a language for TLT! It should be called Tlterian or something

"Survival is their only long term goal. A big reason to stay in Threads is, if almost everyone around you doesn't know of the Dark Forest, then the Dark Forest doesn't exist. Other alien civilisations do not know of the Threads and can't get here even if they did, without someone helping them. By coming here, they have left the Dark Forest. Sure, most of their population is still on Trisolaris, but if they get destroyed, this one still survives. But here there are new problems, although none as big as the threat of a Dark Forest Strike, like the fact that with magic, all it takes is a single person to wipe them out completely. Gaining magic themselves provides some defense."

“Ah. In that case, they will probably wish to learn more about the Narrators.” Malevolence said. “They are the magic users most threatening to the Trisolaran race.”

10 hours ago, Ookla the Shattered said:

not rn. What we do need is a history for TLT. I'm a bit lost

“I have no clue what’s happening, but I’m curious enough to follow. What’s the story? I've been out of the loop for about 50 years.”

btw, she looks like she's 18. Also, I genuinely don't know what's happening. What has been happening? Can Unintelligible give Ryna a running over of everything?

 

He could, if Sequence wasn’t actively dying in his arms. To give you a bit more explaining as to the major plots happening right now:

Rebus currently holds the Plotblade of Antagonist, and presumably eventually someone will be worthy of the Plotblade of Protagonist. When that happens, the battle between them could destroy the Thread. The Dreamsmith wants to stop that from happening, and offers a plan to forge Antagonist and Protagonist into forms that are less dangerous. However, such a plan would require the cooperation of both the Antagonist and the Protagonist. Related to this plot, there’s a page held by Bacon that contains instructions for a ritual to summon the Witherlord mantle, which would grant its wielder total dominion over Chaotic Darkness, and eventually overpower their will and cause them to seek the destruction of the entire Thread. Rebus wants to claim the mantle due to a deal he made with Fate (an Author) and plans to take advantage of the fact that Protagonists always win to ensure the Witherlord’s defeat. Whether or not this plan is actually going to work is very debatable, but he thinks it will. Malevolence, one of my characters, is seeking with Witherlord mantle out of a desire to attain ultimate evil. He also currently is the only one with access to the vault with Bacon inside of it, although Xinoeph has not been around, so it’s possible Bacon will manage to break out as soon as Xinoeph returns. Basically everyone else wants to stop the Witherlord from being summoned.

4 hours ago, Ookla the Systematized said:

Aelinor stepped up, giving Ryna a mistrustful look. Willow, the knife, floated up too, still glowing red and buzzing. "Sequence and Ivisyre have been... enemies for a long time, and Ivisyre finally won, simple as that," Aelinor said with a sour look on her face. "Sequence had a planet where she lived, and Ivisyre snuck onto it and..." Aelinor grimaced. "Bargained for her Narration. They fought before, a thousand or so pages ago, and she was wounded. Her Narration was the only thing keeping her alive, and now that it's gone, she's dying. Why do you want to know? Where exactly did you come from?"

Unintelligible decided to let Aelinor handle Ryna. He examined briefly the interior of the mansion’s entryway, a dark corridor with open doorways along its length, and a wide wooden stairway leading to the second floor at its end. Unintelligible called out. “Hello? Is anyone here?”

At first, there was no answer. Then there came a creaking of wood from the stairs, and a cloaked figure slowly came into view at the second story landing. Shadows seemed to cling to the figure as he slowly walked down the steps towards the group. He spoke in a tired, deep voice.

“Why have you come here? Why have you disturbed my exile?”

@Ookla the Knight

[Shatter He/Him]

1 hour ago, Ookla the Married said:

“Ah. In that case, they will probably wish to learn more about the Narrators.” Malevolence said. “They are the magic users most threatening to the Trisolaran race.”

He could, if Sequence wasn’t actively dying in his arms. To give you a bit more explaining as to the major plots happening right now:

Rebus currently holds the Plotblade of Antagonist, and presumably eventually someone will be worthy of the Plotblade of Protagonist. When that happens, the battle between them could destroy the Thread. The Dreamsmith wants to stop that from happening, and offers a plan to forge Antagonist and Protagonist into forms that are less dangerous. However, such a plan would require the cooperation of both the Antagonist and the Protagonist. Related to this plot, there’s a page held by Bacon that contains instructions for a ritual to summon the Witherlord mantle, which would grant its wielder total dominion over Chaotic Darkness, and eventually overpower their will and cause them to seek the destruction of the entire Thread. Rebus wants to claim the mantle due to a deal he made with Fate (an Author) and plans to take advantage of the fact that Protagonists always win to ensure the Witherlord’s defeat. Whether or not this plan is actually going to work is very debatable, but he thinks it will. Malevolence, one of my characters, is seeking with Witherlord mantle out of a desire to attain ultimate evil. He also currently is the only one with access to the vault with Bacon inside of it, although Xinoeph has not been around, so it’s possible Bacon will manage to break out as soon as Xinoeph returns. Basically everyone else wants to stop the Witherlord from being summoned.

Unintelligible decided to let Aelinor handle Ryna. He examined briefly the interior of the mansion’s entryway, a dark corridor with open doorways along its length, and a wide wooden stairway leading to the second floor at its end. Unintelligible called out. “Hello? Is anyone here?”

At first, there was no answer. Then there came a creaking of wood from the stairs, and a cloaked figure slowly came into view at the second story landing. Shadows seemed to cling to the figure as he slowly walked down the steps towards the group. He spoke in a tired, deep voice.

“Why have you come here? Why have you disturbed my exile?”

@Ookla the Knight

Ryna lowers her voice, glancing toward the empty space where the others had been a moment ago, before looking back to Aelinor.

“I don’t know the rules here,” she admits quietly. “But I know when a story is fraying instead of ending.”

She offers a small, tired smile.

“If there’s anything I can do that won’t make it worse… please tell me.”

8 hours ago, Ookla The Kintsukuroi said:

Thats how i feel like let people just talk how they talk.

also 

@Ookla the Shattered

i thought we had a rule that said dont change pages unless you had an actual edit to add

i had to go through and fix a bunch of stuff about erryin you changed.

viper isnt an era. viper is an alter ego type thing. like a villian. ea- cat woman is actually Selina. 

viper is erryin. erryin is viper. a defense persona created to protect them. Not quite like DID but more like it a comforting thing.

We're doing it Hawk's way. Also thanks for the explanation

[KaladinsSenseOfHumourSpren He/Him]

3 hours ago, Ookla the Married said:

“Ah. In that case, they will probably wish to learn more about the Narrators.” Malevolence said. “They are the magic users most threatening to the Trisolaran race.”

 

"Indeed they would. And so would I. I still don't know much about them."

[ThroughTheLivingSequence she/her/they/them]

17 hours ago, Ookla the Shattered said:

Ryna lowers her voice, glancing toward the empty space where the others had been a moment ago, before looking back to Aelinor.

“I don’t know the rules here,” she admits quietly. “But I know when a story is fraying instead of ending.”

She offers a small, tired smile.

“If there’s anything I can do that won’t make it worse… please tell me.”

Aelinor pursed her lips, looking Ryna up and down for a moment. She glanced towards Unintelligible at the doors to the manor. "We can't offer you anything in return, but... We could always use more hands in finding a cure to that woman's ailment." She nodded towards Sequence, unconscious in Unintelligible's arms. "We hope whoever lives here has one, but we aren't sure. Whether we find one or not..." Aelinor furrowed her brow. "Things will... Calm down after this. I'm not sure what you mean by fraying..."

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

On 12/14/2025 at 2:55 PM, Ookla The Kintsukuroi said:

he just shrugged. "Can't speak for to many but Im sure authors around the thread wouldnt let you fade. I mean my author is trying their best to keep bacon afloat."

"okay so first! Turns out your not as old as i thought see cause i thought you were like waay in the begining like whatnot. But no! Actually I was around before you! Like Asher to! Crazy. Second of all! For no reason whatsoever. What's your opinion on angst? Third! Also for no reason. What are your two biggest regrets?" They say quickly (ya know how I talk when I get excited) 

“Yes, because Bacon matters to the story. He’s entertaining and iconic - but Bacon again is a foolish template for success, because Bacon already exists.” 
-

“Research into the Thread’s past and entanglement with the plot makes me seem older than I am. As for angst, unless overdone it can be effective for building engagement in a story.” At the third question, Rebus paused, cocking his head. Antagonist glowed atop it, set with a smoky gem that had not been there before. “Why would I have regrets? My actions are sometimes regrettable - Bat’s death, primarily - but I do not regret them.” 

16 hours ago, Ookla the Married said:

Lyric cleared his throat, then sang in a somber tone.

“Spirit of this mall. Guide our path this day. Let us see, set us free, send us on our way.”

as he sang, the walls Jack saw shifted. The a path opened, revealing what looked like the natural wall of the mall, lined with abandoned stores.

—

“Yes, well. Just because it works, doesn’t mean I will get the credit for discovering it.” Balitan said grumpily. “And now he can do what only we could.”

Rebus’s search didn’t turn up any of the lost data. It did, however, turn up an encrypted video log.

Jack got noticeably taller, standing up straighter as his fear dissipated. Someone looking closely would notice more than mere posture had changed - springs within him, especially at his ankles, had literally unwound as he went out of fight-or-flight-mode. “We should get out of here.”

-

“Even if you have done something, credit is harder to establish among the Authors than one might think. People already forget I have an interstellar empire, and it truly hasn’t been that long.” Rebus raised an eyebrow and put the video up onscreen, then played it. 

[Keke They/he]

16 minutes ago, Ookla the Obfuscated said:

“Yes, because Bacon matters to the story. He’s entertaining and iconic - but Bacon again is a foolish template for success, because Bacon already exists.” 
-

“Research into the Thread’s past and entanglement with the plot makes me seem older than I am. As for angst, unless overdone it can be effective for building engagement in a story.” At the third question, Rebus paused, cocking his head. Antagonist glowed atop it, set with a smoky gem that had not been there before. “Why would I have regrets? My actions are sometimes regrettable - Bat’s death, primarily - but I do not regret them.” 

Man i need to stop creating characters that are smarter then me cause i am def not tracking wtf they are saying.

”so do you.” 

-

well i frown. “Well your no fun. Thats one, but i need… OOOH I GOT IT HEHEH- oh cooool whats the gem?” I poke at the gem floating so i am in fact able to reach cause rebus is stupid and tall and stupidly tall.

[NameIess]

On 12/15/2025 at 8:06 PM, Ookla the Wallfacer said:

"Indeed they would. And so would I. I still don't know much about them."

“Narrators are…” Malevolence trailed off, then pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. “Explaining is difficult. A demonstration is better. Write something for me. Something about a person, real or imaginary.”

11 hours ago, Ookla the Systematized said:

Aelinor pursed her lips, looking Ryna up and down for a moment. She glanced towards Unintelligible at the doors to the manor. "We can't offer you anything in return, but... We could always use more hands in finding a cure to that woman's ailment." She nodded towards Sequence, unconscious in Unintelligible's arms. "We hope whoever lives here has one, but we aren't sure. Whether we find one or not..." Aelinor furrowed her brow. "Things will... Calm down after this. I'm not sure what you mean by fraying..."

Unintelligible hesitated only briefly, then approached the dark figure. “We need your help.” He said. “My friend is dying, wounded by dark powers that you can control. Please, can you heal her? She has little time left.”

The dark figure seemed taken aback. He pulled back his hood, revealing an aged face. “You need me to… heal” A tremor passed over his face at the word. “someone? I… I do not know. The darkness in my soul… the creature bound to me… it has grown strong. I called myself Great, but now… now too late I see my hubris.” He stepped closer, then quickly descended the stairs. “Let me see her.” He said, reaching out a hand. “I will see if there is anything I can do.”

Unintelligible walked up to the old man, clearly uneasy, but allowed him to lay a hand on Sequence’s forehead.

The old man’s eyes widened. “This… is a terrible wound. She is close to death indeed.” He closed his eyes and concentrated, lines of darkness snaking out from his hand, curling around Sequence’s body, growing towards her wound. The old man grimaced. “I… this darkness within her. It is not a pure Chaotic darkness. There is some property to it, which I have never seen before. I cannot… cannot command it. “ he withdrew his hand, and sighed, eyes downcast. The darkness around him seemed to strengthen, shadows deepening until his features were almost entirely hidden. “If I had time to study this power, create a tool of some sort to draw out the specific brand of darkness, then I could perhaps heal her. But as it stands…” He shook his head. “I am truly sorry. It would have… would have been good to do one final service, before night consumes me.”

@Ookla the Knight @Ookla the Shattered

7 hours ago, Ookla the Obfuscated said:

“Yes, because Bacon matters to the story. He’s entertaining and iconic - but Bacon again is a foolish template for success, because Bacon already exists.” 
-

“Research into the Thread’s past and entanglement with the plot makes me seem older than I am. As for angst, unless overdone it can be effective for building engagement in a story.” At the third question, Rebus paused, cocking his head. Antagonist glowed atop it, set with a smoky gem that had not been there before. “Why would I have regrets? My actions are sometimes regrettable - Bat’s death, primarily - but I do not regret them.” 

Jack got noticeably taller, standing up straighter as his fear dissipated. Someone looking closely would notice more than mere posture had changed - springs within him, especially at his ankles, had literally unwound as he went out of fight-or-flight-mode. “We should get out of here.”

-

“Even if you have done something, credit is harder to establish among the Authors than one might think. People already forget I have an interstellar empire, and it truly hasn’t been that long.” Rebus raised an eyebrow and put the video up onscreen, then played it. 

Lyric nodded, continuing to sing as he walked towards the mall’s wall.

”Great mall, we thank you. Continue to show us the path. We wish to travel roads new, away from the Sage’s wrath.”

As he sang, the visible section of wall expanded, and both Jack and Lyric could see a lightening to it, as if they were approaching an exit into the sunlight.

-

Malevolence’s face appeared on the computer screen. “You thought this little laboratory was hidden from me, didn’t you? Well, I have known all along. I have Balitan to thank for that. Poor, unwitting Balitan. Yet more proof of the weakness inherent in the path of good. Did you know he was planning to betray you?” A schematic displayed itself on the screen, showing a system to disperse a nanobot-disabling Nullite mist followed by launching Mordite-tipped metal spikes through the entire facility. 
the video paused, giving Rebus time to process this. Balitan, white faced, looked at Rebus. “I… I would never have implemented it. I just… you’re the Antagonist. I wanted defenses, if you ever tried to eliminate me.”

7 hours ago, Ookla The Kintsukuroi said:

”so do you.” 

A sorrowful voice interjected itself into this conversation. “Even Bacon will pass away eventually. As X’s avatar, Thaidakar, and the other great characters of old have been forgotten, so too will he.”

[Shatter He/Him]

18 hours ago, Ookla the Systematized said:

Aelinor pursed her lips, looking Ryna up and down for a moment. She glanced towards Unintelligible at the doors to the manor. "We can't offer you anything in return, but... We could always use more hands in finding a cure to that woman's ailment." She nodded towards Sequence, unconscious in Unintelligible's arms. "We hope whoever lives here has one, but we aren't sure. Whether we find one or not..." Aelinor furrowed her brow. "Things will... Calm down after this. I'm not sure what you mean by fraying..."

Ryna shifts slightly, her eyes flicking over to where Sequence rests in Unintelligible's arms as he's talking to some old man.

“By fraying, I mean… that there’s still a chance, even if things look broken. There’s a light, however small, keeping it from ending.”

She bites her lip, hands fidgeting with her satchel strap.

“I’ll do whatever is needed. She seems like her story should be recorded.”

She fiddles with a glowing tome inside her satchel.

 

Edited December 17, 2025 by Ookla the Shattered

[Keke They/he]

9 hours ago, Ookla the Married said:

“Narrators are…” Malevolence trailed off, then pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. “Explaining is difficult. A demonstration is better. Write something for me. Something about a person, real or imaginary.”

Unintelligible hesitated only briefly, then approached the dark figure. “We need your help.” He said. “My friend is dying, wounded by dark powers that you can control. Please, can you heal her? She has little time left.”

The dark figure seemed taken aback. He pulled back his hood, revealing an aged face. “You need me to… heal” A tremor passed over his face at the word. “someone? I… I do not know. The darkness in my soul… the creature bound to me… it has grown strong. I called myself Great, but now… now too late I see my hubris.” He stepped closer, then quickly descended the stairs. “Let me see her.” He said, reaching out a hand. “I will see if there is anything I can do.”

Unintelligible walked up to the old man, clearly uneasy, but allowed him to lay a hand on Sequence’s forehead.

The old man’s eyes widened. “This… is a terrible wound. She is close to death indeed.” He closed his eyes and concentrated, lines of darkness snaking out from his hand, curling around Sequence’s body, growing towards her wound. The old man grimaced. “I… this darkness within her. It is not a pure Chaotic darkness. There is some property to it, which I have never seen before. I cannot… cannot command it. “ he withdrew his hand, and sighed, eyes downcast. The darkness around him seemed to strengthen, shadows deepening until his features were almost entirely hidden. “If I had time to study this power, create a tool of some sort to draw out the specific brand of darkness, then I could perhaps heal her. But as it stands…” He shook his head. “I am truly sorry. It would have… would have been good to do one final service, before night consumes me.”

@Ookla the Knight @Ookla the Shattered

Lyric nodded, continuing to sing as he walked towards the mall’s wall.

”Great mall, we thank you. Continue to show us the path. We wish to travel roads new, away from the Sage’s wrath.”

As he sang, the visible section of wall expanded, and both Jack and Lyric could see a lightening to it, as if they were approaching an exit into the sunlight.

-

Malevolence’s face appeared on the computer screen. “You thought this little laboratory was hidden from me, didn’t you? Well, I have known all along. I have Balitan to thank for that. Poor, unwitting Balitan. Yet more proof of the weakness inherent in the path of good. Did you know he was planning to betray you?” A schematic displayed itself on the screen, showing a system to disperse a nanobot-disabling Nullite mist followed by launching Mordite-tipped metal spikes through the entire facility. 
the video paused, giving Rebus time to process this. Balitan, white faced, looked at Rebus. “I… I would never have implemented it. I just… you’re the Antagonist. I wanted defenses, if you ever tried to eliminate me.”

A sorrowful voice interjected itself into this conversation. “Even Bacon will pass away eventually. As X’s avatar, Thaidakar, and the other great characters of old have been forgotten, so too will he.”

Is the lab thing the same lab my people are in. Or are they in another lab?

Dax looked around. “Seeing as you remember him he isnt gone. Memory is powerful. One isnt truly gone until every soul, character or author, has forgotten him.” He said again. Persistant that this was true. Besides narrators can see them forever. Their words are written in the thread. The Lurkers who come through and just read will always be able to see them. Therefor not being gone.”

[ThroughTheLivingSequence she/her/they/them]

10 hours ago, Ookla the Married said:

Unintelligible hesitated only briefly, then approached the dark figure. “We need your help.” He said. “My friend is dying, wounded by dark powers that you can control. Please, can you heal her? She has little time left.”

The dark figure seemed taken aback. He pulled back his hood, revealing an aged face. “You need me to… heal” A tremor passed over his face at the word. “someone? I… I do not know. The darkness in my soul… the creature bound to me… it has grown strong. I called myself Great, but now… now too late I see my hubris.” He stepped closer, then quickly descended the stairs. “Let me see her.” He said, reaching out a hand. “I will see if there is anything I can do.”

Unintelligible walked up to the old man, clearly uneasy, but allowed him to lay a hand on Sequence’s forehead.

The old man’s eyes widened. “This… is a terrible wound. She is close to death indeed.” He closed his eyes and concentrated, lines of darkness snaking out from his hand, curling around Sequence’s body, growing towards her wound. The old man grimaced. “I… this darkness within her. It is not a pure Chaotic darkness. There is some property to it, which I have never seen before. I cannot… cannot command it. “ he withdrew his hand, and sighed, eyes downcast. The darkness around him seemed to strengthen, shadows deepening until his features were almost entirely hidden. “If I had time to study this power, create a tool of some sort to draw out the specific brand of darkness, then I could perhaps heal her. But as it stands…” He shook his head. “I am truly sorry. It would have… would have been good to do one final service, before night consumes me.”

4 hours ago, Ookla the Shattered said:

Ryna shifts slightly, her eyes flicking over to where Sequence rests in Unintelligible's arms as he's talking to some old man.

“By fraying, I mean… that there’s still a chance, even if things look broken. There’s a light, however small, keeping it from ending.”

She bites her lip, hands fidgeting with her satchel strap.

“I’ll do whatever is needed. She seems like her story should be recorded.”

She fiddles with a glowing tome inside her satchel.

Aelinor's eyes flashed with anger, glancing at Ryna before looking back over at Sequence. "Story," Aelinor repeated sourly, before sucking in a breath and stalking over to Unintelligible and the dark figure. "So that's it then?" She spat, looking the dark figure up and down with a particular sort of disdain, before leveling her gaze at Unintelligible. "Are we just giving up?"

Sequence didn't stir, and her breathing was soft and shallow, but she looked... peaceful.

[Shatter He/Him]

15 minutes ago, Ookla the Systematized said:

Aelinor's eyes flashed with anger, glancing at Ryna before looking back over at Sequence. "Story," Aelinor repeated sourly, before sucking in a breath and stalking over to Unintelligible and the dark figure. "So that's it then?" She spat, looking the dark figure up and down with a particular sort of disdain, before leveling her gaze at Unintelligible. "Are we just giving up?"

Sequence didn't stir, and her breathing was soft and shallow, but she looked... peaceful.

Ryna flinches at Aelinor’s tone, clearly taken aback. She glances between the others, trying to piece together what she’s missed, but the moment slips past her. Instead, she steps back half a pace, eyes flicking briefly to Sequence before lowering again. She cautiously follows Aelinor, but stays quiet with her eyes down.

Edited December 17, 2025 by Ookla the Shattered

[ThroughTheLivingSequence she/her/they/them]

2 minutes ago, Ookla the Shattered said:

Ryna flinches at Aelinor’s tone, clearly taken aback. She glances between the others, trying to piece together what she’s missed, but the moment slips past her. Instead, she steps back half a pace, eyes flicking briefly to Sequence before lowering again. She cautiously follows Aelinor, but stays quiet with her eyes down.

Willow floated up beside Ryna, buzzing softly.
"Who are you?" It said, it's voice small, tinny, and not particularly feminine or masculine. "I apologize for Allie's lack of manners, she's rather distraught."

[Shatter He/Him]

1 hour ago, Ookla the Systematized said:

Willow floated up beside Ryna, buzzing softly.
"Who are you?" It said, it's voice small, tinny, and not particularly feminine or masculine. "I apologize for Allie's lack of manners, she's rather distraught."

Ryna startles slightly at Willow’s sudden presence, then relaxes a fraction.

“Oh… hi. I’m Ryna,” she says softly. “It’s… it’s alright. I don’t think I helped much.”

[ThroughTheLivingSequence she/her/they/them]

58 minutes ago, Ookla the Shattered said:

Ryna startles slightly at Willow’s sudden presence, then relaxes a fraction.

“Oh… hi. I’m Ryna,” she says softly. “It’s… it’s alright. I don’t think I helped much.”

The floating knife buzzed. "These circumstances have been in the making for... a thousand pages," Willow said dismissively. "Ryna is a lovely name. Where do you hail from, Ryna the storyteller?"

[Shatter He/Him]

13 minutes ago, Ookla the Systematized said:

The floating knife buzzed. "These circumstances have been in the making for... a thousand pages," Willow said dismissively. "Ryna is a lovely name. Where do you hail from, Ryna the storyteller?"

Ryna hesitates, then lifts her gaze properly this time, one eye a calm blue, the other holding a soft, golden glow that brightens as she speaks. She doesn’t look away from it now, just lets it be seen.

“I was born in a very small place, far out on the edges,” she says. “My parents travelled constantly. They were scribes. They copied contracts, wrote down births, recorded local stories so they wouldn’t be forgotten.”

She gives a faint, almost embarrassed smile.

“I learned to write before I learned to walk. When we stopped somewhere long enough, I’d fill the margins with nonsense glyphs and half-made tales.”

Her voice softens.

“My family was swallowed by Silence. I was taken in by The Loom.”

“That place doesn’t exist anymore. Neither do most of the people I knew. Threadquake. So I kept doing what they taught me… moving, listening, writing things down.”

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

21 hours ago, Ookla The Kintsukuroi said:

Man i need to stop creating characters that are smarter then me cause i am def not tracking wtf they are saying.

”so do you.” 

-

well i frown. “Well your no fun. Thats one, but i need… OOOH I GOT IT HEHEH- oh cooool whats the gem?” I poke at the gem floating so i am in fact able to reach cause rebus is stupid and tall and stupidly tall.

Thinking a bunch and writing important things down is how I get Rebus as smart as he is - though my memory is already good. 
Actually, does anyone want me to write up something about how I write Rebus? 
The glow of darkness around the gem wrapped around your finger, spreading out from the point of contact. Your emotions twisted almost immediately, becoming harsher and darker. The whimsy in curiosity leeched away, edging towards a covetous greed. Joy turned to arrogance, satisfaction to jealous paranoia, and frustration to simmering bitterness. But the emotion that had led to this conversation in the first place, gleefully plotting to cause Rebus angst and regret? The gem latched on to that, amplifying it and twisting any misgivings into justifications and contingencies. “Oh, simply a power I thought would be useful.” 
You could let go of the gem, and the emotional effects would go away after a few seconds. Or… you could become Evil Hawks. 

13 hours ago, Ookla the Married said:

Lyric nodded, continuing to sing as he walked towards the mall’s wall.

”Great mall, we thank you. Continue to show us the path. We wish to travel roads new, away from the Sage’s wrath.”

As he sang, the visible section of wall expanded, and both Jack and Lyric could see a lightening to it, as if they were approaching an exit into the sunlight.

-

Malevolence’s face appeared on the computer screen. “You thought this little laboratory was hidden from me, didn’t you? Well, I have known all along. I have Balitan to thank for that. Poor, unwitting Balitan. Yet more proof of the weakness inherent in the path of good. Did you know he was planning to betray you?” A schematic displayed itself on the screen, showing a system to disperse a nanobot-disabling Nullite mist followed by launching Mordite-tipped metal spikes through the entire facility. 
the video paused, giving Rebus time to process this. Balitan, white faced, looked at Rebus. “I… I would never have implemented it. I just… you’re the Antagonist. I wanted defenses, if you ever tried to eliminate me.”

A sorrowful voice interjected itself into this conversation. “Even Bacon will pass away eventually. As X’s avatar, Thaidakar, and the other great characters of old have been forgotten, so too will he.”

Jack ran forwards a couple steps, then stopped, realizing that this too might be an illusion. He returned to a more measured walk, staying close to Lyric. 
-

Rebus laughed. He’d suspected Balitan would try to betray him eventually, but he’d thought the man would simply rob the lab. Trying to kill him - him, Rebus? Balitan actually thought that would work? “It would be traditional to execute you,” Rebus said, tone and kind smile at total contrast to his words, “I could tear your mind apart and assimilate your skills, then fill your body with Essences and record how you die.” He put a gentle hand on Balitan’s shoulder, nanomachines and magic a single thought away from surging through that hand and doing exactly as Rebus had said. “But I will allow you to dissuade me. Please - for your sake I hope you have a good argument.” 
-

Rebus coughed again, body still trying to reject the Mordite. Strapped to the table and quarantined off from his Narration, he couldn’t do much to address whomever this voice could be. 

3 hours ago, Ookla The Kintsukuroi said:

Is the lab thing the same lab my people are in. Or are they in another lab?

Dax looked around. “Seeing as you remember him he isnt gone. Memory is powerful. One isnt truly gone until every soul, character or author, has forgotten him.” He said again. Persistant that this was true. Besides narrators can see them forever. Their words are written in the thread. The Lurkers who come through and just read will always be able to see them. Therefor not being gone.”

No - they’re in Rebus’s lab. 
“Those words would be nothing more than a headstone in a vast graveyard of long-gone characters. Perhaps a Lurker would one day return to life a simulacrum of me, and I would be grateful for it, but why forsake my current existence for that slight change?”