[Video]

[what_is_a_man]

A matter of curiosity occurs to me. How much is known about the barriers around each of the cities aside from Everglade? What is known about how they function? I would like to compare that to my own knowledge on how Everglade's works.

Comments

[knowledgeandshadow]

I'm afraid I've not found out much. Nevertheless, I am still researching.

[Private]

[what_is_a_man]

What I do know is that they feed off of some sort of energy. Each city's barrier draws its strength from something different. The Spirit of Everglade itself confessed that Everglade feeds on fear. Something that has been in short supply since the buffoon took the position of Guardian.

Even now, however, I'm planning something to... restore the status quo, as it were.

[Private]

[knowledgeandshadow]

Is this true? Curious. Many youkai in Gensokyo need the fear of humans to survive. An entire realm needing fear is not outside the realm of possibility.

Out of interest, what would happen if the barrier collapsed?

[Private]

[what_is_a_man]

The last time the barriers waned, beings from beyond flooded through the cracks, they were without number, and ravenous for the emotions of those they encountered. They could be fought, yes, but should the barriers collapse entirely, all within the barriers would be rendered soulless emotionless husks after an unending tide of the fiends wash over the populace.

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[firefandance]

[Yukiko was actually pondering on this fact. What did they know really?]

I can't say much is known without actually going to investigate and... that is never a good idea.

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[what_is_a_man]

And I believe that if our very lives are going to be resting on the upkeep of these barriers, we should know what makes them tick.

My own research would indicate that each barrier draws strength from ambient energy within the cities, though that energy varies from city to city.

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[firefandance]

You have a very good point though.

Though is it okay to ask how you managed to do research and find something while no one else has managed? I ask so I could perhaps figure out more that might help.

Though I will add I am glad you managed to find something.

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[what_is_a_man]

It was a combination of alchemical science and divination. [Lies.] I simply had the good fortune of knowing where to look. After the incident with the barriers cracking, I have been in contact with the Spirit of Everglade. [Half-truth there.]

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[firefandance]

So...a scientific magic?

[Well that was probably not something she would do either way, or could do really.]

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[pinklight]

I assume there is something that keeps them up, right?

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[what_is_a_man]

There is indeed. The only things known for certain publicly is that there is a spirit for each city that maintains each barrier. They have been rather tight-lipped about the rest of the specifics.

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[pinklight]

I wonder why they are tight lipped? I mean if they tell us we can help them and that's a good thing.

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[what_is_a_man]

I suppose it is because they cannot manifest in a form that we can interact with for too long. Any time spent in such a form detracts from the care of the barriers. Even my talks were... cryptic at best. It could not afford to be distracted for long.

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[wheresmykey]

[Glory was currently sitting on a luscious couch, one leg in the air as she was staring at something, most likely a shoe she was trying on. Sure she had paid attention to what the guy said, but it was interesting.]

I assume something fun happened to the barriers to bring up such a question.

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[what_is_a_man]

You could say that, yes. It also has something to do with how these cities are run as well.

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[wheresmykey]

So it's like an energy source so to speak? A lock blocking off something.

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[what_is_a_man]

Oh yes. They keep out things that should not be. Beings far older and simpler than any mortal I would wager.

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[charmingdeception]

[She was using her black haired, red eyed form in the conversation, her fingers curling around her black hairs, playing them for the meantime. She was quite bored of this place already.]

Does these so called barriers actually really matter? Do they need to function?

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[what_is_a_man]

I suppose that depends on the perspective of those whose lives depend on it. If the prospect of spending an eternity in a soulless wasteland, stripped of your own emotions after an unending tide of things that should not be fed on your very soul does not bother you, then I suppose they are a bit superfluous.

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[charmingdeception]

If it affects everyone, no. It would not bother me one bit. I would enjoy it while I could.

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[what_is_a_man]

Well you would be in the rather stunning minority there my dear.

[gammavirginis]

Care to share that knowledge with the rest of us?

[what_is_a_man]

I will share what I have been able to verify, yes. You see since the barrier was weakened some time ago, I have been in contact with Everglade's spirit. It informed me that the barrier is bound to the energies of the city it protects. Each city has a different power source, and the barrier's failure was because that energy had run low for far too long.

My own research has been able to verify this. However, the exact nature of the energy has yet to be corroborated. At least for Everglade.

[gammavirginis]

Interesting... and the sacrifices we made renewed the energy?

[what_is_a_man]

For the moment, yes. However, those sacrifices - like all sacrifices - are only temporary measures. That energy will run dry again, should we carry on with the current state of affairs.