Chapter 1: The Tower on the Cliff

Having asked for a talk with the professor regarding their... family issues, Jasmine leads Benji to the professor's office, leaving the two alone afterwards.

The professor, still sitting behind his desk, motions towards the chairs in front of his desk. "Well then, mister Samsara, I believe you mentioned some family issues you wanted to discuss?"



Benji seems a little embarrassed to be alone with the professor. "Uh- yeah. Do you... do you know much about the Samsara?"



The professor folds his hands, elbows leaning on the desk, frowning thoughtfully. "I've had some interactions with them quite some time ago, long before you were born. I'd say I know more than most, but less than some."



Benji is a little relieved the professor at least know a bit. "And have you ever met the Samsara's oracle? In those interactions, I mean..."



The professor nods. "I have, yes. The oracle was the main reason of me visiting your clan, actually. Comparative research, so to say."



Benji looks confused. Comparing what? "Uhh... I don't know what that means. But... do you remember their name? They... were my family. And, uh- not like all Samsara. My ancestors, I mean."



"I was researching the precognitive talents of Xatu and Absol, comparing it to various other methods of telling the future." He makes a dismissive waving motion with his hand. "As for the oracle's name..." He falls quiet for a moment, focussing. "I believe her name was... Upkaar, if I'm not mistaken. I can't say I know too much about your family in particular."



Benji nods. "My great-grandmother," he says, a bit surprised the professor is old enough to have met her. "You must know that all Samsara are treated like family, but she's like real family. Like by blood. I come from the Oracle's line," he says, waiting to see if the professor understands what that means.



The professor nods, looking thoughtfully at Benji. "I take it from your words that the gift of sight is hereditary, then? I'll admit I didn't spent too much time researching the origin of oracle's gift."



"It's not a gift," Benji says a little too fast, too aggressive. "Uh- sorry. It's just... you don't know what happens to them, do you?" His voice is sad and disappointed.



The professor looks a bit taken aback by Benji's sudden reaction, but doesn't seem to mind too much. He shakes his head, curiosity apparent. "I can't say I do, no."



Benji sighs. "They go crazy," he says simply. "The spirits make them crazy. It happened to Upkaar, to her children, to my mother… It will happen to my sister. And it will happen to me," he finishes, serious. "I just... I just thought you might know something," he says quickly, trying to sound less saddened. "You investigate occult things, right? That's what someone told me back home. So I just thought... maybe you'd know."



The professor stays quiet for some time, looking at Benji thoughtfully. After some time, he speaks. "I'm sorry to hear that. From my short interactions with the Oracle, she was a good woman. As, I'm sure, is your mother."

"Luckily, just because I don't know much about the specifics of your family's ... abilities, doesn't mean I might not be of help. As you say, I investigate occult things" - at this, he smiles a bit wryly - "so i might at the very least be able to point you in the right direction."



Benji's face light up when the professor says that. "Really? I mean... Thank you, Professor!" he says, bowing low. "I would appreciate anything, really. I honestly have no idea where to begin. Do you... do you need to know anything? I will answer anything you want and I can do whatever you need. Really!"



Elder chuckles a bit at Benji's enthusiasm. "Well, first of, do you know the origins of your family's abilities? From what source do they gain their visions?"



Benji seems a little confused. "Uh... the spirits?" he says, not sure what else the professor might mean. "The Samsara follow spirits of nature, like most of the Bres Folk. In our case, spirits of wind and weather. And, as far as I know, my family's... ability is being able to see and hear them clearly, and they show the future. And I think eventually we just stop seeing the normal world or something."



The professor nods, looking contemplative. "Hmm... interesting. I'm afraid to say shamanism isn't really my strongest point, but..." He thinks for a few moments, before getting up and scanning through his bookcases.



Benji waits patiently, considering the professor's words. He's not sure what exactly is shamanism, but the man clearly knows more than him.



After a few minutes of searching, he takes out a somewhat old looking book. Returning to his desk, he puts the book down. It reads 'Shamanistic Practices Around The World'. "Not the most comprehensive book in the world, but we'll make do. I remember reading something that might be relevant..."



He takes a few moments to find what he's looking for. "Ah, indeed. Not exactly the same, but..." he begins reading out of the book. " 'Johtoan practices hold great value in the nature of spirits, and is adamant that the nature of a spirit influences the manner that it is interacted with and the actions it can be tasked with. Not only are specific spirits better suited for a given task, it is often the case that certain tasks gives a spirit too tight a hold of the person communicating with them, making it harder for them to be released into their home realm'. I think this might be a decent starting point in your search. Admittedly, the practices of Johtoan shamans is more animalistic in nature, but there are definitely touching points."



Benji listens to it with interest. "Ooh, that does sound relevant! So, maybe the task of telling the future is too powerful, or the spirits aren't made for that. Hmm..." he considers it for a bit, for the first time in a long time seeing a chance. "Johtoan... That's far. Where could I find more information like that, professor?"



The professor smiles slightly. "Luckily, a decent number of Johtoan practitioners settled in these very Highlands during the colonisation efforts, and some traditions have been kept alive in several communities. When you meet her, you might want to ask mistress Wispwood for advice on this matter. She is far more experienced in shamanistic practices than I am, although she can be ... difficult to get information from."



Benji smiles widely. "Oh, really?" So the mission Elder gave them is already related to his own quest. What could be more perfect? "I'm sure we'll be able to reach an agreement. Thank you so much for the information, professor," Benji says, bowing again. "It has been truly helpful."



"No problem at all, mister Samsara. I wish you the best of luck in your quest."



"I'll be in touch!" he says, preparing to leave. "Uhh, for the things you asked, I mean."



The professor chuckles. "Of course. Have a good day, mister Samsara."



"You, too, professor! Thanks again!"

Having asked Jasmine for a private word with the professor, she leads Vess back into the professor's office.

The professor nods in greeting and gestures to one of the chairs in front of his desk. "What is it you wanted to ask of me, miss Li?"



Vess doesn’t sit down in the chair, standing there with her arms crossed. "It should be a quick question. You mentioned you keep track of people that travel through the area. In the past month or two, was there a boy, about... 15 or 16, same features as me, but taller?"



The professor blinks a moment, before looking thoughtful, remaining quiet for some time. "I'm... afraid I can't say. I don't immediately recall any such person traveling through town, but my methods are far from perfect."



Vess curses quietly under her breath, then gives the professor a brief nod. "Thank you, that was all."



"Very well..." the professor says, looking at Vess intently. "This boy... he's a relative, I take it? If you don't mind me prying."



"Brother. He disappeared a few months ago."



Vess nods. "That was the primary reason."



Elder looks thoughtful for a moment. "Understandable. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help... although, if he did come through here, and didn't stick around for long enough for me to notice, he might have taken a ship out... which I'm afraid doesn't narrow down your options much."



"I may... have to ask around then."



Elder nods. "Best of luck on your search. Was there anything else you wanted to ask of me..?"



Vess pauses, thinking, but decides in the end to trust Elder. "I... think he may have gotten himself involved in some trouble. He was hanging out with the wrong crowd, and now suddenly... he's travelling across the region, and he seems to have gotten a large amount of money somehow, and seems to be involved in... strange things. Have you heard anything at all going on like that? Recruiting impoverished people, giving them money, sending them to do strange tasks? He has a horrible sense of direction, it is not like him to just head off into the wilderness alone or without reason."

The professor remains mostly impassive, though Vess thinks she might have caught a quick flash of concern. "Well... I'll be honest, there is usually things like that going on, especially in the more desperate regions like Celestite. Desperate people make for easy recruits, and all that. From what some of my contacts have told me, it might be possible that the occurrences of such recruitment efforts have been going up in the past few years but... it's hard to tell if that's actually the case or not..."



"Well. Keep me informed then. It is relevant."



The professor nods. "Of course, I'll keep an eye and ear out for any more information on the matter."



Vess gives a stiff nod, then turns to leave.



“Good day, miss Li.”