TRAVELS // WITH // METHUSELAH

[singmod]

T R A V E L S // W I T H // M E T H U S E L A H

"Well then, Newcomer. Let us see what we can make of you."

When players go on hiatus, they may choose to have their characters go on travels with Methuselah for an amount of time. Here, out in the wilds, they will spend time honing a skill — trapping, archery, tracking, fire-craft, field-dressing, fishing. This, however, will come with a price: injury and illness are common, and the exchange OOCly is character being injured along the way, or getting ill. Rest assured, Methuselah will look after a character when something unfortunate befalls them — and he will safely return them back to the safety of Milton.

While he is a man of few words, and unused to companionship for the most part — he will talk to characters about things. He will be focused on the task at hand, the skill they're working on, he may tell stories he has grown up with — folk tales, and off the like. But he is also sympathetic to the plight of the Interlopers, and will do his best to help them in terms of information.

Characters will be able to ask Methuselah questions whilst on travels with him, but this is limited to only three. Players/characters must choose their questions carefully, and Methuselah will try his best to answer them. Characters may not like the response given, but that's the chance they have to take.

Here, you will find interactions with Methuselah: short threads that can be played out or handwaved with Mod discussion. Handwaved interactions can simply be the three questions posted by character and the response.

Please note that this is only open to players who have gone on Hiatus and chosen Option Two, and following the acceptance of this by Mods. This feature is entirely optional.

An organised list of all information discovered can be read here.

Comments

[rescapee]

[ An imbalance. Nature being disturbed. It's likely that there is a scientific explanation for all of this, some element or entity influencing the world in measurable ways, but she isn't a scientist. As much as she would truly hate for any of her crew to be trapped here as well, she can't help but wish longingly that someone else was here to tackle this challenge with her. Spock, Chris, Una... Hell, she'd even take Sam Kirk, at this point. None of them are here, though, so all she can do is investigate and record and hope that someone else can do something with the data she gathers.

It's clear the old man doesn't have all the concrete answers she so desperately desires, but even his opinions and theories might shed some light on the pieces she's missing of this puzzle. ]

We've heard a voice... It calls us Interlopers and preys on our darkest thoughts. I think it's tried to convince more than a few of us to end our own lives. Have you heard it?

[singmod]

[ The mention of a voice piques his interest and he frowns thoughtfully as he listens along. There is recognition in his eyes. A worry — one of that of the Newcomers. Existence here is difficult enough. He is sombre as he confirms with a nod. ]

I have. [ There is a pause before he adds grimly: ] ...It has tried to convince me not to help you. To let you fade into the Long Dark.

[ His laugh is humourless, eyebrows raising as he considers. Yes, it will try to convince him, but he remains unconvinced. ]

Interloper. The fly in the ointment. A piece of a puzzle thrown into a different box. You were never supposed to be here. It knows this, and it wishes rid of you. It will do whatever it can to ensure that feat.

[rescapee]

[ His words confirm what she'd already suspected while adding the new element of the voice trying to extend its influence even to those native to this place. The pool of constant dread within her deepens as she listens, and she wraps her arms around herself at the last.

Only one question left. She doesn't have to think about it to know what she needs to ask next. ]

If it didn't bring us here, what do you think did?

[singmod]

[ In truth, he cannot be sure. There is no good answer for such a question. His eyes look upwards, towards the roof of the cave. He means past it, towards the heavens. The lights in the sky. It seems like the only answer it could be. ]

I suspect the Auroras have brought you here.

[ There's a pause before he quietly adds. ]

... You were not the first. Another came here, long before you all. She wandered in from the wilds. Enola. But I do not know where she might be, or if she is even alive.