Unknown Deity

Knowledge

Robert hesitated for a moment, still shaken from what he had witnessed.

But he knew he had to answer the raven's question.

Robert spoke in a clear and resolute tone, indicating his determination to answer the raven's question despite the unsettling circumstances. His voice wavered slightly with lingering fear and uncertainty, yet he remained resolute and undaunted.

"My name is Robert," he said firmly.

"I am an artifact hunter, part of a team that seeks out and recovers ancient and valuable relics."

The raven stared at Robert intently for a few moments before letting out a cackle.

"Artifact hunter, eh?" it said.

The raven's voice was deep and mocking, as if it found Robert's profession amusing or contemptible.

Robert shifted his weight uneasily, unsure of how to react to the bird's response. He couldn't tell if the raven was friendly or hostile, and the ambiguity of the situation made him feel uneasy.

"Well, you've come to the right place. There are many powerful artifacts to be found here"

With a sudden and unexpected movement, the raven's wings unfurled, sending a gust of wind throughout the room.

A slap resounds through the room, Robert was thrown off his chair and stumbled backwards.

The raven's feathers bristled, and its beak opened wide, emitting a harsh, rasping cry that echoed off the walls.

Robert felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized the full extent of the bird's rage.

He looked around, disoriented and confused.

The raven's piercing gaze sends shivers down Robert's spine, causing him to quiver with trepidation.

"Who are you?" it asks once again, its voice cold and menacing that reverberates through the small room, intensifying Robert's unease

Robert gulps, his fear growing with each passing moment.

His anxiety reaches a crescendo, and he admits defeat with a quavering voice,

"I don't know."

The raven, with an air of authority, clears its throat and fixes its piercing black eyes on Robert.

After a long, tense moment of silence, it finally speaks, its voice cold and calculated.

"So, can you tell me where you're from?" the raven asks, its tone suggesting that it already knows the answer.

Robert's heart skips a beat at the question, his mind racing as he tries to come up with a suitable answer. But in the end, all he can muster is a feeble admission of his lack of knowledge.

"I don't know anything," he stammers, feeling a sense of defeat wash over him.

The raven took a moment to contemplate Robert's response, its black eyes scanning him for any sign of deception or hidden motives.

After a brief silence, it spoke again, its voice low and cryptic.

"Your lack of memory is intriguing. It seems you are not cursed or a traitor to the organization, but there is evidence of head trauma. However, the cause of it remains a mystery."

The raven's words sent shivers down Robert's spine, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What was the raven trying to say? Was there something more to his amnesia than he realized?

Before he could dwell on these thoughts any further, the raven spoke once again, cutting through the silence with a commanding tone.

"Well, let's end this questionnaire for now."

As the raven finishes its last statement, it suddenly transforms into a woman wearing a black dress adorned with black feathers.

Robert's jaw drops in disbelief.

He stands there watching in awe as the mysterious creature changes its form right before his very eyes.

He can't help but wonder what other surprises this mysterious room might have in store for him.

Now in human form, the raven-woman stares intently at Robert, her black eyes piercing through his soul. The air in the room seems to grow thick with tension as the woman opens her mouth to speak.

Robert can feel his heart beating faster in his chest as he waits anxiously for her next words.

"I go by the name of Beatrice, but you can refer to me as Doctor."

"The man lying there was a traitor, and I have a knack for detecting untruthfulness. As my moniker suggests, I possess the ability to mend not only the bodily afflictions but also the emotional and psychological traumas."

Robert simply nods his head.

"Now, let me fill you in on some crucial information."

"You are currently located in the country of Ostrait, specifically in the capital city of Nodnol."

"Here, it's common to see not just humans, but also feathered Folk, mermen folk and ascendants."

"You may have observed some feathered folk while you were traveling here."

"They are commonly referred to as bird people and are essentially humans with avian characteristics such as feathers, beaks, and wings."

"The feathered folk interact with humans on a regular basis, but they also tend to stick together as a tight-knit community."

"Their culture is similar to that of humans, but there are some distinct differences."

"Explaining those differences in detail would take quite a bit of time, so I'll just say that they have their own unique customs, traditions, and way of life that sets them apart from humans."

"Mermen folk are excellent swimmers, their bodies are covered in iridescent scales that shimmer in the light."

"They have webbed fingers and toes, as well as gills on their necks that allow them to breathe underwater"

"Their eyes are often large and expressive, with a mesmerizing quality that draws who gaze upon them"

"And last but not least, Ascendants are individuals who have shed their mortal skin and become something more than human."

"As an ascendant myself, I possess powers that are beyond the capabilities of mere mortals."

"To become an ascendant, one must undergo a ritual of price and reward."

"While there are formulas that can make the process easier and safer, these formulas are secrets closely guarded by each organization."

"The formulas for the first rituals can be obtained through trade, but the more secure and powerful ones can only be accessed by pledging allegiance to an organization."

"Additionally, there are many different types of ascendants, with each particular ritual leading to a path of more difficult and challenging rituals."

"For example, I have completed three rituals, the first one to become an apothecary, the second a doctor, and the third one a druid."

"The journey to become a Druid doesn't always have to begin with becoming an Apothecary."

"There are different paths one could take, such as starting as an Arborist, then progressing to become a Miracle Worker before ultimately becoming a Druid."

"As an ascendant engages in more rituals, they may become more distant from their human roots and begin to view non-ascendants as different or inferior."

"These individuals are often referred to as "mortals" or by other terms that highlight the separation between them and the ascendant community."

"The further an ascendant delves into their practices, the more they may develop a sense of superiority or detachment from humanity. It's important for ascendants to balance their spiritual growth with empathy and understanding towards those who do not share their beliefs or abilities."

"According to rumors, the lineage of feathered folk and mermen folk can be traced back to ancient times, where their unique traits were inherited and passed down through generations, suggesting that they are descendants of ascendants."

"The path one takes, all depends on the individual, their interests, abilities and the unique traits they wish to possess."

"Robert Blackwell, it seems that I have overwhelmed you with information."

"You must be exhausted. I hope the information I provided will give you some guidance on how to move forward."

"If you have any more questions, you can seek me out in the future or ask Alexander Kline. He is also an ascendant and has a wealth of knowledge that can help you."

"Rest well, and good luck on your journey."

Robert's mind is in a state of chaos as he tries to process the new information that Beatrice had just imparted to him.

His brain is working overtime as it tries to make sense of the newfound knowledge, and the realization that there is a world beyond what he knew left him feeling overwhelmed.

The conversation with Beatrice was like a whirlwind tour of a parallel universe that he had never before fathomed.

Though he gained some clarity about ascendants and other races, he now has even more questions and curiosities that he's eager to explore.

Robert wonders about the extent of the rituals that the ascendants practice and what other mysteries lay waiting to be unraveled.

He's intrigued by the idea of alternate paths that an ascendant can take, and he's eager to explore the depth and breadth of the possibilities.

Despite his overwhelming thoughts, Robert manages to express his gratitude towards Beatrice with a nod, acknowledging her assistance.

He makes his way towards the door, hoping to find Eugene or someone else who can point him in the direction of a place where he can rest, contemplate and come to terms with all the information he has gathered so far.