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[thecrossingmods]

[The Crossing is coming again.

There is no advance warning from The Ferryman this time. There is nothing to draw your attention towards the message that appears on your device, whatever it may be, except perhaps the expectation that it should be appearing soon.

Whether you think to check for it or you simply stumble upon it, the words are there just as before:]

A toll to be levied for safe passage
from the desert to ǝɹǝɥʍǝsʅǝ

envision a place of comfort and safety
a haven from the wants and ills of life
be it for a moment or for a lifetime

offer it to The Ferryman
and let go

Comments

[witnessvelama]

I cannot speak for any but myself, but I will be accompanying the Ferryman.

[callsignhornet]

Keep your head on a swivel anyway, it sounds like the Crossing is rough no matter which way you go.

[witnessvelama]

I would not deny it, but the dangers of paying the Toll are not external.

[callsignhornet]

If that's how you feel about it, why are you going with the Ferryman.

[witnessvelama]

Because the world is never without dangers. In life, nor here. We must move on.

[callsignhornet]

I see. So you believe the Ferryman when they say we're dead?

[witnessvelama]

You do not?

To answer the question, I do. I would not write of the details here, but I will not deny what I know to be true.

[callsignhornet]

I didn't say that. Just trying to see where the collective stands.

[witnessvelama]

I suspect this is not a matter on which there will easily be consensus, as some of these discussions make clear.

Nevertheless, that you ask implies that you see reason for doubt. Nor did you pay the Toll before, is that so?

[callsignhornet]

I've met species that can control others with fungal spores and others that can connect to the minds of others by simply making eye contact and willing it.

Besides, there is always room for doubt.

I didn't pay the toll, but I was lost for a while, so I guess that was payment enough. The Ferryman isn't particularly transparent about things.

[witnessvelama]

You do not think so? They have been quite forthright, by my measure. A soul is ready to move on when it is ready to move on. They cannot make the decision for us.

Doubt does not give cause to deny reality when we are faced with it.

[callsignhornet]

He didn't capitalize it, but she can feel it in the way he writes 'soul' and her heart aches. Allynbee misses Thane, misses their conversations, and prays that he has reached his beloved Irikah. She's for damn sure is glad no one is around to hear the sob she has to choke back.

They're not being hard to read on purpose, I sure of that but you have to admit there is a lot more explanation they could be giving us.

For reasons I am far more willing to discuss in private, my experience leads me to suspect what's going here.

[witnessvelama]

Is it their responsibility to walk us down the path, or is it that they might light it, that we tread it ourselves? If you forgive the bluntness of the metaphor.

If you would, I invite you to meet me to discuss it - I will be in the third dwelling from the oasis.

[callsignhornet]

That depends on how involved you think a psychopomp should be.

Sure. I have a few things to handle, so it might be a bit before I come see you.

[witnessvelama]

I believe I have made my opinion on that clear, but I find it often serves us best to listen, rather than to ask questions.

I will be here when you have finished your work.

[And he will be - Celehar might occasionally have reason to move to the oasis, or to walk the edges of the lantern's light as he's prone to do, but the hut he seems to have taken up residence is an easy place to find him, all told.]