http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Elluim 2026-04-20T20:01:36Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.31.16 http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=The_First_Glowtide&diff=1951 2025-01-27T05:01:56Z

<p>Elluim: </p> <hr /> <div>This is a story of the first time Glowtide was celebrated by the Neptunian otter-folk, upon their emigration to [[Halcyon]]. It was told by Elluim during the 2024 Glowtide celebration. <br /> <br /> <br /> Long ago, our ancestors came to the great ocean of Halcyon, aboard a ship crossing the great sea of stars. The why isn’t important, or the when, really. It was a long, quiet voyage, remembered only as a soft, deep slumber; and those who were part of it share the same dream: [[First Shooting Star|a radiant star]], streaking a trail across the expanse.<br /> <br /> Those first cycles were rough, hard work. Though they felt themselves prepared- after all, an ocean is an ocean, right?- it still required relying on older traditions: some chose to be hunters, catching schools of fish as colorful as they were; others sought to understand the native species of plants. There was enough to go around for a while, yes, but it took steady work to secure it. Everyone was happy to help, and before long, it almost began to feel familiar. As the days turned, though, they realized how much longer the nights were getting, and some started to grow worried. There was less time to fish, and what fish there were began schooling less and less. The kelp they cultivated, normally adorned with glowing, colorful nodules, began to falter, glowing less and less bright. Even the sea itself seemed to slow, its currents growing languid; the moon as well seemed to dim in the sky.<br /> <br /> Tensions grew fraught through the mindlink. What once would be a call to action was a blind flailing and mounting panic. Too many ideas were suggested, and just as many chirps rejecting them. An undercurrent, fretful and dread-filled, grew of somew ho believed that abandoning their ways was the right way– to isolate away from the tumult and despair; to hibernate, to sleep undreaming. More and more this worry gripped the mindlink. During one meeting where they all struggled to figure out a plan, panic creeping at the edges of thought, it was a youngling who spoke. None had asked the children any heed, and yet dream came to them as inspiration: Another vision- of a shooting star, that same one that guided them to Halcyon, crashing into the seas. It plunged deep, deep, deep, until it seemed to fade from view…and then, even further below, came a flash of a pinkish light, sudden and strong, seemingly beckoning to them.<br /> <br /> The dream was shared, finally, and though the younglings wanted to venture out themselves (as those young and hopeful are wont to do), a few felt called enough to try to pursue the dream’s call. It was a small team: a Seeker, strong-tailed from having spent their time there &#039;&#039;looking&#039;&#039; to the horizon and learning the tides; a Weaver, resourceful and kind, who &#039;&#039;listened&#039;&#039; to and tended the threads of their community as much as their cloth; a Builder, whose strong paws had &#039;&#039;felt&#039;&#039; the rocky shoals they built their home into, and A Youth who &#039;&#039;knew&#039;&#039; the dream, as if engraved on their heart.<br /> <br /> The four of them struggled to figure out what to bring, and the Youth broke the tension, voice gentle yet seemingly deep and soft: ‘Trust yourself, pack light. You will know what you need.’ There was something in that voice that rang through the mindlink like a taut string plucked; it resonated through their bodies. They agreed, and packing what they felt most important, they set off.<br /> <br /> Past the edges of the shoals they called home, past reef and crag, downwards and downwards they descended. It was slow, but determined swimming– the currents were sparse above, but here they twisted in confusing whorls and patterns, buffeting them from side to side. The Adventurer needed only to offer his paws and tail- together they made a chain, and by his lead, they found a twisting path spiralling deeper. Their guidance was felt through that mindlink as something deep and primal, coming from their own bodies and seemingly somewhere else, echoing through them.<br /> <br /> At the edge of the great darkness of the aphotic zone- the depth of the ocean where the surface’s light could not touch- they stopped to rest for a moment. “How did you know where to go?” The Weaver asked the Adventurer. “I don’t know, but I felt it, like a magnet tugging at me. Instinct- the knowing without knowing.” <br /> <br /> “And that knowing will be your greatest guide,” echoed a voice, a distinct -voice-, through their mindlink. The Weaver knew without knowing where it was originating from; when she turned to greet it, there was but a small sea slug on an outcropping. “Hullo there, little Aeo,” the Weaver crooned, offering a small bit of seaweed for it to nibble on from their pack. The others drifted over to greet it, seeing what the Weaver saw: Aeo is the deity of the sun, and here ve was, contently nibbling. As if validating that belief, it began to gently glow, a warm beckoning light that slowly pulsed…and farther below- deep, deep, deep below- a new light radiated, a mote of rose-colored glow, pulsing like a heartbeat. “There! There! This must mean we’re on the right trail!” The Weaver chirped excitedly, almost springing forward to plunge into the dark…only for the Builder to hold a hand on their shoulder, drawing them back close.. “Below is darkness, and it grows hard to find your way…In case we cannot tell which way is down, let me anchor us here.” They reached into their bag, pulling out a simple rope, tying it secure and steady next to that sea-slug.<br /> <br /> “Be well, little light,” they all said to the sea-slug, tying that string off and descending.<br /> <br /> Deeper still was the ocean depths, inky blackness seeming to extend in all directions. The beacon they spotted pulsed but for another minute, giving them a heading…until it faded into the dark as well. Down they swam, the string growing longer and longer, until they couldn’t see the end back behind them. Deeper and deeper, their motions cautious, until-<br /> <br /> “Look! There!” <br /> <br /> A new glow greeted them: a light from below, soft magenta light pulsing like a slow, steady heartbeat, invitingly. Its shape came into focus: A net of coral, almost sculpted into a sphere, surrounding some light, and…a figure below, within, waving in beckoning greeting. <br /> <br /> “Who are you?” The Seeker asked.<br /> <br /> “I am you, and you are me,” the figure said in a soft, dreamy voice- sounding just like the Seeker, as if mirroring them, chuckling. “You may know me also as the Swimmer-Within, though.”<br /> <br /> “It was you who gave me that dream! It’s nice to meet you,” said the Youth, swimming closer. Their shape, lit by that magenta light, was halfway enshrouded in shadow; yet their embrace was gentle, and the two hugged. “Have you been waiting here for us?”<br /> <br /> “Not at all; why, I’ve always been here.” said the reflection, in a voice that sounded like Aeo’s.<br /> <br /> “Will you please help us? Our world grows dark and dim; have we wronged this world somehow?” came forth the Builder, their voice tired and weary. <br /> <br /> “You have done nothing wrong beyond doubting yourself. After all, you are Neptunians. What axiom embodies that most truly?” came the voice again, a bowstring rippling through their shared link.<br /> <br /> All of them thought it at the same time, and the way forward was so very simple-<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Love, flow, and glow.&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> All of them embraced there, the Swimmer’s arms wide enough to embrace them all, curtains draping from those limbs, as if resembling a manta ray.. For a moment, there was quiet, nothing but the gentle heartbeat of their ocean, of themselves, of the Swimmer, magenta pulses surrounding them. <br /> <br /> The Youth trembled a little, and a hand stroked their head soothingly. And then came words, seemingly spoken in unison from all of them:<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;“Breathe in; feel that light inside, that gentle spark swirling;<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Breathe out, send it passing by, to mix with hearts a-whirling;&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Look up then; see the stars above, all shining, ever-bright;&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Look down then; see your Light Below, still strong in deepest night.&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Through ebb and flow, through love and glow, shall you know your truest path.”&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> These words were all theirs, and the Swimmer’s as well, and there was knowing beyond knowledge in them, something that stoked their own glow…as they turned and began to swim back. That rope that had been an anchor carried many new things: a tiny sea slug crawling along it at the end, greeting them, and a myriad of hanging baubles, jewel-like spheres that glimmered faintly. As they swam upwards, clutching the rope for a guide-line, each sphere they passed flickered and blinked to life, a warm, inviting glow. As they reached the edge of the aphotic zone, they realized as well that the rope itself had extended, somehow! There was so much more of it now, and so they simply knew to stretch it out the other way, carrying it towards their home.<br /> <br /> As they came closer to their home, they let more and more slack out, the rope spreading and curling, draping across the kelp forests. To the otters at home, it looked as if the forest was blinking awake with colors anew…and where it flickered, the stagnant dark seemed to subside: The currents grew a little more lively, and fish seemed to greet them. <br /> <br /> Before long, four otters emerged, arms laden with glow-rope, eyes bright, and hearts filled with the joy of love shared. When they explained themselves, they spoke in unison:<br /> <br /> “The answer was here the whole time: Love, flow, and glow. Trust in our truest selves, and in the light that rests within us all.”<br /> <br /> And that’s what they did: Together, through sharing their kindness and compassion; through sharing what glow they had; and through trusting in the currents, they held on through the cold season, and slowly the light returned.<br /> <br /> Now, every year, we perform this tradition of bringing light to our surroundings during this darkest time, in hopes that we can remember what light shines in our truest self.</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=The_First_Glowtide&diff=1950 2025-01-13T01:39:25Z

<p>Elluim: </p> <hr /> <div>This is a story of the first time Glowtide was celebrated by the Neptunian otter-folk, upon their emigration to [[Halcyon]]. It was told by Elluim during the 2024 Glowtide celebration. <br /> <br /> <br /> Long ago, our ancestors came to the great ocean of Halcyon, aboard a ship crossing the great sea of stars. The why isn’t important, or the when, really. It was a long, quiet voyage, remembered only as a soft, deep slumber; and those who were part of it share the same dream: [[First Shooting Star|a radiant star]], streaking a trail across the expanse.<br /> <br /> Those first cycles were rough, hard work. Though they felt themselves prepared- after all, an ocean is an ocean, right?- it still required relying on older traditions: some chose to be hunters, catching schools of fish as colorful as they were; others sought to understand the native species of plants. There was enough to go around for a while, yes, but it took steady work to secure it. Everyone was happy to help, and before long, it almost began to feel familiar. As the days turned, though, they realized how much longer the nights were getting, and some started to grow worried. There was less time to fish, and what fish there were began schooling less and less. The kelp they cultivated, normally adorned with glowing, colorful nodules, began to falter, glowing less and less bright. Even the sea itself seemed to slow, its currents growing languid; the moon as well seemed to dim in the sky.<br /> <br /> Tensions grew fraught through the mindlink. What once would be a call to action was a blind flailing and mounting panic. Too many ideas were suggested, and just as many chirps rejecting them. An undercurrent, fretful and dread-filled, grew of some who believed that abandoning their ways was the right way– to isolate away from the tumult and despair; to hibernate, to sleep undreaming. More and more this worry gripped the mindlink. During one meeting where they all struggled to figure out a plan, panic creeping at the edges of thought, it was a youngling who spoke. None had asked the children any heed, and yet dream came to them as inspiration: Another vision- of a shooting star, that same one that guided them to Halcyon, crashing into the seas. It plunged deep, deep, deep, until it seemed to fade from view…and then, even further below, came a flash of a pinkish light, sudden and strong, seemingly beckoning to them.<br /> <br /> The dream was shared, finally, and though the younglings wanted to venture out themselves (as those young and hopeful are wont to do), a few felt called enough to try to pursue the dream’s call. It was a small team: a &#039;Seeker&#039;, strong-tailed from having spent their time there &#039;looking&#039; to the horizon and learning the tides; a Weaver, resourceful and kind, who &#039;listened&#039; to and tended the threads of their community as much as their cloth; a Builder, whose strong paws had &#039;felt&#039; the rocky shoals they built their home into, and A Youth who &#039;knew&#039; the dream, as if engraved on their heart.<br /> <br /> The four of them struggled to figure out what to bring, and the Youth broke the tension, voice gentle yet seemingly deep and soft: ‘Trust yourself, pack light. You will know what you need.’ There was something in that voice that rang through the mindlink like a taut string plucked; it resonated through their bodies. They agreed, and packing what they felt most important, they set off.<br /> <br /> Past the edges of the shoals they called home, past reef and crag, downwards and downwards they descended. It was slow, but determined swimming– the currents were sparse above, but here they twisted in confusing whorls and patterns, buffeting them from side to side. The Adventurer needed only to offer his paws and tail- together they made a chain, and by his lead, they found a twisting path spiralling deeper. Their guidance was felt through that mindlink as something deep and primal, coming from their own bodies and seemingly somewhere else, echoing through them.<br /> <br /> At the edge of the great darkness of the aphotic zone- the depth of the ocean where the surface’s light could not touch- they stopped to rest for a moment. “How did you know where to go?” The Weaver asked the Adventurer. “I don’t know, but I felt it, like a magnet tugging at me. Instinct- the knowing without knowing.” <br /> <br /> “And that knowing will be your greatest guide,” echoed a voice, a distinct -voice-, through their mindlink. The Weaver knew without knowing where it was originating from; when she turned to greet it, there was but a small sea slug on an outcropping. “Hullo there, little Aeo,” the Weaver crooned, offering a small bit of seaweed for it to nibble on from their pack. The others drifted over to greet it, seeing what the Weaver saw: Aeo is the deity of the sun, and here ve was, contently nibbling. As if validating that belief, it began to gently glow, a warm beckoning light that slowly pulsed…and farther below- deep, deep, deep below- a new light radiated, a mote of rose-colored glow, pulsing like a heartbeat. “There! There! This must mean we’re on the right trail!” The Weaver chirped excitedly, almost springing forward to plunge into the dark…only for the Builder to hold a hand on their shoulder, drawing them back close.. “Below is darkness, and it grows hard to find your way…In case we cannot tell which way is down, let me anchor us here.” They reached into their bag, pulling out a simple rope, tying it secure and steady next to that sea-slug.<br /> <br /> “Be well, little light,” they all said to the sea-slug, tying that string off and descending.<br /> <br /> Deeper still was the ocean depths, inky blackness seeming to extend in all directions. The beacon they spotted pulsed but for another minute, giving them a heading…until it faded into the dark as well. Down they swam, the string growing longer and longer, until they couldn’t see the end back behind them. Deeper and deeper, their motions cautious, until-<br /> <br /> “Look! There!” <br /> <br /> A new glow greeted them: a light from below, soft magenta light pulsing like a slow, steady heartbeat, invitingly. Its shape came into focus: A net of coral, almost sculpted into a sphere, surrounding some light, and…a figure below, within, waving in beckoning greeting. <br /> <br /> “Who are you?” The Seeker asked.<br /> <br /> “I am you, and you are me,” the figure said in a soft, dreamy voice- sounding just like the Seeker, as if mirroring them, chuckling. “You may know me also as the Swimmer-Within, though.”<br /> <br /> “It was you who gave me that dream! It’s nice to meet you,” said the Youth, swimming closer. Their shape, lit by that magenta light, was halfway enshrouded in shadow; yet their embrace was gentle, and the two hugged. “Have you been waiting here for us?”<br /> <br /> “Not at all; why, I’ve always been here.” said the reflection, in a voice that sounded like Aeo’s.<br /> <br /> “Will you please help us? Our world grows dark and dim; have we wronged this world somehow?” came forth the Builder, their voice tired and weary. <br /> <br /> “You have done nothing wrong beyond doubting yourself. After all, you are Neptunians. What axiom embodies that most truly?” came the voice again, a bowstring rippling through their shared link.<br /> <br /> All of them thought it at the same time, and the way forward was so very simple-<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Love, flow, and glow.&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> All of them embraced there, the Swimmer’s arms wide enough to embrace them all, curtains draping from those limbs, as if resembling a manta ray.. For a moment, there was quiet, nothing but the gentle heartbeat of their ocean, of themselves, of the Swimmer, magenta pulses surrounding them. <br /> <br /> The Youth trembled a little, and a hand stroked their head soothingly. And then came words, seemingly spoken in unison from all of them:<br /> <br /> “Breathe in; feel that light inside, that gentle spark swirling;<br /> Breathe out, send it passing by, to mix with hearts whirling;<br /> Look up then; see the stars above, all shining ever-bright;<br /> Look down then; see your Light Below, shining through deepest night.<br /> <br /> Through ebb and flow, through love and glow, shall you know your truest path.”<br /> <br /> These words were all theirs, and the Swimmer’s as well, and there was knowing beyond knowledge in them, something that stoked their own glow…as they turned and began to swim back. That rope that had been an anchor carried many new things: a tiny sea slug crawling along it at the end, greeting them, and a myriad of hanging baubles, jewel-like spheres that glimmered faintly. As they swam upwards, clutching the rope for a guide-line, each sphere they passed flickered and blinked to life, a warm, inviting glow. As they reached the edge of the aphotic zone, they realized as well that the rope itself had extended, somehow! There was so much more of it now, and so they simply knew to stretch it out the other way, carrying it towards their home.<br /> <br /> As they came closer to their home, they let more and more slack out, the rope spreading and curling, draping across the kelp forests. To the otters at home, it looked as if the forest was blinking awake with colors anew…and where it flickered, the stagnant dark seemed to subside: The currents grew a little more lively, and fish seemed to greet them. <br /> <br /> Before long, four otters emerged, arms laden with glow-rope, eyes bright, and hearts filled with the joy of love shared. When they explained themselves, they spoke in unison:<br /> <br /> “The answer was here the whole time: Love, flow, and glow. Trust in our truest selves, and in the light that rests within us all.”<br /> <br /> And that’s what they did: Together, through sharing their kindness and compassion; through sharing what glow they had; and through trusting in the currents, they held on through the cold season, and slowly the light returned.<br /> <br /> Now, every year, we perform this tradition of bringing light to our surroundings during this darkest time, in hopes that we can remember what light shines in our truest self.</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=The_First_Glowtide&diff=1949 2025-01-13T01:36:45Z

<p>Elluim: </p> <hr /> <div>This is a story of the first time Glowtide was celebrated by the Neptunian otter-folk, upon their emigration to [[Halcyon]]. It was told by Elluim during the 2024 Glowtide celebration. <br /> <br /> <br /> Long ago, our ancestors came to the great ocean of Halcyon, aboard a ship crossing the great sea of stars. The why isn’t important, or the when, really. It was a long, quiet voyage, remembered only as a soft, deep slumber; and those who were part of it share the same dream: [[First Shooting Star|a radiant star]], streaking a trail across the expanse.<br /> <br /> Those first cycles were rough, hard work. Though they felt themselves prepared- after all, an ocean is an ocean, right?- it still required relying on older traditions: some chose to be hunters, catching schools of fish as colorful as they were; others sought to understand the native species of plants. There was enough to go around for a while, yes, but it took steady work to secure it. Everyone was happy to help, and before long, it almost began to feel familiar. <br /> <br /> As the days turned, though, they realized how much longer the nights were getting, and some started to grow worried. There was less time to fish, and what fish there were began schooling less and less. The kelp they cultivated, normally adorned with glowing, colorful nodules, began to falter, glowing less and less bright. Even the sea itself seemed to slow, its currents growing languid; the moon as well seemed to dim in the sky.<br /> <br /> Tensions grew fraught through the mindlink. What once would be a call to action was a blind flailing and mounting panic. Too many ideas were suggested, and just as many chirps rejecting them. An undercurrent, fretful and dread-filled, grew of some who believed that abandoning their ways was the right way– to isolate away from the tumult and despair; to hibernate, to sleep undreaming.<br /> <br /> More and more this worry gripped the mindlink. During one meeting where they all struggled to figure out a plan, panic creeping at the edges of thought, it was a youngling who spoke. None had asked the children any heed, and yet dream came to them as inspiration: Another vision- of a shooting star, that same one that guided them to Halcyon, crashing into the seas. It plunged deep, deep, deep, until it seemed to fade from view…and then, even further below, came a flash of a pinkish light, sudden and strong, seemingly beckoning to them.<br /> <br /> The dream was shared, finally, and though the younglings wanted to venture out themselves (as those young and hopeful are wont to do), a few felt called enough to try to pursue the dream’s call. It was a small team: a Seeker, strong-tailed from having spent their time there looking to the horizon and learning the tides; a Weaver, resourceful and kind, who listened to and tended the threads of their community; a Builder, whose strong paws had felt the rocky shoals they built their home into, and A Youth who knew the dream engraved on their heart.<br /> <br /> The four of them struggled to figure out what to bring, and the Youth broke the tension, voice gentle yet seemingly deep and soft: ‘Trust yourself, pack light. You will know what you need.’ There was something in that voice that rang through the mindlink like a taut string plucked; it resonated through their bodies. They agreed, and packing what they felt most important, they set off.<br /> <br /> Past the edges of the shoals they called home, past reef and crag, downwards and downwards they descended. It was slow, but determined swimming– the currents were sparse above, but here they twisted in confusing whorls and patterns, buffeting them from side to side. The Adventurer needed only to offer his paws and tail- together they made a chain, and by his lead, they found a twisting path spiralling deeper. Their guidance was felt through that mindlink as something deep and primal, coming from their own bodies and seemingly somewhere else, echoing through them.<br /> <br /> At the edge of the great darkness of the aphotic zone- the depth of the ocean where the surface’s light could not touch- they stopped to rest for a moment. “How did you know where to go?” The Weaver asked the Adventurer. “I don’t know, but I felt it, like a magnet tugging at me. Instinct- the knowing without knowing.” <br /> <br /> “And that knowing will be your greatest guide,” echoed a voice, a distinct -voice-, through their mindlink. The Weaver knew without knowing where it was originating from; when she turned to greet it, there was but a small sea slug on an outcropping. “Hullo there, little Aeo,” the Weaver crooned, offering a small bit of seaweed for it to nibble on from their pack. The others drifted over to greet it, seeing what the Weaver saw: Aeo is the deity of the sun, and here ve was, contently nibbling. As if validating that belief, it began to gently glow, a warm beckoning light that slowly pulsed…and farther below- deep, deep, deep below- , a new light radiated, a button of rose-colored glow, pulsing like a heartbeat. “There! There! This must mean we’re on the right trail!” The Weaver chirped excitedly, almost springing forward to plunge into the dark…only for the Builder to hold a hand on their shoulder, drawing them back close.. “Below is darkness, and it grows hard to find your way…In case we cannot tell which way is down, let me anchor us here.” They reached into their bag, pulling out a simple rope, tying it secure and steady next to that sea-slug.<br /> <br /> “Be well, little light,” they all said to the sea-slug, tying that string off and descending.<br /> <br /> Deeper still was the ocean depths, inky blackness seeming to extend in all directions. The beacon they spotted pulsed but for another minute, giving them a heading…until it faded into the dark as well. Down they swam, the string growing longer and longer, until they couldn’t see the end back behind them. Deeper and deeper, their motions cautious, until-<br /> <br /> “Look! There!” <br /> <br /> A new glow greeted them: a light from below, soft magenta light pulsing like a slow, steady heartbeat, invitingly. Its shape came into focus: A net of coral, almost sculpted into a sphere, surrounding some light, and…a figure below, within, waving in beckoning greeting. <br /> <br /> “Who are you?” The Seeker asked.<br /> <br /> “I am you, and you are me,” the figure said in a soft, dreamy voice- sounding just like the Seeker, as if mirroring them, chuckling. “You may know me also as the Swimmer-Within, though.”<br /> <br /> “It was you who gave me that dream! It’s nice to meet you,” said the Youth, swimming closer. Their shape, lit by that magenta light, was halfway enshrouded in shadow; yet their embrace was gentle, and the two hugged. “Have you been waiting here for us?”<br /> <br /> “Not at all; why, I’ve always been here.” said the reflection, in a voice that sounded like Aeo’s.<br /> <br /> “Will you please help us? Our world grows dark and dim; have we wronged this world somehow?” came forth the Builder, their voice tired and weary. <br /> <br /> “You have done nothing wrong beyond doubting yourself. After all, you are Neptunians. What axiom embodies that most truly?” came the voice again, a bowstring rippling through their shared link.<br /> <br /> All of them thought it at the same time, and the way forward was so very simple-<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Love, flow, and glow.&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> All of them embraced there, the Swimmer’s arms wide enough to embrace them all, curtains draping from those limbs, as if resembling a manta ray.. For a moment, there was quiet, nothing but the gentle heartbeat of their ocean, of themselves, of the Swimmer, magenta pulses surrounding them. <br /> <br /> The Youth trembled a little, and a hand stroked their head soothingly. And then came words, seemingly spoken in unison from all of them:<br /> <br /> “Breathe in; feel that light inside, that gentle spark swirling;<br /> Breathe out, send it passing by, to mix with hearts whirling;<br /> Look up then; see the stars above, all shining ever-bright;<br /> Look down then; see your Light Below, shining through deepest night.<br /> <br /> Through ebb and flow, through love and glow, shall you know your truest path.”<br /> <br /> These words were all theirs, and the Swimmer’s as well, and there was knowing beyond knowledge in them, something that stoked their own glow…as they turned and began to swim back. That rope that had been an anchor carried many new things: a tiny sea slug crawling along it at the end, greeting them, and a myriad of hanging baubles, jewel-like spheres that glimmered faintly. As they swam upwards, clutching the rope for a guide-line, each sphere they passed flickered and blinked to life, a warm, inviting glow. As they reached the edge of the aphotic zone, they realized as well that the rope itself had extended, somehow! There was so much more of it now, and so they simply knew to stretch it out the other way, carrying it towards their home.<br /> <br /> As they came closer to their home, they let more and more slack out, the rope spreading and curling, draping across the kelp forests. To the otters at home, it looked as if the forest was blinking awake with colors anew…and where it flickered, the stagnant dark seemed to subside: The currents grew a little more lively, and fish seemed to greet them. <br /> <br /> Before long, four otters emerged, arms laden with glow-rope, eyes bright, and hearts filled with the joy of love shared. When they explained themselves, they spoke in unison:<br /> <br /> “The answer was here the whole time: Love, flow, and glow. Trust in our truest selves, and in the light that rests within us all.”<br /> <br /> And that’s what they did: Together, through sharing their kindness and compassion; through sharing what glow they had; and through trusting in the currents, they held on through the cold season, and slowly the light returned.<br /> <br /> Now, every year, we perform this tradition of bringing light to our surroundings during this darkest time, in hopes that we can remember what light shines in our truest self.</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=The_First_Glowtide&diff=1948 2025-01-13T01:36:38Z

<p>Elluim: </p> <hr /> <div>This is a story of the first time Glowtide was celebrated by the Neptunian otter-folk, upon their emigration to [[Halcyon]]. It was told by Elluim during the 2024 Glowtide celebration. <br /> <br /> <br /> Long ago, our ancestors came to the great ocean of Halcyon, aboard a ship crossing the great sea of stars. The why isn’t important, or the when, really. It was a long, quiet voyage, remembered only as a soft, deep slumber; and those who were part of it share the same dream: [[First Shooting Star|a radiant star]], streaking a trail across the expanse.<br /> <br /> Those first cycles were rough, hard work. Though they felt themselves prepared- after all, an ocean is an ocean, right?- it still required relying on older traditions: some chose to be hunters, catching schools of fish as colorful as they were; others sought to understand the native species of plants. There was enough to go around for a while, yes, but it took steady work to secure it. Everyone was happy to help, and before long, it almost began to feel familiar. <br /> <br /> As the days turned, though, they realized how much longer the nights were getting, and some started to grow worried. There was less time to fish, and what fish there were began schooling less and less. The kelp they cultivated, normally adorned with glowing, colorful nodules, began to falter, glowing less and less bright. Even the sea itself seemed to slow, its currents growing languid; the moon as well seemed to dim in the sky.<br /> <br /> Tensions grew fraught through the mindlink. What once would be a call to action was a blind flailing and mounting panic. Too many ideas were suggested, and just as many chirps rejecting them. An undercurrent, fretful and dread-filled, grew of some who believed that abandoning their ways was the right way– to isolate away from the tumult and despair; to hibernate, to sleep undreaming. More and more this worry gripped the mindlink. During one meeting where they all struggled to figure out a plan, panic creeping at the edges of thought, it was a youngling who spoke. None had asked the children any heed, and yet dream came to them as inspiration: Another vision- of a shooting star, that same one that guided them to Halcyon, crashing into the seas. It plunged deep, deep, deep, until it seemed to fade from view…and then, even further below, came a flash of a pinkish light, sudden and strong, seemingly beckoning to them.<br /> <br /> The dream was shared, finally, and though the younglings wanted to venture out themselves (as those young and hopeful are wont to do), a few felt called enough to try to pursue the dream’s call. It was a small team: a Seeker, strong-tailed from having spent their time there &#039;&#039;looking&#039;&#039; to the horizon and learning the tides; a Weaver, resourceful and kind, who &#039;&#039;listened&#039;&#039; to and tended the threads of their community; a Builder, whose strong paws had &#039;&#039;felt&#039;&#039; the rocky shoals they built their home into, and A Youth who &#039;&#039;knew&#039;&#039; the dream, as if engraved on their heart.<br /> <br /> The four of them struggled to figure out what to bring, and the Youth broke the tension, voice gentle yet seemingly deep and soft: ‘Trust yourself, pack light. You will know what you need.’ There was something in that voice that rang through the mindlink like a taut string plucked; it resonated through their bodies. They agreed, and packing what they felt most important, they set off.<br /> <br /> Past the edges of the shoals they called home, past reef and crag, downwards and downwards they descended. It was slow, but determined swimming– the currents were sparse above, but here they twisted in confusing whorls and patterns, buffeting them from side to side. The Adventurer needed only to offer his paws and tail- together they made a chain, and by his lead, they found a twisting path spiralling deeper. Their guidance was felt through that mindlink as something deep and primal, coming from their own bodies and seemingly somewhere else, echoing through them.<br /> <br /> At the edge of the great darkness of the aphotic zone- the depth of the ocean where the surface’s light could not touch- they stopped to rest for a moment. “How did you know where to go?” The Weaver asked the Adventurer. “I don’t know, but I felt it, like a magnet tugging at me. Instinct- the knowing without knowing.” <br /> <br /> “And that knowing will be your greatest guide,” echoed a voice, a distinct -voice-, through their mindlink. The Weaver knew without knowing where it was originating from; when she turned to greet it, there was but a small sea slug on an outcropping. “Hullo there, little Aeo,” the Weaver crooned, offering a small bit of seaweed for it to nibble on from their pack. The others drifted over to greet it, seeing what the Weaver saw: Aeo is the deity of the sun, and here ve was, contently nibbling. As if validating that belief, it began to gently glow, a warm beckoning light that slowly pulsed…and farther below- deep, deep, deep below- , a new light radiated, a button of rose-colored glow, pulsing like a heartbeat. “There! There! This must mean we’re on the right trail!” The Weaver chirped excitedly, almost springing forward to plunge into the dark…only for the Builder to hold a hand on their shoulder, drawing them back close.. “Below is darkness, and it grows hard to find your way…In case we cannot tell which way is down, let me anchor us here.” They reached into their bag, pulling out a simple rope, tying it secure and steady next to that sea-slug.<br /> <br /> “Be well, little light,” they all said to the sea-slug, tying that string off and descending.<br /> <br /> Deeper still was the ocean depths, inky blackness seeming to extend in all directions. The beacon they spotted pulsed but for another minute, giving them a heading…until it faded into the dark as well. Down they swam, the string growing longer and longer, until they couldn’t see the end back behind them. Deeper and deeper, their motions cautious, until-<br /> <br /> “Look! There!” <br /> <br /> A new glow greeted them: a light from below, soft magenta light pulsing like a slow, steady heartbeat, invitingly. Its shape came into focus: A net of coral, almost sculpted into a sphere, surrounding some light, and…a figure below, within, waving in beckoning greeting. <br /> <br /> “Who are you?” The Seeker asked.<br /> <br /> “I am you, and you are me,” the figure said in a soft, dreamy voice- sounding just like the Seeker, as if mirroring them, chuckling. “You may know me also as the Swimmer-Within, though.”<br /> <br /> “It was you who gave me that dream! It’s nice to meet you,” said the Youth, swimming closer. Their shape, lit by that magenta light, was halfway enshrouded in shadow; yet their embrace was gentle, and the two hugged. “Have you been waiting here for us?”<br /> <br /> “Not at all; why, I’ve always been here.” said the reflection, in a voice that sounded like Aeo’s.<br /> <br /> “Will you please help us? Our world grows dark and dim; have we wronged this world somehow?” came forth the Builder, their voice tired and weary. <br /> <br /> “You have done nothing wrong beyond doubting yourself. After all, you are Neptunians. What axiom embodies that most truly?” came the voice again, a bowstring rippling through their shared link.<br /> <br /> All of them thought it at the same time, and the way forward was so very simple-<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Love, flow, and glow.&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> All of them embraced there, the Swimmer’s arms wide enough to embrace them all, curtains draping from those limbs, as if resembling a manta ray.. For a moment, there was quiet, nothing but the gentle heartbeat of their ocean, of themselves, of the Swimmer, magenta pulses surrounding them. <br /> <br /> The Youth trembled a little, and a hand stroked their head soothingly. And then came words, seemingly spoken in unison from all of them:<br /> <br /> “Breathe in; feel that light inside, that gentle spark swirling;<br /> Breathe out, send it passing by, to mix with hearts whirling;<br /> Look up then; see the stars above, all shining ever-bright;<br /> Look down then; see your Light Below, shining through deepest night.<br /> <br /> Through ebb and flow, through love and glow, shall you know your truest path.”<br /> <br /> These words were all theirs, and the Swimmer’s as well, and there was knowing beyond knowledge in them, something that stoked their own glow…as they turned and began to swim back. That rope that had been an anchor carried many new things: a tiny sea slug crawling along it at the end, greeting them, and a myriad of hanging baubles, jewel-like spheres that glimmered faintly. As they swam upwards, clutching the rope for a guide-line, each sphere they passed flickered and blinked to life, a warm, inviting glow. As they reached the edge of the aphotic zone, they realized as well that the rope itself had extended, somehow! There was so much more of it now, and so they simply knew to stretch it out the other way, carrying it towards their home.<br /> <br /> As they came closer to their home, they let more and more slack out, the rope spreading and curling, draping across the kelp forests. To the otters at home, it looked as if the forest was blinking awake with colors anew…and where it flickered, the stagnant dark seemed to subside: The currents grew a little more lively, and fish seemed to greet them. <br /> <br /> Before long, four otters emerged, arms laden with glow-rope, eyes bright, and hearts filled with the joy of love shared. When they explained themselves, they spoke in unison:<br /> <br /> “The answer was here the whole time: Love, flow, and glow. Trust in our truest selves, and in the light that rests within us all.”<br /> <br /> And that’s what they did: Together, through sharing their kindness and compassion; through sharing what glow they had; and through trusting in the currents, they held on through the cold season, and slowly the light returned.<br /> <br /> Now, every year, we perform this tradition of bringing light to our surroundings during this darkest time, in hopes that we can remember what light shines in our truest self.</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=The_First_Glowtide&diff=1947 2025-01-13T01:34:36Z

<p>Elluim: </p> <hr /> <div>This is a story of the first time Glowtide was celebrated by the Neptunian otter-folk, upon their emigration to [[Halcyon]]. It was told by Elluim during the 2024 Glowtide celebration. <br /> <br /> <br /> Long ago, our ancestors came to the great ocean of Halcyon, aboard a ship crossing the great sea of stars. The why isn’t important, or the when, really. It was a long, quiet voyage, remembered only as a soft, deep slumber; and those who were part of it share the same dream: [[First Shooting Star|a radiant star]], streaking a trail across the expanse.<br /> <br /> Those first cycles were rough, hard work. Though they felt themselves prepared- after all, an ocean is an ocean, right?- it still required relying on older traditions: some chose to be hunters, catching schools of fish as colorful as they were; others sought to understand the native species of plants. There was enough to go around for a while, yes, but it took steady work to secure it. Everyone was happy to help, and before long, it almost began to feel familiar. <br /> <br /> As the days turned, though, they realized how much longer the nights were getting, and some started to grow worried. There was less time to fish, and what fish there were began schooling less and less. The kelp they cultivated, normally adorned with glowing, colorful nodules, began to falter, glowing less and less bright. Even the sea itself seemed to slow, its currents growing languid; the moon as well seemed to dim in the sky.<br /> <br /> Tensions grew fraught through the mindlink. What once would be a call to action was a blind flailing and mounting panic. Too many ideas were suggested, and just as many chirps rejecting them. An undercurrent, fretful and dread-filled, grew of some who believed that abandoning their ways was the right way– to isolate away from the tumult and despair; to hibernate, to sleep undreaming.<br /> <br /> More and more this worry gripped the mindlink. During one meeting where they all struggled to figure out a plan, panic creeping at the edges of thought, it was a youngling who spoke. None had asked the children any heed, and yet dream came to them as inspiration: Another vision- of a shooting star, that same one that guided them to Halcyon, crashing into the seas. It plunged deep, deep, deep, until it seemed to fade from view…and then, even further below, came a flash of a pinkish light, sudden and strong, seemingly beckoning to them.<br /> <br /> The dream was shared, finally, and though the younglings wanted to venture out themselves (as those young and hopeful are wont to do), a few felt called enough to try to pursue the dream’s call. It was a small team: a Seeker, strong-tailed from having spent their time there looking to the horizon and learning the tides; a Weaver, resourceful and kind, who listened to and tended the threads of their community; a Builder, whose strong paws had felt the rocky shoals they built their home into, and A Youth who knew the dream engraved on their heart.<br /> <br /> The four of them struggled to figure out what to bring, and the Youth broke the tension, voice gentle yet seemingly deep and soft: ‘Trust yourself, pack light. You will know what you need.’ There was something in that voice that rang through the mindlink like a taut string plucked; it resonated through their bodies. They agreed, and packing what they felt most important, they set off.<br /> <br /> Past the edges of the shoals they called home, past reef and crag, downwards and downwards they descended. It was slow, but determined swimming– the currents were sparse above, but here they twisted in confusing whorls and patterns, buffeting them from side to side. The Adventurer needed only to offer his paws and tail- together they made a chain, and by his lead, they found a twisting path spiralling deeper. Their guidance was felt through that mindlink as something deep and primal, coming from their own bodies and seemingly somewhere else, echoing through them.<br /> <br /> At the edge of the great darkness of the aphotic zone- the depth of the ocean where the surface’s light could not touch- they stopped to rest for a moment. “How did you know where to go?” The Weaver asked the Adventurer. “I don’t know, but I felt it, like a magnet tugging at me. Instinct- the knowing without knowing.” <br /> <br /> “And that knowing will be your greatest guide,” echoed a voice, a distinct -voice-, through their mindlink. The Weaver knew without knowing where it was originating from; when she turned to greet it, there was but a small sea slug on an outcropping. “Hullo there, little Aeo,” the Weaver crooned, offering a small bit of seaweed for it to nibble on from their pack. The others drifted over to greet it, seeing what the Weaver saw: Aeo is the deity of the sun, and here ve was, contently nibbling. As if validating that belief, it began to gently glow, a warm beckoning light that slowly pulsed…and farther below- deep, deep, deep below- , a new light radiated, a button of rose-colored glow, pulsing like a heartbeat. “There! There! This must mean we’re on the right trail!” The Weaver chirped excitedly, almost springing forward to plunge into the dark…only for the Builder to hold a hand on their shoulder, drawing them back close.. “Below is darkness, and it grows hard to find your way…In case we cannot tell which way is down, let me anchor us here.” They reached into their bag, pulling out a simple rope, tying it secure and steady next to that sea-slug.<br /> <br /> “Be well, little light,” they all said to the sea-slug, tying that string off and descending.<br /> <br /> Deeper still was the ocean depths, inky blackness seeming to extend in all directions. The beacon they spotted pulsed but for another minute, giving them a heading…until it faded into the dark as well. Down they swam, the string growing longer and longer, until they couldn’t see the end back behind them. Deeper and deeper, their motions cautious, until-<br /> <br /> “Look! There!” <br /> <br /> A new glow greeted them: a light from below, soft magenta light pulsing like a slow, steady heartbeat, invitingly. Its shape came into focus: A net of coral, almost sculpted into a sphere, surrounding some light, and…a figure below, within, waving in beckoning greeting. <br /> <br /> “Who are you?” The Seeker asked.<br /> <br /> “I am you, and you are me,” the figure said in a soft, dreamy voice- sounding just like the Seeker, as if mirroring them, chuckling. “You may know me also as the Swimmer-Within, though.”<br /> <br /> “It was you who gave me that dream! It’s nice to meet you,” said the Youth, swimming closer. Their shape, lit by that magenta light, was halfway enshrouded in shadow; yet their embrace was gentle, and the two hugged. “Have you been waiting here for us?”<br /> <br /> “Not at all; why, I’ve always been here.” said the reflection, in a voice that sounded like Aeo’s.<br /> <br /> “Will you please help us? Our world grows dark and dim; have we wronged this world somehow?” came forth the Builder, their voice tired and weary. <br /> <br /> “You have done nothing wrong beyond doubting yourself. After all, you are Neptunians. What axiom embodies that most truly?” came the voice again, a bowstring rippling through their shared link.<br /> <br /> All of them thought it at the same time, and the way forward was so very simple-<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Love, flow, and glow.&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> All of them embraced there, the Swimmer’s arms wide enough to embrace them all, curtains draping from those limbs, as if resembling a manta ray.. For a moment, there was quiet, nothing but the gentle heartbeat of their ocean, of themselves, of the Swimmer, magenta pulses surrounding them. <br /> <br /> The Youth trembled a little, and a hand stroked their head soothingly. And then came words, seemingly spoken in unison from all of them:<br /> <br /> “Breathe in; feel that light inside, that gentle spark swirling;<br /> Breathe out, send it passing by, to mix with hearts whirling;<br /> Look up then; see the stars above, all shining ever-bright;<br /> Look down then; see your Light Below, shining through deepest night.<br /> <br /> Through ebb and flow, through love and glow, shall you know your truest path.”<br /> <br /> These words were all theirs, and the Swimmer’s as well, and there was knowing beyond knowledge in them, something that stoked their own glow…as they turned and began to swim back. That rope that had been an anchor carried many new things: a tiny sea slug crawling along it at the end, greeting them, and a myriad of hanging baubles, jewel-like spheres that glimmered faintly. As they swam upwards, clutching the rope for a guide-line, each sphere they passed flickered and blinked to life, a warm, inviting glow. As they reached the edge of the aphotic zone, they realized as well that the rope itself had extended, somehow! There was so much more of it now, and so they simply knew to stretch it out the other way, carrying it towards their home.<br /> <br /> As they came closer to their home, they let more and more slack out, the rope spreading and curling, draping across the kelp forests. To the otters at home, it looked as if the forest was blinking awake with colors anew…and where it flickered, the stagnant dark seemed to subside: The currents grew a little more lively, and fish seemed to greet them. <br /> <br /> Before long, four otters emerged, arms laden with glow-rope, eyes bright, and hearts filled with the joy of love shared. When they explained themselves, they spoke in unison:<br /> <br /> “The answer was here the whole time: Love, flow, and glow. Trust in our truest selves, and in the light that rests within us all.”<br /> <br /> And that’s what they did: Together, through sharing their kindness and compassion; through sharing what glow they had; and through trusting in the currents, they held on through the cold season, and slowly the light returned.<br /> <br /> Now, every year, we perform this tradition of bringing light to our surroundings during this darkest time, in hopes that we can remember what light shines in our truest self.</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=The_First_Glowtide&diff=1946 2025-01-13T01:34:07Z

<p>Elluim: Created page with &quot;This is a story of the first time Glowtide was celebrated by the Neptunian otter-folk, upon their visit to Halcyon. It was told by Elluim during the 2024 Glowtide celebration....&quot;</p> <hr /> <div>This is a story of the first time Glowtide was celebrated by the Neptunian otter-folk, upon their visit to Halcyon. It was told by Elluim during the 2024 Glowtide celebration. <br /> <br /> <br /> Long ago, our ancestors came to the great ocean of Halcyon, aboard a ship crossing the great sea of stars. The why isn’t important, or the when, really. It was a long, quiet voyage, remembered only as a soft, deep slumber; and those who were part of it share the same dream: [[First Shooting Star|a radiant star]], streaking a trail across the expanse.<br /> <br /> Those first cycles were rough, hard work. Though they felt themselves prepared- after all, an ocean is an ocean, right?- it still required relying on older traditions: some chose to be hunters, catching schools of fish as colorful as they were; others sought to understand the native species of plants. There was enough to go around for a while, yes, but it took steady work to secure it. Everyone was happy to help, and before long, it almost began to feel familiar. <br /> <br /> As the days turned, though, they realized how much longer the nights were getting, and some started to grow worried. There was less time to fish, and what fish there were began schooling less and less. The kelp they cultivated, normally adorned with glowing, colorful nodules, began to falter, glowing less and less bright. Even the sea itself seemed to slow, its currents growing languid; the moon as well seemed to dim in the sky.<br /> <br /> Tensions grew fraught through the mindlink. What once would be a call to action was a blind flailing and mounting panic. Too many ideas were suggested, and just as many chirps rejecting them. An undercurrent, fretful and dread-filled, grew of some who believed that abandoning their ways was the right way– to isolate away from the tumult and despair; to hibernate, to sleep undreaming.<br /> <br /> More and more this worry gripped the mindlink. During one meeting where they all struggled to figure out a plan, panic creeping at the edges of thought, it was a youngling who spoke. None had asked the children any heed, and yet dream came to them as inspiration: Another vision- of a shooting star, that same one that guided them to Halcyon, crashing into the seas. It plunged deep, deep, deep, until it seemed to fade from view…and then, even further below, came a flash of a pinkish light, sudden and strong, seemingly beckoning to them.<br /> <br /> The dream was shared, finally, and though the younglings wanted to venture out themselves (as those young and hopeful are wont to do), a few felt called enough to try to pursue the dream’s call. It was a small team: a Seeker, strong-tailed from having spent their time there looking to the horizon and learning the tides; a Weaver, resourceful and kind, who listened to and tended the threads of their community; a Builder, whose strong paws had felt the rocky shoals they built their home into, and A Youth who knew the dream engraved on their heart.<br /> <br /> The four of them struggled to figure out what to bring, and the Youth broke the tension, voice gentle yet seemingly deep and soft: ‘Trust yourself, pack light. You will know what you need.’ There was something in that voice that rang through the mindlink like a taut string plucked; it resonated through their bodies. They agreed, and packing what they felt most important, they set off.<br /> <br /> Past the edges of the shoals they called home, past reef and crag, downwards and downwards they descended. It was slow, but determined swimming– the currents were sparse above, but here they twisted in confusing whorls and patterns, buffeting them from side to side. The Adventurer needed only to offer his paws and tail- together they made a chain, and by his lead, they found a twisting path spiralling deeper. Their guidance was felt through that mindlink as something deep and primal, coming from their own bodies and seemingly somewhere else, echoing through them.<br /> <br /> At the edge of the great darkness of the aphotic zone- the depth of the ocean where the surface’s light could not touch- they stopped to rest for a moment. “How did you know where to go?” The Weaver asked the Adventurer. “I don’t know, but I felt it, like a magnet tugging at me. Instinct- the knowing without knowing.” <br /> <br /> “And that knowing will be your greatest guide,” echoed a voice, a distinct -voice-, through their mindlink. The Weaver knew without knowing where it was originating from; when she turned to greet it, there was but a small sea slug on an outcropping. “Hullo there, little Aeo,” the Weaver crooned, offering a small bit of seaweed for it to nibble on from their pack. The others drifted over to greet it, seeing what the Weaver saw: Aeo is the deity of the sun, and here ve was, contently nibbling. As if validating that belief, it began to gently glow, a warm beckoning light that slowly pulsed…and farther below- deep, deep, deep below- , a new light radiated, a button of rose-colored glow, pulsing like a heartbeat. “There! There! This must mean we’re on the right trail!” The Weaver chirped excitedly, almost springing forward to plunge into the dark…only for the Builder to hold a hand on their shoulder, drawing them back close.. “Below is darkness, and it grows hard to find your way…In case we cannot tell which way is down, let me anchor us here.” They reached into their bag, pulling out a simple rope, tying it secure and steady next to that sea-slug.<br /> <br /> “Be well, little light,” they all said to the sea-slug, tying that string off and descending.<br /> <br /> Deeper still was the ocean depths, inky blackness seeming to extend in all directions. The beacon they spotted pulsed but for another minute, giving them a heading…until it faded into the dark as well. Down they swam, the string growing longer and longer, until they couldn’t see the end back behind them. Deeper and deeper, their motions cautious, until-<br /> <br /> “Look! There!” <br /> <br /> A new glow greeted them: a light from below, soft magenta light pulsing like a slow, steady heartbeat, invitingly. Its shape came into focus: A net of coral, almost sculpted into a sphere, surrounding some light, and…a figure below, within, waving in beckoning greeting. <br /> <br /> “Who are you?” The Seeker asked.<br /> <br /> “I am you, and you are me,” the figure said in a soft, dreamy voice- sounding just like the Seeker, as if mirroring them, chuckling. “You may know me also as the Swimmer-Within, though.”<br /> <br /> “It was you who gave me that dream! It’s nice to meet you,” said the Youth, swimming closer. Their shape, lit by that magenta light, was halfway enshrouded in shadow; yet their embrace was gentle, and the two hugged. “Have you been waiting here for us?”<br /> <br /> “Not at all; why, I’ve always been here.” said the reflection, in a voice that sounded like Aeo’s.<br /> <br /> “Will you please help us? Our world grows dark and dim; have we wronged this world somehow?” came forth the Builder, their voice tired and weary. <br /> <br /> “You have done nothing wrong beyond doubting yourself. After all, you are Neptunians. What axiom embodies that most truly?” came the voice again, a bowstring rippling through their shared link.<br /> <br /> All of them thought it at the same time, and the way forward was so very simple-<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Love, flow, and glow.&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> All of them embraced there, the Swimmer’s arms wide enough to embrace them all, curtains draping from those limbs, as if resembling a manta ray.. For a moment, there was quiet, nothing but the gentle heartbeat of their ocean, of themselves, of the Swimmer, magenta pulses surrounding them. <br /> <br /> The Youth trembled a little, and a hand stroked their head soothingly. And then came words, seemingly spoken in unison from all of them:<br /> <br /> “Breathe in; feel that light inside, that gentle spark swirling;<br /> Breathe out, send it passing by, to mix with hearts whirling;<br /> Look up then; see the stars above, all shining ever-bright;<br /> Look down then; see your Light Below, shining through deepest night.<br /> <br /> Through ebb and flow, through love and glow, shall you know your truest path.”<br /> <br /> These words were all theirs, and the Swimmer’s as well, and there was knowing beyond knowledge in them, something that stoked their own glow…as they turned and began to swim back. That rope that had been an anchor carried many new things: a tiny sea slug crawling along it at the end, greeting them, and a myriad of hanging baubles, jewel-like spheres that glimmered faintly. As they swam upwards, clutching the rope for a guide-line, each sphere they passed flickered and blinked to life, a warm, inviting glow. As they reached the edge of the aphotic zone, they realized as well that the rope itself had extended, somehow! There was so much more of it now, and so they simply knew to stretch it out the other way, carrying it towards their home.<br /> <br /> As they came closer to their home, they let more and more slack out, the rope spreading and curling, draping across the kelp forests. To the otters at home, it looked as if the forest was blinking awake with colors anew…and where it flickered, the stagnant dark seemed to subside: The currents grew a little more lively, and fish seemed to greet them. <br /> <br /> Before long, four otters emerged, arms laden with glow-rope, eyes bright, and hearts filled with the joy of love shared. When they explained themselves, they spoke in unison:<br /> <br /> “The answer was here the whole time: Love, flow, and glow. Trust in our truest selves, and in the light that rests within us all.”<br /> <br /> And that’s what they did: Together, through sharing their kindness and compassion; through sharing what glow they had; and through trusting in the currents, they held on through the cold season, and slowly the light returned.<br /> <br /> Now, every year, we perform this tradition of bringing light to our surroundings during this darkest time, in hopes that we can remember what light shines in our truest self.</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=The_Cosmogone_Chapel&diff=1264 2016-10-20T23:15:21Z

<p>Elluim: /* Home of Saychelle, self-proclaimed Bottomwarp Prince */</p> <hr /> <div><br /> === &#039;&#039;Home of Saychelle, self-proclaimed [[Bottomwarp]] Prince&#039;&#039; ===<br /> <br /> You find yourself wandering yet another tunnel, spraling downwards, until..Things are suddenly quieter. Here, the din of thumping music and the chatter of countless voices fades to a dim thrum. A wide clearing greets you on all sides, circular, roughly a hundred meters-- and through it, the sun shines freely. No matter what time of day it is, light streaks through the canopy- it looks thicker, as if it was gathering in dense amber-hued rays. The effect leaves everything stained like amber: orange-gold paints the floor in puddles, pools of light. Far above, the leaves look like tapestries, golds and purples and reds and greens swaying like silk cloth in the breeze. <br /> <br /> Everything here feels warm, damp, pulsing. As soon as you step into the clearing, you can feel the Growth under you ripple, squishing between toes or against boots- like stepping in a puddle. The place seems to be brimming with the vital material: From trees at the corners, you can see thick rivulets of it ooze down like languid waterfalls, caught in wooden pools, burbling, churning. Everything here feels...slower, as if time itself was moving as the light does- thick, heavy, damp.<br /> <br /> Like honey. You can smell it on the air, pungent, sickly-sweet, almost intoxicating.<br /> <br /> [[File:Tangential Dreams.jpg|thumbnail|right|Current sculpture reference.]]<br /> You’re not alone, you can see: there are others here and there. Though it’s enough to make a significantly loud party, the tone is hushed, quiet: voices seldom get to be discernable, save for the occasional moan of pleasure. Most people here are either engaged in rest or some sort of hedonistic congress. The Growth seems eager to encourage; furniture grows here much faster than you’d expect: if a couple is in mid-kiss and stumble back, they’re caught effortlessly by a self-growing chair or couch. Some rest in slime-made hammocks, others get whole beds; as soon as they stand, the slime ebbs back into the floor’s mass.<br /> <br /> The center currently sports...some kind of sculpture. It looks like a spiral, a pillar of Growth stretched upward and then twisted, soft corkscrew grooves curling upward along it. It almost feels like a ramp that you could climb: glow pulses under the surface of each curvature, lazily spiraling upwards in arcs of rainbow light. The top is a smooth plane, with a wide, egg-shaped seat atop it: easily wide enough for one or two people to have a bout of bliss together in. Leaves of the aqueous stuff droop down from the top of the sculpture, like leaves on a palm tree-- or petals to a flower, waiting to close.</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=The_Cosmogone_Chapel&diff=1263 2016-10-20T23:13:51Z

<p>Elluim: /* The Cosmogone Chapel */</p> <hr /> <div><br /> === &#039;&#039;Home of Saychelle, self-proclaimed Bottomwarp Prince&#039;&#039; ===<br /> <br /> You find yourself wandering yet another tunnel, spraling downwards, until..Things are suddenly quieter. Here, the din of thumping music and the chatter of countless voices fades to a dim thrum. A wide clearing greets you on all sides, circular, roughly a hundred meters-- and through it, the sun shines freely. No matter what time of day it is, light streaks through the canopy- it looks thicker, as if it was gathering in dense amber-hued rays. The effect leaves everything stained like amber: orange-gold paints the floor in puddles, pools of light. Far above, the leaves look like tapestries, golds and purples and reds and greens swaying like silk cloth in the breeze. <br /> <br /> Everything here feels warm, damp, pulsing. As soon as you step into the clearing, you can feel the Growth under you ripple, squishing between toes or against boots- like stepping in a puddle. The place seems to be brimming with the vital material: From trees at the corners, you can see thick rivulets of it ooze down like languid waterfalls, caught in wooden pools, burbling, churning. Everything here feels...slower, as if time itself was moving as the light does- thick, heavy, damp.<br /> <br /> Like honey. You can smell it on the air, pungent, sickly-sweet, almost intoxicating.<br /> <br /> [[File:Tangential Dreams.jpg|thumbnail|right|Current sculpture reference.]]<br /> You’re not alone, you can see: there are others here and there. Though it’s enough to make a significantly loud party, the tone is hushed, quiet: voices seldom get to be discernable, save for the occasional moan of pleasure. Most people here are either engaged in rest or some sort of hedonistic congress. The Growth seems eager to encourage; furniture grows here much faster than you’d expect: if a couple is in mid-kiss and stumble back, they’re caught effortlessly by a self-growing chair or couch. Some rest in slime-made hammocks, others get whole beds; as soon as they stand, the slime ebbs back into the floor’s mass.<br /> <br /> The center currently sports...some kind of sculpture. It looks like a spiral, a pillar of Growth stretched upward and then twisted, soft corkscrew grooves curling upward along it. It almost feels like a ramp that you could climb: glow pulses under the surface of each curvature, lazily spiraling upwards in arcs of rainbow light. The top is a smooth plane, with a wide, egg-shaped seat atop it: easily wide enough for one or two people to have a bout of bliss together in. Leaves of the aqueous stuff droop down from the top of the sculpture, like leaves on a palm tree-- or petals to a flower, waiting to close.</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=The_Cosmogone_Chapel&diff=1262 2016-10-20T23:13:21Z

<p>Elluim: Created page with &quot;== The Cosmogone Chapel == &#039;&#039;Home of Saychelle, self-proclaimed Bottomwarp Prince&#039;&#039; You find yourself wandering yet another tunnel, spraling downwards, until..Things are sudd...&quot;</p> <hr /> <div>== The Cosmogone Chapel ==<br /> &#039;&#039;Home of Saychelle, self-proclaimed Bottomwarp Prince&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> You find yourself wandering yet another tunnel, spraling downwards, until..Things are suddenly quieter. Here, the din of thumping music and the chatter of countless voices fades to a dim thrum. A wide clearing greets you on all sides, circular, roughly a hundred meters-- and through it, the sun shines freely. No matter what time of day it is, light streaks through the canopy- it looks thicker, as if it was gathering in dense amber-hued rays. The effect leaves everything stained like amber: orange-gold paints the floor in puddles, pools of light. Far above, the leaves look like tapestries, golds and purples and reds and greens swaying like silk cloth in the breeze. <br /> <br /> Everything here feels warm, damp, pulsing. As soon as you step into the clearing, you can feel the Growth under you ripple, squishing between toes or against boots- like stepping in a puddle. The place seems to be brimming with the vital material: From trees at the corners, you can see thick rivulets of it ooze down like languid waterfalls, caught in wooden pools, burbling, churning. Everything here feels...slower, as if time itself was moving as the light does- thick, heavy, damp.<br /> <br /> Like honey. You can smell it on the air, pungent, sickly-sweet, almost intoxicating.<br /> <br /> [[File:Tangential Dreams.jpg|thumbnail|right|Current sculpture reference.]]<br /> You’re not alone, you can see: there are others here and there. Though it’s enough to make a significantly loud party, the tone is hushed, quiet: voices seldom get to be discernable, save for the occasional moan of pleasure. Most people here are either engaged in rest or some sort of hedonistic congress. The Growth seems eager to encourage; furniture grows here much faster than you’d expect: if a couple is in mid-kiss and stumble back, they’re caught effortlessly by a self-growing chair or couch. Some rest in slime-made hammocks, others get whole beds; as soon as they stand, the slime ebbs back into the floor’s mass.<br /> <br /> The center currently sports...some kind of sculpture. It looks like a spiral, a pillar of Growth stretched upward and then twisted, soft corkscrew grooves curling upward along it. It almost feels like a ramp that you could climb: glow pulses under the surface of each curvature, lazily spiraling upwards in arcs of rainbow light. The top is a smooth plane, with a wide, egg-shaped seat atop it: easily wide enough for one or two people to have a bout of bliss together in. Leaves of the aqueous stuff droop down from the top of the sculpture, like leaves on a palm tree-- or petals to a flower, waiting to close.</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=File:Tangential_Dreams.jpg&diff=1261 2016-10-20T23:11:02Z

<p>Elluim: Visual reference from an art project dubbed &#039;Tangential Dreams&#039; from Burning Man 2016.</p> <hr /> <div>Visual reference from an art project dubbed &#039;Tangential Dreams&#039; from Burning Man 2016.</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=Skysquids&diff=639 2015-01-29T21:04:07Z

<p>Elluim: /* Physiology */</p> <hr /> <div>Skysquids are a recurring entity in [[User:Elluim|Elluim&#039;s]] narrative, and show up occasionally in any metacosm that he wanders into.<br /> <br /> ===Physiology===<br /> The average skysquid is closer in size to a bus than a person. Their main mantle is about three meters in length, and from tentacle to pentip they stretch to about ten. Younger specimens seem to be roughly four meters in length. Otherwise, they are mainly identical to a common Terran squid, save for a few differences. <br /> <br /> Their primary recurring characteristic is a disregard for gravity: their namesake comes from their usually being spotted during clear summer skies. Their chromatophores are far advanced from the Terran cephalopod, capable of becoming nearly invisible, yet the ripple of their swimming through the air is most noticable during summer sunsets. Upon being spotted, they are known to playfully flash their chromatophores, &#039;pulsing&#039; briefly visible in various neon shades.<br /> <br /> They often are innately magical, and one can curry favor with them, often by leaving gifts. Their particular favored substance is anything luminescence: even something leaving something brightly glowing by a window is said to invoke good fortune with them. Sometimes this is aided by a gift of spiritual energy.<br /> <br /> ===Endocosm: Terra===<br /> Skysquids are a kind of city-spirit for the Emerald City. Their dominion is transportation, motion, communication, and fluidity. The juxtaposition of closeness to the water and a city of high technology gives them dominion over buses, data-signal, and motion of bodies and ideas. They stress freedom, openness, and interconnectedness to any who seek them as mentors.<br /> <br /> ===Syncosm: Halcyon===<br /> On [[Halcyon]], Skysquids occupy a similar niche. They are sentiences borne whole-cloth of the [[Sea of Voices]]. They serve the greater dieties somewhat, but are typically friendly to any who are connected to the Sea. Despite being a phenomenon that is detached from physical reality, it is uncommon&amp;mdash;but not unheard of&amp;mdash;for them to manifest in physical space.<br /> <br /> [[Category:Metaphysics]] [[Category:Neptunian Culture]]</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=Skysquids&diff=633 2015-01-29T20:23:27Z

<p>Elluim: Created page with &quot;Skysquids are a recurring entity in Elluim&#039;s narrative, and show up occasionally in any metacosm that he wanders into. ===Physiology=== The average skysquid...&quot;</p> <hr /> <div>Skysquids are a recurring entity in [[User:Elluim|Elluim&#039;s]] narrative, and show up occasionally in any metacosm that he wanders into.<br /> <br /> <br /> ===Physiology===<br /> <br /> The average skysquid is closer in size to a bus than a person. Their main mantle is about three meters in length, and from tentacle to pentip they stretch to about ten. Younger specimens seem to be roughly four meters in length. Otherwise, they are mainly identical to a common Terran squid, save for a few differences. <br /> <br /> Their primary recurring characteristic is a disregard for gravity: their namesake comes from their usually being spotted during clear summer skies. Their chromatophores are far advanced from the Terran cephalopod, capable of becoming nearly invisible, yet the ripple of their swimming through the air is most noticable during summer sunsets. <br /> <br /> They often are innately magical, and one can curry favor with them, often by leaving gifts. Their particular favored substance is anything luminescence: even something leaving something brightly glowing by a window is said to invoke good fortune with them. Sometimes this is aided by a gift of spiritual energy.<br /> <br /> <br /> ===Endocosm: Terra===<br /> <br /> Skysquids are a kind of city-spirit for the Emerald City. Their dominion is transportation, motion, communication, and fluidity. The juxtaposition of closeness to the water and a city of high technology gives them dominion over buses, data-signal, and motion of bodies and ideas. They stress freedom, openness, and interconnectedness to any who seek them as mentors.<br /> <br /> <br /> ===Syncosm: Halcyon===<br /> <br /> On [[Halcyon]], Skysquids occupy a similar niche. They are sentiences borne whole-cloth of Neptunian otterfolk&#039;s mindlink (sometimes referred to as the Sea of Voices). They serve the greater dieties somewhat, but are typically friendly to any who are connected to the Sea. Despite being a phenomenon that is detached from physical reality, it is uncommon- but not unheard of- for them to manifest in physical space.</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=First_Shooting_Star&diff=626 2015-01-29T07:33:37Z

<p>Elluim: </p> <hr /> <div>&#039;&#039;The First Shooting Star&#039;&#039; is a spoken-word story, passed down through the greater mindlink of Halcyon. Here, it is recorded by [[User:Elluim|Elluim]].<br /> <br /> -----<br /> There&#039;s always the waves, really. Everywhere on Halcyon, you can hear the sound of the <br /> <br /> ocean- after all, nearly everywhere on Halcyon, you&#039;re a part of that ocean. Swimming <br /> <br /> through it or surfing atop it. When night comes, there&#039;s something simple about sitting on <br /> <br /> one of these tiny beaches, staring up at Ceyx. The moon hangs above the waves, a perfect <br /> <br /> disc wreathed in a corona of blue light. It leaves the waves shining as well, nearly <br /> <br /> glowing from below, and as you watch the reflection there, you see an arc of light paint <br /> <br /> out of the corner of your vision. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Bright, piercing gold, still there as you glance up. A shooting star peels across the sky, <br /> <br /> before it fades into the darkness again, leaving a faint afterimage in your gaze. <br /> <br /> &quot;Hee. Do you know where shooting stars come from?&quot; A voice asks to your side. Odd, nobody <br /> <br /> had even been on this beach earlier. The figure seems simple enough: A slim, lithe otter, <br /> <br /> gazing down at you from between thick dreads. He just chirps, sliding down to sit on the <br /> <br /> sand next to you, smoothing out the sarong around his hips.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> &quot;There&#039;s a story I could tell. About where shooting stars come from!&quot; You can&#039;t help but <br /> <br /> be curious- he&#039;s kidding, right? Shooting stars are just meteors burning up in the <br /> <br /> atmosphere. You try to explain that bluntly, and his smile widens. &quot;Yes, sure, <br /> <br /> scientifically. But you don&#039;t let science get in the way of stories, ya? So.&quot;<br /> <br /> He takes a slow, deep breath.<br /> -----<br /> <br /> <br /> Once, a long time ago, our people lived on a different world.<br /> <br /> It was called Neptune, and Neptunians are what we are- They were our ancestors!<br /> <br /> Just like us, they surfed and swam and sang and savored the wonders there are in life. <br /> <br /> And just like us, they were happy and vibrant.<br /> <br /> <br /> Many many generations of us lived like that, until we decided to all leave and head out <br /> <br /> into the stars, and leave Neptune behind us. There was a big show of it all- each and <br /> <br /> every one of them spent their last days in gratitude and rushed awe, before packing it <br /> <br /> alll up onto a great starship. And parties, of course. But when the day came, everyone was <br /> <br /> ready to board- except for one otter.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ve hadn&#039;t been joining any parties, or any of the sunset-viewings. In fact, ve had decided <br /> <br /> to swim off by verself into the depths. This was before the Lifeguardians, really, so the <br /> <br /> Benthic Corps weren&#039;t a thing: swimming down into the dark was dangerous and risky. Not to <br /> <br /> mention all kinds of beasts down there: Leviathans, abyss-worms, gyre-sharks...The <br /> <br /> darkness bred all kinds of savage life, that blink twice at gulping down any otter out <br /> <br /> there.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ve knew this, of course; but ver swimming was impeccable, and ve had one last thing ve <br /> <br /> wanted to do before leaving. Ve wanted to see the deepest place in the world and swim down <br /> <br /> to meet it. In fact, ve wanted to do this more than anything else- but ve knew that ve <br /> <br /> would only have so much time to do it. <br /> <br /> <br /> And so when the other otters were starting to pack up, ve swam far out into the ocean.<br /> <br /> While they partied and cheered, ve dove down past the dome-cities, with nothing but a <br /> rebreather.<br /> <br /> When they were plotting courses and consulting charts, ve was following crags downwards <br /> <br /> and downwards.<br /> <br /> <br /> And when it was time for final speeches and goodbyes, ve was far, far away- down in the <br /> <br /> depths of the greatest ravine in all of Neptune. Deeper than any other otter had swam! And <br /> <br /> when ve remembered to shout to wait up for ver...They were already gone, and the world was <br /> <br /> quiet. Ve was all alone, completely mindblind. <br /> <br /> <br /> And so ve swam down, crying in grief and woe, deeper than all the beasts were, and deeper <br /> <br /> than all the light. At the bottom, there was nothing but darkness, really...And ve felt <br /> <br /> sadness. Everyone was gone, off for another world- and ve was left completely, terribly <br /> <br /> alone.<br /> <br /> <br /> But, it just so turns out, ve wasn&#039;t alone down there. Labalene swims those depths, just <br /> <br /> like She always has. Yes, of course She&#039;s real...And when there&#039;s tears shed in the ocean <br /> <br /> that sincere, She always listens. <br /> <br /> <br /> She told that little otter there in the darkness, &quot;Keep going. You can see them again.&quot; <br /> <br /> And from Her blowhole, She shot a light through the darkness, leading the way to swim. <br /> <br /> That light She cast was the same light in all our hearts- the one that we feel when we <br /> <br /> come back to see our loved ones. And that light became a shooting star- and through the <br /> <br /> darkness, everything was just ocean. Ocean to ocean, the light traveled...and when it <br /> <br /> landed, it landed in our new home. And ve followed it. <br /> <br /> <br /> That ship that had those otters on it- all of our ancestors- saw that shooting star, <br /> <br /> y&#039;know, right as they were starting to come down. It followed them through the darkness, <br /> <br /> and when they landed, that brave otter was there waving on the beaches to them, smiling.<br /> <br /> Those shooting stars- why, they&#039;re always just like that otter; they&#039;re leading those who <br /> <br /> might be lost back to those that love them.<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> &quot;What happened to Labalene, you ask? Well, She wound up coming with us. A bit later, sure, <br /> <br /> but She&#039;s never that far.&quot; The otter smirks, his eyes glowing the same azure as that great <br /> moon.<br /> <br /> <br /> &quot;Well, I can tell the story of where She really lives, if you&#039;d like...&quot;<br /> <br /> -----<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Labalene is a creature that said to have birthed all ocean life- anything borne from <br /> <br /> water, they come from Her. She is the prime diety in connection with the ocean.&#039;&#039;</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=User:Elluim&diff=625 2015-01-29T07:32:38Z

<p>Elluim: </p> <hr /> <div>Bloop bloop! <br /> <br /> <br /> I&#039;m an Elluim. Sometimes i&#039;m a glowy space-otter pretending to be awake. Sometimes i&#039;m a coyote pretending to be someone else (except when I actually am someone else). Sometimes i&#039;m a living dream.<br /> <br /> I&#039;m one of those otterprenes, y&#039;know, from [[Neptune]]!</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=User:Elluim&diff=624 2015-01-29T07:31:53Z

<p>Elluim: Created page with &quot;Bloop bloop! I&#039;m an Elluim. Sometimes i&#039;m a glowy space-otter pretending to be awake. Sometimes i&#039;m a coyote pretending to be someone else (except when I actually am someon...&quot;</p> <hr /> <div>Bloop bloop! <br /> <br /> <br /> I&#039;m an Elluim. Sometimes i&#039;m a glowy space-otter pretending to be awake. Sometimes i&#039;m a coyote pretending to be someone else (except when I actually am someone else). I&#039;m one of those ottreprenes, y&#039;know, from [[Neptune]]!</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=First_Shooting_Star&diff=623 2015-01-29T07:24:45Z

<p>Elluim: </p> <hr /> <div>&#039;&#039;The First Shooting Star&#039;&#039; is a spoken-word story, passed down through the greater mindlink of Halcyon. Here, it is recorded by Elluim.<br /> <br /> -----<br /> There&#039;s always the waves, really. Everywhere on Halcyon, you can hear the sound of the <br /> <br /> ocean- after all, nearly everywhere on Halcyon, you&#039;re a part of that ocean. Swimming <br /> <br /> through it or surfing atop it. When night comes, there&#039;s something simple about sitting on <br /> <br /> one of these tiny beaches, staring up at Ceyx. The moon hangs above the waves, a perfect <br /> <br /> disc wreathed in a corona of blue light. It leaves the waves shining as well, nearly <br /> <br /> glowing from below, and as you watch the reflection there, you see an arc of light paint <br /> <br /> out of the corner of your vision. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Bright, piercing gold, still there as you glance up. A shooting star peels across the sky, <br /> <br /> before it fades into the darkness again, leaving a faint afterimage in your gaze. <br /> <br /> &quot;Hee. Do you know where shooting stars come from?&quot; A voice asks to your side. Odd, nobody <br /> <br /> had even been on this beach earlier. The figure seems simple enough: A slim, lithe otter, <br /> <br /> gazing down at you from between thick dreads. He just chirps, sliding down to sit on the <br /> <br /> sand next to you, smoothing out the sarong around his hips.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> &quot;There&#039;s a story I could tell. About where shooting stars come from!&quot; You can&#039;t help but <br /> <br /> be curious- he&#039;s kidding, right? Shooting stars are just meteors burning up in the <br /> <br /> atmosphere. You try to explain that bluntly, and his smile widens. &quot;Yes, sure, <br /> <br /> scientifically. But you don&#039;t let science get in the way of stories, ya? So.&quot;<br /> <br /> He takes a slow, deep breath.<br /> -----<br /> <br /> <br /> Once, a long time ago, our people lived on a different world.<br /> <br /> It was called Neptune, and Neptunians are what we are- They were our ancestors!<br /> <br /> Just like us, they surfed and swam and sang and savored the wonders there are in life. <br /> <br /> And just like us, they were happy and vibrant.<br /> <br /> <br /> Many many generations of us lived like that, until we decided to all leave and head out <br /> <br /> into the stars, and leave Neptune behind us. There was a big show of it all- each and <br /> <br /> every one of them spent their last days in gratitude and rushed awe, before packing it <br /> <br /> alll up onto a great starship. And parties, of course. But when the day came, everyone was <br /> <br /> ready to board- except for one otter.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ve hadn&#039;t been joining any parties, or any of the sunset-viewings. In fact, ve had decided <br /> <br /> to swim off by verself into the depths. This was before the Lifeguardians, really, so the <br /> <br /> Benthic Corps weren&#039;t a thing: swimming down into the dark was dangerous and risky. Not to <br /> <br /> mention all kinds of beasts down there: Leviathans, abyss-worms, gyre-sharks...The <br /> <br /> darkness bred all kinds of savage life, that blink twice at gulping down any otter out <br /> <br /> there.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ve knew this, of course; but ver swimming was impeccable, and ve had one last thing ve <br /> <br /> wanted to do before leaving. Ve wanted to see the deepest place in the world and swim down <br /> <br /> to meet it. In fact, ve wanted to do this more than anything else- but ve knew that ve <br /> <br /> would only have so much time to do it. <br /> <br /> <br /> And so when the other otters were starting to pack up, ve swam far out into the ocean.<br /> <br /> While they partied and cheered, ve dove down past the dome-cities, with nothing but a <br /> rebreather.<br /> <br /> When they were plotting courses and consulting charts, ve was following crags downwards <br /> <br /> and downwards.<br /> <br /> <br /> And when it was time for final speeches and goodbyes, ve was far, far away- down in the <br /> <br /> depths of the greatest ravine in all of Neptune. Deeper than any other otter had swam! And <br /> <br /> when ve remembered to shout to wait up for ver...They were already gone, and the world was <br /> <br /> quiet. Ve was all alone, completely mindblind. <br /> <br /> <br /> And so ve swam down, crying in grief and woe, deeper than all the beasts were, and deeper <br /> <br /> than all the light. At the bottom, there was nothing but darkness, really...And ve felt <br /> <br /> sadness. Everyone was gone, off for another world- and ve was left completely, terribly <br /> <br /> alone.<br /> <br /> <br /> But, it just so turns out, ve wasn&#039;t alone down there. Labalene swims those depths, just <br /> <br /> like She always has. Yes, of course She&#039;s real...And when there&#039;s tears shed in the ocean <br /> <br /> that sincere, She always listens. <br /> <br /> <br /> She told that little otter there in the darkness, &quot;Keep going. You can see them again.&quot; <br /> <br /> And from Her blowhole, She shot a light through the darkness, leading the way to swim. <br /> <br /> That light She cast was the same light in all our hearts- the one that we feel when we <br /> <br /> come back to see our loved ones. And that light became a shooting star- and through the <br /> <br /> darkness, everything was just ocean. Ocean to ocean, the light traveled...and when it <br /> <br /> landed, it landed in our new home. And ve followed it. <br /> <br /> <br /> That ship that had those otters on it- all of our ancestors- saw that shooting star, <br /> <br /> y&#039;know, right as they were starting to come down. It followed them through the darkness, <br /> <br /> and when they landed, that brave otter was there waving on the beaches to them, smiling.<br /> <br /> Those shooting stars- why, they&#039;re always just like that otter; they&#039;re leading those who <br /> <br /> might be lost back to those that love them.<br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> &quot;What happened to Labalene, you ask? Well, She wound up coming with us. A bit later, sure, <br /> <br /> but She&#039;s never that far.&quot; The otter smirks, his eyes glowing the same azure as that great <br /> moon.<br /> <br /> <br /> &quot;Well, I can tell the story of where She really lives, if you&#039;d like...&quot;<br /> <br /> -----<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Labalene is a creature that said to have birthed all ocean life- anything borne from <br /> <br /> water, they come from Her. She is the prime diety in connection with the ocean.&#039;&#039;</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=First_Shooting_Star&diff=622 2015-01-29T07:23:16Z

<p>Elluim: Created page with &quot;&#039;&#039;The First Shooting Star&#039;&#039; is a spoken-word story, passed down through the greater mindlink of Halcyon. Here, it is recorded by Elluim. ----- There&#039;s always the waves, reall...&quot;</p> <hr /> <div>&#039;&#039;The First Shooting Star&#039;&#039; is a spoken-word story, passed down through the greater mindlink of Halcyon. Here, it is recorded by Elluim.<br /> <br /> -----<br /> There&#039;s always the waves, really. Everywhere on Halcyon, you can hear the sound of the <br /> <br /> ocean- after all, nearly everywhere on Halcyon, you&#039;re a part of that ocean. Swimming <br /> <br /> through it or surfing atop it. When night comes, there&#039;s something simple about sitting on <br /> <br /> one of these tiny beaches, staring up at Ceyx. The moon hangs above the waves, a perfect <br /> <br /> disc wreathed in a corona of blue light. It leaves the waves shining as well, nearly <br /> <br /> glowing from below, and as you watch the reflection there, you see an arc of light paint <br /> <br /> out of the corner of your vision. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Bright, piercing gold, still there as you glance up. A shooting star peels across the sky, <br /> <br /> before it fades into the darkness again, leaving a faint afterimage in your gaze. <br /> <br /> &quot;Hee. Do you know where shooting stars come from?&quot; A voice asks to your side. Odd, nobody <br /> <br /> had even been on this beach earlier. The figure seems simple enough: A slim, lithe otter, <br /> <br /> gazing down at you from between thick dreads. He just chirps, sliding down to sit on the <br /> <br /> sand next to you, smoothing out the sarong around his hips.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> &quot;There&#039;s a story I could tell. About where shooting stars come from!&quot; You can&#039;t help but <br /> <br /> be curious- he&#039;s kidding, right? Shooting stars are just meteors burning up in the <br /> <br /> atmosphere. You try to explain that bluntly, and his smile widens. &quot;Yes, sure, <br /> <br /> scientifically. But you don&#039;t let science get in the way of stories, ya? So.&quot;<br /> <br /> He takes a slow, deep breath.<br /> ====<br /> <br /> <br /> Once, a long time ago, our people lived on a different world.<br /> <br /> It was called Neptune, and Neptunians are what we are- They were our ancestors!<br /> <br /> Just like us, they surfed and swam and sang and savored the wonders there are in life. <br /> <br /> And just like us, they were happy and vibrant.<br /> <br /> <br /> Many many generations of us lived like that, until we decided to all leave and head out <br /> <br /> into the stars, and leave Neptune behind us. There was a big show of it all- each and <br /> <br /> every one of them spent their last days in gratitude and rushed awe, before packing it <br /> <br /> alll up onto a great starship. And parties, of course. But when the day came, everyone was <br /> <br /> ready to board- except for one otter.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ve hadn&#039;t been joining any parties, or any of the sunset-viewings. In fact, ve had decided <br /> <br /> to swim off by verself into the depths. This was before the Lifeguardians, really, so the <br /> <br /> Benthic Corps weren&#039;t a thing: swimming down into the dark was dangerous and risky. Not to <br /> <br /> mention all kinds of beasts down there: Leviathans, abyss-worms, gyre-sharks...The <br /> <br /> darkness bred all kinds of savage life, that blink twice at gulping down any otter out <br /> <br /> there.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ve knew this, of course; but ver swimming was impeccable, and ve had one last thing ve <br /> <br /> wanted to do before leaving. Ve wanted to see the deepest place in the world and swim down <br /> <br /> to meet it. In fact, ve wanted to do this more than anything else- but ve knew that ve <br /> <br /> would only have so much time to do it. <br /> <br /> <br /> And so when the other otters were starting to pack up, ve swam far out into the ocean.<br /> <br /> While they partied and cheered, ve dove down past the dome-cities, with nothing but a <br /> rebreather.<br /> <br /> When they were plotting courses and consulting charts, ve was following crags downwards <br /> <br /> and downwards.<br /> <br /> <br /> And when it was time for final speeches and goodbyes, ve was far, far away- down in the <br /> <br /> depths of the greatest ravine in all of Neptune. Deeper than any other otter had swam! And <br /> <br /> when ve remembered to shout to wait up for ver...They were already gone, and the world was <br /> <br /> quiet. Ve was all alone, completely mindblind. <br /> <br /> <br /> And so ve swam down, crying in grief and woe, deeper than all the beasts were, and deeper <br /> <br /> than all the light. At the bottom, there was nothing but darkness, really...And ve felt <br /> <br /> sadness. Everyone was gone, off for another world- and ve was left completely, terribly <br /> <br /> alone.<br /> <br /> <br /> But, it just so turns out, ve wasn&#039;t alone down there. Labalene swims those depths, just <br /> <br /> like She always has. Yes, of course She&#039;s real...And when there&#039;s tears shed in the ocean <br /> <br /> that sincere, She always listens. <br /> <br /> <br /> She told that little otter there in the darkness, &quot;Keep going. You can see them again.&quot; <br /> <br /> And from Her blowhole, She shot a light through the darkness, leading the way to swim. <br /> <br /> That light She cast was the same light in all our hearts- the one that we feel when we <br /> <br /> come back to see our loved ones. And that light became a shooting star- and through the <br /> <br /> darkness, everything was just ocean. Ocean to ocean, the light traveled...and when it <br /> <br /> landed, it landed in our new home. And ve followed it. <br /> <br /> <br /> That ship that had those otters on it- all of our ancestors- saw that shooting star, <br /> <br /> y&#039;know, right as they were starting to come down. It followed them through the darkness, <br /> <br /> and when they landed, that brave otter was there waving on the beaches to them, smiling.<br /> <br /> Those shooting stars- why, they&#039;re always just like that otter; they&#039;re leading those who <br /> <br /> might be lost back to those that love them.<br /> <br /> ====<br /> <br /> &quot;What happened to Labalene, you ask? Well, She wound up coming with us. A bit later, sure, <br /> <br /> but She&#039;s never that far.&quot; The otter smirks, his eyes glowing the same azure as that great <br /> moon.<br /> <br /> <br /> &quot;Well, I can tell the story of where She really lives, if you&#039;d like...&quot;<br /> <br /> <br /> ====<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Labalene is a creature that said to have birthed all ocean life- anything borne from <br /> <br /> water, they come from Her. She is the prime diety in connection with the ocean.&#039;&#039;</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=Neptunian_transportation&diff=506 2015-01-06T01:32:00Z

<p>Elluim: </p> <hr /> <div>For Neptunian-kind, motion is a thing that everyone always does. Sometimes you need more than your own webbing, though!<br /> <br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;&#039;On Transportation&#039;&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> Living an ocean-world, Neptunians naturally have a talent for swimming, with the stamina and speed to get them to most places they need to go. That said, there are occasions where self-power might be insufficient, such as navigating the streets of a dome-city. Thankfully, Neptunian technology is accommodating to those needs.<br /> <br /> In general, movement devices are personal-scale, for one or two riders. A large reason for this comes from their tradition of individuality and personal style: A jetbike is as much an accessory an extension of who they are as it is a tool. Almost always, they&#039;re designed by their rider. That isn&#039;t to say that there are bog-standard ones, they are just far from common: the most frequent example being an off-worlder using a rental.<br /> <br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;&#039;Psi-bonding&#039;&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> The other reason for this is the Neptunian&#039;s affinity for psionic connections. Typically, when one fabricates vehicle fabricated, they go to a local technician, that fits it with an AI. The vehicle&#039;s intelligence is set to communicate exclusively to it&#039;s creator&#039;s wavelength, and as the rider uses its craft, that AI learns and develops its own personality to match, essentially becoming a partner to the rider. Someone who isn&#039;t bound to a vehicle can still pilot it, but except in rare circumstances, doing such is considered a pretty harsh faux pas (and, expectedly, said craft won&#039;t function as well).<br /> <br /> This psi-bonding can be performed on animals, the most common example being the Pelagic Corps of the Lifeguardians with their characteristic riding mantas. In those cases, there is a implicit degree of consent between the rider and the mount: the psi-bonding comes out of a degree of trust and friendship between the two. As such, bonded mounts are incredibly loyal and affectionate to their riders.<br /> <br /> It is also said that, on rare circumstances, a living creature&#039;s intelligence can be extracted, and transferred to a craft to serve as a living intelligence- supposedly even more capable of handling a machine than an AI...But you&#039;d be hard-pressed to get any details from a native.<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;&#039;On Spacecraft&#039;&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> Due to the Neptunian propensity for mind-blindness, it is somewhat uncommon for them to want to go visit other worlds. That said, it&#039;s also a bit of a challenge for other ships to land on Halcyon due to lack of actual land- so the more sociable few run trade and transit vessels throughout the system.<br /> <br /> [[File:Neptunian ship.jpg|thumbnail|right|Design inspirations for Neptunian craft.]] Spacecraft are designed much in the same way as aquatic craft are, just much rarer: Going into space is usually a thing reserved for the thrill-seekers and the extreme explorers. That said, even a smaller frigate is expectedly much larger than an on-world craft, and as such, the AIs they design are insufficient to fully control all systems. In most cases, when a spacecraft is finished production, either a friend or a volunteer will have his consciousness transferred to the ship, to serve as a living navigator, either for as short as a trip to the moon Triton or on a permanent basis. This has twofold advantage: Not only can they help maintain the ship and plot appropriate courses, they can serve as a companion for the pilot, and help stave off the loneliness of communication with mind-blind individuals.<br /> <br /> While most on-world vehicles resemble fish or common marine life, celestial vehicles often look to the uncommon. Tentacles are a common feature, tending to mimic squid or jellyfish; often times they look as if they may be bearing growths of kelp or lichen along their sides.<br /> <br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Neptunians don’t really believe in armies, or any sort of military spacecraft. That’s silly. Why would they want to fight anyone? Maybe, like, a rad sound-and-light system...&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> <br /> [[Category:Neptunian Culture]]</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=Neptunian_Culture&diff=505 2015-01-06T01:31:43Z

<p>Elluim: /* Other Topics */</p> <hr /> <div>The cultural identifier &#039;&#039;&#039;&quot;Neptunian&quot;&#039;&#039;&#039; is a bit hard to pin down; the term has found use by like-minded individuals across countless realities and eras, always referring to a surprisingly stable concept, a laid-back but idealistic megacommunity of brightly colored, empathetic, telepathic water-dwellers. Some Neptunians will tell you they&#039;re from [[Neptune]] (Yes that Neptune, what do you mean it&#039;s a gas giant, that&#039;s silly!), others say they hail from a planet called [[Halcyon]], and still others aren&#039;t sure either exists, but still do their best to maintain Neptunian ideals wherever they are. Rather than being a specific reference to a planet, the word ‘neptunian’ is used in a broad sense to refer to the culture’s main focus on oceanic living, as well as its correspondences with the [http://www.astrologyzone.com/tools/neptune.html attributes of the Zodiacal Neptune], which center around creativity, dreams, idealism, and compassion.<br /> <br /> In its full expression, Neptunian culture is inherently posthuman, enabled by a wide array of high technology implants, bodymods, and environmental improvements. The most iconic of these is the Neptunian [[mindlink]], a form of technologically-mediated ‘telepathy’ which allows sending and reception of impressions to nearby individuals without the use of sound or sight. This was originally developed to increase interpersonal connections as well as make it easier to communicate underwater, but has developed since then to be one of the most fundamental operational aspects of Neptunian culture. The mindlink has become an integral part of [[Neptunian language]], as well as enabling what passes for a Neptunian governmental system, with decisions being made by the consensus ‘gut feeling’ of myriad individuals that know and care about each others’ emotional states.<br /> <br /> This intrinsic empathy is a treasured tenet of Neptunian culture, and Neptunians attempt to care deeply for everyone, regardless of whether they carry the mindlink, making the culture also very comfortable and accommodating to visitors. Other core values flow from this, like sincerity, flexibility, and creativity. Most Neptunian industries are centered around producing objects to be enjoyed, from art and music to food and toys. The Neptunian style is easy to spot; bright glowing colors with a preponderance of blues, greens, and purples, in flowing lines.<br /> <br /> Despite the mindlink and general communal spirit, Neptunians consider themselves strongly individualistic, at least within their cultural milieu. Rather than enforcing homogeneity, the mindlink seems to allow each Neptunian to be comfortable being emself, without fear of the strange or the other. That being said, there are several commonalities; Neptunians like to say they’re poly in all things; polyamorous, polysexual, polygendered, and polymorphic. This goes back to the intimate interpersonal links as well as the high esteem of flexibility and flow. [[Neptunian morphology]] is quite diverse, but there are some commonalities, like androgyny, aquatic adaptation, and the aforementioned color schemes. They also tend to live in [[Neptunian Podhome|sprawling-but-intimate communes]], each with the dozen or so others ey feels closest to.<br /> <br /> == Other Topics ==<br /> <br /> * [[Neptunian Calendar|Calendar]]<br /> * [[LifeGuardians]]<br /> * [[Mindblindness]]<br /> * [[Neptunian Transportation|Transportation]]<br /> <br /> [[Category:Syncosms]] [[Category:Neptunian Culture]] [[Category:In Progress]]</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=Neptunian_transportation&diff=504 2015-01-06T01:30:39Z

<p>Elluim: </p> <hr /> <div>For Neptunian-kind, motion is a thing that everyone always does. Sometimes you need more than your own webbing, though!<br /> <br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;&#039;On Transportation&#039;&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> Living an ocean-world, Neptunians naturally have a talent for swimming, with the stamina and speed to get them to most places they need to go. That said, there are occasions where self-power might be insufficient, such as navigating the streets of a dome-city. Thankfully, Neptunian technology is accommodating to those needs.<br /> <br /> In general, movement devices are personal-scale, for one or two riders. A large reason for this comes from their tradition of individuality and personal style: A jetbike is as much an accessory an extension of who they are as it is a tool. Almost always, they&#039;re designed by their rider. That isn&#039;t to say that there are bog-standard ones, they are just far from common: the most frequent example being an off-worlder using a rental.<br /> <br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;&#039;Psi-bonding&#039;&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> The other reason for this is the Neptunian&#039;s affinity for psionic connections. Typically, when one fabricates vehicle fabricated, they go to a local technician, that fits it with an AI. The vehicle&#039;s intelligence is set to communicate exclusively to it&#039;s creator&#039;s wavelength, and as the rider uses its craft, that AI learns and develops its own personality to match, essentially becoming a partner to the rider. Someone who isn&#039;t bound to a vehicle can still pilot it, but except in rare circumstances, doing such is considered a pretty harsh faux pas (and, expectedly, said craft won&#039;t function as well).<br /> <br /> This psi-bonding can be performed on animals, the most common example being the Pelagic Corps of the Lifeguardians with their characteristic riding mantas. In those cases, there is a implicit degree of consent between the rider and the mount: the psi-bonding comes out of a degree of trust and friendship between the two. As such, bonded mounts are incredibly loyal and affectionate to their riders.<br /> <br /> It is also said that, on rare circumstances, a living creature&#039;s intelligence can be extracted, and transferred to a craft to serve as a living intelligence- supposedly even more capable of handling a machine than an AI...But you&#039;d be hard-pressed to get any details from a native.<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;&#039;On Spacecraft&#039;&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> Due to the Neptunian propensity for mind-blindness, it is somewhat uncommon for them to want to go visit other worlds. That said, it&#039;s also a bit of a challenge for other ships to land on Halcyon due to lack of actual land- so the more sociable few run trade and transit vessels throughout the system.<br /> <br /> [[File:Neptunian ship.jpg|thumbnail|right|Design inspirations for Neptunian craft.]] Spacecraft are designed much in the same way as aquatic craft are, just much rarer: Going into space is usually a thing reserved for the thrill-seekers and the extreme explorers. That said, even a smaller frigate is expectedly much larger than an on-world craft, and as such, the AIs they design are insufficient to fully control all systems. In most cases, when a spacecraft is finished production, either a friend or a volunteer will have his consciousness transferred to the ship, to serve as a living navigator, either for as short as a trip to the moon Triton or on a permanent basis. This has twofold advantage: Not only can they help maintain the ship and plot appropriate courses, they can serve as a companion for the pilot, and help stave off the loneliness of communication with mind-blind individuals.<br /> <br /> While most on-world vehicles resemble fish or common marine life, celestial vehicles often look to the uncommon. Tentacles are a common feature, tending to mimic squid or jellyfish; often times they look as if they may be bearing growths of kelp or lichen along their sides.<br /> <br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Neptunians don’t really believe in armies, or any sort of military spacecraft. That’s silly. Why would they want to fight anyone? Maybe, like, a rad sound-and-light system...&#039;&#039;</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=Neptunian_transportation&diff=503 2015-01-06T01:27:34Z

<p>Elluim: Created page with &quot;For Neptunian-kind, &#039;&#039;&#039;On Transportation&#039;&#039;&#039; Living an ocean-world, Neptunians naturally have a talent for swimming, with the stamina and speed to get them to most places t...&quot;</p> <hr /> <div>For Neptunian-kind, <br /> <br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;&#039;On Transportation&#039;&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> Living an ocean-world, Neptunians naturally have a talent for swimming, with the stamina and speed to get them to most places they need to go. That said, there are occasions where self-power might be insufficient, such as navigating the streets of a dome-city. Thankfully, Neptunian technology is accommodating to those needs.<br /> <br /> In general, movement devices are personal-scale, for one or two riders. A large reason for this comes from their tradition of individuality and personal style: A jetbike is as much an accessory an extension of who they are as it is a tool. Almost always, they&#039;re designed by their rider. That isn&#039;t to say that there are bog-standard ones, they are just far from common: the most frequent example being an off-worlder using a rental.<br /> <br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;&#039;Psi-bonding&#039;&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> The other reason for this is the Neptunian&#039;s affinity for psionic connections. Typically, when one fabricates vehicle fabricated, they go to a local technician, that fits it with an AI. The vehicle&#039;s intelligence is set to communicate exclusively to it&#039;s creator&#039;s wavelength, and as the rider uses its craft, that AI learns and develops its own personality to match, essentially becoming a partner to the rider. Someone who isn&#039;t bound to a vehicle can still pilot it, but except in rare circumstances, doing such is considered a pretty harsh faux pas (and, expectedly, said craft won&#039;t function as well).<br /> <br /> This psi-bonding can be performed on animals, the most common example being the Pelagic Corps of the Lifeguardians with their characteristic riding mantas. In those cases, there is a implicit degree of consent between the rider and the mount: the psi-bonding comes out of a degree of trust and friendship between the two. As such, bonded mounts are incredibly loyal and affectionate to their riders.<br /> <br /> It is also said that, on rare circumstances, a living creature&#039;s intelligence can be extracted, and transferred to a craft to serve as a living intelligence- supposedly even more capable of handling a machine than an AI...But you&#039;d be hard-pressed to get any details from a native.<br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;&#039;On Spacecraft&#039;&#039;&#039;<br /> <br /> Due to the Neptunian propensity for mind-blindness, it is somewhat uncommon for them to want to go visit other worlds. That said, it&#039;s also a bit of a challenge for other ships to land on Halcyon due to lack of actual land- so the more sociable few run trade and transit vessels throughout the system.<br /> <br /> [[File:Neptunian ship.jpg|thumbnail|right|Design inspirations for Neptunian craft.]] Spacecraft are designed much in the same way as aquatic craft are, just much rarer: Going into space is usually a thing reserved for the thrill-seekers and the extreme explorers. That said, even a smaller frigate is expectedly much larger than an on-world craft, and as such, the AIs they design are insufficient to fully control all systems. In most cases, when a spacecraft is finished production, either a friend or a volunteer will have his consciousness transferred to the ship, to serve as a living navigator, either for as short as a trip to the moon Triton or on a permanent basis. This has twofold advantage: Not only can they help maintain the ship and plot appropriate courses, they can serve as a companion for the pilot, and help stave off the loneliness of communication with mind-blind individuals.<br /> <br /> While most on-world vehicles resemble fish or common marine life, celestial vehicles often look to the uncommon. Tentacles are a common feature, tending to mimic squid or jellyfish; often times they look as if they may be bearing growths of kelp or lichen along their sides.<br /> <br /> <br /> &#039;&#039;Neptunians don’t really believe in armies, or any sort of military spacecraft. That’s silly. Why would they want to fight anyone? Maybe, like, a rad sound-and-light system...&#039;&#039;</div>

Elluim http://wiki.postfurry.net/w/index.php?title=File:Neptunian_ship.jpg&diff=502 2015-01-06T01:21:16Z

<p>Elluim: A design influence for Neptunian craft. In actuality, a bit of concept art from a game called Endless Space!</p> <hr /> <div>A design influence for Neptunian craft.<br /> <br /> In actuality, a bit of concept art from a game called Endless Space!</div>

Elluim