TOOO wrote:

Now you've got me all curious about Devokan, darn you!

Well, go! Go! Before it's too late...

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Time for another update on what is happening with the spheres in the next door island.

Holli has been faithfully taking photographs of them, and I have set up a time-lapse display from them in my office.

Perhaps the easiest way to report developments is to quote from Holli's diary, which she keeps in the Inn. Apparently her friend Artair, who is helping her with the observation, wonders whether the spheres might be sentient in some way. I'm not sure.

Anyway, here is an extract from the latest entry in Holli's diary.

Quote:

I've been seeing what seem to be smaller spheres, more the size of the main one's core flitting about on that area. I haven't been able to catch any on film, though. I've certainly been trying, but they're fast and they seem to disappear again rather quickly.

The core of the main sphere is solid enough to sit and stand on if you're willing to make the jump from the walkway. It rotates and also creates a sound that is rather invasive and resembles that of running water or rain falling.

As to the pavilion, the sides have indeed changed to some sort of island, and it's put me in mind of the "bubbles" Someone else has mentioned. Dot, I think it was. I'd actually mentioned that idea to Artair some time before the change occurred, funnily enough. He didn't really know what I meant, I think, but there it was. Also, some of the Selenetica crystals ave appeared in close proximity to the pavilion, as well as a beeping sound. Did Quin put them there? I haven't spoken with him recently, so it is a possibility.

Quin did put the crystals there. I suspect he might be trying something out...

The first stage of my experiment is complete.

I've moved the crystals by the gazebo. Now we wait...

A few new things...

Quote:

A little something different. Visited Selenetica with Artair today after some talk about the sphere and showing him around the main island. New lava vents have appeared, as well as a roughening of the terrain in some spots and more of those crystals Quin brought down appearing in other areas away from the oasis-type area. Increased seismic activity? I'd advise caution when alone, if this is the case. Heck, even when not alone. Who knows what would happen if one of the walkways collapsed?

Quote:

I've got a few more pictures, but my camera seems to have screwed up the last time I managed to fall off of the walkway... yet again. I'm beginning to think my depth perception is problematic. Anyway, the last picture I have is from today, and may be all I have until I manage to get my camera fixed.

From my entry on the 22nd... I'm attempting to get my camera fixed, but It's being difficult.

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Carpe Quab!
HolliTal (Call me Holli, please)
KI# 00069301

I am pleased to report some success with my experimental placement of the crystals around the strange gazebo. By tuning their frequencies I have been able to acquire a closer view of the island reported by Miss Holli above.

The image shows rough hewn stone steps wending and winding up a pathway lined with boulders, towards an ancient-looking archway. Could this be some sort of ceremonial route for processions? Blazing fire torches line the path, suggesting that the island is inhabited -- unless of course there is some sort of time displacement going on.

Having checked on the crystal experiment, I went on to check my monitoring device on the neighbouring island. Passing by the sphere, I noticed a change in the central core: it looks as though it is splitting into two, rather as the nucleus of an amoeba might do in reproduction. An interesting development.

However, the results from the monitoring device are rather disturbing. As I returned to the Lighthouse, musing on what I had seen, I chanced upon the warrior woman I had met previously: Nalates Urriah. Being between campaigns, she had visited Devokan for a brief respite from her onerous duties.

We discussed the phenomena. She explained that she had set up some of her own monitoring devices on the island around the sphere -- she had come across similar entities before on a battlefield -- but was bemused at the differences shown by the Devokan sphere.

There is one extremely disturbing fact. Both her results and mine concur: the energy/activity of the sphere is increasing daily; extrapolating from my results suggests that the force may reach a critical point in the next two to three weeks, which is in the same time frame as Ms Urriah's independently run tests; there seems to be some kind of force 'sucking' the reality of the tree village towards the sphere.

As Ms Tai'lahr said to TOOO above (did she have some kind of premonition?):

Quote:

Well, go! Go! Before it's too late...

To repeat: there seems to be just two or three weeks before something catastrophic could happen to 'Channelwood' in this world. See it now. Record what you see, for you may not see its like again.

A distance shot from today. Finally got my camera working again... And just in time, it seems.

_________________
Carpe Quab!
HolliTal (Call me Holli, please)
KI# 00069301

As I thought, and as Miss Holli's photo clearly shows, the sphere is indeed 'reproducing' itself. When I checked today, there were two large spheres with distinct nuclei but with their 'cytoplasm' overlapping, and a third, smaller sphere over on the windmill island. So it seems that since Holli took the photo, the large spheres have separated further.

There are no changes to report on the pavilion.

In the midst of all this, today I received a letter from my solicitors, reminding me of my obligation, under the terms of my late Aunt Elspeth's will, to set up a Foundation to foster research in restoring and preserving such 'worlds' under threat.

I find it ironic.

Paislee has been keeping an eye on the area too. Here is her report from 30 December:

Quote:

It's been a tiring week....Since the arrival of the spheres among the trees to the north I've been worried that bad things would transpire. Others have been concerned as well.

While looking through my binoculars this morning I discovered an entire tree was missing as well as a section of walkway. I knew I should prepare for the worst outcome of these strange events.

So, I bundled up against the cold and braved the cold sea waters. After several arduous trips I managed to retrieve most of the items in the central tree hut and put them into storage. Should their owners ever return for them they will find them safe and in good condition.

Now I need a hearty bowl of soup. I just hope I am mistaken in thinking that more will disappear in the days to come......

Today when I checked there are four spheres, two large and two smaller.

One of the large ones is partly submerged, the flux enclosing the pump at the end of one of the lower walkways.

The other surrounds the hut with the lift, with the solid core blocking a doorway. It is quite eerie going into the hut via the other door, watching the flux through the windows, the windchimes sounding as they always do.

The two smaller spheres are on the windmill island. One surrounds the hut that contains the windmill gears. The other's solid core has engulfed Quin's monitoring equipment, meaning we can't get at it any more.

There might be a pattern here. I hope Holli can get photos of all these...

Missed yesterday evening... for various reasons, but I got today's shot.
One thing Artair mentioned is that they now seem to be centering on anything that passes for tech or evidence of civilization in the area. As you've said in more detail, Dot. That seems to be the only connecting feature we've found to the new positioning. Anyway, working on keeping the pictures up-to-date despite things and sort of being worried about being there at the wrong moment....

_________________
Carpe Quab!
HolliTal (Call me Holli, please)
KI# 00069301

Nalates reported on the GoMa forum on 1 Jan 2010:

Quote:

I saw Quin. He is concerned about the spheres… seriously concerned. He asked about my measurements and was excited by the images I captured at the other end of the energy flow. I guess my technology is as strange to him as his is to me. He seemed really surprised and excited that I had traveled there. He asked if I could help him get there.

I’ll have to return home and get the gear I’ll need. The small unit I use to travel has been modified to make random inter-dimensional jumps to avoid my being followed. That would certainly create problems for me transporting Quin. The usual process of sending destination coordinates back doesn’t seem to work…

I’ve heard the tech’s at my duty station talking about new technology to allow easy transport between an entire new range of worlds. I think I’ve learned enough about it to make measurements on this trip with Quin then write directions for how to use the tech to get to the other end of the energy stream. I know the Devokans will want to know how to get to the forest village if… well… now it looks like WHEN… it gets sucked to a new dimension. ...

Well… I better get moving. Quin seemed a bit impatient. I'll write more when we get back.

I'm worried. I haven't seen or heard from either of them since then.

The spheres have multiplied again. There are more on the windmill island, covering the sail mechanism as well as the pumps and Quin's monitoring station. There are more spheres among the trees -- and further disappearances of trees.

What sort of energy/force/plasma/whatever could remove whole trees, including their root systems, without leaving a trace?

And what is more important: where are Nalates and Quin?

I am back. An astounding journey -- but no time to report just now. Solicitors have summoned me to their offices in New Babbage.

Totally OOC and off-topic, but I had to share this with you:

M Linden's Flickr Photostream, Discover Devokan

Excellent, Dot! It seems other explorers are stumbling into Devokan. Let's hope none get careless or have any mishaps while exploring the strange events there. I have been reporting on those events in Devokan in The D'ni Voice and even made a trip to the neighboring area to view the phenomena. I will leave the experiments to the experts as I am very uneasy about the spheres. I await Quin's report and hopefully Nalates will return with more information.

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DMom2K KI 74181
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SL:
DMom2K Darwin

Citizen of the Metaverse and oh, yeah, The Dude abides....

What a relief! Nalates has made it back safely too -- and has written a note in her diary:

Quote:

100107 – The Trip
I’m rushed. News from home is grim. Just time for some memory joggers.

The H.I.P.P.O. transport got us to the new lands quite easily. I think Quin was impressed. I was relieved it worked without embarrassing me. The Village Forest is materializing in a different world. There is more there than either of us expected. Some individual or group has been building and running things there. No clues as to why they wanted the forest. There are some odd buildings there. Currently much of the land is untouched.

There is a single small version of the spheres in the forest in the far world. I have lots of measurements. The energy sources that seem to power it are more like Quin’s technology than mine. I must study the time shifts and tachyon emissions.

I think I can duplicate the transfer process. I have no idea what I would do with that slooowww process. No good for combat or defense, which reminds me, I need to go. ...

As for Quin he is still awol. I mentioned over the explorer network that he was currently in New Babbage as far as we know. Fax Palladin replied that a murder investigation was currently underway there, with some interesting overtones. Knowing Quin, he has probably been distracted into following the clues. If anyone sees him there, please say he is needed back in Devokan pdq. Thanks.

An ending has been written...