Text;

[undyingcrow]

This month has yielded a wealth of information, for better or worse. Rather than piggyback off of Jayce-san's post, I'd like to share some of my own findings.

First, there is the matter of the messages near the power lines. While exploring the area, I came across several items from my world. I'm curious if anyone else has encountered similar texts with relevance to either themselves or their home realities.

I'm not yet sure what to make of it, but it's troubling. While this doesn't necessarily bear ill tidings for our worlds, it still begs the question of how these items arrived here.

For full transparency, I'll attach a few images. These are Calling Cards created by the Phantom Thieves, a group of super powered vigilantes who "steal the hearts" of wicked adults and force them to confess their crimes.

CALLINGCARD_OKUMURA

Sir Kunikazu Okumura, the great profiteering sinner of greed. Your success and global fame exists due to the tyranny you rain over your employees. Thus, we have decided to make you confess all your crimes with your own mouth.

From,

The Phantom Thieves

CALLINGCARD_NIIJIMA

Madame Sae Niijima, a great sinner of jealousy. You have lost yourself amidst your obsession with success. For its sake, you are even willing to promote injustice as justice.

From,

The Phantom Thieves

CALLINGCARD_MARUKI

Takuto Maruki has committed the great sin of creating an overblown self-righteous reality granting people's wishes. However, we will not soak ourselves in this false happiness, and we will overcome our pain and move forward. As a result, we will not accept your proposed salvation. And therefore, we will steal your distorted desires and take back our future.

From,

The Phantom Thieves

If you see any cards of a similar nature, please let me know.

In other news, I found a rather unusual passage myself, though I've no idea what it pertains to.

He simply used the portal because it was there – an opportunist who chose to enter our world. It sent a chill up my spine. Then, I saw his eyes in town. I don’t know how, but he found m

I've little idea if this relates to this world or the world of another Drifter. If you recognize it, please do let me know.

Moving on, I'd like to briefly discuss a few more recent findings before I wrap up this post. First, there are the Husks. I mentioned this on Jayce-san's post already, but when the music began playing during one of our stops, I carried my phone out to the dormant Husks. Ghostly entities then arose from them, rising into the sky. The humming ceased in the immediate area...

But previously, I had speculated that the monsters that attack us were once like us. I believe we now have solid evidence that this is the case. Given Jayce-san's findings about "stasis," we have a clearer picture, though I'd hardly call it a complete one.

Though, I also had speculated that we're far from the first to have made the trip to Nirvana. After all, the messages on the Convoy seem prerecorded. Even the route seems planned in advance. We've yet to find anyone along our path who isn't a Drifter like us or a hostile of some sort.

Here are the following pieces of evidence that I believe solidify this hypothesis:

• The Husks take on a humanoid shape before the monsters emerge from within.

• The abandoned vehicles were full of useful weapons, clothing, and other assorted items. This is a far cry from our vehicles, which seemed chosen specifically for us and required careful repairs.

• Old messages played from the radio tower, and most notably, during the fight with the large Nargacuga. While I can't remember them word for word, I jotted down as much as I could after the battle.

The name Serenith came up, as well as the Wardens. The speaker in question also implied that these Wardens were ruthless killers.

I also recall another recording, where the speaker mentioned a pack and a sense of belonging...

However, it's possible that I missed certain details. With the chaos of the Moon Warp, my attention was often more focused on survival than listening for clues.

• Notes from the garage contain even more clues. "Broken in two […] Nothing to lose-", "Moon mourns, call her down, ease her pain-", "Need […] Better vessels from afar. Stronger souls-", "Imbue with moon sigils, Give blessings of moon, share her pain. Put the ritual right."

This is all troubling, but I can't say it's surprising. Of course we'd be summoned to serve someone else's purposes. It's why I advice remaining vigilant as we continue toward "Nirvana."

If anyone else gathered evidence that may be relevant, feel free to share. I believe it's in our best interest to collaborate in order to expand our understanding.

Comments

[undyingcrow]

I suppose it helps that it's a reminder of someone you care about.

The calling cards are less personal and more the work of a group. I've worked with the Phantom Thieves, but to call our relationship "complicated" would be a vast understatement.

But yes, I had considered such a possibility. With the notes in the garage, I almost wonder if they're a result of the failed ritual, or even the "stasis" mentioned in Jayce-san's notes.

These aren't mutually exclusive possibilities, mind you. Whatever the truth may be, it's clear that something went awry.

[faceguy]

their the guys that took care of that guy for you, right?

[By which he means Akechi's dad, but he's not sure if Akechi wants him blasting that info everywhere.]

oh yeah those
I could barely read all that
usually leave that kind of stuff to my other brother
gotta admit, I usually just ignored most of what he was talking about
maybe should of been better about listening

[Woe be to him if Donnie ever reads this.]

stasis was also written around those weird shimmery things we ran into on the road awhile back, too
levi kept running into them with his motorcycle and blowing them up

[undyingcrow]

That's right.

[His discretion is appreciated, really. It's far more courtesy than Akechi expected.]

It's never too late to learn. It may prove beneficial in a place like this.

With all that said, I can't say I blame Levi-kun for destroying them. It sounds like excellent stress relief.

[faceguy]

[Leo can read a room, and sometimes he even pays attention.]

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh
fine
but ill complain the whole time

ig
but they were exploding so they could have hit someone else in the convoy

[undyingcrow]

Well, I suppose it's better than nothing.

You're right about collateral, but I think the explosions were an unfortunate inevitability. Even my sigil yielded fiery results during my brief investigation.

[faceguy]

maybe
I taught him how to use the radio thing though so he could warn people if he was doing something dangerous

[undyingcrow]

Good. Some people are simply more brazen, reckless sorts and require cooler heads to prevail.

Though I doubt he's as bad as Skull, at any rate.

[faceguy]

you know a guy named skull?

[undyingcrow]

Technically, his name is Ryuji Sakamoto, but "Skull" is his code name among the Phantom Thieves.

He's strong, but remarkably dense and utterly tactless.

[faceguy]

they had CODENAMES??
thats so cool

hey we shoudl have codenames
like call names
for the radio!

I can be
blue
blue


blue something

[undyingcrow]

Well, I already have one: Crow. Yes, I realize my current appearance makes it feel rather on the nose.

As for you... Well, I suppose it depends on how creative you want to get. The Phantom Thieves typically chose one-word English code names, but there's no hard rule.

[faceguy]

yeah
kinda feels like something about us personally is whats causing all these weird monster changes

one word names are kinda boring when you speak english...
my older brother liked using song titles
and my egghead brother liked using chess pieces

[undyingcrow]

You certainly don't have to play by our rules.

Only you can decide what code name speaks to you, though I'd personally advise against something too verbose. Short and snappy often works best.

[faceguy]

yeah I got it
ill think about it and get back to you

[undyingcrow]

Take your time. It'll give you more room to weigh your options.

[faceguy]

[Why does this feel a little patronizing...]

I got this
ill come up with the BEST one