Video PSA

[so_dark_a_road]

[ This is the morning of Day 5 of the month of Domino. Curufin is in his cabin, having just awakened from an extremely vivid dream -- by falling out of his bunk and landing on the floor with a THUNK! Sorry about the racket, roomies! He climbs to his feet, and since he slept in his clothes, getting dressed is simple. He pulls on his boots, throws on his jacket, and goes to the ICP. ]

Good morning, all. Hate to bother you, but I've just had yet another prophetic dream.

I thought I was trapped inside a block of ice. Ice walls, ice floor, ice ceiling. I was freezing, and it was hard to start walking through this frozen passageway, but I did. The ice was so clear and transparent that at times it almost seemed. . . not there at all.

I spotted what I assumed was a gap or an exit up ahead, and I stepped towards it. But suddenly the world shook under my feet and the block shuddered and lurched, and I was thrown off my feet and crashed into the walls. It felt like the structure was tumbling, with me in it! The cold struck through my bones like knives every time I hit the ice.

I don't know what this means, but the dreams I had before the last two missions were true visions. I dreamed of goblins and flying wolves and a burning city, and that's what we found. The next time, I dreamed of a volcanic planet that was self-destructing, and that's exactly where we went.

So, I must believe we're going to a very wintery place this time.

I suggest to everybody, get your cold-weather gear together! [ His shoulders shake briefly with silent laughter. ] And bring a flask of vodka or whisky if you can.

Comments

[utulien_aure]

[If anything, Fingon's face hardens.

Because yeah-he's serious about blizzards and giant blocks of ice that might break and kill someone. Funny how that happens when you're left to die on a frozen tundra by people you were supposed to be able to trust, isn't it?]

You know better- or at least I hope you do after four hundred years of Beleriand weather. But there will be people here who won't know better than to take you seriously.

[At the last question, his face twists into a grimace. You really couldn't guess, Curufin?]

I wanted to know if it's land below or water.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Yes, Curufin remembers. He'd make a different decision today, but he can't change the past. He would if he could. ]

I do know better. But if there are people who take me seriously and offer to provide alcohol, I'll be circumspect about what I do with it. Promise.

[ He looks on Fingon's face and sees that grimace. Yes, he could guess. ]

I can see why you'd want to know. I couldn't tell if the block was standing on earth or water, and I didn't have time to hack a hole through it to find out. But I agree, we do need to know. Preferably before anybody ends up in that situation.

[utulien_aure]

[That's true. No one can change the past, can they?]

Very well.

[He nods.]

We shall simply have to measure when we arrive.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ No one can change the past. All anyone can do is learn from it, and try not to make the same old mistakes. ]

I agree, it might be possible to tell what's under the ice when we're actually present. There's fortunately a few ways to do that. If we're lucky, the ice will be transparent enough for the substrate to show through, or maybe the environment of the block -- or whatever exactly that thing is! -- will make it obvious whether it stands on solid ground or floats on water. Last option, hack through the ice and see.

I'm bringing my tools, by the way. What are you bringing?

[utulien_aure]

[A very careful shrug. This isn't pleasant to admit.]

If there are no weapons on board, I have nothing to bring.

[so_dark_a_road]

The train does not provide us with weapons, but we do have the option of acquiring some when we go on these missions. On my first mission, we fought goblins and flying wolves, and the goblins were armed with swords and knives. I kept a few of these, two swords and two knives. They aren't made of Elvish steel, but they're perfectly serviceable. Do you want a sword and a knife? I can get them and meet you somewhere or drop them off at your cabin.

[utulien_aure]

If you can spare them, I'll take them with thanks.

[ And maybe get on the lookout for some wood for a new bow while he's down there. ]

[so_dark_a_road]

I can spare them, and you're welcome to them.

[ Curufin's hoping to have the chance to gather some materials while he's on the ice planet, too. But we'll see about that. Good luck to Fingon! ]

end?

[utulien_aure]

My thanks. I'll try to return them in one piece.

Yes!

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Smile. ] Don't worry about the weapons. If they get nicked, I can reforge them. Just take them and use them well. Protect yourself. Come home safe.