text;

[pinnaculum]

I am Sephiroth.

[Though which Sephiroth is it? The ID number attached to the post reads S1297993 rather than S1727002, for those who know there are two Sephiroths, are familiar with those numbers, and take the time to notice. Then again, the tone of the post may also be a hint.]

I have been researching the monsters in the Tower. I am curious as to why they are treated so differently than we are, although they likely come from other worlds as well. They have no collars, and they roam freely. They are not wire constructs containing souls, as we are. They were not altered during the glamour failure. They appeared as normal. Many of them are absent during the day. Where do they go? What is their nature? Why are they here?

If you have any ideas or theories, I would be interested in hearing them.

Also, I have noticed that there is a discrepancy in my memories. If there is anyone capable of reading or altering memories, please contact me.

Thank you.

Comments

text;

[fonlines]

[ given the nature of Curse Slots, 'should he reply,' is the question... ]

I am able to read a person's memories to an extent, but they must be marked first.

It may be unpleasant.

As for the monsters... perhaps they're empty. Perhaps their minds have little or nothing at all in them, and that isn't enough of, how did they put it, a self? To require the same trappings and bindings as us.

But I don't know very much, I'm afraid.

text;

[pinnaculum]

What do you mean by "marked"?

I am willing to deal with unpleasantness.

That is possible, that the monsters do not have a soul or self. Yet some of them do seem intelligent, and many of them are powerful, more so than the people here. That does not explain where they go in the daytime or why they are here.

I have heard it theorized that they may be "mistakes" brought here when Zo was attempting to bring more people, yet there are many of the same kind of monster. They do not seem random.

text;

[fonlines]

Exactly that. A mark must be placed somewhere on the body to allow for the channeling of memory. It can be removed once it's served its purpose, so you don't have to worry about it being permanent.

[ That's explaining it very... lightly, but none of it is a lie. ]

That is true. It would seem strange that, if they were so powerful, that simple light should keep them away from us... And with so many of them, surely they can't all be nocturnal.

I hadn't heard of that before, though. From whom did you learn this?

text;

[pinnaculum]

I do not mind. I am most interested in obtaining the information.

[Sephiroth would do a lot for information.]

No, they are not nocturnal, for some can be found during the day, though they are more rare. Yet there are many that can only be found at night. I do not believe they are sleeping. They are not present during the day. I have looked for them. If the administrators do control them and wish to make the day safer and the night more dangerous, why is that? If they do not control them, then what explains the daily absence of the creatures?

It is a theory. It was suggested to me by an acquaintance.

text;

[seekinganswers]

[She's spoken with the adult Sephiroth enough times to recognize his particular string of numbers; this one is different. She's not sure if she should respond to this one, though - she might be able to help, but she's not sure she wants the entire Tower to know what it is she can do...]

The monsters are different from us, somehow. That much is obvious. I don't think they're capable of rational thought... or of any sort of thought at all. At least, they don't seem to be.

[There's a slight delay before she sends another message.]

What do you mean when you say you're missing memories? Is there time that's passed that you haven't been able to account for?

text;

[pinnaculum]

Yes, they are different. That may be so. Yet during my months of research, I have encountered many of them, and their behaviors can be quite complex. Some of them speak.

[Sephiroth has been doing almost nothing but killing monsters for months, so he has encountered a great many of them.]

If any of us had been brought here differently, uncollared, would we be monsters? The fact that they are here without collars proves that it is possible to bring lifeforms here without the need for constructing new bodies for them. I have heard it theorized that they may be "mistakes", either warped souls or creatures brought here in error, but there is no proof of this.

I have too many memories, yet at the same time, they are incomplete. I remember things that I cannot explain. I possess memories that it is impossible for me to have. I do not know where they came from.

text;

[seekinganswers]

That's true... the ones I encountered may have been different. I try not to spend too much time around them unless I have to, so I haven't really seen a huge variety. I've never fought one that spoke before... what was it like?

...that's a good question, and it's hard to say. I hope not. Whatever the monsters are, I've killed enough of them that I don't want to think they might have been human once, or that a botched attempt at bringing one of my friends here might turn them into one... It might be worth asking the administrators, if you think anything they say can be taken as fact.

Hm. I can't alter memories, but I might be able to help you sift through them... [That's probably as close as she's going to get to saying "I read minds" in public.] If you'd like, that is.

text;

[pinnaculum]

I have been seeking them out in order to research them.

Monster type: childlike, wearing a gas mask. They speak about their mothers, asking to be reunited with them.

Monster type: mutated humanoid, exposed organs. They cry out for help or ask for the cessation of pain.

Monster type: humanoid, tall, masked and constantly bleeding. They travel in groups and appear to communicate with each other verbally.

Monster type: small, humanoid, goblin-like. They speak in rhymes, usually mocking.

Regardless of whether they were human once, it is acceptable to defend yourself. I will continue to research in an attempt to answer these questions, but my studies are hampered by the unreliable nature of the Tower.

I would ask the administrators, but they cannot be trusted. The object of my researches is to understand this place, and they have proven to oppose such aims. Any data received from them would be worthless.

Yes, I would like that. I would prefer to resolve this anomaly.

video;

[megazero_to_superhero]

—So dat wasn't jus' my imagination!

[The feed's sudden, with David's mug up close and personal to the camera before leaning away, as if he'd just punched the transmit button while reacting to Sephiroth's message.]

video;

[pinnaculum]

[Sephiroth sees no reason not to switch to video in reply.]

Are you referring to the monsters?

video;

[megazero_to_superhero]

[Huh. David wasn't expecting that young on the other end of the line. He's visibly taken aback for a moment while Sephiroth responds, but David doesn't hesitate in answering.]

Yeah. That whole glamour failure stuff? When we found out we're just made of bendy wires and goop? Ran into a pack of dose punks.

[He rubs the back of his neck, where his helmet tends to clink against his collar. Or, well—that's his real neck, isn't it?]

Still tryin' to figure dat out. Why dey got flesh an' blood bodies an' we don't.

[text]

[bashfulshifter]

[Rick isn't entirely sure if this is the young Sephiroth that he's looking for, but based on the general tower consensus, the older version probably wouldn't be asking for research buddies, or any help at all for that matter. He decides that it's worth taking a gamble.]

Hello Sephiroth--this is Patrick Dawn. I don't think we've met, and this probably isn't the best place to bring this up, but Diarmuid recommended that I ask you about your network guide that you're making, so...here I am, asking about it before I forget.

[Yes, that is a real hyperlink. Rick may be filter-illiterate, but he at least knows how to use the "rich text" option when he posts on the network.]

I don't think I'll be too helpful in collecting information, but I'll be happy to edit or distribute copies, if that's something you need another pair of hands with. Again, many apologies for the out-of-place request; I should have contacted you separately, but I couldn't find your ID and I didn't want to confuse you and...the other you by making a blind post. If you'd rather not talk about this here, I can wait.

[text]

[pinnaculum]

Hello, Patrick Dawn.

Yes, Diarmuid spoke to me of your interest in assisting, and that would be welcome.

I could use help in printing and distributing copies once the work is finished. Are you familiar with the printing press in the library? I believe my comrade Shinji will be helping me to write the manual. I am also considering writing a bestiary, as I have been studying the monsters in the Tower for months, but that would take more time.

I see no reason we cannot discuss it here. I do not mind.

[text]

[bashfulshifter]

Great! I could definitely use the work and I'll be happy to assist as soon as you're ready.

I've been working with the printing press to make fresh copies of the tower guide for Diarmuid, so...I think I know how to make it work. I also make a regular circuit of the dorms, so I can keep up with the guide by the terminals there, too, if you need someone to do that.

...A bestiary, though? That sounds like dangerous work. Good luck!

[chevalier_mal_fet]

I have slain or encountered nearly every type of Monster and Fell Beast in this Place, and have even sought an answer to the question you ask-- as to how they come and go. I have yet to find an answer, Sephiroth, but I do say that this question is a central one. By asking it and seeking its answer, we will come closer to some Truth, I have no doubt.

Do you believe that your Memories have been interfered with here, within the Tower?

text;

[pinnaculum]

That is my thought, too.

Many of them are more dangerous than the residents of this Tower, and there are some I believe cannot be killed.

There is much we do not know about them, but I would like to. Yet it is difficult to find out more. I thought that perhaps another had seen or realized something I have missed.

I do not know. I only know that there is a discrepancy in my memories. I do not know what its origins are.

text;

[blackwitch]

The reason those monsters here is simple. The people in charge probably just enjoy hurting people, and sending monsters is an easy way for someone else to do the dirty work for them while they can just watch and enjoy.

Besides, they don't need to control the monsters like they need to control us since they only have primal instincts.

Re: text;

[pinnaculum]

I can accept that theory. As this is an experiment, it makes sense that they would expose us to various stimuli to see how we react. They have shown a desire to witness our reactions to pain and fear.

But why are the monsters real when they could just as easily produce illusions? The theory does not explain that fact.

Some of the monsters are very intelligent, capable of complex behaviors or even speech. Some of them appear to be much more powerful than most people here.

[blackwitch]

Have they been proven to be able of producing illusions that look like monsters? There could always be some sort of weird limit to their powers.

[ If only. That would make things so much easier, then she'd actually maybe have a chance for overthrowing them somehow.. ]

text;

[notayoungkitten]

I have been wondering that myself.

Perhaps they are the original residents of the tower or of this world? Though honestly I can't imagine why they would turn into monsters or where they would go.

text;

[pinnaculum]

I am pleased others have been asking the same questions, but so far no one has provided any answers or evidence.

I cannot discount that theory. Considering the fact that souls can be manipulated here, why not bodies? There is nothing to disprove that the monsters once had another form.

Perhaps the administrators altered them?

text;

[notayoungkitten]

Perhaps so.

It would also explain why the monsters are not affected by glamour.

[Text]

[great_king_of_evil]

The souls of the monsters are different from ours. They are simpler. The administrators can bring both their souls and body in. They pretend this to be accidental, but I will agree with the other replies and say it may be intentional.

Our souls however are different. Bringing our bodies in together with our soul is beyond their capability, simple as that.

As for why you do not see them the day, it is the same reason as to why humans are not seen during the night. The monsters simply follow a different schedule than yours.

[Text]

[pinnaculum]

Whatever the reason they are here, I believe it may be deliberate.

I understand your theory, but I do not understand the basis for the differences between souls. It is not simple. Why does complexity necessitate leaving the body behind? Could there be another reason for removing the soul from the body that we are not told?

Some of the monsters display complex behaviors, and some are more powerful than most others here.

Yet the monsters cannot be found to be sleeping. When searched for during the day, they are not at all evident. They are absent.

[Text]

[great_king_of_evil]

It is not my theory, it is the answer I was provided with when I asked the administrators about this.

The one in charge of bringing our souls here admitted at having tried to bring our bodies. However doing so supposedly 'breaks' the soul, which results in the soul and body turning into one of the Phantoms you can find here.

When asked why monsters had their bodies then, he replied it was because their souls is simpler.

He may have been lying, but I doubt he has the capability to do so. However the administrators have proven the extent of their lack of knowledge, so I will agree that there are aspects they are probably not aware of.